Contiki Review: What it was like to travel for the first time with Contiki in South Korea

 As someone who grew up around travel content and travelling everywhere around the world with my family thanks to my dad’s natural wanderlust, I always had the passion to try travelling to new places and try out new adventures. South Korea was one of my dream countries I always wanted to travel to, especially after consuming a lot of K-Dramas. Though there were times I got a bit nervous because my social skills weren’t that good and I’d have the habit of constantly embarrassing myself. But when I finally landed in South Korea, I was surprised at how everyone in Contiki was so accepting, caring and warm towards me no matter how I was and a lot of new friends I made throughout the trip.

As a result, I felt all of my anxieties and worries about the trip (my first Contiki trip) slowly melt away. I was so relaxed and had a lot of fun during this life-changing spring break trip, and I got to experience new food, culture and fashion.

So here are my top highlights that I experienced in this amazing trip!

Trying out Hanbok and walking around the Gyeongbokgung Palace for the rich historical culture

During my preparation for the first day of our South Korea trip where we had to wear traditional Hanbok, I experienced moments of anxiety, wondering if I would look good enough or if my body type would suit such an elegant traditional attire. Fortunately, when our group visited the local Hanbok rental shop to select our outfits for the palace tour, the warm and welcoming ahjummas (married or middle-aged wome in Korea) assisted us with such care that I discovered a perfect ensemble that not only complemented my figure but also made me feel incredibly elegant.

I got a red and black Hanbok that reminded me of the one worn by Shin Ye-Sun in Mr. Queen, and wearing it made me feel just like her character. As I strolled through the palace grounds, I felt like I was the star of my own historical K-Drama, and receiving compliments from passersby who called me beautiful only enhanced my confidence and joy.

Visit at the DMZ (The Demillitarized Zone)

During the second day of our journey, we visited the DMZ (The Demilitarized Zone) peace tour to witness the boundary between North and South Korea and understand their division. We discovered fascinating details, particularly about the underground passages that North Korean troops had constructed for invading South Korea. The tunnel extended deep beneath the surface. Although I was intrigued and wanted to venture inside, my back problems at the time prevented me from descending too far down. Additionally, we embarked on a shuttle bus excursion around the area, visiting various significant sites including the Dora Observatory, which offered views into North Korea across the border, and the Unification Village, where I managed to purchase the famous Dalgona Candy, similar to those featured in Squid Game!

Our journey in Busan (The KTX Train, Gamcheon Village and Yacht Night)

We traveled to Busan, South Korea’s vibrant hub of art and culture, taking the KTX train (reminiscent of the movie Train to Busan, though fortunately without any zombies!). Our first destination was the bustling Jagalchi seafood market, where we selected various fresh seafood directly from aquariums, with vendors expertly catching clams, squid, and mackerel for us. Later, we explored the renowned Gamcheon Cultural Village, where we were treated to stunning views of colorful houses cascading down the hillsides.

During the evening, my most memorable experience was the nighttime yacht excursion in Busan where we sailed along the coastline, admiring the city’s vibrant nighttime atmosphere and marine views while enjoying music, light refreshments, and traditional Korean beverages like soju and beer. Regrettably, I consumed a little more alcohol than intended. The whole experience reminded me of a typical drinking scene from a Korean drama series.

Jeonju Fan Making and stay at the Hanok Guest house

Our journey took us to Jeonju, a charming historical district in South Korea. Upon reaching, we sampled the local specialty Bibimbap (I opted for a version without pork, as I stick to chicken, vegetables, and seafood). The dish proved to be both nutritious and delectable. We then checked into our Hanok accommodation, which offered remarkable comfort, particularly with its heated flooring. Stretching out on the warm surface felt incredibly soothing. Our primary activity involved the traditional craft of Seonjajang, or fan making, where I had the opportunity to showcase my artistic abilities by decorating a plain fan. Given that winter was transitioning into spring (though Korea remained quite chilly), I decided to create a spring-themed design (quite literally a fan art!) featuring a blooming garden alongside a fitting quote from Sylvia Plath.

Back at Seoul (Hongdae) ft. the KPOP Dance class

For our concluding time with the primary group, we circled back to our starting point: Seoul (though this time exploring Hongdae rather than Insadong). Hongdae was recognized as one of Seoul’s vibrant neighborhoods alongside Myeongdong and Itaewon, bustling with retail spaces and dance clubs. During our initial day, we wandered freely through the district, browsing Korean cosmetics and fashion items while experimenting with the local photo booths. Later, we experienced the nightlife at Mike’s Cabin nightclub, where we mingled with students from Korea University and Yonsei University, spending the evening dancing together.

On the topic of dancing, I fulfilled a dream I’d long anticipated: learning authentic KPOP choreography. We received instruction from a professional dance coach who taught us the routine to NewJeans’ Supernatural. To my pleasant surprise, despite my physical build, I emerged as the only participant who mastered the movements correctly, which gave my confidence a significant boost. Subsequently, I visited the Banapresso coffee establishment, primarily because Lee Je Hoon, one of my favorite actors, served as their brand representative and fans had generated considerable buzz about it. Coincidentally, during my visit, he was conducting an Instagram live session at another Banapresso location (presumably quite distant from my position).

Eventually, it was time to say our goodbyes to our friends who were leaving the tour sooner, as well as our lovely, motherly and kind local Trip Manager with a Farewell BBQ dinner before we left for our Jeju Island tour.

Our Jeju Adventures

Our last expedition took us to Jeju Island, a destination renowned for its delectable tangerines and the courageous haenyo female divers. The destination offered breathtaking landscapes and tranquility, with pristine surroundings and stunning natural beauty.

We spent time trekking across the eastern section of Jeju’s mountain range, where we enjoyed panoramic views of the sea and sampled citrus-based treats at a local establishment. We visited the renowned Haenyo Museum to discover the stories of these remarkable divers who endangered their wellbeing to harvest seafood for survival and challenged societal norms, despite their advanced years (most haenyo divers range from 60-90 years old! Their incredible story was also portrayed in the K-Drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, which showed their daily struggles).

I gained deep insights into their heritage and daily routines, along with their tremendous dedication. Additionally, certain areas of the island were covered in snow, marking my first encounter with snowfall since my previous family vacation in Switzerland. The only drawback was the intense winds during the initial days, which were strong enough to sweep away nearly everything in their path.

My inaugural Contiki journey on South Korea Soul (including Jeju Island) proved to be a transformative experience that reshaped my perspective. The adventure not only helped me overcome my self-doubt but also enabled me to immerse myself in the country’s rich heritage and fascinating history while embracing novel experiences. The opportunity to connect with fellow travelers who shared similar interests made the journey even more meaningful. Given this remarkable experience, I look forward to embarking on another Contiki expedition in the future.