Experience the spring festivals in South Korea

Spring in Korea is the time of flower festivals, lantern festivals and more to brighten up the peninsula along with the bright sunshine and warmer breezes welcoming the warmer months to come. Here are the festivals you should seek out to get in the renewal and rebirth spirit that spring is known for.

Cherry Blossom Festival

Spring in Korea is almost defined by the cherry blossom, and this festival is undoubtedly one of Korea’s most popular festivals. People will travel the length of the country, and even from abroad, to take pictures in front of the most photogenic trees during the cherry blossom. The beautiful blooms on Cherry Blossom trees make Korea famous all over the world, so it is no wonder that this festival is one of the most popular springtime festivals in the country.

Although the cherry blossom only lasts in each location for a very short period of time, its spread from south to north takes around a month or more.

Time: April 1- April 10, 2019

Nonsan Strawberry Festival

Strawberries are the spring fruit in Korea. This festival has everything from strawberry jam, chocolate covered strawberries and more strawberry treats to fields of strawberries to pick and eat until your bellies are full. Shuttle buses take festival-goers to nearby strawberry fields to pick up and fill up on as many red fruity pieces of goodness as they can.

Time: March

Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival

According to many religions, when Moses parted the sea it was a true miracle. A similar phenomenon occurs naturally on the island of Jindo in the south-west of Korea. Once a year, the strong neap tide pulls the sea away revealing a path, almost three kilometers long, from Jindo to the nearby Modo Island. The resulting phenomena is extremely unusual, so people gather from all over the country to marvel at the parting of the sea.

Jindo is a long way from most major cities, so while you visit the festival, make sure that you take the chance to explore the rest of the island. Jindo is famous for the extremely loyal Jindo breed of dogs. It is famous also for the battle of Myeongnyang among lovers of Korean history, where Admiral Yi Sun-Shin defeated the Japanese navy against the odds.

Time: May 16-May 19, 2019

Yeon Deung Hoe (Lotus Lantern Festival)

The Lotus Lantern Festival celebrates the birth of Buddha and in Seoul the celebration is just spectacular. The highlight of the celebrations is a massive parade through the streets of downtown Seoul with thousands of lanterns in the shapes of lotus flowers, elephants, dragons and more Buddhist visuals. Women in Hanboks walk alongside Buddhist monks in robes and it is not just Korean Buddhists that attend. Buddhists from around the world come to stand alongside people of all faiths and walks of life to celebrate life and light. After the parade, the crowds gather with the parade walkers to dance in the streets.

Time: May 11-May 13, 2019

Read more: Best places to travel in Asia in January

Yeongdeok Snow Crab Festival

Yeongdeok is known for its snow crabs, so it is no surprise that this festival occurs every year in the Yeongeok area. If you are a lover of snow crab, this is certainly the festival for you, whether you would like to take a stroll through the public snow crab auction, get on a snow crab fishing boat, or participate in a lively snow crab cooking competition, there is truly something for every snow crab lover at this festival.

Snow crab used to be a delicacy served to Korean kings, and it is still a much-loved seafood featured in many Korean dishes today, check out this festival and celebrate the delicious origins of snow crab in Korea.

Time: March 22 - March 25, 2019

Source Internet

Top must-see destinations to visit in South India

South India really has a distinct culture that sets it apart from the rest of the country. Not only that, each state has managed to retain its own distinct identity. Intricate temple architecture, historical ruins, palm-fringed canals, spirituality and beach will provide you with a varied and interesting trip.

Hampi, Karnataka

One of India's top historical destinations, the laid back village of Hampi was once the last capital of Vijayanagar, one of the greatest Hindu empires in India's history. It has some extremely captivating ruins, intriguingly intermingled with large boulders that rear up all over the landscape.

Varkala, Kerala

The fairy tale setting of Varkala beach is enough to take your breath away, with a long winding stretch of cliff and views that extend over the Arabian Sea. A paved footpath runs along the length of the cliff, bordered by coconut palms, quaint shops, beach shacks, hotels, and guesthouses. Nestled at the bottom of the cliff is a sparkling beach, reached by steps leading down from the cliff top.

Read more: Top 5 amazing temples in India

Fort Kochi, Kerala

Known as the "Gateway to Kerala", Kochi is an enchanting city that's had an eclectic influence. The Arabs, British, Dutch, Chinese, and Portuguese have all left their mark on the city. Most people recognize Kochi from pictures of the famous Chinese fishing nets that line the waterfront. Fort Kochi is full of architecture and historical sites and is a marvelous place to stroll around and explore on foot.

Mysore, Karnataka

Mysore has an impressive royal heritage, with the city's main tourist attraction being the imposing Mysore Palace. There are many other interesting buildings, palaces, and temples to see. Its zoo is one of the best in India. Mysore is also an excellent place to shop for sandalwood and study Ashtanga yoga.

Coorg, Karnataka

For fresh aromatic of south Indian coffee and stunning scenic beauty, head to Karnataka's Kodagu region (often referred to as Coorg, the English version of its name). This picturesque and alluring mountainous area in southern Karnataka, not far from Bangalore and Mysore, is renowned for its plentiful coffee estates. And, you can stay on one! The magnificent Golden Temple, one of the top Buddhist monasteries in India, is not to be missed as well.

Read more: Visit Rajasthan, the Land of Kings in India

Source TripSavvy

Where to have local lunch in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Cambodian cuisine attracts many tourists with its unique taste. If you want to try a great local lunch, here is a list of amazing lunch spots for you.

Friends The Restaurant

Running as one of two training schools for NGO Friends International’s hospitality and chef students, Friends the Restaurant cooks up a range of creative tapas dishes, all centred around contemporary Cambodian cuisine. Dishes include palm sugar and cinnamon braised duck leg with cranberry orange relish, prawn and glass noodle salad with fresh herbs and chilli lime dressing, and sun-dried tomato hummus with crispy wontons.

54 Langeach Sros

Definitely one of Phnom Penh’s culinary bright spots, 54 Langeach Sros is a local Khmer-style barbeque and beer garden that serves a mean plate of ribs, tangy with a hint of sweetness and slightly spicy. Do not bother ordering just one plate. The ribs can take a half-hour to arrive, but they are always worth it. Goat with black ants, “fried fish on the fire lake” and crab with young green pepper are all excellent and remarkably affordable.

Mok Mony Restaurannt

Specialising in authentic Khmer and Asian cuisine, diners can enjoy their food in the tropical garden or air-conditioned glass section. The menu takes in a range of delights, including grilled betel leaf with marinated beef, Khmer red chicken curry, blue Mekong prawns and Kampot pepper squid. It also serves daily and weekly specials.

Tummy Filler Cafe and Pub

If you cannot decide whether you are in the mood for traditional Khmer or Western food, Tummy Filler Cafe in Toul Tom Pong offers the best of both worlds. Their menu boasts Asian soups, fried rice, noodles, and Khmer classics like lok lak and amok. But it also serves up Western salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes and fish and chips. Tummy Filler opens early every day with a range of breakfast foods and specialty coffee drinks. Their bar menu includes wine, beer, and mixed drinks with a selection of unique fruity and frozen cocktails.

Phka Slaa Restaurant

Putting a modern spin on Cambodian comfort food, Phka Slaa presents a range of delicious dishes that are served in style. Offering a range of breakfast options, the cool contemporary setting is a great place to indulge in a leisurely lunch and sits right around the corner from the Royal Palace and National Museum, making it the perfect spot to take a break from sightseeing.

Khmer Surin Restaurant

Spread across three floors, each offering its own atmosphere, Khmer Surin serves authentic Khmer food in sumptuous surroundings. The ground level is a great spot to enjoy breakfast, and people-watch from among the tropical foliage. Traditional Cambodian food can be enjoyed throughout lunch, taking in salads, steamed dishes, curries, soups and fried options.

Read more: 7 reasons why you should visit Cambodia at least one time

Source Internet