Korean Tea Culture & Culinary Journey SPRING 2027
Journey from the Coastal beaches to the Wild Tea Mountains
Trip Dates: April 29 - May 6 (May shift by 1-2 days, will have concrete days soon)

Slow down and immerse yourself into the quiet beauty of Korea’s tea culture. This 8-day retreat weaves together forest healing and foot spas, tea ceremonies, temple life, artisan tea farms, and one or two of Korea's time honored tea festivals (always dependent on the season and date).

Travel with us from the eastern coast to the southern mountains, guided by Christine of Hearth & Seoul and my Umma. You'll laugh at her stories, listen to what life is like in Korea from a local, enjoy regional and seasonal foods from our favorite local spots, and have an experience that we've specifically curated for this group. 

This retreat is designed for those who want to follow along at a gentle pace, enjoy the traditions, tea culture and food that Korean culture has to offer, and experience what it's like from a local perspective with friends we've met along our own journeys in the past. We keep our group small so that we can have a real experience together. 

*I highly recommend that you fly into Seoul (ICN) for 2-3 days before the start of this trip to acclimate to time and enjoy what Seoul has to offer! We won't be in Seoul, but will meet you in Gangneung. There's a KTX from Seoul that goes directly to the station where we will pick you up. 

Please fill out the questions/application below so we can send more information and pricing. 

Basic Sample Itinerary:

Day 1 — Arrival 

We meet on Korea’s eastern coastal side, enjoy a restorative nature experience, enjoy the local cafe scene on the beach, share a local meal at a popular restaurant, and settle into our first night together at a beachside villa. 

Day 2 — Entering Temple Life

Ocean sunrise, epic seafood, and a scenic drive through the mountains brings us to a historic buddhist temple, where the first green tea was planted 1200 years ago by buddhist monks. Join in on meditative prayers at the temple, go for serene walks, enjoy the temple food.

Day 3 — Stillness, Tea, and Reflection

A full day of temple activities: meditation, simple meals, quiet rest, and a private group tea ceremony and tea tasting class guided by local practitioners. All vegetarian meals. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner served.

Day 4 — Into the Tea Valleys

We transition into Korea’s ancient tea-growing region. Depending on seasonal events, the day may include festivals, tastings, markets, or farm visits.

Day 5 — Tea Culture & Nature

Half a day to finish our experience on the wild tea mountains, and then a deeper exploration of tea traditions through experiences such as artisan farm visits, tea cafes, and encounters with regional foods and culture in our second tea region in the west. 

Day 6 — Iconic Tea Landscapes

We spend the day among Korea’s most recognized tea fields, taking in scenic views, tastings, and cultural programs. Optional local activities. 

Day 7 — Bamboo Forests

We'll spend the day in the bamboo region on the West side of Korea. Meals with bamboo rice and local fare. A quiet walk through the bamboo forests. An invitation to slow down and enjoy the day and regional offerings, this will be our final night. 

Day 8 -- Slow morning, back to Seoul

A slow morning followed by a beautiful countryside drive. Here we will take you to a train station that can either take you back directly into Seoul, or you can take a train to the nearest local airport if you want to continue your journey into Jeju or Busan. 

What's Included

  • 7 nights of lodging 
    • Some options may include Pension and Hanok
  • All ground transportation from Gangneung to Seoul
  • Samcheok Healing Forest + foot bath
  • 2-night temple stay at Temple (including all meals)
  • Private tea ceremony & tasting
  • Artisan tea farm visits in Hadong
  • Hadong Wild Tea Festival (tentative based on dates not released)
  • Boseong Green Tea Festival
  • All lunches + dinners 
  • Korean/English translation
  • Retreat guidance and itinerary support

Not Included

  • KTX from Seoul to Gangneung (we will provide train information)
  • Airfare to and from Korea (I'll have alerts set for price drops)
  • Breakfast except temple meals
  • Personal snacks/souvenirs
  • Travel insurance/Medical
  • Optional Tea festival activities (usually sign ups are day of and low cost)

    Early Bird Pricing starts $3,500 for shared rooms, 3,800 for single rooms. Payment plans available. Once you fill out the interest from you'll get an email once registration opens up! 
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Single traveler or 2 or more together?
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Prefer shared occupancy or single room?
*There will be 2 shared rooms and 1 single occupancy (at an additional price) *
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If traveling with a partner, please list them below so we can make sure we pair together. *
Are there any special dietary preferences or allergies? We will be ranging from seafood to local and regional foods, at the temple there is vegetarian fare only, but you are welcome to venture outside the temple to nearby restaurants and explore.  *
How did you find out about this retreat? This is a small intentional group of 4-5 people so that we can give you all an authentic exprience. Let us know what you are most looking forward to!
Is there anything else you're hoping to include on this trip or anything we should know? *
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