South Korea Cherry Blossom Festival - 9 Days

Welcome to Seoul and the start of your spring cherry blossom adventure. On arrival, you will be collected at the airport and transferred to our hotel for check in. The rest of the day is free for you to head out and explore.

Today we enjoy a full day of included sightseeing in the South Korean capital. Departing from the hotel lobby, we head first to a local hanbok shop to try on the traditional clothing of the Korean people. Next, we head to the iconic Gyeongbokgung Palace, which served as the primary royal residence during the Joseon Dynasty. Watch the changing of the guard ceremony here and admire the surrounding cherry blossom, before we visit the National Folklore Museum, located on the grounds of the palace.

After dropping our outfits back off at the shop, we explore the Samcheongdong neighbourhood, where charismatic traditional hanok houses are interspersed with modern cafes, shops and galleries. There's time to browse the shops and stalls of Insadong Street and Gwangjang Market, where you can also try some authentic Korean street food. Then it's back to the hotel and the rest of your evening is at leisure.

Seoul - Gyeongju - Busan. Check out of the hotel this morning and transfer to the train station. We are travelling to Gyeongju, and on arrival will head straight to the UNESCO-listed Bulguksa Temple, where some of the original architecture dating back to 774 AD survives today.

Next we head to another UNESCO site, the Seolguram Grotto Buddhist temple, and the Cheonmachong Tomb. No one knows who this tomb was built for, but it certainly dates to the Silla Kingdom, and probably houses the remains of an ancient king. Most likely it is the tomb of King Jijeung, who reigned from 500 - 514 AD. Our final stop is the Cheomseongdae Observatory, which is the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia.

We are heading to the laid back coastal city of Busan for the night.

We begin today's sightseeing at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, located along Busan's spectacular shoreline. Then, visit Dongbaek Island, offering scenic coastal trails with stunning ocean views, which become even more picturesque in spring when cherry blossoms bloom along the paths.

We also enjoy a walk along the Oryukdo Skywalk, which sees you walk out on a glass platform extending over the clifftop - don't look down! Looking back towards land, you can enjoy a nice view of the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Back on firm ground, we head to the Jagalchi Fish Market and the Gukje Market, two of the largest traditional markets in all of South Korea. If you like fresh seafood, then these are great places to enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon, we visit Gamcheon Culture Village, which was set up by refugees displaced during the Korean War. The rest of the evening is at leisure.

Busan - Jinhae - Busan. This morning we are visiting the Daejeo Eco Park, home to the largest canola flower field in South Korea. As the canola flowers begin to fall, cherry blossoms take their place, creating a stunning blend of pink and yellow. The riverside along the Nakdonggang River is also in full bloom, make sure you have your camera with you!

Later, we head to Jinhae to join the famous Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, Korea's largest cherry blossom celebration, which has been held annually for over 60 years. Jinhae is South Korea's cherry blossom capital, and we'll have plenty of time to take in all the main sights. We head back to Busan for the night.

Busan - Seoul. Check out this morning before we head to Beomeosa Temple, one of the most important temples in the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. There is free time to take in the grand architecture of the temple, and to admire the cherry blossoms of Namcheon-Dong Street. Later, we enjoy lunch at Gwanganri Beach before heading to the train station for our return trip to Seoul. You'll be transferred to the hotel and can enjoy a free evening to relax or head back out into the city to explore.

There's plenty more for us to see and do in the South Korean capital. We start today in the Gangnam area and make our way to Seokchon Lake, where many cherry blossom trees should be in full bloom. Then, head up to the top of the Seoul Sky Tower to enjoy the panoramic views from the observation deck - this is the sixth tallest building in the world, with 123 storeys. Continue on to COEX Mall, home to the stunning Starfield Library, a stunning architectural marvel that spans two floors, with towering bookshelves and a vast collection that invites visitors to get lost in a world of knowledge and imagination. Next, take a stroll at Seonjeongneung, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving the burial sites of Joseon Dynasty rulers within a tranquil forest setting.

After our day of exploring Seoul, you have a free evening in the city.

Seoul - DMZ - Seoul. This morning, we transfer to Imjingak Park, which is dedicated to peace and the reunification of North and South Korea. The park was built in 1972 as somewhere for people to console those who had lost friends and family to the division. You can learn more about the 1950 - 1953 Korean War and its aftermath, and walk along Dokgae Bridge, a former railway connection between the two countries, which is long abandoned.

We will ride the DMZ Gondola, allowing you to peek into the Demilitarized Zone, a strip about 4km wide that runs across the entire Korean Peninsula. After the ride, we can visit an exhibition hall in the former US miliary base, Camp Greaves. Lunch is included before we continue to the Odusan Peace Observatory. From here you can gaze over the Han River and into the reclusive state of North Korea.

Then it's back to the hotel for your final night in Seoul.

After a final breakfast and hotel check out, a transfer to the airport is provided. Safe travels!