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. The next day, 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, Jogyesa Temple’s colourful repose and the giant watchtowers of Hwaseong Fortress. On your last day, a private tour of the Demilitarised Zone will see you step into North Korea, spotting soldiers, fabricated towns and infiltration tunnels. On return, you’ll be treated to one of Korea’s favourite stage shows – Nanta, a humorous story of four struggling chefs. Alternatively, you could opt for a visit to Paju city and Imjingak Park, including a tour of the Bridge of freedom. Then take a Gondola to Odusan Unification Observatory.

Stay: Gracery Hotel Seoul (Superior) or Lotte Hotel Seoul (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 Buddhist shrines, lakeside palaces and temples that date back to the 7th century. 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. 

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 Haedong Yonggungsa, a 14th-century water temple perched precipitously on the rocky coast. 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. End the day at Dongbaek Island, looking back along Haeundae’s golden sands for spectacular views of the city’s reaching skyline. 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. For the best views, however, make for Namsan Seoul Tower, which offers 480m-high panoramas. Then, perhaps end your day with a true Korean tradition – a visit to a jimjilbang sauna.

Stay: Nine Tree Premier Myeongdong (Superior) or Sofitel Ambassador Hotel Seoul (Deluxe)

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