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12-Days in Korea |
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Day 1 - Arrive in Seoul
Arrive in Seoul at Inchon Int'l Airport via UA 801. You will be met and transferred to your downtown hotel. An
orientation conducted by a representative (English speaking local guide) of Root Travel en route to the hotel.
Check-in and accommodations at Hamilton Hotel Hotel(Tel : (02)794-0171,Fax:(02)795-0457) in Seoul with 3
nights.
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Day 2 - Seoul / Korean Folk Village / Seoul |
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Breakfast at the hotel. A morning tour of the city of Seoul, where old meets new in modern Korea, including Deoksu Palace ; the National Folk Museum - the collections display complete items from every region of Korea which illustrate all aspects of traditional life - via the Blue House(Presidential Residence) ; and Seoul Tower on Mt. Namsan for a bird's-eye view of Metropolitan city of Seoul. Lunch at a downtown local restaurant. An afternoon tour of Korean Folk Village outside of Seoul to see a superb and truly authentic display of Korean history |
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including folk traditions, legends, and the lifestyles of the nobility, the 14th-20th centuries, Korea. Returned to Seoul and dinner at a downtown local restaurant. Accommodations at the hotel. (B,L,D) |
Day 3 - Seoul / Social Welfare Society |
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Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Tourist Information Center at Korea National Tourism Organization. Visit the Social Welfare Agencies involved in adoption and meet the staff. Visit the babies' homes and see your child's file. Lunch may be served by the agencies or at a downtown local restaurant. Those families who are concerned about Korean origins will follow their schedules and others visit Kyobo Bookstore to browse and purchase English Books on Korea for about one hour. Returned to the hotel and free time. Dinner at a downtown local restaurant. Accommodations at the hotel. (B,L,D) |
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Day 4 - Seoul / Mt. Seoraksan / Unification Observatory / Daejin Harbor
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Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Today we journey to Mt. Seoraksan National Park, this northern stretch of Korea's eastern coast, which is rugged and mountainous with breathtaking scenery making it the "Alps of Asia". Lunch en route. Arrive in Sokcho and check in at Kensington Hotel. Drive to the Korean Peninsular Unification Prayer-Observatory set at the edge of the demarcation line which is a symbol of the Korean people's long-cherished desire for the |
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unification of the two Korea. On the way back, visit Daejin Harbor, where you will have your own independent tour to explore this small exotic harbor, located near the demarcation line and in the northeastern tip of Korea. Returned to the hotel and Dinner at the hotel. Accommodations at Kensington Hotel ( Tel: (033)635-4001 Fax: (033)635-4011 ) in Sokcho with 1 night. (B,L,D) |
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Day 5 - Mt. Seoraksan / Andong
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This morning explore Mt. Seoraksan National Park with visits to Sinheungsa Temple - established in 653 A.D., claims to be the country's oldest Zen Buddhist temple, and it would be the oldest existing Zen temple in the world ; Cheonbuldong Valley - the most visually stimulating valley in the park ; and Biseondae (Flying Fairy Rock) - a wide, flat rock surface where the river rapids drain into a crystal clear pool and a peak rises majestically above the valley, one |
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hears many legends of the heavenly nymphs who come to laugh and play while they bathes in the placid pools of the many glens hidden from human eyes. Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Travel to Andong along the crystal east coast. Andong is one of the last living vestiges of old Korea, where still is very conservative and traditional, a stronghold of Confucianism, which has deeply influenced all aspects of the lives of its people. En route to Buryeong Valley - the most beautiful and scenic valley in the country featuring granite and limestone cliffs, many waterfalls and crystal clear water with forests of fir and pine trees. Lunch is on your own. Arrive in Andong and dinner at a local restaurant. Check in and accommodations at Andong Park Hotel (Tel: (054)859-1500 Fax: (054)857-5445) in Andong with 1 night. (B, D) |
Day 6 - Andong / Hahoe Village / Haeinsa Temple |
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Breakfast at the hotel and check out. A morning tour of Andong visits Dosanseowon Confucian Academy - founded by Korea's foremost Confucian scholar, Yi Toe-gye during the Joseon(Yi) Dynasty and was the hub of Korea Confucianism which ruled all Koreans in their ethical-moral way and still conduct the ethical behavior in Korean society ; the Paper-making Factory ; and Hahoe Village - the best preserved traditional village of the Joseon(Yi) Dynasty, where residents still live in traditional thatched and tile-roofed houses and one of the few remaining examples of a classical Joseon(Yi) Dynasty Confucian village layout. Lunch at a local restaurant in the village. Continue to Haeinsa Temple which is one of three greatest temples of Korea, established in 803 A.D., chiefly known today as the repository of the Tripitaka Koreana, set of over 80,000 wooden printing blocks engraved with one of the most comprehensive compilations of the Buddhist scriptures in all of Asia, and the Depositories and the Tripitaka Koreana Wooden Printing Blocks were added to UNESCO's |
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World Heritage List in 1995. Arrive at the temple and tour of the temple. You will have Special Program for Temple Stay at Haeinsa Temple to experience Temple life and Buddhism as follows : Take temple stay uniform. You are vowing 108 times as "YeBul" the Worship. It will be your own choice, not to be obligated. The evening worship pronounces the vow that we thank Buddha for giving us the peaceful day and repenting our sins of that day. You are having "ChamSeon" the Meditation. Meditation is a work for enlightening yourself. You sit cross-legged on the floor. You embrace spirits and take away earthly thoughts and worldly desires. Dinner at a restaurant in the Temple to experience Temple food. You are taking "DaDo" Tea. The tea makes our mind, eyes and ears clearer. It helps our stomach accelerate digestion and can cure a hangover. It also reduces the need for sleep and gets rid of thirst and fatigue. You can increase the ability to resist hit and cold. These disturbances are a big issue for self-discipline. This is the reason why monks take teas in the Temple. Leave the temple for Haeinsa Hotel. Check in at the hotel. Accommodations at Haeinsa Hotel ( Tel: (055)933-2000 Fax: (055)933-2989 ) in the temple village with 1 night. (B, L, D) |
Day 7 - Haeinsa Temple / Daegu / Gyeongju |
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Breakfast at the hotel and check out. A morning tour of Andong visits Dosanseowon Confucian Academy - founded by Korea's foremost Confucian scholar, Yi Toe-gye during the Joseon(Yi) Dynasty and was the hub of Korea Confucianism which ruled all Koreans in their ethical-moral way and still conduct the ethical behavior in Korean society ; the Paper-making Factory ; and Hahoe Village - the best preserved traditional village of the Joseon(Yi) Dynasty, where residents still live in traditional thatched and tile-roofed houses and one of the few remaining examples of a classical Joseon(Yi) Dynasty Confucian village layout. Lunch at a local restaurant in the village. Continue to Haeinsa Temple which is one of three greatest temples of Korea, established in 803 A.D., chiefly known today as the repository of the Tripitaka Koreana, set of over 80,000 wooden printing blocks engraved with one of the most comprehensive compilations of the Buddhist scriptures in all of Asia, and the Depositories |
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and the Tripitaka Koreana Wooden Printing Blocks were added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1995. Arrive at the temple and tour of the temple. You will have Special Program for Temple Stay at Haeinsa Temple to experience Temple life and Buddhism as follows : Take temple stay uniform. You are vowing 108 times as "YeBul" the Worship. It will be your own choice, not to be obligated. The evening worship pronounces the vow that we thank Buddha for giving us the peaceful day and repenting our sins of that day. You are having "ChamSeon" the Meditation. Meditation is a work for enlightening yourself. You sit cross-legged on the floor. You embrace spirits and take away earthly thoughts and worldly desires. Dinner at a restaurant in the Temple to experience Temple food. You are taking "DaDo" Tea. The tea makes our mind, eyes and ears clearer. It helps our stomach accelerate digestion and can cure a hangover. It also reduces the need for sleep and gets rid of thirst and fatigue. You can increase the ability to resist hit and cold. These disturbances are a big issue for self-discipline. This is the reason why monks take teas in the Temple. Leave the temple for Haeinsa Hotel. Check in at the hotel. Accommodations at Haeinsa Hotel ( Tel: (055)933-2000 Fax: (055)933-2989 ) in the temple village with 1 night. (B, L, D) |
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Day 8 - Gyeongju / Seoul
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Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Return to Seoul, passing the rolling, green countryside and clusters of unique tiled houses. Lunch is on your own en route. Arrive in Seoul and check in at the hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. Dinner is on your own or will be served by host families. Accommodations at Hamitom Hotel (Tel: (02)794-0171, Fax: (02)795-0457) in Seoul with 4 nights. (B)
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Day 9 - Seoul
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Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit the National Museum which displays rich and priceless artifacts from prehistoric Korea to the end of the Joseon Dynasty. Visit Insadong Antique Street and Market. Lunch at a downtown restaurant in Insadong. Tour of Insadong Antique Street and Market. Returned to the hotel and at leisure. Dinner at a downtown restaurant. Accommodations at the hotel. (B, L, D)
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Day 10 - Seoul
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Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Namdaemun Market, the largest general wholesale market in Korea, for Hanbok (traditional Korean costume) shopping, etc. Lunch at a downtown local restaurant. An afternoon visit will be made to Yangjae Elementary School and observe the school's facilities, classrooms, etc. Returned to the hotel. Dinner at a downtown local restaurant. Accommodations at the hotel. (B,L,D)
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Day 11 - Seoul / Everland Amusement Park / Seoul
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Breakfast at the hotel. Travel to Everland Amusement Park on the outskirts of Seoul. The Park is priding itself in having its own peculiarity and originality as a new theme park complex consisting of five theme parks with Global Fair, American Adventure, Magic land, European Adventure and Equatorial Adventure. Tour of Everland Amusement Park. Lunch is on your own. Returned to the hotel. This evening there will be a farewell dinner with a Korean folklore dance and music performance at Korea House. Accommodations at the hotel. (B,D)
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Day 12 - Seoul / Depart Korea
Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Transfer to Incheon Int'l Airport. Depart Korea for USA via flight. (B) |
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Schedules are subject to change according to the unforeseen circumstances. |
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