Essential South Korea

Begin your trip in style with complimentary airport lounge access before boarding your overnight flight to Seoul.

Arriving into Korea’s pulsating capital, you’ll be met at the airport and brought to your central accommodation, next door to the city gate or grand city hall. Over the next two days, your private guide will bring you between Seoul’s neon and skyscraping steel to showcase its heritage delights. Highlights include Gyeongbokgung Palace’s spectacular tiers, the lovingly-restored traditional houses of Bukchon Hanok Village, the charming alleyways of Ikseondong street and the cultural district of Insadong. For market-lovers and shopaholics, the sprawling Namdaemun and Dongdaemun markets and Myeongdong's shopping street are sure to delight.  And no visit to Seoul would be complete without a visit to the impressive Namsan Seoul Tower, on the summit of Mount Namsan. 

Stay: Gracery Hotel Seoul (Superior) or Novotel Ambassador Dongdaemun (Deluxe)

In between private station transfers, you’ll make the trip south, through the countryside, to Gyeongju, travelling aboard the KTX. As the country’s ancient capital, its rich past spans thousands of years, remembered by Korea’s largest traditional village and one of Asia’s most impressive temple complexes. You’ll take it all in on private guided tours, stopping at Unesco listed Buddhist shrines, lakeside palaces and temples that date back to the 7th century, including the UNESCO listed Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto . You’ll also take time out with the Gyeongju National Museum and Tumuli Park’s thousand-year-old burial mounds. There’s even Asia’s – and possibly the world’s – oldest surviving astronomical observatory, at Cheomseongdae. 

Stay: Commodore Hotel Gyeongju (Superior) or Lahan Select Hotel (Deluxe)

Today you’ll be met by a private driver and brought to Busan – Korea’s second city where giant skyscrapers look down on inviting beaches. Along the way, you’ll stop at the eclectic and vibrant hillside district of Gamchon Cutural Village. Ride the spectacular Songdo Marine Cable Car over the ocean to Amnam Park's Skypark.  You’ll then be brought into the city to taste your way through the colourful bustle of Jagalchi – the country’s most famous fish market.  And, you’ll stay right on its beachfront, ideal for relaxing in the sun or tucking into the city’s traditional seafood. 

Stay: Shilla Stay Haeundae Hotel (Superior) or Paradise Hotel Busan (Deluxe)

Private station transfers will once more bookend your KTX trip, this time seeing you back Seoul. You’ll have the last day at leisure, perhaps relaxing at your hotel’s rooftop bar to drink in citywide views or heading out to explore. Neon Hongdae welcomes with samgyeopsal barbecue joints and lively bars, while energetic markets hawk up street-food delights.  Then, perhaps end your day with a true Korean tradition – a visit to a jimjilbang sauna.

Stay: AMANTI Hongdae Hotel (Superior) or Sofitel Ambassador Hotel & Residence (Deluxe)

After breakfast, a final private transfer will see you to the airport for your flight home.