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What To Do Near Incheon International Airport: Beaches, Parks, Cafes & Flowers
Incheon International Airport sits on Yeongjong Island (์์ข ๋) just outside of Seoul, Korea and most people visiting Korea will land and leave as quickly as they arrived departing to to places like Seoul, Busan, or Jeju. There’s plenty to do on this island in Incheon though and we’ve headed out a few times over the years to see what there is to see and take advantage of the numerous spots that there are sans crowds because everyone else is trying to get to the mainland. Enjoy the scenery though people… enjoy the scenery! Have a 24 hour layover at Incheon International Airport? Check out those Instagrammable spots in the airport…
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The Seoul Derby: The Summer Scavenger Hunt Event 2019
The Seoul Derby is an event I have been putting together for at least five years now… maybe six. When I started it was all about planning a fun way to get people out and about and see parts of Seoul that maybe haven’t and do it in a competitive way. Since it’s debut, there have been between 15 and 20 teams that rock up each time. Some years there is just one event in the beginning of the summer and some years there has been two. Teams of four (or more) get together and run around with a scavenger hunt clue list of items that can really only be…
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Gongdeok District In Seoul May Surprise You
There are some districts of Seoul that seem like straight forward business districts and nothing more. Gongdeok has always been one of those areas for me. I’d pass through the area on the way from Hongdae to Itaewon or visit when I was going down to Yeouido to see the annual fireworks festival, but until last year when I was working in Gongdeok, I hadn’t really stopped to look around. Glad I did though. While there are a ton of businesses in the area, there are also cool cafes, reclaimed spaces, and some good good good eats. So, if you are around and want to try something different, don’t hesitate…
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The New Zealand Wine Festival Is BACK in Seoul & Busan
The Kiwi Chamber is hosting the 11th annual wine festival here in Seoul on May 25th. After attending last year, I can say it’s one fun event so don’t miss out. I’ve cleared my calendar. Will you? Don’t worry if you don’t live in Seoul though, there is a second addition that is held down in Busan on June 8th. Hosted by the Grand Hyatt Hotel, the backdrop couldn’t be better in the spring. Stand next to the waterfall, grab a picnic blanket and lounge on the grass, or stand around a table as you sup on some delectable eats and of course sip on some wine, wine wine. If…
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Ulleung-do: A Guide To The Secret Island You NEED To Visit In South Korea
Set 120 kilometers off the eastern coast of South Korea, Ulleung-do, or Ulleung Island, is about as off the beaten path in Korea as you can get. While plenty of people know of the island, it’s not the easiest place to get to and many people just don’t have the time… and you’ll need some time. If you do get to this remote island only accessible via ferry, you’ll be delighted with karsts rising from the emerald blue seas, towering lush green mountains and island life rarely seen in Korea. Brave the erratic weather that surrounds the secret island and you will be rewarded with views for days and a…
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10 Aquariums To Visit With Kids In Korea
Most people, especially kids, have some interest in exploring the world around them and that includes the depths of the seas. What better way to cultivate that interest and learn about our sea friends than to visit a nearby aquarium? There are aquariums around Korea and they are pretty easy to tack on to most itineraries and really provide hours of fun for children and the adults that they bring along. Need something to do indoors during monsoon season or looking for what to do during winter in Korea? This is it. Want something fun to do in Seoul? Something fun to do in Busan? Something fun to do in…
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The Rainbow Zip Wire: The Longest & Tallest In Korea
Gimcheon is a city in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea and is easily accessible via the KTX train line that connects the capital city of Seoul to the coastal city of Busan. In recent years, the city has been getting amped up and looking to get more tourists to the region and might just be the next hot spot for the thrill seekers and adventure hunters in Korea. If you’re looking for a weekend away in Korea, consider Gimcheon especially if you like zip wires, suspension bridges, and breathtaking views. This city in South Korea isn’t super popular but maybe it should be.ย Plan a trip to Gimcheon, Korea: (This post contains affiliate…
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When & Where To Find Flowers In & Around Seoul, Korea
Flowers bloom in Seoul from April to November. Spring flowers, summer blooms, and autumn flowers make for stunning photos here in Korea. Want to know where to find flowers in Seoul? Here’s a guide to get you started. I’m just about a professional flower hunter in Korea and I want to help you find the flowers, too. Make the most of spring in Korea and get out to see the dazzling display that Mother Nature provides. She certainly does not disappoint in Korea. Beat the heat this summer in Korea with the beauty that nature provides and end the warmer months with the gorgeous fields of cosmos, pampas and pink…
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Leesle Hanboks: Where To Buy One
For a time it seemed as though the Hanbok was about to go completely out of fashion in Korea. Seen as only appropriate on special occasions and holidays, the traditional Korean clothing that was originally daily-wear wasn’t daily anymore. That was until designers in Korea, like Leesle, took their passions and put their own modern twists on the traditional Korean dress that has been coming back with resounding applause and style and has even been seen on catwalks in major fashion shows. Leesle Hanboks are both simple and complex but maintain a beautiful balance exactly as they were originally designed. What’s better is you don’t have to be in Korea…
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Yes, You Just Saw Me On CNN & PBS In The Same Week!
January was a good month. Not only was I asked to participate in an episode of Point Of View on CNN, but an episode I had filmed with Samantha Brown on her latest show Places To Love aired. Bing Bang Boom! Here’s what you missed. This just in: I was on CNN’s program ‘South Korea POV’. POV stands for Point-Of-View and the premise of the show is that a local will guide viewers around a city. Having lived in Seoul for the past twelve years, I can say confidently that I am pretty adept at getting around, finding things on and off the beaten path and consistently try to share…
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Bukchon Hanok Village: What To See, Where To Go & What To Do + A Map!
Bukchon Hanok Village is one of the most visited areas of Seoul, Korea. The neighborhood of Bukchon is special due to the numerous traditional Korean homes, or Hanoks, that are located there. The neighborhood was originally home to high-ranking government officials and nobility so you would be right in assuming that these Hanok estates are rather nice. Bukchon is a neighborhood that sits to the east of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main palace in the capital city of Seoul, and west of Changdeokgung Palace, known for its gorgeous secret garden. The neighborhood to the west of the main palace, while not as traditional in architecture, is also a great spot to find…
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What To Do If You’re Staying In Seoul For Seollal 2019
Click over to this post to see what’s going on in 2020! This year the Lunar New Year, or Seollal (์ค๋ ), falls on February 5th. The holiday is from Monday, February 4th to Wednesday February 6th. Yes, that means with the weekend before it, we’ve got a five day holiday period coming up. The holiday can be a period that is hit or miss for where to go and what to see if you’re not prepared. While many mom and pop shops will be closed, there are still plenty of spots that WILL be open hosting various holiday events. Read below so you know where to go, what to see,…
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Three Things To See In Seongju, Korea
There are so many hidden gems in South Korea that never really make it onto the radar of foreign travelers. Seongju, Korea is one of those places. It’s a bit off the beaten path located down in Gyeongsangbuk-do and the things to see there are traditional and definitely interesting. I was invited by the tourism board there to see what there was to see and was asked to write a fictional piece of writing about the area for an anthology. Since The Soul of Seoul is usually a straightforward no fuss no muss sort of site, I thought I’d share the fictional piece with you but below that is all…
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The Peace Culture Bunker: Once Military, Now Communal
It’s not uncommon to travel around Seoul, or Korea for that matter, and find military bases and bunkers. Usually they’re surrounded by barbed wire and fences because civilians, like myself, cannot enter. They’re starting to get converted into community spaces though as they become unnecessary. The Peace Culture Bunker (ํํ๋ฌธํ์ง์ง), once a tank bunker is one of those places and it’s now a very cool community space. More and more these bunkers and bases are being given back to the community at large and they are being given back in some awesome ways. Don’t miss the new spaces to find around the city. Is Korea still at war? Technically yes,…
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Busan, Korea: Everything You MUST See, Do, Eat & Try!
Busan is the second largest city in Korea and one of my favorite places to visit. If we weren’t living in Seoul, Busan would be our home for sure…. and not just because my husband is originally from there. This city on the southern coast of Korea has beachy vibes and tons of seafood to eat along with some mountains just north and all kinds of fun in between. If you can’t live there, a weekend… week… or just any time at all should be spent in this coastal city down south. Want to know how to get to Busan from Seoul? Read on. Busan is definitely a must visit…
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Where To Get Skin Treatments In Seoul: Lasers, PRP, and Serums Oh My!
In this post, Iโll talk about the skin treatments I received in Seoul, how each visit to the dermatology clinic went and at the end there is a breakdown of costs. So, sit back, relax and lets delve into my experience getting a beauty treatment in Korea. I was invited by Seoul Cosmetic Surgery and Banobagi to receive a consultation to talk about some of the dark spots I had noticed more over the past couple of years. Iโm pale so freckles are nothing new to me, but some of these spots seemed to have come while I was pregnant or just after giving birth and they just got darker.…
