Flavors and Colors of Korea
A 7-day trip in South Korea starting in Seoul, including a visit to the DMZ and exploration of the city’s main attractions, then traveling to Suwon, Gyeongju, and Busan. The journey offers a rich cultural experience among temples, traditional villages, and natural landscapes, and concludes in Busan.
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01 THU / SUN. Seoul
Welcome to Korea! You’ll be transferred to your hotel and have some free time. In the afternoon, you’ll receive information about the start of your tour.
02 FRI / MON. Seoul
Visit to the Aegibong Observatory in GIMPO, very close to the border with NORTH KOREA, from where it is possible to clearly see North Korean territory. Transfer to the Paju Demilitarized Zone (DMZ Imjingang), where lunch is included. We will see the National Memorial and Mangbaedan Altar, the Imjingak Pavilion Temple, a symbol of peace, and take a cable car ride (included) to observe from above the areas near the Military Demarcation Line. Finally, we will stop at the Freedom Bridge, a symbol of hope and reunion.
Important Note: Please remember to bring your passport; it is mandatory. The DMZ is a military area and may be closed without prior notice. If this occurs, an alternative tour will be provided.
Later, with our guide, we will go to the square where City Hall is located to see this building from the outside, notable for its wave-like (tsunami-shaped) design. Across from City Hall is Deoksugung Palace, which, when illuminated at night, allows us to appreciate the blend of tradition and modernity in this country. We will then walk to the Myeongdong district, the largest commercial and entertainment area in Korea; its name means “bright tunnel.”
Dinner is included at a local restaurant. Return by Seoul’s modern subway system (ticket included). Overnight stay.
03 SAT / TUE. Seoul
Today we include an extensive visit of approximately five hours in SEOUL. We will visit Changdeokgung Palace (entrance included), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a complex of palaces set within a large park. Afterwards, we will stroll through Bukchon Hanok Village, a traditional historic neighborhood of small, well-preserved houses.
We will then visit the War Memorial of Korea (entrance included), an impressive war museum that explains the conflicts experienced by Korea throughout its history, especially the Korean War, in which soldiers from many countries participated under the United Nations.
Lunch is included at a local restaurant. We then continue to the Gangnam District, one of the city’s most vibrant areas, home to numerous shopping malls and entertainment venues.
To conclude the day, we will stop at Lotte World Tower, an impressive 550-meter-tall building, where you will have free time to go up to the observation deck (admission not included) or to stroll through its park or luxury shopping centers.
Return to the hotel and free time.
04 SUN / WED. Seoul - Suwon - Jeonju
Today, we’ll visit Gyeongbokgung Palace (entrance included), a stunning palace with over 600 years of history. We’ll have the chance to witness the ceremonial changing of the guard if it takes place at that time. Afterward, we’ll depart from Seoul and head south.
Our first stop will be SUWON, the former capital of Korea, renowned for its impressive UNESCO World Heritage walls. We’ll see these remarkable fortifications and visit Hwaseong Haenggung, the summer palace (entrance included). Lunch will be included. We’ll then continue to JEONJU, where we’ll discover its fascinating historic center (Hanok Village), with its little houses, traditional shops, and art galleries.
05 MON / THU. Jeonju - Damyang - Haeinsa - Busan
We’ll depart toward the SUNCHANG GOCHUJANG VILLAGE, located at the base of Mount Amisan, with its hanok houses and courtyards filled with clay pots called hang-a-ri. This village is home to master artisans who craft gochujang (Korean chili paste) using traditional methods. We’ll enjoy a hands-on experience learning how to make this famous sauce. Afterward, we’ll continue to DAMYANG to visit the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest (entrance included), where the paths are considered some of the most beautiful in the country, perfect for meditation and enjoying the fresh breeze. We’ll also find a variety of bamboo products, celebrated in places like the Bamboo Museum (entrance included). Lunch will be included, and we’ll taste a local specialty: rice cooked and served inside a bamboo stalk. Surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes and forests, we’ll arrive at HAEINSA, one of Korea’s most important Buddhist temples (entrance included) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 802, it houses the Tripitaka, the most complete collection of Buddhist scriptures, carved on 80,000 wooden tablets. We’ll then continue to BUSAN, Korea’s second-largest city, known for its vibrant atmosphere, for accommodation.
06 TUE / FRI. Busan
In the morning, we will depart from BUSAN to visit Haedong Yonggung, a 14th-century Buddhist temple located by the sea. We return to Busan and visit the United Nations Memorial Cemetery (entrance included), where people from many different countries are laid to rest. We will then head to the country’s largest fish market, located next to the port of Nampo. Lunch is included.
We walk toward Yongdusan park, home to its impressive 120-meter pagoda. Afterwards, we depart for Songdo Beach, which features the country’s first maritime cable car (entrance included, subject to weather conditions), offering stunning views of the bay. We continue to one of Busan’s most picturesque neighborhoods, the Gamcheon Cultural Village, filled with brightly colored buildings, labyrinth-like alleyways, art galleries, pottery workshops, and charming cafés. Return to Busan. Overnight stay.
07 WED / SAT. Busan .-
After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.
- Europamundo General Services: Travel by bus with English speaking guide, basic travel insurance and breakfast buffet.
- Includes arrival transfer
- Excursion: Paju´s Demilitarized Zone (DMZ Imjingang) .
- City tour in : Seoul, Busan.
- Evening Transfer: Myeongdong district in Seoul.
- Transfer: Songdo Beach; Gamcheon Culture Village.
- Experiences: Learning how to make the famous traditional sauce in the Sunchang Gochujang Village.
- Ticket admission: Paju´s Demilitarized Zone (DMZ Imjingang), Aegibong Peace Ecological Park Observatory in Gimpo; Metro in Seoul, Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul; Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul; War Memorial of Korea in Seoul, Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, Fortifications and Summer Palace of Hwaseong Haenggung in Suwon, Hanok Village in Jeonju, Juknokwon Bamboo Forest and Bamboo Museum in Damyang, Haeinsa Buddhist Temple, Haedong Yonggung Temple; United Nations Memorial in Busan.
- Funicular: Chairlift in the Paju Demilitarized Zone (DMZ Imjingang) , Marine cable car in Songdo beach.
- 6 Lunch or Dinner Included in: Seoul, Seoul, Seoul, Suwon, Damyang, Busan.