Commonly overshadowed by Japan and China as the top places to visit in east Asia, Korea is one the unexplored gems of the Orient. Having recovered from the Korean War in the 1950s and decades of incursions by mongering neighbors before that, South Korea has successfully recovered to become a modern industrial giant, thanks in part to the hundreds of shipping containers full of electronics, clothing and computers that leave their harbors on a daily basis. In addition to immense commercial activity, there's rich Korean traditional including Buddhist temples not to be overshadowed by the skyscrapers, karaoke bars and cafes. North Korea, on the other had, is still mired in social and political isolation to the point that outsiders need a guide with them at all times while visiting there.

Namdaemun Market (Seoul): World-famous bargain shopping paradise and an attraction that tourists should not miss. This market is filled with over 1,000 shops, stalls, retailers, street vendors where you can find clothes, vegetables, ginseng products, shoes, fabrics, tableware, flowers and toys.

Jongmyo Shrin (Seoul): The oldest and most authentic of the Confucian royal shrines to have been preserved, it is the resting place of the ancestral tablets of the Yi kings. Dedicated to the forefathers of the Chosôn Dynasty (1392–1910), the shrine has existed in its present form since the 16th century.

Seoul Tower (Seoul): 370 meter tall tower looming above the city atop of Namsan, the hill centrally located in the middle of downtown Seoul.

Deoksu Palace (Seoul): Palace which witnessed the end of the Chosôn Dynasty including the assassination of Queen Min by Japanese Imperialists.

Dano Festival: Festival marking the beginning of the summer season, just after the completion of spring planting when farmers pray for a good fall harvest. Events include women washing their hair in water boiled with iris to attract the opposite sex.

September to May are the cheapest time to visit Korea and September through November are the most pleasant and beautiful. If you wait until the last minute you should still be able to find good airfare deals. Good luck on finding cheap flights to Korea. Remember to set your arrival/departure dates for Monday through Thursday, if possible, to access even cheaper deals.