GREAT CITY WALKING TOUR
PLEASE NOTE: This tour is designated as a Walking Tour. Over the course of a day, guests should be able to handle 10,000 steps, ten or more flights of stairs and lots of ups and downs on uneven terrain. The good news is: we won't be in a race, so the pace will be relaxed!
Barry considers Korea his second home, as he has lived there twice - in Busan in the 1990's and in Seoul in the 2010's. As a result, this tour is one of his favourites to operate, as its built around his personal experiences and favourite places.
For any first time visitor to Korea, Seoul is a real eye opener. That's because it has become one of the most exciting mega-cities in the world, especially for young people. Korean cuisine is also the rage, and Korean fashion, television and music are huge around the world. As a result, the youthful energy of Seoul is palpable, and there's little chance anybody would ever be bored.
While everyone expects a big city vibe in Seoul, few anticipate the amazing mountainous landscape of Korea. On this tour, we will spend a day in Seoraksan National Park, South Korea's premier mountain hiking destination. Meanwhile in Seoul, we will see lots of sites, including the Lotte Tower, the Royal Palace and several Buddhist temples. We will also spend a day at the Demilitarized Zone, the last vestige of the Cold War.
This tour is called "SEOUL plus" because we will spend 8 nights in one hotel (in the perfect location). However, we will get out of the city a couple of times on days trip (hence the 'plus'). For those who hate changing hotels, this means more time doing stuff, and less time shuffling from place to place. If that sounds like something you'd like, maybe you should join us!
KOREAN FOOD is very distinctive with powerful flavours. In order to accommodate a variety of palates, Barry has set up meals so guests have a choice between Korean cuisine and options more familiar - whether that's vegetarian, other ethnic cuisine, or even a burger or slice of pizza.
PLEASE NOTE: This tour immediately precedes our Best of JAPAN tour. This was done deliberately so that guests could visit South Korea, or Japan, or both. As a bonus, we'll even provide an extra night's accommodation in Tokyo to link these tours at no additional cost for those taking both.
DETAILS
LAND PACKAGE: C$3,280
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: C$960
TYPE: Classic
HOTELS: 4 star
GROUP: Max 12 Guests (5 remaining)
DURATION: 9 days (8 nights)
Begins in Seoul: Sun Oct 19, 2025
Ends in Seoul: Mon Oct 27, 2025
Daily Agenda
Day 0 (Sat Oct 18) Depart Toronto
The adventure begins! The recommended flight plan is direct with Air Canada's AC61 which departs Pearson Airport at 13:35, but there are other options available too.
Day 1 (Sun Oct 19) Arrive in Seoul
Welcome to Korea! After landing at Incheon International Airport, Barry will be there to meet you and bring you to our hotel downtown.
Dongdaemun Gate, Seoul
Day 2 (Mon Oct 20) Royal Palaces and Hanok Village (B,L,D)
After breakfast and a quick tour overview, we’ll walk to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, built in 1395. Those interested can join Ursula in a traditional Korean hanbok for the day. Afterwards, we’ll visit Bukchon Hanok Village, a neighborhood once home to aristocrats and high-ranking officials, where many hanok (traditional Korean houses) now serve as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants, and tea houses, offering a glimpse into traditional Korean life.
Day 3 (Tue Oct 21) DMZ Tour (B,L)
Today, we’ll embark on a full-day group tour to the Demilitarized Zone, one of the most historically significant and heavily fortified borders in the world. This visit offers a rare chance to witness the remnants of the Cold War and gain insight into the tensions and history that still shape the Korean Peninsula. After returning to Seoul, we’ll unwind with a classic local favourite—crispy fried chicken and cold beer—before enjoying a free evening to relax or explore at your own pace.
Seoraksan National Park in autumn
Day 4 (Wed Oct 22) Hike with Barry OR Neighbourhoods with Ursula; Lotte World & Tower (B,L)
Guests have two options: join Barry for a hike on Achesan Mountain or spend the day with Ursula touring neighbourhoods. After a break in the afternoon, the group will travel across the city to the impressive Lotte World complex. To cap off the day, we’ll head up Lotte Tower, Korea’s tallest skyscraper, just in time for a twilight view over the city.
Day 5 (Thu Oct 23) Seoraksan National Park (B,L,D)
We’ll set out early for a full-day tour of Seoraksan National Park, Korea’s most famous mountain destination. Towering peaks, dense forests, and clear mountain streams make this a favorite destination for nature lovers, hikers, and photographers. We’ll take a cable car up the mountain for sweeping views, visit a Buddhist temple dating back to the Silla Dynasty, and hike along a mountain stream.
DMZ Demilitarized Zone, Korea
Day 6 (Fri Oct 24) Dongdaemun, Gwangjang Market; Myeongdong Shopping Street (B, L)
This is a walking tour starting from our hotel. Highlights will include the Gwangjang Food Market, Dongdaemun Gate, and the Dongdaemun Cultural Centre. After returning to the hotel for a rest, we will head to Myeongdong for the craziest assortment of street food available anywhere.
Day 7 (Sat Oct 25) Busan Day with Barry OR Cultural Tour with Ursula (B,L)
Guests have two options. The first is a day trip to Busan (Korea's second city) by KTX train with Barry. This group will visit Jagalchi Fish Market and other sites along the coast, leaving early and returning late to Seoul. (Train fare not included.) The second option is to spend the day with Ursula exploring cultural sites in the city. After living in Seoul for two years, Ursula knows about fascinating places most tourists would never find.
Seoul city wall
Day 8 (Sun Oct 26) FREE DAY (B,D)
Today is a free day for guests to do whatever they want. You might visit Changdeokgung Palace, Bongeunsa Temple, Seodaemun Prison Museum, or Namsan Mountain and the Seoul Tower. Other options include cat/dog cafés, traditional Korean art classes, escape rooms, VR zones, cooking classes, a Han River bike ride, exploring Itaewon, tea tasting, the Nanta Show, or visiting Jubilee Church, where Barry & Ursula attended when they lived here. We'll finish the day with our Farewell Dinner.
Day 9 (Mon Oct 27) TRAVEL DAY (B)
After check-out, the group will head to Gimpo Airport to catch a mid-day flight to Tokyo. Upon arrival, we will head to the Shinjuku area to check in at our next hotel.
Ursula in Bukchon Hanok Village
Photo Gallery
