Explore Korea (한국 탐험하기)
Top places to see in Korea. Where to go in Korea and what to do. Want to travel in Korea? See more outside of Seoul. (한국에서 볼 수 있는 최고의 장소. 한국에서 어디로 갈 것인지, 무엇을 할 것인지. 한국에서 여행하고 싶으세요? 서울 외곽에서 더 많이 보십시오.)
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Where To Surf In Korea: Surfyy Beach
Surfing and Korea are two words that don’t go hand in hand for most people. Ask around about where to go surfing, and people might think of Australia, California, or Hawaii, but surfing is becoming more and more popular for beach goers in this country that is surrounded on three sides with beaches and waves and Surfyy Beach has been on the forefront of the momentum. Want to have fun this summer in Korea? Here’s where to go! While it would have been pretty bizarre to see surfers just a decade ago, it’s a trendy sport now. I still remember the first time I saw surfers on the east coast…
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Andong, Korea: Everything You MUST See, Do, Eat & Try!
Queen Elizabeth II visited Korea and asked to be taken to the most Korean place in Korea and was taken to Andong, so the story goes. If she had asked for the most historical city, she might have been taken to Gyeongju instead. Andong, also called “the capital of Korean spirit”, in Gyeongsangbuk-do is famous for a number of things including wooden masks, a spicy chicken dish called jimdak, the Andong Hahoe Village, and the Andong Mask Dance Festival to name a few. It took me more than a decade to finally visit, but don’t make the same mistake. This charming city has a lot to offer and plenty to…
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Internet Detox & Healing At Healience Seonmaeul Near Seoul
Living in Seoul, Korea can be amazing, fun, and there’s a ton to see but it can also be overwhelming, stressful, and busy. For those times when the city is a bit too much, there are healing and wellness hotels and resorts around Korea and Healience Seonmaeul is one of the best. A big trend in Korea right now is refocusing the ‘self’ and more healing and wellness-centered hotels and resorts are popping up to help people living the fast-paced life rekindle and replant their roots in nature and take a breath. This year I’m in a Wellness Tourism group that is sponsored by the Korea Tourism Organization so I’m…
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Paradise City Resort: THE Hot Spot Near Incheon International Airport
Recently, I had the privilege of heading out to Paradise City Resort in Incheon, a luxury hotel and resort here in Korea, to write an article for Forbes Travel Guide. I was blown away by the new art and entertainment resort near Incheon International Airport. I had actually gone out to the stunning resort last year but didn’t even go inside. You might ask how, but at the time I was just there to check out some of the amazing architecture… which I’ll get to in a bit. After finally going in to the stunning five-star resort not far from Seoul, Korea, now a few times, I can honestly say…
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What To Do Near Incheon International Airport: Beaches, Parks, Cafes & Flowers
Incheon International Airport sits on Yeongjong Island (영종도) 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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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. Plan a trip to Gimcheon, Korea: (This post contains affiliate…
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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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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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Ski In Korea: A Guide For Where To Go & How To Get There
When I first came to Korea a decade ago, I packed my bags and that included a snowboard. I remember reading about how mountainous the peninsular country was and after searching “where to ski in Korea” “can I ski in Korea” and “how close to Seoul can I ski?”, I saw numerous options. Korea is very mountainous if you didn’t know and there are plenty of places to go skiing in Korea. Here are the Korean slopes, the Korean ski resorts, and the Korean mountains to check out this winter, where they are, and how to get to them. Plan to stay at some of the awesome ski resorts in…
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Pocheon: What To See & What To Do Northeast Of Seoul
Pocheon is an area that sits to the northeast of Seoul in the Gyeonggi province. Last summer, I headed northeast to visit the beautiful flowery fields of Nari Park which is just south of the Pocheon area. It was an invitation to explore more in that region this year. Here are some places in Pocheon that are must sees and for those K-drama addicted among us, quite a few recognizable dramas have been filmed in these places, so enjoy! Want a day trip option from Seoul? This is a great area to explore with numerous nature spots and artistic finds too. I’ve got you covered if you’re looking for places…
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Danyang, Korea: A Guide To The Best Things To See & Do
When it comes to getting away and taking a weekend to travel, I know it’s not just me, I search out a coastal city and head straight to the nearest one with an available hotel and a seaside view. The center of Korea has been quite overlooked by me… and I imagine many others, but I’m gonna put this little post up here with a little reminder that there is indeed plenty to see and DO in the middle of Korea. To be fair, I had visited Danyang (단양군) many… many years… okay, maybe a decade ago. It was actually one of the FIRST places I ever enjoyed a weekend…
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Camp Greaves: An Abandoned Military Base With An Artistic Future In The Korean DMZ
The DMZ has never been calling to me so much as it has this year. I didn’t visit the area for most of the past decade living in Korea and somehow have been quite a few times in just mere months. Here’s the thing, I like authentic historical sites and have never been interested in the touristy/photo zone spots and somehow the DMZ mingles between both. It’s an odd thing for me to go someplace that has so much meaning for separated families and people that fought here, then to see an amusement park and photo zones really throws me. Some areas along the line are worth the trip and…
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Ganghwado: What To Do On The Island Just An Hour From Seoul
Ganghwado Island (강화도) is the fifth largest island in Korea and is one of numerous islands that can be found out in Incheon in northwest Korea. (Want to check out some of the other islands, start with Modo, Sindo, and Sido which you can also see from Ganghwado Island.) It seems to be the next hot spot location… though I didn’t know that the first time I headed out. With flower dreams and beach views, I was in search of an island that was easy to get to. Once I realized Ganghwado Island was just an hour west of the city, no one was going to keep me from visiting…
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The Hottest Days of Summer In Korea: What To Know
When it is summer in Korea, it can be surprising just how fierce and fast that heat wave strikes. The added bonus of a monsoon season makes it all the better with humidity up the wazoo. Yes, I said bonus. Is it really? My hair would disagree but I’m from a valley in Ohio so humid summers are nothing new to me. Still, I forget every year just how humid it really is here. Just when you think you know what to expect out of summer in Korea, then Sambok or Boknal arrive and it’s a whole new beast. Are you ready for a hot summer in Korea? (This post…
