Discover South Korea

Marilyn Bergen   -  Traveled, March 2024

Wonderful trip to South Korea Trip of a lifetime to a fascinating country. We were toured thoughtfully through large cities, historic sites and gorgeous natural locations throughout Korea. Most Inspirational Moment Listening to the Buddhist monks drumming at the Temple Stay. Thoughts on Group Leader Michelle Kim is one of the best leaders I have ever had the pleasure of touring with over many tours I have joined. She was so good at bringing the group together, sharing her knowledge of Korea whether it was history, locations or food. Michelle went out of her way to ensure we had great experiences throughout the tour including arranging meals for us to attend taking into account everyone's input. Just an outstanding individual to lead a tour. Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for some rain, cool nights and managing stairs that may or may not have railings. Suggestions I think it would be helpful for us to have the contact information of our tour leader e.g. to contact via Whatsapp when we land if needed. My joining up with the group was clunky as I got different instructions from my local Canadian group then what had actually been arranged.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/21/2024

June Egglestone   -  Traveled, March 2024

Lovely country and great tour I really enjoyed my visit to South Korea, and the tour covered everything that I wanted to see. Most Inspirational Moment This tour coincided with the cherry blossom festival, and it was nice to walk round the lake at night with the trees lit up (in Gyeongju), and also in the morning after breakfast, with classical music being piped though speakers (I reckon that would be the same at any time of year, not just during cherry blossom season). Hainsa Templestay was also a nice experience. But it was all good! Thoughts on Group Leader Michelle Kim was a great guide. She managed the group well, and took those of us who wanted suggestions to a lot of really good local restaurants, that we probably wouldnt have used by ourselves, and we definitely tried a lot of different types of meals available in Korea (and at a better price than more tourist oriented venues). All information provided was interesting and useful. Advice for Potential Travellers I found the Naver app very useful for finding my way around Seoul. I spent several extra days in Seoul before and after, there was lots to see, and I wanted to do more hiking. I did a lot of walking around the mountains and city wall trails around Seoul, all well signposted, and well maintained toilets everywhere too. Recommend Ansan, Ingwansan and Naksan trails. In Seoul - National Museum of Korea is definitely worth a visit. Also in Seoul I would recommend the K-medi Center, not so much for the museum, which is mostly in Korean, but for the very cheap footbath and massage experiences. The whole country feels very safe, including Seoul, day and night. My only warning would be that, certainly when I was there (Spring), the air quality in Seoul wasnt great, so if you have any respiratory conditions, you may not want to spend extra time there. Anywhere outside of Seoul was fine for air quality. I heard good things about Jeju Island, so you may want to take a side trip there, as that is not on the itinerary. The temple stay is pretty comfortable and warm (twin rooms not dorms), so dont worry about that, and the getting up early is optional - I did it, and it was a nice experience. Couples are allowed to stay togther. Extra spending money - the trip notes suggestions are a bit on the high side for lunches and dinners, unless you are going to do the tourist set menus rather than the more local options.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/21/2024

Caroline Persaud   -  Traveled, March 2024

Excellent tour and guide A fantastic trip expertly lead by Michelle Kim Most Inspirational Moment A night at Haeinsa Temple Thoughts on Group Leader Michelle Kim was a fantastic guide. She introduced us to every aspect of her country. She was so generous with her time. Advice for Potential Travellers Book extra time in Seoul as there is lots to see. It is so safe, public transport is great and the people are so kind. Suggestions This is a great trip. The pace is easy and the hotels were all great. OK one was a but below par but it was just one night and a city without many options. As a vegan Korean food was a bit difficult but Michelle was always on hand and made sure staff understood my needs.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/27/2024

P R   -  Traveled, November 2023

Discover South Korea This is a varied trip around modern cities and ancient sites, giving an overview of this dynamic country. Twelve days is rather short, a couple of extra days would have allowed more time, for example, in Busan. Group travel arrangements via Frankfurt need more transfer time. Most Inspirational Moment The early morning ceremony in the Haeinsa Temple was a special experience. Thoughts on Group Leader A good tour leader makes or breaks a great trip. Although Park was kind, conscientious and shared a lot of information about Korea, we were her first Exodus group and in particular, her arrangements regarding eating options were confusing and, in some places, inadequate. Although some group meals were organised, she didn’t eat with us, had very limited knowledge of local restaurants, and there were several nights where we were left to our own devices. When you are tired and hungry, wandering around an unfamiliar city trying to find food when you can’t read or speak Korean is hard work. This was particularly true for the single travellers in the group. She managed to get us lost on several occasions, particularly on the way to the temple stay so that we arrived over an hour late. There was confusion about single rooms at Haeinsa Temple. Our tour leader thought that those who had booked a single room for the rest of the trip would have one at the temple. This was not the case. Advice for Potential Travellers If Exodus book you on the group flight via Frankfurt airport, either ask them for an alternative (e.g., via Munich), or make sure you have a minimum of 2 hours' transfer time. The notes we were given on arrival in Seoul said there were cafes in Eulji Square, near the Kukdo Hotel. This turned out to be a building called Eulji Square, not a street, so it took us a while to locate the restaurants hidden in its basement area. There are also a few cafés along the raised walkway next to the hotel (ask hotel reception for a map). There’s a good restaurant opposite reception in the Commodore Hotel in Gyeongju, which is worth knowing about as other eating options around the hotel are limited. There are often convenience stores in the hotels, selling a wide range of food and goods. (However, take your own tea bags!) A nice thing to do on your last free afternoon in Seoul is to walk north from the hotel to Jongmyo Shrine and Changdeokgung Palace through some pleasant parks (NB, free entry on the last Wednesday of the month). South Korea is blessed with an excellent network of public toilets which are plentiful and clean. The temple notes say there is a tea ceremony in the evening. Our group had an enjoyable bead-stringing session instead. The trip notes suggest that the group participates in a meditation session in the morning. There is no requirement to meditate. We sat quietly and witnessed the monks’ early morning ceremony, which was lovely. Food at the temple is plain, but edible. Our trip, departing on 14th October, was billed as an ‘Autumn Colour Departure’. Although there were some lovely colours in the national park, generally, the trees were still green and we were a little disappointed. Although this changes from year to year, we would suggest late October/early November may be the best dates to see the autumn leaves. Suggestions More time needs to be allowed for transfers via Frankfurt. On the outward journey our flight from Heathrow was delayed by an hour meaning that we arrived in Frankfurt to find our connecting flight to Seoul was already boarding. We only just caught the flight– our baggage didn’t. As a result, five of us arrived in Seoul without our luggage. Some of the group had been booked onto flights via Munich and had no problems. Our bags arrived the following afternoon, but it was an unnecessary worry and inconvenience. Our return flight was slightly delayed and we missed the connection from Frankfurt to London completely and had to spend a night in a Frankfurt hotel. This was well organised by Lufthansa, but if Exodus had booked the group flights to allow more transfer time it could have been entirely avoided. Day 2: we didn’t spend long enough in Insadong, merely passing through this interesting area, whereas we found time spent earlier in the day at the Bukchon Hanok Village a little disappointing. Day 3. At the DMZ the JSA part of the border was closed, which was disappointing. However, we had a cable car ride over the river, which was an excellent extra option organised by our tour leader. Day 5. The trip notes are misleading: in the Seoraksan National Park the group did both the cable car trip and the optional, self-guided walks. It’s not either/or as the trip notes suggest. Day 10. Busan. Our tour leader arranged a group boat trip around the harbour, which was an excellent way to see Busan. We hope this could be incorporated into the itinerary of future trips. The trip notes for the temple stay are out of date. They say the accommodation is single sex. However, mixed/same sex couples and sharers were able to share a room as usual.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 12/03/2023

Katrina Long   -  Traveled, April 2023

Interesting tour A varied and interesting tour combining a view of city life in Seoul and Busan with visits to National parks, museums, mountains, folk museums, temples, markets and much more. Most Inspirational Moment The overnight stay at Haeinsa Temple. What a privilege it was to observe life in the temple and to view Tripitaka Koreana. engraved on 80,000 woodblocks in the 13th century. The food was delicious, even though you had to eat it very quickly and it was good to experience eating a meal in silence. The views from the temple were breathtaking and the peace was sublime. I have read comments that have said that extra time in Busan would be preferable to the Temple stay. I disagree. I felt that the time in Busan was sufficient and would not have wanted to miss the Temple. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader Michelle was wonderful. She was conscientious and in each area took us to interesting places to eat so we could experience Korean cooking in different regions. Advice for Potential Travellers The temple advice is outdated. The rooms we stayed in were twin rooms, the beds are comfortable and the rooms are warm which is good because the temperature is cooler in the mountains. Suggestions I was disappointed at the amount of single use plastic we were required to use if we wanted to stay hydrated. Of course I took a re-usable plastic bottle for my personal use but our guide advised us that we should not drink the water because although the water was safe, all the pipes were old pipes and the metal made the water unsafe (I presume she meant lead pipes). So people in Korea drink bottled water. We were provided with a 500ml plastic bottle of water in our hotel room each night but that is obviously not enough per day for a hot climate so we were obliged to buy lots of plastic bottles of water. On an Exodus trip last year there was always a large container of water on our coach for us to refill our bottles so we did not need to use the plastic bottles in the hotel.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 05/12/2023

M B   -  Traveled, October 2022

korea review Interesting trip to Korea . Initial few nights in Seoul then traveling gradually south until Busan and then back to Seoul night before trip end. trip includes a monastery overnight which , personally , I think could have been missed out . Spend the morning getting there and the monastery tour could have been covered as a day trip with an extra night in Busan instead . The meditation session was underwhelming and next day is very early departure. So you maybe spend 14 hours at monastery . It generally felt a “contrived” exercise ,although presumably its a revenue earner for the temple. Most Inspirational Moment Exploring a high tech yet little visited country . Thoughts on Group Leader Group Leader Michelle Kim was full of Korea information an dreadily shared it . Advice for Potential Travellers Be aware that koreans view eating out as exactly that , eating only. No starters , no desserts simply not part of the culture. Evening meal tends to be 19.00 with restaurants emptying out by 19.45 whereas we tend to view eating out as a social thing for several hours. Limited english in restaurants and hotels. No early check in at hotels , so if arriving on group flight in morning you have to wait until 15.00 to check in to hotel in Seoul . When using ATMs not all accept foreign cards, you have to ensure it has a visa symbol on it and may show a message confirming foreign cards accepted. This may mean a bit of a hunt for a suitable ATM, especially once out of Seoul .

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/26/2022

Jill Shortman   -  Traveled, October 2022

Discover South Korea Great trip, good pace, good variety of places visited Thoughts on Group Leader Michelle was a very good group leader. Very engaging. Gave us plenty of information and lots of interesting stories about Korean life, culture, and history. Advice for Potential Travellers Don't miss the fact that you need a K-ETA. All the focus was on covid requirements and this is easily overlooked Suggestions Trip notes are hugely inaccurate and need a complete overhaul. Visited places not in trip notes. Optional extras not available / practical. Option of hike or cable car on day 5 is incorrect - cable car is additional to hike, not instead of. Info about monastery accomodation is inaccurate. Amount suggested for lunch / dinner considerably overstated. Etc, etc Should put more focus on K-ETA. It is there in the trip notes - but not obvious. One couple had to apply after arrival at airport. Several others said only applied at last minute. I missed my flight. Should be included with extra info sent about covid requirements (which are actually no longer required). Some of our group charged £150 for airport transfer which is outrageous - airport bus is very efficient and £10 per person, local taxi is c£50

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/24/2022

Winnie Tang   -  Traveled, August 2017

South Korea unmasked As this is only my second group trip I have a limited experience with comparing these types of trips but I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Our guide was knowledgeable and filled any gaps in our itinerary with valuable insightful excursions. All key sights were covered in the trip. Unfortunately we did not get to go to the JSA, however this did not detract from the the overall visit to the DMZ. The DMZ felt very surreal and to be able to peak into North Korea was an experience. Seoul is your typical city, traffic included but the subway system is very easy to negotiate and cheap and clean. There are plenty of lively markets to immerse oneself into the culture and to sample various food on a stick. I would recommend catching the Nanta show. This was amazing. The scenery was breathtaking especially in Seoraksan National Park and Jeju Island. For a country that had to completely rebuild it is amazing how the government was able to cultivate such wonderful green spaces. The food on offer was second to none and I did not find the food too spicy at all, although when given the option I chose the least spicy option. Most Inspirational Moment The most inspirational moment was learning all the history behind South Korea. Admittedly I did not much about Korean history but I found the topic fascinating. It was uplifting to learn how through adversity the Korean people were able to achieve all they have in such a short space of time. It was not only the infrastructure that was rebuilt but the green belt too. The fact that the government even thought about constructing green spaces demonstrates how forward thinking a government can be. The temple stay was a highlight too, especially the conversation with the monk. It was interesting to hear about how an enlightened person thinks about the modern world. Thoughts on Group Leader Mirium was an exceptional group leader and she always recommended good restaurants that were not expensive. She was always providing us with background to all the places we were visiting and her in depth knowledge of the history was very compelling. I don't think I know English history as well as she knows her Korean history. What was also good given that we were visiting during elevated tension levels with the North, she not only gave us a daily briefing on what was on the news, as on a couple of days we had no access to English channels. She also offered an insight of the South Korean mindset regarding the North. She also made sure that everyone was accommodated and was willing to flit between restaurants to ensure everyone was able to order what they wanted. Her instructions on where and when to meet were very clear and I felt she went above and beyond her duties. At all restaurants she would recommend the items on the menu which she knew were the local dishes and good. This sort of knowledge is priceless. Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for a lot of walking on all types of terrain and eating good food.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/25/2017

Gyan Fernando   -  Traveled, October 2016

An Unknown Country There are very few British tourists visiting this lovely country and this Exodus trip was a good way of understanding the Past and the Present state of Korea. A visit to the DMZ gives you an understanding of the conflict between the South and the North. The gardens and ordinary road-side trees are beautiful and the people are charming. There was absolutely no hassle from the local people or officials. Most Inspirational Moment Although uncomfortable by our standards, the Temple Stay was inspirational and an eye opener. We lived the life of a monk (but only for one night!) well away from the electronic world of some parts of Korea. Thoughts on Group Leader Minhe Kim was a petite and charming girl with an infectious and rather cheeky smile which made up for any shortcomings on her part. Advice for Potential Travellers This is a rather hectic trip involving two internal flights and walking tours as well as optional hikes. So make sure that you are reasonably fit and that your shoes are comfortable but sturdy. Suggestions The food was an interesting experience and to complete your experience you need to sample street food as recommended by your tour leader. If this is not to your tastes you could always have Western type meals or resort to Pot Noodle! Even Starbucks serve Pot Noodle and so that was not a facetious comment on my part!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/23/2016

Dan Fitt   -  Traveled, April 2016

A taste of Korea I thoroughly enjoyed this trip & can recommend it. This trip is not only a great introduction to Korea but a good way to visit Asia if you haven’t been to the Far East before as compared to other countries in this region, it is clean, safe, and developed. However, to get the most out of it you have to be prepared to explore during your free time. This trip puts you in the position, by giving you the opportunity to see some wonderful things that are not on the itinerary. For example the Seoul Tower with the wonderful Season’s table all you can eat Korean restaurant, or the Sun Cruise Resort and surrounding area in Gyeongpo, a 20 minute taxi ride from your hotel. Taxis are cheap and a good way to get round. Budget wise I would suggest you allow about £20 per day on food. The food here is lovely but expensive. Credit cards are widely accepted but I would take US Dollars or Euros to change into the local currency, the Won. I found it hard to change the Pound, with the only place being a handful of banks in the major cities. When you arrive in Seoul I suggest you change your money you need for the trip then, as changing it in other areas other than Busan and Jeju was difficult. Even though ATMs are widely available for debit cards, you have to look for a global one which we found difficult finding and it was hit and miss whether the card would be accepted. You must have patience as service can be slow and language can be a barrier. My main criticism is we didn’t have enough time in Busan; it was almost a fleeting visit, which doesn’t do the place justice. I would like to have more time there at the expense of the temple stay, which in my opinion added little value to the trip. There was also too much emphasis on Buddhism. My biggest surprise coming here was the number of churches I saw, and finding out that they aren’t devoutly religious or follow one particular faith, just a mix of multi-faith and non-religious groups. For example, there are more Christians and other religions than Buddhists – for instance 29 % are Christian and only 24 % are Buddhist. With this in mind, I would like to reduce the number of temples that are visited by exploring the other faiths and learning more of the contemporary recent history that makes up this dynamic nation. Highlights; (1) the big Yakcheonsa Buddhist temple in Jeju, which we allowed to freely photograph; (2) DMZ; (3) The museum in Busan, which explained in concise terms the history of this nation. Low points; (1) Temple stay, which was a complete waste of time and added nothing to my understanding of Korea. This should be made an optional extra or cut out completely, with time better spent in Busan. (2) Not enough time in Busan and war memorial. (3) Too many markets and temples visited – only one or two would do. Overall I can recommend this trip to anyone who wants a taste of Korea but to get the most out of it, you must have a sense of adventure and explore the surrounding area in your free time. 4/5. Most Inspirational Moment Going to the War Memorial and museum in Busan which puts into context the sacrifices made by the Korean people, This not only provided an excellent concise summary of contemporary Korean history but also to the complete history of this fascinating nation. Thoughts on Group Leader Our tour guide was good, very professional, and always on hand to help. In particular, she made a number of excellent decisions on changing the itinerary because of the weather and on when and where we went to each place. Exodus would do well to listen to her when it comes to refining the itinerary for future tours. Advice for Potential Travellers See my comments about making the most of your free time in my Summary. To reiterate to get the most out of this trip you have to be prepared to explore during your free time. This trip puts you in the position, by giving you the opportunity to see some wonderful things that are not on the itinerary. Like I said, I can recommend this trip to anyone who wants a taste of Korea but to get the most out of it, you really must have a sense of adventure and be prepared to explore the surrounding area in your free time. 4/5. Suggestions See my comments about money in the Summary.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 05/12/2016

Anonymous   -  Traveled, October 2015

South Korea - a fascinating snap shot This is a different and wonderful country which is very misunderstood. It has a lot to offer from the busyness of Seoul, the beauty of the National Parks to the amazing volcanic island of Jehu. I thought this country would be a mixture of Japan and China yet it is quite different. The culture is fascinating – when they are into something (such as coffee shops, hiking), they are into it big time yet the battle between tradition and western influence is fascinating to witness and observe in different areas in Seoul and in the rest of the country. Each area specialises in a different type of food (Kimchi always included) and this trip gives a great snapshot into different parts of South Korea from the cities (Seoul and Busan) to the DMZ to the countryside (national park and folk villages). This is not a very active holiday and there are not any long trips. Most Inspirational Moment The DMZ is fascinating in terms of set up and hearing the views of people affected. Jehu is a beautiful island - stay longer here if you can as although large, is a fascinating volcanic island with lots to visit. Seoul is like a usual capital city, busy but with lots to see (palaces and modern architecture) and lots of exciting districts. Thoughts on Group Leader Seony adapted well to the needs of the group and always was helpful and friendly when asked. I think the culture of South Korea is that they don't try to interact too much in free time during or after meals though. Advice for Potential Travellers There are 3 days where you have to sleep on the floor with thin or no mattresses. The Buddhist Temple stay is fascinating experience but it it no 3 star hotel! Visit now though as the balance between tradition and western culture and China is very apparent! Suggestions Out of the cities, there isn't a great amount to do in the evening. Also, there is quite a lot of free time on the trip for you to plan to do your own thing if there is something to do in that area.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/21/2015

Brenda Smithwhite  -  Traveled, October 2015

Discover South Korea A great two week trip around South Korea, Exodus’s first trip there. Fascinating places to visit, good food and transport and accommodation, giving a glimpse into a country that is definitely worth visiting, and a trip that covers the main sites. The itinerary worked well, some timings need tweaking and trip notes altering slightly. Just the one early start on temple stay and leaving day, some busy days, and sometimes quick turnaround between arrival at hotels and going out. The hotel we had in Seoul is away from some sites, but metro is nearby and cheap to use. On arrival there was no early check in booked or planned, so we did the market that morning. The rest of the day is free. I went to the aquarium and saw an underwater sardine play. Plenty to see in Seoul over the next few days. The JSA and DMZ are fascinating. There followed a busy trip – cookery school, National Park, the idyllic guest house, Temple-stay (go with the flow), Busan (more time needed here), Jeju Island (optional trip well worth doing), then back to Seoul for a last afternoon and evening. Food was great, cheaper than the trip notes, and lots of it, we enjoyed the bbqs. The autumnal colours were beautiful. Some great nights out in the singing rooms and snow flake desserts Most Inspirational Moment A highlight each day, for me - Jogyesa Temple, the food, the JSA, singing rooms, snow flake desserts, guest house in Gyeongju, ceremonies at Haeinsa, normal Korean life. Thoughts on Group Leader Seony had the patience of a saint at times, lots of information about each site, timings accurate, may have left the odd one or two people behind at times though. Very helpful with the evening group meal choices and translations. Advice for Potential Travellers I should know this by now but if you see it buy it. e.g. at Andong Village, and won't have time at Haeinsa Temple to buy anything there. Department stores are a bit posh with lots of assistants. Souvenirs, metro are very reasonably priced. Evening meals around £10, beer anything from £1.50 to £6 depending on where you are eating/partying. JUMP show in Seoul is very good, also optional Jeju trip. Not much free/down time, say first day in Seoul and the afternoon before departure day. Loads of coffee shops and convenience stores for snacks. I liked the BBQ meals. For cash need to use ATMs marked as Global, of which there are only a few but there's plenty of money exchanges around. The Temple-stay early morning is then followed by a very long day in Busan, sense of humour needed on this day. In Busan the hotel is a bit out of centre but plenty of places to eat and drink nearby. Suggestions Enjoy, go with the flow. I recommend this trip as a comprehensive trip to South Korea.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/27/2015