Julie is the partner of one of my husband’s oldest friends, and Jess is her wonderful daughter. As fellow Orlando enthusiasts, I’ve had the pleasure of booking their holidays since I helped rescue their Florida trip after the Thomas Cook collapse.
Organising this incredible adventure to South Korea for them was a privilege, and I couldn’t wait to ask Jess about their unforgettable experience…
What made you want to visit South Korea?
I started learning Korean during lockdown and wanted to experience the culture firsthand while practicing the language. My enthusiasm rubbed off on Mum, and she was keen to join me!
How were your flights, especially flying from Southampton?
The flights were fine, and Southampton was super convenient, though we arrived much earlier than needed. Check-in was quick, and we opted to have our bags checked straight through to Seoul, making the connection in Amsterdam hassle-free. Returning from Korea was a bit trickier, with everything in Korean, but we figured out the self-check-in after the first try!
Was your pre-booked transfer smooth on arrival?
Although our flight was delayed, the transfer driver waited and stayed in touch via WhatsApp, even sending a photo of where to meet. He carried Mum’s bags, as Koreans have a deep respect for elders - though Mum wasn’t too thrilled about that, haha!
What were your first impressions of South Korea?
It exceeded our expectations! We arrived during cherry blossom season, which made it even more magical. Seoul is a beautiful blend of modern high-rises and ancient hanok villages - walking from a six-storey mall to a centuries-old village was surreal.
How was your hotel?
The hotel was tricky to find, as it wasn't signposted and was part of another hotel, so it took some time. Once we figured it out, check-in was easy, and the staff were very helpful. The room was small but clean, with daily fresh water and tea/ coffee. The location in Myeongdong was perfect - right near the night market and subway. It felt very safe, and I’d often explore solo when Mum was tired.
How were the excursions I booked for you?
Fantastic! The first tour with Seoul City Tours took us to a palace, hanok village, Seoul Tower and the city’s last remaining Buddhist temple. It was a packed day with a traditional Korean lunch, and our guide was knowledgeable and spoke perfect English.
The second was a night cruise along the Han River during the busy blossom festival, with a plentiful picnic including Korean soju and fun traditional games, including ones played in Squid Game. We wandered around the beautifully lit park before a boat trip where we enjoyed priority access to the balcony and when it got chilly, we were able to go to the lower deck and enjoy the live music.
The third was to Lotte World, Korea’s biggest theme park, where we had a blast and met many adorable kids practicing their English!
All these trips were very good value with everything taken care of – we were very well looked after.
Did you take any additional trips?
Yes! We explored Chongwadae (the Blue House), previously the home of the president, which was a must for Mum after seeing it in Korean dramas.
We also took the tube to K Star Road in Gangnam which has several bear statues decorated with K Pop bands. My niece, Chloe is obsessed with BTS, so we had to ensure we found that one to get a picture.
We explored flea markets, revisited Hangang Park for blossoms, and spent a meaningful day at the Korean War Memorial.
Was it easy to get around?
Public transport was easy to use, with announcements in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese. It was simple to use the ticket machines and the subway was clean and well-organised. Most young people spoke English, and when I tried my Korean, everyone was eager to help!
How was the food?
I struggled a bit as a vegetarian - even at McDonald's - but once I figured out what I could eat, the food was delicious. I was able to explain in Korean that I don’t eat meat, and everyone was very helpful pointing out meatless products. Mum found Western options, and we discovered a chicken shop she loved!
Was South Korea expensive compared to the UK?
It was much cheaper! Everyday items like 2L bottles of Pepsi were less than half the price of those in the UK. I found Chloe lots of official BTS merch at a fraction of the price too, including an exclusive teddy.
Was 10 nights enough?
Not for me - I didn’t want to leave! There’s so much to see, but that just means we’ll have to go back.
What was the highlight of your trip, and would you recommend South Korea?
For me, it was Gongbukyeong Palace, and for Mum, it was the Blue House. We both adored the ancient villages and palaces. I’d absolutely recommend South Korea - even if you don’t speak the language, you’ll have an amazing time. It’s a wonderful country.
How was your booking experience with Amanda Holidays?
The booking process was seamless! You recommended the perfect hotel and tours, and everything ran smoothly from flights to transfers. I loved that you checked in on us while we were there and even helped with a small query. I’ll definitely be booking with you again when I return to Korea!
Thank you for creating such a memorable experience for us.
