Why Seoul should be on your Travel Radar

South Korea is rising in popularity and this is all thanks to the country’s global K-culture wave, from Korean skin, to their food, Their agriculture, to the K-dramas my personal favourites being ‘May Queen’ and ‘My Dearest’, and we cannot skip over one of the most popular forms of k culture, K-pop, with groups such as BTS and AESPA. The country has become a destination for travellers to want to visit and experience these phenomenon’s for themselves, even venturing beyond the capital city Seoul, this guide will highlight the places to visit and where to stay for an unforgettable experience in South Korea.

South Korea is a captivating blend with ancient tradition and modernity, it is a destination that transforms with the seasons, timing your trip makes all the difference. Spring (April to June) my personal favourite season is full of cherry blossoms that only appear for a short while and mild hikes, while Summer (July-August) offer beach escapes and lively festivals, their most popular ‘Waterbomb’ despite its monsoon rains. Autumn (September-November) is a beloved season for its vibrant trees and leaves and crisp weather, great for cultural exploration. Winter (December- February) Transforms the country into a snowy wonderland, which is ideal for skiing. If I had to be biased, for peak beauty and manageable crowds Spring and autumn are the best times to go.

SEOUL: South Korea’s capital known for its ‘palli palli’ quick culture, Seoul never sleeps with electric fusion and ancient places and futuristic skyscrapers. Spend your day exploring the Gyeongbokgung place and shopping in the vibrant districts of MyeongDong. The city’s K-pop scene and nightlife also offer dynamic experiences for those seeking youthful upbeat energy atmosphere.

BUSAN: Busan is South Koreas second largest city and also my favourite city, it is the perfect blend of urban and natural beauty. It Is known for its beautiful beaches Like Haeundae and Gwangalli, it is a haven for beach lovers, you also can not miss their colourful GamCheon village or bustling Jagalchi fish market with the freshest seafood. Jeju Island: Is for those that seek a sense of calmness Jeju Island offers breathtaking landscapes with their lush waterfalls and volcanic craters. Popular activities to venture out to include hiking the Hallasan mountain and visiting the Jeju Lava Tubes.

Korea offer a range of accommodation options depending on what you prefer. Seoul is a home for plethora of hotels, the four seasons hotel Seoul that stand out for its impeccable service and dining options. Across Seoul, guest houses and Airbnb’s offer a chance to experience local life, Gangnam and Hongdae which is where I was living during my study abroad offered affordable guesthouses, these are great location to stay in for they will most likely have access to the closest station with good walking distance and the area offering a wide range of selection on food options and different activities that are both local and tourist friendly.

Whilst Visiting Busan I would recommend booking an Airbnb or guesthouse with a Beachfront either Haeundae or Gwanglli, I personally manged to stay at an Airbnb that offered a beachfront in Gwangalli, you manage to receive the best view in the morning and at night, Busan is a beach destination, why not take in the beach view while you can. You will also have close proximity to the beach in both view and in person, feel free to walk outside and find the of the smell of the air and sea, the lovely lights that light every evening till midnight displaying different colours, pictures, and messages.

Jeju is an island known for its beautiful nature, and the accommodations also reflect that; Shila Jeju hotels is a luxury option that offer stunning ocean views if you are willing to spend. There are also Airbnb’s within the area, however whilst they may not be on the extreme affordable side, they still offer that ocean view and nature that you will be able to see but just from a different angle and less crowded.

For travellers seeking culture, adventure and a touch of luxury, South Korea is destination that should be on every traveller’s radar. As we all continue to explore, South Korea stands out as a ‘why not stop’ on a global itinerary with much to offer, it is no surprise that South Korea continues to capture the hearts of millions, and it certainly captured mine.

xoxo
Elizabeth Malita

Whats New in 2025! Hospitality Edition

As the first quarter of 2025 closes, spring is arriving and we can look forward to lots of new hotels, restaurants and event spaces opening in the vibrant cities of London and Manchester. Here are just a few that made it into my top picks.

6 Senses London 

The Six Senses Hotel and Spa is set to open their doors summer 2025 in The Whitley London with 109 guest rooms and suites, 14 residencies, new event spaces, a lobby bar and lounge and a new restaurant, there's something for everyone. Designed with wellness, growth and reconnection in mind, they’ve found the perfect balance of modern decor combined with natural elements. Also on offer, and maybe what’s most intriguing to me, is their spa designed to look like an old underground station with themes to match the different energies of city life. 

Tucked away on the 2nd floor you’ll find ‘Six Senses Place’, an exclusive social and wellness club for residents. Complete with a bar and lounge, its own exclusive restaurant with private dining rooms, and various wellness rooms to encourage self reflection and growth. 

Ergon House

The second Hotel opening in London in 2025 that caught my attention is Ergon House in Covent Garden. This will be their first hotel outside of Greece so I am excited to see what they do with the space. Operating on a much smaller scale than Six Senses with only 20 guest rooms, it offers a more intimate experience. The thing I’m most excited for is the Agora Marketplace on the ground floor with bakers, butchers, greengrocers and fishmongers, creating an authentic mediterranean experience. 

Songhelou 

The first Songhelou restaurant opened more than 250 years ago in Suzhou, China, and it’s said that emperors of the Qing Dynasty dined here when visiting the town. This year they’re opening their first overseas restaurant in Chinatown, London, bringing a taste of Jiangnan cuisine. Spread across 3 floors you can enjoy the classic (and famous) Suzhou-style noodles or their popular ‘squirrel fish’, paired with a variety of teas, in keeping with Suzhou tradition.  

Brasserie Constance

Adam Byatt, a Michelin star chef, is opening a new restaurant at Fulham Pier, London, set to offer a modern British dining experience. Named after Constance Spry, known for her floristry and collaborations with Fulham pottery, we can expect to see floral motifs and ceramics throughout the decor. I expect this will bring a cozy, homely atmosphere, and paired with the seasonal dishes Byatt will be offering will make for a rather pleasant experience. 

Mollies Motel and Diner 

Opening in summer 2025, Mollie’s 3rd location in Manchester's Old Granada Studios will begin welcoming guests. With 130 guest rooms, a diner and meeting and event spaces, they’ve got all bases covered. Despite the fact it's called a motel, the decor is elegant and modern and the lounges and bars are inviting. The diner has all your typical diner offerings such as burgers, wings and shakes but also offers plenty of options for those with a more refined palette. Hopefully if the brand's success continues, we will see more branches opening across the UK. 

Cut and Craft 

Located in the old Manchester and Salford Bank, Cut and Craft is a beautiful up and coming steak restaurant. I particularly love how they’ve transformed the old bank vaults into unique private dining rooms allowing them to offer an elevated dining experience. The classy decor and lavish menus really set this restaurant apart.

It looks like 2025 has a lot in store for us, and I simply cannot wait.
Do any of my top picks interest you too?

Teegan x

2025 Music Events in London

2025 seems like a year we won’t forget when it comes to live music shows. The year started off strong with Grammy Award-winning artist Leon Thomas selling out two shows at the intimate KOKO London venue. Despite being known for his TV career, his recent single, "MUTT," has become a social media favorite, propelling his fame even further. Watching the tickets disappear off my screen in real time was certainly a sight to behold. Failed attempts for me and many others meant that having a Leon Thomas ticket was like holding onto gold dust! The anticipation for his show was met with social media reviews pouring out admiration for what appeared to be a moving performance.

While tickets for his show felt like a Hunger Games simulation, February became even more eventful with the announcement of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour. The UK was in luck, as London was one of only two chosen European destinations. Witnessing her Renaissance World Tour back in 2023 was a valuable experience that, in my opinion, was worth every penny. The clear investments made into her choreography, stage production, and overall atmosphere made it only right for me to see her again! This shared sentiment led to increased demand, prompting Beyoncé to extend her UK stops to a total of six dates! With several popular shows on sale around the same time, Ticketmaster’s website struggled to handle the influx of traffic. Many of us experienced website crashes, errors, and blocked access (yes, I was one of those people). After 25 minutes of queuing and near misses, I was fortunate enough to purchase tickets for myself and my friends. Excitement is high, and talks of outfits are already underway. June can’t come soon enough!

Just when things couldn’t get any more intense, another tour announcement broke the internet—Kendrick Lamar and SZA. Amidst his feud with Canadian artist Drake, the well-known rapper not only won several Grammys but also released an album and performed at the Super Bowl. Shortly after, announcements were made extending his joint tour to Europe. This dynamic duo has fans on the edge of their seats, as they’re expected to perform twice at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in July. Both artists have strong individual fanbases, and their incredible synergy is something many of us can’t resist witnessing live. With SZA releasing the deluxe version of her "SOS" album, fans can expect to see fresh performances mixed with classic hits and, of course, the duo’s iconic collaborations (All The Stars, I’m looking at you!).

Switching gears a bit, another artist whose live events are the talk of the town is Pitbull. We all know Pitbull, a.k.a. Mr. Worldwide, and the pop hits he’s released over the years. Footage from his recent Party After Dark Tour has unexpectedly swept across platforms like TikTok, leaving many of us intrigued. The crowd at his shows is not just made up of die-hard fans, but also casual listeners looking to have a great time. Many videos show attendees dressed as Pitbull himself, complete with bald caps and shades. This humorous aspect has boosted sales even further, leading to the confirmation of an extra date to accommodate the demand. Alongside special guest Shaggy, attendees can expect a rave-like experience at his O2 Arena dates in June.

Lastly, we have an event that will be a first of its kind in London. SXSW (South by Southwest), an annual American event, is set to bring their conference to the capital on June 5th. The event aims not only to host cross-sector discussion panels but also to have a music festival accompanying it. Nigerian superstar Tems has been chosen to headline the inaugural show. Her recent international recognition has made her the face of Afro R&B and arguably part of Nigeria’s new “Big 3.” With hits like “Love Me Jeje” and “Essence,” her success is a testament to how much African music has grown in popularity. As one of my favorite artists, I had the chance to see her at All Points East last year. Her combination of live vocals and live band elements truly makes seeing Tems a valuable experience. Hopefully, headlining the June event will inspire emerging artists, which is the goal of the festival.

xoxo
Tracey Haagsma

please note we do not own the rights to any of these photos.