Sunday, October 28 (Day 01)
HONOLULU TO SEOUL
Our tour commences this morning when we assemble at the Korean Airlines lobby #4 at the airport for baggage check-in procedures. We will depart Honolulu on a direct flight to Seoul, South Korea. A meal will be served on board the flight.
Monday, October 29 (Day 02)
ARRIVE SEOUL (D)
We’ll arrive at the Incheon International Airport in the late afternoon. After completing entry and customs formalities, we’ll transfer to check-in for two nights at a fabulous hotel in downtown Seoul, the capital and largest city in South Korea. Dinner will be provided for you at a local restaurant this evening before checking into the hotel.
Accommodations at SEOUL LOTTE HOTEL or similar
Tuesday, October 30 (Day 03)
SEOUL (B)(L)(D)
We’ll enjoy a full day of sightseeing in this exciting city, visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace - a royal palace and the grandest of the five palaces of the Joseon Dynasty. The National Folk Museum is located on the grounds of the palace and features replicas of historical objects illustrating the history of the traditional life of the Korean people. Standing high on Mt. Namsan in the heart of the city is Namsan Seoul Tower, the symbol of Seoul and the city’s most recognizable landmark. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the city from the observation deck at the top of the tower. A scene of the popular Korean drama “Beautiful Days” was filmed in the pavilion located adjacent to the tower. At the Kim Chi School, we’ll learn the art of making kim chi and enjoy the experience to make some of your own. You’ll also have the opportunity to wear the colorful hanbok (Korean traditional clothing) for a nice souvenir photo. This afternoon, we’ll enjoy a performance of “MISO”, a show filled with love accompanied by the proud and beautiful tradition of Korean dance and music.
Accommodations at SEOUL LOTTE HOTEL or similar
Wednesday, October 31 (Day 04)
SEOUL * NAMISEOM * MT. SEORAKSAN (B)(L)(D)
This morning, we’ll travel to Chuncheon, capital of Gangwon Province, located in a basin formed by the Soyang and Han Rivers. The area is noted for its small river islands and is where the resort island of Namiseom is located. We’ll visit this romantic island by ferry, best known as the filming location of the popular Korean drama “Winter Sonata”. Metasequoia Path is the scene where Jun-sang and Yu-jin held hands as they strolled through this scenic path lined with white birches and Korean white pines. Our journey continues on passing by majestic Mt. Seoraksan, Korea’s third highest mountain - often referred to as the ‘Alps of Asia’. The breathtaking scenic beauty of this mountain encompasses granite peaks, lush green valleys, dense forests and glorious waterfalls. The autumn colors in the area are considered the most beautiful in Korea. We will spend the night at a beautiful hotel in Sokcho, a coastal city in Gangwon Province, best-known as the gateway to Seoraksan National Park.
Accommodations at THE CLASS 300 HOTEL or similar
Thursday, November 1 (Day 05)
SOKCHO * SEORAKSAN NATIONAL PARK * GANGNEUNG (B)(L)(D)
We’ll proceed to the main entrance of Seoraksan National Park and ride a cable car to the top of scenic Mt. Seoraksan - the highest mountain in the Taebaek mountain range. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of the autumn colored leaves, valleys, and mountain streams as we climb to the top to view Kwonkeumsung Fortress, an area surrounding a wide stone site. The fortress is believed to have been named after two generals, Kwon and Gum, who built it in preparation for a war during the Silla period. We’ll continue on to visit the charming Abai Village, crossing a river on a hand drawn ferry called a gaetbae. This tiny village once served as scenery for the filming of the popular TV drama series “Autumn In My Heart”. We’ll continue south along the scenic coastline to overnight in Gangneung, best-known for its beautiful sunrise, clean white sand, and clear waters. This former fishing village has become a favorite beachside resort for tourists and locals alike.
Accommodations at GANGNEUNG HYUNDAI HOTEL or similar
Friday, November 2 (Day 06)
GANGNEUNG * GYEONGJU (B)(L)(D)
Early this morning, enjoy the view of the beautiful sunrise before we depart. We’ll travel south to Gyeongju, once the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom, designated by UNESCO as a major cultural site. A vast number of archaeological sites and cultural properties from the Silla period still remain in this historical city - often referred to as ‘the museum without walls’. Among one of the historical sites is Tumuli Park, featuring an extensive collection of royal Silla tombs, preserved to be those of kings and court officials. The dimension of these tombs vary in height and most of them are earthen and mound-shaped. During the excavation of one of the most notable is Cheonmachong (Heavenly Horse Tomb), the only one that we can enter for viewing. Appreciate the artifacts found inside, including a gold crown, gold & silver personal ornaments, horse fittings, weapons and more. At the Gyeongju National Museum, view displays of numerous precious relics of the Silla heritage, including magnificent gold crowns, pottery and Buddhist artifacts. Featured on the grounds of the museum is the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok, a massive bronze bell designated as the National Treasure of Korea No. 29. We will spend the night in the historical city of Gyeongju.
Accommodations at GYEONGJU HILTON HOTEL or similar
Saturday, November 3 (Day 07)
GYEONGJU * BUSAN * JEJU-ISLAND (B)(L)(D)
We’ll travel south to the beautiful port city of Busan and visit the exciting Jagalchi Fish Market to shop for some dried seafood products at discounted prices. Jagalchi Fish Market is located next to Nampo Port and is noted as Korea’s largest seafood market. We’ll continue on to the airport in Busan to check-in for our flight to Jeju-do, Korea’s largest island off the south coast, also known as the Island of the Gods. Jeju-do is often called samdado, the island of three abundances: rocks, wind and women. Two of the island’s symbols are the ‘dolharubang’ (stone grandfather) - a black lava statue of a kindly old man and ‘haenyeo’ - the island’s women divers. On arrival, we’ll embark on a brief sightseeing tour of this semi-tropical paradise, one of the top honeymoon destinations for Korean newlyweds. Enjoy a stroll through The Spirited Garden, also known as Bunjae Artpia (Bonsai Art Park), the only park in Korea specializing in bonsai cultivation. The garden is rich with elegant plants laid-out along the paths of the park, together with unique rocks and garden trees. After a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, we’ll check into our fabulous hotel to spend the next two nights. This evening, stroll through the gardens of the hotel with a romantic scene of Dutch windmills overlooking serene ponds, including the famous bench that was used for scenes in the filming for the popular Korean drama “All In”. Enjoy the rest of the evening trying your luck on the machines in the casino at the hotel.
Accommodations at JEJU LOTTE HOTEL or similar
Sunday, November 4 (Day 08)
JEJU ISLAND (B)(L)(D)
Enjoy the beautiful Jeju Island scenery as we embark on another full day of sightseeing. On the rocky shores of the island’s beaches, we’ll visit Seopjikoji, a picturesque site overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Its romantic atmosphere is well-known as a shooting location where scenes of the popular Korean drama “All In” were filmed. Located on the hillside stands the famous All In House, featuring displays of photos and memorabilia of some of the actors associated with several popular drama series. Jutting out on the eastern shores of the island is Sunrise Peak, a volcanic crater with vertical cliffs rising up from the shores - providing a spectacular view. This area is the first to greet the day’s new sun, thus earning the name of “Sunrise Peak”. We’ll continue on to visit The Park Southernland, a new drama site of Bae Yong Joon’s historical drama “Legend of Four Kings” before we return to the hotel.
Accommodations at the JEJU LOTTE HOTEL or similar
Monday, November 5 (Day 09)
JEJU ISLAND * GWANGJU * JEONJU * CHEONGJU (B)(L)(D)
This morning, we’ll transfer to the airport to check-in for our domestic flight to the city of Gwangju. On arrival, we’ll travel north passing by Naejangsan National Park, especially scenic during the autumn season with its beautiful fall foliage. We’ll continue on to the cultural city of Jeonju, noted for the traditional mulberry paper called hanji. Jeonju Hanji is made from specially-selected trees and water and carefully produced by Hanji masters. At the Hanji Asiart Museum, we’ll have an opportunity to participate in the paper making process - making your own paper as a souvenir. This traditional paper is used in calligraphy and also to make umbrellas, fans, and other items. Jeonju is also well-known for its culinary dish - bibimbap (a bowl of rice topped with meat and vegetables). We’ll continue on to spend the night in Cheongju, the capital city of Chungcheongbuk-do province.
Accommodations at CHEONGJU RAMADA HOTEL or similar
Tuesday, November 6 (Day 10)
CHEONGJU * SEOUL (B)(L)(D)
Our journey continues on to the exciting cosmopolitan city of Seoul. En route, we’ll visit the Korean Folk Village, an open-air folk museum where the customs and lifestyles of past generations have been preserved. Observe potters, weavers, blacksmiths and other artisans practice their handicraft skills in traditional fashion. Enjoy the folk music, acrobatic and traditional dance performances. We may even have an opportunity to watch a dramatic performance of a traditional Korean wedding ceremony. At the marketplace, experience some of the exotic flavors of Korean food from the various vendors offering their specialties. We’ll visit Suwon KBS Drama Center, the famous television and movie filming center. Many scenes of the popular soap operas and historical drama series are filmed in the indoor and outdoor sets at this production center. This afternoon, enjoy a performance of “NANTA”, a non-verbal performance of free rhythmical movements that dramatize customary Korean percussions in a unique comedy stage show. The show is about four capricious cooks who storm into a kitchen to prepare for a wedding banquet using all kinds of kitchen items - pots, pans, dishes, knives, chopping boards, brooms and even each other, turning themselves into percussion instruments. We’ll spend two exciting nights in Seoul.
Accommodations at SEOUL LOTTE HOTEL or similar
Wednesday, November 7 (Day 11)
SEOUL * DMZ * SEOUL (B)(L)(D)
This morning we’ll travel to one of the most fascinating places in the world, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Established after the end of the Korean War, the DMZ is a strip of land that cuts the Korean peninsula in half where North and South Korea both ceased military and offensive activities. We’ll visit The 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, discovered in 1978 and dug by North Korea. The tunnel was planned as a pathway for invasion to the South. Situated on top of Mt. Dora is the Dora Observatory - part of South Korea that is closest to the North. You can catch a rare glimpse of the reclusive North Korean state through binoculars or telescopic lenses. Located nearby is Dorasan Station - designed to be the station that will connect the railroads of the South and North one day in the future. The rest of the afternoon will be spent shopping at several of Seoul’s popular shopping districts. One of the most popular among local residents is Namdaemun Market, best-known as a shopper’s paradise. The main street is lined with sidewalk stalls offering a wide selection of merchandise at a fraction of the normal price. Have fun bargaining with the vendors for the best prices.
Accommodations at SEOUL LOTTE HOTEL or similar
Thursday, November 8 (Day 12)
SEOUL TO HONOLULU (B)
We’ll have some free time in the morning to stroll through Myeong Dong, Korea’s trendiest shopping district located within walking distance of our hotel. In the afternoon, we will transfer to the Incheon International Airport for our evening flight home to Honolulu, arriving in the morning on the same day due to the crossing of the International Date Lin