So long, backpacking. Young travelers are opting for package tours

There was a time when a dog-eared guidebook, a rail pass, and a massive backpack were all young travelers needed to explore Europe or Southeast Asia. They squeezed into night buses, slept in noisy hostel bunk beds and dined on street food, with the only fixed point in their itinerary being the return flight home. Getting lost was part of the adventure. For today’s Generation Z travelers, that no longer holds the same appeal. They want to minimize discomfort and safety risks while maximizing effi

July 12, 2025

Packages and promotions

Glad Hotels launch 'Sent the Moment' package Glad Hotels in Seoul and on Jeju Island has announced the “Sent the Moment” package, available through Dec. 31. Guests receive a one-night stay and a Glad Forest item of their choice — a diffuser, candle or car air freshener — featuring either the Seoul scent of woodsy jasmine or Jeju scent of citrusy freshness. A paper air freshener is also included. Guests must note their scent preference during booking or a random item will be provided. Prices star

July 11, 2025

Festivals, sights across Korea

The 2025 World Heritage Festival runs until Oct. 22, with events centered in Jeju City, Jeju Island, and other designated heritage sites across Korea. The festival celebrates UNESCO-listed World Heritage sites through immersive programs that reflect their "Outstanding Universal Value." On Jeju, visitors can join walking tours along volcanic landscapes and nighttime hikes at Hallasan and Seongsan Ilchulbong. Programs also include busking by local musicians, interactive exhibitions and community s

July 11, 2025

Take a train to Busan for retreat in comfort, luxury

BUSAN -- From a serene walk through a bamboo forest to a scenic ride along the coast on an aerial rail, Busan offers a luxurious escape for summer travelers. Known for stunning beaches like Haeundae and its busy port, Busan is easily accessible from Seoul in just two hours and 20 minutes via Korail’s latest express train, the KTX-Cheongryong. Into the heart of nature On hot summer days, Ahopsan Forest in Gijang-gun, northern Busan, offers a cool, shaded retreat. The forest features rare turtle b

July 5, 2025

Packages and promotions

Le Meridien Seoul Myeongdong’s all-day dining restaurant, La Palette Paris, is offering a summer "Meat-erian Buffet" through Aug. 31, featuring premium meats, fresh seafood and wellness-focused seasonal dishes. Highlights include grilled duck in house sauce, steamed black chicken with wild pine mushrooms, Shinan-aged croaker sashimi, and grilled eel, abalone and octopus with house-made sauces. Prices are 75,000 won ($55.16) for weekday lunch, and 125,000 won for weekday dinner and lunch or dinne

July 4, 2025

Festivals, sights across Korea

The Jeju Folk Village Hydrangea Festival will take place until Sunday at Jeju Folk Village in Seogwipo, Jeju Island. This seasonal celebration showcases the early summer beauty of hydrangeas alongside Jeju’s traditional culture. Visitors can enjoy weekend stamp tour events, traditional rice cake-making experiences and a flea market featuring handcrafted goods. Guests wearing traditional Korean hanbok, available for rent on-site, receive a 70 percent discount on admission. The festival also featu

July 4, 2025

Hydrangeas are in full bloom – here's where to see them

As summer sets in, hydrangeas bloom in brilliant shades of blue, pink and lavender across Korea, drawing flower enthusiasts and tourists alike to gardens and nature parks across the country. Known for their large, lush petals and various hues, hydrangeas reach their peak from early June through July. From central Korea to the southern coast, here are three hydrangea-viewing destinations that offer not just floral beauty but immersive seasonal experiences: Yugu Saekdong Hydrangea Garden, Yulbom F

June 28, 2025

Summer in the city

Yeouido Hangang Park Swimming Pool offers the perfect urban retreat as the summer heat sweeps through the city. Open until Aug. 31, the pool provides a refreshing escape for visitors looking to cool off and enjoy a day by the Han River. The swimming pool operates daily from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with 15-minute cleaning and maintenance breaks every 45 minutes. Longer breaks take place from noon to 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. However, the on-site food and beverage stalls remain open th

June 27, 2025

Festivals, sights across Korea

The Gangneung Beach Beer Festival runs until Sunday at Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. Celebrating its fifth edition, the event marks the start of summer with a mix of sea, beer and vibrant entertainment. Visitors can enjoy beachside DJ sets, a pine grove flea market, busking performances and interactive experiences like a Beer Olympics and DIY beer-making sessions. A local craft beer and food market rounds out the experience. The Daegu Chimac Festival is scheduled to run from Jul

June 27, 2025

Packages and promotions

Grand Hyatt Seoul is offering an exclusive “Never Ending Summer” package in partnership with Maison Margiela Fragrances. The package includes a stay in a Club Room or higher, a 100ml bottle of Maison Margiela fragrance, and a 20 percent discount at the brand’s flagship store. Guests also get access to the hotel’s pool, fitness center and Grand Club Lounge. Only 50 rooms are available, with rates starting at 920,810 won ($676.37) for a King Bed Club Access Room. Book by Sept. 30 for stays between

June 27, 2025

[Best Brand] Serenity Golf & Resort to launch luxury retreat near Seoul

Serenity Country Club, located in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, is set to open Serenity Golf & Resort — combining world-class golfing with upscale accommodations and cultural experiences — in the second half of the year. Situated near major cities such as Daejeon, Sejong and Cheonan, Serenity Golf & Resort offers convenient access. When the Seoul-Sejong Second Gyeongbu Expressway is fully completed, the travel time from Seoul is projected to be just 90 minutes. According to a Serenity re

June 25, 2025

[Best Brand] Ambassador Hotel Group marks 70 years as pioneer in Korea’s hospitality industry

Ambassador Hotel Group, Korea’s first privately owned hotel enterprise, celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. The group began its journey in 1955 with the opening of Geum-Soo-Jang, a 19-room hotel. Now operating 28 hotels across eight major cities nationwide, the group has grown into a leading force in Korean hospitality. Its flagship property, The Ambassador Seoul- A Pullman Hotel, formerly Geum-Soo-Jang, exemplifies the company’s legacy of innovation and tradition. The hotel underwent a m

June 25, 2025

Hotel HDC to transform hotels into multifunctional cultural spaces

Hotel HDC marked its 20th anniversary by hosting a forum on changes and outlook in the hotel investment environment in Seoul on June 19. The event, which also unveiled the company’s growth story and future vision, featured a presentation by Kim Min-joon, senior vice president at global commercial real estate firm JLL Korea. The forum included panel discussions with experts such as Kim Dae-kwan, dean of Kyung Hee University’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management; Kim Sung-eun, director of the K

June 25, 2025

Legoland Korea welcomes summer with '2025 Awe-Summer Adventure'

Legoland Korea Resort in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province — the first global theme park of its kind in Korea and the 10th Legoland established worldwide — is turning up the heat with its "2025 Awe-Summer Adventure," running through Sept. 7. This year’s event, themed “An Amazing Summer Adventure with Lego Pirates,” features expanded water zones, interactive performances, and family-friendly activities designed to help guests cool off and make the most of the season. The event’s centerpiece is the imme

June 22, 2025

Walkerhill Hotels & Resorts launches premium golf club in Seoul

Walkerhill Hotels & Resorts opened a premium golf club Saturday at Grand Walkerhill Seoul, becoming the first local hotel brand to introduce such a facility. The Walkerhill Golf Club is part of the company’s broader strategy to offer guests a comprehensive leisure destination that combines culture, art and wellness within a single complex. “As someone who genuinely enjoys golf, I’ve visited many clubs around Seoul, but I haven’t seen one that matches our setting, surrounded by mountains and over

June 22, 2025