Lifestyle - The Korea Times

INTERVIEW Traveler's advice: Think twice about quitting your job to see the world

Chang Chan-young visits Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia on Dec. 23, 2010. Courtesy of Chang Chan-youngBy Jung Min-hoWe are all too familiar with the message: “I quit my job to travel the world and find my new dream ― and you should too!”While this mindset and lifestyle are becoming increasingly popular in the era of social media and digital nomads, one man who has tried it says the message should be taken with a pinch of salt.“While traveling around the world for 529 days, I visited every place I wanted to see and did everything I had dreamed of,” Chang Chan-young, 34, said in a recent interview. “After the adventure, I returned home. It was a perfect ending. But then I realized that it wasn't a movie and asked myself, 'What should I do now?'”Before and during his journey, Chang thought, at the end of it, he would discover something special ― something that would somehow open the next chapter of his life. But there was no such eureka moment, he said.“Traveling around the world was the goal of my life and I accomplished it when I was still in my 20s

Sep 25, 2019By Jung Min-ho

[INTERVIEW] Traveler's advice: Think twice about quitting your job to see the world

VIDEO 'Even death can't stop me from exploring the unexplored'

By Lee Min-youngWhen it comes to tests of endurance, there are mental and physical limits to human ability. But humans are capable of far more than we think. And extreme athlete and professional adventurer Ash Dykes is living proof. Dykes is a British explorer from North Wales and the first recorded person to complete a 4,000-mile (6,400-km) trek along the entire length of the Yangtze River in China, which took him a year to complete. The Yangtze is the third-longest river in the world and the longest to flow through a single country."I just returned from the expedition about three weeks ago,” he said. “I feel very skinny and I've lost a lot of weight but I'm feeling great mentally and physically.” In 2014, he became the first person in recorded history to walk unsupported from west to east across Mongolia, which took him 78 days. He also traversed the length of inland Madagascar, trekking 1,600 miles (2,600 km) over eight mountains in 155 days in 2016, also making himself the first person to do so.He has been undertaking big expeditions around the world for the pas

Sep 22, 2019By Lee Min-young

'Even death can't stop me from exploring the unexplored' [VIDEO]

Stylish hotel becomes travelers' home away from home

The Entertainment Suite provides the full package of a fun night out from snack and bar stations to gaming gear and a large screen with a projector. Courtesy of The Landmark Mandarin OrientalBy Lee Gyu-leeHong Kong ― The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, a five-star hotel in Hong Kong, provides cozy accommodation right off the busy streets in the heart of Central. The signature seven-foot round bathtubs in the spacious bathroom are placed in most of the hotel suites. Courtesy of The Landmark Mandarin OrientalThe prestigious hotel, placed in the key shopping district, offers over 100 stylish, spacious rooms and suites, including two grand, exclusive suites ― an apartment and entertainment. To provide a more pleasant experience, the hotel rooms underwent refurbishment two and a half years ago, making the rooms cozier, including adding a drawer-style fridge with a larger mini-bar selection and warm colors throughout the rooms for coziness. Soft fabric carpets and couches, with warm yellow lighting add to the comfortable yet luxurious ambience. Bathrooms take a great portion of the rooms as it

Sep 19, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee

Stylish hotel becomes travelers' home away from home

'Garden-fresh, less protein' - Dutch chef's motto for 2-Michelin-starred French restaurant

Chef Richard Ekkebus, the culinary director of two-Michelin-starred restaurant Amber, continuously challenges himself to be a culinary pioneer, even after a successful 15 years of making the restaurant globally recognized. Courtesy of The Landmark Mandarin OrientalBy Lee Gyu-leeHONG KONG ― Comfort zone and hidebound are not the terms to describe chef Richard Ekkebus of the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Amber in Hong Kong. Starting with an apprenticeship under chefs at Michelin-starred restaurants in Holland, the Dutch chef built up an international reputation before settling in Hong Kong under the condition of freely carving his own path in French fine dining at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Since Amber opened in 2005, Ekkebus has successfully led the restaurant to become one of the world's most acclaimed French fine dining establishments. Amber was listed on the World's 100 Best Restaurants 2018 by ranking organization The World's 50 Best Restaurants that annually runs the top 100 list. Ekkebus, however, is not satisfied with such global recognition. The Dutch chef is adv

Sep 19, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee

'Garden-fresh, less protein' - Dutch chef's motto for 2-Michelin-starred French restaurant

Stylish hotel becomes travelers' home away from home

Korea still has many unknown tourist spots

Busan is one of the favorite domestic travel destinations. / Courtesy of ExpediaExpedia studies Koreans' domestic travel trends By Kang Seung-wooDespite a growing number of Koreans traveling to local attractions, there are still unfrequented places in Korea, a recent survey has found. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the average number of domestic trips per person increased from 5.5 a year in 2016 to 6.9 in 2018. However, a poll by online travel agency Expedia revealed that domestic tourists visited a mere 6.1 percent of the nation's over 160 administrative areas, or 9.9 destinations.By age, people in their 20s traveled to 10.9 spots, while those in their 30s and 40s visited 10.6 and 8.2 areas, respectively. The U.S.-based company conducted the survey in August, interviewing 300 office workers aged between 20 and 49 who traveled in Korea in the past year.Korea is home to 14 UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites that include Seokguram Grotto and Bulguk Temple, Changdeok Palace, Jongmyo Shrine and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Kingdom.However, the poll disclosed

Sep 19, 2019By Kang Seung-woo

Korea still has many unknown tourist spots

Hotel Lobby

By Kang Seung-wooSheraton D Cube City brings beer festival backThe Sheraton Beer Festival at Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel will return for its third season with an enhanced lineup of beer brands and an assorted menu.The beer event is scheduled to take place on Sept. 27 and 28 on the property's first floor. Popular beer brands such as Goose Island, The Hand and Malt, Art Monster, Stella Artois, Budweiser, Hoegaarden, Leffe and Corona will join the three-year-old event. Busking performances and a lucky draw are planned for the two-day run. Imperial Palace launches weekday package The Imperial Palace Seoul has unveiled a promotion for those who check in at the property on weekdays.Its Good Morning Seoul Package, launched amid a growing number of guests staying during weekdays thanks to the 52-hour workweek, features a to-go box for breakfast comprised of orange juice, yogurt, croissant and fresh fruit and a late checkout at 2 p.m. Plus, valet parking is free for female guests. It will be available from Sunday to Thursday until Dec. 20.Grand Hilton Seoul presents wine promotionThe Gr

Sep 18, 2019By Kang Seung-woo

First Andaz hotel opens in Korea

By Kang Seung-wooHotel giant Hyatt's Andaz brand has made its Korean debut in southern Seoul's flashy Gangnam-gu. The 241-room Andaz Seoul Gangnam opened its doors in Apgujeong-dong, Friday, becoming the 21st Andaz hotel in the world and fourth in Asia following Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo. In addition, the property is the fifth Hyatt-branded one in Korea. Andaz means “personal style” in Hindi.The Andaz Seoul Gangnam has opened its doors in Apgujeong-dong, southern Seoul. / Courtesy of Andaz Seoul GangnamThe hotel has direct access to Apgujeong Station on Line 3. “We are delighted to be part of the vibrant Apgujeong neighborhood in Gangnam, which is known for its high-end retail stores and K-pop studios,” said Juan Mercadante, general manager of the hotel. “We hope to inspire and stimulate the senses of our guests, from the hotel's design which reflects Gangnam's sophisticated ambiance and dynamic gourmet alleyway dining hotspots, to our custom-made scents.”The Andaz Seoul was designed by award-winning Dutch design Studio Piet Boon that tried to

Sep 11, 2019By Kang Seung-woo

Tourist gems to visit during 'Autumn Tourism Week'

Visitors enjoy beautiful sunflower trails during the "Haman Gangju Cultural Village Sunflower Festival" in Haman County, South Gyeongsang Province. The festival began Aug. 30 and continues through Sept. 15. Courtesy of Choi Chung-rim, Korea Tourism OrganizationBy Anna J. ParkThe Korean government has designated 17 days from Sept. 12 to 29 as Autumn Tourism Week, aiming to boost domestic tourism, as well as inbound tourists' visits to Korea. This Autumn Tourism Week will include Chuseok, a Korean holiday similar to Thanksgiving, which falls in the latter half of next week. Here are some of the recommended tour programs that would-be travelers during the period should not miss. Also, don't forget to visit visitkoreaforme.com for more information. The site effectively helps foreign tourists to devise tour plans on their own according to various themes, such as beauty and wellness, K-pop, nightlife and food. Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve boasts a beautiful coastal wetland along with the largest reed field in the country. Courtesy of Cho Seong-keun, Korea Tourism OrganizationSuncheon Sunch

Sep 5, 2019By Anna J. Park

Tourist gems to visit during 'Autumn Tourism Week'

INTERVIEW Culture minister boosts Korea's diverse tourist attractions

INTERVIEW Culture minister boosts Korea's diverse tourist attractions

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Yang-woo speaks during an interview with The Korea Times. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukMinister Park committed to enhancing people's happiness through cultural promotionBy Anna J. ParkIt's been about six months since Minister Park Yang-woo, 60, took the helm of the nation's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The minister has more than 30 years of experience in cultural policy and lately has been focused on promoting domestic tourism and increasing inbound tourists to Korea. During an interview with The Korea Times on Wednesday, Minister Park discussed the outcome of the annual trilateral meeting among the culture and tourism ministers of Korea, China and Japan; the government's various efforts to attract tourists, especially from ASEAN countries; and his desire to encourage domestic tourism programs. “Last week, the culture and tourism ministers of Korea, China and Japan held a three-day annual intergovernmental meeting in Incheon; the meeting ended with all parties agreeing to the Incheon Declaration, vowing to increase co

Sep 5, 2019By Anna J. Park

[INTERVIEW] Culture minister boosts Korea's diverse tourist attractions

Tourist gems to visit during 'Autumn Tourism Week'

Hotel Lobby

By Kang Seung-wooGrand Hyatt Seoul wins MICE award The Grand Hyatt Seoul has been selected as the best MICE hotel at the Meeting and Convention Stella Awards.This award is given annually by the Northstar Travel Group, a global MICE company serving over 350,000 meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions (MICE) clients in more than 13 countries. It recognizes businesses that offer innovative MICE services, including hotels, airlines, convention centers and cruise lines. It picks 25 outstanding companies in seven categories. The property is known for its unequaled MICE facilities, including its expansive Grand Ballroom and Grand Salon venues, meeting the growing and ever-changing needs of the MICE market. InterContinental hotels offer package promotion for ChuseokThe Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas and the InterContinental Seoul COEX present their 2019 Chuseok package promotion that will make the four-day holiday more memorable. The Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas, which is linked to Parnas Mall on the basement floor, offers a 50,000 won mobile voucher as part of its Ch

Sep 5, 2019By Kang Seung-woo

Travel & Food

Travel & Food

INTERVIEW Traveler's advice: Think twice about quitting your job to see the world

VIDEO 'Even death can't stop me from exploring the unexplored'

Stylish hotel becomes travelers' home away from home

'Garden-fresh, less protein' - Dutch chef's motto for 2-Michelin-starred French restaurant

Korea still has many unknown tourist spots

Hotel Lobby

First Andaz hotel opens in Korea

Tourist gems to visit during 'Autumn Tourism Week'

INTERVIEW Culture minister boosts Korea's diverse tourist attractions

Hotel Lobby

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