Private transfer to your hotel: On arrival at Seoul Incheon International Airport, you will be welcomed to South Korea and transferred by road to your downtown hotel. This will be a journey of around 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on local traffic. Your transfer will be private but with a driver-only, who may speak limited English.

Accommodation: Hotel Gracery Seoul (Standard Room)

Full day private tour of Seoul: After departing your hotel begin with a walk along the Cheonggyecheon stream. Cheonggyecheon is an age-old canal in downtown Seoul that was filled with concrete in the 1960’s but reopened in 2005 in its original state. It is now an 11km-long public recreational space, complete with gardens, fountains, and walking trails. Continue on to City Hall stopping briefly at Tapgol Park, marking the spot of a huge popular uprising against the Japanese occupation in 1919. Follow on to Insa-dong antiques street – an area of artisanal shops and traditional teahouses in the heart of modern Seoul. Near the top of Insadong is the Jogyesa Temple – small and little-visited, but one of the most beautiful complexes in the city.

Jump on the subway and head down to Gwanghwamun – Seoul’s answer to the Mall, Pennsylvania Avenue, or Champs-Elysee. Here you can you see the towering statues of Korean heroes Admiral Yi Sun Shin and King Sejong, both of whom played a vital role in the Korean history. At the very top of Gwanghwamun lies the sprawling Gyeongbokkung Palace. The Palace was built by the Joseon Dynasty in 1394. For centuries, this immense complex was the centre of power, until deposed under the Japanese occupation. From the back gate of Gyeongbukgung you will catch a glimpse Cheongwadae, or the Blue House, Korea’s presidential palace. Today’s tour will be conducted on foot and by public transport (fees included) in the company of your English-speaking private guide.

Accommodation: Hotel Gracery Seoul (Standard Room)

Days at leisure: These days are yours at leisure to explore more of the city on an independent basis.

Accommodation: Hotel Gracery Seoul (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Own transfer to Seoul Station: Make your own way to Seoul station this morning - a 5-minute taxi journey or 10-minute walk from your hotel.

Train journey to Gangneung: From Seoul Station you will catch a KTX bullet train heading south to Gangneung. This will be a journey of approximately two hours. On arrival, make your own way to your hotel on public transport or by taking a taxi from the station (payable locally).

Full day tour of Gangneung: After breakfast you will be met by your guide and then taken on a guided tour of Gangneung and the surrounding area. There will be some flexibility on the day to what sites you visit to explore the city's beautiful coastline and rich culture. Sites of interest include the Anmok Coffee Street, a street lined with charming cafes offering ocean views, Ojukheon House, a preserved Joseon-era home, Haslla Art World, which features unique sculptures and installations with stunning sea backdrops, and Jumunjin beach for its connection with K-pop and Korean dramas.

Accommodation: Hong C Hotel (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Train journey to Gyeongju: Make your own way to the station this morning, and board the train to Gyeongju. The journey will take around three hours and involves a change of train in Dongdaegu or Singyeongju. On arrival in Gyeongju, you will be met by your guide and taken on a tour of Gyeongju's main sites.

Afternoon tour of Gyeongju: First you will visit the impressive Seokguram grotto – a huge man-made cave housing a 3.5m tall sitting Buddha and UNESCO World Heritage Site – before heading on to the beautiful Bulguksa temple complex. After the tour you will be transferred to your hotel to check in.

Accommodation: Hanok Stay Gyeongju (Standard Korean Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Day at leisure in Gyeongju: You have a full day at leisure in Gyeongju. You may choose to cram in some more of the cultural highlights, or in turn explore the rugged scenery which surrounds. The neighbouring Gyeongju National Park is ripe for exploration with numerous walking trails covering peaks, valleys, forests, and rocky outposts. Bikes can be hired locally and are also a good way to get around.

Accommodation: Hanok Stay Gyeongju (Standard Korean Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Own transfer to Sin-Gyeongju Station: At the appropriate time today make your own way to Singyeongju station this morning in time to take your onward train.

Train journey to Busan: From Singyeongju you will take the KTX high-speed train into Busan. This will be a journey of around 40 minutes. On arrival in Busan, you will be met by your guide and taken on a tour of the harder to reach sites in the city.

Afternoon tour of Busan: After checking in you will head out with your driver-guide to explore the area. First stop will be Haedong Yonggung Temple - among the 3 most sacred Buddhist sites in Korea. This complex is dramatically located amongst craggy cliffs looking out to sea. It is a picturesque and reverent spot which can be explored on foot for as long as you may wish. Continue to Gamcheon Culture Village, a former mountainside slum which students decided to brighten up in 2009.Today it’s a colourful mosaic of homes with a thriving art scene. You will then head back into the city, returning to your hotel via visits to the lively Gukje & Jagalchi markets.

Accommodation: Hound Garden&Terrace (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Day at leisure in Busan: Today you have a full day at leisure to explore this picturesque seaside city. If the weather is good, head to one of Busan’s beaches – both Haeundae and Gwangalli are among the most famous in the country. Note that the better the weather, the less space on the beach! Alternatively, you may prefer to use Busan’s efficient public transport system to explore the districts numerous temples and museums, or head downtown to negotiate the active local markets. A pleasant walk can also be had through the Gamcheon Art Village on the south edge of the city, a favela-like neighbourhood of multi-coloured houses clinging to the hillside, littered with graffiti and street art at every turn.

Accommodation: Hound Garden & Terrace (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Train journey to Seoul: At the appropriate time today make your own way to Busan station. At the station, you will board a highspeed KTX train back to Seoul. This cross-country journey will take just three hours. On arrival at Seoul Station, make your own way to your hotel, check in, and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Amanti Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast