Luxury South Korea
Tours made for you
Seoul
futuristic and cultural
Bulguksa Temple
one of South Korea's UNESCO World Heritage Site
Gyeongju City
known as a museum without walls
Busan
is an energetic port city
Jeju Island
dominated by the Hallasan volcano
A diverse country full of charm
Futuristic cities, a booming economy, traditional villages and over 5,000 years of history and tradition – there are few places that blend the old and the new in quite the same way as South Korea. The north and south may have parted ways in 1953 after the Korean War, but while the former remains off limits, South Korea is very much open for business.
It is small, especially in comparison to some of its colossal neighbours, but South Korea is one of Asia’s most diverse nations. On a SouthKorea luxury tour you’ll find intoxicating cities, serene countryside, volcanic islands, traditional villages, lush rice paddies and three different seas lapping at its shores.
The capital, Seoul, is an exciting metropolis of neon lights and non-stop activity. This is most people’s first introduction to South Korea and it doesn’t disappoint. It is the country’s economic powerhouse and while its frenetic ways are part of its charm, this is also a city packed with history and tradition.
In the south, second city Busan enjoys a pleasant seaside setting backed by mountains and is slightly more relaxed than the capital though still has everything that makes South Korea so fascinating. It is also within easy reach of Gyeongju, the former capital of the great Silla dynasty, and is now known as the museum without walls thanks to its proliferation of fascinating historic temples, shrines and tombs.
Well over half of South Korea is forested which makes it a great destination for lovers of the outdoors. The mountains are a hiker’s dream in spring and autumn, then come winter they are transformed into ski slopes. Rugged peaks give way to coastal plains and a scattering of islands, most notably the popular volcanic Jeju, lay just off its southern shores.
Aside from its cities and countryside, there is another major reason to travel to South Korea: its food. Spicy, sour and sweet, Korean food is a pure delight and you’ll be spoiled for choice with street stalls and markets everywhere you go. For the dedicated foodies, we suggest a traditional ‘hanok’ homestay in Jeonju, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy home of bibimbap. And of course there’s the people. Koreans are renowned for their friendliness and your lingering memories are bound to include the people you met along the way.
Highlights
Gyeongju, the former capital of the Silla kingdom and once the largest city in the world. Delve deep into the ancient history of this ‘museum without walls’
Discover the delights of Korean cuisine on foodie tours. Taste traditional delicacies, such as bibimbap, dumplings, pancakes, makgeolli rice wine and many different types of tea
Visit Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden in Seoul during sakura season (cherry blossom)- one of the most picturesque places to see the blossoms
Rachel O’Leary
Travel Designer
South Korea will always hold a special place in my heart having spent time living there. I love the people, the food and the exciting combination of futuristic cities and ancient culture. I’m not sure there is anywhere else quite like it in the world. I highly recommend a South Korea adventure for anyone looking for a unique experience.
Rachel O'Leary
Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in South Korea
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Where to go
Seoul
Home to over half the population and a city of stimulating contrasts. Modern and ancient, energetic and peaceful. Skyscrapers and serene Buddhist temples give way to a hikers paradise in the nearby mountains.
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Busan
One of the busiest port cities in the world, Busan’s energy is palpable. A city of stark variations with brightly decorated houses, ancient temples, buzzing restaurants and bars, lively fish markets and plenty of opportunity to hike in the surrounding countryside.
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Gyeongju
Gyeongju seems almost covered in historical buildings and ruins, including the 8th century Bulguksa Temple and nearby Seokguram Grotto. Let your expert guide bring the ancient lives of the Silla dynasty to life here.
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Jeju Island
An island of natural beauty, exciting hiking and some of the most delicious seafood in the world. Watch in awe as the haenyeo ‘sea women’ free dive for clams, abalone, octopus, squid and seaweed.
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Jeonju
Hancock Village is the traditional neighbourhood of Jeonju City. Wooden houses form a maze of cobbled streets with an atmosphere of a bygone era. The food scene here draws Koreans from far and wide who spend the day wandering the hundreds of food stalls.
Discover moreMeet your Asia team
When to visit
Although exact dates for the cherry blossom cannot be guaranteed, your best chance of seeing it is to visit from late March to mid-April. If you travel on a South Korea private tour from September to November, you’ll be treated to an explosion of autumn colour, while winter is great for winter sports enthusiasts. July to August is South Korea’s monsoon season, so we suggested avoiding this time of year.
Cherry blossoms
March - April
Winter sports
December - February
Rainy Season
July - August
Plan your trip to
South Korea
Whatever you want from your adventure in South Korea, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
I took a leap of faith when I booked my family trip to South Korea with Jacada Travel. I researched online and liked the website. After I spoke with Ellie who is the Asia specialist, I anxiously awaited the itinerary, was wowed by the trip details, and booked the trip immediately even without any further pursuit of more thorough review…
Jacada Travel organized our once in a lifetime bespoke tour of South Korea and Japan. We have travelled extensively to all continents with the exception of Antarctica. I do all the arranging so our trip with Jacada was our first ever organized tour and it was simply the best. Rachel O’Leary and Gita Widyasari organized an absolutely amazing trip. Every…
Overall experience was great, from planning, preparation and actual trip itself. It was an "extended" planning period because of covid but we were kept up to date on latest health and immigration requirements, which helped address our concerns/anxiety. Our "Cherry Blossoms" trip to Jeju, Busan and Seoul (finally, after waiting 2 years) was great. Excellent service during the trip -…
I used Jacada Travel to plan a custom trip to Korea to meet my birth family and they went above and beyond. They arranged everything from seamless transport to the perfect translator for my needs. I am not exaggerating when I say I emailed them 50+ times with questions and concerns and they were so kind and answered all of…
We, as a family, have been privileged to go on a number of luxury holidays to some interesting places - from Peru to Pakistan and Mongolia to Mozambique - and this trip was right up there. Thank you for making it so special. To speak candidly it was a risk to move away from the more established tour operators that…
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If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.
