City to Sea in South Korea: Seoul & Jeju Island - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Seoul, Self-Guided City Tour

Welcome to Seoul! This glittering metropolis is the capital of South Korea. With a population of over 10 million, you'll soon feel the immensity of the concrete jungle as you make the journey from the airport to the city center. A private driver will be waiting at Incheon Airport to transfer you to your destination. Once you arrive, you're free to spend the day however you wish! Catch up on sleep if you're feeling a little jet-lagged, but don't miss the opportunity to explore the city on a self-guided tour. 

Skip the major sites like the palace of Gyeongbukgong, N. Seoul Tower, and Myeongdong – you'll visit those later in the trip. Instead, opt for an adventure for your taste buds at one of the many markets scattered throughout the city. Gwangjang Market is one of the most famous, with many locals flocking here to eat bindaetteok, also known as mungbean pancakes, and other traditional dishes like tteokkbokki and gimbap. The Tongin Market also offers a unique experience of using traditional brass coins, known as yeopjeong, to purchase delicious Korean goodies scattered around the market.

Day 2: Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace & Insadong, Fly to Jeju Island

It's your first full day in Seoul, and it's time to get better acquainted with the city—and country—by seeing one of its most important cultural sites. The palace of Gyeongbokgung was once the seat of Korean royalty for hundreds of years. Walk these storied halls and pathways, adorned by intricately carved and colorfully painted temples and buildings with striking gardens to match. If you're lucky, you'll also catch the changing of the guard ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate, where guards dressed in traditional clothing march the grounds with their weapons, pounding drums and chanting. 

You'll also explore the Insadong neighborhood, known for its charming, ginkgo-lined street known at Garosu-gil and café culture. Peruse the stores on Insadong Antique Alley on the hunt for one-of-a-kind souvenirs, pop into the myriad art galleries, and grab a drink or lunch at the steaming tea houses and bustling street stalls. In the afternoon, head back to the airport for your flight to the island of Jeju. You'll land in this tropical paradise off South Korea's southern coast after a 1.5-hour flight. A driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel, where you can rest up for tomorrow's adventures.

Day 3: Seongsan Ilchulbong Excursion

Start your first full day on Jeju at a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Seongsan Ilchulbong. Affectionately referred to as "Sunrise Peak," this rocky outcrop overlooks the island and can be seen from various vantage points around Jeju. Over 100,000 years old, the remarkable geological formation has a grassy crater at its center, and you can walk along its sheer cliffs for a better perspective on its creation. You'll continue exploring more of Jeju's geographic features at Seopjikoji, a rocky stretch of coastline and its white lighthouse crown. 

The Seongeup Folk Village, with its residential charms, is up next. Here, you'll see what life was like on Jeju over 100 years ago. Walk the streets, exploring the traditional thatched roof homes and stone fences. Head back to Jeju City in the afternoon to visit the Dongmun Traditional Market, the largest on the entire island. This colorful, bustling hub is chock-full of mouthwatering food stalls, with octopus-stuffed mandu dumplings and the local specialty, black pork. Don't forget to grab tangerine-themed souvenirs to take home. 

Day 4: Visit Osullock Green Tea Plantation, Fly to Seoul

Spend your last morning on Jeju at the Osulloc Green Tea Plantation. Here, you'll have the opportunity to walk the rows of fragrant tea bushes, admiring the island's largest green tea grower that sits in the shadow of Hallasan mountain, the tallest peak in the entire country. Don't leave before popping into the Green Tea Museum to learn more about the history of Korean tea and to taste a piping hot cup for yourself. You'll also have the opportunity to witness a demonstration from a tea master. 

This afternoon, you'll transfer back to Seoul, where you'll spend the rest of your trip. A driver will be waiting at your accommodation to take you to the airport for the 1.5-hour flight. Spend the rest of your day relaxing at the hotel or go on an adventure, seeing some of the sites you won't get to in the next few days. The Bukchon Hanok Village is ideal for anyone interested in history or architecture. A highlight of the area are the perfectly preserved hanoks, traditional Korean homes. While some of these are still private residences, many have been turned into cafés and shops.

Day 5: Seoul Forest, Lotte World & N-Seoul Tower Excursion

Seoul has a special way of blending its modern cityscape with the natural world. Today you'll head to Seoul Forest Park for a taste of this philosophy. In the spring, this green space comes to life with vibrant cherry blossoms, while autumn brings a flush of canary-yellow ginkgo trees. Stroll the tranquil pathways in the shadow of both towering pine trees and skyscrapers. Next up is a stop at Lotte World, Seoul's answer to Disney World. This fun and quirky theme park has everything from an ice-skating rink to thrill rides and musical performances. 

End the day with sky-high views of the city sprawl from N. Seoul Tower. Also known as Namsan Tower, you can reach the top either by cable car or your own two feet, but it's a rugged hike to the top. The climb takes around an hour, with winding pathways and staircases through the forest. Once you reach the precipice, you'll find the famous Love Lock Bridge, the Namsan Palgakjeong pavilion, and even an arcade. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the rocky peaks of Bukhansan National Park. If you decide to make your way to the top of the needle, you'll find several restaurants, an observation deck, and a dedicated observatory.

Day 6: Shopping Excursion in Itaewon, Myeongdong, Dongdaemun Market

Seoul is the perfect city for those who love to shop, and today is entirely dedicated to retail therapy. Start in the Itaewon neighborhood, known for its international community and variety of restaurants. The main street that runs through this area of town is known as the International Tourist Zone. If you've been craving a taste of home, this is the time to seek it out. You'll also find themed photo booths, bars and clubs drenched in neon light, and restaurants galore.

Although well known for its delicious street food stalls, Myeongdong is also an excellent place to shop. There are several big-box department stores, such as the Lotte Department Store, M Plaza, and Noon Square Shopping Mall, as well as boutiques and underground shopping areas near the metro. Duty-free shops are also around, like Shinsegae Duty-Free Myeongdong. End a perfect day of shopping at the Dongdaemun Market, South Korea's largest wholesale and retail shopping district. Whatever you're looking for, you'll find it here!

Day 7: Visit Namdaemun Market, Hongdae Street & Nanta