Seoul Best 100 Guide: The Best of Seoul in Your Pocket

The latest edition of Seoul Best 100, a pocket guide of Seoul's top one hundred must see sights has just been released. The guide gives a great introduction to the best sights of the capital city of Korea and is freely available from Korea Tourism Organization Sydney office.

The pocket zone by zone guide gives detailed information about major tourist attractions such as Seoul's beautiful royal palaces and shrines like Changdeok and the Secret Garden, Deoksu Palace and the Jongmyo Royal Shrine are all in Zone 1. Also in this zone are sights such as Seoul City Square and top tourist attractions like Insadong, the famous cultural street loved by visitors for its art galleries, handicraft shops, excellent restaurants and famous tea-houses. The popular street of Samcheongdong with its many cafes and designer shops and galleries is the latest trendy place to be seen in Seoul.

In the centre of the capital is Cheonggyecheon, the 5.8 kilometre stream that runs through the centre of Seoul with its unique bridges and fountains and is a spectacular sight during the Seoul lantern festival. Also, in Zone 1 for those who love shopping Seoul's south gate (Namdaemun) is a great place to search for a bargain. Selling a wide range of items from clothing to jewellery to Korean handicrafts, foodstuffs, homewares and more the market is a very popular place with shoppers to Seoul. Nearby is trendy Myeong-dong which is especially lively at night with all its bright lights, designer boutiques and is a place where Seoul's lively young people hang out at night.

Zone 2 of the guide takes you to World Cup Park where Korea reached the semi final of the FIFA World Cup 2002 semi-final match against Germany. The Hongik University area of Seoul with its trendy nightclubs and markets is a great place to mix with Seoul's youth and see all the latest trends and fashion.

Zone 3 can take you further out of the city for some fresh mountain air. Visit Mt. Bukhansan or Seoul Forest for a refreshing breath of nature. Dongdaemun Fashion Town in the eastern part of the city is popular for all night shopping, the shops here close at 5.30am in the morning. If visiting with children Seoul's Chrildren's Grand Park is a great place to take them to see the huge aviary with over 800 parrots and an aquarium as well as enjoy musical water fountains and fun park rides.

Zone 4 is the southern side of the river with Olympic Park and Lotte World, a massive shopping complex as well as theme park which is great fun for families with young children. It includes the Seoul Arts Centre, the Kimchi Museum and the famous fashion streets of Apgujeong (Rodeo Street) and Cheongdam-dong Fashion Street.

Zone 5 covers the best of nature with Yeouido Ecological Park and Seoul Grand Park and Zoo. Get the best view over Seoul city from the 63 Building on Yeouido Island or visit Times Square, the new urban entertainment cultural space with department stores, cinemas, E-Mart, bookstores and more.

Get your FREE Seoul's Best 100 pocket guide today from the Korea Tourism Organization Sydney office by email: visitkorea@knto.org.au or phone: 02(9251-1717

Hamilton Island Breakations On Sale

take off while the sale's on

A Hamilton Island Breakation from Blue Holidays is a little piece of paradise for all the family. Let the kids run free along the pristine, palm fringed beaches, explore the wonders of the reef or get closer to nature on an inland walk. With child friendly dining on your doorstep, it's everything a family could ever want, far from the stresses and strains of everyday life. The sale ends soon, so you'd better get going.

Book Now

BUNNY HOP TO FIJI WITH SOFITEL AND VIVA! THIS EASTER

Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa and Viva! Holidays have teamed to offer a family friendly Easter holiday package this April. The package is available for sale now until April the 22nd 2011, and for stays from April the 1st until May the 1st, 2011 (subject to availability).

The package includes return economy airfares with Pacific Blue to Nadi, four-nights accommodation in a Superior Ocean View Family Room at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Champagne buffet breakfast daily, and return airport transfers. The offer also entitles children under the age of 12 to free breakfast and dinner daily when accompanied by a parent to Lagoon Restaurant.

·         For people departing Brisbane, prices start from $1,245* per adult and $479* per child.

·         For people departing Sydney, prices start from $1,285* per adult and $539* per child.

·         For people departing Melbourne, prices start from $1,405* per adult and $659* per child.

All package prices are based on two adults and two children (aged 2 to 11 years) travelling together. To book call Viva! Holidays on 13 14 15 or see your local travel agent.

Designed specifically to cater to the needs of young families, Sofitel's Family Rooms offer a unique design that makes children feel special by creating a private zone, complete with Sony Playstation, separate from main living room and devoted to fun. 

Family Rooms include one queen bed and one 2-tier bunk bed, ideal for two children, portioned for privacy and an ensuite bathroom with both bath and shower facilities. Interconnecting Rooms are also available for families with older children who need a little more room to move.

Every room at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa faces towards the ocean and features either a balcony or terrace within easy distance to children's pool facilities.

Sofitel also offers The Turtle Club for kids, which is priced from FJD$25 per day regardless of the hours used (between 09.00-21.00). The Club caters to children aged 2 to twelve, and meals can be ordered in advance by parents from the room service menu. Babysitting can be booked through the kids club and costs FJD$8 per hour.  There is no restriction on the hours it is available.

Long stay guests of more than seven days receive a complimentary Turtle Pack on arrival at the resort. The cool 'kids only' pack is practical and a great souvenir, featuring the Sofitel Fiji Turtle Club logo, and a white Turtle Club T-Shirt (different sizes are available) and a black Turtle Club cap.

As a bonus, Children who use Sofitel's Turtle Club for three days in a row receive a back pack on the third day. Additional backpacks are available for FJ$30 per pack. For more about the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa visit www.sofitelfiji.com.fj
 

*Agents may charge service fees and/or fees for card payments which vary. If you book with Viva! Holidays an additional 1.4% fee applies to credit card payments. Prices correct at 4 Mar 11 but may fluctuate if surcharges, fees, taxes or currency change. Offers subject to availability. Amounts payable to third parties not included. Please check all prices, availability and other information with your travel consultant before booking. These property ratings are Viva! Holidays' views, not official ratings. Package cancellation fees apply. Viva! Holidays General Booking Conditions apply, see vivaholidays.com.au. Other conditions apply – ask for details. Qantas Holidays Limited trading as Viva! Holidays ABN 24 003 836 459.


Sofitel, World Class Hotels & French Elegance

Sofitel is the only French luxury hotels brand with a presence on five continents, in more than 50 countries. Sofitel offers contemporary hotels and resorts adapted to today's more demanding and more versatile consumers who expect and appreciate beauty, quality and excellence. Whether situated in the heart of a major city like Paris, New York or Bangkok, or nestled away in a country landscape in French Polynesia or Brazil, each Sofitel property offers a genuine experience of the French art de vivre.


Discover Sofitel on www.sofitel.com

Discover A|Club at Sofitel, the new worldwide Accor loyalty program on www.a-club.com

Who Wants to be a 'Millionaire? Accor Offers 1 million A|Club Points

Stay with Accor and you could win the travels of your dreams

Accor is giving away one million A|Club points (that's $30,000 worth of travel) to one lucky guest who stays at any A|Club participating hotel in Australia from 1 April to 30 June. Plus, there will be weekly prizes of 10,000 points for A|Club members booking their stay on www.accorhotels.com or www.a-club.com
A|Club is Accor's free loyalty program, through which guests earn points each time they stay at participating Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Mercure, Ibis or All Seasons hotels. Points can then be converted into cash vouchers that are redeemed to cover the expenses of all or part of your stay at more than 2300 Accor hotels worldwide, or can be converted into frequent flyer miles, car hire or more.

With a million points you could enjoy enough travel to keep you happy for a year, with the possibility for more than 150 room nights (depending on where and how you use your points). Just some of the hotels you can use your points at include the Fairmont Resort MGallery in the Blue Mountains, the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, the iconic Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, Novotel Nusa Dua Bali, the new five-star Pullman in Auckland and the Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach & Private Island. Or venture further afield to more than 90 countries around the world including the UK, France, Germany, the US and more. The possibilities are endless and the choice is entirely yours as to how you create your dream itinerary.

Joining A|Club is free and easy - just go to www.accorhotels.com and start making your bookings. The more you stay, the better your chances to win this incredible prize. Existing A|Club members simply need to stay at a participating hotel during this period to be eligible to win.

Weddings with a Difference at Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa

Couples looking to tie the knot this year can experience a truly memorable, yet luxurious wedding with a difference at Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, with the launch of the resort's Just the Two of Us wedding package.

The Just The Two of Us offer, valid until 31 March 2012, includes the services of a wedding coordinator and celebrant, marriage license and certificate, a bridal bouquet and groom's button-hole flower, a gourmet wedding cake and bottle of French Champagne, as well as a private Heritage Suite deck dinner and a couples' 60 minute massage in the resort's Timeless Spa.

Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa offers a wide range of venues and unique options for weddings, including romantic private decks in secluded bush locations, at the picturesque 1832 Heritage Homestead, at a private verandah area with sweeping views of the valley or within the Main Homestead.

"We understand the importance of taking care of the finer details for weddings at Wolgan Valley so that our guests can truly enjoy their special day," said Joost Heymeijer, General Manager, Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa.

"Our dedicated wedding coordinator and guest services team ensure our guests' wedding day is stress-free, and a truly memorable occasion celebrated in one of Australia's most exclusive locations."

The resort has a capacity to hold weddings for up to 80 guests. Accommodation rates for the couple, friends and family are negotiable. Rates include all meals, morning and afternoon tea, all non-alcoholic and selected alcoholic beverages, wireless internet and two nature-based experiences each day per person.


**Just the Two of Us - Wolgan Valley Wedding**

Experience a wedding like no other in the surrounds of Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa with the Just the Two of Us wedding special. For $2,965, a couple can enjoy the ultimate in understated luxury, hosting a wedding at one of the resort's exclusive wedding venues.

Couples will receive the following inclusions in the Just the Two of Us package:

 Exclusive wedding venue
 Celebrant's Fee and Transfers
 Marriage License and Certificate
 Bridal Bouquet and Groom's Button Hole flower
 Gourmet wedding cake for two
 Bottle of French Champagne
 Services of wedding coordinator
 Two witnesses if required
 Private deck dining in your Heritage Suite on a night of your choice
 Couples' 60 minute massage in the Timeless Spa

To book the Just the Two of Us wedding package and request current accommodation rates, please contact the Wolgan Valley Reservations team on 02 9290 9733 or email reservations@wolganvalley.com.

*Prices valid to 31 March 2012. Offer is only valid with stays of minimum two nights. Accommodation rates available on request at time of booking.

A founding member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa is a three hour drive or 45 minute helicopter ride from Sydney, thoughtfully nestled between two National Parks and bordering the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

Sonaisali Fiji - 50% Off Special Offer

Dreaming of a another tropical holiday? Well dream no more - we are going to try to tempt you to come back before 15th June by offering 50% off accommodation on Beachfront Hotel Rooms, Oceanview Bures & Beachfront Spa Bures.  Interested ....

Not only will you get the accommodation deal AND a bonus returnee gift, you will also receive the following:

   * Free Amercian Buffet Breakfast Daily
   * Free Welcome Cocktail per person
   * Free Meals for children 12 & under
   * Special invitation to GM Cocktails on Monday Evenings

   * Free SCUBA Pool Splash per person
   * Free Kids Club (supervised children's activities)
   * Free Non Motorised Water Sports
   * Children 18 & under stay free - using existing bedding

   For those of you wanting to travel over the April School Holiday periods the news is about to get even better - we have removed all April blackouts ~ meaning, based on availability you can stay during the school holidays for 50% off!  (remember FREE kids meals & kids club)

So why not come back, relax and enjoy the amazing relaxed style that Fiji is renown for  .... not to mention those cocktails at sunset.



Contact your local travel agent and ask them about Sonaisali's 50% off deal (GLSP0210).

Sales are available now until 31st March 2011 and travel is available now until 15th June 2011.

http://www.sonaisali.com/

EXCEPTIONAL VALUE ON AUSTRALIA’S HIGHEST-RATED CRUISE SHIP

CRUISECO has a range of exceptional-value cruise opportunities from November this year to March 2012 aboard the highest-rated ship to spend a season based in Australia, the "classically elegant" 5-star Celebrity Century.
 
And book before March 31 this year and you'll get a free onboard spending credit of up to US$150 per cabin.
 
Choose from sailing 19-nights from Honolulu to Maui, Papeete, Moorea, Raiatea, Bora Bora and Sydney on November 11 this year from just $2490pp twin share (or 17-nights back to Honolulu via same ports on March 6 2012 from $2439pp twin-share,) to a choice of 12- and 13-nights Sydney-Auckland (or vice-versa) sailings including either Hobart or Melbourne, New Zealand's Milford, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga and the Bay of Islands from a low $1649pp twin-share*.
 
There's also 18-nights Auckland-Perth via Tauranga, Christchurch, Dunedin, the three Sounds, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Albany and Bunbury from just $2515pp twin-share, and Perth-Sydney via Geraldton, Broome, Bali, Darwin, Cairns and Brisbane from only $2365pp twin-share.
 
Cruiseco's cruise-only prices include onboard dining, nightly entertainment and port charges and taxes on Celebrity Century, that is rated 5-star by the Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships; airfares to and from cruises are additional. For full details and names of Cruiseco's cruise-specialist travel agencies Australia-wide visit www.cruising.com.au
 
*One of these sailings includes Christmas Day at sea between Sydney and Melbourne, and New Year's Eve at sea between Dunedin and Christchurch.
 
The 1750-passenger Celebrity Century has four dining options from the Grand Restaurant to leisurely café-style, an entertainment lounge and live theatre, cinema, casino, four "club" lounges and bars, library, AquaSpa, fitness centre, pool, jogging track and golf simulator.
 

Alaska's Culture & Wildlife

Ancient Alaska Language Receives New Voice

When Chief Marie Smith Jones passed away in 2008, many people thought that the Eyak language was silenced forever. But the indigenous language of Southcentral Alaska was given a new voice through the Eyak Language Project's new Word of the Week that can be found at http://sites.google.com/site/eyaklanguageproject. The program was launched last month giving site visitors a chance to read, hear and learn to pronounce words from the ancient language. Visitors can learn more about Alaska's 11 Native cultural groups at the Alaska Native Heritage Centre in Anchorage. The cultural centre and museum opened a new Athabascan ceremonial house in January 2011, serving as a functional place for gatherings and meetings and to educate visitors about Athabascan history and culture. The building will also be used as an exhibit and location for future language classes. For more information, visit www.AlaskaNative.net.

Birdwatchers Gear Up For Springtime Festivals

Bears aren't the only mammals that emerge in Alaska's springtime, as bird watchers from around the world gear up for some annual birding festivals that are worth the wait. The Stikine River Delta in Alaska's Inside Passage is a major stop on the Pacific Flyway for over 14,000 snow geese, over 10,000 sandhill cranes and more than 2,000 eagles, the largest springtime concentration of eagles in North America. The community of Wrangell celebrates the return of these feathery attractions with the annual Stikine River Shorebird Festival to be held April 28 through May 1. Wildlife and birding expeditions on the Stikine River anchor the four-day event that began more than a decade ago as the community's Garnet Festival. For more information, visit www.stikinebirding.org. In Prince William Sound, the tidal flats of the Copper River Delta near Cordova shimmer with the activity of hundreds of thousands of shorebirds each May. Visitors can view the birds and participate in workshops and community events during the 2011 Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival, May 5-8, 2011. The Cordova Chamber will have updated information in the coming months at www.cordovachamber.com.

Manly Bike Tours Reaches The Moon

Since Manly Bike Tours began in 2007, Manly Bike Tours customers have now collectively ridden the same distance as between the Earth and the Moon.

With over 30,000 customers renting bikes for, on average, a 13km ride, they have clocked up an impressive 390,000km - more than the distance between the Earth and the Moon (approx 380,000km) or the equivalent of 31 times around the Earth.

Some interesting statistics in travelling that distance.

Bike fleet - 120
Tyres used - 2,160
Brake pads changed - 3,200
Longest individual bike ride - 1,900km (Sydney to Brisbane return!)

So now its just a question of, once they are at the moon, how much further to Mars?

Manly Bike Tours offers self guided bike rental in Manly. They are located opposite Manly Wharf, a 30 minute ferry ride from Sydney CBD and are open 7 days a week.

It's safe to travel to New Zealand's South Island - Adventure South offers 20% off to encourage travellers

Christchurch tour operator encourages travellers with 20% Saving on Otago Rail Trail

Christchurch based active travel company, Adventure South, is advising travellers that it is safe to travel to the Canterbury region of New Zealand and that all their tours are still operating as scheduled.  Last week's devastating earthquake has had no impact on the wilderness regions where they operate and travellers will actually help local people by choosing to travel to this spectacular part of New Zealand.

To encourage Australians to travel to the South Island, Adventure South has extended their 20% discount on the popular 5-day Otago Rail Trail Classic cycle tour for all new bookings before 31 March. This iconic cycling tour usually retails for AU$995pp, however those who confirm their place during March can secure any April departure for only AU$796pp. The price includes professional cycling guides, 4 night's accommodation, all breakfasts and dinners, private coach transport, helmets and cycle bags, all national park fees as well as a ticket on the spectacular Taieri Gorge Railway to Dunedin.

"It is safe to travel. Fortunately, our staff and their families and homes are all safe and well, and our depot and offices came through this tragedy without any major issues.  The earthquake was localized to Christchurch and there has been no impact whatsoever in the regions where our trips, such as the Otago Rail Trail, are operating, "said Geoff Gabites, Managing Director of Adventure South.

"We are currently fielding enquiries from concerned clients who want to know if we are open for business.  Our message is very simple - our trips are operating as normal.  Ensuring our business continuation allows for some 20 staff to thrive in their professional lives as much as they can during this time.  There is nothing better at the moment than having a role that requires you to focus on the tasks ahead," said Geoff.

Adventure South, like most travel businesses, believes that the tourism dollar benefits the wider community.  Traveller's income is used to buy food and fuel, pay for a wide variety of accommodation and generally the impact of the holiday dollar is spread as far and as wide as possible.  "Tourism revenues are an important part of the rebuild process for the people and businesses of Christchurch. We are all very keen to see life return to normality as soon as possible," said Geoff.

For bookings and more details call Adventure South on 1800 10 70 60 or visit adventuresouthnz.com.au

About: Adventure South operates cycling and walking tours across New Zealand's North and South Islands.  Established in 1992, Adventure South generates hundreds of thousands of dollars in to the Canterbury economy each year by providing more than 750 active travel tours in the region. In 2010, Adventure South became a division of World Expeditions, Australia's first adventure travel company.