A recent travel trend is to shun one-off visits in favor of going to the same places multiple times for visitors to build their personal experiences and memories. This method seeks to discover new scenery and experiences to make emotional connections with a region. The following are five places recommended by the Korea Tourism Organization for visiting over and over again under the theme "Today's Travel."

By Margareth Theresia
Photos = Korea Tourism Organization

Hadong-gun County: steeped in 1,200 years of tea culture

A southern region of the Korean Peninsula has preserved traditional tea culture for 12 centuries: Hadong-gun County, Gyeongsangnam-do Province. The wild tea fields dazzle the eyes of those who walk along the path there. Most of the county's tea farms are cultivated by the owners using traditional methods. Visitors can also try sensory-stimulating programs such as tea ceremonies to get a genuine feel for the region's tea culture.

Gourmet tour of Gangguan Port in Tongyeong

The famously diverse cuisine of Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, attracts just as many travelers as its beautiful sea views. The region's specialties offer generous portions and rich flavors such as Chungmu gimbap, or seaweed rice roll with seasoned squid filling; Tongyeong milmyeon (wheat noodles); siraegi guk, or soup made with dried radish leaves; and ujjamyeon, a combination of udong (thick noodles), and jjajangmyeon, or noodles in blackbean sauce.

Just one taste is enough to amaze the palate. The alleys leading to Gangguan Port have places selling Tongyeong honey bread and homemade kkwabaegi (twisted doughnuts). And another can't-miss highlight is dajji, or the city's indigenous culture of drinking alcohol while enjoying a feast. A trip to a dajji establishment offers a dazzling assortment of seasonal seafood and other Tongyeong specialties along with alcohol.

Flowing with emerald tranquility: Goseong-gun County's beaches

Gangwon-do Province is famous for its beaches along the eastern coast but also boasts relatively lesser-known coastal areas. From Myeongpa Beach in the north to Kensington Beach in the south, the province has about 20 such sea spots and smaller ones nestled in between.

A beach of white sand stretches endlessly and combines with bizarre rock formations to create an instantly breathtaking scene. The combination of the rocks, sand and emerald waters paints a picture that lingers long in an observer's mind. The number of visitors is gradually increasing, but the county's beaches remain pristine and serene.

Short but useful break on Ganghwado Island

Participants in the Rest a While Island Project on Ganghwado Island of Incheon experience a slower pace and serenity. They briefly escape the hustle and bustle of daily life to rest a bit and recharge on the island. Cheongpung, a youth cooperative that runs the venture, classifies its activity as "welcoming people" instead of "tourism."

More than a tourist attraction, the project allows healing of the mind. Those in search of a brief but effective rest can make reservations on Ganghwa Universe's official website (https://www.guniverse.net/ganghwauniverse).

Fully booked: library tour of Jeonju

Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do Province, is most famous for Jeonju Hanok Village, Hansik (traditional food) and Hanbok (traditional clothes). Yet the city's true essence lies in its library culture, which befits Jeonju's nickname of "City of Books."

Jeonju Library Travel is a guided tour held Saturdays through November in which participants ride a red bus to visit unique libraries throughout the city and experience the city's cultural depth. Reservations are available on Jeonju's Library's official website(https://lib.jeonju.go.kr/).

margareth@korea.kr