Culture & Wellness in South Korea: Seoul, Busan & Jeju - 13 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Seoul, Red Ginseng Spa & Tea Ceremony

Welcome to South Korea! You'll land in the capital of Seoul, a glittering megalopolis home to over 10 million people. A private driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel, then you'll kick off your Korean wellness journey by experiencing the healing properties of tea at Tea Therapy Haengrang. Choose from a variety of options, curated to what ails you, sipping while your feet are immersed in a relaxing foot bath. The atmosphere is further elevated by striking architecture as the ceremony is held in the former residence of President Yun Posun.

If you enjoy the tea experience, join an even more immersive experience at the Seochon Tea Therapy Studio. You'll learn all about Korean tea culture and how to brew the perfect cup. Continue your day of tea-themed treatments at SPA 1899 Donginbi, where you'll indulge in the red ginseng spa experience. This method heals and rejuvenates by using highly concentrated, six-year red ginseng, which is said to promote anti-aging and offers an array of other benefits. You'll end the day relaxed and refreshed, ready to return to your hotel for the evening to rest up for tomorrow's adventures.

Day 2: Guided Hanbok Tour of Seoul, Perfume Making Class

Learn more about Korean heritage today by donning traditional clothing, known as hanbok, as you explore Seoul's cultural treasures with your guide. Change into your attire for the day before taking a tour of the Gyeongbokgung palace. Built in 1395, this is the birthplace of the Korean alphabet and was the home of Korea's royal family for hundreds of years. A professional photographer will be there to capture the day as you wander the striking palace grounds and gardens. Don't miss the chance to watch the changing of the guard in front of the colorful Gwanghwamun Gate. 

Keep exploring at the Bukchon Hanok Village. Some of the city's oldest homes are hidden here, and residents still occupy these traditional houses. Keep the tour of Seoul's top sights going at Namsan Park, the tallest point in the city. For 360-degree views, climb to the top of N Seoul Tower. You've probably worked up an appetite at this point, and your next stop is Gwangjang Market for dinner with specialties like bindaetteok (crispy bean sprout pancakes). Round out the day with a perfume-making workshop where you'll take a quiz to reveal your perfect scent before creating it with an instructor.

Day 3: Day Trip to Petite France & Nami Island 

You might feel as though you've been transported to Europe on your day trip outside Seoul today. A charming stop that resembles the colorful villages of southern France, Petite France was modeled after Antoine de Saint-Exupery's famous novel, "Le Petite Prince." Visit the cute shops and art galleries, all the while feeling like you've caught a flight straight to France. If you're not already enchanted by this day trip, you will be by your next destination. 

Peace and tranquility await you on Nami Island. Surrounded by the North Han River, this quiet respite is a popular day trip for city dwellers, with a flourish of cherry blossoms in spring and scarlet maple trees in autumn. Your day will end on the outskirts of Chuncheon at Gimyujeong Station. Pedal your way down a now out-of-service section of subway track on a rail bike. You'll have panoramic views of sprawling mountain scenery as you make your way downhill.

Day 4: K-Beauty Experience, Visit Lotte Theme Park

As one of the world's leading cosmetic manufacturers, South Korea sets the standard for both beauty and skincare. Rise and shine early to head straight for your Korean beauty experience. You'll be in the hands of professional cosmetologists, stepping inside their gorgeous salon to get both your hair and makeup done. Your preferences will be taken into consideration, although certain beauty standards, like dewy skin, are a given. Emerge from the salon feeling like a million bucks before heading off for a fun second half of the day.

Trade your morning of beauty for an afternoon of thrill-seeking—you're headed to South Korea's version of Disney Land—Lotte World. First, head to the amusement park, where you can hop on rides like the Gyro Swing, Bungee Drop, and the French Revolution rollercoaster. After you've had your fill of rides and musical entertainment, keep exploring this massive complex by visiting the Lotte World Aquarium. Home to over 650 species of marine life, you'll see beluga whales, sea lions, and several different ecosystems from the Amazon River to the Polar Zone. 

Day 5: Half-Day Market Visit, Cooking Class, Train to Busan

Head to the local market this morning with a local chef. Along the way, you'll sample delicious street food, like gimbap (seaweed and rice) and mandu (dumplings), which will inspire your cooking class today. Venture into the kitchen to try your hand at making Korean specialties before sitting down to lunch to enjoy your hard work. Your host will also whip up a selection of traditional dishes and desserts to complement. 

In the afternoon, head to the train station to catch the KTX high-speed train to the coastal city of Busan. You'll zoom through the countryside for three hours, passing through mountain scenery, until you reach your destination. A driver will be waiting to take you to your accommodation for the next three nights. Many Seoul residents flock to Busan for a seaside getaway, relaxing on the beach and enjoying the laid-back vibes, a sharp contrast from the hustle and bustle of the capital. If you have the time and energy, head down to Dadaepo Beach or the Mount Amisan Observatory for sunset.

Day 6: Haedong Yonggungsa, Haeundae Beach, Shinsegae Centum City & Hot Springs Spa

Swap wellness treatments for cultural experiences today with a visit to Haedong Yonggungsa. This Buddhist temple clings to the rocky coastline, aptly honoring a sea goddess. The temple was rebuilt following the Imjin War with Japan, but the area has been a religious site for hundreds of years. Hop back in your private car to head south to Dongbaekseom. Once an island, sedimentation has caused it to form back into a peninsula, and it's now a scenic protected park. The colorful Haeundae Sky Capsule will help you reach the beach, weaving along the coast by a tiny, colorful tram.   

Hop off your charming method of transportation at the famous Haeundae Beach. You'll have plenty of time to stroll along its promenade or in the soft, white sand with views of the shining city skyline. Your adventures this morning will be well rewarded with another hot spring experience in the afternoon. Housed inside the largest shopping mall in the world, Centum City, Spa Land offers sodium bicarbonate-infused water to soak in and other state-of-the-art wellness experiences. Sign up for a Finnish sauna, relax in the negative-ion-rich charcoal room, or head for a calcium chloride bath.

Day 7: Gamcheon Culture Village, Songdo Skywalk & Jagalchi Market

If you've seen pictures of Busan, you've probably seen images of a rainbow of homes, tucked on a mountain hillside. This is the Gamcheon Culture Village, and you'll be heading there today. Situated on the outskirts of Busan, you'll stroll around the neighborhood, admiring the kaleidoscope of buildings and the beautiful street art while navigating the layered streets and staircases sprinkled around town. Be sure to grab a piping hot ssiat hotteok, a fried Korean doughnut stuffed with nuts and honey, to sweeten the experience. 

Head back to the city for a few different looks at the beautiful seafront. Start with the Songdo Skywalk, strolling suspended above the waves, before getting another panoramic view on the Songdo Marine Cable Car, floating high above the ocean to reach Amnan Park. Your last perspective is from the Yonggung Suspension Bridge connecting to Dongseom Island. Keep your culinary adventures going later on at BIFF Square in central Busan with specialties like fried mandu dumplings and towering ice cream cones. Foodies will also love visiting the Jagalchi Fish Market, South Korea's largest seafood market.

Day 8: Fly to Jeju Island, Dongum Traditional Market

Day eight is all about your journey to reach South Korea's paradise island, Jeju. Head to the airport with your private driver for your flight, a quick one-hour trip over the Korea Strait and South Sea. Jeju-do is the most popular vacation spot in all of South Korea, and you'll soon see why as you land on this mountainous isle known for its tangerines, epic hikes, and sprawling seascapes. Get ready for three days of beaches, tea plantations, and hiking!

After settling in at your hotel, head to Jeju City in the afternoon to visit the Dongmun Traditional Market. This is the largest market on the island, first opened in 1945 and rebuilt in 1954 following a fire. This colorful, bustling hub is chock-full of mouthwatering food stalls, with octopus-stuffed mandu dumplings, tteok galbi, and the local specialty, black pork. You'll also find heaps of veggies, colorful fruit, and fresh seafood. Don't forget to grab tangerine-themed souvenirs to take home. 

Day 9: Woljeongri Beach, Seongsan Ilchulbong & Eco Land Theme Park

Start your first full day on Jeju at one of the island's most beautiful beaches. Woljeongri Beach is located on the eastern side of Jeju and is known for its white sand, turquoise sea, and watersports, including surfing. Nearby cafés and restaurants provide a shady spot to grab a refreshing drink, like local favorite hallabong juice, after you're finished walking in the sand and swimming. Located on the same side of the island, you'll venture to another striking landscape next, the UNESCO-listed 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 archetypal tuff cone has a grassy crater at its center, and you can walk along its sheer cliffs for a better perspective on its creation. Also tucked along the cliffside is Seopjikoji, a rugged stretch of coast that's crowned by canola flowers and a white lighthouse. End the day with a little fun at Eco Land Theme Park. Built inside the Hwangsangsup Forest, visitors can hop aboard a steam engine train, bring a picnic, or search for unique flora and fauna. 

Day 10: Hallasan National Park, Osulloc Tea Plantation & Arte Museum Tour

Kick off your last day in Jeju by visiting Hallasan National Park. The tallest peak in the entire country, Hallasan, is actually a dormant volcano. Hike along the Eoseungsaengak Trail for 30 minutes to reach the Eoseungsaengak Summit and its observation deck, offering sprawling views of the entire island and wildflowers along the way. Jusangjeolli Cliff is just a short drive away and well worth a pit stop to see its volcanic rock formations jutting into the ocean. You'll also make the short trek to Cheonjiyeon, a collection of three sparkling waterfalls.

Continue your eight-hour whirlwind tour by heading back down the mountain to the Osulloc Green Tea Plantation. You can walk the rows of fragrant tea bushes, admiring Jeju's largest green tea grower, before popping into the Green Tea Museum to taste a piping hot brew and learn more about the harvesting process. Your grand finale takes place at the Arte Museum. This is an immersive media art exhibition that transports visitors to another world through visual displays, sound, and fragrance. Experience a thunderstorm, walk through a bamboo forest, or float in the Milky Way. 

Day 11: Fly to Seoul, Shopping in Hongdae

Wave goodbye to the tropical island of Jeju from your plane window this morning as you make the one-hour flight back to Seoul. A private driver will be waiting to drop you off at the airport in Jeju and pick you up in the capital as well, transferring you to your last hotel of the trip. You'll have the rest of the morning free to relax or hit the ground running. Some areas of the city you haven't yet explored include the charming cafés and antique stores of Insadong or the Tongin Market, where you'll exchange brass coins for delicious street food.

Finish the day in the university neighborhoods of Hongdae and Sinchon, centered around Hongik, Yonghei, Ewha, and Sogang universities. Here, colorful stores, photo booths, quirky cafés, and steaming street stalls reign supreme. The youthful energy is palpable as you walk the streets, lined with accessory shops and beauty stores, surrounded by college students and travelers alike. Do as the locals do and join in the nightlife fun, watching street performers, renting a karaoke booth, or going clubbing. 

Day 12: Amore Seongsu Beauty Experience, Duty-Free Store Shopping

Your trip is coming to a close; time to stock up on all your beauty and wellness needs! Head straight for the Amore Seongsu Beauty Experience this morning. This three-story building provides the ultimate K-beauty extravaganza. You'll start by picking out the perfect skincare routine, cleansing your face in preparation for the next floor, which is all about makeup. Called the Beauty Library, browse through thousands of products from famous Korean beauty brands like ETUDE, Innisfree, and Sulwhasoo. 

After a morning of pampering, spend some time browsing Seoul's duty-free stores. Hop between Lotte, Shilla, and Shinsegae, where you'll find everything from designer clothing to electronics. Your final stop of the day is the Dongdaemun Market, South Korea's largest shopping district and wholesale retailer. Keep hunting for the perfect fashion statement to bring home, get a deal on leather goods, or simply wander off in search of street food. With over 30,000 stores to sift through, whatever you're looking for, you'll find it here!

Day 13: Depart Seoul