Bali to Luang Prabang
Indonesia - Cambodia - Vietnam - Laos
May 9 - 24, 2021
Today, Seoul is a vibrant, futuristic megacity that is a curious fusion of the ancient and the modern. Past meets present as ornate temples and sprawling palaces contrast with the shining glass and steel office towers of Itaewon and starchitect-designed museums. With 20.5 million residents, Seoul is the world's second-largest metropolitan area, and in 2010, was designated a World Design Capital. Enter this energetic, fascinating city, and experience its diverse character for yourself.
Today, Seoul is a vibrant, futuristic megacity that is a curious fusion of the ancient and the modern. Past meets present as ornate temples and sprawling palaces contrast with the shining glass and steel office towers of Itaewon and starchitect-designed museums. With 20.5 million residents, Seoul is the world's second-largest metropolitan area, and in 2010, was designated a World Design Capital. Enter this energetic, fascinating city, and experience its diverse character for yourself.
Stroll along Samcheongdong-gil (Samcheong-dong Walkway) and stop in the galleries that line the path, such as Gallery Hyundai, Geumho Gallery, Growrich Gallery, Artsonje Center, Gallery Hak Go Jae, Geum San Gallery, and Kukje Gallery. The last is a must, particularly if you are interested in contemporary art; Kukje opened in 1982 and introduced world-renowned artists such as Helen Frankenthaler, Anthony Caro and Joseph Beuys to local audiences, as well as significant Korean artists.
At nearly 2750 feet, Baekundae is the highest of Bukhansan National park's three peaks, and offers stunning views of fortress gates, fortified walls, granite cliffs, and the city below. Ascending the summit requires some light rock climbing maneuvers as you hoist yourself up on metal cables.
Visit Gyeongbokgung (also called Gyeongbok Palace), the largest of the five palaces constructed by the Joseon Dynasty. Gyeongbokgung translates in English as “Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven,” and it is an intense source of pride for Koreans, who have seen it decimated and rebuilt throughout the centuries. Tour the grounds of the palace with a senior member of the restoration project.
Visit the History Museum with a curator, which usually takes half a day to see. The most unique exhibits here are to-scale reproductions of traditional Korean homes, which show the myriad ways in which joints were constructed without nails, as well as replicas of typical furniture and common dress through the ages. The celadon collection here is also top-notch, and for those who want a hands-on approach to history, there is a “touch museum” where you can actually handle real or meticulously recreated ancient tools found on the Korean peninsula.
Spend the afternoon in Hongdae, the area around Hongik University. Here you will witness Korean youth culture at its most creative and vibrant; there are scores of unique cafes, boutiques, performance spaces, bars and other small businesses geared towards young Koreans and the handfuls of foreigners studying at or visiting Hongik.
The Leeum Samsung Museum of Art is a cultural complex of three buildings dedicated to traditional Korean art, dating from prehistoric times to the end of the Joseon Dynasty in 1910, as well as modern art by local and international artists.
For lunch, try Sanchon, a unique restaurant owned by Mr. Kim Yon-shik, who lived as a Buddhist monk for 18 years, and is set in a temple-like atmosphere. The entire meal, consisting of several courses (20 at dinner time!) is served to you on a low table as all patrons take their meals while seated on the floor. The monks prepare primarily vegetarian cuisine, replete with various hardy roots and mountain vegetables rarely seen outside Korea.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
Remote Lands
If you missed our Hot and Cold Winter Issue, here is a round up of the best places to go in Asia in the winter; there's still time to book a vacation for the holiday season.
Read More
If you're the type of traveler who likes a world-class city getaway with your skiing holiday, you might consider Seoul for your next winter Asia destination.
Read More
The lack of human intervention in the DMZ means that wildlife has had a chance to bounce back. For the birdwatcher, this makes for some decent sightings at the 38th parallel.
Read More
Yeah, there's the bulgogi, the history, and the hiking, but there's also the K-pop. Travelers to Korea often want to catch a little bit of that Korean pop culture magic on their journey to Seoul.
Read More
Seoul is the heart of contemporary art in South Korea, so whether you're looking for high art at SeMA or graffiti in Ihwa Mural Village, Seoul has an answer for the art lover.
Read More
Visitors can barely move without running into the imperious wonders of royal Seoul. This guide will tell you how they came to be and when to go.
Read More
Indonesia - Cambodia - Vietnam - Laos
May 9 - 24, 2021
Japan - Philippines - Indonesia - UAE - Turkey - Greece
October 1 - 17, 2020
Vietnam - Laos - Bhutan - India - Sri Lanka
September 8-24, 2021
Italy - Morocco - Dominican Republic - Turks and Caicos - USA
February 16 - March 2, 2021
Japan - China - Vietnam - Thailand - Bhutan - India - Greece - Montenegro - Italy
March 21 - April 11, 2021
Japan - Philippines - Indonesia - UAE - Turkey - Greece
April 16 - May 2, 2021
