At Regent we have always
been enthralled by this hermit republic, ever since
we first obtained permission to send tour groups there
in the late 80's, the only company in Britain allowed
to do so at that time. Clients who have travelled
with us have been fascinated by North Korea, where
nothing is quite what it seems. Pyongyang, the capital,
has wide empty boulevards with police meticulously
directing non-existent traffic and high-rise hotels
which stand empty for much of the time. In the countryside
peasant life continues to be a struggle and the border
at Panmunjom remains as sensitive as ever with North
and South Korean guards facing each other.
Regent Holidays has specialised
in tours to North Korea since 1985 and were the first
UK tour company to operate there. Regent innovates
- others copy! Regent Holidays are the true North
Korean specialist. North Korea will be one of the
most unusual trips you will experience!
Most of our clients have
been astounded and rate North Korea as one of their
most interesting travel experiences! We are keeping
a close eye on the possible opening of the railroad
between Pyongyang and Seoul and as soon as it opens
we hope to operate the first group of tourists to
cross over by land from North to South Korea!
North
Korea, officially known as the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK) is a country and travel destination
like no other. Politically and socially it could be
compared to a contemporary equivalent to Stalinist
Russia or China during the Cultural Revolution. The
country, one of the most ethnically and culturally
homogenised on earth has such minimal influence from
outside that it really is a unique "must see"
country. Receiving minimal foreign tourist visitors
to the DPRK will witness a world and society alien
to our own, where the importance of President Kim
Il Sung, Leader Kim Jong Il and other facets of their
society, such as military strength, are paramount.
From the stunning showcase
city of Pyongyang, peppered with huge socialist monuments
and dissected by wide clean streets to the De-Militarized
Zone of the south and mountains of the north, the
DPRK enthrals with its inimitable sights and surprises.
Visitors are not generally considered as standard
"tourists," but as privileged guests, and
those few who do make the journey will receive a rare
insight into a world and nation often misunderstood
and misinterpreted by the west. Devoid of mobile phones,
global news and access to the internet visitors will
likely realise, whilst being constantly escorted by
their official guides, that they are visiting a nation
where everything comes under absolute state control,
and whilst this may not be everybody's idea of an
ideal society, visiting is inarguably a fascinating
insight into a world we cannot begin to fully understand.
In 2009 Regent Holidays
is now in its 24th year of arranging tours to North
Korea and we have eight group tours scheduled, two
of which will be escorted. With our small groups,
regular visits to the DPRK and our ability to offer
tailor made, individual and special interest visits
year round we really are the top UK specialists to
North Korea, and are always happy to discuss your
plans, offer advice and strive to answer any questions
you may have in visiting.
For more information
on these holidays or on a tailor-made trip to North
or South Korea, please contact our specialist:
Carl@regent-holidays.co.uk
