Your questions: What should we do with a week in South Korea?

We are a group of four adults travelling to South Korea in mid-October. After leaving Jeju Island we have seven days to tour. Can you recommend places of interest to visit covering heritage areas and national parks? We would love to do a temple stay, using public transport between locations.
J. Anderson, Wangaratta, Vic

Cherry blossoms on a lake in Bomun, Gyeongju.Credit: iStock

What you might do is fly from Jeju Island to Busan and then take an express bus from Busan Central Bus Terminal to Gyeongju, which takes about 90 minutes. Gyeongju is the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom, which ruled most of the Korean Peninsula for several hundred years. The site contains some outstanding examples of Korean Buddhist art, including temples and palaces, sculptures, reliefs and pagodas, mostly created between the seventh and 10th centuries. It’s particularly lovely in autumn, when this world heritage site is set against a backdrop of auburn colours. Spend two nights here, and Namuae is a traditional Korean guesthouse with good reviews.

From Gyeongju take a 100-1 bus or taxi to Golgusa Temple, but the bus trip involves some walking. Golgusa has a two and three-day temple stay program, consisting of meditation, exercises and traditional Korean arts. Return to Gyeongju and take a bus and train to Andong, known as a centre for culture and folk traditions, and in particular its masked folk dances. The Andong Mask Dance Festival, a major cultural event, will be held from September 26 to October 5, 2025. Visit Andong’s Hahoe Folk Village, a UNESCO World Heritage site. A train from Andong to Seoul takes just short of four hours.

We are an active family of three older teens plus two parents. In January 2026, we’re looking for a budget-conscious international holiday in Asia or the Pacific that includes four days of cycle touring followed by seven days of learning to surf.
J. Fitzgerald, Kingsford, NSW

Hoi An: If you’re looking for an active family holiday at an affordable price, Vietnam is the place to go.Credit: iStock

Vietnam has most of what you’re looking for. Base yourselves in the coastal resort town of Hoi An and from there you can ride to Hue via the Hai Van Pass. Hoian Cycle Touring operates two-day escorted tours along this route, and while that’s short of what you’re after, this is a fairly tough and fulfilling ride, with the option of a return journey by bike. Go Surfing is a local surf school that operates in Hoi An and also Da Nang. Seek Sophie is another local operator.

I am travelling to the Maldives, do Australians require a visa? I have underlying medical conditions that can result in fractures. Which travel insurers provide good cover for younger people with complex health issues? Are there any restrictions on entering the country and for transit through Singapore with any prescription medications, including analgesia and injectables?
H. Harmer, Mildura, Vic

All foreigners visiting the Maldives must submit a Maldives Immigration Traveller Declaration, which can be done online. Complicated medical conditions require you to notify your travel insurer to ensure coverage. The best way to do this is to email several travel insurers with an outline of your medical condition. There is no insurer that stands out for their coverage of younger travellers with health issues, all conditions are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Provided you have proof that your medications have been prescribed by a doctor, and provided your medications do not include controlled drugs with a high risk of addiction such as Buprenorphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, tapentadol or pethidine, you should have no problems entering the Maldives with your medications. Since you are in transit in Singapore, this is not an issue. I’m assuming you are not planning to carry a syringe in your carry-on luggage.

In October, my husband and I will arrive at Sarande in Albania and plan to hire a car for a 10-day road trip. To avoid one-way charges, we plan to hire from Tirana International Airport. Is there reliable bus transportation from Sarande to Tirana, and can you recommend affordable car hire?
D. Carter. Lorne, Vic

Seafront at Sarande, Albania.Credit: iStock

Albania Bus lists only one bus making this journey, departing Sarande at 5.30am, and this might not be convenient. Looking at rental cars on Booking.com, you could hire a car from Sarande, dropping off at Tirana’s International Airport 10 days later for as little as $600. That’s with Surprice car rentals – not a company I know, but their reviews are decent enough.

If you were to go with a major operator such as Alamo, it starts at about $1000. You could save if you were to hire and return from Tirana’s International Airport. According to Booking.com, a Citroen C3 from OK Mobility costs as little as $224 for a 10-day hire in October. However, given the lack of transport options from Sarande to Tirana, I’d be inclined to hire from Sarande.

Travel advice is general; readers should consider their personal circumstances