Get a Taste of Europe at This Italian Village Attraction in South Korea

(SPOT.ph) Almost everyone has that dream of touring Europe and chilling at the different villas in the Mediterranean. But more often than not, due to visa restrictions and, well, life in general—meaning work, family, and money— these dreams stay just that, a never-ticked-off item on our bucket lists. But, lucky for us Filipinos, just a mere four-hour plane ride from our little island paradise lies South Korea, and in this part of the world, they've taken it upon themselves to give us all a taste of the European experience we've always wanted. Of course, not literally, but in the province of Gapyeong in South Korea lies the attractions Petit France and Italian Village. Two very not-so-Korean spots but still worth a visit, especially if you've got a case of the Euro spirit.

Okay, by now, a lot of you may already be familiar with the Little Prince-themed Petit France. After all, it has been featured in many K-Dramas, such as My Love from Another Star and Secret Garden. But right beside it, they also erected a tribute to the stunning country of Italy, this time with the theme of Pinocchio and Da Vinci. Spotters, meet Gapyeong's Italian Village.

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Get a taste of Italy at South Korea's Italian Village:

For just 16,000 Korean Won or roughly P700, stroll around this beautiful tribute to Florence, Venice, and Rome. With buildings, rooms, and displays dedicated to all things Italian, this attraction is the picture-perfect dupe for the touristy Italian experience. 

You'll really start saying Ciao more than Annyeong as there are buildings that look like villas and displays adorned with various trinkets and treasures associated with the European country.

Oh, and did we mention all the breathtaking vantage points for taking awesome shots of the Korean countryside?

And if you've got a penchant for puppets and the magical tale of Pinocchio, then this is the spot for you. There are puppet shows, murals, and a whole exhibit dedicated to the wooden boy. 

But it's not all about aesthetics in this village. Curious minds can also have their fill of new knowledge about the renowned inventor and artist Leonardo Da Vinci. Yup, Spotters, there's also an entire building dedicated to the life and works of Da Vinci. 

Can't get enough of South Korea's Italian Village? Check out the video of our experience as we toured all around this brand-new attraction.

Italian Village is at  1063, Hoban-ro, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit Italian Village's website.