Compare South Korea Real Food Adventure by Intrepid Travel vs Highlights of Tokyo and Seoul for Family Vacation by Bravo Asia Tours
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 3,092 | $ 3,299 |
| Price Per Day | $ 387 | $ 367 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
Immerse yourself in the choose-your-own adventure atmosphere of South Korean food, from bibimbap to street food markets you could get lost in (if it weren’t for your leader guiding you to the best stalls). South Korea’s food scene is often delightfully informal and meals in South Korea are all about finding your flavours. Chow down on meals served with dozens of toppings, light and crispy Korean fried chicken washed down with a small-batch craft beer, silky glass noodles stirred with colourful salad and the various delightful iterations of kimchi. Discover the flavourful diversity and heritage of this rich culinary scene. |
Tour of Tokyo and Seoul in 9 days is specialized with most popular itinerary which covers the major cities in South Korea and Japan. You may also have the chance to visit Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Nikko, Kyoto, Osaka and DMZ in Paju, Suwon, Gyeongju, Busan and more cultural and historic places. This package is taking you to all the hidden treasures around two countries. |
Day 1 Seoul
Welcome to Seoul, South Korea's vibrant capital of high-tech gadgetry, glittering skyscrapers and scrumptious eats. Your adventure officially kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight at your accommodation, where you'll meet your leader and fellow travellers. With the formalities out of the way, it’s time to dive into South Korea’s food scene! First, you'll enjoy a welcome dinner of Korean Fried Chicken and beer for a 'chimaek' experience. Then, head to the Gwangjang Market for an immersive introduction to the sights, smells and, of course, tastes of South Korean street food. Go deep into the gargantuan market featured in the Netflix series ‘Street Food’, following your leader to the best vendors for dinner and cultural experience like no other.
Day 2 Jeonju
This morning take the metro to Seoul Station. Set off for Jeonju, a city that’s all about doing things slowly and doing them well – both in food and in life. You'll arrive just in time for lunch at a renowned local noodle restaurant which started as a food stall, but it’s tantalising noodles have made it a hallmark of the city. In the afternoon, spend some time exploring the historical Hanok Village, wandering cobblestone streets between hundreds of traditional homes and further embracing the relaxed pace of the city. Later, learn the art of making kimchi – a Korean slow food poster dish – during a cooking class. You’ll also learn how to make a delicious kimchi pancake. If you're keen for one more 'real food' experience you can opt to join your leader for locally brewed, cloudy rice beer called 'makgeolli'. Accompanied by a parade of inventive side dishes, this singular drink is enjoyed in ritual fashion, served in special brass bowls from the coveted makgeoli kettle.
Day 3 Jeonju
This morning you'll move from the hanok to a hotel for your second night in Jeonju. You'll have free time to explore the village or visit the historical shrines and palaces. Chat to your leader about which works for you. From here, travel by bus to Sunchang Gochujang, a village famous for the production of gochujang (a traditional red chilli paste), for a tasting and demo on how it gets made. Grab lunch at a restaurant that specialises in fermented bean soup. Later, take a stroll around the base of Mt Gangcheon, and choose whether to work up your appetite by walking a little further to a nearby waterfall. For dinner tonight, we will visit the most famous bibimbap restaurant in Jeonju. The bibimbap here is so good it’s been declared an intangible cultural asset because of its iconic chef. Seriously. Scoff down some of the classic rice dish topped with, well, lots of great stuff. Afterwards, opt to wash it down with a couple of beers or non-alcoholic tipples at a craft brewery. South Korea’s craft beer scene is exploding all across the country after a rise to popularity in Seoul, and tonight your belly will reap the benefits.
Day 4 Temple Stay
This morning you'll have the opportunity to start your day with a breakfast of kongnamul gukbap – a hot soup of soybean and sprouts. Today, you'll be traveling from the west coast to the east coast for your temple stay. The east coast is an area rich with temples, tombs and palace ruins (many of which are World Heritage sites). Stop on the way to sample some of Korea's favourite driving snacks, including hotteok (red bean walnut bread), kimbap and jjajangmyeon. At the temple you'll be introduced to the life and meditation routines of a monk. Dinner will be plant-based, in line with monastic custom. In the evening, relax with a chanting and meditation service, then choose to be guided through a monastic training session or simply settle in for an early night's sleep.
Day 5 Busan
Your life as a monk continues today with a 4 am wake-up for a memorable morning meditation (you can opt out of it if early mornings are not your thing, but we highly recommend you partake in this unique experience). Following breakfast, learn about the spiritual values and beliefs of Korean Buddhism over tea with a resident monk. Leaving the tranquil life behind, stop at the Royal Tombs of Silla, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Discover the story of the ancient Silla dynasty and view their tombs from inside and out. Visit a nearby apple farm and chat with the farmer about his life, sampling a slice or two of his best produce. Enjoy a Korean favourite for lunch - Eonyang-style bulgogi beef. Crisp, smoky and juicy, it's popular all over the country for good reason! Travel onwards to Busan to visit the beautiful Haedong Temple, built into the rocks by the sea. After checking into your hotel in downtown Busan for the next two nights, enjoy free time to explore this seaside city. You might like to join an optional dinner of Korean lamb skewers with eggplant, dumplings and other side dishes.
Day 6 Busan
Today you'll be welcomed into the apartment home of a local resident to learn about their life and food culture. Enjoy Korean favourites like kimbap, japchae and banchan (the exact menu will vary with the seasons). Sip fragrant tea and chat with your host about Busan and what it's like to live there. Stop at a local supermarket and get a broader view of the contemporary food habits of modern Koreans. Here, you’ll get an everyday-life insight into the culture, and your leader will pick up some local popular snacks for the group to enjoy. Visit Jagalchi Market, an enormous seafood market situated by Busan port. Wrap up your day at a restaurant overlooking the ocean for a clam bake with a view. Return to central Busan to relax or hit the town and take in the local nightlife in the Seomyeon Entertainment District.
Day 7 Seoul
After breakfast at the hotel, travel by Korea Train Express back to Seoul where you'll have a free afternoon to explore. Perhaps wander around Gyeongbok Palace, marvel at the views from Namsan Tower or check out Seoul’s most eclectic neighbourhoods of Sinsadong and Gangnam. For your final meal, youll head to the youthful district of Hongdae for the most traditional Korean BBQ experience to celebrate your time together.
Day 8 Seoul
Your South Korea Food Adventure comes to an end this morning. If you wish to extend your stay and explore more of Seoul, contact your booking agent for further information.
Day 1: Tokyo
Welcome to Tokyo! Meet your tour guide holding Bravo Asia Tours greeting board at the Airport and transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is free for you to either just relax or do some shopping on your own.
Day 2: Tokyo
In the morning you will be taken to Asakusa Kannon Temple，then explore Nakamise Market.Next is a visit to Edo Tokyo Museum.Then we will proceed to the Imperial Palace, the former site of Edo Castle. In the afternoon, we will visit the the world's tallest self supporting steel tower. We will go up 150 meters to the main observatory deck and get a bird's eye view of Tokyo. From there we will cross the Rainbow Bridge, and be treated to stunning views of Tokyo Bay. We will travel to the man made islands of Odaiba and see cutting edge architecture, as well as the night view of Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge.
Day 3: Tokyo - Hakone
Travel to Hakone and spend the night there. The area is known for its hot springs, museums and the view of nearby Mt. Fuji.Meet local people, experience efficient public transport and see the wonders that Mt. Fuji has to offer!
Day 4: Hakone - Tokyo
Today start your experience both Tsukiji Fish Market and Japanese cooking lesson! After seeing all the freshest ingredients in the market, learn how to cook the most authentic Japanese meals at the largest cooking school in Japan. Finish your experience by enjoying your creations for lunch with a menu recipe and some nice gift to take back home.Evening at leisure.
Day 5: Tokyo - Seoul
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Korea. Meet your tour guide holding Bravo Asia Tours greeting board at the Airport and transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is free for you to either just relax or do some shopping on your own.
Day 6: Seoul
We head back to Seoul for the Gyeongbuk Palace, the main and grandest of the five palaces. Next, we drive pass the Presidential Blue House, home to the current President of Korea. Next, we visit the Presidential's Museum, set up in 2010 to co-incide with APEC meeting held in Seoul the same year. This afternoon, brace yourself for shopping delight as your prowl the streets of popular Namdaemun (South Gate Market) and Dongdaemun (East Gate Market).
Day 7: Seoul
This morning, try your hands on making the zesty Korean dish, the Kimchi! You will be taught the method by an instructor with ingredients provided. The Jogyesa is considered the "head temple" of Buddhist temples in Korea. From here, walk the streets of Insa-Dong, often considered the "Mary's Alley of Seoul" or antique streets. This evening, enjoy a local production that has garnered world acclamation. This evening, visit the popular Itaewon for your last minute shopping.
Day 8: Seoul
Today enjoy a full day at leisure. You may like to do some additional sightseeing, shopping, or simply relax.
Day 9: Seoul
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye. We hope to see you again in your next trip to Asia. Your beautiful memory of this trip and our best wishes will company you back home safely.
