New Korea Bike Path Network Draws Active Travelers to "Land of the Morning Calm" for Bicycle Tours
Chattanooga, Tenn. (PRWEB) July 31, 2013 -- As part of an initiative to boost active travel and foreign visitors, the Korean Tourist Office is partially subsidizing a fall foliage bicycle tour along much of a newly finished 1,200-mile bicycle path network.
Once described as the "Hermit Kingdom," South Korea recently has come racing out of its shell as a tourist destination. It is now attracting adventurers on two wheels from around the world with a major investment in bicycle paths that connect all corners of the country. This network is not only a welcome green space and respite for locals in overcrowded cities across the country but also the perfect opportunity for tourists to explore the bucolic countryside.
"Cycling in 'The Land of the Morning Calm' gives travelers the opportunity to discover South Korea’s rare beauty," says Tony Yong-an Jung, deputy director of Green Tourism Center at the Korean Tourism Organization (KTO) in Seoul. "They have the unique opportunity to experience the contrasts of spectacular modern skyscrapers and reflective Buddhist monks, picturesque mountain ranges, and 1,500-year-old relics from the Shilla Dynasty. Plus, the one constant that will always be felt by a touring cyclist is the warmth and unmatched hospitality of the local people."
Special pricing for fall foliage bicycle tour
KTO is subsidizing the October 26, 2013, tour cost, reducing the price from $3,080 to $2,307. The tour is scheduled for peak leaf season in Korea, the perfect time to view the bold colors of the country's landscapes and leaves.
The eight-night, guided "Fall Foliage in Korea" bicycle tour will follow dedicated bike paths (no motorized vehicles allowed) from the teeming streets of Seoul to the traditional folk village of Andong. Travelers will experience Korean culture through temple visits, local markets, camaraderie with Korean cyclists, comfortable and unique lodging, and beautiful landscapes along the route.
Whit Altizer, BikeToursDirect Asia satellite office staff member, traveled the route of this fall foliage tour with operator bikeOasis in June to sample the itinerary. "Even after living in Korea for almost five years, I felt like I was seeing this country for the first time once I got on the bike. I rediscovered the unique charm of the land and the people by exploring it in a completely different way."
Newest destination for BikeToursDirect
Korea is the newest destination on BikeToursDirect's roster of more than 450 bicycle tours in 70 countries. "It’s a really exciting addition to our tour offering because our Asia satellite office is located in Daegu, South Korea. Our staff has detailed knowledge of the country and culture and will be able to offer personal support to clients planning to travel here," says Lindsay Nash, Asia Tours Specialist at BikeToursDirect.
BikeToursDirect will be adding more Korea bicycle tours to its site for the 2014 season. Representing local bicycle tour companies around the world, the company offers more than 450 tours on six continents, including more than 70 tours in Asia.
To view BikeToursDirect bicycle tours throughout Asia, including; Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordon, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet and Vietnam, visit http://bit.ly/Xa8X6a.
BikeToursDirect serves as a central resource for bicycle tours worldwide, representing nearly 100 local bicycle tour companies that offer 450 tours in 70 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas. BikeToursDirect offers a variety of resources to help travelers search for and choose tours and handles the entire booking and payment process. Learn more at http://www.biketoursdirect.com.
Natalie Cook, BikeToursDirect LLC, http://www.biketoursdirect.com, 423-756-8907, [email protected]
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