Highlights of South Korea - Unique Small Group

Depart for your holiday to Seoul, South Korea.

On arrival in Seoul airport, we meet our guide and transfer to our hotel, where we will spend the next two nights, check in for our hotels are from 3pm.

Enjoy some time at leisure to relax and further explore your surroundings.

Let’s get together this evening and savour our first taste of Korean food at a local restaurant.

Dinners

A light dinner is included throughout our ten-night stay in South Korea, featuring local restaurants each evening. These included meals provide an opportunity to experience local dishes, traditional flavours, and appreciate the culinary preparations found across South Korea. Our dinners are set meals, that typically include rice, Kimchi, fresh vegetables, meat, and other dishes.

Let’s uncover Seoul’s rich history on a guided tour of the South Korean capital and experience ancient temples, palaces vibrant streets and more during this tour.

Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Gyeongbokgung Palace, a 14th-century architectural masterpiece from the Choson Dynasty (closed on Tuesdays). Explore the serene Jogyesa Temple, a vital hub of the Jogyejong Buddhist Order and one of the city's most significant landmarks. Join us to unravel the secrets of ancient temples, royal palaces, and vibrant streets, discovering the soul of Seoul in a uniquely enriching experience.

We enjoy some free time for lunch (not included) before we embark on an afternoon stroll through Bukchon's Hanok village, also known as the "North Village." This charming area boasts over 900 traditional Korean houses, providing a unique glimpse into ancient Korean times.

Time to savour a cup of refreshing tea! Let's venture into a traditional teahouse, where we can partake in the timeless custom of tea, unwind, and truly soak up the moment.

As the day winds down, we take a leisurely walk through the lively Insadong street. Bursting with energy, this bustling thoroughfare is adorned with various shops offering traditional goods and art galleries, providing a perfect end to our enriching journey.

Next, we delve into Korean flavours at a local restaurant for dinner.

We return to our hotel and enjoy the evening to relax and unwind after discovering some of the highlights of Seoul.

This morning, we set off from Seoul by coach to explore Andong. Along the way, our journey includes a stop in Suwon, where we'll visit the remarkable Hwaseong Fortress. This incredible fortress stands as one of Korea’s most vital historical treasures, serving as the sole remaining walled fortress in the country and now proudly recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The day isn't over just yet! There's more to uncover as we pay a visit to the Dosan Confucian Academy, a true masterpiece of Korean Confucian architecture dating back to 1574, nestled in present-day Andong. Let's explore this serene haven before we head to our hotel.

Get ready to experience one of Korea's truly unique villages! Our day kicks off with a coach journey to Andong's Hahoe traditional village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This village is renowned as one of Korea's most famous folk villages and is home to the descendants of the Ryu clan of Pungsan, constituting seventy percent of the current inhabitants. With numerous preserved original structures, the village is a valuable testament to Korean culture. It has welcomed distinguished visitors, from presidents to royalty, solidifying its status as a national treasure and a must-see destination on any trip to South Korea!

Next, we explore the Andong Hanji Factory, the hub of traditional Korean paper production. With over 60 different types of hanji crafted for various purposes, this factory offers a fascinating glimpse into a cherished Korean tradition. Embark on a factory tour with us, where we delve into the intricate process of hanji-making. Witness the captivating array of colours and textures that characterise this beautiful paper, unravelling the essence of a time-honoured Korean custom.

Get ready for a stroll! Join us as we step it up and traverse the longest wooden pedestrian overpass bridge in Korea, stretching over 387 meters and boasting a width of 3.6 meters. Along the way, we delve into the poignant, yet beautiful legend associated with the bridge, all while immersing ourselves in the breath-taking natural surroundings.

Following our dinner, we head back to our hotel to unwind and enjoy a relaxing evening.

This morning, we depart Andong for Gyeongju by a scenic two-hour coach ride. Our next stop is Yangdong Village, one of Korea's largest traditional villages, offering a glimpse into the culture of the Joseon dynasty. Tucked in a valley with houses over 500 years old, including fifty-four homes preserved in their original state for over two centuries, the village presents a captivating sight with Seolchangsan Mountain in the backdrop.

After lunch (not included), we explore Tumuli Park, featuring 23 tombs of the Shilla Kingdom's sovereigns, followed by a visit to the grave of the "Heavenly Horse."

We enjoy another fusion of Korean flavours for dinner and then make our way to our hotel for the night.

Leaving our Gyeongju hotel, our day commences with a visit to the exquisite Bulguksa Temple, the principal temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, celebrated as a masterpiece of Buddhist art in the Far East. Established in 528BC during the 15th year of King Beop-heung’s reign, the temple's wooden paintings and architecture hold the essence of ancient treasures from the Shilla Kingdom.

Our journey continues to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Seokuram Grotto on Mt Toham at the ancient Silla capital Geumseong. Here, a large Buddha statue resides within a circular chamber beneath a stone hemispherical dome, marking a significant masterpiece of Buddhist art and a national treasure of South Korea.

After a roughly one-hour road transfer, we check into our hotel in the evening before enjoying dinner.

This morning, our coach takes us on a captivating full day guided excursion to visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. Set in a stunning location overlooking the East Sea, it's a unique coastal temple, a departure from the more mountainous locations of most Korean temples. Enjoy panoramic views of the ocean, cliffs, and coastline, accessible by descending over 100 steps. For those opting out of the steps, a beautiful view of the temple from a distance awaits.

Next, we head to Jagalchi, one of Asia's largest fish markets, where a walking tour unfolds the fascinating variety of seafood in different shapes and sizes. Capture great photo opportunities if the locals are willing. Our journey continues to the international market, offering a diverse perspective on everyday life in Busan with its wide array of goods.

Let’s see more as we uncover the colourful place of Gamcheon Culture village. It was once a slum and now one of Busan’s top tourist attractions, with its decorative art and colourful houses, painted murals, shops, cafes, and winding alleys! Cameras ready this is the place for Insta action! # Gamcheon

Immerse yourself in the crisp sea breeze as we leisurely stroll along the Songdo Skywalk, absorbing the beauty of the sea and its surroundings. Extending approximately 365 meters from the Songdo Beach area, the skywalk gracefully hangs over Turtle Island. Feel the gentle breeze envelop you as you soak in the serene atmosphere!

After a bustling day exploring the Busan area, we return to our hotel to freshen up before heading out for dinner.

We enjoy a leisurely breakfast before bidding farewell to Busan. All aboard the KTX high-speed train for an exhilarating journey from Busan to Seoul, taking approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Upon arrival in Seoul, we proceed to our hotel for check-in (starting at 2 pm).

Time for Kimchi! Join us for a delightful afternoon as we partake in a cooking class to master the art of crafting this South Korean national favourite. After enjoying the flavours and aromas, take home a newfound culinary skill.

Later, return to our hotel to unwind before our evening meal.

2024 DMZ visit includes a half day tour visiting the DMZ buffer zone including the Peace Park and Dorasan Observatory.

2025

We have an early morning start today for our journey from Seoul for a half-day excursion to the DMZ, a historic border established in 1953 during the end of the war through the signing of the Panmunjom's Armistice, effectively separating North and South Korea.

Prepare for a unique experience as we delve into the history of the military run DMZ zone. We depart the bustling city of Seoul and make our way into the countryside towards the buffer zone that marks the separation between the two Koreas.  First stop is to a crane protection centre committed to conservation in this area. Next, we visit Cheorwon Peace Observatory, that offers panoramic views (on a clear day) of the D.M.Z and the first villages of North Korea. Inside there is a small museum with a short film recounting the war and its impact on Cheorwon. We continue to the abandoned Woljeong-ri railway station (Iron Triangle battlefield) the last stop before the barbed wired marking the departure of the DMZ. After we see the Memorial of the Battle of Baek Ma, known as the "White Horse" hill before we return home.

Important: Please note the DMZ tour is under control of the army, and you must strictly adhere to their regulations. The excursions can change on the day for this reason.

There is a possibility that the tour may be closed without prior notice which is beyond our control as the DMZ is military controlled.

Following our exploration of the DMZ zone, we head back to Seoul and have the remainder of the day to leisurely enjoy, offering an ideal opportunity to pick up any last-minute souvenirs, and shop till you drop at one of the many large shopping malls, outlets and local markets. 

Later in the evening, we gather for a final dinner at a local restaurant.