Escorted Tours 2024 - 2025

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Day 1: UK to Seoul Depart the UK on your scheduled overnight flight. Day 2: Seoul On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Day 3: Seoul B/L/D Following breakfast, embark on a tour of South Korea’s Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Visit Dorasan train station, which connects north and south, and the Dorasan Observatory which overlooks the DMZ. After lunch, embark on a city tour of Seoul. Starting at Changdeokgung Palace, explore the pavilions and rooms of this imperial residence before touring its Secret Garden. Continue onward to the Bukchon Hanok Village, then later travel to the N. Seoul Tower. Day 4: Seoul B/L/D After breakfast, continue touring the city including the Changing of the Palace guard. Travel to Insadong Antique Street and browse through the wares on display in elegant, wooden shop fronts. Next, head to the Kimchi Museum and learn more about this local fermented cabbage dish, then stop in at the Buddhist temple of Jogyesa and browse through the stalls of Gwangjang Food Market. Day 5: Seoul to Busan B/L/D This morning, transfer by metro to the train station (luggage will be transported) and board your high- speed train to Busan. On arrival, set out on an afternoon coach tour of the city, stopping at the Gamcheon Cultural Village. Next, pay your respects at the UN Memorial Cemetery then visit peaceful APEC Nurimaru Park and Haeundae Beach. Later, climb 108 steps to picturesque Haedong Yonggungsa temple and explore this sacred Buddhist site which boasts a stunning setting on Busan’s coastal cliffs. Day 6: Busan to Gyeongju B/L/D After breakfast, embark on a morning tour, moving between sights by metro. Wander through the Jagalchi Fish Market and then the Kukje Market, where you’ll stop for lunch. Visit nearby BIFF Square, then continue on to Busan Tower. Next, transfer to Busan Train Station and travel to Gyeongju. On arrival, enjoy dinner and a night-time tour of Anapji, the site of a spectacular palace and pond. Day 7: Gyeongju B/L/D A full-day tour of Gyeongju takes in the major sites of Korea’s ancient former capital. Journey from the immense Buddha statue which lies in Seokguram Grotto to UNESCO-listed Bulguksa Temple. For lunch, visit a Korean cooking school where you will learn how to make Korea’s delectable beef barbeque and dine on your culinary masterpiece. Continue onward to the age-old observatory of Cheomseongdae before taking in the greenery of Tumuli Park and browsing through ancient artefacts in the Gyeongju National Museum. Day 8: Gyeongju to Andong B/L/D Today, catch the train to Andong, a city renowned for its open- air heritage museums. On arrival, journey to Hahoe Village where you’ll discover hundreds of ceremonial masks on display in the Hahoe Mask Museum. Soak in sweeping views of the village from nearby Buyongdae Cliff then wander through the local market. Transfer to your hotel for check-in and dinner, followed by an evening at leisure. Day 9: Andong to Seoul B/L/D Depart Andong this morning and travel by coach to Poonggi where you’ll visit the city’s sprawling ginseng plantation and the area’s oldest ginseng market. Marvel at the amazing variety of ginseng products on display then journey onward to Daegang Makgeolli (Rice Wine) Brewery in Danyang. Continue on to Seoul, where a night of entertainment awaits. Re-join your group for a farewell dinner and a trip to see ‘Nanta’, one of the most famous theatrical performances in the country. Day 10: Seoul B Enjoy a day at leisure to explore this bustling metropolis at your own pace. Day 11: Seoul to the UK B After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Flavours of South Korea What you’ll see ⚫ Witness the heavily guarded border between North and South Korea on a tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) ⚫ Enjoy a city tour of Seoul ⚫ Wander the opulent palaces, ancient tombs of Gyeongjus ⚫ Marvel at the picturesque Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Combining war-time monuments, culinary delights and ancient imperial palaces, this 11-day tour of South Korea delves into its fascinating past and politically charged present. What’s included ✔ Return flights Heathrow to South Korea with Asiana Airlines ✔ Where you’ll stay Seoul, 4 H Orakai Daehakro Hotel Busan, 4 H Crown Harbour Hotel Gyeongju, 4 H Commodore Hotel Andong, 3 H Andong Grand Hotel ✔ 23 meals ✔ 11 excursions ✔ Expert local tour guide Tour pace: Challenging Busan Gyeongju Seoul Andong      < < Coach Air Rail Nights 2 5 1 2 1 Includes three rail journeys Departures & from prices Mar 24 £3,399 Mar 25 £3,299 May 24 £3,499 Apr 25 £3,699 Jun 24 £2,999 May 25 £3,699 Sep 24 £3,199 Jun 25 £3,399 Oct 24 £3,299 Sep 25 £3,499 Nov 24 £2,899 Oct 25 £3,599 Feb 25 £3,199 Nov 25 £3,099 • Lead-in price based on 27 Nov 24 • A single supplement starts from just £399 • Tipping paid locally £20pp per tour Save £100 on selected departures with code TOUR100 46 East Asia Hundreds of escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk