Best of South Korea

Arrive in Seoul and transfer to your hotel, where the rest of the day is yours to settle in or begin exploring at your own pace. South Korea's capital is a fascinating introduction to the country, where royal palaces stand alongside sleek skyscrapers, quiet temples sit just streets away from busy shopping districts, and centuries-old traditions continue to shape modern life.

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Today is dedicated to discovering Seoul's cultural heart. Begin at Gwanghwamun Plaza before passing through the imposing gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of the city's five royal palaces and once home to the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. Watch the colourful Changing of the Guard ceremony before exploring the palace grounds and the nearby National Folk Museum. Later, wander through Insadong, where traditional craft shops, galleries and tea houses line the streets, then pause for a quieter moment at Jogyesa Temple, the centre of Korean Buddhism. End the day at Gwangjang Market, one of Seoul's oldest food markets, where locals gather for favourites such as tteokbokki, mayak gimbap and crispy bindaetteok pancakes. (B,L)

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Leave the city behind for a visit to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), one of the most heavily fortified borders in the world and a powerful reminder that the Korean War never officially ended. Accompanied by a specialist guide, explore sites including Freedom Bridge, Imjingak Park, the Third Infiltration Tunnel and Dora Observatory, where views stretch across the border into North Korea. The experience offers valuable insight into the peninsula's recent history and the continuing division between North and South Korea. Return to Seoul in the afternoon, with the remainder of the day free to explore independently or choose from a range of optional experiences, including a Taekwondo lesson, a food-focused evening market tour or a relaxing spa treatment. (B)

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Board Korea's efficient KTX high-speed train and travel south to Andong, widely regarded as the country's cultural capital and one of the best places to experience traditional Korea. Your first stop is Hahoe Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where centuries-old hanok houses remain home to local families. Watch the lively Hahoe Mask Dance, an important part of Korea's performing arts tradition, before meeting the performers to learn more about the stories behind the masks and trying a few dance movements yourself. You'll also have the chance to create your own traditional mask before strolling through the village's peaceful lanes. This evening, stay in a traditional hanok for an authentic glimpse into Korea's architectural heritage. (B)

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Spend today exploring the cultural landmarks that have made Andong one of South Korea's most important centres of learning and tradition. Begin with a short walk to Buyongdae Cliff for sweeping views across Hahoe Village, the Nakdong River and the surrounding countryside. Continue to Wolyeonggyo Bridge, one of Korea's most picturesque wooden bridges, before visiting Dosan Seowon, the 16th-century Confucian academy founded by the renowned scholar Yi Hwang. Set among wooded hills, it reflects the Confucian ideal of living in harmony with nature. Later, explore Bongjeongsa Temple, home to Korea's oldest surviving wooden building, before ending the day at the impressive Rock-carved Standing Buddha, an 11th-century masterpiece carved directly into the mountainside. Together, these sites offer a deeper understanding of the beliefs, philosophy and craftsmanship that have shaped Korean culture for centuries. (B)

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Leave Andong behind and travel to Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom for almost 1,000 years. Often described as an open-air museum, the city is filled with royal tombs, temples and archaeological treasures that tell the story of one of Korea's most influential dynasties. After lunch, visit the Gyeongju National Museum, home to an outstanding collection of artefacts from the Silla period, before crossing the restored Woljeong Bridge and exploring Gyochon Traditional Village, where hanok houses and craft workshops preserve centuries-old traditions. End the day on Hwangnidan-gil, a lively street lined with cafés, boutiques and restored traditional buildings that show how Gyeongju effortlessly blends its historic character with modern life. (B,L)

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Spend the day discovering some of Gyeongju's most important historic sites. Begin at Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites that showcase the artistic and architectural achievements of the Silla Kingdom. The serene granite Buddha inside Seokguram has watched over the surrounding mountains for more than 1,200 years, while Bulguksa remains one of Korea's finest Buddhist temples. This afternoon, continue to Daereungwon Tomb Complex, where the grass-covered burial mounds of Silla royalty dominate the landscape, before stepping inside Cheonmachong Tomb to learn how these remarkable structures were built. Visit Cheomseongdae, the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia, and end the day at Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, where illuminated pavilions and reflections on the water create one of Gyeongju's most memorable evening scenes. (B,L)

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This morning offers the chance to hike on Namsan Mountain, often referred to as Korea's largest open-air museum. The well-maintained trail passes temples, stone Buddhas and ancient pagodas hidden among the forest, revealing just how deeply history is woven into the landscape. After lunch, continue to Yangdong Folk Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has preserved the traditions of Korea's aristocratic families since the Joseon Dynasty. Wander through its peaceful lanes before visiting Manho Gotaek, a beautifully preserved 500-year-old hanok. Here, join a traditional Cheongju brewing workshop, learning how Korea's clear rice wine is made before sampling it alongside artisanal soju and seasonal local snacks, an experience that offers a fascinating insight into the country's long-standing food and drink traditions. (B,L)

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Travel south to Busan, South Korea's vibrant second city, where mountains meet the sea. En route, stop at Haedong Yonggungsa, one of the country's few Buddhist temples built beside the ocean, its dramatic clifftop setting making it one of Korea's most photographed temples. Continue to Daritdol Skywalk, where a glass-bottomed walkway extends over the coastline, before boarding the Haeundae Sky Capsule for a leisurely ride above the shoreline with uninterrupted sea views. Later, head to X the Sky, Busan's highest observation deck, for sweeping views across the city and coastline before finishing the day with a stroll along Haeundae Beach, one of Korea's best-known stretches of sand. (B,L)

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Begin the day with a hands-on bibimbap cooking class, learning how to prepare one of Korea's best-loved dishes before enjoying your freshly made lunch. Continue to Jagalchi Market, the country's largest seafood market, where stalls overflow with the day's catch and local life unfolds around you. This afternoon, explore the colourful streets of Gamcheon Culture Village, originally settled by refugees during the Korean War and now transformed into one of Busan's most creative neighbourhoods, filled with murals, galleries and cafés. End the day with a cable car ride across the bay to Songdo Sky Harbor Observatory before walking across the Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge, where wide coastal views provide a fitting finale to your time in Busan. (B,L)

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Fly to Jeju Island, South Korea's largest island and a UNESCO-listed volcanic landscape unlike anywhere else in the country. After lunch, visit Seongsan Ilchulbong, or Sunrise Peak, a volcanic crater that rises dramatically above the sea and rewards those who make the climb with panoramic views across Jeju's eastern coastline. Continue to the Jeju Haenyeo Museum to learn about the island's remarkable haenyeo, the women divers who have harvested seafood by free-diving for generations without the use of breathing equipment. Their traditions have been recognised by UNESCO as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage and remain one of Jeju's defining cultural identities. (B,L)

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Explore another side of Jeju as you discover the island's volcanic origins and more recent history. Begin with a visit to the Jeju World Natural Heritage Center before hiking on Geomun Oreum, one of the island's many volcanic cones, where forest trails and crater viewpoints reveal the landscapes created by thousands of years of volcanic activity. Continue to the 4.3 Peace Memorial Hall, which commemorates the victims of the Jeju Uprising and offers an important insight into a chapter of Korean history that remained little discussed for decades. Later, visit Samseonghyeol, believed to be the birthplace of Jeju's legendary founders, before ending the day at Dongmun Market, where stalls selling fresh seafood, local produce and street food provide a lively introduction to the island's everyday flavours. (B)

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Your final full day showcases more of Jeju's spectacular coastline and natural landmarks. Begin at Jeongbang Waterfall, one of the few waterfalls in Asia that flows directly into the sea, before visiting Yakcheonsa Temple, one of the largest Buddhist temples in the country, known for its impressive prayer hall and towering Buddha statue. Continue to the striking Jusangjeolli Cliffs, where towering hexagonal lava columns meet the crashing waves, creating one of Jeju's most distinctive coastal landscapes. End the day at the O'sulloc Tea Museum, where you'll learn about Jeju's tea-growing heritage, stroll through the surrounding green tea fields and sample locally produced teas before returning to your hotel. (B)

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After breakfast, transfer to Jeju Airport for your onward journey, bringing your exploration of South Korea to an end. Over the past two weeks you've travelled from the country's bustling capital to ancient royal cities, coastal communities and the volcanic landscapes of Jeju, discovering the history, traditions and regional cultures that make South Korea such a rewarding destination. (B)