Immerse yourself in the wonders of Korea

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Andrea Francoso, Travel Agent in Scottsdale, AZ

Andrea Francoso

Scottsdale, AZ Travel Agent
Super Agent

Andrea Francoso

Scottsdale, AZ · 25+ Years of Experience

A full-service Travel Leaders Associate Agency
5.0
(49)
100% Recommended
We have booked several cruises with Andrea as well as some complex flight itineraries... Andrea is always up to date on the nuances and the details... Read More >
About
Reviews
My Places
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Seoul, South Korea, Busan

Interests:

Food & Wine, Spa & Fitness, Culinary & Foodie, Museums

Suppliers:

SITA World Tours, Kensington, Abercrombie & Kent, Delta Vacations, Holland America Line

About Me

Suspension Bridge
Suspension Bridge

With over 35 years in the travel industry, I’ve learned that travel is about diving deep into the stories, cultures, and vibrant spirit of the places you visit. South Korea holds a special place in my heart as a destination where ancient traditions gracefully meet cutting-edge innovation, creating an unforgettable blend of experiences for every traveler—whether you're seeking luxury or a budget-friendly adventure.

Thanks to my close relationships with trusted local South Korean tour operators and collaborators across the U.S., I design authentic journeys that go beyond typical tourist paths. Imagine hands-on cooking classes where you master iconic dishes like kimchi and bulgogi—whether in an elegant Seoul kitchen or a cozy neighborhood setting. Or staying in a beautifully restored hanok, the traditional Korean house, located in either a premium historic district or an affordable cultural neighborhood, tailored to your preferences and budget.

One standout experience is visiting the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, a living museum where you step into the lives of people from the Joseon Dynasty. You can partake in traditional performances, artisan crafts, and bustling local markets. This kind of immersive cultural engagement is what makes a trip truly memorable—whether you enjoy the comfort of guided private tours or the flexibility of self-guided discovery.

The itineraries I create capture South Korea’s full spectrum—from the ultra-modern streets and luxury hotels of Seoul, to the tranquil temples and heritage sites of Gyeongju; from Jeju Island’s stunning volcanic landscapes and upscale resorts to budget-friendly seaside villages in Busan.

Adventure seekers can hike the rugged trails of Seoraksan National Park, while culture lovers can experience seasonal festivals like the vibrant Lotus Lantern Festival or the multicultural Itaewon Global Village Festival, curated with options for all tastes and wallets.

Here’s a snapshot of South Korea’s must-see highlights:

Seoul: Dive into a city where sky-high glass towers stand beside grand palaces. Choose from five-star hotels in Gangnam or charming boutique guesthouses in Insadong.

Gyeongju: Explore the “museum without walls” with access to both exclusive guided tours and affordable entrance packages.

Jeju Island: Experience the UNESCO-listed lava tubes and beaches—opt for luxury spas and gourmet dining or budget-friendly guesthouses and street food markets.

Busan: Relax on Haeundae Beach, sample fresh seafood at Jagalchi Market, and wander the colorful alleys of Gamcheon Village with free or private guided options.

Seoraksan National Park: Trek scenic mountain paths ranging from easy day hikes to challenging climbs; choose between guided luxury excursions or solo budget-friendly adventures.

Korean Folk Village, Yongin: Immerse yourself in hands-on cultural activities with flexible ticketing for private or group visits.

Festivals: Celebrate at the Lotus Lantern Festival or Itaewon Global Village Festival, with VIP access or lively public participation.

Whatever your travel style or budget, I focus on crafting personalized itineraries that honor South Korea’s unique charms. Every journey is designed with care, blending comfort, authenticity, and meaningful cultural connections. My goal is simple—to turn your Korea travel dreams into vivid reality, filled with respect, wonder, and a true spirit of adventure.

I look forward to helping you curate your special adventure soon!

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
49 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 49 reviews

Makes each trip worry free
Reviewed By The journey is the Adventure - Prescott, Arizona | Traveled to Mediterranean ~ At Sea ~ At Sea
We have booked several cruises with Andrea as well as some complex flight itineraries... Andrea is always up to date on the nuances and the details to make each trip a success.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
11 of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Great Adventure
Reviewed By Ralph - Prescott, AZ | Traveled to Alaska ~ USA
Andrea is a true professional. She knows the industry and always ahas great insight on destinations. She works a lot of options in on our vacation planning_
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
10 of 11 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Testing this out
Reviewed By Drea - Queen Creek, AZ | Traveled to Croatia ~ Europe
Amazing
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Amazing Vacation
Reviewed By Monique - Pomona CA | Traveled to Puerto Vallarta ~ Jalisco ~ Mexico
Andrea was so helpful putting our package together exactly how we wanted it.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
My forever dream destination fairy godmother
Reviewed By Kissbesos - Los Angeles, CA | Traveled to Europe
I’ve been using Andrea for my world travels for some time now. She’s so efficient in helping me plan and make the right choices for my trips. Andrea is very knowledgeable and has great customer service skills, she’s good at making excellent recommendations .. Andrea is available for all my questions and concerns. I always refer her to all of my acquaintances. I just wish I had more time available to travel more.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
9 of 13 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

Client Testimonials

Our Iceland Trip!
I’m realizing that we never thanked your or sent you an update about the trip to Iceland you booked for us! IT WAS AMAZING!! ?????? We loved trekking across Iceland! We made it all the way around the snaefellsnes peninsula and the amazing sites there (found a GREAT restaurant called the “House of Food” up there!), down through landmannalaugar (we loved the hike in the middle of nowhere and the f-roads!), through Vik (and the volcano worries!), and to the glacier lagoon (breath taking!)!! We saw so many waterfalls, insane landscapes, glaciers, and mountains it was all so amazing! Truly a once in a lifetime trip! We are so very appreciative of you all setting it all up for us!! We are also very appreciative of the flowers you left us in our Reykjavik hotel and they travelled from hotel to hotel with us as well! 1200 miles of fun!! Thank you again for everything you put together for us!
Lee and Kelly T, Calif
Sri Lanka Wonderful
Andrea, We had the most amazing time in Sri Lanka. The hotels were amazing….the tour guide was over the top and the activities were fantastic…..it is a very unique and special place….you nailed it for us, and it was exactly what we wanted to do. Thanks so much and I can’t wait to book my next vacation with you.
P Kaufman, Miami Florida
Smooth and Relaxing Amalfi
It was a great trip! Very relaxing! Well, the area we all know is beautiful. The hotels in Positano and Capri were great. They were not stuck right where the action was, but they had shuttles available. For us, this was a good thing because the towns were very crowded and after roaming around we got back to a beautiful tranquil oasis. But I suppose other people might prefer the noise… Everything went smoothly. All the drivers came on time. No issues. We were happy to go to Pompei. It was super interesting and it was good to have something cultural besides beautiful scenery and beaches.
Mariana F, Key Biscayne, FL
Vietnam has been wonderful!
I want to let you know how our travel in Vietnam has been going. Our time in Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue and Hoi An has been wonderful: remarkable accommodations, very professional and friendly tour guides, sites and monuments we will never forget. And the food! Last but not least, to have somebody picking us up at the Ho Chi Minh City airport was very helpful. And we even successfully “navigate” a flood in Hue. Now we joined our friends for the rest of our tour, currently navigating the Mekong River to Phnom Penh, but I wanted to let you know that we are happy and you did a very good job. Again thanks. I’ll call you in person when I am back.
Maria P, Westhampton, NY
Poland was great!
I’m back from Europe and just wanted to let you know that Poland was fabulous, including the hotels, and especially the food tour (Michal, the guide who took us on this food journey was absolutely fabulous!) and Chopin recital (the pianist was amazing!) in Warsaw. Every guide and driver was on time, super knowledgeable, and courteous. Sometimes the information is a bit overwhelming, of course, with all the names and dates the tour guides rattle off but I’m always impressed by the amount of knowledge they have. THANK YOU for another fabulous trip! I can’t wait to book the next one!
Georg Krammer, Berkeley, CA
France in October was amazing!
Hi Andrea, Just had to write and tell you what a fabulous trip to France you organized for our 50th wedding anniversary. Every detail was flawlessly planned as usual. I do want to let you know that all of our accommodations were wonderful and full of surprises. Your recommendation of the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris was exceptional. We had to add an additional night as we didn’t want to leave. I’d really like to acknowledge the two tour guides we had in Nice and Cannes, Frank and Simon. They were so knowledgeable and such delightful companions. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with them. I hope you will pass that on to their superiors. Once again Andrea, thank you for making our travels so effortless and creating such great memories. We are your biggest fans. Until next time, David and Judy Perry
Judy Perry, Lafayette CA
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