← Back to all journeysWhen spring arrives in South Korea, the country blushes into bloom—and so begins a journey crafted for those who savour beauty in its most fleeting form. From the elegant energy of Seoul to the coastal serenity of Busan and the timeless charm of Jeonju's hanok-lined lanes, each day unfolds beneath canopies of cherry blossom. Indulge in moments of pure renewal with an exclusive day at a leading Korean skin clinic, where time-honoured ritual meets modern artistry. This is travel, perfected—an unhurried celebration of culture, cuisine, and the quiet luxury of being exactly where the season is most radiant.
At a glance
- Departure31 MarMelbourneMeet 8pm at Melbourne Airport for our evening flight
- Day 11 AprSeoulArrival, welcome, light shopping
- Day 22 AprSeoulA stylish shopping day
- Day 33 AprSeoulSkin clinic & K-beauty
- Day 44 AprSeoulPalace, hanok village & craft workshop
- Day 55 AprSeoulFood market & Korean cooking class
- Day 66 AprJeonjuHanok Village, shrine, tea & viewpoint
- Day 77 AprBusanHaeundae & the Blue Line coast
- Day 88 AprBusanMarkets, spa, shopping & farewell
- Day 99 AprIncheonCoast, canals & a restful last day
- Day 1010 AprIncheonDeparture home to Australia
Day by day
Departure · We set off
Mon 31 March · Melbourne- Morning
- A free day at home to make final preparations and rest before the journey ahead.
- Afternoon
- Finish packing and make your own way towards the airport in good time for the evening check-in.
- Evening
- Meet at 8pm at Melbourne International Airport, where your host will greet the group and see everyone through check-in before our overnight flight to Seoul.
Day 1 · A gentle welcome
Tue 1 April · Seoul- Morning
- Arrive at Incheon and glide to our hanok-quarter hotel in Anguk by private coach. Check in and rest.
- Afternoon
- A short orientation stroll near the hotel, with a traditional tea or coffee stop to find our feet.
- Evening
- A relaxed welcome dinner — Korean barbecue in a private room, kept comfortable and mild. The first night is no time to test anyone's chilli tolerance.
Day 2 · A stylish shopping day
Wed 2 April · Seoul- Morning
- The Hyundai Seoul — a light-filled department store for Korean fashion, beauty and its celebrated food hall, with seating, good bathrooms and easy lunch close at hand.
- Afternoon
- On to Apgujeong, Dosan and Cheongdam for premium skincare, fragrance and concept boutiques. A proper coffee-and-dessert stop is built in, not optional.
- Evening
- Dinner in Apgujeong or Hannam. Myeongdong's crowds are, mercifully, skipped.
Day 3 · Skin clinic & K-beauty
Thu 3 April · Seoul- Morning
- Run as an appointment day in the Gangnam and Apgujeong beauty quarter. The group divides into two waves so no one waits. Wave one begins with hydrating and lifting facials, LED and gentle deep-cleanse treatments.
- Afternoon
- The waves swap: café time, Olive Young and skincare boutiques for one group, treatments for the other. Optional scalp spa, skin analysis or personal colour analysis to finish.
- Evening
- An elegant, unhurried dinner in Cheongdam, with alcohol kept modest after treatments.
Skin treatments are entirely optional. Anyone who would rather not can simply enjoy a free day of shopping and cafés in Gangnam instead.
Day 4 · Palace, hanok village & craft workshop
Fri 4 April · Seoul- Morning
- A guided visit to Gyeongbokgung, the grand main palace of the Joseon dynasty founded in 1395, timed where possible for the changing of the guard. Hanbok hire is optional for those who'd like the photographs.
- Afternoon
- A gentle walk through Bukchon Hanok Village, then a hands-on mother-of-pearl (najeon) workshop — each guest making a lacquered keepsake to bring home.
- Evening
- Dinner among the lantern-lit lanes of Ikseon-dong, with an optional evening walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream.
Day 5 · Food market & Korean cooking class
Sat 5 April · Seoul- Morning
- A guided tasting walk through Mangwon Market — calmer and more comfortable than the famous crowds — sampling hotteok, mandu, jeon and rice cakes along the way.
- Afternoon
- A private Korean cooking class: kimchi, bulgogi, japchae and a seafood pancake, then we sit down together to enjoy what we've made.
- Evening
- A free evening, with an optional Nanta performance for those with energy to spare.
Day 6 · Hanok Village, shrine & tea
Sun 6 April · Jeonju- Morning
- A private coach to Jeonju after breakfast — no station stairs, no luggage juggling.
- Afternoon
- Lunch of Jeonju's famous bibimbap, then the Hanok Village — some 700 traditional houses gathered around Gyeonggijeon Shrine — with a tea house, artisan shops and the rooftop views from Omokdae. Optional hanbok for an hour or two.
- Evening
- A traditional hanjeongsik course dinner, with an optional stroll down a makgeolli alley.
Day 7 · Haeundae & the Blue Line coast
Mon 7 April · Busan- Morning
- A private coach to Busan with a comfortable rest stop en route.
- Afternoon
- A seafood lunch by the sea, a walk along Haeundae Beach, a coastal café, and the Blue Line Park — the Beach Train for ease, the Sky Capsule for photographs, pre-booked for the group.
- Evening
- Dinner near Haeundae and, for those inclined, a gentle walk along the sand. Our base here is a Haeundae beach hotel.
Day 8 · Markets, spa, shopping & farewell
Tue 8 April · Busan- Morning
- A guided wander through Jagalchi Fish Market — a cultural feast even for those who prefer their fish grilled rather than raw — followed by time at Spa Land for those who'd rather ease into the day.
- Afternoon
- Gukje Market, BIFF Square street food and the shops of Nampo-dong, then Shinsegae Centum City for a little shopping and a bakery stop for treats to take home.
- Evening
- On to Gwangalli Beach for its glittering view of the Gwangan Bridge, and a farewell dinner looking straight out at it — one of the prettiest evenings of the trip. (A coastal cruise or Gamcheon Culture Village can be swapped in for the more active.)
Day 9 · A restful last day by the coast
Wed 9 April · Incheon- Morning
- A gentle transfer to Incheon, settling into our final hotel close to the airport so tomorrow's departure is calm and unhurried.
- Afternoon
- A leisurely afternoon exploring Incheon at an easy pace — the pastel lanes and cafés of the Open Port district, Chinatown, or the seaside promenade for those who'd like the sea air. Nothing rushed.
- Evening
- A final celebratory dinner together, a last chance to raise a glass to the journey and to new friendships made along the way.
Day 10 · Departure home
Thu 10 April · Incheon- Morning
- A relaxed breakfast and a little time to pack, with any last-minute shopping close to hand.
- Afternoon
- A short private transfer to Incheon International Airport and assistance through check-in for the flight home to Australia.
- Evening
- We fly home carrying full suitcases, glowing skin and the memory of a country in bloom. Until next time.
Optional add-onJapan — a 5-day, 4-night private extension
For those not quite ready to fly home, extend your journey with an unhurried private tour of Tokyo and its most beautiful day-trips — shrines and gardens, Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi, tea ceremonies and tranquil onsen.
Day 1 · Arrival & an easy cultural introduction
Tokyo- Morning
- Private transfer to the hotel and check-in at The Tokyo Station Hotel (or equivalent), with time to settle in.
- Afternoon
- A peaceful nature walk through Meiji Shrine, followed by Omotesando for a little shopping and a tea or café break.
- Evening
- A welcome dinner of traditional kaiseki cuisine — a graceful first taste of Japan.
Day 2 · Tokyo traditional & leisure
Tokyo- Morning
- A morning tea ceremony in the gardens of Happo-en.
- Afternoon
- Asakusa's Senso-ji Temple and the shops of Nakamise Street, then an afternoon stroll through Rikugien Garden.
- Evening
- An optional evening visit to Thermae-Yu onsen during its women-only hours.
Day 3 · Day trip to Hakone — nature & onsen
Hakone- Morning
- A private transfer to Hakone, then a cruise across Lake Ashi with views of Mt. Fuji.
- Afternoon
- The Hakone Open-Air Museum with light walking, and lunch at a local restaurant with a view.
- Evening
- A relaxing private onsen bath before returning to Tokyo in the evening.
Day 4 · Nikko day trip — temples & nature
Nikko- Morning
- An early private transfer to Nikko (around 2.5 hours) to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Toshogu and Futarasan Shrines.
- Afternoon
- Easy trails through the serene Nikko National Park and lunch at a local Japanese restaurant, returning to Tokyo late afternoon.
- Evening
- A light dinner near the hotel.
Day 5 · Tokyo leisure & departure
Tokyo- Morning
- A visit to the Tsukiji Outer Market with a food tasting.
- Afternoon
- An optional stroll through Shinjuku Gyoen Garden or the easy elegance of Ginza, then a private transfer to the airport for the flight home.
- Evening
- Farewell, Japan.
To reserve one of the limited places on this journey, or to add the Japan extension, drop us a line.
Travel, perfected
Opal Compass
