Next Stop: Korea - CHERRY BLOSSOM

A Trip from Busan to Seoul beyond Tourist Maps!

See the Korea, that most tourists won't see!

Prepare for an extraordinary 9-day Cherry Blossom adventure through South Korea, where the usual tourist trails fade away, and the hidden gems come to light. From taking a private Yacht Tour in Busan, exploring the famous Cherry Blossom City Jinhae, climbing up the Space Walk in Pohang, wearing Hanbok in Gyeongju, Paragliding in Danyang, enjoying Jecheon’s breathtaking nature, taking the V-Train in Taebaek, hiking Seoraksan at the sea, visiting Haley Spots in Gangneung, all the way back to the vibrant streets of Seoul, our curated journey is designed to unveil the authentic essence of Korea. We will of course see some Must Visits for South Korea, but also witness the untouched beauty that awaits those who venture off the conventional touristy paths while still experiencing the Korean Culture we all know and love.

This is not just a trip – it’s an exploration of the uncommon Korea that most tourists won’t be able to see!

Mar 27 - Apr 4

9 Days / 8 Nights

max. 8 people

from $3,849

Our Stops from Busan to Seoul:

Daily Trip Details & Activity Highlights:

March 27, 2025

Day 1 - Busan

ORIENTATION

On our first day we will get to know each other while exploring South Korea’s second biggest City Busan.

First Meeting
Take the Blueline Park Sky Capsule
Visit Haedong Yonggungsa
Drive along Dalmaji Road
Relax in a Jjimjilbang

March 28, 2025

Day 2 - Busan

FUN

Today we will explore Busan a bit more and deep dive into Korean Culture with a Cooking Class and a mini History Lesson.

Take a Korean Cooking Class
Explore Gamcheon Culture Village
Go to the Daejeo Eco Park
Visit the new ARTE Museum
Go on a Yacht Tour

March 29, 2025

Day 3 - Jinhae

CHERRY BLOSSOM VIEWS

Let’s go on a day trip to Jinhae – Korea’s most famous Cherry Blossom Spot in the South of the Country.

Visit the famous Yeojwacheon Stream
Explore Gyeonghwa Station
See Jinhae from above from Jehwangsan Park
Enjoy Cherry Blossom Night Views

March 30, 2025

Day 4 - Pohang & Gyeongju

CULTURE

After stopping by at Korea’s most eastern point in Pohang we will visit Gyeongju – the Shilla Dynasty Museum without Walls.

Visit Homigot & Space Walk in Pohang
Walk through Bulguksa Temple
Try wearing Hanbok
Explore the Museum without Walls
Stay in an old Hanok

March 31, 2025

Day 5 - Danyang

ACTION

Two of the most surprisingly beautiful cities I went to have been Danyang and Jecheon, which we will explore today.

Visit Dodamsambong
See Blossoms in Sogeumjeong Park
Enjoy views from Mancheonha Skywalk
Go Paragliding at Cafe SANN (optional)
Walk along the Uirimji Reservoir

April 1, 2025

Day 6 - Jecheon & Taebaek

NATURE

From beautiful Mountain Views, Cherry Blossom at a Lake and a scenic train ride – today will be amazing.

See the Cheongpung Lake from below & above with the Cable Car
Run along Mosan Airfield (BTS Spot)
Take the V Train
Enjoy Views from Taebaek’s Windy Hill

April 2, 2025

Day 7 - Sokcho

SEA VIEWS

One of Korea’s most beautiful sea side cities is Sokcho, close to Gangneung between mountains and the Ocean.

Take the Cable Car and hike a bit at Seoraksan Mountain
See Blossoms at Yeongnangho Lake
Take the Sokcho Eye
Go Glamping & have BBQ

April 3, 2025

Day 8 - Gangneung

HALLYU

The city I did my first solo trip to is our next stop: Gangneung, famous for Haley Spots and Sea Views.

Visit the BTS Bus Stop
See the Goblin Filming Location
Enjoy Food at Gangneung’s Traditional Market
Walk along the Buchae Coastal Walk

April 4, 2025

Day 9 - Seoul

FAREWELL

It’s already time to say goodbye, but not before we explored one more Cherry Blossom Spot in Gangneung

Visit Gyeonpodae Pavillon
Enjoy Cherry Blossom Views at Gyeongpo Lake
Take the KTX back to Seoul
Say Goodbye 🙁

*The mentioned activities are subject to change, but no worries we will make the most of your time here!

What's included in the price:

Accommodation for 8 Nights
Simple breakfast, daily Lunch, Dinner
Professional Local Guide
Entrance Fees

Experiences & Activity fees*
Transportation from Seoul to Busan
Booking Credit Card Fees
My personal Seoul Map (in case you will stay longer)

What's NOT included in the price:

Flights to and from Korea
Transportation from Seoul to Busan (≈46$)
Daily full western style breakfast Buffett

Personal Expenses (coffee, dessert, souvenirs)
Optional Activities: Paragliding
Travel Insurance for the trip

Your Room-Options:

During our trip we will stay in different Hotels, stay in a Hanok and will do Glamping. All Hotels will be of similar standard, with good reviews and clean facilities. During the Hanok Stay it might be, that you have to share a room even if you book the single room option.

For the rest of the hotels you can choose between the following options in the booking process.

$3,849

By choosing this option, you will share a room with another random person.

$4,399

By choosing this option, you will have a private room all for yourself.

Your Hosts:

As Tour Guide and traveler we met on one random trip and after becoming friends we travelled together to Danyang, Jecheon, the DMZ, Nami Island, Tongyeong and other destinations. During those trips we realized, that we have the same goal: Showing other travelers the hidden beauty of South Korea, that most tourists cannot see. So end of 2023 we decided to plan a trip together for adventurers like us and here we are!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who can join the trip?

Literally everyone over 18 years old, who wants to enjoy the hidden Korea with us! We don’t care about nationality, religion, looks or whatever. You are welcome to join!

Please keep in mind that some of the activities we plan for the trip will require a basic fitness level though.

What if I have special dietary restrictions?

As our trip is going deep into the country, away from tourist spots and modern cities and as we focus a lot on local gems including local traditional dishes, we unfortunately cannot guarantee vegan / halal / gluten-free / … options as the restaurants we will visit are part of the experience for the whole group.

We will always try our best to find an option for you and we will always have a convenience store stop planned per day, but we can’t guarantee anything. Please let us know your requirements before making a booking!

What are the room options?

We offer the following room options:

single room (1P)
shared room (1P)

If you chose the shared room, you will randomly get a room mate on the first day of our trip (or if you already know someone who will join too, let us know in advance). Changing room mate will be possible on the first day (if you meet someone you get along with really well for example) but on mutual understanding so no one feels left out!

All Hotels will be of similar midrange standard, clean and with good ratings. Please keep in mind, that – no matter which option you choose – during the Hanok Stay and Glamping you might have to sleep on a floor mat (the Korean traditional Style) and share a room. We will let you know this part in advance!

What Experiences are not included?

The following experiences during those trip are NOT included in the price as we don’t want to force anyone to do those:

Paragliding in Danyang
Ziplining in Danyang

You will have the chance to spontaneously decide to do those activities during the trip.

What if I have to cancel my booking?

Here our Refund Policy:

until 15 days before the trip: 100%
14-3 days before the trip: 70%
2-1 day before the trip: 40%
on Trip Day/No Show: 0%

To cancel the booking please send us an email: nxtstopkorea@gmail.com

Do I need travel insurance?

As we cannot include travel insurance for our participants, you need to get your own insurance, including cancellation, personal injury, death, medical expenses, personal property damage, and so on. It provides peace of mind knowing you’re covered in case of illness or injury.

Will you offer other travel dates?

We already shared our other trips for 2025 on @nextstopkorea and you can sign up to get an E-Mail once the booking links open ♡

🌸 Cherry Blossom East Coast:
🗓️ 2025/03/27~2025/04/04
📍Busan, Jinhae, Gyeongju, Pohang, Jecheon, Danyang, Gangneung, Sokcho, Injae, Taebaek

💜 BTS Cross Country Trip:
🗓️ 2025/06/05~2025/06/12
📍Busan, Gyeongju, Daegu, Jecheon, Gangneung, Pyeongchang, Seoul

🏝️ Jeju Island Trip:
🗓️ 2025/09/23~2025/10/01
📍Seoul, Mokpo, Jeju (whole Island)

🍁Fall Foliage West Coast Trip:
🗓️ 2025/11/04~2025/11/12
📍Seoul, Jeonju, Jeongeup, Yeosu, Suncheon, Damyang, Boseong, Geoje Island, Busan

🏠 Home Stays in Iksan (TBA)
➕ Special Trips (TBA)

What else should I know?

The itinerary and schedule is subject to change depending on many circumstances like weather, crowds, …

We will take videos and photos for marketing purposes during the trip. If you do not agree with being in the content, please let us know BEFORE the trip.

What the participants said about our trips:

In 2024 we did our first trips: In April from Seoul to Busan along the East Coast, in October a Fall Foliage Trip along the West Coast and a Jeju Island Trip in November. We made amazing memories with women from Argentina, Germany, the US, the UK, Norway, Switzerland and learned so many new things about Korean Culture and each other. The company you’re traveling with will make this whole trip even better – we promise! Here the reviews of previous participants from the WeTravel Booking Platform and some of our favorite shots to show you, what you can expect during our trips.

I had a wonderful time during our tour from Seoul to Busan. There are so many things I’m grateful for, but the biggest thanks goes to Antje and Dony. They organized such an incredible tour, showed us so many beautiful places – hidden gems not everybody gets to see while visiting the country -, answered all our questions, we had the most amazing local food, learned so much about the country and the culture, stayed in beautiful locations, …. It was one of the best holidays ever. The organization was just fantastic. And they always made sure all of us were feeling good. It was my first time in South Korea and I fell in love with the country - with these tour guides and the group nothing else is possible. I definitely want to come back and experience more of this country. There is so much more than Seoul, so many amazing places to see, the nature is breathtaking – and this is also one of the best parts about this tour: the itinerary. I loved how varied our tour was. Every day was so different. Starting in a big city like Seoul, going to the countryside and smaller cities, seeing nature during fall foliage and ending at the coast in Busan. If you are looking for a tour in South Korea I can only recommend choosing Antje and Dony - two of the loveliest tour guides.

Kristina Marie S. Fall Foliage Trip, October 2024

It was such a well organised trip. Was really easy to get along with the organisers. They even took in our interests of where we wanted to go for food e.g. bts restaurants. Planned the food really well as I can't eat spicy foods so they would order something non spicy for me and another girl. The hotels we stayed in were also great. Overall it was such an amazing times. Would definitely do it 1000 times 🙂 thank you both 🙂

Francesca H. Jeju Island Trip, November 2024

We had the most wonderful time! Antje and Dony put together an interesting itinerary. Everything was taken care of (water, umbrellas, hiking boots etc.), we saw amazing scenery, met locals, got to make a lot of experiences and had the most delicious food - every day! We made new friends, laughed a lot and cried when we had to say goodbye. I am grateful to have chosen this trip and feel spoiled for future trips.

Tanja S. Jeju Island Trip, November 2024

I recently returned from an incredible tour of Korea, and it was nothing short of amazing! This was an active tour, with plenty of walking and steep inclines, but the effort was well worth it. We experienced one-of-a-kind activities, exploring the breathtaking natural beauty of Korea—from majestic mountains, to a hidden palace garden, tranquil tea fields and even the breathtaking vistas of the sea. Witnessing the Fall foliage from Seoul to Busan was unforgettable. The food... where to start... the food was a highlight every single day! From the best Bibimbap, grilled chicken to succulent grilled beef and delightful mochi, every meal showcased the local flavors of each region. While Glamping our hosts even grilled for us -what a treat! What made this tour truly special was being introduced to Korea's hidden gems that most tourists might miss. Dony and Antje did an exceptional job curating an unforgettable experience, and I wouldn’t hesitate to join them on another adventure.

Heather-Lee L. Fall Foliage Trip, October 2024

The most caring and lovely tour guides and driver you might find. I can’t imagine that you find anything better. So much insight into Korean culture on various aspects and different regions including food, history, language, etc. I hope to be able to travel with Antje and Dony again. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. You are the best!

Ute V. Fall Foliage Trip & Jeju Island Trip, 2024

From the moment I landed, I knew this would be a trip to remember. The stunning landscapes, vibrant colors, and cultural richness of Korea were incredible, but what truly made this journey unforgettable were the people I met and the extraordinary guides who led the way. Our guides, Antje and Dony, were absolutely fantastic. Their professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail were second to none. Every part of the tour was planned to perfection, making sure we were always comfortable and well taken care of. They were always there, ready to answer our many questions (and trust me, we had a lot!), offering fascinating insights into the places we visited and ensuring we got the most out of every moment. [...] What sets this tour apart is its unique itinerary. The experiences we had were unlike anything I’ve ever encountered before – we explored hidden gems of Korea, witnessed breathtaking landscapes at their peak, and experienced local culture in ways you just don’t find on typical tours. [...] Each dish we had told a story of the region’s history and culture, and I can honestly say it was some of the best food I’ve ever tasted. I left feeling more enriched and connected to Korea than I could have ever imagined. If you’re looking for a truly unique, high-quality tour that’s perfectly planned and offers something you can’t find anywhere else, look no further. I'm already planning my next adventure with Antje and Dony – it was that good!

Anne T. Fall Foliage Trip, October 2024

The trip was beyond expectations, filled with a lot of magical moments, fulfilling my travel dreams and more. The Itiniery The itinery and every single stop where selected with great care and you could feel that. From mega city to beach to mountains and back to big city on the ocean. A great mixture of cultural experiences, old and new, as well as fun activities and time together. The trip was planned perfectly with beautiful spots you will not see as a "normal" tourist. The guides The way our guides made every single experience spot on and beyond, made them the perfect guides. Dony and Antje where so empathetic and making sure everyone had a great time, all the time. They (and all the nice ladies in the group) made me feel welcomed in a group of strangers, being encouraged to experience places and adventures I would've never dreamed of visiting. Antje is just the nicest person. Fun, heartening, open minded and best person to hang out and talk about everything and just life. Conclusion When another trip will be announced: book that trip! It is more than worth it. You will have perfect guides, see wonderful spots in a beautiful country and experience places and activities out of a regular touristy itinerary. I am more than thankful I was able to be part of this unforgettable journey.

Tanja K. Spring Trip, April 2024

We had a great time. The group was great mix of different people. The program was wisely chosen and adapted to the group interests and weather conditions. We had the chance to try a lot of different food.

Dagmar L. Spring Trip, April 2024

Wow, this trip was simply... WOW! Much more than I could have ever imagined. Antje and Dony make a wonderful team! And they came together (not only to organize it but to be the amazing hosts they were) to bring us the best experience we could have for our first visit to South Korea. I feel like in 9 days I got to do most of the things I dreamt of doing for 14 years of being a fan of the Korean culture and food. Getting to experience the more traditional Korea, by staying in a 300-year-old hanok...and more!!! And also the authentic Korea, by visiting places and doing activities Koreans do... for some days we travelled around cities that I didn't see any westerners, and I think that says a lot about how authentic our trip was. We had amaaazing food, and Antje and Dony were always open to hear from us what we wanted to do in the trip, so also flexible with the schedule! I only have good things to say about this trip. I'll take the memories of it in my heart forever. And I'm crossing fingers Antje and Dony will organize a fall trip on the west coast of Korea, because I would 1000% trust them again for another one of these!

Melisa D. Spring Trip, April 2024

Where to start... Felt like a VIP from the moment the tour started all the way until my last moment! We had so many incredible unique experiences with local Masters. We were off the tourist path and really saw the hidden gems of Korea. Dony and Antje put their hearts and souls into planning and executing this trip. Just when I thought that day was the best- they really knocked it out of the park, the next day seem to be just as magical and just as special. They had so many variety of activities that we experienced. The transportation van was again above and beyond what I have expected. The food-so much food. We had all different experiences the fun rest stops, to many local favorites, and to lovely restaurants. I did find the food was heavy-lots of fried food. Maybe one or two nights could be lighter food choices. They were constantly checking in with us to make sure we were comfortable. When we asked for a request they tried to make it happen. I can't wait to go on another tour with them - hoping for Fall 2025! When ordinary simply just won't due!

Heather-Lee L. Spring Trip, April 2024