Slow Weekend in Seoul with the Girls | Shopping, Food, and Cosmetic Clinics—All in One to Reclaim Your Relaxation Time
Mayco
3 days ago
Curious about Mayco's travel plans?
Seoul 3-day Trip2026-08-01 ~ 2026-08-03
Everyday life is always revolving around work and family, and there is rarely time to truly unwind. This year, I finally planned a long-awaited trip to Seoul with two close friends. There was no packed schedule and no rushing from one spot to the next, we simply enjoyed our few days off at the most comfortable pace.
Before we left, we booked part of our itinerary and discounts through Creatrip. Not only was it more budget-friendly than buying on-site, it also saved us a lot of time lining up and communicating, making the whole trip easier and smoother.
Our first impression after arriving in Seoul was how familiar and comfortable it felt. The streets were clean, transportation was convenient, and the subway could get us to almost everywhere we wanted to go. We did not plan an intense itinerary, instead we started the trip in a relaxed, go-with-the-flow way, taking a walk near the hotel first and slowly getting a feel for the city’s rhythm.
The main theme of this trip was “slowing down.” Instead of being tied to a schedule, we slept in and then decided where to go for the day, which made it even easier to enjoy the freedom and ease of traveling.
Food was, of course, a big part of the trip. We had Korean BBQ, fried chicken, budae jjigae, gamjatang, soy-marinated crab, and all kinds of street snacks, and we also visited quite a few unique cafes. Korean cafes are truly charming, each one has its own style, from clean and minimalist Korean aesthetics to vintage designs, it is impossible not to take photos.
Our favorite way to explore was simply popping into small shops on a whim, sometimes you find surprises you never expected. Without the tourist crowds, there was just a comfortable atmosphere and friendly shop owners, which gave the trip even more memorable moments.
Shopping was also one of the highlights of this trip. We went to Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Seongsu-dong, and each area had its own character. Myeongdong is great for cosmetics and skincare, Hongdae is full of youthful energy and creative boutiques, and Seongsu is where you will find designer brands and stylish cafes, perfect for a slow stroll.
We shopped and chatted along the way, stepping into any store we liked, and we ended up buying plenty of skincare, snacks, and souvenirs. Even though we were carrying a lot by the end, we felt completely satisfied.
One of the things we looked forward to most was trying a Korean aesthetic treatment. We did a lot of research before the trip and made our appointment through the platform. When we arrived at the clinic, the environment was clean and comfortable, everything ran smoothly, and there was Chinese-language assistance from consultation to the procedure, so communication was completely stress-free.
The doctor gave recommendations based on our individual needs and did not push any hard sales, which made the whole experience feel very reassuring. After the treatment, there was a bit of recovery time, but more than anything, it felt like we were truly “taking care of ourselves.” We are usually busy taking care of others, and this time we finally got to save some time for ourselves.
During the trip, we walked a lot every day. When we got tired, we would find a cafe to rest or sit down and chat. We did not feel the need to check off a certain number of attractions, instead we treasured the time the three of us spent together.
Sometimes the most precious part of traveling is not where you went, but who you went with. Since we are all busy with our own lives, opportunities to travel abroad together like this feel even more rare.
Over these few days, it was not just my body that relaxed, my mind felt recharged, too. Watching people come and go on the streets of Seoul really makes you feel that taking a trip once in a while is the best way to recharge for everyday life.
Planning our activities through Creatrip made the whole trip more efficient and saved us quite a bit of time. For first-time visitors to Korea, or anyone who wants a more relaxed trip, it is a very convenient option.
If you are like me and usually caught up in day-to-day life, set aside some time to take a walk around Seoul with friends. Eat great food, shop, try an aesthetic treatment, and slowly take in the charm of the city. What you bring home is not just shopping bags, but memories that help you recharge.
Seoul’s charm is not only in its attractions, it is in every street, every cafe, and every moment spent with friends. This trip let us put our busy lives on pause for a while and left us with truly precious memories. I am already looking forward to returning to Korea in the future and continuing to explore different cityscapes.
