Korea-stop over to where?
 

My husband has a 2 day conference in Seoul in Oct. and I would like to join him afterwards. Neither of us is really interested in staying in Korea and we would love to visit another near by country but are limited to 7 days. Can I please get some opinions as to where to go from Korea? We would be happy to visit one city and do day trips. We love to experience different cultures on our own (visiting temples, markets, local food, etc) but obviously have limited time. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

There are non-stops to Bangkok, Thailand from Seoul, and I believe there are non-stops (or 1 stops) to Bali. Hong Kong would be another possibility for 7 days.

You can easily spend 7 days in Bangkok, including perhaps two day trips outside the city. I'd suggest Ayuthaya which is an easy trip with fabulous ruins and a trip to the floating market. Many on this board have used Tong for tours there along with her excursion to her "secret place". You can't go wrong if you have not yet been to Thailand.

Thank you both for your quick replies. We did travel in South East Asia for 4 months (although it was 15 years ago!) with Bangkok as our home base and even though it definitely would be a great choice I think we would like to try somewhere new. I'm wondering perhaps about somewhere in mainland China or even Cambodia (2 countries we haven't visited) but its the limited time I'm concerned about. Any thoughts?

The weather could be a factor so what time of the year are you planning on visiting?

Cambodia is wonderful for a week. Asiana Air and Korean air both have non stop flights, although the cost may be high. I highly suggest getting to Siem Reap before it becomes more commercialized than it already is. The Cambodians are lovely people, the food is delicious and the Angkor Wat and surrounding areas are fascinating.

shanghai or parts of japan..... kathmandu, nepal..... i think they have a brand new flt to singapore

Kyoto, Japan, with a day trips to Nara and maybe Horyu-ji, Hiroshima, or Okayama, Kurahiki, Arima Onsen. Maybe overnite at Koya-san.

What I would do: fly to Toyama and send luggage on to Kyoto. Then carry a small bag/backpack on the train to Takayama for a couple of nights (esp. if the timing was right for the Takayama festival), then train to Kyoto (maybe stop at an onsen in Gero on the way). Fly back to Seoul to use the ticket home.

The flights to/from Japan would be with a FF award ticket - only 20,00 miles in economy or 40,000 in business class. Less than 2 hours flying in each direction.

If you fly to Toyama from Seoul, some nice scenery over there . Tateyama National Park, Gokayama and ShiraKawa-Go for the Gassho houses.
I spend a lot of time in that area in 2001/ 2002 for some work. Would love to get back there again sometime.

Flying on Asiana Airlines, its 1 hour 40 minutes. Appears that the schedule isn't daily though.

As others have suggested,Siem Reap(Angkor Wat) Its 5 hrs 20 minutes on Asiana Airlines. Daily flights. Great place to visit. Have been there 4 times in the past 12 months. Not expensive either.

Again, thank you all for your suggestions. We are going this October. I think the Japan recommendations sound great and will start my research there. I will leave Cambodia for another time but not too long, as per dgunbug's suggestion. Once again, Fodor to the rescue!

There is the fall festival in Takayama in October, but maybe you don't want to travel there and would rather stay in Kyoto.

There is a Kamogawa Odori in Kyoto in October. That is a dance & music performance by geiko of the Pontocho hanamachi (Kyoto geisha). I don't know what days they will have performances (but I think it is several days and may coincide with the festival I mention below).

Also, I found this:
Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages)
This magnificent procession, some 1,700 people, in traditional costumes, hosted by Heian Shrine on the 22nd, leaves from the Imperial Palace (lasts about three hours in total).

The date given for that festival is October 22, but I don't know if that is the day this year (it may be on the same day every year, but check).