From Greek Mythology to Snow Country: Kyobo Book Centre Runs ‘Odyssey:K,’ Trips with Experts

[Financial News] Trips have been organized to explore the settings of Greek mythology and follow in the footsteps of the Joseon Tongsinsa with experts. Travelers can turn interests sparked by reading into visits to the sites themselves, and also browse books and travel accessories related to each theme.■ Exploring mythological settings and scenes from novelsAccording to Kyobo Book Centre on the 21st, it is operating its themed travel platform ‘Odyssey:K’ online. It plans to expand its themes and destinations, starting with six travel packages accompanied by experts in history, culture and the arts.
The travel packages were developed in collaboration with Hanatour and Hanjin Travel. Kyobo Book Centre proposes travel themes and itineraries based on its books and network of experts, and the travel agencies turn them into actual packages.
The trip to Türkiye and Greece with Professor Kang Dae-jin lasts 9 nights and 11 days, visiting Troy and Ithaca, among other settings of the Iliad and the Odyssey. With Professor Shin Byung-joo, travelers spend 4 nights and 5 days in Japan’s Kyushu and Kansai regions, following the route taken by the Joseon Tongsinsa and exploring traces of cultural exchange between Korea and Japan.
Records related to the Joseon Tongsinsa were inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register in 2017. They include diplomatic documents, accounts of journeys and records of cultural exchange relating to the Joseon Tongsinsa missions, which were sent to Japan 12 times between 1607 and 1811.
The ‘Snow Country Literary Journey’ with Professor Go Un-gi visits Yuzawa, Japan, the setting of Yasunari Kawabata’s novel Snow Country. A Tokyo art and literature tour, ‘The Night Gogh Painted, the Stars Yun Dong-ju Counted,’ accompanied by writer Jeong Yeo-ul, is also on offer. Each trip lasts 3 nights and 4 days.
The history tour of Shanghai, Suzhou and Nanjing in China with Dr. Im Yong-han is arranged for 4 nights and 5 days. The trip to the Netherlands and Belgium, accompanied by Professor Jeon Won-kyung and focused on music and art, runs for 7 nights and 9 days.■ Travel accessories also featured; bookstore to open in DecemberThe online platform also features classics such as the Iliad and the Odyssey, literary works such as A Moveable Feast and The Museum of Innocence, and travel guidebooks.
It also recommends travel accessories such as notebooks, writing instruments, suitcases, passport wallets and portable chargers. Interviews with experts and travel content are also available.
A physical location, ‘Kyobo Book Centre Travel Bookstore,’ is scheduled to open this December in Naesu-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. It will include a space and lounge for showcasing travel-related books and products and hosting book talks, lectures, workshops and other events. The Clarimento café will also open there.
A Kyobo Book Centre representative said, “Odyssey:K is a service designed to extend the interest and inspiration people gain from books into real-world travel experiences. Starting with the six travel packages we are introducing this time, we will feature trips on a variety of themes and in different destinations, helping readers turn interests they discover through books into travel.”

[email protected] Jang In-seo Reporter