Highlights of South Korea

The South Korean Tourism Organisation has put together recommended itineraries allowing visitors to experience the best of what the country has to offer.

The special 11-day itinerary explores some beautiful sites, including several sites in Seoul.

Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO world heritage site, is well worth a visit. Built in 1405, it was the principal palace for Kings and is the most well preserved of the Josean palaces. The gardens are extremely tranquil; they are filled with relaxing  fountains and beautiful plants. The grounds are best viewed in the autumn, as the leaves start to fall.

A quick ten minute stroll from Changdeokgung Palace lies Insa-dong, a centre of traditional Korean culture. Visitors can sample local, authentic dishes in the many restaurants, which line the streets. Insa-dong is the largest art market for Korean artwork, and is also a great place to pick up souvenirs.

The itinerary also includes some spectacular sites away from the big cities.

Oedo-Botania is a picturesque marine botanical garden located in Hallyeo Maritime National Park. The garden offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape and crystal blue South Sea. Odeo Island offers camellias and various kinds of rare flowers from all over the world as well as fantastic sculptures. When coming down the 'Stairway to Heaven,' visitors can view the beautiful garden and the ocean in the background.  The Island truly gives visitors the chance to escape modern life.

Haeundae Beach is probably the most famous beach in the country, and rightly so!  The beach is 1.5km long and up to 50m wide with rough white sand which sticks easily to the skin. The water is crystal clear and warm, making ideal swimming conditions. Haeundae Beach allows you to relax in paradise.

Click here to see the full eleven-day itinerary.

Top reasons to make Iceland your holiday destination in 2015

Would you like to experience nature at its best? How about witnessing one of nature’s greatest events?

Visit Iceland between now and April and experience one of nature’s most amazing spectacles: the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). The extreme dark of the Icelandic winter provides the perfect vantage point from which to view this natural phenomenon, due to a lack of light pollution. On a clear night, the solar flares are simply mesmerising.

Nature lovers will also appreciate Iceland’s location. Over 80% of the island is uninhabited and large colonies of seabirds are easily visible around the coasts. You are most likely to see razorbills, fulmars, gannets, guillemots and, of course, the Atlantic Puffin. Iceland is also home to Látrabjarg, the largest bird cliff in the world. This one cliff alone is home to millions of birds. The best time of year for bird watching is from the end of April to the beginning of June, although tours are offered year-round.

 Located just three hours flying time from London, Iceland is the world’s most Northerly capital city. The Icelandic weather is changeable: due to the Gulf Stream, Iceland has a cool, temperate climate. The winters are fairly mild, but much colder than those in the UK; the average temperature of January in Iceland is 0.4°C! Iceland also offers fantastic shops, museums and restaurants. Icelandic fish and lamb are local specialities.

If you fancy something a little different, you can visit one of Iceland’s beaches (yes really!). Reykjavík has its own geothermal beach, boasting white sand and warm ocean water. Alternatively, you could brave the cold Atlantic and enjoy the health benefits of swimming in the cold water, like many Icelanders do.

If you have an adventurous streak, you may enjoy exploring Iceland on horseback. It is a great way to sample the stunning, panoramic views that Iceland offers. Riding tours are offered across the country by numerous farms on Icelandic horses. The Icelandic horses themselves are hardy and have a large personality.

Hiking through Iceland’s rugged and varied landscape during the summer moneths is a popular pastime for locals and tourists alike. The Laugavegur trail is one of the most varied and exciting trails in the world! It offers splendid views and takes in a great variety of landscapes; mountains in various colours, glaciers and hot springs, rivers and lakes.

A visit to Iceland would not be complete without experiencing its famous glaciers.  It is important to not that glacier walking or climbing should not be done without the accompaniment of a trained guide, without exceptions. Such trips allow you to explore the untamed Iceland, with its breathtaking landscapes.

For further information, visit http://www.visiticeland.com/  

 

Hong Kong's Top Ten Attractions

Fancy going somewhere different this year? How about visiting Hong Kong?

Lying just south of the Tropic of Cancer, Hong Kong has a humid sub-tropical climate. This makes it the perfect location for those seeking a bit of winter warmth; Hong Kong has an average temperature of 16°C in January! Due to Hong Kong’s colonial past and international harbour, English is widely spoken. All public announcements and official signs are bilingual, making it easier to get around! The city is extremely diverse and beautiful; Chinese clan heritage and European colonial history combine to create a city like no other.

Hong Kong’s cuisine is highly acclaimed worldwide. Ditch the New Year’s resolution and sample some of the local delicacies such as Put Chai Ko (a sticky rice pudding), stir-fried rice noodles, sweet and sour pork and mango pudding. International cuisine also has a strong presence in the city, with Chinese, Asian and Western foods on offer. Special diets are also catered for, with many halal and vegetarian restaurants in the city.

A visit to Hong Kong is not complete without doing some shopping. The districts of Causeway Bay and Sheung Wan are well worth a visit. If you prefer the more authentic street markets, Hong Kong caters for you well. You may spot a bargain on Upper Lascar Row (Cat Street), famed for its antiques and silk products. Chun Yeung Street has busy stalls selling fresh produce where you can experience the sights and sounds of a traditional market in full swing.

While Hong Kong is known mainly as an urban city, it is also home to impressive wildlife and ecology too. The best places to see them are in marine parks and nature reserves, where you’ll see the untamed, remote and rugged Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Global Geopark of China contains some spectacular rock formations, showing off the region’s timeless landscape. The Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region is well worth a visit with hexagonal volcanic columns, islands created as a result of super volcanoes, and splendid sea arches that will make you gasp in awe.

A visit to the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple will immerse you in Hong Kong’s culture. The beautiful ornamented buildings are home to three different religions (Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism). The Temple claims to ‘make every wish come true upon request,’ and is a popular tourist and religious site.

Visitors with young families will enjoy going to Hong Kong Disneyland. The Park four main themed lands: Main Street USA, Adventureland, Tommorowland and Fantasyland. The parades are a must see, and there are many rides to keep the whole family entertained. Don’t forget your camera and autograph book!

The Hong Kong Tourism Board has put together a list of the top ten attractions in the city.

Click here to read the full list

New Zealand's Top 5 Holidays

Fancy going somewhere different for your holidays?  How about a long haul flight to New Zealand?

The 25 hour flight from the UK to New Zealand's North Island is well worth the trek.

New Zealand is only about the size of the UK, but with a population of just 4 million it is gloriously uncrowded, giving you plenty of opportunity to enjoy what's on offer in comfort.

With 15,000km of glorious coastline you're never far from the sea, with the best beaches being on the east side of North Island.

New Zealand has an incredible variety of scenery to enjoy from the coastline, to fertile farmland and a large number of mountains with amazing views to enjoy.  About 20% of the North Island and two thirds of the South Island are mountainous.

Who cannot have failed to be impressed by the incredible scenery in the backdrop to the Lord of the Rings films by Peter Jackson.

New Zealand Tourism has suggested their Top 5 itineraries to make the most of your holiday depending on your interests and length of your trip. Click here to see their suggestions.  

'Middle Earth' country New Zealand