South Korea

South Korea is a fascinating and relatively easy travel destination. It has plenty of historical sites to visit, and at the same time the influence of modern South Korean culture – think K-Pop, for example – makes it a popular place for young people to visit as well. With modern and well-organized public transit and a population that speaks English on a range from basic to fluent, South Korea is a great place for independent travel.

A Tourist to the DMZ

A Tourist to the DMZ

I’d read about visiting the DMZ a number of times before I arrived in Seoul. DMZ stands for the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea, which is anything but demilitarized. It’s a wide strip of no-man’s-land that embodies the tension between these two countries, still officially in a state of war. Outside of that…

Seoul Tower Without a Date

Seoul Tower Without a Date

Seoul Tower, perched on Namsan Mountain above Seoul, is visible everywhere, looking like some sort of 70’s version of the future. Built back in the 70’s for radio and television, it was and still is a communication tower. However, it’s also a destination for tourists and locals: a thing to do on a free weekend afternoon….

Six (!) Seoul Palaces

Six (!) Seoul Palaces

Seoul is home to six different royal palaces, each built by or for a different king. Beautifully crafted and opulent, some are more intact and authentic than others. Authentic? The five older ones all include at least one tale of complete or partial destruction. All were burnt to the ground during the Japanese Invasion in the last decade…