Korea, Past & Present

Day 1: Arrival Welcome to Seoul.  Upon arrival you will be met by your Sky Vacations ambassador who will guide and assist you with transfer to your hotel. The balance of your day is at leisure to unwind. Overnight in Seoul. Day 2   Seoul – Buyeo – Jeonju                                                                                                              This morning depart for Buyeo, the last capital of Baekju Kingdom. On arrival visit The National Museum to see the 6th century tomb of King Muryong. Then we proceed to the most celebrated village of Jeonju, an important tourist center that is famous for its Korean foods and historic traditional buildings.  In May 2012, Jeonju was chosen as a Creative City for Gastronomy as part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network.  This honor recognizes the city’s traditional home cooking handed down through generations over thousands of years, its active public and private food research, its system for nurturing talented chefs, and its hosting of distinctive local food festivals Overnight in Jeonju Day 3   Jeonju – Gyeongju                                                                                                                      We first visit Hanji Museum (Korean Traditional Mulberry paper), As Korea’s first museum specializing in paper it has an extensive collection of 3,000 artifacts and a data-base documenting the long history and superiority of Hanji (Korean paper). You also get DIY experience to make Korean paper with wooden tools and bring it back home. We will take a tour to Hanok Village, the largest Korean Village with various traditional cultural facilities in the downtown area. Coming up next is a walking tour in Gyeonggijeon pavilion, the symbol of Jeonju’s Korean-style village.  Gyeong gi jeon is especially beautiful in the autumn.  Historical dramas and movies use the surrounding landscape as their background Jeonju is the birth place of Bibimbap (Rice with Vegetables & Meat).  In 2011, it was ranked 40th on the World’s 50 most delicious foods readers’ poll compiled by CNN Travel. We proceed to Gyeongju and visit Gyeongju Nat’l museum , downtown. Check into your hotel after dinner. Day 4   Gyeongju                                                                                                                                      Gyeongju, the century old historical Gyeongju City, the 1,000 year old Capital of the Shilla Dynasty.  The Gyeongju Historic Areas were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.  The protected areas encompass the ruins of temples and palaces, outdoor pagodas and statutory, and other cultural artifacts left by the Silla Kingdom.  The historic areas are also known as one of the largest outdoor museums in the world. We will start our city tour from Bulguksa temple, also known as “The Buddhist Country Temple”.  Alongside the neighboring Seokguram Grotto Hermitage, Bulguksa Temple was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.  Lastly, we will visit Daereungwon, also known as Tumuli Park which has more than 20 large and small tombs from the Silla Period. We also visit Chomsongdae Observatory, constructed as the lunar calendar and Tumuli park exhibiting the Royal tombs. Then, we visit Gyeongju Folk’s Hand Craft Village, Shilla acient Kiln for Celadon. Day 5   Gyeongju – Suwon                                                                                                                      Today, drive to Suwon,

• Suwon Hwaseong fortress and take small train to look around Fortress.
• Yungneung / Geolleung royal Tomb – UNESCO World Heritage

Yungneung is the joint tomb of King Jangjo (1735-1762) and Queen Heongyeong (1735-1815). King Jangjo was the father of King Jeongjo, the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty. Geolleung is the joint tomb of King Jeongjo (1752-1800), the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, and Queen Hyoui (1753-1821).  Day 6   Suwon – Seoul                                                                                                                             This morning, we transfer back to Seoul. A full day tour of Metropolitan city of Seoul includes the National Museum of Korea which displays rich and priceless artifacts from prehistoric Korea to the end of the Joseon Dynasty,. Gyeongbokgung Palace, passing by Blue House (Presidential Residence), the Nat’l folk museum of Korea, InSaDong (Antique cultural street), Jogyesa Temple,  Nat’l Ginseng outlet & Amethyst factory. Overnight in Seoul.  Day 7   Seoul – DMZ                                                                                                                                  The highlight of today’s tour is the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone).  *Note: Must bring passport for ID check. Located on each side of 38th parallel, this infamous border was established at the end of the war in 1953 at the signing Panmunjom’s armistice in order to separate North and South Korea. Upon arrival, proceed to passport security control followed by a short introduction at the United Nations’ camp. Visit Dora observatory and Dorasan railway station. Discover Imjingak Park with the Memorial, the Liberty Bridge and the bell of unification. Late morning, visit the 3rd tunnel dug into the rock at a depth of 73m and able of moving a full division per hour with their weapons. After that, we visit  InSaDong (Antique cultural street), one of the most memorable attractions in Seoul.  It represents the focal point of Korean traditional culture and crafts.  Stores in Insadong specialize in a wide variety of goods that can only be purchased or appreciated in Korea. Then we visit  Trick Eye museum at Hongdae Street. Day 8   Seoul – Departure                                                                                                                         After breakfast, we will enjoy last minute shopping near by hotel, one of the main shopping and tourism districts in Seoul.  If you haven’t found anything during our journey, this is the best place for you to purchase souvenirs.  In the evening, we will transfer to the airport for your onward journey.   

LOCATION	NUMBER OF NIGHTS	ACCOMMODATION
Seoul (Incheon)	1	Lotte City Myeongdong
Jeonju	1	Ramada Hotel Jeonju
Gyeongju	2	Swiss Rosen Hotel
Suwon	1	ibis Ambassador Suwon
Seoul	2	Lotte City Myeongdong

 

Prices are land only per person based on double occupancy. Restrictions apply. For our complete terms and conditions, click here.

Day 1: Arrival Welcome to Seoul.  Upon arrival you will be met by your Sky Vacations ambassador who will guide and assist you with transfer to your hotel. The balance of your day is at leisure to unwind. Overnight in Seoul. Day 2   Seoul – Buyeo – Jeonju                                                                                                              This morning depart for Buyeo, the last capital of Baekju Kingdom. On arrival visit The National Museum to see the 6th century tomb of King Muryong. Then we proceed to the most celebrated village of Jeonju, an important tourist center that is famous for its Korean foods and historic traditional buildings.  In May 2012, Jeonju was chosen as a Creative City for Gastronomy as part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network.  This honor recognizes the city’s traditional home cooking handed down through generations over thousands of years, its active public and private food research, its system for nurturing talented chefs, and its hosting of distinctive local food festivals Overnight in Jeonju Day 3   Jeonju – Gyeongju                                                                                                                      We first visit Hanji Museum (Korean Traditional Mulberry paper), As Korea’s first museum specializing in paper it has an extensive collection of 3,000 artifacts and a data-base documenting the long history and superiority of Hanji (Korean paper). You also get DIY experience to make Korean paper with wooden tools and bring it back home. We will take a tour to Hanok Village, the largest Korean Village with various traditional cultural facilities in the downtown area. Coming up next is a walking tour in Gyeonggijeon pavilion, the symbol of Jeonju’s Korean-style village.  Gyeong gi jeon is especially beautiful in the autumn.  Historical dramas and movies use the surrounding landscape as their background Jeonju is the birth place of Bibimbap (Rice with Vegetables & Meat).  In 2011, it was ranked 40th on the World’s 50 most delicious foods readers’ poll compiled by CNN Travel. We proceed to Gyeongju and visit Gyeongju Nat’l museum , downtown. Check into your hotel after dinner. Day 4   Gyeongju                                                                                                                                      Gyeongju, the century old historical Gyeongju City, the 1,000 year old Capital of the Shilla Dynasty.  The Gyeongju Historic Areas were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.  The protected areas encompass the ruins of temples and palaces, outdoor pagodas and statutory, and other cultural artifacts left by the Silla Kingdom.  The historic areas are also known as one of the largest outdoor museums in the world. We will start our city tour from Bulguksa temple, also known as “The Buddhist Country Temple”.  Alongside the neighboring Seokguram Grotto Hermitage, Bulguksa Temple was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.  Lastly, we will visit Daereungwon, also known as Tumuli Park which has more than 20 large and small tombs from the Silla Period. We also visit Chomsongdae Observatory, constructed as the lunar calendar and Tumuli park exhibiting the Royal tombs. Then, we visit Gyeongju Folk’s Hand Craft Village, Shilla acient Kiln for Celadon. Day 5   Gyeongju – Suwon                                                                                                                      Today, drive to Suwon,

• Suwon Hwaseong fortress and take small train to look around Fortress.
• Yungneung / Geolleung royal Tomb – UNESCO World Heritage

Yungneung is the joint tomb of King Jangjo (1735-1762) and Queen Heongyeong (1735-1815). King Jangjo was the father of King Jeongjo, the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty. Geolleung is the joint tomb of King Jeongjo (1752-1800), the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, and Queen Hyoui (1753-1821).  Day 6   Suwon – Seoul                                                                                                                             This morning, we transfer back to Seoul. A full day tour of Metropolitan city of Seoul includes the National Museum of Korea which displays rich and priceless artifacts from prehistoric Korea to the end of the Joseon Dynasty,. Gyeongbokgung Palace, passing by Blue House (Presidential Residence), the Nat’l folk museum of Korea, InSaDong (Antique cultural street), Jogyesa Temple,  Nat’l Ginseng outlet & Amethyst factory. Overnight in Seoul.  Day 7   Seoul – DMZ                                                                                                                                  The highlight of today’s tour is the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone).  *Note: Must bring passport for ID check. Located on each side of 38th parallel, this infamous border was established at the end of the war in 1953 at the signing Panmunjom’s armistice in order to separate North and South Korea. Upon arrival, proceed to passport security control followed by a short introduction at the United Nations’ camp. Visit Dora observatory and Dorasan railway station. Discover Imjingak Park with the Memorial, the Liberty Bridge and the bell of unification. Late morning, visit the 3rd tunnel dug into the rock at a depth of 73m and able of moving a full division per hour with their weapons. After that, we visit  InSaDong (Antique cultural street), one of the most memorable attractions in Seoul.  It represents the focal point of Korean traditional culture and crafts.  Stores in Insadong specialize in a wide variety of goods that can only be purchased or appreciated in Korea. Then we visit  Trick Eye museum at Hongdae Street. Day 8   Seoul – Departure                                                                                                                         After breakfast, we will enjoy last minute shopping near by hotel, one of the main shopping and tourism districts in Seoul.  If you haven’t found anything during our journey, this is the best place for you to purchase souvenirs.  In the evening, we will transfer to the airport for your onward journey. 

Prices are land only per person based on double occupancy. Restrictions apply. For our complete terms and conditions, click here.