Hi.
Welcome to KikiNetwork Travel.
I have a passion for taking small groups on life-changing adventures! Join me….
Hi.
Welcome to KikiNetwork Travel.
I have a passion for taking small groups on life-changing adventures! Join me….
KIKINETWORK TRAVEL
kiki@kikinetwork.com
Kiki 608-858-2733
Join Kiki Keating for a journey through South Korea. In just eight days you will encounter many faces of a country that stands at a crossroads of ancient history and modern culture.
Visit temples that have stood for centuries, and palaces built during dynasties of ages past. Cruise past the skyline of one of the world’s most modern, taste making cities on the Han River in Seoul. Grapple with the difficult history of the Korean War, today’s divided Korea, and the ways that the Demilitarized Zone aids in maintaining a tenuous balance.
Meet people who live outside the population center of metropolitan Seoul and discover a slower lifestyle on beautiful Jeju Island. Try almost every cuisine that Korea has to offer and encounter the natural beauty of the region, which stood before many manmade sites on your itinerary, and will last for millennia to come
After breakfast, your guide and coach will pick you up at the L7 Myeongdong for a day of touring. Start your exploration with a tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Just like many Koreans, dress up in traditional Hanbok attire for the visit! During the visit to this grandest palace of Korea, you will have a chance to witness the 500-year-old tradition of the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony.
Inside the palace, you will be surrounded by serene tranquility despite the skyscrapers right outside the palace. Our next stop is Bukchon Hanok Village, where we’ll learn about and enjoy the beauty of Hanok (traditional Korean-style architecture). Bukchon is not an official municipal name; rather, it means that it lies to the North of Cheonggyecheon (stream) and Jongno, the downtown area of Seoul. It used to be a high-end residential district for royal family members and high-ranking government officials.
Next, we’ll proceed to Insadong Street in the heart of the city. Here you can see precious and traditional goods on display. There is one main road with alleys on each side. Within the alleys are galleries, traditional restaurants, traditional teahouses, and cafes. There are about 100 galleries in the area and you can see every example of traditional Korean art from paintings to sculptures, along with many antiques and artifacts. Lunch is on your own on Insadong Street. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure, then meet at 7:30 for a group bulgogi dinner at Insadong Choi’s Restaurant.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: L7 Myeongdong Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Spend a very full day today touring the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between South and North Korea, and returning to Seoul to visit the Yongsan War Memorial Museum. After breakfast, we will be picked up at the hotel and drive to the meeting point for our tour. Due to national security, tours that include secure areas are conducted on a government schedule by English-speaking government guides. All visitors to the DMZ must bring their passports for identification and background checks.
Your tour today will include Imjingak Park & Pavilion, the Uni cation Bridge, ID Check Point, the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel Exhibition Hall, Dora Observatory, Dorasan Station, and a view of Unication Village. You will learn how Korea has become the only divided country left in the world, and how the DMZ functions to maintain the border. Korea is one of the few countries that still has mandatory military service for all male citizens, and you will also hear about the role of that service in Korean culture. We’ll eat lunch at a restaurant inside the DMZ, then return to Seoul and visit the Yongsan War Memorial Museum. Tonight we’ll enjoy a Korean BBQ dinner at Maple Tree Samchung as you look back on the experiences of the day
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: L7 Myeongdong Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We’ll meet at the hotel this morning with packed lunches for our day of adventure. We’ll head out to hike Baekundae Course, a trail on Bukhan Mountain that typically takes approximately 4 hours. After enjoying the views, and our lunch, we’ll head back to town to shower, change, and rest up – then meet for an evening out. This evening, we’ll view the city skyline from on board a leisurely Han River Boat Cruise. Then, disembark and transfer to Gwangjang Traditional Market to enjoy a street food tour for dinner. We’ll have guides to accompany us to help select local favorites from the myriad of selections available in this massive, colorful, thriving market. In addition to food, the market is known for textiles, so you may enjoy shopping late into the evening.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: L7 Myeongdong Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
This morning we have a transfer that takes us to Seoul Station where we’ll board a high-speed express train from Seoul to Gyeongju (the train ride is approximately 2 hours). After arriving at the Gyeongju KTX station we’ll enjoy a lunch of gomtang (beef bone soup) and tteokgalbi (minced beef rib BBQ) at Neulgomtang Restaurant, and then set out for a comprehensive tour of historic Gyeongju.
We’ll stop at Daereungwon Tomb Complex, where you can see 23 large, ancient tombs of the kings and noblemen of the Silla dynasty (57 B.C. – 935), one of Korea’s golden eras. We’ll also visit Cheomseongdae Observatory, the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia. Constructed during the reign of Queen Seon-deok (632- 647), it was used for observing the stars to forecast the weather. It was built in a cylindrical shape with stones 30 centimeters (12 inches) in diameter; 362 stones were piled up to make 27 levels.
We’ll take time to walk around Anapji Pond, view the many intricate accouterments added to the royal complex to decorate it for the Silla rulers, and end your afternoon with a stroll along H
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Gyeongju at The Suites Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
We’ll have time to see two more fantastic sites in Gyeongju this morning before our flight to Jeju Island. First, we’ll visit Seokguram Grotto, South Korea’s National Treasure No. 24 and a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site. Construction of this granite temple took 24 years and spanned the reign of two kings of the Silla Dynasty, King Gyeong-Deok (742~765) and King Hye- Gong (765~780). Our next stop is Bulguksa Temple, perhaps the most iconic site of Gyeongju – a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, this temple also contains seven other national treasures. Built in the year 530, the temple has been renovated, rampaged, and even burned in wartime – but its restoration is a point of pride for those who champion its original intention as a beacon of peace. We’ll stop for lunch at Hanjeongsik Restaurant before our transfer takes us to Pohang airport for our domestic flight to Jeju Island. On arrival around 5 pm, we’ll be greeted for a private transfer to the hotel where we’ll stay for the final 3 nights of our trip. Dinner is at your own leisure tonight.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Jeju at Ocean Suites Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After an early breakfast, we’ll set out this morning for a visit to Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise) Peak, named a UNESCO Heritage site in 2007. This promontory is connected to the mainland by lava rock. A short but steep 20-minute hike takes you to the top of the rim of the volcano, where you can see into the lush green crater within.
Then, at a nearby farm, we’ll have a chance to see and ride Jeju Horses, the unique breed only found on Jeju Island. We’ll ride on horseback on an easy loop that takes us through pasture and along the beach. Next we’ll visit the Lighthouse at Seopjikoji, a spectacular viewpoint over the ocean and volcanic coastline. We’ll enjoy lunch together and then drive along the Jongdalri Shore Rd on the way to our next stop. This beautiful, scenic area is also our best chance to catch a glimpse of some of the Haeyeno women divers. (Tip: Read The Island of Sea Women, by Lisa See!!)
These women spend hours at a time diving to gather shells, seaweed, etc., all without the use of any breathing apparatus. (Depending on the weather, an alternative activity today could be visiting the Haenyeo Museum to learn about the life and history of the Haenyeo.) We’ll also explore Manjangggul Cave, a UNESCO Natural Monument. The spectacular lava tube is filled with a variety of interesting structures, including stalagmites and stone pillars. If you wish to walk the estimated 2/3 mile of the cave length, we recommend wearing waterproof shoes, a rain poncho, and a jacket as it is cold and wet inside. The approximate round-trip walking time is about one hour over uneven rocks that can sometimes be slippery.
And we’ll end the day at the Seongeup Folk Village, a small town with lots of cultural opportunities. The homes here have been handed down from generation to generation, and the town includes Confucian shrines, schools, government offices, stone statues, and large millstones all surrounded by black lava rock walls. Dinner tonight is at your own leisure.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Jeju at Ocean Suites Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
We’ll start after breakfast in the hotel, and head out to visit Hallim Park, where we’ll have the chance to see a variety of beautiful gardens such as Palm Tree Road, Jeju Stone and Bonsai Garden, Water Garden, and others. The highlights of the park are Hyeopjaegul and Ssangyonggul Caves. Both caves are thought to have been created by lava from the eruption of Hallasan Mountain around 25 million years ago. We’ll see both a lava tube and a limestone cave filled with stalactites and stalagmites.
Lunch today is at a black pork BBQ restaurant, where you can try Jeju culture’s most famous traditional dish. Afterward, we’ll make our way to the O’sulloc Green Tea Museum to learn about Korea’s traditional tea culture. The entire building is shaped like a green teacup and seeks to harmonize the cultures of the East and West and old traditions with the modern world. There is a lotus pond where you can relax and enjoy the unique O’sulloc teas.
As we depart, we’ll stop along the coast for views at Jusangjeolli Cliff, a dramatic columnar lava formation formed when Hallasan Mountain erupted into the sea of Jungmun. We’ll also stop at Jeongbang Waterfall, where crystal clear water spills 75 feet down the cliffs directly into the ocean. Return to your hotel to rest and refresh, then regroup for a fresh grilled seafood dinner for your final evening together as a group.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Jeju at Ocean Suites Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your driver will transfer you to the airport for your flight back to Seoul (ETD 9:00 am/ ETA 10:00 am). Here, another driver will greet you and transfer you to the international airport for your onward fights.
Daily Summary:
Meals: Breakfast
L7 Myeongdong is a lifestyle hotel that combines a trendy sense with a comfortable atmosphere. It is a resting place in the city center where customers' lifestyle and local culture harmonize to create a new culture. It is located close to shopping malls such as Lotte Duty Free Shop and Lotte Department Store, as well as tourist attractions such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Namsan Mountain. You can also make a special trip surrounded by the mountain view of Namsan Tower and the city view of Myeongdong. The main facilities include a rooftop bar and foot spa located on the top 21st floor, and suites, superior rooms, and standard rooms with sophisticated touches.
The Sweet Hotel Gyeongju, where the fresh breeze of Bomunho Lake blows over, is a place in the traditional city of Gyeongju. It is a high-class resort resort that reorganizes the leisure of space into a modern lifestyle. Cozy rooms with elegant colors as an independent free space, state-of-the-art facilities for various businesses, and additional facilities such as a park golf course in harmony with nature. To make your journey in search of the scent of a thousand years more special, we will provide the best service with sincerity.
Located only 8 minutes away from Jeju International Airport and Jeju Port, Ocean Suites Jeju Hotel sits by the spectacular coast of Jeju. Its strategic location makes it easy for our guests to enjoy the traditional culture of Jeju, cultural facilities (such as the beach concert hall), tourist facilities and leisure. We have 350 guestrooms, including our high-end Presidential Suites that come with the latest technology infrastructure, allowing our guests to access the internet, check the news or mail, and attend to their business in the comfort of the guestroom. You will feel at home in our guestrooms.
Planning a trip can be daunting. I want you to relax and know that I am committed to ensuring you're well prepared to enjoy your journey. I work hard to put together itineraries that match your interests and fit your budget. I aim to create trips that have the feel of casual travel with friends rather than formal tours.
Global travel can only succeed if communities benefit from tourism. I hire local operators who value sustainable travel and support their communities.
I specialize in journeys of discovery and inspiration. My adventures are all about local culture—the people, history, art, and food. My trips showcase a rich source of inspirational people, landscapes, and cityscapes. Traveling is the time for discovery, exploration and adventure.
In case of an emergency, all our guides are licensed and trained to handle situations that may arise. I am always with you to assist in any way we can to make your trip safe and memorable.
