Travel & Sketch Korea with Jackie

Join me for a 7-day sketching retreat through Seoul, Gangneung, and Busan, capturing Korea’s beauty in royal palaces, seaside temples, and vibrant cityscapes. You’ll enjoy group workshops, casual drawing sessions, 1:1 creative mentorship, and connect with a new group of creative friends.

OVERVIEW

Discover the heart of Korea through art!

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A Fun Itinerary

MAY 10 - 16, 2026

Goodmate Travel crafted this itinerary with Jackie (@jackiedroujko), focusing on meaningful encounters and immersive local experiences. You’ll visit a working artist’s studio, join a hands-on workshop led by Jackie, and stay overnight at a peaceful mountain temple. From hidden neighborhoods to coastal views, we’ll guide you through the paths less traveled and offer a true taste of Korea’s creative and cultural soul.

Expert Hosts

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Our team is a dynamic blend of top-rated tour guides, creative travel planners, and awesome creators like Jackie, all united by a passion for crafting meaningful, immersive journeys through Korea. Each trip is thoughtfully designed to feel like a beautiful sketchbook coming to life: filled with art, culture, and connection. We take care of the details so you can focus on soaking up inspiration. You’ll be well fed with delicious Korean meals and local specialties, and you’ll sleep soundly in cozy hotels (and peaceful temple) along the way.

Like-minded People

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Travel solo but never feel alone. This journey is for creatives, quiet observers, curious minds, and open hearts. Jackie’s community brings together artists and art-lovers from all over the world, many traveling solo for the first time. Whether you're an introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in between, your perspective is valued here. Everyone brings something unique to the sketchbook, and together we create something meaningful.

This isn’t just a tour. It’s a supportive and inspiring creative circle. You’ll laugh, reflect, and grow alongside like-minded people who see the world a little more thoughtfully, just like you.

Trip Highlights

Must-do experiences await, ready to be ticked off your bucket list!

Itinerary

  • Welcome to Korea! After settling into your hotel in the heart of Seoul, we’ll ease into the week with a cozy welcome dinner. Get to know Jackie & your fellow travelers over local comfort food, laughter, and lighthearted drawing games to get those creative juices flowing. It's a warm, low-pressure way to start sketching and spark inspiration for the days ahead. Plus, you’ll receive a special surprise gift from Jackie to take you through your week.

    Meals included: Dinner

  • Slip into a hanbok and stroll through the grand Gyeongbokgung Palace, where history and elegance come alive. It's the perfect setting for sketching figures and architecture. In the afternoon, we’ll visit a local artist’s studio for a hands-on drawing workshop by Jackie. As the sun sets, we’ll head to Gwangjang Market for a lively food tour filled with sizzling street eats, vibrant colors, and plenty of inspiration.

    Meals included: Lunch & Dinner

  • We’ll travel east to Korea’s quieter side, where mountains and sea meet. Our first stop is Museum SAN, where architecture, nature, and art come together. You’ll have time for outdoor sketching and your first round of casual 1:1 mentorships with Jackie. Later, enjoy the breeze on a scenic rail bike ride. Fresh air, fresh lines, and a fresh perspective.

    Meals included: Dinner

  • In Busan, we’ll explore the colorful hillside of Gamcheon Culture Village. It's a visual feast of winding alleys, pastel houses, and mosaic walls. In the afternoon, we’ll relax by Gwangalli Beach for a seaside sketch session. You’ll also continue your 1:1 mentorship sessions with the sound of waves in the background.

    Meals included: Dinner

  • We’ll spend the night at a beautiful Buddhist Temple, a peaceful retreat in the mountains. Experience a quiet tea ceremony, meditation with a resident monk, and reflective sketching in nature. This is a chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with your creativity.

    Meals included: Dinner

  • Our final full day is all about play and celebration. We’ll wander through Ikseon-dong and Hongdae, sketch at a local café, and come together for a relaxed feedback session. In the evening, we’ll share a Korean BBQ feast, sing our hearts out at karaoke, and toast to the week we created together.

    Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

  • Spend your morning however you like. Take one last stroll, grab a final coffee, and flip through your sketchbook one more time. Check out at your own pace. We hope you leave with new friends, a full heart, and plenty of inspiration to keep drawing long after you return home.

Who This Trip Is For

From the vibrant streets of Seoul to the coastal calm of Busan, this trip is for anyone who wants to slow down and truly see Korea through sketching. We’ll draw hanbok-clad figures at ancient palaces, wander through lively markets and quiet alleyways, and capture seaside temples and ocean views in Gangneung and Busan. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just getting back into sketching, you’ll find inspiration, guidance, and community in every moment. Let’s create something beautiful together! 👩🏻‍🎨🎨

Meet Your Hosts

Jackie Droujko

Hi! I’m Jackie, an illustrator, educator, and fellow artist on this journey through Korea. I’ve led sketching retreats around the world, and I’m so excited to explore Korea with you. We’ll draw palace courtyards, street scenes, and ocean views. I’ll be there to support your creative growth with feedback, encouragement, and 1:1 mentorship. Whether you’re just getting back into sketching, or have been drawing for years, you’re in the right place!

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Goodmate Travel Crew

Goodmate Travel, a Korean local-based company, ensures that every trip is tailored to the group, providing a unique and unforgettable experience in South Korea. Our hosts are specialists in their fields, dedicated to customizing each journey to meet your needs. Throughout your trip, you will be accompanied by a primary Goodmate Travel host, with guest local hosts joining at various stops to enrich your experience with their local expertise.

What’s Included

Welcome Dinner & Drawing Game Night
Gyeongbokgung Palace Guided Tour
Traditional Hanbok Fitting Experience
Local Artist Studio Visit
Drawing Workshop by Jackie
Gwangjang Night Market Food Tour
Museum SAN Entrance
Scenic Rail Bike Ride
1:1 Creative Mentorships with Jackie
Night Stroll on Gwangalli Beach
Busan Gamcheon Culture Village
1 Night at the Buddhist Temple
Ikseon-dong & Hongdae Exploration
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Cafe Sketching + Group Feedback Session
Farewell Korean BBQ & Karaoke Night
All Transport between Destinations
And So Much More…😉

Accommodation
Hotel Accommodation for 5 nights
Buddhist Temple for 1 night

Meals & Transportation
1 Breakfast meal
1 Lunch meal
6 Dinner
Private Bus, KTX, Subway, Taxi

What's Not included

❌ International flights
❌ Meals not listed in the daily itinerary
❌ Hotel breakfast
❌ Additional activities you might want to do during your free time
❌ Individual orders at cafes, bars, or other informal gatherings

F.A.Q

  • That’s the essence of GoodMate Travel: a multitude of our travelers join our journeys because they are embarking on solo adventures and seek to connect and share experiences with fellow like-minded individuals hailing from various corners of the globe.

  • Our tours offer a Small Group Experience, typically with an average of 16 participants and a maximum of 24.

  • During our trips, rooms are typically allocated on a twin-share basis. For solo travelers, we match them with another traveler of the same gender, as indicated by the gender marker on their application form. However, if you prefer your own private space, the option to reserve an individual room is also available on most of our trips.

  • You have the option to make a one-time payment or take advantage of our deposit and final payment plan. To secure your reservation, a 20% deposit is required. The remaining 80% of the tour cost must be paid in full no later than 90 days before the tour’s start date.

  • For cancellations made 60 days before the trip, you will receive a refund, minus a non-refundable 10% deposit. If you cancel between 15 and 59 days before the trip, we will refund 50% of the total trip cost. For cancellations made 8 to 14 days before the trip, you will receive a 30% refund. Unfortunately, no refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 7 days of the trip.

    *Bookings made within 24 hours are eligible for a full refund, with a 3% deduction from the paid amount for credit card processing fees.

  • We will make every effort to accommodate your dietary requirements to the best of our abilities. However, in certain remote locations, it may be challenging to provide specific guarantees. If there are places on your itinerary where this may pose a challenge, we will notify you in advance. To ensure we can meet your needs, please inform us of any dietary requirements or allergies at the time of booking.

  • Traveling with Goodmate Travel requires you to have comprehensive insurance covering cancellation, personal injury, death, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, evacuation expenses, personal liability, loss of personal property, and COVID-related expenses before embarking on your journey. It’s crucial to ensure that your insurance also extends to all the activities you plan to enjoy, especially if you’re an adrenaline enthusiast indulging in adventure activities. Your safety and peace of mind are our top priorities.

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Start Your Adventure Here

Travel & Sketch
Korea with Jackie

from $3,450

7 DAY, 6 NIGHTS
MAY 10 - 16, 2026
SEOUL, GANGNEUNG, BUSAN

or

Contact Us

cs@goodmatetravel.com

We usually respond within 24 hours