Best of Korea – Departs every Friday

On arrival at Seoul Incheon International Airport, you will be greeted by our airport representative who will provide the transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

This morning meet your fellow passengers and guide and embark on the 2-hour journey to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The border dividing North Korea and South Korea, sitting near the 38th parallel, the DMZ is 2.5 Miles wide, and the most dangerous area in South Korea. On arrival at the complex, you will be under the supervision of a U.S Army Lieutenant and escorted into a theatre for a briefing on the history and protocols of visiting the DMZ. The rules are strict however, they are enforced for everyone’s safety. As part of the visit to the DMZ you will also visit the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, the Unification Bridge, and Dorasan Observatory. At the completion of the visit, you will return to Seoul with your fellow travellers to enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure.

Enjoy an early start today as you check out of your hotel and after breakfast, meet your driver and depart for Gongju, a journey of 90 minutes. Here you will visit the Tomb of King Muryeong, who ruled the Baekje for 501 to 523. Proceed to UNESCO listed Gongsanseong Fortress which protected the town of Gongju. Continue to Jeonju, a drive of 60 minutes and on arrival enjoy a visit to Jeonju Hanok Village, where you can find over 800 traditional Korean houses. In the late afternoon check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Depart Jeonju this morning bound for Gwangju, the leading city of the Honam region and the birthplace of the modern democratic movement in Korea, a journey of 80 minutes. Built in 1997, the cemetery is the final resting place for those who participated in the Gwangju uprising. Continue onto Suncheon, here you will visit the Suncheon Bay Garden, home to over 790,000 trees in 505 species, and 3.15 million flowers in 113 species. Continue to Yeosu, a port city and visit the historic site of Admiral Yi Sun-Sins, famous for 23 recorded naval victories against the Japanese navy during the Imjin war. In the late afternoon check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Departing your hotel this morning after breakfast, you are bound for Jinjuseong Fortress, historically linked to the Japanese invasion of 1592. Proceed to the Koreas 2nd largest city, Busan, a drive of 90 minutes, and depart from Gimhae Airport on a short flight to JeJu Island. On arrival at JeJu Island you will be greeted by another guide who will provide the transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before you meet your guide and embark on full day tour of JeJu Island. The first visit of the day is to Hyupjae Beach, and then continue to Hallim Park. Transformed from a wasteland to an incredible green paradise, consisting of 9 different themed gardens and seasonal festivals, Hallim Park is an international tourist attraction of JeJu Island. Continue to the Osulloc Tea Museum, opened in 2001, the aim of the museum is to introduce and spread the products and different varieties of Korean tea. In the early afternoon enjoy a Sanbang Mountain Cruise and a visit to Cheonjeyeon falls. Named the ‘Ponds of God’, the falls consist of 3 different ponds before the water makes its way to the ocean. In the late afternoon enjoy some retail therapy at the local shopping centre and then enjoy the evening at leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out and departing to a local farm where you can enjoy a horseback ride around the farm. Continue to the Seongeup Folk Village, offering a true representation of the unique culture of Jeju Island. In the early afternoon, visit the Haenyeo Museum, which exhibits the historical photos of Haenyeo female divers of JeJu Island. Your final visit of Jeju Island is to Seongsan llchulbong Peak, which rose 180 metres above sea-level, due to magna flows under the sea some 5000 years ago. In the late afternoon you will transfer to JeJu Airport for your short flight to Gimhae Domestic Airport, Busan. Upon arrival you will meet your guide who will provide the transfer to your hotel, and you can enjoy the evening at leisure.

Depart your hotel at 8.00am and embark to Gamcheon Cultural Village, formed by houses built in staircase fashion on the foothills of a coastal mountain, earning the village the nickname of ‘Machu Pichu of Busan‘. Continue to Gyeongju, a museum without walls. In 57BC around the time of Julia Caesar was subduing Gaul, it became the capital of the Shilla Dynasty and remained so for 1000 years. Along with Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram, Gyeongju’s historical centre, these have been World Heritage listed by UNESCO. Proceed to the Gyeongju National Museum, the Cheomgseondae Astronomical Observatory, and UNESCO Heritage listed Seokguram Grotto which is an artificial stone temple made of granites. Continue to Daegu, arriving in the late afternoon and then enjoy the evening at leisure.

Today visit the beautiful Haeinsa Temple located in the Gayasan National Park. Founded by King Ae-Jang of the Shilla Dynasty in the year 802. Continue to UNESCO Listed Tripitaka Koreana, home to 81,341 printing woodblocks made to repulse the Mongolian Army invasion with the support of Buddha. Continue to Andong Hahoe Village which preserves the traditional housing architecture of the Josean Dynasty, made more famous by a visit from Queen Elizabeth II. Proceed to Gangneung, your home for the evening to enjoy at leisure.

This morning move to Seoraksan National Park, Koreas most famous National Park and home to stunning peaks. UNESCO designated this park a Biosphere Preservation District in 1982 due to so many rare species found here. Within the park visit Sinheungsa – temple, an ancient temple with deep historical significance built by the great monk, Jajangyulsa in 590 to 658. Enjoy some short, light trekking in the park before departing in the late afternoon, bound for Seoul where you will spend the evening at leisure.

Leave your hotel around 8.30am and depart on a half day tour of Seoul. The first visit of the day is to Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395 this was the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty. Enjoy viewing the changing of the guard Korean style, before continuing to the National Folk Museum and the Korean Ginseng Centre. In the early afternoon visit the Korean Folk Village, home to over 260 traditional houses. In the late afternoon return to Seoul, bid

Enjoy your final few hours in Seoul at leisure before you meet your driver who will provide the private vehicle transfer to Seoul Incheon International Airport for your onward flight.