Essence of South Korea

An essential sweep of Korea’s culture, cuisine and coast

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Tailor-Made Tour

Duration9 Days
Flights IncludedYes
Prices From £ 5275

Places Visited : Seoul – Gyeongju – Busan – Seoul

Perfect for a first taste of South Korea, this eight-day journey balances headline sights with relaxed pacing and minimal hotel moves, including its technologically advanced cities, the relics of its fascinating ancient dynasties, remote villages that preserve an ancient way of life, and stunning temples tucked deep in luscious forests. This is a must-do tour in a country where new cultures and economies are evolving faster than anywhere else on earth, while the ancient and historical are revered, respected, and beautifully preserved.

Begin in Seoul, acclimatising amid grand royal palaces, superb museums and the tea houses and galleries of Insadong—perhaps adding a DMZ excursion. Glide south by KTX to Gyeongju, the former Silla capital, where grassy royal tombs, the elegant precincts of Bulguksa and the hillside sanctuary of Seokguram trace over a millennium of history.

On Day 5, travel by private car to UNESCO-listed Yangdong Folk Village for a serene morning among aristocratic hanok, then continue door-to-door to Busan for sea air, street food and a restorative jjimjilbang. Return to the capital by high-speed rail for a contemporary dining send-off. Add 3–4 days for the scenic Jeju Island if time allows.

Remember, this trip can be personalised to suit your travel needs - we can tailor everything from hotel, travel type, duration and more.

Suggested itinerary

Day 1

London to Seoul

Fly from London Heathrow on a direct British Airways flight to Seoul, South Korea's capital. The flight should take around 14 hours

Seoul is one of the most exciting cities of Asia displaying a perfect mix of traditional and modern, with countless attractions and sites to explore! A megalopolis of over 10 million people, Seoul feels like a city on a mission. Modernity is undoubtedly the capital’s keynote, interrupted only by a desire to preserve its cultural heritage, particularly the numerous National Treasure and monuments that remain, dating back to the 14th century.

Day 2

Seoul introduction

Arrive at Seoul airport in the morning. You will be met on arrival at Incheon International Airport and transferred to your hotel (1 hour). We begin our busy sightseeing tour of Seoul with a morning at the Gyeongbokgung Palace Complex, the principal palace of the Joseon Dynasty where you can witness the changing of the guard ceremony. It's a great opportunity to experience a rare traditional scene in Korea!

Visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace Complex - the grandest of five great palaces built by the Joseon’s, the longest ruling Confucian dynasty who reigned over South Korea for some five centuries. It is one of the most important structures of the city and a fine example of Korean architecture, often compared to the Forbidden City in Beijing. Secured by great fortified walls with just four points of entry the largest which, The Gwanghwamun Gate leads directly to the Gwanghwamun Square, the main congregational square of the palace where the changing of the guard ceremony takes place.

Today parts of the palace are occupied by The National Palace Museum of Korea showcasing the lifestyle of the Joseon society, including pieces reflecting its arts, science and music and The National Folk Museum which houses artefacts of the traditional rural lifestyle. The beautifully manicured grounds feature a glorious pavilion at its heart on a private island, in the middle of a lake connected by three elegant stone bridges while the flora of the landscape is home to a large variety of birds.

You can also enjoy tea in a hanok at Bukchon and browse Insadong’s studios. The Bukchon Hanok Village area preserves a 600-year-old urban settlement offering a valuable insight into the cultural history of the Joseon period. Located north of the Cheonggye Stream, the village shows some great examples of traditional Korean architecture. It is also home to the Bukhchon Traditional Culture Centre with a wide selection of cafes, restaurants, and shops offering handmade crafts and a traditional tea houses.

If energy allows, add an early-evening amble along Cheonggyecheon for lantern-lit blossom or a short Namsan loop for skyline views among cherries.

Day 3

Seoul: Royal and modern contrast

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden, Jogyesa Temple and Gwangjang Market for bindaetteok and gimbap. Optional night view from N Seoul Tower.

Start at opening for Changdeokgung (soft light, fewer people), then detour to Seokchon Lake or Yeouido Hangang Park late afternoon when petals glow and breezes lift confetti—time a blue-hour photo stop before dinner.

Optional: head to the Namsan Mountain Park and Tower, one of the tallest towers in Asia to catch breath-taking views across the city and Hangang River at night.

Day 4

KTX to Gyeongju

High-speed train to Singyeongju (≈2–2½ hrs). Explore Tumuli Park, Cheomseongdae Observatory and Woljeonggyo Bridge.

Aim to arrive by midday and head straight to Bomun Lake for the famous cherry-lined promenade (best light 15:30–17:30). Sunset at Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond.

Day 5

Gyeongju: UNESCO treasures

Morning at Bulguksa brings the sight of petals over temple roofs, followed by Seokguram Grotto. Afternoon at Gyeongju National Museum or a Tohamsan forest walk. Keep the late afternoon free for Hwangnidan-gil’s hanok lanes where blossoms frame cafés and courtyards.

The seat of the powerful Silla dynasty, Gyeongju offers an exceptional crop of monuments comprising temples, pagodas, ancient burial sites, statues and gardens in the shadow of Mount Namsan.

No less than four UNESCO listed World Heritage Sites are found here. The first is the Royal Tumuli Park – a collection of smooth-sided, grassy mounds in which the Silla Kings lie buried. Many of these tombs remain unopened, but treasures from those that have – including several solid gold crowns, ornamental weapons and the huge ‘Emille Bell’ – are displayed in the Gyeongju National Museum, along with ceramic items and other religious artefacts.

Bulguksa Temple is Gyeongju’s crowning glory, nestled amid pine, peach, plum and cryptomeria trees on the lower slopes of Mount Tohamsan, the sprawling Buddhist complex is the oldest and most famous Silla shrines. The architect responsible for Bulguksa also designed the exquisite Seokguram grotto, further up the hill, where most people head to admire the seated Shakyamuni Buddha, – an, eerily lifelike carving that is regarded as the high watermark of Buddhist art in the Far East.

Day 6

Gyeongju - Yangdong - Busan

Drive ~20–30 mins to Yangdong Folk Village for a tranquil 1½–2-hour visit; continue directly to Busan (about 1–1¼ hrs, traffic-dependent). Check in near Haeundae or the old port. Explore Gamcheon Culture Village and Jagalchi; seaside stroll at Gwangalli or Haeundae.

Yangdong at opening for quiet lanes, then target Busan’s Dalmaji-gil Road above Haeundae for late-day petals and sea views.

Day 7

Busan: Coast, Culture & Spa

Clifftop Haedong Yonggungsa and the coastal trail to Cheongsapo. Afternoon unwind at Spa Land or visit Oryukdo Skywalk.

Begin at Oncheoncheon Stream or Children’s Grand Park for riverside cherries, then temple/coast once the sun is higher. Reserve Spa Land for late afternoon when crowds thin.

Day 8

KTX to Seoul

KTX to Seoul (≈2h15). Last-minute shopping in Myeongdong/Namdaemun or a blockbuster exhibition. Farewell dinner: contemporary Korean tasting menu or a beloved barbecue spot.

Slot in a final Yeouido loop if petals are still flying; otherwise enjoy a museum while petals drift past the windows.

The buzzing Myeongdong market is one of Seoul’s most-loved shopping district where the young and fashion conscious come out in exuberant style to be seen and admired as they wine and dine in the numerous local cafés, bars and restaurants.

You could consider catching an amateur production of Korean Cultural Theatre in the Daehakro District a short distance from your hotel. It’s much more performance than drama and predominantly consist of dance, shaman ritual and circus, tinged with satire that showcases the lighter, edgier side of local culture with humour and a degree of social criticism. Don’t worry about your Korean language skills, you’ll instinctively know when to laugh or cry!

Day 9

Return to London from Seoul

International return flight back home.

Additional Holiday Extensions are available here including visiting Jeju Island, hiking Geumjeongsan Mountain or a day trip to the beautiful Geojedo Island. Find out more by contacting our South Korea travel specialists.

What's Included

✓ International flights from London to Seoul
✓ 8 nights accommodation
✓ All internal transportation and transfers
✓ English-speaking guides
✓ Breakfast daily
✓ Entrance fees to sites and monuments listed in tour itinerary

Holiday Extensions for this tour

Noryangjin Fish Market in Seoul

Half Day days, - nights from £215 per person

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Day Half Day Tour

Seoul

For early risers a visit to Seoul’s largest fish market is often considered a highlight. Although the fishing fleets come in around 3am, on a good day with an abundant catch, fish auctions can continue as late at 7am. If keen, we’d be delighted to organise a private early morning visit for you followed by a traditional breakfast at the market.

Visit The Demilitarised Zone from Seoul

Half or Full Day days, - nights from £265 per person

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Day Half or Full Day tour

Seoul, Demilitarised Zone

For history buffs we will be pleased to organise either a full day or a half day private visit to the ‘DMZ no-man's land’ located some 30 miles north of Seoul city. Created by the Korean Armistice Agreements in 1953, the 155-mile long demarcation line was originally created to act as a treaty zone for political meetings but has become a major attraction for visitors in recent years. Here you will be able to visit the Ganghwa Peace Observatory and peek into North Korea, and see Imjingak Park or reunification Park and discover the Bridge of Freedom used by repatriated POWs and soldiers.

Hiking to Bukhansan Peak

Full Day tour days, - nights from £ per person

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Day Tour

Bukhansan National Park

For the active among you we recommend a hike in the fabulous Bukhansan National Park that sits within Seoul’s city boundaries. The Mountainous region boasts several gorges, grasslands and granite peaks with streams of crystal clear waters running through. Hiking to the summit can be challenging and takes between 4-6 hours depending on personal fitness. The excursion includes an accompanying guide. Transport to and from the park, a stop at the Doseonsa Buddhist Temple and a Korean lunch-box.

Short Stay on Jeju Island

3 days, 2 nights from £1845 per person

Single supplement £ 175 per person

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Day 1

Busan to Jeju Island

After breakfast in the hotel, we get transferred to Busan airport for a short flight to Jeju Island. Stay at The Astar Hotel, a centrally located 4-star hotel offering an array of in-room amenities including a minibar and air conditioning, fitness centre, sauna and free Wi-Fi. In the afternoon, begin exploration of this enchanting island with a visit to Yongduam Rock (Dragon Head Rock), and the peaceful Spirited Garden, the world’s largest botanical garden. Explore the O’Sulloc Green Tea Plantation and Museum, then explore the volcanic rock formations of Jusangjeoli, and the Cheonjeyeon Waterfalls.

Day 2

Jeju Island

Today spend the entire day further exploring this island. We start at the volcanic crater at Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak), a volcanic tuff cone and UNESCO World Heritage Site offering spectacular views over the sea and rural landscapes. Tour the traditional homes of the famed haenyeo female divers at the Women Diver’s Museum, then visit the world’s largest nutmeg tree forest “Bijarim Forest” before you get a true taste of ancient Korean culture at Seongup Folk Village where you see traditional Jeju thatched houses, a Confucian temple, mill and fortress.

Day 3

Jeju Island to Seoul and London

Today morning, we get transferred to Jeju airport for a short flight to Seoul, connecting with return flight back home.

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