The Korea Herald

Table manners, cooking classes at InterContinental Hotel

The Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas and InterContinental Seoul COEX offer a series of customized classes to share the expertise gained while hosting the ASEM, G20, and Nuclear Security Conference. The classes, which are for the most part made up of cooking classes and table manner classes, require a minimum of eight students. Participants are able to choose the time and method of instruction as well as the restaurant where it will be held. In the cooking classes, the courses are chosen by th

April 27, 2012

The Ritz-Carlton offers California-style outdoor barbecue

The Ritz-Carlton Seoul’s The Garden offers a California-style menu that includes an outdoor barbeque during the month of May. The hotel invited Chef Matt Greco from Wente Vineyards for the occasion. The menu will offer fresh seasonal California cuisine, with Chef Greco himself grilling at the outdoor garden. This year marks the 100th anniversary of production of Wenti Vineyard’s chardonnay and the chef has selected a variety of dishes to complement the wine, such as grilled lobster, prawns, and

April 27, 2012

Free Pinda massage at Plaza Hotel in May

Plaza Spa Club in The Plaza Hotel in central Seoul presents “Power Lifting” spa program for the month of May. The spa club is the first medical spa club among five-star hotels in Seoul. Power Lifting combines medial laser injections and spa programs. It is known to improve wrinkles, face lines, skin elasticity and also provide immediate stress relief. While laser whitening and cleaning improve complexion, spa programs consisting of Swedish massage and hydro therapy will rejuvenate. For guests wh

April 27, 2012

Hawaiian Airlines launches Fukuoka-Honolulu flights

Hawaiian Airlines opened last week a direct route from Hawaii’s Honolulu International Airport to Japan’s Fukuoka International Airport. The Honolulu-Fukuoka flight will be available daily, all year around. Fukuoka is the third destination in Japan following nonstop services to Tokyo and to Osaka, and the fourth in Asia, including Incheon, Korea, that Hawaiian has launched since November 2010. The flight bound for Fukuoka will depart from Honolulu at 1:30 p.m. and arrive at Fukuoka at 7 p.m., an

April 27, 2012

New Orleans festivals booming as Jazz Fest starts

NEW ORLEANS (AP) ― When Hurricane Katrina scattered New Orleans residents and its musicians across America, many wondered if the best days of New Orleans music had drowned with the city. But if its music festivals are any indication, New Orleans is proving its music scene is waterproof.New Orleans festivals are as strong as they’ve ever been, and at least one is bigger than before Katrina hit in 2005. French Quarter Festival, which took place in mid-April, started almost 30 years ago as a small

April 27, 2012

Business trip to Munich and Frankfurt: Long, hot days for firm and country

MUNICH ― Traveling alone while on business during the summer can make you feel cut off from both the familiarity of home and the pleasures the place you are visiting.It can sometimes seem as if you leave and return and see and experience nothing in between except the harmonious monotony of the world’s conference rooms. The secret to preventing that is to leave enough time on your schedule actually to participate in local life and, to the extent that your business relationships permit, to invite

April 27, 2012

Business trip to Munich and Frankfurt: Long, hot days for firm and country

Capone rum-smuggling ship offers canal tours

PANAMA CITY (AFP) ― Some 270 ships pass each week through the Panama Canal, but one now gives tourists the chance to experience the storied waterway on the “Islamorada,” Al Capone’s legendary rum-runner.The wooden ship, famous for smuggling liquor for the US mobster during the prohibition era, turned 100 this year and has been refurbished for guided tours of the canal’s locks and shoreline wildlife.For $165 for a full 80 kilometer trip or $115 for a shorter version, visitors get to go through th

April 23, 2012

Capone rum-smuggling ship offers canal tours

A night in Abu Dhabi

A typical day as a holidaymaker in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, might start at around 6 a.m. with the sun pouring in through the window. Whether you are on a remote island or in the city center, you can eat a world-class breakfast, jog in a fully-equipped gym and shower under a gigantic rain shower, before grabbing a taxi and touring around the skyscrapers, going on a shopping spree or setting out on a desert safari. The scorching sun also means there are plenty of opportu

April 20, 2012

Bring out the bulls

Bullfights stir up energy and more in Cheongdo One of the most energetic, fierce and primeval festivals in South Korea opened this week in Cheongdo, Gyeongsang Province. The annual Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival kicked off on Wednesday at the Cheongdo Bullfighting Stadium in Cheongdo-gun, North Gyeongsang Province. A total of 96 bulls are locking horns during the five-day festival to the wild cheer of the spectators. This year’s festival is composed of two parts -- the first half, from April 18

April 20, 2012

Hana Tour hosts travel fair at KINTEX

The nation’s leading travel agency Hana Tour hosts “2012 HANATOUR International Travel Show” from May 18-20at KINTEX in Daehwa-dong, Gyeonggi Province. Celebrating the sixth year, the fair is bigger than ever. Over 500Korean and international companies in the tourism and leisure industry will showcase their latest products.The fair will be composed of 11 pavilions, seven representing different regions like Southeast Asia, America, Europe, Japan, China, Korea and Oceania; and the rest each coveri

April 20, 2012

Taste of Nuclear Security Summit at Sheraton Grande Walkerhill

Sheraton Grande Walkerhill offers the 5-course menu served at the recent Nuclear Security Summit luncheons and dinners through May 31 at all-day dining restaurant and caf The View. Sub-themed as “Exploring a Taste of Spring in Korea,” the promotion includes two types of 5-course menu for lunch and dinner. Menu A is composed of Sheraton Grande Walkerhill’s renowned dry-aged beef and four other courses that are made easy to digest. It is priced at 110,000 won. Menu B, priced at 80,000 won, is comp

April 20, 2012

Tourism sector eyes travelers from emerging nation

TOKYO (AFP) ― The global tourism industry, hit by natural disasters and economic turmoil, is eyeing potential travellers from emerging nations in hope that their growing middle and upper classes could spur growth.Delegates converged on disaster-struck Japan this week for the sector’s major annual conference and were in an upbeat mood, encouraged by the prospect of the so-called BRICS nations: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.“Our industry will grow despite all the crises of the last

April 20, 2012

Airport stripper says he was 'nude but not lewd'

A high-tech worker who stripped naked at Portland International Airport as a protest against airport security screeners said Wednesday he was being ``nude but not lewd,'' and characterized his act of defiance as protected political speech. John E. Brennan, 49, of Portland was charged with disorderly conduct and indecent exposure after taking off far more than this belt and shoes during the screeni

April 19, 2012

Visit Jeongeup, cradle of history

Fed up with hectic city life, but cannot spare more than a day off work? Put on a holiday outfit and head to Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province. If a timely break in peaceful traditional sites is what you need, this is a perfect place to cool off in the spring breeze. Hikers who initially come for Mount Naejang soon discover that this beautiful city, about 230 kilometers south of Seoul, has much more to offer. Naejang TempleFounded in 660 A.D. under the name Yeongeun Temple, Naejang Temple has a 1,

April 16, 2012

Sunchang, home of hot pepper paste

Also known for long life expectancy of residentsSunchang, North Jeolla Province, is known for its excellent gochujang, or hot pepper paste. As households increasingly purchase ready-made gochujang rather than make their own at home, Sunchang has become synonymous with gochujang, with many gochujang brands using the name Sunchang on their products.At Sunchang Traditional Gochujang Folk Village, gochujang artisans who use the traditional methods of making the highest quality hot pepper paste conti

April 16, 2012

Enjoy springtime in Gochang

Walk around green barley field and take a break at a beautiful templeIt’s spring. Flowers are blooming and the weather is warming up. Itching to get of out of town? How about walking around a vast green field or enjoying a quiet stroll at a beautiful temple.Gochang, North Jeolla Province, located some 290 kilometers south of Seoul, is a perfect place for a spring outing. Green Barley Field FestThe annual Green Barley Field Festival at Hagwon Farm this year is scheduled from April 21-May 23, off

April 16, 2012

New JW Marriott to open in Dongdaemun

A new JW Marriott Hotel, a luxury hotel chain from Marriott International, is coming to the Dongdaemun area by 2013, becoming the first Marriott hotel in the northern part of Seoul. “Dongdaemun is a neat area to be in and since the city is growing that way, we are positioned perfectly as it continues to expand,” Craig Smith, chief operating officer of Marriott International’s Asia Pacific operation, told The Korea Herald in a recent interview. He was in Seoul last week to check on the Korean mar

April 16, 2012

More train services for Yeosu Expo

Tickets for extra train services to Yeosu during the Expo period from May 12 to Aug. 12 are on sale. Six weekday and 10 weekend KTX operations from Seoul Station to Yeosu Expo have been added to the regular schedule. Four daily Mugunghwa Train services from Yongsan Station to Yeosu Expo are also arranged. Two Mugunghwa Train service between Iksan and Yeosu Expo as well as free shuttle trains from Suncheon to Yeosu Expo are also available, Korail said. Passengers can get 30 percent off their trai

April 13, 2012

Lotte Jeju hosts ‘Pleasures of W10,000’

Lotte Hotel Jeju celebrates spring with an outdoor buffet of local specialties April 22-26. This special event offers an all-you-can-eat meal for two, originally priced at 140,000 won, for an incredible price of 10,000 won. This offer is only available to the first 10 guests each day who book the “Spring 8 Healing Package” for more than two nights. The hotel offers the “Spring Healing Package,” starting from 260,000 won, which includes a one-night stay in a deluxe room, breakfast for two in the

April 13, 2012

Millennium Hilton offers Napa wine

Millennium Seoul Hilton’s French restaurant Seasons will host a special promotion on April 20, showcasing Clos Du Val, a Bordeaux-style Californian wine. Diners can pick from a wine list that includes 2007 Clos Du Val Pinot Noir Reserve and 2008 Clos Du Val Chardonnay Reserve. Along with the wine comes dinner by Seasons’ executive chef Park Hyo-nam. The menu is carefully selected to match the bouquet of wines showcased. Created in Bordeaux style, Clos Du Val has its winery in the Napa Valley. A

April 13, 2012