travel tales: itinerary+South Korea

Gyeongju is a walkable city when you plan your visit according to nearby target destinations. Having an available internet for GPS location and maps.google.com is much helpful on your return bus tour to the city.

Transfer to City

From KTX SinGyeongju, take Exit 1. Take Bus #s 700, 203, 50, 51, 60, 61, 70, 71 will be heading to the city proper, passing by Intercity Bus Terminal.

Day 1 (nearby the city center)

Ancient Tombs and Cheomseongdae Observatory (경주 첨성대)
169-5, Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Cheomseongdae is the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia. Constructed during the reign of Queen Seon-deok (632-647), it was used for observing the stars in order to forecast the weather. This stone structure is a beautiful combination of straight lines and curves, and was designated as National Treasure No.31 on December 20th, 1962. [Reference]

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Filming Location and Autumn Itinerary to Seoul, South Korea

Note: If first time traveler to Seoul, please visit the detailed entry and guide on Itinerary for First-time Visitors or see more autumn itinerary options on this link.

Friday, November 3, 2017

Kpop Travel Itinerary to Seoul, South Korea

A fusion of tradition, culture and k-pop experience. This itinerary is to cater first time travelers who are too fond of k-pop and idols over the traditional places to see in Seoul.

Accommodation: Where to stay in Seoul?

If looking for an affordable (roughly 3,600 - 4,000 php/night) room for 5 persons, check out airbnb.com.

Guest House: "Good Morning Korea,HongDae."

Host: JoongKeun(John)

Location: The exact location will be disclosed upon your reservation. May not be located in the middle of the busy streets, but instead on a quiet back road and a long walking distance from Exit 5 or Exit 6.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

South Korea: Itinerary for 3 days in Busan

Route: Manila, Philippines - Busan, South Korea (PUS)

Transportation Card:

You can still use your Seoul City Pass/T-money card in Busan. In case you have a problem on re-loading the card, you can go to the nearest 7/11 or CU convenience store. However, more favorable is to use Bee Cash.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

South Korea: Autumn Itinerary for 4 days in Seoul

Note: If first time traveler to Seoul, please visit the detailed entry and guide on Itinerary for First-time Visitors or see more autumn itinerary options on this link.

Saturday, October 1, 2016

Long Layover in Incheon Airport: Quick Seoulful Escape

Inspired by recent questions in Trip Advisor, here is a sample itinerary for those having almost 12 hours layover in Incheon Airport. I also suggest to not take a risk in skipping your flight, so make sure to remove and reduce a place in your Seoul experience to have enough time on your way back to the airport.

Luggage Storage & Lockers -

You are not going to the city with your luggage! Just in case you have it with you, there are lockers in the airport.

These are located in the public area of the Passenger Terminal (on the 3rd & 1st floor).

Rate: approx. $5 - $9 USD per day.

Hours: 0600-2200

Locations:

Arrivals - Korean Express Parcel Service - Level 1F, near Exit F/3F.
Arrivals - Hanjin Express - Level 1F, near Exit A.
Departures - Korean Express Parcel Service - Level 3F, near Check-in M.
Departures - Hanjin Express - Level 3F, near Check-in A.

Reference: https://www.sleepinginairports.net/asia/seoul.htm

Expense and Schedule

You can exchange some money that is possibly less than 100USD.

Monday, September 5, 2016

South Korea: 2 weeks Itinerary for Southern Provinces

MANILA – BUSAN (and southern provinces) – MANILA
MNL to BUSAN: 5J 184 04:00pm-08:50pm
BUSAN to MNL: 5J 185 09:40pm-12:25am
Travel Date: July 01-16, 2016

I'm sharing with you my two weeks travel in southern provinces of South Korea. Seoul and Jeju were excluded from this plan. But if you are looking for these 2 cities, you can go to:

Hope these can help you plan your next trip.

Nights of Stay

Busan – 3
Gyeongju – 2
Daegu – 3
Daejeon – 2
Suncheon (with day trip to Yeosu) - 5

Map Reference

Accommodation: Where to stay in southern provinces of South Korea?

BUSAN SUKBAK DOT COM GUEST HOUSE (Dorm/6)
2,3F, 408-3 Chorang-dong, Jung-gu, Busan

CHACHARANG GUESTHOUSE (Dorm/6)
119-4 Noseo-dong, Gyeongju City Center, Gyeongju-si;
http://www.chacharang.com/

SONO GUESTHOUSE (CASUAL HOUSE SONO)
86 Myeongnyun-ro, Daegu Central Area, Daegu

ROMEO MOTEL
14-13 Gyeryong-ro 636beon-gil, Seo-gu, Daejeon

SUNCHEON GUESTHOUSE HAPPY TOUR
15, Yeokjeongwang-jang-2-gil, Yeonhyang dong, Suncheon-si

Monday, August 15, 2016

2016 July: South Korea: 6 places to see while in Suncheon

Among the provinces or KTX station, I stayed here the most (in my 2 weeks visit). Being a part of Jeolla Province which I saw as beautiful place from the variety shows, so I did decide to visit. However, from the local I've met, she was asking why Suncheon, it is not famous. So I wonder, how come it became famous to me?

Drama Film Location

If you are adddicted to series or films, you can stay at this place for more than 3 hours. Capturing those photos, being enticed how it is to live at 60's 70's 80's in Korea. [read]

Suncheon Bay
Visit National Garden for the flora tour. Then take a sky cube to head to the wet lands. [read]

Deep Rooted Tree
Optional to visit, together with the traditional houses. [read]

Cultural Street
Enjoy the themed cafes and spend time to be one with arts - painting, drawing, etc. [read]

Escape to Yeosu
Go to the coastal areas and endless crossing of bridges. [read]

Escape to Beolgyo
If you are interested to history between Japan and Korea. [read]

Thursday, August 11, 2016

2016 July: South Korea: 4 Stops while in Daejeon

4 Stops while in Daejeon

It was just a short 6 hrs stay on the city, so was able to visit few places only. I headed here in preparation for my temple stay in Songni-san.

Hanbat Arboretum
169, Dunsan-daero, Seo-gu, Daejeon
대전광역시 서구 둔산대로 169 (만년동)
http://www.daejeon.go.kr/gar/index.do

The Hanbat Arboretum, linked with the Government Complex-Daejeon and Science Park, is the largest manmade urban arboretum. This venue serves multiple purposes: to act as a reservoir of genetically diverse foliage, an eco learning center for students, and a recreational area where people can relax and pass the time in the peaceful embrace of nature. [Reference]

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

2016 July: South Korea: Things to do in Daegu

Daegu is one of the six metropolitan (first level) cities of South Korea, located in North Gyeongsang Province. It has 2 subway lanes,1 monorail and multiple bus routes to access the city.

Day 1

Enjoy the multitude of cafes to choose from in Dong Daegu KTX
Visit the restaurants in Jungangno (e.g. C'est La Vie, Flavors of Daegu)
Walk around Banwoldang to Daegu
Visit the churches and appreciate the architecture
Experience Love Rain's 1970's student life in Daemyeong-dong campus Keimyung University (from Namsan station, monorail)

Friday, June 17, 2016

South Korea: Itinerary for 3 days in Seoul, Chasing the Winter Snow

Sharing our itinerary last 2014 as our fifth visit in South Korea, fourth inbound in Incheon. More of about chasing the snow (since it’s a bit late visit on Feb/March). Although, we did not plan to visit a ski resort. And experiencing k-drama sites until 2014.

Accommodation: Where to stay in Seoul?

K-pop Residence II in Myeongdong

Food Review

Drama Cafe

Seoul Food

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, Points of Interest, What to do in Seoul?

Thursday

Arrival in Incheon. Rushing at Seoul Station to catch the last transfer for Myeongdong Station

Friday

Breakfast at Droptop (not the actual branch for You Came from the Stars, When a Man Falls in Love)

Yakhyeon Church for Love Letter and Prime Minister (of Yoona)

Culture Station Seoul (Former Seoul Station) for Reply series

Mango Six (same branch for The Heirs)

Everland for snow buster/winter ledge

Saturday

De Chocolate Café (not the actual branch for Winter that Wind Blows of Zo in Sung)

Jade Garden (still for Winter that Wind Blows and Love Rain)

Petite France (for You Came from the Stars, it was a day after the episode that was taken in the site)

Sunday

Secret Garden

Insadong

Stroll until Myeongdong

Other sample itineraries:
For my further sample itinerary, expense, trip reports and PDF guides, please visit links below:

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

South Korea: Itinerary for Jeju & Seoul v2

Route: MNL-INCHEON-JEJU-SEOUL-MNL
Although there are Jeju Air flights, there is still no straight flight from Manila to Jeju (2014-2016).
Sharing the following path mostly dedicated to k-dramas until before Nov 2011.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

2014 Oct: Autumn Itinerary to Seoul, South Korea (University Hopping)

Note: If first time traveler to Seoul, please visit the detailed entry and guide on Itinerary for First-time Visitors or see more autumn itinerary options on this link.

Accommodation: Where to stay in Seoul?
Hotel Name: 24 Guesthouse Sinchon Style
Address: 57-17 Changcheon-dong (24 Yonsei-ro 5na-gil), Seodaemun-gu, Shinchon / Hongdae/Seoul/South Korea

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, Points of Interest, What to do in Seoul in 4 days?
Travel Date: October 24-27, 2014