Vegan & Vegetarian Tour of South Korea

(9 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Seoul, Busan & Gyeongju

This private South Korea tour combines the cultural highlights of Seoul, Gyeongju and Busan with special culinary experiences designed for vegan and vegetarian travelers, including Buddhist temple meals, plant-based versions of local specialties, a private cooking class, reservations at top vegan and vegetarian restaurants and more.

Begin in Seoul, the fascinating capital of South Korea. During private touring, visit cultural highlights such as the Changdeokgung Palace complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its Secret Garden. Discover the treasures of Seoul's best museums, such as the Leeum Museum of Art, Korea Furniture Museum, War Memorial of Korea or National Museum of Korea. Other options include visiting the Zaha Hadid-designed Dongdaemun Design Plaza, walking along scenic Cheonggyecheon Stream, touring Gyeongbokgung Palace and additional royal palaces, visiting the National Folk Museum of Korea, learning about Confucian traditions at Jongmyo Shrine, exploring lively neighborhoods such as Myeongdong and Hongdae, visiting high-end fashion boutiques and restaurants in Gangnam, shopping for vegan K-beauty products, hiking in the mountains surrounding Seoul, exploring Seoul Upcycling Plaza, a large cultural complex dedicated to upcycling and sustainable design, and visiting top art galleries.

During flexible private culinary touring, visit Gwangjang Market, Namdaemun Market or one of the other vast markets dedicated to food, antiques, herbal medicine and more. Stop for a cup of tea in a traditional teahouse in the Insadong neighborhood, and browse the best local shops for Korean antiques, textiles, ceramics, clothing and more. Visit some of our favorite contemporary plant-based cafes and eateries and enjoy a meal at a restaurant specializing in refined Korean Buddhist temple cuisine. One evening, enjoy a culinary tour and sample plant-based versions of Korean street food specialties, and perhaps try soju ormakgeolli (rice wine). Artisans of Leisure will arrange dining reservations at the top vegan and vegetarian restaurants.

Next, travel by high-speed train to Gyeongju, which was the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom for nearly a thousand years. During private touring, visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites and other highlights such as the Daereungwon tumuli complex of royal tombs; Bulguksa, an eighth-century Buddhist temple; Seokguram Grotto, a stone grotto temple; Wolji Pond; Cheomseongdae observatory; and Gyeongju National Museum, which exhibits gold crowns and other masterpieces of the Silla period. Also stop for a vegetarian temple meal in a traditional hanok (traditional Korean house). Other touring options around Gyeongju include Golgulsa Temple and the traditional village of Yangdong.

Continue to Busan, a bustling port and South Korea’s second-largest city. During private cultural and culinary touring, visit highlights of Busan such as Huinnyeoul Culture Village and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, an important Buddhist temple on the waterfront. One day, enjoy a private cooking class at a centuries-old Buddhist temple on the forested slopes of Geumjeongsan Mountain and learn about the traditions and principles of Korean temple cuisine while preparing seasonal plant-based dishes. Also tour a local market and sample local specialties adapted for vegans or vegetarians, or stop by a microbrewery for a local craft beer. Other options include taking the Busan Air Cruise cable car for scenic coastal views, strolling along Haeundae Beach, shopping at Shinsegae Centum City or Lotte Department Store, and exploring the city's contemporary art and design scene at institutions such as the Busan Museum of Art and its Space Lee Ufan annex or the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan.

Return to Seoul and enjoy a private market visit and Korean cooking class to learn to prepare vegetarian or vegan versions of traditional dishes. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can further customize this tour with special interest activities such as a traditional Korean tea ceremony with a tea master, including vegan or vegetarian refreshments, visits to gardens and ceramics villages, shopping and tours of other UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Artisans of Leisure can also arrange an overnight templestay at a traditional Buddhist temple near Seoul or Gyeongju.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Seoul VIP airport assistance. Private arrival transfer to luxury hotel for 3 nights Day 2 Seoul Full-day private city tour, including a Korean Buddhist temple meal Day 3 Seoul Full-day private tour. Evening vegan or vegetarian culinary tour Day 4 Seoul – Gyeongju – Busan Private transfer to train station. First-class KTX express train to Gyeongju. Full-day private tour, including vegetarian temple meal in a traditional hanok, before private transfer to luxury hotel for 3 nights Day 5 Busan Full-day private tour, including cultural highlights and coastal scenery. Option for private temple cuisine cooking class Day 6 Busan Flexible private touring, including vegan or vegetarian market visit Day 7 Busan – Seoul Private transfer to train station. First-class KTX express train back to Seoul. Private arrival transfer to luxury hotel for 2 nights Day 8 Seoul Morning private market tour and vegan or vegetarian Korean cooking class. Afternoon at leisure. Option for Korean tea ceremony Day 9 Depart Seoul Private airport transfer

Hotels

Seoul: Four Seasons Hotel Seoul Busan: Park Hyatt Busan

Cost

Upon request