Korea Travel

Highlights of the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

Every year, over a million people flock to the sleepy town of Hwacheon to participate in the Sancheoneo Ice Festival. The festival, which takes place annually, is consistently voted one of the best local festivals in Korea and was even named one of the “Seven Wonders of Winter” by Lonely Planet. I participated in the …

The Best Restaurants and Bars in Gangneung

The PyeongChang 2018 Olympics are officially upon us! While the Games are no doubt going to be action packed, offering plenty of excitement for both locals and the 150,000 athletes, reporters and die-hard sports fans that are expected to travel to Korea for the event, there’s also plenty to do and see outside of the …

Wishing Trees and Rice Chests: Suwon’s Hwaseong Haenggung

Once a resting shelter and vacation destination for kings, the grounds of Hwaseong Haenggung in Suwon, South Korea are now a site where locals and tourists can learn about Korean royal history and culture. Despite recent renovations, every inch of the palace has a story to tell. So much so, in fact, that when I …

Spin Kicks, Spirituality, and a Sunrise: Templestay at Golgusa Temple

It’s never a bad idea to start out a new year with a few extra good karma points… you never know when you’ll need them. So, instead of spending New Year’s Eve drinking too much in a crowded bar and waking up to feelings of pain and regret, I decided to ring it in at …

Glamping Under the Stars at Raventree in Gapyeong

Fall has officially arrived in Korea. The season may not be the longest, but it is, without a doubt, the most beautiful. The country’s autumn colors, crisp air and cool temperatures beckon its inhabitants to don their sweaters and head outdoors for festivals, mountain hikes and danpoong noryi, excursions to see the fall foliage. Yet …

10 Ways to Stay Warm During Winter in Korea

Let me just make one thing clear. I am not a fan of Korean winters. Sure, the snow can be beautiful and the holiday decorations do make me all fuzzy on the inside but on any given day from December to March, the last place you’ll find me is outside. Coincidentally, many Koreans share my …

Final Fall Encounters at Seoraksan National Park

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  Korea in fall is a sight to be seen.  There are plenty of places to experience all the wonderful things about the season, but there is one special destination that allows visitors to experience autumn in all its glory: Seoraksan National Park. I had traveled to …

Cheorwan: Tranquility on the DMZ

With all the recent media attention suggesting that the Koreas are on the brink of nuclear war, the world might be surprised to learn that the cities dotting the DMZ, or demilitarized zone between the two counties, are as peaceful and quiet as ever. Sure, there are signs of a military presence and a slight …