Lifestyle - The Korea Times

The Mariana Islands extends travel bubble benefits with Korea through December

Bird Island on Saipan / Courtesy of Marianas Visitors Authority KoreaBy Jun Ji-hyeThe Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) Board of Directors has decided to extend subsidies and benefits given to travel companies and tourists participating in the travel bubble program with Korea until the end of December, in a bid to attract more visitors from Korea. On June 30, the Korean government signed a travel bubble agreement with the Northern Marianas, which includes Saipan, Tinian and Rota, to allow group tours for fully vaccinated people.The term “travel bubble” refers to a partnership between two or more cities or countries with similar rates of COVID-19 infections to allow quarantine-free air travel in both directions.The Marianas' Travel Investment Resumption Plan (TRIP) program provides subsidies to airlines, hotels, travel agencies and other related businesses to help jumpstart tourism, which has been hit hard by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.The Mariana Islands had originally planned to apply the TRIP program for only eight weeks following July 24, when the travel bubble ag

Aug 26, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

The Mariana Islands extends travel bubble benefits with Korea through December

California's assembly passes resolution to celebrate 'Kimchi Day'

In this Feb. 15 file photo, packages of kimchi products are displayed at a supermarket in Seoul. YonhapCalifornia's legislature has passed a new resolution to celebrate kimchi, a popular Korean fermented side dish, to promote the consumption of healthier food, industry sources said Tuesday.Under the bill led by Californian Assemblyman Steven Choi, which was passed on the previous day, the U.S. state of California plans to celebrate November 22 as "Kimchi Day," according to the World Institute of Kimchi.The latest move came as South Korea celebrated its first Kimchi Day in 2020 in line with efforts to promote the consumption of the dish."The increase in awareness of kimchi corresponds to higher awareness of Korean culture, including K-pop, K-beauty, K-food, and K-drama," the bill added.Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish normally made of fermented cabbage, salt and hot peppers, and is eaten with almost all meals.The resolution also specified that South Korea is "the country of origin of kimchi," amid continued attempts by some Chinese media claiming the Korean dish is Chinese, a

Aug 24, 2021

California's assembly passes resolution to celebrate 'Kimchi Day'

Tourism companies, vacationers in Jeju experience confusion amid tougher antivirus measures

People spend their vacation at Geumneung Beach on Jeju Island, Thursday, even as the toughest Level 4 social distancing measures were imposed on the island two days ago, due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases. YonhapResort island sees decrease in number of visitors By Jun Ji-hyeHotels, car rental companies and golf course operators have been receiving increasing inquiries from customers about changing or cancelling their reservations, after the highest-level social distancing measures aimed at curbing COVID-19 infections were applied to the southern resort island earlier this week.Jeju Special Self-Governing Province imposed Level 4, the highest in the country's four-tier social distancing plan, in the region, starting Aug. 18 through Aug. 29, in a bid to curtail the recent spike in virus cases following the continued inflow of tourists during the summer vacation season. Level 4 bans private gatherings of three or more people after 6 p.m. and the operation of entertainment establishments, including nightclubs and bars. Twelve designated beaches were shut down as well. The ban on p

Aug 20, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

Tourism companies, vacationers in Jeju experience confusion amid tougher antivirus measures

Award-winning bartender offers creative cocktails in comfortable atmosphere

By Jun Ji-hyeBartender Ahn Jun-hyeok, who leads the Gourmet Bar at the Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels and Residences, has displayed his talent by taking part in various cocktail competitions, where he has always reached the top 10 in the rankings. Bartender Ahn Jun-hyeok / Courtesy of Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels and ResidencesHe placed his name on the Diageo World Class Bartender Top 10 list in 2016, 2017 and 2019. He was also made the World Class Bartender Top 10 list and was selected as the Bartender of the Year in Korea's Best Bartender Contest in 2018.In 2019, he won the Accor Asia Pacific 2019 Cocktail Competition and ranked in the top 8 in the 2020 Shanghai Shake the following year.Ahn, who majored in design at university, said he decided to become a bartender in 2007 after he became enamored with the dynamic bartending skills that a bartender showed at a bar where he was working part-time.“I felt that his job was creative just like in design,” Ahn said in an interview with The Korea Times, noting that since he started the job, he has work

Aug 12, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

Award-winning bartender offers creative cocktails in comfortable atmosphere

Emirates offers complimentary pass to World Expo in Dubai

Emirates has launched an exclusive offer to give its customers a complimentary day pass to the World Expo, to be held in Dubai from Oct. 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. Courtesy of EmiratesBy Jun Ji-hyeEmirates, the largest airline and flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has launched an exclusive offer for customers to experience the World Expo, the largest event of its kind in the Middle East. Emirates customers visiting and travelling through Dubai anytime during the mega event running from Oct. 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, will be eligible to receive a free Emirates Expo Day Pass for every flight ticket booked with Emirates. The special offer is applicable for tickets purchased in all classes, and extends to customers travelling to anywhere in Emirates' global network, with a connection time of at least six hours in Dubai. The offer is valid on all return tickets that include a flight to or through Dubai.One-way ticket holders whose journey originates outside the UAE are entitled to receive the complimentary Expo Day Pass if travelling to Dubai or onwards to other destination

Aug 12, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

Emirates offers complimentary pass to World Expo in Dubai

Hotels offer unique packages to survive prolonged pandemic

By Jun Ji-hyeLuxury hotels here are coming up with a variety of unique packages to survive the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has continued for more than one-and-a-half years and caused the virtual suspension of all international air travel. Their packages mostly focus on domestic customers who have gotten sick and tired of being stuck at home amid the prolonged pandemic.The Four Seasons Hotel Seoul has recently released the “24-hour weekday special” package, which allows guests to stay for up to 24 hours after check-in, breaking the usual practice of check-in at 3 p.m. and check-out at 11 a.m. The Four Seasons Hotel Seoul presents the “24-hour weekday special” package that allows guests to stay for up to 24 hours after check-in. Courtesy of the Four Seasons Hotel SeoulThe package, which is available until Oct. 31, is intended for families that are keen to brighten up during school vacation, friends seeking a fun break or couples craving time together, allowing all guests to plan their own ultimate 24-hour itineraries that avoid the heat.The package is avail

Aug 11, 2021

Hotels offer unique packages to survive prolonged pandemic

4 scenic drives for summer vacation

By Jun Ji-hyeIt has become harder to enjoy outdoor activities freely this summer vacation, as the country is facing yet another public health crisis due to the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections led by the highly contagious Delta variant. But how about taking a road trip to enjoy magnificent views from your own car? Here are four domestic travel destinations you can enjoy while driving, and nearby hotels recommended by HotelsCombined, a global hotel search platform. Baeksu Coastal RoadBaeksu Coastal Road in Yeonggwang, South Jeolla Province / Courtesy of HotelsCombinedYeonggwang County in South Jeolla Province offers panoramic views and beautiful sunsets from the west coast of the country. Baeksu Coastal Road there, which was selected as one of the 10 most beautiful routes in South Korea, is a representative driving course of the west coast. There are parking lots and observation decks installed all along the road, so you can just stop and park your car anywhere you like and enjoy a beautiful sunset.Another specialty of the Baeksu Coastal Road is a promenade deck located below the co

Aug 5, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

Fairmont Ambassador Seoul wins five stars

Carl Gagnon, left, general manager of Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, and Kim Gi-seop, CEO of Parc.1 Hotel Management, pose during a plaque unveiling ceremony to mark the hotel's winning of the five-star certification in front of the hotel in Yeouido, Monday. Courtesy of Fairmont Ambassador SeoulBy Jun Ji-hyeFairmont Ambassador Seoul has won five-star certification, the highest possible rating awarded by the Korea Tourism Association. The hotel conducted a plaque unveiling ceremony, Monday, to mark its five-star certification, during which time Carl Gagnon, the hotel's general manager, and Kim Gi-seop, CEO of Parc.1 Hotel Management, as well as other hotel executives, were in attendance.The five-star rating is only awarded to hotels that score at least 900 points out of a total of 1,000 based on all facilities and services offered, with 700 points based on scheduled inspections and 300 based on undercover visits by unidentified inspectors. Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, the first South Korean property of Accor Group's luxury Fairmont brand, opened on Feb. 24 this year in the Parc.1 complex in

Aug 4, 2021

Fairmont Ambassador Seoul wins five stars

Andaz Seoul Gangnam launches summer package with Bamford

Andaz Seoul Gangnam presents the “Andaz Summer Package with Bamford” package, in collaboration with British brand Bamford. Courtesy of Andaz Seoul GangnamBy Jun Ji-hyeAndaz Seoul Gangnam, a lifestyle hotel brand of Hyatt International, has launched the “Andaz Summer Package with Bamford” package, targeting summer vacationers.The package, which can be purchased until Aug. 31 and available for stays by Sept. 5, is a collaborative product with Bamford, a British brand featuring natural products. It includes a one-night stay in either a deluxe or premium room, Bamford amenities and kids' amenities for families (bath products and chocolate lollipops) as well as breakfast at the Jogakbo Restaurant.The package also offers a 20-percent discount for a Bamford spa treatment and 10-percent off Bamford retail items at Ocelas Spa, in addition to access to the indoor pool and fitness center.The two room types feature a king-sized bed and are equipped with an air purifier. The fitness center and indoor pool may be subject to restrictions in accordance with the government's s

Jul 29, 2021

Andaz Seoul Gangnam launches summer package with Bamford

Novotel returning to Busan in 2023

An illustration of Novotel Ambassador Busan Yeonsandong that is set to open in the port city in 2023 / Courtesy of Accor Ambassador KoreaBy Jun Ji-hyeAccor Ambassador Korea is returning the Novotel brand to Busan, with the Novotel Ambassador Busan Yeonsandong set to open in 2023, as the group's first branded residence in Korea, combining 160 hotel rooms with 162 residences to amplify the synergy between leisure and business in the port city.The new property is located in the center of the city, close to Busan City Hall, a sports complex and a university. The location offers a variety of neighboring local eateries, bars and shops, while its proximity to Yeonsan Station on Busan Metro lines 1 and 3 allows easy exploration of the attractions of the country's second-largest city, such as Gwangalli and Haeundae beaches and the BEXCO Convention Center.The property is also 40 minutes from Gimhae International Airport and 30 minutes from Busan Station. “We're very excited to re-launch the Novotel brand in South Korea's second-largest metropolitan city and one of the world-famous ports.

Jul 28, 2021

Travel & Food