Cultural Highlights of South Korea

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

This private tour focuses on South Korea’s rich history and culture. It includes private touring with your own guide and driver of top cultural sites such as royal palaces and tombs, traditional neighborhoods, lively markets and important temples. Accommodation includes the best luxury hotels in Seoul and Busan, a stay at a hanok (traditional Korean house) hotel and an overnight templestay at a Buddhist temple in Gyeongju.

Begin in Seoul, the fascinating capital of South Korea, and enjoy a stay at a hanok hotel. During flexible private touring, visit highlights such as the Changdeokgung Palace complex—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and its "secret garden." Learn about traditional Korean lifestyles while walking through Ikseondong and Bukchon, neighborhoods filled with hanok. 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 Gwangjang Market, Namdaemun Market or one of the other vast markets dedicated to food, clothing, antiques, herbal medicine and more.

Discover the treasures of Seoul's best museums, such as the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, Korea Furniture Museum, the War Memorial of Korea or National Museum of Korea. Visit a local teahouse and walk through trendy neighborhoods such as Myeongdong to see the latest fashions and pop culture (including K-Pop). 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, eating fresh sashimi at Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market, visiting high-end fashion boutiques and restaurants in Gangnam, going to the top of N Tower, stopping by top art galleries and visiting the vibrant Hongdae university district.

One evening, enjoy a culinary tour, and sample Korean street food dishes such as tteokbokki (chewy rice cakes in a sweet and spicy sauce), bindaetteok (fried mung bean pancakes) and irresistible hotteok (pancakes stuffed with brown sugar). Another evening, enjoy a private sunset cruise on the Han River.

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, a Buddhist temple dating from the eighth century; Wolji Pond; Seokguram Seokgul, a stone grotto temple; Cheomseongdae observatory; and Gyeongju National Museum, which exhibits gold crowns and other masterpieces of the Silla period. Continue into the hills to Golgulsa Temple for an overnight templestay experience. Tour the traditional Buddhist temple complex, perform service around the temple grounds and perhaps learn the basics of sunmudo (seonmudo), a traditional martial art.

Continue to Busan, a bustling port town that’s South Korea's second largest city. During private touring, visit highlights of Busan, such as Jagalchi Fish Market, the largest fish market in Korea; Huinnyeoul Culture Village, a charming coastal village; and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, an important Buddhist temple on the waterfront. Other options include riding the Busan Air Cruise for scenic views over beaches and the sea and shopping at Shinsegae or Lotte Department Store Centum City, among the world’s largest department stores.

Return to Seoul and, if desired, take a fascinating excursion to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and Joint Security Area (JSA) at Panmunjom. Another day, enjoy a private Korean cooking class to learn to prepare kimchi or other typical Korean dishes, go for a hike in the mountains surrounding Seoul, take a lesson in taekwondo or enjoy a scenic bike ride.

Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can further customize this tour to include special interest activities such as a private soju and makgeolli (rice wine) tasting or a strawberry picking activity. We can also arrange excursions to ceramics villages, folk villages, other UNESCO World Heritage Sites, amusement parks, hallyu sites and other destinations outside Seoul.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world