Palaces and a tense border, a thousand year old capital with no walls, and a seaside city of fish markets and cliff top temples, Korea, old and new.
Into one of the world's great modern cities, where palaces sit under skyscrapers. After the flight we keep it easy, a first Korean BBQ, a wander through a night market, an early night for tomorrow's start.
Gyeongbokgung palace and the changing of the guard, the tiled roof hanok lanes of Bukchon, a turn through Insadong's tea houses and galleries, and, after dark, the food alleys of Gwangjang market, the city's best night out on a stool.
North to the Demilitarized Zone, the tense border with the North, the observation posts, an infiltration tunnel, the strange stillness of the world's last Cold War frontier. Back to the city for the youthful buzz of Hongdae or the towers of Gangnam.
A fast train south to Gyeongju, capital of the Silla kingdom for a thousand years and a UNESCO site spread across a whole valley. The grassy royal tomb mounds of Daereungwon, the ancient Cheomseongdae observatory, and the Anapji pond mirrored at night.
Bulguksa, the most beautiful temple in Korea, and the serene Seokguram Buddha gazing out to sea from his granite grotto, a 1,200 year old masterpiece. The folk village and the national museum fill a gentle afternoon.
On to Busan, Korea's salty, easy going second city on the southern coast. The kaleidoscope of the Gamcheon culture village tumbling down its hillside, and the cliff edge temple of Haedong Yonggungsa with the waves right below it.
The vast Jagalchi fish market, where you pick it and they cook it; the beaches of Haeundae and Gwangalli under the big lit bridge; and a steam and scrub at a jjimjilbang bathhouse to set you right.
Yours to wander, the Taejongdae cliffs and lighthouse, a ferry to a nearby island, the Songdo skywalk, or simply more of those markets. A last Korean feast, galbi and soju, to close it out.
A final harbour breakfast before your transfer to the airport. Korea moves fast and feeds you constantly, you leave a little wired, and already missing the food.
Three ways to do the same route: Comfort, Premium or Luxe. Breakfasts in. Mix tiers city by city if you like, it is your trip.
Priced to your dates, your hotel tier and how the two of you like to travel. Ask, the first answer usually lands within minutes.
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