Seoul Searching Omiyage Weekender

Transcription

1 Seoul Searching Omiyage Weekender May 10-May 16, nts/7days from: $1895 dbl/tpl $2195single Reserve by December 1 st -SAVE $50 per person Seoul -an exciting city with so much to see, do, eat, and drink. Whatever you want, at any time of day or night, this city provides. Come discover South Korea s capital on our 5-night Seoul Searching Omiyage Weekender Tour! Explore the city s wide array of diverse neighborhoods offering everything from art and culture, to history, shopping, and nightlife. By the time you look at your watch, it will be dawn again! On this unique springtime tour enjoy not only the best of Seoul s shopping venues, but there is much, much more. We ve included a city tour, an evening at Nanta, Korea longest running comedy show, a day trip to picturesque Nami Island complete with a BBQ lunch as well as a full day to shop and explore on your own. But, just when you think you have done it all, we have included one of the most fascinating day tours possible, traveling to the DMZ with the experience of meeting a North Korean defector and listening to their story. Itinerary/Details Day 1 May 10 th, 2019 Friday Depart from Honolulu Hawaiian Airlines #459 Departs Honolulu 2:30 pm Arrive Incheon 8:00 pm +1 Please meet your Panda Travel representative at the Hawaiian Airlines International check-in counter, Lobby 3, Makai side in Terminal 1, formally known as the Hawaiian Airlines Terminal. We ask that you begin your arrival a minimum of 3 hours before the flight departure time. Day 2 May 11 th, 2019 Saturday Incheon-Seoul (D) On arrival at the Incheon, please make your way to the baggage claim area as we need to clear immigration and customs. On exiting our local English speaking guide will be there to meet us. The drive into the city is approximately 1 hour, but first we will give you time to exchange currency. Accommodations for our five nights on tour is at the, ideally located in the heart of Myeong-dong and where every room features city views, flat-screen satellite TV, refrigerator, and sofa to make for a pleasant stay.

2 Myeong-dong is one of the primary shopping districts in the city with over a million visitors passing through the area each day. No worries, the streets may be busy but getting around doesn t feel overwhelming. Here you ll find a good mix of both Korean and North American brands, as well a plethora of skin care and beauty-focused shops where there will be samples aplenty if you ask for them. The area is also a great place to fill up on Korean street food, both sweet and savory. The remainder of the evening is. A dinner bento box with bottled water will be provided on arrival at the hotel Day 3 May 12 th, 2019 Sunday Seoul (B) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 9:00am as we are off on a full day of sightseeing in Seoul. The morning begins with a drive by Blue House, named for the blue tiles that cover the roof. It serves as the presidential home, much like the White House in Washington, D.C. Set in an old Joseon Dynasty royal garden, the Blue House sits with Mount Bugaksan as its backdrop in a spot deemed auspicious. Built in the traditional Korean architectural style, the Blue House has more than 150,000 tiles on its roof, each formed and baked individually and thought to be strong enough to last for centuries. From here we will be visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace, nearby to Blue House and probably Korea s most famous royal palace. Like a phoenix, Seoul s premier palace has risen several times from the ashes of destruction. Tourists have replaced the thousands of government officials, scholars, eunuchs, concubines, soldiers, and servants who once lived there. Originally built by King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon dynasty, Gyeongbokgung served as the principal palace until 1592, when it was burnt down during the Japanese invasions. It lay in ruins for nearly 300 years until Heungseon Daewongun, regent and father of King Gojong, started to rebuild it in King Gojong moved in during 1868, but the expensive rebuilding project virtually bankrupted the government. Altogether the palace consisted of 330 buildings and had up to 3000 staff, including 140 eunuchs, all serving the royal family. During Japanese colonial rule, most of the palace was again destroyed much of what you see today are accurate recent reconstructions. From here, off to Insadong Antique Street for time to explore shop and have lunch on your own. Looking to find a few local souvenirs from Seoul to take home with you? Insadong is an ideal place to do it. The main street is lined with many shops specializing in a wide variety of traditional Korean goods, including hanbok (traditional clothing), hanji (traditional paper), pottery, tea, and crafts. The neighborhood s winding alleyways are a wealth of teahouses and quaint eateries, so give yourself some time to explore slowly. When you get hungry, the area is known for its ample array of places to eat, including Sanchon for vegetarian food and Gogung for Korean staple bibimbap. If you are an art lover, Insadong is a must-visit, with over 100 galleries showcasing traditional Korean fine art.

3 Insadong Antique Street We end our afternoon with a fun visit to tour the KBS Studio, located within the KBS broadcasting station. Dedicated to the history and evolution of the Korean broadcasting industry, you can experience radio and television broadcasting production firsthand. The tour starts from the main hall on the second floor and continues onto the fourth and fifth floors. In addition to the small museum, radio drama studio, sound effect instruments, 9 o'clock news corner, hologram corner, stereoscopic media experience hall and chroma key corner, visitors have the chance to observe TV production and radio programming process through a window that looks out into the broadcasting studio. If you are a fan of Korean drama, the visit here will make for a truly unique experience, especially knowing that there is the possibility of meeting one or more celebrities. The Drama Gallery consists of drama posters and cut-outs of popular dramas including many favorite actors. Enjoy taking a picture besides a cardboard cutout from dramas like Boys Over Flowers, Dream High and Baker King Kim Tak Goo. Another fun part of the tour is the Blue Screen Room where you will have the opportunity to become a weather forecaster. Point out to various imaginary locations to indicate the shifting of the rain clouds and predict the weather s next move. You will also be visiting the special effects department to see many mannequins and props used in thriller or horror dramas. They have real like features that can be a bit scary. The last part of the tour is the outdoor shooting sets, houses and streets that look so real. You will feel as though you are walking along an olden day Korean street. Now, back to our hotel, arrival by 5:00pm. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is. Day 4 May 13 th, 2019 Monday Seoul (B) After breakfast, please meet your guide by 9:00am as we are off for a total fun filled shopping day! We begin at Seoul Station, the gateway to Seoul with over 100,000 travelers passing through each day. A real hive of activity! Great place to wander around or just people such. A don't miss place to visit!

4 The original and new station are side by side at Seoul Station. The old Seoul Station has been converted into an art space. The exhibit changes from time to time but the real attraction of this building is its architecture. If you enjoy older architecture or a history buff, there is a lot to see here. Seoul Station is not only transportation hub but also a shopping heaven to many and for that reason we offer you shopping time at the Lotte Outlets. The mall offers more than 120 brands that have stores at Lotte Department Store for 30 to 70 percent off. Enjoy time shopping here. Next, we are off to Gwangjang Market, one of Korea's largest traditional markets and is renowned for its quality silk goods, linen bedding and hand-made goods. These days, the vintage clothing arcade in the market has become a very popular attraction among young people and wholesalers searching for unique vintage fashion. Gwangjang Market has over 100 years of history that can be traced back to the establishment of the Gwangjang Corporation in 1905 which was created with the purpose of reclaiming Korean sovereignty during the period of Japanese occupation. At that time, traditional Korean markets were only temporary marketplaces that were periodically held every few days. Gwangjang Market was the first permanently established market that was open every day. In 1962 the market was divided into Dongdaemun Market and Gwangjang Market and modern buildings were constructed. The market continues to thrive today and is especially popular among young people for its vintage clothing arcade. The vintage arcade offers a variety of unusual, unique designs that attract many people including many famous Korean celebrities. A visit to Gwangjang Market is a must for Korean couples planning their wedding and setting up their new home. Couples can purchase everything they need under one roof at good prices: home furnishings, bedding, yedan (wedding presents given by the bride to the groom's family), hanbok (traditional Korean attire), silk, etc. The market is also famous for its abundance of street food. Enjoy time here to browse, shop and have lunch on your own. Our last touring stop of the day is at Jungbu Market, one of the best shopping spots to find large assortments of dried seafood at prices 30% less than other places in Seoul. Popular products include laver, seaweed, anchovies, yellow corbinas, squid, pollack, and dried filefish. With a whole bunch of shopping out of the way, time to sit back and be entertained. We are off to enjoy the popular Nanta show. Enjoy a feast of comic mishaps during a performance of the hit show Nanta, popular in Korea for almost two decades. This comedy of errors shows four cooks under pressure to concoct a wedding feast in too little time. By drumming with kitchen implements such as cutting boards and knives, the performers create a modern twist on traditional Korean percussion music known as samul nori. It s a hilarious 90-minute show. Now back to our hotel, arrival by 7:00pm and the remainder of the evening is. Day 5 May 14 th, 2019 Tuesday Seoul (B/L) After breakfast, meet your guide as we are off on a very special touring day to the DMZ area. This recently added tour was created to give foreign visitors a more accurate understanding of the North Korean regime and the implications of its policies and philosophy on the surrounding countries, as well as

5 the rest of the world. A question and answer session is included. We guarantee that this days experience will be long remembered. During the tour, enjoy hearing the views of a North Korean defector on life and the political scene in North Korea. In addition, during the visit to the West front area along the Demilitarized Zone the tour includes the 3 rd Infiltration Tunnel, Dora Observatory, Dorasan Station and Imjingak. With the assistance of a professional guide we expect you will leave with a better understanding of the current situation between North and South Korea as well the history of how and why the two countries were divided. Imjingak Park, sometime referred to as Imjingak Resort is located 7 km from the Military Demarcation Line, is now at the forefront of tourism related to the Korean War. Imjingak was built in 1972 with the hope that someday unification would be possible. The three-storied Imjingak is surrounded by several monuments, Unification Park, and North Korea Center. Over 400 photos and documents showing the stark reality of North Korea are displayed in the North Korea Center of Unification Board. Outside Imjingak, there are 12 unique tanks and warcrafts on display that were used during the war. Mangbaedan Alter, which stands opposite Imjingak, is famous as the place where Korean's separated from their families in the North visit to perform ancestral rites by bowing toward their hometowns every New Year's Day and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving). The Bridge of Freedom, which South Koreans crossed when they came back to their mother country from North Korea after the signing of the Armistice Agreement, stands behind Mangbaedan Alter. In front of Imjingak is the Gyeongui Train Line which was destroyed during the Korean War in It has been under reconstruction since Every year many events for unification are held at Imjingak. It is now one of the more famous DMZ tourist spots for foreigners because it is possible to visit without going through any security check points. Located in Panmunjom, the JSA (Joint Security Area) is the closest point a tourist can get to North Korea. At this spot, you ll have a chance to physically stand in North Korea itself and take a photo as proof (more on that below). The South Korean and US military occupies this area and is complete with a gift shop selling original items from North Korea, including stamps, money, and wine. 3 rd Infiltration Tunnel, not known until 1975 after a North Korean defector named Kim Bu-seong claimed that the north had built the secret passageway across the demilitarized zone for the main purpose of invading the south. Photographs are not permitted in the tunnel walk and a hardhat is mandatory. Dorasan Station, a rail station connecting North and South Korea. The station is only used by those who work or visit the station and head south from it. You cannot get a train north out of Dorasan Station, at least not for the present. Dora Observatory, located at the top of Mount Dora, has one of the best views of reclusive North Korea as viewed from the south. Binoculars here allow visitors to look down into North Korea and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). This is one of the closest places visitors will be from North Korea on a tour of the DMZ. From here you can see the Kijong-dong Propaganda Village and the city of Kaesong on a clear day. Tracks can also be seen that which will hopefully one day link Dorasan Station nearby in the south with Pyongyang in the north. Lunch is included in today s tour and will be at a local restaurant. Once back in Seoul at our hotel, the remainder of the afternoon and evening is.

6 3 rd Infiltration Tunnel Odusan Observatory Dorasan Stat Day 6 May 15 th, 2019 Wednesday Seoul (B) After breakfast, a complete day to get out and enjoy the Myeongdong area of Seoul and all that it has to offer. Though Myeongdong is best known for its shopping, nightlife, and eating, it does have the Myeongdong Cathedral, one attraction that should not be missed. The cathedral, built in Gothic style, is one of the most important Catholic churches in Korea. As you have come to see during your stay here, Myeongdong is a destination in itself. The area offers many types of restaurants as well as tasty and unique street foods. The best part about street food here is that you can walk from stall to stall finding whatever looks and smell the best. Street food is inexpensive and tastes great. If your love is shopping, you can find an almost unlimited number of mid to high-end retail stores such as the Lotte Department Store and Shinsegae Department Store and as well street carts and small boutiques. Here, you can find just about anything related to clothes and the latest fashion trends. Great bargains are to be had if you are willing to hunt for them. To find great deals, look past the large department stores and most major brands towards the street carts and smaller shops found tucked away in smaller alleys. One of the best times to experience Myeongdong is after the sun goes down when the streets are packed, the neon lights are brightly lit up and the smells of street food make your mouth water. With an estimated two million people visiting this area on a typical day, people watching can be a fun experience all in itself. Day 7 May 16 th, 2019 Thursday Seoul-Chuncheon-Incheon (B/L) After breakfast, please meet your guide in the lobby by 8:00am. It may be our last day in Seoul, but we are off to enjoy a very special touring day, Nami Island Tour. We begin the day with a drive to Chuncheon, surrounded by gorgeous mountains and the well-loved setting for the enormously popular TV drama Winter Sonata. Its proximity to Seoul makes it a popular weekend getaway. The drive time is approximately 1.5 hours.

7 Here we will be visiting Nami Island, a tiny half-moon shaped island that attracts lovers and families who stroll along the tree lined paths and enjoy a tiny taste of nature outside the city. Nami island is also famous for filming a well-known scene of a famous Korean drama called Winter Sonata, making it a must visit for lovers and fans of Korean Drama. Access to the island is by ferry. When you arrive, there is a visa line, but don t panic, its only to give this island an imaginary independent country feel. It is also known as Namimara Republic and has its own currency. You can purchase currency here on island and it is accepted at several shops. Nami Island After a BBQ lunch, we will journey back to Seoul towards Incheon, arriving at the airport at approximately 6:30pm. After checking in, enjoy time here for duty shopping and maybe even a nice dinner before the flight. Hawaiian Airlines #460 Departs Seoul 10:00 pm Arrive Honolulu 11:50 am +1