ACCOMMODATION:

Hotels are categorised by service, standard and facilies. Super deluxe are the top lodgings followed by deluxe, first class, second class and third class.

Mid to low price lodging facilities:

If tourists want mid-to-low priced lodgings in Korea, they can stay at inns called yeogwan, or a motel. KNTO's Tourist Information Centre (TIC) provides information and reservation services on budget accommodation in all World Cup venues. They can be contacted on ++82 2 757 0086. Online reservations are available on: www.visitkorea.or.kr/BIRC/BIRC.htm

Homestay:

Homestay in Korea is an opportunity to experience Korean hospitality and culture at a reasonable price. Reservations can be made through ++82 2 736 0521 or on line at www.labostay.or.kr or www.lex.or.kr

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Information and assistance are readily available at KNTO's Tourist Information Centres or the desks at all international airports. The KNTO offices are open every day from 0900 to 2100 local time.

Overseas travellers who experience any inconvenience or who want some advice should contact the KNTO on 02 735 0101.

The unit of currency in Korea is the won. Coin denominations are W1, 5, 10, 100 and 500. Bank notes are 1000, 5000 and 10000. Credit cards are accepted at major hotels, department stores and larger restaurants.

Tiping is not a traditional Korean custom. A 10 per cent service charge is added to your bill at all major hotels.

VAT is levied on most goods and services at a standard rate of 10 per cent. It is included in the retail price.

KOREAN FOOD

Perhaps kimichi and bilgogi are the best known Korean dishes to foreign travellers. Spicy and mild, hot and cold foods with seasonally changing recipes mean the food is one of the joys of travelling to Korea.

Kimchi – A fermented vegetable dish that is the staple of the Korean diet. Kimchi varies by region and there are over 160 varities of the fish.

Bulgogi – Charbroiled marinated beef. A very popular dish with tourists.

Bibimbap – Boiled rice served with vegetables and meat and served with a red-pepper sauce.

Sinseollo – An assortment of pan-fried beef, fish cakes and vegetables, neatly arranged in a casserole by colour and boiled in a seasoned broth.

Gujeolpan – Thin strips of pan-fried beef, mushroom, carrot, egg, cucumber and other vegetables arranged in a nine section wooden dish. The thin wheat crepes in the central section are used to wrap the other items.

Sssambap Jeongsik – Rice flavoured with soybean paste or other sauce, wrapped in mouthfuls of lettuce, seasame leaves, sea-tangle, pumpkin or cabbage leaves.

Hanjeonsik – Korean full-course dinner.

TRAVELLER NOTES:

Korea is known as a shoppers' paradise.

Amethyst, smoky topaz, ceramics, lacquerware, tailor-made clothing and shoes, sporting goods, eel skin and other leather products are among the specialities.

Crimes against tourists are almost unheard of and you can feel free to walk around safely, even late at night. Police, both in uniform and plain clothes, are at your service 24 hours a day.

Korea has an excellent public transportation system of inexpensive taxis, subways and buses, and from the international airport you can reach almost any place in Korea within one hour.