KOREA NAMED IN TOP TEN DESTINATIONS IN LONELY PLANET’S BEST IN TRAVEL 2013

More news from the wonderful Jenny of Korean Tourism on travel insights into Korea - really near to Japan and a must see for you all. 

Fly from major cities of Japan to major cities in Korea or catch the ferry from Hakata (Fukuoka) to the wonderful city of Busan in Korea. 

KOREA NAMED IN TOP TEN DESTINATIONS IN LONELY PLANET’S BEST IN TRAVEL 2013

Lonely Planet’s newly released ‘Best in Travel 2013’ names Korea as number three of the top ten destinations in the world to visit in 2013.  South Korea’s growing popularity with visitors to the country has seen a big rise in interest from foreign visitors in recent years.

With over ten million foreign visitors expected to visit Korea by the end of this year the word is out about Korea as a popular travel destination.  No doubt the popularity of PSY’s ‘Gangnam Style’ has added to this interest in Korea from around the world with over half a billion hits now on Youtube. 

Lonely Planet’s endorsement of Korea as a great place to visit will no doubt encourage a lot more visitors from around the world to plan a visit to the country.  Lonely Planet mentions Korea’s great outdoors and recreational activities like mountain climbing, fishing, golfing and skiing as becoming more popular with foreign visitors as they get to know the country better.

Most people think of Korea as a highly populated country and large cities, but 70% of Korea is mountainous and it has incredible mountain ranges and stunning national parks to go trekking and skiing and enjoy nature.  Korea is becoming popular with Australian skiers as it leads up to the hosting of the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Aside from the natural attractions, Korea offers 5,000 years of history and culture to experience, numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites to explore and of course the very popular Korean cuisine which is one of the top reasons visitors enjoy Korea.  Along with its welcoming and friendly locals, visitors to the country can immerse themselves in the many cultural experiences on offer.  Join in one of the hundred festivals around the country each year and you can see and understand much of the lives of Koreans.

Nowadays, you can enjoy activities such as the overnight templestay programs where you can learn how to meditate and enjoy temple cuisine and also visitors can join the many food experiences on offer like making your own kimchi or taking a night food tour of the capital Seoul.  You can learn the ancient art of taekwondo and join in the fun at one of the major festivals around the country like the Boryeong Mud Festival. 

Korea is a country of inspiration, where you become one of the locals and truly experience life as it is for Koreans today.  See for yourself how Korea has become one of the trendiest places for young people with Korea leading the way in fashion, style, K-Pop, films and more.

See Korea for yourself in 2013 and enjoy one of the hottest destinations on the planet.

Dated:  26 October, 2012

Further information:  Jennifer Doherty, KTO Sydney office

Email:  jenny@knto.org.au  Phone:  02)9252-4147

Join my group on Japan on a Budget in Linked In

Hi all, 

I am posting on Linked In the latest news on Japan on a budget. 

So to keep up to date, you are invited to join my Linked in group http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Japan-on-budget-travelers-3779881?gid=3779881&trk=hb_side_g

cheers

Carole 

HIT THE SLOPES IN KOREA THIS NORTHERN SKI SEASON

Jenny from Korean Tourism has sent us a media release on skiing in Korea, which is so close to Japan. 

HIT THE SLOPES IN KOREA THIS NORTHERN SKI SEASON

South Korea is set to capture a lot more attention from Australian skiers and snowboarders planning to hit the slopes close to home this northern ski season.  A Nat Geo TV segment on skiing in Korea produced last winter season has created a great deal of interest and attention in the Australian market for Korea’s ski resorts.

Hitting the slopes in Korea is a lot closer to home for many Australians than the resorts of USA, Canada & Europe, and a great deal cheaper.  Yongpyong on the east coast of Korea is approximately 3 hrs from downtown Seoul and is known as ‘Korea’s Ski Mecca’ with a growing reputation with foreign skiers. 

It provides the perfect atmosphere for skiing and snowboarding with fresh powder snow and well organised facilities.  The mountain has more than 25kms of groomed slopes, fifteen chair lifts, a 3.7km gondola and a terrain park for all levels of skiers.  The mountain also offers great night skiing with lifts open daily from 8.30am to midnight offering non-stop ski action.

Yongpyong Resort has excellent facilities and activities including the massive ‘Peak Island’ water theme park with hot springs, sledding, bowling alleys and more.  It also has an area called ‘Dragon Park’ offering half pipe, quarter pipe, ramp, table top, spine, washboard, rail slider, mogul and wave ski experiences.  Yongpyong also hosts the Fun Ski and Snow Festival every year giving visitors a great chance to join in the festival fun and compete against other international skiers and snowboarders.

Yongpyong has hosted many international ski events and will be a venue for the 2018 Winter Olympics which will be hosted by Korea in six years.  This upcoming event will no doubt increase much international interest in Korea’s ski resorts and see more foreign skiers visiting the country in the coming years.  Also, it will mean much growth in Korean ski resorts in the future offering growth in resort facilities and infrastructure.

There are great ski packages being offered to Yonpgyong Resort this coming winter season by Skimax, Australia’s major ski tour operator.  From only$925 per person twin share you can get seven nights twin share in a Deluxe Room at Dragon Valley Hotel, including daily breakfast and a six day ski pass.  The offer is valid for travel 1-20 December and requires booking and payment by 30 November, 2012.  For travel from the 6^th January to 2^ndFebruary, 2012, the peak of Yongpyong’s ski season you can get a seven night quad share package in a standard Ondol (Korean-style) room at Greenpia Condominiums, daily breakfast and a six day ski pass from only $1395 per person if you book and pay by 30 November, 2012.  More information on Skimax Korea packages can be found online atwww.skimax.com.au or phone 1300 136 997

For your next ski adventure overseas consider Korea, it’s a great place to ski for all the family.  The resorts all offer great activities for children as well including ski lessons and fun activities in the snow.

To find out more about skiing in Korea visit www.koreabeinspired.com.au/ski.html or contact Korea Tourism Organization Sydney Office for a free ‘Winter in Korea’ booklet and information on Yongpyong Resort.  Email: visitkorea@knto.org.au  Phone:   02)9251-1717

Dated:  2 November, 2012

Further information:  Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, KTO Sydney office

Email:  jenny@knto.org.au  Phone:  02)9252-4147/8

Air B&B in Japan - get to know the locals

By Carole Goldsmith
Copyright Carole Ann Goldsmith © 2012 All Rights Reserved

Right across Japan, you can share a house or apartment with Japanese and get to know their culture.

Air B&B, an international booking organisation that that you can register with to rent out rooms, apartments or even houses, to travelers to Japan and to the many other countries registered.

Here are some examples of Air B&B

Kyoto  https://www.airbnb.com.au/s/Kyoto--Kyoto-Prefecture--Japan

Tokyo  https://www.airbnb.com.au/s/Tokyo--Japan

Osaka https://www.airbnb.com.au/s/Osaka--Osaka-Prefecture--Japan

Sapporo https://www.airbnb.com.au/s/Sapporo--Hokkaido-Prefecture--Japan

Hiroshima https://www.airbnb.com.au/s/Hiroshima--Hiroshima-Prefecture--Japan

Cheers

Carole Goldsmith

Japan on a budget in Linked In

Hi All,

I have set up a Japan on a budget group on Linked In http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Japan-on-budget-travelers-3779881?gid=3779881&trk=hb_side_g

I post the latest on Japan on a Budget on this site, so check it out by joining Linked In and joining this group.

cheers

Carole