ABOUT THE TOUR
Join Hamish Van Gruisen to discover this extraordinary country with its intoxicating mix of bustling markets, ancient temples and cutting-edge innovation along with an incredible cuisine.
We begin in Seoul, the buzzing capital city and one of the best places to visit in South Korea for its lively atmosphere alone. The capital is home to some of the country’s most iconic historical sights and traditions, including Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, the Guard Changing Ceremony at Gwanghwamun
Gate and the heavily guarded border between South and North Korea, the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
We visit the city’s cultural gem of Insadong to discover a plethora of art galleries, antique shops, craft stores and classic teahouses and enjoy authentic Korean street food at Gwangjang Market, one of the country’s oldest and largest markets.
We travel by high speed train to Andong, often considered the spiritual and cultural heart of South Korea.
The city is known for its preservation of traditional Korean culture and customs and its architecture from the Joseon-era (1392-1910) including the huge, wooden Bongjeongsa Temple and the picturesque UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hahoe Village.
We continue to Gyeongju City which was once the capital of the 8th century Silla Kingdom, is often referred to as the ‘museum without walls’ due to its rich history, cultural heritage and natural beauty. Here highlights include the royal treasures of the Daereungwon Tomb Complex and the Buddhist carvings and monumental
Buddha statue of Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple.
No holiday to South Korea would be complete without witnessing the natural beauty of Busan, South Korea’s second largest city and our final stop, full of stunning beaches, vibrant seafood markets and scenic harbour views.
There is also an optional post-tour extension to Jeju Island, where we will see the mesmerising volcanic terrain, pristine white-sand beaches and countless picturesque landscapes that are unlike anywhere else on earth.
TOUR LEADER
Hamish Van Gruisen
13 days from £6,980 per person
MAIN TOUR DATE: 10 – 22 OCTOBER 2026
MAIN TOUR SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £2,225
Please note we have not included the cost of the flights in the tour price
Please contact us for prices should you wish to book them through us
Price Includes:
- Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary
- Breakfast daily; 9 lunches; 3 dinners
- All entrance fees, visits and excursions as per the itinerary
- All transportation as detailed in the itinerary
- Gratuities in restaurants for included meals
- Gratuities to driver/s and guides
- Porterage
- Local English-speaking guide/s
- The services of your tour leader
throughout
Price Excludes:
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa
- Meals ‘under own arrangements’
- tems of personal expenditure (e.g.
telephone calls / laundry etc.) - Government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme on 02/09/25
5 days from £2,190* per person
JEJU EXTENSION DATES: 22 – 26 OCTOBER 2026
*Based on a minimum of 4 people
Price Includes:
- Economy class return flight Seoul / Jeju / Seoul
- Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary
- Breakfast daily
- All visits and excursions as per the itinerary
- All transportation as detailed in the itinerary
- All entrance fees
- Local English-speaking guide/s
Price Excludes:
- The services of your tour leader
- All lunches and dinners
- Gratuities in restaurants
- Gratuities to driver/s and guides
- Porterage
- Travel insurance
- Items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls / laundry etc.
- Government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme on 02/09/25
DAY-BY-DAY OVERVIEW
Saturday 10 October: London / Seoul
Korean Air flight departs London Heathrow (not included in the cost of the tour).
Sunday 11 October: London / Seoul
Arrive Seoul Incheon Airport and group transfer to the Andaz Seoul Gangnam, by Hyatt where four nights are spent. Dinner under own arrangements.
Overnight: Andaz Seoul Gangnam by Hyatt, Seoul
Monday 12 October: Seoul
Visit Gwanghwamun Plaza and witness the Changing of the Guards Ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate followed by Gyeongbokgung (Gyongbok) Palace, the royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty.
Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit Insadong neighbourhood full of art galleries, antique shops, craft stores and traditional teahouses. Remainder of afternoon at leisure. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Andaz Seoul Gangnam by Hyatt, Seoul
Tuesday 13 October: Seoul
Visit the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) including Freedom Bridge, 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, Imjingak Park, the DMZ Museum and the Dora Observatory.
Late lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon at leisure and dinner under own arrangements.
Overnight: Andaz Seoul Gangnam by Hyatt, Seoul
Wednesday 14 October: Seoul
Meet local chef at Jayang-dong food market and select ingredients for a cooking class to make bibimbap for lunch.
Visit Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden. Dinner under own arrangements.
Overnight: Andaz Seoul Gangnam by Hyatt, Seoul
Thursday 15 October: Seoul / Andong
Transfer to train station for a high-speed train from Seoul to Andong. On arrival visit Bongjeongsa Temple, the oldest and largest wooden temple.
Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit Dosan Seowon Confucian Academy and Woryeonggyo Bridge, the country’s longest wooden bridge. Transfer to the Stanford Hotel Andong where one night is spent. Dinner under own arrangements.
Overnight: Stanford Hotel Andong
Friday 16 October: Andong / Gyeongju
Visit Hahoe Village with its preserved architecture from the Joseon Dynasty. Scenic walk to Buyongdae Cliff above the village. Drive to Gyeongju.
Lunch at a local restaurant. Check in at the Hilton Gyeongju where two nights are spent. Walk around the Wolji Pond to Woljeong Bridge, part of the ancient Silla royal palace complex. Dinner under own arrangements.
Overnight: Hilton, Gyeongju
Saturday 17 October: Gyeongju
Visit Yangdong Folk Village to see its well-preserved hanoks (traditional style houses).
Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the Daereungwon Tombs from the Silla period followed by Gyeongju National Museum with its Silla Dynasty artifacts, relics, and royal treasures. Dinner under own arrangements.
Overnight: Hilton, Gyeongju
Sunday 18 October: Gyeongju / Busan
Drive to Busan with a visit en route to Seokguram Grotto with Silla Buddhist carvings and statues followed by Bulguksa Temple.
Lunch and check in at the Park Hyatt Busan where three nights are spent. Walk along Haeundae Beach and up Dalmaji Hill for views of the city followed by a street food dinner in Haeundae.
Overnight: Park Hyatt Busan
Monday 19 October: Busan
Visit Daritgol glass-bottomed Skywalk over the coastline and X The Sky observation deck in Haeundae’s tallest skyscraper.
Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit Busan Makgeolli Brewery for a makgeolli tasting followed by Beomeosa Buddhist Temple on the slopes of Geumjeongsan Mountain. Dinner under own arrangements.
Overnight: Park Hyatt Busan
Tuesday 20 October: Busan
Visit The United Nations Memorial Cemetery commemorating the Korean War and Gukje Market established by refugees and traders who settled in Busan after the war. Short stop at BIFF Busan International Film Festival Street followed by Jagalchi Seafood Market.
Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the colourful Gamcheon Village where refugees settled during the Korean War. Cable car ride across the sea and stop at Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge for views of the stunning coastline. Dinner under own arrangements.
Overnight: Park Hyatt Busan
Wednesday 21 October: Busan / Seoul
Transfer to the train station for a high-speed train from Busan to Seoul.
Lunch under own arrangements. Transfer to the Andaz Seoul Gangnam, by Hyatt where one night is spent. Evening visit to Gwangjang traditional market and Myeongdong shopping district. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Andaz Seoul Gangnam by Hyatt, Seoul
Thursday 22 October: Seoul / London
Group transfer to Seoul Incheon Airport for a Korean Air flight to London Heathrow (not included).
Jeju Extension
Thursday 22 October: Seoul / Jeju
Transfer to Seoul’s Gimpo Airport for a domestic flight to Jeju.
Lunch under own arrangements at a local restaurant. Transfer to The Shilla Jeju where three nights are spent. Dinner under own arrangements.
Overnight: The Shilla Jeju
Friday 23 October: Jeju
Morning excursion to Hallim Park and Ssangyonggul Cave with its lava tube formations followed by Jusangjeollidae Cliff by the sea with its lava pillars formed by eruption of Hallasan Mountain.
Afternoon at leisure with lunch and dinner under own arrangements.
Overnight: The Shilla Jeju
Saturday 24 October: Jeju
Visit the Jeju World Natural Heritage Centre and scenic hike at Geomun Oreum a volcanic landscape through forest and along crater rims to panoramic viewpoints.
Lunch under own arrangements. Visit Jeju Haenyeo Museum to learn about traditional local women divers and see a Haenyo demonstration. Dinner under own arrangements.
Overnight: The Shilla Jeju
Sunday 25 October: Jeju / Seoul
Transfer to Jeju Airport for a domestic flight to Seoul Gimpo. Transfer to the Andaz Seoul Gangnam, by Hyatt where one night is spent.
Afternoon at leisure with lunch and dinner under own arrangements.
Overnight: Andaz Seoul Gangnam by Hyatt, Seoul
Monday 26 October: Seoul / London
Group transfer to Seoul Incheon Airport for a Korean Air flight to London Heathrow (not included).
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