Life / Travel
8-12 P- Visit, and rice wine tasting at famous breweries in South Korea.
- Classy dinner in Gangnam accompanied by exquisite sool pairing – sool, culture and good times.
- Food workshop with a chef and visit to Jagalchi Fish Market in Busan, one of the most important fish markets in Asia.
- Makgeolli – rice wine workshop – make your own Makgeolli.
- DMZ, the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, with a former Swiss officer of the NNSC.
- Bulguksa Temple and the royal tombs of the former Silla Empire – UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Sunset, Lotte World Tower, a breathtaking view of the city of Seoul from one of the tallest buildings in the world.
KOREA
Wine Culture Tour 2024
A tour for culture lovers who love wine, or wine lovers who love culture and (rice) wine.
Why is this fascinating country still unknown to many?
Daniel Thomas Faller, a Swiss who has been living in South Korea for almost ten years, lives and loves the country. Over the past few years, he has discovered many a corner, met people who have touched his heart and tasted food and drinks that have challenged his taste buds time and time again.
His passion is contagious. On this tour, discover the diversity of rice wine and other spirits that embody the essence of traditional Korean culture. Explore the culinary cuisine and travel to the heart of a country that is still an insider’s tip.
Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan – South Korea’s gastronomic hotspots.
You travel carefree in familiar company with the same background and standards. On this unparalleled journey, you will discover South Korea and its capital, Seoul, which has become the ultimate gourmet destination.
Culture on your plate and culture and tradition at every turn: in Seoul, for example, it’s not just the famous royal palaces that inspire; in the heart of the city, we brew and taste our own rice wine, the secret star of the young culinary scene.
Highlights
Itinerary
Seoul – Welcome
Day 1: Wednesday, 30.10.2024
Welcome to Seoul
Begin your trip by exploring Seoul’s Bukchon district and one of the five magnificent royal palaces, Gyeongbokgung. In the evening, a warm welcome dinner of Dakgalbi accompanied by Korean rice wine, Soju, awaits us. A first, authentic introduction to the Korean drinking culture – 술 “SOOL”. Overnight stay in Seoul.
Seoul – Reiswein filtrieren
Day 2: Thursday, 31.10.2024
Introduction to Sool and Makgeolli Brewing
After an introduction to the term “술 – Sool”, which refers to alcoholic drinks and spirits in Korea, you will brew your own makgeolli, a traditional rice wine, under expert guidance. A rice wine tasting is a must. And because so much of Korean food and culture has to do with fire and water, we will enjoy a Korean BBQ in the evening. Overnight in Seoul.
Seoul – Reiswein Degustation
Day 3: Friday, 1.11.2024
Brewery Visit, Hangari Production and Bibimbap
Today we visit the MIDAM brewery and stop at a hangari production facility for Korean clay pots, which are still used to ferment rice wine or kimchi. A unique clay pot also unfolds the rich flavors of hot stone pot bibimbap (돌솥 비빔밥). Experience this colorful dish and be enchanted by the intense explosion of tastes. Overnight in Seoul.
DMZ – Entmilitarisierte Zone
Day 4: Saturday, 2.11.2024
DMZ and Tofu Experience
Today you will visit the Demilitarized Zone on the border to North Korea with your host Daniel Thomas Faller. Swiss and Swedish officers have been neutral observers in South Korea since 1953. Discover the historic DMZ region with a former Swiss officer and enjoy a tofu experience in a renowned soybean growing area. Overnight in Seoul.
Ausflug nach Ulsan
Day 5: Sunday, 3.11.2024
KTX to Busan, visit Boksoondoga brewery
Travel by KTX to Busan in the morning, explore the city and visit the Boksoondoga Brewery in Ulsan. Spend the night at a stylish modern hotel with a magnificent view of the harbor, where the boats literally dock just feet from the hotel entrance. Overnight in Busan.
Busan – Jagalshi Fischmarkt
Day 6: Monday, 4.11.2024
Seafood experience at Jagalchi Fish Market and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Explore the Jagalchi Fish Market with THE chef, Hee-young. Buy fresh seafood and take part in a food workshop. Early risers can experience the unique temple by the sea, Haedong Yonggungsa, with a mystical sunrise – comfortably with our own minibus. Overnight stay in Busan.
Busan – Seafood
Day 7: Tuesday, 5.11.2024
Culinary excursion and free time in Busan
Enjoy the day at leisure in Busan. Our hotel is a stone’s throw from some of the city’s most famous sights. Take a culinary excursion near your hotel – an outdoor seafood BBQ, or for vegetarians there is an “insider tip” not far from the hotel – the locally brewed beer or soju is of course a must. Overnight in Busan.
Gyeongju – Hanokstay
Day 8: Wednesday, 6.11.2024
KTX to Gyeongju and Royal Tombs
We begin the day with two impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites; Bulguksa Temple, which represents the temple architecture of the ancient Silla Empire at its best, and explore the Royal Tombs with a local guide. Spend the night in a traditional Hanok house in Gyeongju.
Seoul – Buddhistischer Tempel
Day 9: Thursday, 7.11.2024
Temples, royal cuisine and bar hopping
Visit the Bongeunsa Korean Buddhist temple in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Dine at Jihwaja, a superb traditional restaurant specializing in royal cuisine. In the evening, experience the unique ambiance of one of the top 50 bars in Asia – immerse yourself and judge for yourself how the young culinary scene and its artists literally enchant all your senses. Overnight in Seoul.
Seoul – Streetfood Myeongdong
Day 10: Friday, 8.11.2024
Farewell dinner with Sool pairing in Gangnam
You can explore the lively Myeong-dong district. In addition to the many typical shops, there are also the famous street vendors offering specialties such as chicken soup with ginseng, Korean dumplings (mandu), or you can go to Namdaemun Market, which is just a stone’s throw from your hotel. Enjoy a final top-notch dinner in Gangnam accompanied by an exquisite sool pairing – sool, culture and good times. Overnight in Seoul.
Seoul – Auf Wiedersehen
Day 11: Saturday, 9.11.2024
Farewell to Seoul
The program ends in the morning in Seoul after a relaxed breakfast. Take home unforgettable memories of your cultural and culinary journey through South Korea.
Price per person
CHF 6’150 per person in a double room
Supplement single room CHF 1’740
Prices and program are subject to change!
Costs included
- Private workshop and tour guide by Daniel Thomas Faller during the entire tour (from/to Seoul) in German and English
- 9 nights in a middle-class hotel (basis double occupancy) incl. breakfast
- 1 night in Hanok House (double occupancy) incl. breakfast
- 6 dinners and 2 lunches
- Transportation (partly by minibus) according to program
- Subway and bus ticket for Seoul and Busan
- KTX high-speed train Seoul - Gyeongju in 1st class
- KTX high-speed train Gyeongju - Busan in 1st class
- KTX high-speed train Busan - Seoul in 1st class
- Exclusive private tour of the DMZ, demilitarized zone
- Entrance fees according to program
- Local experts as per program
- Incl. taxes and tips
Not included
- International flight to/from Seoul
- Meals and all beverages
- Cancellation and travel insurance
- Personal expenses and tips
Additional Information
- The tour starts and ends in Seoul. We can help you with flight bookings to and from Seoul.
- Citizens of EU and Schengen countries can enter the Republic of Korea (South Korea) visa-free, short-term stays (less than 90 days and no gainful employment) are possible without a visa. However, all visa-free entrants must apply for an “electronic travel authorization” (K-ETA: Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) online via the K-ETA website or app at least 24 hours prior to departure. Further information is provided by the K-ETA website or the relevant South Korean mission abroad.
- Time difference: CET summer +7 hours, winter +8 hours.
- Best travel times: April-June and September-November. The summer months are very warm and humid. South Korea can be easily traveled throughout the year.
- Fun facts: Population: 50.4 million / Area: 2.5 times that of Switzerland / Capital: Seoul / Language: Korean. English is not widely spoken outside the major cities.
- The number of participants is limited to a maximum of 12 people. The trip takes place with a minimum of 8 participants.
Don’t forget to share this trip with your friends!