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Insight Vacations

Insight Vacations

Choose from 324 Insight Vacations tours and read 529 verified Insight Vacations reviews from past clients of Global Journeys. When you book your Insight Vacations tour with us you'll enjoy exclusive online savings, a dedicated travel advisor to look after your booking and the best price guaranteed!
TOTAL TRIPS: 324
AGE RANGE: 5-99 Years
BUDGET: Premium
  529 Reviews (4.5/5)

Popular Destinations View all Explore the following regions on one of 324 tours with Insight Vacations

Insight Vacations Canada & Alaska Tours
Canada & Alaska

16 Tours

Insight Vacations Egypt & Middle East Tours
Egypt & Middle East

32 Tours

Insight Vacations Europe Tours
Europe

208 Tours

Insight Vacations India, Nepal & Sri Lanka Tours
India, Nepal & Sri Lanka

4 Tours

Insight Vacations South America Tours
South America

8 Tours

Insight Vacations UK Tours
UK & Ireland

30 Tours

Insight Vacations USA Tours
USA

25 Tours

Featured Tours View all

20 Days Copenhagen to Oslo

Operator: Insight Vacations

From 7,836
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15 Days Madrid to Barcelona

Operator: Insight Vacations

From 5,301
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16 Days Paris to Paris

Operator: Insight Vacations

From 8,320
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22 Days London to London

Operator: Insight Vacations

From 8,353
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Insight Vacations Reviews View all

4.5
AVG. RATING 4.5 / 5
529 Reviews
5 Star
58%
4 Star
34%
3 Star
7%
2 Star
1 Star
Fascinating Portugal   0 , VIC, Australia, May 2023
I would certainly recommend this tour. It covers the whole country and it is a country of contrasts, from the Algarve in the south to the Duoro valley in the north. They are two very different geographies. The hotels were comfortable and there was plenty of food. There was also plenty of walking. Bring comfortable walking shoes with you.

There were ...read more many highlights, even if some were a bit of a challenge: try wine tasting at 9.15 am. The three that stood out for me were the Capela dos Ossos with its skulls, bones and the mummified remains of a young women and a child; the cork factory; and the Templar Castle and Convent of Christ in Tomar. The local guides were excellent, especially the local guide in Tomar.

Criticisms are few. The time in Lisbon was limited and our tour director probably spent more time talking about his real estate adventures and the unreliability of Portuguese tradesmen than was necessary. And if you use a face washer (or face cloth), bring one with you, because they aren’t supplied in the hotels.

Jemma Rosen, as always, provided the service I’ve come to expect from Global Journeys, but excelled when it came to a major problem with Lufthansa’s cancelled flights and difficulties with alternative flights. She had the problem sorted in a very short time.
More than I thought it would be     0 , VIC, Australia, May 2023
It was my first Insight Vacation and it was even better than I thought it would be. Exceptional accommodation, an awesome tour director and for me, just long enough at 11 days. It was more full on than I thought, we were shattered by the end of each day but will know to really study for next time. Our tour group were fun, from across the globe and ...read more for many it was their 4th, 5th or more tour. I will definitely book again!
Overall the trip was amazing.     0 , NSW, Australia, Mar 2023
Overall the trip was amazing. Probably better than we had even hoped for. There was so much to see every day and it never got old. The guide in each country was excellent. Each had an amazing knowledge of each place we visited and could answer almost any question. The accommodation was good and the coach travel was comfortable and we felt safe and ...read more well cared for. Highlights for us were Bethlehem in Israel, Petra in Jordan and Karnak Temple & Abu Simbel in Egypt.

We felt the Egypt section could have been improved with some changes to schedule. On day one we arrived at the hotel at 6pm and had to be packed, ready to leave at 3.30am to catch the 6am flight to Luxor. The optional flight to Abu Simbel was more than 7 hours later which meant a rushed trip to the site and arrival back at the boat at 10.30pm for a buffet dinner! On our last day in Luxor, we toured all day then returned to the boat for 2 hours before catching the 10pm flight to Cairo. It ran 90 minutes late, the coach was not waiting for us in Cairo and we finally got to the hotel at 2.30am. People were tired and still had 2 days of touring in Cairo.
We saw the Northern Lights!     0 , NSW, Australia, Mar 2023
Travelling with Insight for the first time was a joy; our accommodation was of a high standard and all were centrally located. The tour director Gwen was very personable and did a great job, and our tour companions were also very friendly and a mix of nationalities.

Our main goal was to see the fabled Aurora Borealis and we managed to see it once ...read more (at North Cape), which was satisfactory. Most of our fellow travellers however were disappointed there weren't many more sightings despite having necessary favourable weather conditions a few times (clear, cloudless skies and sufficient solar activity), but Mother Nature was not cooperative. Just going to the northern parts of Norway above the Arctic Circle was special enough for us, as Honningsvag, Alta, and Tromsø were all unique and spectacular places to be, especially in winter (or close enough to it) with a snowy landscape.

Overall, I would recommend this tour, but don't have too many expectations of seeing the Northern Lights night after night. Just enjoy this part of the world for all it has to offer, and it's a lot!
Beautiful Spain!   0 , ACT, Australia, Dec 2022
Overall we enjoyed our tour in Spain. We loved the country and acquired a lot of interesting information about it from our tour guide and from the local guides we also used along the way. We felt that the company did a good job of highlighting as much of the country as possible in the time available. The coach was comfortable and the accommodation was ...read more good.
However, there are a couple of aspects of the tour we would like reviewed by the operators. The first is the group dinners. Overall they were disappointing. I don’t believe the food was the best Spanish restaurants have to offer … and the way it was served to such a large group wasn’t pleasant either. We felt like we were a nuisance … and so the faster the food’s served and finished, the better. Probably one group dinner together would be sufficient. Surely this would also mean a fairer distribution of business in each location? And I’m quite sure the quality and value for money would be better.

The ‘optional extras’ were the other aspect of the tour I didn’t like. If something is worth seeing in a particular city, then include it in the tour. Why make it an ‘extra’? Of course I understand that every important site or monument can’t be included in a ‘highlights’ tour, but if the inclusions are listed then the customer knows what they are signing up for. By all means leave the occasional free afternoon or morning (I’m not saying we should have every second filled) but when it’s free time just make it free time. Overall I felt these ‘optional extras’ were more about the company creating more revenue.

The tour guide and driver were really lovely. These people do a good job … I hope the tour operators adequately remunerate them (because in the tour information there is a lot made of the tipping, and how essential it is etc … the implication being that we need to help the company to supplement their salaries). Surely tipping is at the discretion of the customer, without the percentage or amount being suggested by the company in their tour notes?
Splendour of Egypt was great except for pickup at Cairo airport.   0 , NSW, Australia, Dec 2022
The tour itself was great. There were many highlights especially for those who love the buildings, culture and art of Ancient Egyptians. The Nile cruise was wonderful and food good. There is one hitch. Transfers at Cairo airport, the pickup is not at the Arrival Hall but at the area before the Immigration. For travellers especially jet lagged travellers ...read more who after after 21 hours flight from Australia can easily not notice it. Insight informed travellers that the pickup was at Arrival Hall or outside depending on Covid restrictions. I had before the trip, enquired with my advisor to confirm the pickup point. Sadly she said there was no reply from Insight. It was a dent in my holiday because I was not informed of the pickup point, walked pass it and had to take local taxi and paid US 30 dollars!!!
An excellent trip with some fantastic sites   1 , NSW, Australia, Nov 2022
The trip was excellent in terms of the locations visited. The markets were great to see but can get rather repetitive after the second or third one. One downside is that there isn't much time for exploring the other sites in the cities. To make the most of the journey I would recommend planning some additional sites to see yourself at each of the d ...read moreestinations.
Perfect introduction to Italy   0 , VIC, Australia, Oct 2022
I’ve just enjoyed the most marvellous trip. Having never been to Italy before, and as a solo traveler, this Treasures of Italy journey was perfect. Whilst we definitely got to enjoy so much of Italy it was managed well with most stays being two nights and enough down time along the way. Elena, our Tour Director, along with the Wellness Director, Flip, ...read more made the trip perfect - making adjustments as required along the way to cater for individual needs or impacts of weather. I do think it’s great that a number of the experiences are optional meaning that you need to pay extra IF you want to do them. It allows you more flexibility.

This was my first coach tour but certainly won’t be my last - and definitely with Insight! I loved that the accommodation was all in ideal locations and a few were positively lux! The group all got along extremely well. I feel 10 days is a good amount of time. We were all ready to move on. I also appreciated the way Hannah at Global Journeys made the booking process seamless - as we needed to change plans for which trip I was going on. Thank you Hannah, Global Journeys and Insight! Till next time!

Travel Styles View all Popular ways to travel with Insight Vacations

Insight Vacations Small Group Tours
Small Group Tours

Enjoy the comfort of even more space, travelling in groups with no more than 24 guests.

Insight Vacations Autumn, Spring & Winter
Autumn, Spring & Winter

Leisurely tours to Europe during the magical seasons of Autumn, Winter & Spring.

Insight Vacations Last Minute Deals
Last Minute Deals

Fantastic last minute savings on selected Insight tours and departures - exclusive to Global Journeys

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The Insight Vacations Experience Choose to travel with Insight Vacations on your next adventure!

The Insight Difference
The Insight Difference

For over 35 years Insight Vacations has been designing the world's finest escorted touring itineraries. We bring like-minded people together, creating shared experiences, and providing the most authentic travel discoveries.

Insight source the very best hotels in outstanding locations, seek-out truly delicious dining and uncover genuine local encounters that will surprise and inspire. What’s more, we’ll look after you all the way, with our award-winning personal service, comfort and attention to detail that defines every vacation.

Meet our Tour Directors
Meet our Tour Directors

From the moment you arrive, our talented people are there to welcome you and ensure that you enjoy your guided holiday to the fullest. Your 'travelling concierge' lives in the destination and is with you all the way, a friendly face in a foreign land and a great travelling companion.

They're exceptionally experienced, well-organised, knowledgeable and at the pinnacle of their careers. They make everything run smoothly and take time out to help you with your specific priorities and interests.

Leisurely Paced Itineraries
Leisurely Paced Itineraries

With more 2 and 3 night stays than any other operator, Insight gives you the time to spread out, relax and not have to pack and unpack each day.

You have time to enjoy your fine hotel and all the exciting shopping, dining, entertainment and cultural options that await just outside its doors.

More Legroom - More Comfort
More Legroom - More Comfort

Insight travellers all share a sense of fun and a common interest in discovery; an experience made more personal because our smaller group size is the optimum for guided touring. With a maximum of 40 guests and the full services of your Tour Director and dedicated Driver, you'll enjoy a spirit of companionship, while appreciating real freedom, comfort, space and privacy.

Insight's luxurious touring coaches in Europe, USA & Canada have been reconfigured by removing spare seats to allow up to twice as much legroom as on a standard coach. Onboard facilities include a washroom, adjustable, reclining seats, air-conditioning and a state of the art sound system for soothing music and fascinating commentary by your Tour Director.

Explore More Explore more Your guide to travelling with Insight Vacations

Insight Vacations' Tomas Malmberg Explores South Australia

04 November, 2020

Insight Vacations' Tomas Malmberg Explores South Australia

This week, we introduce you to Tomas Malmberg who has worked at Insight Vacations for more than eight years and in the travel industry more than 25 years. Tomas recently travelled to South Australia to sample the new 5 Day Flavours of Adelaide and Barossa Valley trip. We asked him to share...

New Zealand, A Place Like No Other

24 September, 2020

New Zealand, A Place Like No Other

Insight Vacations has released two New Zealand itineraries that will take you to parts of the North Island or the South Island often missed by tourists. You’ll travel in style, enjoy gourmet dining experiences and award-winning wineries. Make new friends and enjoy breathtaking scenery while...

Multi-Generation Travel with Insight Vacations – Why it Works

16 September, 2020

Multi-Generation Travel with Insight Vacations – Why it Works

Before Emina became the Queensland Sale Manager for Insight Vacations, she went on an Insight Vacations trip with her parents. She enjoyed the experience so much that when a role was advertised with the company, she jumped at the chance. This is Emina’ story. My parents decided to travel to...

The Tastes of Tassie: Must Do Experiences with Insight Vacations

04 August, 2020

The Tastes of Tassie: Must Do Experiences with Insight Vacations

Tasmania boasts an incredible collection of one-of-a-kind attractions, both natural and man made. From pristine beaches and local produce markets to quirky galleries and historical buildings, Tasmania truly has something for every traveller. Experience the local delights for yourself on...

Insight Vacations FAQ's Frequently asked questions for those considering travelling with Insight Vacations

How many people will be on tour with me?

With only 40 guests on our premium tours instead of the standard 53, Insight clients enjoy a more personalised service. In a smaller group, you'll be closer to your local guide for a more in-depth experience, you'll spend less time waiting to get into sights and it will be faster checking into hotels with your luggage arriving quicker to your room. Insight groups are smaller, more intimate and more friendly.

Who else will be travelling with me?

All our guests share a passion for travel, fun, adventure and discovery. Ages range from young to mature with an average of mid-50s, travelling either solo, as couples, families or with friends and join us from all over the English speaking world.

Will my coach journey be relaxing?

We ensure your comfort when travelling by planning plenty of rest stops during each journey. There's also an on-board wash room on all touring coaches (except in Morocco). Seat rotation each day guarantees everyone gets to enjoy the great views, while travelling head and shoulders above the other traffic. By leaving the driving to us you avoid wasted time planning routes and negotiating traffic. We'll even take care of the expensive items like refuelling, paying tolls and parking charges, and more.

Do Insight coaches have Wi-Fi?

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available now on our coaches in many countries. The on-coach Wi-Fi uses the 3G mobile phone network - which means connection will be slower than standard broadband and at times may not be available. It's perfect for sending emails and keeping in touch, but not strong enough for streaming video or large photo uploads. The included free data allowance is 100MB per person per day which is sufficient for most normal usage (sending emails etc). Free Wi-Fi is also available in many of the hotels we stay in.

Will the coach be modern and comfortable?

Yet another exclusive feature of an Insight premium tour is the incredible space and comfort you'll enjoy when travelling. Our luxury coaches have been specially reconfigured with fewer seats, you'll relax in style whilst enjoying up to twice as much legroom then on a standard touring coach - on every departure with no extra surcharge to pay. With Insight, it's not just extra legroom that each guest enjoys, there's also the extra window space. What's more, you can recline without crushing the person behind and you have more room for personal belongings and luggage (our allowance is actually higher than other operators). It's also quicker to embark and disembark, saving sometimes up to an hour or more on days when there are many stops!

Is there seat rotation?

Yes, your Tour Director will implement a seat rotation system, whereby all guests will rotate their seats on the coach daily. This allows for everyone to experience the spectacular views from different seats, and you'll have a better opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers.

I want to see all the main sights, but will I have time to explore on my own?

At Insight, planning the perfect tour is our speciality. Not only do we include the 'must see' sights, we carefully balance our itineraries to give you plenty of free time to relax and immerse yourself in the location. We design each itinerary with the perfect balance of planned activities and personal time to explore. We also give you the opportunity to personalize your trip with a range of Optional Excursions at competitive rates, which allow you to choose how you spend some of your time.

Are tips included?

On an Insight Vacation, some gratuities are included in the price of your trip: baggage handling, meal service for all meals listed in the tour itinerary, and hotel service charge. Room service, however, is not included in the tour price. Tips are customarily given to your Tour Director, Driver and Local Guides at your discretion. The recommended amounts are: Tour Directors EUR4 per day, Drivers EUR2.50 per day and Local Guides EUR1 per day. The option to prepay these tips prior to departure is possible. Please ask your consultant to include this in your quote.

Do you have a share program for singles?

If you wish to share with another tour member you can advise Global Journeys at the time of booking. Insight believes that travelling solo doesn't have to cost you more. We will try to match you with someone of the same sex in order to avoid having to pay the single supplement. If we are not able to provide a suitable room mate, we will provide a single room at no extra cost.

What is Gold Seal Protection?

Gold Seal Protection is designed to provide you with peace of mind. For $99 per person, should you choose to cancel your guided holiday for any reason, prior to 30 days from departure date, Insight will refund your deposit and/or guided holiday payment. Gold Seal Protection must be paid with the deposit and cannot be added at any later date. If you wish for us to include this protection in your quote, please let us know when enquiring.

Do you accommodate special needs?

We make every effort to accommodate any special needs requests, whether it be a dietary restriction or a physical limitation. In order to accommodate your needs as best as possible, we ask that you let your Global Journeys Travel Advisor know at time of booking so we can assess the request and see how and where we can accommodate you. We may ask you to fill out a form depending on the request in order for us to assess how and if we can accommodate.

What is the difference between a definite departure and a departure that is NOT marked definite?

A definite departure is guaranteed to operate for that given departure date. A trip that is not yet designated a definite departure is not yet guaranteed to operate based on current booking numbers. If a trip and departure date you are interested in is not yet definite, do not let this discourage you from booking. The more paid guests we receive, the odds of the trip operating increase.

In the slim case that we happen to withdraw a trip you are booked on due to a lack of numbers, you are entitled to a full refund on the funds already paid towards Insight Vacations or if flexible with your time, we can move you onto another departure.

When do trips become designated definite?

As a rule of thumb, a trip becomes a 'Definite Departure' once we have sold approximately half of the maximum capacity of a specific departure. On average because a sold out Insight Vacations accommodates 40 guests, a trip is designated definite at the 20 guest mark.

When can I expect to get my travel documents & itinerary?

Travel documents, including any air tickets, tour itinerary, hotel lists, and helpful hints and other information are sent approximately 20 days prior to your tour departure. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor can organise these earlier if you are travelling before your holiday starts.

How much luggage can I bring?

You are allowed to bring one suitcase per person with the dimensions of 30.5”x22”x12.5” (77.5 x 56 x 32cm) and weight not exceeding 66 lbs (30kg) due to the limited space on the coach. You can also bring one piece of hand luggage, provided it is small enough to take on the coach and does not have telescope handles. Please note that air carriers, cruise lines and other forms of transportation may have other restrictions and requirements including weight, and we recommend that you contact the suppliers directly for additional information. We regret we are unable to accept a second suitcase or any luggage exceeding these limits.

Carry-on bags should not exceed the dimensions of 12"x11"x6". For safety reasons, wheeled carry-on bags are not suitable as hand luggage on motorcoaches. Carry-on bags must be small enough to store in overhead bins or under the seat in front of you on motorcoaches and other transportation.

How do I book an optional excursion and what is the cost?

Your Travel Director will have a list of available options and the appropriate costs. They are carefully programmed to coincide with the best highlights available at the time of your visit. It could be a seafood lunch in Venice, a concert in Vienna or a Grand Canyon Helicopter ride. A detailed list and costs can be found in your trip documentation.

Can I have laundry done?

Most hotels do offer a laundry service and in some cities Laundromats are also available. However, it is a good idea to try and pack enough clothing to avoid having to do laundry, as it can sometimes be costly or inconvenient.

Do you have a non-smoking policy?

There is a no smoking policy motor coach travelling policy. However, we do make plenty of convenience stops giving you the opportunity to smoke, use local restroom facilities, take a scenic snapshot or just relax and enjoy of cup of coffee.

How do I get from the airport to the start of my trip?

We offer arrival and departure transfers at the start and end of all of our itineraries. We offer many complimentary transfer services when clients arrive and depart as per their specific trip dates. When arriving earlier or departing later, we can offer private charge transfers when booking our start and end accommodation locations. Since every itinerary is unique, we will be able to provide you with specific transfer information based on your trip of interest.

Airport Transfers in Europe

All Insight guests receive complimentary European arrival and departure transfers by bus/coach on the arrival and departure day of their tour at specified times. Any guests whose flight times do not coincide with the transfer timings may choose to book and buy a transfer. Note that flight timings must be supplied to Global Journeys no later than 21 days before flight departure

Transfers Athens, Cairo, Tel Aviv, Amman And Istanbul

Insight is pleased to offer complimentary airport transfers* at any time, either on the first or last day of the tour, or on other days in conjunction with pre and post tour accommodation booked through Insight. Note that flight timings must be provided to Insight no less than 21 days before the flight departure.

Transfers in Canada & USA

Complimentary airport transfers are included on the arrival and departure day of your tour. Should you arrive or depart at other times, you can chose from the inexpensive transfers via scheduled shuttle service, taxi, or mini van. These transfers are only available when purchasing pre & post-tour accommodation with Insight Vactions & Global Journeys.

Terms & Conditions All the boring small print. We recommend you read them, as no one likes surprises!