Sharing a recap of what we did in Seoul, the place we stayed, and my ideas on the entire expertise. The nutshell model: I CAN’T WAIT to return.
Hello buddies! How are you? I hope you had an incredible weekend! We simply caught up with home stuff right here, lastly recovered from jet lag (I used to be barely jet lagged once we bought there, however ended up using the wrestle bus once we got here residence), and met up with some buddies.
I’m so excited to share some recap posts on our journeys with you!
Right here’s a listing of what I’ve deliberate in order that once they go stay, I can add the hyperlinks to this submit.
Seoul recap, what we did and what we ate (this submit)
Tokyo and Kyoto itinerary and ideas for journey
What we ate in Japan
My Korean Head Spa expertise
Seoul recap, what we did, and what we ate
Earlier than I get began, I needed to start with an apology.
To my buddies in South Korea and Japan, I used to be ignorant, and now I do know. I had NO CLUE how a lot I’d been lacking out. The ladies picked the areas for this journey, and I figured it will be one thing that I loved, but it surely wasn’t my first alternative for a trip. (I’d be pleased repeating least 12 months’s 5+ weeks in Spain journey.) I didn’t count on to fall in love with these locations, however I completely did. This journey completely modified my life. I’ll share extra in my Japan submit, however these locations didn’t really feel like completely different international locations… they felt like completely different worlds.
The individuals in Seoul have been SO type and wonderful. The meals was unimaginable. It felt so very secure, and there was a lot to do. We might have doubled our time there and been pleased. The humorous factor is that we had the chance to be stationed in Korea a number of instances throughout Tom’s navy profession. All of our buddies who lived there beloved it, and now I perceive why.
We flew from Phoenix to San Francisco, after which direct from SFO to Seoul. The flight was lengthy – about 12 1/2 hours – however I managed to nap on and off (the women stayed wakeful the entire time) and we landed at about 3pm. I believe that is the proper time to land in a brand new nation as a result of your resort room is prepared, so in case you’re completely wrecked and wish a nap, you possibly can. You don’t need to wander round and wait till your room is prepared.
We knew that it will be a low-key day, so we checked into the resort and got down to discover. We stayed on the RYSE Autograph Assortment resort and I might 100% suggest it for the wonderful location, facilities, and eating choices. (I booked every little thing utilizing our Amex platinum. My referral hyperlink is right here!)
It was surrounded by nice eating places and retailers, and simple to get round.
I didn’t take a pic however the toilet had an infinite waterfall bathe with nice water strain.
We have been shocked to see whole streets crammed with little kiosks and cute retailers only a block away from the resort.
We explored and met our new skincare bestie at TONYMOLY and P was exhausted, to we went again to the resort whereas Tom and Liv grabbed dinner. All of us slept via the evening and have been totally set the following day!
We did rather a lot whereas we have been in Seoul, however listed here are a number of the highlights.
Lotte World
Lotte World is a gigantic indoor and outside theme park. Liv recommended this one – she added her concepts to our journey planning spreadsheet – and we had a blast. We joked that it was like a speakeasy. It’s many ranges and fairly a couple of points of interest appear to be hidden, however there was a lot to do. It additionally blew my thoughts that bought 4 tickets with 3 skip the road passes for every of us and the overall was $200. (I used Journey.com to e-book.)
I didn’t take a pic of the surface however image a fortress, numerous curler coasters, a drop journey, and many retailers and meals stands.
We did all the greatest rides – they’ve a mixture of rides for youthful kiddos and extra thrilling rides and coasters for older children and adults – and spent the complete day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; positively one in all my high theme park rides.
Baseball recreation and Korean BBQ
We spent a complete day procuring and exploring, and that night, we went on a tour with an English talking information to Korean BBQ
and a Dusan Bears baseball recreation.
Baseball is HUGE in Seoul and a real cultural expertise. Every hitter has their very own chant and cheer, and the complete area is dancing and cheering. The baseball meals is subsequent degree, too. They offered beers with an the wrong way up baseball cap that was crammed with shrimp – it appeared SO good- along with tteokbokki, cheese and meat skewers, tons of actual meals choices. You may as well herald your individual meals and drinks; so completely different from the States the place they power to you go inside to purchase $8 bottles of water.
Head spa and petting zoo
The pinnacle spa might be receiving its personal submit, but it surely was a spotlight of the journey! Whereas I used to be having among the best spa experiences of my life, the Pilot and the kiddos went to a petting zoo the place they have been capable of maintain raccoons and pet meerkats.
Residing the dream:
Procuring at Olive Younger
In case you go to Seoul, procuring at Olive Younger is a should. You’ll be able to fill up on all the greatest Ok magnificence merchandise at superb costs. It’s like an infinite Sephora with rows of skincare and cosmetics… all one of the best stuff. I used to be fearful we wouldn’t discover an Olive Younger or it will be onerous to get to, however they’re all over the place. We had three areas proper by our resort.
Gluten-free eating in Seoul
On this journey, I attempted my greatest to eat gluten-free as intently as attainable, however understood that it may be very tough – not every little thing is labeled – and accepted that there can be some wheat in sauces and condiments. Additionally as a result of I don’t communicate the language, I didn’t wish to be tough to attempt to modify the meals.
I’ve been strict gluten-free for 3 years for the autoimmune stuff and it’s made an incredible distinction for me, and P has been gluten-free for the previous 12 months. (She was pink on her IgG take a look at and he or she used to have unhealthy abdomen ache and joint ache, which has resolved since we reduce it out.) I informed her we’d simply do our greatest as a result of fortunately we’re not allergic to gluten, however we’d in all probability have some in sauces, and so forth.
We have been capable of eat at two 100% gluten-free eating places in Seoul: Sunnyhouse and Monli2. Each have been A+ experiences.. higher than any of the gluten-free choices I’ve had in Tucson.
Sunnyhouse gluten-free restaurant in Seoul, Korea
Sunnyhouse has breakfast all day, sandwiches, platters and desserts. It’s type of a hidden location however is extraordinarily cute inside.
P had a fluffy nutella waffle, a grilled cheese,
and I had the Mediterranean plate. I might eat this on daily basis. The bread was SO mushy and fluffy. Why do US eating places have such a tough time making good gluten-free bread???
Monli2 gluten-free restaurant in Seoul, Korea
Monli2 has CHURROS, pizza, sandwiches, and baked goodies. I ordered a pesto pizza and it significantly among the best gf pizzas I’ve had in my life (#1 is Italy, #2 is that this one, and #3 is NYC).
I knew that I might eat completely different meals whereas we have been in Korea and Japan and the complete time we have been gone, I felt superb. My vitality was nice, I didn’t get a abdomen ache from something, and the meals have been all so extremely contemporary and scrumptious.
Our resort had an enormous breakfast buffet every day and you would get American breakfast staples (like fruits, pastries, eggs, potatoes, bacon and juice) in addition to custom Korean gadgets, like kimchi, beef bulgogi, fried rice, pickled veggies, and so forth.
Suggestions for visiting and issues we observed:
– Undoubtedly be taught a handful of phrases however Google translate is usually a useful gizmo. I used to be shocked to seek out that fairly a couple of individuals spoke English, and when ordering at kiosks, it’s simple to change the language to English. The ladies know so many Korean phrases in order that they have been capable of assist us out.
– The bus and subways are very clear and environment friendly, however we ended up utilizing Uber to get round. It was far inexpensive to get round than it’s within the states. We appreciated Uber as an alternative of conventional taxis as a result of you possibly can enter the placement – no language obstacles this manner – and you may see the precise fare.
You may as well get a Local weather Card or T Cash card for limitless passes for transportation in case you resolve to make use of public transport.
– Carry a bit trash bag with you. Public trash cans will not be all over the place, so you’ll have to hold trash with you till you will discover a trash can. Don’t assume that each one trash cans are public; it could be owned by a retailer.
– Don’t stroll and eat. It’s unhealthy manners, so in case you get a meal or snack, simply cease and revel in it earlier than persevering with on. I price like it is a higher method to eat anyway! In case your nervous system is calm, you’ll have a greater time digesting your meals.
– Google maps doesn’t work. We used Naver as an alternative to get round. Google transit points earlier than utilizing Naver for public transportation. You need to get these on public alerts when you’re there, but it surely’s good to confirm earlier than hopping on public transit.
– Tipping will not be a factor in Seoul, however you possibly can add compliments in Uber.
– Name your telephone supplier earlier than leaving to arrange a world plan. We often do that earlier than we journey in order that we are able to have voice and knowledge. We use AT&T and it mechanically prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a special nation they usually provide offers; Liv’s telephone was half off whereas we have been there.
– Korean Air! That is what we used to get to Tokyo, and it was an elite expertise. Ticket costs have been very cheap,
– Take your footwear off in your resort room. Normally they’ll have little slides by the door that you may put on.
– Depart your shampoo and conditioner at residence. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of you will see that higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the resort might be superb high quality.
– Korea makes use of European shops. I’ve had these converters for years and introduced them on this journey. They work for laptops and telephones however don’t plug your hair dryer or styling device into these! The very best wager is to purchase a hair device there, go to move spa or get a blow out someplace (!), or let it air dry and do some sock curls.
– You’ll be able to’t convey CBD to Korea. I’m glad I researched this beforehand and left my beloved gummies at residence. I introduced melatonin however didn’t find yourself needing it. There are additionally some drugs which are prescribed right here that aren’t allowed in Korea, so test the rules earlier than you go.
In case you’re headed to Seoul anytime quickly, you’re in for a deal with 🙂 I’m right here if I might help with any questions and I’ll be again with my head spa recap tomorrow!
xo
Gina