Spring in Korea

Day 1: Seoul

Upon arrival, you will be met by your Sky Vacations ambassador and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, tour the Jogyesa Temple and N Seoul Tower. As the main temple as well as the district head temple of the Jogye order in Seoul, Jogyesa Temple is the center of Korean Buddhism. The temple was built in the late 14th century during the Goryeo period, but was completely destroyed in a fire and rebuilt in 1910. For the past 40 years, Namsan Seoul Tower has served as an iconic landmark of Korea and a representative tourist attraction, with the tower’s observatory offering an unobstructed view of the whole city. Return to the hotel for the night.

Day 2: Travel to Yeosu

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Suncheonman Bay National Garden, the first national garden in Korea and one of the five most famous coastal wetlands in the world. Created to preserve Suncheonman Bay, the massive park has a large variety of flora and fauna, including a gorgeous field of canola flowers, as well as a restaurant. Also see the Suncheonman Wetlands, which are home to various birds including hooded cranes. Next, make your way to Naganeupseong Folk Village, a lovely preserved fortress town, before checking in to your hotel in Yeosu.

Day 3: Yeosu

After breakfast at the hotel, start at the Dolsan Park and Bridge, which offers panoramic views of Yeosu’s coastline and has scenic trails to explore. Then board the Yeosu Maritime Cable Car, the first cable car in Korea to travel over the sea. Enjoy stunning aerial views of Odongdo Island and the port, and consider a glass-bottomed car for an extra-special experience. Take in the red camellia flowers on Odongdo Island before ending the day on a night cruise, sailing along the coastline while enjoying views of the bridge and skyline.

Day 4: Yeosu

After breakfast, visit Yi Sunsin Square which contains the history and achievements of General Yi Sunsin and sports a life-sized turtle ship for visitors to explore. Next, see Hyangiram Hermitage, a Buddhist hermitage, and see if you can pass all seven stone caves on the climb up to have a wish granted. End the day with a transfer to Busan.

Day 5: Busan

After breakfast, visit Gamcheon Culture Village, an adorable town set into foothills. Then take the coastal train Haeundae Blue Line Park to enjoy the beautiful ocean views of Haeundae Beach. See Jagalchi Fish Market, Korea’s largest seafood market, where you can find an incredible variety of fish. Finally, wander through Biff Square, the center of Korea’s film industry and home to several festivals throughout the year.

Day 6: Busan

After breakfast, head to Yonggungsa Temple, built in 1376 and uniquely situated along the shoreline. Take a stroll on the Oryukdo Skywalk, where the transparent floor offers incredible views of the waves and sea, as well as a place to spot Daemado Island on nice days. Wander through Taejongdae Park, famous for its rock beach and massive variety of trees, before riding the Songdo Sea Cable Car for views of the Songdo Beach, Busan Yeongdo and Nahmang Bridge, and more.

Day 7: Travel to Gyeongju

After breakfast, transfer to Gyeongju and see Tongdosa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Daereungwon, a group of ancient tombs connected by serene trails, and stop in Gyeongju National Museum to see various artifacts of the Silla dynasty. See the Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, a secondary palace of the Silla dynasty created in 674 and used for entertaining. The pond features three small islands and has been beautifully restored.

Day 8: Gyeongju

After breakfast, tour UNESCO World Heritage Site Seokguram Seokgul, a granite temple completed in 774 after 24 years of construction. Also visit Bulguksa Temple, known for its stone relics, and then see Cheomseongdae, an ancient observatory. The observatory consists of 365 stones, symbolizing the number of days in a year. The rocks are piled in 27 layers symbolizing the 27th ruler, Queen Seondeok, and the days in a lunar month by adding the of two rock layers on top.

Day 9: Seoul

After breakfast, transfer to Seoul and tour Gyongbok Palace (Northern Palace), built in 1395 and arguably the grandest of the five palaces in the area. Then see Changdeokgung Palace (Eastern Palace), which is beautifully preserved and holds a tree that is 300+ years old in the rear garden. Explore Bukchon Hanok Village, which is surrounded by the palaces and boasts hundreds of traditional ‘hanok’ houses. Finally, visit Insadong, the largest market of traditional Korean art and products. The market is made up of many small alleyways lined with shops selling anything from antiques to stationery to pottery to books, as well as a variety of restaurants offering traditional foods and teas.

Day 10: Departure

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward journey.