I wrote a bit on here before, but have a bit more definition about our plans so I thought I'd write again to see if you guys have any suggestions. My wife is scheduled to go to Seoul for 5 days on business in October. We were thinking that since she'll be in Asia, we'd figure out what's around and I'd fly out for 10 days or so and meet her somewhere. Her business will pay for her to fly there and back and that's it so basically either I need to meet her in Seoul or she'll need to fly from Seoul and meet me somewhere so we aren't looking too far from Seoul for alternate destinations since she'll have to go back to Seoul to fly home. Since her work is in Seoul, her company will book her Boston to Seoul--even though her work is only 5 days there, she can make the return 15 days later and take 10 days, but she couldn't for example have them book Boston to Seoul, work for 5 days, fly Seoul to Shanghai, vacation for 10 days and then fly from Shanghai back to Boston. So wherever we go, we have to keep in mind that she'll have to fly back to Seoul, spend a night there and then fly home from there.
So I was wondering if you guys have any good suggestions? We're not adventerous in the sense that we don't like to camp and really rough it in any way (we're definitely more resort people) but we're adventurous in the sense that we do like going to small, out of the way towns. We're hoping to catch a couple days in a big city to see what that's like in Asia and then spend a week on a beach or something like that. Can one do that for 10 days in South Korea? I'm familiar with asian geography, but I have no clue about intra-asian travel. Are there better places that are easy to get to from Seoul given that my wife will have to travel to and from there? Any suggestions would be great--who knows when the next time one of us will have to go to that side of the world again, so I really don't want to let this opportunity pass. Thanks in advance.
mosburger
Jan 9, 07, 1:44 pm
Just one possible itinerary:
Day 1:
Fly Seoul-Gimpo - Jeju (Island) in the morning
Sightseeing tour by hired taxi and seafood dinner
Stay in the Hyatt or other premium hotel
Day 2:
Hiking tour of Jeju
Fly Jeju - Busan in the evening
Busan has a lot of hotels to choose from at a reasonable price
Day 3:
Spa it out in Busan, walk the beaches and temples and do some shopping
Steamed crab dinner
Another night in Busan
Day 4:
Bus to Gyeongju, the old capital of the Shilla kingdom in the morning
Again, tour by hired taxi or maybe book a bus tour
Food here is not that remarkable so it doesn't matter if you get a burger or club sandwich at your hotel restaurant or from room service
Stay at a mountainside hotel ( I like the Kolon ), because on
Day 5:
You should be up early to get to the mountain top buddha statue by sunrise and see it how it was meant to be experienced. Best book a taxi from your hotel
Bus to Daegu and switch to the KTX high-speed train around noon
Arrive at Seoul Station in the afternoon and take a rest at your hotel, for
Day 6:
The DMZ tour you have of course booked well before is about to commence in the morning
Come back in the afternoon, and
Relax in Seoul and environs, shopping, eating and trying the excellent Korean sauna baths on days 7-10.
bigrob
Jan 10, 07, 6:58 am
Thanks for the info--that all seems like it is really helpful. I will look all those places up. Will likely touch base again closer to the actual booking which will be around June.
mosburger
Jan 10, 07, 3:19 pm
IŽll try and add some useful links later. In the meantime you could do worse than check the Korea trip reports by FTŽer jpatokal.
For other area options, Korea-China and Korea-Japan flights are rather expensive so it would be best to use mileage is possible. Hainan and Okinawa Islands would offer beach destinations within a shorthaul hop from Seoul if Jeju doesnŽt strike your fancy.
Typical Korean holiday destinations where package tours are widely available include Guam, Saipan, Hawaii ( these U.S states/territories probably uninteresting to you as an American(?) ) and Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
jpatokal
Jan 14, 07, 3:33 am
I'd agree that if you're already in South Korea, then the most sensible option would be to stick around South Korea -- it's under the radar of most tourists, but a rather interesting place overall and should keep you busy for a week. You'll need a little spirit of adventure to tackle the food and getting around without English, but then again, that applies to travel anywhere in Asia, so don't let it put you off.
Direct links to the trip reports kindly plugged by mosburger:
Seoul to Beijing is a hop skip and jump away - under 2 hrs and daily flights in the morning, and I believe late afternoon (check on that with TA). With all due respect to Korea, if this is a first time for you/spouse, China would be my choice over Jeju Island, Busan....entire different class.
You can take Asiana 10 am flight that arrives Beijing around 11:30 am (1 hr difference), get to hotel by 1 pm with plenty of time same day to explore, etc....if you're interested in this route, check the China thread or PM.
Seoul isn't much of a tourist city, IMHO.
mosburger
Jan 18, 07, 11:02 am
Seoul to Beijing is a hop skip and jump away - under 2 hrs and daily flights in the morning, and I believe late afternoon (check on that with TA). With all due respect to Korea, if this is a first time for you/spouse, China would be my choice over Jeju Island, Busan....entire different class.
You can take Asiana 10 am flight that arrives Beijing around 11:30 am (1 hr difference), get to hotel by 1 pm with plenty of time same day to explore, etc....if you're interested in this route, check the China thread or PM.
Seoul isn't much of a tourist city, IMHO.
I do agree with dtsm on Seoul, the capital is more of a "lifestyle destination" and has a different way of life compared to the rest of Korea.
But smaller cities in the southern parts ( Mokpo, Jinju, Gyeongju etc. ) can be stunningly beautiful and offer great accomodation and food for a fraction of Seoul prices. Btw, Korea is one of the few countries where authentic ( mostly Fujian ) Chinese food is widely available outside of the Motherland. ;)
dtsm
Jan 18, 07, 12:16 pm
Btw, Korea is one of the few countries where authentic ( mostly Fujian ) Chinese food is widely available outside of the Motherland. ;)
Flying to Seoul for 48 hrs of meetings next week - appreciate your recommendations for the authentic fujian chinese food - i always prefer either korean or japanese food when visiting - but i guess because my other half is such a great cook (of the motherland food) :)
MilesDependent
Jan 23, 07, 9:48 pm
... You'll need a little spirit of adventure to tackle the food and getting around without English, but then again, that applies to travel anywhere in Asia, so don't let it put you off.
I've been to pretty much every country in SE/NE Asia, and to be honest, I found Seoul the most difficult in terms of lack of English when compared to other Asian capitals. I really struggled in terms of getting myself understood - a lot more so than other major cities. There seemed to be very few foreigners in Seoul outside of the 5* hotels. For example, it is the only place I have been to a McDonalds where nothing was in English and not a single staff member spoke English. It would have been around 6 years ago I was in Seoul - maybe it's changed.
mosburger
Jan 25, 07, 7:31 am
I've been to pretty much every country in SE/NE Asia, and to be honest, I found Seoul the most difficult in terms of lack of English when compared to other Asian capitals. I really struggled in terms of getting myself understood - a lot more so than other major cities. There seemed to be very few foreigners in Seoul outside of the 5* hotels. For example, it is the only place I have been to a McDonalds where nothing was in English and not a single staff member spoke English. It would have been around 6 years ago I was in Seoul - maybe it's changed.
Apart from the handful of expat managers in Seoul and Busan, most "western" foreigners in Korea are US G.I:s and English teachers from anglophone countries. The former are a bit reluctant to head out of the bases because of the regular violent anti-American protests and the latter are more or less content to get drunk at their expat hangouts after work.
Which leaves little incentive for the average Korean to learn English as Chinese and Japanese are both easier to grasp and more lucrative in the tourist/gastronomy business at the moment.
Anyway, learning the basics of the Korean writing system is really not that hard compared to Chinese/Japanese characters so I'd just give it a try. Add a few basic Korean phrases and you will get the favour back.
bensyd
Jan 31, 07, 10:55 am
Anyway, learning the basics of the Korean writing system is really not that hard compared to Chinese/Japanese characters so I'd just give it a try. Add a few basic Korean phrases and you will get the favour back.
As with most places as well, learning a few phrases in the local tongue will make people much more receptive to you, and more willing to help IME anyway. Korean food is great and I find the Korean people to be a bit more laid back/open than the Japanese, but still quite formal by Western Standards.
jbfield
Mar 29, 07, 2:24 pm
For other area options, Korea-China and Korea-Japan flights are rather expensive so it would be best to use mileage is possible.^ ^ Excellent FT advice!
Just what I was looking for - and now I'm very happy...;)