2026 Creative Voyage – Seoul, Korea

26 October to 2 November: Fully booked

Click here for brochure.

Join artist Shannon Garson and gallerist Judith Salmon on an unforgettable cultural experience through Korea’s vibrant capital and surrounds. This intimate tour combines art, history, and cuisine in a way that will ignite your creativity and deepen your appreciation of Korean culture.

A feast for the senses

From the intimate experience of artists’ studios to the amazing public collections and architect designed museums of South Korea.

Each day is designed as a blend of art, food, history, and offering behind-the-scenes access and unforgettable encounters with artisans, chefs and academics.

Shannon brings her unique artistic sensibility, knowledge of ceramics and experience with traditional forms such as Moon Jars.

Judith leads us from literature to art and both hosts bring years of experience to give us a taste of the hidden creativity of Korea through artists, chefs, museums and history.

Highlights

  • Private studio tours and demonstrations with ceramic masters Kwak Kungtae and Byung Sik Moon.
  • Explore the dragon kiln with Jong Hwan Park
  • Afternoon food tour through Seoul’s historic neighbourhoods, sampling traditional delicacies and local produce.
  • Visit design and craft museums including SAN Museum designed by Tadao Ando nestled in the Korean countryside & Leeum Museum where traditional and modern art works by Korean and international artists are curated into thought provoking and beautiful exhibitions.

Inclusions

  • Return economy class flights from Sydney to Seoul. (Upgrades available through Natalie)
  • VIP roundtrip airport transfers
  • 7 nights luxury accommodation in a 5-star hotel
  • Daily breakfast and Wi-Fi
  • All sightseeing, cultural activities and entrance fees  (as per itinerary)
  • An experienced English-speaking guide will accompany us throughout the trip.
  • Private air-conditioned vehicles for transportation (as per itinerary)
  • 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 1 dinner

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1- Monday October 26 – Arrival in Seoul

Today we fly from Sydney. Depart from Sydney: 10.20 (KE5002)

Arrive in Seoul: 19.00 Incheon International Airport.
Airbus A380    Flight time:  10H 40M

We will be met by our local guide, Angela, and transferred by private coach to our hotel where we’ll join our fellow international travellers. (Approx. 90 minutes)

Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriot, Myeongdong, in the heart of Seoul.

Meals: Our hotel offers dining options and is surrounded by local restaurants.

Day 2 – Tuesday October 27
Ancient Palace & Seoul Feast

We begin the day with a gentle wander through the wonders of Changdeokgung Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site). This palace is a remarkable example of the integration of art and nature and was built in the 15th Century during the Joseon Dynasty.


For lunch, we embark on a private food tour with Seoul food scholar Victoria Kang through Seoul’s historic neighbourhoods, sampling traditional delicacies and local produce.

We close the day with ‘free time’: the gentle beauty of tea at a traditional teahouse, a glass of champagne in the hotel, or a wander through some of the local neighborhood sights.
(Shannon and Judith are creating a portfolio of optional activities for just such occasions!)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 – Wednesday October 28
Art, Architecture and a Michelin Chef’s Porcelain Collection

Following breakfast, we meet Angela in the lobby and travel by coach to the Leeum Samsung Museum, a striking mix of traditional and contemporary art and architecture.

After crossing the Han River, we lunch in a local Gangnam district restaurant where Angela will guide us through the menu and dishes. After lunch we will enjoy an exclusive introduction with the Michelin awarded Chef Roh at her private ceramic gallery in Gangnam. Chef Roh will share her culinary art and aesthetic sensibility with us, give us a VIP tour of her collection of Korean celadon. and we have afternoon tea at her kitchen.

Later we have a very special treat, a private ‘Hanji’ Traditional Paper Workshop. This is the only such workshop available in Seoul!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea  –  terms and conditions apply.

Day 4 –Thursday October 29
Ceramics in Icheon

Today we journey to Icheon, the heart of Korean ceramics. We’ll visit the studios of renowned masters Mr Kwak and Mr Park. Kwak Kung Tae is an internally renowned maker of giant ongii jars traditionally use to ferment kimchi.

You will be amazed as Mr Kwak turns huge, coils of clay into a beautiful vessel. Mr Park is an academic and renowned potter who specialises in wood firing in his “dragon kiln”.
Both of these artists demonstrate the synthesis of contemporary life of an ancient craft and cultural traditions.

Lunch is a treat: a rice-focused meal in a local specialty restaurant.

If time permits on our return to Seoul, we can dip into the optional activities’ portfolio or relax in the MoMo Bar and Lounge before dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 – Friday October 30
Space, Art, Nature

This is a day of calm, creativity, and inspiration. A day trip takes us to the breath-taking Museum SAN, nestled in nature.
SAN is an acronym for Space, Art, Nature and this museum encompasses all contrasting architectural genius with art in the beautiful valley surrounded by trees.
Our Museum SAN ticket will allow us to explore, enjoy and contemplate at our own pace.
We will lunch independently at one of the two Museum cafes.

Our coach will return us to Seoul in the late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6 – October 31
National Treasures & Studio Visit

This is a day all about the beauty, subtlety and imperfect perfection of the Moon Jar. The morning begins at the National Museum of Korea, where we interact with the timeless beauty of Korea’s traditional moon jars.
Leaving the Museum, we travel to the outskirts of Seoul and the studio of Byung Sik Moon, a modern master of the moon jar form. This intimate studio experience and demonstration will be a highlight for lovers of ceramics.

On our way to Mr Moon’s studio, we will stop at the Seoul Meeting Square Rest Area for an independent lunch, and possibly some shopping. Angela will guide us through menus and ordering. Rest Areas in Korea are not what they are in Australia!

(Image from Wiki)

This is a day all about the beauty, subtlety and imperfect perfection of the Moon Jar. The morning begins at the National Museum of Korea, where we interact with the timeless beauty of Korea’s traditional moon jars.
Leaving the Museum, we travel to the outskirts of Seoul and the studio of Byung Sik Moon, a modern master of the moon jar form. This intimate studio experience and demonstration will be a highlight for lovers of ceramics.

On our way to Mr Moon’s studio, we will stop at the Seoul Meeting Square Rest Area for an independent lunch, and possibly some shopping. Angela will guide us through menus and ordering. Rest Areas in Korea are not what they are in Australia!

Meals: Breakfast  –  terms and conditions apply.

Day 7 – November 1
Temples & Beauty

Today Angela will escort us by coach to the Seoul Museum of Craft, exploring Korea’s remarkable design heritage. The Museum displays its permanent collection of heritage craft as well as hosting changing exhibitions of contemporary designs.

From the Museum, we walk to the Jogyesa Temple, Seoul’s oldest Buddhist Temple, enjoy its architecture, its two 500 year old trees and listen for the chanting of monks above the din of the surrounding busy streets.

We are now in the Insadong neighbourhood, known for its ‘arty’ ambience, its craft, calligraphy, ceramic and pottery galleries, handmade paper and stationery shops, and restaurants. Angela will guide us to places for lunch.

After lunch, our coach will return to the hotel. Anyone wishing to further explore the delights of Insadong can taxi back later.

This evening we celebrate our “Creative Voyage Korea” at a special restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 – Monday November 2
Forest Walk & Farewell

On our final day, we’ll begin with a walking excursion and explore nearby shops. Shannon has an optional activity of perfume workshop, make your own signature scent. This is said to be a very beautiful, relaxing activity. There is a video lesson in English and we can all sit and relax and chat as we are doing it. It is around $55 per person.

For more information, see this website.

Meals: Breakfast

Departure: Our coach leaves from the lobby between 3.30-4pm to transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Flight details: t.b.a.

DAY 9 Tuesday 3 November 2026
Arrive Sydney 08.20am

Flight time – 10H 20M

Click here for brochure.
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(Updated 4 September, 2026)