Seoul & Silla Kingdoms

Home , Andong, Cheomseongdae, Gyeongju, Park (Korean surname)

TRIP NOTES

Seoul & Silla Kingdoms 6 days | Starts/Ends: Seoul

PRIVATE TOUR: Discover the • Breakfast daily Day 2 : Seoul sightseeing highlights of captivating South • Services of an English speaking guide/ Korea, the 'Land of the Morning driver for all scheduled sightseeing • Airport arrival and departure transfer on Calm'. Explore Seoul - the nation's days 1 and 6 vibrant capital city before heading • All transfers and tranportation in private south to see the sights of cultural air conditioned vehicles Andong and Gyeongju - the • Touring of Seoul, Andong and Gyeongju historical heart of the country. • Entrance fees to all included sites What's Not Included HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS • International flights and visa Enjoy a tour of Seoul’s most famous • Tipping - an entirely personal gesture landmarks today. After driving around Blue Trip Highlights House - the presidential residence of Korea, • Seoul - the nations captivating capital; visit the beautifully ornate Gyeongbokgung DETAILED ITINERARY Gyeongbokgung Palace, National Folk Palace which served as the main palace of Museum, Jogyesa Temple, Insadong Day 1 : Seoul Joseon Dynasty(1392-1910), the last dynasty Antique Alley, Cheonggycheon Stream of Korea. The palace has a turbulent history, Upon arrival at Incheon International Airport and Seoul Tower destroyed twice by the Japanese it has in Seoul you will be met by local tour guide • Andong - UNESCO World Heritage listed recently been restored to its former glory. and escorted to Seoul. As the nation’s capital Hahoe Folk Village and Andong Folk After exploring this beautiful site, proceed with over 500 years of history, Seoul serves as Museum to National Folk Museum located in grounds the political, economic and educational hub of • Gyeongju - former capital of the Silla of the palace, which provides a fascinating Korea. After check-in at hotel, the remainder Kingdom and historic heart of the nation; insight into the legacies of Korean culture and of the day is at your leisure. Gyeongju National Museum, Tumuli Park history. Overnight - Seoul and the Sill royal tombs, Anapji Pond, the ancient Cheomseongdae Observatory Next stop is the enchanting Buddhist temple • UNESCO Listed Seokguram Grotto - of Jogyesa, which is the headquarters of one of Asia's finest Buddhist shrines and the Jogye sect. Adjacent to the temple is Bulguksa Temple Insadong, a lively antique alley which is What's Included lined with art galleries, antique shops, crafts shops, pottery shops, traditional restaurants • 5 nights 3 star hotels (4 & 5 star upgrade and teahouses. Enjoy a leisurely walk available, please enquire) through Insadong and along the picturesque

Seoul & Silla Kingdoms - 6 days updated on 26-09-2021 07:37:53 www.onthegotours.com This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday. Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to UK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] this itinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa AUS 1300 855 684 [email protected] requirements are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours. NZ 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 - 1 - USA 1 866 606 2960 SA 0800 990 311 TRIP NOTES

Seoul & Silla Kingdoms

Cheonggycheon Stream which runs through Your afternoon tour of Gyeongju includes We recognise any vaccine that has been the heart of downtown Seoul before stopping visits to Gyeongju National Museum which is authorised for use in the country where at a local amethyst or ginseng shop for home to the 23ton Emille Bell cast in AD771 the vaccine was administered. This includes shopping. The final stop of today’s tour is the and numerous priceless treasures; Tumuli vaccines such as AstraZeneca, Covaxin, lofty Seoul Tower located on Mt.Namsa, which Park, with its collection of Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer- offers spectacular panoramic view of the city Silla royal tombs; Cheomseongdae BioNtech, Sinopharm, Sinovac and Sputnik. from its observatory. Observatory, one the world’s oldest Overnight - Seoul (B) astronomical observatories and the scenic In all instances, you must be fully immunised. Anapji Pond where the Silla royal family spent This means you must receive the full dosage Day 3 : Seoul to Andong their leisure time. of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow a minimum of 14 days before travelling in order for Overnight - Gyeongju (B) immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 Day 5 : Gyeongju vaccine has different dosages and timeframes for immunisation, so please check the related medical advice associated with your vaccine. Children under 18 years are not required to provide evidence of vaccination to travel at this time.

If you are unable to be vaccinated due Seoul - Andong. This morning travel to to medical reasons, you may apply for an Andong which is considered the spiritual exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on home of Korea as well as the cradle a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must of Korea’s cultural tradition. Enjoy an This morning visit two magnificent UNESCO provide supporting documentation from a afternoon tour of Andong which includes World Heritage Listed temples - Seokguram medical professional. the charming UNESCO Listed Hahoe Folk Grotto, one of the Asia’s finest Buddhist Proof of COVID-19 immunisation must Village, where approximately 130 traditional shrines, be provided to us no less than houses of varying size and standard have surrounded by Bodhisattva, disciples, devas 4 weeks prior to travel. We accept been immaculately preserved by the same and the guardian king; Bulguksa Temple COVID-19 digital certificates, NHS Covid families for generations. Also visit the which was built during the glorious period Pass or Vaccination Record Cards e- Andong Folk Museum which has several of Silla Kingdom. The architectural design mailed to [email protected] or you interesting exhibits relating mainly to Korea's of Bulguksa Temple is one of constrained can upload your vaccination history folk traditions, the ritual standards of dignity and peaceful harmony and the temple yourself via our traveller login. https:// Confucianism and folk plays. still remains one of the most remarkable www.onthegotours.com/Login Overnight - Andong (B) achievements of the ancient Far East. Depart for Seoul this afternoon and spend your final The information you will need to upload Day 4 : Gyeongju evening at leisure. includes: Administering national authority or Overnight - Seoul (B) government, document No, name of Vaccine, date/s of vaccination. Day 6 : Seoul After breakfast and hotel check out, transfer Visas to the airport for your flight home. UK, EU, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders do not require a visa KNOW BEFORE YOU GO to enter South Korea for touristic purposes for a stay of up to 90 days. South African passport COVID-19 Vaccination holders can obtain a visa upon arrival enter for Requirements a stay of up to 30 days. Andong - Gyeongju. Travel on to Gyeongju As of 01 November 2021 it is a condition of today. Serving as the capital of Silla Kingdom A full passport with two full blank pages and travel, as detailed in our Terms & Conditions from 57BC to 935AD, the entire city of at least 6 months validity beyond date of exit that all travellers over 18 years provide proof Gyeongju is a living museum containing the from South Korea upon entrance is essential. of COVID-19 vaccination. remnants of the Silla Kingdom as well as Please Note: Visa information is subject to relics pertaining to Buddhism, the national change. Contact your nearest South Korean religion at the time.

Seoul & Silla Kingdoms

Embassy for the most up to date information. a fake or a genuine item! Those shopping for Visa procurement remains the responsibility Voltage: 220v 60Hz. South Korean plugs arts, crafts, jewellery, antiques or souvenirs, of the passenger and not that of On The Go. are of the European variety with two round should head to the wonderful markets and prongs. If travelling to South Korea with a shops of Insa Dong. Health device that does not accept 220 volts at 60 It is recommended that you be vaccinated Hertz a voltage converter will be required. Shopping tip: You can claim 70-80% of your for Tetanus and Polio, if you haven't had paid VAT and SET (special excise tax) back a booster in the last ten years. Food and Food at certain retail outlets. For purchases of more than ₩30,000 at outlets with 'Tax Free waterborne diseases are more common, so Largely based on rice, noodles, tofu, Shopping' or 'Tax Refund Shopping' signs, we recommend vaccinations for Typhoid vegetables and meat, Korean cuisine is (valid 3 years) and Hepatitis A (validity you can collect your refund in cash at the delicious. Traditionally with main meals a tax refund counters at the airport, have it varies). There is a malarial risk in some quantity of side dishes are served known as mailed to you or sometimes refunded to your remote areas and from June to October banchan, the most popular of these being card. Participating retail shops will issue you Japanese encephalitis can be transmitted kimchi. Kimchi is a traditional fermented dish a 'VAT Refund Check' and you should get a from mosquitoes in rural areas, so do made with vegetables, typically cabbage, certificate stamp on it at the customs desk check the current situation and medical radish, onions or cucumbers and flavoured when you leave Korea. requirements before travelling. with salt, garlic, ginger, and gochujang – a Vaccination information can change regularly fermented chilli paste, it can have a very salty so please visit your local health care provider and spicy flavour. for the most up to date information. One of the best known Korean cuisine exports Tap water is safe to drink in South Korea is the Korean barbecue. This usually involves although it may be best to avoid this grilling of beef, pork or chicken. The grilled when staying for short periods. It's possible dishes are typically prepared at the diner’s to purchase bottled mineral water at a table on a gas or charcoal grill built into the reasonable price. centre of the table or on a portable grill if built in barbecues are not available. One of Avoid stomach upsets, by only eating the most popular dishes served is galbi, beef freshly prepared, well-cooked meat and fish. short ribs, often marinated in spices before Vegetables should be cooked and fruit grilling. In a specialised restaurant the diner peeled. will request from a menu the types of meat they would like, these are brought to the table Climate and the diner cooks them to their liking. For South Korea’s climate is typically temperate those diners that are new to Korean barbecue with four distinct seasons. Late March or early the waiter is always on hand to offer help, April signals the start of Spring when mostly though typically it is only ever foreigners that sunny days can be expected throughout need help. March and May. Summer can be rather hot and wet and by June the average temperature Shopping is 20°C, monsoonal rains can begin around Considered a shopper’s paradise, great deals the end of June lasting through to middle can be had in South Korea on shoes, clothes, or late September. After a typically humid leather goods, silk, antiques, handbags, summer continental winds move in bringing suitcases and so much more. Clothes can be dry and clear weather for autumn and making tailor-made and range in quality depending the month of October the most pleasant time on the amount of money you are willing to to visit. December to February signals the part with. Many department stores have fixed onset of winter which is cold and dry with prices but can still be bargained over within occasional snow. reason. The major open air markets such as Namdaemun or Dongdaemun in Seoul offer Time & Voltage everything imaginable from well known brand Time: South Korea is 9 hours ahead of GMT. names to near perfect rip offs and it is here During British Summer Time (end March - where the true haggling takes place, just be October), time is 8 hours ahead. sure you know whether you are haggling over