Enjoy fall foliage at ocean resorts

The fall foliage in Korea is expected reach its peak this and next week. Its colors are said to be more beautiful this year than usual since there was little rain throughout the year.

Instead of the usual one-day trip to a mountain to see the foliage, how about staying overnight at a resort by the sea, enjoy beautiful sunset and a relaxing spa treatment in addition?

Three leading resorts - Hilton Namhae Golf & Spa Resort, Sol Beach Hotel & Resort, and Beache Palace located by the Southern, Eastern and Western sea, respectively - offer special packages in November.

Such packages include a night at the resort and a spa so guests can release the exhaust from hiking.



Hilton Namhae Golf & Spa Resort

Mt. Geum and Mt. Nae, located in South Gyeongsang Province, are famous for their yellow foliage created by diverse tress including maple and oak.

Alongside the natural forests at Mt. Nae, visitors can go to nearby tourist spots like the reservoirs, Baramheunjeok Art Museum and Butterfly Ecological Center which are geared particularly toward family visitors.

Hilton Namhae is an A-class luxurious resort in the country`s south where guests can relax while enjoying the sunset over the sea and mountain views.

The resort`s outdoor and indoor baths both enable guests to bathe while enjoying the ocean view. The spa which is designed like jjimjilbang, or Korean-style sauna, provides dry sauna room, and rooms made of red soil and amethyst.

The resort, celebrating the third anniversary of opening, offers a special package combining a night at its Deluxe Suite, breakfast and a 10 percent discount at its spa until Nov. 14.

The package is priced at 333,000 won. For more information, call (050) 860-0100.



Solbeach Hotel & Resort

Mt. Seorak is usually the country`s first to show off its breathtaking fall foliage.

Solbeach Hotel & Resort, located in Yangyang, Gangwon Province, features luxurious rooms, plus its own beach and garden that offers a private atmosphere for its guests.

Spending some time bathing at the Aqua World, which is made of natural sea water, will help guests relax after a long day of hiking. Aqua World offers various services from spa therapies to saunas.

Premium Hyo Package - which includes a night at the resort, breakfast and dinner, and a voucher for Aqua World and spa therapy - is available until the end of November.

For more information, call 1588-4888.



Beache Palace

Mt. Naejang and Seongju, each located in North Jeolla and South Chungcheong Province, are two of the famous mountains near the Western sea.

Mt. Naejang features a great harmony of yellow and orange leaves consisting mostly of broadleaf trees. Mt. Seongju, meanwhile, hosts "Seongjusan Danpung Festival" today and tomorrow. There will be many events, including nongaknori, or farmers` music and dances, fireworks and a performance by Taebaek Art Circus Troupe.

Beache Palace near Mt. Seongju is well-known for its access to beautiful sunset at Muchangpo beach, not to mention its lavish spa therapies and baths.

The resort offers Haneul and Noeul packages, which includes a night at the resort, access to the spa and breakfast, for weekends and weekdays, respectively, until Dec. 15. Haneul package is 198,000 won and Noeul package is 128,000 won.

For more information, call (041) 939-5757.

(youngaah@heraldm.com)



By Koh young-aah