IV managed all tour elements well, including booking / helpful tips and general insights to tour Sri Lanka. A hitch at beginning with with our email contact, once rectified IV staff (who were lovely)... See more
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This is my first time booking with Inspiring Vacations.So far I am pleased with how the booking has progressed.Gemma was very helpful and pleasant to deal with on the phone.As my girlfriend and I... See more
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I have booked a trip with a friend of mine departing November 2026 still 5 months to go. So far so good until now, respond quickly to my (our) questions and keep in touch communications. Then, we real... See more
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This was the second seminar I had been to o & found the experience very good. Although it is easy to view online it was great being able to talk to someone & also view film of destinations.
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Company details
- #10 of 11 best companies in Tour Operator
- #16 of 23 best companies in Travel Agency
About Inspiring Vacations
Written by the company
Melbourne based, Australian-owned, globally operated travel company offering value-packed tour, cruise, rail and flight packages to the world’s most exciting destinations, across all seven continents. The trusted travel brand’s mission is to inspire people everywhere to experience the world.
Flexible Cancellation Change your mind up to 7 days after making your booking. Refer to the fine print of your chosen package for the specific cooling off period.
Unbeatable Value We’re proud to offer tours across the world at the very best price possible. We tours are outstanding value compared to what you could expect to pay for the same tour with another operator.
Award-winning Customer Support When you make your booking, you will receive ongoing support from our award winning team of travel professionals who you can contact 24/7 via online chat, phone or email.
Diverse Range Whatever you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered. Our product range includes small-group tours, large-group tours, independent and private tours, train itineraries, cruising products and more.
Insurance Proud to partner with NIB to offer the best protection to our customers. Ask us about how NIB might be right for you.
Traveller Hub Easily manage your bookings via our simple and intuitive Traveller Hub platform.
Flexible Cancellation Change your mind up to 7 days after making your booking. Refer to the fine print of your chosen package for the specific cooling off period.
Unbeatable Value We’re proud to offer tours across the world at the very best price possible. We tours are outstanding value compared to what you could expect to pay for the same tour with another operator.
Award-winning Customer Support When you make your booking, you will receive ongoing support from our award winning team of travel professionals who you can contact 24/7 via online chat, phone or email.
Diverse Range Whatever you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered. Our product range includes small-group tours, large-group tours, independent and private tours, train itineraries, cruising products and more.
Insurance Proud to partner with NIB to offer the best protection to our customers. Ask us about how NIB might be right for you.
Traveller Hub Easily manage your bookings via our simple and intuitive Traveller Hub platform.
Our Promise
We're passionate about taking care of all our customers - one customer at a time. Our Travel Specialists are available 24 hours a day by online chat, email or by phone and are there to answer your questions and help with your booking.
Contact info
Level 2, 420 St Kilda Rd, 3004, Melbourne, Australia
- 1300 88 66 88
- support@inspiringvacations.com
- www.inspiringvacations.com
4.4
Excellent
7K reviews
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Replied to 98% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 48 hours
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Inspiring vacation/Yumi guide and trip disappointing
I was on a 5 day japan tour, June 2026, with tour guide Yumi. We spent too much time shopping and not enough time learning history and seeing sites in Japan.
Yumi’s English was very hard to understand and often times, I had to look up information myself.
Our group was large at 37 and Yumi seemed quite anxious about the size. When she read about a site, she read it off a paper/ipad which was contrast to the Korean inspiring vacation trip. Everything was memorized from our tour guide in Korea ( I did a review for that trip)
I had zero issues with hotels, breakfasts and quality bus driver.
Just overall disappointed with the Japan trip, tour guide Yumi and inspiring vacation Japan trip.
7 June 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hello Holly,
Thank you for sharing your feedback about your recent tour.
We're sorry to hear that your holiday did not meet your expectations. Please be assured that your feedback has been reviewed and shared with the relevant parties.
While we are not able to change your own experience, your feedback will allow us to improve how we interact and deliver our services in the future. We therefore really appreciate you taking the time to share this with us and remain committed to delivering outstanding customer service and inspiring travel experiences.
Kind Regards,
Inspiring Vacations
Having booked a dream holiday to Japan…
Having booked a dream holiday to Japan .... I was so looking forward to it. It is all inclusive of flights with either Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific. So I thought I'd treat myself with an upgrade, well that was a big mistake ... even though I had fully paid my inclusive flight monies - I am now asked to pay an extra $5,185 ... and pay for an extra night in Osaka????? The monies I paid for the flight is bot put as part payment for this new flight ... I have lost that because I wanted to treat myself ... so I would have to pay the enlarged extra dollars and for the extra night. Really this company is a nightmare - wanting money out of customers at any angle. What a shame that simple things are not communicated and the lack of communications from them has been a big part of this disappointment. Being a veteran/pensioner ... this holiday was important and the enlarged extra cost is just not affordable. Looks like I have to do this holiday and just be another sheep. Oh well I will avoid companies like this that promise a great holiday and then try and get more excess monies from you. Oh by the way this was not the only thing that happened there are many more problems and that would take forever to explain .... just a warning to future users of this company --- please please be aware :(
20 June 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hello Les,
Thank you for your review.
It is very disappointing to read that you feel this way. Our team did take the time to explain that requests such as airline changes, cabin upgrades and itinerary changes are handled as flight deviations, which are subject to a flight deviation fee per person as well as any difference in airfare and taxes vs the standard included flights. This is outlined in our Flight Preference Form which you would have filled out, our Flight FAQs, and is also part of the flight preference process used when requesting tailored flight options.
We can also confirm that this was explained to you in detailed written communication and discussed with you by phone. As advised, any alternative flight options and upgrade pricing are subject to the fares and availability available to us with the airline at the time the quote is prepared. Where a requested option is not available, our team will always provide the closest available alternative.
While we understand this was not the outcome you were hoping for, we do hope you can appreciate that these costs were not additional charges quoted randomly, but were based on the requested deviation from the standard flight arrangement and the fare conditions available at the time.
Kind regards,
Inspiring Vacations
One happy customer
Dealing with Inspiring has been great and VERY helpful. They are very friendly and did not rush me even though they were bizzzy.
And being kept up to date with emails.
And on there WEB site.
18 June 2026
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hello Yalingd,
Thank you for your positive feedback!
We're proud to offer a straightforward booking process and are thrilled to hear you had a smooth experience with our friendly staff!
We look forward to having you travel with us.
Kind Regards,
Inspiring Vacations
The 15 day Borneo tour was amazing
The 15 day Borneo tour was amazing, everything I had hoped to see,Orangutans, Horn bills, Proboscis monkeys so much more, both the young lady tour leaders were so helpful, knowledgeable and patient definitely made this tour very enjoyable
Small group of 8 then added another 6 after a few days made it a very friendly group
31 May 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hello Sandra,
Thank you for your glowing review!
We are delighted to hear that you had a fantastic time with our tour guides on your recent trip to Borneo. A guide helps make the journey memorable and we are thrilled their efforts contributed to a great experience for you.
We look forward to seeing you travel with Inspiring Vacations again.
Kind Regards,
Inspiring Vacations
Our China holiday
The booking process was uncomplicated; the price of the holiday was exceptional; the country and the people were amazing. Nothing was too difficult for the tour guide who went out of her way to make us feel safe and part of a team. In short, my wife and I would say this has been the best holiday we have been on to date.
3 June 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hello Paul,
Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us! We are pleased to know that you enjoyed your holiday and had a great time.
We look forward to assisting you with your future travel plans and ensuring your next adventure is just as memorable.
Kind Regards,
Inspiring Vacations
I phoned to query a cruise I had seen…
I phoned to query a cruise I had seen online, I received a return phone call and made a booking and paid the deposit in 10 minutes. So very helpful.
16 June 2026
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hello Deb,
Thank you for your positive feedback!
We're proud to offer a straightforward booking process and are thrilled to hear you had a smooth experience.
We look forward to having you travel with us.
Kind Regards,
Inspiring Vacations
Original booking process was good but…
Original booking process was good but customer service has been downhill since then. For our tour, we need to apply for 3 separate visas. Despite repeated requests to them to give us the tour details so we can begin the visa processes, they have still not provided them even though we now fly out in 17 days (their own website recommends getting visas 30 days before your trip). All their email responses say that they are working on it but they are busy. We are now concerned that our visas won’t arrive in time because they have been unable to give us the tour details in reasonable timeframes. Hopefully this gets resolved but poor experience to date
19 June 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hello Nicholas,
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
We're very sorry to hear about your recent experience and can see that a team member is in contact with you. They will be in touch again soon once they have an update.
Kind Regards,
Inspiring Vacations
First contact energetic too many emails…
First contact energetic too many emails confusing trail
17 June 2026
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hello Helen,
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
We're very sorry to hear about your recent experience. Please feel free to reach out to the team to opt out of emails.
Kind Regards,
Inspiring Vacations
Incredible safari holiday
We travelled on the 25 day small group Serengeti and Masi mara. Wow what an experience. It's so hard to explain what we did and what we saw in real life. The accommodation in each location was beautiful; the staff were incredible. Our guides were so knowledgeable and worked so hard to find us the animals and experiences while on safari. Then the real heroes of the trip were the animals. WOW!!! It's hard to believe we were seeing this in real life and not a documentary. What an amazing place, the colours and the people, the food, what an experience.
2 May 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hello Cheree,
Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us! We are pleased to know that you enjoyed your holiday and had a great time.
We look forward to assisting you with your future travel plans and ensuring your next adventure is just as memorable.
Kind Regards,
Inspiring Vacations
I have booked a trip with a friend of…
I have booked a trip with a friend of mine departing November 2026 still 5 months to go. So far so good until now, respond quickly to my (our) questions and keep in touch communications. Then, we really expect the 19day trip will be grate experiances for us. Therefore I leave the one star for afterwards when it's completed.
29 May 2026
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hello Kay,
Thank you for your kind words!
We’re thrilled to hear that our team has been able to assist with your Inspiring Vacation.
Kind Regards,
Inspiring Vacations
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hello Stephen,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us!
We sincerely appreciate your feedback and look forward to having you travel with us soon.
Kind Regards,
Inspiring Vacations
Easy to deal with
9 June 2026
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hello RM,
Thank you for your positive feedback!
We look forward to having you travel with us.
Kind Regards,
Inspiring Vacations
Very well organised tour in China
Very well organised tour. The tour guide was great, excellent English, and looked after everyone very well. The suggested gratuity of 12AUD pp per day is expected and you would feel uncomfortable if you did not pay.
You really do need to do the optional tours as you’re left at a loose end while the rest do the activity. We soon worked this out and opted in. Of course this adds to the cost of this very reasonable tour. The rickshaw ride and family lunch was excellent. The show on the lake was magnificent as was the light show at the bund in Shanghai.
The hotels were all very good although not very central. There were some long days of travel to and from hotels. The Guace Hotel Beijing had no restaurants or shops nearby.
The experiences at the Chinese Medicine Centre, Jade factory, pearl shop, silk shop and tea plantation had very long presentations and a lot of pressure to buy. Beautiful things if you wanted to buy.
We were impressed how clean everything was. So many trees. So many different buildings.
We felt very safe. Security is tight.
2 June 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hi Claire,
Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us! We are pleased to know that you enjoyed your holiday and had a great time.
We look forward to assisting you with your future travel plans and ensuring your next adventure is just as memorable.
Kind Regards,
Inspiring Vacations
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hello Marie,
We really appreciate you taking the time to leave such positive feedback. Thank you for choosing Inspiring Vacations!
Kind Regards,
Inspiring Vacations
Customer Service Failure
I did a tour of Borneo last year with some friends and it was brilliant. The tour route was great and our guide was exemplary. But unfortunately, this review is not about that. It’s about appalling customer service. I have been waiting for an approved and promised refund for seven weeks. After three unanswered emails, I called support who supposedly spoke to someone who said my refund would be “expedited” and would be received this week. Which it hasn’t. I wrote another email which has also gone unanswered. To add insult to injury, they have also used a credit which I had on my account and which was the reason my duplicate payment was being refunded. In essence, this means I have paid for the same extra accommodation charge twice. It has all left a very bad taste in my mouth and certainly not conducive to recommending the company to anyone.
11 June 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hello Daniela,
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and we're so pleased to hear that your Borneo tour was such a brilliant experience — it sounds like a truly memorable trip.
However, we are very sorry to hear about the difficulties you have encountered regarding your refund and we do understand your frustration. Our Finance Team have been working through an extremely high volume of refunds to process due to the recent Middle East disruptions. If you refund has been escalated to be processed with high priority, this may take a few days to appear on your statement depending on your bank or institution.
To better assist you, please reach out to our team directly with your contact information, if you would like to know the status of your refund. As this post does not have your contact details, we are unable to follow up with you directly.
Kind Regards,
Inspiring Vacations
Tour of South Korea
Really enjoyed the tour of South Korea. The tour guide was great and a fun group of people to travel with.
Just wished we could have had more time in some places. But a great experience.
GM
5 June 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hello GabM,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback — we're so glad to hear you enjoyed your tour of South Korea! It's always lovely to know that a great guide and a fun group added to the experience.
We hear you on wishing for more time in certain spots — South Korea has so much to offer, it's hard to fit it all in! We'll be sure to pass this feedback on to our team.
We hope to have you travel with Inspiring Vacations again soon!
Kind Regards,
Inspiring Vacations
Our South Korea Experience …
The bus driver was excellent always getting us in and out of difficult spots.
Our tour guide B K was informative, friendly and very comprehensive about Korea and its interesting history. Also helping us with restaurant tips. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip.
5 June 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hello David,
Thank you for your glowing review!
We are delighted to hear that you had a fantastic time with our tour guide B K on your recent trip to Korea. A guide helps make the journey memorable and we are thrilled their efforts contributed to a great experience for you.
We look forward to seeing you travel with Inspiring Vacations again.
Kind Regards,
Inspiring Vacations
We travelled with Inspiring to South…
We travelled with Inspiring to South America and had a medical incident whereby we needed to stay 2 extra nights in a location, reschedule 1 flight and cancel 2 nights accommodation at the next location. we would rejoin the trip. We called the Emergency numbers listed in our Trip Itinerary - all were unanswered, sent an email to Inspiring Aust - all unanswered. We were left to rearrange the trip ourselves with significant extra costs. If Inspiring had made the calls to change the accommodation and airfares there would have been no additional costs. We took it up with Inspiring on our return who dismissed our matter. we took it up with the Office of Fair Trading. There response to them included significant rewriting of history - they are liars and that says so much about a businesses ethics!
1 October 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hello Peter,
We are sorry to hear of your experience and we understand this was a very stressful situation. We have a great deal of sympathy for the illness you experienced during your tour and hope that you were still able to enjoy your trip despite this.
Our response to Fair Trading was based entirely on documented records including call recordings, emails, and correspondence with our on-ground operator and your travel agent, all of which confirm the sequence of events as we outlined them. We stand by the accuracy of our response.
As documented, you communicated with your tour leader when you became unwell, which was the right thing to do. We also want to clarify that our support email is not an urgent response channel and advises a turnaround time of three business days, which was communicated to you via automated reply at the time.
Costs arising from a medical event during a tour are not the liability of Inspiring Vacations, and this was communicated to you on multiple occasions. We understand that you felt these costs should be covered by Inspiring Vacations rather than your travel insurance, however that is not a position we are able to agree with. Travel insurance exists precisely for situations like yours, and as you have advised us that you hold a policy, we would genuinely encourage you to pursue that claim. We hope it provides you with the outcome you are looking for, and if you require any further documentation from us to support that process, please do reach out and we will be happy to help.
It is a shame that this experience has led to this review, as it does not reflect an accurate account of the events or the support provided by our team.
Kind regards,
Inspiring Vacations
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hello Joy,
We really appreciate you taking the time to leave such positive feedback. Thank you for choosing Inspiring Vacations!
Kind Regards,
Inspiring Vacations
Very easy and comprehensive booking…
Very easy and comprehensive booking instructions. Staff very knowledgeable and helpful
10 June 2026
Reply from Inspiring Vacations
Hello John,
Thank you for your positive feedback!
We're proud to offer a straightforward booking process and are thrilled to hear you had a smooth experience with our staff.
We look forward to having you travel with us.
Kind Regards,
Inspiring Vacations
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