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11-Nights Deluxe Korea Nature, Zen & Wellness

South Korea
11-Nights Deluxe Korea Nature, Zen & Wellness
South Korea
Goway Travel
Vacation Offer ID 1559820
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Overview

Goway Travel

On this 12-day South Korean vacation, discover the bustling energy of South Korea's two largest cities and the timeless appeal of the country's ancient temples, palaces, and tombs.

Begin in South Korea's capital, Seoul, and immerse yourself in city life as you visit iconic landmarks, including Gwanghwamun Plaza. Continue to the National Museum of Contemporary Korean History, the Insadong Arts and Crafts Street, the Gwangjang traditional market, and the Nasangol Hanok village for an all-encompassing cultural, artistic, historical, and culinary exploration.

Cycle along the Han River, soaking in the breathtaking views as you ride to the Michelin-recognized Baeknyeon Tojong Samgyetang. Indulge in their renowned ginseng chicken soup and learn about its healing properties and health benefits.

Indulge in a more serene side of Seoul as you venture into Bukhansan National Park and enjoy meditative and wellness activities. Experience the calming resonance of traditional Tibetan singing bowls during a tranquil meditation session, and rejuvenate your body and mind with spa treatments and yoga classes.

Board a scenic high-speed train to Gyeongju, the former capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom and South Korea's historical trove. Explore its rich heritage at the Golgulsa Temple, where you can experience traditional Summudo meditation and the Gyeongju National Museum. Don't miss Tumuli Park, Daereungwon Tomb Complex, and the ancient Cheomseongdae Observatory for a fascinating glimpse into the region's ancient past.

Continue to Busan, a bustling port city with beautiful beaches, vibrant seafood markets, and incredible cultural attractions. Take a scenic coastal train ride around the coastline of Dongbaekseom Island en route to Huinnyeoul and Gamcheon cultural villages for insightful journeys into the region's rich history.

Fill your lungs with fresh air as you wander through the verdant Busan Forest, Busan's first healing forest. Continue to South Korea's largest seafood market for a delicious introduction to Busan's seafood culture before unwinding with an authentic Korean bathhouse experience.

Vacation Inclusions

  • Meet and Greet on arrival in Seoul
  • Private airport transfers in Seoul and Busan
  • 5 nights deluxe accommodations in Seoul
  • 2 nights deluxe accommodations in Gyeongju
  • 4 nights deluxe accommodations in Busan
  • Private-guided Seoul City Tour by Public Transportation
  • Private-guided Han River Biking Tour
  • Private-guided Gyeongju City Tour
  • Private-guided Busan City Tour
  • Day Temple experience at Golgusa Temple
  • Shared Mt. Bukhansan Trek & Singing Bowl Meditation
  • Shared yoga class
  • Shared Floral Tea experience
  • Shared Kimchi making lesson
  • Public transportation in Seoul on Day 2
  • KTX Express Train Tickets (2nd class) for Seoul to Gyeongju
  • Private vehicle transportation for other sightseeing and transfers between destinations
  • All applicable entrance fees as per itinerary including:
    • Sulwhasoo spa experience
    • Korean bathhouse visit
    • Songdo cable car ride
  • Breakfast daily (excluding day 1), 4 Lunches, 2 Dinners

Featured Destinations

Pusan (Busan)

Pusan (Busan)

Korea's "museum without walls" is akin only to China in its depth and cultural wonder. From Pusan, you can journey to the ancient Silla capital of Kyongju, a dynasty which reigned in Korea for almost a thousand years. Today this small provincial town is virtually a museum without walls, dotted with many splendid ruins. Nearby, the forested mountains and valleys shelter hundreds of beautiful Buddhist shrines including the renowned Sokkuram Grotto, and Tongdosa and Pulguksa Temples. Pusan is also a shopper's mecca and Korea's vital southern link to Japanese and American trade.
Destination Guide
Gyeongju

Gyeongju

If your schedule permits stopping at only one city other than Seoul, that city should be Gyeongju, 165 mi/265 km southeast of Seoul. It was the capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC-AD 935) and has a high concentration of temples, statuary and burial mounds, as well as an excellent historical museum.

One of the highlights of your visit will be a walk through Tumuli Park, where you'll stroll among the burial mounds of 20 kings, some several stories high and looking more like hills covered with soft green grass than the royal tombs that they are. (Oddly enough, the park was only dedicated in the 1970s. Before that, the area was residential.) Just a few have been excavated, and the interior of only one is open to the public. Inside, an exhibit re-creates what it looked like when the mound was first explored, and some of the original contents are on display. Most of the finds, however, are exhibited in the Gyeongju National Museum, along with other artifacts from Gyeongju's golden age.

Outside of town is Bulguk Temple, one of the most beautiful temples in the country. It's a large complex with wonderful architecture, pagodas and statuary. There are other temples and mounds near Gyeongju (some have larger-than-life stone soldiers and bureaucrats to guard and guide the departed kings in the afterlife) as well as the Seogbinggo (where ice was kept long before refrigeration), Anapji Pond (a part of the royal pleasure garden), a very early star-gazing tower and other relics.

Also within easy driving distance are the Seokguram Grotto (containing an exquisite stone Buddha image surrounded by friezes) and the Poseokjeong Pavilion. In the mountains surrounding the city are thousands of Buddhist temples, inscriptions and pagodas (the roads to some are impassable without a four-wheel-drive vehicle). You could spend weeks driving around, but two or three days will give most travelers a taste of the area.

One other nearby attraction merits mention, though it is difficult to get to: the underwater tomb of King Munmu (AD 661-681). The tomb is submerged in shallow water in the middle of a little island about 300 ft/90 m offshore. Legends say that King Munmu asked to be buried there so he could return as a dragon to protect his people from invasion. Visitors must bargain with a local boat owner to get to the tomb.

If time permits, visit the village of Yangdong, just south of Pohang. Ignored by most tourists, the village seems immune to all forms of modernization.

Destination Guide
Seoul

Seoul

Seoul, capital of South Korea, lies in the northwest of the country on the Han River 37 miles from the coast. Landmarks in Seoul include the National Museum, featuring collections of Korean art and artefacts; the National Science Museum; Ch'anggyong, Ch'angdok, Kyongbok, and Toksu palaces; Chong-myo Shrine; a Roman Catholic cathedral; and zoological and botanical gardens. Other sights include the bell tower, which contains a large bronze bell inscribed with the date 1468, and the remains of the ancient stone wall that once encircled the city.
Destination Guide

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Valid Date Ranges

August 2024
08/01/2024 12/31/2024 Call for pricing

Standard Terms & Conditions apply when purchasing this trip. Special savings cannot be combined with any other offer. Airfare available for better packaging and pricing. Ask your travel advisor for details. All prices are per person and quoted in U.S. dollars. Single supplement applies. Blackout dates/seasonal supplements may apply. Accommodations, inclusions and itinerary subject to change depending upon specific departure date. From pricing is based on lowest marketed price for this tour, rates vary by date of departure; please inquire for details for your preferred travel dates. Inquire for a list of exclusions. Departures: Daily.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.