Essence of South Korea

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Tailor-Made Tour

  • Duration9 Days
  • Flights IncludedYes
  • Prices From £ 4395

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  Places Visited : Seoul – Daegu – Gyeongju – Busan – Seoul

A whistle-stop holiday of South Korea's biggest highlights, including its technologically advanced cities, the relics of its fascinating ancient dynasties, remote villages that preserve an ancient way of life, and stunning temples tucked deep in luscious forests. This is a must-do tour in a country where new cultures and economies are evolving faster than anywhere else on earth, while the ancient and historical are revered, respected, and beautifully preserved.

Remember, this trip can be personalised to suit your travel needs - we can tailor everything from hotel, travel type, duration and more.

Suggested itinerary

Day 1
London to Seoul

Fly from London Heathrow on a direct British Airways flight to Seoul, South Korea's capital. The flight should take around 14 hours

Day 2
Seoul

Arrive at Seoul airport in the morning. You will be met on arrival at Incheon International Airport and transferred to your hotel (1 hour). Your afternoon will be at leisure to recover from the international travel.

Seoul is one of the most exciting cities of Asia displaying a perfect mix of traditional and modern, with countless attractions and sites to explore!  A megalopolis of over 10 million people, Seoul feels like a city on a mission. Modernity is undoubtedly the capital’s keynote, interrupted only by a desire to preserve its cultural heritage, particularly the numerous National Treasure and monuments that remain, dating back to the 14th century.

If you can’t wait to begin your explorations why not take a leisurely stroll out of your hotel and step into the buzzing Myeongdong market, one of Seoul’s most-loved shopping district where the young and fashion conscious come out in exuberant style to be seen and admired as they wine and dine in the numerous local cafés, bars and restaurants.

You could consider catching an amateur production of Korean Cultural Theatre in the Daehakro District a short distance from your hotel. It’s much more performance than drama and predominantly consist of dance, shaman ritual and circus, tinged with satire that showcases the lighter, edgier side of local culture with humour and a degree of social criticism.  Don’t worry about your Korean language skills, you’ll instinctively know when to laugh or cry! There’s no need to book ahead, thickets are usually available on the night.

Day 3
Seoul

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. We begin our sightseeing tour of Seoul with a busy morning at the Gyeongbokgung Palace Complex, the principal palace of the Joseon Dynasty where you can witness the changing of the guard ceremony. It's a great opportunity to experience a rare traditional scene in Korea! We continue onto The National Palace Museum of Korea and The National Folk Museum before wandering though the private apartments of the palace itself. This afternoon, we head to the Namsan Mountain Park and Tower, one of the tallest towers in Asia to catch breath-taking views across the city and Hangang River.

The Gyeongbokgung Palace Complex is the grandest of five great palaces built by the Joseon’s, the longest ruling Confucian dynasty who reigned over South Korea for some five centuries. It is one of the most important structures of the city and a fine example of Korean architecture, often compared to the Forbidden City in Beijing. 

Secured by great fortified walls with just four points of entry the largest which, The Gwanghwamun Gate leads directly to the  Gwanghwamun Square, the main congregational square of the palace where the changing of the guard ceremony takes place. Today parts of the palace are occupied by The National Palace Museum of Korea howcasing the lifestyle of the Joseon society, including pieces reflecting its arts, science and music and The National Folk Museum which houses artefacts of the traditional rural lifestyle

The beautifully manicured grounds feature a glorious pavilion at its heart on a private island, in the middle of a lake connected by three elegant stone bridges while the flora of the landscape is home to a large variety of birds.

Day 4
Seoul

Following breakfast at the hotel we head for the Jogyesa Shrine, adjacent to Changdeokgung Palace. Dedicated to kings and queens of the Korean Joseon Dynasty the shrine is said to be the oldest preserved, royal shrine in Korea. We also visit the Changdeokgung Palace & Huwon Garden (closed on Mondays), the Heunginjimun Gate, and the ultra-modern swirling Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) designed by Zaha Hadid. Our last stop will be at the Gwangjang Market the oldest traditional markets in Seoul and the best place for Korean street food. We stop here for lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon we walk around Bukchon Hanok Village. The day ends at Insa-dong Street, one of the most memorable attractions in Seoul and represents the focal point of Korean traditional culture and crafts.

The Bukchon Hanok Village area preserves a 600-year-old urban settlement offering a valuable insight into the cultural history of the Joseon period.  Located north of the Cheonggye Stream, the village shows some great examples of traditional Korean architecture. It is also home to the Bukhchon Traditional Culture Centre with a wide selection of cafes, restaurants, and shops offering handmade crafts and a traditional tea houses.

Close by is Insa-dong Street, one of the most memorable attractions in Seoul and represents the focal point of Korean traditional arts and crafts. Stores here specialise in a wide variety of hand-made goods like Korean Hanbok (traditional clothing), Hanji (traditional paper).  One of the main attractions in the area is ‘Dragons Beard Candy’ or ‘Kings Dessert’, swirls of spun honey in multiple flavours of almond, peanut, chocolate or fruit, spicy Korean dumplings and sticky sweet pancakes.

Optional: If you are keen to experience some of the more traditional food and drinks of the country, we would recommend the Suyeonsanbang Tea House (with a nominal cover charge), for a traditional and atmospheric tea ceremony accompanied by delicacies such as bamboo rice. Alternatively try Korean BBQ dinner, in one of the many beautiful restaurants located in the Insa-dong Street area.

Day 5
Seoul

After breakfast you head for the Bongeunsa Temple, a thriving Buddhist complex just south of the river that bisects the city into two. While most Koreans profess no religious affiliation Buddhist Temples and Confusion shrines remain busy! Stop at the nearby ‘Gangnam Style’ statue in front of COEX Mall before heading south to the Samneung Park, a densely forested area which is home to the UNESCO World Heritage designated Tomb Mounds and burial grounds of some of Korea’s great kings. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before heading back to the hotel, over Bonpo Bridge, also known as the Rainbow Bridge, reputed to have the world’s longest fountain. Your last afternoon in Seoul is at leisure.

Optional Excursions:

Seoul offer much more for those with a little more time and if you are able to find an extra day or two, why not consider one of our Holiday Extensions

Day 6
Andong Hahoe Village

After breakfast at the hotel check out of your hotel and head for Andong City in your private chauffeur driven car (4 to 5 hours) through the central heartland of the country. On arrival enjoy a relaxing lunch in a local restaurant before checking into your hotel. In the afternoon we enjoy a half day visit to the 600 year old UNESCO Heritage listed folk village of Hahoe on the outskirts of Andong city.

Andong, the cultural capital of Korea is thought to be the birthplace of Confucianism in Korea, its traditional wooden masks and of course ‘Soju’ Korea’s favourite alcoholic tipple!

The regions principal site is the UNESCO Heritage listed folk village of Hahoe sits an hour’s drive out of town.  Located in the foothills of Hwasan Mountain with Nakdong River, which flowing around its perimeter this 600 year old village commands an idyllic location and provides visitors with the unique opportunity to experience the lifestyle of the Ryu Clan, up and close. Small straw-thatched house with quaint gardens at the periphery of the village surrounded large tile-roofed houses adding their own unique charm to local character.

Here we have a chance to experience the living, traditional lifestyle of the residents and sample regional specialities, visit the small Mask Museum and participate in folk dances.

Day 7
Gyeongju & Busan

After breakfast you continue your journey south to Gyeongju (2-3 hours) to visit the Bulguksa Temple, a sprawling Buddhist complex said to be the oldest and most famous Silla shrine surviving in Korea. We also visit the exquisite Seokguram grotto further up the mountain. Time permitting we may be able to visit the Royal Tumuli Park tombs of the Silla Kings. Most tombs remain unopened but those that have been excavated revealed numerous objects suggesting the great wealth and power of the dynasty. You enjoy a leisurely lunch here before continuing our journey to Busan (2 hours). Our dinner will be in Busan shortly after arrival and check-in.

The seat of the powerful Silla dynasty, Gyeongju offers an exceptional crop of monuments comprising temples, pagodas, ancient burial sites, statues and gardens in the shadow of Mount Namsan.

No less than four UNESCO listed World Heritage Sites are found here. The first is the Royal Tumuli Park – a collection of smooth-sided, grassy mounds in which the Silla Kings lie buried. Many of these tombs remain unopened, but treasures from those that have – including several solid gold crowns, ornamental weapons and the huge ‘Emille Bell’ – are displayed in the Gyeongju National Museum, along with ceramic items and other religious artefacts.

Bulguksa Temple is Gyeongju’s crowning glory, nestled amid pine, peach, plum and cryptomeria trees on the lower slopes of Mount Tohamsan, the sprawling Buddhist complex is the oldest and most famous Silla shrines. The architect responsible for Bulguksa also designed the exquisite Seokguram grotto, further up the hill, where most people head to admire the seated Shakyamuni Buddha, – an, eerily lifelike carving that is regarded as the high watermark of Buddhist art in the Far East.

Day 8
Busan

After breakfast in the hotel, we drive to the Gamcheon Culture village. It ranked among the poorest neighbourhoods in the country until 2009, when the government invited mural painters and sculptors to spruce up its many empty properties. The result is a spectacular, vibrant, multi-coloured feast of contemporary art. Later you move onto the theatre district around Nampo-dong Street, and stroll around the Gukje International Market, one of Korea’s largest, before heading to the Jagalchi Market where a clutch of small restaurants serves fabulous hwe (sliced raw fish). After lunch enjoy scenic views from the Busan tower and continue to the UN Memorial Cemetery Honouring UN soldiers. Later in the day you enjoy a walk through the APEC House’s park before heading to the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple perched on rocks just above the shoreline. Tonight, dinner is at local restaurant

Day 9
Return to London from Busan

Subject to flight timings you transfer to Busan airport in the morning or afternoon, for a short flight to Seoul, connecting with return flight back home to the UK.

Additional Holiday Extensions are available here including visiting Jeju Island, hiking Geumjeongsan Mountain or a day trip to the beautiful Geojedo Island. Find out more by contacting our South Korea travel specialists

What's Included

✓   International flights from London to Seoul
✓   8 nights accommodation
✓   All internal transportation and transfers
✓   English-speaking guides
✓   Breakfast daily
✓   Entrance fees to sites and monuments listed in tour itinerary

flight

International flights from UK

apartment

Accommodations Included

Private English-speaking guides

Private English-speaking guides

fork_spoon

Breakfast daily

commute

All road travel and transfers using private, chauffeur-driven vehicles

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Entrance fees to sites and monuments listed in tour itinerary

Holiday Extensions for this tour

Noryangjin Fish Market in Seoul

Half Day days, - nights from £215 per person

Prices From

Visit The Demilitarised Zone from Seoul

Half or Full Day days, - nights from £265 per person

Prices From

Hiking to Bukhansan Peak

Full Day tour days, - nights from £ per person

Prices From

Short Stay on Jeju Island

3 days, 2 nights from £995 per person

Prices From

£ 125 Single Supplement

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Places and Experiences in this tour

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Highlights of South Korea

Group Tour

  • Duration: 8Days
  • Prices from :£1645
  • Flight :Included

Places Covered:

  • Seoul – Daegu – Gyeongju – Busan – Seoul
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