Travel Agent - September 15, 2008 - (Page 24)

DESTINATIONS PACIFIC/ASIA A guest room at the W Seoul Walker Hilll SEOUL SEOUL IS A CITY ON A MISSION TO ATTRACT 12 MILLION VISITORS IN 2010. To meet the goal, all 25 of the city’s municipal districts are competing with each other in developing various new attractions for visitors to enjoy. The city has 24 | TravelAgent September 15, 2008 Korea BY MAUREEN O’CROWLEY created five different walking tours centered around the Royal Palaces. Gyeongbok Palace (www. royalpalace.go.kr) is the flagship of Seoul’s five Royal Palaces. The oldest and most regal, it served as the chief palace of the Joseon Dynasty from 1392 to 1910. Located on the grounds are both the National Folk Museum of Korea and the National Palace Museum of Korea. Advise clients to time their visit in order to watch the Changing of the Guard Ceremony, usually scheduled every hour from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Another gem is Changdeok Palace (www.cdg.go.kr), designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built on a hillside in 1405 as a residence for members of the royal family, the grounds are home to secluded gardens, most notably “Biwon,” The Secret Garden where the royal family gathered to study, exercise and perform ceremonial rituals. The Han River runs through the center of Seoul. The original city is north of the river, while the newly developed area lies to the south. Keep this in mind when considering hotel recommendations for your clients—especially business travelers, as commute times from one side of the city can easily take one hour. Enjoy the Han River on short one- to two-hour cruises day or night, or for a longer excursion, an evening cruise with dinner buffet is also available. Visit hangang.seoul. go.kr/eng for more information. To grasp Seoul’s modern history, and a chapter of U.S. military history as well, visitors to South Korea can take a trip north to the Demilitarized Zone that divides the Korean peninsula at the 38th parallel. Here in Panmunjom at the Joint Security Area (JSA), American, South Korean and North Korean representatives signed the Armistice that ended the Korean War on July 27, 1953. Many local tours operate half-day and full-day excursions to the region, although not all nationalities are permitted into the Joint Security Area, so carefully scrutinize itineraries. Generally, those designated “DMZ” are limited to visiting symbolic sites, such as the Bridge of Freedom and Dora Station. Look for tours that specifically mention JSA, considered the most important site in the area. The comprehensive tour operated by the USO (United Services Organization) is highly recommended (www.uso. org/korea). Designed primarily for U.S. military personnel, the reasonably priced tour ($44) is open to the public. CONTINUED ON PAGE 26 http://www.cdg.go.kr http://hangang.seoul.go.kr/eng http://hangang.seoul.go.kr/eng http://www.uso.org/korea http://www.royalpalace.go.kr http://www.royalpalace.go.kr http://www.uso.org/korea

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Travel Agent - September 15, 2008 Online Now Contents Agent Insider From the Editor Hawaii Europe Pacific/Asia Las Vegas US Airways Vacations - Atlantis, Paradise Island Specialist Central & South America Mexico Caribbean Cruises Cover Story: Merge Mania France by Rail Weddings & Honeymoons Gay & Lesbian Travel Tours Agent Profile Triptailor Vacations Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Vegas Week Insights on Singapore Travel Leaders Builds New Alliances The Latest from the Caribbean A Sneak Peek at a New Ship Classified Marketplace In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch Special Supplement: Thailand Travel Planner

Travel Agent - September 15, 2008

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