PJ Hotel Seoul

Make this your first stop. I found the staff very helpful and some spoke very good english. This is also a place with free internet access allowing you to keep in touch with home. The lady I spoke to was able to explain in english what I needed to do and supplemented this with written instruction in hangul for locals with whom I had to interact. I was able to make my way from central Seoul to the Korean Village by means of her written introductions. I was able to show them to railway officials, ticket sales people and locals who all helped me on to the right buses and trains.I enjoyed my afternoon in the park and television tower. I also enjoyed the evening I spent in Insadong. I suspect however that what I remember most about seoul is how different it felt. Architecturally it is very modern but I did for the first time feel that I was different to those around me. I travelled on my own for the first time in 40years and told my wife I was looking for a mini adventure. Given the lack of english and the general differences I feel that I achieved my objectives. I'll definitely be back in Korea one day and hope to travel more widely