3 Unforgettable Tours to Put On Your Radar This Year

Travel on a bullet train, sail along the coast of Italy and walk the bustling streets of South Korea. Get to know these countries on a deeper level with small group and private tour packages from Qantas Tours. 

Each itinerary has been carefully curated by the Qantas Tours team so you’ll get to see the best of each destination and discover secrets only the locals know thanks to on-the-ground guides. You’ll stay in epic 4- to 5-star accommodation like a glass igloo to witness the Northern Lights and onboard an 8-day cruise through the Caribbean. Plus, you’ll travel in comfort on a Qantas or oneworld flight – and you’ll also earn 3 Qantas points per $1 spent on your booking. Whether you want to spot penguins, seals and whales in Antarctica or visit the blue-washed town of Chefchaouen, there’s a tour for you. 

Here are three to put on your radar. 

Essential Japan

This 12-day trip, which has been specially curated by Qantas for a premium touring experience, captures the elusive spirit of Japan, from its high-tech cities to its ancient wonders. First stop is Yokohama before taking in a green tea plantation in Shizuoka Prefecture. 

You’ll visit Hamamatsu and take a walking tour around the ancient capital of Kyoto. Board a bullet train to Osaka, which reaches 285 kilometres an hour, but don’t get too comfy – the trip takes just 15 minutes. Join the after-work crowd in the Dotonbori district to find okonomiyaki (savoury pancake with dried bonito) and takoyaki (fried octopus balls). 

On day six you’ll visit Nara, famed for its 8th-century temples and free-roaming deer, and nearby Tsumago-juku and Narai-juku, two perfectly preserved towns dating to the Edo period (1603 to 1868). Ascend Mount Fuji for commanding views of the Fuji Five Lakes before cruising Lake Ashinoko, formed in the caldera of Mount Hakone 3000 years ago. Finally, it’s a return to Tokyo to explore at your own pace. Don’t miss cocktails at the Park Hyatt, ramen at Michelin-starred Tsuta and karaoke just about everywhere. 

Includes:
Return flights to Tokyo with Airways or a oneworld® partner airline
10 nights 4-star hotel accommodation
Daily breakfast
Local English-speaking guides
Cost: $4999 per person twin share (From $416 per person per day).
Save 31% and use Points Plus Pay to stretch your savings further
Earn 3 points per $1 spent. 

Sensational South Korea 

All the organising and planning has been done for you on this tightly curated 9-nine-day South Korean expedition. You’ll arrive on a Qantas or oneworld partner flight to Seoul, where you can explore palaces, shop for textiles or a hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) at the Dongdaemun Market and make kimchi by hand. 

You’ll then hurtle to Gyeongju at 320 kilometres per hour in a first-class cabin aboard a high-speed train. Wander through ancient monuments, royal tombs and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bulguksa Temple in this historic city dubbed the “Museum Without Walls”. In Busan, climb the 120-metre-high Busan Tower for views of mountains, islands and thrumming streetscapes before sampling ocean-fresh oysters, squid and fish at the Jagalchi Fish Market. And don't miss a photo opp at Gamcheon Culture Village, where the foothills of a coastal mountain come alive with pastel Lego-like houses and murals. 

Finish your trip with a day lounging on the golden sands of Haeundae Beach and stocking up on gadgets and Korean cosmetics at Centum City, one of the world's largest shopping centres. Or, if you're not ready to say goodbye, extend your trip by three days to admire stalactites and rock formations in the Manjanggul Lava Tube and meet the iconic haenyeo, the female divers who have been collecting seafood from the ocean around Jeju Island for centuries.

Includes:
Return international flights with Qantas
7 nights 4-5 star accommodation
7 meals, all daily breakfast
Return high-speed train trip in a first-class cabin
Cost: $4399 per person twin share (From $489 per person per day)
Save 21% and use Points Plus Pay to stretch your savings further
Earn 3 points per $1 spent. 

Tuscany, Rome and Amalfi Coast

When you book this perfectly formed 13-day tour, not only will you earn Qantas Points but you’ll enjoy premium experiences that have been curated by the Qantas team. Set off with your small group on a guided tour of the Eternal City before lunch overlooking the Colosseum. Travel south to Sorrento to experience its maze of narrow alleys and spectacular views of the Bay of Naples. Next, it’s a boat tour along the famous Amalfi Coast before stopping in Positano, one of Italy’s most delightful coastal towns with its colourful buildings clinging to the cliffside. 

You’ll wander around medieval Siena and in Montepulciano, renowned for its wine, visit historical cellars and sample the region’s best drops. The final destination is Florence, famed for its distinctive Duomo, terracotta-coloured palazzi and galleries stuffed with priceless Renaissance artworks.

Includes:
Return international flights with Qantas Airways or a oneworld® partner airline
10 nights 4-star accommodation
14 meals including daily breakfast
Return airport and private boat transfers
Cost: $7999 per person twin share (From $615 per person per day).
Save 23% and use Points Plus Pay to stretch your savings further
Earn 3 points per $1 spent. 

SEE ALSO: 4 Incredible Cruises to Put on Your Bucket List