When I first mapped out our 11-day family trip to South Korea, I was filled with excitement—and completely overwhelmed. I wanted to see everything: Seoul, Andong, Gyeongju, Busan, Suncheon, Jeonju, Suwon, the DMZ... You name it. I had read dozens of guides and felt sure we could squeeze in all the highlights if we just kept moving. After all, South Korea looks small on the map, right? Well, here’s the truth I wish someone had told me before I started booking trains and guesthouses: Korea is small, yes—but travel here takes time. Not because it’s hard, but because every stop deserves more attention than you think. The Fantasy vs. Reality of a Packed Itinerary Our original plan was intense. Two nights in Seoul, then a hop to Andong, down to Gyeongju, a few days in Busan, out to Suncheon and Boseong, through Gwangju and Damyang, up to Jeonju, a day trip to Suwon, and maybe the DMZ before circling back to Seoul. Looking at the schedule felt like solving a puzzle. It made sense on pap...