South Korea had been on my list for a long time. I love big cities, great food, nature, and moving around independently, so it felt like the perfect destination. For this trip, I decided to do something different: I planned my entire itinerary with the help of AI, using the same approach that later became Wanderbot.be.
The result? An unforgettable journey through Seoul, Busan, smaller cities like Andong and Jeonju, and finally Jeju Island. But it also taught me an important lesson: AI is an amazing travel assistant — as long as you don’t trust it blindly.
Planning a Full Korea Trip With AI
I started with a simple idea: tell the AI what I like, big cities, food markets, nature, beaches, and authentic neighborhoods and let it build a logical route across South Korea. It proposed a well-paced itinerary that connected Seoul, cultural heartlands, coastal cities, and Jeju Island.
Most of it made perfect sense:
- Logical travel flow
- Good balance between cities and nature
- Enough time in places instead of rushing
But once on the ground, reality kicked in.
At one point, the itinerary confidently told me to take a train to the next city — except there was no train at all. Only buses.
That moment summed it up perfectly:
👉 AI is great at planning, but you still need to sanity-check transport details.
This experience directly influenced how I later designed Wanderbot: AI should assist, not replace common sense or real-world validation.
Seoul: Big, Busy, and Exactly My Kind of City
Seoul did not disappoint, not even for a second.
I spent several days exploring:
- Royal palaces like Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung
- Traditional neighborhoods such as Bukchon Hanok Village
- Modern landmarks like Dongdaemun Design Plaza
- Evening walks along Cheonggyecheon Stream
- Street food tours at Gwangjang Market
What I loved most about Seoul is the contrast. One moment you’re in a centuries-old palace, the next you’re cycling along the Han River or having beers in Hongdae.
If you enjoy big cities with character, Seoul is an absolute must.
Eating My Way Through Korea
Let’s talk about food, because I ate exceptionally well.
From:
- Samgyetang in Seoul
- Jjimdak in Andong
- Fresh seafood in Busan
- Endless market snacks everywhere
Korea is one of those countries where food isn’t just good, it’s everywhere, affordable, and deeply local. Markets like Jagalchi, Gukje, and Dongmun became daily highlights.
Honestly, some of my best meals weren’t planned at all. I just walked into busy places and trusted my instincts ... something AI can’t (yet) replicate.
Busan: Beaches, Markets, and Night Views
Busan felt completely different from Seoul, more relaxed, more coastal, and incredibly scenic.
Highlights included:
- Haeundae Beach and Gwangalli Beach at night
- The dramatic coastal Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
- Gamcheon Culture Village, colorful and chaotic in the best way
- Massive food explorations at Jagalchi Fish Market
Busan is a city where you slow down, eat well, and enjoy the sea breeze.
Jeju Island: Freedom, Nature, and One Unexpected Challenge
Jeju Island was a highlight of the trip and also where renting a car became essential. Public transport exists, but if you really want to explore Jeju properly, a car gives you total freedom.
I drove along the coast, visited lava caves, climbed Seongsan Ilchulbong, walked coastal cliffs, explored waterfalls, and even drove through the mountains of Hallasan National Park.
One unexpected challenge?
👉 Finding a terrace to drink a beer was surprisingly hard.
Plenty of cafés, plenty of restaurants, but relaxed outdoor terraces are not as common as in Europe.
Still, Jeju’s nature more than made up for it.
Smaller Cities That Made the Trip Special
Some of my favorite moments happened outside the big cities:
- Andong and the historic Hahoe Folk Village
- Gyeongju, with its ancient tombs and serene evening walks
- Jeonju, staying in a traditional hanok and eating the best bibimbap of the trip
- Suncheon and Boseong, where green tea fields replaced city noise
These places gave the trip depth and contrast, something AI actually did very well by suggesting them.
What This Trip Taught Me About AI Travel Planning
This journey through South Korea was unforgettable, and AI played a huge role in making it possible. But it also taught me something important:
- ✅ AI is fantastic at structure, inspiration, and routing
- ❌ AI is not perfect with real-world transport, schedules, or local quirks
- ✅ The best results come when you combine AI with human judgment
That philosophy is exactly why I built Wanderbot.be the way I did: to help travelers plan smarter, not blindly follow generated plans.
Final Thoughts
South Korea gave me everything I was looking for:
- Vibrant cities
- Incredible food
- Stunning nature
- Coastal drives
- Cultural depth without feeling like a museum tour
And thanks to AI, I had a strong plan, but thanks to flexibility, I had an even better experience.
If you’re curious about using AI for your own trips, use it as a starting point, not a final authority. And if you want help doing exactly that, Wanderbot is built for it 😉
