Best of South Korea
Experience the Best of South Korea, from Seoul’s royal palaces to Busan’s coastal charm, uncovering centuries of history, bold flavors and local traditions. Ride high-speed trains, taste street food at Gwangjang Market and sample traditional rice wine, or makgeolli, with an official registered makgeolli master. With every stop, you’ll get to know the true spirit of this dynamic country.
Dining Summary
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
- 2 Lunch (L)
- Andong: Join your host Jongbu Kim Do-Eun for an experience that celebrates Korea’s rich culinary heritage. Inspired by Soowoonjapbang, a Joseon-era cookbook passed down through generations, this home-hosted dinner brings traditional recipes to life. You'll enjoy authentic flavors and dishes that have been part of Korean culture for centuries.
- : This centuries-old performance mixes humor, history and tradition with bold masks and sharp satire. You’ll be right in the action, watching the stories unfold before meeting the performers for a private lesson - learning the moves and getting a real feel for this unique Korean tradition.
- Seoul: Step into the past at Gyeongbokgung Palace for the Changing of the Guard but this is no ordinary ceremony - it’s a full display of royal tradition, just as it was centuries ago in the days of the Joseon Dynasty. Expect guards in colorful uniforms, traditional weapons in hand, and the rhythmic beats of drums in a ceremony once held to protect the king.
- Seoul: Join a tasting tour through the buzzing Gwangjang Market, one of the capital’s oldest and liveliest street markets. Snack your way through crispy nokdujeon, bite-sized mayak gimbap, spicy tteokbokki, and of course, Korea’s iconic kimchi - this is street food at its best.
- Seoul: Step into history at the Korean Demilitarized Zone, one of the world’s most heavily guarded borders. A powerful experience offering you a rare glimpse into Korea’s divided past and hopes for the future.
- : Hahoe Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been home to the Ryu clan for over 600 years. Tucked into a bend of the Nakdong River, its thatched and tile-roofed houses sit beneath a 600-year-old tree, believed to protect the village. It’s a true step back into Korea’s past.
- Gyeongju: Discover the UNESCO-listed Bulguksa Temple, a masterpiece of Silla-era Buddhist architecture, home to intricate pagodas and national treasures. Nearby, see the Seokguram Grotto, where a 3.5-meter-tall granite Buddha has stood since 774 AD, regarded as one of the finest in the world.
- Busan: Glide above the coastline on the Skyline Park Sky Capsule, a colorful elevated railway with panoramic views over Busan’s waterfront. Sit back and watch the city and ocean unfold from this fun, retro-style ride.
- Busan: Explore the colorful streets of Gamcheon Cultural Village, where a once-forgotten hillside settlement has become a lively mix of murals, cafes and local art shops. Built by Korean War refugees in the 1950s, this vibrant neighborhood is now one of Busan’s most unique and creative spots to visit.
- Busan: Soar 86 meters above the sea on the Songdo Sea Cable Car, gliding from Songnim Park to Amnam Park with unbeatable views over Songdo Beach and the coastline. Sit back and enjoy a whole new perspective of Busan’s stunning waterfront.
- : A hands-on dining experience that’s as much about the atmosphere as it is the food. You’ll sizzle up meats like bulgogi, galbi or pork belly right at the table, paired with a spread of banchan (side dishes) like kimchi and pickled vegetables. A favorite across South Korea and beyond, it’s a must-try meal that brings people together over bold flavors and good company.
- Busan: Meet Yoo Cheong-gil, the sixth-generation owner of Geumjeongsanseong Makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine, and the only officially recognized makgeolli master in South Korea. Step inside his brewery to learn about the centuries-old rice wine tradition, taste the difference from mass-produced versions, and hear why preserving this craft matters as he searches for the next generation to carry it forward. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
- Explore Seoul, Andong, Gyeongju and Busan
- Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insadong Street, Gwangjang Market, Changdeokgung Palace, the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Bongjeongsa Temple, Dosan Seowon Confucian Academy, Hahoe Village, Hahoe World Mask Museum, Seokguram Grotto, Bulguksa Temple, Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Donggung Palace, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Dongbaekseom Island, Gamcheon Cultural Village and Gukje Market
- See Gwanghwamun plaza, Woljeonggyo Bridge and The United Nations Memorial Cemetery
- Scenic Train Ride on the Skyline Park Sky Capsule
- Visit the Songdu Sea Cable Car
- Gyeongju: In Gyeongju, you’ll stay overnight at this award-winning hotel, a striking S-shaped architectural feat built using cutting-edge techniques. Designed by Hyundai Engineering & Construction, its 360-degree curved facade offers a unique view from every angle. A landmark of modern design, blending innovation with comfort in the heart of Gyeongju.
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
- Brews and Spirits
- Culinary and Cooking
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Your Bucket List Moments
You’ll tick off not-to-miss iconic sights, local culture and unmissable natural wonders – all handpicked, planned and vetted by our Travel Experts who carefully craft your tour behind the scenes. Unlock the best of every place you visit and learn secrets from our local friends along the way. Here are just a few of the hundreds of must-sees that are waiting for you.
Must-Sees To Local Secrets
You’ll enjoy that extra special treatment when you skip the lines at must-see sights and uncover secrets with your Local Specialist.
Stays With Stories
In addition to the extensive trusted accommodation partners, on many tours, you will find yourself overnighting in accommodations with stories as rich as the destinations you’re exploring. From an Irish castle steeped in history to a South African safari lodge, or a traditional Japanese Ryokan – you can truly experience it all.
Be My Guest
Welcome to your home away from home. Step into the lives of your hosts who open their homes, wineries, farms and more to share stories about their families, history and their communities, over good food and great hospitality. With one on every itinerary, Be My Guest ensures your journey is truly one-of-a-kind, wherever it takes you.
Everything Taken Care Of
With Trafalgar everything is planned, vetted, booked and organized before you start. And, when you’re on your tour, Your Travel Director and Driver team handle all your logistics, bookings, tickets, transport and more – so all you have to do is enjoy your vacation and the freedom of living in the moment.
Here’s a quick look at the travel essentials and experiences you'll enjoy.
- Travel Director and Driver team
- Nightly accommodation
- Stays with Stories experience*
- Daily breakfast**
- Many lunches and dinners
- Luxury coach transport***
- Entry to many must-see sights
- Be My Guest experience
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences
- Locally guided tours in many destinations
*Stays with Stories are available to you on selected tours
**On select days on some of our tours, we leave days free to follow your nose to the local bakery or diner to suit your tastes, preferences and budget.
*** On some tours in smaller destinations, on-board bathrooms and WiFi are not available on our coaches or mini coach fleets.
Your transport and Driver
You’ll travel from A to B in comfort and style, and without worrying about driving, parking, tolls and arguing over the satnav. Your luxury coach features reclining seats, panoramic windows to take in the views, WiFi, air-con, and on-board bathroom facilities, USB chargers and more* – kick back knowing your journey is as good as the destination.
Beyond your coach, you’ll really be able to take in the views on your journey. You could take a ferry through turquoise waters, past grottoes and along a unique coastline to the Isle of Capri, through New Zealand’s Milford Sound, or the Glacier Express Train ride along the Swiss Alps’ lakes and glaciers. You’ll capture incredible sights all from the comfort of your seat.
*On some tours in smaller destinations, on-board bathrooms and WiFi are not available on our coaches or mini coach fleets.
Complement your tour with Optional Experiences
Unlock even more with a selection of Optional Experiences available throughout your tour. These have been carefully curated to add that ‘extra something’ to your included sightseeing and one-of-a-kind experiences, at just-for-you Trafalgar prices. Selected by our team of experts and organised by your Travel Director while you’re on your tour, you’ll enjoy knowing the research has already been done for you.
Group travel tours - 300 Trips. 70 Countries. 7 Continents.
Trafalgar tours are the ultimate way to experience the world with like-minded travelers. From the historic canals of Venice to the sun-drenched shores of Hawaii, our group travel packages take care of every detail so you can relax and explore with complete ease. We take the worry out of travel, so from planning, to booking, to exploring the world with us, you can rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way.
Each of our group travel packages is perfectly planned so you can enjoy a blend of iconic and local experiences. Our group vacations are the classic Trafalgar experience that allows you to tour differently, with the world’s most loved and awarded travel brand.
Groups - For groups of 9 guests or more
Are you a group of 9 or more looking for the ultimate group trips package? Then you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a trip organizer or just looking for a group trip to enjoy with friends and family, with us you can look forward to a rich travel experience that combines exceptional service, great value, and ultimate ease. Choose from over 240 of our existing, award-winning group vacations, or design a custom trip bespoke to your group’s passions and interests.
- I am a group trip organizer
If you are a trip organizer for a corporate, sporting or affinity group, or a Travel Agent, our group trips are perfect for your needs. You can either choose from one of our existing tours, or design a custom tour around your group’s travel interests, knowing that you will still get to enjoy the same remarkable Trafalgar inclusions and world class experience.
- I am traveling with family and friends
Whether you’re a small a group of family and friends looking to get away with ultimate ease, or a larger group celebrating a special occasion like a destination wedding or milestone birthday, we have just the perfect trip. Choose from one of our existing tours and enjoy travel with like-minded travelers.
Family Tours & Travel Packages
Travel can be one of the most rewarding experiences a family can have together. Our family tours let you rediscover the joy of travel with the whole family and make memories that last well after you arrive home. From meeting a real-life cowboy in Montana, or spotting monkeys in Costa Rica, to experiencing life as a gladiator in Rome, the world is your playground with our family vacations.
Custom tours - For groups of 10 guests or more
You dream it, then we’ll create it. Our custom tours option is the perfect choice for groups of 10 guests or more seeking a tailored experience, while still offering complete flexibility and control over your budget, personalized travel itinerary and inclusions. Our specialist team can design a custom group travel experience perfectly suited to your group’s specific needs and interests.
Solo Travel Tours & Singles Vacations
Thinking of taking a solo trip? We make solo travel a breeze. With 24/7 support and everything taken care of by our team, you'll relax knowing you can travel with ease. Our singles vacations attract people from all over the world who are looking to share real travel experiences with like-minded people, so you’ll make new friends along the way in solo travel groups.
Tours for seniors
Discover the world with tours for seniors designed with comfort, culture, and connection in mind. Travel with like-minded explorers at a pace that suits you, experiencing enriching journeys filled with history, local stories, and breathtaking landscapes—all without the stress of planning. You might be looking for European travel tours for seniors, or going even further afield. Wherever your next adventure awaits, you’ll always unlock the best of your destination with Trafalgar.
Your Bucket List Moments
You’ll tick off not-to-miss iconic sights, local culture and unmissable natural wonders – all handpicked, planned and vetted by our Travel Experts who carefully craft your tour behind the scenes. Unlock the best of every place you visit and learn secrets from our local friends along the way. Here are just a few of the hundreds of must-sees that are waiting for you.
Must-Sees To Local Secrets
You’ll enjoy that extra special treatment when you skip the lines at must-see sights and uncover secrets with your Local Specialist.
Stays With Stories
In addition to the extensive trusted accommodation partners, on many tours, you will find yourself overnighting in accommodations with stories as rich as the destinations you’re exploring. From an Irish castle steeped in history to a South African safari lodge, or a traditional Japanese Ryokan – you can truly experience it all.
Be My Guest
Welcome to your home away from home. Step into the lives of your hosts who open their homes, wineries, farms and more to share stories about their families, history and their communities, over good food and great hospitality. With one on every itinerary, Be My Guest ensures your journey is truly one-of-a-kind, wherever it takes you.
Everything Taken Care Of
With Trafalgar everything is planned, vetted, booked and organized before you start. And, when you’re on your tour, Your Travel Director and Driver team handle all your logistics, bookings, tickets, transport and more – so all you have to do is enjoy your vacation and the freedom of living in the moment.
Here’s a quick look at the travel essentials and experiences you'll enjoy.
- Travel Director and Driver team
- Nightly accommodation
- Stays with Stories experience*
- Daily breakfast**
- Many lunches and dinners
- Luxury coach transport***
- Entry to many must-see sights
- Be My Guest experience
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences
- Locally guided tours in many destinations
*Stays with Stories are available to you on selected tours
**On select days on some of our tours, we leave days free to follow your nose to the local bakery or diner to suit your tastes, preferences and budget.
*** On some tours in smaller destinations, on-board bathrooms and WiFi are not available on our coaches or mini coach fleets.
Your transport and Driver
You’ll travel from A to B in comfort and style, and without worrying about driving, parking, tolls and arguing over the satnav. Your luxury coach features reclining seats, panoramic windows to take in the views, WiFi, air-con, and on-board bathroom facilities, USB chargers and more* – kick back knowing your journey is as good as the destination.
Beyond your coach, you’ll really be able to take in the views on your journey. You could take a ferry through turquoise waters, past grottoes and along a unique coastline to the Isle of Capri, through New Zealand’s Milford Sound, or the Glacier Express Train ride along the Swiss Alps’ lakes and glaciers. You’ll capture incredible sights all from the comfort of your seat.
*On some tours in smaller destinations, on-board bathrooms and WiFi are not available on our coaches or mini coach fleets.
Complement your tour with Optional Experiences
Unlock even more with a selection of Optional Experiences available throughout your tour. These have been carefully curated to add that ‘extra something’ to your included sightseeing and one-of-a-kind experiences, at just-for-you Trafalgar prices. Selected by our team of experts and organised by your Travel Director while you’re on your tour, you’ll enjoy knowing the research has already been done for you.
Group travel tours - 300 Trips. 70 Countries. 7 Continents.
Trafalgar tours are the ultimate way to experience the world with like-minded travelers. From the historic canals of Venice to the sun-drenched shores of Hawaii, our group travel packages take care of every detail so you can relax and explore with complete ease. We take the worry out of travel, so from planning, to booking, to exploring the world with us, you can rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way.
Each of our group travel packages is perfectly planned so you can enjoy a blend of iconic and local experiences. Our group vacations are the classic Trafalgar experience that allows you to tour differently, with the world’s most loved and awarded travel brand.
Groups - For groups of 9 guests or more
Are you a group of 9 or more looking for the ultimate group trips package? Then you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a trip organizer or just looking for a group trip to enjoy with friends and family, with us you can look forward to a rich travel experience that combines exceptional service, great value, and ultimate ease. Choose from over 240 of our existing, award-winning group vacations, or design a custom trip bespoke to your group’s passions and interests.
- I am a group trip organizer
If you are a trip organizer for a corporate, sporting or affinity group, or a Travel Agent, our group trips are perfect for your needs. You can either choose from one of our existing tours, or design a custom tour around your group’s travel interests, knowing that you will still get to enjoy the same remarkable Trafalgar inclusions and world class experience.
- I am traveling with family and friends
Whether you’re a small a group of family and friends looking to get away with ultimate ease, or a larger group celebrating a special occasion like a destination wedding or milestone birthday, we have just the perfect trip. Choose from one of our existing tours and enjoy travel with like-minded travelers.
Family Tours & Travel Packages
Travel can be one of the most rewarding experiences a family can have together. Our family tours let you rediscover the joy of travel with the whole family and make memories that last well after you arrive home. From meeting a real-life cowboy in Montana, or spotting monkeys in Costa Rica, to experiencing life as a gladiator in Rome, the world is your playground with our family vacations.
Custom tours - For groups of 10 guests or more
You dream it, then we’ll create it. Our custom tours option is the perfect choice for groups of 10 guests or more seeking a tailored experience, while still offering complete flexibility and control over your budget, personalized travel itinerary and inclusions. Our specialist team can design a custom group travel experience perfectly suited to your group’s specific needs and interests.
Solo Travel Tours & Singles Vacations
Thinking of taking a solo trip? We make solo travel a breeze. With 24/7 support and everything taken care of by our team, you'll relax knowing you can travel with ease. Our singles vacations attract people from all over the world who are looking to share real travel experiences with like-minded people, so you’ll make new friends along the way in solo travel groups.
Tours for seniors
Discover the world with tours for seniors designed with comfort, culture, and connection in mind. Travel with like-minded explorers at a pace that suits you, experiencing enriching journeys filled with history, local stories, and breathtaking landscapes—all without the stress of planning. You might be looking for European travel tours for seniors, or going even further afield. Wherever your next adventure awaits, you’ll always unlock the best of your destination with Trafalgar.
About Trafalgar
Get ready for a trip like no other. Since 1947, more than five million happy past guests have discovered our difference. You’ll see top destinations, iconic sites, and get treated to exclusive local experiences – all with our team taking care of all the details. You’ll also discover the ways WE MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®, and how your journey leaves a positive impact. Do good, feel good, and make memories that last a lifetime.
Your bucket list moments
You’ll tick off not-to-miss iconic sights, local culture and unmissable natural wonders – all handpicked, planned and vetted by our Travel Experts who carefully craft your tour behind the scenes. Unlock the best of every place you visit and learn secrets from our local friends along the way.
Make unforgettable memories
Connecting you to experiences you wouldn’t otherwise have is what we do best. On all our tours you’ll be invited to the homes and businesses of locals for an exclusive Be My Guest experience, as well as a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. And on many itineraries, you will be enjoying a Stays with Stories accommodation experience, in some of the world’s most interesting locations.
Travel with complete ease
With Trafalgar everything is planned, vetted, booked and organized before you start. And, when you’re on your tour, Your Travel Director and Driver team handle all your logistics, bookings, tickets, transport and more – so all you have to do is enjoy your vacation and the freedom of living in the moment.
About Trafalgar
Get ready for a trip like no other. Since 1947, more than five million happy past guests have discovered our difference. You’ll see top destinations, iconic sites, and get treated to exclusive local experiences – all with our team taking care of all the details. You’ll also discover the ways WE MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®, and how your journey leaves a positive impact. Do good, feel good, and make memories that last a lifetime.
Your bucket list moments
You’ll tick off not-to-miss iconic sights, local culture and unmissable natural wonders – all handpicked, planned and vetted by our Travel Experts who carefully craft your tour behind the scenes. Unlock the best of every place you visit and learn secrets from our local friends along the way.
Make unforgettable memories
Connecting you to experiences you wouldn’t otherwise have is what we do best. On all our tours you’ll be invited to the homes and businesses of locals for an exclusive Be My Guest experience, as well as a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. And on many itineraries, you will be enjoying a Stays with Stories accommodation experience, in some of the world’s most interesting locations.
Travel with complete ease
With Trafalgar everything is planned, vetted, booked and organized before you start. And, when you’re on your tour, Your Travel Director and Driver team handle all your logistics, bookings, tickets, transport and more – so all you have to do is enjoy your vacation and the freedom of living in the moment.
