South Korea: Seoul, Gyeongju & Busan — 9 Days

An included transfer collects you from the airport and delivers you to Hotel Prince. After settling in, you'll meet your CEO and fellow travellers at a welcome briefing to learn about the tour itinerary. In the evening, participate in a hands-on cooking class focused on Korean cuisine. Food holds a central place in Korean life and culture. You'll prepare bulgogi, a marinated beef dish, and bibimbap, a rice dish layered with vegetables, egg, and sauce. The class includes preparation and a shared meal. Dinner is included. Optional group meal available afterwards; check the hotel lobby notice or ask reception for details.

Start your morning at a local taekwondo academy, learning the fundamentals of this Korean martial art. The instruction covers basic techniques and historical context. Proceed to Gwangjang Market, one of Seoul's oldest and most established markets. The market features textiles, hanbok (traditional Korean dress), and food vendors. Lunch is taken among the market stalls, sampling street food specialties. The afternoon includes a guided tour of Jongmyo Shrine, led by your CEO. This Confucian royal ancestral temple dates to the fourteenth century and contains royal ancestral tablets spanning Korean history. Breakfast and lunch included.

A train carries you south to Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom. Upon arrival, visit Gyochon Hanok Village, a restored district of traditional wooden houses from the Joseon period. The afternoon includes two significant sites. Daereungwon Tumuli Park features earthen mounds marking the burial places of Silla royal lineage. Cheomseongdae Observatory, built in the seventh century, stands as Asia's oldest existing astronomical structure. At your hanok inn—a traditional Korean lodging house—change into hanbok (traditional dress) before the evening meal. Your group gathers afterward for a scheduled activity. Breakfast is included.

The day focuses on Gyeongju's religious and historical sites. Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating to the eighth century, houses six national treasures of Korean Buddhist art. Seokguram Grotto, also eighth century, contains a stone Buddha sculpture and represents Silla-era Buddhist carving. The Gyeongju National Museum holds artifacts spanning the Silla Dynasty period from 57 BCE to 935 CE. No meals specified as included.

A private vehicle carries the group from Gyeongju toward Busan. Midway, you stop at Gamcheon Culture Village, a hillside settlement with narrow alleyways lined with pastel-painted houses, cafes, and murals. Time is allocated to walk the streets and photograph the neighborhood. Upon arrival in Busan, the afternoon includes coastal and market experiences. The Songdo Maritime Cable Car, a mile-long gondola, ascends to Songo Sky Park, with an observation deck providing views of the Busan coastline and harbor. Market exploration follows. Gukje Traditional Market, near Biff Square, developed from Korean War-era refugee commerce into a commercial hub. Stalls offer street food, handicrafts, textiles, spices, and home goods. The evening concludes at Jagalchi Fish Market, South Korea's largest seafood market at Nampo Port. The market displays live crabs, lobsters, squid, and fresh catches in densely packed rows. Breakfast is included. You'll stay at Felix Hotel by STX (or similar).

Start your morning with a coastal walk on Dongbaek Island, an easy trail just under one kilometer that winds beneath endemic trees, past a lighthouse, and by a mermaid statue. The path passes through the APEC House, built in 2005 to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, before reaching Haeundae Beach. In the afternoon, head to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a Buddhist sanctuary originally built in 1376 and constructed directly into seaside cliffs overlooking the East China Sea. The temple's clifftop setting provides panoramic ocean views. A traditional market near the temple entrance offers local snacks and regional specialties. In the evening, an optional night yacht ride along the Busan coastline is available, offering views of the harbor and coastal landscape from the water. Breakfast is included.

A high-speed bullet train departs Busan for Seoul in the morning, covering the distance in two hours and thirty minutes. Upon arrival, the group visits Gangnam District, the commercial center located south of the Han River. Gangnam Station is the country's busiest subway interchange. The Coex Mall, located in Gangnam, is Asia's largest underground shopping center. The evening takes you to Han River Park, a tree-lined riverside promenade spanning several kilometers. The park illuminates after dark and includes a floating island with fountain shows at regular intervals. Bicycle and swan boat rentals are available. Breakfast is included.

Your final full day in Seoul offers structured or independent choices. Guided options led by your CEO include: Deoksugung Palace, a royal residence anchoring Seoul's imperial history; Bukchon Hanok Village, where traditional Korean architecture frames narrow lanes and courtyards; or the Demilitarized Zone, the heavily fortified border between North and South Korea. Alternatively, spend the day independently. Revisit a neighborhood of interest, visit cafes, or visit museums at your own pace. The evening reconvenes the group for a farewell dinner together. Dinner is included.

Depart at any time. Breakfast is included.