I'm going Wednesday for 3 weeks and CANT WAIT! I was there last Christmas for 8 days and was astounded. Spent the whole time in Seoul because I hadn't been to korea in about 15 years and was "afraid" to venture out not speaking any Korean and traveling as a solo female. How wrong I was so I'm correcting it this year by adding Gyeongju, Busan and Jeju -- also bringing my 87 year old mom as this country is something she needs to see again. Staying at the IBIS Insadong which is a great hotel. I love the location, it's reasonably priced, great amenities in rooms including a safe, refrigerator and hot water pot/tea, free shuttle bus to much of Seoul, and excellent staff (highly recommend this IBIS in Insadong).

if anyone has any other suggestions of towns/areas outside of Seoul I would appreciate the input. We may have 2 days for an additional site. I was thinking of Icheon as we are interested in pottery. Also interested in ceramics, art, architecture and poking around where the people live. Not much interest in hiking or nature.

Trying to get to the Tadao Ando/Turrell Hansol Museum in Gangwon-do outside Wonju but too difficult to book from USA. If anyone knows of a good ENGLISH SPEAKING travel agent in Seoul I would be most appreciative of a post or PM with details.

Thanks and happy travels to all.