South Korea K-Drama Tour of Seoul - 5 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Seoul, Explore the City

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 as you please; rest at your hotel or head out to explore 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 board a Hangang River cruise to catch the sunset. To relax, visit a jjimjilbang (bathhouse) to soak in hot pools.

Day 2: Seoul Highlights & K-Drama Tour

Explore Seoul's highlights and delve into Korean drama (K-drama) on today's private tour. Your first stop will be Gyeongbokgung Palace, the residence of the Joseon Dynasty's royal family from the late 1300s to 1910. Watch the guard changing ceremony at the Gwanghwamun area, and stroll through the palace's ornate pavilions and halls. The palace was also a filming location for many K-dramas, including "Queen In-Hyun's Man," "The Moon Embracing the Sun," and "Rooftop Prince."

Next, head to the National Folk Museum to learn about Korean culture over the centuries. In the afternoon, you'll visit Bukchon Hanok Village to see the residential area of the Joseon Dynasty's high-ranking officials. With numerous themed museums and galleries, stylish cafés, and teahouses, it's an ideal place to immerse yourself in Korean culture. Stop at photo-worthy spots featured in dramas like "You Who Came From The Stars," "The Heirs," and "A Gentleman's Dignity."

The last stop of the day is Gwangjang Market, a must-visit for foodies and the perfect place to sample South Korea's mouthwatering street food. Try everything from tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and kimbap (Korean sushi with vegetables) to banana milk and bungeoppang (fish-shaped pastries filled with red bean paste).

Day 3: Seoul K-Drama Film Locations

Today you'll explore top K-drama film locations. Start with a trip to Namsan, the largest park in Seoul and home to N Seoul Tower, which has appeared in hundreds of K-dramas, including "My Lovely Samsoon" and "Witch Yoo Hee." Take a cable car or hike to the top of Namsan Mountain for 360-degree views of the city and Hangang River. Don't miss the love lock fence on the observatory, a favorite local dating spot.

Next, you'll check out KyungHee University. As the most beautiful university in South Korea, it's also the alma mater for many Korean pop stars. Roman architecture, flourishing cherry blossoms, and landscaped lawns make the campus the most romantic film location; "The Classic" and "W" were filmed here.

Continue to Lotte World, which plays the role of Disney World in many K-dramas. The colossal space features the world's biggest indoor theme park, an outdoor amusement park, an artificial island, shopping malls, and movie theaters. Go on thrilling rides like the Bungee Drop and Comet Express and recreate scenes from famous K-dramas like "Stairway to Heaven," "Protect the Boss," and "Hyde, Jekyll, Me." Afterward, return to your hotel for a relaxed evening.

Day 4: Nami Island & European Village K-Drama Spots

Today you'll travel out of Seoul to discover more K-drama hotspots. Your first stop is the Garden of Morning Calm, where each season is reflected in the flowerbeds and hedgerows. Stroll along paved paths connecting 20 different gardens home to around 5,000 plants. Visit spots that appeared in top movies like "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds" starring Park Bo-gum and "She Was Pretty."

Next, you'll head to a French-style village, Petite France, which is themed "Flowers, stars, and the Little Prince" and was built along the coast with typical French architecture. The village appears in dramas such as "Beethoven Virus," "Secret Garden," "Running Man," and the most popular: "My Love from the Star." The neighboring Italia Village, Pinocchio and da Vinci, is also loved for its authentic Italian atmosphere. Visit shops selling Italian furniture and Venetian masks, then browse exhibitions and performances based on Pinocchio and the artist Leonardo da Vinci.

In the afternoon, visit Nami Island in the middle of the North Hangang River. In spring, the island is adorned with cherry blossoms, while summer is ideal for lazy picnics on the grassy banks or cycling beneath giant pines. Arrive in the fall, and you'll enjoy stunning foliage with trees in Maple Tree Lane ablaze with fiery oranges and burnished reds. Winter transforms the island into a wonderland, with snow covering the pagodas and birch trees.

Whatever season you visit, stop at the statue that celebrates lead characters Kang Joon-sang and Jeong Yoo-jin, who starred in the classic K-drama "Winter Sonata," partly set on Nami Island. Head back to Seoul for a final evening in the city. Feast on street food and peruse the night markets for souvenirs.

Day 5: Depart Seoul

Today your South Korea adventure comes to an end. If your flight isn't until later, take an optional trip to a Korean folk village filled with Joseon-style houses where costume dramas like "Dae Jang-geum" and "Sungkyunkwan Scandal" were filmed. Learn about life on the Korean peninsula before skyscrapers arrived, exploring traditional architecture and watching dance and music performances, martial arts demonstrations, and acrobatic displays.

Later, you'll be transferred to the airport in time for your homebound flight. Safe travels!

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