Highlights
- Make your own bottle of Korean spirits at the Jeonju Traditional Wine Museum
- Sample delicious bamboo ice cream after exploring the Juknokwon bamboo forest
- Create traditional Korean hangwa sweets at a confectioner's in Damyang
- Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony and green tea tasting at a plantation in Boseong
- Feast on authentic Busan cuisine on a guided Gwangalli night food tour
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Incheon, Transfer to Seoul | Seoul |
| Day 2 | Visit Seoul Historical Sites, Korean Cooking Class, Gwangjang Market Tour | Seoul |
| Day 3 | Korean DMZ Tour, Gamaksan Suspension Bridge, Hongdae Street | Seoul |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Jeonju, Historic Jeonju Tour, Food & Wine Tasting in Makgeolli | Jeonju |
| Day 5 | Gochujang Making Class, Bamboo Forest, Hangwa Class, Transfer to Gwangju | Gwangju |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Busan via Boseong Green Tea Plantation & Suncheon Bay | Busan |
| Day 7 | Temples, Trams & Beaches in Busan, Gwangalli Night Food Tour | Busan |
| Day 8 | Tour Gamcheon, Songdo, BIFF Square & Jagalchi, Galmegi Brewery Tasting | Busan |
| Day 9 | Free Morning in Busan, Train to Seoul | Seoul |
| Day 10 | Transfer to Incheon, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Incheon, Transfer to Seoul
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, which range from board game venues to cat cafés, wander around the artistic Mural Village, or visit a jjimjilbang (bathhouse) to soak in hot pools. Save the evening for a self-guided tour of Myeongdong, home to the best street food in Seoul. It's hard to go wrong with the tasty bites along Myeongdong. Still, a must-try is kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup), which is especially delicious paired with garlicky kimchi (fermented and salted vegetables).
Day 2: Visit Seoul Historical Sites, Korean Cooking Class, Gwangjang Market Tour
This morning, meet your guide to explore some of Seoul's historical sites. Begin at Gyeongbokgung palace, the residence of the Joseon Dynasty's royal family from the late 1300s to 1910 CE. Watch the changing of the guard ceremony at the Gwanghwamun area and stroll through the palace's ornate pavilions and halls. Next, continue to Bukchon Hanok Village, which showcases hanoks (traditional Korean houses). You can visit the village's numerous themed museums and galleries, stylish cafés, and teahouses there.
While in the nation's capital, a Korean cooking class is a must. With your chef host, visit a local market to taste common flavors used in Korean cuisine and purchase the necessary ingredients to kick off your half-day workshop. Then, learn to prepare some traditional Korean dishes like bibimbap (rice with mixed vegetables and meat), samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), kimchi, and yachaejeon (savory pancakes). Afterward, sit down to enjoy the delicious fruits of your labor.
Later in the day, discover South Korea's culinary roots with a two-hour street food tour of the renowned Gwangjang Market. This century-old market sells everything from textiles to authentic Korean dishes. Wander along the narrow walkways, snacking on dishes such as bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) and tteokbokki (rice cakes). End the night with skyline views at Seoul Sky, an observation deck with a glass floor high above the city.
Day 3: Korean DMZ Tour, Gamaksan Suspension Bridge, Hongdae Street
Join your guide this morning for a 30-mile (44 km) drive to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the border between South and North Korea. 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 at the 1-mile-long (1.64 km) 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 at North Korea and see sites, including the spooky Propaganda Village, a statue of Kim Il Sung, and Geummamgol, a local cooperative farm. Be aware that clothing and camera regulations exist for this tour. Finally, visit the Imjingak Resort Unification Park to gain insight into the history of the Korean War.
Stop for lunch at a nearby restaurant, then visit one of the longest suspension bridges in Korea, the Gamaksan Suspension Bridge. The red bridge commemorates the 1st Battalion of the British Army's Gloucester Regiment, who lost their lives in battle during the Korean War. Admire the views of Gamaksan Mountain as you walk across, then at the end of the day, return to Seoul and explore the shops and cafés on the ultra-hip Hongdae Shopping Street.Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Transfer to Jeonju, Historic Jeonju Tour, Food & Wine Tasting in Makgeolli
Leave Seoul today and transfer, with your driver, about two hours south to Jeonju, the birthplace of the Joseon Dynasty's founder, King Taejo. After checking into your hotel, embark on a three-hour guided tour of the historic Jeonju Hanok Village to see more than 700 traditional hanok houses and the palace Gyeonggijeon, built in 1410 CE and now a shrine to King Taejo. Then, discover the Royal Portrait Museum within the palace to learn about the history of the Joseon monarchs and see a portrait of King Taejo.
In the afternoon, you'll visit the Jeonju Korean Traditional Wine Museum to explore the exhibits featuring various Korean liquors and the materials, tools, and machines used in the traditional methods. Sample several of these spirits, like the clear chungju and distilled soju, before making your own bottle of liquor to bring home. In the evening, head with your guide to Makgeolli Town, known for producing Korean rice wine called makgeolli. Sample some of this wine, served in kettles, alongside local dishes like kongnamul gukbap (beansprout soup), braised pork, or grilled fish.
Day 5: Gochujang Making Class, Bamboo Forest, Hangwa Class, Transfer to Gwangju
Enjoy a full day of culinary immersion and sightseeing during your transfer from Jeonju to Gwangju. After traveling for about one hour with your driver, you'll stop at the village of Sunchang Gochujang, the home of the famous red-chili sauce gochujang, which is used in many traditional Korean dishes. Learn the secrets to making this sauce from one of the many local gochujang artisans and sample your creation on homemade rice cakes. Then, a quick 15-minute transfer will take you to Damyang via a stop to see the gorgeous foliage of Metasequoia Tree Lane.
Sample the specialties of Damyang, such as tteokgalbi (grilled short rib patties) and daetongbap (bamboo rice with nuts and berries), then spend three hours exploring the winding trails of the 76-acre (31 ha) Juknokwon (Bamboo Forest) with your guide. As you wander beneath the green bamboo canopy, rest at the pavilions to take in the forest's beautiful vista and taste the park's refreshing signature treat—bamboo ice cream.
Finally, head to a small local confectioner's shop to learn how to make hangwa, a traditional Korean sweet. Create delicious and adorable cookies and candy from rice flour, fruits, honey, and sugar with the guidance of your expert instructor. Then, continue your transfer to Gwangju, about a 20-minute drive away, where you can enjoy a much-needed rest at your hotel.
Day 6: Transfer to Busan via Boseong Green Tea Plantation & Suncheon Bay
After breakfast, meet your driver and leave Gwangju for a transfer to the port city of Busan, making a couple of stops en route. After about an hour, you'll arrive in Boseong, a verdant county known as the green tea-growing capital of Korea due to its ideal climate and soil. Stop at one of the county's green tea plantations to walk among the rows of green tea bushes covering the hills and valleys. Learn about growing, harvesting, brewing, and drinking tea, then end your tour with a tasting of the area's distinct and aromatic brew, followed by a traditional tea ceremony.
Now invigorated, transfer for another 45 minutes to the protected natural wonder, Suncheon Bay Nature Reserve, a UNESCO-listed coastal wetland with a rich biodiversity and diverse ecosystem. Stroll along the wooden boardwalks and visit the observatory to see flocks of migratory birds flying above the mudflats and reed beds, which are their habitat and breeding grounds. Then, hop back in the car for another two hours before arriving in Busan, South Korea's second-largest city, nestled between mountains on the sea and known for its nearby beaches, International Film Festival, and trendy cafés.
Day 7: Temples, Trams & Beaches in Busan, Gwangalli Night Food Tour
Join your guide for a fun day exploring Busan's highlights. Begin at the picturesque Buddhist temple, Haedong Yonggungsa, on Busan's rugged coastline, then relax with a cup of tea at the Wave On Café before heading to Haeundae Blueline Park for a ride on the Haeundae Sky Capsule. Each brightly colored capsule is a retro-style car that seats four, traveling on an elevated railway over the coastline. Afterward, stroll along the white sands of scenic Haeundae Beach and explore Dongbaek Island, a wooded island with beautiful nature trails.
Immerse yourself in local culture and pick up a few souvenirs at the Haeundae Traditional Market, then refresh at your hotel before setting off on a guided Gwangalli night food tour. Feast on authentic Busan cuisine, like jangeo-gui (grilled eel) or bibim dangmyeon (boiled glass noodles with fish cakes), at a local restaurant. Follow up with a walk along Gwangalli Beach to experience the bustling nightlife, treat yourself to tasty Korean street food (if you're not too full), and appreciate the spectacular night view of Busan with the dazzling Gwangan Bridge stretching across the water.
Day 8: Tour Gamcheon, Songdo, BIFF Square & Jagalchi, Galmegi Brewery Tasting
Continue your explorations of Busan today on a full-day guided tour. Start with the vibrant Gamcheon Culture 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.
Afterward, follow your guide to the bustling BIFF Square, one of the best places to sample local street food in Busan. The streets are lined with food stalls and vendors selling everything, including the local specialty hotteok (pancake with brown sugar and nut filling). Stop by the sprawling Jagalchi Fish Market to savor fresh seafood straight from the sea. Finally, spend your last night in Busan with a craft beer tasting at Galmegi Brewery, the first brewpub in the city. Try the signature Busan Lager, the tropical Hae, the intriguing sour Sea Breeze, or various seasonal offerings before returning to your hotel.
Day 9: Free Morning in Busan, Train to Seoul
Enjoy a free morning to explore Busan at your leisure before catching your train to Seoul. View the ocean waves through the transparent floor of the thrilling Oryukdo Skywalk, set on a giant coastal cliff, or head to Yongdusan Park, a peaceful oasis in the city, for views of the skyline from Busan Tower. Hop aboard a scenic ferry at Dojangpo Wharf to cruise to Haegeumgang Island, also known as the "Sea Diamond," or visit the enchanting Oedo Botania, a vast landscape garden on Oedo Island.
You can also spend a few hours with the thousands of marine animals at the Sea Life Busan Aquarium or relax at Spa Land, a luxurious and spacious Korean-style bathhouse in Centum City renowned for its sodium bicarbonate hot spring water piped from underground. Finally, pick up your bags from the hotel and meet your driver for a seamless transfer to Busan's train station, where you'll catch a two-hour bullet train to Seoul.
Day 10: Transfer to Incheon, Depart
Your South Korea adventure ends today, and you'll be transferred to the airport in time for your homebound flight. Safe travels!
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