from £1,795 pp
South Korea — palaces, temples and the bullet train, at an unhurried pace
Flight time
~11 hours direct to Seoul
Timezone
KST (GMT+9)
Currency
South Korean Won (₩)
Visa (UK)
No visa up to 90 days (K-ETA may apply)
Language
Korean (English widely used on signs & transport)
Best time
Mar, Jun, Sep, Nov
Korea is the quiet surprise of East Asia — overlooked for years in favour of Japan and China, and all the more rewarding for it. Five-hundred-year-old palaces stand beneath glass towers in Seoul; Buddhist temples sit silent in pine-clad hills; and the KTX bullet train glides you south to Gyeongju, the thousand-year Silla capital where royal tombs rise from the parkland like green hills. It is one of the safest, cleanest and easiest countries in Asia to travel, and our tours move at an unhurried pace — with the loveliest seasons, spring blossom and autumn maples, chosen for your comfort. From the painted hillside of Busan to the volcanic coast of Jeju, this is a country that changes the mind of everyone who comes.
£1,795
From per person
What you'll experience
- Gyeongbokgung Palace and the changing of the royal guard in the heart of Seoul
- The KTX bullet train south to Gyeongju — UNESCO temples, royal tombs and the serene Buddha of Seokguram
- Busan by the sea — the painted hillside of Gamcheon, Jagalchi fish market and Haeundae beach
- A guided day at the Demilitarised Zone, the world's most extraordinary border
- Jeju Island's volcanic coast — Seongsan Ilchulbong, lava tubes and the haenyeo women divers
When to go
Best Time to Visit South Korea
Health & vaccines
No mandatory vaccines; Hepatitis A sometimes recommended
Made for your pace
Why travellers over 50 love South Korea
Korea has one of the world's finest public transport systems — the KTX bullet train and spotless city metros are punctual and effortless, so you never drive.
It is among the safest countries in Asia, with very low crime and a deep cultural respect for elders — reassuring for over-60s and solo travellers alike.
Palaces, royal tombs and temple grounds are largely flat and beautifully kept, walked at your own pace with gentle alternatives to any steps.
World-class hospitals and pharmacies are everywhere, English signage is widespread, and a dedicated private guide removes any language barrier.
Spring cherry blossom and autumn maples bring genuinely comfortable weather — mild, dry and clear — ideal for sightseeing all day without fatigue.
Experiences
Top things to do in South Korea
1Gyeongbokgung Palace & the changing of the guard
Seoul's grandest Joseon-dynasty palace, with its sweeping Gwanghwamun gate and a colourful royal guard ceremony — flat, ceremonial courtyards walked at an unhurried pace.
2Bukchon Hanok Village
A hillside quarter of preserved hanok (traditional tiled-roof houses) threaded by quiet lanes, with views over the old city. Your guide times the visit to avoid the day-trip crowds.
3The DMZ & Joint Security Area
The world's most heavily fortified border, visited on a guided day trip from Seoul — a sobering, fascinating and entirely comfortable insight into the divided peninsula.
4Gyeongju — Bulguksa Temple & Seokguram Grotto
The UNESCO-listed heart of the ancient Silla kingdom: a hillside temple of stone terraces and the serene granite Buddha of Seokguram, set among grassy royal tombs.
5Busan — Gamcheon Culture Village & Haeundae
Korea's breezy second city: the rainbow-painted hillside houses of Gamcheon, the bustling Jagalchi fish market and the long sweep of Haeundae beach.
6Jeju Island
A volcanic island of black-rock coasts, the Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff cone rising from the sea, lava-tube caves and the haenyeo women divers — Korea's gentlest, greenest escape.
Eat & drink
Food & drink in South Korea
Korean barbecue (gogigui)
Marinated beef or pork grilled at your own table and wrapped in lettuce with garlic, ssamjang and rice — a sociable, leisurely meal that is one of Korea's great pleasures.
Bibimbap & banchan
A warm bowl of rice, vegetables, egg and gochujang, served — as every Korean meal is — with a generous spread of little banchan side dishes. Wholesome, gentle and endlessly varied.
Temple cuisine & Korean tea
Serene, meat-free Buddhist temple food and a quiet ceremony of Korean green tea — an elegant counterpoint to the cities, often enjoyed in a hanok teahouse.
Transport & transfers
Getting around South Korea
Korea is superbly easy to travel. We use the KTX high-speed train between cities (Seoul–Gyeongju–Busan in comfort) and private air-conditioned vehicles with a guide for all sightseeing. The Jeju leg uses a short, gentle internal flight. No self-driving is ever required, and every transfer is handled door-to-door.
This destination suits
Exclusive · your own guide & vehicle
Private Escorted Tours
South Korea
South Korea Classic: Seoul, Gyeongju & Busan
Royal palaces in Seoul, the silent temples of Gyeongju and the sea air of Busan — Korea at an unhurried, civilised pace
From
£1,995pp
South Korea
South Korea in a Week: Seoul & Gyeongju
Royal palaces and hanok rooftops in Seoul, the bullet train south, and the ancient temple-strewn calm of Gyeongju
From
£1,795pp
South Korea
South Korea Complete: Seoul to Jeju Island
From the palaces of Seoul to the volcanic shores of Jeju — a privately escorted journey through the whole of Korea, in five-star comfort from first night to last
From
£2,295pp
South Korea
South Korea: Cherry Blossom & Autumn Colours
Palaces beneath the blossom and temples wreathed in maple — Korea at its two most beautiful moments, unhurried and entirely your own
From
£1,995pp
South Korea
South Korea for Solo Travellers: Seoul, Gyeongju & Busan
One of Asia's safest, kindest and easiest countries — explored privately, as a solo guest, with the single supplement quietly waived
From
£1,995pp
Not sure which tour is right for you?
Our South Korea specialists will help you find the perfect match — no hard sell, just honest advice.
Our promise
Why travel with us for South Korea
Soo-Yeon Kim was born in Seoul and has guided Korea for over a decade — a scholar of the Joseon court and Silla history who knows the quietest hour to stand before the great Buddha at Seokguram.
Korea's superb KTX bullet train and private chauffeured cars replace every long road day — you never drive, never navigate and never rush.
We schedule Korea strictly in the gentle spring (blossom) and autumn (maple) seasons, avoiding the humid summer and the deep cold of winter, so you travel in the most comfortable weather the country offers.
Every hotel is a genuine five-star or finest-in-town address, chosen for comfort, lift access and central, walkable locations — ideal for couples and solo travellers alike.
Korea is one of the safest, easiest countries in Asia, and we design each day around the over-50s — gentle distances, honest accessibility notes and proper rest woven through.
Common questions
South Korea travel questions answered
Do I need a visa for South Korea?
British citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Korea operates a K-ETA electronic travel authorisation, though UK passport holders have periodically been exempt under a temporary waiver — we confirm the current position for your departure and guide you through any application required. A passport with at least six months' validity is needed.
When is the best time to visit South Korea?
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–November) are the loveliest seasons: mild, dry and clear, with cherry blossom in April and golden foliage in October and November. We schedule all our departures within these two windows and avoid the humid summer monsoon and the cold of midwinter entirely.
Is South Korea suitable for travellers over 70 or with limited mobility?
Largely, yes. The palace courtyards, royal tombs, the KTX bullet train and our hotels are flat and step-free; the temples and hillside villages that involve steps all have gentler alternatives or level viewing points, and your guide always leads the easier route. Tell us your needs and we will tailor the daily pace accordingly.
Is South Korea safe, and is it good for solo travellers?
South Korea is one of the safest countries in the world, with very low crime and a warm welcome for older visitors. It is an excellent choice for solo travellers — we run a dedicated solo itinerary with the single supplement waived on most departures, and a private guide with you throughout.
Free guide
First time visiting South Korea?
We've put together a free guide with everything you need before you go — best time to visit, what to pack, how to get around, and a few things first-timers always wish they'd known.
Plan with confidence
Ready to start planning your South Korea holiday?
Speak with a specialist who has been to South Korea, knows every hotel on our programme, and will design your itinerary around exactly what you want. No hard sell — just honest, expert advice.
ATOL Protected
Your money is 100% safe, guaranteed by the CAA.
Refundable Deposits
Plans change. Your deposit is returned in full if you cancel early.
No 09:00 starts
Every day begins at your pace — Gentle, Moderate or Active, as promised.
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