My golden week adventure (Part 2): Princess for the day.

My hotel for the Seoul portion of my trip was in Bucheon, a bustling district near City Hall. The food options were countless, and I imagine it would take months for someone to dine at every place at least once. Transportation in the capital was frequent, with the choice between subway and bus usually available. Both modes of transport offered regular services until late at night. When visiting South Korea, you can make the most of your days, as transportation runs later. As mentioned in part one, many food establishments remain open until the early hours, if they close at all.

On my first day in Seoul, I had a special activity planned that had been on my to-do list for a long time: I wanted to wear a traditional Hanbok while exploring one of the many palaces in the capital. I imagined myself as a princess for the day, and my journey began bright and early with a delicious subway sandwich, fit for royalty. It had been nearly nine months since I had eaten at Subway, and I was delighted with the quality of the South Korean version.

There are numerous Hanbok rental services available in the main tourist areas and surrounding Hanok villages. For a reasonable price, you can rent the costume for different lengths of time and choose from various levels of quality, depending on your budget.

I settled on a place that offered different tiers and lengths of rental time. I opted for four hours and chose the mid-tier themed hanbok. The service was straightforward, even for those who do not speak Korean. I booked online and presented the barcode to the staff. They then led me upstairs, where I could select my costume from countless options displayed on racks. The second floor was a vibrant sea of colours.

Since my favourite colour is blue, I focused on that while browsing through choices. With so many options, it was easy to feel overwhelmed, but I narrowed it down by considering both colour and size. I chose a large size to ensure a comfortable fit. With the themed package, I was allowed to pick both a skirt and a top, and an inner hoop skirt was included.

Ultimately, I selected a stunning blue skirt adorned with a lace layer featuring a chandelier pattern and sequins. For the top, I chose a white design with silver accents to complement the sequins; it also had translucent sleeves. Thankfully, I was wearing a lace white dress that day, and the lace on the sleeves matched beautifully with the costume.

Once you are transformed, you will have options for additional features, such as more elaborate hairstyles and unique bags. These add-ons are very affordable, and I recommend treating yourself. The difference in cost between the free hairstyles and the first paid option I wanted was just 500 yen. After you’ve chosen your style and made your payment, it’s time to step into your day as a princess, queen, scholar, or king.

My palace of choice was Gyeongbokgung, which was just a short walk from the rental store. I quickly got into the vibe as I was surrounded by a sea of colour. Many other guests in costumes were also walking to the palace! Wearing a hanbok allowed me to skip the line and enter without any fees. After that, I spent four hours taking pictures and exploring the inner city of the palace. I truly felt like I was living a dream. With "The Apothecary Diaries" currently airing its second season, I was able to indulge my inner palace dreams, even though the anime is based on Chinese palaces.

I highly recommend renting a hanbok; it truly enhances the experience and allows you to visit the nearby hanok while dressed in traditional attire. South Korea also has many photo booths, which are machine-operated, so I got some themed photos taken! After my "princess day" in the hanbok, I spent the rest of the day exploring the area and indulging in an all-you-can-eat pork BBQ. The experiences throughout my trip were memorable. The BBQ offered generous portions of various cuts of meat, and I honestly wish I had more stomach space to enjoy all the delicious food South Korea has to offer. It really is a food lover's paradise, and there were so many dishes I wanted to try! If only they offered a stomach space rental service! I certainly needed more space in South Korea.

The next day, I visited the tallest tower in South Korea! Lotte World Tower provided the opportunity to see the sprawling metropolis from the sky, and I’m glad I had the chance to do so. The city looked beautiful from above and seeing it that way allowed me to appreciate just how large it truly was. From the beginning, I knew I would want more time there, but nothing prepared me for how much I would long to return. The food was incredible, the travel was affordable, and there were so many experiences and activities still left to explore.

I spent the day exploring the tower, wandering through floor after floor of shops and restaurants. I felt sad knowing I had to fly back the next day. On my last morning, I visited Incheon Chinatown and enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere of the area.

Although it was a decision to take two big trips a week apart, which strained my wallet in the following month, I’m glad I did. I experienced the island life in Okinawa and discovered a brand-new country just a week later. The culinary experiences in South Korea delighted my inner foodie, leaving me craving more.

My golden week was enjoyable, and it truly felt like a vacation. I had so many unique experiences that I will cherish for a lifetime, and I hope to continue exploring during my time here.

I highly recommend South Korea as a vacation destination and encourage you to take as many days as possible for your trip. Purchase a prepaid payment card at the airport and download Naver Maps for accurate walking times. Plan your itinerary carefully and consider how much food you want to try. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and immerse yourself in a culture that beautifully blends tradition with modernity.