Colours of South Korea - 8 Days

On arrival at Incheon, our representative greets you and arranges your transfer to the hotel – this may be shared with other passengers depending on flight timings. You have the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Seoul. Rooms are available from 3 pm.

After breakfast, we meet at 9 am in the hotel lobby and set off to explore the capital by Jihachul, the city’s subway. We visit Gyeongbokgung Palace – one of five grand Joseon era palaces – including the Folklore Museum, then continue to Jogyesa Temple, centre of the Jogyejong Buddhist Order, which emphasises Zen meditation. We pause for a tasty bibimbap lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we wander Bukchon’s lanes of traditional hanok houses before a leisurely stroll along Insadong Street, lined with antique shops and galleries. In the early evening, we take our seats for the high energy, nonverbal stage show Cookin’ Nanta, blending comedy with the rhythms of the kitchen. Overnight in Seoul.

You have a full day at leisure – or you may join an optional full day excursion to the Cheorwon DMZ (not included). Overnight in Seoul.

After breakfast, we are collected from the hotel for the KTX journey to Gyeongju, around two hours, Korea’s spiritual and cultural capital. On arrival, we spend the day exploring Yangdong Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves Joseon era architecture amid unspoilt scenery, with centuries old houses tucked between valleys beneath Mount Seolchangsan. We stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we stroll through Tumuli Park to see royal burial mounds, including the Heavenly Horse tomb, then continue to the Noseo–dong tombs and Cheomseongdae, the Far East’s oldest surviving observatory, built in 634. In the late afternoon, we transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Gyeongju.

After breakfast, we tour Gyeongju – the fabled Museum without Walls and a UNESCO World Heritage city. We visit Bulguksa Temple and the Seokguram Grotto, an 8th century sanctuary on Mount Toham housing a monumental Buddha looking towards the sea. We break for lunch at a local restaurant. In the late afternoon, we travel by private vehicle with our guide to Busan. Overnight in Busan.

We pay our respects at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, managed by the UN since 1960 and dedicated to those who fell during the Korean War. We then wander through Jagalchi Fish Market and the bustling International Market. We pause for lunch at a local restaurant.

In the early afternoon, we visit Gamcheon Cultural Village, a former hillside settlement built by war refugees, now transformed with colourful murals and sculptures by residents. Overnight in Busan. Dress code for the United Nations Memorial Cemetery: no tracksuits; no clothing that exposes too much of the body, such as tank tops; no flip flops or string sandals; and no clothing designed for physical exercise, including hats or sun caps, masks and gloves.

You have free time until we board the KTX back to Seoul. On arrival, our representative transfers you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for final shopping. Overnight in Seoul.

After breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, we arrange your private vehicle transfer to Incheon Airport without a guide. End of services.