"Where Everlander's dreams come true," is the park's motto, and if your dreams involve some of the largest roller coasters in the world, catching sight of Napoleon Dynamite's animal of choice, the liger, and trying out the largest indoor and outdoor waterpark in the world, then this is the place for you.
With hotels, a zoo, waterparks with artificial beaches and more rides than you might be able to stomach after a lunch of theme park food, a day in Everland is never going to be enough, as you'll find plenty to entertain kids and grown-ups alike for a whole holiday.
Situated in the city of Yongin in Gyeonggi-do province, just over an hour south of the capital of Seoul, the theme park, rated the fourth most popular in the world by Forbes, has everything you need for an action-packed vacay. There are more than 50 rides in the theme park itself, with Hurricane, a fast-paced spinning ride, and T Express, the first and longest wooden roller coaster in South Korea, two of the most popular. The venue has rather handily devised routes to follow to get the most out of the park, and you can tread the family route for more relaxed rides suitable for young children; the thrill-seekers track for a terrifying day, or follow our favourite path, the ‘date course' for a more romantic experience.
After a day of being thrown around on rides, go for a chilled animal-packed day at Zootopia. The main attractions are the ligers (a tiger, lion crossbreed. Yes, they actually exist!), but there's also a sea lion stadium, a dark forest full of nocturnal animals and the monkey valley, which is home to a host of ape species, including rare golden monkeys.
Oh, and make sure you spend at least one day in Caribbean Bay, the water park has flumes, surf simulators and the world's longest lazy river.
Inside info
Tickets for the park cost about Dh125 per day and we recommend you stay in the Home
Bridge, rooms in the newly renovated Alpine-themed chalet hotel. Prices start at Dh400-
per-night.
Details
Visit everland.com or call +82 31 320 5000
More global hangouts
New York Café, Budapest, Hungary
With striking baroque-style gold and marble interiors, nothing about the New York Café is low-key, but the striking style is all part of the cafe's charm. Whether you're looking for somewhere to while away a few hours, inspired by the literary minds that mingled there during the Belle Époque; looking for a spot to impress guests or want to wine and dine, New York Café caters for all. The snack menu features sandwiches and Hungarian specialities, including pâté, paprika curd cheese and aubergine dips. Or for dinner try the eight-course taster menus.
Visit newyorkcafe.hu/eng
Call +36 1 8866 111
Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa, Queensland
For a true ‘back to nature' retreat, check into the Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa, which are to found in the heart of the 135-million-year-old Daintree tropical - the world's oldest. "In harmony with nature" is the spa's philosophy, so expect this to also be true of the food served, the lodges (or ‘banyans'), and all of the treatments on offer. Try their blissful signature treatment, the Dh1,000 Walbul-Walbul, which consists of a soothing massage, exfoliation, a full-body mud body cocoon and a cleanse from the spa's own waterfall waters.
Visit daintree-ecolodge.com.au
Call +617 4098 6100