1. Seoul: Gangnam Tour with Cruise, Bongeunsa Temple & Aquarium
After a convenient hotel pickup, get ready for a leisurely cruise on the Han River, an ideal way to experience the city waterfront. Listen to the live music and commentary as you spot local landmarks and glide under some of Seoul’s 27 bridges. Look out as you pass some of the city's major sights, including Lotte Tower, which is the tallest building in Seoul and is located in Gangnam, as well as N Seoul Tower and business district skyscrapers. Returning to the shore, drive off to the famous Gangnam District, known as the Beverly Hills of Seoul. Discover COEX shopping mall, which is filled with unique shops, hangout spots for young people, and a huge aquarium with exotic marine life. Designed around the theme "water journey," COEX Aquarium features 14 discovery zones spanning from the Andes through the Amazon River to the depths of the ocean. Follow your guide around one of South Korea's largest aquariums, which showcases more than 40,000 creatures and 600 underwater species including seals, sharks, penguins, stingrays, and sea anemones. Alternatively, if you're more interested in learning about the youth culture of Korea, utilize some of this time to take a look around COEX shopping complex and see where the locals hangout. The next stop is Bongeunsa, a Korean temple housing more than 3,000 Buddhist scriptures. Escape the city bustle as you explore this quiet area which includes shrines, pagodas, and temple halls. Admire painted symbols representing Buddhist principles and soak up the views of Gangnam before heading to the Ginseng Center. En route, pass by Olympic Park, erected to commemorate the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and ask your guide for insights into Korea's modern history. At the Ginseng Center, sample some traditional teas and snacks.
