Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
South Korea – Seoul – Gyeongju – Busan – Suncheon – Mokpo – Jeungdo
100% customisable for you
Your 13-day adventure to the cultural powerhouse of South Korea starts today. Head to the airport, breeze through check-in and settle into the premium lounge. Most direct flights to Seoul depart in the evening and take about 13 hours, so spend tonight on board and touchdown tomorrow. Since you’re bound for the epicentre of K-culture, why not download a few K-dramas and K-pop albums to keep you entertained as you journey across the world?
Rise and shine. This morning, it’s time to touchdown in Seoul, where a private driver will whisk you into the heart of the city for your two-night stay. Once you’ve unpacked, the rest of the day is yours for the taking. We recommend heading out for a stroll along the Myeong-dong district’s main avenue, where shops, cafes and street-food stalls will compete for your attention, beneath a canopy of neon signs.
You’ll be armed with a trusty T-money card, which, together with the city’s enviable metro system, makes exploring easy and efficient. So, venture far and wide, visiting the grand Gyeongbokgung Palace, Zaha Hadid’s futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza and the four-mile promenade of Cheonggyecheon. Then head to the ultra-stylish district of Gangnam and the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) before stepping back in time at the UNESCO Confucian sanctuary of Jongmyo and the royal tombs of the Joseon dynasty.
You only have one full day in the capital, so wake up bright and early to make the most of it. On today’s agenda is a private walking tour with a clued-up local guide. The walk is relaxed and tailored to your preferences, allowing for total spontaneity (within reason, of course). This is a chance to venture off the tourist trail and visit the favourite spots of a trusty Seoulite.
Ask your guide all your burning questions about South Korean culture, and, while you’re at it, why not gather some handy tips and recommendations for the rest of the trip, too? Along the way, make sure to tuck into some local street food delicacies, such as tteokbokki (rice cakes in a spicy sauce), odeng (fish skewers), gyeranppang (bread topped with an egg) or the popular kimbap (the Korean take on sushi).
Wave goodbye to the bright lights of the capital this morning (from the comfort of the high-speed KTX train, no less) as you head south. Today’s adventure is as much a journey through space as it is through time; Gyeongju was the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom, which ruled for nearly 1,000 years from 57 BCE to 935 CE. When you arrive, settle in for the night at a charming hotel before spending the rest of the day exploring an array of ancient artefacts, monuments and tombs.
We recommend heading out on foot or by bike, passing by the temples, statues, hanoks and iconic grass mounds (which house the ancient tombs of former kings and queens) dotted around the city. Slightly further afield, you’ll find the UNESCO-listed Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, which displays a magnificent Buddha statue – a fitting place to mark the end of your time in Gyeongju.
Your journey to the coast continues today with a speedy 30-minute train ride to Busan, a scenic port city in the country’s southeast peninsula. Hang up your hat for two nights in a contemporary hotel and spend the rest of the day enjoying your first taste of Busan.
Due to its proximity to the Sea of Japan, this coastal hub long boasted some serious clout in cultural exchanges with its Japanese neighbour. Today, it’s a traditional yet trendy second city, home to stunning oceanside temples, beaches and seafood galore – sensing a theme? The Jagalchi Fish Market is the largest of its kind in Korea and delights foodies with its array of fresh catches ready to be devoured. An evening meal here is a great way to rub shoulders with the locals and ease yourself into life on the coast (and fill your stomach, of course).
On today’s agenda: a full day of discovering Busan. To kick things off, head out on a walking tour with a local guide. Nothing is planned in advance, so, once again, you can be as spontaneous as you like (lucky you).
Popular sightseeing options include visiting the city’s many museums, gazing across the city skyline from Beomeosa Temple, or heading to Haedong Yonggungsa, one of Korea’s most beautiful coastal temples. For a slower pace, stroll along the golden expanses of Haeundae Beach.
On the foodie front, the region’s culinary specialities are all well worth sampling. Expect to find raw mackerel, fish croquettes and seafood tortillas on many menus around the port – if you’re a seafood fan, this is the place to try it.
Venture off the beaten track today as you abandon the famous city of Busan in favour of the lesser-visited Suncheon. The three-hour bus ride is certainly scenic, offering views of mountain peaks and coastal panoramas.
When you arrive, settle in for two nights in a comfortable hotel in the city centre and spend the rest of the day capitalising on your tickets to Suncheon Bay. A protected wetland spanning over eight square miles, this natural treasure is a migration hub for 140 species of birds, making it a bird watchers’ paradise. Wander through the vast reed fields on boardwalks that cover the wetlands, keeping an eye (and a camera) out for the storks and herons soaring overhead. And make sure to head up Yongsan (translating to Dragon Mountain) in time for sunset, too – the views over the landscapes below are beautiful on a clear day.
Suncheon is quickly becoming known as a highly eco-friendly city thanks to its diverse landscapes teeming with flora and fauna. While the bay is its main attraction, the surrounding landscape is also home to lush mountains and terraced tea plantations where, following the departure of Japanese colonial forces, local entrepreneurs set about taking back control and igniting a booming tea business.
The Suncheon Bay Gardens are equally spectacular, home to about 860,000 trees and 650,000 flowers. The colours are bright, the aromas enticing and the views immense. Finally, a visit to the village of Naganeupseong is a must. Built under the Joseon dynasty, a rich culture has stood the test of time within these imposing fortress walls. About 300 villagers still live here, known for their beautiful handicrafts (which make for superb souvenirs) and their preservation of centuries-old history.
Today, it’s time to abandon public transport in favour of a hire car – cue our destination-specific playlists (embellished with a touch of K-Pop, naturally).
Before heading west to your next destination, we recommend taking some time to explore the beautiful park surrounding Mount Jogye. An abundant landscape of craggy peaks and remote ridgelines, it hides pretty temples in the verdant forest valley. Elsewhere in the region, the striking temples of Seonamsa and Songgwangsa are certainly worth a detour.
After hopping out a few times to explore, continue for three hours to your next hotel: a beautiful hanok in Mokpo, where you’ll stay the night. Spend the rest of the afternoon soaking in the local sights at a relaxed pace. Stroll along Yudal Beach, passing the pavilions for a pit stop (and a tasty treat), head up Yudalsan Mountain for panoramic views across the archipelago of Dadohae National Maritime Park, or admire the ancient shipwrecks in the maritime museum.
Among the well-connected Sinan Archipelago lies your next destination, Jeungdo Island, which you’ll reach in under an hour via a scenic road which snakes through the heart of the archipelago.
Unpack and settle in for two nights in a contemporary hotel. The rest of the day is yours to take advantage of the island’s water-based fun: enjoy a dip in the on-site swimming pool, unwind in the thermal pools or head down to the ocean and embrace the salt air.
Once you’ve dried off and freshened up, dine at a nearby restaurant and savour expertly cooked seafood. Talk about island bliss.
Jeungdo was officially the first Asian city to be labelled a ‘Slow City’ in 2008, a tribute to the leisurely pace of life and freedom of time its locals and visitors (and now you) can enjoy. The island’s history is closely linked to its salt production, something you can discover on two feet or two wheels via a two-mile trail. After exploring the path, enjoy a tour of the Salt Museum to learn more about the processes and traditions behind this long-standing industry.
Nature lovers can head to the island’s Yeomsaeng Botanical Garden, which displays the close connection between its plant life and the salt marsh. Despite these salty surroundings, an array of wildlife have managed to flourish on the island, including many migratory birds – another win for birdwatchers on this holiday.
Round off the day admiring the sunset from Ujeon Beach, reached via the enchanting Hanbando pine forest.
This morning, it’s time to return your hire car in Mokpo before hopping on one last KTX train to Seoul. The journey takes around three hours, passing the same verdant landscapes that are sure to feel familiar by now.
Your final hotel is a charming hanok in Bukchon Village, a neighbourhood known for its traditional buildings and once the home of Seoul’s nobility. The rest of the day can be as busy or relaxed as you like. Visit the art galleries in the Insa-dong district, rub shoulders with the local youth in trendy Hongdae, follow the aromas of street barbecues in Gwangjang Market or simply stroll around the boutique stores and teahouses in Bukchon. Today, the world (or Seoul) is your oyster.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, so after checking out of your accommodation, a private driver will whisk you back to the airport for your international flight home. After heading through security, relax in the lounge with some nibbles and refreshments before boarding.
Direct flights back to the UK tend to depart in the afternoon and take around 13 hours, meaning you could arrive home today (thanks to the time difference). In the air, lean back, whip out some headphones and dip straight back into those K-dramas – your time in the country may be over, but your love for its culture doesn’t have to be.
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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