South Korea, Seoul

South Korea: Blending authenticity and modernity 4^*

Arrival in Korea, meet wotjh your assistant and transfer to your accommodation by public transport using your T-money card. Check-in at your hotel and first foray into Seoul.

After breakfast, explore the city.

Tour recommendations:

- Gwanghwamun Square: Recently renovated, the historic heart of Seoul. Facing the royal palace of Gyeongbokgung, it is a must-see on any visit to Korea.

- Gyeongbokgung Palace (or Changdeokgung depending on opening days): The residence of the Joseon dynasty from 1395 to 1592, and again from 1867 to 1911, the Gyeongbokgung Palace is the perfect example of Korea's grandeur during its golden years.

- Stroll through Insadong and its charming boutiques. Famed for its stalls and tea rooms, Insadong was originally the place where artists came to stock up on traditional brushes and paper. Visitors and couples alike come here on weekend afternoons.

- Exploration of the **district of Ikseondong, and its traditional houses that have been preserved from destruction. Destined to become a housing development, the Ikseondong district owes its survival to the restoration of its small houses, which have become trendy boutiques and surprisingly well-designed cafés, and to the many restaurants where passers-by and employees of the neighbouring high-rise buildings come to eat.

- Cheonggyecheon River, the green channel of life running through the heart of Seoul. Cheonggyecheon has undergone gigantic works during its modern history. Originally a small river, it became a shanty town at the end of the Korean War. Completely destroyed, it was replaced by a suspended ring road in the 1970s before being restored to its semi-original form in a project that lasted almost 2 years and cost a whopping USD 300 million.

See out the day in the Myeongdong district, the vibrant heart of the city's shopping and street-food scene, then enjoy the night view from City Hall with its stunning glass and steel skylight.

Make your own arrangements for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast and departure for Daejeon by KTX train (approx. 1 hr 30 mins).

Transfer to your accommodation by local bus and luggage drop-off.

Departure for Buyeo by local bus (approx. 1 hr journey).

Walking tours in the middle of the Baekje kingdom (18BC - 660).

Suggested tours:

• Discovery of the Buseosanseong Fortress (UNESCO). A magnificent example of military construction under the Baekje dynasty, the fortress remains one of the centrepieces of Buyeo's heritage. The walls may have disappeared when the kingdom fell, but what is left is nonetheless impressive, and a stroll through what is now a park overlooking the River Geumgang is sure to delight you.
• Next, a visit to the Jeongnimsaji sanctuary (UNESCO). The remains include a flat-faced Buddha, and the sanctuary site is also home to a museum that goes into detail about the techniques used at the time to build architecture that is still impressive today.

- Gungnamji lotus pond: Legend has it that a prince of Buyeo seduced a princess of Silla here. Their love affair was forbidden by their parents for obvious political reasons, so the princess and the prince fled together to take refuge by this pond whose lotuses would bear immortal witness to their unconditional love.

Return to Daejeon at the end of the day. Make your own arrangements for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast and departure for Gyeongju by SRT train (approx. 1h journey).

Transfer to your accommodation by local bus and luggage drop-off.

Free time to explore the historic heart of Gyeongju.

Suggested tours:

- Daereungwon Tumuli Park (UNESCO). A collection of royal tombs and tombs of high dignitaries, the park includes the most famous tomb, that of the celestial horse. Virtually complete (unlike many other tombs that have been looted over the centuries), it provides an insight into funeral rites under the Silla dynasty (57 BC - 935), as well as uncovering fabulous artifacts, including a crown of pure gold and jade, and numerous items of royal ceremonial dress.

- Cheomseongdae Astronomical Observatory (UNESCO). A building that epitomizes the particularly impressive interest and development of science during the reign of Queen Seondeok, the observatory was used for astronomy and made it possible to map a large proportion of the stars visible to the naked eye.

- Remains of the Wolseong fortress, designed to protect the city of Gyeongju (otherwise known as Seo-ra-e-bol), which had a population of nearly 2 million at its peak.

- Small village of Kyochon : Resort of the Ryu family, which had a major influence on the code of conduct of nobles under the Joseon dynasty (the family is often compared to the Rothschild family for its particular rules and strong family cohesion).

- Wolyeonggyo reconstructed bridge: Best seen at night, this bridge, built 2 years ago, was the main access to the heart of the Silla dynasty capital.

Dinner and overnight stay in a traditional house.

Free day with tour recommendations provided (travel pack):

- Gyeongju National Museum: Built to protect the finds from the excavations begun in the 1970s, the museum has become one of the finest in Korea, with its dynamic, free-flowing exhibits and an impressive collection of objects found in the region.

- Seokguram Grotto and Seated Buddha (UNESCO). Considered the epitome of Buddhist art under the Silla dynasty, the Seated Buddha was found by sheer chance during logging operations by local residents. It is now protected by glass and a building, but first and foremost by celestial Apsara dancers and ancient warriors.

- Bulguksa Temple (UNESCO). A superb site with architecture that is found nowhere else in Korea, the temple contains many national treasures, including the 2 famous stupas in front of the central pavilion. Arranged according to the lay of the land, it remains one of the masterpieces of Buddhist art under the Silla Dynasty.

- Anapji Pond by night: Originally built to provide entertainment for the court and royal family, the pond was initially intended to have been much larger. However, it was never completed due to the fall of the dynasty. Best seen at night when it is illuminated, it transports visitors back to the past with its haunting atmosphere and magical lighting.

Dinner and overnight stay in a traditional house.

Departure for Busan by express bus (approx. 1h15 journey).

Transfer by local transport to your accommodation.

Free time to visit Busan, with recommendations in the travel diary:

- Jagalchi fish market, a must-see in Busan, with its stalls and aquariums of fresh fish and seafood. A truly popular atmosphere, with passers-by zigzagging between deliverymen, sharp-tongued fish traders and fishermen returning from their tides.

- Nampodong district: A hub of incoming international trade and foreign imports in the 70s and 80s, the district is also home to the Busan International Film Festival.

- Gamcheon Art Village: An unremarkable hamlet, Gamcheon first gained a reputation for welcoming North Korean refugees during the Korean War. Then, by covering itself with picturesque murals. This enabled it to survive the real estate boom of the 90s. Today, Gamcheon is a lively area, with cafés, shops and popular alleyways.

- Evening stroll to Gwangalli Beach, facing the eponymous bridge. A meeting place for young people and families to enjoy the beach, the night view, shellfish barbecues and a glass of wine overlooking the sea.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast and free day with tour recommendations in the travel pack:

- The artistic village of Huin-yeo-ul: Nestling on the slopes of Yeongdo Island, facing the Nampodong region, this village has earned itself the nickname of Korea's Cinque Terre. Its murals, sunny atmosphere and south-facing seafront combined with its location on a slope give it an extremely picturesque air.

- Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: Dating back to the 14th century but completely rebuilt in the 1930s, Haedong is one of the few temples by the sea. Its seafront layout and Maitreya Buddha are its most distinctive attractions.

- Walk along the Cheongsapo waterfront in Dalmaji with the monorail. Formerly a railway line, this path has become a focal point for its views and the peace and quiet it exudes. Its proximity to Haeundae creates a particularly impressive contrast, delighting kids and adults alike.

- Haeundae beach, with its seafront and hidden market. At the heart of the area's daytime and night-time activity, Haeundae is renowned for its beach (said to be the most packed in the region during the summer) and its bars, nightclubs, busking zones (areas on the seafront where artists come to perform free of charge and of their own volition), and its promenade, which is always buzzing with events, festivals, and other fun activities.

Make your own arrangements for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Departure for **Gimhae airport, and flight to Jeju on a local airline (45min flight).

Arrive in Jeju and transfer to your accommodation by local public transport (approx. 1h15 journey).

Luggage drop-off at your accommodation and free time for sightseeing.

Suggested tours:

- Jungmun area with Cheonjeyeon and Cheonjiyeon waterfalls : The Jungmun area features 2 waterfalls that are well worth a visit. Legend has it that nymphs come here to bathe on the nights of the full moon.

- Jungmun Beach: One of the island's most famous beaches despite its modest size, it offers an ambience uncommon on the island - surrounded by black volcanic rock cliffs, the beach is a resort for families of bathers.

- Jusangjeolli cliffs (UNESCO). Very rare in the world, these hexagonal pillars of volcanic stone were formed when magma crystallized on contact with the sea several million years ago.

- Yakcheonsa Temple: the main pavilion houses a immense Vairocana Buddha (almost 12m high without the pedestal). It also faces the sea and has semi-tropical gardens.

Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Breakfast and self-guided tours with recommendations in the travel pack.

- Walk on the island of Udo, the island of the "reclining cow". A small island accessible only by ferry, you can enjoy walks and cycle rides here. Be sure to take in the view from the lighthouse! You'll also encounter Jeju horses here (small horses brought over and then abandoned by the Mongol invaders in the 16th century).

- Seongsan Ilchulbong rising sun peak (UNESCO). A unique example of a volcanic formation right in the middle of the coastline, the peak is also a great place to watch the sunrise (weather permitting).

- Seopjikoji Art Zone and Aquaplanet aquarium (Hanhwa Resort). Grouped together on the Seopjikoji peninsula, Tadao Ando's creations, including the famous Glasshouse and the famous Yumin Art Nouveau collection, have been incorporated into a stunning semi-volcanic landscape.

Make your own arrangements for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast and self-guided tours with recommendations in the travel pack.

- O'sulloc green tea fields: With several hectares of these valuable shrubs, the O'sulloc area also has all the infrastructure you need to discover the benefits of Jeju green tea.

- Jeju Spiritual Garden: A perfect example of Korean-style gardens, the Spiritual Garden is a place where you can reconnect with nature.

- The superb Hyeopjae Beach: Renowned for its fine white sand, the beach also has a quality arboretum nearby. Enjoy the sun, sea, and nature.

- Dongmun night market: A unique market with a flurry of activity after dark, it is best known for its many varieties of street food and its ever-expanding range of new delicacies.

Make your own arrangements for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast and departure for the north of the island.

Suggested tours:

- Manjanggul lava tunnel (UNESCO). Carved out during the last period of tectonic activity on the island several hundred thousand years ago, the tunnel through which the magma flowed was filled by water and then air as the water level fell. The tour ends at the astonishing "elephant's foot", bearing witness to the area's volcanic past.

- Former Jeju prefecture, Mokkwanna: Built to represent central power under the Joseon dynasty, the prefecture is one of the few remaining old buildings to have been constructed and then preserved on the island.

Departure for the airport and flight to Seoul at the end of the day (approx. 1 hr flight).

Transfer to your accommodation by local public transport.

Make your own arrangements for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day in the streets of Seoul.

Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day in the streets of Seoul.

Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Free day.

Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to the airport by public transport and check-in before boarding.

For short stays of fewer than 90 days, French nationals do not require a visa. They will also be granted a temporary exemption from K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation) from 1 April 2023 to 31 December 2024, as part of a plan to support the revival of tourism and the celebration of the "Visit Korea Year" (2023-2024). For more information: https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do

**A valid passport is required for entry into Korea ** 6 months of validity after the date of exit from the country is not required.

Before travelling to Korea, you should make sure that your passport is not torn, damaged or otherwise defective, otherwise you may be refused entry by the immigration authorities.

Transfers:

• The return airport/hotel transfer is by public transport (bus) with the help of your assistant.
• You have a T-Money card with a 12-trip top-up facility.
• Seoul - Daejeon (day 3 - approx. 1 hr 30 mins) and Daejeon - Gyeonju (day 4 - approx. 1 hr) by KTX (express train).
• Journey from Gyeonju to Busan (day 6) by express bus (approx. 1 hr 15 mins) and transfer to your accommodation by local transport.
• Busan - Jeju (day 8) from Gimhae airport (45-minute flight) and transfer to your accommodation by local public transport (journey time approx. 1 hr 15 mins).
• Jeju - Seoul (day 11) by plane (1 -hr flight) and transfer to your accommodation by local public transport.
• Transfer to Seoul airport (day 14) by public transport.

Please note: the Daejeon - Gongju - Daejeon intercity bus journey is not included. Tickets available on site.