2019.2.14 Travel Calendar
Everland, a theme park in Gyeonggi, offers couples a chance to take a memorable photograph in front of a wall decorated with gold drapes and balloons. There will be a fireworks show after dark so that visitors can end the night on a romantic note. See left for more. [EVERLAND]
Everland, Gyeonggi
Today: Go on a special date at the famed theme park in Gyeonggi and earn a chance to win chocolates. Everland has set up a special photo zone inside its Alpine Lounge, where couples can take pictures they can keep for a long time.
Inside, a wall decorated with gold drapes and gold balloons saying “Be My Valentine” make the perfect backdrop for couples to pose in front of. If they post their photo online with hashtags, they will win a chance to win chocolate prizes on the spot.
To make the Valentine’s Day more adventurous, the theme park also provides a priority pass to Safari World for the first 400 people to arrive. This only applies to those who enter the park using the Couple Package. The Couple Package includes two entrance tickets to the park, as well as a chance to win chocolates, for 58,000 won ($52). The multimedia fireworks show called “Romance in the Sky,” which the park usually presents on Fridays and Saturdays, will be held after dark to create a romantic mood. For more information, go to www.everland.com.
Cheongpyeong Trout Festival
Cheongpyeong, Gyeonggi
Through Feb. 24: Cheongpyeong is a town about one hour east of Seoul in Gapyeong County, Gyeonggi.
It is a popular destination for Koreans as it is situated on the bank of a beautiful lake with dramatic mountains surrounding it, populated by resorts focusing mostly on water sports. Visitors can enjoy trout fishing and various winter sports, such as snowmobile riding. call 031-585-9449 or visit www.cpfestival.net for more.
Lotte Water Park
Gimhae, South Gyeongsang
Through Feb. 24: Lotte Water Park is not just a place for summertime fun - this winter, the water park has been transformed into a place for winter activities. The park’s wave pool, the largest of its kind in Korea, is now a 100-meter (328-foot) long sledding slope.
Two sledding zones are featured at the park: one for speed and thrills, and another flatter one for young children to sled on and play in.
Besides sledding, there are sections where one can try ice fishing, and a section where young children can drive their own “racing cars.” To warm up after spending time in the snow, there are saunas and steam rooms on site.
Outdoor sledding is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours of operation may be changed due to the weather. Check the hours on the day of your visit by calling 1661-2000.
Starlight Festival
Petite France, Gapyeong County, Gyeonggi
Through Feb. 28: The fifth 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 ages entertained, the themed park offers virtual reality (VR) programs to transport people to France, as well as puppet shows for young children.
For more information, go to www.pfcamp.com or call (031) 584-8200.
Jeongwol Daeboreum
Changgyeong Palace, Jongno District
Feb. 15-24: Jeongwol Daeboreum, the first full moon of the New Year, falls on Feb. 19 this year, and in time for the holiday, the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea offers a variety of programs for locals and international visitors to enjoy. On Feb. 19, visitors to Changgyeong Palace, central Seoul, will get a package filled with different types of nuts, as it is tradition to eat nuts on that day. While cracking the nuts, people make wishes for things to come in the new year. Historically, people believe bad things won’t happen if you crack nuts when the full moon is out. The first 300 people to arrive after 9 a.m. will get the free package.
To make the full moon experience more dramatic, the palace will have a large light installation on the grounds. An illuminated ball with a diameter of three meters will be set up, so that people can have a full moon featured in the background of their photos. The installation will be lit starting at 7 p.m. each evening so that families and friends can come and wish for a healthy year. The event is open to all.
For more information about the events at Changgyeong Palace, go to cgg.cha.go.kr or call (02) 2172-0103.
Restaurant Soigne, Seocho District
Through early May: Restaurant Soigne, known for changing its entire menu every three months, has unveiled its first tasting menu of 2019, titled “Aroma.” Chef Lee Jun, who is best known for his take on Korean-inspired French cuisine, was inspired to create the items on the menu while researching herbs and spices.
The Aroma menu is split into different aromatic groups: earthy, fruity, floral and more. Dishes include an earthy, beetroot and mushroom combination with taleggio cheese foam, and horseradish, as well as a quail roulage main with orange and ginger glaze, black garlic, dark chocolate and a saffron and sweet potato mousse.
“One of my favorite dishes from this menu is the rosemary ice-cream with olive oil and carrot cake,” says Chef Lee. “It sits right in the middle of ‘herb’ and ‘spice.’”
Soigne, which opened in 2015, is the only fine-dining restaurant in Seoul to completely change its menu each season. “Aroma” marks the restaurant’s 20th menu. Last year, the restaurant served dishes using the themes “Cuisine of the Three Coasts,” “Korean Wild Greens, Namul,” and more.
The “Aroma” menu will run until early May, and the more detailed date will be notified later. Lunch at Soigne starts at 75,000 won, and dinner is priced from 148,000 won.
A vegetarian menu is also available. Reservations can be made via the website, www.soignerestaurantgroup.com or call (02) 3477-9486.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)