4D Seoul – Invigorating Retreat Hanok Stay

HIGHLIGHTS

~ Unique Stay and immersive experiences in Seoul – Rakkojae Seoul;
~ Seoul sightseeing private city tour;
~ Tongin Market visit and lunch box experience;
~ Gyeongbogkgung Palace guided tour;
~ Changdeokgung Palace with Secret Garden (UNESCO) guided tour;
~ Rakkojae’s Natural Mud Sauna experience;
~ Bojewon – Korean oriental medicine experience;
~ Korean specialty dish “Samyetang”– Ginseng Chicken Soup dinner at “One Hundred Years Native Samyetang” restaurant. 

Included:

~ return private airport transfers;

~ 3 nights accommodation in Rakkojae Seoul, basing on twin sharing in choice of room;

~ 3 breakfasts, 2 Lunches;

~ admission fee(s) as required according to itinerary on day 1 and day 2;

~ service on an English Speaking Driver-Guide on day 1 and day 2;

~ private car transfers according to itinerary on day 1 and day 2.

Excluded:

~ air travel to Incheon (Seoul), South Korea;

~ visa arrangement;

~ personal travel insurance;

~ expenditure of personal effects;

~ suggested places of visit on day 3;

~ tipping for your Guide and Driver;

~ anything not specified in the itinerary.

ITINERARY

Day 01 Arrive Seoul

Welcome to Korea! Upon arrival into Incheon International Airport, meet your Driver-Guide at the arrival hall and transfer to the hotel located in the city of Seoul.

Later this afternoon, visit Gyeongbogkgung Palace, the royal icon of South Korea for a guided tour. Built in 1395, this palace is recognised as one of the most scenic and beautiful locations in Seoul, and is historically significant as the first palace built during the Joseon Dynasty. It is also the largest and grandest of the five palaces in Seoul and was the official residence of the royal family.

Tong In Market* is a traditional market hall with over 75 stores lined along alleyways, most of which are restaurants and grocery stalls. Indulge in a wide variety of delicious Korean cuisine while enjoying the fun of packing your own “yeopjeon dosirak” brass-coin lunch box, a Tong In Market specialty highlight bringing back old traditions where customers use strings of coins to pay for the food.

Meals: Lunch

Note: an alternative market may be visited if Tong In Market is closed during the time of visit.

Day 02  Seoul Sightseeing Private City Tour

Embark on a full day of sightseeing in the city of Seoul.

Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) is the official residence of the President of South Korea and is built in the traditional Korean style with a blue-tiled roof. During the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), royal palace halls were located on the site of the Blue House. Our car will drive by the Blue House so you can admire the building and the magnificent scenery of Bugaksan Mountain in the background.

Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden. A World UNESCO Heritage Site, this palace was the second royal villa of the Joseon dynasty and was built by King Taejong in 1405. It was used as the royal palace of Joseon from the early 1600s – 1800s and was also the site of the royal court until 1858. Changdeokgung Palace is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces and houses several cultural treasures. The palace’s rear garden “Biwon Garden” is also described as the Secret Garden because it was where the Kings and members of the royal family would enjoy its peacefulness and use it as a place of rest. In the garden, there is a pavilion that was favoured by the kings as a library where they would spend their days reading.

Visit Bojewon, a medical institution that used to provide medical treatment to the poor people who were suffering from sickness during the Joseon Dynasty. Now, it creates oriental medicine wellness  through oriental medicine experience and treatment for the people. Experience the meridians and acupuncture points of oriental medicine through a mechanical thermal massage mat and thermal eye patch. Soak your feet in warm water containing seasonal medicinal herbs such as mugwort and chrysanthemum under the pavilion where the traditional hanok style is alive. Then enjoy an afternoon oriental tea and refreshment.  

Spend your afternoon at Dongdaemum Design Plaza (“DDP”), an iconic landmark in Seoul and a creative hub where art, design and technology meets culture. Conceived by Zaha Hadid, the late renowned architect, the building does not have any straight lines and its facade is made up of 45,000 aluminium panels of different sizes. It is linked seamlessly to the park which integrates a historic city wall and cultural artefacts that were discovered during its construction. DDP is a popular venue for both visitors and locals because it hosts different exhibitions and events throughout the year.  And is a multi-purpose building that is home to a design museum, library, rooftop park and much more!

Take a walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream Park. This 11 KM-long stream that runs through downtown Seoul was created as part of an urban renewal project. It is a restoration of the stream that was once there during the Joseon Dynasty. The stream starts from Cheonggye Plaza, a popular cultural arts venue, and passes under a total of 22 bridges before flowing into the Han River, with many attractions along the way.

Savour Korean specialty dish “Samyetang” – Ginseng Chicken Soup for dinner at “One Hundred Years Native Samyetang” restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch


Day 03 Seoul at Leisure

The day is free for self-exploration at leisure. Here are some suggestions on what you can do.

Take a stroll around the Bukchon Hanok Village where your accommodation is located. Due to its proximity to Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, noblemen and city officials lived in the village during the Joseon Dynasty. Discover and experience Korean history and culture that dates back to Joseon era as you explore the village. Hundreds of these hanoks (“traditional Korean homes”) have been conserved and now remain as restaurants, cultural centres, guesthouses, as well as private homes. Bukchon means “northern village,” as the neighbourhood lies north of two significant Seoul landmarks, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno.

Extend your walk to Seochon Village (“west village”). Continue your cultural discovery of this picturesque neighbourhood that lies west of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Great artists from the Joseon Dynasty once lived here, and walking through the alleys that resemble a big maze, you will be greeted by wall murals and street art. Old Hanok houses lining the long narrow alleys harmonise well with modern cafes, restaurants and boutique shops.

Find your way to Samcheongdong neighbourhood to soak in the cultural atmosphere as you explore the art galleries, museums, antique shops, and quiet pathways. It is said that “Samcheong” literally translates to “three” and “pure” – and draws its energy from the mountain, water and people. Admire the neighbourhood’s unique identity where European-style cafes blend alongside Hanok architecture, depicting a scene of traditional beauty and modern vibrancy.

Return to the hotel and be sure to visit the Natural Mud Sauna. The infrared emissions from the natural mud will relieve tension and soothe your body.

Meals: Breakfast 

Day 04                Depart Incheon

Simply rest and relax until it’s time for your onward journey or check out (1100 hours) and the tour concludes.

Meals: Breakfast

REMARKS

~ Full payment is required upon booking.

~ 1 person to go.

~ Should you require a visa to enter South Korea, it is your responsibility to obtain such document before departure. Check your entry requirement and apply your visa HERE if you require.

~ Our utmost priority is always the safety of the travellers. Therefore inclusion of the itinerary may be altered due to (not limited to) bad weather, local conditions, accommodation book out, the skill levels of the travellers and/or other unexpected circumstances beyond our control. We reserve the right to make changes necessary and there will be no refund should you decide to discontinue with the trip.

~ Option to extend your stay in Incheon or other parts of South Korea.

~ All travellers booked on this trip are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance with comprehensive coverage relating to CoVID-19 with minimum insured sum of USD 30,000. Click HERE to purchase.

~ Travel Wander’s booking terms & conditions apply. By making a payment to Travel Wander LLP, you (and on behalf of the rest of travelling companions) acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to the booking terms & conditions, privacy policy and acceptance of risk as set out on our website. For more details, click HERE  to access.

~ To cover any amendment, postponement and/or cancellation fees, travellers are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance which includes extensive coverage on (not limited to) travel cancellation/interruption especially CoVID-19 related.