A TASTE OF SOUTH KOREA

Day 1 Arrival in Seoul

Arrive in the vibrant capital of Seoul, where you'll be met by your private driver and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure - perhaps take a gentle stroll to get a feel for the city, or simply relax and recover from your journey on the hotel's serene garden terrace, or in the spa.

Overnight: Four Seasons Hotel Seoul

Day 2 Explore Seoul

This morning, meet your private driver and expert guide for a journey through Seoul's historic heart. Begin at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of the Joseon royal residences and a symbol of Korea's dynastic past. For lunch, head to Samcheongdong, an atmospheric neighbourhood known for its local restaurants and traditional ginseng chicken soup, with several spots recognised by the Michelin Guide.

Continue to Bukchon Hanok Village, where narrow lanes lined with centuries-old hanok houses offer an intriguing contrast the modern city. Nearby Insadong invites exploration with its mix of teahouses, galleries, and artisan boutiques. This evening, enjoy a classic Korean BBQ dinner at a local restaurant - the perfect finish to your first day of cultural and culinary explorations in Seoul.

Overnight: Four Seasons Hotel Seoul

Day 3 Discover Jeonju

This morning, take the high-speed KTX Bullet Train to Jeonju-si, a foodie and cultural heartland to the south of Seoul. One of the city's highlights is the Jeonju Hanok Village, where hundreds of beautifully preserved traditional Korean houses line narrow, stone-paved streets. Here, you can try on a hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) and wander among tea houses, craft workshops, and small museums. Your guide will also introduce you to the Gyeonggijeon Shrine, and the National Intangible Heritage Center, where traditional Korean music and dance come alive.

From a culinary perspective, Jeonju is the birthplace of bibimbap. This Korean rice-bowl made up of fresh vegetables, marinated beef, and a spicy gochujang sauce and is a rite passage for all visitors to Korea. The city is also home to dozens of makgeolli (Korean rice wine houses), street food vendors, and fusion cafes blending the traditional and the modern. At the end of the day's adventures, you'll return to Seoul by bullet train.

Overnight: Four Seasons Hotel Seoul

Day 4 Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

Today, travel north of Seoul with your guide to explore the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) - a powerful symbol of Korea's turbulent history and ongoing division. After clearing the military checkpoint, descend into the 'Third Tunnel', a narrow underground passage carved through bedrock by North Korea in a covert attempt to infiltrate the South.

Next, visit the Dora Observatory, where sweeping views stretch across the DMZ and into North Korea. On a clear day, you may glimpse distant North Korean mountains - and even the glint of a golden statue of Kim Il Sung on the horizon. Before returning to Seoul, pass through one of the last remaining civilian villages within the DMZ, where a nighttime curfew is operational to this day.

Overnight: Four Seasons Hotel Seoul

Day 5 Seoul food tour & cookery class

Your explorations of Seoul take on a more culinary theme today. Take a morning visit to the bustling Gwangjang Market, one of the best places in Seoul for traditional Korean street food. Wander the narrow corridors and experience the buzz of the market with vendors selling everything from kimchi, soy-marinated crab and knife cut noodles. The market's signature dish is a delicious mung-bean pancake, and many of the vendors here were featured on the Netflix series "Street Food: Asia".

The second part of your culinary tour guides you through the preparation of both North and South Korean dishes under the guidance of a renowned food stylist. Your chef is famous throughout Korea, and has worked on many historical Korean dramas, as well as preparing food for the K-Pop stars BTS.

Overnight: Four Seasons Hotel Seoul

Day 6 Gyeongju

Travel by bullet train to Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla dynasty which has the feel of a living museum. With your local guide, visit the Seokguram Grotto, a serene mountain sanctuary housing a magnificent seated Buddha surrounded by carved guardian figures. Continue to Bulguksa Temple, a masterpiece of Silla-era architecture, home to the exquisite Dabotap and Seokgatap pagodas.

Later, explore the Daereungwon Royal Tombs, where grass-covered burial mounds conceal the tombs of Silla royalty, offering a striking glimpse into Korea's dynastic past. At the end of your explorations of Gyenongju you will take a comfortable private transfer to Busan, South Korea's cosmopolitan second city.

Overnight: Park Hyatt Busan

Day 7 Bustling Busan

Explore Busan on a deeper level today, accompanied by an expert private guide. Begin at Gamcheon Cultural Village, one of the city's most distinctive enclaves. Originally settled by refugees during the Korean War, the village was revitalised by a community-led arts initiative that transformed its steep, narrow streets into a living gallery. Colourful murals, art installations, and a labyrinth of small cafés, studios and shops now wind through this layered neighbourhood - affectionately dubbed "The Santorini of Korea."

Descend into downtown Busan to explore BIFF Square, the lively heart of the city's cultural scene and namesake of the Busan International Film Festival. Brightly coloured umbrellas shade rows of street food vendors, while bronze handprints line the pavement in a nod to Korea's most celebrated actors and musicians. Conclude your tour at Jagalchi Fish Market, one of the oldest seafood markets in the country. Here, hundreds of vendors offer everything from live octopus to spiny crabs. Choose your catch and enjoy an ultra-fresh seafood lunch prepared on the spot.

Overnight: Park Hyatt Busan

Day 8 Free time in Busan

Today is free for you to further explore Busan independently. Perhaps start the day with a coffee and a morning stroll along Haeundae Beach, as local Busanites begin their day. You could follow this with a visit to Shinsegae Centum City, a vast department store with seven floors to browse as well an excellent basement food court. It is also home to a traditional Korean bathhouse with a variety of thermal pools, steam rooms and saunas. If you happen to be in Busan on a Saturday, be sure to head over to Gwangalli Bay in time for the spectacular weekly drone show. We can arrange a private cruise of the bay so that you can experience this in style.

Overnight: Park Hyatt Busan

Day 9 Return to Seoul

Bid farewell to Busan today and take the journey back to Seoul by bullet train, with the afternoon free to explore the city for a final time. Perhaps head to Myeongdong, one of the city's liveliest shopping districts. K-beauty enthusiasts will find an endless array of outlets set amongst an array of themed cafés. Myeongdong is also a street food paradise where you can stroll from stall to stall, sampling delicious regional specialities under the colourful neon lights.

Overnight: Four Seasons Hotel Seoul

Day 10 Depart

Today you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight home.

Overnight: Home