Two travelers that have made Seoul, Korea their home want to show you the local side of the city. From traditional eats in local markets to wandering along the winding historical streets in some of Seoul’s oldest districts, Hallie and Vanessa are here to guide you.

Hallie and Vanessa are two of the Local Guides listed on the Women Travel Guide Directory.

The Soul of Seoul Tours was started as a joint venture between the two avid travelers that have made Seoul their home. Hallie has been living in the Land of the Morning Calm since 2006 and Vanessa has made the country her home since 2011. Both were drawn to the country for far different reasons but realized after a short time that this was the place for them.

Seeing a need for local tourists that would show them the real side of Seoul that not only Hallie and Vanessa, but more importantly the locals, enjoy, they started their business.

Who are they?

Hallie originally hails from Dayton, Ohio but spent the early part of her life taking advantage of any travel opportunity that came her way from heading to Florida, Colorado, Texas and California and even going as far as France, Germany, the Czech Republic and Monaco all before she graduated from high school. Traveling is what her soul needs to thrive and now showing others around and giving tourists to Seoul the opportunity to have truly unique experiences is also what she loves to do.

Vanessa originally stems from a tiny town located in the heart of Iowa. She got her first taste of traveling in a later stage of life but since the initial experience, has backpacked her way through Europe during one of its hottest summers and tried her luck in Central America. She lives for assimilating to new cultures and spending time with the locals to discover the hottest spots that most tourists will never find.

What kinds of tours do they offer?

Currently, The Soul of Seoul Tours offers two to three hour walking tours to various locations around Seoul. From bustling local markets with unique Korean delicacies to what could be confusing criss-crossing alleyway neighborhoods, they want to share what they love best about the city of Seoul.

While most bigger tour companies offer tours to the major palaces and some would say more “beautiful” areas of Seoul, Hallie and Vanessa want to showcase where the locals really hang out.

When can you take a tour?

Tours are available Monday through Sunday by reservation only which can be made through their website thesoulofseoultours.com or by emailing them at thesoulofseoultours@gmail.com