Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
South Korea – Seoul – Busan – Jeju Island
100% customisable for you
Your South Korean sojourn starts today. Head to the airport, breeze through security and settle into the lounge (complimentary nibbles, anyone?). Direct flights from London to Seoul take around 13 hours, so you’ll spend the night on board and arrive the next day.
Rise and shine. It’s time to touchdown in South Korea. When you arrive, you’ll be privately transferred to the central historic district of Jongno. Stay here for the next three nights in a contemporary hotel – this is ultra-modern Seoul, after all.
The rest of the day is yours for the taking. While you’re still shaking off the jet lag, take it easy with a neighbourhood stroll or, if you’d rather leave the exploring to tomorrow (where we have plenty in store), simply sit back, relax and enjoy the facilities at your hotel.
What better way to immerse yourself in the spirit of Seoul than exploring its vibrant neighbourhoods with a passionate local guide? Today’s walking tour is relaxed, informal and based around what you want to see and do, so you can be as spontaneous (and as picky) as you please.
Discover the futuristic projects of daring architects with a visit to Zaha Hadid’s Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Ewha Woman’s University and the Arario Museum. Then step back into the city’s regal past at one of the five royal palaces: Gyeongbokgung, Gyeonghuigung, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung or Changgyeonggung.
In need of some retail therapy after all that sightseeing? Head to Gangnam (yes, that Gangnam) to shop ‘til you drop in its luxury boutiques. Then sample local cuisine with a stroll through the street food stalls of Myeong-dong, or simply let yourself be guided to the hidden gems only a true Seoulite would know about.
Today is yours to spend soaking in the highlights of Seoul at your own pace. Armed with a trusty T-Money card (a rechargeable public transport card), you’ll have the freedom to explore far and wide. So, don’t hold back.
Stroll along the four-mile promenade of the Cheonggyecheon River, indulge in some picture-perfect sweet treats (yes, please) in a dessert cafe or enjoy another brush with the city’s rich history at the Confucian shrine of Jongmyo. As evening falls, why not ascend the dizzying N Seoul Tower for photo-worthy views or join the hustle and bustle around the Pojangmacha street stalls?
Feeling peckish? Don’t forget to sample some of Seoul’s standout dishes as you wander around, our favourite being the ultimate comfort food: tteokbokki (rice cakes simmered in a spicy-sweet sauce).
Kick off the coastal chapter of your South Korean sojourn today as you wave goodbye to the capital (you’ll be back soon enough, don’t worry) and hop aboard the high-speed KTX train to reach Busan, in the south-east of the country. You’ll arrive in a little under three hours – high-speed, indeed – ready to settle into your next delightful hotel for two nights.
Enjoy your first evening in Busan, taking in the pretty ocean panorama and stretching your legs with a stroll along the powdery white sand of a nearby beach.
While it might be tempting to retire to the comfort of a sunlounger, there’s too much to see and do to let the day slip by. So, after a restful morning, you’ll be met by a friendly local guide for an insider’s tour of the city. Busan has much more to offer than its well-known image as a seaside resort – with all due respect to the golden expanses of Haeundae Beach, of course. So, today is all about uncovering the essence of this coastal charmer.
Start by checking out some of the city’s spectacular museums, including the Busan Museum of Art, Trickeye and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Travelling with a history buff? Busan is also home to Beomeosa Temple (established in 678), one of the region’s treasures. To round off your exploration, head to the colourful cliffside neighbourhood of Gamcheon, which is bursting with viewpoints, cafes and local handicraft stores – time to scout for that perfect souvenir.
After exploring the city, it’s time to wind down for the evening. Return to your hotel to enjoy a soothing treatment at the on-site spa (lucky you).
This morning, swap coastal calm for an island paradise with a private transfer to the airport and a speedy one-hour flight to Jeju. Make sure to look out the window while you’re in the air; the views over the ocean are truly spectacular.
When you land, another private transfer will be waiting to whisk you away along scenic forested roads to the south of the island, where you’ll spend the next three nights in a sea-facing hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and recharging your batteries, ready for the adventures tomorrow holds...
Nestled at the meeting point of three countries and three seas, Jeju is much more than just an island retreat. The coast is dominated by dramatic volcanic cliffs, pristine stretches of sand and the delightful Olle Trail, which loops around the entire island. Inland, you’ll find beautiful waterfalls hidden among vegetation, trails leading to the jagged crater of Jeju’s dormant Seongsan Ilchulbong volcano and lime-green tea fields that invite you to enjoy a cuppa with a view.
Behind the island’s eye-catching nature lies a cultural heritage that’s just as original: from curious myths and legends, to historic invasions and, more recently, a medley of art and architecture that flourishes as much as the rapeseed fields.
The next couple of days are yours to spend exploring this exceptional slice of paradise at your own pace. Enjoy the cooling spray from the Jeongbang Waterfalls, savour the scent of flowers at Camellia Hill and gaze up at the Oedolgae Sea Stack. Then try to catch a glimpse of the Haenyeo free divers (Jeju’s real-life mermaids) or set off on a hike to the highest peak in Korea at Mount Halla.
End your Jeju jaunt on a calmer note. Sink your toes into the sands of Hyeopjae Beach or discover the caves inside Hallim Park – a cool refuge from the summer sun.
After tucking into a wonderfully fresh breakfast this morning, gather your things and prepare for your private transfer to the airport before your one-hour flight back to Seoul. You’ll be seeing a slightly different side of the capital this time around, staying in the historic village of Bukchon, in northern Seoul. Check into your final accommodation of the trip before venturing out to grab a bite to eat.
To make sure your last night feels truly special, ask your trusty Concierge to point you towards the best restaurants in the area – it’s time to toast to a trip well spent.
This morning, savour your final moments in and around Bukchon Village: enjoy more delicious Korean food, do some last-minute souvenir shopping or simply relax and take in the pleasant atmosphere of your hanok.
Later on, you’ll be privately transferred to the airport for the 13-hour flight back to the UK. With so much time in the air, you’ll have no problem sorting through your saturated camera roll for the cream of the crop – all in time to show friends and family back home.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
