Tag Archives: Outdoors

Top Reasons To Visit South Korea

Bright lights and a vibrant city life is one of the top reasons to visit South Korea.  But there’s more to this Asian country than neon-laden cities and urban jungles.  South Korea has a history that spans hundreds of years and much of its culture is still well-preserved, thanks to the unsuccessful colonization of the Europeans.

But despite this, South Korea remains to be at the forefront of technology and entertainment, as K-pop music and fashion is slowly making its way into the mainstream media (some of which are already dominating the US Billboard Charts).

So, pack your Delsey luggage, get your passport ready, and get ready to enjoy the top reasons to visit South Korea!

pagoda in South Korea

Authentic Korean Food.  Korean cuisine offers a great variety of flavours, from mild to downright spicy.  Choose among some of the most appetising dishes, from mouth-watering bulgogi, traditional Korean noodle dishes, to Korea’s national food Kimchi, a fermented vegetable side dish.

Korean cuisines are both healthy and delectable, catering to both vegetarians and meat lovers alike.  It is no wonder Koreans have great, supple skin.

Natural attractions.  South Korea is not all neon-lights and brick and mortar establishments and concrete pavements.  It still preserves some of its natural attractions, such as the Jeju Islands (also called the “Island of the gods”, and the majestic views in the Seoreksan National Park.

Cultural heritage.  South Korea is home to a great number of UNESCO World Heritage sites.  And you won’t even have to go from city to city to discover it.  Taking a leisurely stroll along Gyeongju or Seoul (or joining a tour, if you find that more convenient), you will be able to marvel at a great number of old palaces, temples and gates which have a lot of story to tell about the history of South Korea.

Bathhouses.  One of the top reasons to visit South Korea is their bathhouses.  Choose from a great variety of saunas and spas, from milk baths, mud baths or even baths with temperatures ranging from cool to scalding hot.

Either way, you are guaranteed a relaxing way to call it a day after touring Seoul or feasting on authentic Korean cuisine in one of the most interesting countries in the world!

 

21 Feb 2014

Discover Desert Landscapes and the Red City in Jordan

Wadi Rum is one of the amazing natural assets that are just begging to be discovered in Jordan...!

Jordan is becoming an increasingly popular place to visit for a walking holiday and with very good reason, as its desert landscapes are truly spectacular and provide a wilderness experience like no other.

Another attraction of hiking in Jordan is that you can visit some amazing historical sites as you walk, including the breathtaking city of Petra. Also known as the Red City, this was once an important stop on the trade routes from east to west, although much of its charm for travellers lies in the fact it remained undiscovered by the western world for centuries.

We’re going to take a look at some of the highlights of a trekking tour in Jordan – if this interests you, Explore Worldwide can help you organise your ideal holiday.

Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum is a desert valley where you’ll find some incredible rock formations and beautiful scenery. The cliffs and rocks here have been carved into bizarre shapes by the power of the wind and they really are a sight to behold.

This part of Jordan was made famous by TE Lawrence, who was based here during the first world war and who went on to write about his experiences. He described the landscape as “vast, echoing and god-like”.

However, Wadi Rum was being used centuries before as a trade route and it’s one the local Bedouin people know well. They still live a semi-nomadic life in the desert and visiting one of their camps will give you an insight into how they survive in what seems to be such an inhospitable environment.

Among the most famous – and impressive – rock formations in Wadi Rum are the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, a towering red-stone cliff, and the Burdah Rock Bridge. Dotted throughout the valley are thousands of petroglyphs and inscriptions that indicate that the area has been inhabited by humans for centuries.

Petra

Petra is Jordan’s most famous tourist attraction and with very good reason. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is quite incredible, with the original city having been hewn out of the cliffs and other buildings developed around it in its sheltered location among the mountains.

It was the Nabateans who developed it into a thriving hub for traders crossing the desert from the Orient to Arabia and it was a bustling city until the Roman era, when trade routes were diverted and Petra gradually lost influence.

Despite being known to the local Bedouins, it was forgotten by the rest of the world until the early 19th century when Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt stumbled across it. Although many of the buildings were in ruins, the tombs and chambers that had been carved out of the cliffs themselves are still in remarkable condition.

One of the highlights is the Treasury, which greets travellers as they enter via the Siq Gorge. Obelisks, temples, tombs and a Roman-style theatre are some of the other things you can discover as you wander around the city.

If you’ve got the energy for a bit of a climb, make your way to the Al Deir Monastery, which stands at the top of a flight of 800 steps that have been cut out of the rock. In addition to the archaeological treasures themselves, there are two museums onsite that have been designed to give visitors a better understanding of Petra’s history, as well as to showcase artefacts that have been recovered here.

15 Feb 2014

Geneva’s Secrets: Get To Know Them Before 2014

Geneva is a spectacular city situated at the foot of the Alps, along the banks of Lake Geneva. Not only is it one of Europe’s most visited cities, but it is also the home of the United Nations. Famous for its diversity and tolerance of different cultures, it has become the playground for the rich and famous, and because of its status as a tax haven, millions of people flock there every year for its amazing selection of luxury stores. If you’re thinking about visiting Geneva next year, here are some of the best attractions you simply must experience.

sunrise in Geneva

Jet d’Eau de Geneve

This is one of the most iconic monuments in the city, with the water founding shooting water over 140 meters into the air! Funnily enough, it was never meant to be a water fountain. Originally it was a security valve at the city’s hydraulic power station. Engineers were forced to install the valve due to too much pressure being placed on the system, and this marked the birth of the spectacular fountain. Soon enough, the water feature became a tourist attraction, and the valve was moved nearer to the lakeside. Since its opening in 1951, the Jet d’Eau de Geneve has poured over 500 litres of water every second into the sky, at over 100 miles per hour!

The Reformation Wall

This wonderful feature is a monumental homage to the Protestants that reformed Europe, and it can be found in a beautiful park near to the Place de Neuve. John Know, Theodore de Beze, Guillaume Farel and Jean Calvin are carved into the wall, and along the sides are the people that carried the Protestant reforms throughout Europe. The motto for the Reformation Movement was ‘light after darkness’, and this can be found carved into the wall too.

Geneva’s Parks

There are a number of fantastic parks in Geneva, and you could easily lose track of time wandering through them. Not only are they a great place to bring the kids if you’re holidaying with your family, but many of them offer amazing views of the city, as well as the Alps.

If you’re into mountaineering, the Alps are pretty close to the city, just remember to pack your boots…

The Palais des Nations

The Palais des Nations is the diplomatic centre of Europe, and it also represents Geneva internationally. This huge structure was built between 1929 and 1936, and it has been the headquarters of the United Nations ever since the body was created. Over 25,000 delegates from countries all over the world pass through this building every year, and the Palais des Nations is home to countless pieces of artwork too. Open to tourists every day, it is an essential architectural must-see when visiting Geneva.

Mont Saleve

Nick-named the city’s ‘local mountain’, this amazing natural attraction is very accessible by car, and the view from the top is phenomenal. There are countless activities for children, and lots of nature to discover too. From rock-climbing to paragliding, Mont Saleve is a hotspot for adrenaline junkies, and in the winter you can even ski here!

If you’re planning to head to Switzerland, it would be smart to do some research on translation services in Switzerland to get your important documents translated before your travels.

04 Nov 2013