It’s been a lot of fun posting travel articles and videos to the Korean blog over the past few months, but until I make it back to the land of kimchi and soju, I’m afraid I’m fresh out of new content. While many travelers to this side of the world tend to pass over South Korea in favor of more time in bigger countries like China or jetting straight to the beaches of Thailand, there’s enough to see, do, and especially eat in the ROK to make it a worthwhile addition to any Far East trip. For those looking to find a bit of inspiration to head to South Korea, here’s a recap of all the travel posts and videos from the past six months:

Five Days in South Korea

What can you do with just five days in Korea? Quite a lot, actually! Check out a rundown of my summer trip there, where we spent a few days exploring all that Seoul has to offer, made a quick stop in Gyeongju, and finished things off with a beach vacation in Busan.

10 Awesome Things to Do in Seoul

Seoul is a bustling, lively capital city with enough to keep you busy for months, but most tourists just don’t have time to do everything. Never fear, because I’ve compiled a list of ten of the best things you can do in the Korean capital.

Parks and Museums of Seoul

Although it’s most famous as a modern, high-tech metropolis, Seoul is also a city of leisure and culture, and there are no better places to explore those aspects of the city than its many excellent parks and museums. If you should find yourself in Seoul, try to take at least one day to check some of these off your list.

The Five Grand Palaces of Seoul

Perhaps the best way to learn about the history of Seoul is to explore the city’s Five Grand Palaces. If you’re an early riser and are motivated, it’s possible to hit them all on a one-day walking tour. And if you can’t make it all the way to Seoul, you can learn about them from the comfort of your home or office! Start with a video tour of Changyeong Palace:

Gyeongbokgung Palace

This is the granddaddy of ’em all when it comes to Seoul’s palaces. The “Palace Greatly Blessed By Heaven” was built in an auspicious location between two mountains during the Joseon Dynasty, torn down by the Japanese, and then rebuilt and restored. Learn more about this important piece of Seoul’s history and culture in this post, and be sure to check out the video:

Seoul Streets, Beats & Eats

Join the Grateful Gypsies on a video tour of the “Streets, Beats & Eats” of Seoul. Explore some of the city’s trendy neighborhoods, feast on plenty of delicious Korean food, and wind down with a night in the spa.

More Than Korea’s 2nd City – Busan

Busan definitely has a sort of “little brother” reputation when it comes to the cities of South Korea, but there’s much more to this beachside metropolis than just being the 2nd city of Korea. From stunning temples, to rewarding hikes in the surrounding mountains, to the excellent culinary and nightlife scenes, Busan has a lot to offer travelers who make it there. After all, who can say no to “Beaches, Buddhas, and BBQ”?

A Night in a Korean Bathhouse

No trip to Korea would be complete without spending at least one night in a bathhouse, known as jimbilbang in Korean. For just around $10, you can spend 12 hours soaking in the hot tubs, exploring the many varieties of sauna, and even getting a full body scrub or massage. Save money on a hotel, soak up the local culture, and enjoy some R&R to end your trip.

To all of our awesome readers who take time out of their busy day to explore the language & culture of Korea with us, I have just one thing to say to you – 감사합니다!

If you’re interested in learning about other languages and culture, you’ll still be able to find me on the Chinese, Indonesian, and Thai pages, and you can also check out my personal website dedicated to living and working in China, exploring the world, and enjoying concerts and music festivals – Grateful Gypsies.