3 unforgettable days in Jeju, Korea

The picturesque island of Jeju is not surprisingly rife with attractions, although what perhaps surprises most visitors is the uniqueness and diversity of these things to see. Abundantly a trophy of nature, not-too-secretly a hub of off-beat museums, and a showcase of talented performers from the stage to the sea, Jeju Island delivers a full experien  ce to every weekend stay. Here’s an itinerary of how to achieve just that.

Day 1: A Taste of Culture, Nature & Authentic Cuisine

Begin the day with a stroll along Jungmun Beach. Go swimming if you want, but remember to conserve energy for the day ahead.

Tip: To get around the island with ease, we highly recommend renting a car for the day. The island’s pretty small so it should not take too long to get around, but you’ll definitely be glad for the convenience.

Jeju, apart from its natural sights and scenery, is also known for its quirky museums. Make a stop at the Teddy Bear Museum near Jungmun Beach, then to Loveland up north, closer to Jeju City.

Enjoy a dinner of local fare and receive a crash course on Korean dining etiquette. Try on a hanbok, a type of traditional clothing, then enjoy a round or two of a Korean board game. Indeed, few other experiences take you close to the heart of Jeju Island.

Day 2: Head East

Start your day at another one of Korea’s favorite museums, the Trick Art Museum. Ready your camera batteries for all the shots you’ll be taking at mind-boggling, life-size optical illusions.

Drop by the Seongeop Folk Village at the foot of Mt. Hallasan for an interesting glimpse of Jeju’s culture and heritage.

After a delicious Korean lunch buffet, enjoy a show featuring the legendary haenyeo, women the average age of 65 who free dive up to 20 meters into the ocean for a catch.

Next, make the climb up to Seongsan Sunrise Peak, where you’ll be blessed at the top with breathtaking views. Then head back down to the Manjang Cave to see the spectacular Lava Tubes, which are quite the sight. Finally, wrap up the day with the NANTA Show, the award-winning musical kitchen extravaganza you don’t want to miss while in Korea.

Day 3: See the West

See more of Jeju’s natural feats. Begin at the beautiful Hallim Park, and roam its numerous, lovely gardens. Then go for a trek at Suweolbong, a UNESCO-designated Geopark. Keep your eyes peeled for the awesome volcanic rock formations.

Take a break with a Korean-style lunch buffet, then head off to the otherworldly Spirited Garden, considered one of the most beautiful gardens in the world.

Head up to Mt. Sanbang, via a trek up a mountain of volcanic lava. Apart from a cave perched 150 meters above sea level, you’ll also come to a peak of magnificent views, proving every bit worth the climb.

Head out for a taste of Jeju’s nightlife. Drop by Tap-dong-lo in Jeju city, the more populated evening hub and grab dinner at one of its many restaurants, open late into the night.

See more: All you need to know about Dol Hareubang in Jeju Island

Source: Internet

Tips to save money when travelling to Japan

Japan is an expensive country to travel to. However, there are still some ways to help reduce the financial burden when travelling in Japan, all you need to do is follow the tips in this article.

Visit the free attractions

With countless museums, shrines, temples, historic neighborhoods and parks, Japan is filled with opportunities to become immersed in its culture. Many of the nation’s parks and museums are free.

Get a JR Pass

The bullet trains in Japan are ridiculously expensive with one-way fares costing hundreds of dollars. If you plan to do a lot of travel around the country, get the JR Pass which allows you unlimited train travel and will save you a ton of money. It comes in 7, 14, and 21-day tickets. Keep it mind it can only be purchased outside of the country, so be sure to plan ahead!

Take the bus

Buses are a far more economical option than the trains. They cost a fraction of the price but take a lot longer. For example, the two-hour bullet train ride from Tokyo to Osaka becomes a 10-hour bus ride. You can get unlimited Japan rail passes for 29,100 JPY (255 USD), for 7 consecutive days of travel, but this is far more expensive than using the bus. Bottom line: if you have the time, take the bus.

Shop at the 100 Yen stores

There are many 100 Yen shops in Japan with set meals, groceries, water bottles, toiletries, and household items. Store names vary by region, so ask your hotel/hostel reception where the nearest one is located.

Eat at 7-Eleven

A 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and other convenience stores have a lot of pre-set meals (including sandwiches, soups, fruit, and more traditional Japanese options) for 125-370 JPY (1-3 USD) that make for a cheap lunch option. Additionally, supermarkets also have many set meals at similar prices.

Eat curry, ramen, and donburi

Curry bowls are as cheap as 370 JPY (3 USD) per plate. Donburi, bowls of meat and rice, are around 500-620 JPY (5-6 USD). Ramen is never more than 870 JPY (8 USD). These are the best ways to eat cheap, filling meals while in Japan.

Buy food at night

After 8pm, supermarkets discount their fresh food as they have to get rid of it (by law). If you buy your food after 8pm, you can save up to 50% on almost everything fresh.

See more: Discover the best parks in Tokyo, Japan

Source: Internet

The reasons to visit Iran

Iran has made a comeback on the travel scene in recent years, being listed as one of the hot spot destinations, and certainly with good reason. And although it may not rank as high with some travelers as it does with others, here is the reasons for traveling to Iran at least once in your lifetime.

Travel to Iran to learn about its long history

Hardly in need of any introduction, Persepolis is possibly Iran’s most famous ancient site, even though not the only one. From ancient Persia to modern Iran, from the Achaemenid Empire to the Sassanian era, from the Safavid period to the Qajar dynasty, to finally the Pahlavi family and the Islamic Revolution, Iranian history is as stormy as it gets.

With so many historical places to visit in Iran, travelling all around the country you can soak in every period and delve into the nation’s tangled past. After you enjoyed your Persepolis tour, don’t forget to add to the list also other Iran points of interest such as the Golestan Palace in Tehran, Ali Qapu Palace in Isfahan and the Fire Temple in Yazd, just to mention some.

The people and hospitality

Iran tends to get a lot of bad press, but somewhere in the mix, the good word about Iranian hospitality somehow got out. It is not only the remains of Persepolis, mosques of Esfahan, and windcatchers of Yazd that have drawn travelers in, but also that unshakable curiosity about this renowned hospitality. This centuries old tradition has only intensified in recent years, solidifying that initial curiosity for travelers, and leaving a lasting impression much stronger than any tourist attraction ever could.

Visit Iran for its architecture

Be it a mosque, a palace or a bazaar, Iranian buildings are finely decorated and glow with ornamental elegance. Pastel colours gracefully interact with bright hues, tapering minarets and seemingly ubiquitous domes outline the landscape, symbols and traditional calligraphy coexist in a charming interplay. Whether inside or outside a building, the sophisticated Persian architecture is always something tourists marvel at every time they visit Iran.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

From exquisite mosques to stunning feats of engineering, Iran boasts twenty-one UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including 20 cultural and one natural. While they are scattered around the country, you can easily cross off six by visiting the areas in and around Shiraz and the Khuzestan province. For those interested in Persian culture, there are also a number of intangible cultural heritage elements in Iran that are worth exploring during your stay.

Plan a trip to Iran to try Persian food

From pistachio to black tea, from saffron to kebab, from Mirza Ghasemi to Ghormeh Sabzi, the heavy presence of aromatic herbs makes Iranian cuisine appetizing and addictive, especially when it comes to pistachio and baklava if you ask me.

While there are national dishes that you can find everywhere, like herb stew Ghormeh Sabzi, there are others that are exclusive, or at least typical of a particular region. Among these are the aforementioned eggplant-based Mirza Ghasemi, typical from Gilan province, or Dizi, too meaty and heavy for me but still a national treat, typical from Ardebil.

See more: 7 best street foods you should try in Tehran, Iran

Source Internet