About Us: Anne & Tony’s Journey Through Korea

Welcome to Koreatravelplanning.com, your ultimate guide to exploring the rich culture, history, and beauty of South Korea. We are Anne and Tony Sutherland-Smith, your guides to all things Korea!

Meet Anne Sutherland-Smith – The Heart of Korean Culture and History

Anne’s passion for Korean culture started over a decade ago. What began as a fascination with Korean cuisine has blossomed into a deep appreciation for the country’s rich history and vibrant traditions. She has journeyed through the bustling streets of Seoul, the tranquil temples in the countryside, and the scenic beauty of Jeju Island, collecting experiences and stories to share with you.

Key Highlights:

  • Extensive travels across South Korea, experiencing everything from traditional Hanok stays to the cutting-edge technology of Seoul.
  • A special interest in Korean cuisine, from street food to royal dishes, which she explores both through taste and in her writing.
  • Regular contributions to travel forums and publications, sharing her insights on Korean travel trends and tips.

Meet Tony Sutherland-Smith – The Adventurous Soul of Korea

Tony’s adventure in Korea is marked by his curiosity and desire to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations. His travels have taken him to remote villages, rugged mountain trails, and to the heart of Korea’s technological advancements in cities like Busan and Seoul.

Key Highlights:

  • A focus on experiential travel, seeking out unique and immersive experiences in lesser-known regions of Korea.
  • An avid photographer, capturing the essence of Korean landscapes and cityscapes, reflecting the country’s dynamic nature.
  • Engagements in discussions and panels about responsible travel in Korea.

Our Mission at Koreatravelplanning.com

Together, we aim to bring you the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and engaging content about travelling in Korea. Whether you’re planning your first trip or looking to explore deeper into Korean culture, we are here to guide you:

  • In-Depth Guides: From city itineraries to countryside retreats, our guides cover all aspects of travelling in Korea.
  • Cultural Insights: Delve into the heart of Korean culture, traditions, and history with our detailed articles.
  • Travel Tips: Practical advice on everything from navigating transport to finding the best local eats.
  • Personal Stories: Our personal experiences and stories bring a unique perspective to your travel planning.

Join Our Community

Follow us on Facebook and Pinterest and join our community of Korea travel enthusiasts. Share your experiences, ask questions, and become part of a community that celebrates the beauty and diversity of South Korea.

We look forward to helping you plan an unforgettable Korean adventure!

Anne and Tony Sutherland-Smith with their family at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Korea
Anne and Tony Sutherland-Smith with their family at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Korea

Challenges Travelling in South Korea

Even with being experienced travellers and all of the research we had done for our first visit, we were still caught out by many aspects of travelling in South Korea.

Not being speakers of the Korean language, we found the following:

  • Learning how to use the public transport system was difficult, as you cannot use Google Maps in South Korea, plus the local map apps (KakaoMap and Naver) are not as intuitive as Google Maps. We literally spent hours trying to work out how to get around using public transport and working out how to book our tickets!
  • Internet resources for South Korea were often mechanically translated to English, which meant that they were difficult to understand and we were regularly left with more questions we could not answer…
  • We had not been able to do good homework on what to expect for Korean public holidays – and, as a result, probably had one of our worst days out to a theme park EVER due to the crowds and the fact that we had not been able to work out how to purchase skip the queue passes…
  • We had to miss out on visiting Busan due to a typhoon passing through, but we actually spent more time exploring Seoul, which we really enjoyed!

We also managed to do some things right!

  • We visited the Jinju Lantern Festival, and loved visiting a smaller town, the festival was lots of fun and our children really loved the local food scene and our very unique accommodation (image a penthouse with its own large warm swimming pool inside!)
  • We really enjoyed trying out a traditional hanok stay in Gyeongju, and seeing the difference with a traditional Japanese ryokan.
  • It was great to just immerse and try so many different local food options – we visited the Noryangjin Fish Market in Seoul and loved it, tried cheese rice in Myeongdong (yum but so not healthy…), Korean BBQ and Fried Chicken. And so much more!

We have since visited South Korea more times and have loved exploring more of this great country.

Tony getting up close and personal with a lobster at Noryangjin Fish Market in Seoul, South Korea
Tony getting up close and personal with a lobster at Noryangjin Fish Market in Seoul, South Korea

South Korea Travel Planning Email List

We have an email list to help people travel to South Korea – subscribe below to receive our periodic newsletter, which includes travel planning information for South Korea, and the latest deals.  You will also receive additional emails to help you plan your trip to South Korea and our pre-departure checklist to ensure you are ready to depart!

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make your trip planning easy, hassle-free and organized. Click here to download your FREE printable checklist, to help you to plan your trip step by step and tick off items as you finalise your preparations.

Join the South Korea Travel Planning Facebook Group

You are also welcome to join our South Korea Travel Planning Facebook Group – it is a great resource to enable you to ask questions about your upcoming trip to South Korea!

South Korea Travel Planning

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