Excellent and very informative - Very informative and accommodating guide. Asked what we wanted to see and then expanded on it with great insight. Picked us up from the airport - knew places for food and drinks. Perceptive to our pace. Appreciated he took pics, as well as asked us questions.

Seoul private tour - highly recommend, great historian very accommodating , great communicator. Pick up at the airport with great signage and efficient use of time.

Really enjoyable day. ... - Really enjoyable day. We were able to do things at our own pace, so to speak, with Heni, our guide, and her husband who acted as our driver. Worth every penny, dearer than what you would pay for a group trip, but as it was a personal guided tour the price tag was justified. We were able customise the day, with Henis guidance. Heni herself, was very knowledgeable and helpful, acting as our photographer to boot, I would recommend this tour without any hesitation.

Excellent Small-Group Tour of the DMZ and Gyeongbokgung - In September 2025, four of us went on a tour with Alfonso to the DMZ and Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. This was our only full day in the city, and since it fell on a Monday we knew that most of the usual DMZ sites would be closed. Alfonso adjusted the itinerary and took us instead to the Aegibong Peace Observatory. The weather was clear and we had excellent views across the river into North Korea. The observatory was crowded, not only with visitors but also with a large Korean television production that included cameras, crews, television personalities, and interviews with North Korean defectors. At times this made it difficult to move around freely, but it was also fascinating to see such a major production taking place. Alfonso explained the geography, the border, and the villages across the river, while also describing what was happening with the filming. One unexpected sight was a Starbucks right at the edge of the DMZ. For lunch we went to Joyang Bangjik on Ganghwa Island, a former rayon factory that has been converted into a café and cultural space. Alfonso may have suggested it because he realized at the observatory that I was a photographer. The building was filled with antiques, art, flowers, and a butterfly garden, making it a wonderful place to explore as well as to eat. The pastries were familiar in some ways but also quite different from what we usually find at home, creamier, more buttery, and often sweeter. As a photographer, I enjoyed the setting itself, and as a butterfly photographer in particular, I was delighted to discover the butterfly garden, which turned out to be an unexpected bonus. In the afternoon we toured Gyeongbokgung Palace. Alfonso guided us through the entire complex, explaining the architecture and history, and how the palace had been repeatedly destroyed, abandoned, and rebuilt. His explanations were not scripted, but shaped by our questions and interests, which made the visit much more engaging. What stood out throughout the day was not only the places we saw, but the conversations we had. Because this was a small group tour with just the four of us, it felt much more personal than a large bus tour that follows a fixed script. Alfonso was constantly sharing insights into history, culture, and politics, and he welcomed our questions, making the tour feel like an ongoing dialogue rather than a lecture. He also acted as our photographer, using his professional DSLR to take both posed and candid pictures. After the tour he sent us more than 70 images, which was a thoughtful addition to the day. We spent over eight hours together, much of it driving through Seoul traffic, but the time never felt wasted. It was a full and rewarding day, and I would highly recommend this tour. Alfonso also offers a more extensive full-day DMZ tour that includes access to sites from his own military career in the area. If you have more time and want a deeper DMZ experience, you should look for that option on Viator.

Great tour! - Really great unhurried private tour experience topped off with some delicious duck barbecue. Great guide with lots of historical information.

Flexible, Funny, and Unforgettable Tour!!! - We booked the Free Style Private Tour (Essence of Seoul City) and it exceeded our expectations! Our guide, Jun, was amazing — super knowledgeable and engaging, but also funny, which made the whole day feel relaxed and enjoyable. We even arrived at the meeting location about 5 minutes late, and he was so flexible and understanding that it instantly took away any stress. The private setup gave us the freedom to move at our own pace, adjust the itinerary, and really dive into the places that interested us most. Whether it was hearing historical stories at the DMZ or exploring the heart of Seoul, he brought everything to life with humor and insight. This tour was the perfect mix of professionalism, flexibility, and fun, and it made my time in Korea truly memorable. We highly recommend it to anyone looking for a personalized and engaging experience!

Perfect day out - This is the perfect tour for those who want to go at their own pace. We got to see the DMZ and surrounding areas at a leisurely pace. And the Korean BBQ duck lunch was fantastic!! I would highly recommend this.

Excellent Private Tour! - We booked two private tours on our recent stay while in Korea. One to the DMZ (and other activities along the way) and one touring differint attactions in Seoul. Jun was our guide for both days and he an excellent guide. He picked us up each day at our hotel (he was always prompt) and led us on a personalized itinerary to see the highlights of each location. He had a lot of history behind the different sites...and as others have said he is happy to adjust the itinerary if you like one more (or less). He even had bottled water waiting for us one day as he didn't want us to overheat! Finally, the lunch spots he suggested each day were fantastic. If you want an excellent experience in Korea without the headaches of the the large tour group, I highly suggest these tours. Thanks Jun!

Amazing Tour - Jun gave us an absolutely amazing tour. He was so friendly and informative. It was truly one of the best tours I’ve ever done.

Lay over DMZ tour - We had some difficulty leaving the airport and were relieved that Jun waited and communicated with us through the entire time. He picked us up when we got out and we were able to cover a lot in the few hours of our lay over. He gave us a choice of traditional dishes for lunch and we throughly enjoyed our meal. When we said we were ready to wrap things up, he got the car and got us back to the airport in time for a smooth check in. I would recommend Jun as his car was spacious and it was easy with our luggage stored in the back.