An Impressive Familiarisation Trip to South Korea

One of our travel agents recently experienced a 4-night stopover Familiarisation trip to South Korea with Korean Air; read about his personal experience with highlights and recommendations on visits to this awesome country.

This Familiarisation trip was organised by Korean Air, the Korean Tourism Organisation, and the International Incheon Airport Corporation in a co-marketing venture to promote KE’s Stopover service and experience Korea at its best through the wonderful range of transit tours and K-Stopover products on offer.

The trip started with an evening departure from T4 at Heathrow Airport with seamless check-in and security clearance. The aircraft we travelled on was a Boeing 777-300ER, with comfortable wide leg seats and a 3-3-3 configuration. There were numerous options for in-flight entertainment on screen and I received a special Muslim meal as requested.

The non-stop flight took around 12 hours 40 minutes to Incheon International Airport. Upon arrival, we were welcomed by Incheon Airport Transit Tour staff and took a shuttle service transfer coach to the Grand Hyatt Hotel. This luxury hotel is situated just 20 minutes from Terminal 2, boasting two swimming pools, panoramic views of the airport, & 5 dining outlets - it’s a perfect place to shake off your jet lag or enjoy a short stay for a quick departure. It is also an ideal hotel to stay at on an extended transit stopover for trips to Australia / New Zealand/ Honolulu.

After a meeting and briefing session with the KTO (Korea Tourism Organization/ Korean Air/ Korean Transit Service), we dined at the hotel’s on-site restaurant with the KTO Manager and CEO and Korean Air staff. The food was outstanding, and the service was excellent. The hotel room I stayed in was spacious and impressive with the convenience of a multi plug, panoramic views, and a large double bed that was comfortable enough to catch up on some broken sleep from jet lag; I felt refreshed the next morning.

After a delicious complimentary breakfast at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, we went to visit Incheon’s local area and attractions via a tour with a luxury coach and escorted tour guide; we also enjoyed a perfect boat trip which provided beautiful views of the city’s high-rise structures and landscaped parks.

Later we explored the Hyundai Premium Outlet Gimpo shopping mall and Triple Street mall with a stop for lunch at a local Korean restaurant, followed by a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace where we got to wear a colourful traditional outfit, and the Gwangjang Market where we sampled local cuisine that included live octopus!

The next destination to explore on our trip was Andong (4hr journey from Incheon); Andong is a cultural hotspot, nicknamed the Capital of Korean Spiritual Culture. We arrived around lunch time and enjoyed the signature Andong dishes of steamed chicken and grilled mackerel. In Andong, Wi-Fi was available at most tourist attractions and local bus services.

We experienced a ride on a local tourist bus to Hahoe Village – a UNESCO World Heritage Site where we were treated to a live folk performance and admired historic houses including Cheongnamdae – which once served as a vacation residence for former presidents. We also saw the village’s famous old wishing tree, surrounded by beautiful mountains and valleys, and the Mask Museum, displaying beautiful masks from around the world.

On our trip to Andong, we learned that HM Queen Elizabeth II spent her 73rd birthday here, back in 1999 after requesting to see the ‘most Korean place in the country’. All the exploring worked up an appetite, so we stopped for lunch and enjoyed another signature local dish of braised spicy chicken with vegetables.

Moving on to the next exciting place we visited: Gyeongju, another city rich in culture and history (2-hour journey from Andong). A Hanjeongsik (Korean full course meal) was offered on arrival in Gyeongju, then in the evening we visited Donggung Palace which was lit up and offered spectacular views of Wolji Pond, followed by an overnight stay at the Commodore Hotel in Gyeongju which is surrounded by stunning natural scenery.

In the morning after a complimentary breakfast, we left for the Bulguksa Temple – a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting intricate Buddhist-style architecture. After a delicious Korean lunch consisting of bulgogi (‘fire’ meat) and bibimbap (Korean rice dish) we visited the Gyeongju Historic Area, Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Hwangnidan-gil Road, and Cheomseongdae observatory.

The final destination on this stopover tour was Busan - the second most populous city in South Korea renowned for its exotic local seafood, beaches, and exciting annual events which includes the International Film Festival. We enjoyed a stay at a beachfront hotel with a ham barbeque dinner, then the following day departed for Busan’s Gimhae Airport for a domestic flight back to Incheon with some leisure time before transiting back to the UK – London Heathrow.

I had an amazing time in South Korea - it’s such a unique destination and I definitely recommend it for your travels!