Day 1 - Tuesday, September 08: Flight from Toronto to Seoul
Afternoon departure on Air Canada’s non-stop flight from Toronto to Seoul,
Korea.
Day 2 - Wednesday, September 09: Arrival in Seoul
Arrival in Seoul around 5PM local time, and immediate transfer to the
first-class/four-star Koreana Hotel or similar. Welcome pork BBQ dinner in a typical restaurant.
Day 3 - Thursday, September 10: Touring Seoul
Sightseeing tour of the Korean capital, with highlights such as Cheongwadae or Blue House, the office and residence of the South Korean head of state; beautiful Gyeongbokgung Palace; Bukchon Hanok, a traditional village with restored traditional Korean houses, pavilion, and pond; and Insadong, a maze of alleys with art galleries and tea shops. Group lunch in a typical restaurant. Return to the hotel in late afternoon and rest of the day at leisure. Group dinner this evening.
Day 4 - Friday, September 11: Gongjiu
After breakfast, we board our private coach and motors to Gongjiu (or Jeonju), capital of the historically important Baekje Kingdom (18 BC to 660 AD); this entire region is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our visits here will include the Royal Tomb of King Muryeong, Gongsanseong Fortress, the Magoksa Temple, surrounded by a mountain and rivers curving a yin-yang shape, and Jeonju’s Hanok Village, a showcase of traditional Korean houses. Traditional Korean lunch in a typical
restaurant. Accommodation in the 4-star Lahan Hotel.
Distances and travel times:
Seoul-Gongju (approx. 136 kms); +/- 1 hr 30 mins.
Gongju- Jeonju (approx. 81kms); +/- 1 hour
Day 5 - Saturday, September 12: Yeosu
After breakfast, drive to Suncheon for visits to Naganeupseong folk village and fortress, illustrating the traditional architecture and lifestyle of Korea’s southern provinces, and Suncheonman Bay Wetland Reserve. Late afternoon arrival in Yeosu, one of the country's most picturesque seaports, located at the southern tip of the Korean peninsula. Dinner and overnight in the 4-star Hidden Bay Hotel. Today, lunch will be included as well as dinner in the hotel, to be followed by a leisurely tour of Yeosu’s scenic Odongdo Island.
Distances and travel times:
Jeonju – Suncheon (approx.. 119 kms); +/- 1 hr 20 mins
Suncheon – Yeosu (approx.. 40 kms); +/- 30 mins.
Day 6 - Sunday, September 13: Jinju
After breakfast, we enjoy a ride on Yeosu Cable Car, with great views of the
city, the coast, and the neighbouring islands! Then we leave Yeosu and motor to Jinju for lunch, followed by a visit to Jinjuseong Fortress, a historic site associated with a
Japanese invasion in the late 16 th century. On to Busan, South Korea’s second largest city, tucked between the mountains and the sea and proclaimed as “the No. 1 travel destination in Asia” for the year 2018 by Lonely Planet; the city has it all: a subtropical climate, beaches, hot springs, Buddhist temples, and fine cuisine,
especially seafood! (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-asia) Early arrival at our hotel, Felix by STX.Dinner in the hotel.
Distances and travel times:
Yeosu – Jinju (approx. 80 kms); +/- 1 hr.
Jinju – Busan (approx. 105 kms) +/- 1 hr.
View from the Hyangiram hermitage >
Day 7 - Monday, September 14: Busan
A day of leisurely sightseeing in beautiful Busan, with sights such as Gamcheon Cultural Village, and the Jagalchi Fish Market, Napodong Street and Kukje Market, Busan Tower, and Igidae Park with its coastal walking path. We will break for another traditional lunch in a typical restaurant. Return to the hotel in late afternoon.
Day 8 - Tuesday, September 15: Busan
This morning we continue our local sightseeing program with a visit
to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, the world’s only UN cemetery, with the tombs of soldiers from 16 countries killed during the Korean War of 1950-1953, followed by time to explore (and shop!) in Shinsegae Centum City, the world’s largest shopping complex! Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 9 - Wednesday, September 16:
Departure after breakfast. We visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a very popular Buddhist sanctuary situated along the shoreline, then motor north to Gyeongju. capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla, which ruled most of the Korean Peninsula from the 7 th to the 9 th centuries; this city is now known as “the museum without walls.” After a group lunch, visits to the major attractions, Gyeongju National Museum, with many treasures of the ancient Silla kingdom, of which Gyeongju was the capital, the
Daereungwon complex of royal tombs, scenic Anapji Pond, Late afternoon arrival at the Commodore Hotel fordinner and overnight.
Distances and travel times:
Busan – Gyeongju (approx. 92 kms) +/- 1 hr.
Day 10 - Thursday, September 17: UNESCO World Heritage Sites
After breakfast we visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, an unusual stone temple known as the Seokguram Grotto, and the Bulguksa Temple, also dating back to the Silla Kingdom era, followed by a visit to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Yandong Folk Village. Return to the hotel in late afternoon.
Day 11 - Friday, September 18: Andong
On to the city of Andong for lunch, followed by a visit to Andong Hahoe Folk Village, located in a bucolic setting on the banks of the Nakdong River and at the foot of Hwasan Mountain, and featuring picturesque houses belonging to families of the Ryu clan. In the afternoon we continue to Pyeongchang, home of the 2018 Winter Olympics, situated in the Taebaek Mountains region. Dinner and overnight in the Alpensia Holiday Inn.
Distances and travel times:
Gyeongju – Andong (approx. 140 kms) +/- 2 hrs.
Andong – Pyeongchang (approx. 135 kms); +/- 1 hr 45 mins.
Day 12 - Saturday, September 19: Gangneung
Afterbreakfast and a panoramic tour of Pyeongchang, we motor to Gangneung. a city on Korea’s east coast, to view the beach and check out the famous Jumunjin
Fish Market. On to Daepohang Port, famous for its fish restaurants, to another seaport, Sokcho, which was part of North-Korea until the end of the Korean War. Overnight in the Hotel Ramada Sokcho.
Day 13 - Sunday, September 20: Mt. Seoraksan National Park,
Morning exploration of Mt. Seoraksan National Park, including a ride to the top of Gwongeumseong Peak and a visit to Sinheungsa Temple, featuring a huge bronze Buddha statue. In the afternoon we head for Seoul, with a group lunch en route. Arrival in the capital, and dinner and overnight in Hotel Koreana.
Distances and travel times:
Sokcho – Seoul (approx. 160 kms); +/- 2 hrs 30 mins
Bronze Buddha at Sinheungsa Temple >
Day 14 - Monday, September 21: Seoul
Morning visit to the Korean Folk Village. After another group lunch, visit to
Changdeokgung Palace and Gwangjang Market one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in South Korea. Return to the hotel in late afternoon. There may also be an opportunity to visit the Seoul Sky Observatory (Seoul Tower), offering panoramic views of the city and its surroundings, on an optional basis.
Day 15 - Tuesday, September 22:
Full-day excursion to Panmunjeom, site of the armistice that ended (or did it?) the Korean War, with the Armistice Commission Building and the Joint Security Area, and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), including sights such as Dorasan Observatory, where one can peek into North Korea, and Dorasan Station, the northernmost stop on South Korea's railway line. A packed lunch will be included. Return to Seoul in the late afternoon.
Day 16 - Wednesday, September 23: Return flight to Toronto
Morning at leisure. After a final group lunch, transfer to the airport and departure on Air Canada’s non-stop flight to Toronto, departing around 5:25PM and – since we cross the
date line! - arriving the same day, around the same time.
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