100% customisable travel idea
Reflections of Korea Art, Architecture and Insider advices
Korea - Seoul - Jeonju - Gwangju - Jeju - Incheon
Art and Matter
Your Trip
To let you fully immerse yourself in Korean know-how, we take care of all the logistics. Start with direct flights to reach the country. Once on the mainland, you’ll alternate between private transfers and KTX high-speed trains. It just a short domestic flight to Jeju Island and, once there, you can explore freely at the wheel of your hire vehicle. At each stop, we have selected accommodation that fits the theme of the trip: a hotel-museum in Jeonju, modernised hanoks in Seoul and Incheon and an architect-designed house in Jeju. And to make sure you don’t miss a thing in the cities you visit, we have also included three private tours in your itinerary. Explore Seoul, Gwangju, and Incheon in the company of guides whom we have handpicked for their appreciation of art and architecture. And if you have any concerns or last-minute requests, you’ll have the contact details of our on site Concierge. They can also work with your travel specialist to make any desired changes to your trip along the way - perhaps adding on a few days to explore Busan?
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Night on board, arrival the next day.
On arrival, private transfer to Seochon, the so-called “west village”. Traditional houses pressed closely together lend the neighbourhood a nostalgic charm. Cafés and art galleries line cobbled lanes where light and shadow play - far removed from the city centre’s dazzling neon blaze. Stay for three nights in a hanok residence modernised by inspired architects. Wood defines the interiors, from floor to ceiling, in dark, handsome beams. A stone bathtub is set into the floor: you slip into it as easily as you do the local culture. The house maintains a dialogue with its surroundings: locally sourced breakfast ingredients and toiletries, bespoke scents and soundscapes enhancing the atmosphere. An immersion that feels perfectly judged from the outset.
Capital of Korea for centuries, Seoul’s history unfolds along its streets and riverbanks. The neighbourhoods stretch along the Han River, with the mountains always in view. Palaces and century-old residences stand alongside striking contemporary towers. To make exploring easier, you have your T-Money card in your pocket - a must-have for public transport here.
In your itinerary - Seoul, architecture and art. Art is experienced indoors and out - and Seoul excels at both. The city’s cultural institutions inhabit architecture worthy of the works they contain. Changdeokgung Palace provides an excellent introduction, before moving on to bolder architectural works: Zaha Hadid’s Dongdaemun Design Plaza unfolds its futuristic silver curves; at Ewha University, Dominique Perrault has dramatically split the campus in two; the Arario Museum and COEX each, in their own way, offer a glimpse of the world to come.
See and do - Wander through the galleries of the Insa-dong district; meet young Koreans in Hongdae; admire the city from the top of N Seoul Tower; follow the aroma of street barbecues to Gwangjang Market; discover Korean art in the city’s various museums; try not to hum *that* familiar tune in Gangnam.
KTX train to Jeonju, along the west coast. On arrival in North Jeolla Province, take a private transfer to an unusual accommodation nestled in the heart of nature. At the top of a hill, you'll see a cluster of hanok houses. First assembled in the 14th century several hundred miles away, they were later moved and brought back to life by a bold Korean architect, who completed the existing structures with a third wing of raw, concrete lines. Now a museum, the property has agreed to open its doors outside public hours - welcoming a handful of privileged guests, including you, for an overnight stay.
Private transfer to the station, then take the KTX train to Gwangju. Check in for a two-night stay in the city centre, in a modern hotel strategically located near the main sights. Recently opened, it offers minimalist spaces in immaculate white - exactly what you might picture when you think of contemporary hotel in Korea. Some rooms are arranged around floor-level beds, in local style. We recommend the more Western set-up - a wonderfully cosy option. The hotel's rooftop terrace is the perfect way to take in the city before you dive in.
Gwangju is the very embodiment of Korean renewal: getting back on your feet, picking up the pieces and turning them into something beautiful - so as not to forget. On 18 May 1980, demonstrations broke out in response to the coup led by General Chun Doo-hwan. The resulting crackdown was swift and shockingly violent. Gwangju lost lives and gained a name - the cradle of Korean democracy. Exactly 15 years later, the first Gwangju Biennale was born. Determined to celebrate rather than erase, the city began investing in creative spaces, becoming a major cultural and artistic hub. Along “Art Street”, performers and makers take turns showcasing their talents, while on the outskirts of the city, Mudeungsan Park hides the surprising Uijae Museum.
In your itinerary - Gwangju with a local. Your guide for the day may not call themselves a guide, but they know the city inside out. After falling for Korea, they made their life here, blending into the rhythm of local life. Drawing on this hands-on experience, your guide introduces you to Gwangju through trendy spots and hidden gems. And their appreciation for art and architecture makes them the perfect fit for the theme of your trip.
Private transfer to the airport, then flight to Jeju. Pick up your rental car and head south on the island. For several years now, Jeju has been a playground for architects. Proof comes in the form of this complex: 70 houses, each available to rent, imagined by some of today’s most sought-after names. Dominique Perrault, Kengo Kuma and Jongho Yi (among others) were given carte blanche to express their own idea of rest and comfort. Set apart on the edge of a park, the interiors come fully equipped for independent living. In the gardens, guests follow the sculpture-lined path to the inviting pool.
At the meeting point of three countries and three seas, Jeju was born from lava flows from Hallasan volcano. Now deeply dormant, the giant watches over a seaside escape with its patchwork geography: to the south, the Jusangjeolli cliffs stack stone columns like a volcanic pipe organ; to the east, the green cone of Seongsan Ilchulbong clings to its islet via a narrow strip of land. Inland, waterfalls burst from dense vegetation, while along the shore, long stretches of sand welcome powerful rolling waves. Jeju - daughter of the sea - offers more than scenery: on one hand, a deep-rooted culture shapes paths, dialect and beliefs; and on the other, the island looks firmly to the future - its architecture and art (with around a hundred museums) are vivid proof.
Flight to Incheon, around 30 miles (50 km) from Seoul. Private transfer to Songdo-dong, a man-made section of land reclaimed from the Yellow Sea. Overnight stay in an establishment that juggles different eras: while it presents itself as “traditional” with a hanok complex where wood reigns supreme (even in the bathtub), you'll still find thoroughly modern amenities and comfort. Better still, the hotel is central: shops and metro are close at hand, as is the popular Central Park (Korea’s own version). Now's your chance to soak up the Korean air one last time.
In your itinerary: Incheon in the footsteps of a local. You experienced it in Gwangju: exploring a city with a local has a whole different feel, especially when time is short. It's about focusing on what matters most, but “what matters most” doesn't mean the same thing for everyone - it depends on your tastes and interests. Share yours, then let your guide take the lead: from the street-food stalls of Sinpo Market to the lanes of Chinatown, via the blooming rose gardens in Grand Park. And why not end the journey as it began - beneath the futuristic curves of a structure created by Zaha Hadid? The G-Tower, all sharp angles, can certainly hold its own against its Seoul cousin.
Private transfer to the airport and international return flight.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Add a few more days to visit Busan
The country’s second largest city, Busan, is just a KTX ride away. The wave of contemporary architecture along the seafront hints at the modernity concealed within the city. Here too, the aesthetic revolution is well under way. And art is far from limited to the façades! In Centum City, Museum 1 stands out as Korea’s pioneering immersive multimedia museum. 80 million LEDs across 2,000 m² (2,153 square feet) bring to life a colourful, digital experience in which visitors become active participants in an ever-changing exhibition. Clinging to the hillside, the Gamcheon district has successfully transformed from a shantytown into a vibrant cultural centre, thanks to determined and enthusiastic local artists. The air here is still fizzing with creativity.
Why visit South Korea with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to South Korea
- Globally unique concierge service
- Wi-Fi: 1 GB/day included
- Gourmet Voyageurs
- Adjust your trip while travelling
- 24-hour assistance
- CO2 absorption
