Seoul recap, what we did, and what we ate

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 associates! 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 battle bus once we got here dwelling), and met up with some associates.

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 dwell, I can add the hyperlinks to this put up.

Seoul recap, what we did and what we ate (this put up)

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 wished to start with an apology.

To my associates 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 women picked the areas for this journey, and I figured it might be one thing that I loved, nevertheless it wasn’t my first alternative for a trip. (I’d be pleased repeating least yr’s 5+ weeks in Spain journey.) I didn’t anticipate to fall in love with these locations, however I completely did. This journey completely modified my life. I’ll share extra in my Japan put up, however these locations didn’t really feel like completely different international locations… they felt like completely different worlds.

The folks in Seoul had been SO type and wonderful. The meals was unbelievable. It felt so very protected, and there was a lot to do. We may 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 occasions throughout Tom’s navy profession. All of our associates 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 awake the entire time) and we landed at about 3pm. I feel that is the right time to land in a brand new nation as a result of your resort room is prepared, so when you’re completely wrecked and want a nap, you’ll be able to. You don’t should wander round and wait till your room is prepared.

We knew that it might 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 all the pieces utilizing our Amex platinum. My referral link is here!)

It was surrounded by nice eating places and outlets, and simple to get round.

I didn’t take a pic however the rest room had an unlimited waterfall bathe with nice water stress.

We had been shocked to see whole streets crammed with little kiosks and cute outlets 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 had been totally set the following day!

We did rather a lot whereas we had 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 instructed 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 number 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 ebook.)

I didn’t take a pic of the skin however image a citadel, numerous curler coasters, a drop experience, and plenty of outlets 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 youngsters and adults – and spent the whole day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; positively one among my prime theme park rides.

Baseball sport and Korean BBQ

We spent a complete day purchasing and exploring, and that night, we went on a tour with an English talking information to Korean BBQ

and a Dusan Bears baseball sport.

Baseball is HUGE in Seoul and a real cultural expertise. Every hitter has their very own chant and cheer, and the whole area is dancing and cheering. The baseball meals is subsequent stage, too. They offered beers with an the other 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 can too usher in your personal meals and drinks; so completely different from the States the place they pressure to you go inside to purchase $8 bottles of water.

Head spa and petting zoo

The top spa can be receiving its personal put up, nevertheless it was a spotlight of the journey! Whereas I used to be having among the finest spa experiences of my life, the Pilot and the kiddos went to a petting zoo the place they had been in a position to maintain raccoons and pet meerkats.

Residing the dream:

Procuring at Olive Younger

If you happen to go to Seoul, purchasing at Olive Younger is a should. You’ll be able to refill on all the greatest Ok magnificence merchandise at wonderful costs. It’s like an unlimited Sephora with rows of skincare and cosmetics… all one of the best stuff. I used to be nervous we wouldn’t discover an Olive Younger or it might be onerous to get to, however they’re in every single 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 potential, however understood that it may be very tough – not all the pieces is labeled – and accepted that there could 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 yr. (She was crimson on her IgG check and she or he used to have unhealthy abdomen ache and joint ache, which has resolved since we minimize it out.) I instructed her we’d simply do our greatest as a result of fortunately we’re not allergic to gluten, however we’d most likely have some in sauces, and many others.

We had been in a position to eat at two 100% gluten-free eating places in Seoul: Sunnyhouse and Monli2. Each had 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 sort 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 may eat this every single day. The bread was SO comfortable 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 finest 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 had been in Korea and Japan and the whole time we had been gone, I felt wonderful. My vitality was nice, I didn’t get a abdomen ache from something, and the meals had been all so extremely contemporary and scrumptious.

Our resort had an enormous breakfast buffet every day and you may get American breakfast staples (like fruits, pastries, eggs, potatoes, bacon and juice) in addition to custom Korean objects, like kimchi, beef bulgogi, fried rice, pickled veggies, and many others.

Suggestions for visiting and issues we observed:

– Undoubtedly be taught a handful of phrases however Google translate could be a useful gizmo. I used to be stunned to seek out that fairly a number of folks spoke English, and when ordering at kiosks, it’s straightforward to modify the language to English. The women know so many Korean phrases so that they had been in a position to 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 preferred Uber as an alternative of conventional taxis as a result of you’ll be able to enter the placement – no language boundaries this fashion – and you may see the precise fare.

You can too get a Local weather Card or T Cash card for limitless passes for transportation when you determine to make use of public transport.

– Carry a bit trash bag with you. Public trash cans should not in every single place, so you’ll have to hold trash with you till yow will discover a trash can. Don’t assume that each one trash cans are public; it might be owned by a retailer.

– Don’t stroll and eat. It’s unhealthy manners, so when you get a meal or snack, simply cease and revel in it earlier than persevering with on. I price like this can be a higher option 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 must get these on public alerts whilst you’re there, nevertheless it’s good to confirm earlier than hopping on public transit.

– Tipping is just not a factor in Seoul, however you’ll be able to add compliments in Uber.

– Name your telephone supplier earlier than leaving to arrange a global plan. We often do that earlier than we journey in order that we will have voice and knowledge. We use AT&T and it robotically prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a unique nation they usually provide offers; Liv’s telephone was half off whereas we had been there.

– Korean Air! That is what we used to get to Tokyo, and it was an elite expertise. Ticket costs had been very affordable,

– Take your footwear off in your resort room. Normally they’ll have little slides by the door you can put on.

– Go away your shampoo and conditioner at dwelling. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of you will discover higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the resort can be wonderful high quality.

– Korea makes use of European retailers. 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 deliver CBD to Korea. I’m glad I researched this beforehand and left my beloved gummies at dwelling. 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.

If you happen to’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