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The Korean language isn't the easiest tongue for westerners to master, but that shouldn't keep anyone from visiting the dynamic and exciting city of Seoul. While there will undoubtedly be moments when a few minor details are lost in translation, there's no need to worry about bridging the language barrier at Seoul's renowned Nanta Theater. The non-verbal performances convey every nuance, emotion, and plot point through sound, motion, and body language in a play that audiences of any nationality can enjoy. Nanta incorporates traditional Korean samul nori rhythms into exaggerated acting techniques that draw as much on vaudeville and silent movies as contemporary theater. The result is an electrifying 90-minute show that centers on the comically-charged efforts of four cooks who are tasked with preparing an entire wedding banquet in just one hour. Expect plenty of highly-crafted slapstick along with a Buddhist prayer ceremony, juggling plates, and flying meat cleavers. World renowned, the company has won accolades such as the Best Performance award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1999. Starwood has three properties in Seoul, including the chic and elegant W Seoul - Walkerhill.
Recently in South Korea Category
Culinary Slapstick at Seoul's Nanta Theater
Wednesday December 31, 2008
A Feast for the Senses at the Busan Sea Festival
Friday August 1, 2008
Busan is South Korea's largest port city and second biggest metropolis, so there's always something interesting going on. But as far as outdoor celebrations are concerned, everything pales in comparison to the Busan Sea Festival, which draws thousands of visitors and many of the city's 3.65 million residents to the city's beaches during the first ten days of August. Haeundae Beach and Gwangalli Beach will provide a stunning natural setting for a variety of events designed to celebrate the city's relationship to the sea, ranging from rock and hip-hop concerts and magic shows to water sports competitions, ocean rafting, wind surfing, and beach volleyball. But while the music and action is lots of fun, the festival has a cerebral side as well, as evidenced by the Korea Ocean Literature Festival and the Madanggeuk Festival, which features masked dancers and eerily beautiful Korean music. But no matter whether your tastes run to the ancient or cutting-edge, the spectacular fireworks extravaganza - which lights up the dark ocean sky in an explosion of color - is something everyone can agree on. Guests at the Westin Chosun, Busan should consult the schedule to take in the best of this eclectic celebration of sun, sand, and surf.
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More Starpick the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill
Wednesday July 16, 2008
There's a lot to be said about planning your travels well in advance, but impulsive getaways are an awful lot of fun, and sometimes, they save you money as well. Such is the case with Starpicks, which offers last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays at some of Starwood's finest properties around the world. The only catch is that stays must be during the next two weekends for hotels, and the next six weeks for resorts. Say, for example, you've always wanted to visit the South Korean capital of Seoul. Since the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, impulsive travelers can save big on weekend stays in one of South Korea's finest hotels. The Sheraton Grande Walkerhill is located in northeastern Seoul on the site of the ancient A-Cha fortress, and it boasts a range of amenities to keep guests relaxed, well-fed, and happy throughout their stays. Indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center, tennis court, scenic outdoor jogging path, and sauna are sure to keep you fit as a fiddle and feeling fine. And as far as dining is concerned, more than a dozen restaurants and lounges will cater to your every dietary whim, from fine Japanese cuisine at Kiyomizu to Royal Korean dishes at Ondal. And those who appreciate a good view will want to savor an after-dinner cocktail at the Sky Lounge and Bar (pictured), where an expansive vista of the river, cityscape, and blue sky seems to go on forever. New Starpicks properties are posted every Tuesday, so bookmark the Starpicks site and keep checking back for the latest destinations.
Seoul-Style Mountain Climbing
Monday January 28, 2008
The South Korean capital of Seoul is a bustling metropolis of ten million people, but it is also blessed with a range of picturesque mountains which provide a place of rest and recreation to its many overworked and overstressed residents. Mount Suraksan, Mount Dobong, and Mount Namsan all stand majestically over the city, each offering a different experience to the visitor.
Mount Suraksan, for example, is a place of great natural beauty, where visitors pass three waterfalls on their way to the 637-meter peak. The somewhat taller Dobong, meanwhile, consists of multiple peaks, and offers a good workout for the intrepid adventurers who come to savor breathtaking views of Seoul. The most famous of all is Mount Namsan, which is located in central Seoul. This 252-meter hill is pretty manageable, as visitors can take a cable car all the way to the summit. There they can enjoy the amenities of a small mountaintop town and even visit the N Seoul Tower, which rises nearly 237 meters from the summit, nearly doubling the height of the mountain. On a clear day, visitors can see over 25 miles from the tower's observation deck and gourmet restaurant. Now that's what I call mountain climbing. Starwood has three properties in Seoul: the Westin Chosun, Busan, the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill, and the sleek W Seoul - Walkerhill.
Starpick the W Seoul - Walkerhill
Tuesday December 4, 2007Seoul, South Korea is a pretty cutting-edge place, with futuristic architecture and modern technology at every turn, so it's easy to forget that the city has a history that dates back more than 2,000 years. Fortunately, you can get in touch with Seoul's past at places like Gyeongbok Palace, which was originally built by King Taejo of the Chosun Dynasty in 1395. Though it was destroyed and rebuilt several times over the generations, it remains today one of the best places to experience Seoul as it was centuries ago. If this sounds intriguing to you, why not plan to visit some time in the next couple of weeks? Gyeongbok Palace is just eight kilometers away from the W Seoul - Walkerhill, which happens to be one of this week's participating Starpicks properties. With last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next two weekends, there's no better way to appreciate the very best of this city of contrasts. The W Seoul - Walkerhill is located on 180 acres of parkland on the slope of scenic Mount Acha, and with sweeping views overlooking the Han River, it's hard to believe that it's just minutes away from the bustling city center. So after you've visited the palace and shopped to your heart's content in the Myeongdong shopping district, rest and revive your body with a treatment in the the W's Away Spa. With a mix of eastern and western influences, it'll have you relaxed and reinvigorated in no time. As evening rolls in, enjoy a beverage in the Living Room lounge, which features a live DJ and comfortable cabanas where you can dream up your own wish list of Starpicks destinations.
Extreme (and Not-So-Extreme) Seafood in Busan
Thursday October 25, 2007
No, not everywhere in Busan, South Korea, will you find a plate of still-squirming octopus legs waiting for you to eat them (although I'm told the dish is quite good if you can get past the fact that it actively resists being eaten). There's other, less stressful food to be had when staying at the Westin Chosun, although even with the tried and true there can be some unusual surprises.
Busan (or Pusan, as it's sometimes spelled) is South Korea's second largest city and main seaport, so it's full of fresh seafood. Zagalchi (or Jagalchi, as its better known), the city's largest seafood market, offers much more than a glimpse at the copious catch — most of it kept alive in tanks until purchase and butchering. You'll hear shouts of "Oiso! Boiso! Saiso" ("Come! See! Buy!") and find food stalls offering the freshest snacks possible, as well as more formal restaurants drawing their ingredients directly from the market vendors. The market building itself is a sight to behold, with graceful curves evoking seagulls over the bay.
Western food can be had, but be prepared to pay extra for it. On the other hand, if you're dead set on trying those squirming tentacles, head to Four Seasons Raw Fish (Sakyeocheol Hoetjip) in the Millak Raw Fish Center. They're included in the set dinners.
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