Slightly Disappointed By Seoul

Editor’s note: in a way, this is what I love about travel and about having different voices and perspectives here on The Royal Tour. I really enjoyed Seoul when I visited several years ago. Sam seems to have had a decent, but underwhelming experience. It is a reminder that love for travel destinations is totally…

Busan, South Korea

Editor’s note: like so many American travelers, my only experience with South Korea was in Seoul. After reading this look at Busan from our resident traveling rabbi Sam, I know for sure I’ve missed out. For more of Sam’s amazing adventures, be sure to click here to visit his index page! In my journeys around…

Living an Expat Life in Asia

Editor’s note: we think of an expat life as one of constant adventure. And while Mike certainly had a lot of that while living in South Korea as he shares, he also talks about it as the opportunity to disconnect from routine and focus on self-betterment. That is a powerful message. For more of Mike’s…

Finding Meaning in the DMZ

It's hard to describe the feeling at that first look into North Korea from the Dora Observatory, just outside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea. Through coin-operated telescopes, tourists can gaze toward a North Korean empty propaganda village along the border, and farther to the city of Kaesong, North Korea's third largest.…

An Introduction to Modern-Day Seoul

Seoul is a massive metropolis. Home to roughly 25% of South Korea's 50 million inhabitants, the city sprawls along both sides of the Han River. From the historical sites in the north to the upscale Gangnam district south of the river, Seoul is a bustling modern city with fun things to discover around most corners.…

Historic Seoul

While China and Japan get most of the publicity and tourism dollars in East Asia, Korea has just as long of a history, and just as proud of an empire. Visitors to Seoul, the bustling capital of South Korea, will still find remnants dating back to those imperial days. While there have been people living…