Get to know the capital of Korea with your dedicated Insider guide. Begin at Gyeongbok Palace, the primary palace of the Joseon dynasty, before continuing to the National Folk Museum – where you’ll learn about traditional Korean life, from birthdays to funeral rites and from schooling to clothing. Later, a Korean liquor sommelier will introduce you to five regional drinks and the stories and traditions behind them, inside a beautifully preserved hanok, with time after to explore the narrow lanes of Bukchon Hanok Village.

On day two, you’ll explore more with your local Seoul Insider, visiting their favorite spots, they’ll share knowledge only a local would know, before heading out for an evening, Korean style.

First up, Korean barbecue. Perched on stools, sharing a grill, with delicious dipping sauces and seemingly endless banchan dishes, you’re in for a real feast. Sharing a meal is a key part of Korean culture, and your Insider will show you how to hold your chopsticks, and when to pour your neighbor’s drink.

Seoul is also known for its trendy bar culture and tonight, you’ll find out why. Your Insider will guide you to one of Seoul’s newest, trending bars, where you’ll meet your mixologist for the evening. Make your own cocktail before sitting back, sipping your creation, and taking in Seoul by night.

Board the KTX high‑speed train to the east coast, traveling luggage‑free thanks to the included forwarding service. Known as the “City of Pine”, Gangeung is the birthplace of Confucian scholar Yi I (Yulgok) and his mother Shin Saimdang, a renowned artist and poet. Today, Koreans come to Gangneung for modern art, sweeping beaches, and a generally slower, more relaxed break from Seoul.

Have lunch at Chodang Tofu Village, its signature dish is seawater tofu and spicy stew. Explore ARTE Museum, an immersive digital art space featuring 18 installations that range from floor‑to‑ceiling waterfalls to gigantic tigers prowling past. Your evening is free to explore as you choose, strolling along Anmok Beach, relaxing in coffee shops and perhaps stopping at a local seafood restaurant for dinner.

The next day you’ll visit Haslla Art World, a quirky creative space with contemporary artworks, a sculpture garden and a marionette collection overlooking the East Sea. Then, a distillery to learn about Korea’s most iconic drink – soju. Crafted here since 1926 using the spring waters of the Daegwallyeong mountain pass. You’ll get to try several soju varieties and soju‑based cocktails (with non‑alcoholic options available), paired with Gangneung anju snacks.

Zip down the east coast by KTX high‑speed train to Gyeongju, the heart of Korea’s ancient history, known affectionately by locals as “the museum without walls”. On arrival, meet your local guide for a visit of Bulguksa Temple and the Gyeongju National Museum, home to some of the country’s most important cultural treasures – the 8th century Emile Bell, golden crowns and Buddhist artifacts excavated from the city’s tombs. In the evening, sit down for a traditional, fine-dining meal, set within a beautiful converted hanok. Recipes have been perfected and passed down through twelve generations. Revisit the central historical sites by night, softly illuminated after dark.

Spend the morning exploring the Daereungwon Tomb Complex in Gyeongju, including the famous Cheonmachong, or “Tomb of the Heavenly Horse.

From here, travel by private coach to Sayuwon Gardens, a serene forest garden showcasing works by world‑renowned architects and artists, including Álvaro Siza, Seung H‑Sang and Choi Wook. More than a place to admire nature, Sayuwon invites you to slow down, take in the art and architecture as part of the natural surroundings, and perhaps stop for break on a bench under the quince trees. You’ll have lunch at the gardens, followed by tea accompanied by a live gayageum performance – a traditional stringed instrument. You’ll continue on to Busan for check‑in.

Busan is a coastal city with attitude: pocket-sized neighborhoods, beachside bars and enough energy to make it South Korea’s go-to weekend escape.

You’ll visit Busan’s seaside temple, Haedong Yonggungsa. Built in 1376, it’s considered one of the most beautiful temples in South Korea, with forested mountain paths and a dramatic coastal view – spot turtle and Buddha statues along the way.

Back in central Busan a docent will lead you through F1963, a former wire factory transformed into an art and exhibition space. Visit the Hyundai Motorstudio, with free time to wander the exhibitions and bamboo gardens, where original factory elements have been repurposed into furniture and installations. . In the evening, you’ll be treated to the chef’s signature dinner at the Park Hyatt Dining Room, with sweeping views over Busan Bay and the city, lit up at night.

You’ll also have a full day to explore Busan at your own pace. You might head west to visit Gamcheon Culture Village and the Jagalchi Fish Market (the biggest in South Korea), take the Haeundae Beach Train along the coast, or simply relax by the sea, dipping into beachside bars and restaurants. Alternatively, unwind Korean‑style with a visit to Spa Land. Whatever you’re thinking, your Insider will offer their suggestions and help you make the most of your day.

Travel by private coach to Hwaeomsa Temple, a Buddhist site founded in the sixth century. Set among wooded hills and far from the crowds, Hwaeomsa offers a deeply peaceful atmosphere, and it’s Insider, Brett’s favorite Korean temple.

You’ll continue on to Sunchang to meet master potter Kwon Un‑Ju. With more than 35 years devoted to the ceramic arts, his work reflects the depth and refinement of Korean ceramic culture, blending traditional techniques with contemporary design. Here, you’ll roll up your sleeves and throw down on the pottery wheel under the guidance of a true master, with time to explore his workshop and share tea together. Kwon is keen to welcome tourists to the area and dispel the myth that countryside folk are old-fashioned.

Once in Gwangju, you’ll explore the city’s modern political history and learning why it’s known as Korea’s “capital of democracy”. Visit the May 18 Memorial Park, dedicated to the Gwangju Uprising, before continuing to Yangnim‑dong History and Culture Village. The tour culminates ina visit to Penguin Village, once the site of a devastating fire, now a creative community space filled with repurposed art and local stories. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace – perhaps hopping between the city’s cafes, browsing vintage stores or trying craft beers at one of the breweries that have emerged in recent years. Your Insider will point you in the right direction, whatever you decide to do.

You’ll journey with your Insider into rural Yeongam today. You’d be forgiven for not recognizing the name. It doesn’t often make it on to tourist itineraries, but we think it’s one of the cultural cornerstones of rural Korea. At the base of Wolchulsan Mountain, you’ll meet one of Korea’s masters of natural dyeing for a hands‑on indigo experience. Working for over twenty years, Master Lee Hye‑sook is dedicated to preserving traditional dyeing techniques using plants grown on site. During the workshop, you’ll learn her time‑honored methods and techniques for creating intricate patterns.

We’ll have lunch at the center’s hanok cafe, where dishes are made using local ingredients and thoughtful, low‑waste practices. The center plays an important role in the local community, supporting residents and reducing environmental impact by avoiding chemical processes.

In nearby Gangjin you’ll visit the home of Korea’s first tea brand, Baegunokpancha. Still run by the Lee family generations on, its story is closely tied to Korea’s struggle for independence during years of occupation. Make fermented tea, wander through the surrounding tea fields, and finish with tea, served in a traditional hanok.

It’s back to Seoul, with time to unwind with an indulgent spa experience at Sulwhasoo Spa.

We’ve gone big for your final dinner, at Ryunique, a Michelin‑recognized restaurant in the heart of Gangnam. Led by chef Ryu Te‑hwan, Ryunique focuses on modern Korean cuisine rooted in classical techniques and locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Each beautifully presented course draws inspiration from an aspect of Korean culture, with thoughtful storytelling behind every dish.

Your final hotel is a real highlight: the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul. Overlooking the iconic Lotte World Tower and the peaceful waters of Seokchon Lake – it’s the perfect setting to reflect on your time in Korea.