Participants in the Seoul Tourism Organization sponsored and hosted event return home with a fresh perspective on the fascinating culture, attractions, and exotic cuisine that form the facets of Asia's sparkling jewel, Korea. The familiarization tour included five fast paced full days split between Gwangju, Korea's southern culinary capital, and Seoul, it's vibrant cultural and thriving metropolitan heart. Connecting the two cities, Korea's KTX fast train serves as an international model of civility, hospitality, and technology in transport.

PRIDE Travel owner and Chief Operations Officer S. Nathan DePetris participated by special invitation of the Seoul Tourism Organization, joining delegates from US tour operators, journalists, travel writers, food critics, and even renowned chefs and foodies. Highlights of the trip in the southern region include visiting the eco preserve at Suncheon Bay, nearby folk village of Nagak Eup Seong, the Gwangju Design Biennale, visiting the spectacularly serene Bo Seong green tea fields, and making his own Kimchi at the Nam Do folk food museum. In Seoul, just a few of the many facets sampled were tours and stays at world-class ultra luxury hotels and resorts such as the Grand Hyatt Seoul, the W Hotel Walker Hill, and the JW Marriott, with cultural visits to the Gyeong Bok Palace, Nanta show performance, TODES performance, and a cultural cuisine kaleidoscope experience at the Korean House center.

"I was surprised," said Mr. DePetris, referring to the many pleasant experiences had on the trip, "but not by how rich the culture and heritage is in Korea and Seoul… rather that it remains an undiscovered part of Asia by most Americans". Restaurant owner and Chef Tommy Klauber was caught on many occasions raving about the uniqueness of the cuisine and cooking in Korea; words such as "Full" and "Rich" were often heard paired with "Unique" or "Delicious".

Of additional worthy note was a unique experiential tour of the Jaseng Center, hospital of oriental medicine, specialists in Chuna manipulation of the spine and joints. In simplest terms, Chuna medicine is a refined form of chiropractic care with a wholistic body approach and philosophy that encompasses herbal treatment to additionally effect internal wellness. Much more mild than it's chiropractic cousin, Chuna has yet to gain the pervasive popularity and recognition in the west. Seeing the potential for growth and to facilitate treatment for western clientele, however, Jaseng has an established presence in the United States in Fullerton, California, onsite at St Jude's Hospital. "We are excited about the potential for incorporating Korea and the Jaseng Center's Chuna specialties into our Medical Tourism programs for both PRIDE Travel, and our new exclusive luxury travel subsidiary AURELIAN™," Said Marc Kassouf, Owner and CEO, adding that Medical Tourism programs are in the works for both companies, with anticipated pilot products rolling out the fourth quarter of 2010 if not sooner.

One fact remains certain: Participants in this tour not only enjoyed the gracious hospitality of the Seoul Tourism Organization, but returned home with a strong desire to share the many fascinating facets that Korea, and specifically Seoul, have to offer leisure travelers, Culinary foodies, and convention goers in the US and North American market. PRIDE Travel looks forward to its part in exposing the many facets to its clients and sharing the great potential of this marvelous destination.

PRIDE Travel of Long Beach, California is a full service agency specializing in cruise, tour package, villa, and condo rentals. We also offer our community the full breadth of travel products and expertise. While we cater to the needs of Gays and Lesbians in the LGBTQ community, we are 'hetero friendly'™ and frequently book individuals, couples, and families with children on trips and vacations worldwide. Pride Travel is an award-winning agency that has been recognized for our active participation and contributions to our local and LGBTQ communities. We also hold numerous travel industry certifications and accreditations, as well as official certification by destination and country visitors' bureaus; we are active members and certified by the Travel Institute, the Cruise Line Industry Association, and the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association. Original travel articles and content is contributed regularly and distributed at our blog, http://blog.pridetravelonline.com.

PRIDE Travel's media page can be located at http://www.expertclick.com/19-3675. For more details about our credentials, please visit our website at www.pridetravelonline.com and click on About Us or contact Mr. Marc R. Kassouf, Owner & CEO, at 562.432.3888 or via email at media2@pridetravelonline.com . Pride Travel, Mr. Kassouf and Mr. S. Nathan DePetris, Owner & COO, welcome your inquiries regarding interviews, speaking engagements, and other media collaboration.

For more details about our credentials, please visit our website at www.pridetravelonline.com and click on About Us or call at 562.432.3888.