Caroline Dietrich, Founder of Kaja Voyages – Travel Planner. It’s not every day that you meet someone who talks about South Korea with the kind of warmth and clarity that makes you want to book a flight right away. Caroline Dietrich is one of those people. I first came across her work through Kaja Voyages, the travel‑planning service she created after a major career change. What struck me wasn’t just her passion for Korea, but the way she approaches travelers: calmly, honestly, and with a real desire to help them feel confident about their trip.
Caroline doesn’t run a traditional travel agency. She builds trips the way you’d help a friend prepare for a journey they’ve dreamed about for years — by listening, guiding, and making sure they never feel lost in the process. Her clients often arrive with excitement mixed with doubts, and she has this ability to turn that mix into something simple and reassuring. Many describe their trip to Korea as a dream; she helps them turn that dream into something they can actually imagine living.
With more than thirty itineraries already crafted, a growing presence at Korea‑related festivals in Europe, and a genuine love for sharing lesser‑known places and experiences, Caroline has become a reference for travelers who want something more than the usual “Seoul‑Busan‑Jeju” checklist. This interview is a chance to understand how she works, what drives her, and why her approach resonates so much with people preparing their first (or next) trip to South Korea.
1. Could you introduce your agency and your specialization in trips to South Korea?
My name is Caroline Dietrich, and in January 2025 I created Kaja Voyages – Travel Planner, a service dedicated to designing fully customized trips, mainly to South Korea.
I am not a travel agency, and I always make this very clear. My job as a travel planner is purely advisory. I imagine and build tailor‑made itineraries that match each client’s wishes, constraints, and budget. I take care of the time‑consuming part of planning: researching, selecting, comparing, checking… while the client remains in control of their project. They make the reservations themselves and always choose and validate the options.
Kaja Voyages was born from a career change after 15 years in the medico‑social field. I trained specifically for this profession to understand its rules and standards before launching my business. My passion for South Korea is what pushed me to take this leap. Many clients describe their trip to Korea as a dream — my mission is to help make that dream real. When, during our first call, a client tells me “I’m already starting to picture myself there,” it’s the best reward.
I listen to what clients express, but also to what they don’t say. I’m here to ease fears and stress, and to help them feel confident and ready when departure day arrives. One of my favorite compliments came from a client who said she was terrified of getting lost in Seoul. When she returned, she told me: “Thanks to you, I felt confident. I dared to get lost — and I actually enjoyed it.”
On social media, I share places, experiences, and content that you don’t always find elsewhere. Korea is beautiful everywhere — rich in culture, gastronomy, and unique atmospheres.
I offer several types of services: full trip planning (transport, activities, accommodation, itinerary creation, daily schedule), or partial planning (transport only, accommodation only, itinerary only). I also provide advisory sessions for travelers who prefer organizing everything themselves but want professional guidance to validate their choices or get personalized suggestions.
One of my key strengths is the personalized travel booklet I create for each trip. It includes all essential information and accompanies clients before, during, and even after their journey. The printed version becomes a real keepsake that travelers personalize along the way.
I also write ebooks dedicated to South Korea. The first one, “Preparing Your Trip to South Korea with Peace of Mind”, offers 59 pages of verified, regularly updated advice. More ebooks are on the way.
I regularly participate in Korea‑related festivals in France, and now also in Belgium and Switzerland. I love sharing my passion for South Korea, and these events are a great opportunity to introduce a new way of planning trips. I often host talks about traveling in Korea — they’re always popular.
I am not a travel agency, and I always make this very clear. My job as a travel planner is purely advisory. I imagine and build tailor‑made itineraries that match each client’s wishes, constraints, and budget. I take care of the time‑consuming part of planning: researching, selecting, comparing, checking… while the client remains in control of their project. They make the reservations themselves and always choose and validate the options.
Kaja Voyages was born from a career change after 15 years in the medico‑social field. I trained specifically for this profession to understand its rules and standards before launching my business. My passion for South Korea is what pushed me to take this leap. Many clients describe their trip to Korea as a dream — my mission is to help make that dream real. When, during our first call, a client tells me “I’m already starting to picture myself there,” it’s the best reward.
I listen to what clients express, but also to what they don’t say. I’m here to ease fears and stress, and to help them feel confident and ready when departure day arrives. One of my favorite compliments came from a client who said she was terrified of getting lost in Seoul. When she returned, she told me: “Thanks to you, I felt confident. I dared to get lost — and I actually enjoyed it.”
On social media, I share places, experiences, and content that you don’t always find elsewhere. Korea is beautiful everywhere — rich in culture, gastronomy, and unique atmospheres.
I offer several types of services: full trip planning (transport, activities, accommodation, itinerary creation, daily schedule), or partial planning (transport only, accommodation only, itinerary only). I also provide advisory sessions for travelers who prefer organizing everything themselves but want professional guidance to validate their choices or get personalized suggestions.
One of my key strengths is the personalized travel booklet I create for each trip. It includes all essential information and accompanies clients before, during, and even after their journey. The printed version becomes a real keepsake that travelers personalize along the way.
I also write ebooks dedicated to South Korea. The first one, “Preparing Your Trip to South Korea with Peace of Mind”, offers 59 pages of verified, regularly updated advice. More ebooks are on the way.
I regularly participate in Korea‑related festivals in France, and now also in Belgium and Switzerland. I love sharing my passion for South Korea, and these events are a great opportunity to introduce a new way of planning trips. I often host talks about traveling in Korea — they’re always popular.
2. What destinations or experiences are most requested by European travelers?
For my clients traveling to Korea, the most popular cities are Seoul, Busan, Gyeongju, and Jeju — the “Korean Golden Road.” But that doesn’t mean you can’t go off the beaten path in these places. That’s exactly where my guidance becomes meaningful.
Some travelers even want their very first trip to be unconventional. Together, we design itineraries that lead them to lesser‑known areas such as Danyang, Wonju, Geoje, Sokcho, Gwangju, or Gongju.
People who discover me through social media know that I love authentic experiences. I know the tourist hotspots, but they’re not what excite me the most. The same goes for restaurants and cafés — I regularly share my personal discoveries and favorites.
They also know about my passion for K‑dramas. I’ve developed real expertise in filming locations across the country. And when a client mentions a drama I haven’t watched, I don’t hesitate to watch it so I can track down the exact filming spots.
Some travelers even want their very first trip to be unconventional. Together, we design itineraries that lead them to lesser‑known areas such as Danyang, Wonju, Geoje, Sokcho, Gwangju, or Gongju.
People who discover me through social media know that I love authentic experiences. I know the tourist hotspots, but they’re not what excite me the most. The same goes for restaurants and cafés — I regularly share my personal discoveries and favorites.
They also know about my passion for K‑dramas. I’ve developed real expertise in filming locations across the country. And when a client mentions a drama I haven’t watched, I don’t hesitate to watch it so I can track down the exact filming spots.
3. Have you noticed a growing interest in Korean culture in recent years?
Absolutely — and I’m part of that evolution. Five years ago, I would never have imagined working in a field connected to South Korea. Today, Korea is part of everyday conversations. The Hallyu wave is steadily making its impact, sometimes without people even realizing it.
As a result, the desire to discover South Korea is increasing. Two clients recently told me: “I saw that it looks beautiful — I want to discover it.”
As a result, the desire to discover South Korea is increasing. Two clients recently told me: “I saw that it looks beautiful — I want to discover it.”
4. What type of trip do you recommend for a first visit to Korea?
I always start with the traveler’s expectations. After organizing more than 30 trips to Korea since launching my business, I can say that no two itineraries are alike — and that’s the strength of my service.
My main recommendation is to adapt the number of stops to the length of the trip. Many travelers want to see everything, but that’s impossible — and the fastest way to feel frustrated. For a first trip, I suggest following your interests and leaving room for surprises. There are always surprises in Korea.
My main recommendation is to adapt the number of stops to the length of the trip. Many travelers want to see everything, but that’s impossible — and the fastest way to feel frustrated. For a first trip, I suggest following your interests and leaving room for surprises. There are always surprises in Korea.
5. Do you work with cultural institutions or local partners in Korea?
Yes. I want to offer safe, reliable experiences. I’m very selective about the professionals I collaborate with.
During each of my trips to Korea (twice a year), I meet new partners — guides, agencies, tour organizers, photographers — and test activities such as workshops, cooking classes, tours, or sports experiences. Quality always comes before quantity.
I also test different types of accommodation, which allows me to give truly personalized recommendations.
During each of my trips to Korea (twice a year), I meet new partners — guides, agencies, tour organizers, photographers — and test activities such as workshops, cooking classes, tours, or sports experiences. Quality always comes before quantity.
I also test different types of accommodation, which allows me to give truly personalized recommendations.
6. What advice would you give to travelers who want to discover Korea authentically?
In South Korea, going off the beaten path can feel intimidating, but it often leads to the best surprises. A classic example is Bukchon. Everyone goes there to see hanoks, but most visitors crowd into one main street — which even led to a curfew to protect residents. Yet Bukchon is much more than that street. And even within Bukchon, curiosity can make you feel like you’re alone in the world.
Korea is not limited to what you see on social media. Traveling around the country, even into rural areas, is much easier than people imagine. Personally, it’s by exploring beyond the usual routes that I’ve found the most beautiful temples, the most memorable experiences, and meaningful encounters with locals. I always encourage travelers to step off the beaten path.
Korea is not limited to what you see on social media. Traveling around the country, even into rural areas, is much easier than people imagine. Personally, it’s by exploring beyond the usual routes that I’ve found the most beautiful temples, the most memorable experiences, and meaningful encounters with locals. I always encourage travelers to step off the beaten path.
7. What projects or new offers are you preparing for 2026–2027?
Requests for 2027 trips are already coming in — it’s not too early. It allows us to dream the trip together before starting the concrete planning.
I’m currently working on new offers designed for K‑pop fans who want to discover Korea differently. But for now… it’s still a secret.
I’m currently working on new offers designed for K‑pop fans who want to discover Korea differently. But for now… it’s still a secret.