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South Korea, Seoul

South Korea: The land of peaceful mornings 3*

TourPrivate

Deal negotiated for you

  • 9-nights private tour in listed hotels or similar
  • Breakfasts
  • Flights departing from the city of your choice
  • T-money card charged with 12 rides
  • transfers listed in the programme during the tour
  • Mandatory airport taxes
  • Welcome and assistance on arrival at the airport
  • A travel booklet for included or recommended visits
  • Whatsapp support from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Customise your trip on the Options page.

Your stay starts here

South Korea: The land of peaceful mornings 3*

This 10-day, 9-night private tour will introduce you to Korean culture. You'll find a mix of traditional and modern culture: a natural first step for small budgets! Visit Seoul, the modern capital, Gyeongju, with its thousands of relics of the country's former capital, Busan, with its warm, lively seaside atmosphere.

Your itinerary day by day:

Day 1: Arrival in Seoul

Day 2: Discover Seoul

Day 3: Train to Gyeongju

day 4: Free day in Gyeongju

Day 5: Departure for Busan

Day 6: Discover Busan

Day 7: Free day in Busan

Day 8: Return to Seoul

Day 9: Seoul

Day 10: Departure from Seoul

Your detailed itinerary

DAY 1 l Arrival in Seoul

Arrival in Korea.

Meet your assistant and transfer to your accommodation by public transport. Check-in at your hotel and first steps in Seoul. Program according to your arrival time.

DAY 2 | Discovering the capital

After breakfast, explore the city at your leisure (visit recommendations also in your travel pack).

  • 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 around 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. It 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.

DAY 3 | Train to Gyeongju

Breakfast at the hotel

Transfer by KTX train (~2h) to Gyeongju, former capital of the Silla Kingdom. On arrival, luggage drop-off and check-in.

Lunch at leisure

Free afternoon to soak up the city's peaceful atmosphere.

Dinner at leisure

Overnight in a traditional house (hanok), Hanok Doran Doran (or similar).

DAY 4 | Free day in Gyeongju

Breakfast at the accommodation

Free day to explore the Daereungwon Tumuli Park (UNESCO), the Cheomseongdae Observatory (UNESCO), the remains of the Wolseong Fortress, the peaceful Kyochon Village and admire the Wolyeonggyo Bridge, which looks stunning in the evening.

Lunch at leisure

Enjoy local specialties during your visits.

Dinner at leisure

Overnight at Hanok Doran Doran (or similar).

DAY 5 | Departure for Busan

Breakfast at the accommodation

Departure by express bus (~1h15) to Busan. Transfer by local transport to your accommodation.

Lunch at leisure

Free visit of Busan: the Jagalchi fish market, the Nampodong shopping district, and the colourful Gamcheon art village. At the end of the day, stroll along the Gwangalli beach.

Dinner at leisure

Overnight at the Stanford Hotel Busan (or similar).

DAY 6 | Free day in Busan

Breakfast at the hotel

Free day with suggestions: Huin-yeo-ul art village, Haedong Yonggungsa temple by the sea, a monorail ride from Cheongsapo to Dalmaji, or lazing on Haeundae beach.

Lunch at leisure

Try the street-food or local restaurants around the beaches.

Dinner at leisure

Overnight at the Stanford Hotel Busan (or similar)

DAY 7 | Free day in Busan

Breakfast at the hotel

Free day to explore: the F1963 Cultural Complex, the UN Cemetery and Sculpture Park, Taejongdae Nature Park with its cliffs and the Danubi Tourist Train. In the evening, stroll through the Bupyeong (Kkangtong) night market.

Lunch at leisure

Eat as you wish: street food or local cafés.

Dinner at leisure

Overnight at the Stanford Hotel Busan (or similar).

DAY 8 | Return to Seoul

Departure for Seoul by KTX train (approx. 2 hr 30).

Spend the day at leisure and refer to the travel pack for recommendations on places to visit.

Gangnam District – Tradition and Modernity: Explore Gangnam, a symbol of modern Seoul. Visit the serene 16th-century Bongeunsa Temple, nestled amongst skyscrapers. Experience the futuristic atmosphere of the COEX Mall and the renowned Starfield Library, which provides a spectacular backdrop for photos. Gangnam showcases the duality of Korean culture, blending spirituality and innovation.

Seoul Art Museum (Leeum Samsung): Immerse yourself in contemporary art at the Leeum Museum, founded by Samsung and housing an extensive collection of traditional and modern Korean art. Designed by the renowned architects Mario Botta, Rem Koolhaas and Jean Nouvel, the museum displays ceramics and paintings from the Joseon dynasty, as well as contemporary Korean and international art installations.

Evening in Hongdae (leisure option): Experience the creative nightlife of Hongdae, a trendy district near the Mercure Hongdae Hotel. Explore street concerts, artistic performances, local designer boutiques, urban art galleries and a plethora of relaxed bars and restaurants. Take a stroll through Hongdae to experience Seoul's underground art scene and enjoy Korean street food and cocktails in a lively setting.

DAY 9 | Seoul

Spend the day at leisure and refer to the travel pack for recommendations on places to visit.

Traditional Bukchon Village: In the morning, discover the charming, well-preserved neighbourhood of Bukchon Hanok Village. Take a leisurely stroll through the narrow streets lined with traditional wooden houses dating back to the Joseon era, which now house craft shops, galleries and teahouses. Take in spectacular views of Seoul's rooftops and the surrounding palaces, and immerse yourself in history and serenity in the heart of the city.

Street Food at Gwangjang Market: For an authentic culinary experience, explore Gwangjang Market for lunch. Treat yourself to local street food delicacies such as bindaetteok (crispy thick pancakes) and mayak kimbap (small rice rolls with marinated vegetables). Enjoy specialities such as spicy tteokbokki, fresh yukhoe (seasoned raw beef) and mandoo (steamed dumplings) in a welcoming setting.

Futuristic Design at Dongdaemun : In the afternoon, explore Seoul's ultramodern world by visiting the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), an avant-garde building designed by Zaha Hadid. Explore design exhibitions and trendy boutiques in the heart of Dongdaemun's shopping district, and visit the on-site museum. Finish the day by enjoying the lively night market and sampling local snacks from the food trucks.

DAY 10 | Departure

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

Your Accommodation

During your tour you will stay 9 nights in the following 3-star hotels (local standards):

  • Seoul: 4 nights at the 3-star Nafore Hotel
  • Gyeongju: 2 nights at the 3-star Doran Doran Guest House or traditional house
  • Busan: 3 nights at the 3-star Stanford Hotel Busan

Please note: in the event of unavailability of these hotels, we will always do our best to relocate you to hotels of a similar category.

Your Accommodation

During your tour, you will be accommodated in a breakfast formula

Please note: breakfast is not included in traditional Gyeongju houses.

Breakfast

Includes an assortment of hot and cold drinks and sweet and savoury dishes.

Formalities for entering and staying in the country

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.

Useful things to know

Transfers:

Round-trip airport-hotel transfers by public transport with the help of your assistant.

You will be given a T-Money card with a 12-trip refill for personal travel.

Seoul - Gyeongju: by KTX train (approx. 2h) and transfer to your accommodation by local bus.

Gyeongju - Busan: by express bus (approx. 1h15) and transfer to your accommodation by local transport.

Busan - Seoul by KTX train (approx. 2h30).

Accommodation:

During your stay, you will be accommodated in a double or twin room, subject to availability.

Board:

From the second to the last day, you will have breakfast included, except for two nights in a traditional house in Gyeongju.

Activities:

The costs of activities / visits not mentioned or only recommended in the travel guide are not included.

The travel guide will be sent to you 7 days before your arrival.

Transport included
This price includes :
  • 9-nights private tour in listed hotels or similar
  • The meal plan mentioned in the description
  • Booking fees
  • All transfers mentioned in the programme
  • Welcome and assistance at the airport
  • T-money card charged for 12 rides
  • A travel booklet for included or recommended visits
  • Assistance via Whatsapp from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Flights departing from the city of your choice
  • Mandatory airport taxes
This price does not include :
  • Personal insurance (unless taken out at time of booking)
  • Personal expenses and gratuities
  • Excursions not included in the booking or purchased separately
  • Meals and drinks not mentioned in the description
  • Tours and admission fees
  • Daejeon - Gongju - Daejeon by intercity bus. Purchase of tickets on site
  • And, more generally, everything not mentioned in the "This price includes" section above

Useful information

Useful information

Practical details

If you are travelling alone, you will be asked to pay a surcharge for a single room. This additional charge will be automatically included in your quote.
Child rates will be applied for children from 2 to 12 years old in the case where the child shares the room with two adults. If the child is travelling with just one adult, the surcharge may be applied on an adult basis. If your child or children do not fit into the age group mentioned above, the rate will be communicated to you at the time of processing your order. If the room is equipped with a bunk bed, the bed height is not suitable for children under 6 years of age.
For safety reasons, the wellbeing facilities of most establishments are not accessible to children under 16 years old. Similarly, it is possible that some amenities or services require an additional charge or are unavailable for exceptional reasons.
Unless otherwise stated in the service description, activities and any additional services available at destination are provided in the language of the destination country and in English.
The opening times and hours of the activities, restaurants and bars are provided as an indication only and may be subject to change. Contact the reception desk in order to be informed of any changes.
Appropriate dress is required. We remind you that gambling may involve risks of isolation, indebtedness, and dependency...
Any additional special requirements the traveller may request which are not included in the travel service description will be communicated to our service provider. Sending this information does not imply acceptance and PerfectStay.com cannot be held responsible for the fulfilment of these special requests. Only the service provider of PerfectStay.com can access this request on location and any additional costs may be paid locally by the traveller.
Unless expressly stated in the description of the services and accommodation, the hotel is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Travel documents

Once your reservation has been made, you will receive a confirmation e-mail before your travel documents are sent.
Regarding the transport documents (in the case of a reservation with transport included), we will provide you with all the information relating to check-in and luggage in the "Your travel documents" email, allowing you to leave with peace of mind.
To take advantage of all your reserved services (hotels, transfers, activities, etc.), you will receive one or more exchange vouchers to be presented to each supplier.
The contact details of the establishment will be specified in these documents, to help make your arrival at your destination as straight-forward as possible.

Transportation

Choose an offer and, according to your preferences, opt for a seat in economy, business or first class.
See the 'View flight info' section for details on each trip.
In order to best organise your time in the airport, we advise that you arrive 2 hours before boarding for a medium-haul flight, or 3 hours before boarding for a long-haul flight (more than 5 hours). Take advantage of your early arrival to pass through security and check your luggage.
You will be informed whether or not luggage is included at the time of your booking.
You will have the opportunity to add additional luggage for a fee.
There are several different cities that are typically offered as departure points. Your arrival destination will show in your travel documents.
Depending on the flight schedule, some arrivals or returns may be made at night with early arrival or late departure. You will not always be able to have your room available immediately and will need to refer to the check-in and check-out conditions of the hotel.
In the event that your transfer is not included in your hotel reservation, it may be offered at the time of your reservation as an additional option. Unless specifically mentioned, transfers may be made in groups of 15 to 55 people.
Important: the modification or the cancellation of a booking is only possible within the limits and including the fees outlined in our general conditions of sale.
Thank you for kindly taking note of the CO2 emissions produced by your means of transport: https://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx

Formalities

Please refer to the information below regarding travel formalities to South Korea for Canadian citizens. Canadian passport holders benefit from visa-free entry for short-term tourist or business stays, subject to compliance with South Korean entry conditions. Under the current immigration policy, Canadian nationals are permitted to stay in South Korea for up to 180 days without a visa, a specific allowance granted to Canadian citizens. Official immigration regulations are issued by the Korea Immigration Service, under the Ministry of Justice, and are available at https://www.immigration.go.kr/ (https://www.immigration.go.kr/). Additional official guidance is also published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea at https://www.mofa.go.kr/ (https://www.mofa.go.kr/).

Prior to travel, Canadian travelers are required, unless a temporary exemption applies, to obtain a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) even when entering visa-free. Applications must be submitted exclusively through the official website: https://www.k-eta.go.kr/ (https://www.k-eta.go.kr/). A Canadian passport must be valid for the entire duration of the intended stay in South Korea and must contain at least one blank page for immigration stamps. Upon arrival, immigration officers may request proof of onward or return travel, confirmation of accommodation, and evidence of sufficient financial means to support the stay. Travelers are advised to hold adequate travel and health insurance covering medical expenses during their visit.

From a health perspective, no vaccinations are mandatory for entry into South Korea when traveling from Canada. Travelers should ensure routine immunizations are up to date prior to departure and follow official health recommendations. Compliance with local laws and identity checks is mandatory throughout the stay, as South Korean authorities strictly enforce entry conditions and permitted lengths of stay.

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