Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

 

Korea - Land of the Morning Calm - time to go is now…

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller” - Ibn Battuta

From the nomadic steppes of Kazakhstan to the frenetic streets of Hanoi, Asia is a Continent so full of intrigue, adventure, solace & spirituality that it has fixated & confounded travelers for centuries. Wrapped in rainforests, edged by golden sands, crowned by volcanoes, studded with ruins of lost civilizations: this is Asia as you have always imagined it.

 

And then, there is the Korean Peninsula that offers a dazzling range of experiences, beautiful landscapes and 5000 years of culture & history. Come as an explorer, seek out adventure, cut your own trail. Challenge yourself & you may develop an appreciation for South Korea’s rich cultural tapestry & a newfound sense of personal freedom, the hallmarks of any truly great journey.

 

Asia is a spiritual space. As dawn breaks, pots of rice bubble over & the smoke of incense wafts from earth to heaven. Barefoot Monks embark on their call to alms among the faithful; the Muezzin's call reverberates from mosques urging devotees to prayer; and family altars are flush with fruit & flowers for the guardian spirits. The region’s great monuments were wrought from divine inspiration, from Angkor’s heaven incarnate to Bagan’s shimmering spires. The spiritual side of life is omnipresent & travellers can boost their karmic balance at meditation retreats or by hiking to a golden Temple atop a sacred mountain.

 

Asia has contributed a cast of villains & heroes to global history. Most of the significant achievements of the modern world had their infancy in Asia. Historic trading routes sliced across epic terrain as expanding Empires competed to trade goods & ideas throughout the Continent & beyond. Asia’s ambitious civilizations ultimately gave rise to some of the world’s most revolutionary ideas & important technology. Ancient wonders & sacred spaces abound across the Continent, from the Great Wall of China & the Temples of Angkor to lesser-known marvels in Myanmar, Nepal & Afghanistan.

 

The cities are stepping into the future with one foot dragging in the past. Gleaming Skyscrapers, whooshing magnetic Trains, shiny Smartphones: in Asia, the future is now. Bangkok is the gateway to many Asian adventures, where Skytrains whisk shoppers from Mall to Mall & hawkers ply their wares on the steaming pavements below. China is charging its way into the 21^st century with its economy developing at a head-spinning pace, while South Korea boasts some of the fastest internet speeds in the world & is a hub of growing technology. Singapore is a gleaming testament to Asia at its most efficient. For old meets new, explore the backstreets of Phnom Penh, Hanoi's Old Quarter or downtown Yangon, which have a beguiling blend of traditional architecture, colonial-era gems & a contemporary twist.

 

A frenetic buzz surrounds urban Asia: the fashion, culture & business in the Continent’s metropolises easily challenge the biggest European & American cities for their status as global hubs. This ever-evolving modernity can make for some incredibly special travel experiences: watch rice paddies flash by from a high-speed train, pick up a shiny new laptop in a Hong Kong electronics market or go to a robot cabaret show in Japan.  

 

And now, let us talk about the magic of South Korea that casts a spell on many who visit this charming yet confounding kingdom.

 

Breathtaking Antiquity | Urban Buzz| Korean Spirit | Epicurean Encounters

Known for its green, hilly countryside dotted with cherry trees & centuries old Buddhist Temples, plus its coastal fishing villages, sub-tropical Islands & high-tech cities such as Seoul, the Capital. South Korea (Republic of Korea) is a dream destination - an engaging, welcoming place where the benefits of a high-tech nation are balanced alongside a reverence for tradition and the ways of old Asia.

 

How to capture the essence of this fascinating, complex nation? No one knows where the country is headed, but it is fast-forward all the way. That is what makes South Korea so exciting & at times unnerving; it’s a country of endless possibilities. South Korea is in fact, a fun place to go, with dazzling cities, friendly people & beautiful, mystical countryside.

 

Decorum plays a major role in Korean people’s generosity to outsiders & their instinctive graciousness possesses a highly endearing quality. Helpfulness abounds, whether it is at a Tourist Office, asking someone for directions or finding yourself deep in a conversation with a stranger. Time-honored Confucian principles have set a template for strong civic pride in a society that is introspective, perhaps, but also decorous & affirmative. You may pass glorious landscapes & gaze out across dazzling seas but don't forget, half of your travel journey will be about the people, and the Korean tribe are a joy to be among.

 

Until relatively recently, Korea was an insular place, existing under dynastic rule for centuries. However, the 35 year Japanese occupation from 1910, the split of the peninsula after WWII & the subsequent Korean War shattered all that. Difficult times have however made the Koreans a resilient lot, succeeding economically whilst still holding onto their unique traditions & fascinating culture.

 

Korea might be known as the “Land of the Morning Calm”, but dive into its capital Seoul, the powerhouse of Asia’s 3^rd largest economy & serenity may be the last thing you will perceive. Seoul winds around the Han River, punctuated by futuristic Skyscrapers in one of the most densely populated areas in the world. This round-the-clock city is constantly in motion, with a work-hard, play-hard mentality that epitomises the nation’s indefatigable, can-do spirit. You can hardly turn a corner without stumbling across a helpful Tourist Information Booth, a bustling Subway station or a taxi in this multifaceted Metropolis where meticulously reconstructed Palaces rub shoulders with teeming night Markets & dramatically modern architecture.

 

South Korea’s compact size & superb Transport infrastructure mean that tranquility can be found in easy reach of the urban sprawl. Hike to the summits of craggy mountains enclosed by densely forested National Parks. Some of those same mountains transform into Ski slopes come winter. Get further off the beaten path than you thought possible by sailing to remote Islands, where farming & fishing folk welcome you into their homes & simple seafood Cafes. Chill out in serene villages surrounded by rice fields, sleeping in rustic hanok (traditional wooden house) guesthouses

 

Korea is littered with many UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Fortresses, Temples & Palaces. In addition, the peninsula it shares with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, one of the most mountainous regions in the world. Korea also has a significant beach-dotted coastline.

 

Serene Temples, picturesque mountains, lush rice paddies, unspoiled fishing villages & endless hiking opportunities are so far off the beaten track, it is unlikely you will meet any Westerners (or even English speakers) on the road less travelled. Voyage to the remote, unspoilt Islands of Dadohae Haesang National Park, or head to the charming backwater of Buyeo for its historic Baekje relics & lively covered Market. For a somewhat less rural (& considerably more surreal) experience, there is Panmunjom & the DMZ Tour - the closest you can get to North Korea from its southern neighbor without being shot.

 

Rest assured the “Republic of Korea” also knows how to rock. A packed calendar of Festivals & Events means there is almost always a celebration of some sort to attend wherever you are - it might be Boryeong for its mud fest, or Gwangju for its Biennale or its annual salute to that most Korean of foods: kimchi. There is an infectious energy here & it is easy to get caught up in the Korean joie de vivre, as well as the City's non-stop attractions. Less modern but no less appealing is the ancient city of Gyeongju, where Temples, Pagodas & royal Tombs are a source of much fascination. Further south, the bustling port town of Busan is a little rough around the edges but rewards those travelers willing to persevere.  

 

For all of its headlong rush into the 21^st century on a hallyu (Korean popular culture) wave, what charms one most about the ROK is its proud promotion of age-old traditions & culture. Meditate at a Buddhist Temple Retreat where the honk of traffic is replaced by the rhythmic predawn chants of shaven-headed Monks; hike along Seoul's 600 year old city walls; and walk on & around the Jeju Olle Trail, connecting with history & Island traditions on the way.

 

Friendly Koreans are always delighted to share their culture with visitors - often that means over a shared meal with a tantalising array of dishes & plenty of toasts with local alcoholic beverages.

 

A unique experience is just the beginning……. Take the plunge now & Yep…. the Koreans are waiting…….a warm welcome, historical secrets & an artistic paradise awaits you and The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery..

 

Come…be inspired & discover the World…

 

We are in the process of updating our Offerings of experiential journeys to R O K. Please contact us in the interim if you want to explore more options & we will be happy to offer suggestions based on your personal preferences…