The Best Private Trips to Book in East Asia

South Korea is a real treasure of a destination, which can take you from luscious national parks to neon-lit cities and ancient Buddhist temples in just over a week. Our 10-day itinerary offers the ultimate Korean experience, starting and ending in Seoul. In the capital you’ll get a guided tour, visit a traditional Hanok village and sing karaoke, before heading out to the Demilitarised Zone. The DMZ is a fascinating place, on the border with North Korea, where you can learn about the nations’ complex relationship, explore military tunnels and catch a glimpse at South Korea’s mysterious neighbour. Next up are the luscious peaks of Seoraksan National Park and the ancient city of Gyeongju, followed by a traditional Korean temple stay at Golgulsa, a sixth-century Buddhist cave temple. Learn how to meditate and martial art like a monk before returning to modernity in coastal Busan, where you’ll get a cooking class, a tea tasting, a soju sampling and a visit to the city’s famous fish market. En route back to Seoul, we’ll stop off in Jeonju, where you’ll visit another Hanok village and sample bibimbap –Korea’s most iconic dish – in the city of its birth.