Impressions of South Korea 

Welcome to South Korea. Be met on arrival and transferred to your luxurious hotel in Seoul. Spend time settling in before a welcome briefing. Tonight, gather with your Tour Director and fellow travellers for your Signature Experience.

Signature Experience - Welcome Dinner Savour a special welcome dinner where you'll experience Korean royal cuisine and try local drinks including soju and rice wine.

Enjoy a full day to explore South Korea's vibrant capital today. Following breakfast, head to Gyeongbokgung Palace for a Signature Experience before touring the palace grounds, where grand halls, intricate architecture and landscaped courtyards offer insight into Korea's royal past. Continue to the National Folklore Museum, where exhibits showcase traditional Korean life, customs and culture across generations.

Later, explore the character-filled streets of Insadong Alley, known for its traditional tea houses, galleries and artisan shops, before wandering through Ikseondong Alley, where hanok-style buildings have been reimagined as cafés, boutiques and eateries. Spend time browsing Myeongdong Shopping Street, one of Seoul's most popular retail districts. This evening, enjoy another Signature Experience before choosing where to dine.

Signature Experience - Changing of the Guard Ceremony Gyeongbokgung Palace, the country's largest royal residence, served as the seat of power for more than five centuries. Witness the changing of the guard ceremony where colourful uniforms and traditional music bring this historic tradition to life.

Signature Experience - Nan-ta Performance with VIP Seating Enjoy a VIP seat at the energetic Nan-ta non-verbal performance, where high-energy percussion, comedy and culinary theatrics combine in a vibrant, fast-paced show.

• Freedom of Choice Dining - Restaurant Voisin A refined French restaurant offering a sophisticated, modern dining experience that artfully blends classic French cuisine with subtle Korean influences.
• Freedom of Choice Dining - Samwon Garden Experience the iconic flavours of South Korea as you sit down for mouth-watering Korean BBQ at Samwon Garden.

Embark on a morning tour of the fascinating Korean Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) on the border with North Korea. Following a drive to Paju, see Imjingak Park, then visit the DMZ Theater and Exhibition Hall and walk along the Third Infiltration Tunnel. At the North Korea Experience Hall you will also have the unique opportunity to meet with a North Korean defector.

Return to Seoul for a traditional Korean lunch, and spend the afternoon enjoying a Freedom of Choice experience.

• Freedom of Choice - Hanok Village and Tea Experience Eunpyeong Hanok Village celebrates the beauty of traditional hanok architecture, with homes crafted from natural materials including wood, stone and clay. Offering a tranquil retreat from Seoul's busy streets, it's the perfect place to relax with a quiet tea at a local tea café.
• Freedom of Choice - War Memorial Hall Visit Visit the War Memorial of Korea, where extensive indoor and outdoor exhibits trace the nation's military history through artefacts, equipment and immersive displays.

Following breakfast at your hotel, board a KTX express train to Jeonju, a city renowned for its vibrant food scene. Upon arrival, enjoy free time around lunch in the Jeonju Hanok Village, where you can explore and savour street food or traditional dishes. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Jeonju Hanok Village, discovering landmarks like Gyeonggijeon Shrine and Jeongdong Cathedral. For dinner, indulge in an immersive Signature Experience, showcasing the best of local flavours.

Signature Experience - Learn how to make Bibimbap Learn how to make bibimbap, South Korea's most popular dish, and enjoy your creation for dinner.

This morning, transfer by coach to Damyan for a Signature Experience. Continue to Gwangju for an afternoon exploring key historical sites, including the May 18th National Cemetery, Democracy Square and the Jeonil Building 245 historical exhibition hall, which offers insight into the city's modern history. Later, visit Yangnimdong History & Cultural Village, known for its blend of traditional and early modern architecture. Check in to your hotel and enjoy time to relax before savouring a local Korean BBQ for dinner.

Signature Experience - Explore Juknokwon Bamboo Garden Visit Juknokwon Bamboo Garden, where winding paths lead through towering bamboo groves, offering a serene escape from the bustle of the city. Inhale the fresh air and take in the calming sound of bamboo leaves moving in the wind. Glimpse views of the nearby town and surrounding mountains as you stroll along the peaceful gardens.

Transfer to Busan and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, set dramatically on the coastline, before continuing to nearby Haeundae Beach. Take a walking tour along Cinema Street, celebrating Busan's film culture.

Embark on an in-depth discovery of Busan today. Head downtown for a walking tour of Gamcheon Culture Village. Marvel at the village's street art and pastel-coloured houses before taking a cable car to Songdo Island. Visit BIFF Square, a bustling movie district, and Jagalchi Fish Market, the largest of its kind in South Korea. Enjoy panoramic views from Busan Tower before stopping at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, which is the only one of its kind and features 22 unique burial sites designated to each nationality of the buried service members.

Travel to Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom. Visit UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bulguksa Temple, renowned for its intricate architecture, and continue to another UNESCO World Heritage site, Seokguram Grotto, home to a serene stone Buddha overlooking the sea. After lunch, discover Tumuli Park, where royal burial mounds dot the landscape, and see Cheomseongdae Observatory, one of the oldest astronomical observatories in Asia. Conclude your day at Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, a former royal residence set beside a picturesque reflecting pool.

Transfer to the station this morning and take a KTX express train back to Seoul in the luxury of a deluxe seat. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and check in before setting off on the activity of your choice. Tonight, toast your trip with an unforgettable Signature Experience.

Signature Experience - Walking on the Cloud Savour delectable European-inspired fine dining with a magnificent farewell dinner at Walking on the Cloud, which boasts sensational views of the city from its vantage point atop a skyscraper.

• Freedom of Choice - S eoul Fortress Wall & Gwangjang Market Transfer to the Gwangjang market area for a walking tour of the Seoul Fortress Wall. Built in 1396, this historic wall protected the city for over 600 years. While partially damaged during modernisation, its original form still stands as a cultural heritage blending with the modern city. Afterward, visit the Gwangjang Market, one of Seoul's oldest and most popular traditional markets, where stalls offer local street food, handmade goods, textiles and vintage clothing.
• Freedom of Choice - Modern Seoul Tour Be picked up from your hotel and transferred to COEX Mall, where you can explore the vibrant shopping centre and visit the famous Byeolmadang Library and the iconic Gangnam Style statue. Next, head to the Lotte Tower Observatory for panoramic views of the city.

Your luxury holiday comes to an end after breakfast this morning with a transfer to Incheon International Airport.