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Korea

The Best of South Korea: Local Culture and Ancient History

Program No. 23495RJ
Experience the best that South Korea has to offer as you explore its historic landmarks, venture to small villages and learn about ancient traditions alongside welcoming locals.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
14 days
Program Begins
Seoul
Program Concludes
Incheon
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
28 ( 12B, 11L, 5D )
Activity Level
Step into South Korea, the captivating “Land of the Morning Calm.” Explore ancient forest temples and charming fishing villages, deepening your understanding of a culture that beautifully blends age-old traditions with cutting-edge modernity. Gain a true insider's understanding of the Korean way of life, from its hidden towns to its bustling cities. On this expert-led exploration, you'll take a hands-on cooking class, a thrilling bullet train journey and a journey to the unique volcanic beauty of Jeju Island. Yes, this is South Korea, where vibrant daily life meets centuries of tradition, offering you an authentic perspective on its dynamic present and storied past.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Explore a traditional village, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that still has many hanoks (traditional Korean houses).
  • Embark on a special field trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jeju Island as you walk through ancient villages and oreum (parasitic cones) that make this island unique.
  • Learn the history behind Changdeokgung Palace’s secret garden as you enjoy the landscaped grounds and 56,000 types of trees and plants.
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Sunjea Jay Lee is a multifaceted creator—director, artistic director, producer, and designer—who blurs boundaries to explore new artistic horizons. Her work delves into the profound connections between humans, nature, and art, emphasizing the fusion of tradition and modernity to convey compelling contemporary messages. Based mainly in Jeju and Europe, she reinterprets traditional beliefs and myths through a modern lens and has cultivated collaborations with artists worldwide.
Eun-Ki Kim is a professor in the international studies division of Korea University, having previously served as the dean of the Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) and the Division of International Studies (DIS) there. He also serves as the vice president of the World Association for Hallyu Studies (WAHS); director of the International Education and Research Center for Global Cultural Studies, Korea University; and director of the Big Data Interdisciplinary Collaboration Project Group at Korea University. Eun-Ki's research interests include Korean culture, Korean Christianity, migration studies, social change, and comparative sociology.
Daehoon Lee is the director of the Trans-Education for Peace Institute (TEPI) of PEACEMOMO, providing school teachers and peace activists in Korea peace education training that is based on new, learner-oriented pedagogical principles. Among other career highlights, Daehoon has been visiting professor for peace studies at Ritsumeikan University and International University of Japan. He also has been a legal advisor to the Special Rapporteur of the UN Human Rights Sub-Commission and worked with the Center for Peace Museum, Korea. He served as Goodwill Ambassador for Peace in Korea under the Moon Jae-in government, among many other advisory roles. Daehoon has a B.Sc. from Seoul National University and an M.Phil from the University of Bradford in the UK.
Lina Min received a B.A. in public administration from Chungnam University in 1995 and a B.A. in English language and literature from Korea National Open University in 2005. She began her career as a city tour guide in 2000 and, since then, has gained extensive experience in leading a variety of specialized tours. Lina has successfully led groups of descendants of overseas independence activists, UN veterans revisiting Korea, and overseas adoptees reconnecting with their roots. She has also led groups of international visitors from the United States, Poland, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, India, and the Middle East. In her free time, Lin enjoys walking, hiking, traveling with her family, and discovering new restaurants.
Kookyoung Han is an assistant professor in the Department of Economics at Pusan National University, South Korea. He received a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Michigan. He has extensive knowledge and degrees in economics, physics, mathematics, and technology. His current research interests are applications of game theory to various phenomena including cybersecurity environment and investigations.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking 2-3 miles over the course of day over uneven terrain and busy streets, with the exception of a couple of days where walking is 3-4 miles over the course of a day. You must be able to carry your own luggage. If you believe you require wheelchair assistance to get through an airport, you are not fit enough to participate in this program. The itinerary includes visits to historical sites and museums, allowing for plenty of opportunities to rest without needing to walk continuously.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.