Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Going on imaginary trip by tasting signature cocktails

Pina Colada is Puerto Rico's signature cocktail made with rum, coconut milk and pineapple. Courtesy of Booking.comBy Jun Ji-hyeWhile it is still difficult to travel overseas physically, travel lovers may be able to go on an imaginary trip by tasting iconic signature cocktails from around the world ― from the famous kick of rum and coconut in the Pina Colada of Puerto Rico to the pink-hued Singapore Sling. Here are six cocktails picked by Booking.com, among some of the world's most famous signature cocktails, and their origins, for people who are longing for overseas travel once it becomes safe to travel again.The Pina Colada ― Puerto RicoSan Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, boasts contrasting settings, from the enchanting Isla Verde resort strip, to cobblestoned Old San Juan, full of Spanish colonial buildings. Tourists are invited to sample the country's signature cocktail, the Pina Colada, to cool down with this sweet drink, made with rum, coconut milk and pineapple. The La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort, just a short walk away from the sandy beach of Condado, offers an unforg

Jun 10, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

Going on imaginary trip by tasting signature cocktails

Overseas travel likely to be revitalized from summer season

An office of a travel agency in Seoul is almost empty, Wednesday, amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. Aviation and tourism industries that have been hit hard by the pandemic are raising hope for increasing demand for overseas travel following the government's announcement of a plan to allow overseas group tours of fully vaccinated people in July at the earliest. YonhapKorea seeking to sign 'travel bubble' accords with several countriesBy Jun Ji-hyeDemand for overseas travel is expected to return this summer as the government is planning to allow overseas group tours for fully vaccinated people to countries that have managed to curtail COVID-19 infections, starting as early as next month. Toward that end, the government has been in talks with several countries, including Singapore, to establish “travel bubbles” that refer 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 plan comes as the nation's vaccination rate has been picking up speed, with more than 10 milli

Jun 9, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

Overseas travel likely to be revitalized from summer season

Vaccinated people to get discounts, incentives for cultural heritage programs

Changdeok Palace / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukThe government on Wednesday announced plans to offer discounts and other promotions to vaccinated people in its latest efforts to achieve herd immunity by November.Those who have been vaccinated will be eligible to apply for free guided tours at royal palaces and other events at such venues within 14 days following their vaccinations, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration.The cultural heritage agency said it will limit in-person attendance for some programs scheduled for June to only vaccinated people and give priority to them for programs scheduled for July through September.The Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation also plans to give discounts on tickets to traditional performances and entrance to the Korean Cultural House."We prepared these promotions to encourage vaccinations and help those who've been vaccinated return to normal life," said an official, adding that details on the promotions are available online.Most of the promotions are available to people who have received the first jab of vaccines that require two s

Jun 9, 2021

Vaccinated people to get discounts, incentives for cultural heritage programs

Korea to allow overseas group tours of fully vaccinated citizens as early as in July: gov't

Korea to allow overseas group tours of fully vaccinated citizens as early as in July: gov't

gettyimagesbankSouth Korea is pushing to allow overseas group tours of fully vaccinated citizens to nations with stable virus response measures as early as next month amid a nationwide vaccination campaign, the transport ministry said Wednesday.The plan comes as the country's inoculation rate reached 16.5 percent as of Tuesday. Also, the plan is part of efforts to revive the air travel and tourism industries hit by the pandemic and the number of people hoping for the resumption of overseas tours was growing.The transport and culture ministries said they are seeking to sign a travel bubble agreement with countries, initially with Singapore and Taiwan, to allow group tours for fully vaccinated people.The government has been in talks with Singapore and Taiwan to sign such an agreement and will contact other countries like Thailand, Guam and Saipan for the exclusive travel partnership that have been relatively successful in containing and combating the pandemic within their respective borders, according to the transport ministry.Once two countries sign the agreement, they open up borders

Jun 9, 2021

Korea to allow overseas group tours of fully vaccinated citizens as early as in July: gov't

Virtual school tours to Korea grow popular in Hong Kong, Taiwan

Middle school students of Christ College in Hong Kong participate in the Korea Tourism Organization's “Digital School Tour to Korea” program at their school, April 15. Courtesy of Korea Tourism OrganizationBy Jun Ji-hyeA program offering virtual school tours to Korea, operated by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), has become popular in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan.The KTO said its “Digital School Tour to Korea” program, which was designed in response to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, enables students in other countries to interact with Korean students via video conferencing and virtually experience Korean food, K-pop and tourist attractions in the country.Since the organization's Hong Kong branch began the program on April 15, targeting 120 middle school students of Christ College, the program has been drawing attention from other schools. Some 20 schools in Hong Kong have since applied for the program for their 3,900 students.The number is higher than the 3,209 students there who visited Korea in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic started.In Taiwan, Kaohsi

Jun 9, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

Virtual school tours to Korea grow popular in Hong Kong, Taiwan

Korea publishes book on kimchi amid Chinese claims over dish

kimchi / Korea Times fileA national promotional agency has published a book on kimchi and how it is perceived around the world amid a continued cultural feud over the traditional Korean staple side dish."Kimchi in the Eyes of the World," released May 1, explores the culture of kimchi through stories of foreigners who have tasted the vegetable dish, how the spicy condiment is made, and what social and historical context it carries, according to the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.Made up of six sections, the book includes columns by experts, such as British journalist Tim Alper who remarked that "a taste of community spirit" is the secret ingredient for the fermented cabbage dish, as well as kimchi-making events held at embassies here and overseas Korean Cultural Centers.It also carries recipes using kimchi, such as kimchi fried rice and kimchi pancakes, as well as different types of kimchi such as diced radish kimchi and "chonggak" kimchi (ponytail radish kimchi in English), with ingredients from other countri

Jun 5, 2021

Korea publishes book on kimchi amid Chinese claims over dish

ESPA at Fairmont unveils selection of highly customized treatments

ESPA at Fairmont, located on the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul's second basement level, offers a selection of customizable treatments, introducing British professional spa and skincare brand ESPA to Korean guests for the first time. Courtesy of Fairmont Ambassador SeoulBy Jun Ji-hyeESPA at Fairmont, the luxury spa destination at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, is offering a selection of customizable treatments that provide genuine rest and relaxation for the body and mind. ESPA at Fairmont, located on the hotel's second basement level, introduces the British professional spa and skincare brand ESPA to Korean guests for the first time, offering spa products inspired by nature, along with expert therapists trained extensively in theory and practice at ESPA's U.K. headquarters. The 160 products used in ESPA treatments are crafted to deliver natural synergistic benefits through a combination of plant extracts, marine actives and natural essential oils.ESPA at Fairmont's treatment programs comprise facial, body and signature categories. The facials include “clarifying” ― a skin tre

Jun 1, 2021

ESPA at Fairmont unveils selection of highly customized treatments

'Enjoy a private golf course in the comfort of your hotel room'

InterContinental Seoul COEX is presenting the “Spring Day Rounding Package with Piv'vee,” targeting beginner golfers in their 20s and 30s. Courtesy of InterContinental Seoul COEXBy Jun Ji-hyeThe InterContinental Seoul COEX is presenting the “Spring Day Rounding Package with Piv'vee” until June 30. The package was designed to accommodate the growing interest in golfing among people in their 20s and 30s, as well as the increasing number of female golfers. The package lets beginner golfers stay in concept rooms, each equipped with a mini-golf course and offering golf lessons at the hotel's indoor driving range.In collaboration with golf wear and lifestyle brand Piv'vee, the business suites, which are more than twice the size of regular rooms, are each transformed into mini-golf courses. Each room comes with a large putting mat especially made by the hotel, along with Piv'vee cushions, bed runners, bathrobes and coasters, as well as two Piv'vee hats and ball pouches which are offered as gifts. The package also includes golf lessons ― 30 minutes each for two people

Jun 1, 2021

'Enjoy a private golf course in the comfort of your hotel room'

Tourism sector joins efforts to go carbon neutral

Seen is Yeondae Island in Tongyeong City, South Gyeongsang Province, where the Korea Tourism Organization will run a zero-emissions tour program on June 18 and 25. Courtesy of the Korea Tourism OrganizationBy Jun Ji-hyeThe Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) will launch a tour program aimed at eliminating carbon emissions, in cooperation with Tongyeong City in South Gyeongsang Province, in a bid to join worldwide efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions in order to resolve the climate change crisis. The “Carbon-free Trip” is a trial tour program that will take place twice, on June 18 and 25, on Yeondae Island in Tongyeong City.The KTO has begun recruiting participants for the program, with the goal of recruiting 20 teams ― with each team being comprised of two to four people. It is a two-day trip that will take place at an eco-friendly park on the island, where solar energy generation facilities were established in 2011. Each team will camp out at the park, complying with the government's social distancing guidelines aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19. During their stay

Jun 1, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

Tourism sector joins efforts to go carbon neutral

Jeju's tourist arrivals top 1 million in May amid spike in COVID-19 cases

gettyimagesbankJeju Island attracted more than 1 million tourists this month alone, industry data showed Monday, as the southern resort island raised its anti-COVID-19 social distancing measures by one notch to Level 2 on the same day to cope with growing local transmissions of the coronavirus.According to the data from Jeju's tourism association, 1,089,690 tourists arrived on Jeju from May 1-30. With an additional 31,000 visitors expected on the last day of May, the monthly tally is estimated to top 1.1 million.Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the monthly number of Jeju visitors exceeded 1 million only three times last year ― 1.13 million in August, 1.08 million in October and 1.14 million in November.But as more and more people flock to Jeju apparently to escape from COVID-19-related depression, the monthly number of Jeju tourists topped 1 million for the second straight month, the association said, noting April saw 1.07 visitors.The influx of visitors has further accelerated, as local tourists, including newlyweds, increasingly prefer Jeju as an alternative to overseas travel due t

May 31, 2021

Travel & Food