Best of South Korea

After enjoying complimentary airport lounge access, you’ll board your overnight flight to the Korean capital.

On arrival in Seoul, you’ll be met at the airport by a private driver and brought to your central accommodation. You’ll have the first day at leisure, settling in to sample the city’s neon energy, skyscraping sights and moreish barbecue joints. The next day, your private guided tour will showcase this futuristic city’s rich past, beginning with a visit to the Yongin Folk Village, a living museum that recreates 19th-century rural life in everything from dance performances to horseback martial arts. You’ll also visit the 18th-century Hwaseong Fortress, its 6km-long walls studded with imposing gates, pavilions and hidden entrances.  

Stay: Gracery Hotel Seoul (Superior) or Lotte Hotel Seoul (Deluxe)

Today’s private tour will see you strike east out of Seoul, driving through the countryside to reach Daepohang, a thriving port town. Here, you’ll visit its fish market, where all sorts of exotic seafood are hawked from live aquariums. Then, you’ll continue past golden sands to Naskana, a pretty temple of sweeping curves and giant statues that sits right on a cragged cliff face. Then, it’s on to the emerald pine forests and stunning rock formations of Mt. Seoraksan, showcased on a cable-car ride to the mountain-wide views of Gwonkeumsansung Fortress and Sinheungsa, thought to be the oldest Zen temple in the world.

Stay: Maremons Sokcho Hotel (Superior) or Lotte Resort Sokcho (Deluxe)

Your private touring today will see you to Danyang where rushing rivers are backdropped by majestic mountain ranges. You’ll take it in with a lake boat cruise, bringing you to Dodam Sambong – a miniature island that houses a 14th-century pavilion hidden among spindling rocks. You’ll then continue to Andon where you’ll stay right among its tiered temples in a 130-year-old hanok guesthouse. It’s not a luxurious experience, but truly authentic, complete with antique furniture, jade flooring, sleeping mats and hinoki wooden baths. You’ll be welcomed with green tea brewed by the owner before settling in to relax in the bamboo-lined garden or firewood-heated sauna.

Stay: Rakkojae Hanok Guesthouse or similar

As your private driver brings you south, you’ll pause at Andong Hahoe – the best-preserved Joseon village in Korea. Among its thatched-roof houses, you’ll take in a performance of the Byeolsingut Exorcism – a mythical play where masked dancers drive out evil spirits. You’ll then arrive at Gyeongju. Often termed the ‘Museum without Walls’, it’s the ancient capital of the 7th-century Silla kingdom. And, on your private tour, you’ll take in all of its heritage highlights, from parks dotted with great, curved burial grounds to Anapji – a thousand-year-old royal palace ringed by mountains and flowered gardens roamed by exotic animals. You’ll also take in Gyeongju National Museum and Cheomseongdae – Asia’s oldest still-standing observatory.

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

Begin today with further private touring in Gyeongju, taking in sacred Buddha images in ethereally lit grottos and Bulguksa, one of the finest Buddhist shrines in Asia. Your private driver will then see you south to Busan, Korea’s second city where giant skyscrapers look down on pretty beaches. Here, you’ll be taken out to Haedong Yonggungsa, a 14th-century temple perched dramatically on cragged sea shores. You’ll also visit the bustle of Jagalchi Fish Market, before enjoying some time free to relax on Haeundae Beach’s golden sweep or get lost in Busan’s neon mazes.

Stay: ASTI Hotel Busan Station (Superior) or Paradise Hotel Busan (Deluxe)

After bookending your included flight hop with private transfers, you’ll start exploring with a hike up Seongsan Ilchulbong. This impossibly verdant volcanic crater – Jeju’s largest – offers sweeping island views. Then, at Seongeup Folk Village’s lava-stone houses, Confucian shrines and fortress ruins you’ll sample native food and watch the local craftsmen at work. A boat ride will then take you out to Udo Island, a volcanic jut where great peaks look down on both black and white sand beaches. The next day, you’ll be treated to yet more of Jeju’s natural beauty, trekking through nutmeg forests to great volcano views. End at Yeomiji Botanical Gardens, its exotic verdure framed by a rushing waterfall.

Stay: Ocean Suites Hotel (Superior) or Lotte Hotel Jeju (Deluxe)

Your last internal flight, again sandwiched by private transfers, will see you to an exclusive tour of the Korean capital. You’ll start with Changdeokgung, a 15th-century palace ringed by picturesque gardens where ornate pavilions dot shimmering lakes. You’ll also visit the antique tumble of artsy Insadong and Bukchon – a folk village comprising hundreds of traditional Korean houses. The next day, to peer right into North Korea, your private touring will see you to the infiltration tunnels and observatories of the Demilitarised Zone. Lastly, returning to Seoul, you’ll visit Namdaemun’s open-air market to take in its steaming street food and energetic bustle. Alternatively, you could choose a our of Paju city and Imjingak Park, including a visit to the Bridge of Freedom. Then take a Gondola to Odusan Unification Observatory.

Stay: Gracery Hotel Seoul (Superior) or Lotte Hotel Seoul (Deluxe)

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