Thursday, April 5 (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, the capital of South Korea. A meal and a snack will be served on board the flight.
Friday, April 6 (Day 02)
ARRIVE SEOUL (D)
We’ll arrive at the Incheon International Airport in the late afternoon and after completing entry and customs formalities, we’ll transfer to our elegant hotel in Seoul to check-in for two nights. Dinner will be provided for you this evening at a local restaurant.
Accommodations at Seoul Lotte World Hotel or similar
Saturday, April 7 (Day 03)
SEOUL (B)(L)(D)
Enjoy a full-day of sightseeing, visiting some of the major attractions in this exciting city of Seoul. Standing high on Mt. Namsan in the heart of the city is N Seoul Tower, the symbol of Seoul and the city’s most recognizable landmark. We’ll ride a cable car to the top of the tower - providing a breathtaking view of the city from the observation deck. A scene from the encore Korean drama ‘Beautiful Days’ was filmed in the pavilion located adjacent to the tower. At the Kim Chi School, take a photo wearing the traditional and colorful hanbok (Korean style costumes) and we’ll observe the art of making kim chi - including the experience to make some of your own. Relive the memories of the historical drama Dae Jang Geum (Jewel in the Palace) at the open sets built for this popular drama series at the MBC Studio Theme Park located in the province of Gyeonggi-do. The village was erected to look exactly like the Chosun Dynasty buildings in the 15th century. Enjoy a performance of “JUMP”, a show that combines the traditional Korean martial arts with incredible gymnastic skills in a comical style.
Accommodations at Seoul Lotte World Hotel or similar
Sunday, April 8 (Day 04)
SEOUL - JEJU ISLAND (B)(L)(D)
This morning we’ll transfer to the Gimpo Airport for our domestic flight to Jeju-do, Korea’s largest island off the south coast. On arrival, we’ll embark on a brief sightseeing tour of this semi-tropical paradise - 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 who search for abalone, shellfish and sea urchins. We’ll make a photo stop at Yongduam Rock - an unusual lava formation shaped like a dragon’s head with its mouth wide-open and noted as a famous Jeju Island landmark. Enjoy a stroll through ‘The Spirited Garden’ - also known as Bunjae Artpia (Bonsai Art Park), the only park in Korea specializing in potted plant and bonsai cultivation. Thousands of plants are elegantly laid-out along the paths of the park together with rocks and other garden trees. We’ll check into our fabulous hotel to spend the next two nights. Stroll through the gardens of the hotel, providing a romantic atmosphere with Dutch windmills overlooking pools and gardens, including the famous bench that was used for scenes in the popular Korean drama “All In”.
Accommodations at Jeju Lotte Hotel or similar
Monday, April 9 (Day 05)
JEJU ISLAND (B)(L)(D)
On the eastern shores of Jeju Island, 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, you can visit the famous All In House, displaying various photos and memorabilia of Lee Byung Hun, the main actor of this drama series. Located at the foot of Mt. Halla, we’ll visit the Seongeup Folk Village, a village with preserved Korean tradition. Experience the residential culture of the friendly island villagers who still live here in Jeju-style thatched-roof houses made with stone and clay walls.
Accommodations at Jeju Lotte Hotel or similar
Tuesday, April 10 (Day 06)
JEJU ISLAND - JINHAE - BUSAN (B)(L)(D)
This morning, we’ll transfer to the airport to check-in for our flight to Busan, a beautiful port city and gateway to the Halleyo Maritime National Park. Busan is blessed with great geographical advantages: the sea to its south and east, the river to its west and the mountains soaring in the city like beautiful twin towers. On arrival we’ll proceed to Jinhae, a city developed as a naval base on Korea’s southern coast.. Weather permitting, Jinhae’s awe-inspiring scenery with its thousands of cherry trees in bloom is an outstanding sightseeing destination in the springtime. The Jinhae Gunhang (Naval Port) Cherry Blossom Festival is held here annually - one of the largest cherry blossom event in Korea. The festival also commemorates Korea’s famous Admiral Yi Sun Shin. We’ll return to the city of Busan and visit the Jagalchi Fish Market - the largest fish market in Southeast Asia located along the Busan Harbor to shop for some local dried seafood specialties at discounted prices. We’ll spend the night in Busan.
Accommodations at Busan Grand Hotel or similar
Wednesday, April 11 (Day 07)
BUSAN - GYEONGJU - DAEGU (B)(L)(D)
Our journey continues north to Gyeongju, once the capital city of the Silla Kingdom. A vast number of archaeological sites and cultural properties from the Silla period still remain in this historical city and is 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, presumed to be those of kings and court officials. The dimensions of the tombs vary in height and most of them are earthen and mound-shaped. During the excavation of one of the most famous - Cheonmachong (Heavenly Horse Tomb), numerous artifacts including a gold crown, gold and silver ornaments, horse fittings, and weapons were uncovered. One of the tombs will be open to the public for viewing and we’ll have an opportunity to see how these huge tombs were built and how various items were arranged in them. At the Gyeongju National Museum, precious relics of the Silla Kingdom are contained, including magnificent gold crowns and Buddhist artifacts. In front of the main building stands another famous symbol of the Silla people’s artistic and religious spirit - the bronze Divine Bell of King Seongdeok. We’ll continue on to spend the night in the city of Daegu. En route, we’ll visit the Wine Tunnel at the Cheongdo Gam Winery to observe the production of gamgrin (persimmon wine) - the world’s first premier persimmon wine made of ‘cheong do’ (a flat seedless persimmon). Experience bottling your very own persimmon wine to take home as a souvenir.
Accommodations at Daegu Interburgo Hotel or similar
Thursday, April 12 (Day 08)
DAEGU - JEONJU - CHEONGJU (B)(L)(D)
We’ll drive west to the cultural city of Jeonju, and on arrival, visit the Jeonju Hanji (Korean paper) Museum, Korea’s first museum specializing in paper. The museum has an extensive collection of artifacts and a data-base documenting the long history and superiority of Hanji. A guide will explain the history and procedure of traditional paper-making and craftsmanship through exhibits and displays. We’ll also have an opportunity to participate in the paper-making process with the help of a jijang (paper-making expert). Enjoy a stroll through the Jeonju Hanok Village - a traditional-style village located in the heart of the city with hundreds of traditional “hanok” style buildings, tea shops, restaurants, and souvenir shops. Jeonju is also well-known for its culinary dish - bibimbap (a bowl of rice mixed with meat and vegetables). There is an old saying, “don’t leave Jeonju without tasting it”. We’ll continue on to spend the night in the city of Cheongju.
Accommodations at Cheongju Ramada Hotel or similar
Friday, April 13 (Day 09)
CHEONGJU - SEOUL (B)(L)(D)
This morning we’ll visit Sangsoo Herb Land, the largest herb farm in Korea where you can see, feel, and taste everything about herbs. The farm is divided into a greenhouse and an outdoor garden composed of separate areas - each one specializing in a particular herb such as rosemary, thyme, and etc. A unique but delightful dish - Flower Rice Bowl (rice in a bowl garnished with flowers and herbs) will be served for our lunch. We’ll continue on to the exciting city of Seoul to spend the next three nights. En route, we’ll visit Everland - South Korea’s largest theme park in Yongin, featuring five main festivals and exciting entertainment all year around. Enjoy exploring five themed areas: Global Fair, American Adventure, Magic Land, European Adventure and Zootopia. One of the main attraction is to visit Safari World, the only safari where you can enjoy close-up views of rare white tigers, bears, and more on a shuttle bus that drives you through this fascinating adventure.
Accommodations at Seoul Hotel Lotte or similar
Saturday, April 14 (Day 10)
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, planned as a pathway for invasion to the South. Situated on top of Mt. Dora is the Dora Observatory - part of South Korea 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 connects the railroads of the South and North one day in the future. This afternoon, we’ll visit the Suwon KBS Drama Center, featuring state-of-the-art production facilities of their indoor and outdoor sets. Many scenes of popular soap operas and historical drama series were filmed here at this production center.
Accommodations at Seoul Hotel Lotte or similar
Sunday, April 15 (Day 11)
SEOUL (B)(L)(D)
We’ll visit Gyeongbokgung Palace - the most comprehensive and grandest of the five palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, including the National Folk Museum of Korea - the only national museum focusing on folklore with items and exhibits displaying the traditional way of life in Korea. The rest of the day will be provided for you to shop at Namdaemun Market - best known as a shopper’s paradise. Popular among local residents, the main street is lined with shops and sidewalk stalls offering a wide selection of merchandise at a fraction of the normal price. Have fun bargaining with the local vendors for the best prices here.
Accommodations at Seoul Hotel Lotte or similar
Monday, April 16 (Day 12)
SEOUL - HONOLULU (B)
After enjoying breakfast, the day is at your leisure for your own activities, or enjoy more shopping in the area until our departure to the airport. Take a stroll through Myeong-dong, Korea’s trendiest shopping area, located within walking distance of our hotel. A complimentary shuttle is available from the hotel to take you to Itaewon, another popular shopping area for bargain hunters. In the afternoon, we will transfer to the Incheon International Airport for our evening flight home, arriving Honolulu in the morning on the same day due to the crossing of the International Date Line. A late meal will be provided for you on board the flight.