This trip was my third time in South Korea but my first time to visit in autumn. We were around two weeks too early to catch the leaves in all their golden glory but it was a memorable autumn experience nonetheless!
For this trip, I joined a guided tour with Signature Korea and I had an amazing time. Here are the highlights of our trip!
Highlight #1: New Experiences
Trying out traditional Korean wear, learning how to make Kimchi and seeing North Korea with my own eyes are just some of my favorite first-time experiences during this trip! I traveled with some of the girls from our Bible study group so it was extra-fun and such a great bonding experience for us.
To be honest, I initially didn’t think that there would be a lot of new things to do since it was my third time already, but I was so wrong! Our tour included hands-on activities where we got to experience Korea’s culture first-hand. Who wants to try the Kimchi that I made?
Our tour was only 4-days but oh what a 4-day trip it was. We were able to do a little bit of everything; sightsee, shop for make-up (of course, it’s Korea!), visit historical places, eat good food and even go on theme park rides!
We also boarded a train to Pyongyang…
… and got to pretend we were a K-pop girl band. Haha!
Usually when I travel, I like being able to choose the places that I’ll visit. But when I saw the list of places that were included in our itinerary, I was like “Ok, when do we go?!”
We also visited the gorgeous Nami Island that I will never get tired of, Petite France (a must for Little Prince fans like me!), Deoksu Palace and Namsangol Hanok Village, which is a traditional Korean village that’s the perfect setting for your OOTD shots.
Highlight #2: Food
I once joined a tour group that brought us to Chinese restaurants everywhere (take note, we were in Europe, not in China!) and it has become a long running joke between me and my brothers. Which is why I was so happy about this tour because we had authentic Korean meals all throughout the trip!
We mostly ate at hole-in-the-walls that were so, so good! And to think, Korean food is already AWESOME, right? We had Korean barbecues, stew, soup and more. Plus, unlimited everything! Seriously! Please don’t stop refilling our plates! No, really, don’t.
Highlight #3: Stress-free Travel!
Our Signature Korea tour is already inclusive of everything; the airfare, entrance tickets, hotel, food, guides and transportation. They also processed my visa for me so it was really very convenient!
We were with a wonderful Korean guide named “Jennifer” who gave us not only history lessons but also fun trivia about all things Korean like make-up, shopping and food!
Can I just say, I’m also so pleased that the gratuities and tips were all taken care of already. No hidden fees, literally. Good job, Signature Korea.
There are times when I like DIY-ing my trip and other times when I enjoy joining tours. Not all tours are the same and I’m happy to say that I my trip with Signature Korea exceeded expectations. I met a lot of wonderful people, made new friends and we had a lot of fun and unique experiences.
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For this trip, I joined a Signature Korea tour which I booked through International Journeys, but is also available through most Philippine travel agents. Read more about my Signature Korea experience here.
16 Comments
Danielle
October 27, 2016 at 3:31 amYour trip looks like it was so much fun. And to have a four day tour you guys did a lot. Oooook now I gotta go to Korea too!!!
Danielle | http://www.FollowMyGut.com <3
Sheena Sy Gonzales
October 27, 2016 at 8:02 amDanielle yes we were able to do a lot! Gotta book that flight now! 😉
Rejoyce Canaynay
November 5, 2016 at 10:54 amYou do look like Arisse de Santos. Hahaha! Anyway,your post helped me alot in the things I should do when I visit Korea nextyear. Thanks!
Sheena Sy Gonzales
November 5, 2016 at 10:36 pmHi Rejoyce, glad the post helped! Oh, I’m not familiar with her haha.
Joanna
January 11, 2017 at 11:54 amWe booked a trip this October too, does this mean we are too early for autumn too?
My third time in SK too the first two trips we were too early for winter and too early for spring 
I thought we’d catch autumn just right this time 
Sheena Sy Gonzales
January 12, 2017 at 7:31 amI’m not sure if it was just last year but we went early October and it was too early! Did you book for late October?
Maimai
January 12, 2017 at 9:19 amYay! Been wanting to go to Seoul. But I had a great time in Busan last April 2016. It was actually a winning prize from Cebu Pacific Air, so Im so thankful to God for that 😀 And I love the suburban lifestyle there as well. I wanna go back to SK sooner, and finally experience Seoul. ???? I really wanna try to wear the hanbok. And oh, their famous street foods. There are also street foods in Busan, and their foods are so yummy though Im not really fond of spicy dishes. ???? Nice posts! 😀
IG: @heyangeey
Sheena Sy Gonzales
January 12, 2017 at 11:15 amThanks Maimai! You should go back! Wow congrats on winning the prize! What kind of contest was that?
Maimai
January 17, 2017 at 12:08 pmThanks, Ms. Sheena! ???? It was a Mystery Trip or guessing place contest at their twitter account. It was so unexpected though, and didn’t think I could really actually be picked. I guess I was good enough that God gave it to me. It was an early christmas gift too, cos they announced it last October 2015. ???????? Yay, soon. Seoul, God willing!
Sheena Sy Gonzales
January 17, 2017 at 3:23 pmCongrats!!!
Jermaine Lingon
January 16, 2017 at 2:02 pmwow, love all the photos, hoping I could go to Korea soon.
for the contest
ig: shynmori
Sheena Sy Gonzales
January 16, 2017 at 7:54 pmHope you can go too!
Scylla Rocamora
July 3, 2017 at 10:49 pmLooking forward to our upcoming trip to SK this August! Any tips or recommendations for first timers?
And are make ups really way cheaper there?
Sheena Sy Gonzales
July 4, 2017 at 2:12 pmScylla, yes make-up is really way cheaper there! But that’s the only thing that’s cheaper. Fashion items like clothes are more expensive. My regret is not buying enough BB/CC creams! Haha. Have fun!! Visit Nami Island for sure!
Lezlie Logo
November 28, 2019 at 4:06 pmSo much fun lahat ng ginawa mo sa korea , gusto ko din matuto gumawa ng kimchi , madali lang ba sya gawin as a 1st time? Thanks as always for you sharing this vlog
Sheena Sy Gonzales
November 29, 2019 at 2:40 pmYes it was easy because they prepared most of the items already. hehe