AiinsWorld - Bucheon, Korea

Did you know that when you're in Korea, you can travel around the world in 60 minutes?!

Apparently, there is a theme park in Korea featuring miniatures of popular landmarks around the world perfect for picture taking and taking selfies. When I say miniatures, by the way, I don't mean 'small' because the replicas are quite big, approximately 20 to 30% from the original landmark. Like for example this replica of France's Eiffel Tower:

The theme park is called "AiinsWorld" and it's actually one of the highlights of my trip to Korea earlier this month! It's located at 529-2 Sang-dong, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. It's a little outside of Seoul but you can easily go there by taking the Seoul Subway Line 7 and alight at Samsan Stadium Station, Exit 5. Just follow the sign boards and take a 10-minute walk before you reach the park.

I arrived there around 1:00pm in the afternoon and the ticket price is 8,000 won. Since I have a discount coupon from a tourist brochure that I got from Incheon International airport, my entrance fee was only 6,800 won (i saved 1,200 won!). Travel Tip: When in Seoul, find those red brochures at the airport, they got plenty of discount coupons for tourists.

By the way, if you opt to go to AiinsWorld at night, the entrance fee is 12,000 won starting at 5:30pm. It's a little more expensive than the daytime tickets, I guess because of the led lights that illuminate the whole place at night time.

Here are the park's operating hours:

April - October: Weekdays 10:00 - 21:00 / Weekends & Holidays 10:00 - 22:00
November - March : Weekdays 10:00 - 20:00 / Weekends & Holidays 10:00 - 21:00

Last admission is 1 hour before closing time.

Check out my snaps:    

Paris Opera House

Fontainbleau

Cathedral of Chartres

Cathedral of Notre Dame (France)

The Leaning Tower of Pisa (Italy)

Colosseum (Italy)

Basilica de San Pietro

Petra

Chichen Itza

Sydney Opera House (Australia)

Statue of Liberty (USA)

9 Story Wooden Pagoda at Hwangyongsa (Korea)

The Petronas Towers and the World Trade Center

(Malaysia and USA)

Manhattan (USA) 

The Golden Gate Bridge (USA)

Lincoln Memorial (USA)

Diel el-Bahri Temple of Hastshepsut

Kumamoto Castle (Japan)

St. Basil's Cathedral (Russia)

For more details about AiinsWorld, visit their website at www.aiinsworld.com.

AirAsia flies daily from Manila to Seoul Korea (Incheon). Get the lowest fares now at www.airasia.com!

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Photo of the Day: Chungmuro Avenue, Korea

Chungmuro Avenue is located in Jung-gu, central Seoul of South Korea. It's known as the street of culture, artists, and film industry.

This photo was shot in the afternoon of November 2, 2014 using iPhone5s.

#AirAsiaInKorea

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It's More Fun in Bohol - Department of Tourism's TV Commercial

After last year's devastating earthquake, the Department of Tourism would like the world to know that Bohol is back in business! The international TV commercial which lasts for 30 seconds gives 1,776+ reasons for everyone to visit the island-province paradise.

Bohol is home to 1,776 limestone Chocolate Hills, the adorable but endangered Tarsiers, the white-sand beaches of Panglao Island, the lush underwater world of the Balicasag islet, the languid and scenic Loboc River, the organic Bohol Bee Farm, the exciting Chocolate Hills Adventure Park, and more!

Although some of the island-province's heritage churches were destroyed by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake on October 15, 2013, Bohol has now fully recovered and the churches are now under reconstruction and restoration by the government.

Furthermore, the natural wonders of Bohol were unaffected by the quake not to mention that it has been named Best Governed Province and its Panglao beach was cited as one of the Best Secret Beaches on Earth by Travel+Nature Magazine.

 Watch the glossy TVC below which I'm sure will convince you to visit this island paradise in the near future:

   

For updates about the province of Bohol, like their official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/PadayonBohol

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Palawan is No. 1 Island in the World, Boracay 12th

Palawan recently bagged the title "Best Island in the World for 2014" based on an international poll conducted by travel magazine “Conde Nast Traveler” through their annual Readers Choice Awards.

Photo: www.divezone.net

Conde Nast Traveler revealed the results of their 27th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards on October 20, 2014 and topping the Top 30 islands list is our very own Palawan. The island province, which is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park and Tubbataha Reef Marine Park) had scored the highest rating of 88.75% and garnered a total 76,600 votes for the title “Top Island in the World.” Here’s what the magazine said about Palawan:

This small island—one of the Philippines’ 7,107—shot to the top of our list this year with a recent claim to fame: It’s now home to one of the new seven natural wonders of the world, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River. Pro tip: Palawan’s natural wonder is one of the longest underground rivers in the world, traveling five miles through a subterranean cave system. Guided boat tours take visitors down a portion of the waterway, where karsts, natural rock formations created by dissolving limestone, loom in every direction. Boracay, on the other hand, ranked 12th with a rating of 82.683 beating Indonesia’s Bali which ranked 17th in the Top 30. 

Photo: www.divezone.net

The Top 10 Islands in the World

1. Palawan, Philippines
2. Kiawah Island, South Carolina USA
3. Maui, Hawaii USA
4. Kauia, Hawaii USA
5. Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique
6. Great Barrier Reef and Whitesunday Islands, Australia
7. Santorini and Cyclades, Greece
8. St. John, US Virgin Islands
9. Kangaroo Island, Australia
10. Big Island, Hawaii USA

Cross-published in Starmometer

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Travel Tip: How to Apply for a Chinese VISA (Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, etc) in the Philippines

I've been to Macau and Hong Kong several times because travel time to these two Chinese regions takes less than two hours and they don't require VISA for Filipino tourists. Last month, I decided to explore mainland China--Shanghai in particular--and this is the third destination that I've been to (after Korea and Taiwan) that required VISA. Let mo show you how simple it was to acquire a Chinese VISA!

So you've been to Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau and this time you want to explore mainland China? The first step is to apply for VISA. Please take note that aside from Shanghai, this is also applicable to other Chinese destinations like Beijing, Guangzhou, Haikou, Lijiang, Ningbo, etc. Before going to the Chinese embassy, make sure you complete the following requirements first: 1. Passport – Make sure it’s not expiring within 6 months. 2. Photocopy of the information/photo page and the emergency contact information page (must be completely filled out) of the passport. 3. Invitation letter – Since I’m just a tourist and I’m not going to work or study in China, I submitted a photocopy of my round-trip ticket and hotel voucher in lieu of the invitation letter. 4. Photocopy of latest ITR Statement (BIR Form 2316). 5. Employment or Business Certificate. 6. Bank certificate – I suggest you have at least P50,000 in your bank account to give an assurance that you have the ability to fund your travels in China. 7. Completed VISA Application Form which can be downloaded here: VISA Application Form of the People’s Republic of China. Since I applied for single entry, I paid P1,400 processing fee and after 3 working days, I claimed my VISA! If you opt for multiple entry in case you plan to explore other cities like Beijing or Guangzhou, the charge is P2,800 and it’s valid for 6 months.

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Love at First Flight - A Thai Short Film that Will Make You Fall In Love

Samsung Galaxy Tab in Thailand has produced a charming short film about a man and a woman who both missed their respective flights at Suvarnabhumi airport and got the chance to meet and know each other while killing time. This is a traveler's dream!

Someone said, the chance to be hit by thunder is 1 to 17,000.
Someone said, the chance to be bitten by shark is 1 to 100,000.
And the chance for one man and one woman to miss the flight together, to meet each other, to know each other and to love each other is almost impossible...

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Iya Villania Lists Her 5 Travel Essentials (Video)

Host/actress Iya Villania talks about how she enjoys traveling and shares the items that absolutely must go into her suitcase.

Watch her talk about her 5 travel essentials in a quick interview here:

 

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Review: Tune Hotel Asoke in Bangkok Thailand

Bangkok is one of my favorite cities in the world because of its rich culture and colorful atmosphere. Last September 2, 2014, I went to this “Land of Freedom” for the fourth time! Tune Hotels is sponsoring my 5-days accommodation and its located in 7 Sukhumvit Soi 14, Sukhumvit Road, Sukhumvit, Bangkok.

I took an early morning flight on Tuesday and arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) around 9:30am. Since I’ve been to Bangkok 3 times in the past, I know it’s best to take the train from the airport to the hotel because it’s way cheaper and faster than taxi. It only took me less than an hour to reach my destination. Trains are faster in Bangkok compared to taxis and buses and without several stops that I did to take pictures, I think it would only take me half an hour for the travel.

I alighted from the Sukhumvit MRT station and just 100 meters away, I easily spotted Tune Hotels Asoke with its distinct red and white colors.

When I entered the hotel, the friendly staff greeted me by saying “sawasdee” with a slight bow, and with the palms pressed together in a prayer-like fashion. It’s like “mabuhay” in the Philippines, it’s a welcome greeting and it’s also used in saying goodbye which kinda mean “good luck.”

-- CONTINUE READING HERE --

Tune Hotels Asoke at night:

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Bangkok Travel Guide: From Suvarnabhumi Airport to Tune Hotels Asoke by Train

One thing I love when travelling to Thailand is the convenience of transferring from the airport to your hotel destination. If you're visiting the country on your own and you did not hire a coach/service that will transfer you from the airport to the hotel, or if you're hotel doesn't offer transfers, don't fret! In Thailand it's easy even if you opt for the train instead of taking a taxi or bus.  

Last Tuesday, September 2, 2014, we arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport (one of two international airports serving Bangkok, Thailand) at around 10am in the morning after a 3 1/2 hr flight from Manila. Since we're on a budget and we feel more adventurous that day, we opted to ride the SA City Line train so we head to basement 1 of the airport.

We asked the teller what station should we alight and she said Makkasan. 

We bought the token for 35 baht, rode the train and arrived 5 stations after.

From Makkasan station, we transferred to the connecting Phetchaburi station of the MRT line. It's around 2 minutes walk from the two connecting stations. 

Phetchaburi is just one station away from Sukhumvit station, our destination.

We bought the ticket from the vending machine for 16 baht. These machines are quite similar to the ones they have in Hong Kong and it's user friendly. Simply tap the English button if the default instructions are in Thai. It accepts paper bills and coins and it gives change.

We then alighted from Sukhumvit station and walked to the connecting Asoke station of BTS line.

Just 100 meters away from the station, we arrived at Tune Hotel Asoke Bangkok, our home in Thailand for 5 days!

Here's a video montage showing our short trip from the airport to Tune Hotels Asoke and the city proper:

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7 Smartphone Photography Tips & Tricks (Video)

We always want to 'go lite' when travelling. Carrying a heavy luggage is not only hassle in moving around but it also adds cost to your check-in baggage!

One significant item that adds weight to our luggage is a DSLR camera. The camera itself plus the lens, flash, tripod and other accessories can add up to 2 to 3 kilos of inconvenience. But of course, I will not recommend to you to leave your DSLR camera specially if you're a photographer or photo blogger and you want to capture amazing pictures from your journey.

However, for everyone else, there is an option in capturing great photos by using only your pocket friendly smartphone.

Photographer Lorenz Holder made a cool audio-video presentation that demonstrate some creative smartphone photography tips & tricks using an iPhone 5S!

This video was uploaded just 2 days ago (August 25) and it already amassed a whopping 492,332 views on YouTube!

Watch and learn:

Cross-published in www.starmometer.com

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Exquisite 9-Course Italian Dinner at Finestra's Chef's Table

If I get the chance to go to Europe, Italy would be the first country that I will visit. The arts and culture of this boot-shaped nation never cease to amaze me. And of course, the places that I want to see are the Canals of Venice, the Colosseum, the Pompeii and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, among others.

Italy, by the way, is famous around the world not only for their UNESCO Heritage sites, the visual arts of Leonardo da Vinci and Michaelangelo, the music of Luciano Pavarotti, the fashion trends in Milan, but also for their food. And when I think about Italian food, the first four things that come to my mind are pizza, pasta, gelato and espresso, but of course, the assortment is wider and more diverse than what our stomach can imagine.

Last Wednesday, August 13, I was fortunate to have a taste of Italy. I may not be able to go to Italy for the distant future but at least I was able to taste the country via Finestra's Chef's Table.    

Finestra is one of Solaire's signature restaurants. It boasts of authentic Italian dishes under the strict supervision of its Executive Chef, Mr. Salvatore De Vincentis.

Chef Salvatore has more than 20 years of cooking experience with tenures at Grand Hyatt in Dubai and Atlantis Paradise Island Resort in Bahamas. He arrived to the Philippines four years ago and worked at Edsa Shangri-La Manila and now at Finestra in Solaire Resort and Casino. The feathers in his cap include Best Executive Chef for Italian Cuisine at the WOFEX Worldwide Competition Awards, Best Italian Restaurant for Edsa Shangri-La Manila’s Paparazzi at the 2009 Nescafé Gold Spot Awards, and Best Italian Restaurant for Mezzo Mezzo, JW Marriott Hotel, Mumbai at the 2012 Times Food & Nightlife Awards.

Chef Salvatore and his team prepared a 9-course meal for me and fellow bloggers (Jeng Bauto of www.showbiznest.com and Mhel & Ken Ignacio of www.certifiedfoodies.com) at the Chef's table located right at the open kitchen of Finestra. Chef's Table, by the way, it an exquisite dining experience in Finestra where a group of up to four people get to sit and dine as the food is being prepared in front of you. You can also chat with Chef Salvatore and ask him about the story behind the food being prepared and what not. And that's what we did.

The thing Chef Salvatore said that I will never forget is that most of the ingredients in the food they are serving in Finestra are imported from Italy. From cherry tomatoes, from all kinds of cheeses and even the wine came all the way from his country making Finestra an authentic Italian restaurant.

Course #1: Burrata Pugliese 

The meal started with two flavorful appetizers. First, the Aragosta and Shrimp Soup with Olive Crostini.

Second, the aged Parma ham and rughetta salad. Skewed on a breadstick is a melon wrapped with Parma ham, a popular dry-cured ham that is usually thinly sliced and served uncooked. According to Chef Salvatore, it got its name from the Italian city which main product aside from cheese is the all-natural ham made from only four ingredients, pork, salt, air and time.

My favorite, by the way, is the cheese on the left side of the plate called Buffalo Mozarella. It's made from  the milk of the domestic Italian water buffalo which gives it a unique taste. Inside is a combination of mozarella and cream giving it an unusual, soft texture.

Course #2: Pizzeta

What's an Italian meal without pizza and Chef Salvatore served us a traditional kind that brings him closer to home. This pizza has Porcini mushrooms and Trentino Speck or smoked ham for toppings and lots of Bocconcini or the small mozzarella cheeses the size of an egg like the Buffalo Mozarella. Chef asked us if we want the pizza sliced and we nodded. Apparently in their hometown, they don't use a pizza cutter in slicing the pizzeta. They use their bare hands instead.

Course #3: Calamarata

Top right of the photo grid - Red Sicilian Pesto, Clams, and Mussels.

Course #4: Raviolone

Top left of the photo grid  - Diver Scallops with Saffron Cream and Salmon Caviar on top.

Course #5 - Risotto

Bottom left - Homemade Sausage, Rice in Barolo Wine Reduction Sauce. 

Bottom right - Bisol Cartizze wine that gives the taste buds a different take on Calamarata, Raviolone and Risotto.

Course #6 - Intermizzo

Chef Salvatorre said it's time to cleanse before the main course so he served us a Limoncello Sorbet. The lemon cocktail was served in a small glass separated from the ice ball so we can balance the strong lemon flavor according to our taste. This 'intermezzo' actually removed the 'umay' from our tongue so that we can continue to course #7 and #8 which are the main course. Yes, folks, finally the main course is up next! 

Course # 7 - Branzino

Branzino means "Seabass" and it's a seafood meal with Roasted Chilean Seabass in Datterini Cherry Tomato and Sorrente Olive Oil infusion.

Course # 8 - Agnello

Agnello means "Lamb" and I'm really delighted that the next entree is a Grilled Lamb Chop because I love lamb chops! Whenever we go to Go Greek, I always order grilled lamb chops because it's rich in protein and less in fat compared to pork and beef.

Anyway, Chef's Salvatore's Lamb Chop was cooked in medium rare which is perfect for the Schiopetto Collio, a wine that caresses the palate with expressive layers of sweet, perfumed fruit.

Course # 9 - Dessert

Finally, we're down to desserts! Chef Salvatore asked us what do we like and I said "surprise us" (chos). He served us three kinds of desserts actually.

On the left is the traditional Nutella Cake. On the middle is the Tiramisu, which I thought before was Japanese because of its sound and learned that it's actually Italian. On the right-most of the rectangular plate is the Wallnut Caramel Gelato which was the best-tasting gelato I've ever tasted (without exaggeration, really!). The taste of caramel ice cream embedded on powdered wallnuts was fantastic! It ended the 9-course meal with a bang.

You too, can embark on an exquisite dining experience with two to five of your friends and relatives at Finestra's "Chef's Table." It's fun, it's casual, educational, entertaining, and amusing. But most importantly, it offers a multisensory culinary adventure like no other. Experience Italy taste-wise at Finestra located in Solaire Resort and Casino at 1 Asean Avenue, Entertainment City, Parañaque City. Just make a reservation 72 hours in advance for the Chef's Table.

Photo op with Chef Salvatore De Vincentis

Menu Options:

Six-course meal - P4,888+ /person
Nine-course meal - P5,888+ /person

Optional Beverage Pairing:

Additional P1,299+ /person (for a six-course meal)
or P1,699+ /person (for a nine-course meal)

For more information, visit www.solaireresort.com and like their Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/SolaireResort and follow them on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SolaireResort.

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3rd Time in Boracay's a Charm Because of Zuzuni Hotel

They say third time's a charm and it's true, well at least for me. I've been to Boracay 3 times already and it's the latest trip to the island paradise that charmed me the most because of the hotel. 

While some travelers don't give much importance to where they stay when they're on a trip and they see hotels as somewhat just a place to sleep, I have a different opinion. For me, accommodations are part of your journey and these hotels can give as much memories as the attractions you are going to. Well, if the hotel can give you a pleasant experience, that is.        

My trip to Boracay last month was made even more wonderful because of the hotel we stayed in for 3 days and 2 nights: Zuzuni Boutique Hotel. It was a pleasant surprise when we arrived because it's my first time to a beachfront hotel, ever. In my previous trips, we stayed in a large hotel that is far from the beach. So aside from sharing the space with lots of other 'bakasyonistas,' it takes us about 5 to 10 minutes walk before we reach the beach. In Zuzuni, it was a different story.  

My room is located at the 3rd floor. These squeaky clean wooden stairs directed me to my room. 

 And when I opened the door, everything's so clean and nice and the whole room was well-lit. According to some staff-members, everything was Mediterranean-inspired.

Here's my bed which is kinda similar to the ones in 5-star hotels. The sheets smell really nice and the comfort level is definitely 10/10! 

My favorite part, and what enthralled me the most, was the balcony! Zuzuni is a beachfront hotel so the view from my room's balcony is mesmerizing. A perfect place to relax, I can see the ocean from here, some trees, the people walking by, the sailboats, and the powdery sands of Station 1. 

Here's the view from my room:

And here's the sliding glass window of my room which I like to keep open because I love breathing fresh air coming from the ocean.

Located at the ground floor is the Spanish-inspired restaurant called "Cuzina." They serve Filipino, Spanish and American breakfast here. If you're a guest at the hotel, you are entitled to a free breakfast. My choice was always Filipino breakfast, tocilog and tapsilog on the next day.

After eating breakfast, I work for an hour or two with my laptop and this amazing view:

Overall, my stay at Zuzuni Hotel was great. Everything was very clean from the comfort room to the balcony. They served delicious breakfast. The staff was friendly and eager to please. The location was very convenient, it's just a few hops away from the beach and near all the shops, bars, restaurants, water sports activities, that you need. Beside there was even a convenience store where you can buy the necessities that you forgot to bring. It's also 5-10 minutes away from D Mall.

If you're Boracay bound, I highly recommend Zuzuni Hotel simply because of my terrific 3 days 2 nights experience. Take note, it garnered a very high 8.4 score from Agoda.com with lots of positive feedbacks from 42 people who've been there so you can expect more good reviews about the this hotel.

For more details about their promos and corporate discounts, visit Zuzuni Hotel's Official Website at www.zuzuni.net. You can also like their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/zuzuniboracay.

For reservations, call Zuzuni Hotel at (036) 288-4477, 09088620031 or 09088939841(8am-8pm) or email them at zuzuniboracay@gmail.com.

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