Flower of the Far East: "South Korea" | May 16 – May 22, 2027
THE FLOWER OF THE FAR EAST: "SOUTH KOREA"
SEOUL (3 NIGHTS) - BUSAN (2 NIGHTS) – GYEONGJU
ALL TOURS AND ENTRANCE FEES INCLUDED
AURORA DIGITAL ART STREET TOUR INCLUDED
SEUL-BUSAN- SEOUL HIGH-SPEED TRAIN TRAVEL EXPERIENCE INCLUDED
ISTANBUL > Saturday, May 15, 2027
Meeting at 22:50 in front of the Turkish Airlines counter at Istanbul Airport international departures terminal.
ISTANBUL Q SEOUL > Sunday, May 16, 2027
After our ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, we fly to Seoul on Turkish Airlines flight TK90 at 01:50. We will spend the night on board. Upon arrival at Seoul Incheon Airport at 17:40 local time, after completing passport and baggage procedures, we are transferred directly from the airport to our hotel in Seoul by vehicle. We complete check-in procedures and settle into our rooms. We will spend the night at our hotel in Seoul.
SEOUL ð GYEONGJU ð BUSAN > May 17, 2027 Monday> (K)
After having breakfast at our hotel, we will complete our check-out procedures and head to Gyeongju, most of which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, via the KTX high-speed train. First, we will visit Bulguksa Temple, one of South Korea's most famous temples. The temple is the head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and includes six National Treasures, such as the Dabotap and Seokgatap stone pagodas, Cheongun-gyo (Blue Cloud Bridge), and two gilded bronze Buddha statues. Next, we will visit Cheomseongdae, built during the Silla period in the 7th century, which is Asia's—and possibly the world's—oldest surviving astronomical observatory. After free time for lunch, we will take a stroll through Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, a former crown prince's palace renowned for its spectacular illuminated views. At the end of the tour, we will be transferred to Gyeongju Train Station. In the evening, we will transfer to Busan and check into our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel in Busan.
BUSAN > Tuesday, May 18, 2027 > (K)
After breakfast at our hotel, our first stop will be the UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea, built in memory of soldiers from 16 countries who lost their lives during the Korean War between 1950 and 1953. Next, we will visit Gamcheon Culture Village, representing Busan's artistic side with its colorful streets. This village is like an open-air photo studio, featuring graffiti walls, art cafes, and vibrant houses. After free time for lunch, we will experience the thrill of being above the sea on the Songdo Cable Car, traveling from Songlim Park east of Songdo Beach to Amnam Park west of Songdo Beach, while enjoying unique views of Songdo Beach, Busan Yeongdo and Namhang Bridge, and the Songdo Coastal Dulle Trail. Following this tour, we will visit Jagalchi Fish Market, one of the city's major tourist centers showcasing a wide variety of seafood, before returning to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel in Busan.
BUSAN to SEOUL > May 19, 2027 Wednesday > (K)
After breakfast at our hotel, we visit Haedong Yonggungsa, one of Busan's most impressive seaside temples. This temple combines traditional Korean architecture with natural scenery where you can hear the sound of waves. After our tour, we return to Seoul by KTX high-speed train. In the afternoon, upon arriving in Seoul, we ascend N Seoul Tower (N-Seoul Tower). From this vantage point, offering a panoramic view of all Seoul, guests who wish may leave their wishes by attaching a lock in the "Love Locks" section. At the end of the day, we reach our hotel, complete our check-in procedures, and settle into our rooms. Overnight stay at our hotel in Seoul.
SEOUL > May 20, 2027 Thursday > (K)
After breakfast at our hotel, our first stop will be Gyeongbokgung Palace. Built in 1395, it is not only the largest of the Five Grand Palaces constructed by the Joseon Dynasty but also regarded as the most beautiful and magnificent. Next, we will proceed to Insadong Street, famous for its traditional tea houses, art galleries, and souvenir shops. Free time will be provided here. Our next destination will be Namsangol Hanok Village. Located at the foot of Namsan Mountain, this village offers visitors a sense of traveling back in time with its restored traditional "hanok" houses, peaceful gardens, and authentic atmosphere. Here, we will have the opportunity to closely observe Korean living culture, architectural details, and traditional layouts. Passing through, we will also enjoy panoramic views of the former Blue House and Gwanghwamun Square. The final stop of our tour will be Myeongdong Street, one of Korea's most popular shopping and fashion streets. After exploring this vibrant area filled with cosmetic stores, local restaurants, and international brands, we will return to our hotel. Following the tour, we will head back to our hotel in Seoul. Overnight stay at our hotel in Seoul.
SEOUL Q ISTANBUL > May 21, 2027 Friday > (K)
After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we begin exploring the modern face of Seoul. Our first stop is the Gangnam Style Statue, created in honor of the world-famous "Gangnam Style" song. After a photo break here, we visit the impressive COEX Starfield Library, known for its striking architecture and shelves filled with thousands of books. Next, we see Bongeunsa Temple, which stands out for its peaceful atmosphere amidst modern skyscrapers. As a cornerstone of Korean Buddhism, one of Seoul's largest statues, Maitreya, and a library housing 3,479 sacred Buddhist texts make Bongeunsa one of the region's major tourist attractions. Then, we visit Aegibong Ecopark. Located in the only Demilitarized Zone between South and North Korea, Aegibong Peace Ecological Park stands as a symbol of peace and harmony. Its confluence with the Jogang River at the mouth of the Han River, connecting different histories and cultures, makes this spot even more meaningful. From here, we will have the opportunity to observe the North Korean Propaganda Village on the opposite bank of the Han River and North Korean farmers working in the fields. Additionally, we will have the chance to enjoy our coffee at Korea's first and only Starbucks with a view of North Korea. We will be able to see North Korean territory and the border line from the observation deck. Afterwards, we visit Aurora Digital Art Street, surrounded by giant LED screens, and the INSPIRE Entertainment Resort, famous for its stunning visual shows. After spending free time here, we transfer to Incheon Airport. Following the tour, we are transferred to the airport at the time announced by our guide. After completing passport and baggage procedures, we depart from South Korea and return to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK91 at 23:20. Overnight accommodation will be on the plane.
ISTANBUL > Saturday, May 22, 2027
Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 05:00 local time and the end of our tour. We bid farewell, looking forward to meeting again on our next enjoyable trip.
Explanations of abbreviations >>> (K): Breakfast | (A): Dinner | (Ö): Lunch
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia occupying the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea. The name Korea originates from Goguryeo, one of the powerful kingdoms of ancient East Asia that, under King Gwanggaeto the Great, ruled over most of the Korean Peninsula, Manchuria, parts of the Russian Far East, and Inner Mongolia. Its capital, Seoul, is a major global city; more than half of South Korea's population of over 51 million people live in the Seoul Capital Area, which has the world's fourth-largest metropolitan economy.
Official language: Korean
Currency: Republic of Korea Won (KRW)
Climate: continental and oceanic climates
Plug type: Commonly Type C/F (compatible with Turkey)
Visa Information
A K-ETA application is mandatory for South Korea. Since the K-ETA application contains personal information, it must be completed by the traveler themselves via the link below. Please note that any spelling errors, missing letters, or other mistakes made during the K-ETA application may result in denial of boarding on the aircraft. This applies to all travelers, including those holding green passports. Payment is made by credit card; on the final screen, the site automatically converts the fee into the user's local currency.
All passengers must possess a chip-enabled passport. Old dark blue chipless passports are not accepted. For this tour, a passport valid for at least 6 months from the end of the tour is required. Passengers whose passports do not meet this validity period may be denied boarding by the airline. Immigration authorities have the right to refuse entry to such passengers. In such cases, all responsibility lies with the passenger.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Our tour program operates under a minimum participation requirement. If sufficient participants are not secured for the package tour, it may be cancelled up to 30 days before departure. Participants will be notified if the tour is cancelled due to insufficient participation.
In cases where only category information is provided without specific hotel names in the tour program, and/or when multiple options exist for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be communicated by our agency no later than 48 hours before the tour departure.
This price list and program remain valid until a new price list is issued, at which point this version becomes entirely void.
The prices in all our package programs are limited to a maximum capacity of 10 persons per group. Additional participants beyond this number may incur price increases. Please inquire about pricing details.
In cases where ordinary passports were issued more than 10 years ago, or other passport types more than 5 years ago, travelers acknowledge that Sora, acting solely as an agent and not as the service provider, bears no liability for any irregularities arising from passport issuance dates. All international departures requiring customs clearance must have passengers present at the port/airport at least 3 hours prior to the scheduled tour departure time. Especially for guests arriving from other cities via domestic flights to reach the port or airport, flight schedules must be adjusted accordingly to ensure timely arrival. Consequently, any delays or failure to join the tour due to late arrival are the sole responsibility of the passenger, and Sora shall have no obligation to compensate the passenger.
Sora acts as an intermediary between airlines and passengers and is subject to the Hague Protocol of September 28, 1955. Flight times may change prior to departure. All flight times must be confirmed by the passenger at least 48 hours before the tour departure. Passengers purchase the tour acknowledging and accepting that flight details may change.
Triple rooms are assigned based on hotel availability. In such rooms, the third bed is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of one large bed and one additional bed. Since additional beds are foldable or convertible (often referred to as coach beds), participants booking triple occupancy (third person and/or children) are deemed to have accepted potential room crowding and the type of bedding.
Child discounts apply only to one child per room accompanying two adults, within the appropriate age group. Due to limited availability of TWIN rooms (two separate beds) in hotels, please verify your TWIN room request before making a reservation.
Children under 18 who are not considered legal adults must travel with at least one parent. In cases where they travel without both parents, the required notarized consent letters must be carried by the accompanying adult(s) throughout the entire journey.
Panoramic city tours are 2–3 hour sightseeing tours designed to introduce cities and do not include entrance fees to museums or historical sites unless specified. These tours may be conducted on different days, provided their content remains unchanged. Extra tours are organized based on a minimum number of participants determined by the tour leader. If this minimum is not met, extra tours may proceed with a price increase, and their schedule may be adjusted by the tour leader according to the overall program flow. Tours may be cancelled due to weather conditions. No visits or tours will be conducted to locations where local authorities prohibit access for any reason. Sora cannot be held liable for the inability to conduct such excursions.
Passengers must carry any relevant medical documentation regarding health issues, pregnancy status, or medications they regularly use, along with necessary medical reports.
Tour details, airport representative information, tour leader contact, and hotel notifications will be provided 48 hours before the tour departure.
A passport is an official document. If it is damaged, stained, torn, or otherwise compromised, immigration authorities have the right to deny entry. In such cases, all responsibility lies with the passenger.
A visa requirement exists for Turkish citizens traveling under this tour program. Even with a valid visa, immigration authorities retain the right to deny entry. In such instances, all financial and legal responsibilities rest with the passenger. Please carefully review your passport details and information.
When departing from Turkish border crossings, regardless of nationality (Turkish or foreign), all passport holders must possess a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel. Our agency will not approve bookings for passports with less than 6 months of remaining validity. Sora bears no compensation liability for passengers unable to join the tour due to insufficient passport validity.
Guests who do not participate in included tours as specified in the program are not eligible for any refund.
What's Included
Round-trip economy class airplane tickets on the Istanbul-Seoul/Seoul-Istanbul route with Turkish Airlines scheduled flights
Airport taxes
Airport – hotel – airport transfers
High-speed train tickets between Seoul-Busan-Seoul
Total 5 nights accommodation in 4-star hotels as specified or similar
Morning breakfasts as specified in the program
Travel by high-speed train between Seoul-Busan-Seoul
All tours specified in the program:
Seoul Tour
Busan Tour
Gyeongju Tour
Visit to Bulguksa Temple
Visit to Cheomseongdae Observatory
Tour of Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond
Visit to UN Korean War Memorial Cemetery
Gamcheon Culture Village Tour
Songdo Cable Car experience
Visit to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Namsangol Hanok Village Tour
Bongeunsa Temple
Aegibong Eco Park (Korean Border Area) tour
Aurora Digital Art Street
Turkish-speaking guide service
Professional liability insurance (as required by Law No. 1618)
Not Included
Exit tax
K-ETA South Korea electronic travel authorization
Personal expenses
Tour guarantee and travel health insurance
All services not explicitly included in the tour program
Tips (5 EUR per person per day, to be collected by the guide)