Classic South Korea: Seoul, Daegu, Gyeongju, Busan & Jeju Island - 12 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Incheon, Transfer to Seoul, Myeongdong Street Food Tour

Welcome to South Korea! Touch down in the dizzying capital, Seoul, where your driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Get your first glimpse of this futuristic metropolis, a sprawling mass of towering skyscrapers set against decorative Buddhist temples, landscaped sculpture parks, and mazelike street markets. Fashion, tech, and karaoke loom large in Seoul, alongside historical palaces and museums. Settle in and then spend the rest of the day resting at your hotel or exploring the neon streets of the city.

Enjoy a cozy afternoon in one of the many themed cafés (ranging from board game venues to cat cafés), wander around the artistic Mural Village, or soak in hot pools at a jjimjilbang (bathhouse). Save the evening for a self-guided tour of Myeongdong, a pedestrian street that's home to the best street food in Seoul. It's hard to go wrong with the tasty bites along Myeongdong. A must-try is kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup), which is especially delicious paired with garlicky kimchi (fermented and salted vegetables).

Day 2: Tour Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon Village, Gwangjang Market & N Seoul Tower

Discover the best of Seoul's culture and history during a full-day immersive city tour. After meeting your private driver, you'll visit the beautiful Gyeongbokgung, a palace dating from the 14th century. 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.

You'll learn more about the Joseon Dynasty from your guide as you stroll through the picturesque Bukchon Hanok Village, with its narrow streets featuring over 900 traditional dynasty hanoks (houses) that now function as guesthouses, tea houses, cultural centers, and museums. Then it's time for lunch. Enjoy authentic Korean street food such as bibimbap (a rice-based dish) or mungbean pancakes at Gwangjang Market before visiting Namsan Park, where a cable car ride or hike will bring you to the iconic N Seoul Tower for 360-degree views of the city.

Day 3: Discover Gangnam: Garosu-gil, K-Star Road & COEX Mall

Explore the lively district of Gangnam in Seoul on today's full-day guided tour. Head to the ginkgo-lined streets of Garosu-gil, one of Seoul's trendy neighborhoods with cafés and designer shops galore. K-pop fans will revel in a visit to nearby K-Star Road for plenty of K-pop souvenirs and to snap a photo with the 10-foot-tall (3 m) giant hands of the PSY GangnamDol statue. Take a break from the modernity at the eighth-century temple of Bongeunsa, home to over 3,000 Buddhist sculptures, all in sharp contrast to the glistening skyline of skyscrapers.

Continue to explore the streets, then follow your guide to Starfield COEX Mall. This sprawling complex is home to the COEX Aquarium, which has 90 different exhibits, including shark and penguin feeding, a mermaid experience, and South Korea's largest shark habitat. While there, visit the incredible Starfield Library and take a break to read before heading back to your hotel.

Day 4: Korean Demilitarized Zone Tour

This morning, join your guide for a full-day tour beginning with a 30-mile (44 km) drive up to the border between South and North Korea, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Delve into the complex history and tensions between the "two Koreas" that characterize the area to this day and highlight the importance of peace. Your tour starts with a shuttle bus trip to the Third Infiltration Tunnel, an invasion tool dug by North Korea and discovered by South Korea in 1978 CE.

Next, you'll visit the Dora Observatory, where you can look through telescopes over North Korea and see sites, including the spooky Propaganda Village, People School, a statue of Kim Il Sung, and Geummamgol, a local cooperative farm. Be aware that clothing and camera regulations exist for this tour. Finally, gain insight into the history of the Korean War at the Imjingak Resort Unification Park, where you'll see the Freedom Bridge and an old, rusted steam train left from the war. Return with your guide to Seoul and spend the evening relaxing at your hotel.

Day 5: Train to Daegu, Visit Gayasan National Park & Haeinsa Temple

Today, you'll take a two-hour bullet train from Seoul to the city of Daegu. Once you arrive, meet your driver for a one-hour trip west of Daegu to the spectacular Gayasan National Park, known for its many waterfalls, forested valleys, and a plethora of wildlife. It's also an important sacred site in South Korea. Walking through the forest with your guide, you'll come upon Haeinsa Temple on Mount Gayasan. Wander the temple's grounds and woodland, following the sounds of chanting, drums, and temple bells.

When you arrive at the 15th-century Janggyeong Panjeon, learn how a 500-year-old ventilation technique preserves the "Tripitaka Koreana," a collection of 13th-century texts engraved onto 80,000 woodblocks. Peer through wooden slats in the building to glimpse these cultural treasures. After a complete immersion in the wonders of Haeinsa Temple, your driver will return you to Daegu, where you'll check into your hotel. 

From the grotto, travel about one hour north to Tumuli Park, where you'll walk among 23 royal tombs within grass-covered hills, some of which were built in the fifth century. Visit the Cheonmachong tomb, created for an unknown Silla king, to see some of the ruler's ornamental jewelry. Take a lunch break, then step into one of the oldest astronomical observatories in Asia, Cheomseongdae Observatory. Follow up with a visit to the Gyeongju National Museum to admire Silla-era relics, such as a fourth-century gold crown.

In the evening, you'll finish the tour at the palace Donggung, once the site of state festivals and banquets in ancient times, and Wolji Pond to watch lights dance on the water. Afterward, have dinner at a local restaurant before heading to your hotel in Gyeongju.

Day 7: Transfer to Busan via Tongdosa, Haeundae Sky Capsule, Gwangalli Food Tour

Take in views of the city and countryside this morning, then join your driver for your transfer to Busan, South Korea's second-largest city, nestled among mountain ranges by the sea. The port city is loved for its nearby beaches, International Film Festival, trendy cafés, and extensive fish markets. Before you arrive, you'll make a stop at the UNESCO-listed Tongdosa Temple, one of the "Three Jewel Temples of Korea." Wander the historic, beautifully preserved complex, which is said to contain relics of Buddha, and then continue to Busan. 

Drop your bags at the hotel and then head with your guide to Haeundae Blueline Park for a ride on the Haeundae Sky Capsule. Hop in one of the brightly colored capsules (each retro-style car seats four) and travel on an elevated railway along the coastline for spectacular sea, hill, and city views. Afterward, stroll along scenic Haeundae Beach and explore Dongbaek Island, a wooded island with beautiful nature trails. Then, immerse yourself in local culture and pick up a few souvenirs at the Haeundae Traditional Market.

After a break at your hotel, meet your guide for a night food tour of the Gwangalli district. Feast on authentic Busan cuisine, like jangeo-gui (grilled eel) or bibim dangmyeon (boiled glass noodles with fish cakes). Afterward, take a walk on Gwangalli Beach to experience the bustling nightlife and appreciate the spectacular night view of Busan with the dazzling Gwangan Bridge stretching across the water.

Day 8: Tour Gamcheon Cultural Village, Songdo Sky Walk & Jagalchi Market

Continue your explorations of Busan today on a full-day guided tour. Start with the vibrant Gamcheon Cultural Village, a community of colorful houses built up the sides of a coastal mountain. Wander the winding staircases and alleyways, admire the street art, and indulge in delicious pastries before taking a stroll on the Songdo Skywalk, from which you can enjoy sweeping views of Songdo Beach. Head down to the beach and board the Songdo Marine Cable Car to Amnam Park, taking in views of the Yonggung Suspension Bridge, towering cliffs, and the waters of the East Sea during the journey.

Finally, make your way to the bustling BIFF Square, one of the best places in Busan, to sample the local street food. The streets are lined with food stalls and vendors selling everything from tteokbokki (simmered rice cakes) to hotteok (pancakes with brown sugar and nut filling). Stop by the sprawling Jagalchi Fish Market (the largest in the country) to savor fresh seafood right from the sea before returning to your hotel for your final night in Busan.