At a lunch this week in New York City, I had the chance to learn more about tourism in Korea. With nine UNESCO World Heritage sites as well as endless opportunities to enjoy unique food, unrivaled shopping and traditional Korean culture, the country attracted more than 770,000 travelers from the United States last year. With the country hosting the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang in 2018 and new attractions like Taekwondowon, a mecca for the 70 million practitioners of the sport around the world, there has been no better time to visit Korea than now. Upcoming exciting events and festivals to look forward to this year include the unique Jindo Miracle Sea Festival, held March 20–23, when Korea’s famous Jindo Sea parts, revealing a path visitors can walk on between the mainland and nearby island; the popular Boryeong Mud Festival, attracting the largest number of international visitors in July to experience the beneficial features of the city’s mud; Pohang International Fireworks Festival in July, when travelers from several countries visit the vibrant city of Pohang to enjoy a brilliant spectacle against the summer sky at night; and The Presidents Cup, taking place Oct. 8–11, marking the first time an Asian country hosts the event. With 177 direct flights from the United States to Korea as well as 21 one-stop flights, the country is extremely accessible. There are also more than 35 major Asian cities within a two-hour flight from Seoul. News and events were discussed over lunch at Barn Joo, a Korean-inspired gastropub conveniently located in the bridge over the Flatiron District and Union Square. After listening to and watching traditional musical and dance performances, guests enjoyed delicious Korean specialties such as kimchi pancakes, braised beef short ribs, spicy octopus and bibimbap. For those looking for an authentic taste of Korea, Barn Joo is an excellent spot to visit. — Monique Barrett, eFlyer editor/associate editor