Discover Southwest Korea

Upon arrival at Incheon International Airport, you'll be greeted by a local driver and transferred to Seoul. As South Korea's capital, Seoul blends tradition with modernity. Explore ancient landmarks like Gyeongbokgung Palace, or visit bustling districts such as Myeongdong for shopping and street food. After checking into your hotel, you’ll have time to relax and recover from your journey. The day is yours to unwind, with plenty of opportunities to explore or simply enjoy the city's vibrant atmosphere at your own pace.

• Hotel Description

Travel by train from Seoul to Jeonju, one of Korea’s best-preserved historic cities and the spiritual home of traditional Korean culture. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and meet your local guide before heading out on foot and by public transport. Your first stop is Nambu Market, where street food stalls and small family-run shops give a real sense of everyday life. Nearby, Pungnammun Gate stands as the last surviving city gate from Jeonju’s original fortress, followed by Jeondong Catholic Church and Gyeonggijeon Shrine, home to the royal portrait of the founder of the Joseon Dynasty.

You then explore Jeonju Hanok Village, a maze of restored wooden houses, quiet courtyards and tiled roofs. Lunch is Jeonju’s famous bibimbap, before climbing to Omokdae Pavilion for sweeping views over the village. A traditional hanok café offers a peaceful pause, followed by a visit to the National Intangible Heritage Center, which showcases Korea’s living traditions, from crafts to performance. The late afternoon is free to relax or continue exploring Jeonju at your own pace. (B,L)

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After breakfast and hotel check-out, take a taxi to Jeonju Train Station (at your own expense). A train ticket to Gurye, the gateway to the wild landscapes of Jirisan National Park, will be arranged in advance. On arrival, meet your guide and driver and head straight into the mountains to Hwaeomsa Temple, one of Korea’s oldest and most important Buddhist temples. Founded in the 6th century, it sits among forested slopes and stone pagodas, creating a calm and reflective setting that has drawn monks here for centuries.

Nearby, visit Ssangsanjae Heritage, a beautifully preserved 300-year-old hanok where a Joseon Dynasty scholar once lived. With its wooden halls, gardens and quiet courtyards, it offers a rare glimpse into Korea’s scholarly past and a moment of welcome tea in a peaceful setting. The journey then continues through Hadong, a region famous as the birthplace of Korean green tea. Tea fields roll across the hillsides, some cultivated for generations. Arrive at your hotel near Jirisan, where the evening is free to relax and enjoy the surrounding scenery. (B)

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Today, travel by private vehicle from Hadong to Suncheon for a day that blends culture, nature and history. Your first stop is the Suncheon Open Film Set, where entire streets from the 1950s to the 1990s have been recreated and used in countless Korean films and dramas. Walking through these sets feels like stepping into another era of modern Korean life. From here, head to Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve, one of the country’s most important nature areas and a UNESCO-listed Ramsar site. Elevated boardwalks lead you through vast reed fields and tidal flats, home to migratory birds and wide open coastal views. Lunch is enjoyed at a local restaurant serving regional specialities.

The afternoon continues at Naganeupseong Folk Village, a rare walled village where traditional homes and stone ramparts reveal what rural life was like during the Joseon Dynasty. Then travel to Seonamsa Temple, reached by a gentle forest walk along streams and tall trees. This 6th-century temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its quiet courtyards, historic pagodas and deep connection to Korean Buddhist practice. Later, continue to Gwangju, where the evening is free to relax and settle into the city. (B,L)

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Meet your guide in the hotel lobby to begin your day of exploration. Start at the Boseong Green Tea Plantation, where you’ll stroll through lush hillsides of tea fields, learning about Korea’s rich tea culture. Enjoy a sample of the fresh green tea or a scoop of popular Green Tea Ice Cream. After a seaside lunch at Yulpo Beach, continue to Gwangju. Visit the Sajik Tower Observatory for sweeping views of the city, then explore the historic missionary houses in Yangnim-dong. End the day at Jeonil Building 245, a poignant site for Gwangju’s democratic history. (B,L)

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Today is spent discovering the story, landscapes and spirit of Gwangju by private vehicle with your guide. Begin in Mudeungsan National Park, where a gentle forest walk leads to Jeungsimsa Temple, a peaceful mountain temple that has been a place of prayer and retreat for centuries. Surrounded by trees and granite peaks, it offers a calm introduction to the city’s spiritual side. On the way back down, stop at the Uijae Museum of Korean Art, whose hillside setting and thoughtful exhibitions link traditional and modern Korean creativity. Lunch is a classic hanjeongsik, a beautifully presented spread of rice, soup, vegetables and meats that reflects the depth of Korean food culture.

In the afternoon, visit the May 18th National Cemetery, a powerful memorial to the victims of the 1980 democratic uprising that shaped modern Korea. Nearby, the Asian Culture Center and Democracy Square reveal how Gwangju continues to celebrate freedom, culture and public life. The day ends with a stroll along lively Geumnam-ro, lined with shops and cafés that show the city’s everyday energy. (B,L)

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Meet your guide and start a scenic drive to Damyang Bamboo Forest (Juknokwon). Wander through the lush, tranquil bamboo pathways, immersing yourself in the serenity of nature. After the walk, enjoy a delicious lunch of local specialities, including bamboo rice, a Damyang signature dish. Next, visit the iconic Damyang Meta-Sequoia Road, a peaceful avenue lined with towering trees. Return to Gwangju and explore the Gwangju Museum of Art, where contemporary Korean art comes to life through inspiring exhibits. Spend the rest of the day leisurely discovering more of the city’s vibrant culture.

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After breakfast, meet your driver for a private transfer (without a guide) to Gwangju Songjeong Train Station. You’ll take a KTX train to Seoul, a comfortable and efficient journey that takes about two hours. Upon arrival, a private transfer will take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the city at your own pace. For suggestions, consider visiting Deoksugung Palace, a mix of traditional Korean and Western-style architecture, or the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Myeongdong offers great shopping, and a riverside walk or bike ride is ideal for unwinding. (B)

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After breakfast and check-out, transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK. (B)