South Korea Adventure

Annyeonghaseyo and welcome to Seoul! You're about to dive into the lively capital of South Korea, where modern skyscrapers meet classic palaces. After settling into your accommodation, get ready to meet your travel crew and gear up for some exciting adventures ahead!

Today’s all about exploring the traditional heart of Seoul! We’ll start at Gyeongbokgung Palace - one of Korea’s grandest and most iconic.

Next up, we’ll stroll through a Hanok village to admire the charm of classic Korean homes. Then it’s over to Insadong Street for a relaxed afternoon of local shopping and tasty street food before hitting Seoul's nightlife in Hongdae!

This morning we are venturing north, as far as we can go in fact, to the border with North Korea. The DMZ (De-Militarized Zone) is a heavily fortified border that keeps the two-countries apart. Learn why north and south are split, and peer over the border to catch a glimpse into life in the hermit kingdom. Once back in Seoul, we will head to Gwangjang Market, made famous in the Netflix series “Street Food Asia”, where you can try and find the Netflix stars and fill on their delicious dishes.

After breakfast, we’ll say goodbye to Seoul (for now) and hop on the KTX - Korea’s high-speed train - for a ride down to Jeonju, known for its beautifully preserved Hanok village. You’ll have time to wander the traditional streets and soak in the old-world charm. Then it’s time to roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking class, where you’ll whip up and get to try classic dishes like bibimbap before sampling some local favourites like Korean rice wine and soju.

Today, we’re off to Busan - a stunning coastal city with serious charm! This afternoon, we will enjoy a coastal walk before hopping on the famous Haeundae Sky Capsule for panoramic views of the shoreline.

In the evening, get ready for a proper Korean BBQ feast, followed by a taste of Busan’s buzzing nightlife. Karaoke, anyone?

Stretch out and limber up – today you'll be put through your paces in a Taekwondo class. If you think you have already mastered a flying spinning high kick we can't wait to see what you've got! For those of us who've only ever seen these impressive moves on the TV, we will stick to learning the basics for kicks and blocks. At the end of the class, you can show off the new kicks you've learnt – time to smash some wooden planks!

Today is a truly unique experience as we learn the Buddhist way of life – we will have a guided tour of the temple, stay overnight in traditional accommodation, watch and join in with the monks' prayer services, and be served the traditional vegan meals that the monks enjoy for dinner and breakfast. It is the perfect change of pace with from the modern city life, and a great opportunity to reflect in peaceful surrounds.

Often called the “Museum without Walls,” Gyeongju served as the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom for over a millennium and is our last stop before heading back to Seoul. Packed with UNESCO World Heritage sites, we’ll explore the area by bike, visiting tombs, pagodas, bridges, and palace ruins to fully experience its deep historical and cultural roots.

To truly immerse ourselves, we’ll spend the night in a traditional Hanok house, sleeping on floor mattresses with warm ondol underfloor heating during colder months. For the full cultural touch, we’ll even try on traditional Hanbok attire and step into the past!

It’s time to return to Seoul, but there’s still one last experience to enjoy - K-Pop, the cultural phenomenon that put Korea in the spotlight. Get ready to learn some moves from a professional instructor, and don't forget to film it for your friends! In the evening, we’ll come together for a final dinner to celebrate the amazing journey we’ve shared

Your unforgettable 10 day adventure comes to an end today. Those flying home will make their way to the airport, or keep living the dream and extend your stay in Seoul or South Korea with our help and the new friends you've made. If you have fallen in love with East Asia and want to experience more, why not continue on and join us in Japan?