South Korea Holidays

Original Travel’s Asia portfolio has a new kid on the block: South Korea. K Culture (shorthand for South Korean culture) in all its manifestations makes this one of the hottest destinations anywhere in the world. K-pop proliferates on the airwaves, K-dramas have become so popular they’ve commandeered their own Netflix category and K-food – think fried chicken and bibimbap served with ten varieties of kimchi – continues to take the world’s street food scene by storm. But South Korea is not just about the new; Seoul, the capital and starting point of most South Korea holidays, is all about contrast. Dizzying skyscrapers tower over traditional hanok houses, nopo (family-run) restaurants rub shoulders with cutting edge cocktail bars and small streams babble beside US-style freeways. Each one of its neighbourhoods competes to be the coolest, but you can always rely on hip Euljiro or nearby Seongsu-dong for a dose of quirky café culture, contemporary art and a craft beer. Just to the north of the city is the remarkable Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a stark reminder of how the two Koreas have diverged since the 50s. Away from Seoul, South Korea becomes even more bewitching. Head to Jeju Island, just 50 miles south of the country’s mainland, and you’ll find palm trees, black-sand beaches and the haenyeo, an awe-inspiring community of elderly female free-divers. In Gangwon-do, South Korea’s answer to the Lake District, thick forests, empty beaches and cool coastal towns pockmark the once-isolated landscape, while in Gyeongju (in the country’s southeast), its three UNESCO World Heritage sites and plethora of colourful pagodas and pavilions will have budding historians quaking with excitement. For a country half the size of the UK and not even a hundred years old (officially), we’d say it’s doing pretty well for itself. And South Korea holidays? Well, they’re more than O-K.
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South Korea Holiday Ideas

A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started

  • One Country South Korea – Japan – Seoul – Tokyo

    K-Pop, Kimchi and Cosplay - Seoul & Tokyo with Teenagers

    Pair the captivating capitals of South Korea and Japan for ten days of far-flung family fun

    10 days, from £3200 to £3800

  • One Country South Korea – Seoul – Gyeongju – Busan – Suncheon – Mokpo – Jeungdo

    City Sights and Coastal Delights - South Korea from Top to Tail

    Explore a vast expanse of South Korea on this 13-day adventure from bustling Seoul to the shores of Jeungdo Island

    13 days, from £4250 to £5800

  • One Country South Korea – Seoul – Sokcho – Seoraksan National Park – Gangneung

    City Buzz, Beach Bliss and Mountain Hikes in South Korea - Seoul and the East Coast

    Experience two sides of South Korea on this ten-day escape, pairing hyper-modern Seoul with the laid-back east coast

    10 days, from £5050 to £6550

  • One Country South Korea – Seoul – Busan – Jeju Island

    The Scenic Highlights of South Korea - Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island

    Take in the scenic splendour of South Korea on this 11-day adventure between Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island

    11 days, from £5100 to £7000

  • One Country South Korea – Seoul – Jeonju – Gwangju – Jeju – Incheon

    Art, Architecture & Design Hotels - An Aesthetic Adventure in South Korea

    Embark on a 12-day aesthetic adventure in South Korea, pairing city buzz with countryside calm

    12 days, from £5350 to £7300

  • One Country South Korea – Japan – Seoul – Gyeongju – Busan – Osaka – Kyoto – Shuzenji – Tokyo

    From Seoul to Tokyo - A Rail Adventure through South Korea and Japan

    Watch South Korea and Japan roll past your window on this 20-day rail adventure from dazzling Seoul to high-energy Tokyo

    20 days, from £6450 to £8350

Why visit South Korea with Original Travel ?

Travelling with us means enjoying a trip that has been meticulously crafted by our team of experts, each knowing their specialised country like the back of their hand. Tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind, we can customise itineraries based on your taste, be that an architecture aficionado, a food fanatic or an environment enthusiast. Working hand-in-hand with local Concierges and guides, we’ll uncover spots perfect for you. From hidden gems to iconic landmarks, our curated experiences are supported by an array of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline and an app full of recommendations.

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A few of the benefits of travelling with us to South Korea

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

South Korea Guide

Practical advice and inspiration to help you prepare for your holiday

Practical guide

Best time to visit South Korea

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Just Back: Joyce’s Trip to South Korea

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Cherry Blossom in South Korea

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Traditional Food in South Korea

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Our Guide to Spring in South Korea

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24 Hours in Seoul

What our clients say about us

5 / 5
" This is the first time we went on a trip with Original Travel, a specialist advisor who listens to our expectations, and really the feeling of being pampered from departure to arrival. The concierge service is so efficient that we quickly become addicted. "
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Our South Korea
specialists

Who better to entrust with your travel plans than our team of consultants, boasting eleven Conde Nast Top Travel Specialists among them? With regular research trips, they stay up to date on the best experiences and newest properties. And guess what – our expertise doesn’t end there. While you’re away, we’ll hook you up with the best guides around, teeming with contagious passion for their beloved country. For the finer details, our Concierges are clued up on your likes and dislikes and are just a WhatsApp away for personalised tips and tricks on where to go and what to see. In short, we’ve covered every possible travel-related base.

Best places to go in South Korea

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Contact one of our South Korea specialists