Ancient palaces, K-pop energy, and the best street food in East Asia
Seoul is a city of contradictions that somehow work perfectly together. 600-year-old Joseon dynasty palaces sit at the base of glass skyscrapers. Gangnam's luxury shopping is a 20-minute subway ride from Ikseon-dong's hanok alleyways filled with indie cafes. The food alone justifies the trip — Korean BBQ where you grill your own meat, bibimbap in Jeonju-style restaurants, tteokbokki from street vendors in Myeongdong, and jjimjilbangs (24-hour saunas) that are a cultural experience unto themselves. K-pop, K-beauty, and Korean design are everywhere, and the nightlife in Hongdae runs until sunrise.
Myeongdong is the most central — shopping, street food, and easy subway access. Hotels run $70-130/night. Hongdae is the creative/nightlife district, perfect for younger travelers at $50-90/night. Insadong and Bukchon for traditional hanok stays at $60-150/night. Gangnam is modern and polished. Seoul's subway is excellent — you're never more than 30 minutes from anywhere.
Fly into Incheon International Airport (ICN) — consistently rated one of the world's best airports. Direct flights from most major US cities on Korean Air, Asiana, Delta, and United. The AREX express train gets you to Seoul Station in 43 minutes. Book 5-7 weeks ahead. Spring (April-May) for cherry blossoms and autumn (September-November) for foliage are peak seasons — book early. Summer is humid and winter is cold but excellent for ski trips.
Plans change — and that's okay. SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers trip interruptions, medical emergencies, and lost luggage with flexible monthly billing. No lock-in, cancel anytime.
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