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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The Coolest Rest Stop In Korea Has An Illumination Theme Park
I’ve been in Korea for thirteen years and been driving for six of them. I’ve been on buses that pulled off at rest stops and pulled off at many on my own road trips and up until this month, I didn’t know there could even be a “cool” rest stop in Korea, but there is. Generally, rest stops in Korea feature a large cafeteria space with tables and chairs to eat food from one of multiple fast options. There is a convenience store and large bathrooms. There are also a few coffee shops too, but that’s about it and that’s pretty standard. You don’t really need much more out of…
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Off The Beaten Path In Korea: The Hamchang Art Road In Sangju
There are some great places to go in Korea to see artworks and some are so off the beaten path, you really need to be an art lover… or maybe a small town fan. Personally, I love visiting small towns in Korea and hitting townie festivals like the Icheon Sansuyu Festival or visiting the small Hanok Village in Seongju, Gyeongsanbuk-do. Small towns are charming and the people, too. Hamchang in Sangju lived up to my small town expectations with friendly people and the bonus was the scavenger hunt for art. If you want to get off the beaten path in Korea, take a day trip from Seoul or maybe stay…
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Daytrips From Seoul: Oido Island & Daebudo Island
There is more to Korea than Seoul and so often travelers just miss it. Did you know there are islands just off the west coast and some are even accessible via the Seoul subway system? Having coastal spots that are accessible by subway makes them perfect for last-minute weekend escapes. One of my favorite reminders of this came through a day trip to Oido Island and Daebudo Island. From ocean views and salty breezes, glass museums, and observatories, these islands offer a very different side of Korea without requiring a long journey. Get ready to explore Oido Island and Daebudo Island in South Korea: (This post contains affiliate links, which…
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Surfyy Beach: Where to Surf in Korea (Plus Beach Parties at Night)
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 Travel Guide: Hahoe Village, Mask Dance, Food, and Where to Stay
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 wooden masks, a spicy chicken dish called jimdak, the UNESCO-listed Andong Hahoe Village, and the Andong Mask Dance Festival. 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 see and oh the food, oh the good…
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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 Incheon: Art, Pools, Spa and What To Know Before You Go
Paradise City Resort in Incheon is one of those places that’s difficult to describe without sounding like you’re overselling it. Over 3,000 works of art. An indoor carnival. A couples-only hotel wing. Year-round heated outdoor pools. A spa complex that friends have raved about every single time they’ve visited. A nightclub designed by one of Europe’s most celebrated architecture firms. And a free art museum. I originally went out to the resort just to photograph the architecture from outside, and didn’t even go in. Once I finally did, I went back multiple times. There is actually too much to see in one visit, and the resort is designed in a…
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What To Do Near Incheon International Airport: Beaches, Parks, Cafes & Flowers
Incheon International Airport sits on Yeongjong Island (영종도), and most people arriving or leaving Korea drive straight from the terminal to the mainland without looking around. That’s understandable, Seoul is an hour away and the island doesn’t advertise itself. But there’s quite a bit here, and the crowds that swarm everything else in Incheon haven’t found most of it yet. We’ve come out to the island several times over the years to see what’s worth finding. From rooftop cafes with sunset views over the beach to a coastal park four times larger than Songdo Central Park, a rocky beach with a centuries-old love story, and a flower field where planes…
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Ulleungdo Guide: Korea’s Remote Volcanic Island and How To Get There
Set 120 kilometers off the eastern coast of South Korea, Ulleungdo is about as far off the typical tourist path in Korea as it’s possible to get. Plenty of Koreans know the island and many have it on a list of places they want to visit someday, but the journey can be demanding and most foreign visitors never consider it at all. There are no airports. The only way on or off the island is by ferry, and the seas can be rough enough to cancel sailings for days at a time. What you find when you make the effort: karsts rising from emerald water, mountain peaks covered in dense…
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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 Travel Guide: Best Things To Do, Where To Stay, and What To Eat
Busan is the kind of city that gets under your skin. Korea’s second largest city sits on the southern coast with beaches on one side, mountains on the other, and some of the best seafood in the country running through the middle of it all. My husband grew up here and if we weren’t based in Seoul, Busan would be home, which means I’ve spent years learning this city the way a local does rather than a tourist. This is the guide I wish existed when I first arrived. It covers everything from the beaches and the hillside villages to the fish markets, the best food to seek out, where…
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Ski In Korea: A Guide For Where To Go & How To Get There
When winter arrives in Korea, mountains turn into snowy playgrounds. If you’re wondering “Can I ski in Korea?” or “What are the best ski resorts near Seoul?”, the answer is yes, and you’ll have plenty of options. Korea may not be as famous as Japan or Switzerland for skiing, but it has well-developed ski resorts, Olympic-level slopes, and family-friendly runs just an hour or two from Seoul. Whether you’re planning a ski holiday in Korea, looking for an easy day trip from Seoul, or hoping to experience the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics slopes, this guide covers everything you need: where to ski, how to get there, what to pack, and…
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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…
