Korea Family Tours & Private Travel

Korea Help me decide Family

For Gen Z, South Korea’s not a country, it’s a vibe and a lifestyle all rolled into one. It’s traditional, but not bound by convention; progressive but rooted; hierarchical but reciprocal. History and hyper modernity don’t conflict. They meld. Traditionally made hanji paper is repurposed in heavy-set earrings. You can wander through Seoul’s historic courtyard homes in the morning and in the afternoon enjoy its traditions virtually at the digital galleries of the National Museum.

A lesson in age-old Taekwondo, demonstrating competence and skill, complements a coached session in e-sports, evidencing commitment and determination. Dressing up in hanbok, or traditional linen costume, is as Instagram-able as joining busking street dancers in vibrant Hongdae district. On the one hand, Korean recipes go back thousands of years. On the other, cafés, stay open late with pastries so manicured as to seem manufactured.

South Korea bespeaks history, but also modernity. It’s a place you enjoy through engagement. And importantly, for families, it’s as safe as it is fun.

The kids said it was their best vacation ever and that’s what matters to us most

R. C. USA

experiences

Enriching Your Trip

KPop Lesson

cooking

See South Korea Your Way

This itinerary is merely a suggestion and should be used to frame a dialogue on your bespoke itinerary. We will customize this to your interests and requirements so that you see each destination the way you want.

onju was the provincial ancestral home of the Lee family, which ruled Korea from Seoul, the national capital, under the Joseon dynasty (1392 – 1897). This itinerary combines these two cities, powerhouses of Korean tradition, to sample the country’s most significant cultural achievements. A visit to Seoul of course also offers the opportunity to view the country’s finest contemporary art galleries and museums.

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Day 01

Arrive in Seoul

Seoul's a great city for families to arrive at. While those with young children might wish to dive into the hotel swimming pool and soak in a hot tub, others will let their older kids seek out the gym (remembering that hotel gyms in Seoul are absolutely fabulous). For an easy first meal, why not try crispy Korean Fried Chicken.

Day 02

Walk Through A Palace, Cook Up A Storm, Bicycle Along the River

Gyeongbok Palace is Seoul's grandest with opportunities to watch the guard-changing ceremony and dress in traditional Korean dress or hanbok. Whilst not all children are fans of history, many will enjoy testing their cooking abilities in an introductory lesson. The Han river divides Seoul into north and south and traditional and contemporary areas. Apart from futuristic bridges and city parks, families riding along the safe cycle paths will find lots of cafes and outdoor exercise equipment to stop at.

Day 03

Old And New Korea For Kids

There's a number of areas in which South Korea excels. One is museums, the second is digital culture. Both are combined in the children's digital galleries at the National Museum, which present the country's national treasures in a way that is both fun and engaging for adults and kids equally. All family members will enjoy trying their hand at traditional ink painting, learning how to handle a calligraphy brush and apply ink to rice paper rather than paint. In the evening, you will visit Hongdae, a contemporary district, to watch street busking, dance and to enjoy some karaoke.

Day 04

A Secret Garden And K-Pop Fun

The garden at Changdeok Palace was secret not only because access was traditionally limited to members of the royal family but also because the design, emphasizing a more natural look, followed the contours of the existing land such that it remained hidden. Children will also appreciate the way paths are laid to suddenly reveal previously hidden views. The rest of the day is spent in Gangnam (as in the song "Gangnam Style") learning the singing and dancing techniques central to K-Pop.

Day 05

Train to Busan And Taekwondo

After we arrive in Busan, you will be driven to your hotel on beautiful Haeundae Beach in the new part of town. This afternoon, you will enjoy a Taekwondo lesson, learning "the way of the fist and kick" (but perhaps not progressing to the world's only 540 degree kick on your first lesson). Busan's coastal splendor, combining skyscrapers, cliffs, islands and sand beaches, can be admired from many vantage points. Families particularly enjoy riding the Capsule Train to admire the features of this modern city.

Day 06

Korea's Largest Seafood Market And Art Village

As well as Korea's largest port, Busan also boasts its most extensive seafood market. A chef will lead families through the many delicious foods to be sampled . Many can expect to be delayed at the hotteok stand, delighting on deep-fried pancakes filled with red bean and honey. In the afternoon, you will enjoy visiting the unusual Gamcheon Village. Originally a refugee camp from the Korean War (1950-53), this has now been gentrified into an art area with many shops and galleries.

Day 07

Geongju Daytrip

Gyeongju was the country's capital during the first millennium. Its 23 Imperial Tombs can be viewed by bicycle, e-bike or even Segway. The nearby museum features the gold crown and scepters that were discovered here. Along the main street of its handsome old town, families will appreciate stores selling Gyeongju Ssal bread, a chewy rice-based snack filled with red bean or black sesame paste. On our way back to Busan, you will stop at one of Korea's most precious ancient stone Buddhas by Bulguk Temple.

Day 08

Fly to Jeju Traditional Korean Bathhouse

After arriving in Jeju, families will enjoy repairing to the Jimjilbang or traditional Korean bathhouse to relax in dry and wet sauna areas heated to a range of temperatures. Those who wish to try it may choose to sample a vigorous local exfoliation treatment.

Day 09

Hiking and Digital Installations

Jeju is blessed with over 400 km of coastal trails. This morning you will have the opportunity to participate in the nation's popular pastime of hiking. As well as history you will learn about Jeju's geography, particularly about its many volcanic features such as the octagonal basalt columns comprising its cliff-faces. In the afternoon, you will love the Immersive Media Art Museum, which features a panoply of large-scale digital installations. Many incorporate images with mirrors and sensors that react and change according to the viewer's location.

Day 10

Tradition of Female Seafood Divers, Fishing and Fish

Women were first recorded as diving for seafood in Jeju over a thousand years ago, and for the past 300 years, they dominated this profession. When we meet with haenyeo female seafood divers, they will share not only their experiences, techniques and diving spots but also some traditional seafood dishes. This theme continues with time devoted both to fishing and to visiting a popular nearby aquarium. In time for sun set, we head east to circumambulate a coastal volcanic crater overlooking the East Sea and with clear views to Hallasan, a dormant volcano to the west.

Day 11

Departure

You return home from Korea with vivid memories both of local traditions like female divers and ink painting and contemporary developments as diverse as digital art installations and K Pop instruction. Further, you and your children will have been able to appreciate the key social and cultural elements that drive societies in this ingenious and progressive Confucian corner of North East Asia.

Recommended interests

After your time spent exploring Family you may want to consider these other recommended interests

Arts & Culture

Korea's vibrant crafts scene from ceramics to gold & silverwork to lacquerware date back thousands of years. Meet with artisans designated as national treasures. Visit contemporary art galleries and meet up and coming artists.

Culinary

From guided local market tours to Michelin starred fine dining, from cooking lessons to celebrity chefs including masters of kimchi and fermented sauces, delve into the very best of Korean food.

mountain trails

Mountains comprise 70% of Korea's landmass offering gorgeous hiking with visits to Buddhist temples nestled in their midst.  There are also great trails along oceanside cliffs.

Women & Wellness

K-beauty has taken the world by storm.  Meet with specialists, indulge in a headspa or an innovative skin treatment, and shop to your hearts content at stylish home design and fashion boutiques.

Korea Inquiry

Complete our inquiry form and an Itinerary Designer will get back to you shortly therafter. We make every effort to tailor your South Korea holiday to your unique travel style, needs, interests and preferences. The more detailed information you can give us now, the better we can help design the perfect bespoke itinerary for you.

General Inquiries
SouthKorea@imperialtours.net

Korea Inquiry

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Seoul

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Gyeongju

Juju

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Jeonju

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