Breathtaking mountains. Beautiful seas. Bejewelled islands. A dormant volcano. Rich cultural heritage. Delicious cuisine. The birthplace of K-Pop and K-Drama and amazing beauty products. South Korea is a land of plenty. More than 17 million foreign tourists come to this country every year, to savour all things Korean.

The Korean capital Seoul is well-connected by air to to India via direct and 1-stop via flights. The country offers numerous luxury experiences and travel products, with high-end traditional & modern accommodations, truly unique experiences and splendid cuisine.

If wanderlust is in your DNA and you love to explore new places without compromising on personal comfort, put Korea on your bucket list this very minute!

Done? Now spend a few minutes and read why visiting Korea might be the best decision you’ll ever take.

 

 

Live like ancient Koreans, but with a modern twist

Hanoks are traditional Korean houses, first built in the fourteenth century. These houses are proof that Koreans understood eco-architecture hundreds of years ago. This form of architecture pays tribute to the spiritual bond between man and his surroundings. In a world of skyscrapers, hanoks symbolize calmness and simplicity.

You can live in these traditional hanoks even today. But with every modern amenity and luxury imaginable. Modern Koreans consider hanoks as high-end, trendy homes. There are many hanoks spread across the country-- some within the city and some at the foot of mountains.

 

Andong Gurume Resort (Hanok Stay)

The Andong Gurume Resort in Gyeongsanbuk-do gives a glimpse of how the Korean upper-class of yester-years lived. This resort has seven premium hanoks enhanced with modern amenities.

The Namwonyechon in Jeollabuk-do province has twenty-two luxurious rooms with great views. There are classes where you can learn to make fans and mirrors using hanji (traditional Korean paper).

The Rakkojae, nestled in the heart of Seoul, is an experience fit for royalty. Rooms with heated floors (called Ondols) and red clay jjimjilbang (traditional Korean sauna) add to the feeling of true luxury.

On the topic of royalty, one must mention Korea Palace, a quaint and luxurious resort set at the foot of the Barwangsan Mountain. The hanoks here have beautiful views of the mountains and you can relax all five senses at once.

 

 

Luxurious Hotels and Resorts

South Cape located on an island in Namhae

A truly relaxing vacation is incomplete without a luxurious hotel, and Korea has many high-end hotels and resorts to choose from. South Cape is situated on an island in Namhae and offers the best of both worlds-- the mountains and the sea. There’s even a seaside golf course, if you feel the sudden urge to practice your swing. Phoenix Island in Jeju offers ocean-view rooms as well. Set on green cliffs by the deep blue sea, one of the most attractive features of this premium resort is a giant swing on an arch, which looks straight at the sea.

Want to try the best spa in Korea? Try Paradise City in Incheon. Let their massages dissolve your stress, and then nourish your soul with some of the most beautiful artwork Korea has to offer. Paradise City has nearly 3,000 artworks on display throughout the hotel premises.

 

Art Villas in Jeju Island

The Art Villas are a unique experience as well. Designed by internationally acclaimed architects, these villas have high-end private homes surrounded by cypress forests, set within a complex. The Podo Hotel is yet another example of art meets luxury. The brainchild of world-famous architect Atami Jun, this private hotel has a hot spring in all guest rooms!

 

Indulge your Taste Buds

Korean food is so delicious and so varied that it’s worth visiting the country solely to satisfy your gastronomical curiosity. Korea has innumerable high-end restaurants that have lovingly curated their traditional cuisine and updated it to suit modern palates.

Seokparang serving Korean royal court cuisine

Start your journey on a royal note at Seokparang. This villa used to belong to the royal family and now serves Korean royal court cuisine. Indulge in delicacies like eomandu (fish dumplings), chilhyanggye (seven flavoured chicken soup), sinseollo (royal hotpot) and gujeolpan (royal platter of nine dishes).

Drop by Baeksa 104, helmed by Michelin starred chef Lee Jongguk. Here, there are no short cuts to winning your taste buds over. The soy sauce is fermented for half a century. The gochujang (Korean chilli paste) is fermented for thirty years. Even the vinegar is fermented for five years before being served to discerning patrons. This three-storied restaurant has one floor devoted to noodles, one to seasonal dishes and the last solely for fine dining.

Samcheonggak in Seoul

Samcheonggak in Seoul is the favoured food stop for foreign diplomats and international dignitaries, so you can expect the very best of Korean cuisine. For traditional Korean desserts revived with a touch of modernity, Haap is a must-visit. Their rice cakes, pear tea and shaved ices are stuff that (sweet) dreams are made of!

 

 

Liquid Luxury

Johnnie Walker House, Seoul

Korea takes it’s tea seriously. And if you do too, try Ilsangdabangsa. Take in beautiful views of the Gyeongbokgung Palace while sipping a perfect cup of tea. For a luxurious dose of liquid courage, drop in at the Johnnie Walker House. A dream destination for whiskey connoisseurs, Johnnie Walker House has eighteen different varieties of limited edition tipples. If bars are more to your taste, try Alice in Seoul. One of the best private bars of Asia, Alice is indeed an adventure.

 

Once a Lifetime Unique Experiences

Korea is blessed with some of the most beautiful natural wonders on earth. The volcanic topography of Jeju Island is complemented by it’s fabulous beaches. You can take a ride on a hot-air balloon and see it all from the sky! 

But a vacation in Korea is much more than mere sightseeing. There are some experiences unique to this country that will enrich the discerning traveller.

 

Anseong Machum Brassware Workshop by brassware master Kim Geunsu

 

Interior designer Yang Teo’s high-end showroom has a breathtaking display of vintage Korean ceramics. Brassware master Kim Geunsu holds workshops that offer valuable insight into this traditional art form. Marvel at master ceramist Kim Syyoung’s black ceramic creations.

 

Liquor making at Andong Soju Brewery by liquor master Park Jaeseo

If you are interested in the history and tradition of liquor, Korea will provide some unforgettable experiences. Try Korean liquor made from lotus flowers and leaves. Drink some wine full of the heady scent of pine needles. Sample soju, one of the traditional Korean liquors.

Traditional dances, arts and crafts and lifestyles are lovingly preserved and displayed to interested travelers. In addition, Korea is home to some of the best museums in the world. From Ararior Museum in Space to Museum SAN, from Bonte Museum to Korean Stone Art Museum, every aspect of the country’s culture and heritage can be experienced if you so desire.

 

 

Be a Hallyu Star

 

Indulge yourself at Jenny House

 

Korean beauty trends have taken the world by storm, and with good reason. From volcanic clay to snails, Korean beauty products use unique ingredients to make cosmetic products that are like nothing else. The Korean urge to be perfect is called ‘hallyu’ in the country. And you too can be a Hallyu star. Drop by at high-end salons and pamper yourself with the very best of Korean beauty treatments. Jenny House is a famous beauty salon favoured by the country’s celebrities. At Urban Studio or The Third Mind, you can select from a range of magazine-worthy backdrops and get a professional photo shoot.

For the fashion forward traveller, there are high-end stores specializing in everything from vintage couture to diamond jewellery.

 

 

Let your journey heal your soul

 

Healience – A healing resort for aging well

A trip to Korea must include at least one spa experience, if not several! Premium health and wellness destinations like The WE Hotel, Healience, Sulhwasoo Flagship Store and Godowon Healing Centre have tempting spa therapies to heal even the most stressed mind and body.

Korea has taken the definition of wellness a step further. In addition to spas and hot springs, the country offers some unique healing experiences. Take for example the National Center for Forest Therapy. Nestled in Sobaeksan National Park, it offers forest healing, a water therapy program and a healing garden. The Hwadam Botanic Garden in Konjiam Resort has more than twenty themed gardens. Here, you can see and feel the four seasons of Korea, and feel truly at one with Nature.

 

 

Ready to pack your bags? We bet you are. Before setting off on an unforgettable journey, do get in touch with the good people at the Korea Tourism Organization at their New Delhi office. They are ready to help you with your itinerary and some wonderful suggestions!