Charge your phone because you’re going to want to take photos of literally everything!!

SUBWAY, TRAIN, CAR

Need a quick escape from Seoul? Anseong is the perfect answer. I had no idea this little city could pack so much into one day: grapes, macarons, UNESCO heritage, and street food. You name it!! We kicked off the morning with grape-picking, and let me tell you that these grapes are on another level. Anseong has been growing them for over 100 years, and they’ve even developed a way to make them seedless (dangerous, because you just keep popping them one after another). They were so big and sweet that I swore I was picking a box to take home… but somehow half of mine disappeared into my stomach before the end of the day. Next stop: macaron-making. Who knew grapes could sneak their way into macarons? It sounded unusual at first, but biting into them was surprisingly satisfying. Also, making them was so much fun, and although mine didn't look exactly like Instagram-worthy desserts, they tasted amazing. But the real highlight? The Namsadang Baudeogi Performance. Imagine acrobatics, tightrope walking, drumming, dancing, and comedy all back-to-back with no breaks in excitement. No wonder UNESCO recognizes it as heritage. I found myself laughing at the jokes, gasping at the stunts, and clapping along with everyone else. My favourite part was the tightrope act!! I was holding my breath the entire time, and the performer was incredible: fearless, graceful, and so full of energy. To wrap things up, we wandered through the traditional market. Ending the day with tasty street food felt perfect. Vendors even slipped us little snacks while we ate (so sweet!!), and to top it off, the Mayor of Anseong joined us, warmly welcoming us. So, if you’re ever craving a getaway that mixes history, food, and culture with a lot of fun, Anseong should be on your list. And if you can, go during the Baudeogi Festival starting October 9th, that’s when the whole city comes alive. Huge thanks to Funday Korea for making this trip happen. Without them, I never would’ve discovered this side of Korea.