Vagabond Tours
Vagabond Tours
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About
All aboard! We’re Ireland’s original small-group tour operator, creating magical memories since 2002. Rob & Amy, who started the company 22 years ago, still operate Vagabond day-to-day. Our support team, our sales staff and our tour guides are all local. Small group tour sizes — Max. 15 guests — and compact vehicles allow us to explore off the beaten path. We bring you where bigger bus tours cannot, delivering positive impacts to local communities. Vagabond Cultural Adventures are 5-12 day itineraries with outdoor activities like hiking, biking, horseback-riding and watersports. Driftwood Journeys of Discovery are 6-15 days with a relaxed pace and focus on cultural experiences. We want you to love Ireland as much as we do!
Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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5.0
1,554 reviews
Excellent
1,533
Very good
18
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
0
BRONCOFAN82
China Grove, NC32 contributions
Apr 2020
Just had to cancel my dream vacation.... 12 day Driftwood tour of Ireland... because of the pandemic. Even though I haven't traveled with Vagabond, I have to let everyone know that they have been exceptional to work with. My booking and payment was easy, I have called them on two occasions and my phone calls were returned promptly the next day (Eastern Standard time). They gave me a full refund (minus deposit which is waived if I rescheduled next year). I could not ask for better service during what I know is also a difficult time for their company. I appreciate it and definitely recommend them!
Written 2 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello BRONCOFAN82, thank you so much for your kind review. We're very sorry you won't make it over this year. We really appreciate your lovely words and we hope to welcome you to Ireland as soon as this is all over. Wishing you and your family all the best, stay safe! Rob Rankin, Owner.
Written 3 April 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Christine Hays
2 contributions
May 2022
My husband and I booked the 11 Day Ireland Driftwood tour that covered the entire Island in a leisurely laid back style during May 2022. We highly recommend this tour and company for many reasons.
First, the tour itself covered many differing areas, from city to town to country and back again. Ireland's beauty and unique/rich history was on open display and we found all activities of equal merit. Our hotels also showed varied styles and reflected each area just as did the cuisine. We booked a few extra days in Dublin because it is not on the itinerary and highly suggest doing so to take in many interesting sites.
Secondly, traveling with Covid threats may seem ridiculous but Vagabond sterilized the van each morning, masks were available as well as hand sanitizer. We were asked to keep masks on at all times within the van, sanitize during each re-entry and windows were open to provide circulation. We weren't surprised when our required Covid tests were negative for a return to the USA.
Lastly, our tour leader Tim Orr, has a wonderful sense of humor, an in-depth knowledge of Ireland and is an excellent driver. He catered to all 13 passengers needs in what seemed to be an effortless manner belying the hard work behind the scenes. He's a joyful master of many delightful stories and I can honestly say he deserves to be called a legend. I know from other friends who booked with Vagabond that all of the staff is as personable and professional as Tim.
First, the tour itself covered many differing areas, from city to town to country and back again. Ireland's beauty and unique/rich history was on open display and we found all activities of equal merit. Our hotels also showed varied styles and reflected each area just as did the cuisine. We booked a few extra days in Dublin because it is not on the itinerary and highly suggest doing so to take in many interesting sites.
Secondly, traveling with Covid threats may seem ridiculous but Vagabond sterilized the van each morning, masks were available as well as hand sanitizer. We were asked to keep masks on at all times within the van, sanitize during each re-entry and windows were open to provide circulation. We weren't surprised when our required Covid tests were negative for a return to the USA.
Lastly, our tour leader Tim Orr, has a wonderful sense of humor, an in-depth knowledge of Ireland and is an excellent driver. He catered to all 13 passengers needs in what seemed to be an effortless manner belying the hard work behind the scenes. He's a joyful master of many delightful stories and I can honestly say he deserves to be called a legend. I know from other friends who booked with Vagabond that all of the staff is as personable and professional as Tim.
Written 24 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there,
Wow, what a review! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience and for your kind recommendation.
We're delighted you enjoyed all activities, hotels and food. Great idea booking an extra few days in Dublin. It's great to fit everything in while you are here. We really appreciate your words about Covid, we are doing our very best for the health and safety of of our guests and staff.
Tim is a fantastic guide and huge part of the team here at Vagabond. It's great to hear you enjoyed your time with him. Our guides are so passionate about what they do, they are the heart and soul of the company!
Thanks again for your great review. Hopefully we will see you again in the future.
Written 9 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
luraUSA
Bothell, WA30 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
I did a lot of research prior to selecting Vagabond Tours. I wanted a small group experience and a drive around the island. We selected the 11 Day Driftwood Discover Ireland tour as it circled the island and included Northern Ireland. I liked that the guide learned our names and wanted to know what we wanted to do on the trip. We had evenings to ourselves except for the first and last dinners. I enjoyed getting to know our fellow travelers on the first night and the opportunity to say good bye on our last night. Sometimes we ended up with our van mates for dinner or lunches on purpose or because the towns were so small that there were only a few options for food (not that we minded at all). I feel like we hit all of the big tourist locations and many small ones that the big bus companies don’t go to because of their location. I very much enjoyed hearing about Ireland’s history and current events from the perspective of someone who lives there. There is no written script and we felt free to ask all sorts of questions. Our guide’s family owned a sheep ranch so learned a lot about sheep! Our first guide got Covid a couple days into our trip but I felt that Vagabond handled the change of guides very well. I highly recommend Vagabond for anyone who doesn’t like the big bus tours and wants a bit of a personal touch on the tour!
Written 24 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Lura, thanks a million for your super 5 star review. We really appreciate you taking the time to post it.
I'm delighted you enjoyed your 11 Day Discover Ireland Tour. The 11 day tour is definitely the best one to do if you are trying to see as much as possible without rushing. It's nice to have a good mix of private time & socialising. I'm happy to hear you enjoyed the first & last night. If there's one thing Ireland is passionate about, it is our history. It's great that you enjoyed learning about our culture.
Thank you again for such an in-depth review. Hopefully we will see you again in the future.
☘️☘️☘️
Written 6 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lea C
West Bloomfield, MI26 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
We joined 13 other travellers in a comfortable Mercedes bus for a loop tour of Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, taking in the must sees (Giants Causeway, Cliffs of Moher,...) with dozens of other historical, cultural, and geological stops. Their website won us over. It is so full of information about the tour and how to prepare and information about Ireland and the accommodations so there were no surprises. Danny was a master driver on single lane roads and he fit in a couple detours to accomodate special requests. He was funny and had great people skills. The hotel selections were delightful finds and the dining options were wonderful. Past reviews have mentioned that some evenings there is but one place for dinner, but it always had a variety of meal choices and we did not feel like this was a limitation. We ate at group tables five evenings. Most days had one optional excursion that was not included in the tour fee; we did them all except one when we chose to go rowing in Dingle Bay in traditional boats rather than the raptor excursion. The days were full, but we spent enough time to appreciate each place before moving on. By staying in different hotels most nights, the daily drives were shorter than several other tour groups we investigated before choosing Vagabond. There was still time in the morning for a stroll or run, but not to schedule a spa visit or golf game. And the weather was PERFECT, raining only at night!
Written 6 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Lea, wow thank you so much for your super 5 star review.
We very much appreciate you taking the time to post such an in-depth review. Thank you for your kind comments about our website, we have done or best to provide as much information as possible so our guests can be fully prepared for their trip. It's great to hear that you enjoyed your time with Danny, he's a very talented guide. It sounds like you really had the Irish experience and enjoyed all of the activities.
Thanks again & hopefully we will see you again
💚🍀💚
Written 14 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JneSky
1 contribution
Sept 2021
This was my second tour with Vagabond. I did the 8 day Wild Rover tour in 2019 and planned to do this one last year, but of course, had to reschedule. I was a bit apprehensive due to Covid, but I didn't want to wait another year. Traveling solo, I knew I'd be in great hands with Vagabond, but this tour exceeded my expectations by 1000%!
Leading up to the tour, the communication and Covid updates from Vagabond were excellent. There were some travel restrictions announced right before my tour, and Rob Rankin, the owner of Vagabond, personally answered my emails, assuring me that all was well.
The tour began at the Grand Canal Hotel in Dublin early on Sunday morning. I was greeted by Rob Rankin, and was so impressed that he took the time to see everyone off. One of the great things about Vagabond is the 4x4 vans they use, which really do go off the beaten path, far from the large tour buses. There was only one other couple on my tour and our guide, Andrew was warm and funny right from the start. I had emailed Emma at Vagabond about my ancestry prior to the tour; my 6th great grandfather, Patrick McSherry was born in Newry in 1725 and I had asked whether we'd be driving through there on our first day. She replied that it wasn't a scheduled stop, but that she would mention it to our guide. Andrew kindly took the time to go into the town and gave me extra time to visit a cathedral, which was coincidentally named St. Patrick's! That was just the start of an amazing week. He went SO far above and beyond on every step of the tour, from booking lunch and dinner every day, to hiking with us and booking activities that we wanted to do. He was funny (I laughed til I cried!), kind and caring, and incredibly knowledgeable on the history of every town and place we visited. His stories and fables kept us entertained, which I loved hearing. He even knew the history of the wells of St. Patrick that we visited.
It's hard to say what my favorite part of the tour was...every day was fantastic and a new adventure! The tragic history of Northern Ireland was so interesting. Andrew suggested a great hike at the Giants Causeway, which took us up to cliffs overlooking the ocean. He arranged for us to kayak in Sheepshaven Bay in Dunfanaghy, which was amazing! I loved Donegal and Slieve League. On the last day, we all hiked Croagh Patrick, with beautiful views of Clew Bay.
If you’re looking for a small group tour that’s adventurous, takes you to places no other tour company does, want to have a ton of fun and learn the history and wonderful fables of Ireland, then I can’t recommend Vagabond highly enough. I will surely return for tour #3!
Thanks a MILLION to Vagabond for being the BEST tour company in Ireland AND to Andrew, for the MOST wonderful week in Ireland that I ever could’ve imagined!
Leading up to the tour, the communication and Covid updates from Vagabond were excellent. There were some travel restrictions announced right before my tour, and Rob Rankin, the owner of Vagabond, personally answered my emails, assuring me that all was well.
The tour began at the Grand Canal Hotel in Dublin early on Sunday morning. I was greeted by Rob Rankin, and was so impressed that he took the time to see everyone off. One of the great things about Vagabond is the 4x4 vans they use, which really do go off the beaten path, far from the large tour buses. There was only one other couple on my tour and our guide, Andrew was warm and funny right from the start. I had emailed Emma at Vagabond about my ancestry prior to the tour; my 6th great grandfather, Patrick McSherry was born in Newry in 1725 and I had asked whether we'd be driving through there on our first day. She replied that it wasn't a scheduled stop, but that she would mention it to our guide. Andrew kindly took the time to go into the town and gave me extra time to visit a cathedral, which was coincidentally named St. Patrick's! That was just the start of an amazing week. He went SO far above and beyond on every step of the tour, from booking lunch and dinner every day, to hiking with us and booking activities that we wanted to do. He was funny (I laughed til I cried!), kind and caring, and incredibly knowledgeable on the history of every town and place we visited. His stories and fables kept us entertained, which I loved hearing. He even knew the history of the wells of St. Patrick that we visited.
It's hard to say what my favorite part of the tour was...every day was fantastic and a new adventure! The tragic history of Northern Ireland was so interesting. Andrew suggested a great hike at the Giants Causeway, which took us up to cliffs overlooking the ocean. He arranged for us to kayak in Sheepshaven Bay in Dunfanaghy, which was amazing! I loved Donegal and Slieve League. On the last day, we all hiked Croagh Patrick, with beautiful views of Clew Bay.
If you’re looking for a small group tour that’s adventurous, takes you to places no other tour company does, want to have a ton of fun and learn the history and wonderful fables of Ireland, then I can’t recommend Vagabond highly enough. I will surely return for tour #3!
Thanks a MILLION to Vagabond for being the BEST tour company in Ireland AND to Andrew, for the MOST wonderful week in Ireland that I ever could’ve imagined!
Written 23 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank You So Much Jane!
Not only for you incredibly-worded 5 star review but also for your continued support for Vagabond Tours through this challenging era for tourism.
We are so delighted that you were patient with us, waited through your cancelled tour last year and stuck with us to tour Ireland again in September.
You had a gem of a tour guide in Andrew. One of our goals is to be as flexible as we can out on the road. I'm particularly happy to hear that he was able to bring you to a site of your family heritage in Newry.
I was satisfied that my schedule allowed me to personally see off our tours this year and to answer your concerns directly by email. We aim to be offer direct and personalised service wherever possible.
Hopefully we will see you again soon back in Ireland - for your third tour!
Written 24 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Thomas B
Port Orange, FL2 contributions
Sept 2022 • Friends
This is the way to experience Ireland. We toured for 11 days on the Driftwood Tour from Sept 13-23/2022. Our driver/guide, Damien, was terrific. He was thoroughly professional, personable and flexible. The variety of sights and experiences were perfect. As someone who has lived in Ireland and visits there often, I cannot recommend Vagabond/Driftwood more highly.
Written 12 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Thomas, thanks a million for your super 5 star review.
We really appreciate you sharing your experience. I'm delighted to hear you had a great time with on your 11 Day Discover Ireland Tour with Damo. He is a huge part of Vagabond, we are lucky to have him as part of the team. Thank you for your kind recommendation.
Hopefully we will see you again in the future.
☘️☘️☘️
Written 27 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lynn S
Columbus, OH17 contributions
Sept 2022 • Friends
My 6 day Northern Ireland tour exceeded all my expectations. This was my third trip to Ireland and I began a new journey regarding my appreciation of Ireland and gained so much knowledge during my tour. The tour guide, Sean, was exceptional. His knowledge, stories, humor and individual client interest made our small group feel like a family. Every hotel, tour stop, activity, restaurant offering never disappointed. The pace of each day was comfortable and allowed us to cover a lot of sites and towns easily. I will tell all my friends that this tour company is a remarkable value with high quality standards. I will book another Driftwood tour in the future.
Written 13 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Lynn, thanks so much for your 5 star review. We very much appreciate you taking the time to post it.
It's great to hear that your 6 day Northern Ireland exceeded your expectations. We do our best to create memorable experiences for our guests. We're delighted that we could give you a new view on Ireland, it sounds like Sean done a great job! Thank you for your kind recommendations to your friends.
Hopefully we will see you again
💚🍀💚
Written 14 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LGP
4 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
The 11 Day Vagabond Driftwood Tour was fantastic. Everything we read about the trip on Vagabond's web site was completely accurate from: description of trip, what to pack, things to do on tour and in Dublin, off the beaten path etc. John was extremely helpful in reserving trip and the entire process was very easy. Rob would stay in touch via email in case you needed something (we didn't).
Our driver and guide was Sarah and she was wonderful. Sarah made the tour special by improvising "the itinerary" based on what people wanted and on the weather. She made great adjustments without sacrificing any of the tour. Sarah gave great background information on various sights and always found a song to play that fit the occasion.
Our waterproof raincoat and shoes were essential for the trip as its Ireland weather. All of the hotels were very good and unique; with our favorites being: Gougane Baerra and Mount Falcon.
There is plenty of time for yourself in the evenings to explore the towns, shops, pubs and restaurants. Before checking in, Sarah always gave a quick tour of town and pointed out various recommendations. Another nice part of the Vagabond tour: you are never in the van/bus for long periods of time as there was always something to see!
This was simply a Great Trip.
Our driver and guide was Sarah and she was wonderful. Sarah made the tour special by improvising "the itinerary" based on what people wanted and on the weather. She made great adjustments without sacrificing any of the tour. Sarah gave great background information on various sights and always found a song to play that fit the occasion.
Our waterproof raincoat and shoes were essential for the trip as its Ireland weather. All of the hotels were very good and unique; with our favorites being: Gougane Baerra and Mount Falcon.
There is plenty of time for yourself in the evenings to explore the towns, shops, pubs and restaurants. Before checking in, Sarah always gave a quick tour of town and pointed out various recommendations. Another nice part of the Vagabond tour: you are never in the van/bus for long periods of time as there was always something to see!
This was simply a Great Trip.
Written 17 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your enthusiastic review of your recent Discover Ireland tour. It's wonderful to know that you had an amazing tour and that everything lived up to its expectations.
We're delighted that John and our team made the booking process easy and that Sarah, your guide, added a special touch to your journey. Sarah's flexibility and ability to tailor the itinerary based on your preferences and the weather truly showcase the essence of our tours.
It's wonderful to know that you found the waterproof gear essential and enjoyed the unique accommodations, especially at Gougane Barra and Mount Falcon. We're also thrilled to hear that you appreciated the freedom to explore towns and local attractions in the evenings, making your experience even more immersive.
Thank you for choosing Vagabond Tours for your Irish adventure. We hope these memories stay with you, and we would be honored to welcome you back for another exploration of the Emerald Isle in the future.
Written 19 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Luv2travel10471
Denver, CO73 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
My wife and I went on the one week, Ireland world tour . Our guide, Steve, was the best part of an already great tour. He sensitively guided our group so that all of us got what we wanted. It’s a real art to provide just the right amount of structure. His offbeat Sense of humor and colorful Irish language kept us entertained and energized. He provided just enough of Irish history to give context to what we were seeing.
When we arrived in a town or city, he would do a quick drive-through, pointing out places of interest and offering restaurant suggestions.
There were many highlights, but two that stand out for me or Killarney national Park and the Daniel, O’Connell house and Gardens. Lunch in Castletownbere Was surprisingly moving, listening to Adrian McCarthy speak about her father, who was a POW in World War II. The Skellig Islands boat trip, although a bit rough, was well worth doing.
The Dingle Skellig hotel was the nicest place we stayed. The armada hotel was disappointing because of the paper thin walls. The meals at the hotels were generally quite good, and we had some very good meals at restaurants. The Armada and the Moorings both lacked lifts, which I found problematic.
There was gorgeous scenery throughout the tour, and my wife, who is a photographer, took some great photographs.
When we arrived in a town or city, he would do a quick drive-through, pointing out places of interest and offering restaurant suggestions.
There were many highlights, but two that stand out for me or Killarney national Park and the Daniel, O’Connell house and Gardens. Lunch in Castletownbere Was surprisingly moving, listening to Adrian McCarthy speak about her father, who was a POW in World War II. The Skellig Islands boat trip, although a bit rough, was well worth doing.
The Dingle Skellig hotel was the nicest place we stayed. The armada hotel was disappointing because of the paper thin walls. The meals at the hotels were generally quite good, and we had some very good meals at restaurants. The Armada and the Moorings both lacked lifts, which I found problematic.
There was gorgeous scenery throughout the tour, and my wife, who is a photographer, took some great photographs.
Written 23 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there and thank you for sharing your glowing review from your recent Vagabond World Tour.
We are glad to hear you and your wife had a wonderful time in Ireland. Steve is indeed a fantastic guide and we are glad to hear that his guidance made your trip extra special and memorable. Hi humour, knowledge and love for Ireland is what makes touring with him a wonderful adventure.
The Killarney National Park and Daniel O'Connell's house in Derrynane are both indeed incredible sites.
We greatly value your feedback as we continuously try to improve all the time.
We hope to see you in Ireland again soon! Thanks again.
Written 26 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Barbara M
1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Family
This is the ideal tour for a family of eight siblings and spouses to take together. The other five tour members really complemented our family and Tim as our guide was knowledgeable, considerate, accommodating and really enhanced our understanding of Irish history. Every night he sent us texts updating us on the next day's weather and anything we needed to know in preparation for the day.
Our 11 day counterclockwise tour began with a stop in Belfast where we visited the spectacular Titanic museum and then listened to the reports of the Black Cab tours by our fellow travellers. On to the coast and the Giants Causeway, followed by a walking tour of the walled city of Derry. On the rugged and beautiful wild Atlantic Way, the scenery was spectacular, the sheep ranch tour was informative and enlightening of the plight of sheep ranchers in Ireland and the drive through the Connomara mountains and lake district was spectacular.
As we proceeded south through Galway and Tralee, there were opportunities to attend markets and enjoy pub lunches . Back on the van, the scenery of the lush Emerald Isle green began and never really ended as we wound our ways into the three beautiful peninsulas. Dingle was our second two day stop and this provided us lots of opportunity to explore that seaport town and its Slea Head loop. It was fun to see the sites of where the famous movies were filmed ; Ryan's daughter, Star Wars,The Force Awakens and the house and land in the Tom Cruise film Far and Away. The boat owner who took us to Garnish Island on the Beara Penninsula was so proud to point out the former home of Ireland's beloved Maureen O'Hara. This was followed by the best crab sandwich lunch ever at McMurtys Pub.
One area we would have liked to visit but was not included on our tour was Cobh, Cork Co. It is the port town from where most of our ancestors sailed as they emigrated to Canada and the US. Side trips of a few hours to other towns can be arranged but it is important to arrange it early as taxi drivers are not always available at short notice.
The final day included visits to Blarney Castle and the Rock of Cashel and then a motorway drive back to Dublin with opportunities for Tim to add any other stories and historical notes which he did so well while driving safely and making us feel secure . These always drew lots of questions and conversation . Like a big family chat. It really was a trip of a lifetime and Driftwood was surely the best choice for us.
Our 11 day counterclockwise tour began with a stop in Belfast where we visited the spectacular Titanic museum and then listened to the reports of the Black Cab tours by our fellow travellers. On to the coast and the Giants Causeway, followed by a walking tour of the walled city of Derry. On the rugged and beautiful wild Atlantic Way, the scenery was spectacular, the sheep ranch tour was informative and enlightening of the plight of sheep ranchers in Ireland and the drive through the Connomara mountains and lake district was spectacular.
As we proceeded south through Galway and Tralee, there were opportunities to attend markets and enjoy pub lunches . Back on the van, the scenery of the lush Emerald Isle green began and never really ended as we wound our ways into the three beautiful peninsulas. Dingle was our second two day stop and this provided us lots of opportunity to explore that seaport town and its Slea Head loop. It was fun to see the sites of where the famous movies were filmed ; Ryan's daughter, Star Wars,The Force Awakens and the house and land in the Tom Cruise film Far and Away. The boat owner who took us to Garnish Island on the Beara Penninsula was so proud to point out the former home of Ireland's beloved Maureen O'Hara. This was followed by the best crab sandwich lunch ever at McMurtys Pub.
One area we would have liked to visit but was not included on our tour was Cobh, Cork Co. It is the port town from where most of our ancestors sailed as they emigrated to Canada and the US. Side trips of a few hours to other towns can be arranged but it is important to arrange it early as taxi drivers are not always available at short notice.
The final day included visits to Blarney Castle and the Rock of Cashel and then a motorway drive back to Dublin with opportunities for Tim to add any other stories and historical notes which he did so well while driving safely and making us feel secure . These always drew lots of questions and conversation . Like a big family chat. It really was a trip of a lifetime and Driftwood was surely the best choice for us.
Written 16 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're deeply grateful for your glowing review and thrilled to hear that you and your family had a fantastic time on your Discover Ireland tour. It's great to know that Tim, your guide, made your journey truly special with his knowledge, consideration, and accommodating nature. Your detailed account of the tour's highlights, from the spectacular sights to the informative sheep ranch tour, brings us immense joy.
Cobh is indeed a beautiful town. We hope you have the opportunity in the future to visit again with your family.
Thank you so much for choosing Vagabond Tours for your trip to Ireland. We hope to have the pleasure of inviting you back again for new Irish adventures.
Written 17 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Looking into the vagabond 7 day world tour. I usually have to go to the bathroom a lot.. are there ample occasions to use the bathroom during the day? I’m worried because it looks like there’s a lot of outdoor activities and there will be nowhere to go.
Written 3 August 2023
Plenty of places and the drivers/guides are very accommodating.
Written 1 October 2024
Looking into the vagabond 7 day world tour. I usually have to go to the bathroom a lot.. are there ample occasions to use the bathroom during the day? I’m worried because it looks like there’s a lot of outdoor activities and there will be nowhere to go.
Written 3 August 2023
I took an England tour and often got the dreaded middle seat. What is the seating configuration? Four rows of three?
Written 23 May 2023
16 passenger Mercedes van. Plus driver.
The left side had a row of 4 single seats , the right side had a row of 4 double seats, the very back had 4 seats across the back. Very comfortable, plus like on a plane you could control your airflow above your seat
The was room above each side to put a small backpack or jacket, or you purchases of the day.
Our group switched seats every day, so everyone had a chance to sit up front at one time or another. Plus the windows are large and a great view. The windshield was big as well so the views were incredible.
Just perfect
Written 25 May 2023
We are considering the 11 day Driftwood tour. My husband is 6’3” tall and is wondering if he is going to feel cramped in the tour van? Do some seats have more leg room. Thank you
Written 17 May 2022
The aisle seat behind the driver has extra leg room as does the center seat in the last row. (No seat of rows in front of either) Usually people rotate seats on a daily basis. Let your fellow travelers know you have special needs and I am sure they will make exceptions to this custom.
Written 19 May 2022
Is there a one day Vagabond tour possible from Greystones Ireland?
Written 6 July 2019
I do not know if they offer one-day tours.The web site shows multi-day tours- vagabondtoursofireland. You might contact the company to see their offerings- we found that they were friendly and helpful when setting up our tour.
Written 6 July 2019
Anyone just get back from 11 day Driftwood re: weather. Do you really need waterproof hiking shoes or would tennis shoes be good enough and also did you really need a fleece type jacket or would a jean jacket suffice along with a raincoat. We are on the July 2 tour. Thanks
Written 26 June 2019
I just got back from the 11-day Driftwood and would still highly recommend waterproof shoes whether they are hiking shoes or tennis shoes. It did rain and my feet were dry. Also I would have a waterproof jacket. They do their best to work the schedule around the rain, but you can only do so much---so for your comfort I would heed their advice on the website and have the waterproof gear.
Written 4 August 2023
Is it customary to tip your tour guide at the end of the trip? Tipping customs vary by country. Going on a Driftwood tour next week.
Written 19 April 2019
Yes, It is expected. I forget what we tipped for the eleven day trip. It was probably at least 10 or 15$ a day.
Written 20 April 2019
I am just wondering about the activity level on the Driftwood tours. We are somewhat active at 69 and 66, but the Vagabond tours sound a bit too much for us. Are there shorter hikes or walk on the Driftwood tours. This would be our first time to Ireland and would love to do some walking as well as historical sights. Thanks.
Written 28 February 2019
I was an an adventure tour with my “baby” sister last summer. I am 72 and she is 61. We enjoyed the hikes but there are slot of up and down. We always had the option of doing something else like riding the van to the end of the hike and going through a museum or hanging on the van and reading or wandering around taking pictures.
Written 28 February 2019
On the 11 day Driftwood tour is there time while in Belfast to do both the optional Black Cab tour and the optional Titanic experience?
Written 18 August 2018
For us, it was either or, but I would suggest the Black Cab tour---it was worth it.
Written 4 August 2023
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