Tropicana Nov-Dec 2017 #116 Celebrating the Classics

THE VACATION
PYEONGCHANG, SOUTH KOREA
ISTOCKPHOTO
LAPLAND, FINLAND
PYEONGCHANG, SOUTH KOREA
Host of the 2018 Winter Olympics, Pyeongchang is quickly
becoming Asia’s top winter sports destination. Located in the
Gangwon Province of South Korea and with two ski resorts in
the region, Alpensia and Yongpyong, there’s plenty of activities
for everybody even if winter sports are not on your radar.
There’s picturesque Buddhist temples in the area which
are a contrast to some of the high-octane sports that go on in
the background and offer a quiet escape for visitors. There’s
also plenty of culture to soak in nearby at the Lee Hyo-Seok
cultural village. Named after the author who was born and
raised there, the quaint little village was the setting of his
popular Korean short story When the Buckwheat Blossoms.
During the height of the blossoming months during August
to Septemeber, visitors will be able to take in the breathtaking
views of buckwheat flowers covered in pure white snow
which is also when the annual Lee Hyo-Seok cultural festival
takes place, filled with traditional dance performances, essay
writing contests and a costume parade.
For those wanting to connect more with nature, bask in
the beauty of the seven themed gardens of the Herbnara Farm
located in the serene Hongjeong valley. With over 100 types of
herbs, the gardens get covered in a sheet of snow in the winter
months and are certainly a sight to behold. For places to stay,
there are plenty of ski resorts ranging from the high-end to
more affordable hotels nearby as well as airbnb options all
around the region.
TM | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
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