Brendan Vacations tours available on tourhub

Cultural Preservation

To travel is to learn; it is to support the people we meet along the way. That is precisely what MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences do.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences are conscious travel experiences chosen with great care based on the positive social or environmental impact they have on their communities. Identify ....more

What We Offer

Travel: For every style & occasion
We welcome travelers of all varieties. Couples celebrating romantic milestones. Groups, seeking out memories. Solo adventurers veering off the beaten path and families, in every form. We have a range of travel styles suited to match every guest, from fully guided vacations to customizable private ....more

Environmental Sustainability

Launched in 2020, How We Tread Right (HWTR) is Brendan Vacations’ five-year sustainability strategy consisting of 11 goals anchored to the United Nations Global Goals. To support our climate action efforts, in 2021 we developed a four-point Climate Action Plan to outline how we will address our emissions as a ....more

Our Story

As with most great storytellers, we come from a long history of legends and we are proud of our Brendan roots among The Travel Corporation family of brands. Driven by service for over 102 years, we look back on our past with gratitude for all the amazing adventures we’ve had; ....more

Responsible Tourism

We recognize our responsibility to ensure our impact is a positive one, and we address it in two ways; through our sustainability strategy, How We Tread Right, and through our TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit founded by Brendan Vacations and our sister brands under The Travel Corporation. Through TreadRight, Brendan Vacations ....more

Accreditations and Associations

UNWTO, World Travel & Tourism Council, American Society of Travel Agents and USTOA

Covid Policies

Our trips adhere to the highest standards of safety and cleanliness. It is not mandatory to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel on our trips, however, for vaccinations in general the requirement will depend on the destinations you are travelling to and your personal health circumstances. Be sure to speak ....more

Social Responsibility

Brendan Vacation’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) journey started many years ago, and in 2021 we launched our DEI Strategy and formalized specific and actionable goals across three core business functions: People and Culture, Travel Experiences, and Marketing and Communications.

Brendan Vacations Reviews

Emily Melvin (Google Reviewer)

17-Jun-2024

In December 2023 I took a Brendan Vacations Locally Hosted Rail journey, and it was incredible! The trip was perfectly planned, and everything was top-notch from the hotels to the trains and the sightseeing tours. Even though I was traveling on my own, I never felt alone because in each city I was met by a local host who was able to provide restaurant recommendations and insider information that only a local can know. Plus, I loved traveling in the winter as there were no crowds when exploring the famed Ring of Kerry and Cliffs of Moher and the hotels were beautifully decorated for Christmas. Working with Brendan Vacations was a breeze and took a lot of pressure off of me as I didn’t have to spend hours of my time researching and planning the trip. The hotels they booked fit my needs and they were able to suggest experiences that I wouldn’t have thought of myself. The highlight was staying at Dromoland Castle and doing the falconry experience – it’s a memory I’ll never forget. Thank you, Brendan Vacations! I can’t wait to return to the Celtic Isles with you.

Krista Erickson (Google Reviewer)

23-Apr-2020

Do you want to see Ireland your way? Brendan Vacations did an amazing job setting us up with a Self-Drive through the county. They reserved a Hertz vehicle which we found the rental process to be seamless, placed us in wonderful hotels near city centers per our request and even suggested some places to visit and eat. We tend to be bucket list seekers so climbing Ireland’s country highpoint Carrauntoohil in beautiful County Kerry was a highlight of our trip. Our next stop is Scotland and hiking up Ben Nevis with the help of Brendan Vacations the true Celtic Experts.

Stan Kap (Google Reviewer)

18-Sep-2024

Excellent local hosts and nice accommodations. However, very poor customer support. We had to make last minute change in hotel and ground transportation but Brendan provided us zero help. Further, opaque pricing of trip add-ons with no documentation. Overall, we cannot recommend this company.

Mackenzie Gerber (Google Reviewer)

23-Apr-2020

Brendan Vacations made all my Ireland dreams come true. My husband and I took a Private Chauffeur trip last August and we think back on it almost daily. The level of service and detail from our Chauffeur to the people behind the scenes scheduling our activities and hotels made it easy for us just to relax the entire time. Thank you to the amazing Brendan team for an unforgettable vacation.

Katie Jessup (Google Reviewer)

23-Apr-2020

This last summer I planned a trip to take my family to Ireland, being from England the United Kingdom has always been very special to me I just love the outdoors and the people. Living in the US my family have never visited Ireland before so I decided I wanted to plan with them a trip where we could explore this this amazing place. When we started writing down the key places that we wanted to visit we realized it was a lot from Belfast to Derry, Dublin to Galway and Killarney to Cork I was just not sure how I could piece all of this together. I decided I would look for help and the team at Brendan vacations were my superstars, all I had to do was give them my itinerary and they took care of everything else for me. They made our trip so easy and effortless to plan and they offered little extras because they knew we were a multi-generational family traveling together. They even helped us book and plan activities while we were visiting Ireland from the Cliffs of Moher to the Giants Causeway. By far my favorite moment was seeing my 7 year old daughter's face when we had the opportunity to take a horse drawn carriage ride through Killarney National Park, without my Brendan vacation specialist recommending this to me we would have missed out and I know it was a highlight for little Charlie. Thank you Brendan vacations for taking our trip personally and truly helping create memories that will last us a lifetime. We are already talking about going back to Ireland and our next adventure.

Tara Ward-Burgess (Google Reviewer)

16-May-2024

We recently took a 13 day chauffeured tour of Ireland. Brendan Vacations scheduled our chauffeur through Pat Keough Tours and our driver, Andy Burke, was outstanding. If we mentioned particular places of interest along the way Andy would find a way to make it happen. He has the best sense of humor, is professional, and very knowledgeable. We hope to use Andy for future trips.

Tam (Google Reviewer)

28-Apr-2020

Brendan Vacations is amazing!!! In my opinion it was the only way to fully experience Ireland. We did a private chauffeur trip with our family. There were 4 adults and 3 children ranging from 7 to 12 years old and all of us were completely entertained the entire time. From the moment we were picked up at the airport it was clear that then attention to details was unmatched. We were able to be completely immersed into the incredible culture and people of Ireland. The tour took us around most of the country from the city of Dublin to the picturesque town of Killarney. We experience the Majestic Cliffs of Moher from a unique perspective taking a ferry ride along the coastline which was beautiful. Next we went to the AMAZING Ashford castle which was straight out of a story book. There were so things to do, our family loved fishing, zipplining, horseback riding and falconry. Throughout our trip we went on walking tours in the cities, stayed in enchanting castles and manars, and even horse drawn carriage ride through a historic park surrounded by lakes and beautiful scenery. Everyday we saw unbelievable countrysides, had yummy stews and Irish ales. The people were all welcoming and nice in every city and town. Our chauffeur made us feel comfortable and was professional which made the trip fun and relaxing throughout our many adventures. Ireland was full of rich history, memorable landscapes, music and dancing. We can't thank Brendan Vacations enough for making our vacation stress free and so unforgettable, what an adventure!

Amy Yarruhs (Google Reviewer)

02-Feb-2024

I did the Irish Highlights tour last October and it blew any expectations I had of guided tours out of the water! It was my first time out of the US and they made it so easy and comfortable. Our Travel Director, Maeve, and Driver, Stevie, were absolutely wonderful and super knowledgeable. The whole trip was very organized and well-planned. There were 2 main experiences that stand out to me as different than other tour companies. The first were the Make Travel Matter experiences which were hosted by locals and focused on sustainability (a huge plus for me) and their Be My Guest experience where we got to eat in celebrity chef, Catherine Fulvio's farmhouse! I still dream about her cooking months later. All in all, I would highly recommend Brendan Vacations and I can't wait to visit Ireland again.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there seat rotation on the coach?

Yes, your Travel 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 travelers.

Is luggage handling provided?

On Guided Vacations and Private Chauffeur Vacations, all luggage handling is provided at no extra charge. One suitcase per person will be brought to your hotel room.

Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

Yes! Our hotels are personally selected by Managing Director Catherine Reilly and personally known for their quality, impeccable service and comfort, with the majority of them having air-conditioning. Note: A few hotels may not have air conditioning due to the colder climate.

What are the coaches like?

We pride ourselves on having the finest fleet of fuel-efficient, fully air-conditioned coaches – all with reclining seats and on-board restrooms. The high vantage point from your coach’s window means you can take in all the glorious scenery, whether it’s a vast rural landscape or an urban city center. We also have on board WiFi.

Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?

Brendan Vacations is an active supporter of the Treadright® Foundation, a not-for-profit organization established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than $2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.

How many people will be on my trip?

You’ll find an average of 40 to 45 guests on trips throughout Europe.

Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

The beauty of taking a guided vacation with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.

Will I have free time?

Each itinerary offers the perfect balance of downtime and discoveries. We also give you the opportunity to tailor your trip with Optional Experiences.

Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

Yes. If you are travelling solo but would be happy to share your rook with another traveller of the same gender, we offer 'Twin-share' pricing on our trips. However, if you prefer the privacy of your own room, you can opt for our single supplement. The cost will depend on your trip and can be found in the pricing section of the itinerary.

How much luggage can I bring?

On Guided Vacations, you can bring one suitcase per person with the dimensions of 76cm x 46cm x 25cm (30" x 18" x 10") and weight not exceeding 23kg (50 lbs) 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 telescopic handles.

What is a Travel Director?

Our Travel Directors come from a variety of backgrounds, but they all share a passion for travel and their homelands. These experienced professionals show you what the guidebooks can't - a true insider's perspective of Ireland and Scotland. Each Travel Director has been through a bespoke training program, and many have at least five years' experience under their belt.

What documents will I receive before I travel?

Travel documents (important information, itinerary and any relevant vouchers) will be provided 7-10 days prior to your trip's departure.

What if I have special dietary requirements?

We can accommodate guests who are vegetarian and can assist with diabetic, gluten-free and other medically-recommended diets. Please advise us at time of booking. Unfortunately, we're unable to supply meals in accordance with strict religious requirements. We cannot provide salt-free, Kosher, Halal, requests for specific dietary supplements such as soy milk, and high protein or low-carb meals.

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Low Deposit

Brendan Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 200 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel your tour, tourhub doesn't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of Brendan Vacations charges.

Up to 60 days before tour starts:	Forfeit 100% of deposit
At 59 days before tour starts:	Forfeit 50% of tour cost
At 29 days before tour starts:	Forfeit 80% of tour cost
At 1 days before tour starts:	Forfeit 100% of tour cost