Excursion Overland experience: seoul in depth tour at Seoul

The capital of South Korea, Seoul offers a uniquely-captivating blend of old and new, where modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways, neon lights, and upscale shopping districts meet Buddhist temples, palaces, pagodas, and bustling street markets. Experience the traditional and contemporary highlights of Seoul during an in-depth, one-night overland excursion to this bustling metropolis. Begin with visits to the peaceful and historic Bongeunsa, a mesmerising Buddhist temple in central Gangnam, then enjoy lunch at “Stay” Modern French Restaurant located on the 81st floor of Signiel Seoul Hotel. STAY takes "dining with a view" to a whole new level with its sweeping vistas of the metropolis. STAY is celebrated Chef Yannick Alléno’s modern casual French restaurant, a youthful and vibrant space accented with yellow and gold. Next, experience Korea's tallest building, Seoul Sky Tower and enjoy the beautiful view, located on floors 117-123 of Lotte World Tower, the world's 5th tallest building! Continue your day with a visit to the National Museum of Korea, before a dinner of authentic Korean cuisine with a modern flair at the Mugunghwa restaurant, located inside your hotel. This evening, take an optional, guided tour of the Deoksu Palace or explore Myeong-dong Street on your own. The next morning, an early wake up and head for the Traditional Hanbok (dress) rental. Next, take the opportunity to make great phtoto memories while touring Gyeongbokgung Palace and observing a guard-changing ceremony. After you return the traditional costume, head for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, transfer to Bukchon Hanok Village, where an exhilarating traditional rickshaw awaits you. Time-permitting, a final stop is made at the historic Gwangjang Market before transferring to the port of Incheon and embarking your ship.

FULL DESCRIPTION:

(01MIDINC-C) Seoul in Depth

Duration: 2 Days/1 Night

Departs from: Incheon at approximately 9:30 a.m.

Re-join ship: Incheon at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Reserve by: At least 90 days prior to sailing

IMPORTANT NOTE

This Silver Shore Overland Experience requires advance booking through Silversea Reservations no later than 90 days prior to the sail date. Requests received after this date may be accommodated on a space-available basis. Tickets are available in limited quantities, and participation cannot be guaranteed for those guests not booking well in advance. A minimum number of participants is required to operate this programme. If this minimum number is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the programme at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel the specific departure. Cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, 90 - 0 days prior to the initial sailing date: 100% of the programme fare per person is due.

Payment in full is due at time of final payment. Bookings made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner, as specified by Silversea.

All Overland Experience fares are subject to change, and not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Land Adventures are non-transferable, and non-refundable, within 90 days of sailing. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older. All Overland Experiences are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Overland Experiences may be modified by the operators at their sole discretion.

VISA INFORMATION:

Please check with your travel professional for details regarding visa requirements for South Korea. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising.

LOCAL CURRENCY:

The local currency is the South Korean Won; however, US dollars and credit cards are well-accepted by most vendors. Local ATMs are available in some locations visited (a shopping stop is planned during this program).

Experience the traditional and contemporary highlights of Seoul during an in-depth, one-night overland experience to this bustling metropolis.

DAY ONE – Incheon/Seoul

After disembarking the ship, meet your guide and explore the upscale Gangnam area of Seoul

After disembarking the ship, meet your guide and depart for the scenic, approximately 1.5-hour sightseeing drive through the Gangnam area. Seoul’s upscale, modern centre, Gangnam is home to gleaming skyscrapers. Gangnam means ‘south of the river’, and this district in South Korea’s capital lies along the banks of the Han, one of the country’s largest bodies of water. There’s plenty to do and see in this historically rich, fast-developing neighbourhood.

Visit the peaceful and historic Bongeunsa, a mesmerising Buddhist temple in central Gangnam

Your first stop is at the Bongeunsa, a mesmerizing, historic Buddhist temple in the centre of Gangnam. This is a fine example of Korea’s traditional past juxtaposed against the background of a busy metropolitan area. Upon entering the Bongeunsa Temple, move from the hustle of the city to the serenity of the Buddhist mantras and a peaceful landscape in just a few moments.

Proceed for lunch at STAY restaurant (or similar), modern French Restaurant

Leaving Bonguensa Temple, re-board your coach and proceed to the STAY restaurant or similar. “Stay” Modern French Restaurant is located on the 81st floor of Signiel Seoul Hotel. STAY takes "dining with a view" to a whole new level with its sweeping vistas of the metropolis. STAY is celebrated Chef Yannick Alléno’s modern casual French restaurant, a youthful and vibrant space accented with yellow and gold.

Experience Korea's tallest building, Seoul Sky Tower

After lunch, experience Korea's tallest building, Seoul Sky Tower and enjoy the beautiful view, located on floors 117-123 of Lotte World Tower, the world's 6th tallest building!

Tour the National Museum of Korea, the flagship museum of Korean history, art, and culture

Next, transfer to the nearby National Museum of Korea. Upon arrival, take a guided tour of this captivating museum. The National Museum of Korea is considered to be the flagship museum of Korean history, art, and culture, as well as the cultural organization that represents Korea.

Transfer to the hotel for check-in and some free time to freshen-up before dinner

Following your visit, re-board your coach and transfer to the heart of Seoul City for check-in at the five-star Lotte Hotel Seoul, and some free time to freshen-up before dinner.

Enjoy a dinner of authentic Korean cuisine with a modern flair at the Mugunghwa restaurant, located inside your hotel

Enjoy a dinner of authentic Korean cuisine with a modern flair at the Mugunghwa restaurant, located inside your hotel.

Take an optional evening tour of the Deoksu Palace, a famous walled compound of palaces

Take an optional evening tour of the Deoksu Palace, the only palace that embraces Korean traditional and Western contemporary architecture. The Deoksu Palace is a walled compound of palaces in Seoul that was inhabited by members of Korea's royal family during the Joseon Monarchy, until the annexation of Korea by Japan in 1910. It is one of the Five Grand Palaces built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty.

Alternatively, you may opt for some free time to explore the upscale Myeong-dong Street

Alternatively, you may opt for some free time at leisure to explore the upscale Myeong-dong Street, which is located in one of Seoul’s main shopping, parade route, and tourism districts. Afterwards, return to the hotel by foot.

Transfer back to the hotel

Following your optional evening tour of the Deoksu Palace, re-board your coach and transfer back to the hotel.

Overnight accommodations in a Deluxe Room in the Main Tower of the Lotte Hotel Seoul – Seoul

DAY TWO – Seoul/Incheon

After early wake up, breakfast and check-out, meet your guide and depart for the Gyeongbokgung Palace

After breakfast and check-out, meet your guide and depart for the spectacular Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul’s most representative tourist attraction. Built as the largest legal palace in the Joseon Dynasty, it is also considered the greatest in terms of size and beauty.

Traditional Hanbok (dress) Rental

Before visiting the Palace, stop by a Hanbok rental shop and enjoy wearing this traditional dress. Next, take the opportunity to make unforgettable photo memories dressed like a Korean, while you tour the Palace.

Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony

During your visit to the Gyeongbokgung Palace, don’t miss the royal guard-changing ceremony. This ceremony represents a wonderful opportunity to experience this traditional scene in Korea. The ceremony is re-enacted exactly as it used to be held, with guards wearing royal uniforms, carrying traditional weapons, and playing traditional instruments.

Proceed for lunch at a local restaurant, then visit Bukchon Hanok Village

At the conclusion of your Palace tour, return the Hanbok to the rental shop and proceed to lunch at Samcheonggak or similar, a local restaurant. After lunch, transfer to the Bukchon Hanok Village, home to hundreds of hanok (traditional houses). About 600 years ago, the architects built Bukchon, the ‘northern village’, with unique architecture. Here, an exhilarating Rickshaw ride awaits you.

Time-permitting, a final stop is made at the historic Gwangiang Market

Time permitting, a final stop is made at the historic Gwangjang Market, which opened in 1905 and recently became more popular after Netflix’s Street Food featured vendors inside the market. Food is central to Korean culture, and if you want to experience the best of it, Gwangjang Market is the place to be. Seoul is an ever-changing city where nothing is permanent, but Gwangjang has stood the test of time, and is a great place to experience local culture and a taste of the Korean way of life. Upon arrival, take a guided stroll through the market. Along the way, sample some of the many delicious local specialities here and browse the souvenirs available for sale.

Transfer to the pier and ship

At the conclusion of your visit, commence the approximately 1.5-hour drive back to the port of Incheon along a scenic route. Upon arrival at the pier, embark the ship.

Please note: This Overland Experience requires an extensive amount of walking for approximately 5.6 miles (about nine kilometres), at times over uneven surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coaches and approximately 30 steps at the Gyeongbokgung Palace. This tour is recommended for active guests in good physical condition. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with neck and/or back problems, guests with heart and/or respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests with a fear of heights, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, sunglasses with a strap, a weatherproof jacket, raingear, small backpack for land excursions, camera, a plastic bag to keep your camera or photographic equipment dry, medications, and South Korean Won, US Dollars, or credit cards for purchases from the ship. Please dress conservatively when going ashore. As a rule, women should never wear anything remotely revealing (miniskirts, shorts, capris, beachwear, and sleeveless or low-cut tops), and men should always wear shirts and trousers in public. Proper attire is required to enter the temples, monasteries, and pagodas; shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted. Shoes must be removed prior to entering the temples; we suggest bringing along a pair of thick socks, because the pavement may be very hot. Guests must be at least 12 years old to participate on this tour; minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18 years old. Guests must be at least 18 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. Guests must carry their passports and ship’s ID at all times. Guests should be respectful towards local sentiments and customs. A signed waiver is required to participate on this tour. The tour sequence, timings, and itinerary are subject to change without prior notice. Expect crowds and traffic at the sites visited. Space on this tour is very limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment. The Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed on Tuesdays. In the event your tour takes place on a Tuesday, a visit to the Deoksu Palace is substituted.  The Deoksu Palace is closed on Mondays.

Programme Includes:

• One-night stay in the Main Tower at the Lotte Hotel Seoul – Seoul, Deluxe Room
• One breakfast, two lunches and one dinner, with drinks included during the meal

• All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary

Not Included:

Any meals and drinks not specified above, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance and other personal items.