Classic South Korea

A private, city-based trip to South Korea, staying in Seoul, on Jeju Island and in Busan, with your flights, domestic flights, hotels, private transfers and sightseeing all arranged.

You spend 6 nights in Seoul. Two days of touring take in Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, N Seoul Tower and a cruise on the Han River. From Seoul you also make day trips to Suwon for Hwaseong Fortress and the Korean Folk Village, to the DMZ and the War Memorial of Korea, and to Gongju and Buyeo, the old capitals of the Baekje kingdom.

Then fly to Jeju Island for 2 nights, seeing Sanbangsan, the Jusangjeolli lava cliffs, Seongeup Folk Village and the Seopjikoji headland. A second flight takes you to Busan for 3 nights, with Haeundae Beach, the seaside Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Jagalchi Market and Gamcheon Culture Village, plus a day trip to Gyeongju for Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto and Cheomseongdae Observatory. A short flight back to Seoul connects with your flight home.

Like all our trips, it’s easy to adjust: add nights where you’d like longer, upgrade your hotels or change the route to suit you.

Is this a private trip, and can I change it?

It’s a private trip built around your dates, not a group tour on fixed departures. Your sightseeing in Seoul, on Jeju Island and in Busan is private, and so are your day trips to Suwon, the DMZ, Gongju and Buyeo, and Gyeongju.

You can change anything: add nights, swap places, upgrade hotels or slow the pace, and we’ll reprice it for you.

When is the best time to go?

Spring and autumn are best. April and May are mild, with cherry blossom in late March or early April, and Jeju has yellow rapeseed fields in March and April. Late September to early November is dry and clear, with autumn colour in Seoul and Gyeongju from late October.

Summer is hot and humid, with a rainy season from late June through July, though it’s beach season in Busan and on Jeju. Typhoons in late summer can delay flights to and from Jeju. Winter is cold in Seoul but milder in Busan and on Jeju. Around Chuseok in September or October and Lunar New Year in January or February, flights and roads are busy, so we’ll plan around them.

Which airlines do you use?

We work with the main airlines flying to South Korea, including Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, Asiana and Finnair. Direct flights from London Heathrow to Seoul Incheon take around 14 hours, and Finnair flies via Helsinki, often with good fares.

The flight out is overnight, landing in Seoul the next day. The flight home is usually a daytime flight, landing in the UK the same day. We can also book connecting flights from regional UK airports, and you’re welcome to ask for a particular airline.

What are the hotels like?

We choose hotels for their location, comfort and character, from boutique city hotels to international chains. Rooms in Seoul and Busan are often compact, while hotels in smaller towns and national parks tend to be roomier but simpler.

Check-in is usually from 3pm, and hotels will keep your bags if you arrive earlier. If you’d like a night in a hanok, a traditional wooden house where you may sleep on a mattress on a heated floor, we can add one.

How do we get around?

You fly between Seoul, Jeju Island and Busan, and a private vehicle meets you at each airport. The flights are short, about an hour each. In Seoul, domestic flights usually use Gimpo Airport, which is closer to the city than Incheon.

Domestic flights can have a lower baggage allowance than your international flights, so check your quote before you pack. In Seoul and Busan the metro is quick, cheap and signed in English if you want to explore on your own.

Seoul

Buzzing, bold, and brilliantly multifaceted, Seoul is a city where ultra-modern skyscrapers and high-tech subways coexist with serene temples, ancient palaces, and quiet hanok villages.

Often described as the heartbeat of South Korea, Seoul is a place where centuries-old tradition and cutting-edge innovation merge seamlessly. Neon-lit districts like Gangnam and Hongdae pulse with energy, fashion, and music, while tranquil spots such as Bukchon Hanok Village and Gyeongbokgung Palace whisper stories of dynasties past.

Beyond its glittering skyline, Seoul is a cultural powerhouse—home to pioneering design, dynamic street food, vibrant K-pop culture, and an ever-evolving art and café scene that keeps it perpetually fresh and fascinating.

Jeju Island

Often called “Korea’s Island Paradise,” Jeju is a volcanic gem famed for its stunning natural beauty, unique culture, and relaxed island pace.

From the dramatic cliffs of Seongsan Ilchulbong and the mysterious lava tubes of Manjanggul Cave to the rolling green tea fields and cascading waterfalls inland, the island’s landscapes are breathtakingly diverse.

Jeju’s charming villages and towns offer a glimpse into local life, where traditional stone walls and thatched-roof houses sit alongside modern cafés, boutique shops, and lively seafood markets. Jeju City and Seogwipo provide hubs for exploring the island, with easy access to beaches, hiking trails, and cultural sites.

The island is also famous for its fresh seafood, tangerines, and unique local traditions, from Haenyeo women divers to vibrant local festivals, making Jeju a destination that blends nature, history, and contemporary island life.

DMZ (Demilitarised Zone)

The DMZ offers a rare glimpse into Korea’s complex history and tense geopolitical landscape, while also surprisingly revealing pockets of untouched nature.

Visitors can explore areas like Dora Observatory, the Third Infiltration Tunnel, and the Joint Security Area (JSA), gaining insight into the ongoing division between North and South Korea. Guided tours provide historical context and safe access to these heavily monitored zones.

Beyond the military significance, the DMZ is also an ecological haven, home to rare migratory birds and diverse wildlife that thrive in the largely untouched buffer zone. Visiting the DMZ is both an educational journey and a poignant reminder of Korea’s past, present, and hopes for the future.

View Itinerary in Detail

To view a sample holiday, click on one of the links below. This will open the itinerary up in a new window.

All of our South Korea Holidays are completely tailor made and we can put together any kind of itinerary to suit your interests and budget.

We have many other options so if you have a particular hotel in mind just let us know and we'll put together a price and itinerary for you.