Travel Tips
South Korea: South Korea, an East Asian nation on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, shares one of the world’s most heavily militarized borders with North Korea. It’s equally known for its green, hilly countryside dotted with cherry trees and centuries-old Buddhist temples, plus its coastal fishing villages, sub-tropical islands and high-tech cities such as Seoul, the capital.
Trip Planning: The planning stage of your trip can be instrumental in its success and an enjoyable part of the experience itself. You have a world of options...and plenty to consider.
Entry and Exit formalities: Visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months & beyond at the time of entering the country. Some nationalities can obtain visa on arrival and for nationalities who requires visa please refer to the South Korean consulate website:
Transportation: Figuring out how to get around is one of your biggest pre-trip decisions. Get our holiday expert best advice on deciding between your options.Based on your trip itinerary, our experts will help you choose wisely. You'll also find a wealth of practical travel tips.
Money: Use your money wisely. Know the best time to use cash or card — and how to avoid unnecessary fees either way — as well as tipping etiquette.
Phones and Technology: Phones and other smart devices can be huge time-savers...or expensive distractions. Get our tips for making the best use of technology during your trip, and for calling home with or without your own phone.
Packing Light: On your trip you'll meet two kinds of travelers: those who pack light and those who wish they had.
Sleeping and Eating: Your hotel and restaurant choices can be a matter-of-face chore…or they can provide rich opportunities to connect with locals and their culture.
Health & Hygiene: Take comfort: Doctors, hospitals, launderettes, and bathrooms aren’t that different. Dealing with them can even be part of the fun of travel.
Sightseeing & Activities: Once you're on the ground, the real fun begins…but it pays to have a thoughtful plan. Our experts will help you get oriented to your surroundings, use your sightseeing hours wisely, and find your way off the beaten path.
Things to see & do:
DMZ and JSA Panmunjom Tour-While in Seoul, travel to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and Panmunjom – officially known as the Joint Security Area (JSA) – and experience the infamous border that divides North Korea and South Korea. Learn from an expert guide about the role of the DMZ and the negotiating site of the JSA, from the Korean War to the present. You’ll visit the Freedom Bridge and the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel and observe life on the other side from the Dora Observatory.
Food, Wine & Nightlife -Experience the fascinating culture of South Korea in one of the most authentic ways possible – through its local cuisine! On this 4-hour food tour, learn all about Korea’s culinary customs from your guide, an expert in local Korean food and culture, as you journey through the streets of Seoul. Explore the bustling district of Jongno-gu and visit three different food stalls and restaurants, as well as a market, to try a variety of Korean foods such as Korean barbecue, tofu, savory pancakes and spicy braised chicken.
Korean Palace and Market Tour Including Insadong and Gyeongbokgung Palace-Spend a full day discovering the beautiful architecture and landscape of Seoul while learning about its history, culture and traditions. With your guide, visit two grand palaces, including UNESCO World Heritage-listed Changdeokgung Palace; learn about traditional lifestyles at a museum; and explore bustling local markets by foot.
Mt Bukhan Hike with Korean Style Spa - Take a break from the city on this full-day tour that combines a hike on Mt Bukhan with a rejuvenating Korean spa experience. Your guide will select a 2- or 3-hour route, depending on the group’s skill level, taking you past granite peaks and crystal-clear streams on Seoul’s highest mountain. At the ‘jjimjilbang,’ or traditional sauna, you’re rewarded with a soak in a hot bath followed by a full-body scrub, oil massage, face mask and shampoo — all applied by an expert practitioner.
Busan with Gamcheon Culture Village-During this 8-hour Busan tour, your guide and driver will show you the highlights of this city by the sea. Visit the Songdo Sky Walk, Korea's longest ocean sky walk, and famous landmarks like Gamcheon Culture Village and the Mountain Hwangnyeong Observatory, where you can enjoy an awesome view over Busan. Hotel pickup/drop-off and a Korean BBQ lunch are included. Numbers are limited to 7 for a personalized, small-group experience.
Busan with Haedong Yonggungsa Temple-See the highlights of Busan during this 8-hour guided tour through the beautiful city by the sea. Take in the views of Oryukdo Islands from the Oryukdo Skywalk, explore the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple tucked in the mountains above the shore, and enjoy a Korean BBQ lunch. This tour need at least 2 travelers to function and will be cancelled if the minimum is not met. Hotel pickup and drop-off service by air-conditioned minivan is included.
Nanta Show-Nanta tells the nonverbal story of four cooks who must prepare an entire wedding banquet in just one hour. The electrifying 1.5-hour show offers a comic sketch of mishaps in the kitchen, performed through ‘samulnori’ — traditional Korean percussion quartet melodies. Nanta premiered in 1997 and has become the longest-running show in Korea. See kitchen knives, cutting boards and cooking utensils transformed into remarkable musical instruments. This comedy of errors is sure to captivate you with its high-energy humor.
Traditional Cooking Experience in a Korean Home-Get your hands dirty and learn how to cook an authentic home-cooked Korean meal. This 3-hour cooking class starts with a quick walking tour of the city as we purchase local ingredients from the local market. We will then cook together and dine in a traditional Korean-style house.
Group Royal Palace and Seoul Tour-This small group journey will start with Jogyesa, the center of Buddhism in Seoul where you can see locust trees and baeksong trees in front of Jogyesa temple. Afterward, you will move to the presidential blue house that symbol of Cheongwadae with blue tiles and the Gwanghwamun Gate to see royal guard changing ceremony. After watching the ceremony, you can explore Gyeongbokgung Palace. Then you will see the National Folk Museum where you can see how people lived a few centuries ago, the Changdeokgung Palace that listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage and Insadong, a famous antique alley that is popular with antique shops, handmade crafts. Finally after a long day, you will see Namdaemun, the main gate of a Seoul.
Andong Day Trip: Hahoe Folk Village from Seoul-Discover the ancient cultural heritage of South Korea on a visit to Andong from Seoul. Catch sweeping views from Buyongdae Cliff, learn about local art and culture at the Hahoe Mask Museum in UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hahoe Folk Village, and visit a Confucian school and temple.
Seoraksan Mountain-Explore the Seoraksan National Park and discover one of South Korea’s most imposing peaks on this Mt Seoraksan day tour from Seoul. Travel by cable car up to the Gwongeumseong peak and enjoy panoramic views over the valleys below. Follow walking routes through the forest to Sinheungsa Temple, where a statue of The Great Unification Buddha sits in contemplation. Listen as a guide sheds light on South Korea’s Buddhist heritage, and enjoy a delicious lunch of Korean speciality dishes.
Yongpyong Ski Resort - Spend a day on the world-class ski slopes of Yongpyong Resort, home to the World Cup Ski Competition and the Asian Winter Games. With a full-day ski pass to the lifts and gondola, plus full ski gear and clothing included, it’s easy to enjoy Korea’s winter wonderland, where you have more than 30 slopes to choose from.
Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and Korean Folk Village-Join in this tour to experience Korea’s traditional constructions and living culture at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and the Korean Folk Village. Suwon Hwaseong Fortress was constructed to perform commercial and military functions during the Joseon Dynasty. In the Korean Folk Village, you can experience numerous collections of Korean cultural artifacts.
Cheongwadae Sarangchae and Gyeongbokgung Palace-Gain a deeper insight into Korean history and culture on this tour in Seoul with a friendly, knowledgeable local guide. Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace, visit a traditional Buddhist temple, discover Korea’s folk culture at a museum, and learn interesting facts about Korea’s politics at an exhibition center. You’ll also visit the National Ginseng Outlet to learn the secrets of this important plant.
Gangnam District Including COEX Aquarium and Han River Cruise-This cultural tour lets you experience the highlights of Seoul’s popular Gangnam District. Gangnam – you may have heard the song – is known for its upper-class neighborhoods and is often referred to as the Beverly Hills of South Korea. See more than 40,000 sea creatures at the COEX Aquarium, enjoy scenic views on a relaxing Han River cruise, and end with a visit to Bongeunsa, one of Korea's most important Buddhist temple that offers a quiet retreat from the busy city. Along the way, you'll learn interesting facts about the Gangnam District from your local guide.
Full Day Nami Island and Petite France-Explore Nami Island, a famous filming location for Korean dramas, and an area known as Petite France after its distinctly French architecture, food, and culture, during this 9-hour guided tour from Seoul. A traditional Korean lunch and hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Numbers are limited to 15 for a personalized, small-group experience.
Winter Sonata TV Tour on Nami Island-See beautiful Nami Island and walk the tree-lined paths where some of the most memorable scenes in the famous Korean television drama Winter Sonata were filmed! Whether you are a Winter Sonata fan or not, you’ll enjoy the scenery as you stroll around this lovely island. Afterward, visit Petite France, a French-themed village that features French culture, food and architecture. Look for the statue of the Little Prince, from the favorite French novel that is memorialized in the village.
