Korean Job Discussion Forums

hanguker · Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Location: Korea

Could someone help me with some travel ideas? My parents are visiting mid-August. They'll be here for 3 weeks. They are mobile, but are limited (i.e. no climbing, frequent rest stops). I'm a little worried about the heat, too, but this is the only time they can visit.

I am living in Busan. I'm planning a trip to Seoul (shopping, DMZ, ???) and Fukuoka, Japan. I'm going to guide them around Busan myself, I guess. We'll visit Haeundae beach, BEXCO, cable car, international market, seafood market, etc.

I'm thinking guided tours in Seoul and Japan...maybe other places. Maybe a trip to Cheju...but that will be getting a bit expensive after Seoul and Japan.

Does anybody have any good ideas? I want them to experience Korean culture, enjoy some haggling in the open markets, and just have a good experience in Asia. They've never been out of N.America.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

seoulis · Joined: 29 May 2007

Hi hanguker

Hopefully the weather will have cooled by mid-August, though it could go either way. I'm not a fan of guided tours, but I'm sure there are some quality ones out there. I would suggest Insadong, Namdaemun (may be little testing) and Namsan. Here is some info on Insadong: http://english.visitseoul.net/visit2007en/activities/selfexplorationtour/selfexplorationtour.jsp?cid=35&sid=584

Explore the site as there are links to tours, other activities, areas, etc.

Eating and drinking should be a key part of their visit! Gives them a chance to rest and get indoors (hopefully) to an air-conditioned space, whilst sampling the local foods.

Hope they enjoy their time in Seoul. Wink

Mr Crowley · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Location: Suwon

I would LOVE for my parents to come here for a visit. My mom couldn't take the plane ride over. Her health is not that good.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

seoulis · Joined: 29 May 2007

peppermint · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:37 pm Post subject:

Seoul city tour bus: http://www.visitseoul.net/english_new/citytour/cen_citytour.htm

Stops at a lot of tourist sites, every half hour, and it at least solves the trouble of transportation for a bit.

Not hard at all to spend an afternoon at the War Memorial and it's got AC. Maybe somewhere in Itaewon for dinner afterwards?

If your parents will be there during a Korean holiday, that might be the best time to get them to Insadong- the KNTO tends to hold a lot of foreign friendly events there on holidays. Lots of funky little tea shops and the like to take a break in, between haggling over souvenirs and "antiques" Make a day of it, and hit Gyeongbokgung either before or after. They offer very cheap (free?) tours in English a few times a day.

yesnoyesyesno · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

MissSeoul · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Somewhere in America

VirginIslander · Joined: 24 May 2006 Location: Busan

Try to stay indoor during the day. Keep them cool. It does get pretty hot here in Busan.

Gwangali in Busan is real nice and cool at night. Mon-Sun, we shut down the main road that runs parallel to the beach and fill it with chairs and tables. There are thousands of people out at night walking around and having a good time.

Take them to Seymeon and go shopping (Boring).

Take them to a couple of bars in PNU. And the Turkish place.

Good Luck and if your parents need a place to shower (strange comment) after a day in Gwangali, PM me. I live next to the beach and I have a real apartment.