Korea Holidays

Past and present collide at Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul N Tower, and Dongdaemun Fashion Tower. Coastal Busan mixes Haeundae Beach with Gamcheon Culture Village and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. Gyeongju leads to Bulguksa Temple, Donggung Palace, Woljeonggyo Bridge, and vibrant Hwangnidan-gil Street. Enjoy Incheon’s historic Chinatown, futuristic Songdo Central Park, and colourful Songwoldong Fairytale Village. Experience Deagu’s Donghwasa Temple on Palgongsan Mountain and Apsan Observatory’s cityscapes. And hit the pause button in Yuseong Hot Springs and explore the massive Hanbat Arboretum in Daejeon.

Bibimbap sums up Korean food – warm rice topped with garnishes and Gochujang – alongside Samgyeopsal. Typical meals comprise small plates arranged on a Sang dining table – beginning with rice and soup, followed by banchan side dishes and seafood, meat, and vegetable mains (and Kimchi of course). Visit a Gogi-jip to enjoy ssam leaf wraps with meat, vegetables, and ssamjang sauce. The perfect way to enjoy all these in one go is at a Korean barbecue – the fun of grilling meat and wrapping ssam with Doenjangjjigae and fried rice to finish. 

Korea’s history spans 4,000 years from the founding of the unique Hangul alphabet and the 500-year-old Confucian dynasty to the modern-day cultural phenomenon of the Korean Wave. Experience Gyeongju’s  ‘museum without walls’ at Tumuli Park and Cheomseongdae astronomical observatory. Witness Ulsan’s Bungudae petroglyphs of whales, animals, and people along the Daegokcheon Stream. And enjoy the contemporary cultural vibe at Seoul’s futuristic Dongdaemun Plaza, Gangnam’s book-filled Starfield Library, and the modern arts galleries, trendy tea houses, and multi-level Ssanziegli design complex along Jong-ro’s Insadong Cultural Street.

Climb Jeju Island’s Hallasan Mountain or trek Seoraksan National Park’s rocky peaks in Sokcho. Hike Bukhansan National Park’s granite domes, ride along the North Han River on the scenic Gangchon Rail Bike tracks, or follow the cliffside paths along Igidae Coastal Trail. Go surfing at Songjeon Beach, race carts down the Skyline Luge in Busan, or whizz along Nami Island’s Skyline Zipwire. While winter is all about skiing and snowboarding on Yongpyong and High1 alpine slopes and ice fishing on frozen Odaecheon Stream in Pyeongchang. 

Korea’s calendar is packed year-round. Gangwon’s Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival takes place in mid-January. Late March/early April sees Changwon’s amazing Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival. Seoul celebrates the Buddha’s Birthday in May with the Lotus Lantern Festival’s lantern parades and festivities. July brings the Boryeong Mud Festival to Daecheon Beach. The end of September leads to the Andong Mask Dance Festival; followed by October’s Jinju Namgang Lantern Festival. Early November sees the Busan Fireworks Festival’s laser shows and musical pyrotechnics over Gwangandaelli Bridge at Gwanganli Beach.

Gazing at the modern meets historic sites from the new Seoul City Hall Observatory. Touring the Dora Observatory, Bridge of Freedom, and Paju Imjingak Peace Gondola at Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Unwinding with a traditional jjimjilbang bathhouse and sauna experience across Korea. Sampling classic street food treats at Seoul’s Gwangjang Market or Jeong’s Nambu Traditional Market and Night Market. Enjoying K-pop culture on Seoul’s Hongdae Shopping Street and HiKR Ground and Gangnam’s K-Star Road. And capturing Jeju Island’s cherry blossoms and Nami Island’s red and orange autumn foliage.