Though Seoul is one of the world's busiest, most populated and modern cities, remarkably only within a 45-minute journey by road, you can be transported to rural, mountainous surrounds that feel an entire world away.

Mountainous Gangwon-do (강원도) gives you some of South Korea’s most spectacular landscapes, up-close Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) experiences, and laid-back coastal towns and beaches on the East Sea.

The provice Incheon-gwangyeok-si was separated from Gyeonggi-do in 1981. It continues to grow with giant areas of landfill in the West Sea having been converted recently into the new urban centres such as Songdo International City.

The small southwestern province of Jeollabuk-do (전라북도) punches above its weight. At the centre is the capital Jeonju, famous for its hanok maeul, a village of hundreds of tile-roofed traditional homes that house craft workshops, boutiques and teahouses. Koreans also call the UNESCO-listed 'City of Gastronomy' Jeonju the country's number-one foodie destination.