When arriving in modern Seoul, the metropolis capital of South Korea, it is easy to realize the breadth of history in South Korea.

The 600-year-old city walls can no longer enclose the over 25 million residents of Seoul, who are at the forefront of a progressive Asian culture.

Tradition and the past is completely tangible on a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace, a highlight of any Korea tour package, the sprawling royal residence of the Joseon Dynasty which held the government seat for nearly 500 years. The bustling city with a glittery skyline and delicious night markets is a near polar opposite to the tranquil settings outside the urban sprawl.

Seoraksan National Park, with its waterfalls, forests, hiking trails, mysterious temples, and remote hermitages are easily explored by an aerial tramway that whisks travellers to one of the towering craggy peaks for panoramic views of Mount Seorak.

Spiritually, the Haeinsa Temple is one of the most important Buddhist treasures in Korea. Within it, the Tripikata Koreana, a collection of Buddhist scriptures inscribed onto over 80,000 wooden pieces in the 13th century, is contained.

Across the country, a key part of our Korea tour package includes visits to important Buddhist temples such as the Bulguksa Temple located in the town of Gyeongju.

Gyeongju is known as an open-air museum city, with more tombs, temples, pagodas, sanctuaries, and history that any other South Korean city. As the former head of the Shilla Dynasty, from 57 BC to 935 AD, Gyeongju experienced vast wealth, which is apparent in its collection.

The Shilla Dynasty stretched across the Korean Peninsula, however South Korea tours will only take you as far north as the DMZ area between North and South Korea.

Within the DMZ are sights such as the Freedom Bridge, where 12,773 Koreans walked to their freedom in 1953. The historic railway station, Dorasan, still shows markings for Seoul and Pyeongyang, whereas the Dora Observatory allows one to see the whole expanse of the Demilitarized Zone including the North Korean propaganda village, Gijeong-dong.

An area that was free from fighting during the 1950-1953 Korean War, Busan is still an important city in modern South Korea. Narrow streets wind through brightly coloured low-rise houses of Gamcheon Cultural Village which was considered a mountainous slum until recently earning the nickname of 'Santorini of the East.'

As the mountains give way to beaches, markets such as the Kukje Market and Jagalchi Fish Market create the ingredients for a food lovers dream. The aging fishmongers in the dozens of stalls that edge the narrow passageway contain just about every fish imaginable.

Korean food is gaining in popularity. The variety, spicy and distinct flavours are often duplicated in cities all over the world, however the best is always the source.

Our Korea tour package offers insights to both modern and ancient history in a country continually shaping its future into a destination, which offers something for all tastes.