Northstar

www.travelweekly-asia.com 20 | ITB ASIA OFFICIAL DAILIES destination ///South Korea While the capital Seoul may receive the most attention and ranks among the top meetings destinations in the world, South Korea's other regions such as Incheon and Jeju offer similarly outstanding levels of safety, service, and infrastructure. In Incheon and Jeju – both of which brim with history and culture, dazzling new entertainment offerings can entice even the worldliest of travellers. BLAZING ANEW The Jeju Field-Burning Festival, held annually on the first week of March, marks the passing of winter and coming of spring. Traditionally, it involved starting a fire on fields to burn wilted grass and kill vermin, but now the four-day event includes music concerts, kite-flying, horseback riding, and folk markets chock-full of Jeju's local food and produce. A SPLASHING GOOD TIME Connecting the Han River to the Yellow Sea, the Gyeongin Ara Waterway isn't just a channel for discharging floodwater – it's also an all-round leisure spot with canoes, bumper boats, a 41km bicycle path, and marina. Take the 60-minute amphibious bus tour to get a glimpse of the waterway's sea lock and the man-made Ara Waterfall, amongst other engineering marvels. RESTAURANTS Byeokje Galbi, which has been thrice- listed on The Wall Street Journal's 'Asia's Five Best Restaurants', turns the quintessential Korean table-top barbecue into a veritable fine dining experience. The restaurant, with outlets in Seoul and Incheon, even raises its own Korean beef which is served in prime cuts and signature dishes like Korean oxtail soup. Ensconced in renowned architect Tadao Ando's Glass House on Phoenix Island, Mint uses top- grade Jeju local produce to offer a seasonal menu of Korean-Italian fusion cuisine, including hand- caught abalone which is only available in spring and autumn. The scenic restaurant can seat up to 100 guests. Clockwise from top left: Sheraton Grand Incheon; Seongsan Ilchulbong and Hallasan; Industrial-chic lobby of Shilla Stay Jeju; Songdo ConvensiA. By Brooke Thio South Korea's regional offerings can look enticing to even the most seasoned travellers. Looking beyond Seoul up bar to a village-themed alfresco venue – after which, guests can try their luck at the hotel's own casino. Apart from its two ballrooms with capacities of up to 400, the Cliff Garden offers a picturesque setting for outdoor events. Opened in 2015, the sleekly furnished Shilla Stay Jeju is a 10-minute hop from Jeju International airport and is equipped with four meeting rooms for its 301 guest rooms, all of which feature floor-to-ceiling windows with inviting views of the sea or Hallasan. ATTRACTIONS A day trip to Woldmido Island offers a true break from South Korea's metropolitan buzz. Here you'll find a Culture Street where buskers and artists showcase their talent, Korean traditional gardens, amusement parks, and seaside cafés to lounge in. Wolmido is connected to the mainland by highway, and is an easy 10-minute drive from Incheon subway station. Descending underwater with Seogwipo Submarine will reveal another facet of Jeju's natural beauty. The 90-minute excursion around Moon Island, home to the world's biggest soft coral reef, allows you to observe schools of fish and other sea creatures, colourful walls covered in corals. Hotels Renamed in January 2016 to mark its exceptional performance among the brand's properties, the Sheraton Grand Incheon is also the first hotel in South Korea to be LEED-certified by the United States Green Building Council. 321 guest rooms offer splendid views of Central Park and Songdo City, while the eight meeting rooms and Grand Ballroom add up to more than 1,700sqm of event space. The most remarkable facility? A heated indoor pool for those who like to unwind with a lap or two. Located 15 minutes from Songdo International Business District, the newly-opened Ramada Incheon offers 245 rooms. Apart from the grand ballroom that seats up to 300 guests and three meeting spaces, the hotel's facilities include a lounge on the 17th floor and fitness centre. Overlooking Jungmun beach from a forested escarpment, the 222- room Hyatt Regency Jeju pampers the palate with seven themed restaurants and bars, from a swim-

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