Luxury South Korea

Spend the day with a private guide and driver, taking in the city’s highlights. Begin with the imposing Gyeongbokgung Palace, whose architecture has been restored to give you a taste of Korea in days gone by. You can also stop at the expansive Namdaemun Market to try some street food for lunch before exploring Bukchon Hanok Village and its cluster of traditional Korean houses, as well as the lively area of Insadong.

Spend the morning driving up to the DMZ at the border with North Korea. Here, you’ll gain an insight into the conflict that has spanned decades and continents. When you return to Seoul, head out on a food tour through the backstreets of Insadong. You’ll try a variety of classic Korean dishes and traditional drinks while learning about their significance.

This morning, take the KTX bullet train across the country to Busan in the southeast. You’ll have the afternoon at leisure to either relax on the sands of Haeundae Beach or check out the street food market nearby.

Your driver-guide will drive you north for an hour to the coastal city of Gyeongju, once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla. Here, you can visit temples and other historic sites while discovering more about what life was like during the Silla dynasty. You can also find out how Buddhism, Confucianism, and foreign influences have played their part in modern Korean society. The tour ends with an hour’s drive south to the city of Busan in the southeast.

Busan is often praised as having one of the most striking cityscapes in Asia. Knowing this, your guide will begin your exploration of the city at the top of the 120 m (400 ft) Busan Tower, which gives you far-reaching views over the skyline. You then head down for some street food, browsing the stalls in both the Jagalchi and Bupyeong markets, which have helped Busan earn its reputation as the culinary capital of the country.

Today, head out with a guide to see the Gamcheon Culture Village. The village comprises a kaleidoscope of brightly painted houses spilling out across the rolling hills surrounding the city. Afterwards, visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, which is perched precariously over the cliffs overlooking the Sea of Japan.

Take the KTX bullet train back to Seoul to round off your South Korean adventure. You can spend the day at your leisure seeing any city sights you’ve missed or shopping in one of the many department stores.

You’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the airport for your flight home. Your return flight will arrive the same day.