South Korea holidays are a fusion of the classic and contemporary, with ancient history and modern culture perfectly melded to fascinate its visitors. Seoul is a bustling capital that brims with striking architecture, delivering pastel pink cherry blossom in spring and rich auburn hues in the autumn.
South Korea has four distinct seasons with the summer months of June, July and August being hot and humid - consistently reaching the mid to high 20°Cs. Otherwise, the spring and autumn will offer warm days with sunshine and blue skies.
Time your visit to Seoul between late March and mid-April to see the cherry blossom in bloom.
South Korea’s local currency is the Won (KRW). Credit cards are widely accepted but carry cash just to be safe. There are plenty of ATMs in Seoul, although not all will accept foreign debit cards.
Korean is, of course, the official language and the most widely-spoken language across the nation. However, English, Chinese and Japanese are also widely spoken.
South Korea has plenty of transport options to get around the country. Seoul’s subway is the most convenient way to explore. Bikes can be hired across the city, also bus system is simple and efficient.
Korean culture is highly respectful. When meeting locals bow to say hello and in homes, and some restaurants, you will be expected to remove your shoes before entering.
The flight time from Abu Dhabi to Seoul is around 8.5 hours. Etihad also now operates its award-winning Airbus A380 on its daily flights to Seoul.
With temples and palaces to admire, theme parks to enjoy, shopping experiences to indulge in and outdoor adventures to explore, Seoul holidays have something to suit all tastes.
Nowhere is the beauty and contrast of Seoul more easily spotted than the Bongeunsa Temple. Once surrounded by orchards and farm land, it now finds itself at the heart of one of Seoul’s wealthiest districts. A Buddhist temple dating back to 794, the building is beautiful inside and out and its library is home to thousands of scriptures. Don’t miss the evening ceremony where monks perform percussion music to awaken beings in the ground, sky and water.
You might already be familiar with Korean barbecue and dishes such as bibimbap - but that’s just the start of local Seoul food. From unique dining experiences to delicious authentic eats and street food wonders – Seoul is as much a feast for the taste buds as the eyes. Look out for banchan during your trip. Think of it as Korean tapas – a selection of small bites to try many flavours. Among the dishes you mustn’t miss are bulgogi, a combination of marinated beef with onion and garlic, sweet and sour noodles known as japchae and haemul pajeon, a seafood vegetable pancake.
Spring is a very special time in South Korea because it’s when the cherry blossom trees to burst into bloom. It’s a spectacular sight that you won’t want to miss! The most well-known cherry blossom festival in Seoul is the Yeouido Cherry Blossom festival. During the cherry blossom festival, you can see about 1,400 cherry trees in full bloom. There are street performances, food vendors, and many different entertaining exhibits, so this festival is perfect if you want to check out some lovely cherry blossoms. Enjoy tasty Korean snacks or take a walk at the Han River as you admire the scenic beauty.
Stay up into the small hours and shop like you never have before. In Seoul’s commercial district you’ll find Dongdaemun Market. A shopping haven, open 24 hours a day, the marketplace is home to 30,000 speciality shops. Housed in 26 malls, you’ll find everything from specialist stores to big brand names. If you fancy a change, many malls have cinemas and entertainment options as well. The outdoor concert hall regularly hosts fashions shows and classical music concerts and even modelling contests so keep an eye out for events.
Family holidays in Seoul wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the many themes parks the city has to offer. Everland is approximately one hour out of the city but promises a full day of fun. 40 thrilling rides are complemented by a water park (in summer). Visitors from outside South Korea often get discounted tickets – so keep your passport to hand. For year-round indoor fun, Lotte World is hard to beat. The rides are the top attraction - but parades and laser shows keep visitors of all ages happy.
The kids will love the ride on the cable car to the top of Namsan Mountain on your family holiday to South Korea. Once you get to the summit, you’re not quite at your destination yet, as the peak is crowned by the soaring N Seoul Tower. Stretching 236 metres into the sky, it’s the second highest point in Seoul and offers panoramic views of the city. An exhibition space featuring 36 LCD screens tells the story of Seoul and is great for learning more about South Korea’s past.
If you’ve got more time, visit Jeju Island, with its beach resorts, crater lakes and hiking trails. Here you can scale Mount Hallasan. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a dormant volcano, and from the summit you can admire both the bright blue crater lake and views over Jeju. Nature lovers will be in their element on Jeju Island. Cheonjeyon Waterfall not only looks mighty with its three-tiered falls, but it also houses many rare plants in the rockpools below. There are several ways to travel to this beautiful island and one of them is by ferry – sailing duration from around 4.5 hours.
Prices are starting prices, including applicable taxes, and fuel surcharges. Packages include return flights with Etihad Airways departing from Abu Dhabi, prices are per person sharing a Double /Twin room. Sales period is from 15 February - 15 March 2020. Travel period is from 15 February - 30 June 2020. Terms and conditions apply including high season surcharges, restrictions on offers during Cherry Blossom, Eid and special events travel period. Airport transfers are not included unless otherwise stated. Hotels are based on “Room Only” basis unless otherwise mentioned. Conditions apply. Book now or call 800 2324 for more details.
