I'm lazy. Really, really lazy. I rarely cook because someone else can do it. I rarely drive because…read moresomeone else can do it. And I rarely plan my holidays because someone else can do it. That someone is STA Travel on Brunswick Street. When I finally had the moolah and the confidence to plan my first big trip I headed straight in to my local STA where I was greeted by the lovely Jake. He asked where I wanted to go, what I wanted to do and how much money I could spend. I gave him the answers and he said; "leave it with me." When I returned the next day he had planned out the most EPIC 6 week trip you have ever seen, and also gave me options for places to stay. He booked the most affordable flights, suggested great tours to go on and even gave me his own personal insight in to the various areas I was traveling to. He continued to email me every now and then with ideas up until the day I left. Wow. I really could not have asked for more. Very, very impressed.

I've never understood why people plan their own trips when you can get someone else to do it for…read moreyou! Plus they are more likely to plan you a better trip than you could have ever imagined yourself. Hayley from Flight Centre in Collingwood has done this for me, and a whole lot of other things too! She recommended airlines, hotels/hostels and the best places to visit while overseas. Since my initial booking, she has kept me up to date with any changes, and consistently sends through things I might be interested in including her own personal travel stories and photos. She even comforted me as I nervously bought my first ticket overseas! What a woman and what a travel agency. If you are looking for a cheap getaway to any part of the world, these guys will have you covered. I couldn't recommend them any more.

They make you hold forever and never answer. Then the recording says to leave a number and they…read morewould call you back. It's been 29 days and three times leaving a number and no call back. Pathetic. I'm leaving soon and still have no idea if I have seats booked 6 weeks back after we switch planes. I even stopped at the Thai Airway in Thailand and they didn't know anything. Ugh! Frustrating.

Needed to book transfers in Bali. Had a call from Bill H…read morewithin an hour of enquiry and all sorted efficiently.

Having never previously written a negative review for any service provider, as a repeat customer of…read morethis company it is extremely disappointing that this has to be my first. The complete lack of understanding and respect that Luxury Escapes has shown it's customers during this crisis is almost beyond belief. Not only are they using this crisis as an excuse not to provide refunds that customers should be entitled to in accordance with their own refund policy, but they are withholding funds from people that have been severely financially impacted, which is, at best, unethical and indecent. While I can appreciate the financial impact this is currently having on Luxury Escapes, this is purportedly a very profitable company that has prospered on the back of the people they are now withholding funds from. Providing a credit or suggesting, and I quote, "Alternatively, you can always gift this package to a friend or family member, as we have the opportunity to amend the name that the booking is under" is extremely insensitive and less than helpful for those that can most likely no longer afford to travel in the near future, let alone "gift" a sizeable amount of money. Maybe a better solution would be to stop holding people to ransom and refund their own money so they can meet their immediate financial obligations. At the end of the day, companies will be judged on how they treat people in times of adversity and there are many other travel providers providing the same offering as Luxury Escapes and I will certainly be taking any future business to these competitors, and suggesting the same to anyone else that will listen, should Luxury Escapes continue to act in this selfish and unconscionable manner.

Booked a month long holiday to the US through this branch, and all was well until we actually left…read moreAustralia. Our agent, Brooke, was fantastic to deal with through the booking process, however she left STA a few months before we departed. Upon our arrival in LA, our booked airport transfer was a no show so we had to fork out US$60 for a cab from LAX to our hotel. The MTV Travel Co package we paid for could not be used because their website was down for the duration of the trip - no prior warning given, so basically we just got overpriced accomodation for 3 nights. Two weeks later, while checking into our hotel in NYC, we find that we had been underbooked by a night so had to pay for an extra night so we didn't end up sleeping on the street - this happened after being told by the branch we would be able to check in straight away after our red-eye flight. After the hassle of checking in, then checking out the next morning and having to re-check in again to our "actual" room, turns out we were booked into an 8 bed dorm when we had paid for a 4. We ended up ditching the hotel after a few days because it wasn't any way near what we were told it would be like by the staff at this branch. After having our case reffered to STA customer relations, we had to wait over a month to be provided any resolution - managed to get a refund but no way near enough compensation.

This is the original Observation Deck for Melbourne, before the Grollo brothers finished building…read morethe Eureka Tower last year. It gives you a 360 degree view of Melbourne and its surrounds on level 55, and was opened to the public in 1994. It is now the second tallest building in Melbourne. You can use the binoculars to get a close-up view of the ant-like humans, and you can get wind-whipped on the outdoor viewing balconies. There is a lovely cafe up there, but considering you have to pay entry to the tower, I'd say take your own snacks!

Great place to take 360 degrees view at Melbourne.read more

Watch out because you may not get what you pay for. My wife and I recently traveled with them and…read morethey cancelled an overnight flight that they had promised us in the Brochure and they raised the price $400 due to they said it was now more comfort based. Well not sure how much comfort anyone has on a 16 hour cockroach infested overnight train ride compared to a nice hotel and 1.5 hour flight. Then when we complained about the bait and switch they came up with to many reasons for the UNComfort status and only wanted to refund us $150 out of the $400 for the upgrade. The Hotels they said were comfort were absolutely horrible. If you think a dirty Motel 6 is comfort then this is the place for you. Buyer beware Intrepid don't care.

My recent Australia visit with Intrepid was the worst managed trip I've ever been on out of more…read morethan fifty that i have taken. Jeremy in the US office is an out-and-out liar, willing to say anything to get the business. Example: when asked about the guides' credentials he said he knew them, worked with them for years. The reality: one turned out to be 19, and a recent high school grad. Neither guide had been to a number of the cities where they were to guide us! Lack of guide's knowledge...inability to think logically [who schedules a wine tasting at 11:30 before lunch?] and unfamiliarity with the basics [they booked us so poorly with flight-and-ferry connections that three days on Kangaroo Island had to be shriveled to one! Jeremy's spin: This will allow you to see Adelaide. Reality: We got to Adelaide after 10 PM, flew out before 10 the next AM. Complaints [plural] to their headquarters brought the response: we'll look into it: clearly they hadn't vetted the guides. Traveler: don't say you haven't been warned.

Thank you Pronto Travel. The service and attention to the small things always makes my overseas and…read moreinterstate trips an enjoyable experience. The stress of planning is taken out and this really shows when I am at my destination and travelling. I have many memorable experiences and the careful planning of my trips by Gianni at Pronto Travel make this possible for me to enjoy.

From the owner: Family owned and run travel agency and travel consultants providing personalised travel services…read moreand itineraries to Italy and beyond. With over 10 years experience in the travel industry and fantastic customer service let us plan you next holiday adventure. Airfares, airport and hotel transfers, villa stays, personalised itineraries, food & wine tours, cooking classes, car hire, cruises and much more...