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

Going to Japan in September- Autumn

Going to Japan in September - a wonderful time of the year with autumn leaves and warm weather.

Se

Enjoy Korea’s Walking Trails and Beaches this Summer

More of Korea from Jenny of KTO - Korea - so near to Japan 

Enjoy Korea’s Walking Trails and Beaches this Summer

Looking for outdoor adventures and the warmth of summer in Asia right now, then South Korea has it all.  With the peninsula surrounded by beautiful beaches and mountains covering seventy percent of the country, Korea offers it all for adventurous visitors.

Hiking in one of Korea’s seventeen national parks can be challenging and offers the chance to commune with the beauty of nature and enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery.  All of Korea’s national parks have well marked and safe trails, hiking is a national pastime in Korea and you won’t be alone, you will meet many locals along the trails especially on weekends.

Recently the 274km Jirisan Dulegil Mountain Trail located in Jirisan National Park in central Korea was fully opened.  Comprising twenty-two courses, the trail meanders through old villages and forests, and over the hills and along rivers and valleys thereby connecting nature and humans. In Cheonghakdong, known as the Village of the Blue Crane you can see how the villagers have maintained their traditional lifestyle over many years.

On Korea’s semi-tropical island of Jeju, the Jeju Olle Walking Trail offers a way to enjoy the land’s stunning scenery as you walk.  With its unique and dramatic volcanic landscape and islands, Jeju is a natural paradise.  The Jeju Olle Walking Trail has over 200km of connected walking paths which can be divided into thirteen one day walks.  The paths take hikers through mountainous regions, along the coast with its dramatic black lava cliffs and sparkling blue ocean below to some of the most remote spots on the island.  Along the way you’ll get a chance to meet some of Jeju’s warm-hearted locals as well as sample some of the island’s specialty dishes.

If you are visiting Seoul and wanting to escape the city for a day, then the Bukhansan Dulle-gil Walking trail (70km) connects the forest paths and villages along the foothills of Mt. Bukhansan.  The Bukhansan National Park is a popular destination throughout the year, drawing an impressive five million visitors per year.  It is particularly spectacular in Spring and Autumn when the trees turn to gold.  There are 21 sections to the trail which leads hikers through lush forests to temples perched on mountain crags and back into the history of ancient Korea.

Summer in Korea is also time to head to the beach and Korea has many beautiful beaches and islands.  For Aussie beach fans who want to swim, sunbathe or watch an unforgettable sunrise or sunset you can do all this in Korea,  Korea is a peninsula surrounded by water so you don’t have to go far to find a nice beach to laze during the summer months.

If you are looking for white sandy beaches head to the eastern coast of Korea which has many beautiful beaches where you can swim, enjoy water sports and enjoy the wide variety of seafood. 

The western coast of Korea has a more rocky coastline with shallow seawater and wide tidal areas.  Here visitors can enjoy all the sea creatures on the tidal flats and the west coast is know for its beautiful sunsets.

Off the southern coast of Korea are countless islands with beautiful beaches.  The Hallyeo National Marine Park is a stunning waterway of islands and rocky outcrops and is accessed from the southern port city of Busan.  Further south is one of the most visited islands of Jeju with its subtropical climate, white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and palm trees – the Hawaii of Korea.

Korea is a land for all seasons, but summertime can be a wonderful time to enjoy the beauty of nature and the great outdoors.  Combine an adventure the country with a stay in Seoul city and you can have the best of both worlds. 

It is very easy and cheap to travel around Korea, especially with a Korea Railpass   The ten day adult saver pass for 2-5 people travelling together costs A$131, as little as $13.00 a day to move around the country.

To learn more about all the adventures you can have in Korea this summer request a free full colour guidebook from Korea from Korea Tourism Organization Sydney office                  

Email:  visitkorea@knto.org.au or visit the official travel website for Korea to search national parks, walking trails, beaches and much more – www.visitkorea.or.kr

Dated:  14 June, 2012

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

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

ENJOY KOREASTAY, YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Korea is only a short flight or ferry trip from Japan.... 

ENJOY KOREASTAY, YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

For travellers to Korea wanting to get a first-hand experience of Korean life and culture there is no better way than enjoying a home-stay with a Korean family.  ‘Koreastay’ is a home-stay program certified by Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) which offers international visitors to Korea a special opportunity to experience life with a Korean family.

‘Koreastay’ host families are carefully selected after undergoing strict assessment of such criteria as residential environment, guestroom and house cleanliness, service and convenience.

A home-stay experience allows visitors the chance to experience the authentic Korean way of life including Korean family meals and various traditional customs and cultural activities like family traditions and Korean games etc.

‘Koreastay’ is a great way to start your trip to Korea while immersing yourself in Korean life and culture.  Most host families are located in major cities, close to tourist areas and provide some home cooked meals and various travel information.

Starting from US$30 per night rates vary depending on host and location.  By visiting the ‘Koreastay’ webpage on the official KTO website http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/koreastay you can search information on home-stay accommodation by city or region and the suitability of accommodation, reviews and much more.

Make your next visit to Korea a real cultural experience rather than staying in a hotel.  You may be surprised what you can discover by staying at home with a Korean family and how much more fulfilling your journey to Korea can be.

Dated:  26 April, 2012

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

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

Hi from Koyasan