Highlights
- See the thatch-roofed, lava-rock homes of Jeju Island's Seongeup Folk Village
- Wander the blossom-filled former train depot, Gyeonghwa Station, in Jinhae
- See the "blossom rivers" along the mountaintop roads of Hwangnyeongsan
- Visit an ancient seventh-century observatory, the oldest in Asia, in Gyeongju
- Don a traditional Korean hanbok at Seoul's Joseon palace, Gyeongbokgung
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Seoul, Self-guided Tour in Seoul Forest Park | Seoul |
| Day 2 | Fly to Jeju Island, Jeju Scenery Tour | Jeju Island |
| Day 3 | Discover Blossoms, Museums, Waterfalls & Mountains on Jeju Island | Jeju Island |
| Day 4 | Fly to Busan, Spot Cherry Blossoms in Jinhae | Busan |
| Day 5 | Highlights of Busan with Cherry Blossoms Tour | Busan |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Seoul via Gyeongju, Highlights of Gyeongju Tour | Seoul |
| Day 7 | Seoul City Tour with Cherry Blossom Spots | Seoul |
| Day 8 | Depart Seoul |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Seoul, Self-guided Tour in Seoul Forest Park
Welcome to Seoul, the dynamic South Korean capital with over nine million residents. Meet your driver at Incheon International Airport to transfer directly to your hotel, which is approximately an hour's drive away. Depending on your arrival time, spend the day exploring the city or resting after your journey.
Head to the Insadong neighborhood to tour its tea houses, shops, and restaurants, walking along cobblestone streets lined with ginkgo trees. Or, walk through Myeongdong, a skincare and cosmetics hub. Head to Gwangjang Market for lunch to taste some of the city's best street food while mingling with the locals. Choose from dishes such as dak gangjeong (fried chicken), mandu (dumplings), and kkochi (skewers). Then, see the city skyline views at Seoul Sky, an observation deck with a glass floor above the city.
Day 2: Fly to Jeju Island, Jeju Scenery Tour
Pack your bags and start your day with an approximately one-hour flight to Jeju Island, where you'll spend the next two nights. This volcanic atoll is home to Korea's highest peak, Hallasan, and the world's longest underground lava tube. Check into your hotel, then get ready for a full-day tour of the island's vast stretches of protected forested areas and coastline, making it a popular destination for outdoor adventurers and nature enthusiasts.
With your guide, you'll first visit Woljeongri Beach, a stretch of white sand near picturesque cafés, where you can enjoy the beautiful view with a cup of tea. From there, head to the UNESCO-listed Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak), a large volcanic tuff cone that erupted from the sea over 5,000 years ago.
Get distant views of the crater-topped peak from Gwangchigi Beach, then head to Noksan Road to immerse yourself in the pink and yellow blooms of cherry trees and canola flowers. Learn more about the island's culture at Seongeup Folk Village, exploring a town of 3,000 thatch-roofed and lava-rock homes passed down through generations. For dinner, head to Dongmun Traditional Market to try local specialties such as haemul ttukbaegi (hotpot seafood stew), hallabong (tangerines), black pork barbecue, and abalone porridge.
Day 3: Discover Blossoms, Museums, Waterfalls & Mountains on Jeju Island
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Join your guide for a full day exploring more of Jeju Island. Start at Jeonnong Road, where the cherry blossoms in bloom make a pink tunnel and visit the mind-bending Mysterious Road to experience the optical illusion of the tilted road. Then, meet the adorable Teddys at the Teddy Bear Museum and admire the views of the island's tallest mountain at the Hallasan Observatory.
Follow this with a visit to the Jusangjeoli Cliff to see pillar rock formations formed when Hallasan erupted. In the afternoon, stroll through a tranquil forest to the 72-foot-high (22 m) Cheonjiyeon Waterfall. The name translates to "sky connected with land." Finally, end your tour at Jeongbang Waterfall, the only waterfall in South Korea that falls directly into the sea. It's a gorgeous spot to wrap up the tour and your time on the island as you fly back to the mainland tomorrow.
Day 4: Fly to Busan, Spot Cherry Blossoms in Jinhae
Say goodbye to Jeju Island and catch a one-hour flight to Busan, South Korea's second-largest city, nestled among mountain ranges along the coast. The port town is loved for its nearby beaches, International Film Festival, trendy cafés, and extensive fish markets. Settle into your hotel, grab your camera, and then meet your guide and driver for a half-day tour of the best spots for cherry blossoms in the surrounding area.
Travel for 30 minutes to nearby Jinhae, one of South Korea's most famous springtime cities. Over 360,000 cherry trees are planted throughout the city, making it a fairy tale come to life. Stroll along the Yeojwacheon stream, lined with blossoms and charming cafés, then visit Gyeonghwa Station, a former train depot now converted to a park, with a decommissioned rail line (complete with train) surrounded by pink trees. Return to Busan at the end of the day.
Day 5: Highlights of Busan with Cherry Blossoms Tour
Grab an early breakfast and meet your guide for a full-day tour of some of Busan's cultural wonders, starting at the 14th-century Buddhist temple, Haedong Yonggungsa, set on a rugged coastline. From here, hunt down cherry blossoms at Dalmaji Road, where the rosy blooms stand out against the blue sky. Next, head to Haeundae Beach, a popular summer destination for swimmers and surfers, to walk on the soft white sand or ride the fun Sky Capsule beach train before continuing to Songdo Beach for endless sea views.
Spend the afternoon discovering Gamcheon Culture Village, the "Machu Picchu of Busan," with its brightly colored terraced houses and winding alleys decorated with murals and sculptures by residents. While there, sample the famous local dish, ssiat hotteok (pancake filled with brown sugar). End the day with a visit to Jagalchi Fish Market, the largest fish market in South Korea. Finally, ascend the mountain Hwangnyeongsan for its famous views of cherry trees lining the mountaintop road before returning to your hotel for the evening.
Day 6: Transfer to Seoul via Gyeongju, Highlights of Gyeongju Tour
After breakfast at your hotel in Busan, transfer to Gyeongju, the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom (57 BCE to 935 CE). Today, it's nicknamed the "museum without walls." Immerse yourself in history by beginning your half-day tour at the beautiful Bulguksa temple, an eighth-century architectural wonder housing six national treasures, including the Dabotap and Seokgatap stone pagodas. Before taking a lunch break, continue to the Seokguram Grotto on Mount Toham, home to a monumental Buddha statue facing the sea.
In the afternoon, visit Bomunjeong to see the small lake surrounded by blooms and its charming waterside pavilion. Next, tour Tumuli Park, the resting place of 23 royal tombs, to view the historic fifth-century Cheonmachong tomb, offering a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of a Silla king. End your visit at the ancient Cheomseongdae Observatory, the oldest of its kind in Asia, dating back to the seventh century, which comes alive with blossoms in the spring. Then, you'll catch a train to Seoul, about two hours away, and check into your hotel.
Day 7: Seoul City Tour with Cherry Blossom Spots
A full-day guided tour of Seoul's highlights awaits you today, with an emphasis on finding the best cherry blossoms in the city. Your day will start in Yeouido Park, which features 1,600 hot-pink Yoshino cherry trees along the Han River. As you wander, you'll be able to spot a host of other spring blooms here, including tulips, azaleas, and forsythia.
Next, you'll visit the beautiful Gyeongbokgung, a 14th-century palace. Here, you can rent a hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) for professional photos, learn about the ancient Joseon Dynasty, and watch the traditional ceremonies, like the Changing of the Royal Guard, that occur daily. Afterward, learn more about the Joseon Dynasty from your guide as you stroll through the historic Bukchon Hanok Village, with its small streets featuring traditional dynasty architecture, cultural centers, and museums.
Continue on to Gwangjang Market for a tasty perusal of typical street fare such as bibimbap (a rice-based dish) or mung bean pancakes. After checking out the market, follow your guide to Namsan Park, where you can hike or ride the cable car up to the iconic N Seoul Tower for 360-degree city views. Before returning to your hotel for your last night in South Korea, don't miss the love-lock fence on the observatory, a favorite local dating spot that is particularly lovely in the spring.
Day 8: Depart Seoul
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