Seoul Itinerary Ideas: A 5-Day Luxury Tour Through Korea’s Capital
The Ultimate Seoul 5-Day Luxury Travel Itinerary, From K-Beauty & Wellness Treatments To Shopping And More
Source: Canva
Are you planning a trip to Seoul, South Korea soon? Excited about your trip but wondering what to do or where to start with your Seoul itinerary?
Look no further! We have some Seoul itinerary ideas for you! This 5-day Seoul luxury travel itinerary will make for an unforgettable experience.
Not only is this article the perfect reference for you, but the All About Seoul (AAS) site as a whole is a great resource, especially for those interested in medical tourism. AAS will help you with booking a medical tour that will make sure that not only your medical procedures go effortlessly, but that you make memories to add to the value of your travels.
As such, we’d highly recommend following this itinerary as either part of your pre-surgery travel plans or as a recovery tour after your surgery is complete. To book yourself a medical tour, make sure to enquire on All About Seoul’s contact form!
Before we dive into the Seoul example itinerary, it’s important to sort out some logistics such as transportation and accommodation.
Transportation
Whilst Seoul is known for having some of the best public transportation with a well-maintained subway and accessible buses throughout the city, it can be tiring to opt for these transportation methods.
If you’d like to take it easy and maximize your energy on your trip, we highly recommend making use of services such as taxis, private drivers, and especially private airport transfers to make your traveling experience as comfortable as possible.
AAS can assist you with these types of services on your medical tour.
Accommodation
For more ease of movement, it would naturally be best to book accommodation close to the clinic where you get your operation done. As most of the famous Korean surgical clinics are based in Gangnam, we have gathered some recommendations for Seoul luxury hotels where you can stay in Gangnam pre or post-surgery.
1. Josun Palace
Source: Expedia
The Josun Palace is a hotel that places emphasis on style and lavishness. They pride themselves on creating unforgettable memories for their guests that involve all of the five senses.
2. Park Hyatt Seoul
Source: World of Hyatt Official
With a high-end interior, the Park Hyatt Seoul is one of the must-visit hotels in Gangnam, Seoul. Not only can you enjoy high-end cuisine, but the serene atmosphere will also put you at ease during your stay.
The Seoul K-Medi center is the perfect destination to get in a wellness experience. They have facilities such as the Seoul Yangnyeongsi Herb Medicine Museum, which showcases historical relics related to Korean traditional medicine.
You can also experience the Herbal Medicine Footbath which makes for the perfect relaxation as the water is infused with seasonal medicinal herbs - all of this in a Hanok (Korean traditional house). You can also do the Bojewon Oriental Medicine Experience - which takes roots in Joseon Dynasty medical practices and involves a heating massage and acupressure.
Finish off your healing traditional Korean medical experience with a Yakseon One-day Cooking Class where you will learn to create healthy recipes that are good for your body, options including herbal medicinal tea, herbal medicine dessert, and more.
Lunch at Hwangsaengga Kalguksu
Source: Michelin Guide
Hwangsaengga Kalguksu is a Michelin-recognized restaurant that has been around for over 20 years. Made with sagol (bone) broth with a rich taste and an abundant serving of dumplings, this is a must-visit restaurant on your trip to Seoul.
It’s also highly recommended to add a serving of the old-school boiled pork, which is said to melt in your mouth, to your order.
AROMIND One-day Perfume Class
Source: AROMIND Official
What better custom souvenir to commemorate your trip to Korea than a handmade perfume unique only to you? Whilst you can easily shop for luxury perfumes that are easily accessible, nothing can beat a scent that you’ve made for yourself which encompasses everything that you like. At AROMIND, they host one-day classes, in their Hanok workshop, where you can create a perfume with natural ingredients, guided by an expert perfumer.
Day 2 - Royal Traditional Day
Hanbok at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Source: Creatrip
Be the main character in your own personal drama by renting a hanbok and wearing it around the royal palace grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Wear fancy garbs that were dedicated for nobility back in the Joseon Dynasty, rock the flashy traditional hair accessories, and enjoy being styled up and transformed into Joseon aristocracy. Better yet, top it off by hiring a photographer to take high-res images of you at the palace.
Tea Therapy
Source: Tea Therapy Official
Tea Therapy is a cafe, clinic, and school. Whilst it sounds like an interesting combination - that is the point. Tea Therapy hopes to blur the lines between a health center and a cafe. They make custom teas and diets, thanks to the owner who is a certified Oriental medicine doctor. Ingredients consist of a mix of herbs and one of their most popular blends is the Weight Loss blend. Outside the cafe, there are footbaths filled with either hot or cold water, where you can dip your feet as you sip your tea and take in the city.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Source: Visit Seoul Official
To finish off your day, take a relaxing stroll among the stunning hanok houses of Bukchon Hanok Village. It is surrounded by the royal palaces and all of the structures date back to the Joseon Dynasty with some having been remodeled contemporarily. Many of the hanoks are guesthouses or cultural centers, with a plethora of restaurants and coffee shops sprinkled in between.
Day 3 - Gyeonggi-do Day Trip
How about a day trip to Gyeonggi Province, just an hour or two outside of Seoul to mix things up? You might feel overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of Seoul, which is why we’ve added in a day’s getaway.
Firstly, you can start off by appreciating more of the local art scene.
Lee Jae Hyo Gallery
Source: ‘Daum (다음)’ Naver Blog
The Lee Jae Hyo Gallery is an underrated gem that you can brag about having on your itinerary as it is not a common tourist spot. This exclusive gallery houses the art of Korean artist Lee Jae Hyo, who specializes in wood and metal sculptures. The entrance fee is inclusive of a cafe drink, too, perfect for taking in the art.
Lunch at Sansuyu Sanjang
Source: Tripadvisor
Sansuyu Sanjang is a traditional Korean restaurant that serves healthy Korean food and is most famous for its fish course that has grilled yellow corvina as the highlight. Other delicious items on the restaurant's menu include bossam (steamed pork) and an array of side dishes.
Along with the delicious food, the restaurant has a breathtaking garden where you can take in nature and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Mirinae Healbeing Club
Source: Mirinae Resorts Official
After taking in the best of art and food that Yangpyeong-gun has to offer, you can end your day with a more traditional Korean spa experience - a premium but still quirky jjimjilbang (authentic Korean sauna) experience - at the Mirinae Healbeing Club. Not only does the Mirinae Healbeing Club make for perfect Instagram photos to show your unique experience in Korea, but the club includes services and experiences like foot baths, mud pack experiences, various types of therapy including aroma therapy, color therapy, sound therapy, meditation therapy, and much much more.
Make sure to check out All About Seoul for more unique medical tour experiences that prioritize your healing and rejuvenation.
Day 4 - K-Beauty Day
After spending some healing time in the countryside, it’s time to get back to the glitz and glam of Seoul. What better than a K-Beauty day to get you back into the swing of things?
Personal Color Test
Source: Color Signal Official
A personal color test is one of the must-do K-Beauty experiences when you visit Seoul, because not only is it an interesting and informative experience, but it can change up your entire fashion and makeup game through letting you know more about the colors that suit you.
Whilst you can do a personal color test anywhere, it wouldn’t be a luxury tour without an element of exclusivity. Make this Seoul itinerary idea special by seeking out some of the best experts in color analysis, such as companies like Color Signal in Gangnam which work with VIP clients from Korea’s leading companies including Samsung and Shinsegae.
Café Dior
Source: DIOR Official
After getting your personal color analysis, it’s time to cool off (or warm up) with a delicious cup of coffee. The Café DIOR in Seoul is indeed owned by the luxury brand and reflects that exuberance in its interior. Not only is the cafe poshly decorated but the coffee and desserts are indulgent, too.
Korean Celebrity Makeover Experience
Source: Canva
Wrap up your day by getting a Korean celebrity-style makeover at a top-class hair salon and beauty studio in Gangnam. You can visit a beauty salon like VOID by Park Chul which caters to some of the creme of the crop of Korean entertainment.
Owned by renowned stylists, these types of beauty salons have staff that will have you looking like a million bucks in no time.
Day 5 - Shopping and Fine Dining
Shopping at the Shinsegae Department Store in Gangnam
Source: Patricia Urquiola
Now that you know your personal color and have had a Korean-style makeover, it’s time to enjoy some well-deserved luxury shopping on your last day. The Shinsegae Department Store in Gangnam boasts a number of high-end brands ranging from Burberry, Yves Saint Laurent, Fendi, and many more. Read more about the department store in our article featuring the best shopping malls in Seoul to learn more about the shopping perks.
Sulwhasoo Hanbang Spa and Cafe
Source: Klook
We couldn’t leave out one more pampering session before you go. Sulwhasoo is a cosmetic traditional oriental medicine (hanbang) brand, which uses traditional herbs in its products. At the Sulwhasoo Hanbang Spa and Cafe, you can experience traditional and contemporary spa treatments such as a ginseng facial and body treatment, abdomen care to minimize belly fat, rejuvenating and restorative treatments, and much much more.
Fine Dining for Dinner at SOLBAM
Source: SOLBAM Official Instagram
Finish off your lavish trip in Seoul with a stunning dinner at SOLBAM restaurant, where the chefs focus on evoking new sensations through ingredients immersed in the offerings of Mother Nature.
Additionally, the restaurant offers an unforgettable souvenir in the form of hand-crafted chopsticks (which you get to choose the color of) to enjoy your meal with and then take home as a gift. Read up about even more fine-dining spots to add to your luxury tour in our feature about the best Korean fine-dining restaurants in Seoul.
What do you think of this 5-day Seoul travel itinerary? Will you be booking your trip to Seoul soon? Make sure to make All About Seoul part of your choice!
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