Insight Vacations Reviews
The 608 Insight Vacations reviews listed below are from past clients of Global Journeys that have travelled with Insight Vacations. Each review has been individually verified by our team.
The 608 Insight Vacations reviews listed below are from past clients of Global Journeys that have travelled with Insight Vacations. Each review has been individually verified by our team.
This was a great itinerary by Insight which we felt covered some amazing places of interest with a lot of variety. We were disappointed that some of the hotels were distant from the town centres as the reason we booked with Insight was because we heard they chose centrally located hotels. We were also disappointed in the Tour Director - he gave read more confusing and not very clear instructions and don't feel he was up to the standard we expected of Insight.
The holiday was good, but we weren't warned that we would be joining a coach load of existing travellers who had all been suffering from some sort of flu virus. Had we been warned we could have taken some precautions to protect ourselves, however, by Rome Ken was quite ill and we had to get the doctor in. This virus had developed into bronchitis meaning read more that he missed the entire 2 days and did not get to see or do anything in Rome. I had to manage the 2 days on my own which was not ideal. The places we visited were excellent and very interesting. We were rather pressured after Greece into paying upfront for all the optional extras for the rest of the trip in one go and the suggestion that we might need more time to think about it was not greeted favourably. With a bit more time to consider we may not have selected some of the options on offer.
The mix of passengers on the trip was quite friendly and luckily we struck up a friendship with another couple who joined the tour in Greece with us. We did feel that we were a bit on the outer with the existing passengers who considered us as "newbies" (their word not mine). The hotels were pretty good although a few of the rooms were a bit small. The food was good on the whole and there was plenty of it, although stopping at motorway service stations for lunch was not that great. The cruise boat was not good with terrible food and minisccule cabins but we enjoyed our trips to the Greek islands which were all very beautiful. The local guides throughout the whole trip were excellent and well informed and made every excursion very interesting. The coach driver, Antonio, was excellent and his driving in pressured conditions was very professional. He was a real gentleman and always said hello and greeted you with a smile even when he was off duty. The whole trip was action packed and we enjoyed it. We felt it was all a bit rushed so maybe we may look for something a bit more laid back if we decide to book again. (Ed: Review based on slightly different itinerary. Trip name and itinerary updated this season)
The mix of passengers on the trip was quite friendly and luckily we struck up a friendship with another couple who joined the tour in Greece with us. We did feel that we were a bit on the outer with the existing passengers who considered us as "newbies" (their word not mine). The hotels were pretty good although a few of the rooms were a bit small. The food was good on the whole and there was plenty of it, although stopping at motorway service stations for lunch was not that great. The cruise boat was not good with terrible food and minisccule cabins but we enjoyed our trips to the Greek islands which were all very beautiful. The local guides throughout the whole trip were excellent and well informed and made every excursion very interesting. The coach driver, Antonio, was excellent and his driving in pressured conditions was very professional. He was a real gentleman and always said hello and greeted you with a smile even when he was off duty. The whole trip was action packed and we enjoyed it. We felt it was all a bit rushed so maybe we may look for something a bit more laid back if we decide to book again. (Ed: Review based on slightly different itinerary. Trip name and itinerary updated this season)
Easily the most impressed I've ever been on a tour. Our Tour Director Anand was the most professional, responsive and organised guide I've ever had. Extremely happy with the tour, company and experience. It was a beautiful week! Loved seeing the Grand Canyon at sunrise, think that was my second favourite part of the experience. My most favourite aspect read more was learning more about the Navajo culture as where we were travelling was across the Navajo Nation reservation. Having lovely interactions with the Navajo men and women selling handmade jewellery, silversmith work, artwork and fabric goods was so wonderful and talking about what it's like where they live - not just purchasing things without interaction. I really loved that, connecting on a more authentic level. It made me appreciate each stop where we were - so much more.
The history was so necessary in acknowledging the full story of the lands we were travelling upon for a complete experience. Also think being quite significantly younger than the other attendees actually made my experience more enjoyable because was able to have such interesting conversations with everyone, learning about each others way of life and sharing wisdom. Was great! The accommodation was excellent at all stops, loved Lake Powell (& swimming in Lake Powell during free time!) and Bryce the best. Liked the hotel at Vegas, but did not like Vegas at all as the final stop...was too polarising/jarring/superficial in comparison to the calm/natural aspects of earlier part of week. But that's only a small negative on an otherwise positive week. Now back home in Australia I really miss seeing the wondrous National Parks every day. Thank you to all involved & Insight Vacations!
The history was so necessary in acknowledging the full story of the lands we were travelling upon for a complete experience. Also think being quite significantly younger than the other attendees actually made my experience more enjoyable because was able to have such interesting conversations with everyone, learning about each others way of life and sharing wisdom. Was great! The accommodation was excellent at all stops, loved Lake Powell (& swimming in Lake Powell during free time!) and Bryce the best. Liked the hotel at Vegas, but did not like Vegas at all as the final stop...was too polarising/jarring/superficial in comparison to the calm/natural aspects of earlier part of week. But that's only a small negative on an otherwise positive week. Now back home in Australia I really miss seeing the wondrous National Parks every day. Thank you to all involved & Insight Vacations!
A great trip through Scandinavia 3
Grand Scandinavia
Jackie Verwijmeren (Branje), New Zealand, Jun 2016
A great trip, well organized and taken care off, a very alert guide and caring driver. This trip was different to me, as I am a very active person and most of my holidays include an activity like tramping or walking/running. As a group, we got on very well with each other and most of them had done other trips with Insight Vacations.
This trip was amazing, accommodation perfect, coach excellent, tour guide outstanding. Would highly recommend it. Michelle many thanks for all your help in organising my booking.
Excellent tour with beautiful scenery. Well organised. Exceptional guide , (Mick Parsons.) excellent food and plenty of it. Booking with Global Journeys was an easy experience , would use Both Insight and Global Journeys again.
Luxury, history, scenery, great companions and importantly, a no worries vacation. Our trip had it all. Can't believe we fitted so much in and covered a diverse and spectacular selection of what the U.K. has to offer. Our Tour Director and Coach Driver were excellent at their jobs and keep us informed and safe at all times.
Great trip, Hotel Bercy Paris awful. 3
Country Roads of France
Jan Ryan-Philip & Clive Kirk, QLD, Australia, Jun 2016
This was my 3rd booking through Global Journeys, as always Georgie was first rate and made the booking process easy. Also 6th tour I have done with Insight Tours, not as good as previous tours. The location of Hotel Bercy in Paris is not in a good area, long way from the hub of tourist attractions, amenities and staff second rate. Other hotels were read more fine. Tour director wasn't as good as previous tours, didn't offer alternative optional excursions when Monets gardens at Giverney was cancelled therefore we all had one lost day in Paris. Didn't offer Moulin Rouge as he preferred another small bland cabaret you could find in any city. (Ed: Review based on slightly different itinerary. Trip name and itinerary updated this season)
We had an excellent time travelling from Athens, through Italy and Switzerland to France. The sights we saw were well planned and our tour director was a fountain of knowledge. Most of the tour guides in the places of interest which we visited were easily understood and spoke English well. Most of the optional extra tours available were very good, read more but the Moulin Rouge was exceptional, something not to be missed. This tour had all two night stops in the hotels which was a reason why we chose it, as we find one night stops too hectic. We went in June 2016 and had mostly very good weather and the other 38 passengers on the coach were very good company. We thank Emily Cran for all her help with organising this tour for us and will not hesitate to get in touch with her again when we book our next tour. Thank you Global Journeys. (Ed: Review based on slightly different itinerary. Trip name and itinerary updated this season)
A taste of north east Americas 5
Best of Eastern Canada & USA
Lyn Arnold-Tuttle, QLD, Australia, May 2016
Everything was handled with perfect smoothness, from the initial booking with Global Journeys, and the actual organization by Insight , to the wonderful care and entertainment given by our tour director and driver. It was all a class act. Our 16 day tour gave a taste of this large area and everywhere we went I want to go back to. Our time was organized read more well though, and we did see a lot. A lovely bunch of fellow passengers was the cherry on top.
Spectacular indeed. 8
Spectacular Scandinavia & its Fjords
Brian Caller & Ann Rheinberger, NSW, Australia, May 2016
We have travelled with Insight before and have always enjoyed their tours, even with the occasional glitch. Spectacular Scandinavia was overall very good, particularly the time spent in Norway. Accommodation was generally good and some were very good, particularly for location and ambiance,particularly (again) in Norway. There were some long days of read more driving, for example from Copenhagen to Stockholm, which were tiring but it is hard to see how this could be avoided, given the long distances to be covered. The tour started with 3 nights in Copenhagen and we think this is too much. We would prefer one fewer day there and an extra day in Geiranger or Bergen, or maybe one in each,spent as free days to allow us to wander. Overall a most enjoyable trip. Norway was the highlight.
Beautiful scenery 12 day Country Roads of Bavaria, Switzerland and Austria 1
Country Roads of Bavaria, Switzerland & Austria
Angela Athas, NSW, Australia, May 2016
The first of our two tours with Insight on this holiday. Excellent tour with beautiful scenery. Well organised. Booking with Global Journeys was an easy experience, would use both Insight and Global Journeys again.
Northern Spain was very different from the South of Spain. A bit wetter and greener. Places visited were excellent with many unexpected pleasures. Timing between stops and lunch breaks were a bit erratic as there were 2 coaches following each other and tried to stay at least 30 mins apart. Highlight being Santiago and San Sebastian. But the coach read more timing didn't stop it being a great tour. And as usual Global Journeys (Yvonne) was very easy to book through.
Great whirlwind holiday but some areas need reconsideration 4
Michelle & Bob, SA, Australia, May 2016
Overall, the holiday was fantastic. However, there were a couple of areas that we found a bit disappointing. For instance, for the Edinburgh to Liverpool leg of the journey we spent too long in Gretna Green as there was ample time to have lunch at Windemere. This would have allowed us to get to Liverpool around an hour earlier than we did. Furthermore, read more I would suggest that you reduce the amount of time spent in both Chester & Ludlow on route to Cardiff. Two hours in Chester was way too long - 1 hour would have been ample - and reduce the time in Ludlow by 30 minutes. This would permit your guests to have some time to explore Cardiff around the hotel and do some shopping. As it was, we arrived in Cardiff too late to do any shopping as the shops were all closing by the time we arrived and checked into our hotel. This was disappointing as we would have liked to purchase some souvenirs in Cardiff to take back home with us. If these points were adjusted, then the tour would be 5 star!
Thoroughly enjoyed the tour especially Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, Materas extraordinary 'Sassi' - troglodyte dwellings, the Puglia region including the Trulli of Alberobello and Ostuni with its stark, white-washed buildings, narrow cobbled streets and arched stairways. A highlight was the vist to Maratea and the drive up to the Christ the Redeemer read more Statue, apparently it was the first time the bus has actually driven up there. Then on to Sicily and the Greek theatre at Taormina. At Syracuse we visited the Archaeological Park of Neapolis which was a disappointment as it was quite dirty and overgrown with weeds etc. However the island of Ortigia is definitely worth the visit. Also the optional visit to Mt Etna was also great. Agrigento and the Valley Of The Temples was a favorite, great sights and the local tour guide was brilliant. Palermo was everything we hoped for so much to see and do but not enough time. We stayed an extra 2 days in a B&B in the Old Quarter and had a fantastic time exploring all the alleyways and street food outlets at night.
Accommodation was generally good although the Hilton in Giardini Naxos was a disappointment mainly because it was not in a very central location and appeared to be due for an overhaul. The Grand Hotel La Chiusa Di Chietri, Alberobello was also some distance from the town (approx 6-7kms) however the accommodation was good. The Grand Hotel Di Maratea Pianetamaratea, Maratea although a little dated was great especially for the views and being a slightly older hotel the room was actually one of the larger ones we had. Our tour guide (Chris Beck) was great and very knowledgeable and our driver (Sabatino) was fantastic. The places he maneuvered the coach through were amazing especially through the very narrow streets. What ever he is paid it is no where near enough. (GJ: I'm sure he'd agree! :)
Accommodation was generally good although the Hilton in Giardini Naxos was a disappointment mainly because it was not in a very central location and appeared to be due for an overhaul. The Grand Hotel La Chiusa Di Chietri, Alberobello was also some distance from the town (approx 6-7kms) however the accommodation was good. The Grand Hotel Di Maratea Pianetamaratea, Maratea although a little dated was great especially for the views and being a slightly older hotel the room was actually one of the larger ones we had. Our tour guide (Chris Beck) was great and very knowledgeable and our driver (Sabatino) was fantastic. The places he maneuvered the coach through were amazing especially through the very narrow streets. What ever he is paid it is no where near enough. (GJ: I'm sure he'd agree! :)
Amazing & beautiful Spain & Portugal 4
Treasures of Spain, Portugal & Morocco
Lynette Hazelwood, NSW, Australia, May 2016
Insight were great, really enjoyed the extra leg room in coach but no facility for charging iPads above seats as in previous bus. Tour director and local guides were great for the most part, just two for the optional tours that I couldn't rate well. One more interested in his phone and the other more interested in promoting sales at demonstration. read more The scenery and attractions were breathtaking. Hopefully the facilities at the port when catching ferry to Morocco will be upgraded to facilitate easier baggage handling in the future. Triple share was good value but often extra bed just jammed in and no additional towels etc. provided. Felt spoiled when we got a room with three beds. Fast train from Barcelona to Madrid was efficient and user friendly with taxis at either end to and from hotel not expensive. Global Journeys did a great job and were very helpful.
From the very start everything was so well organised & efficient. Michelle White our Global Journeys travel consultant assisted us at every turn and answered all our questions promptly and courteously. Our holiday with Insight was even better than we thought it could be! Every detail had been thought of to help us enjoy our journey and make us feel read more safe and secure through Europe and the tour director & accommodation were excellent. We will definitely use Global Journeys & Insight Vacations again. With heartfelt thanks.
Great tour with a great company. The pace of the tour was a lot more relaxed than other tour companies due to many 2 night stays. The extra leg room in the Insight buses is worth the extra cost alone. The unexpected highlight for us was Budapest. What an amazing city and the 5 star hotel was a treat. The online service that Global Journeys offers is read more hassle free with excellent communication. I highly recommend Insight Vacations and Global Journeys and will be using them again in the near future.
This tour was all inclusive with no options added. Both the Tour Director and Bus driver were excellent and enhanced the experience. Tour pace was good and places visited excellent. Would highly recommend to anyone wishing to see Greece. The 4 day/3 night cruise was enough to get a feeling of the Greek Islands. One of the best Insight tours we read more have done. Will definitely use Insight again and book thru Global Journeys as it was extremely easy and very professional.
We really had a great visit to Spain and Portugal - hotels in great locations - coach very comfortable - more spacious than some others we saw - great inclusions and we would recommend taking up all the optional additional excursions
the tour guide was able to provide great historical commentary on all locations/regions visited. Booking through Global read more Journeys was efficiently handled - we have used them before and they've always been effective.
the tour guide was able to provide great historical commentary on all locations/regions visited. Booking through Global read more Journeys was efficiently handled - we have used them before and they've always been effective.
