2018.12.12 Travel Calendar
The fifth edition of the Starlight Festival, which takes its theme from the French book “The Little Prince,” runs through Feb. 28, to welcome the guests looking to fill their winters with lights surrounding them. The village is filled with European-style buildings covered in sparkling lights day and night. See below. [PETITE FRANCE]
Korea Grand Tasting Vote Event
Through Dec. 13: As part of Korea Grand Sale, the nation’s annual festival of shopping, tourism and culture for foreign tourists, the Korea Grand Tasting invites people to vote for the restaurants they want to visit on their next visit to Korea.
Considering that most visitors are aware of the popularity of street food across the country, Visit Korea Committee, the organizer of the annual shopping event, is introducing hotel restaurants in Korea this year as well in order to highlight how diverse Korea’s dining scene is.
Ranging from hanok hotels designed to look like traditional Korean style homes to luxury international chain hotels, a vast array of restaurants await guests looking to enjoy an upscale dining experience. Some of the participating hotels are Gyeongwonjae Ambassador Incheon, InterContinental Seoul Coex, Haevichi Hotel and Resort Jeju, as well as the Westin Chosun Busan.
To better promote the Korea Grand Sale and Tasting event, the organizer is offering hotel dining vouchers until Thursday.
Interested parties should visit en.koreagrandsale.co.kr/index002 and choose the top three hotel restaurants they want to dine at. A total of 15 people will win a voucher worth 100,000 won, and they will get to use it at one of the restaurants they voted for.
The winner will be announced on Dec. 18. The voucher is valid through Feb. 28.
Other food events, such as the “Korea Road Trip with Famous Chef” and the “Cultural Wine Tasting with Wine Master” events that provide daily tours to present the history and culture of Korea through food and wine, are also available.
Korean cooking classes and other food-related events will also be offered, as well as a chance to try some temple food in cooperation with the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism’s Temple Food Experience.
The 10th edition of the Korea Grand Sale will last for 43 days, from Jan. 17 to Feb. 28. There will be discounts available not only at department stores and beauty shops, but also at travel agencies and major travel destinations and resorts.
Jin Air is set to offer up to 85 percent off, while Jeju Air will offer an 80 percent discount. Ski park Vivaldi Park and Daemyung Resort are offering up to 75 percent off to use their facilities.
K-Travel Bus, a bus travel package available in English, is providing a buy one, get one free policy on its seven different routes to various regions in Korea, including Daegu.
Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
Hwacheon County, Gangwon
From Jan. 5-27: Bundle up and head to Gangwon province to enjoy the snow and ice this winter. Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, which first started in 2003, is back again to welcome those who want to make the most of the season.
Visitors can try their hand at ice fishing at one of the 12,000 holes made in the frozen Hwacheon Stream. The stream will be frozen about two meters deep and visitors can simply put their fishing lines into whatever hole they wish. Festival organizers add about one to two tons of fish to the stream every day, so almost everybody that comes can experience what it feels like to catch fish. Whatever you catch can be cooked on the spot, and other foods are also available to purchase.
Those who aren’t interested in fishing can choose to go sledding on the ice and snow.
Family and friends can take photos together at a special section where many different ice sculptures are on display.
For more information, go to www.narafestival.com or call 1688-3005.
Everland, Gyeonggi
Through Dec. 31: Every year, Everland celebrates the winter season with its Christmas Fantasy festival. This year, the amusement park transformed its Magic Garden main stage into a place where everything sparkles.
Dubbed the Bling Bling Gold Garden, the area has a tree that is about six meters (19.7 feet) high, as well as a Rudolph Village where there are about 50 different installations. Inside the Rudolph Village is a Santa House, where visitors can take photos with Santa Claus starting Dec. 3.
There is also a zoo close to the theme park’s main gate, and during the winter, 14 different animals will come out to play.
After dark, the zoo will be lit up so that visitors can continue to enjoy the animals - including penguins - regardless of the time of day.
The stores inside the theme park will sell many different Christmas items, including hats, cushions and stuffed dolls alongside winter clothing and gloves. Many different Christmas-themed desserts, such as snowman cakes, are available as well.
For more information, go to www.everland.com or call (031) 320-5000.
Petite France, Gapyeong County, Gyeonggi
Through Feb. 28: The fifth edition of the Starlight Festival, which takes its theme from the French children’s book “The Little Prince,” opens its doors to guests looking to enjoy a foreign-looking land not far from home.
The theme park, which was built to resemble Montpellier, a city in southern France, is covered with lights shaped like stars. The village at night truly sparkles. There is a tunnel of lights made to look like the planet the Little Prince lives on in the novel - a perfect spot to take photos.
To keep visitors of all age entertained, the themed park prepares different virtual reality (VR) programs to transport people to France, as well as puppet shows for younger children.
For more information, go to www.pfcamp.com or call (031) 584-8200.
Hong Kong Pulse Light Festival
Hong Kong
Through Feb. 24: Make magical holiday memories in Hong Kong this winter with a new spectacle of light, music and entertainment. This year, the iconic Victoria Harbour skyline will be even more atmospheric with the enchanting winter edition of “A Symphony of Lights” multimedia light and sound show and light-art pieces from local and overseas artists. You can also experience the holiday spirit at the Statue Square Christmas Tree and under harbor-side Christmas decorations. Across the city, enjoy holiday cheer at key attractions, seasonal events and themed tours. And conclude your winter holiday magic with a spectacular fireworks show at the Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations.
The festival, formally known as the Hong Kong WinterFest, has been rebranded with more events this year. For more information, go to www.discoverhongkong.com.
By Lee Sun-min, Hong Kong Tourism Board
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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