Page 49 - Asia & North Pacific

Downtown
Providing Fascinating Travel Experiences
Why visit South Korea?
South Korea is a small country located between two world powers: China and Japan. Due to its geographical location, it has difficulty in making itself known on the international tourist scene. And yet, it is full of many trea- sures and has a very special history and traditions. Here are some good reasons why you should absolutely include South Korea on your travel list!
Extreme kindness: The Koreans are proud, touching and curious like little children. Indeed, the old grandmothers will not hesitate to chat with you (even if you will understand nothing!), the children to come to greet you, the monks to invite you to drink a tea in their temple. Expect to make beautiful human encounters during a trip to Korea!
Traditions have married modernity: The first discovery of the country is made by Seoul, the capital of for more than 600 years. The palaces are adjacent to the iron and glass buildings of the business district, the tranquility of the temples rubs shoulders with the bustling street atmo- sphere, shamans and other good adventure seekers frequent the most exclusive neighborhoods. Then, leaving Seoul hectic, you discover the hinterland and its beautiful landscapes, its preserved traditional villages and a country turned towards its past and its ancestral traditions.
A unique gastronomy: In the US, everyone knows Vietnamese spring rolls, Japanese sushi or Chinese dim-sung. Unfortunately, Korean cuisine, unique in its kind, is only beginning to make itself known. However, it deserves to be recognized for its beneficent virtues on the body and the mind, but also for its spicy, sweet and salty flavors. During your stay, you will enjoy at all meals the famous Kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage), considered one of the five healthiest dishes in the world. While traveling in Korea, you will have the opportunity to discover the different gastro- nomic facets of the country: the street-food (Tteokbokki, Sundae), the typical dishes (Bibimbap, Japchae, Bulgogi, Korean BBQ), the royal gastronomy. A taste trip is waiting for you!
The charms of Hanok: You probably know Japanese ryokans or yurts in Mongolia. But did you know that there is a traditional house in Korea called Hanok? These establishments made exclusively of natural materi- als (wood, mulberry paper, thatch or straw) allow a better union with nature. For one night, you will discover the charms of the Korean habitat and especially its centenary system of underfloor heating. Even if the bed is on the ground on a light mattress and the wake-up can be a little difficult the next morning, the experience is well worth it!
Nomasstourism: SouthKoreaisnotoneofthetopdestinationsvisited in the world, which allows it to keep all its authenticity. Indeed, outside the capital and some UNESCO sites, it is often the case that you are the only foreigner in the city. Forget also souvenir shops, tourist restaurants with knives / forks or menus and signs in English. Korea is 100% Korean! A true happiness for the travelers in search of authenticity who find the preserved soul of a country!
Why Korea?
For prices and other details visit www.holidayswithdowntown.com 49