8 reasons to visit South Korea

Experiencing a country’s local cuisine is an essential part of travelling and this is certainly true of any trip to South Korea. Bibimbap, tteok-bokki, a classic Korean barbecue… South Korea’s cuisine is unrivalled. Most meals are accompanied with small side dishes, including kimchi, a pickled and fermented cabbage. 

You’ll find a range of meat, seafood and fish options – South Korea offers plenty of variety for vegetarians, too. The country is also famed for its fried chicken and beer combination - visit a traditional brewery that specialises in makgeolli, a lightly sparkling rice wine. 

The border between North and South Korea is a geo-political barrier that separates the Korean peninsula. One of the last frontiers of the Cold War, the DMZ covers an area where over a million soldiers are posted on each side - the Korean War has never technically or officially ended. 

You can visit the DMZ as part of a group tour, where you will be escorted by the military right into the DMZ and stand at the very edge of one the last remaining Cold War icons. You’ll learn more about this significant part of history, and explore Imjingak Park, the DMZ Museum and the Dora Observatory. Most DMZ tours also include a visit to the Third Infiltration Tunnel, which was built by North Korea with the aim to breach the border into South Korea.

South Korea prides itself on hallyu, or ‘Korean Wave’, a term used to describe the cultural phenomenon the country has experienced over the last few decades. Riveting K-Dramas, exciting K-Pop bands, world-acclaimed skincare… South Korea is just as worth visiting for its modern culture as much as its centuries-old temples and pagodas. 

Check out contemporary art galleries, buzzing nightlife scenes, trendy stores and colourful street art in the likes of Seoul and Busan. Our South Korea tour gives you enough free time to explore the country’s modernity at your leisure.

South Korea is a great destination for lovers of the great outdoors, as it offers plenty in the way of nature walks, mountain hikes and green parks. Trek through Mudeungsan National Park to reach the historic Jeungsimsa Temple, or tackle Namsan Mountain, which is home to 100 temples, 80 stone Buddha statues and 60 stone pagodas.

Coastal scenes await in Busan, where after visiting the beaches and breathing in that fresh sea air, you can reward yourself with endless fresh seafood afterwards.