Private tour in Seoul David M
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David M.
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I am an American citizen who has lived in South Korea since 1982, exploring it myself, leading tours, working in its tourism field and writing about its history & culture. For jobs, I have mostly served as a Professor of Korean Cultural Tourism at leading universities in Seoul. My main passion remains continuous discovery of the beautiful Korean mountains, and the spirituality going on in them -- and showing and explaining the best of Korea's assets to others! I truly enjoy living here, and people respond that the enthusiasm shows and is infectious. Having guided more than 700 tours in Seoul and the rest of Korea, for an astonishing variety of people, I think that I know pretty well how to create excellent memorable experiences for whatever your particular interests are. Especially if you're looking for deep learning-experience of cultural, spiritual, religious and historical sites/events, I'm your guy! I'd be glad to show you around for a half-day (3-4 hrs), or a full day, or several days. Anything you need is possible, from just 1 hour at a nearby temple to overnight expeditions in wonderful areas outside of Seoul. Meals at great Korean restaurants can be included before or after the walk, or a visit to a charming traditional tea-house. I can pick you up at your hotel or meet you at an easy designated place, and we'll go from there, until you're satisfied and safely back. From 2001 I worked for the national Ministry of Culture and Tourism in various positions as a Tourism Marketing and New Programs Consultant for five years, gaining a lot of valuable knowledge and experience. I was an adviser to the authorities on cultural tourism for the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup and the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. I helped to design and launch the famous "Buddhist TempleStay" program. We can do one of those together if you like -- half-day, 24 hrs or 48 hrs. Or simply visit one of the best temples to see and learn about its artworks, views and history. I earned a Masters' Degree in the History of Korean Religions from Yonsei University in 1997. This led to my career as a teacher, speaker, writer and guide on the religious character of Korea's mountains, which goes ever-onward. I have published ten books on Korean culture and tourism, including the 1996 edition of the Lonely Planet KOREA guidebook. The most-famous of my books was "Spirit of the Mountains" (1999) about Korea's deep and varied traditions of veneration of mountains. My 9th in 2014 was the 600-page English Encyclopedia of Korean Buddhism, and my 10th in 2016 was a biography of Korea's greatest ancient Sage. Tour Guide in Korea for 25 years, for many organizations and individuals, up to VIP-level. 17 years as a Professor of Korean Cultural Tourism at two of the nation's top university Tourism departments. Have written 10 books and many academic & popular-media articles about Korea's traditional spiritual culture, sites, mountains and tourism. Master's Degree in the History of Korean Religions. National Honorary Ambassador of Korea's main mountain-system. Consultant to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. popular public speaker on all these matters. I do not have a car in Korea, do not drive. I can arrange for a mini-bus or taxi if you wish, at extra expense. Otherwise we will use the cheap taxis that are easy to catch, and Korea's excellent and fast system of subway trains, and buses, together.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message David M.
There is a standard itinerary for this tour, but also it is completely flexible on the number and nature of the unusual but great sites on a mountain of historic Incheon. You can choose any length from 2 hours up to 5 hours, and the price (set here for 4 hours) will be lowered or raised accordingly in a Custom Tour. On offer are many of the best sights of that city, and you can choose from the list which would interest you most. I will meet you in the ICN Arrival Lobby, or at a cruise ship port, or in the lobby of your nearby hotel, if it works that way; we will take a short taxi ride to our first chosen site (small extra cost); and then I will make sure you are in a taxi to get back at the correct time. See the possible tourist attractions listed in the Itinerary, and there are many great restaurants & tea-shops nearby. Colorful stories of the Old Days will be told! We can move faster and see more, or take our time and see a bit fewer sites; it's up to you! See also my Incheon Half Day Tour #1.
These are the possible popular sites for us to visit in a 2, 3, 4 or 5 hour tour: you can choose, and the list can be adjusted for individual preferences. The intention is to be a fascinating orientation & overview of Incheon's colorful history and Buddhism, with introduction to who the Koreans are, and some key points of their history and customs. Hobul-sa, an ancient-style Buddhist Temple with a gigantic Mountain-Spirit Statue Incheon Metropolitan City Museum -- history and artifacts Museum & Memorial Hall for the 1950 Incheon Landing Operation ("Operation Chromite") Gachon Herbal-Medicine Traditions Museum Heungryun-sa, a spectacular very-modern Buddhist Temple, total contrast to Hobul-sa! Many good Korean restaurants along the roads. . . All these are on one long roadway encircling the summit of Azure Dragon Mountain in southern Incheon, easily accessed from the Airport or the ship-ports -- we will just walk from one to the next along the road. I will be telling colorful stories all along the way!
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
This is mostly a walking tour, though use of several short (& cheap) taxi-rides is possible. If I am picking you up and returning you to a cruise-ship port, the transport cost might be up-to $100 more! Inquire about that....
Incheon, Incheon, South Korea
Airport or Cruise-Ship Port or famous place downtown.
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Can this private tour in Incheon be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
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