Arrival at Incheon Airport, welcome by our representative, and transfer to the hotel. (Depending on arrival times, the transfer may be shared with other passengers.)

Rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner on your own.

Overnight in Seoul.

Note: Rooms are available starting at 3:00 p.m.

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, meet your guide at 9:00 AM in the hotel lobby. Depart for a full day of exploring South Korea’s capital via Jihachul, the local subway.

Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace; this “splendid palace of happiness” is one of the five palaces of the Choson (Joseon) Dynasty and houses the National Folk Museum and its collection of artifacts from traditional Korean life. Next, visit Jogyesa Temple, one of the largest in the city and the center of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, which promotes Zen meditation.

Enjoy a delicious bibimbap for lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, take a stroll through the Bukchon district. Nicknamed the “Northern Village,” this district is home to some 900 traditional Korean houses and offers a unique cultural immersion into old Korea.

Next, take a stroll down Insadong Street, which is lined with antique shops and art galleries.

In the early afternoon, discover an incredible stage show! (“Cooking’ Nanta”). This nonverbal comedy, set to the rhythm of kitchen utensils, combines traditional and modern music and cleverly blends the genres of comedy and burlesque.

Overnight in Seoul.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free day.

Overnight in Seoul.

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, depart by KTX train (2 hours) for Gyeongju, the spiritual and cultural capital of Korea.

Upon arrival, set out to spend the day exploring the famous Yangdong Village, one of Korea’s largest traditional villages. A true reflection of Joseon Dynasty culture, it blends harmoniously into its unspoiled natural surroundings. Thanks to its numerous national treasures and folkloric elements, the village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nestled among valleys, with the four peaks of Mount Seolchangsan as a backdrop, the village features some 160 historic houses, including 500-year-old thatched cottages. Fifty-four of these dwellings, which are over 200 years old, have been exceptionally well-preserved, offering visitors an authentic immersion in traditional Korean architecture.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, take a stroll through Tumuli Park, dotted with 23 tombs of Silla rulers and their families, and visit the “Heavenly Horse” tomb. Many treasures were discovered during archaeological excavations and are now on display. Next, visit the Noseo-dong tombs before making a final stop at the oldest observatory in the Far East, Cheomseongdae Tower, built in 634. Here, royal astronomers studied the movement of the stars and predicted solar and lunar eclipses.

In the late afternoon, transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Gyeongju.

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, set out to explore the city nicknamed the “Museum Without Walls.” This ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Visit Bulguksa Temple (UNESCO) and then Seokguram Grotto (UNESCO). Built in the 8th century on the slopes of Mount Toham, it houses a monumental statue of Buddha facing the sea. The complex is considered a masterpiece of Buddhist art in the Far East.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, transfer by private vehicle (with a guide) to Busan.

Overnight in Busan.

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, stop at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, the only one of its kind in the world, managed by the United Nations since 1960. The site pays tribute to the 37,895 members of UN forces who fell during the Korean War between 1950 and 1953.

Next, a stroll through the Jagalchi Fish Market and the International Market, where all kinds of goods are sold.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Early in the afternoon, departure for Gamcheon Cultural Village, an old neighborhood situated on a hillside. The houses here were built by refugees fleeing the Korean War. Today, it is an artistic village decorated with murals and sculptures created by local residents.

Note:
For the visit to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, please observe the following dress code:

• No tracksuits (sweatpants)
• Clothing that reveals too much skin (sleeveless T-shirts, etc.) is prohibited
• Do not wear flip-flops or strappy sandals
• Clothing designed for physical exercise is prohibited (sun hats/caps, masks, gloves, etc.)

Accommodations in Busan.

Breakfast at the hotel.

At noon, transfer to the Busan train station at the time specified by our representative the day before.

Next, unaccompanied transfer by KTX train to Seoul.

Upon arrival, our representative will transfer you to the hotel.

The rest of the day in Seoul is free for some last-minute shopping.

Overnight in Seoul.

Breakfast.

Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Incheon Airport by private vehicle (without a guide).

End of services.