Travel Well

Days 4 - 6

DAY 4 - October 27, 2026 (Tue)
Seoul ➜ Icheon ➜ Cheongju

Icheon Ye’s Park — Pottery Village & Ceramic Painting Workshop

Icheon is Korea’s ceramics heartland, where kilns have glowed for centuries. At Ye’s Park you’ll meet artisans, browse studios, and learn the steps behind porcelain and stoneware. In your workshop, sketch a design and paint directly onto a bisque-fired piece; staff will glaze and fire it after your visit. The results—subtle, glossy, and uniquely yours—will be delivered later. It’s a tactile way to connect with Korean craft heritage.

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Lunch — Korean Set Menu
Sample a balanced spread: grilled fish or bulgogi, seasonal vegetable sides (banchan), soup, and fluffy rice. The variety lets you experience multiple flavors in one sitting—sweet, savory, tangy, and fermented notes. Vegetarians can be accommodated with tofu and vegetable dishes. Ask about local pickles or wild greens in season. Finish with a light citron or barley tea.

Cheongju Early Printing Museum
Dive into the story behind Jikji (1377), the world’s oldest extant book printed with metal movable type—predating Gutenberg by decades. Exhibits illuminate the evolution from woodblock to metal type, including type casting, inking, and press techniques. Models and replicas make the technology understandable even for first-timers. You’ll appreciate how Korea’s innovations accelerated knowledge sharing in East Asia. It’s an eye-opening bridge between craft and science.

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Metal Movable Type Training & Experience Center
Roll up your sleeves to set type, ink a form, and pull a clean print the traditional way. The satisfying “kiss” of paper and type is timeless, and the finished sheet is a frame-worthy souvenir. Instructors explain how characters are organized and locked into place—a puzzle that rewards patience. You’ll also see how simple binding turns printed sheets into a booklet. The experience makes history tangible and fun.

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DAY 5 - October 28, 2026 (Wed)
Cheongju ➜ (Via Cheongnamdae) ➜ Jeonju

Cheongnamdae (Former Presidential Villa)
Once a private retreat for Korean presidents, Cheongnamdae opens onto manicured lawns, lakeside trails, and photo-ready viewpoints. Exhibits detail presidential history and everyday life at the villa. The setting is tranquil, ideal for a leisurely walk and reflection. Seasonal flowers and foliage frame the buildings beautifully. It’s a rare chance to combine modern history with nature in one stop.

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Jeonju Hanok Village & Bibimbap Making for Lunch
Jeonju is the spiritual home of bibimbap and a showcase of traditional culture. In your cooking session, you’ll season rice, artfully arrange colorful vegetables, and crown the bowl with egg or beef (or keep it vegetarian). Learn why sesame oil, gochujang, and vinegared greens must be balanced for harmony. After lunch, stroll past hanok guesthouses, calligraphy shops, and hanbok rental studios. A traditional tea house is perfect for a mid-afternoon pause.

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Pansori (A private performance arranged exclusively for our group)
Pansori is a powerful form of traditional Korean musical storytelling performed by one singer and one drummer. The singer uses expressive vocals, dramatic gestures, narration, and character voices to present epic tales that can last for hours. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, pansori showcases the depth of Korean emotions, humor, and humanity.  Watching a live pansori performance offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience Korea’s artistic soul and centuries-old oral tradition.

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DAY 6 - October 29, 2026 (Thu)
Jeonju ➜Namwon Heritage & Songgwangsa Temple Stay

Traditional Korean Lacquer Craft Workshop
Learn how natural lacquer (ottchil/urushi) creates a deep, luminous finish prized for durability. You’ll prepare a small object, apply base coats, and practice careful layering techniques. Instructors explain drying conditions and why lacquer is both art and science. The sheen is unlike paint—rich, tactile, and protective. Your finished piece is a refined souvenir rooted in Korean craft.

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Namwon Maewoldang — Tea Tasting
Savor Korea’s tea culture in a serene hanok setting. You will enjoy a truly special encounter with Korea’s master of fermented green tea — a tea artisan who proudly considers himself the best in the world. During this intimate session, he will personally show you how to brew tea in the most delicious and authentic way, offering a rare and unforgettable experience. Guides explain harvest seasons, leaf grades, and proper water temperature for green and fermented teas. Practice mindful sipping to notice sweetness, umami, and lingering florals. It’s a calming counterpoint to a busy travel day.

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Temple Stay — Songgwangsa Temple stay or similar temple
Songgwangsa is one of Korea’s most revered Zen Buddhist temples, nestled in the peaceful forests of Mount Jogyesan in Suncheon. It is celebrated as the “Temple of the Sangha,” having produced numerous influential Buddhist masters throughout Korean history.

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The temple’s wooden halls, quiet streams, and towering pine trees create a serene atmosphere ideal for meditation and reflection.  Visitors can explore centuries-old architecture, engage with Buddhist culture, and enjoy the natural tranquility of the surrounding mountains. Songgwangsa remains an active training center for monks, offering an authentic glimpse into Korea’s living Buddhist tradition.

Experience Korea’s temple culture and traditional hanok lifestyle as you spend a unique night sleeping on the warm ondol floor instead of a bed. Shoes are removed inside the room, and although there is no bed, you will sleep comfortably by laying a thick blanket on the heated floor — just like the traditional Korean way.