[NEWS] K-Travel Bus Launches First Tour Across Korea-HALLYU Experience!

February 29, 2016 - On the weekend of February 20th to 21st, K-Travel Bus Tour is a new service that provides highly enthusiastic, fun and fully filled of activities tours to 4 provinces of Korea from Seoul City. K- Travel Bus is part of a new way to promote the beauty of Korea to foreigners and visitors. Visit Korea Year and Must See Routes Korea has teamed up to bring you the best, well-rounded experience in each given province. The 4 tour options that you can choose from are as following. Gangwon Province which is a total bargain of just 5 bucks! Is a day Trip near the Seoul Area. The other three are a two day and one night trip to further locations, they are the Chungcheong Area, North Gyeongsan Province and the South Jeolla Province.

As a launch of the first K-Tour Bus HALLYU Magazine’s very own Nadezhda Hope, was selected amongst other 15 lucky winners to become representatives and models for this tour. The first tour selection was to North Gyeongsan Province.

First stop was an Archery Event where the group was greeted by Representatives of the city of Yecheon. To honor this first service 3 top professionals, with over 50 years of experience between them, in the sport of Archery was invited to Welcome everyone. After complimentary photo, the group was guided to the Archery where three trainers awaited excitedly. Each participant shot 5 arrows at a target. Some learned that it is a sport to respect as it takes much more strength and just pointing arrows anywhere. Nadezhda Hope commented, “It’s much harder than it looks on TV or in Movies. My hands were shaking after 2nd try. By the time I had my last arrow to shoot, I could barely hold my hands up. It surely got my trainer to laugh!”

After the archery Event, it was time for a good Bibimbap lunch in Korean traditional style by sitting on the floor at the low tables. All the food was ready and set, with advanced considerations for vegans, vegetarians, no pork or beef and spicy levels, which is a great point as in Korea not every tour would consider this vital preference.

With a full stomach the group was back on the bus and ready for part two of the day. Andong Hanoe Folk Village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the group was treated to a beautiful and funny Andong Mask Dance. Not able to contain themselves with all the fun everyone joined in to the final dance along the actors! It was phenomenal experience of it’s own. K-Tour Bus guide, Jin, lead the group to the village and told of history and famous people who came from this village. There was a grand tree where if you made a wish for fertility it is said to believe you will be granted a child. There was also a famous actors house and many government officials houses that stood beautifully and was admired by everyone. A small market opens up by the playground, where you are able to purchase wooden items and small gifts, as well as snack on some street food. To wrap up the village tour the group headed off to view the Buyongdae Cliff from the other side of the banks.

Inspired by the Mask Dance, K-Travel Bus took the group to it’s next best thing (if not better!) to make your own traditional style mask from traditional Korean rice paper called Hanji. As the masks dried at the studio as the tour continued onto the Traditional Market. At the market there were all sort of foods, from seafood to fruits to ricecakes! There were even baby sharks, huge octopuses, dozens of different ricecakes, and bargained fruits, lots of goodness for everyone’s taste.

Visit to the market surely made everyone hungry which lead to a very delicious dinner of famous chicken dish with rice noodles and vegetables in a spicy sauce. For those who have preferences to the food were offered none spicy dishes without any meat such as Chapjae and side dishes. During dinner everyone got up to introduce themselves and formally meet all the groups’ members and their respectful countries. Also, the handmade traditional Hanji masks were delivered to excite everyone. Saving one of the best views for last, last stop before lodging was a stunning night view of a wooden bridge Woryeonggyo. It stretched across from bank to bank and shined with changing lights. It was a truly magical sight to see.

Accommodation was at a great quality hotel in Andong, that included a breakfast buffet.

At 8:30AM the group was gathered at the lobby ready to take on the last day of adventures. First stop was a mountain trail, where it is encouraged to walk the earthen path barefoot, to the Outdoor Drama Set in Mungyeongsaejae. The set itself transforms you from modern Korea to the Historical Korea that you watch in dramas. You are suddenly walking ancient paths of the village and novelty buildings and before you unfolds the royal palace.

Take the experience of become one with this enigmatic place and try one the Royal Hanboks for only 3,000won(2.50$) at the replicate of the Royal Palace. HALLYU’s Nadezhda Hope successfully transformed into a Traditional Korean Queen and embodied all the traits of the Queen in an instant. She shared about her experience, “Once you put on the Hanbok you will feel very excited but still the same modern person as you walked into this Palace. However, once you have your massive headpiece placed on your head, your body strangely starts to act different. You have to hold your back straight and keep balance within yourself and unity on the outside just to be able to keep the headpiece in place. Your hands take on proper position of the Royal entity and your movements correspond to carry you with a different aura. It is a transformation to something beyond explanation. I recommend everyone to try for themselves”.

Lunch takes place at a lovely traditional restaurant where Bibimbap and meat patties are served under a coal light. Delicious, perhaps it’ll make you even hungrier! Followed it a quick stop at the Ceramic Museum and Shop of beautiful, hand made ceramics, famous for tea ceremonies and other small uses such as incense holder. Prices vary from affordable 10,000-20,000(10-18$) handmade cups to over 5,000,000(5,000$) vases and tea cup sets. Across the Museum are famous sweet apples of Mungyeong being sold to visitors at the end of parking lot.

Final stop that will impress and maybe, intimidate some, is the Shoot Range. In Korea there is a gun-free law, therefore, guns are forbidden which is why it contributes to South Korea being one of the safest countries to travel to. Here however, you have a choice of a revolver handgun to shoot at still target or if you’re advanced a shotgun to shoot at flying ceramic plates. Either of choices are fun. For first timers handgun is recommended just to get used to holding a gun and aiming. You get 10 shots for the handgun, which is more than enough for a first time. It’s super exciting. With all hat said the day is finished with a “Bang!”

Happy Travels to all!

HALLYU is humbled to be able to experience this tour first hand.

We Thank #KTRAVELBUS #VISITKOREAYEAR and #‎MUSTSEEROUTES_KOREA

More info and how to book here: http://www.k-travelbus.com/en/index.html