So, North Korea's "Dear Leader" Kim Jong Il died this weekend—at 8:30am local time on Saturday, to be specific. According to NK state media and CNN, the cause of death is heart attack. The sudden news will start this week with uncertainty, as North Korea enters a period of mourning (until December 29) and South Korea holds emergency government meetings.

Naturally we're thinking about how all this will impact travel, and while weekending in Pyongyang isn't exactly around the corner, the tense situation between North and South Korea will almost certainly end visits to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), at least temporarily.]]> JetSetCD 2011-12-19T08:15:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/12/9/113819/764

When we travel, one of our favorite things to do is to pop into a local grocery store and check out the food products and candies we'd never find anywhere else. So we're trying out this new feature, Foreign Grocery Friday, where each week we'll feature some of our (and your) favorite overseas treats. Got a recommendation? Let us know!

American amusement parks and state fairs could learn a thing or two from the way South Korea has mastered hot dogs. They're available in every way, including spiral cut, wrapped in bacon, stewed in a curryish chili paste, and nearly tempura-ed with vegetables. Even some rice cakes, like Ddeokbooki, imitate hot dogs. Still, our personal favorite remains the infamous french fry-coated corn dog.

These deep-fried snacks usually figure into visitor's breathless descriptions of Seoul, a little like this: "The palaces! The shopping! And the ice cream cones...they were this tall. And and and the corn dogs were covered in french fries!!" ]]> JetSetCD 2011-12-09T12:10:14-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/8/8/235222/6762

Right now there is a giant Airbus A380 parked at New York-JFK Airport. So what, right? There are A380s at JFK all the time now...but this one is special. This A380 is big and blue and taking off for a direct flight to Seoul-Incheon International Airport at 5:20pm today. It's flight KE 82 (if you want to track it) and it's Korean Air's first Airbus A380 as well as the first A380 to make scheduled flights from the US to Asia.

It's a big deal for sure, not only for the airline and the airports, but also—hugely—for the passengers hopping onboard today and on future flights. Korean Air's first A380 is ridiculously spacious, with unique features we've been drooling over for some time. Onboard are 12 Kosmo First Class suites and 301 Economy Class seats on the first level, with 94 lie-flat sleepers spaced six feet apart on the upper level. Oh—and there's three bars on board: a hosted Celestial Bar, there are self-serve bars located in First Class and at the front of Prestige Class. Plus plus a duty-free shop. ]]> JetSetCD 2011-08-09T11:38:20-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/4/15/35159/8952

Have you ever gone shopping in South Korea? It's an experience, to say the least. And when you combine one of the country's favorite pastimes with discounts on luxury items as you find in Duty-Free, pardon our French but shit gets real. Real awesome. And soon you'll be able to indulge in duty-free shopping over South Korea—and indeed most of the rest of the world—as Korean Air is installing the world's first in-flight duty-free shops onboard their Airbus A380s.

Korea is crazy for duty-free; indeed there are entire malls in Seoul where you need to have an international trip planned in order to make a purchase, which you then can't pick up until you're safely inside the airport and headed out of the country with the goods. And these malls and special duty-free store levels are gorgeous places where big brands create their own mini luxury environments, so why not translate this success to something that fits on a plane?]]> JetSetCD 2011-04-15T09:36:58-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/12/7/02147/8262

There is no airport we've been to thus far that has more focus on duty-free shopping than Seoul, South Korea's Incheon International. Not only is there what seems like mile after mile of top luxury brands offering their products in mini version of their regular store, but there's even malls in the center of Seoul where you can go to purchase duty-free items and later (even weeks later) pick them up at the airport. We have a friend in Seoul whose family will even take short international flights just for the purpose of getting duty-free deals. That's dedication.

Incheon Airport has proved itself to be such a moneymakers for big brands that Louis Vuitton who just do not do airport stores, has given in and will open their first airport location here. LVMH prez Bernard Arnault personally swing through the airport earlier this year to check out the prospects, and apparently all met with his approval. Although there's no opening date set, the airport is already taking about increasing flights to China just because of the demand the LV duty-free shop will create. ]]> JetSetCD 2010-12-07T08:33:48-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/12/1/123612/897

It's okay; we'll admit it. We just can't get enough of quirky airline amenities. All-You-Can-Eat Crayfish onboard? Sure. In-flight concierges to walk you through a guidebook's tips? Oh yes, please. So it shouldn't be a surprise that we're pretty intrigued by Korean Air's latest news that they'll be stowing your coat for you...at the airport.

We totally get it; it's an awesome (if kind of superfluous) extra. For passengers who are departing to destination in warmer climes, like say Hawaii or Bali or wherever it's warm enough to get away with less than a heavy jacket, Korean Air will relieve you of your bulky coat and store it for free at Seoul's Incheon International Airport. When you return to Korea, pick it up, put it on and appreciate the extra space for souvenirs that whole deal just afforded you. ]]> JetSetCD 2010-12-01T13:15:28-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/10/29/112213/53
Our shot of a Republic of Korea soldier at the DMZ

So, we're sure you've heard about it already in the news, but there were actual shots fired between North and South Korea yesterday, and in the most hotly tense area: the demilitarized zone between the two countries. Aside from having some of the shadiest history (spy tunnels, tourists shot, etc), the DMZ remains one of the favorite tourist sites for visitors to South Korea.

In fact, an official USO tour departs from the American embassy in Seoul, and for around $40 per person, they'll take a busload up to visit the border and the famous Joint Security Area at Panmunjom. We've done it; it was great, but now with the escalation in tensions, is visiting the DMZ still safe? ]]> JetSetCD 2010-10-29T13:00:10-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/