Highlights
- Taste local South Korean fare on two street food tours in Seoul.
- Pick "winter" strawberries on a local berry farm en route to Nami Island
- Visit the snow-covered burial mounds of Silla kings in ancient Gyeongju
- Soak in natural hot-springs water piped from underground at a bathhouse in Busan
- Ride the Songdo Marine Cable Car along Busan's East Sea coastline
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Seoul, Myeongdong Street Food Tour | Seoul |
| Day 2 | Snowy Seoul Highlights Tour, Jjimjilbang Sauna Experience | Seoul |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Pyeongchang via Strawberry Farm, Petite France & Nami Island | Pyeongchang |
| Day 4 | Skiing at Yongpyong Resort | Pyeongchang |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Seoul, Train to Gyeongju | Gyeongju |
| Day 6 | Explore Bulguksan Temple, Seokguram Grotto & Gyeongju National Museum | Gyeongju |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Busan, Explore Busan Temples, Beaches, Aquariums & Hot Springs | Busan |
| Day 8 | Tour Gamcheon Cultural Village, Songdo Sky Walk & Jagalchi Market | Busan |
| Day 9 | Depart Busan |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Seoul, Myeongdong Street Food Tour
Welcome to winter in 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 winter 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 Insadong, with its many souvenir shops, art galleries, and restaurants. To take in the impressive city skyline, head to Seoul Sky, the highest glass-floored observation deck in the world.
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. A must-try is kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup), which is especially delicious when paired with garlicky kimchi (fermented and salted vegetables).
Day 2: Snowy Seoul Highlights Tour, Jjimjilbang Sauna Experience
Today, you'll head out on a full-day guided city tour. Begin at Gyeongbokgung, the palace 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 once the homes of the Joseon Dynasty's high society and royal family. You can visit the village's numerous themed museums and galleries, stylish cafés, and teahouses there.
Join local crowds at Gwangjang Market to taste some of the city's best street food for lunch. Take your pick from dishes such as dak gangjeong (fried chicken), mandu (dumplings), and kkochi (skewers). After lunch, hike up to the snowy Namsan Park, the largest park in Seoul. Take a cable car ride or hike to the top of the mountain, Namsan, to enjoy a 360-degree unobstructed view of the city, the iconic N Seoul Tower, and the icy Han River.
Spend the rest of the day experiencing a traditional Korean jjimjilbang (bathhouse)—a must when visiting the country, especially in the winter. For three blissful hours, soak in hot tubs, relax in dry saunas, and reinvigorate in a steam room. Visit Supsok Hanbang Land to experience traditional charcoal-fired kiln saunas, soothing hot pools, and relaxing meals.
Day 3: Transfer to Pyeongchang via Strawberry Farm, Petite France & Nami Island
Leave Seoul today and begin your transfer to the snowy wonderland of Pyeongchang, making several stops along the way. Visit a nearby strawberry farm where farmers use trellising and hydroponics to create the perfect environment for the year-round harvesting of this Korean favorite. Explore the farm and pick your own fresh berries for the long drive ahead. Next, you'll travel to a French-style village, Petite France, built on the coast with typical French architecture. Wander with your guide around the village, themed "Flowers, stars, and the Little Prince," to spot locations used in filming K-Dramas.
Then, continue your journey to the famous Nami Island in the middle of the North Han River. Beloved for its spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage, winter transforms the island into a wonderland, with snow covering the pagodas, birch trees, ginkgo trees, and redwoods. Enjoy a stroll here along a wooden riverside path before rejoining your driver to travel two more hours to Pyeongchang, where you'll check into your hotel for more winter adventures.
Day 4: Skiing at Yongpyong Resort
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Wake up in Pyeongchang and get ready to hit the snow on today's thrilling winter adventure at South Korea's largest ski resort, Yongpyong. The resort was the official venue for the technical alpine skiing events of the 2018 Winter Olympics and is home to 14 cable lifts. Enjoy panoramic views of the mountain Balwangsan as you ride the gondola up the course—the longest in Asia.
You can take part in expert-led ski and snowboard lessons with an English-speaking coach and try out the Mega Green route for beginners or explore the 28 different slopes that cater to all abilities. If you're a seasoned skier, try Rainbow Paradise, the second-longest slope in South Korea. During the resort's annual ski festival, usually between mid-December and early April, you'll enjoy competitions, performances, and hands-on snow-sport programs. After a day on the slopes, relax in your cozy alpine hotel with drinks and dinner.
Day 5: Transfer to Seoul, Train to Gyeongju
Leave the slopes behind and meet your driver for a two-hour transfer back to Seoul. There, you'll catch a two-hour bullet train to Gyeongju, a UNESCO-listed area recognized for its temples, palaces, pagodas, and sculptures from the ancient Silla Kingdom (57 BCE to 935 CE). Check into your hotel, dress warmly, and then head out to try the local cuisine.
Warm up on a chilly winter afternoon with a bowl of steaming hot Samgye-tang. Popular since the Joseon Dynasty, this traditional chicken and ginseng soup is believed to fortify your body and support the immune system—perfect after a day on the ski slopes. Follow with a sweet pastry, Hwangnam-pang, made of egg flour and filled with red bean curd, before returning to your hotel to rest up for tomorrow's explorations.
Day 6: Explore Bulguksan Temple, Seokguram Grotto & Gyeongju National Museum
After breakfast, lace up your walking shoes and join your guide to explore Gyeongju, once the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom and today known as the "museum without walls." Begin your full-day tour at the beautiful Bulguksa temple, founded in the eighth century on Tohamsan (Mount Toham), and from there, walk to the Seokguram Grotto, one of South Korea's most significant religious art complexes. Follow your guide as you pass through wood and stone prayer halls and pagodas and learn about the sculptures decorating the vast grounds.
From the temple, travel about one hour north to Tumuli Park, where you'll walk among 23 royal tombs within snow-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. From the park, take a break for lunch, then step into one of the oldest astronomical observatories in Asia, Cheomseongdae Observatory, followed by a visit to the Gyeongju National Museum where you can 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 returning to your hotel.
Day 7: Transfer to Busan, Explore Busan Temples, Beaches, Aquariums & Hot Springs
Today, you'll transfer 1.5 hours to Busan, a seaside city nestled between mountains. Begin your guided Busan adventure with a serene visit to Haedong Yonggungsa, a beautiful Buddhist temple on cliffs surrounded by stone bridges and statues. Continue to the picturesque Dongbaekseom Coastal Promenade, an island-turned-peninsula due to years of sedimentation. You can hop on the colorful Sky Capsule at Haeundae Blueline Park for a fun ride and the far-reaching sea, hill, and cityscape views.
While there, stroll along the 1-mile-long (1.5 km) white sands of Haeundae Beach, a haven of picturesque serenity during winter. At the beach, you'll spend a couple of hours visiting the Sea Life Busan Aquarium, where you can spot thousands of marine animals as you walk through the long acrylic underwater tunnel. Visit exhibits for penguins, jellyfish, and otters, or have a "hands-on" experience with various sea life at a touch tank.
After a winter day at the beach, unwind and rejuvenate at Spa Land, a luxurious and spacious Korean-style bathhouse in Centum City renowned for its sodium bicarbonate hot spring water piped from underground. The spa has over a dozen themed saunas and hot spring water baths to soothe your body and mind. Afterward, spend your evening enjoying Busan's street food and lights or relaxing in your hotel.
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 cake) to hotteok (pancake with brown sugar and nut filling). While Busan is loved for its nearby beaches, International Film Festival, and trendy cafés, it's also famed for its extensive fish markets. 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.
Day 9: Depart Busan
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