SOUTH KOREA 9 DAYS JUNE - SEPTEMBER

Flight with a stopover to technologically advanced South Korea, a country that in recent years has played an extremely important role in the global economy.

Upon our arrival we will begin our acquaintance with the capital Seoul where, among other things, we will see the parliament, the impressive presidential palace and the central avenues with the imposing modern buildings that house the headquarters of large multinational companies. We will admire the Seoul Tower, walk along the Myeongdong shopping street and of course visit the colorful Namdaemun Market. Check-in at our hotel and time to relax.

After breakfast we depart for the Demilitarized Zone on the border with North Korea, which was created on 27/7/1953 as a result of the 1953 Agreement, which essentially sealed the end of the Korean War. This Zone also demarcates the border between these two countries, dividing the Korean peninsula approximately in half. We will visit the 3rd Tunnel built in October 1978, we will talk in detail about the sad history of the war that resulted in the creation of North Korea, perhaps the most "special" state on the planet, while from the special platform we will have the opportunity to see the North Korean propaganda camp on the border. Returning to Seoul, we will visit Gyeongbok Palace, built in the 14th century and renovated in the mid-19th century, it is a landmark of the country since almost all of its modern history took place there. Our day will end with the excellent Buddhist temple of Jogeysa.

Today we have an exceptional experience in store for you as we will have the opportunity to visit the unique “Traditional Korean Village”. In essence, it is a theme park in the city of Suwon, 40 km south of Seoul. The theme park began operating in 1974, and inside it are over 200 structures, copies of all the traditional settlements of the country. There we will have the opportunity to see Koreans dressed in their traditional costumes and enjoy traditional activities and dances with live representations of everyday life. Late in the afternoon we arrive in Gyeongju, the old capital of the country.

Gyeongsu was for centuries the economic and administrative center of the Southern part of the Korean Peninsula and is rightly considered one of the cradles of Korean culture. Today's tour of the temples and pagodas of Gyeongsu, symbols of the country's Buddhist tradition, the tombs where the kings and prominent personalities of the region were buried, the Palace, a small part of which has been restored, as well as the excellent Archaeological Museum with thousands of exhibits, is revealing of the outstanding historical importance of the city, which is of course protected by UNESCO. After the tour, we depart for Busan.

Our breakfast is dedicated to a tour of the largest port in South Korea. From here, giant companies such as Hyundai, Samsung, LG… export their products to the global market every day, contributing greatly to the development of the country. The Taelongdae Park, the central coastal avenue with shipping companies and of course the impressive fish market will reveal to us a modern and dynamic city in which the heart of the export trade of the tenth largest economy in the world beats. We will visit the Allied Cemetery, the City Museum and of course the Nampodong shopping street. In the afternoon we depart by road for Seoul.

Following the customs of the Koreans, we will have the opportunity to visit the Hanoks of the Bucheon neighborhood early in the morning by subway. Between the two palaces of Seoul, we will have the opportunity to travel through the centuries, walking in a traditional neighborhood of the city, which has the largest collection of 900 traditional Korean houses with tiled roofs and stone floors (hanoks). This neighborhood has literally frozen in time, while here we will have the opportunity to enjoy a coffee or do some souvenir shopping. Next, we will visit another picturesque area, which has been a hub of art for centuries, Insandong. The neighborhood is known for its artwork, paintings, Korean clothes, herbs, calligraphy items, ceramics, and many other goods. Finally, by the same means, we will have time in the famous Dogdaemun, the Mecca of shopping. Don't forget to have a facial massage and buy cosmetics & face masks in your free time.

Free breakfast for your last shopping. At noon we fly via a stopover to Athens.

Arrival in Athens.