South Korea
Location: on the Korean peninsula, below North Korea. Other neighbours are China to the West, across the Yellow Sea, and Japan to the east, across the East Sea.
Getting there: Korean Air has the only nonstop service from London to Seoul, an 11hr flight. It operates daily except Tuesdays and Thursdays. Other options are to fly with British Airways via Hong Kong or Tokyo, KLM via Amsterdam, Air France via Paris.
Visa: not required for British nationals on stays of up to 90 days.
Food: traditional dishes include bulgogi, which is barbecued beef with rice, and Kimchi a side dish of spicy, pickled cabbage.
Best time to go: in spring (March, April, May) and autumn (September, October, November), on either side of the summer heat (June-August), when temperatures can rise to 33C, with a high humidity.
Time: GMT + 9hrs.
Religion: traditionally the country was Buddhist, but nowadays the mix is 50/50 Buddhist and Christian.
Sample itinerary: many visitors do a two-centre trip, spending a few days shopping and sightseeing in the capital Seoul, then taking the express train to see the temples of Kyongju, the seventh century capital.
Shopping: for CDs and sports goods, head for Seoul’s Itaewon market; for clothes visit Seoul’s Tongdaemun market; for antiques, jade and pottery Seoul’s Insadong district is best; to see a traditional fruit and vegetable market, head for Seoul’s Namdaemun market.