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South Korea

From Seoul nights to temple mornings – say annyeong to adventure


K culture, history and everyone’s favourite street food

Since Psy bounced onto our screens with Gangnam Style, the world’s been hooked on Korean culture. From K-dramas and K-pop to K-beauty and street eats, we’re officially obsessed. But a trip to South Korea offers all of that plus centuries of rich tradition and deep history – it’s the best of both worlds.

Wander the buzzing streets of Seoul, where high-tech towers hide hanok villages and secret teahouses. Shop everything from designer labels to quirky underground finds. Head south to Busan for sun-soaked beaches, street markets and seaside museums. Or hop on a slow train through the countryside and discover peaceful temples, UNESCO-listed villages and fields of cherry blossoms in spring.

And then there’s the food. From sizzling bulgogi and pillowy mandu dumplings to sweet-hot tteokbokki and crispy Korean fried chicken, good food – and good times – are never far away.

Chat to our South Korea travel specialists and plan your perfect K-adventure today.

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Flight time

The flight from Auckland to South Korea takes roughly 12 hours nonstop. It's not short but once you get your K-culture fix you'll forget all about it.

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Best time to go

The best time to visit South Korea is from March to May, when mild weather, cherry blossoms, and colourful festivals fill the Land. September to November is also pretty great.

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Time difference

South Korea is 3-4 hours behind New Zealand depending on Daylight Saving here. You won't take long to adjust.

Meet our Asia specialists

Sarah Martelli

Sarah Martelli

House of Travel Rotorua

Lovely to meet you! My love for travel began early—at 19, I left New Zealand with a one-way ticket to London to start my OE, and I’ve never looked back. I spent eight years living overseas, including four incredible years in London, where I explored Europe extensively. (Barcelona still has my heart!)

I began my travel career in Melbourne in 2004, and I knew I’d found my dream job. Even now, I still smile every day coming to work—I truly LOVE what I do.

Helping clients plan their adventures brings me so much joy. I specialise in point-to-point Europe itineraries, and I’m especially passionate about tours and cruising. Whether it’s your first trip or your tenth, I’m here to make your journey smooth, exciting, and unforgettable from start to finish.

I’m known for being friendly, bubbly, and a great listener. I’ll take the time to understand your needs and offer thoughtful advice and suggestions to make your trip the best it can be.

Now based on a dairy farm in Reporoa with my husband and our three young children, I understand the #mumlife juggle—and the importance of taking time out for a well-earned holiday! Having travelled to over 40 countries, I can’t wait to share my experience with you.


Sarah

Leonie Paul

Leonie Paul

House of Travel Merivale

With nearly two decades at House of Travel, I’m always dreaming of the next adventure. The more I explore, the longer my bucket list grows! The thrill of planning a new journey and learning from each experience excites me.

Discussing travel daily is my passion, I love helping clients realize their travel dreams and living vicariously through their experiences.

Getting to know my clients and understanding what matters most to them is something I truly enjoy. This insight allows me to craft itineraries that are as unique and special as the travelers themselves.

There's nothing more satisfying than a client returning with tales of their adventures. I love hearing their stories, as each journey is different—there's no one-size-fits-all approach to travel.

For me, travel offers the opportunity to learn more about the world around us. With every journey, I find new perspectives, cultures, and places to love.

Travel isn’t just about the places we visit—it's about the growth we experience along the way.

Leonie

Rachel Molloy

Rachel Molloy

House of Travel Calder & Lawson

Having been in the travel industry for 14 years, it's safe to say travel is my biggest passion. I love turning up somewhere not knowing what to expect and being delighted by both the differences in culture, cuisine and customs. Part way through my career I took a year off and spent this travelling extensively through central America, Asia and Europe. I'm now fortunate enough to be able to pass on the knowledge I've gained over the years and work with my clients to bring their travel dreams to fruition. 

Rachel

Petra Otte

Petra Otte

House of Travel Wellington City

Having spent 40+ years, 30 owning my own HOT outlet here in the heart of Wellington, in this exciting and ever changing industry you could say that extraordinary resilience is at the top of my skite sheet given the many and varying challenges that have faced travellers over the years.

My clients and colleagues describe me as a passionate people person, who endeavours to get the best out of a traveller's investment.

It is important for me to be inclusive of everyone within a travelling party, to hear the voice of each traveller, and ensure everyone's wishes are met.

Having been to all continents bar Antarctica which is high on my list, I have also travelled in all styles from budget overland backpacking to luxury cruises which allows me to relate to all clients and work with you for what is best for you. 

Petra

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