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 after we obtained there, however ended up using the battle bus after we got here house), and met up with some associates.

I’m so excited to share some recap posts on our journeys with you!

Right here’s an inventory of what I’ve deliberate in order that once they go stay, I can add the hyperlinks to this publish.

Seoul recap, what we did and what we ate (this publish)

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 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 could be one thing that I loved, nevertheless it wasn’t my first alternative for a trip. (I’d be completely satisfied repeating least yr’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 publish, however these locations didn’t really feel like totally different nations… they felt like totally 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 may have doubled our time there and been completely satisfied. 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 ladies 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 should you’re completely wrecked and want a nap, you possibly can. You don’t should wander round and wait till your room is prepared.

We knew that it could 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 part utilizing our Amex platinum. My referral link is here!)

It was surrounded by nice eating places and retailers, and straightforward to get round.

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

We have been shocked to see whole streets full of 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 by way of the evening and have been absolutely set the subsequent day!

We did quite a bit whereas we have been in Seoul, however listed here are a few of the highlights.

Lotte World

Lotte World is a gigantic indoor and out of doors theme park. Liv steered 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 obtained 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 citadel, varied curler coasters, a drop journey, and many retailers and meals stands.

We did the entire 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 among my high theme park rides.

Baseball recreation 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 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 bought beers with an the other way up baseball cap that was full of shrimp – it regarded 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 totally 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 publish, nevertheless it was a spotlight of the journey! Whereas I used to be having top-of-the-line 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:

Purchasing at Olive Younger

In the event you go to Seoul, purchasing at Olive Younger is a should. You may fill up on the entire greatest Ok magnificence merchandise at wonderful 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 could 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 attainable, however understood that it may be very tough – not every part 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 need 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 amazing distinction for me, and P has been gluten-free for the previous yr. (She was pink on her IgG take a look at and she or he used to have unhealthy abdomen ache and joint ache, which has resolved since we lower it out.) I advised 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 so on.

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 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 day by day. 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 severely top-of-the-line 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 totally different meals whereas we have been in Korea and Japan and the complete time we have been gone, I felt wonderful. 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 objects, like kimchi, beef bulgogi, fried rice, pickled veggies, and so on.

Ideas for visiting and issues we seen:

– Positively study a handful of phrases however Google translate could be a useful gizmo. I used to be shocked to search out that fairly a couple of individuals spoke English, and when ordering at kiosks, it’s simple to change the language to English. The women know so many Korean phrases so 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 favored Uber as a substitute of conventional taxis as a result of you possibly can enter the situation – no language obstacles this fashion – 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 should you determine to make use of public transport.

– Carry somewhat trash bag with you. Public trash cans are usually not in every single place, so you will 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 should you get a meal or snack, simply cease and luxuriate in it earlier than persevering with on. I payment like it is a higher strategy 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 a substitute to get round. Google transit points earlier than utilizing Naver for public transportation. It’s best to get these on public alerts whilst you’re there, nevertheless it’s good to confirm earlier than hopping on public transit.

– Tipping isn’t a factor in Seoul, however you possibly can 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 are able to have voice and information. We use AT&T and it robotically prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a distinct nation they usually supply 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 affordable,

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

– Go away your shampoo and conditioner at house. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of you’ll find higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the resort can be wonderful 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 go spa or get a blow out someplace (!), or let it air dry and do some sock curls.

– You may’t deliver CBD to Korea. I’m glad I researched this beforehand and left my beloved gummies at house. I introduced melatonin however didn’t find yourself needing it. There are additionally some medicines which are prescribed right here that aren’t allowed in Korea, so verify the rules earlier than you go.

In the event you’re headed to Seoul anytime quickly, you’re in for a deal with 🙂 I’m right here if I will help with any questions and I’ll be again with my head spa recap tomorrow!
xo

Gina