Ireland Small Groups tours 2011

Posted on Friday, February 18, 2011

We are excited to announce new small group tour for Ireland for 2011. Travel in style with no more than 24 passengers in a small luxury motor coach. Stay in unique, historic castles and manors, enjoy exclusive sights and activities and delight in the authentic flavors of the region. Mingle with the locals while you sample fresh produce in quaint village pubs and local markets. Travel with an experienced driver/guide who, in addition to handling all of the travel details, will enrich your vacation with a wealth of expert knowledge and a great sense of fun. Discover Ireland the Brendan way - Intimate, Immersive and Experiential.

	Castles and Manors (2011-12) Vacation Type: Small Group Discoveries Duration: 11 days From: $2,899 land only Tour Code: BRCM11 Look no further, the ultimate Ireland experience is here. Spend 11 days taking in the absolute best of Ireland on a Small Groups Discoveries tour featuring overnight stays in Dublin, Kilkenny, Killarney, Ballynahinch Castle and Donegal where a personalized, professional tour guide highlights the ins and outs of every charming Irish destination.
	Tastes and Tales of Ireland (2011-12) Vacation Type: Small Group Discoveries Duration: 9 days From: $2,399 land only Tour Code: BRITT11 This 9-day Small Groups Discoveries tour takes you across Ireland’s scenic countryside bringing you up close and personal with the cuisine, culture, and locals. Your overnight stays feature the cities of Dublin, Cork, Killarney and the magnificent Dromoland Castle, one of Ireland’s most prestigious national treasures. Take it all in with the services of a personalized, professional tour director.
	Castles, Lighthouses & Pots of Gold (2011-12) Vacation Type: Small Group Discoveries Duration: 9 days From: $1,799 land only Tour Code: BRCL11 See it all. Experience the majesty of Ireland on a personalized, 9-day Small Groups Discoveries tour with overnight stays in the cities of Dublin, Wexford and Killarney. Highlights include a professionally guided historic Dublin city tour, Hook Peninsula excursion visiting cook lighthouse, a visit to Blarney Castle and much more!

Half Off Companion Fare on Select Ireland Tours

Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Companion half off! Book a tour and the companion travels for half price on select departures Glimpse of Ireland 8 days (October 2 and 16, November 20) or Irish Jaunt 5 days (October 9 and November 6)   Call today! Offer ends September 4, 2010

Terms & Conditions: *Glimpse of Ireland and Irish Jaunt Companion Half off land special, buy one and get the second person at 50%. Valid when entire package is booked and paid in full with Brendan Vacations between August 13 and September 4, 2010, based on double occupancy. Valid on October 2, 16 and November 20 "Glimpse Of Ireland" departures and October 9 and November 6 "Irish Jaunt" departures ONLY. Offer is valid for new bookings only and is not combinable with any existing promotions or discounts. Promotion cannot be booked online. Once payment is received, cancellation penalties may apply. Offer is subject to limited availability, other conditions and may be withdrawn at any time. Please mention promo code when booking: BVIJGOI.

Things to Do in Dublin, Ireland

Posted on Friday, May 28, 2010

Each year thousands of people take on the adventure of traveling to Dublin, Ireland and are presented with an abundance of things to do throughout. This is one place that will keep you going from beginning to end with its buzzing city life as well as beautiful country life.

There is an abundance of places that you can visit while traveling to Dublin. Whether you want to take a stroll through the many parks, gardens or museums or touch up your knowledge on Dublin through the colleges, libraries, churches or heritage sites there is an extensive amount of things that you can do here.

Dublin is jam packed full of historical buildings, galleries and castles that are open to the public to see and experience. You will have the ability to see exactly what Dublin is all about just by taking a stroll through the city and lands.

Some popular places to visit in Dublin include:

The Christ Church Cathedral
The Trinity College Library which is the home of the Book of Kells
The Ardgillan Castle
The Dublin Zoo
The National Gallery of Ireland

The list goes on. Dublin has many different things that you can do and it really does cater to every interest that a person may have. When planning a trip to Ireland ensure that you plan for a few days in Dublin so that you can experience everything it has to offer and you don’t miss out on anything that you really wanted to see, but may not have had time for.

Top Five Castles in Ireland

Posted on Sunday, May 09, 2010

Traveling to Ireland can be one of the most adventurous trips you'd ever experience. The shores lines are covered with many castles and battlement ruins preparing Ireland to protect their 5,600 kilometeres of coastline. Whether you want to experience the history and heritage or relax for a day at a local golf course or the many beaches, there is something everyone will enjoy.  

Some of the top five castles and attractions that you can experience while visiting Ireland include some of the following...

The Dunguarie Castle in County Galway  
The Dunguarie Castle has survived 12 centuries in battle and siege, up until 1924. Since 1924 it has become the perfect retreat for poets and writers. After seven centuries of standing on the site of Guaire, King of Connaught, the Dunguarie Castle is one castle you'll want to experience in Ireland.  

The Dunluce Castle in County Antrim
Many years ago a violent storm caused an abundance of lose when a portion of the Dunluce Castle fell into the sea killing many cooks and kitchen hands. After many years the Dunluce has become the spot that was the inspiration of Cair Paravel from Chronicles of Narnia, done by C.S. Lewis.  

The Leap Castle in County Offaly
If you'd like a little excitement and scare in your travels, travel to the Leap Castle. This castle is said to be haunted by ghosts. The Leap Castle was once the fortress for the O'Carrolls many years ago and now has become the picturesque ivy-clad ruin.  

The Hillsborough Castle in County Down
The Hillsborough Castle has become the residence for Elizabeth II when traveling through Ireland. The best time of year to visit this castle is in July, when the Garden Festival is held within the beautiful walled gardens each year.  

The Belleek Museum in County Fermanagh
Over the past 150 years the Beleek Museum has been the creators of many fine pottery collections. The Belleek museum gets over 250,000 tourists each and every year, including John and Jackie Kennedy back in 1961. The shop and tea room are the most popular tourist attractions within the Belleek Museum.

All throughout Ireland there are many things for travelers to experience. You don't want to miss out on any of them, so make sure to plan out your vacation to Ireland beforehand. Ireland is the home of endless amounts of adventures and experiences... take the time to experience them all before you leave.  

Ireland Tour

Posted on Friday, September 04, 2009

A tour of all the major cities in Ireland would take 12 to 14 days, however keep in mind that this is just an overview of the sites. You will find that these itineraries typically spend only one or two nights in the larger cities, and are on the move the rest of the time getting from place to place. This is why many travelers choose to focus on a specific region of Ireland, to ensure they can take everything in.

The shorter tours typically allow you to spend at least two nights in each of the major cities, so that you have some free time to venture out on your own. You can always add a few nights before or after your tour begins as well. Tour accommodations range from budget hotels and inns, to five star hotels and overnight castle stays. Of course the better the accomodations, the higher the price. Another thing to consider when selecting a tour is how much sightseeing is included, versus what is going to be offered as optional and cost additional while you are on your trip. Also, how many meals are included, as this can be a considerable savings to you in Europe. Are there any special trips or highlights included? All of these factors can affect the price of a tour, but you may find that spending a little more up front, is a better value in the end to ensure you are getting the most from your visit.

In 8 to 10 days, you can take a Southern Ireland tours and spend time in Dublin, Shannon, Killarney and Waterford, which will include highlights and visits to such places as the Old Jameson Distillery, Bunratty, Ring of Kerry, Kenmare, the Blarney kissing stone and Waterford Crystal Factory.

On an 8 to 10 day trip to Northern Ireland, you would stay in places such as Galway, Derry, Shannon and Dublin.  The drive from the west cost over to the east coast incorporates natural beauty as well as historical sites. Visit the Cliffs of Moher, The Burren and the Connemara region. Some of the trip highlights may include Kylemore Abbey, Glenveagh National Park, Giant's Causeway, Trinity College and St. Stephen's Green.