Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Princess Cruises offers promotions to mark 50th anniversary

The Sapphire Princess, a Princess Cruises ship. The cruise operator offers discounts and benefits for those traveling to Southeast Asia. / Courtesy of Princess CruisesBy Kim Rahn Princess Cruises, a global cruise line, is offering promotions in celebration of its 50th anniversary.In its Cruise Money event, the cruise line is providing passengers “cruise money” that can be used for shopping, spa treatment, liquor purchase and other services on its cruise ships.The cruise money is valid for all cruises this year and is offered to customers who make reservations by Jan. 30. Passengers, up to two per cabin, can receive between $15 and $250 in cruise money according to the length of their cruise stay.In another event, Princess Cruises is offering “buy two, get two free” trips to Southeast Asia.Its 115,000-ton vessel, Sapphire Princess, sets sail from Singapore to other Southeast Asian countries. Two passengers can be joined by two friends or family members for free. This promotion is available on the three-night, four-day cruise to the Strait of Malacca a

Jan 22, 2015By Kim Rahn

Princess Cruises offers promotions to mark 50th anniversary

A-train to Jeongseon runs to 'Arirang' tune

Jeongseon Arirang Train, or A-train, runs through a mountainous regionin Gangwon Province. It offers premium railway tours to Jeongseon andnearby regions of the province. / Courtesy of KorailPackages link train and tourist destinations in Gangwon ProvinceBy Kim RahnThose wanting to travel to the Jeongseon region in Gangwon Province will be able to take a train specially designed for tourists.Korail, the nation’s railroad operator, launched the Jeongseon Arirang Train, or A-train, on Thursday, aiming to provide a premium tourist railway service. The “A” in the name of the train stands for “Arirang”(a Korean folk song), amazement and adventure.The train offers a round trip once a day from Cheongnyangni Station in Seoul to Jeongseon Station and Auraji Station in Gangwon Province. It departs from Cheongnyangni at 8:10 a.m. Another round trip is offered from Mindungsan Station to Jeongseon Station and Auraji Station, all in the same province.The train for the two routes runs from Thursday to Monday, as well as on Tuesday or Wednesday if the fiv

Jan 22, 2015By Kim Rahn

A-train to Jeongseon runs to 'Arirang' tune

Hotel briefs

 The Renaissance Seoul Hotel offers Lunar New Year packages between Feb. 16 and Feb. 22.The Delight package includes a one-night stay in a deluxe room, six pieces of Hangwa, a Korean sweet, and rice punch for two people. The package costs 130,000. Service charges and tax are not included.The Plump Lamb package includes a one-night stay in a deluxe room, breakfast for two at Cafe Elysee and two Megabox movie tickets. The package costs 170,000 won.For more information or reservations, call (02) 2222-8500.   The Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel’s restaurant Feast is presenting a “Business Course.”The course includes one appetizer selected from smoked salmon, seafood salad or swordfish capriccio. Main dish options are tenderloin steak, salmon fillet, linguine frutti di mare and herb crusted tilapia. A cup of coffee or tea is provided at the end of the meal. The Business Course costs 48,000 won (including tax) per person, and is available between noon and 2:30 p.m. from Monday until Friday.For more information and reservations, call (02) 2211-1710.&nb

Jan 15, 2015By Kim Se-jeong

Marriott' strawberry buffet opens in February

By Kim Se-jeongJohann Wolfgang von Goethe once said, “One must ask children and birds how cherries and strawberries taste.”To which JW Marriott Hotel Seoul staff might add, “People in Seoul must taste the strawberries at our hotel in February.”The hotel’s third annual strawberry buffet will open on Feb. 7 and end on April 30.The popular dessert buffet will feature 30 strawberry-based desserts, including strawberry tart, cheese cake, tiramisu and a chocolate fountain for dipping strawberries. For those who are looking for something more substantial, strawberry smoothie and strawberry ricotta cheese salad are also available.Head Chef Shin Tae-hwan, who is in charge of the dessert section of the hotel’s restaurant, said no other fruit can be so versatile. “They are colorful, flavorful and easy to work with.”Getting quality strawberries is a tall order, Shin said.The buffet package will start before the strawberry season begins. Currently, a majority of the strawberries on store shelves is from greenhouses. However, instead of signing a sup

Jan 15, 2015By Kim Se-jeong

Marriott' strawberry buffet opens in February

Classical music trends: changing of the guard

Los Angeles Philharmonic music director Gustavo Dudamel, 33, is leading a generational transition in conducting. / Courtesy of CrediaYouthful conductors invigorate mainstream venues By Do Je-hae There are some noticeable changes in the classical music world this year, particularly in the leadership of major orchestras around the world.For a long time, musicians and fans have been used to seeing conductors born in the first few decades of the 20th century at the podium. Now, considerably younger conductors, some of whom have just turned 40, are leading a generational transition in the conducting world.Backtrack, an online classical concert finder, released last week a set of statistics about trends in classical music.Here are some of the Backtrack’s findings.Musicians of the Orchestre de Paris perform during the gala opening of the Paris Philharmonie, Thursday. Conductors in their 30s and 40s are becoming a dominating presence at major concert halls. / AP-Yonhap Surge of youthful conductors Last year, the classical music community lost two titans in

Jan 15, 2015

Classical music trends: changing of the guard

Ultimate Middle Ages experience in Ghent

Guild houses are lined along the Leie River in Ghent, Belgium. A boat trip on the river is a good way to experience the Middle Ages atmosphere of the city. / Korea Times photos by Kim RahnBelgian cities of Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp sparkle with hidden charmsBy Kim Rahn This reporter has something to confess. I didn’t want to write an article about the Belgian city of Ghent which I recently visited. For this place, which Lonely Planet described as “Belgium’s best kept secret,” I wanted it to remain a secret, so I could enjoy the beautiful city next time without being irritated by a flood of tourists.Yes, I know that would not be fair. I also think it is pity that the charming city does not get the “wows” it deserves because people do not know much about it.So, here is the story of Ghent and other attractive cities in Belgium ― Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp.Ghent, back to the Middle AgesGhent, or Gent according to which language you speak in Belgium, a country where Flemish, French and German are all used, was a key city in Europe during

Jan 8, 2015By Kim Rahn

Ultimate Middle Ages experience in Ghent

A trip to abbey gives balance in life

Waegwan Abbey is an old chapel in Chilgok County, North Gyeongsang Province, the first stop in novelist Gong Ji-young’s travelogue of 11 monasteries. Above is the old building in its premises where masses were celebrated before a new one was built in 2008./ Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeulWaegwan Abbey: A spiritual shelter for city dwellerBy Baek Byung-yeul WAEGWAN, North Gyeongsang Province — Waegwan is a small country town in Chilgok County, North Gyeongsang Province, about three hours southeast of Seoul. The village is not only known for the U.S. military base Camp Carroll but also for the Roman Catholic abbey, Waegwan Abbey.Founded in 1952, the abbey is home to about 130 Benedictine monks.Recently, it was included in Korean novelist Gong Ji-young’s latest travelogue, “More of the Monastery Travelogue 2.”The mass is being held at Waegwan Abbey’s main chapel building on Dec. 27, 2014. The abbey holds masses five times a day albeit visitors are not required to attend every ceremony. / Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeulLee Ho-jin, who wa

Jan 8, 2015

Flying high in ballet capital

Park Sae-eun is one of a handful of Asian dancers at the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet. / Courtesy of SebastienMathePark Sae-eun: Dancing her way up to perfectionThis is third in a interview series with Europe-based Korean dancers. — Ed.By Rachel Sang-hee Han PARIS — Paris is the city of lights, shopping capital and the home of the some of the world’s best desserts. It’s also known for the arts, history and ballet. The Paris Opera Ballet is one of the three major ballet companies in the world, along with the Royal Ballet in London and the American Ballet Theater.But unlike many other renowned ballet companies, the Paris Opera Ballet is public, which means there can only be a number of foreigners. Only the best and the luckiest dancers make it into the very well respected company and one of them happens to be Park Sae-eun. Surviving ParisIt was a cold, windy Saturday night when I was scheduled to meet the 25-year-old in front of the ballet company. I was waiting near the performers’ entrance and like clockwork, dancers started to walk

Jan 1, 2015

Mugunghwa represents Lotte's excellent service

The Lotte Hotel Seoul’s Mugunghwa won the best Korean restaurant award at the Best Brand Hotels Awards by The Korea Times.Located on the 38th floor of Lotte Hotel Seoul, the restaurant captures a  stunning view of Mt. Bukhan and downtown Seoul.Completing renovations recently, the new Mugunghwa features a modern decoration with a touch of oriental beauty.The chef and his team in the kitchen explore corners of the country to search for the best ingredients possible. A collection of 43 wines are carefully chosen for their suitability to the menu.Ten different types of teas are selected by Wujeon Tea Master No. 28 Kim Dong-gon and served by so-called “tea sommeliers.”Lotte Hotel Seoul’s Korean restaurant Mugunghwa / Courtesyt of Lotte Hotel SeoulLotte Hotel Seoul is a five-star property in Seoul, following one in Jamsil, southern Seoul. Across the country, Lotte has properties in Busan and Ulsan, and on Jeju Island.It has recently expanded into business hotels, with five in Mapo, Gimpo International Airport, Jeju Island, Daejeon and Guro. It also has one reso

Dec 29, 2014By Kim Se-jeong

Mugunghwa represents Lotte's excellent service

Sheraton Incheon's strength lies in 'MICE'

Sheraton Incheon Hotel’s Deluxe room / Courtesy of Sheraton Incheon HotelThe Sheraton Incheon Hotel is the winner of best MICE hotel at the Best Brand Hotels Awards by The Korea Times. MICE stands for meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions.The Sheraton’s strength in MICE took off in 2009. The hotel is strategically located for business, cultural experience and leisure.Songdo is regarded as a business hub of Northeast Asia and Incheon’s Free Economic Zone. The hotel is close to the Songdo ConvensiA, a convention center and the Incheon International Airport.The hotel was the venue for a gala dinner for the 17th Asian Games held in October this year in Incheon.The host of the dinner Tissot, a Swiss watch manufacturer, praised the venue.“To emphasize our brand image, the hotel has set up tables with white and black covers along with silver bands on the chairs,” said Matt George, the international sponsorship manager of Tissot. “I was impressed with the entire team at the Sheraton Incheon Hotel who were professional, organized and supportive