[Travel bits] Round up of travel news from around the world

Jeju Hueree Apricot Flower Festival

Jeju Hueree Maehwa (apricot flower) Festival is taking place at Hueree National Living Park until March 1.

The festival features numerous activities and contests in celebration of the apricot flower bursting into bloom.

As part of the festival, visitors can enjoy apricot flower photo contest, face painting, and calligraphy exhibition and contest as well as signature activities of Jejudo including picking tangerine and horseback riding. Visitors who want to participate in the apricot flower photo contest should make reservations in advance.

Admission fees range from 6,000 won to 9,000 won.

For more information, call (064) 732-2114 or visit www.hueree.com.

(jej2403@heraldcorp.com)

Everland opens all attractions

Everland will welcome the spring season with full-operation of its attractions including water-based attractions Amazon Express and Thunder Falls.

Amazon Express, a ride exploring the jungle with the splash of water along the water path, and Thunder Falls, a log flume ride with the highest descent, longest waterway, and largest falling angle in Korea, will resume operations on Feb. 26 and 27, respectively.

One of the Everland’s most popular attractions T Express, wooden roller coaster, is already open for rides.

Meanwhile, the water park Caribbean bay will be closed from March 2 to April 22 for safety inspection.

(jej2403@heraldcorp.com)

Garden of Morning Calm light festival

The Garden of Morning Calm is holding its annual Lighting Festival through March 27. The festival is the biggest of its kind in Korea with 30,000 lights adorning the trees at the main gardens -- Hankyung Garden, Hometown Garden, Sky Path and Garden of Eden. Visitors can enjoy a dream-like experience of walking across the gardens with colorful lights. Lights come on at 5:40 p.m. and may be turned off for safety reasons during inclement weather.

Admission fees range from 5,000 won to 9,000 won on weekdays and from 5,5000 won to 9,000 won on weekends.

For more information, call 1544-6703 or visit morningcalm2cafe24.com.

(jej2403@heraldcorp.com)

Finnair offers Europe routes at special rate

Finnair is offering round-trip tickets at special price for passengers visiting Europe, including Berlin, London, and Rome. The airline offers different benefits for economy and business class as well as for individuals and couples.

The economy class ticket prices start from 864,100 won ($699) for individual travelers and 1,143,400 won for couples, while the business class ticket prices start from 2,157,100 won for individuals and 4,001,120 won for couples.

Tickets are available until March 3, except for economy class tickets for individuals which close on Feb. 29. Economy class travel must commence by April 30 while Business class travel should commence by June 30. Reservations can be reserved on official Finnair website www.finnair.com/kr or via travel agencies.

For inquiries, call (02) 3455-8000.

(jej2403@heraldcorp.com)

Barrier-free Tourism Day in Germany

The German National Tourist Board will hold the Barrier-free Tourism Day forum at ITB in Berlin on March 11.

The tourist board invites trade visitors and media representatives for discussion on “Tourism for Everyone,” presented by industry professionals and experts.

Barrier-free traveling has increasingly become an indicator of equality for tourism services and a competitive advantage for destinations. According to German market research company GfK, about 140 million people with different requirements on accessibility live in the European Union, and the number is expected to increase in the future.

(jej2403@heraldcorp.com)