BEST OF SOUTH KOREA 8 DAYS

Arrive at any time.
Welcome to Seoul! As fellow travellers are arriving throughout the day, there are no planned activities until a group meeting at 6 pm. Check into the hotel and enjoy the city.

After the welcome meeting, join your CEO for an orientation walk down Cheonggyecheon Stream to learn about Seoul while walking past small waterfalls and nearly two dozen overhead bridges. Then, enjoy the dense grid of streets found in the bustling neighbourhood of Myeongdong which is packed with people at all hours of the day looking to enjoy some of the best shopping, street food, and nightlife in all of Korea.

Opt for a group dinner to end your first night!

Accommodation:
- Hotel Prince (or similar).

Included Activities:
- Welcome Meeting - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Seoul Orientation Walk

Sit back and relax on a private bus and enjoy a tour of the bustling metropolis where modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways and pop culture meet Buddhist temples and street markets. Visit Gyengbokgung Palace, the National Folklore Museum, Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong alley.
After exploring the city, opt to see a show, explore a local museum, or hit the pavement and eat your way through street markets trying local fares such as bibimbap, soondae, and kimchi.

Accommodation:
- Hotel Prince (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Included Activities:
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- National Folklore Museum
- Bukchon Hanok Village Exploration
- Seoul City Tour
- Insadong Alley.

After breakfast, board a high speed bullet train for a relaxing morning ride through the countryside to Gyeongiu. Once the group arrives in this old capital city for 1,000 years, they will experience an overnight stay in a local temple. During the stay the group will learn about temple etiquette, watch a monk martial arts performance, experience the daily prayer ritual and a temple style dinner. Then, enjoy an easy hike up to the only stove cave temple in Korea for a morning meditation.
Stay in rooms called Ondol. These rooms are very traditional, heated to be cozy and comfortable, with beds made up directly on the floor. The rooms here are multi-share, divided up by male and female rooms. Enjoy a traditional dinner and breakfast during the stay.

Have the opportunity to learn about temple etiquette, experience the daily drum and bell ritual and take an easy hike up to the only stone cave temple in Korea for morning meditation.

Accommodation:
- Golgulsa Templestay (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner

Transport:
- Bullet Train 02:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Overnight Temple Stay

Enjoy a peaceful morning meditation, martial arts practice, and drum and bell ritual before exploring in Gyeongiu. On the city tour visit to the UNESCO site of Bulguksa Temple located on the slopes of Mount Toham and admire the national treasures there, such as Dabotap and Seokgatap stone pagodas, Cheongun-gyo, and two gilt-bronze statues of Buddha. Afterwards, experience the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia, Cheomseongdae Observatory, and the surrounding Royal Tombs.

Accommodation:

- Swiss Rosen Hotel - Gyeongju (or similar).

Meals Included:

- Breakfast

Transport:

- Private Vehicle

Included Activities:

- City Tour of Gyeongju

- Cheomseongdae Observatory

- Daereungwon Tomb Complex

Travel by bus to Busan. Along the way enjoy a day trip to Yangdong Folk Village, a 500-year-old UNESCO site located in Gyeongju National Park, to get a feel for life during the early Joseon Dynasty. Afterwards, continue on to the picturesque 14th century seaside temple hidden in the rocks - Haedong Yonggungsa. After exploring the temple, check in to your hotel and get your bearings with an orientation walk on Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek Island (APEC House). Spend the evening getting to know colourful Busan, opt to treat yourself at a Jjimjilbang spa or sing your heart out at a popular karaoke bar.

Accommodation:

- Libero Hotel Haeundae (or similar).

Meals Included:

- Breakfast

Transport:

- Private Vehicle 02:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:

- Yangdong Folk Village

- Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Visit

In the seaside city, Busan, visit the bustling Jagalchi fish market, Gukjesijang market, Yongdusan Park, and the colourful Gamcheon Culture Village before traveling back to Seoul. After arriving in Seoul by train, check out Korea's oldest traditional market - Namdaemun Market. Then make your way by cable car to N Seoul Tower to see this beautiful landmark and opt to make the trip up to the observation deck. Spend the rest of your day in Seoul opting to see Banpo Bridge, the floating islands, or hanging out in the Gangnam district.

Accommodation:

- Hotel Prince (or similar).

Meals Included:

- Breakfast

Transport:

- Bullet Train 02:30 Hr(s)

Included Activities:

- Gukjesijang Market

- Jagalchi Fish Market

- Yongdusan Park Visit

- Gamcheon Culture Village

- N Seoul Tower Visit

- Namdaemun Market Visit

Visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), founded in 1953, separating North and South Korea. With over a million soldiers on watch each day, it is one of the last remnants of the Cold War. With a buffer zone 4km wide and spanning 250 km long there has been very little development in the area, therefore nature and wildlife have pretty much taken over. Spend about 3-4 hours visiting the Demilitarized Zone, then head to The War Memorial of Korea. Later, return back to Seoul for another night in the city.

Opt to visit the Samsung Leeum Contemporary Gallery, explore the Itaewon neighbourhood, or prebook the Kimchi making and Hanbok experience.

Accommodation:

- Hotel Prince (or similar).

Meals Included:

- Breakfast

Transport:

- Private Vehicle: Seoul to Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) 01:30 Hr(s)

Included Activities:

- Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Visit

- The War Memorial Hall of Korea

Depart at anytime.

Meals Included:

- Breakfast

Included Activities:

- Departure Day