Deal negotiated for you
- The 11-day / 10-night tour in the 4-star accommodation mentioned (or similar)
- Breakfasts
- T-money card charged with 12 rides
- Flights departing from the city of your choice
- Private return airport/hotel transfers
- Seoul-Gyeongju KTX train
- KTX Train Gyeongju-Busan
- Express bus Busan - Jeonju
- KTX Train Jeonju-Seoul
- Local 10 GB e-SIM with activation via QR code
- English-language travel guide for visits and recommendations
- Assistance available on WhatsApp throughout your stay from 10am to 8pm
Customise your trip on the Options page.
Your stay starts here
Secret & Authentic Korea 4*
Immerse yourself in the heart of South Korea on a journey rich in contrasts, combining dazzling modernity and age-old traditions.
From the high-tech bustle of Seoul to the gentle history of Gyeongju and the maritime energy of Busan to the picturesque charm of Jeonju, each stop on this tour reveals a different aspect of South Korea, also known as the Land of the Morning Calm. You will discover imperial palaces, preserved hanok villages, UNESCO-listed temples, and breathtaking coastal panoramas, all while sampling the authentic flavours of Korean cuisine. Blending culture, nature, history and K-pop, this tour offers an immersive experience of South Korea's diverse beauty, leaving a lasting impression on the heart and mind.
Your day-by-day itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Seoul
Day 2: Historic Seoul
Day 3: Modern Seoul
Day 4: Seoul - Gyeongju
Day 5: Visit of Gyeongju
Day 6: Gyeongju - Busan
Day 7: Visit of Busan
Day 8: Coastal Busan
Day 9: Busan - Jeonju
Day 10: Jeonju - Seoul
Day 11: Departure from Seoul
Your detailed itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival in Seoul
Breakfast at leisure depending on your arrival time.
On arrival at Incheon International Airport, you will be met by a private driver and transferred to your hotel in the city centre (≈1h). Check-in, then end of the day at leisure to explore Myeongdong or Insadong for the first time.
Lunch at leisure.
Dinner at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 | Historic Seoul
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit to the Gyeongbokgung Palace (changing of the guard at 10 a.m.), stroll through the Bukchon Hanok village and visit to the Jogyesa temple.
Lunch at leisure at the Gwangjang market, renowned for its local specialities.
Afternoon at leisure, followed by a night-time panorama from the N Seoul Tower.
Dinner at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 | Modern Seoul
Breakfast at the hotel.
Excursion to Hongdae, the street-art and themed café district.
Lunch at leisure.
Afternoon free for shopping in Gangnam or visit to the Leeum Museum. In the evening, 'Nanta' show or K-Pop mini-concert.
Dinner at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 | Seoul - Gyeongju
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure by KTX for SinGyeongju. Settle in and visit the village of Yangdong (UNESCO).
Enjoy a delicious local bibimbap for lunch.
Night walk among the tumuli in Daereungwon Park and visit to the Cheomseongdae observatory.
Dinner at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 | Visit to Gyeongju
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit to Bulguksa temple and Seokguram cave.
Gampo seafood lunch.
Return to the city, visit to the Gyeongju National Museum and tea break in a hanok house.
Dinner at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 | Gyeongju - Busan
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure by KTX to Busan. Settle in and visit the Jagalchi fish market.
Lunch at leisure.
Stroll through the BIFF cinema district, then relax on Gwangalli beach in front of the illuminated bridge.
Dinner at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7 | Visit to Busan
Breakfast at the hotel.
Excursion to the Haedong Yonggungsa temple and walk through the Gamcheon Culture Village.
Lunch at leisure.
Afternoon relaxation at a jjimjilbang (Korean spa) or shopping at Shinsegae Centum City.
Dinner at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8 | Coastal Busan
Breakfast at the hotel.
Walk along the Igidae coastal path or the Oryukdo Skywalk.
Why not try Pajeon and makgeolli for lunch?
Afternoon at leisure in Haeundae or optional mini-cruise. In the evening, street food and craft beers at Seomyeon.
Dinner at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 | Busan - Jeonju
Breakfast at the hotel.
Express bus to Jeonju. Settle into a Hanok house and visit the Hanok village, Jeondong Cathedral and Pungnam Gate.
Enjoy a delicious bibimbap for lunch, a local speciality.
Join a hanji paper workshop followed by dinner in a traditional makgeolli bar.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 | Jeonju - Seoul
Breakfast at the hotel.
Return by KTX via Iksan to Seoul. Afternoon at leisure for final shopping in Namdaemun or a stroll in Namsan Park.
Lunch at leisure.
At 7 p.m., Korean barbecue dinner included at a Mapo restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 | Return from Seoul
Breakfast at the hotel (may not be possible depending on your flight schedule).
Private transfer to Incheon airport.
Lunch at leisure.
Dinner at leisure or during your flight.
Your accommodation
During your tour, you will be accommodated for 10 nights in the following hotels (or similar):
- Seoul: 4 nights at the 4-star Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae Hotel.
- Gyeongju: 2 nights at the Doran Doran Hanok (traditional Korean house)
- Busan: 3 nights at the 4-star Felix by STX
- Jeonju: 1 night at the 4-star Lahan Hotel Jeonju
Please note:
For technical reasons, the hotels may be replaced by similar accommodation and the stops may be reversed.
Your board
During your stay, you will be accommodated on a breakfast-only basis.
Breakfast
Includes an assortment of hot and cold drinks and sweet and savoury dishes.
Useful information
UK nationals do not need a visa for short stays of less than 90 days. They will also benefit from a temporary exemption from the K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) 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 further information: https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do
A valid passport is required to enter Korea. A passport valid for 6 months after leaving the country is not required.
Before travelling to Korea, you should ensure that your passport is not torn, damaged or otherwise defective, otherwise you may be refused entry by the immigration authorities.