Inspiring Vacations

Booked a $12,500 tour with Inspiring Vacations. 30 days out and THEY cancel the tour. NO refund and only offering a credit (minus THEIR unrecoverable costs) or a tour to be booked by 2 PM today! They don't give a toss. You will NEVER talk to the same consultant. NEVER! Is this the company you want in charge of your money or your bookings? Never Again. Show details

Found the tour flawless, accomodation, very comfortable, tour guide was knowledgeable and very inclusive and our group of 16 people were great, we all got along really well. Show details ·  1

WARNING DO NOT BOOK OR PAY for your trip until you receive confirmation of your holiday. I had attended two of the Inspiring Vacations webinars and was impressed with the team and the trips they offered. I spent many hours researching and found a trip that Inspiring Vacations was offering. I really wanted to support their business as I enjoyed… Read more

working with the travel booker.

Fri 13/2/2026 at 11.13 – 11.16am (3 minutes) I received a phone call from the Inspiring Vacations representative. I couldn’t hear her properly due to road noise, so she suggested she call me back later in the day. I told her I wanted to book the trip.

Friday 13/2/2026 at 5.27 – 5.38pm (11 minutes) CALL - The Inspiring Vacations representative rang to discuss the final quote for the tour and to organise that she would call me on Sunday 15/2/26 to confirm the tour and take the $99 deposit. I asked if the Inspiring Vacations flight booking team could book my flights but was told that there was a 3-week backlog and best if I book them myself. I agreed and said I would book my flights. (THERE WAS NEVER ANY MENTION NOT TO BOOK MY FLIGHTS)

Fri 13/02/2026 5:54 PM EMAIL - Final quote received showing if payment was made in full I would receive a $1,852 discount.

Sun 15/02/2026 10:27 – 10.40 AM (13 minutes) CALL - The Inspiring Vacations representative and I talked about the trip and payment. I was happy to pay for the total amount in one transaction. The Inspiring Vacations representative advised she could only take the $99 deposit over the phone and that I would need to pay the next payment online. She also said that if I paid more than the deposit, like $4,000 they would take me seriously and put me on the tour. She also said if I paid in full as laid out in her previous email, I would receive a discount of $1,852 if paid by the 23rd February. I explained that I would pay in full after our call. I also discussed that I had booked all my flights and another tour prior to joining the Inspiring Vacations tour. The $99 deposit was taken.

Sun 15/02/2026 10:37 AM EMAIL - I cannot share the actual email due to their privacy laws, but it states, "big congratulations on locking in your next adventure". (I thought this was the final confirmation email)

AFTER THIS EMAIL WAS RECEIVED, I PROCEEDED TO PAY FOR THE TOUR IN FULL TO RECEIVE THE DISCOUNT

Sun 15/02/2026 10:39 AM EMAIL - I did not read this email until later in the night. I cannot share the actual email due to their privacy laws, but it states, "Congratulations you are on your way to ....... For your booking, we partner with a third party operator who fufils the bookings arrangements. For this reason your booking is on request. Kindly note that you should not book flights or make any other arrangements until you receive an official notification from our team that your booking is confirmed.

Mon 17/02/2026 8.50am, 8.53am CALL - I rang the Inspiring Vacations travel representative to find out what was going on?

Mon 17/02/2026 10.55am CALL - Spoke to the representative and told her I was not aware that the tour was on request! Other travel agents show whether their trips are definite departure or on request. There was nothing to state this in any of the communications received. The representative said she would get back to me.

Tue 18/2/2026 3.04pm CALL - Representatives manager calls to say the tour is sold out. I explain I had paid for the trip in full and that their website does not state that this tour is on request.

There have been many more calls since then, the Resolutions team (with no resolution) said my refund could take up to 20 days. In the meantime, I was unable to pay for another tour (different company) as the refund back to me from Inspiring Vacations took 12 days.

I am disappointed as I had to book another tour, and it isn't the tour I wanted to go on. I am also out of pocket for changes to my airfares - Total additional cost is $1,300! How can a company take money for goods and services they cannot provide. I have learnt my lesson and will never deal with Inspiring Vacations again!

Most calm and professional advice on our many changes and questions with regard to flight departure airports, return dates and costs involved. Thank you very much Mike. Show details ·  2

I considered giving this review a 1 star for the Inspiring Vacations company itself but some of the land content was very good, hence the 2 star. We have just completed the 15 Day Essential South Africa with Victoria Falls tour with Inspiring… Read more

Vacations and feel compelled to WARN all those who go to their Road Shows to be aware that they are deceiving and not transparent. Firstly, the trip is really only 12 days as you lose the first 2 days with long flights and then a 'free day' at the group hotel after you arrive then you are 'free' on the last day, which is supposedly part of the trip.

All flights booked by them were not as they advertised. Yes, there are additional fees if you chose to not accept their ridiculous itinerary of flying from Melb/Syd/Bne to Hong Kong to J'burg (20 hours+) This fact is not revealed until after you pay, we thought we would get direct flights when we were talking to an agent. Also, despite paying and choosing our seats on both Virgin and SAA we were given the worst middle seats! Then, what angered us more as a group of 18 was the complete lack of transparency of the inconvenient internal flights and grossly inadequate 3 star hotel (Onomo Hotel, Cape Town) that was advertised as 4 star. The hotel bad experience was exacerbated by the fact that the change to the flight schedule was only sent to us after we had arrived in country. Instead of the advertised direct flight from Cape Town to Victoria Falls we were informed that we had to rise at 3am and be collected at the hotel at 4.am!! Weary eyed and cranky we then had to spend 2.5 hours at Cape Town (domestic flight) then flew to J'burg where we had to wait another 3.5 hours after dragging our bags off and rechecking into to the next flight to Victoria Falls, international flight. Luckily, we were all very travel savvy to negotiate this transit as we had NO GUIDE after we were just dumped by the bus driver at the terminal. We wasted the whole day travelling instead of doing a short 2 hour transit and flight. When a number of us tried to contact Inspiring Vacations by email, the company just 'shrugged off' the complaints and blamed their 3rd party operators for the changes. They were not interested in our complaints and pleas for help as they did not consider it their responsibility once we were offshore!! Also, we were very disappointed with the fact that we DID NOT HAVE ONE CONSISTANT TOUR GUIDE for any of the trip. At every point, we had to find the next bus operator, drag our bags everywhere, then be dumped somewhere else to find out own way. Fortunately, we were a friendly bunch and looked after each other along the way. Luckily, the 2nd part of the trip was a good experience, hence the 2nd star, BUT I would warn travellers AGAINST using this tour company. What you receive is not what they market at their roadshows...NEVER trust what they sell you or use their FLIGHT service. All are separate entities with no responsibility outside their own products. My advice is to go with land content only with these so called CHEAP operators, is worth the small extra money.

I booked a holiday to Peru and the Amazon on the 8th August, 2025 for my husband and I. I then discussed it with our son and he was very concerned about the high altitude because of my health issues. We weren't aware of the altitude of one place… Read more

until I checked it myself. Also, we weren't aware that transfers from the airport of arrival and to the departure airport aren't included until after I had booked and paid $198 deposit. I then officially cancelled our holiday the next day, on the 9th August. Today is the 18th September, 2025, 29 business days after I cancelled. We are still trying with difficulty to have our deposit refunded. One telephone operator even told me today that I had cancelled on the 15th August!!!! We rang the NSW Fair Trading this afternoon and we will lodge a complaint with them tomorrow. I will never book with them ever again and my advice to others is to stay away from them, unless you have a really reliable travel insurance company. We hadn't taken out travel insurance because it was still only the next day after booking. A.

Great experience with Inspiring Vacations! Excellent customer service, well organised itinerary and fantastic value for money. Everything went smoothly and exceeded my expectations. I wouldn’t hesitate to book with them again. Show details ·  1

I recently booked a holiday with Inspiring Vacations and had a fantastic experience from start to finish. The booking process was simple and straightforward, and the consultant I dealt with was knowledgeable, friendly and very responsive. Show details ·  1

Loved the tour I completed to Japan. The arrangements were smooth, the mix of sightseeing and free time was perfect for us, and we found the guide to be excellent at communicating arrangements and keeping our group on track and informed as the tour progressed. Hotels were well located and the tour offered exceptional value for money Show details ·  1

We are on a 17 day tour of Vietnam. Very disappointed in the information provided by the guides so far. Feel like we are being lead around by the nose like some dumb animal. It would be appreciated if we were told what had been planned for us, what to expect, what the options were ahead of time, instead of just being ordered around. Cannot imagine signing up for another. Don’t appreciate being “controlled”. Show details

Turns out Inspiring Vacations are really just Travel Agents/Middlemen. They pretend they put together the tours, but in reality, they just book tour companies at the destination. They don't have or know details & are not inclined to find out when a question is asked.... couldn't even tell us what airline we would be using or flight times. In… Read more

fairness the Tour itself was fabulous, guides helpful & hotels great.... it was "UNInspiring Vacations" that was the problem & if someone would actually contact us it wouldn't be so bad BUT the only way to lodge a complaint is via email.... seems they don't care about customer service or feedback. We will never recommend this company to anyone.

DO NOT BOOK WITH THIS COMPANY December 2025 DO NOT BOOK WITH THIS COMPANY, I booked the 38 day Inspiring Antarctica & South America Tour $30,000 plus as a Solo person. I paid the additional $7000 plus single supplement 'penalty fee' for being a Solo traveler. I went online to manage my booking to book transport from Buenos Aires International… Read more

Airport to the hotel organised and booked as part of the tour. I was unable to book through the online Transport link so called the Inspiring Vacations Australia to book.

I was advised that Inspiring vacations was not able to book or assist with organising transport from the Airport to the Inspiring Vacation booked hotel where the tour starts?????

Not sure why you would have this option on the website if it is not able to be booked?

I am a single female traveler arriving late at night in a foreign city travelling on a fully organised 4-5 star tour and the tour company is unable to arrange a shuttle (as advertised on the website) or any form of transport from an international airport to the booked Emperador Hotel Buenos Aires 5 star ???

I was fully aware that there would be an additional cost or charge that it was not included in the tour price. Additionally 5 months out from the tour start date I contacted Inspiring vacations and HX that run the Antartic cruise to upgrade my cabin and add another person (buy another package on the same tour for a family member). There were cabins available as I called Hurtigurten directly to find out what was needed to be done and referred back to Inspiring vacations to book.

I rang numerous times and spoke to call desk that advised a booking team member would call back. No Call. i even emailed. Shame. This day and age on a $30,000 plus Booked Tour it is disgraceful that they are unable to assist as advertised with Airport Hotel transfers.

Lets hope that the Airport is a safe place for a single female to be late at night trying to organise own transport.

Really helped me face the Curley questions like insurance when I was a bit lost and unsure. Wqarning me of possibility of extra costs should I not act promptly. Am very pleased with their support Show details ·  1

We did a 16 day vietnam trip with inspiring vacations. Major attractions, you need to book yourself on the trip. We were sent into flood ravaged central Vietnam, 90 + dead, landslides, totally unsafe. Pleaded with company for our safety. Got evacuated from one hotel. Not a holiday, Scared. A nightmare. Inspiring Vacations did nothing, just said...… Read more

its safe. Customer service, zero. We did our best is their reply. No sorry, no empathy. We got nothing. Please. Please Please.... avoid inspiring vacations. They won't accept or apologise for their failures

Their rules... once you pay To bad, they don't care

Avoid inspiring vacations

My wife and I went to Japan in September this year. The tour itself was well organised and took in the major highlights one would seek on such a vacation. MR Kubo was an excellent guide and kept everyone thoroughly entertained. His knowledge of historical and current information was top notch. The driver Mr Aso was accommodating and flexible on… Read more ·  1

requirements. An outstanding journey. All accommodation was very comfortable and near dining choices. Will definitely travel with this company again.

I have previously had a great trip to Scandinavia so felt confident booking with this company, however we did book our own flights last time. So I am meant to fly to Europe in 3 weeks for my trip to Spain, Morocco and Portugal. Today I find out that the quote for flights that they apparently sent me has expired. We have emailed them previously… Read more

about extending out return date and provided the dates. I have not received any quote or indeed received any correspondence about flights apart from them reneging TODAY.

I have phoned them and they are "working on it". Watch this space.

I paid for a trip of 18 days. I Vac changed to 15 days . I paid for my own flights. I have letters saying tour starts on 10th then 11th.. There letter said they would refund me $900 odd dollars for the shorter trip my out of cost for flights etc. Still trying to get my money. I start the trip next week. It has been a terrible 3 month experience.… Read more

Not only did they change the trip that they changed the date… so I’m thinking there was never a trip on that date or they overbooked and put me elsewhere

Very deficient knowledge and information provided by our accompanying guide. This is supposedly a premium tour but our guide, a pleasant young man, provides the most basic information about what we are seeing. He clearly has little experience or knowledge. Compared to other guided tours I would describe this as very poor. I will never consider… Read more

going on tours with Inspiring Vacations again. I am still on the tour and most of the group have the same feeling.

I had to cancel my holiday days before I was to leave. Cathay sent numerous reminders to check in. I have one email from Inspiring Vacations stating that my flights had absolutely been cancelled and another a day later from another staff member of Inspiring Vacations saying that once the tickets were issued they couldn't cancel them. No… Read more

responsibility, no customer service. They spend a lot on advertising but not on customer service training. They are cheap for a reason. No obligation once they have your money