EF Ultimate Break – South Korea Spotlight Review

EF Ultimate Break – South Korea Spotlight Review

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EF Ultimate Break - South Korea Spotlight Review

I’m gonna be honest with you, South Korea was never somewhere I thought I would visit, and I didn’t even know much about the culture or country before going there. But, when EF Ultimate Break dropped a new trip to South Korea, I jumped at the chance to go. 

I was on the first run of the trip, and I can say that EF did a great job preparing and creating an itinerary, as I had a good time on my trip. 

This EF Ultimate Break review has everything you need to know about the South Korea trip, including where you’ll stay, what activities you’ll do, and the itinerary. 

(EF Ultimate Break trips are for anyone between 18 and 35!)

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Last updated: September 20, 2023

Originally published: June 27, 2023

My Trip to South Korea

Here are some quick facts about my trip, including when I went, my flight info, and how much I paid!

When: May 12th – May 23rd, 2023

Trip type: Plus

Flights: Not included (booked my own)

Price: $2,249 trip fee (no flights) + $65 Korean cooking class + $179 travel protection

Savings: None*

Total price: $2,493 (before flights)

Group size: 6 people

*The price was highly discounted because this was an ambassador trip, and it was EF Ultimate’s first run of the South Korea Spotlight. I also booked my own flights, which makes the price even lower. (I usually book my own flights so I can use points or miles)

Itinerary 

I thought the South Korea Spotlight trip itinerary was pretty laid back, and we had quite a bit of free time to hang out and explore the cities on our own. 

However, if possible, I would add at least another day in Seoul on your own and Busan. Both have a lot to see and do, and the free time during the trip won’t be enough to do anything too significant, as it’s just a few hours here and there. 

Furthermore, if there is anything special you want to do in your free time, like a skincare appointment, make sure you book in advance.

This itinerary can change anytime, and the activities below were just what we did on my specific trip run. 

Day 1: Arrive in Seoul

  • Land in Seoul (ICN)
  • Check into your hotel

Note that you’ll actually leave for Seoul a day or two before this since the flights are long and there is a significant time change. 

If you book your own flights, make sure you land on the right day, as EF’s itineraries include the flight days. 

Day 2: Gyeongbokgung Palace + Cooking Class + River Cruise

  • Tour Gyeongbokgung Palace
  • Korean cooking class (optional) 
  • Han River cruise*
  • Welcome dinner

*Depending on availability, the river cruise might happen on day 2 or 3. 

Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul

Day 3: K-Pop Dance Class + Seoul Sky

  • K-Pop dance class (optional)
  • Free time to shop in the Gangnam neighborhood
  • Seoul Sky visit*

*Seoul Sky might not be included on all trips

Day 4: Travel to Gyeongju + Night Tour

  • Travel to Gyeongju by private bus
  • Free time in Gyeongju for dinner
  • Tour Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond at night

Day 5: Explore Gyeongju + Temple Stay

  • Explore more of Gyeongju
  • Travel to Bulguksa Temple
  • Immersive overnight temple stay*

*More info on the temple stay below

Day 6: Travel to Busan

  • Early morning temple activities
  • Travel to Busan by private bus
  • Tour Haedong Yonggung Temple
  • Free night in Busan

Day 7: Makgeolli Class + Busan Tour

  • Learn to make Makgeolli (rice wine)
  • Tour Busan on foot
  • Take the scenic train overlooking the water
  • Free night in Busan

The Makgeolli class is included and is separate from the cooking class on day 2

Day 8: Visit Gamechon Culture Village + Jagalchi Seafood Market

  • Tour the Gamechon Culture Village
  • Eat lunch at the Jagalchi Seafood Market
  • Free time in Busan
Gamechon Culture Village
Gamechon Culture Village

Day 9: Return to Seoul 

  • Take a train from Busan to Seoul
  • Farewell dinner

Day 10: Leave 

  • Fly out from Seoul (ICN)

Everyone leaves Seoul on this day unless you choose to extend your trip!

EF Ultimate South Korea Hotels

I thought the hotels on EF’s South Korea trip were very nice, and the locations were great. The rooms were also nice, and the staff was welcoming and fixed any issues. 

Most did not have a restaurant or bar, but they did have a convenience store in the hotel or nearby. They also did not have pools, other than the Night 4 hotel, which was closed as it was too early in the season.

Hotels on my specific trip

  • IBIS Ambassador Insadong (Night 1-3)
  • Gyeongju Commodore Hotel (Night 4)
  • Bulguksa Temple Stay (Night 5)
  • IBIS Ambassador Busan Haeundae (Night 6-8)
  • IBIS Ambassador Insadong (Night 9)

Food in South Korea

Posing with a blow up duck on the beach in Busan on the EF Ultimate South Korea Spotlight trip
On the beach in Busan

I was pleasantly surprised by the food in South Korea. They eat a lot of vegetables, broth, and meat/seafood. I don’t eat too much fish, but all the soups and beef dishes kept me full and happy.

However, there are a lot of vegetables (like Kimchi), cold broths, and spicy dishes, which I didn’t like, so some meals were better than others, in my (picky) opinion. 

And it’s easy to find snacks and convenience stores when you need them. 

We did get to go to some places that won’t be able to accommodate larger groups, like most runs of this trip will have, but I thought everywhere was nice.

Vegetarians + vegans: There were no vegans on my trip, but the one vegetarian said she found it harder to find food to eat than she expected coming into the trip. If you eat seafood, you won’t have too difficult of a time finding food, but if you don’t eat meat or fish, be prepared to search menus for the few vegetarian options. 

Temple Stay Information

The temple stay was not what I was expecting at all going into this trip, but it was truly worth every minute for such a unique experience. 

I was expecting a homestay, where we tour the temple, eat dinner, and sleep at the temple. But, it was actually an immersive experience led by a local woman. We even got to participate in activities and chat with the monks. 

The Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hosted the stay. You will go inside temples and see some of Korea’s National Treasures. 

Posing at the temple stay on the EF Ultimate South Korea Spotlight trip
At the temple stay

Here are some of the activities you’ll participate in during the temple stay:

  • Temple etiquette session
  • Temple tour
  • Silent dinner and breakfast
  • Buddhist ceremony
  • 108 prostrations + bead making
  • Pagoda walk
  • Meditation led by a monk
  • Grotto visit

You can opt out of any activities for any reason, including spiritual or physical. The staff is very understanding. Just let them know in advance. 

You will also be provided with a simple outfit to wear during the temple stay. The outfits are meant to respect the monks and ensure you dress appropriately for the temples. They have different sizes, but you can also bring your own clothes in a similar color and shape (baggy) if you prefer. 

Optional Add-ons

There are some optional activities that you can add on at checkout or before you depart at an additional cost:

  • Korean Cooking Class: You will learn how to cook two traditional Korean dishes in this class. They also provide you with some other dishes to eat for lunch after you’re done cooking. This class differed from other cooking classes I’ve taken in that you cook with a group instead of cooking only your own dishes. 
  • K-Pop Dance Class: If you love K-Pop and dancing, you can take a dance class with a Korean instructor. You will learn a few different dances to some popular K-Pop songs. 

These activities cost extra, and you can book them when you book the trip or add them on in your account after you book. 

EF Ultimate South Korea Trip Types

Here are the options EF Ultimate offers for the South Korea trip (descriptions from efultimatebreak.com):

  • EF Ultimate Plus: Stay in hotel-style accommodations, room with just one other person, and enjoy more included meals. Designed for friends, couples, or anyone who values their me time, Plus combines an immersive itinerary with more space to unwind.

I took the Plus trip, where I had 0-1 roommate each night. The only exception was the temple stay night, where multiple girls and I shared a room. 

Overall Rating: 4/5

I think the South Korea Spotlight trip is run very well and has a good balance of free time and scheduled activities. If you are a fan of K-Pop, K-Dramas, or anything else related to Korean culture, you will LOVE this trip. 

However, I think there could be more time in Seoul and Busan, plus another stop somewhere else in the country. I’m hoping they add on a longer, two-week Korean trip in the future. 

And the trip is one of the pricier ones that EF Ultimate Break offers. If you are booking the trip and flights through EF without any discounts, it’s a pretty expensive trip.

Gyeongju National Park bridge
Gyeongju National Park

Frequently Asked Questions about South Korea

Leave a comment below or DM me on social media if you have any questions that aren’t answered below.

How much will a trip to South Korea cost?

With EF Ultimate Break, a trip to South Korea, without flights, will cost over $3,000. With flights, you can expect to pay $5,000+.

How many days in Korea is enough?

You will want to plan at least one week in Korea if you want to visit more than just Seoul. Two weeks is ideal for a full country trip. 

Which month is best to visit South Korea?

The best time to visit South Korea is March, April, or May. You will see the cherry blossoms blooming at the beginning of spring, and you can celebrate Buddha’s Birthday in May. The spring and fall also have the best weather. 

How much cash should I bring to Korea?

You should plan to spend around $50 – 90 USD per day, depending on how much you shop and eat. Most places in Korea accept cash and card, so you don’t need too much cash for your trip. 

EF Ultimate Break Discount

For first-time EF Ultimate travelers, you can save $100 off any trip by booking here! (or use any of the links in this article. Code & discount are automatically applied at checkout. Reach out with questions or issues!)

If you’ve traveled with EF Ultimate before, use code REPEAT for up to $300 off your next trip. 

EF also frequently runs sales throughout the year, with their biggest being in November for Black Friday. 

Send me a DM on Instagram (or any other social media!) if you want details on their next sale!

Trips Similar to South Korea Spotlight

Busan, South Korea
Busan

If this trip sounds fun, check out some similar options that EF Ultimate offers:

  • Japan & South Korea Getaway: Spend five nights in South Korea and the other four in Tokyo. The perfect combo of two bucket-list countries. 

Other Asia trips with EF Ultimate Break:

EF Ultimate South Korea Trip Verdict

If you like Korean food, culture, and music, this is the perfect trip for you! You will get a good feel for the country, and each place you visit is so different, in the best way. 

Just be prepared for a long flight there and back if you come from the United States. 

Remember, you can save $100 off your first EF trip by booking here!

If you have any questions about traveling with EF, check out my FAQs, which include EF Ultimate Break discounts.

Here are all the reviews I’ve written about EF Ultimate Break trips:

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