For the previous six years, my husband and I’ve been dwelling in New York City, the place I’m an editor at Condé Nast Traveler and Henry runs a travel-focused YouTube channel referred to as @Resilentos. We bought married in Henry’s native Peru, and when it got here to planning our honeymoon, we rapidly selected two weeks cut up between South Korea and Japan. Both had been international locations we had lengthy talked about visiting, because of their alluring mix of historical appeal and the hypermodern, however we saved ready for “the right time.” Japan is already a preferred honeymoon destination for Americans proper now—after just a few nights of unwinding at a ryokan collectively, I can see why—however my take? Everyone ought to go to South Korea, the place we spent three nights in Seoul, two in Busan, and two on Jeju Island. Rather than have quiet conversations over candlelit dinners, we laughed over scorching tabletop barbecue and clinked soju cups with strangers. Historic palaces and hanok villages had been our quiet retreats, and we channeled that splurgy honeymoon mentality into Ok-fashion purchasing days and Olive Young skin-care runs. Like a great banchan unfold, of which we loved many, it supplied somewhat little bit of every part. Here are my suggestions for a full of life week throughout South Korea.
Omar and Teresa
Where we stayed
Our base in Seoul was younger and worldwide Hongdae, and we cherished spending a day in close by Mangwon, snacking in the market, then sipping beer and taking part in playing cards in a store referred to as Mediums, the place well-selected vinyl was at all times spinning. At night time we labored our method via Euljiro’s tucked-away bars and smoky barbecue joints (Sancheong Charcoal Garden for black pork was a favourite).
What we ate
We ate something and every part that did not require a reservation. Our common travels are normally overscheduled, so it was releasing to unleash ourselves on a few of Asia’s greatest markets and consuming streets, making an attempt issues like hotteok (candy pancakes) as we discovered them. In Busan we cherished the hall between Jagalchi and Bupyeong Kkangtong Market, the place the distributors promote and cook dinner contemporary seafood of your selecting.
Where we explored
In Seongsan, one in all Jeju’s japanese villages anchored by its in style volcano, we stayed in an Airbnb referred to as Seongsan Gakok, the place the mattress supplied an ideal view of the well-known peak, referred to as Seongsan Ilchulbong. I recommend driving 10 minutes to the bottom, the place you possibly can watch the haenyeo (ladies divers) slipping into the ocean, then take the hike to the highest.
How we spent our mornings
Waking up early and occurring a run in every vacation spot supplied a pleasant second of calm earlier than the fixed stimulation of touristing. In Jeju that meant foggy mornings working via canola flower fields and previous squids drying on a line. In Busan our run took us via the perimeter of Jagalchi’s fish market and over a bridge with ocean views.
This article appeared in the March 2026 problem of Condé Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the journal here.