Compare Highlights of Tokyo and Seoul for Family Vacation by Bravo Asia Tours vs Best of South Korea by G Adventures

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.

Day 1 Seoul

Arrive at any time.

Welcome to Seoul! As fellow travellers are arriving throughout the day, there are no planned activities until a group meeting at 6 pm. Check into the hotel and enjoy the city. After the welcome meeting, join your CEO for an orientation walk down Cheonggyecheon Stream to learn about Seoul while walking past small waterfalls and nearly two dozen overhead bridges. Then, enjoy the dense grid of streets found in the bustling neighbourhood of Myeongdong which is packed with people at all hours of the day looking to enjoy some of the best shopping, street food, and nightlife in all of Korea. Opt for a group dinner to end your first night!

Day 2 Seoul

Sit back and relax on a private bus and enjoy a tour of the bustling metropolis where modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways and pop culture meet Buddhist temples and street markets. Visit Gyengbokgung Palace, the National Folklore Museum, Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong alley.

After exploring the city, opt to see a show, explore a local museum, or hit the pavement and eat your way through street markets trying local fares such as bibimbap, soondae, and kimchi.

Day 3 Seoul/Gyeongju-si

After breakfast, board a high speed bullet train for a relaxing morning ride through the countryside to Gyeongiu. Once the group arrives to this old capital city for 1,000 years, they will experience an overnight stay in a local temple. During the stay the group will learn about temple etiquette, watch a monk martial arts performance, experience the daily prayer ritual and a temple style dinner.

Stay in rooms called Ondol. These rooms are very traditional, heated to be cozy and comfortable, with beds made up directly on the floor. The rooms here are multi-share, divided up by male and female rooms. Enjoy a traditional dinner and breakfast during the stay. Have the opportunity to learn about temple etiquette, experience the daily drum and bell ritual and take an easy hike up to the only stone cave temple in Korea for morning meditation.

Day 4 Gyeongju-si

Enjoy a peaceful morning meditation, martial arts practice, and drum and bell ritual before exploring in Gyeongiu. On the city tour visit to the UNESCO site of Bulguksa Temple located on the slopes of Mount Toham and admire the national treasures there, such as Dabotap and Seokgatap stone pagodas, Cheongun-gyo, and two gilt-bronze statues of Buddha. Afterwards, experience the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia, Cheomseongdae Observatory, and the surrounding Royal Tombs.

Day 5 Gyeongju-si/Busan

Travel by bus to Busan. Along the way enjoy a day trip to Yangdong Folk Village, a 500-year-old UNESCO site located in Gyeongju National Park, to get a feel for life during the early Joseon Dynasty. Afterwards, continue on to the picturesque 14th century seaside temple hidden in the rocks - Haedong Yonggungsa. After exploring the temple, check in to your hotel and get your bearings with an orientation walk on Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek Island (APEC House). Spend the evening getting to know colourful Busan, opt to treat yourself at a Jjimjilbang spa or sing your heart out at a popular karaoke bar.

Day 6 Busan/Seoul

In the seaside city, Busan, visit the bustling Jagalchi fish market, Gukjesijang market, Yongdusan Park, and the colourful Gamcheon Culture Village before traveling back to Seoul. After arriving in Seoul by train, check out Korea's oldest traditional market - Namdaemun Market. Then make your way by cable car to N Seoul Tower to see this beautiful landmark and opt to make the trip up to the observation deck. Spend the rest of your day in Seoul opting to see Banpo Bridge, the floating islands, or hanging out in the Gangnam district.

Day 7 Seoul

Visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), founded in 1953, separating North and South Korea. With over a million soldiers on watch each day, it is one of the last remnants of the Cold War. With a buffer zone 4km wide and spanning 250 km long there has been very little development in the area, therefore nature and wildlife have pretty much taken over. Spend about 3-4 hours visiting the Demilitarized Zone, then head to The War Memorial of Korea. Later, return back to Seoul for another night in the city.

Opt to visit the Samsung Leeum Contemporary Gallery, explore the Itaewon neighbourhood, or prebook the Kimchi making and Hanbok experience.

Day 8 Seoul

Depart at any time.