Holidays in South Korea

Brimming with history, Seoul is a striking contrast of ancient palaces, traditional street markets and state of the art, modern architecture. Spanning centuries, Korea’s traditional tea ceremonies are now being revived through the country’s many charming teahouses as a means to find harmony within the country’s fast paced contemporary society.

Planning holidays in South Korea

Flights between London and Seoul are regular with the average flight time being just over 11 hours. South Korea is 9 hours ahead of London (GMT+9). The country has four distinct seasons: spring, from mid-March to the end of May, summer, from June to August, autumn, from September to November and winter (which can be bitterly cold) from December to mid-March. South Korea has a well equipped and reasonably priced public transport system. Visitors can journey across the country with buses, trains, taxis, bicycles and ferries.

Holidays in South Korea: Hwagae Cherry Blossom Festival

During Spring the white flowers of Hwagae’s cherry blossom trees transform the region’s landscape into a soft white wonderland. The annual Cherry Blossom Festival not only celebrates the beauty of the blossoms but also gives lovers an opportunity to walk hand in hand down marriage road – a path which is believed to bestow lovers with a lifetime of happiness.

Holidays in South Korea: Contemplating happiness

For those seeking an inner path to happiness, many Buddhist temples offer ‘temple stays’ where visitors have the unique opportunity to experience Korean Buddhism, its lifestyle, rituals and spirituality, first hand. Many Korean Buddhist temples are nestled deep in the country’s mountainous regions, which offer striking views of rivers, valleys or the sea. Within the remoteness of the Korean countryside, surrounded by the smiling, serene faces of robed monks, visitors can discover the path to inner peace and happiness.