Care for some outbound summer holiday?

By Bae Ji-sook

Staff reporter

If you are sick and tired of endless skyscrapers and asphalt roads, traveling to exotic places may bring a breath of fresh air.

Some of the very prestigious resorts and vacation spots are ready to attract summer holidaymakers; and here are some selections that will cool off the heat and take away the stress.

Dreaming of beaches and the ocean?

Hanwha, a comprehensive corporation in Korea, has recently bought up the World Resort Saipan.

The resort with 265 rooms and a large water theme park, “Wave Jungle,” is a four-hour flight from Incheon International Airport. The Susupe region, where it is located, is famous for its cool winds, jaw-dropping scenery with palm trees, caves and micro beaches among others.

Various outdoor leisure activities ranging from table tennis, pool, tennis and others are equipped with Korean managers waiting to serve. There are banquet halls, a casino, golf course, BBQ restaurants, gym, spa and other facilities.

The emerald-blue seawater and white sands are just a few steps away from the water park attracting marine sport lovers enjoying snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing and water bikes. Professional trainers are always there to offer guidance.

The World Resort offers a four day-package at $728 for two persons, and a five day-package for $1,012. The package includes unlimited access to Wave Jungle, hotel restaurants, one meal at the Sunset BBQ and two bottles of water a day.

Childcare makes Fiji a godsend

If you want just a little time free from the children, the Outrigger Resort on Fiji may help you share the responsibility.

The Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji resort offers a “MeiMei Nanny Service” providing childcare services inside the resort.

“The parents love that the meimei (nanny) looks after their children while they enjoy a timeout in the spa or pool. The Kids love their nannies, too,” Peter Hopgood was quoted as telling the resort publicist. By paying about $120 a day, a nanny provides one-on-one care for children aged six months to two years; while two children over three years of age are cared for by a single meimei.

“Fijians are renowned for their friendliness and love of children,” the resort stated. Fiji is also known for its exquisite marine and tropical environment, mild sunshine and warm breeze.

Something unique

The Good Travel, one of the primary social enterprises authorized by Seoul city government, is launching “natives, peace and ecology” packages starting from dolphin observation trips to Bohol Island in the Philippines on June 25. The series will continue to Okinawa on July 16, Kuching in Malaysia on July 27, and Bali in Indonesia on Aug. 3.

The Good Travel aims at carbon neutral traveling and profit sharing with the local residents and paying respect to the local culture, environment, economy and history.

The package for Okinawa includes trekking in the woods and a home-stay program with the local natives. On Bali, bicycle tours and a home-stay program in an eco-village are scheduled.

Urban pleasure

But if you can’t give up the comfort and convenience the city has to offer, you may well want to stay there with warm weather, a laid back atmosphere and a bit of fun.

The Macau Venetian resort is one of the largest resorts in Asia. It is practically a mini-city - anything you need, you will find there. From mini golf courses to restaurants, kids’ clubs, a spa, casino, shopping center and many more facilities. It even has an artificial “canal” created after that of Venice in Italy.

The resort offers accommodation for two adults and two children in a Royale Suite, breakfast, Macau to Hong Kong CotaiJet tickets and more for its “Uplifting Summer Package” priced at about 284,000 won. Early bookers get to have discounts for other room rates.

The resort also offers various concerts, pool parties and a Cirque du Soleil circus show.