Trip idea / South Korea

Get To Know
South Korea

Are you curious about the country that spawned K-pop, the TV show Squid Game, and the multiple Oscar-winning film Parasite? The reality of this relatively unknown holiday destination is a country deeply embedded in a unique culture, full of quirky charm.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Discover South Korea’s dynamic contrasts, from K-pop culture and cutting-edge cities to ancient palaces and spiritual traditions
  • Explore Seoul’s blend of old and new, including Joseon Dynasty palaces, vibrant markets and the Korean DMZ
  • Immerse yourself in traditional Korea in Andong and Gyeongju, with temples, hanok villages and UNESCO-listed heritage
  • Experience coastal Busan, from colourful Gamcheon village to beaches, cable cars and renowned seafood markets
  • Fly to volcanic Jeju Island for dramatic landscapes, lava tubes, waterfalls and cultural encounters with the haenyeo divers
In two weeks, get under the skin of South Korea’s old-and-new metropolises, rich heritage, natural wonder, enchanting islands, and spiritual rural heart. A country that’s likely to evolve quickly, go now before the secret is out.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Discover South Korea’s dynamic contrasts, from K-pop culture and cutting-edge cities to ancient palaces and spiritual traditions
  • Explore Seoul’s blend of old and new, including Joseon Dynasty palaces, vibrant markets and the Korean DMZ
  • Immerse yourself in traditional Korea in Andong and Gyeongju, with temples, hanok villages and UNESCO-listed heritage
  • Experience coastal Busan, from colourful Gamcheon village to beaches, cable cars and renowned seafood markets
  • Fly to volcanic Jeju Island for dramatic landscapes, lava tubes, waterfalls and cultural encounters with the haenyeo divers
In two weeks, get under the skin of South Korea’s old-and-new metropolises, rich heritage, natural wonder, enchanting islands, and spiritual rural heart. A country that’s likely to evolve quickly, go now before the secret is out.

When To Go

South Korea is a year-round destination, although summer can be hot and humid unless you’re hiking in the mountains - we’d recommend visiting in spring or autumn.

How to Get There & Around

Fly direct from London Heathrow; connect between local destinations by high-speed train, private car and driver and internal flights.

Where You’ll Stay

South Korea has an array of four- and five-star properties plus characterful rural retreats. Allow us to create a bespoke itinerary matching you with suitable accommodation.

Day 1-4

Seoul

Start your journey around South Korea in the sprawling metropolis of Seoul. A mix of tradition and modernity, enjoy Soeul’s diversity from the futuristic Zaha Hadid-designed Dongdaemun Design Plaza to historic Joseon Dynasty palaces such as ornate Gyeongbokgung, built in 1395, where you can observe the ceremonial changing of the guard. See day-to-day life play out at bustling markets, each touting specific wares from decorative fabrics to astonishing arrays of seafood.

Wander along Hanyangdoseong, Seoul’s City Wall, a 600-year-old defensive wall; by contrast visit the border barrier between South and North Korea, the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Learn about North and South Korea’s complex past and view one of the most heavily guarded borders in the world plus explore infiltration tunnels built by North Koreans and peek into North Korea via an observatory.

 

Day 4-7

Busan

Take the KTX train from Seoul to Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city, where a thriving port and a fascinating culture meets the Sea of Japan. The city has a relaxed ambience; ride the cable car across the sea to get a measure of Busan, its modern city centre, a string of beaches along the coast and the Namhangdaegyo bridge also known as the ‘ocean trail.’ On foot, explore Gamcheon village, a colourful cultural enclave where pastel-hued houses are built in close quarters, its alleys decorated with colourful street art.

Busan is a highlight for foodies, with the bustling Jagalchi market, South Korea’s largest seafood market providing street sellers and restaurants with the freshest day’s catch to conjure into Korean delicacies. It’s also a great place to learn Busan’s culinary traditions in a cookery class, alongside sampling rice wine.

Day 7-9

Gyeongju

From Busan travel to Gyeongju, once the capital of the 8th-century Silla Kingdom; now a UNESCO World Heritage Site found on the southeast of South Korea. A bona fide open-air museum, Gyeongju welcomes you to a wealth of history from palaces to pagodas, temples to tombs. Spend a few days soaking up the elegant architecture from the Silla dynasty including the 8th century Seokguram Grotto which houses a colossal statue of Buddha.

Explore the surrounds of Gyeongju with a visit to Yangdong Folk Village, a Korean aristocrat village from the Joseon dynasty and admire the traditional hanok houses with tiled or thatched roofs, cradled picturesquely into nature. Ascend into the mountains to follow a scenic, cultural trail that passes over 100 temples, 80 stone Buddha statues and 60 pagodas, following a pathway around Namsan Mountain.

Day 9-11

Andong

Continue your South Korean journey to Andong via a high-speed train. This traditional enclave is a charming, peaceful city, known as the spiritual and cultural heart of South Korea where preservation of traditional customs and architecture are prevalent and celebrated at every turn.

Be immersed in the heritage of Korean culture with a visit to breathtaking temples, including Bongjeongsa, one of the oldest wooden buildings in the country and wander over the aesthetically pleasing wooden Woryeonggyo Bridge, that sits above the flowing Nakdonggang River, its banks clasped in greenery. Explore surrounding villages like Hahoe for cultural performances of masked dance shows, plus stay overnight in a traditional Korean house.

Day 11-15

Jeju Island

Transfer to Daegu and from here, fly from Daegu Airport for four nights on Jeju Island. This volcanic island is swathed in breathtaking natural beauty, as seen in its white-sand beaches, towering waterfalls, semi-tropical forests, and hot springs. With plenty of hiking trails, explore the island on foot, including Sunrise Peak for spectacular views of volcanic craters. Trek through the cavernous lava tube system in Manjanggul cave.

Culture is found in abundance too on this tropical isle. Meet the famed haenyeo – traditional female divers who collect seafood and marine resources from the seabed; discover more about this fascinating craft at the Jeju Haenyeo Museum. A must is a visit to the Sanbanggulsa Temple, a cliffside rock cave and lastly Jeongbang Falls, one of the world’s few waterfalls that flows into the sea. Finish with a relaxing carbonated hot spring soak.

Day 15-17

Seoul

After exploring Korea’s history and vibrant culture, unwind and recharge with two nights back in Seoul. Take the chance to explore neighbourhoods you might have missed earlier, like the artsy streets of Hongdae or the bustling, multicultural vibe of Itaewon. Savour Korea’s famous cuisine, from sizzling barbecue to delicate hanjeongsik multi-course meals. Stroll along the restored Cheonggyecheon Stream or soak in panoramic views from N Seoul Tower atop Namsan Mountain.

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