South Korea Bucket List: Skylines, temples and island adventures

The time has finally come. You're standing in the airport, and your night flight to adventure begins! You close your eyes and can already see the rising sun pointing the way to South Korea as you fly towards its beautiful, bright red gleam – the perfect way to kick off your trip!

The clouds slowly thin out, and before you know it, you're on approach to your new adventure. The vibrant metropolis beneath you spreads out further and further with every passing metre, and then it's hello, Seoul! Just the sight of the glittering megacity immediately makes you want to explore as many of its exciting corners and districts as possible.
At the airport, you pick up your T-money card, with which you can easily use Seoul's public transport and taxis – perfect for exploring the city! You quickly pop in your new SIM card and you're all set to dive into the hustle and bustle. The only question now: where to? The city centre with its sea of gleaming high-rises? Or perhaps the famous Gangnam entertainment district, where among the colourful billboards and huge shop windows, you won't know where to look first. After experiencing so many new things, you spend the rest of the day just taking it easy. You quickly check into your new accommodation, then head off in search of a place for tonight's dinner – you've been looking forward to South Korea's huge selection of food for days!

Hyped and ready to explore, your first stop is Gyeongbokgung Palace. Surrounded by mountains, huge wooden gates and traditional architecture, this iconic historical site makes it easy to feel like you've travelled a few centuries back in time – especially if you hire a hanbok, time-honoured South Korean folk attire, on site. Plus, if you wear one to the palace, admission is free! Just a few minutes' walk away is your next stop: Tongin Market. Things work a little differently here – instead of cash, you pay with small wooden tokens that you exchange your won for at the entrance. Once you've got them, you're ready to go. Whether it's bibimbap, tteok or japchae, after grabbing a bite for lunch, you head over to Insadong to round off the day in a truly historic neighbourhood. Narrow alleys, teahouses, small galleries and arts and crafts – the vibes here are 100% Seoul. Time to slow down and browse a bit.

New day, new spot! Up next: Bukchon Hanok Village! The narrow streets are lined with over 900 hanoks, aka traditional Korean houses, with wooden gates, tiled roofs and plenty of history. You stroll silently between the old houses and realise that the city suddenly feels completely different here. Next up, it's time for a change of perspective – this time, from above. The N Seoul Tower takes you up to 774 feet above ground (for a fee, payable on site), and the view is absolutely next-level! Between the city skyline, monumental mountains and twinkling lights, you're already scoping out your next stop. Once the sun sets and your feet are firmly back on solid ground, why not check out one of the many speakeasies or hidden bars in Itaewon or Hongdoe? You'll have to look carefully, as their entrances are hidden behind bookshelves, cellar doors and telephone boxes! Or you can stay down to earth and grab a plastic chair at a pocha – neon lights, spicy snacks and cold beer are the vibe here. Whichever you choose, Seoul nights just hit different!