Korea Art Retreat with Sara
Join me for a 7-day art retreat through Seoul, Jecheon and Busan, blending creativity, culture, and nature. We’ll sketch in palaces, visit local artists, explore markets and beaches, and end with a special sketchbook reveal. Come create, connect, and find inspiration in Korea!
OVERVIEWDiscover the heart of Korea through art!
An Authentic Itinerary
APR 4 - 10, 2027Designed by Goodmate Travel and artist Sara Tepes (@sarucatepes), this 7-day retreat invites you to see Korea through an artist’s eyes. You’ll sketch in royal courtyards, stroll through artisan alleys, and in nature. With every workshop and shared meal, you’ll connect with local culture, fellow creatives, and your own artistic spark — discovering inspiration in every corner of Seoul, Jecheon and Busan.
Itinerary
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Welcome to Korea! After settling into your hotel in the heart of Seoul, we’ll ease into the week with a cozy welcome orientation. Get to know Sara & your fellow travelers over local comfort food, laughter.
Meals included: Dinner
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Step back in time as you explore Korea's royal heritage dressed in a traditional hanbok at Gyeongbokgung Palace. Wander through the palace grounds before enjoying free time to explore at your own pace. Later, join a local artist for a workshop designed to inspire your creative journey, followed by our first group workshop. As the evening comes alive, discover the vibrant atmosphere and flavors of Gwangjang Market on a guided food tour, experiencing one of Seoul's most iconic culinary destinations.
Meals Included: Dinner
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Enjoy a relaxed morning before leaving the city behind for a peaceful temple nestled in the mountains. Before immersing yourself in temple life, we'll gather for our second workshop, giving you time to develop your creative practice in a calm and inspiring setting. Surrounded by nature, you'll then experience traditional temple activities, enjoy a simple vegetarian dinner, and end the day with an evening meditation ceremony. This unique overnight stay offers a chance to disconnect from the busy world, reflect, and find fresh inspiration in stillness.
Meals Included: Dinner
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Wake up to the tranquil atmosphere of the temple, with the option to participate in early morning chanting before breakfast. After checking out, we'll begin our scenic journey east, stopping at the world-renowned Museum SAN, where architecture, nature, and contemporary art blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. By evening, we'll arrive in Jecheon, where you'll have time to unwind by the lakeside or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings before a relaxing evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
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Today we travel south to Korea's vibrant coastal city of Busan. After lunch along the way, we'll wander through the colorful streets of Gamcheon Culture Village, capturing its unique charm through sketching. In the afternoon, we'll continue with Workshop 3, building on everything you've learned throughout the retreat. The day concludes with a fun Korean cooking class, where you'll prepare and enjoy dinner together before settling into our hotel.
Meals Included: Dinner
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Start the morning at the breathtaking Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, perched dramatically along the coastline before the crowds arrive. Spend the afternoon exploring Gwangalli Beach at your own pace, whether relaxing at a café, shopping, or enjoying the ocean views. We'll then gather for our final sketchbook reveal, celebrating each person's creative journey and sharing the stories behind our work. The retreat ends with a memorable farewell dinner and karaoke night—one last celebration of the friendships and experiences we've created together.
Meals Included: Dinner
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It's time to say goodbye. Guests may return to Seoul via KTX or choose to conclude their journey in Busan and continue exploring independently. Whether you're heading home or continuing your travels, you'll leave with new friendships, lasting memories, and a sketchbook filled with moments that tell the story of your week in Korea.
Trip Highlights
Must-do experiences await, ready to be ticked off your bucket list!
What’s Included
Activities
✔ Welcome Orientation
✔ Gyeongbokgung Palace Guided Tour
✔ Traditional Hanbok Fitting Experience
✔ Local Artist Studio Visit
✔ Workshops by Sara
✔ Gwangjang Night Market Food Tour
✔ Temple Stay Experience
✔ Museum SAN Visit
✔ Gamcheon Culture Village Visit
✔ Korean Cooking Class
✔ Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Visit
✔ Gwanganli Beach
✔ Final Sketchbook Reveal & Feedback Session
✔ K-BBQ Experience
✔ Final Karaoke Session
✔ Lots of Sketch Time!
✔ All Transport between Destinations
✔ And So Much More…😉
Accommodation
✔ 2 nights hotel stay in Seoul
✔ 1 night temple stay in Seoul
✔ 1 night hotel stay in Jecheon
✔ 2 nights hotel stay in Busan
Meals & Transportation
✔ 1 Breakfast
✔ 1 Lunch
✔ 5 Dinners
✔ Private Bus, KTX, Public Transport
What's Not included
❌ International flights
❌ Meals not listed in the daily itinerary
❌ Hotel breakfast
❌ Activities that are not listed above in “What’s included”
❌ Individual orders at cafes, bars, or other informal gatherings
Meet Your Hosts
Sara Tepes
Hi! I’m Sara, an artist, author, and lifelong creative joining you on this art-filled journey through Korea. I’ve been sharing my work online since I was 15, and after a decade of developing my own style, I’m thrilled to explore Seoul, Jecheon and Busan with you. Together, we’ll sketch palaces, beaches, and city streets, learn new techniques, and celebrate creativity in every form. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, I’ll be there to inspire, guide, and cheer you on every step of the way.
Why travel with us?
Goodmate Travel Crew
Your journey is led by a dedicated Goodmate host from start to finish, with local hosts joining along the way to open doors you wouldn’t find on your own. Every trip is designed around the group so it flows naturally and feels personal.
Who This Trip Is For
This trip is for anyone who wants to slow down, reconnect with their creativity, and see the world through softer eyes. Together we’ll wander through Seoul’s palaces and Busan’s vibrant coasts, sketching the colors, stories, and tiny beautiful details we might otherwise miss.
You don’t have to be an expert. Just bring curiosity, a love for art, and an open heart. Whether you’re returning to your sketchbook or discovering it for the first time, this journey is about creating, sharing, and finding beauty in the moment. Let’s make something magical together. 💛👩🏻🎨🎨
Start Your Adventure Here
Korea Art Retreat
with Sara Tepes
from $3,550
7 DAY, 6 NIGHTS
APR 4 - 10, 2027
SEOUL, JecHEON & BUSANor
Contact Us
cs@goodmatetravel.com
We usually respond within 24 hours
What Our Travelers Say
“I cannot recommend Goodmate Travel enough! This trip was a life changing experience! First time ever traveling solo with a group of people I had never met. What an amazing experience. We had so much fun together, saw so many beautiful places. Ate a lot of delicious food.
If you want to get a first impression of South Korea, like I wanted to. This is seriously the trip for you. Small group, fun and caring tourguides and amazing itinerary.
I cannot recommend Goodmate Travel enough. I actually booked my second trip with them 3 weeks after I came back!”
—Sanne. B
More Reviews From Our Travelers
F.A.Q
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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.
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Our tours offer a Small Group Experience, typically with an average of 16 participants and a maximum of 24.
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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. If you’re traveling with a friend or partner, you’re welcome to request to share a room together — just let us know in the notes section when booking.
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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 10% deposit is required. The remaining 90% of the tour cost must be paid in full no later than 60 days before the tour’s start date.
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International flights are not included. Guests are asked to book their own flights and arrive at the designated meeting point in Seoul. We’ll share the exact meeting location along with clear instructions on how to get there from the airport.
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For cancellations made 60 days before the trip, you will receive a refund minus the non-refundable deposit, which is 10% of the total trip cost.
If you cancel between 30 and 59 days before the trip, we will refund 50% of the total trip cost.
If you cancel between 15 and 29 days before the trip, we will refund 30% of the total trip cost.
Unfortunately, no refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 14 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.
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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.
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Traveling with Goodmate Travel requires you to have comprehensive insurance covering cancellation, personal injury, death, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, evacuation expenses, personal liability, and loss of personal property 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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Airport pickup and drop-off are not included. That said, getting into the city is simple and affordable using the airport limousine bus or the AREX train. Closer to the trip, we’ll provide step-by-step guidance so you can arrive smoothly and confidently.
We’re here for you
Yeri, Guest Success Director
Contact
hello@goodmatetravel.com
Address
1006, 85, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03190, South Korea
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