Seoul has nothing to do with typical distinct European cities. It is rather a massive urbanised area with over 25 million inhabitants that also includes Incheon (district that hosts the major Korean airport) and other provinces.

Sejong-dearo road feels like a central vein of the city - it hosts a golden statue of emperor Sejong the Great and leads to the majestic Geunjeongjeon Palace.

Royal palace of Joseon dynasty, located in the very centre of Seoul occupies over 40 hectares and features over 500 buildings with over 7000 rooms. It was first build in XVI AD and rebuild after a major fire in XIX AD. It still serves not just as a major tourist attraction but also as a cultural spot for locals - half of the visitors are dressed in hanbok (traditional Korean clothing).

The DDP is located in the historical centre of Seoul, above the ancient City Walls of Seoul (XVI AD). The enormous neofuturistic landmarks serves as a historical & cultural centre, an art & design hub as well as an urban public space.

Seoul is a city of perfect contrasts. Here nature fits perfectly into urban structures, digital world embraces culture and tradition, ancient buildings neighbour with contemporary skyscrapers.

For instance, Bongeunsa temple, built in 794, nests beside newly developed steel & glass blocks of offices in Gangnam.

Branched and complex underground system of Seoul can take you anywhere around the metropolitan area. It will take around 30 minutes from the centre to reach Bukhansan national park, where crowds of Korean pensioners climb the 800-metre mountain. A tough climb rewards with magnificent view of the city (if you are lucky with the weather).

In case Mt. Bukhan was cloudy, try climbing N Seoul Tower. It is an overcrowded tourist attraction, but reveals an indescribable over the midnight city.

Nightlife of Seoul is definitely worth a separate post - and a separate line on travellers' agenda. Be sure to explore Korean barbeque spots and karaoke places, accompanied by soju with beer and makgeolli (sweet milky sparkling rice wine) for full experience.

3 hours in a high-speed train and you arrive to Busan. Often referred to as a 'village' by locals, Busan is a 3.5-million city on the shore of the Sea of Japan.

I was lucky to be invited to a very special and intimate event - a traditional Korean wedding.

Traditional Korean weddings are very colourful - all the guests wear Korean hanboks, that were specially prepared for us in advance due to unstandard sizes. Of course, bride's and groom's hanboks are strikingly beautiful.

Traditional weddings are also quite complex for begginers - there is a strict set of events and traditions that newlyweds and guests have to follow. The ceremony is accompanied by live music, dancing and many special rituals that engage the crowd.

Once the main part of the ceremony is complete, few chickens are let loose for guests to catch. According to tradition, if all of the chickens are successfully caught, the new family will be happy ever after.

The whole ceremony lasts around 1.5 hours and continues with delicious Korean lunch.

As any other wedding, it is probably very stressful for newlyweds, but extraordinarily exciting for guests to watch and participate in. Many years of happiness for the new family!

Go map sep ni da!