Seongeup Folk Village, Jeju, is an example of a typical mountain village.~A little bit of history & introduction~
During the Koryo period, Seongeup Folk Village was the capital city of Jeju. You could see here beautiful thatched houses having stone and clay walls inhabited by the villagers. Zelkova trees and nettle trees, which are a few hundred years old, are regarded as natural monuments.
The village has been designated as National Folk Material No. 188. The goverment provides subsidies to residents so that they can preserve the traditional architecture of the village. The thatched roofs on the houses need to be replaced every 1 to 2 years.
There are many cultural properties such as residential houses, Confucian shrines and schools, ancient government offices, stone statues, millstones (run by horse or ox), fortress ruins, stone monuments, and cultural assets such as folk plays, native foods, local folk craftsmanship, and the local dialect are handed down to this day.
As you wander around here and become immersed in the atmosphere, you will feel like you have traveled back in time. It is a popular place for foreigners because they can experience the unique native culture of Korea.
The rich cultural heritage of the village is carried forward by the folk songs, tradition foods, craftsmanship, and the Jeju provincial dialects.
Many scenes from the famous Daejanggeum drama series were filmed at Seongeup Folk Village.
~Need to pay?~
No entrance fee needed!
~Getting there~
Buses from Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal will take you to Dongbugwangong Road. You have to get off at get off at Seongeup 1(il)-ri.
Yongpyong Resort
130 Yongsan-ri, Doam-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun
130 Yongsan-ri, Doam-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun
Yongpyong Resort is the Korea's most popular ski resort and the largest ski house (Dragon Plaza). It is well known in Europe and Asia from holding several successful international events, such as the World Cup Ski Contest and Winter Asian Games.
Number of Slopes: 18
Number of Lifts: 15
The ski season runs from November - early April.
Hours:
Daytime - 08:30 ~ 16:30
Morning - 08:30 ~ 12:30
Afternoon - 12:00 ~ 16:30
Night - 18:00 ~ 22:00
Midnight - 22:00 ~ 24:30
Fees:
Lifts and Gondola day pass:
Adult: W56,000
Children: W42,000
A day's Ski equipment rental:
Adult: W25,000
Children: W19,000
Snowboards:
W33,000 for half day
Cross-country skiing (including skis and entry fee):
W20,000 and sledding W15,000.
Day-long ski classes (in English) for beginners:
Adult: W45, 000
Children: W33, 000
(you need a group of 10).
Package deals including transport and accommodation are offered with discounts outside the peak season.
Fees charge depend on the hour of the day.
Getting there:
Buses leave from Gangneung intercity bus terminal (335 6307) to Hoenggye (W2,000, ½ hour, every 20 minutes).
From Hoenggye a free shuttle bus leaves for YongPyong (10 minutes, 12 daily from 5.30am to 11.30pm), more frequently during the ski season.
Direct buses run to the resort from Seoul, Incheon, Busan, Daejeon and other cities.
Direct buses run to the resort from Seoul, Incheon, Busan, Daejeon and other cities.
Other facilities:
Swimming pool, health club and sauna
Golf course, indoor driving range, bowling alley, racketball court
Billiards and games room, children's play room for children, karaoke room
Shopping: sporting goods, clothing, supermarket
Ski repair shop, travel agencies, infirmary, beauty parlor
Muju Resort
San 43-15, Samgok-ri, Seolcheon-myeon, Muju-gun
Muju Resort offers the only ski slopes in the Jeolla-do Provinces. It boasts the area over 700 hectares, located at the foot of Mt. Deogyusan which is legendary for the stunning view of Gucheondong Valley. It hosted the 1997 Muju Winter Universiad and different international events.Some scenes of the popular drama Winter Sonata were filmed at the resort.
Number of Slopes: 19
Number of Lifts: 14
Hours:
Dawn: 6:30 - 8:30
Morning: 8:30 - 12:30
Afternoon: 12:30 - 16:30
Night: 18:30 - 22:00
Rental fees:
Lift
Adult: ranging from 10,000 won to 70,000 won
Children: ranging from 7,000 won to 49,000 won
Other facilities:
Sledding Hill: 500m X 100m
Cross-country: 48-km
Free Style Area: arial jumping and acrobatics
Indoor and outdoor skating rinks
Fitness center
Sauna and outdoor spa
Other popular ski destinations in Korea:
Alps Resort
Bears Town Ski Resort
Gangchon Resort
Jisan Forest Resort
Starhill Resort
Phoenix Park
Seoul Resort
Sungwoo Resort
Daemyung Vivaldi Park
Yangji Pine Resort
Bears Town Ski Resort
Gangchon Resort
Jisan Forest Resort
Starhill Resort
Phoenix Park
Seoul Resort
Sungwoo Resort
Daemyung Vivaldi Park
Yangji Pine Resort
(USD1 = 1206 South Korean Won)@20 Sept 2009
Niagara Falls, straddling the international border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York, are categorised by:
Every Friday-Sunday during the summer months and on special occasions, Falls Fireworks Shows add a little extra colour to the display.
~American Falls
American Falls on the American side
~Bridal Veil Falls
The smaller Bridal Veil Falls are also located on the American side, separated from the main falls by Luna Island.
~Canadian/Horseshoe Falls
Horseshoe Falls, the majority of which lies on the Canadian side of the border
From many locations, visitors can see both American Falls and Horseshoe Falls at the same time. Even at night the Falls are impressive.
Every Friday-Sunday during the summer months and on special occasions, Falls Fireworks Shows add a little extra colour to the display.
History of the Falls
The first person to attempt to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel was a 63-year-old woman. Seeking fame and fortune, schoolteacher Annie Taylor loaded herself - and her cat - up in a barrel and descended over the falls in 1901. She survived.
In 1848, Niagara Falls actually stopped flowing for 30 hours when ice fields from Lake Erie jammed at the source of the river.
Marilyn Monroe visited the falls to film portions of the thriller Niagara Falls, released in 1953. Other notable visitors have included King George the V in 1939 and Princess Diana with her sons in 1991.
Niagara Falls received its reputation as the "Honeymoon Capital of the World" when Aaron Burr's daughter-Theodosia-chose a Niagara Falls honeymoon in 1801. She was followed up by Jerome Bonaparte-Napoleon's brother-in 1804 and, thus, a tradition was born. Now over 50,000 Niagara honeymoons are arranged each year.
Ticket
Ticket
The Niagara Falls Power Pass
Inclusions:
~Admission to top attractions in Niagara Falls
~Discounts at well-known top restaurants and retailers
~Full color, pocket-sized, guide which includes attraction details, hours of operation, directions, plus Niagara Falls street maps
1 Day Pass
Adult: US$65.00
Children: US$55.00
Niagara Falls Power Pass includes free entry to (subject to change)
Canadian Side:
-Nightmares Fear Factory
-Bird Kingdom
-IMAX Niagara
-Konica Minolta Tower Centre Observation Deck
-Lundy's Lane Historical Museums
-Louis Tussaud's Waxworks
-Ripley's Believe it or Not! Musuem
-Ripley's Moving Theater
-Waves indoor Waterpark
United States Side:
-The Cave of the Winds*
-Maid of the Mist boat ride* (Available May to October)
-Niagara Adventure Theater*
-The Niagara Gorge Discovery Center*
-Aquarium of Niagara
-Niagara Scenic Trolley*
-Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum*
-Old Fort Niagara
-Niagara's Wax Museum of History
-Greg Frewin Magic Show*
-Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruise*
-Martin's Fantasy Island Family Theme Park*
-Whirpool Jet Boats Exclusive Special Offer*
-Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls Shop & Play Shopping Package
-Niagara Wine Train
-Macy's Buffalo/Niagara Falls area savings pass
http://www.visiticket.com/NiagaraFalls/niagara-falls-power-pass.aspx
Inclusions:
~Admission to top attractions in Niagara Falls
~Discounts at well-known top restaurants and retailers
~Full color, pocket-sized, guide which includes attraction details, hours of operation, directions, plus Niagara Falls street maps
1 Day Pass
Adult: US$65.00
Children: US$55.00
Niagara Falls Power Pass includes free entry to (subject to change)
Canadian Side:
-Nightmares Fear Factory
-Bird Kingdom
-IMAX Niagara
-Konica Minolta Tower Centre Observation Deck
-Lundy's Lane Historical Museums
-Louis Tussaud's Waxworks
-Ripley's Believe it or Not! Musuem
-Ripley's Moving Theater
-Waves indoor Waterpark
United States Side:
-The Cave of the Winds*
-Maid of the Mist boat ride* (Available May to October)
-Niagara Adventure Theater*
-The Niagara Gorge Discovery Center*
-Aquarium of Niagara
-Niagara Scenic Trolley*
-Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum*
-Old Fort Niagara
-Niagara's Wax Museum of History
-Greg Frewin Magic Show*
-Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruise*
-Martin's Fantasy Island Family Theme Park*
-Whirpool Jet Boats Exclusive Special Offer*
-Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls Shop & Play Shopping Package
-Niagara Wine Train
-Macy's Buffalo/Niagara Falls area savings pass
http://www.visiticket.com/NiagaraFalls/niagara-falls-power-pass.aspx
This is the world's first permanent ice bar, located in Icehotel, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden.
Temperature: Below 5°C all year round. Cool!
Interior: Made of 100% clear pure ice from the Torne River in the Swedish Lapland.
Price: 180 SEK (US$23) for pre-booked session
Other Icebar also in:
Stockholm
Milan
London
Copenhagen
Tokyo
Shanghai
The glasses were made of ice.
Ice cold benches
Better drink these quick before it turns into ice.
(1 USD = 7.84567 SEK) @ 18.6.2009
Polaria is an information and experience centre for the whole family, combining interactive experiences with knowledge about the arctic environment.
Housed in a very distinctive building that represents ice floes that have been pressed up on land by the rough seas of the Arctic, you will discover Polaria, just five minutes walk from the centre of Tromsø. Polaria has an Arctic aquarium, interesting knowledge-based exhibits, a panoramic cinema, and a gift and souvenir shop.
The seal pool is especially exciting at feeding time, and an aquarium provides a close look at arctic sea mammals and life in the freezing waters.
Summer season: (18th May - 22th August) 10.00 - 19.00 every dayTraining/feeding of seals every day at 12.30 and 15.30 Winter season: (23th August - 17th May) 12.00 - 17.00 every dayTraining/feeding of seals every day at 12.30 and 15.30Polaria is closed 24th December, 25th December, 31st December and 1st January.
Ticket prices 2008/2009 - All prices in NOK
Individual visitors:
Adults 95kr
Senior 80kr
Student 65kr
Child (3 - 16 yrs) 45kr
Family(2 adults + up to three children) 250
Groups:
Ticket prices 2008/2009 - All prices in NOK
Individual visitors:
Adults 95kr
Senior 80kr
Student 65kr
Child (3 - 16 yrs) 45kr
Family(2 adults + up to three children) 250
Groups:
15+ persons 70,- per person
Vouchers are accepted from tour operators that have contracts with Polaria.Requisitions accepted, invoice fee NOK 50.
Admission outside of opening hours (for groups only): Minimum fee for whole group NOK 2500 or NOK 90 per person.
1 USD = 6.01752 NOK @ 6 Sept 2009
Aurora, one of the most fascinating phenomenon we could see on earth.
It happens when large numbers of electrons hitting air particles, causing them to light up. Aurora Borealis forms at around 60 miles high (around 100 km) which makes the lights visible hundreds of kilometers away.
North & South
Nothern polar lights ~ Aurora Borealis
Spring is aurora season. Some say the best time to see Aurora is from September to April. The phases of moon also have an effect, it is best to avoid full moon and also places with minimal or no artificial light sources makes the viewing an even better experience.
1- Norway (Tromso and Finnmark)
especially the North Cape (Nordkapp) - you can see the Northern Lights every other clear night, if not even more frequently.
Canada
1- Alaska (Alaskan Pipeline & Denali National Park)
Fairbanks - 80% chances of seeing the phenomenon; Denali; Anchorage
Best place in the USA to see nothern lights
Best time to see: March & September
2-Yellowknife
Aurora Village
Best time to see: between September and October or March and April of each year.
The temporary during winter could go down to below 40, but this is not enough to keep away the aurora chasers.
It happens when large numbers of electrons hitting air particles, causing them to light up. Aurora Borealis forms at around 60 miles high (around 100 km) which makes the lights visible hundreds of kilometers away.
North & SouthNothern polar lights ~ Aurora Borealis
Southern polar lights ~ Aurora Australis
Spring is aurora season. Some say the best time to see Aurora is from September to April. The phases of moon also have an effect, it is best to avoid full moon and also places with minimal or no artificial light sources makes the viewing an even better experience.
Some of tourists' favourite viewing locations:
Scandinavia
1- Norway (Tromso and Finnmark)
especially the North Cape (Nordkapp) - you can see the Northern Lights every other clear night, if not even more frequently.
2- Iceland
Reykjavik - the most nothernly city in the world.
3- Finland
Lapland - Kilpisjärvi region
One of the best place is the virtually cloud free sky at Abisko Mountain Station, situated within the Abisko National Park
4- Greenland
Kangerlussuaq
Best time to see: 99% Chance of visual between November to March
Canada1- Alaska (Alaskan Pipeline & Denali National Park)
Fairbanks - 80% chances of seeing the phenomenon; Denali; Anchorage
Best place in the USA to see nothern lights
Best time to see: March & September
2-Yellowknife
Aurora Village
Best time to see: between September and October or March and April of each year.
The temporary during winter could go down to below 40, but this is not enough to keep away the aurora chasers.
3- Churchill
Manitoba - a small town in northern Manitoba on the shores of the Hudson Bay.
Best time to see: late November through to late March
