Family-friendly trip to South Korea with Steph & Pete

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A discovery-filled 8-day trip that starts in Seoul and takes you around South Korea via Busan and Jeonju.

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OVERVIEW

A Captivating Experience
from Seoul to Busan

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A Fun Itinerary

april 8th to april 15th, 2025

Goodmate Travel meticulously crafted this family-friendly itinerary in collaboration with Steph & Pete (@stephandpete_), prioritizing genuine encounters over luxury and dedicating countless hours to ensure authentic, local experiences that are fun for adults and children alike. During these 8 days, we will guide you through the paths less traveled, offering a true taste of local life.

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Expert Hosts

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Our team is a dynamic blend of top-rated tour guides, creative travel experts, artists, and film directors, all united by a passion for showcasing the best of Korea. Each journey is an artistic composition, offering a rich tapestry of experiences woven together by our knowledgeable and enthusiastic hosts. Join us for a tour that's not just a trip, but a story told by the very best.

A group of smiling people, including a child, stand outdoors in front of a building with signs. They're gathered around a wooden table with plates of food and a bottle of beverage. The background includes a window with 'Bonci' written on it and a sign saying 'Oral-B Braun.' Trees and more people are in the background.

Like-minded People

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Whether you’re traveling solo or as a family, come eager to make new friends! Group travel has its own special charm. Each individual brings their own unique light, and whether you're an introvert or extrovert, everyone's uniqueness makes the trip wonderful. We bring together different individuals, but all are like-minded! With us, you’re not just a tourist; you’re part of a close-knit travel family exploring Korea’s wonders together.

Trip Highlights

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

Itinerary

  • Upon arrival in Seoul, check into your hotel and unwind. The evening kicks off with a welcome party hosted by Steph & Pete and the Goodmate crew. This isn’t just any gathering; it’s a chance to bond over Korean Fried Chicken and refreshing drinks, setting the stage for a trip filled with laughter and new friendships. Feel the vibrancy of Seoul and the excitement of the days ahead.

    Meals included: Dinner
    Accomodation: L7 Myeongdong or similar

  • Start your day at Gyeongbokgung Palace, dressed in elegant hanbok. As you wander through the historic corridors, a professional photographer captures these royal moments. After exploring the palace, enjoy free time in Seoul’s bustling streets. Later, embark on a night market food tour. Led by the renowned Jae, this culinary adventure is a deep dive into the flavors and stories of Korean street food. This is the tour that started it all for Steph and Pete– the beginning of their love affair with Korea.

    Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
    Accomodation: L7 Myeongdong or similar

  • Embark on a luxurious limousine bus journey to Busan, approximately 5 hours in duration. Upon arrival, indulge in a sumptuous Hanshik meal. Check into your ocean-view room, offering breathtaking views of Gwangalli Beach. The highlight of the day is a yacht ride at sunset, revealing the enchanting skyline and bridges of Busan in a golden hue. It’s an experience that perfectly combines relaxation and wonder.

    ‍Meals included: Lunch
    Accomodation: Central Bay Hotel or similar

  • Start your day in Busan at your own pace, choosing between the charming local cafes and serene beach walks. Later, embark on a cultural journey in Yeongdo, where a local guide will unveil the vibrant history and culture of Busan. The evening brings a unique culinary adventure with another of Steph and Pete’s friends who helped them fall in love with Korea: local chef, Heeyoung. Together, you’ll delve into the art of preparing Busan’s renowned seafood dishes, transforming dinner into a memorable, hands-on experience. You’re very observant if you’ve noticed that the food plays a big role in Steph and Pete’s love for Korea, ;)

    Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
    Accomodation: Central Bay Hotel or similar

  • Start the day at the picturesque Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, offering stunning seaside views. Then, Travel for 3 hours to the historic city of Jeonju, renowned for its Hanok Heritage Village. This area features traditional houses, craft shops, and food stalls.Enjoy a bibimbap lunch and check in to your accommodation– a traditional hanok. The afternoon will be at your own pace, with options like making a traditional paper craft, assembling your own choco-pies, or simply strolling the beautiful hanok village. For dinner, we’ll head to Makgeolli Alley for a lively dinner.

    Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
    Accomodation: Jeonju Hanok Taejo Palace Hotel or similar

  • Embark on a captivating tour of Jeonju Hanok Village with an expert local guide. Your adventure starts at the Gyeonggijeon Shrine, a cultural treasure housing the royal portrait museum, where the threads of history and art weave together. After exploring these historic sites, enjoy a traditional Jeollado-style set meal at a local restaurant, offering a taste of regional cuisine. Once you've had your fill, we will make our way to Seoul, a journey of approximately 3 hours. In Seoul, you will have free time to rest in the hotel or explore the city on your own.


    Meals included: Lunch
    Accomodation: L7 Myeongdong or similar

  • Enjoy a 1 hour and 30-minute bus ride to the Garden of Morning Calm, a tranquil haven featuring stunning flowers and beautifully landscaped gardens. After a peaceful morning– as peaceful as possible with children in tow ;) – enjoy a delightful lunch, gearing up for the afternoon’s adventure. Next, we’ll head to Nami Island, a nature lover’s paradise with beautiful trails, galleries, and outdoor art. In the evening, celebrate the memories made with a farewell dinner party and a lively noraebang session.

    Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
    Accomodation: L7 Myeongdong or similar

  • Check out and enjoy some free time in Seoul before your departure. Our goal is to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience, from start to finish. We can’t wait to welcome you to Korea!

Philosophy

A family of three smiling on a boat with a sunset in the background over a large body of water.

This trip is not just about seeing sights; it’s about connecting with new friends, discovering the heart of Korean culture, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. With Steph and Pete’s warm and engaging personality, you’ll feel like you’re exploring Korea with an old friend.

Meet Your Hosts

A family of three wearing traditional Korean hanbok clothing poses in front of a historic building at a Korean palace. The building features traditional architecture with ornate details and a tiled roof.

Steph & Pete

Hello there, it’s Steph and Pete! We fell in love with Korea in 2021 and since then have spent a total of four months traveling all around the country. In fact, it’s the good folks at Goodmate Travel who initially helped us appreciate all that Korea has to offer through their Seoul food tours. :)

We love traveling around the world with our four-year-old son Hays and encouraging others to do the same via sharing our experiences on our YouTube channel and Instagram.

A group of people gathered near Jongno 5-ga subway station in Seoul, South Korea, listening to a person with a backpack speaking.

Goodmate Travel Crew

Goodmate Travel hosts are specialists in their field. We make sure each trip is customized to the group and that everyone enjoys a unique experience when they come to South Korea. You will have one main Goodmate Travel host throughout your trip with guest local hosts at different stops.

What’s Included

✔ Welcome Reception
✔ History Tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace
✔ Hanbok Experience
✔ Night Market Food Tour
✔ Yacht Tour in Busan
✔ History Tour of Busan
✔ Busan Cooking Class
✔ Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Visit
✔ Jeonju History Tour
✔ Nami Island Visit
✔ BBQ Night Party
✔ Noraebang Party
✔ All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
✔ And so much more 😉

Accommodation
✔ Hotel accommodation for 7 nights

Meals, Transportation
✔ 6 lunch meals
✔ 6 dinner meals
✔ Limousine bus, taxi, walking

What's Not included

❌  International flights
❌  Meals not listed in the daily itinerary
❌  Additional activities you might want to do during your free time
❌ Orders at cafes, bars, or other informal gatherings are optional and are not included in the trip cost or covered by the Host

F.A.Q

  • As long as your child is 4 years old by the end of the trip, they're welcome to join!

  • We welcome all sorts of families on this trip! Traveling with children? Great! Want to bring along your mom or dad? Awesome! We’ve made sure activities and experiences on this itinerary appeal to a wide range of participants. But– Steph and Pete’s travel philosophy is making sure the whole family is catered for, including the adults! They believe that you can travel as a family without visiting endless theme-parks or kid-focused restaurants and instead like to encourage families to immerse their kids in authentic experiences from the get go.

  • Our tours offer a Small Group Experience, typically with an average of 16 participants and a maximum of 20.

  • 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 traveling with two adults and a child/children under 12, we offer a triple/quadruple occupancy option so that you can stay together as a family

  • 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. Please be aware that 10% of the trip’s total cost is non-refundable. The remaining 90% 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 the non-refundable deposit, which is 10% of the total trip cost.
    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. Steph and Pete have some recommendations for this that they’d be happy to share.

They loved it!

  • Small group, fun and caring tourguides and amazing itinerary.

    ★★★★★

    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.

  • A tour where you will truly experience Korea like a real Korean.

    ★★★★★

    Joining this tour was the best decision I've ever made. A tour where you will truly experience Korea like a real Korean. You will taste new tastes, make friends from all over the world, learn about history and culture, learn a little Korean and be happy all the time. It was the best way to adapt to a new country. Everything was very well organized. Since this was my first solo trip, I was very nervous, but all the nervousness disappeared immediately at our first meeting.

    I am so thankful to them for this amazing trip. I fully recommend this trip, you won’t regret it. I am pretty sure I will go back again.

    Burcu B.

  • You definitely should experience that

    ★★★★★

    It was an unforgettable experience. I have met amazing people from all around the world. The hosts did their best to make everyone on this trip feel comfortable and entertained. It was like a family time full of new experience, hearty laugh and sincere singing 😄

    We were introduced to history, immersed in traditional food, eating as well as drinking culture, treated to a seaside view and a night yacht ride, entertained with traditional funny games.

    Beautiful landscapes, delicious food and great company made me coming back to Korea after this Real Korea Trip and reuniting with beautiful people I had the honour to meet 🌸

    Barbara G.

Start Your Adventure Here

South Korea with Steph & Pete

from $3,500

8 DAY, 7 NIGHTS
april 8th - 15TH, 2025
SEOUL TO Busan
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Contact Us

cs@goodmatetravel.com

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