Travel: Korea - General

[car118]

Thanks yuanyuan mum!

Would u advise any area that is easy to find food for ds… My impression of Korean food r all spicy…so I quite worried. Thanks.

[cherrygal]

Just be warned that most people in Korea can’t speak or dun want to speak English. Going free n easy may be a bit challenging and limiting (coz I am sure with a 4yo, you won’t be bothered to take long coach/train rides to scenic locations). Make sure you research well before you go.


Food-wise, you can go to McDonald’s or any fast food outlet. Most Korean restaurants have some non-spicy dishes such as clam soup or glass noodles (tung hoon). But these are usually not very tasty. Try to find a Chinese / Western restaurant or you can eat at the hotel.

Personally, having visited Korea twice, I find the tour packages more value for money. Most agencies provide up to 80% of meals (get to try a good variety of Korean food), fully guided (important if you want to learn about Korea) and brought to most of the shopping areas and scenic locations. You would also get to go to Everland, Lotte World, try kimchi making, watch cultural shows, dress up in korean costumes, visit beer factories etc.

Understand your concern about the 4yo but you could just opt for a shorter 6D trip. You may need to wake up at 8am to join the tour but you can carry your sleeping boy into the coach, and bring along lots of packet milk, cereal, snacks and diapers (impt coz no toilet on the longer trips). I think it’s fine if your boy is generally well-behaved.

Just worried that if you choose free n easy, you may only end up going to the theme parks and shopping around the city. A bit wasted if you fly 7-8 hours there right?

[car118]

Thanks cherrygal!

We r really targeting at the theme parks n shopping only! That’s y only wan free n easy but really tks alot for ur concern. Deeply appreciated!

[Ichigokun]

I’ve been to South Korea twice before. Once in autumn once in winter.


I like snow and cold alot so… The winter trip was much more enjoyable though the temperature plunged to negative ten degrees Celsius.

Here are some places I think are suited for tourist attractions.

Of course, there is Seoul (서울) and Chejudo (체주도).

There is also Insadong (인사동), Panmunjeom (판문점)

If you like nature and mountains, Gangwondo (강원도) is a good place to visit.

80% of land there is mountainous, lush and full of green. The capital of Gangwondo Province is Chuncheon (춘천)

Panmunjeom is better known as the Demilitarized Military Zone, the separating line for North and South Korea. There you can catch a glimpse of North Korean soldiers and North Korea.

From what I know, there is a North Korean shop there that will be selling North Korean goods.

You will be guided throughout the Panmunjeom by US or South Korean soldiers to ensure safety.

Generally they don’t like people buying North Korean goods in Panmunjeom as you are helping their enemy economy-wise.

[jiangnan]

I want to go Korea! Is April & May good time to go? Possible to get some snow ski activities during these time period? Will go with my hubby & my 6 yrs and 2 yrs kids…


Thanks in advance!

[Ichigokun]

jiangnan:

I want to go Korea! Is April & May good time to go? Possible to get some snow ski activities during these time period? Will go with my hubby & my 6 yrs and 2 yrs kids...


Thanks in advance!

I've went to Korea once during the September holidays and once during the December holidays.

The trip to Korea during winter is very cold. -7 degrees celsius the entire day. But it's really enjoyable. Snow was falling.

I'm a very snow-loving kind of person so I loved that trip.

The trip to Korea in autumn is very different although the season is not far from winter.

During the day, temperatures can hit about 28 degrees celsius. Then at night, the temperature will drop to around 15 degrees celsius.

The sceneries during autumn are not as beautiful as the sceneries during winter. And there is no snow.

During autumn, all you see is brown trees either with no leaves at all or have brown leaves. Not a really pretty sight. Very dull.

April & May would be very hot, but the scenery would at least be a bit more beautiful compared to Autumn

[happydl]

I intend to go during Christmas this year. Any advise on how to book a ski resort? which resort is cheap? I have emailed to various but none has replied.


Thanks.

[vicki]

Hi all,


Im thinking of going Korea for a holiday during the Jun hols.
Anyone can advise which agency/ holiday package to book?

I’ve looked through Hong Thai/ Chan Bros/ SA Tours website.
Hong Thai itineraries looks most ‘worth the money’
SA Tours intineraries looks ‘slow and easy’.

Anyone has experience and can share?

Txs.

Btw, the family members going would be me, dh, 3 kids and senior citizens.

[cherrygal]

I loved my Korea trip with CTC. A bit more expensive but worth it. The hotels were quite good. Another agency that we like is Giamso.

[vicki]

Txs Cherrygal.


I don't mind paying abit more for the overall experience. Haha.. Too many dependents so 1 less worry is always good. Will chk them out later also.

Did u go to Seoul n Jeju? Any idea if I choose to extend 1 or 2 more days in Seoul - would it be difficult to get ard cos of language handicap?