Itinerary

DAY 1

You are met on arrival and taken to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore this fascinating city.

Seoul Grand Hyatt, Seoul

DAYS 2 & 3

This morning enjoy a full day tour of Seoul, the heart of Korea’s culture filled with more than 600 years of history. Visit some of the capital’s most impressive sights, starting with the extensive Gyeongbok Palace (the Northern Palace), originally built in 1395 at the start of the Chosun dynasty. Explore the National Folk Museum located on the palace grounds. See the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony in front of the Palace. Enjoy a traditional Korean lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the Bukchon Hanok Village and Bukchon Cultural Center with its traditional atmosphere, displays and cultural programs. Explore the sites and unique architecture along Samcheongdong Street. Visit Seoul’s famed Namdaemun Market with its colorful variety of Korean-made goods and souvenirs. (2B, L)

Seoul Grand Hyatt, Seoul

DAY 4

This morning board the Korean Express Train to Daegu, then travel by private car to explore Mt. Gaya National Park. Established in 802, it is home to a plethora of art treasures within its more than 90 shrines, hermitages and temples. Visit Hainsa Temple, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site and one of Korea’s Three Jewel Temples. It houses “Tripitaka Koreana” — a collection of 80,000 wooden printing blocks dating back to 1251. This is considered the most authoritative edition of Buddhist scripture (Dharma) in East Asia. Drive back to Daegu and visit the medicinal Herbal Market before arriving at your hotel. (B, L)

Daegu Grand, Daegu

DAY 5

It is a short drive to Gyeongju (Kyongju) for a full day tour of this historic “museum without walls” city full of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit Bulkuksa Temple; built in 528, the wooden buildings have been rebuilt, but all the stone bridges, stairways and pagodas are original. See one of Asia’s finest Buddhist shrines, Sugguram Grotto, where surrounded by Bodhisattvas and guardian deities, a statue of Buddha gazes out over the forested hills and across the East Sea to the horizon. Continue to the Gyeongju National Museum for a display of the Shilla Kingdom’s magnificent gold crowns, pottery, Buddhist artifacts and stone sculptures. Explore Royal Tumuli Park, and its collection of more than 20 royal Shilla tombs, including the famous Chonmachong (Flying Horse Tomb) before arriving at your hotel. (B, L)

Gyeongju Hyundai, Gyeongju

DAY 6

This morning drive south to Busan, stopping en route to visit Tongdosa Temple, one of the largest temples in Korea, with buildings dispersed throughout the surrounding mountainside. Continue your drive along Haeundae Beach to reach Busan. Enjoy a tour of the city including the vibrant Jagalchi Fish Market, and the maze-like Gukje Market with its wide variety of cloth wares. In the afternoon, take an hour flight south to the island of Jeju, where you are met and taken to your hotel. (B, L)

Jeju Shilla, Jeju

DAY 7

This island has much to offer and explore. Today’s sightseeing begins with Sunsan Sunrise Peak, an ancient volcanic land mass, with a 1,970-foot wide crater that is surrounded by 99 sharp rocks appearing like a giant crown above the cauldron. Visit the unique Women Diver’s Museum, with exhibits on the lifestyle and traditional homes of Jejudo’s haenyeo female divers. Next tour through the Seongup Folk Village, to see traditional Jeju thatched houses, a Confucian temple as well as a mill and fortress. Here you can get a true taste of ancient Korean culture and foods. (B, L)

Jeju Shilla, Jeju

DAY 8

Enjoy another day exploring this unique island. Drive along the Dragon Head coast to Mt. Sanbangsan to see its Sanbanggulsa Temple. A 16-foot high rock cave on the cliff of the mountain, this cave-turned temple was home to monks during the Goryeo Dynasty (918 – 1392) and offers wonderful views of the coast and Marado Island. Next, see the unusual volcanic rock formation of Jusangjeoli, and the Cheonjeyeon Waterfall. Visit the O’Sulloc Green Tea Museum and stroll along the Olle Walking Paths to experience the true serenity of this region. Late this afternoon return to the Jeju airport for your flight back to Seoul for your last night in Korea. (B)

Seoul Grand Hyatt, Seoul

DAY 9

Today you are taken to the airport for your flight home or on to your next destination. (B)

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