Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Taiwan emerges as most popular destination

Seen is Taipei's skyline at twilight. / GettyimagesbankBy Jun Ji-hyeAs the COVID-19 situation has improved in many countries, with some of their social distancing measures being lifted, the travel itch that has been subdued for months now grows even stronger. Among a variety of tourist destinations around the world, Taiwan has emerged as the most popular searched destination for travel until the year-end, followed by Thailand and Japan, according to search data revealed by Agoda.The Singapore-headquartered digital travel platform said the data was from 11 markets including Australia, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, the United States and Vietnam.Taiwan topped the travel escape searches list among all different traveler groups from couples to solo travelers, family or group, beating last year's champion, Thailand.Thailand was knocked into the second-most-searched destination ahead of Japan, Vietnam and South Korea in the top five. The United States, Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Indonesia completed the top 10.Agoda's

Oct 9, 2020

Taiwan emerges as most popular destination

Nighttime tours of Changdeok Palace to begin this week

In this Aug. 14, 2020, file photo, women take selfies during a Changdeok Palace tour at night. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukNighttime tours of Changdeok Palace, one of the royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty in central Seoul, will start later this week, cultural heritage authorities said Tuesday.The special night tours of Changdeok Palace in Jongno Ward will kick off Saturday and go through Oct. 25, every Thursday to Sunday, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA).CHA added a special course for this year's tour, opening Jondeokjeong Pavilion and the famous Banwolji pond to the public for the first time during the night. With the new courses, the night walks will take approximately 100 minutes.To prevent possible infections of the new coronavirus, authorities said the tours will be comprised of groups of 20, four times a day. The groups will leave for the tour 20 minutes apart to enable social distancing among visitors.All visitors will be required to take precautionary measures against COVID-19, including wearing face masks, using hand sanitizer and checking tempe

Oct 6, 2020

Nighttime tours of Changdeok Palace to begin this week

Suncheon catching on as eco-friendly destination amid protracted virus fears

Suncheon Bay Ecological Park, Monday / YonhapNature-friendly tourist destinations are drawing increasing attention these days from people fatigued by the protracted battle against the coronavirus outbreak.Suncheon, a South Jeolla Province city known as South Korea's center of ecology, is one of the recommended destinations for those wanting to rest away from fears of COVID-19 and enjoy various experience tours.Suncheon, about 415 kilometers south of Seoul, gained international fame in 2006 when Suncheon Bay, a coastal wetland featuring wide tideland, fields of reeds, salt swamps and habitat for migratory birds, became the first Korean coastal wetland to be included in the Ramsar list of protected wetlands.In 2018, the entire city of Suncheon was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.Suncheon Bay Ecological Park, Monday / YonhapThe tidal flat of Suncheon Bay and Naganeupseong Folk Village, a well-preserved town castle of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), are about to be listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.Seonam Temple on Mount Jogye in Suncheon was listed as a UNESCO World Heritag

Oct 6, 2020

Suncheon catching on as eco-friendly destination amid protracted virus fears

No. of foreign visitors to Korea dips 75% during H1

Korean tourist police officers wearing face masks hold up social distancing signs at the Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020. APThe number of international visitors to South Korea plummeted by more than 70 percent during the first half of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a lawmaker Sunday.The number of inbound foreign travelers during the January-June period reached 2.14 million, marking a 74.7 percent plunge compared to the 8.44 million tally from a year ago, according to Rep. Lim O-kyeong of the ruling Democratic Party.Lim cited data submitted by the culture ministry ahead of the annual parliamentary audit of the government."The government should prop up domestic spending by developing various tourism projects, such as healing-themed programs, cultural heritage visit campaigns and region-specific travel courses," Lim said. (Yonhap)

Oct 4, 2020

No. of foreign visitors to Korea dips 75% during H1

Hotel Lobby

By Jun Ji-hyeInterContinental Seoul COEX presents 'Fall in Beer' packageInterContinental Seoul COEX is presenting the “Fall in Beer” package that includes a take-away set instead of dine-in breakfast.The package, available until Oct. 31, offers a one-night stay at the superior room along with the take-away set, featuring two glasses of the hotel's signature craft beer and chicken nuggets, allowing guests to enjoy their vacation while social distancing. The Art Pale Ale, a signature craft beer included in the take-away set, is an aromatic ale beer featuring orange peel added to an American style pale ale. It has a vivid orange color and offers a rich fruity fragrance, making it an ideal cool drink for adults to enjoy. The refreshing adult libations are served on the spot in special aluminum cans to preserve the scent and flavor of the craft beer, along with chicken nuggets, for guests to enjoy in the comfort of their rooms or at a picnic in a nearby park.The customers purchasing the package also have complimentary access to indoor swimming pools and fitness facilities. Int

Sep 24, 2020

Visit top 5 film locations in US from your couch

By Jun Ji-hyeMany people here are suffering from stress caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, which began in late January, due to restrictions on outdoor activities and overseas travel.On Sept. 18, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to extend its special advisory recommending against overseas travel, citing the continuing spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The advisory, which was first imposed in March, will be effective until Oct. 19 and could be extended again, according to the ministry. As the pandemic has made traveling overseas difficult, Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, introduced five iconic locations ranging from coastal regions to vast deserts that have been featured in movies, to allow people to travel vicariously through its films.Martha's Vineyard ― 'Jaws'Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts is famous for its beautiful landscapes and quiet beaches. / Courtesy of Brand USA“Jaws” is the movie that immediately positioned Steven Spielberg as a star director. It also created the term “blockbuster” by bein

Sep 24, 2020

Visit top 5 film locations in US from your couch

Lotte Hotel presents spa retreats to wash away 'COVID-19 blues'

Signiel Seoul's Evian Spa / Courtesy of Lotte HotelBy Jun Ji-hyeLotte hotels across the country are offering a variety of spa packages to help people better cope with the stress and depression caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.Premium landmark hotels Signiel Seoul and Signiel Busan are showcasing the “Deep Relaxation” package.Signiel Seoul's Evian Spa, a spa brand inspired by the European Alps, offers a heavenly rest with a striking view from the 86th floor, while Signiel Busan, a Chantecaille aromacology spa that uses natural ingredients, provides luxurious skincare. Lotte Hotel Seoul's Sulwhasoo Spa enhances the treatment effect with its anti-aging herbal spa program, which uses ingredients from the herbal cosmetics brand Sulwhasoo.Customers who sign up for the “All About Healing” package can enjoy a 50-minute skincare program in addition to a dinner for two at one of the three restaurants at the hotel ― Mugunghwa, Momoyama and Dorim. The package is available until Oct. 12, with prices starting from 510,000 won. At Lotte Hotel World and Lotte Hotel U

Sep 21, 2020

DMZ trail in Paju to reopen to tourists next week

Cable cars at Imjingak in Paju / Courtesy of Paju city governmentA hiking trail along western border of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas will reopen to the public next week, about 11 months after its closure due to the outbreak of African swine fever there, the authorities said Saturday.The town of Paju in Gyeonggi Province, about 30 kilometers northwest of Seoul, said it will reopen the DMZ hiking trail to tourists Tuesday.In consideration of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, however, the local government said it will limit the number of daily hiking tour programs to 10, with a maximum of 20 people at one time. Group tours will be operated by reservation only.The DMZ, which is 250 km long and 4 km wide, is one of the world's most heavily fortified borders, with the rival Koreas technically in a state of conflict as the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.The Paju trail is one of three hiking routes that opened to the public last year under the DMZ Peace Trail program intended to allow visitors to experience inter-Korean peace and the secur

Sep 19, 2020

DMZ trail in Paju to reopen to tourists next week

Hotel lobby

By Jun Ji-hyeInterContinental commences offering 2020 Chuseok gift setsThe Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas and InterContinental Seoul COEX are offering 2020 Chuseok gift sets until Oct. 4. Alongside the gift sets, a premium meal for use in ancestral ceremonies prepared by InterContinental's Korean cuisine chefs is also available this year for the very first time.Twelve types of “InterContinental Chef Choice” items handpicked by chefs including the Grand Deli Choice comprising renowned local specialties and the Sommelier Selection chosen by InterContinental's head sommelier are on offer.“Chef's Assorted Memorial Service Table for Ancestors” introduced for the first time this year is made from top-quality local ingredients, including dried corvina, Korean beef and octopus.Prepared by InterContinental's Korean cuisine chefs, nine types of generously portioned memorial service dishes are packed and safely delivered by the hotel staff. It needs to be reserved 48 hours in advance.Andaz Seoul Gangnam presents a 'City Break' promotionThe Andaz Seoul Gangnam, a lux

Sep 17, 2020

Rediscover domestic tourism: contactless travel by car

Road trips to domestic destinations are on the rise as a means of non-face-to-face travel amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. / Courtesy of ExpediaBy Jun Ji-hyePeople here are exploring new domestic destinations to visit as they have been unable to travel overseas this year due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.The pandemic has also led to growing popularity of road trips where travelers use their own car instead of public transportation, as a means of non-face-to-face travel.A road trip is unique in the sense that the journey is the destination itself.Tourists may take a wrong turn but end up somewhere with beautiful scenery. Unexpected events on the road can add to the fun and vitality of the trip.Global online agency Expedia introduced three national highway road trip courses great for an escape from the mundane daily routine, while keeping distance from crowds. Tourists can enrich the experience by adding a music playlist to drive to, pulling over to the side of the road where possible to take a snapshot of the scenery or stopping by an eatery to get a taste of local food.Taki

Sep 17, 2020By Jun Ji-hye

Travel & Food