Join us on an unforgettable journey of food, culture, history, and nature in South Korea. We start our trip in vibrant Seoul, where we'll focus on history, architecture, religious influences, and cuisine. We'll end with an incredible stay at a well-known Buddhist temple. This tour showcases all that South Korea has to offer with a particular focus on the incredible range of Korean cuisine. Our adventure will start in the South Korean capital, Seoul, to see temples and palaces. We'll taste our way through Gwangjang Market, famous for its delectable street food. Light and crispy Korean fried chicken washed down with a local Korean craft beer sounds like a perfect end to a day of sightseeing. After days of exploring the big city, we’re off to the western edge of Korea to stay overnight at a Buddhist Temple. We’ll sleep like the monks and participate in evening ceremonies. The highlight will be our plant-based meals. You've come all this way. Why not join us for our three-day extension as we venture into the Boseong region to visit tea plantations, stunning gardens, bamboo forests, ancient temples, and small historic villages? This immersion in nature will return you home refreshed and reinvigorated.
Here's a day-by-day itinerary of the trip
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The Bonham Hotel & Hanok Stay in the most ancient area of Seoul, Bukchong Hanok Village, is a traditional Korean Inn. You cannot compare a stay here to staying at a Four Seasons or a Marriott in modern Seoul. What a stay here will do for us is to transport us back to ancient Seoul to feel and experience what life used to be like. The architecture and rooms are historic. Some are antique-filled. For your convenience, we have one traditional room with futon beds and Western rooms on hold.
Staying at a Buddhist temple for a night means you end your stay on a sublime restful note, a welcome to weary travelers after bustling Seoul. The real highlight here, besides praying with the monks, will be the vegetarian food created by the well-known chef from Chef's Table, Jeong Kwan. The temple was opened in the 7th century.
Doni Belau is the creator and founder of Girls' Guide to the World. She is an inveterate traveler, having been to nearly 80 countries (and counting). She loves to help other women experience travel as she truly feels it helps us find a larger world of possibilities.
Experience a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern living
South Korea is a fascinating country that offers visitors a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern living. From bustling cities to serene temples, South Korea has something for everyone. Discover the natural beauty of the country's national parks, with their lush forests, stunning waterfalls, and breathtaking mountain views.
Experience the rich cultural heritage of South Korea through its many temples, festivals, and traditional arts. Whether you are a foodie looking to sample some of the country's world-renowned cuisine, a history buff eager to learn about the ancient kingdoms that once ruled this land, or simply seeking adventure and new experiences, South Korea has it all.
Everything specified in the itinerary
All meals (except where indicated), including beer & wine with dinner
All transportation during the trip (except where indicated)
Expert Guides and Trip Leaders
A small group experience
Temple stay in Gwagju
Airport transfers
Single occupancy in a traditional Hanok Inn
One Michelin Star Meal
Numerous cooking classes and tastings
Round-trip airfare to Seoul airport
Additional wine, beer, and/or spirits beyond what’s offered at meals
All personal souvenirs
Travel and Medical Insurance (required)
Visa fees
You'll want to fly in and out of Seoul's Incheon International Airport.
The trip officially starts in the evening of April 1st, but if you are traveling across an ocean to get to Seoul, you may want to consider arriving a day early so you have time to relax and get acclimated to the local time zone. If you do decide to arrive early, please let us know and we will take care of booking your room for you and make sure that you are kept in the same room as you will be in when the trip starts.
About 6-8 weeks before the trip starts, we'll organize a Zoom video call to discuss all the details of the trip and give you a packing list. Here is a great website that we love that will help you with packing and travel trips.
The temperatures in South Korea in April can be cooler with a low of 46°F and high up to 64°F.