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 pals! How are you? I hope you had a tremendous 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 pals.

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 submit.

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

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 pals 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, however it wasn’t my first alternative for a trip. (I’d be completely happy 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 submit, 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 unbelievable. It felt so very secure, and there was a lot to do. We may have doubled our time there and been completely happy. The humorous factor is that we had the chance to be stationed in Korea a number of instances throughout Tom’s navy profession. All of our pals who lived there cherished 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 believe that is the right time to land in a brand new nation as a result of your lodge room is prepared, so in case you’re completely wrecked and want a nap, you’ll be able to. You don’t need to wander round and wait till your room is prepared.

We knew that it might be a low-key day, so we checked into the lodge and got down to discover. We stayed on the RYSE Autograph Assortment lodge and I’d 100% advocate it for the wonderful location, facilities, and eating choices. (I booked the whole lot 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 toilet had an unlimited waterfall bathe with nice water stress.

We have been shocked to see total streets stuffed with little kiosks and cute outlets only a block away from the lodge.

We explored and met our new skincare bestie at TONYMOLY and P was exhausted, to we went again to the lodge whereas Tom and Liv grabbed dinner. All of us slept by the night time and have been totally set the subsequent day!

We did loads whereas we have been in Seoul, however listed here are among the highlights.

Lotte World

Lotte World is a gigantic indoor and outside 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 sights 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 full was $200. (I used Journey.com to e-book.)

I didn’t take a pic of the skin however image a citadel, numerous curler coasters, a drop trip, 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 children and adults – and spent your entire day there. Journey to Atlantis was AMAZING; positively one among my high theme park rides.

Baseball sport and Korean BBQ

We spent a whole day procuring 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 your entire area is dancing and cheering. The baseball meals is subsequent degree, too. They bought beers with an the wrong way up baseball cap that was stuffed with shrimp – it regarded SO good- along with tteokbokki, cheese and meat skewers, tons of actual meals choices. You may also 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 will likely be receiving its personal submit, however 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

When you go to Seoul, procuring at Olive Younger is a should. You’ll be able to fill up 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 arduous to get to, however they’re in all places. We had three places proper by our lodge.

Gluten-free eating in Seoul

On this journey, I attempted my greatest to eat gluten-free as carefully as doable, however understood that it may be very troublesome – not the whole lot 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 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 amazing distinction for me, and P has been gluten-free for the previous yr. (She was pink on her IgG check and he or she used to have unhealthy abdomen ache and joint ache, which has resolved since we reduce 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 forth.

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 type 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 each day. The bread was SO tender 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 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 your entire time we have been gone, I felt wonderful. My power was nice, I didn’t get a abdomen ache from something, and the meals have been all so extremely contemporary and scrumptious.

Our lodge 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 so forth.

Suggestions for visiting and issues we observed:

– Positively study a handful of phrases however Google translate is usually a useful gizmo. I used to be shocked to search out that fairly a couple 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 in order 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 cheaper 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 limitations this manner – and you may see the precise fare.

You may also get a Local weather Card or T Cash card for limitless passes for transportation in case you resolve to make use of public transport.

– Carry just a little trash bag with you. Public trash cans should not in all places, so you will have to hold trash with you till yow will discover a trash can. Don’t assume that every one trash cans are public; it could be owned by a retailer.

– Don’t stroll and eat. It’s unhealthy manners, so in case you get a meal or snack, simply cease and revel in it earlier than persevering with on. I price like it is a higher approach 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. It is best to get these on public alerts when you’re there, however 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 are able to have voice and information. We use AT&T and it routinely prompts as soon as it detects that we’re in a distinct nation they usually 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 footwear off in your lodge room. Normally they’ll have little slides by the door that you would be able to put on.

– Go away your shampoo and conditioner at dwelling. Pack LIGHTLY on the toiletries as a result of you’ll find higher stuff there and the shampoo and conditioner within the lodge will likely 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 instrument into these! The very best guess is to purchase a hair instrument there, go to go 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 can be prescribed right here that aren’t allowed in Korea, so test the rules earlier than you go.

When 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