23 days in Birmingham & Seoul Itinerary

Britain's second-largest city, Birmingham was known as the City of a Thousand Trades and the Workshop of the World in the Victorian era.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Birdland and Holy Trinity Church. Get outdoors at Rutland Water and Woburn Safari Park. Venture out of the city with trips to Cotswolds Distillery (in Stourton), Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (in Wrexham) and National Trust - Chirk Castle (in Chirk). And it doesn't end there: explore the historical opulence of Powis Castle and Garden, pause for some serene contemplation at Tewkesbury Abbey, contemplate the long history of Hereford Cathedral, and get to know the fascinating history of Castle Combe Village.

To find ratings, more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the Birmingham travel route planner.

If you are flying in from United Kingdom, the closest major aiports are Manchester Airport, Birmingham International Airport, East Midlands Airport and RAF Brize Norton. April in Birmingham sees daily highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Mon) to allow time to travel to Seoul.

One of east Asia's major cultural and financial centers, Seoul boasts five World Heritage Sites and a huge selection of museums, temples, shrines, palaces, parks, gardens, and glass-and-steel skyscrapers.

Explore hidden gems such as Cheonggyecheon Stream and National Museum of Korea. Head to Sinchon and Shinsegae Dept. Store Mainfor some retail therapy. Explore Seoul's surroundings by going to Nami Island (in Chuncheon), Eulwangni Beach (in Incheon) and Hwaseong Fortress (in Suwon). Spend the 3rd (Fri) exploring nature at Bukhansan National Park. And it doesn't end there: don't miss a visit to Gwanghwamun Gate, contemplate the long history of DMZ Haemaru Village, buy something for everyone on your list at Times Square Mall, and take a stroll through Itaewon.

For photos, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, read Seoul trip planner.

Traveling by combination of train and flight from Birmingham to Seoul takes 18 hours. The time zone changes from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to Korean Standard Time (KST), which is usually a 9 hour difference. In May, Seoul is somewhat warmer than Birmingham - with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. On the 10th (Fri), you're off to home.