South Korea: Palace, Temple & Island — 9 Days

Arrive in Seoul at any time, with an included transfer to Skypark Central Myeongdong. Use the afternoon to settle in and rest. In the evening, meet your trip leader and fellow travellers at an orientation walk through Seoul's streets. This introductory tour will help you get your bearings on the city's layout, neighborhoods, and rhythm. Check the notice in your hotel lobby or ask reception for the exact meeting time and location. After the walk, you're welcome to join the group for a local meal.

This full day traces Seoul's layered history through significant cultural landmarks and a hands-on experience of Korea's national martial art. Begin with a guided visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the principal royal residence of the Joseon Dynasty, constructed in 1395. More than half of the original structures remain standing or have been carefully restored. Within the palace grounds sits the National Folk Museum, where everyday artifacts and household objects reveal the customs and daily life of Joseon-era Koreans. The morning continues through two historic neighborhoods. Bukchon Hanok Village preserves the largest concentration of privately owned traditional wooden homes in the city, arranged around narrow lanes dating back six centuries. Walk through these alleyways to appreciate restored architectural details: small courtyards, decorative outer walls, and distinctive dark tile roofs that define hanok design. Nearby, Insadong Alley offers a different texture of Seoul's past. These narrow, winding passages once housed royal painters' studios during the Joseon period and now host antique dealers, contemporary galleries, traditional tea houses, and restaurants. The afternoon shifts to embodied learning. You will change into a dobok, the traditional taekwondo uniform, and join a local master for instruction in South Korea's national martial art. The session covers essential elements: basic etiquette, fundamental movements, and the philosophical underpinnings of the discipline—respect, mental clarity, and physical control. Breakfast is included. You will be based at Skypark Central Myeongdong or a similar property.

Today is unscheduled. Seoul offers both structured and spontaneous options. Consider an optional day trip to the Demilitarized Zone, the geopolitically significant border between North and South Korea. Or venture into Gangnam, the affluent district where high-end shopping and K-pop culture are concentrated. For quieter experiences, visit street food stalls, visit a traditional jjimjilbang (spa complex), or wander neighborhoods on foot. Breakfast is included. Accommodation remains at Skypark Central Myeongdong (or similar).

Travel by high-speed train from Seoul to Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty. Upon arrival, visit Yangdong Folk Village, a UNESCO World Heritage site founded in the early 1400s during the Joseon Dynasty. More than 160 homes with traditional architecture remain well-preserved within a natural setting. Walking through the village, you'll observe how Confucian traditions continue to shape daily life. Next, visit Cheomseongdae Observatory, a stone tower dating to the seventh century and the oldest existing astronomical observatory in East Asia. Gyeongju served as a scientific hub in ancient times; Cheomseongdae was used to observe stars for weather forecasting. The afternoon brings you to the Royal Tombs, where grass-covered burial mounds mark the final resting places of Silla Dynasty kings, queens, and nobles. Enter one tomb to view royal artifacts and learn about Silla burial practices. As evening approaches, check into a hanok—a traditional Korean inn with natural materials and historic architecture. A presentation visits the meaning and artistry of hanbok, the well-known Korean dress, as well as the architectural and cultural importance of hanok villages across Korea. Your day concludes with a traditional dinner prepared within the hanok. Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Begin in Gyeongju at Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating to the eighth century and a seminal example of Korean Buddhist architecture. The temple, set in a forested hillside, is home to six national treasures. Travel by private vehicle to Busan (approximately 2 hours), taking in the scenery along the way. Stop at Gamcheon Cultural Village, a neighborhood of pastel-painted houses, murals, cafes, and shops built on a steep mountainside, offering views of the city below. Ride the Songdo Marine Cable Car, a mile-long gondola ascent to Songdo Sky Park. The observatory deck provides expansive views of the Busan coast. Visit two of Busan's major bazaars. Jagalchi Fish Market, located at Nampo Port, displays row upon row of stalls selling fresh and dried seafood. Watch fishmongers and observe locals negotiating for oysters, snow crab, and other locally caught varieties. Visit Gukje Market, situated near Biff Square in Busan's movie district. Once a refuge economy during the Korean War, the market has evolved into a bustling international bazaar offering food, home goods, textiles, and souvenirs. Settle into your accommodation at Kolon Seacloud Hotel Haeundae (or similar).

Begin with a visit to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a Buddhist sanctuary located on rocky cliffs above the East China Sea. Built in 1376, this cliffside temple remains one of Korea's significant spiritual sites. Visit the sanctuary and sample local snacks at the traditional market nearby. Next, participate in a hands-on kimchi making class. Learn about the history, regional varieties, and cultural significance of Korea's fermented dish. Your instructor will walk you through time-honored methods, guiding you as you prepare your own batch using traditional techniques. Sample multiple types of kimchi and the range of vegetables that can be fermented. A local lunch follows, highlighting kimchi alongside other regional dishes. In the afternoon, take an easy coastal hike across Dongbaek Island to reach the APEC House, a modern glass structure. The walk offers views where forest meets sea, a lighthouse observatory, and wooden coastal paths along the shoreline. The evening is yours. Head to Haeundae Beach to swim, stroll, or relax. Your accommodation is at Kolon Seacloud Hotel Haeundae or similar. Meals included: breakfast, lunch

Fly from Busan to Jeju (approximately 1 hour), a volcanic island rising from the southeast coast. Upon arrival, head directly to Seongsan Ilchulbong—Sunrise Peak—one of Jeju's notable geological landmarks. This UNESCO-designated tuff cone was formed roughly 5,000 years ago by an underwater volcanic eruption. The hike to the peak follows a well-maintained trail suitable for all fitness levels. Before ascending, you'll meet the haenyeo—the "women of the sea." These divers practice free diving without modern equipment to harvest seafood from the ocean floor. Watch a scheduled diving demonstration, called muljil, as haenyeo descend using breath-holding techniques elegant over generations. Their practice has altered their physiology; their bodies have adapted to withstand prolonged breath holds and cold-water immersion. During the demonstration, haenyeo surface with abalone, octopus, conch, and sea cucumbers—their daily catch. You'll have the opportunity to interact directly with these divers, hear their stories, and sample the seafood they've just harvested. After your time at the peak, visit the Haenyeo Museum to deepen your understanding of this practice. The museum documents the history, tools, attire, and daily practices of Jeju's female divers through interactive exhibits and documentary screenings. Accommodation is at UTOP UBLESS HOTEL in Jeju Hamdeok (or similar). Meals included: breakfast.

Spend a full day exploring Jeju's natural landscapes. Start at Hallim Park, a sprawling botanical complex divided into themed gardens featuring palm trees, bonsai collections, subtropical gardens, and accessible lava caves. The park also contains a folk village offering insight into traditional island life. From there, head to Yongmeori Coast, a dramatic stretch of shoreline carved by waves into striking cliff formations. A short hike takes you up Mt. Sanbang, a sacred mountain steeped in legend with a temple at its summit. Continue to Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, where a 22-metre cascade drops into a pool set within subtropical rainforest. The short walk to the falls passes through the subtropical rainforest. The day concludes on the Soesokkak Estuary, where you'll board a traditional wooden raft called a taewoo for a guided boat tour. Here, pine forests meet volcanic rock and freshwater converges with the sea. Breakfast is included. An optional group farewell dinner is available this evening.

Depart at any time. Your trip leader can assist with arrangements to extend your stay or modify travel plans.