16/03/2027 Australia – Singapore
Check in at your chosen Australian airport for the flight to Singapore.
17/03/2027 Singapore – Taipei (D)
Depart Singapore SQ 876, 08.30
Arrive Taipei 12.55
After completing customs and immigration formalities transfer to your hotel and settle in. In the evening we enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Hotel Cozzi Minsheng
Taipei
18/03/2027 Taipei (BLD)
Taipei is Taiwan’s economic, political and cultural centre, and a cosmopolitan city with a lively and diversified face. It is a fascinating city of contrasts, mixing the modern and traditional with a generous dash of energy and a wealth of friendly smiles. After breakfast we begin a half-day tour of the city including the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, and Taipei 101 – so-named for its 101 above ground floors – and the world’s tallest building between 2004 and 2010. We also watch the impressive changing of the guards ceremony at the Martyr’s Shrine.
19/03/2027 Taipei – Sun Moon Lake (BLD)
After breakfast we board our coach for the three-hour drive to beautiful Sun Moon Lake, located in the foothills of Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range. According to legend an ancestor of the Thao tribe discovered the fish-filled lake while chasing a white deer, and so the Thao people settled here. On arrival we explore the Ita Thao Indigenous Village, visit Wen Wu Temple, the Holy Monk Shrine, and climb up to Ci En Pagoda for panoramic views over sparkling Sun Moon Lake.
Sun Moon Lake Hotel
Sun Moon Lake
20/03/2027 Sun Moon Lake – Tainan – Kaohsiung (BLD)
Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan and its former capital under Dutch rule, through to Qing Dynasty rule until 1887. After breakfast we board our coach for Tainan and on arrival visit the Dutch fortress, Fort Zeelandia, and stroll through the bustling Anping Old Street, the first named street in the city. Later we continue our journey to Kaohsiung, stopping en route to explore the tranquil Fo Guang Shan monastery.
Grand Hi Lai Hotel
Kaohsiung
21/03/2027 Kaohsiung (BLD)
Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s second largest city, and home to the country’s largest port: it is also renowned for its vibrant street art scene, said to be the best in all of Taiwan. Today we set out to discover the treasures of this city, including the famous scenic area of Lotus Pond, surrounded by a profusion of temples, dragon and tiger pagodas, and Spring and Autumn temples. Later we wander through the lively Liuhe night market and enjoy the atmosphere along the Love River, that winds through the city.
22/03/2027 Kaohsiung – Taipei (BLD)
After breakfast at our hotel, we transfer to the railway station and board the High-Speed Rail for a smooth return to Taipei, which takes just over 90 minutes. In the afternoon we take a northern coast tour to Yehliu Geopark, famous for its unusual sea-eroded rock formations.
Hotel Cozzi Minsheng
Taipei
23/03/2027 Taipei – Jiufen – Pingxi – Taipei (BLD)
Today we enjoy a full day excursion that takes us first to Jiufen Village, a mountain town east of Taipei, which is renowned for the narrow alleyways of its old town. We stroll through the laneways and winding streets, packed with traditional teahouses and street-food shacks, which evoke a timeless charm. After our visit here we head to Pingxi, where a tradition is to write wishes on paper, put them inside sky lanterns and let them loose to drift upwards into the sky. Later we return to Taipei for a special dinner on our final night in Taiwan.
24/03/2027 Taipei – Busan (LD)
An early start this morning as we transfer to the airport for our flight to South Korea.
Depart Taipei, China Airlines CI 188, 07.40
Arrive Busan 10.50
Busan is South Korea’s second largest city, located on the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula. On arrival into the port city, we begin a tour that takes us first to Gamcheon Culture Village, a colourful village of brightly painted houses built on a steep mountain-side slope. Established more than a hundred years ago as a settlement for the working-class population of Busan, the village underwent an art-themed renovation in 2009 to convert it to a cultural hub. It is now Busan’s most colourful and artistic spot. We also visit the bustling Gukje Market and BIFF Square – named for the Busan International Film Festival which was first held here in 1996.
Ramada Encore Haeundae
Busan
25/03/2027 Busan – Jinhae – Busan (BLD)
After breakfast we drive 40 kms to Jinhae, a hub of activity during cherry blossom season as the blossoms begin to bloom and the town comes alive with street performers and carnival stalls. We visit Gyeonghwa train station, where trains no longer stop, but the tracks are famously lined either side with cherry trees. We then head to Yeojwacheon Stream – one of the best spots in Jinhae for viewing the delicate pink and white blossoms, and then take the Jwehwansan monorail to Jinhae Tower for amazing views of the city and coastline. After our visit here we return to Busan.
26/03/2027 Busan – Gyeongju – Busan (BLD)
Gyeongju was once the capital of the Silla Korean kingdom, and is possibly the foremost location in South Korea for ancient buildings, burial grounds and artefacts. It is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Bulguksa Temple which embodies the essence of Korean Buddhist culture. We also explore the Gyeongju National Museum, and walk among the royal tombs at the Daereungwon Ancient Tombs site.
27/03/2027 Busan – Jeju Island (BLD)
This morning we continue to explore Busan, including a scenic ride on the Haeundae Blueline Park Sky Capsule, which offers breathtaking ocean views and a unique travel experience. Late afternoon we transfer to the airport for our 50-minute flight to Jeju Island. On arrival into Jeju we transfer to our hotel.
Maison Glad Jeju
Jeju
28/03/2027 Jeju (BLD)
After breakfast we begin our exploration of Jeju Island, with an exploration of the east coast. We begin at Snoopy Garden, where sculptures of the beloved cartoon characters are set amongst beautifully landscaped gardens. Next stop is the Seongeup Folk Village, an authentic Korean walled town that has been continuously inhabited for around 600 years. At the UNESCO-listed Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak), we have the opportunity to climb the peak and see the displays of cherry blossom trees that surround the volcanic cone.
29/03/2027 Jeju (BLD)
The west coast wonders of Jeju Island are our destination today. We begin with the beautiful beaches of Hyupjae and Geumneung, then continue to the Cheonjeyeon Waterfall, also known as the ‘Pond of Heaven’. After lunch we visit the dramatic Jusangjeolli Lava Cliffs, a UNESCO Global Geopark site.
30/03/2027 Jeju – Seoul (BLD)
This morning we leave Jeju Island behind, as we make the 75-minute flight to the South Korean capital, Seoul. On arrival we begin our city tour with a stop at Gyeongbok Palace, the largest of all the five grand palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), and still standing today. Later we take a cable car ride up to N Seoul Tower – also known as the Namsan Tower – for breathtaking views of the city below.
Voco Seoul Myeongdong
Seoul
31/03/2027 Seoul – Nami Island – Seoul (BLD)
Today we drive for about an hour east of Seoul, where we board a ferry for the scenic crossing to Nami Island, famous for its beautiful pink cherry blossom trees which line the pathways of the island. Later we enjoy a scenic ride on the Gangchon Railbike, which takes us along the old rail tracks adjacent to the lovely Bukhangang River.
01/04/2027 Seoul – DMZ – Seoul (BLD)
Perhaps one of the most exciting trips in the world today is a visit to Panmunjom, the Demilitarised Zone with North Korea. North and South Korea are the last two divided countries in the world and armies totalling two million men line this border. Included in our tour here is a visit to Imjingjak Park, the Freedom Bridge, and the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel. We also visit the Dora Observatory, which provides scenic views across the DMZ. On our return to Seoul we enjoy an afternoon at leisure, and later a farewell dinner at the end of our momentous tour!
02/04/2027 Seoul – Singapore (B)
This morning is at leisure. Early afternoon we transfer to the airport for our homeward flight.
Depart Seoul, Singapore Airlines SQ 601, 16.45
Arrive Singapore 22.00
On arrival in Singapore connect with the flight to your chosen Australian capital city.
03/04/2027 Singapore – Australia
We arrive home in Australia today.
