Essential South Korea

Eoseo oseyo! Welcome to South Korea. Your adventure begins in Seoul, the vibrant capital of high-tech gadgetry, towering skyscrapers and scrumptious eats. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, 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, perhaps grab dinner to get your first taste of some authentic Korean cuisine and get to know your group.

This morning, you’ll visit HiKR Ground, where you can experience media art and maybe make your own music video. Then, tour 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 visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, which once served as the main palace for the Joseon dynasty or take a lesson in basic Korean so you can talk with the locals. Tonight, you’ll have a group dinner where you might be able to try local dishes like hand cut noodles or bulgogi. After, maybe head to some coin karaoke (where you pay 30 cents per song) and belt out a few favourites to get the night going. (D)

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. Arrive around midday before your leader takes you on an orientation walk to see the downtown area. You’ll also have the opportunity to 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 have a free day to explore at your own pace. Maybe wander the Jaman Art Village to see the colourful murals or walk along the Sinabro-gil Trail – an easy 1-hour trail from Jeonju Hanok Village where you can see the Seungam Village and Temple. Take the chance to learn some new moves and sign up for a K-pop dance class or further explore the picturesque streets, with its famed shopping strips, filmmaking scene and fun bangs (singing rooms, arcades, DVD rooms and photo rooms). Later, sit down for an optional group dinner – 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 wandering around the traditional house and gardens, you’ll head to a local restaurant where you can pick up some lunch before taking a bus to Yeosu. When you arrive in the afternoon, you have the option to hop on the cable car here, which provides panoramic views of the glittering water and coastline below. The cable car will take you to the street food tents – where tents and carts are set up along the seaside – where you can choose some local street dishes for dinner and watch the sunset. Alternatively, head straight to your guest house in Yeosu and wander around the city at your own pace.

Depending on the group’s desires, you might want to get up early enough to watch the sunrise this morning, over the Hyangilam Temple – this small Buddhist temple sits atop a forested coastal cliff and features dramatic ocean views. Watch the sun bring the day to life and wander around the site with your group. After, you’ll take a bus to Busan – the large port city known for its beaches, mountains and temples. Along the way, you’ll make a stop where you can grab some lunch, then head to your hostel. When you’re settled, maybe spend your free afternoon learning some new skills at a calligraphy class or wander the shoreline of Haeundae Beach.

You’ll visit the colourful labyrinth-like streets in the Gamcheon Culture Village this morning. This area is known for its brightly coloured houses and is the perfect spot for a pic – so don’t forget your camera! After wandering the twisted alleyways, head to Jagalchi market, where you can pick up an optional lunch. This world-famous market sells fresh fish and seafood, perfect to feast on by the water. Your afternoon is free to explore at your own pace – 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. Tonight, why not 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 hike. 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 afterwards to celebrate the end of your trip with new friends? (D)

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.