Best of Korea in 12 Days

Sharp Travel & Tours Inc.

STANDARD GROUP TOURS

DAILY EXCURSIONS

AMT RECOMMENDATIONS

ANNUAL FESTIVALS

Best of Korea (12 days)

Best of Korea 12 days is the most comprehensive Korea tour which combines eastern and western Korea tour programs together. Starting from Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, you'll be taken along the west coast towards down south to Busan city then flying further down to the Jeju Island. After spending 3 days in the beautiful semi-tropical Island, you'll take a very short flight back to the mainland, traveling up along the east coast stopping in Gyeongju, Andong, Mt. Seorak, then finally back to Seoul city.

JFK LAX/SFO

$2760 $2630

7/14/08 to 11/ 30/08

12/24/08 to 5/14/08

$2890 $2740

5/15/08 to 5/ 31

12/1/08 to 12/7/08

$3240 $3090

6/1/08 to 7/13/08

12/8/08 to 12/23/08

Land Only: $1700

Single

Supplement: $825

Contact Info

Telephone - 847.759.8813

Toll Free - 1.888.To.Sharp

Email - sharptour@hotmail.com

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Standard Group Tours

DAY 1: Board your international flight to South Korea.

DAY 2: SEOUL / BUYEO / DAEJUN
Departing from Seoul to the historical capital of the Baekje Dynasty, Buyeo, you will witness the site where the legendary tale of 3000 palace maids have given their lives for their country at the cliff of Nakhwaam Pavilion along the Baekmagang River. You’ll then get to enjoy the scene which the Baekje Kings had enjoyed in their times at the Goransa Temple. Free admission to Baekmagang River Cruise & Yusung Onsen Spa provided.

DAY 3: DAEJUN/JEONJU / SUNCHEON: 
Passing through Poongnammoon Gate, you’ll arrive at Jeonju Hanok Village, a village of the traditional Korean architecture, in which one of the significant buildings is the Gyeonggijeon Shrine, where you can see the portrait of the Joseon Dynasty, King Tae-jo. Passing Soonchang’s famous red pepper paste village, you’ll be arriving at Bosung Green Tea field. Your last stop is Nakan Eupsung Folk Village.

DAY 4: SOONCHEON / JINJU/GEOJE
Representing the historical city of Jinju will be the Chokseokru Pavilion in Jinju Castle.  It is here where a Korean geisha had thrown herself dragging along her high-ranking Japanese official companion off the cliff to save her country from being conquered. Known as the fantasy island, you’ll have an option to embark on a cruise boat to tour the Weh-Do Island(this is an optional tour: $35).

DAY 5: GEOJE / BUSAN / JEJU
After visiting the POW camp from the Korean War, transfer to Busan Gimhae Airport and depart to Jeju Island.  Hotel check-in for overnight rest.

DAY 6: JEJU  
First day in Jeju Island will focus in Seogwipo city known for its beautiful beaches.  Your first stop today is the popular Jeju Farm for tour of inspection.  You’ll then have an option to embark on Seogwipo Cruise Ship revealing the hidden coastal treasures of the numerous miscellaneous islands, caverns, and waterfalls (This is an Optional Tour: $18).  Your sightseeing continues by visiting the beautiful Cheonjiyun Waterfall where the popular Korean drama “Dae-Jang-Geum” was filmed.  Last stop today is Hanllim Park(Hyupjae/Ssang-yong Caves/Bonsei Garden), and strolling through the park leading to t “Honeymoon Hosue”, popular among couples.

DAY 7: JEJE / BUSAN: 
Continuing the Jeju Island tour, your first stop is the Seongeup Folk Village .  This Folk Village still remains as a typical mountain village containing about 3,000 thatched roof houses with stone and clay walls. “Seojikoji” earned its popularity after Korean drama “All In” was filmed in the surrounding area.  After lunch, transfer to Jeju Airport and depart to Busan city. Representing the city of Busan , you will be visiting the lively downtown area of Jagalchi fish market where you can taste the exotic cuisine of fresh sashimi (bite-size slices of raw fish) right off the ocean.  Your last stop is Yongdusan Mt.

DAY 8: GYEONJU / DAEGU
From Busan, you will be going to Gyeongju, the historical city of the Shilla Dynasty, which is noted for its traditional facade of the city's infrastructure.  Gyeongju to Korea is like Kyoto of Japan .  First stop is Cheomseongdae, the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia constructed in 632 A.D.  It means "star-gazing tower" in Korean.  The Gyeongju National Museum is a treasure house of the artifacts from the Shilla and pre-Shilla periods.  Bulguksa Temple is considered as a masterpiece of the golden age of Buddhist art in the Silla kingdom.  It has become more famous with its affiliation to the Seokgulam Grotto.  Seokgulam is an artificial cave grotto in the hills above Bulguksa Temple .  It was built in the 8th century and is the only wholly intact building from the Silla era surviving the innumerable foreign invasion throughout Korean history.  Your last stop is to Amethyst exhibition hall.

DAY 9: ANDONG / DANYANG / SORAK
Continuing the journey of Gyeongsangdo province is the city of Andong , which is famous for its conservative values and continued adherence to the time-honored Confucian traditions.  Representing the preserved traditions of the noble class is the Hahoe Folk Village .  Moving to the city of Danyang in Chungcheongdo province, you will see Dodamsambong peak, where three large rocks create a large "S" figure as it stands tall in the middle of the Namhangang River.  As an option, you can tour the Chungju Dam by a ferry (This is an Optional Tour: $12).

DAY 10: SORAK / SEOUL: 
Going further north to Gangwondo province to Mt. Seoraksan, this mountain is part of the Taebaek mountain range, which is considered to be the backbone of the Korean peninsula, also considered as one of the most beautiful mountains in the nation. Sorak mountain attracts many tourists all year round, but the best season is the autumn for it is renowned for beautiful autumn leaves.(Optional Tour: Gwongeumsung Cable Car $10). After making a stop at Korea Ginseng exhibition hall, you’ll be transferred to Seoul Namsan Mountain where you’ll get a chance to see Seoul city from Seoul Tower. Free cable car ride will be provided. 
Lodge at Best Western hotel or similar. [B,L,X]

DAY 11: SEOUL
In Seoul, the capital city, you will be passing by Cheongwadae, the Presidential Residence, also known as the Blue House like the White House of the U.S.  Right next to the modern day government building is the Kyungbokgung Palace, considered to be the crown jewel of Korean palaces.  Inside the Kyungbokgung Palace, there is the National Folk Museum of Korea exhibiting the folk history.  Jogyesa Temple is the headquarter of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, which is the main branch of Buddhism in Korea.  Stepping outside of the traditional cultural arena, Itaewon is the city where you can easily encounter foreigners.  You will be given another opportunity to visit the Korean Ginseng Center in Seoul.  Just outskirts of Seoul city, the last stop is to Yongin to experience for the last time Korea's traditions at the Korea Folk Village with lots of crafts, traditional food, exhibits, and performances.

DAY 12: SEOUL 
Free at leisure.  Transfer to Icheon International Airport and depart to your next destination.