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DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN SEOUL
Arrival Seoul at 18h35
Welcome to Korea! After clearing customs and collecting your luggage, you will be greeted by a member of our English-speaking team and escorted to your accommodation (approximately a 1-hour journey from the airport).
Then set off to explore Seoul.
Founded 2,000 years ago by one of the three kingdoms of Korea (Baekje), Seoul was the capital of the Joseon Kingdom for over 500 years. At the end of the 19th century, breaking with a long tradition of isolation, Seoul opened up to foreigners, particularly the United States: it was the first city in East Asia to have electricity, running water, telephone service, and a tram network. Hard hit by a history steeped in conflict, it recovered in record time thanks to a courageous, dedicated, and united people, swept along by a surge of modernization that is its strength today. The N Tower, perched on its hill, is a true central landmark and offers the best panoramic view of the Seoul megalopolis.
Both north and south of the Han River, local technologies and customs blend seamlessly throughout the neighborhoods, displaying authentic Korean film sets with unique atmospheres. The change of scenery is complete, and there's something for everyone! If a few days aren't enough to fully explore the capital, you'll be immediately immersed in the vibrant world of this dynamic and welcoming country.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Seoul
DAY 2: SEOUL
Breakfast at the hotel.
The famous Bukchon Hanok Village where around a hundred traditional period houses called “Hanoks” now serve as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea rooms.
Then a few minutes of walking are enough to reach the Gwanghwamun Grand Plaza, always accompanied by its two famous statues erected at the ends of the avenue, in front of the great mountain of Bukhansan – King Sejong and Admiral Yi-Sun-Shin.
Lunch at the restaurant.
Seoul City Hall is a government building of the Seoul Metropolitan Government in South Korea, responsible for the administrative affairs of Seoul. It is located in Taepyeongno, Jung-gu, in the heart of Seoul. It is connected to City Hall Station (Seoul) on Seoul Subway Line 1, with access to Seoul Subway Line 2 from the same station. Across from the current City Hall are the Old City Hall Building, now the Seoul Metropolitan Library, and Seoul Plaza..
Sungnyemun Gate (Namdaemun) is one of the Four Great Historic Gates of Seoul and was designated National Treasure No. 1 by the Korean government in 1962. Although its official name is Sungnyemun, it is also known as Namdaemun Gate due to its location in what was once the southern end of Seoul. Over the centuries, Seoul has grown in size, but Sungnyemun Gate has endured through the ages..
Namdaemun Market.
End of day recommended at Namsan Tower (exterior tour), Located at the top of a hill overlooking the entire city, it offers an exceptional view of the city and its surrounding mountains..
Overnight at hotel in Seoul
DAY 3: SEOUL
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day without a guide or driver.
Lunch and dinner at your leisure.
Overnight at hotel in Seoul
DAY 4: SEOUL – GYEONGJU
After breakfast,
Transfer to Gyeongju by KTX train (approximately 2:45).
Gyeongju is a charming city located in the southeast of the Korean Peninsula, dotted with small mountains and bordered by the Hyeonsang River. Former capital of the Silla Kingdom founded in 57 BC, it is one of the oldest historic cities in the world, a unique place for its cultural heritage and a UNESCO World Heritage Site..
Arrival in Gyeongju, visit of:
Woljeonggyo Bridge , built during the Unified Silla period in Gyo-dong, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, was the largest wooden bridge in Korea with a length of 66.15 meters, a width of 13 meters, and a height of 2018. According to the Samguk Sagi, it was built in the 19th year (760) of the 35th King Gyeongdeok of the Unified Silla period, and it is a bridge that connects Gyeongju Wolseong, the royal palace of Silla, and Gyeongju Namsan, a World Heritage Site.
Choe's Old House is actually the first home of the Choi clan, which was present in the region for 400 years, and which today gives its name to almost 5% of Koreans!
Jeonjuhyanggyo : is a local Confucian school established during the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910) and designated a Historic Treasure. It was a center of national education during the Joseon period. The school was originally located on the site of Gyeonggijeon Shrine, but was relocated in 1603. The death tablets of seven Korean Confucian scholars and 18 Korean scholars are kept in the main building of Daeseongjeon Hall.
Lunch at the restaurant.
Gyeongju Daereungwon Tomb: The complex consists of five tombs, the ancient tombs of Gyeongju Nodong-ri, Noseo-ri, Hwangnam-ri, Hwango-ri, and Inwang-ri. The tombs are distributed in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju-si, and are located in the Daereungwon area. Within the Daereungwon tomb complex is the Cheonmachong tomb, which was excavated in 1973. In addition, the Hwangnamdaechong tomb was excavated between 1973 and 1975 and is a set of twin tombs belonging to a presumably married couple..
Cheonmachong Tomb: The Cheonmachong Tomb, excavated in 1973, is 12.7 meters high and 50 meters in diameter. Its excavations have unearthed numerous artifacts, such as the famous Cheonmachong Tomb Gold Crown. Its name comes from Cheonmado, a saddle flap with a painting of a celestial horse. The Cheonmachong Tomb is the only tomb in the Daereungwon Ancient Tombs that is open to the public.
Free dinner
Overnight at hotel in Gyeongju
DAY 5: GYEONGJU
Breakfast,
Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond: was a secondary palace used by the crown prince of the Silla Kingdom. It also served as a banquet venue for important national events and important visitors. The pond was created in 674, during the reign of King Munmu. The pond includes three small islands and a landscape of 12 small hills to the northeast. After the fall of Silla, the site was abandoned and forgotten. The pond was called "Anapji" from the Goryeo and Joseon periods. In the 1980s, a pottery fragment engraved with the letters "Wolji" (a pond that reflects the moon) was discovered, revealing the pond's true name. After the discovery, the site was renamed the present-day Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond..
Lunch at the restaurant.
Jungang Market in Gyeongju is the main market for Gyeongju residents. Nearly 700 shops selling clothing, oils, rice cakes, vegetables, general products, and meat operate with some 2,000 vendors..
Gyeongju Seongdong Market The market has approximately 300 shops and 30 vendors. The market has established itself as a representative local market in the city since its opening in 1971. Following a decline in customers due to the public's growing preference for supermarkets, Gyeongju Seongdong Market recently underwent a major renovation. From floors to ceilings, alleys, and walls, the market has received a new look that emphasizes Gyeongju's historical significance to attract travelers and the local community..
Free dinner
Overnight at hotel in Gyeongju
DAY 6: GYEONGJU – BUSAN
Breakfast,
Slightly off-center in the surrounding mountain are the Bulguksa Temple and the Seokguram Grotto which are two exceptional Korean heritage sites, classified by UNESCO. The beautiful walk that connects the two points offers magnificent natural landscapes and is well worth the detour.
Nicknamed the "Temple of the Buddha's Lands" and a symbol of the Silla Kingdom, Bulguksa holds an important place in Korean Buddhism. Its complex geometric construction reminds visitors that they are leaving the earthly realm and entering the sacred kingdom of the Buddha. Its atypical architecture is therefore one of the main sources of Bulguksa's fame.
Seokguram is considered a masterpiece of Far Eastern Buddhist art. This artificial cave is made of several hundred granite rocks (very difficult to carve) and is accessed through a tunnel that leads to a rectangular antechamber representing the Earth, then to a vestibule with two columns framing the entrance to the large circular inner chamber symbolizing heaven, with the Buddha at its center.
Lunch at a restaurant.
Departure for Busan
First truly international city,Busan Busan is connected by sea to Asia, Europe, and North America. This geopolitical port city, adjacent to the strait between Korea and Japan, is a hub of tourism and trade.
The prosperity of its port activities has ranked Busan as the third largest seaport in the world by the American Association of Port Authorities. Appreciated for its vast, fine-sand beaches, Busan also captivates with its vibrant, colorful atmosphere and diverse population, recognizable by its warm, lilting accent. Nestled between numerous mountains and bordered by the Sea of Japan, Busan boasts many assets that make it a must-see destination in the country.
Haeundae Beach, is the most famous in the country and extends over almost 1.5 km, at the end of which begins a beautiful walk on the green island of Dongbaek. Very lively, the beach welcomes many groups of artists, singers and musicians or even magicians, who come to give small performances until late at night, atmosphere guaranteed.!
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: is located on the coast of the northeastern part of Busan. This superb attraction offers visitors the rarity of a temple along the shore; most temples in Korea are located in the mountains. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple was first built in 1376 by the great Buddhist teacher known as Naong during the Goryeo Dynasty. Haesu Gwaneum Daebul (Great Seawater Goddess Buddha), Daeungjeon Main Shrine, Yongwangdang Shrine, Gulbeop Buddhist Shrine (enclosed in a cave), and a three-story pagoda with four lions can all be seen facing the ocean. The temple's main sanctuary was rebuilt in 1970 with special attention paid to the colors traditionally used in such structures. On the right side, B/L/D inside the cave, is a uniquely designed Buddhist shrine, while directly opposite the main shrine is a three-story pagoda with four lions. The four lions symbolize joy, anger, sadness, and happiness. Other special features of the temple are the 108 stairs and the stone lanterns that line the rocky landscape. After descending the 108 steps, one will be delighted by the beauty of the temple. Halfway up the 108 steps, one can stop and enjoy the soothing sound of the waves and admire the majestic sunrise..
Free dinner
Overnight at hotel in Busan
DAY 7: BUSAN
Breakfast at the hotel.
Gamcheon Culture Village is a town in Gamcheon-dong District, Busan, South Korea. The area is known for its overlapping streets, winding, maze-like alleys, and brightly colored houses, which have been restored and improved in recent years to attract tourism. Built on a steep mountainside, the village has been nicknamed the "Santorini of Korea" and the "Machu Picchu of Busan."
Orykudo Skywalk (Observatory): Oryukdo Skywalk is located at what is called Seungdumal, meaning saddle, due to the shape of the peak. It was also called Jallokgae by local residents and divers. Construction of the Oryukdo Skywalk began on September 12, 2012, in the Seungdumal area, considered the dividing point between the East Sea and the South Sea. The walkway was inaugurated on October 18, 2013, with the theme of "walking on the sky." Iron columns were installed above a 35-meter-high coastal cliff, and a 15-meter glass bridge made of 24 glass plates and shaped like a horse's hoof connects the iron columns. The glass floor was made of four layers of 12-millimeter glass panels covered with bulletproof film for a total thickness of 55.49 millimeters, making the structure very safe. Visitors will be delighted by the view of the waves while looking through the transparent floor. The sea stretches out in front of the walkway, perfect for a photo opportunity..
Gukje Market Nampodong International Market is a market located in Sinchang-dong, Jung District, Busan, South Korea. The market was established in 1945 as Dotegi Market on an empty lot. It sells goods left behind by the Japanese when they left Korea after the end of the Japanese colonial period.
Lunch at the restaurant.
BIFF Square Street is the former venue for the Busan International Film Festival until 2011 (moved to Haeundae), and it's fun to spot the handprints left on the ground by local and international celebrities. Perched on the mountains, the district of Gamcheon was a shelter for Korean War refugees. A major solidarity renovation movement has since given it the status of the city's most colorful and artistic neighborhood, designed to welcome the most curious..
Exposed on the coast, Jagalchi est the largest seafood market in the country, where all kinds of fish and shellfish offered for sale and tasting (raw and fresh) awaken the senses.
Impossible to miss nearby Tour de Busan which offers a bird's eye view of the great luminous coast
Free dinner
Overnight at hotel in Busan
DAY 8: BUSAN – SEOUL
Breakfast at the hotel.
Busan Aquarium: takes visitors into the exciting world of underwater life. The aquarium covers an area of 36,000 square meters and is spread over three underground levels and one above-ground level, with different sections divided into special themes. The underwater tunnel experience is like walking along the ocean floor, with various sea creatures swimming above, serving as a popular attraction within the aquarium. The aquarium is home to over 250 different species of fish, algae, reptiles, and amphibians, including large sharks, turtles, seahorses, and more, for a total of over 10,000 marine creatures.
Haeundae Blueline Park is an environmentally friendly redevelopment of the old railway facilities of the Donghae Nambu Line, a 4.8-kilometer-long section running from Haeundae's Mipo to Cheongsapo via Songjeong. It is part of the new core of the Haeundae Special Tourism Zone, an international tourist region in Busan that operates the Haeundae Beach Train and the Haeundae Sky Capsule along Haeundae's spectacular coastal scenery.
The Haeundae Blueline Park includes the Haeundae Beach Train, a sightseeing train that serves as both a commuter and a sightseeing train that runs back and forth from Mipo to Songjeong via Cheongsapo along the beautiful coastal scenery of eastern Busan; and the Haeundae Sky Capsule, a romantic four-seater automatic capsule train that runs along a 2-kilometer track 7 to 10 meters above sea level, along the coast from Mipo to Cheongsapo..
Transfer to Seoul by KTX train (approx. 3h35).
Free dinner
Overnight at hotel in Seoul
DAY 9: SEOUL
Breakfast at the hotel,
Lotte Tower is a 123-story, 555 m-high super skyscraper located in Sincheon-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It is the sixth tallest building in the world, and also the first building over 100 stories in Korea..
Seokchon Lake was originally part of the Han River. There is an island named Burido in the middle of the Han River which divides the Han River into two rivers: the Songpa River (northern part) and the Sincheon River (southern part).
Lunch at the restaurant.
The Coex Mall and its many attractions: With its 154,000 m², it is subdivided into zones and houses all kinds of entertainment: kimchi museum, large aquarium, gigantic library, shops of all kinds, Korean and international restaurants (among others!).
Gangnam Station of Seoul Metropolitan Subway Line 2. The station is located in the Greater Gangnam area, between the Gangnam and Seocho districts of Seoul, South Korea. This station is the busiest station on the Seoul Metropolitan Subway, serving an average of over 70,000 passengers per day..
The upscale Apgujeong Rodeo district where you will find a collection of department stores. Called the 'Mecca' of fashion, it is a hotbed of consumerism and a cultural area..
Free dinner
Overnight at hotel in Seoul
DAY 10: SEOUL – SINGAPORE
After breakfast at the hotel,
Tours start at the National Assembly , with a particular architecture: its pillars and the dome symbolize the different opinions of the public who come together in a common entity.
Next step obviously to Yeouido Park. With its 230,000 m² of greenery divided into four distinct parts, it becomes the first ecological park in Korea and represents the green lung of the capital where Koreans meet to recharge their batteries far from the daily hustle and bustle.
Lunch at the restaurant.
First discoveries at Jongmyo, Confucian shrine listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Insadong,a great place for some souvenir shopping.
Night walk on the Cheonggyecheon River, formerly an expressway converted into a very pleasant waterway.
Gwangjang Market
Then transfer to Seoul airport for the return flight.Décollage
on the flight… at 11:30 p.m.
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