Scenic is giving guests the chance to discover South Korea in what it claims is the UK’s first five-star luxury escorted tour to the region.

Running in 2020, the Soul of South Korea itinerary, featured in Scenic’s The Diverse Wonders of Asia and the Far East, will start and finish in the capital, Seoul, and will take in a number destinations including Gyeongju and Busan, as well as the demilitarised zone with views of North Korea from the Dora Observatory.

To celebrate the launch of the tour, Scenic is offering guests a complimentary business class upgrade on the flight to Seoul for the first 60 bookings made.

Other highlights include:

• A visit to World Heritage-listed Changdeokgung Palace, Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto
• Witness the changing of the Royal Guard at Deoksugung Palace
• An immersive experience at the Hyo Jae Cultural Hall where guests can try on Hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, or try their hand at Bojagi, a traditional wrapping cloth
• A visit to Samjinae village to experience ‘slow living’ at the designated ‘Slow City’
• A visit to Mount Gayasan National Park including Haelnsa Temple
• Craft mini Gayageum, a 12-string Korean musical instrument, while in Gayatgo Village
• A hands-on local cooking class of cuisine from the Shilla Dynasty in Gyeongju

Prices for the 11-day The Soul of South Korea itinerary start from £6,245pp, based on all 2020 departures. The price includes return flights from the UK, private airport transfers, gratuities, a small luxury escorted group tour with a maximum of 24 guests, two exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences, and five Scenic Freechoice activities.

In August 2019, Scenic introduced its first Discovery Yacht, the 228-guest Scenic Eclipse, and a sister ship will follow in 2020.