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The Seoul City Tour Bus Guide: What To See & Do When You Hop On Hop Off
If you’ve never joined a City Tour Bus, Seoul is the place to do it. City Tour Buses are a great way to see a city and not have to worry about transportation. See the hot spots of Seoul from the upper level of a bright red bus. I rode my first City Tour Bus in New York City and absolutely loved the experience. It’s just something that is so touristic and fun. Don’t waste money on taxi fares and buses. Don’t get confused in the subway. For your first trip to Seoul, take the time to ride this bus and get views of the city while getting a lay…
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What To Do At The Sulwhasoo Dosan Flagship Store In Seoul
Sulwhasoo (설화수) is a Korean luxury skin care brand that is renowned for high quality herbal medicine based products and the Sulwhasoo Flagship Store (설화수 도산 플래그십 스토어) is an absolute must visit for not only KBeauty lovers but any tourist in Seoul interested in unique experiences that you can only have here. After trying my own collection of Sulwhasoo products, I can honestly say they are worth the money and I’ll be a loyal customer forever more. Not only that, but the flagship store is just stunning so any reason to go back there again and again… and maybe again. The flagship store is gorgeously Instagrammable and did you…
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An Epic Travel Guide To Seoul, Korea For The First Timer
Seoul, Korea is huge and has gained a ton of attention in the past decade for not only a beautiful culture but also the Hallyu wave that has swept over the world. When you begin to plan your trip to the capital city of Korea it can seem overwhelming and you may not know where to begin. While I’m known for promoting the off the beaten path spots in and around Seoul and promoting new hot spots to check out, I wanted to create an essential guide for the first time visitor to this busy and fun capital of Korea. Having lived here since 2006 when I first came as…
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Deoksugung Palace: The Most Unique Palace In Seoul
Deoksugung Palace in Seoul, Korea is the smallest of the five palaces in the capital but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be visited. It’s the most unique palace with various architectural styles and is the only palace to feature a western style garden, fountain and building. Deoksugung Palace means ‘palace of virtue and longevity’ and it is a beautiful palace to visit in downtown Seoul. If you’re in downtown Seoul, it’s easy to visit sitting centrally located and right next to a subway station. It’s a where to see a changing of the guard ceremony if that’s what you’re looking for as so many often are. Looking for some specific…
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Cool Architecture To See In & Around Seoul, Korea
There are new and improved buildings around Seoul and Korea being built all of the time. Not all of them are beautiful or interesting. In fact, most of them are high rise apartments BUT, there are some that are quite distinctive and for all of the right reasons. If you’re coming to Seoul and want to find the architectural highlights, the buildings that embrace the future with sleek lines, interesting facades, and staircases for days, here is a great start to making an awesome itinerary with the architecture highlights. Want to take some epic photos in Seoul? Don’t miss these Instagrammable places in Seoul. These are some of the must…
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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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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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Changgyeonggung: The Hidden Palace In Seoul
There are five palaces in Seoul and not all of them attract equal attention. This is good to know if you want to walk around a gorgeous Korean palace WITHOUT all of the crowds. As far as Korean palaces go, Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main palace in Seoul, and Changdeokgung featuring the Secret Garden always seem to top the lists but if you were to ask me, I’d say visiting Changgyeonggung (창경궁) is even better… for a number of reasons. Different palaces for different feels I guess. I do love Gyeongbokgung from time to time and always take short term tourists there, but if I want to visit a palace and…
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The Seoul Derby: Autumn Edition Recap
The Seoul Derby just keeps getting bigger and better each time I host it. Last year, I hosted it just once and that was the plan this year. However, there were just too many people interested and I was happy to host again if Arielle from Soju4Two was down so hosted again we did. The first one was in the beginning of the summer, as they usually are. If you missed that one AND this one, then get ready next spring and be on the look out! This time around we rounded up the teams at the Malli-dong Plaza near Seoullo. It’s one of my favorite spots with an installation that is…
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Why Namsan Tower Is A Must See In Seoul
If you’re a tourist headed to Seoul, South Korea, chances are you’ve heard of the iconic N Seoul Tower. Nestled atop Namsan Mountain, this observatory offers unforgettable views of Seoul. As one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, this towering structure boasts not only breathtaking panoramic views of the sprawling metropolis but also a rich cultural significance and should definitely be on your Seoul itinerary even if you’re in the city for a short time. Plan your trip to N Seoul Tower now: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you…
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The Seoul Derby: The Scavenger Hunt You’ll Want To Join
I have now hosted this event four times and I can honestly say it just keeps getting better and better. This year teams were in it to win it weeks in advance. The way the derby works for anyone that hasn’t partaken, teams of four sign up. I limit it to twenty teams because it’s pretty dang hard to find an ending location where 80+ people can get together in all honesty. Having twenty teams really makes it spectacular though. The teams sign up without knowing where the starting location will be. I do this because I can’t have anyone finding the event online and rocking up at the last…
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The New Zealand Wine Festival 2018: Seoul Edition
This past weekend, the Kiwi Chamber of commerce hosted the 10th annual New Zealand Wine Festival at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul. They’ll be hosting the second edition in Busan this weekend and trust me, it’s delectable. A few weeks back, I shared some choice information from The Kiwi Chamber Chairman, Tony Garrett and the Project Manager Sunny Myung and they were spot on. The event was fabulous. There are over 20 wineries and some really enjoyable wine to try. Arielle of Soju4Two and I were on hand to rub shoulders with some fellow winos and to purely discover some New Zealand wine. <– The theme this year was…
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Instagrammers In Seoul: This One’s For You!
It’s a wonder it took this long for someone to decide to make a business based solely on the -gram. But that is exactly what Instasia (인스타지아) seems to have done and good on them. Whether you like taking photos as a hobby or taking photos just for that Insta shot, this is the place for you. Instasia is one photo zone after photo zone after photo zone just outside of Seoul in Songdo, Incheon. It’s basically like you stepped into a studio with different sets but instead of getting the expensive photographer that comes with the studio, you have a friend take your photos, bring a tripod… or maybe bring…
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The Kiwi Chamber Is Back With Their Annual New Zealand Wine Festival In Seoul & Busan!
The Kiwi Chamber is celebrating their 10th annual wine festival here in Seoul on May 26th and I’ve cleared my calendar for it, have you? If you don’t live in Seoul or May 26 doesn’t work for you, fear not, as the event is happening TWICE! The second event will be held in Busan on June 2nd. I have learned much about wine after attending various events hosted by and hosting with Ian from Vineworks so I think I’m ready to sip, gurgle and sniff my way around some Kiwi wines. The event in Seoul will be held in the scenic outdoor waterfall garden of the Grand Hyatt Hotel and will…
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Where To Go Glamping Near Seoul: Club Lespia
This past weekend, I got a group of 25 people (9 of which were toddlers) together for a glamping adventure just outside of Seoul in celebration of my birthday. Today, I turn… well, I was born in 1984, so I’ll let you figure it out. I LOVE LOVE LOVE getting into nature or just being outside. I’m not so sure my husband feels the same way all of the time though and that’s why I thought glamping would be a good compromise for some fun this year. Last year we enjoyed a great picnic with friends so I upped the ante and this year, glamping it was. BONUS!: It was…
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Sewoon Plaza, Reborn as Makercity Sewoon
When walking down the streets of Seoul, Korea it’s common to notice only what is on the street level nearest you, but there is always so much more to see. Buildings with rooftops, decorated seating, and cool vibes abound and few find them. Want a view out over the Jongno area? You must find Sewoon Sangga (세운상가), also known as Sewoon Plaza and revamped into Makercity Sewoon. Sewoon means “attracts all the energy of the world” and it seems like it does, no matter which of the names above you end up using. The market went from boom to bust and it’s about to go to boom again. Learn more…