Highlights
Explore Seoul, Andong, Gyeongju and Busan
Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insadong Street, Gwangjang Market, Changdeokgung Palace, the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Bongjeongsa Temple, Dosan Seowon Confucian Academy, Hahoe Village, Hahoe World Mask Museum, Seokguram Grotto, Bulguksa Temple, Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Donggung Palace, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Dongbaekseom Island, Gamcheon Cultural Village and Gukje Market
See Gwanghwamun plaza, Woljeonggyo Bridge and The United Nations Memorial Cemetery
Scenic Train Ride on the Skyline Park Sky Capsule
Visit the Songdu Sea Cable Car
Selected hotel dinners plus a locally hosted meal
A hands-on dining experience that’s as much about the atmosphere as it is the food. You’ll sizzle up meats like bulgogi, galbi or pork belly right at the table, paired with a spread of banchan (side dishes) like kimchi and pickled vegetables. A favourite across South Korea and beyond, it’s a must-try meal that brings people together over bold flavours and good company.
Seoul: Step into the past at Gyeongbokgung Palace for the Changing of the Guard but this is no ordinary ceremony — it’s a full display of royal tradition, just as it was centuries ago in the days of the Joseon Dynasty. Expect guards in colourful uniforms, traditional weapons in hand, and the rhythmic beats of drums in a ceremony once held to protect the king.
Seoul: Join a tasting tour through the buzzing Gwangjang Market, one of the capital’s oldest and liveliest street markets. Snack your way through crispy nokdujeon, bite-sized mayak gimbap, spicy tteokbokki, and of course, Korea’s iconic kimchi — this is street food at its best.
Seoul: Step into history at the Korean Demilitarised Zone, one of the world’s most heavily guarded borders. A powerful experience offering you a rare glimpse into Korea’s divided past and hopes for the future.
This centuries-old performance mixes humour, history and tradition with bold masks and sharp satire. You’ll be right in the action, watching the stories unfold before meeting the performers for a private lesson — learning the moves and getting a real feel for this unique Korean tradition.
Hahoe Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been home to the Ryu clan for over 600 years. Tucked into a bend of the Nakdong River, its thatched and tile-roofed houses sit beneath a 600-year-old tree, believed to protect the village. It’s a true step back into Korea’s past.
Gyeongju: Discover the UNESCO-listed Bulguksa Temple, a masterpiece of Silla-era Buddhist architecture, home to intricate pagodas and national treasures. Nearby, see the Seokguram Grotto, where a 3.5-metre-tall granite Buddha has stood since 774 AD, regarded as one of the finest in the world.
Busan: Glide above the coastline on the Skyline Park Sky Capsule, a colourful elevated railway with panoramic views over Busan’s waterfront. Sit back and watch the city and ocean unfold from this fun, retro-style ride.
Busan: Explore the colourful streets of Gamcheon Cultural Village, where a once-forgotten hillside settlement has become a lively mix of murals, cafes and local art shops. Built by Korean War refugees in the 1950s, this vibrant neighbourhood is now one of Busan’s most unique and creative spots to visit.
Busan: Soar 86 metres above the sea on the Songdo Sea Cable Car, gliding from Songnim Park to Amnam Park with unbeatable views over Songdo Beach and the coastline. Sit back and enjoy a whole new perspective of Busan’s stunning waterfront.
Andong: Join your host Jongbu Kim Do-Eun for an experience that celebrates Korea’s rich culinary heritage. Inspired by Soowoonjapbang, a Joseon-era cookbook passed down through generations, this home-hosted dinner brings traditional recipes to life. You'll enjoy authentic flavours and dishes that have been part of Korean culture for centuries.
Gyeongju: In Gyeongju, you’ll stay overnight at this award-winning hotel, a striking S-shaped architectural feat built using cutting-edge techniques. Designed by Hyundai Engineering & Construction, its 360-degree curved facade offers a unique view from every angle. A landmark of modern design, blending innovation with comfort in the heart of Gyeongju.
Busan: Meet Yoo Cheong-gil, the sixth-generation owner of Geumjeongsanseong Makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine, and the only officially recognised makgeolli master in South Korea. Step inside his brewery to learn about the centuries-old rice wine tradition, taste the difference from mass-produced versions, and hear why preserving this craft matters as he searches for the next generation to carry it forward. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Selected hotel dinners plus a locally hosted meal
A hands-on dining experience that’s as much about the atmosphere as it is the food. You’ll sizzle up meats like bulgogi, galbi or pork belly right at the table, paired with a spread of banchan (side dishes) like kimchi and pickled vegetables. A favourite across South Korea and beyond, it’s a must-try meal that brings people together over bold flavours and good company.
Seoul: Step into the past at Gyeongbokgung Palace for the Changing of the Guard but this is no ordinary ceremony — it’s a full display of royal tradition, just as it was centuries ago in the days of the Joseon Dynasty. Expect guards in colourful uniforms, traditional weapons in hand, and the rhythmic beats of drums in a ceremony once held to protect the king.
Seoul: Join a tasting tour through the buzzing Gwangjang Market, one of the capital’s oldest and liveliest street markets. Snack your way through crispy nokdujeon, bite-sized mayak gimbap, spicy tteokbokki, and of course, Korea’s iconic kimchi — this is street food at its best.
Seoul: Step into history at the Korean Demilitarised Zone, one of the world’s most heavily guarded borders. A powerful experience offering you a rare glimpse into Korea’s divided past and hopes for the future.
This centuries-old performance mixes humour, history and tradition with bold masks and sharp satire. You’ll be right in the action, watching the stories unfold before meeting the performers for a private lesson — learning the moves and getting a real feel for this unique Korean tradition.
Hahoe Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been home to the Ryu clan for over 600 years. Tucked into a bend of the Nakdong River, its thatched and tile-roofed houses sit beneath a 600-year-old tree, believed to protect the village. It’s a true step back into Korea’s past.
Gyeongju: Discover the UNESCO-listed Bulguksa Temple, a masterpiece of Silla-era Buddhist architecture, home to intricate pagodas and national treasures. Nearby, see the Seokguram Grotto, where a 3.5-metre-tall granite Buddha has stood since 774 AD, regarded as one of the finest in the world.
Busan: Glide above the coastline on the Skyline Park Sky Capsule, a colourful elevated railway with panoramic views over Busan’s waterfront. Sit back and watch the city and ocean unfold from this fun, retro-style ride.
Busan: Explore the colourful streets of Gamcheon Cultural Village, where a once-forgotten hillside settlement has become a lively mix of murals, cafes and local art shops. Built by Korean War refugees in the 1950s, this vibrant neighbourhood is now one of Busan’s most unique and creative spots to visit.
Busan: Soar 86 metres above the sea on the Songdo Sea Cable Car, gliding from Songnim Park to Amnam Park with unbeatable views over Songdo Beach and the coastline. Sit back and enjoy a whole new perspective of Busan’s stunning waterfront.
Andong: Join your host Jongbu Kim Do-Eun for an experience that celebrates Korea’s rich culinary heritage. Inspired by Soowoonjapbang, a Joseon-era cookbook passed down through generations, this home-hosted dinner brings traditional recipes to life. You'll enjoy authentic flavours and dishes that have been part of Korean culture for centuries.
Gyeongju: In Gyeongju, you’ll stay overnight at this award-winning hotel, a striking S-shaped architectural feat built using cutting-edge techniques. Designed by Hyundai Engineering & Construction, its 360-degree curved facade offers a unique view from every angle. A landmark of modern design, blending innovation with comfort in the heart of Gyeongju.
Busan: Meet Yoo Cheong-gil, the sixth-generation owner of Geumjeongsanseong Makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine, and the only officially recognised makgeolli master in South Korea. Step inside his brewery to learn about the centuries-old rice wine tradition, taste the difference from mass-produced versions, and hear why preserving this craft matters as he searches for the next generation to carry it forward. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Itinerary
Experience the Best of South Korea, from Seoul’s royal palaces to Busan’s coastal charm, uncovering centuries of history, bold flavours and local traditions. Ride high-speed trains, taste street food at Gwangjang Market and sample traditional rice wine, or makgeolli, with an official registered makgeolli master. With every stop, you’ll get to know the true spirit of this dynamic country.
day 1Touch Down in Seoul
Welcome to Seoul, a city where tradition and modern life collide. You're arriving in a city that's always on the move, but first, settle in and take some time to explore before meeting your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a barbecue dinner your first taste of South Korea's flavour-packed dishes.
day 2Explore Cultural Seoul
day 3Into Koreas Demilitarised Zone
day 4Buddhist Heritage in Andong
day 5Explore Historic Andong
day 6Discover Ancient Korea in Gyeongju
day 7Onwards to Busan
day 8Sea Views, Rice Wine and Markets in Busan
day 9High Speed Return to Seoul
day 10Farewell Seoul
What's Included
Customer Reviews
Enjoyed the itinerary -- we saw interesting sights and it was well paced.
Great itinerary,you guys packed slot of interesting adventures in a short time period.It was a great tour your guides were great and gave beautiful presentation of your country.
Itinerary was ok. Tour guide was NOT good. She didn't have command of the English language and it definitely impacted the enjoyment of the tour. She did not know how to use the microphone and she talked a lot with her hands. Consequently, her voice would be very loud then as she got excited her hands would move along with the microphone and you couldn't hear what she was saying. She was not very good at providing accurate information. One of the travelers asked her if he would see cherry blossoms. She said that cherry blossom season was over. I told her that was incorrect, as we were in the midst of cherry blossom season. We saw many blooming cherry trees after that and it was a running joke with the other travelers. I would have liked to spend more time at the Korean War Museum with a docent that knew more about the war itself. Would have liked to have a guide that introduced us to local foods and provided descriptions of the menu items. At the DMZ, we were given tickets to walk through the tunnel. I wish we were given a photo or some idea of what we would (or wouldn't) see at the end. If I knew that all we would see at the end of the tunnel was the end of the tunnel with a little window, I would NOT have walked all the way to see the end. I wish we could have gone to the National Museum of Korea in Seoul. We went there on our own and spent almost 5 hours there. I wish we could have gone to the famous outdoor market area in Seoul. We went there on our own and had the best street food and enjoyed shopping there. We would have loved to visit some sites where popular Korean dramas were filmed. We hired a private guide for a 2 day tour on Jeju Island. He was amazing. He gave us detailed explanations of several aspects of Korean culture, took us to eat local foods and explained the menus, he took us to the best bakery I've ever been to, and took us to see a statue of Buddha, and many other interesting places.
I was stunned to learn, halfway through, that we were experiencing the maiden voyage of this tour. Everything was seamlessly smooth, as though the tour had run a hundred times. I've always enjoyed Trafalgar tours, but I have newfound respect for their expertise. Sung was an excellent guide, providing interesting background and ensuring comfortable travel for all. The sites visited were all wonderful. Rooms, meals, and travel accommodations were all great.
The cities visited are generally good, but the timeline, included food, and quality of guide needs improvement.
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