Essential South Korea

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Colossal and cutting-edge, Seoul is truly a city that never sleeps, with a sizzling nightlife that keeps pumping on well into the dawn. The town is home to a youth culture that drives global trends, and the sheer number of restaurants will make your head swim. During your first three days you’ll be able to nibble on fresh cuts of barbecued pork washed down green bottles of soju in the city’s Mapo district or lose yourself in the lights and bopping bars of Hongdae. And if you need to clear your head, Bukhansan National Park sits at the city’s doorstep, where a spiderweb of hiking paths will take you up out of the chaos, into a quieter world of pines, stone, and mountain breeze.

Highlights

• Head out for a night on the town in Mapo area, famous for Its Korean BBQ for some charcoal grilled pork, kimchi and a drink or two to live It up like the locals.
• Explore Hongdae -a buzzing university district with great nightlife, the latest In Korean fashion, and heaps of hipster bars and restaurants (optional).
• Pay a visit to Gyeongbokgung----Seoul’s most famous palace---and check out the fusion food in alleys of Seochon Village next door (optional).
• Leave the city behind and hike Bukhansan mountain, which sits inside a national park (optional).

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The ancient town of Gyeongju is home to much South Korea’s most prized cultural heritage, and a day spent strolling along its bucolic paths is a treasure of its own. After your whirlwind visit to Seoul, you'll fine that Gyeongju is the ideal spot to slow down. Immerse yourself in the placid grounds of Bulguksa Temple---one of the country’s most important Buddhist centers---or expand your knowledge at the Gyeongju National Museum, which houses artifacts dating back thousands of years. At night you’ll saunter among the town’s ancient sites, all of which are lit up in soft bright light, accenuating their beauty while also reminding us of the resilience of this age-old culture.

Highlights

• Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bulguksa Temple and then hike up the mountain to the Seokguram Grotto (optional).
• Visit Gyeongju National Museum, arguably the most famous of its kind in Korea (optional).
• Stroll through the evening illuminations of the Gyeongju historic hotspots (optional).

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With beaches galore, fresh seafood, and loads of sightseeing options, the once-tatty city of Busan has been transformed into a gleaming, 21st century metropolis. Begin your visit at Haeundae Beach---the city’s most famous stretch of sand---where you can relax in front of the waves or jump on the beach train up the rocky coast to the surfing center of Songjeong. Make sure to head down to the city’s old harbor district of Nampo-dong to get into some fresh seafood at Jagalchi Market, before taking the Songdo Air Cruise cable car over the water to scenic Amnam Park. When you’re ready for deep chill time, check into the Spaland and feel the world slip away as you soak your weary bones.

Highlights

• Ride the retro Haeundae beach train (optional).
• Take your pick of the seven beaches across the city, from surfing in Songjeong in the north to catching the sunset at Dadaepo in the south (optional).
• Take in the Busan night view from the Songdo Air Cruise cable car (optional).
• Seafood: try the famous fare at Jagalchi Market or chow down on the countless local dishes in Haeundae Street Food Market (optional).
• Visit Spaland for the ultimate Korean bathhouse (jjimjilbang) experience (optional).

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Invigorated and refreshed from your visit to Busan, the KTX high-speed train will deliver you back up to the capital in under three hours, where you can finish your Korean adventure with a final dive into the city’s ever-shifting scene. Do some shopping in the hopping streets of Myeongdong, marvel at the architectural wonder of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, or ride along the banks of the Han River on bikes rented at Yeouido Park. On your final day, make sure to hit one of the city’s many museums or art galleries, and for the cherry on the sundae, jump on a Han River Cruise, where you can watch the sun set behind the city’s sprawling skyline before going back in for one last round.

Highlights

• Check out the local hotspots such as Myeongdong, the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, or Yeouido Park.
• Visit one of Seoul’s extensive selection of museums and art galleries (optional).
• Take in the sunset on your final evening in Seoul as you cruise along the Han River.