Essence of South Korea and Japan

After taking your included VIP door-to-door travel service to the airport, fly overnight to Seoul.

Arrive in the capital of South Korea where you stay for the next three nights at the 5-star Novotel Ambassador Yongsam (4Q). This luxury hotel is centrally located, close to Yongsan Electronics Market, Shilla I’Park Mall, and the War Memorial of Korea.

After you’ve settled in to your hotel, enjoy an authentic welcome dinner of Korean fried chicken served with a local beer. D

After breakfast at your hotel, set out on a full day included tour of Seoul. Start at the Gyeongbok Palace, regarded as Seoul’s grandest and most beautiful palace. Built during the Joseon dynasty in 1395, Gyeonbokung served as the main palace for 200 years, until its destruction during the Imjin War. The palace has been gradually restored over the last 30 years and today houses the National Folk Museum, which you will also have the opportunity to visit.

Next visit one of Seoul’s traditional tea houses in the Insadong district for a tasting session. Complete your tour with a stop at the N Seoul Tower, a 236-metre high radio and observation tower. As the second highest point in Seoul, the tower offers incredible panoramic views of the surrounding city. 

This evening perhaps join an optional excursion to Gwangjang Market. B, L

Today learn about the sombre history of North and South Korea, and get a glimpse into one of the world’s most closed countries on a full day excursion to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the unoccupied land that separates the two Korean countries.

This once-in-a-lifetime tour takes you first to Imjingak Village, the most northerly point where South Korean’s can travel freely, and home to the Freedom Bridge where over 10,000 prisoners of war were traded at the end of the Korean War. Next see the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, one of four known tunnels that runs underneath the border between North and South Korea. You’ll have the opportunity to walk through the tunnel built in secret by North Korea to invade the South.

Continue to the nearby Dora Observatory where, through binoculars, you’ll be able to look across the DMZ into North Korea, and visit Dorasan Station, a railway station which used to connect North and South Korea and remains now as a symbolic gesture for reunification. Drive past Unification Village to Camp Bonifas, a United Nations military post lying 400-metres south of the border and home to the Joint Security Area (JSA), the only place in the DMZ where North and South Korean guards stand face-to-face. At this spot you’ll have the opportunity to stand over the border in North Korea. As part of the JSA tour, you’ll also visit Freedom House, the Bridge of No Return and the Axe Murder Incident Area.

Return to Seoul this evening for dinner at your own expense. You’ll also have the opportunity to see the longest-running show in Korean history on this evening’s optional excursion to see a performance of Nanta. B, L

Please note: You must bring your passport and dress conservatively for this full day excursion.

This morning embark on a high-speed rail journey on the KTX to Gyeongju, known as the ‘Museum Without Walls’ (two hours). Once the ancient capital of South Korea, Gyeongju offers a glimpse into Korea’s splendid past. Join an included sightseeing tour of the city this afternoon, taking in Tumuli Park – an open air museum of grass-covered burial mounds, Cheomseongdae Observatory – the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia, Anapji Pond in the Gyeongju National Park, and the Gyeongju National Museum, home to numerous historical artefacts of the Silla Dynasty.

Tonight you’ll stay overnight at the 4-star The Suites Hotel Gyeongju (4Q) overlooking Lake Bomun. B, D

Enjoy the morning at leisure, or alternatively join an optional excursion to Seokguram Grotto in the Gyeongju National Park. This afternoon take the KTX train to Busan, South Korea’s second most populous city, and a bustling port, home to sandy beaches, striking mountains and mouth-watering seafood (two hours).

Spend the next two nights at the 4-star Ramada Encore Haeundae (3Q) located just a few minutes walk from Haeundae beach. B, D

Spend the morning at leisure or perhaps join an optional excursion to Jagalchi Fish Market.

This afternoon join an included sightseeing tour of Busan. Highlights include Haedong Yonggungsa Temple – one of the only oceanside Buddhist temples in South Korea, the 120-metre high Busan Tower offering panoramic views of the surrounding city, and Haeundae Beach – a 1.5-kilometre, sandy beach backed by modern skyscrapers, considered to be South Korea’s most beautiful beach. B, L

Early this morning, transfer to Busan airport and fly to Osaka in Japan (90 minutes).

Then transfer by coach to Kyoto (35 miles, one hour) for a two-night stay at the 4-star Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (4Q). Your included dinner is at an Izakaya – a traditional Japanese pub. B, D

Founded in 794, Kyoto is widely considered Japan's cultural heart and is a virtual living museum. On a full-day sightseeing tour see the Kiyomizu, Ryonaji and Kinkakuji Temples, treat yourself to lunch in Nishiki market and enjoy a stroll around the Gion district, once the haunt of geisha. You’re free to dine at your own expense this evening. B

After breakfast transfer to the station and take the bullet train to Mishima for a full day exploring Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain, and the surrounding area (three hours). First visit the small tourist village of Oshino Hakkai in the Fuji Five Lake region. Have your camera ready as the village is famed for its views of Mount Fuji, which are particularly breathtaking both during the cherry blossom season in spring, and when the autumn leaves in full colour.

Continue to the Fuji 5th Station, which lies at approximately the halfway point of the Yoshida Trail, leading from the Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine at the mountain's base to the summit. If the weather is unsuitable, visit the Fuji Visitor Centre instead.

Tonight you’ll stay overnight in Kawaguchiko at the 4-star Regina Kawaguchiki (4Q) with an included Kaiseki dinner, a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner. B, D

This morning take a cruise across Lake Ashi to drink in the world-famous view of snow-capped Mount Fuji, and to see the hot springs that bubble up in this crater lake. Head for the shores to see the impressive Hakone Shrine and ride the Komagatake Ropeway cable car to the summit of Mount Hakone.

Today you’ll have the entire day free to spend as you choose. After your included breakfast at the hotel, perhaps utilise Tokyo’s first-class public transport system to visit the bright lights of Akihabara Electric Town, the upmarket shopping district of Ginza, or the Asakusa district where you’ll find Senso-ji, the city’s oldest temple. This evening’s included dinner is at a Yakitori restaurant, a Japanese-style pub. B, D

After breakfast join a half day included sightseeing tour of Tokyo, comparing and contrasting the city’s old and new sights. Visit Imperial Palace Plaza to see the Japanese Royal Family’s official residence, then continue to the Hamarikyu Gardens – a natural oasis in the heart of the city, and after a sushi demonstration, make your own sushi lunch. Spend the afternoon at leisure to continue exploring Tokyo independently. This evening experience a farewell dinner with a difference at Hananomai Sumo Restaurant, where performers, musicians and retired sumo wrestlers entertain as you dine. B, L, D

Check out of your hotel after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your return flight and included door-to-door travel service home. B