Essential South Korea

Eoseo oseyo! Welcome to South Korea. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Seoul – the vibrant capital of high-tech gadgetry, towering skyscrapers and scrumptious eats. If you arrive early, maybe explore this modern Asian metropolis at your own pace and discover how ancient traditions come together with the modern in one of Asia's great cities. After you meet your trip leader and group members, you’ll head out on an orientation walk to get your bearings and note down some good nightlife spots for later. Then, grab dinner to get your first taste of some authentic Korean cuisine and get to know your group.

This morning, visit the Gyungbokgung Palace – a former royal palace established in 1395, which once served as the main palace for the Joseon dynasty. After, tour the Gwangjang Market with your leader and maybe pick up some local treats or souvenirs from one of the 5000 shops and stalls. In your free afternoon, maybe try local dishes like hand cut noodles or bulgogi or visit HiKR Ground, where you can experience media art and make your own music video. You could also discover the K-beauty scene, where you can get skin checks, colour analysis and beauty treatments. Tonight, maybe head to some coin karaoke (where you pay 30 cents per song) and belt out a few favourites to get the night going.

Say goodbye to Seoul and hop on a local bus to Jeonju, known for the Hanok Heritage Village – home to traditional houses, craft shops, food stalls and the 15th-century Gyeonggjieon Shrine. When you arrive, head out on an orientation walk to see the downtown area. You’ll also taste some dalgona (a honeycomb toffee known as Korean sugar candy) at a local store before a free afternoon. This evening, visit Nambu Market with your leader. Here, you can learn about the recent success of the youth incubation program, which offers free rent to young business owners to save the market and keep the community thriving. Tonight, you’ll stay in a hanok (a traditional Korean house).

This morning, wander around the gorgeous architecture, galleries, shops and streets on a leader-led walk. After, you’ll visit the Jeonju Hanji Museum, where you’ll learn about the traditional Korean paper and how it has impacted the lifestyle of the locals. See hanji crafts, tools, ancient manuscripts and books on display, then try your hand at hanji making. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe wander the Jaman Art Village to see the colourful murals, walk along the Sinabro-gil Trail or take the chance to learn some new moves and sign up for a K-pop dance class. Later, sit down for an optional group dinner and maybe try some bibimbap (a rice bowl served with gochujang and various toppings like egg, vegetables and sliced meat).

Travel to Webongsansung this morning for a short walk with your leader. This location was actually used for a photoshoot for the famous K-pop group BTS! Wander around the lush greenery and abandoned architecture of the area, then visit Ahwon Gotack. This hanok and gallery is set among green mountains and gardens and was also used as a filming location for a music video. After exploring the traditional houses and gardens, continue your journey to Daegu. When you arrive, visit the Museum of Oriental Medicine to learn about traditional Korean practices and gain insights into Donguibogam – a UNESCO World Heritage record. Renowned for its collection of medicinal herbs, Daegu is a hub of traditional medicine. The evening is free, so maybe wander through Seomun Market, one of Daegu's most historic and bustling traditional markets, or visit Daegu Tower for panoramic views of the skyline and the surrounding mountains.

Get up early this morning and board a train to Busan – a large port city known for its spas, beaches and temples. When you arrive, visit the colourful labyrinth-like streets in the Gamcheon Culture Village. This area is known for its brightly coloured houses and is the perfect spot for a pic – so don’t forget your camera! Then, maybe spend your free afternoon learning some new skills at a calligraphy class or wander the shoreline of Haeundae Beach. Tonight, maybe head out for dinner at a local restaurant – your leader will have the best recommendations.

Today is a free day to explore everything Busan has to offer. Maybe head to the chic waterfront complex The Bay 101 and grab a drink in one of the open-air bars, take a taekwondo class or stroll through the Centum shopping complex to pick up some souvenirs. You could also spend the day relaxing in the hot springs at Spaland, known for having both traditional Korean-style baths and modern spa treatments. Tonight, maybe hop on the Haewoondae ferry and watch Busan light up as the sun goes down.

Maybe pick up some coffee and breakfast this morning before heading to the Urban Smart Farm Social Company with your group. This social enterprise, backed by the government and local NGOs, is a great example of how locals have innovated agricultural growth within shipping containers to grow fresh produce in a busy city. Learn about their sustainability efforts and then carry on to Igidae Beach for a gentle coastline walk. When you’ve worked up an appetite, you might want to grab some lunch before heading back to Seoul on the train. When you arrive, you have a free afternoon. Maybe explore more of Seoul's districts you might have missed – with cafes, modern restaurants, parks and alleys, there’s no shortage of places to find! Why not keep the night going and head out to some bars to celebrate the end of your trip with some new friends?

With no further activities planned today, your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to spend more time in Seoul, just speak to your booking agent.