Scenic South Korea Classic Tour │Physical Level 1
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Scenic South Korea Classic Tour │Physical Level 1 Seoul – Gwangju – Suncheon – Busan – Gyeongju – Mt Seorak With its complex history, soaring skyscrapers and centuries-old temples, this tour has something for everyone. From bustling cities to stunning countryside and UNESCO world heritage-listed national forests. It is a tour full of contrasts. • Explore modern Seoul • Discover picturesque Busan • Visit Mt Seorak National Park • Spend time in Gyeongju, ‘the museum without walls’ • Visit the DMZ Visit wendywutours.co.nz Call 0800 936 3998 to speak to a Reservations Consultant Scenic South Korea tour inclusions: ▪ Return international economy flights, taxes and current fuel surcharges (unless a land only option is selected) ▪ All accommodation ▪ All meals (From dinner on the day of arrival to breakfast on the last day) ▪ All sightseeing and entrance fees ▪ All transportation and transfers ▪ English speaking National Escort ▪ Specialist advice from our experienced travel consultants ▪ Comprehensive travel guides The only thing you may have to pay for are personal expenditure e.g. drinks, optional excursions or shows, insurance of any kind, tipping, early check in or late checkout and other items not specified on the itinerary. Classic Tours: See the classic sights in the company of expert guides so you can really understand the history and culture of the destination. On our classic tours we take care of everything, leaving you to sit back and enjoy the experience to the full. The tours are fully inclusive with all meals and a comprehensive touring programme. Physical Level 1: All our tours feature a physical rating to help you select the right holiday for you. To travel on any of our tours requires unaided mobility and the ability to stroll around the sights. ‘Scenic South Korea’ is rated as a physical level 1 tour. A reasonable level of fitness is required but it’s more about spending time on your feet rather than covering large distances. You’ll be getting on and off coaches and boats, walking around the sights and climbing some steps. ▪ On several days, there will be sightseeing on foot for extended periods of time, often involving steps or uneven ground ▪ You will be required to get on and off various sizes of boat without assistance Of course, our National Escort will always endeavour to provide the highest level of service and assistance; however, they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary. Visit wendywutours.co.nz Call 0800 936 3998 to speak to a Reservations Consultant Itinerary – Scenic South Korea Days 1: Arrive Seoul Upon arrival into Seoul, South Korea’s dynamic capital. On arrival you will be met by a driver and transfer to your hotel. In the evening, meet your guide and enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Please note: Early check in is not included. If your flight arrives in the morning and you wish to arrange this, please speak to your reservations consultant. Destination Information Seoul – Capital of South Korea, Seoul is a dynamic metropolis where modern skyscrapers, shopping malls and pop culture meet Buddhist temples, palaces and street markets. Seoul was the capital of Korea from 1394 until the formal division of the country in 1948. However, its history stretches back over two thousand years. The name itself has come to mean “capital” in the Korean language. Day 2: Seoul Take a full day tour of Seoul. Start by heading to Gyeongbok Palace to watch the Royal Palace Guard Changing Ceremony and visit the Palace itself. Explore the National Folk Museum before attending a Korean cooking class – making the traditional dish Bibimbap and enjoying your own cooking for lunch! Next, visit Insadong Antique Alley, where many antique stores, art galleries and secondhand book stores can be found, Jongmyo Royal Shrine, registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Finish the day at N Seoul Tower, where you can enjoy great panoramic views of the city. Destination Information Gyeongbok Palace – Built in 1395, Gyeongbok Palace was located at the heart of newly appointed capital of Seoul (then known as Hanyang) and was the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. The palace has been rebuilt after destruction several times, and today houses a couple of museums, ornamental gardens and some of Seoul's most outstanding architectural sights. National Folk Museum – The National Folk Museum is located within the grounds of the Gyeongbokgung Palace and displays the history of traditional life of the Korean people. Insadong Antique Alley – Insadong Street, stretching over 700 meters, offers rich opportunities for visitors to experience Korean traditional culture and arts. Stores here specialize in a wide variety of Korean goods, including hanbok (traditional clothing), hanji (traditional paper), traditional teas, pottery, and folk crafts. Jongmyo Royal Shrine - was a primary place of worship for kings throughout the Joseon Dynasty (1310-1910) and has been registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. N Seoul Tower – The N Seoul Tower, built in 1969, is a communication and observation tower located on Namsan Mountain. At 236 metres, it marks the second highest point in Seoul. Visit wendywutours.co.nz Call 0800 936 3998 to speak to a Reservations Consultant Day 3: Seoul – Damyang – Gwangju Journey around 3 and a half hours by coach to Damyang and stroll around Soswaewon Garden, a private garden where the beauty of traditional Korea is preserved. Visit a Bamboo Forest called Juknokwon, where you will stroll around parts of the forest for around 1 hour. Continue around 45 minutes to Gwangju and see the old town called Yangnim-dong Modern History Alley. Destination Information Soswaewon Garden – Soswaewon is a typical Korean garden from the Joseon Period, built between 1503 and 1557. The garden is a scenic spot with a mix of natural and artificial features that blend well together. Trees are planted on either side of a stream, and clear water flows down the foot of the garden walls. Juknokwon Bamboo Forest – Juknokwon is a bamboo forest featuring a beautiful waterfall, pavilion, walking paths and an eco-exhibition centre. Gwangju – Gwangju is Korea's sixth-largest city. It is often considered the birthplace of Korean democracy due to a pro-democracy uprising in 1980. Art flourishes in Gwangju thanks to a wealth of museums, exhibitions and festivals. Day 4: Gwangju – Boseong – Suncheon Transfer around 1 hour to Boseong and visit a green tea plantation, the best tea producing place in Korea. To enjoy the full view of the field, you will need to make a short walk up to the observation deck which involves climbing some steps. However, if you do not wish to make the walk up, you can also see the field from the bottom. A green tea or green tea ice cream taster is included in your visit. Proceed around 1 hour to Suncheon and visit Seonamsa Temple, famous for Korea’s most beautiful arched stone bridge. The walk from the bus to the temple is around 10- 15 minutes on a flat road. Also visit Nakaneupseong Fortress Village where you can observe the indigenous lifestyle of the southern area of Korea and try your hand at traditional handkerchief dyeing. Destination Information Tea Plantation – Boseong is known as the green tea capital of Korea and recognised for its great quality. Green tea has been produced in Boseong for the past 1600 years and the county is the largest tea-producing area in Korea. It is the surrounding climate and soil that provide good conditions for growing this unique green tea that has a distinct taste and aroma. Suncheon – Suncheon is a scenic agricultural city of around 280,000 people near Suncheon Bay. Seonamsa Temple – Seonamsa Temple, built in the 6th century, is a beautiful Buddhist temple located at the west end of Mt. Jogyesan. It is famous for South Korea’s most beautiful arched stone bridge. Visit wendywutours.co.nz Call 0800 936 3998 to speak to a Reservations Consultant Nakaneupseong Fortress Village – Naganeupseong is a historic village noted for its well-preserved cultural landscape and traditional lifestyle continued from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). It includes a fortress, government buildings and private houses. Currently 288 people live in 90 households. Many families have lived in the village for generations, keeping their traditional lifestyle. Day 5: Suncheon – Yeosu – Busan Transfer just under 1 hour to Yeosu and take a cable car, enjoying the beautiful ocean scenery and numerous islands of Yeosu. Visit Odongdo Island, where you can stroll around and enjoy the scenery. Continue around 2 and a half hours to to Busan, the largest port city in South Korea. During cherry blossom season only, a visit to Jinhae to enjoy the Cherry Blossom Festival is included en route to Busan. Destination Information Yeosu Cable Car – Yeosu Maritime Cable Car is the first of its kind in Korea, connecting Dolsan Island and the mainland over the ocean. Odongo Island – Odongo is a beautiful islet with over 70 species of wildflowers, a walkable breakwater and a lighthouse that offers beautiful views of the harbour. Busan – With over 3.6m people, Busan is South Korea's second largest city and the largest seaport. However, the city it is full of character and is known for its beaches, mountains and temples. Because Busan was not captured during the Korean War, it gives a glimpse of Korea before the 1950s in a way that other places don’t. Day 6: Busan - Gyeongju Take a tour of Busan, visiting Busan Tower, Kukje Market, Jagalchi Fish Market, one of the largest seafood markets in Asia, and the Oryukdo Skywalk, a 15-metre glass bridge set up over a 35-meter- high coastal cliff which you can walk over.