The Best of South Korea

South Korea moves quickly between neon-lit cities, mountain temples and places where centuries-old traditions remain part of everyday life. This 12-night guided journey is for travellers who want to understand more than Seoul alone, following the route through Seoraksan, Andong, Gyeongju and Busan with local guides and free time along the way.

Highlights

Explore Seoul with a guide, from Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon’s traditional houses to the street markets and food stalls of the city centre.
Visit the Demilitarised Zone to learn about the division between North and South Korea and the history that continues to shape both countries.
Walk mountain trails in Seoraksan National Park, with waterfalls, forested valleys and a cable car leading towards an old mountain fortress.
Stay overnight in a traditional Korean house within Hahoe Folk Village, where tiled and thatched-roof homes have been preserved beside the Nakdong River.
See Gyeongju’s royal burial mounds and Bulguksa Temple, tracing the history of the ancient Silla kingdom.
Explore Busan’s coast by beach train, visit a temple built beside the sea and see the seafood stalls inside Jagalchi Market.
Make kimchi using a traditional recipe before returning to Seoul for a final evening overlooking the city.

Seoul

Seoul is a city where royal palaces, traditional neighbourhoods and glass towers sit within the same urban landscape. Browse the shops and cafés of Myeongdong, walk beside the restored Cheonggyecheon stream or cross the Han River for views back towards the city. An evening food tour also introduces dishes and market stops that can be difficult to find without local knowledge.

From Seoul to Seoraksan

Leaving the capital, the journey heads towards South Korea’s north-east coast and Seoraksan National Park. Granite peaks rise above deep valleys here, with walking routes ranging from forest paths to steeper mountain trails. The nearby Naksansa Temple adds a quieter coastal stop, with its Buddhist buildings overlooking the East Sea.

Andong and Gyeongju

Andong gives you a closer look at rural traditions through Hahoe Folk Village and a night in a hanok, a Korean house built around timber frames, courtyards and heated floors. The route then continues to Gyeongju, once the capital of the Silla kingdom, where royal tombs, temple complexes and historic remains are spread throughout the city.

Busan

Busan brings the journey to South Korea’s southern coast. Ride the small coastal train beside Haeundae, explore the stalls at Jagalchi Market and visit Haedong Yonggungsa, a Buddhist temple built on rocks above the sea. Free time gives you the option of staying near the beach or seeing more of the city’s restaurants and neighbourhoods.

Terms and Conditions

Return Premium Economy flights from Dublin to Seoul with SAS via Copenhagen, departing on 16-04-2027, with two checked bags per person. The 12-night Best of South Korea guided tour includes accommodation, internal transport, daily breakfast, one dinner at the traditional accommodation in Andong, entrance fees for all listed guided experiences, a portable Wi-Fi device and a pre-loaded T-money card for public transport. Full-day touring is included in Seoul, at the Demilitarised Zone, in Busan and Andong, along with guided experiences in Seoraksan, Gyeongju and Naksansa Temple. The trip also includes an evening Seoul food tour, a rice-wine-making experience and a kimchi-making class. The price is based on two passengers. Offer posted on 06-08-2026 and subject to availability and change.

12 nights from €8,810 per person

The Small Print

All bookings are subject to Travel Counsellors' standard booking conditions, copies of which are available on request. Travel Counsellors Ireland is licenced and bonded with the Irish Aviation Authority, licence number TA 621. We strongly recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking. Prices are per person based on the stated number of passengers sharing and are subject to availability at the time of booking.