K-Culture Korea Private Tour

Day 2

Arrive Seoul
Upon arrival in Seoul, you will be welcomed by our local representative and transferred to the Four Seasons Seoul. Here, you will have the remainder of the day to unwind and enjoy the hotel’s amenities.

Meals: —
Accommodations: Four Seasons Seoul

Day 3

Seoul Private Touring
Following breakfast, embark on a full day of Seoul sightseeing. You will tour Gyeongbokgung Palace, the political center of the powerful Joseon dynasty (1392 – 1910). Constructed in 1395, the palace grounds span 40 hectares (99 acres) and house 500 buildings. Here, try on Hanbok, colorful traditional Korean robes, and explore the 600-year-old complex!

Next, you will visit the historic Bukchon Hanok Village, featuring streets lined with classic Korean-style homes, tea houses, and boutiques. For some light shopping and a bite to eat, stop at the iconic market in Insadong, known for its eclectic food stalls and craftwork stands. Conclude your day at the summit of Mount Namsan atop the observation deck of the N Seoul Tower (776 feet high!).

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Four Seasons Seoul

Day 4

DMZ Excursion & Scenic Seoul Touring
This morning, you will join an organized group visit to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), established in 1953 by the United Nations. This 160-mile-long strip of neutral land divides North and South Korea, embodying the long history of armed conflicts along the 38th parallel. Although private tours are not offered, the zone is a sobering sight to behold in the company of others.

Upon returning to Seoul, you will visit Hongdae Street. Dubbed the “mural” street, the city has permitted graffiti artists to transform the streetscape into a colorful open canvas. To close out the day, take a scenic, 40-minute ferry ride along the Hangang River through the heart of the city.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Four Seasons Seoul

Day 5

Yongin Folk Village & Hwaseong Fortress 
Following breakfast, travel back in time to a Korean folk village in Yongin. This “living museum” recreates the late Joseon Dynasty and offers a comprehensive cultural experience of rich Korean traditions, including classes centered on Confucian customs, music, and dance. Explore the village farm, workshops, and private residences for complete immersion!

Continue on to Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Suwon. Construction on this fortress began in 1794 under King Jeongio and took over 700,000 man-hours to complete! King Jeongio hoped Suwon would replace Seoul as the country’s capital and envisioned Hwaseong as the next center of power. This expectation is reflected across 320 acres of fortified grounds, featuring massive watchtowers, pavilions, and the largest fortress gate in Korea!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Four Seasons Seoul

Day 6

Gwangjang Market & Seoul Entertainment
Start your day with a visit to Gwangjang, one of the largest traditional markets in Seoul. Opened in 1905, Gwangjang features over 5,000 unique shops and food stalls. We highly recommend stopping for a bowl of kalguksu (knife-cut noodles), as seen on the Netflix series, Street Food Asia. Foodies will also enjoy tteokbokki (spicy-sweet rice cakes), and other traditional street foods.

Next, continue your shopping spree in the high-end boutiques in the Myeongdong District before a performance of the popular NANTA show. This clever piece of non-verbal cooking theater is both interactive and comedic. Enjoy the thrilling acrobatics and magic tricks coordinated with traditional Korean “Samul Nori” rhythms. Finally, keep the beat alive in a traditional Korean drum class and learn a range of different drumming techniques from a master musician.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Four Seasons Seoul

Day 7

Korean Culture Classes & Seongsu-dong Touring
Today, show off your dance moves in a K-Pop class! In this introductory lesson, you will learn some of the most popular K-Pop dances in a fun, easy-going studio. Next, discover the art of making piquantly perfect kimchi, a staple side dish of fermented vegetables, chili powder, and additional spices. We found this hands-on class to be incredibly rewarding, especially when we got to taste our hard work!

Finally, you will proceed to Seongsu-dong, the “Brooklyn of Seoul.”  Once a shoe factory district, the old brick buildings of Seongsu-dong have found new life in the hands of restaurateurs, cafe owners, and fashion designers. Popular among young Koreans, the streets and businesses in this area are considered the trendiest spots in the city.

After your day of sightseeing, you will be transferred to the Rakkojae Hanok to experience traditional Korean lodging.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Rakkojae Hanok

Day 8

Fly Seoul/Home
Following breakfast at the Rakkojae Hanok, you will be privately transferred to Seoul Incheon International Airport for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

Jeju Island Extension

We highly recommend this optional extension to Jeju Island, the “Hawaii of Korea!” Located in the Korean Strait, Jeju Island’s temperate climate and rugged volcanic topography imbue it with an almost celestial, otherworldly quality. From Mount Hallasan, its highest peak (at 1,950 meters or 6,400 feet), to its colorful meadows of wildflowers in subtropical gardens, it is Korea’s honeymoon capital and, also, one of the best regions of Asia for hiking.

Highlights of this extension include a scenic island tour on horseback, multiple nature parks and garden stops, and Yakcheonsa Temple—home of Korea’s largest Vairocana Buddha and the center of the Jogye Buddhist sect. You may also witness the ancient diving tradition of Haenyeo, the female divers of Jeju. Watch in awe as these highly skilled divers catch and prepare fresh seafood in a practice that dates back to 434 A.D.!