12 Reasons South Korea Should Be Your Next Big Trip

Jeju is a small tropical island off the coast of Korea. Known as the “Hawaii” of Korea, Jeju is filled with waterfalls, volcanic craters, beaches, and mountains ready to be explored. An extensive public bus system makes navigating the island easy. Plus, it's warm all year round!

Getting there: Flights are frequent from Seoul and Busan. You can expect to pay less than $100 for a round-trip flight. You can find a full guide to Jeju here.

Thanks to towering neon signs, the streets never go completely dark in South Korea. Seoul, in particular, feels like Times Square on steroids. Nightlife options are abundant and diverse. It doesn't matter if you simply want a beer with friends or to dance the night away at a club, there is something for everyone. Drink soju, the popular rice liquor, if you want to fit in. Oh, and nothing closes till the sun comes up.

A popular cultural sight in Seoul and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can't miss Bukchon Hanok Village. This 600-year-old neighborhood now houses museums, tea houses, and cultural centers. Visit early in the morning and walk the narrow streets before the crowds (and selfie sticks) arrive.

Interesting architecture and towering skyscrapers are everywhere you look in Korea, but the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (called the DDP for short) is the country's biggest stunner. The DDP has a neo-futuristic design and is the center of Seoul's Fashion District. Inside are shops, a museum, exhibition halls, and a food court.

Korea is beautiful any time of year, but it really shines in the Fall. The leaves change color around the palaces and across the hillsides. Namsan Park, a huge hill in the middle of Seoul and pictured above, looks particularly beautiful in the Fall.