Korea in Style

📍 Incheon International Airport – Seoul (approx. 58 km): +/- 1hr

Welcome to Korea! Upon arrival at Incheon International Airport, you will proceed through fast track immigration. 

In the arrivals hall, you will be welcomed by a local English speaking guide who will accompany you during your stay in Seoul.

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a harmonious blend of ancient tradition and cutting-edge innovation. As a sprawling metropolis, it boasts historic palaces, bustling markets, futuristic architecture and a vibrant arts scene, making it a cultural, technological and historical hub in East Asia.

Depending on your flight time, transfer to the hotel for check in or commence your Seoul discovery with a visit to Namsan Tower.  Located on top of a peak in Namsan Park, the tower offers  panoramic views over the city.

Note: Normal check-in time is 15:00; there will be a surcharge for early check-in.

After freshening up at the hotel, transfer to dinner at one of Seoul’s best restaurants.  The city has a brilliant culinary scene, with more than 15 Michelin starred establishments. This evening you’ll be dining at one of these lauded restaurants, with a table reservation arranged by your private concierge. 

After dinner, transfer back to your hotel for a good night's rest. 

Lunch and dinner on your own account.
 

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

After breakfast at your hotel, set off for a full day exploring Seoul.

Begin with a visit to Gyeongbokgung (Gyongbok) Palace, the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. Originally built in 1395, it was expanded in 1867 to become the largest, and arguably most beautiful of Seoul’s five palaces, with 330 buildings in total. 

If time allows, witness the ceremonial changing of the guard which takes place at 10:00 and 14:00 at Gwanghwamun Gate. (Note: Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed on Tuesdays)

Continue your morning tour with a visit to the National Museum of Contemporary Korean History for insights into how Korea propelled itself from being an agricultural society to the modern economic powerhouse that it is today.

Next, stop by Changdeokgung Palace, another palace from the Joseon dynasty.  In addition to being one of the best preserved palaces, this UNESCO site is known for its Secret Garden where man-made structures were built in harmony with the natural surroundings. 

Return to your hotel for a chance to relax and freshen up.

Another memorable culinary experience awaits this evening, with dinner at another of Seoul’s renowned restaurants. After dinner, transfer back to the hotel. 

Lunch and dinner on your own account.

Night at a hotel in Seoul.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning begins with a private culinary experience, exploring the rich tapestry of Korean cuisine through market visits and a hands-on cooking class. Starting at 10:00, visit a bustling local market, guided by a distinguished Korean aficionado who will unveil the secrets of sourcing the finest, freshest ingredients. As you wander through the vibrant stalls, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the ingredients that form the backbone of Korean cooking.

Continue to an exclusive cooking studio where, under the expert guidance of a local chef, you'll learn to craft an array of local dishes, from the fiery and flavorful kimchi to the succulent stews, side dishes and main courses, each revealing the soul of Korean gastronomy.

After a fantastic lunch, return to the hotel for a chance to relax.

Later this afternoon, transfer to Rakkojae Private Cultural Lounge, a beautifully restored traditional house filled with antiques and artwork. Meet with a tea master who will introduce you to the traditional, ceremonial rituals surrounding tea. This private experience provides an insightful look into Korean culture and heritage. 

In the evening, enjoy a performance at Sojong Cultural Center. Depending on the time of year you might see a musical performance, an opera, dance, or other type of theatrical performance.  

Night at a hotel in Seoul.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Seoul – Andong by KTX (approx. 192 km): +/- 2:15 hr

After breakfast, check out and meet your tour guide in the lobby of your hotel. Transfer to Cheongryangri Station and board one of Korea’s KTX high speed trains for a comfortable two-hour journey to Andong. 

Upon arrival at Andong Station, you will be picked up by private car and transferred to Andong city centre. 

Andong is often considered the spiritual and cultural heart of South Korea, is also known for its preservation of traditional Korean culture, customs, and architecture. 

This afternoon at 14:00, attend an Hahoe Mask Dance show, a traditional Korean performance brought to life by a troupe of performers donning vibrant and ornate masks. This dance form enjoys widespread popularity and serves as an invaluable educational conduit, imparting insights into Korean culture and history.

After the show, discover more about this aspect of Korean heritage as you meet privately with the performers.  Learn how to perform some of the dance moves and craft a mask of our own.

Continue with a walk through the village, admiring the historic buildings with their unique architecture. You will be welcomed into the home of the village chief, a renowned residence that has hosted major politicians and even hosting Queen Elizabeth. Meet with this revered and respected figure, joining him for tea and discussion time. There may also be an opportunity to sample his wife’s homemade perfumed soju. 

Lunch and dinner on your own account.

Night at a hotel in Andong.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning, your exploration of Andong continues with tours of Hahoe Village and its surroundings. 

The village is renowned for its impeccably preserved architecture from the Joseon Dynasty, which includes charming thatched-roof houses and elegant tile-roofed mansions. Begin with a leisurely 30-minute walk to the breathtaking Buyongdae Cliff, where you'll be rewarded with mesmerising vistas of Hahoe Village, the Nakdonggang River, and the surrounding mountain landscapes. 

Continue to the Hahoe World Mask Museum, home to an extensive collection of over 800 masks from more than 50 countries. The thoughtfully curated exhibits and interactive workshops are designed to showcase the artistry and cultural significance embodied by these masks.

Strolling through the village, engage with local craft makers who demonstrate traditional artworks such as pottery, woodwork, and weaving. Then, visit an artisan's private workshop to learn from the expert to get hands-on experience of traditional woodworking techniques passed down through generations.
This evening, you’ll have the opportunity to dine in a family home in the village, gaining a closer look and deeper understanding of Korean life. If you’d like to participate in preparing the food, this can also be arranged with advance notice- a great way to learn about the traditional ways that locals in Andong prepare dinner. 

Night at a hotel in Andong.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Andong - Busan (approx. 230 km):+/- 3 hr

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to Busan by private car. (around 230 km from Andong, 3 hr drive).

Busan, South Korea's second-largest city, is a coastal metropolis known for its stunning beaches, vibrant seafood markets, and scenic harbour views. 

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel to check in and drop off the luggage.

After a short break to relax and freshen up, head out for your first look at Busan. Take a stroll along Haeundae, a white sandy beach beloved by Koreans. Then continue to the vibrant streets of the city, which come to life in the evening hours. 

As you walk through the streets, sample a variety of street food dishes, gaining a glimpse into the maritime bounty that sustains Busan’s culinary traditions. Your guide will also show you popular local bars where you may wish to have a drink later in the evening. 

Return to your hotel or continue to explore on your own.

Lunch and dinner on your own account.

Night at a hotel in Busan.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning, continue your Busan adventure with a visit to Gamcheon Village, an area of Busan where refugees settled during the Korean War and cultivated the mountainous land to make a living. These days, the area has been reborn thanks to the Village Art Project. Walk around the winding streets, admiring the colourful houses, art installations, retail shops and galleries.

Then take a cable car ride across the sea. During the 15-20 minute journey, enjoy spectacular views across the ocean, Songdo Beach, Yeongdodaegyo Bridge, Namhangdaegyo Bridge, Songdo Coastal Dullegil Road and rock cliffs. Before the return journey, stop at Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge for more panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding islands.

Continue to the incredible Jagalchi Market, Korea’s largest seafood market. Your guide will introduce you to a selection of fresh fish sellers who can prepare fresh sashimi for you on the spot. Naturally, it pairs well with local soju and the variety of side dishes that Busan is famous for. 

Return to your hotel for a change of clothes, then head to the port and board a private yacht for a tour of the coastline. Enjoy canapes and champagne as you sail along the Korean peninsula, soaking up the views of the city and watching a memorable sunset. 

Night at a hotel in Busan.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

After breakfast, join your guide for a day trip to Gyeongju. Travel by private car, a journey of approximately 1.5 hours each way.

Gyeongju, once the capital of the 8th-century Silla Kingdom, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Revered as an open-air museum, it is a veritable treasure trove of history, brimming with palaces, temples, and tombs.

Your tour of Gyeongju begins at the religious architectural complex of Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple. Built during the time of the Silla Kingdom, the site highlights the mastery of the architects and artists of that era. Admire the Buddhist carvings and statues of Seokguram and Bulguksa’s wooden buildings and stone terraces. 

This afternoon, visit Gyeongju National Museum. With its vast collections of artefacts, relics, and royal treasures, the museum offers a comprehensive insight into the art, culture, and history of the Silla dynasty.

The next stop is Yangdong Folk Village, a traditional yangban (Korean Aristocracy) village from the Joseon dynasty. 

Yangdong is home to more than 160 traditional style houses (called ‘hanok’), with either tile or thatched roofs, as well as other buildings from the Joseon era. With a backdrop of beautiful natural scenery, visit the village shrine, confucius school, and the noble house of the village head. Before returning back, stroll along the village trail to admire the well-preserved traditional hanoks.

Transfer back to Busan ( 1.5 hr drive), where the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.

Lunch and dinner on your own account.

Night at a hotel in Busan.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Jeju International Airport – Jeju (approx. 50 km): +/- 1hr

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Bid farewell to Busan this morning. Check out after breakfast and transfer to the airport for a short flight to Jeju Island, a volcanic island renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes. 

Upon arrival, meet with your guide and driver and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. If your hotel isn’t available for an early check in, you can start the day of touring directly with lunch served at a local restaurant (on your own account).

After freshening up and having lunch, your exploration of Jeju island begins with a visit to Jeju Haenyeo Museum.  Haenyeo are local women divers who use traditional methods and equipment to collect seafood and marine resources from the waters surrounding the island. After exploring the museum’s insightful displays you will have the opportunity to attend a Haenyo demonstration performance, witnessing these legendary divers in action.

Continue to Seongsan Ilchulbong, also known as Sunrise Peak, for a hike up this unusual geological wonder.  The leisurely hike takes around 30 minutes and rewards you with awe-inspiring vistas of the surrounding coastline and the mesmerising volcanic terrain. After enjoying the views, return on foot to the base of the peak.

This evening enjoy a Haenyeo dinner, sampling the flavours of the sea and the culture of these remarkable women.

Night at a hotel in Jeju.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Geomum Oreum for a hike through the largest lava tube system on the island.  Prior to the hike, get an overview of the terrain and its geological history with a short visit to the Jeju World Natural Heritage Center, conveniently located across from the Geomum Oreum information desk.

There are three distinct trails to choose from based on your energy and interest level:

• Summit Course – 1.8 km/1 hour
• Crater Crouse – 5.5 km/2.5 hours
• Full Course – 10 km/3.5 hours

No matter the route you take, the trek will give you a closer look at Jeju’s fascinating lava tubes and volcanic cones, called oreums. 

After the trek, continue your geological exploration with a visit to Manjaggul Cave. Take a walk inside this massive lava tube, admiring the stalactites, stalactites and stone pillars found in the natural cave.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant followed by a break at the hotel to relax and freshen up.

This evening, visit Dongmun Market, a vibrant market that blends the elements of a street market, night market, traditional market, and seafood market. Take a walk through the market and sample an array of delectable treats before continuing to a local restaurant for dinner. 

Lunch and dinner on your own account.

Night at a hotel in Jeju.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before travelling to Jeju’s southern coast to visit Jeongbang Falls, one of the few waterfalls in Asia to flow directly into the sea. Admire the falls and the spectacular surroundings with dramatic cliffs, lush vegetation, and the sound of crashing waves from the nearby sea.

Next, visit Jusangjeolli Cliffs, known for their unique hexagonal basalt columns formed through volcanic activities. Through designated paths and platforms, you can enjoy the scenery and take photographs of this geological marvel.

Continue your drive along Jeju’s southern coast line.  Take an easy 20-30 minute hike to Sanbanggulsa Temple, a cliffside rock cave. Take time to explore the cave and enjoy the views from the cliffside before continuing on foot to nearby Bomusa Temple and Sanbangsan Mountain Park.

For your last evening in Jeju, your concierge will present you with a variety of culinary options. From the Island’s famous Black Pork barbeque, to French haute-cuisine, or an Omakase experience - Jeju has plenty of options. Let us know your preference for your last evening in the country and we’ll secure a table reservation. 

Night at a hotel in Jeju.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Jeju City- Jeju International Airport (approx. 50 km): +/- 1hr

After breakfast at the hotel, relax until it is time to check out and transfer to the airport (without guide) for your onward departure flight. 

Check out time is 12:00.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast