Nocturne Travels Edition 1: South Korea

South Korea is the home of K-Pop, cutting-edge skincare, and tech giants, but it’s also so much more. Boasting temples and palaces steeped in history, breathtaking natural scenery, and an exciting cuisine, the country has a lot to offer the curious traveller. The Nocturne Team took a visit in search of kimchi, face masks, and inspiration...

THE PALACES OF SEOUL

A visit to Seoul isn't complete without a visit to one of the breathtaking Five Grand Palaces built during the Josyeon Dynasty. We visited Gyeongbokgung Palace, an enormous complex of intricate carved buildings featuring distinctive jewel-hued detailing. 

HAHOE FOLK VILLAGE, ANDONG

The UNESCO World Heritage Sight of Hahoe Folk Village is situated in the foothills of the Hwasan Mountain, nestled between the flowing Nakdong River. Walking through the quiet streets lined with thatched roofs feels like a return to a time long past, despite the fact that the homes are still fully functional with over 200 residents upholding traditional practices.

A TRADITIONAL MEAL IN GYEONGJU

A full traditional set meal in South Korea is an event itself, with dozens of appetisers, soups and side dishes including traditional pickled vegetables and smoked fish. The flavours are strong and spicy, and you're guaranteed not to be able to recognise everything on your plate, but for the adventurous foodie it's an experience not to be missed.

HALLIM PARK, JEJU ISLAND

Jeju Island is known as the 'Hawaii of South Korea', thanks to it's wealth of natural scenery including towering volcanoes and white-sand beaches. We spent a day exploring the gardens of Hallim Park, home to ancient lava tube caves and a vast array of tropical plants and birds.