At Highlights Travel (formerly Asia Highlights), we believe that the best journeys don't just take you to new places — they bring you closer to what truly matters: meaningful encounters, shared stories, and a deeper sense of place. Since 1998, we've been designing private, tailor-made trips across China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, with a focus on meaningful connection, cultural depth, and effortless travel. Our expert travel designers work one-on-one with each traveler, while our trusted local hosts open doors to authentic, personal experiences. With over 10,000 reviews and an outstanding 98.8% 5-star rating on platforms, our travelers consistently return with more than memories — they return with a deeper understanding. Our current journeys on Highlights Travel website focus on Southeast and South Asia, where vibrant cultures and meaningful moments await. Interested in China or Japan? Discover more curated journeys at China Highlights, Japan Highlights and Thailand Highlights — part of the Highlights Travel family.
Reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Consumers frequently highlight the exceptional staff, describing team members as professional, exceptionally polite, and incredibly quick to respond to every single inquiry. Travelers truly appreciate the dedicated support in creating wonderful, tailored holiday itineraries that perfectly match their specific desires and requirements.
However, some customers also noted that while the planning phase was wonderful, they were still awaiting the actual execution of their upcoming trips. People often mention looking forward to seeing how all the organized activities, expert guides, and recommended accommodations will actually perform during their upcoming adventures.
We booked Highlights Travel for a recent cherry blossoms trip to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. We worked with Jimmy for our itinerary. He proposed an inclusive trip that we were able to modify and make substitutions in advance. Jimmy responded to any inquiry in a timely fashion.
Two of our three tour guides, Reid (Tokyo) and Tony (Osaka) were fantastic. They provided historical details, were knowledgable, and friendly. Our tour guide Bella (Nara/Osaka) was extremely disappointing. She did not appear to have any knowledge of the stops on the tour. Her input was mostly "it's old" and "it's very pretty". Our drivers were efficient and careful. The hotels booked through Highlights were above and beyond in all 3 cities; with fantastic breakfasts and in safe/walkable neighborhoods.
Highlights Travel 回复2026-04-24
Thank you for your detailed feedback. We're glad Jimmy was responsive and flexible during the planning stage, and that Reid and Tony provided knowledgeable and friendly guiding in Tokyo and Osaka. It's also good to hear the hotels and drivers met your expectations.
We're sincerely sorry that your experience with Bella in Nara and Osaka fell short. A guide who cannot provide meaningful historical or cultural context is not acceptable, and we will address this with our team to understand what happened. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We appreciate you sharing the full picture, and we hope the rest of your cherry blossom trip was still enjoyable.
This is my third custom/private trip with China/Asia Highlights.
On all three trips, I enjoy working with the travel consultants. They always took into consideration my interest and my comments when developing the itinerary for our trip. Their response time is quick and they always are able to answer my questions with the necessary detail while planning our trip.
Highlights Travel 回复2026-04-24
Thank you for your continued trust in us over three custom trips. We're glad the planning process has been consistent—attentive to your interests, responsive, and detailed. It's good to know the travel consultants have met your expectations each time. We appreciate your loyalty and your feedback.
Working with Kaya Han has been great. She has made all the adjustments we have asked her to do. She has also answered all the questions that we have asked. And I have asked alot of questions.
Highlights Travel 回复2026-04-24
Thanks for your feedback. We're glad Kaya has been responsive and patient with your questions and adjustments. It's good to know the planning process has gone smoothly. We appreciate you sharing your experience.
This is my third time booking with highlights travel, the second time with Monica Mo. communication is fantastic; Monica adjusted the itinerary to fit our needs. On my last trip to Vietnam and Thailand, everything was perfect. Fantastic activities, hotels, guides and drivers.
Highlights Travel 回复2026-04-24
Thanks for your continued trust in us, and for sharing your experience. We're glad Monica has been responsive and flexible in adjusting the itinerary to fit your needs. It's good to know your recent trip to Vietnam and Thailand went smoothly, with the activities, hotels, guides, and drivers all meeting your expectations. We appreciate your feedback and your loyalty.
Highlights Travel Will Make Your Vacation A Dream Come True
Highlights Travel made our first trip from Jan 20-Feb 15 to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia an experience to remember. I very much appreciated all of Jimmy’s support and flexibility in building us an itinerary that offered us such a diversity of activities. Even though we were busy on many of the days, there were enough calmer days sprinkled throughout the itinerary that we did not become totally exhausted.
As well Jimmy was always very punctual at responding to any of my questions or giving us advice. This helped us feel more secure in travelling so far from Canada.
I had no idea that when I mentioned that we were celebrating our 46th anniversary in February and that my husband wanted to travel to Southeast Asia the year he turned 70 that we would be met with celebration and a decorated hotel room at every location along our trip. Very heartwarming and such a personal touch.
The guides and drivers who Highlights Travel employs are exceptional. Kai in Phuket, Marie in Bangkok, Nid in Chiang Mai, Lan in Hanoi, Thanh in Hoi San, Jun in Bangkok and Phally in Siem Reap. Every one of them was courteous, welcoming and passionate in making us feel at home in their city. They, as well as the places we visited, will be fond memories.
Highlights Travel 回复2026-04-24
Thank you for your detailed and thoughtful feedback. We're glad Jimmy's planning and responsiveness helped make your first trip to Southeast Asia feel secure and well paced, with a good mix of active days and calmer ones. It's also good to hear that the personal touches for your anniversary and your husband's 70th year were noticed and appreciated across multiple locations. We're pleased that the guides and drivers you named—from Phuket to Siem Reap—helped make the journey feel welcoming and memorable. Thank you for sharing your experience, and for traveling with us.
This review is pre trip - I can say: travel advisor Monica is great! She really tries to find what you are looking for and accommodate you as much as possible. So looking forward to the trip.
Our guide listened to what was important to us, made good recommendations, was quick to respond to adjustments to the itinerary, and was respectful of our budget. Finally, when I shared our flight schedule (which we booked on our own), she noticed that I made a mistake on the timing, resulting in arriving a day earlier than our itinerary provided - she pointed it out, gave us options, and ultimately booked an additional night for us so we didn't have to spend our first night without a place to stay!
Albee helped plan, revise, and accommodate to design the perfect trip for us. Planned but haven't gone on this trip yet, but have taken a trip she designed previously and every detail was awesome! Well thought out and executed. 5 Star for sure!
Alisa worked very hard to make our upcoming Japan trip very exciting and highlighling the cherry blossom season. Can't wait to experience Japan at its most beautiful time!
Alisa is prompt and thorough in her replies. She leaves no question unanswered. If she does not have the answer she informs you of when she will reply with an answer.
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