South Korea

South Korea moves fast: Seoul is a city of glass towers, K-pop and late-night shopping, yet five royal palaces, Buddhist temples and lanes of traditional hanok houses sit right in its heart. Beyond the capital the countryside is mountainous and green, with volcanic islands and a coastline of fishing harbours and beaches.

A first trip usually spends four or five days in Seoul, with a day out to Nami Island or the DMZ border area, then takes the high-speed KTX train to Busan for its beaches, markets and the painted hillside village of Gamcheon. Jeju, about an hour’s flight away, adds volcanic peaks, waterfalls and lava-tube caves.

Korea is safe, clean and easy to get around, and fans of K-dramas will recognise many locations. Vegetarian food needs a little care, as many dishes contain meat or fish stock, but Seoul has Indian restaurants, and Buddhist temple food avoids meat, fish, garlic and onion, which suits Jain travellers too. Spring blossom and autumn leaves are the loveliest times to go.