Brendan Vacations

Brendan Vacations’ mantra of ‘taking you personally’ is at the core of everything they do.
They are passionate about delivering authentic experiences and hand-crafted adventures throughout Ireland and Scotland that cater to every travelers’ dream.

What Makes Brendan Vacations Stand Out?

Experience
Founded in 1969, Brendan Vacations has spent 50+ years honing its in-depth knowledge and exclusive connections to gregarious locals, vibrant culture, rich history and breathtaking sights that lead to profoundly immersive destination experiences.

Local Expertise
Led by Dublin-based Catherine Reilly, Managing Director for over 35 years, the local Brendan team consists of over 70 experts– from local hosts, to experienced chauffeurs and destination specialists. The Brendan Vacations team handcrafts each itinerary leveraging long-standing relationships with every hotelier, Travel Director, private chauffeur, local host and venue manager. Local hosts meet travelers along their journeys to give guests a deeper sense of the history and culture of the destination and provide them with insider tips on what not to miss from an insider perspective.

Dedicated Team
Guided by its mantra, ‘taking you personally,’ Brendan Vacations distinguishes itself through experiences designed by a dedicated team passionate about delivering a completely authentic experience, tailored to guests needs and interests. Brendan Vacations’ guests meet storytellers, stay in hand-selected accommodations, explore Ireland and Scotland’s rugged edge of the world and enjoy Brendan Vacations’ highly personalized service.

Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Brendan Vacations?

Everyone! Culture-Seekers rejoice at the chance to immerse themselves in our lands steeped with history and legend. Foodies sip and savor every flavor as they taste their way across the Celtic Isles. Family Vacationers leave all the details to us as we take them on a journey that will entertain everyone, young and old. While outdoor-lovers find solace in our rolling hillsides, awe-inspiring coastlines and never-ending landscapes of green.

Top Destinations

They focus exclusively on Scotland and Ireland including Northern Ireland. 

Brendan Vacations Travel Style

Brendan Vacations offers five travel styles that give guests the freedom and flexibility to hit the road on any budget with carefree confidence. No matter which style, every Brendan Vacations experience gives travelers the opportunity to meet and mingle with locals, offering a glimpse of Celtic life through the eyes of those who call Ireland and Scotland home.

Guided Vacations
We take the stress out of planning and reignite the joy and wonder of travel without the hassle. Less to coordinate means more to experience – Brendan Vacations books all your accommodations, transportation and must-see sights, as well as exclusive “Insider Experiences” and authentic opportunities to connect with the locals in their homes such as our “Be My Guest” where guests bond with the family over traditional cuisine and culture. While your Travel Director's local knowledge in every place makes each day of your trip seamless.

Private Chauffeur
With personal transportation and expert guidance at travelers’ fingertips, Private Chauffeur vacations are a great travel style for families, couples and soloist travelers. As the most intimate, flexible and luxurious of the travel styles, these vacations are handcrafted by the Brendan Vacations team and are completely customizable to your needs.

Lux Self-Drive
Privacy and luxury, meet freedom and independence in Brendan Vacations’ newest travel style, Lux Self-Drive. Travelers will enjoy exclusive experiences and high-class accommodations and the ability to drive themselves in style. Not only can the destination experts organize activities ranging from private tastings to exclusive tours, Brendan Vacations can also set travelers up with the locals in every area.

Self-Drive
If you want total independence but still need support from the experts, look no further than Self-Drive with Brendan Vacations. We’ll help you map out your itinerary and pre-book accommodations that suit your style, and if you’re craving laughter and connection, we can introduce you to locals who can show you around and share their cultures. When you're ready to hit the road, your Hertz rental car will be ready for you.

Locally Hosted Rail
Our popular Locally Hosted Rail experiences combine independent travel with local support. Pick your must-see cities and favorite accommodations, then kick back and relax as you experience the wonder of the Celtic Isles from a window seat. When you arrive at your destination a Brendan Local Host will greet you with a treasure trove of ideas on what to do, where to shop and what to eat and drink. If there’s no train available to the next destination on your itinerary, we’ll set you up with a Private Chauffeur so you can get where you need to go – travel is hassle-free with us.

Why Choose a Tour With Brendan Vacations?

With over 50 years of making friends in the community, we’ve learned a thing or two and can honestly say that no one knows Ireland and Scotland better than we do. It’s our long- standing relationships and local connections that bring our homelands to life and create the real magic behind every journey. We’re so glad you’ve found us and we can’t wait to share our stories with you.