Tour Date: SEP 18 - OCT 1, 2009

Canada is the featured guest country for 2009, showcasing contemporary Canadian fine craft. The Biennale is the largest fine craft-based biennale in the world, displaying the work of over 1000 artists from more than 40 countries and reaching an audience of over half a million visitors during the course of the event. With a focus on high-quality functional and sculptural craft, the Biennale attracts attention from collectors, curators, academics, craftspeople and, of course, the public. Part of the proceeds raised by the tour will support Canadian participation in the Biennale.

14 Day Cultural Tour of South Korea

18 Sep Departure to Seoul

19 Sep Arrival in Seoul, meet & greet and transfer to hotel.

20 Sep Seoul - City Tour (B,L,D)
Visit Changdeokgung - Gyeongbokgung - National Folk Museum of Korea - Seoul Selection Book Store - Mt. Namsan - Seoul Tower - Dinner cruise along Han River.

21 Sep Seoul - Insadong Day (B,D)
Insadong is located just two blocks away from the hotel. The whole area is filled with art galleries, craft stores, pottery studios and traditional tea houses. After dinner, you are invited to attend an Art Lecture and tour briefing at your hotel.

22 Sep Seoul > Icheon > Cheongju (B,D)
Before we enter the city of Ceramics - Icheon, we first visit Yongmunsa Temple to see the 1,100 year old gingko tree. The entire Icheon Ceramic Village is laden with pottery shops and ceramic factories.

23 Sep Cheongju (B,L)
Attend the Opening Ceremony of the 2009 CICB, visit the Canadian Pavilion and the International Exhibition Halls.

24 Sep Cheongju (B,D)
In the morning there are two options to choose from:
A)Cheongju Art Village - workshop can be arranged, fees apply
B)Hankook Chinaware Factory visit & Bell Museum
During the afternoon, you are free to visit the Korean Craft Museum or the Early Printing Museum.

25 Sep Cheongju (B,D)
CICB International Symposium takes place in the morning, followed by an afternoon visit to the Cheongju National Museum.

26 Sep Cheongju > Seoul (B,L)
After arriving in Seoul, check in to the hotel. At your own leisure, feel free to explore the city of Seoul. During the evening, you are invited to attend a tour briefing, where our art expert will discuss the various museums you may like to visit on your own the following day.

27 Sep Seoul - Bukchon Hanok Village Day (B,D)
Today, visit Bukchon Hanok Village and your Museum of choice. Our scheduled shuttle bus will transfer you to different locations in the city.

28 Sep Seoul - Studio Tour Day (Contemporary Studios) (B,D)
Korean Craft Council will set up 4 to 6 Contemporary Studio visits. After lunch will be the Cultural Food Tour - you can attend either one of the following:
A)Kimchi-making or B) Stone Bowl Rice Cooking Class

29 Sep Seoul - Market Day or Folk Village & Fortress Day (B,D)
You have two options to choose from:
A)Visit Dongdaemun Market - Namdaemun Market - Myeongdong
B)Korean Folk Village & Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

30 Sep Seoul - Free Day (B,D)
Whole day free to explore on your own, followed by a farewell dinner. Say goodbye to your new friends and tour representatives.

01 Oct Seoul > Canada or further Asian Destinations (B)
Check out from the hotel in Seoul. Depending on various flight departures, there will be free time to explore during the day before being escorted to the airport.

Cost per person based on double occupancy includes air travel, hotel, select meals and taxes: $3,907 from Vancouver; $4,087 from Calgary/Edmonton; $4,325 from Toronto and $4,415 from Halifax. (*Other departure points available upon re­quest.)

Optional post-tour extensions include a traditional hanok experience in Korea, or travel to Japan, Thailand, Singapore, or China.

For More Information, visit www.canadiancraftsfederation.ca/korea or contact koreatour@canadiancraftsfederation.ca or Tel: (506) 444-3315.

For Booking/Reservations: contact Joyce Lui at Mimi Holidays Inc. - Tel: 604.232.4080 or 1.866.918.4080 or email info@mimiholidays.com

For Specific Tour Details see www.mimiholidays.com/packages/CICB_2009.pdf

Media Contact: Stephen Corke at Korea National Tourism Organization, email Stephen@knto.ca or Tel: (416) 348-9056 ext. 224 or 1-800-868-7567