Arrive in Seoul on suggested flights and make your way to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including travel insurance (a condition of travel), private hotel transfer, accommodation before or after the tour and a room category upgrade.

This morning, after breakfast, join your tour leader Ute Junker and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing at the hotel.

Afterwards, transfer to the National Museum of Korea for a private, guided tour of what is considered the largest museum in the country. The museum houses over 310,000 pieces of Korean art and history and offers an expansive chronological journey through Korea’s past, from the Paleolithic era to the end of the Joseon Dynasty in 1910.

After lunch at a local restaurant, embark on a coach orientation tour of Seoul. See the iconic City Hall, where a glass tsunami structure folds around the original modernist building, and Gyeongbokgung Palace, the complex which has housed Korea’s kings since 1395.

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure.

(BL)

Today, travel to Nami Island, a half-moon-shaped river island which was formed by the rising water of the Bukhan River as the result of the construction of Cheongpyeong Dam in 1944. Marvel at Metasequoia Tree Lane with its towering redwoods and see the golden gingko trees in their autumn colours.

Continue to the Garden of Morning Calm in Gapyeong, designed in 1996 by Professor Han San-kyung of Sahmyook University with the vision of promoting Korea’s interpretation of beauty through concepts of asymmetry and balance. This captivating arboretum spans 300,000 square metres and showcases 5,000 species of plants, including rare and endangered varieties. Scenic walkways, manicured grass and flower beds connect the garden’s twenty different themed sections – one of the most iconic being the Sukgeun Garden, shaped like the Korean peninsula as a symbol of the desire for reunification.

(BL)

Begin the day with a visit to the tranquil Chundangji Pond at Changgyeonggung Palace. Dating back to the Joseon Dynasty, the pond was originally used to grow rice before being reshaped in 1909 under Japanese rule. It was later renovated in 1986 to a traditional Korean style.

Continue to Changdeokgung Palace, built by King Taejong of the Joseon Dynasty in the early 15th century. This imposing royal palace consists of 13 buildings and 28 garden pavilions all designed to blend seamlessly with the hilly terrain, a hallmark of Korean palace design.

After some time for lunch at leisure, enjoy a stroll along the Namsan Sky Forest Trail, a barrier-free wooden deck path with panoramic views of Seoul, the Han River and Mount Gwanak.

This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

(BD)

Today, travel to the mountains of Wonju to visit Museum SAN, a structure reflecting the interaction of art and nature. Sitting atop a mountain, it was designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando with the intention to create a garden museum in the sky. Built in 2013, the museum features a flower garden, water garden, stone garden, meditation hall and sculptured outdoor spaces. The museum’s collection spans curated contemporary Korean art and paper works alongside five installations by James Turrell, known as the artist who “paints with light”.

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure.

(B)

This morning, discover Seoul Forest, a large eco-friendly urban park along the Han River. Originally a royal hunting forest, the park opened in June 2005 and features walking and biking paths, butterfly and insect gardens, cultural and art spaces, complemented by seasonal blooms.

Return to the hotel in the early afternoon and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to relax or to further explore Seoul at your own pace.

(B)

Depart Seoul and travel via the scenic countryside to Damyang. Explore the serene Juknokwon Bamboo Forest, known for its towering bamboo groves and peaceful walking trails.

Continue to the picturesque Soswaewon Garden, a private garden from the Joseon period built by Yang San-Bo between 1503 and 1557. Its design reflects the elegance and sophistication of traditional Korean aesthetics, with carefully manicured landscapes, picturesque pavilions and meandering pathways.

Arrive in Gwangju in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

(BD)

Today, travel to the Daehan Dawon tea plantation, South Korea’s largest green tea plantation. See the stunning green tiered hills covered in row after row of curvy, manicured tea bushes. Stroll along winding paths through lush fields, lined with towering cedar trees leading to an observatory with panoramic views of the hills and sea.

Continue to Gyeongju, the former capital of the Silla Kingdom, which ruled Korea from the first century BCE to the seventh century CE.

Check in to the hotel in the mid-afternoon and enjoy some time at leisure before dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

(BD)

Begin the day with a visit to the magnificent Bulguksa Temple, considered the pinnacle of Silla architecture. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the eighth century to represent paradise on Earth; it features harmonious wooden structures on stone terraces, intricately designed stone pagodas and grand halls.

After lunch, transfer to the Gyeongju National Museum for a private, guided tour of the vast collection of artefacts showcasing Korea’s rich heritage, including gold crowns, jewellery, pottery and Buddhist art found in Gyeongju’s royal tombs and historic sites.

This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before a visit to Donggung Palace, used by the crown prince of the Silla Kingdom, and Wolji Pond. The seventh-century palace and pond are lit up in the evening and make for a beautiful area to wander.

(BLD)

This morning, embark on a journey to Sayuwon Garden near Daegu. The space was built in an eco-friendly manner by renowned Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza along with landscape designers, masons and other architects from Korea and overseas to harmonise nature and art seamlessly. Enjoy some time to stroll through lush gardens, admire traditional architecture and soak in the tranquil ambience.

This evening, celebrate the conclusion of the tour with a special farewell dinner with Ute and fellow travellers at a nearby restaurant.

(BD)

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and depart Gyeongju for Seoul Incheon International Airport.

Tour arrangements conclude with a group transfer to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport for suggested afternoon flights to Australia and New Zealand. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including any additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

(B)