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, let's dive into the traditional side of Seoul! First, we'll swing by Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of the country's biggest and most impressive.

After that, we'll roam around a traditonal Hanok village, checking out those classic Korean houses. Then, it's off to Insadong Street for some laid-back shopping and street eats.

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 wave goodbye to Seoul (for now) and take the KTX (Korea's answer to Japan's bullet trains) down to Jeonju, a city that has maintained it's famous Hanok village. Have time to explore the traditional buildings and feel of the town, check out what all the fuss is about with Korean Rice Wine and Soju, before we get hands-on cooking famous Korean dishes like bibimbap – and yes, we get to eat our creations!

Today, we're heading to Busan, a gorgeous beachside city! The afternoon is yours to wander through charming cafes before taking a ride on the iconic Haeundae Sky Capsule for some unbeatable coastal views. And of course, no South Korean trip is complete without an epic Korean BBQ feast! We'll dive into a traditional KBBQ before venturing out to experience Busan's lively nightlife – who knows, maybe a round of karaoke is in the cards!

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.

Known as the “Museum without Walls”, Gyeongju was once the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom for over 1000 years, and it is our final stop before heading back to Seoul. With more UNESCO World Heritage sites than you can count, we will take you on a bike tour of the tombs, pagodas, bridges and palace ruins so you can truly experience the rich historical and cultural heritage of this town.

And to make you feel fully immersed in ancient life, we will even be staying in a beautiful Hanok, sleeping the traditional way with mattresses on the floor, which are comfier than you might think, and are a real delight in the winter when the “ondol” under-floor heating is turned on. We can even rock some traditional Hanbok gear for the full experience!

It's time to head back to Seoul, but we still have time to squeeze in one more experience – arguably what has put Korea on the map – K-Pop. Practice your moves guided by a professional instructor, before we take you to Seoul's HiKR ground where you can gather your squad and become the next big K-Pop superstars and make your own dance video! In the evening, we will have one last dinner together, celebrating the fantastic journey we've had together.

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?