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 acquired 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 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 suggestions 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 places for this journey, and I figured it might be one thing that I loved, nevertheless it wasn’t my first selection for a trip. (I’d be glad 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 completely different nations… they felt like completely different worlds.

The folks in Seoul have been SO sort 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 glad. The humorous factor is that we had the chance to be stationed in Korea a number of occasions throughout Tom’s army 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 believe that is the proper time to land in a brand new nation as a result of your resort room is prepared, so if you happen to’re completely wrecked and wish 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’d 100% advocate it for the wonderful location, facilities, and eating choices. (I booked all the things 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 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 by means of the night time and have been totally set the subsequent day!

We did lots 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 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 just a few points of interest appear to be hidden, however there was a lot to do. It additionally blew my thoughts that acquired 4 tickets with 3 skip the road passes for every of us and the full was $200. (I used Journey.com to e book.)

I didn’t take a pic of the skin however image a fort, varied curler coasters, a drop trip, and many retailers and meals stands.

We did all the finest rides – they’ve a mixture of rides for youthful kiddos and extra thrilling rides and coasters for older youngsters and adults – and spent the complete day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; undoubtedly one in all my prime theme park rides.

Baseball recreation and Korean BBQ

We spent a whole day buying 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 stage, too. They bought 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 even usher in your personal meals and drinks; so completely different from the States the place they drive to you go inside to purchase $8 bottles of water.

Head spa and petting zoo

The pinnacle spa will probably be receiving its personal publish, nevertheless it was a spotlight of the journey! Whereas I used to be having the most effective spa experiences of my life, the Pilot and the kiddos went to a petting zoo the place they have been in a position to maintain raccoons and pet meerkats.

Dwelling the dream:

Purchasing at Olive Younger

Should you go to Seoul, buying at Olive Younger is a should. You’ll be able to fill up on all the finest Okay magnificence merchandise at wonderful costs. It’s like an infinite Sephora with rows of skincare and cosmetics… all the very best stuff. I used to be nervous we wouldn’t discover an Olive Younger or it might be arduous to get to, however they’re all over the place. We had three places proper by our resort.

Gluten-free eating in Seoul

On this journey, I attempted my finest to eat gluten-free as carefully as potential, however understood that it may be very troublesome – not all the things is labeled – and accepted that there can be some wheat in sauces and condiments. Additionally as a result of I don’t converse the language, I didn’t wish to be troublesome 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 purple on her IgG check and she or he used to have dangerous abdomen ache and joint ache, which has resolved since we lower 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 have been in a position to 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 form 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 day by 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 critically the most effective gf pizzas I’ve had in my life (#1 is Italy, #2 is that this one, and #3 is NYC).

I knew that I’d eat completely 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 might 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.

Ideas for visiting and issues we seen:

– Positively be taught a handful of phrases however Google translate generally is a useful gizmo. I used to be stunned to search out that fairly just a few folks spoke English, and when ordering at kiosks, it’s straightforward to change the language to English. The women know so many Korean phrases so that they have 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 appreciated Uber as an alternative of conventional taxis as a result of you’ll be able to enter the placement – no language obstacles this fashion – and you may see the precise fare.

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

– Carry a bit of trash bag with you. Public trash cans will not be all over the place, so you could have to hold trash with you till yow 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 dangerous manners, so if you happen to get a meal or snack, simply cease and luxuriate in it earlier than persevering with on. I payment 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 must get these on public alerts when 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 normally do that earlier than we journey in order that we will have voice and knowledge. We use AT&T and it routinely prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a distinct nation and so they 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 affordable,

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

– Go away your shampoo and conditioner at dwelling. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of you will see that higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the resort will probably 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 instrument into these! One of the best wager is to purchase a hair instrument 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 carry 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 medicines which might be prescribed right here that aren’t allowed in Korea, so verify the laws earlier than you go.

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

Gina

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