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Petite France: How To Get There From Seoul & What To Do There
Petite France (쁘띠프랑스) is one of those popular spots for tourists to get away to when they head out of Seoul. It’s in Gapyeong, an area that has a lot to do so it’s a great area to take a day trip from Seoul to see not one, but multiple fun things. From gardens and parks with light festivals to farms, islands, and unique villages, there’s a ton to do in the area. So, it’s no wonder there are tours that head out there daily and often include a stop at Petite France. Petite France is one of those Instagrammable hot spots to the east of Seoul in Korea that…
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Suguksa Temple: Seoul’s Only Golden Temple in Eunpyeong
I have lived in Seoul, Korea for quite awhile and I have seen a lot of Buddhist temples here. I love a visit to a temples in South Korea. They are peaceful and calming and beautiful. Often set up on the mountain or in forests, the views are good and the ambiance lovely. Most temples in Korea are painted reds and greens and maybe there’s a bit of yellow and white in the artwork. That’s pretty standard so when I saw a glimmer of gold as I drove down the street near my house and saw a sign for a temple, I was intrigued. After visiting Suguksa Temple (수국사), I…
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OSULLOC Tea: Why It’s The Best Souvenir Or Gift From Korea
Ever wonder what the best souvenir in Korea is? It’s one of the top asked questions in expat groups. People are headed home and want to take a gift. Family is coming and want to take gifts back. My answer, every time, is OSULLOC tea. It’s Korea’s best-known green tea brand, grown on Jeju Island, and you can find it anywhere from a Seoul tea house to the Incheon Airport gift shop on your way out. Gift sets run about $25–$100 depending on size. It’s homegrown, it’s a premier product, and, most importantly, it’s a gift people actually use. OSULLOC Tea is one of those brands that can convert people,…
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Gyeongju Korea Travel Guide: Best Things To Do, Temples, Tombs & Tips
If you haven’t heard of Gyeongju, Korea yet, then you need to! Though Andong, Korea is often referred to as the most traditional city in Korea, Gyeongju is the most historical you can visit. Gyeongju (경주) was the capital of the Silla Kingdom for nearly 1,000 years and is referred to as “the museum without walls”. Everywhere you turn you can find a site with historical relevance to see. The city actually has more tombs, temples, pagodas, palace ruins, and other historical artifacts than any other place in Korea making it one of the most historically important destinations. Plan a visit to the royal tombs, ancient temples, and UNESCO World…
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Seoul Travel Guide: Tips From A Local Who Has Lived Here Since 2006
Seoul is huge, and when you start planning a trip to the capital of Korea it can feel overwhelming. There is a lot to see. The city has earned global attention not only for a beautiful culture but for the Hallyu wave that has reshaped how the world sees Korean food, music, beauty, and television, and the city itself has grown and changed significantly over the past two decades. I first came to Seoul as an English teacher in 2006. I’m still here. Having lived through every season, every major neighborhood transformation, and every wave of new developments, this is the guide I’d want someone to hand me if I…
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The Best Kept Secret In Ulsan, Korea is the Taehwagang River Bamboo Forest
The Taehwagang National Garden (태화강 국가정원) is the most beautiful bamboo forest in Korea that I have visited and I have visited a few. When I walked into this gorgeous forest of green bamboo shooting into the sky, I remember wondering why I’d never heard of it. The Damyang Bamboo Forest is known far and wide in Korea and yet, there are other bamboo forests. There’s even a bamboo forest I visited on Geoje Island near Busan that is really off the beaten path too. Suffice to say, this bamboo forest in particular is a stunner… a massive stunner. If you haven’t visited Ulsan, Korea, it’s definitely time and when…
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Do I Need A Fine Dust Mask In Korea?
We aren’t living in a smog filled polluted country all of the time, but when it’s bad, it can be pretty bad. While most advanced countries in the world are decreasing their reliance on coal for energy, Korea has actually been increasing their coal-fired power plants. We could get into the reasons and place blame, but that’s really for another article. For this one I want to answer the questions I have been getting from tourists. Do I need a fine dust mask in Korea? Which fine dust mask is best for Korea? Can I go outside when fine dust levels are high? This is useful information for not only…
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A List Of The Best Korean Subscription Boxes 2026: From Korean Beauty Boxes to Snack Boxes
As I was on the Internet checking out the gifts to give friends and family back home, I ended up down a rabbit hole of Korean subscription boxes. I had no idea there were so many and they are awesome to say the least. Subscription boxes are a great way to show someone that you care and if you’ve got a Korea lover in your life, then they’ll love anything on this list. While I culled together the best gifts to give Korea lovers in another post, I decided subscription boxes absolutely needed their own post because there are so many and they are super cool! Here are the best…
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A List Of The Best Gifts To Give Your Korea Loving Friends & Family
More and more people around the world are interested in Korea whether it be due to K-Pop or K-Dramas, or a friend that lives in Korea and can’t stop talking about it maybe, I’m not sure. Whatever the case, there are is a ton of interest in South Korea these days and there are plenty of unique gifts to send our Koreaphile friends and family abroad. Whether you need a gift for the K-drama fan, K-pop fan, or maybe the Korean language learner, I’ve got you covered. Here is the ultimate list of Korean gifts suitable for any holiday. Whether you’re looking for a birthday gift, Christmas gift, or just…
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Museum San: How To Get There From Seoul & What You’ll See
Museum San a couple hours from Seoul in Wonju, Korea is an intriguing museum designed by famed architect Tadao Ando. There’s an iconic photo that is posted on Instagram every so often with visitors standing beneath a bright red archway. The red is striking against the natural surroundings. It’s not the easiest museum to get to in Korea, but it’s definitely one of the most interesting as far as architecture and design. If you’re an architecture enthusiast or a design lover and you’re headed to Seoul, make sure you get this into your itinerary if you’ve got time for a little day trip. Museum San has about 1 million visitors…
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Youngwol Y Park: An Epic Art Museum In The Middle Of Nowhere In Korea
If you like hidden art museums and adventures in Korea, you need to find Youngwal Y Park (젊은달와이파크). It’s in the middle of nowhere in Gangwon-do, but if you can figure out how to make the trek out to Youngwol Y Park, it is so so worth it. Striking red installations stand out against the greens of the natural mountainous surroundings. It’s just beautiful. This year I’ve really enjoyed finding artistic installations in hidden spots like the Hamchang Art Road or in Gimpo at the Gimpo Sculpture Park, which is a bit more of a rustic artistic find, but there is just so much to see if you can manage…
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Conrad Hotel: Where To Stay On Yeouido In Seoul
Yeouido Island sitting in the Han River that cuts through Seoul, Korea is the main financial district in the capital and is also home to various governmental departments as well. Being centrally located in the city and providing gorgeous views of the Han River, one would think more travelers would be staying there. While many business travelers know the island well, it doesn’t yet seem to garner attention from the tourists and family travelers… but it should be. Not only are the rooms spacious and the views gorgeous, but the food options are delectable. Opened in 2013, Conrad Seoul (콘래드 서울 호텔) is a Hilton Hotel named after the founder…
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Alpaca World Korea: How To Get There From Seoul & What You’ll See
Have you ever wanted to take an alpaca for a walk? Seeming to smile all the time, you can head to the Andes of Korea out in Gangwon-do and do just that at Alpaca World (알파카월드). More than alpacas though, this huge farm has birds, amphibians, deer, capybara, and so much more. If you want to take an adventure in Korea, have some fun with your kids, this is a spot to tag for you next daytrip from Seoul. If you’ve got kids in Seoul and want to find some more spots to introduce them to animals and let them learn, be sure to check out the Aqua Planet Ilsan…
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Resom Forest & The Have9 Healing Spa: The Perfect Wellness Getaway in Korea
Resom Forest (리솜포레스트리조트) is a resort in Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea that seeks to provide healing through nature and water. The resort sits in a forest of trees that has been there for a 1000 years and the buildings were built to coexist with their natural surroundings. Through eco-friendly construction and ideals and providing holistic and natural healing programs, the resort has effectively integrated nature, healing, and even adventure for guests that make the trek out to the area. Resom Forest is a spectacular getaway for the adventurer and might just have the best spa in the country. If you’ve had enough city time in Seoul and needs a break to the…
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Insadong Seoul Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat, and Buy in the Traditional Korean Arts District
Insadong is one of Seoul’s most famous cultural neighborhoods, known for its traditional Korean arts, crafts, tea houses, and street food. Located near Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village, it’s a must-visit destination for travelers looking to explore Korea’s heritage in a walkable tourist-friendly area. Whenever I have a visitor we invariably end up in Insadong at some point and it’s definitely the district to buy all of those Korean souvenirs, if that’s what you need to take home. Some popular souvenirs include the traditional masks that you can see worn in Andong, Korea as well as beautiful Korean mother of pearl products, utensils and beautiful decor items. The area…
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Korea Packing List: What To Pack By Season
Need a packing list for Korea? This is the spot. Whether you’re traveling to Korea for a short term trip or long term travel, it’s good to be safe rather than sorry. Korea has four seasons and here is what you need to have for each one. I get a lot of questions throughout the year like: What should I pack for Korea in the winter? Do I really need a parka for winter in Korea? How hot is it in the summer in Korea? What do I need to pack for the summer in Korea? Do I need a mask in Korea? Basically, there are a lot of questions…
