European Escape
European Escape

Puglia

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Mini beach break
Mini beach break

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Urban City Tour

Urban City Tour

Seoul, South Korea

Kathy Phillips

Pounding the pavements of your favourite cosmopolitan hotspot requires products that offer protection against the elements, as well as fast, beautifying fixes.

Founder of This Works and serial globe-trotter, Kathy Phillips takes us on a tour of South Korea’s capital city.

Shop Urban City Tour
Urban City Tour

Insider Tips

Spring is always the best time to visit Asia.

I have grown fonder of Seoul each time I visit. Initially it is not a pretty city but it is full of surprises. The weather is not too hot and humid and the cherry blossoms really add to the charm of the city.

The people are warm and friendly and the food is delicious everywhere. Visit the amazing Design museum built by Zaha Hadid. It’s open a staggering 24 hours a day.

Also a must for cosmetic junkies is the Myeongdong area, which is full of shops, boutiques and stalls crammed full of Korean products.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Where to stay

I’ve always been lucky enough to stay at the Shilla hotel. It is far more Korean than the obvious international chains and the better for it. It is expensive though!! It has its own park and you might be lucky enough to witness a traditional Korean wedding.

Where to eat

10 Corso Como is a shop cum book store cum café, a franchise of the famous original in Milan, however this one has a decided Korean twist. Great for lunch which is Italian-Korean style and fabulous.

The food in Seoul is fabulous wherever you go. Try bibimbap, a typical Korean favourite, it’s really healthy whether it’s the vegetarian version or with beef. Also try the sweet red bean paste with ice-cream, yum.

Bibimbap Bibimbap

What to buy

You will be very tempted in the Myeongdong area to buy all sorts of cute and kitsch (and not very expensive) cosmetics. It’s really all about the packaging not the products in my opinion.

What to pack

This isn’t a beach holiday destination so pack appropriate clothes for walking around a city.

Pack a swimsuit and gym clothes if you’re staying at the Shilla hotel which has a fabulous gym and swimming pool complex. The Koreans don't do scruffy.

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