Visiting South Korea: How safe is the DMZ?

WE WOULD LIKE TO VISIT THE DMZ FROM SEOUL ON A TOUR, IS THIS STILL CONSIDERED SAFE? ARE THERE OTHER DAY TOURS YOU COULD RECOMMEND AND POSSIBLY AN OVERNIGHT TRIP? COULD YOU ALSO SUGGEST DAY TRIPS OUT OF VIENNA OF NO MORE THAN 6-7 HRS DURATION? A. WHITE, KIALLA VIC

The DMZ is quite safe, you have to obey the protocols but your movements are monitored carefully and it's a fascinating experience.

It's surprisingly and scarily close to Seoul and you can find plenty of tours on Viator, viator.com. The Gyeongbokgung palace complex is one of the city's standouts, you need half a day to do it justice.

Catch the changing of the guard, which happens several times daily. Nearby Changdeokgung is the most spectacular of Seoul's five main palaces and you need to be on a guided tour, which you can also find on Viator, preferably one that includes the lovely Huwon secret garden.

Jongmyo Shrine is worth a look since it's in the same area.

Close to Seoul, the Bukchon Hanok district is home to almost 1000 hanok, traditional Korean homes.

Try one of the teahouses here and perhaps also in Seoul's Insedong if you develop a taste.

There are several two-day tours on Viator and my pick would be the Silla heritage tour to Gyeongju.For short tours from Vienna, wine tasting in the Wachau Valley, the mountain resort of Semmering where the nobs of Viennese high society spent their summers, and the Vienna Woods together with Mayerling are all worthwhile.