South Korea Discovery

Today, you'll depart for Seoul, South Korea. Arrive into Incheon Airport late this evening before being met and transferred to a nearby airport hotel so you can sleep in before the following days activities in Seoul.

Please note:
• If travelling from Brisbane or Sydney, you will fly direct to Incheon (Seoul) with Jetstar Airways.
• If you are flying from Melbourne, you will fly via Sydney or Brisbane with Jetstar Airways.
• Jetstar flights include check in baggage allowance and on international sectors you will receive 1 meal.

Overnight: Incheon Sky & Sea Hotel, Incheon

Meals included: In-Flight

This morning, your Seoul city tour commences at the magnificent Gyeongbokgung Palace. This will give you a glimpse into the architectural heritage of the Joseon Dynasty which spanned over 500 years. Following this, you will visit the National Folk Museum to gain insights into Korea's distinctive culture and traditional way of life. The tour continues with a brief stop to observe the Traditional Royal Guard Changing Ceremony and the Presidential Blue House.

Your next destination is the renowned Bukchon Hanok Village, a historic Korean village nestled on a hilltop between Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeok Palace and Jongmyo Royal Shrine. This village, with its network of alleys and well-preserved hanoks (traditional Korean houses), showcases a 600-year-old urban landscape. Enjoy a guided walk through this charming area, admiring the exquisite traditional architecture.

The day concludes with leisure time at the vibrant Dongdaemun Open Market, one of the largest markets in Asia. This expansive commercial district surrounding Dongdaemun Gate encompasses numerous traditional markets and shopping centres, making it Korea's largest wholesale and retail shopping hub with approximately 26 shopping malls, 30,000 specialty shops, and 50,000 manufacturers.

At the end of the day, you will check into your Seoul hotel accommodation. It's located in Insadong, the heart of the city and one of the cultural and artistic hubs of Seoul. There is one main road in Insadong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries, traditional restaurants, teahouses and cafes. The galleries are the heartbeat of Insadong, offering traditional Korean fine art including paintings and sculptures. The teahouses and restaurants are hidden deep within the twisting alleyways, making it feel like a treasure hunt. The shops in Insadong are very popular among all age groups providing a unique experience for every taste.

Please note:
• Gyeongbokgung Palace and the National Folk Museum as they are closed every Tuesday. Alternatively, you will visit Changdeokgung Palace instead.
• Due to recent local government regulations aimed at protecting resident privacy and maintaining order, Bukchon Hanok Village has been temporarily closed for groups. If the village is closed for your tour, an alternative visit to Namsangol Hanok Village will be provided in place of this

Overnight: Ibis Ambassador Hotel or similar, Insadong, Seoul

Meals included: Breakfast

Today is free at leisure to explore Seoul or take part in an optional activity.

Optional Activity: Korean DMZ (Demilitarised Zone) Tour
Nowhere is the tension between North and South Korea more palpable than in the no-man's-land known as the Korean Demilitarised Zone, or DMZ. Located on each side of the 38th parallel, this infamous border was established at the end of the war in 1953 at the signing of Panmunjom’s armistice in order to separate North and South Korea.

This morning, you'll head towards the North Korean border where you'll ride the gondola for a bird eye view of the Demilitarised Zone. You'll then visit Dokgae Bridge which symbolises the pains of war and separation. The skywalk experience is divided into the past, present and future. Proceed to Bunker Beat 131, a military underground bunker constructed during the Korean War that's been turned into a unique exhibition space.

Afterwards, you'll head through passport security control and visit the Odusan Unification Observatory (closed every Monday), which is on the South Korean Side of the 38th parallel. After receiving a brief and listening to the precautions, you can watch a 3D film about the war, and then see the North Korean people working in the villages. The tower gives a view of North Korea at a glance and is a special place to experience the division of a nation and the life of North Korean people. Using binoculars, you can see the North Korean territory from the 304 square feet, 500-person capacity observatory.

You will then visit Imjingak Resort which boasts various war-related artefacts as well as the spacious Pyeonghwa Nuri Park. The resort preserves the Freedom Bridge and Imjingang rail bridge from the Korean War to remind people of the past. It also features a memorial hall, memorial monuments, the Bell of Unification Last Train Out, The Bridge of No Return and other recreational areas. Please see current pricing in Important Information.

Please note:
• This tour requires a minimum of 10 travellers to operate.
• You must bring your passport for ID at the DMZ.
• Due to many DMZ sites and tours not operating on Mondays, Day 2 and 3 will be swapped should this day fall on Monday.
• The tour may be cancelled without notice in case of an emergency military meeting or other critical situation.

Overnight: Ibis Ambassador Hotel or similar, Insadong, Seoul

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, you'll head to the popular village of Jeonju. This is an important tourist centre that's famous for its Korean food and historic traditional buildings. In May 2012, Jeonju was chosen as a Creative City for Gastronomy as part of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network. This honour recognises the city's traditional homecooking (handed down through generations over thousands of years), its active public and private food research, its system for nurturing talented chefs and its hosting of distinctive local food festivals.

First up, you'll visit Hanji Industry Centre. As Korea’s first centre specialising in traditional mulberry paper, it has an extensive collection of 3,000 artefacts and a database documenting the long history and superiority of Hanji (Korean paper). Additionally, you will have the opportunity to try make Korean paper with wooden tools and take it home.

Afterwards, you'll take a tour of Jeonju Hanok Village. This is the Korea's largest, and only urban, traditional hanok village. It's best known for its traditional wooden houses, sake museums and food stalls.

Finish the day at the hotel where you can enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure after travelling approximately 190-kilometres. Alternatively, join an optional dinning experience.

Optional Activity: Traditional Jeonju Bibimbap Dinner
Please see current pricing in Important Information.

Overnight: Best Western Plus Jeonju Hotel or similar, Jeonju

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, you will depart early for Busan.

Upon arrival, your first stop is Yongdusan Park, aptly named for the mountain's resemblance to a dragon's head rising from the sea. Within the park, you'll find the 120-meter-high Busan Tower. For those interested in ascending to the top, tickets are available for direct purchase (approximately $10 USD per person). You'll see breathtaking panoramic views of the city including the surrounding islands and ships scattered across the distant sea.

Afterwards, you'll visit Jagalchi Fish Market, Korea's largest seafood market and a popular must-see destination for visitors in Busan. You'll then head to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, uniquely situated along the northeastern coastline of Busan. This remarkable attraction provides the rare experience of a beautiful temple by the sea, contrasting with the more common mountain temple locations in Korea.

Following this, you will explore Gamcheon Culture Village, a distinctive community formed by houses built in a terraced style on the foothills of a coastal mountain. You'll find that the village's numerous alleys are vividly adorned with murals and sculptures created by its residents.

Check-in at your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure after an approximately 190-kilometre day.

Overnight: Asti Hotel or similar, Busan

Meals included: Breakfast

Today is a free day at leisure to explore the beautiful city of Busan. Alternatively, take part in a full-day Busan city tour.

Optional Activity: Full-Day Busan Sightseeing tour
This morning, you’ll visit the charming coastal village of Huinnyeoul Culture Village, located on the sloping cliff of Yeongdo. In December 2011, the old houses of the area were remodelled and the area was reborn as a unique culture and art village where you can walk through to visit the numerous cafes and galleries while enjoying the sweeping views of Busan and the ocean.

Afterwards, visit Songdo Beach where you'll board the famous cable car to ride over the bay. Enjoy views through the transparent floor of the cable car before stopping at the Sky Harbor Observatory Platform which offers beautiful views of the Songdo Sea. Return to Songdo Beach and take a short walk along the 365-metre-long Songdo Cloud Walk which features sections of clear glass floor that creates the feeling of walking on top of the ocean. You’ll then visit the Nurimaru APEC House, built to host the 2005 APEC Summit meeting at the tip of Dongbaek Island which stands near Haeundae Beach. This eye-catching glass building has been one of Busan’s symbolic places ever since.

Finally, you’ll visit the UN Memorial Cemetery after driving over the 7.4-kilometre Gwangandaegyo Bridge, the longest bi-level bridge over the ocean in Korea. On the way back to the hotel, you'll visit Nampodong International Market. Each alleyway is crowded with stalls and connects to Bupyeong Market, Kkangtong Market and other smaller markets. The market stocks such a wide variety of goods that you can find almost everything you need. Please see current pricing in Important Information.

Please note:
• A minimum of 10 travellers is required.
• No sportswear, revealing clothing or strapless slippers are to be worn at the UN Memorial Cemetery.
• Those who want more time at the market will need to make their own way back to the hotel (approximately 10-15 minute taxi).

Overnight: Asti Hotel or similar, Busan

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, a tour assistant will meet you at your hotel and take you to the nearby Busan KTX Rail Station for your journey back to Seoul. The KTX (bullet) train significantly decreased the time to travel anywhere in South Korea. Your 325-kilometre journey will only take approximately 2 and a half hours, as the KTX trains operate at a speed of up to 320 km/hr.

Upon arrival in Seoul, you'll be met and transferred back to your centrally-located Insadong accommodation. Along the way, you will visit an Amethyst factory to learn about South Korean Amethyst as it was once a symbol of wealth in olden times. Check-in will be from 15:00 although luggage storage will be available at reception if arriving earlier.

Overnight: Ibis Ambassador Hotel or similar, Insadong, Seoul

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home. Your flight does not depart until the evening (subject to change), so you will be able to explore Seoul with some more at leisure before transferring to the airport in the early evening.

Please note:
• Standard checkout time is 11:00 although luggage storage will be available at reception before transferring to the airport.
• If you are travelling to Brisbane or Sydney, your flight will be direct.
• If you are travelling to Melbourne, you will fly home via Sydney or Brisbane.

Meals included: Breakfast