I signed up for this Driftwood tour based on the recommendations on trip advisor. Honestly, I booked it without knowing a thing or having been in Ireland about three weeks before the tour left. The reviews were dead on, minus a few pesky details which I'll intersperse. You really do get to know the group you're with. I went solo with the solo supplement but did not feel left out even though I had a room to myself. We had a tour guide switch midway through the trip, but it was seamless and our new guide easily got to know us. Thanks to Vaughan and Hugh for being so awesome, friendly, and informative. This tour will take you to a lot of small towns, castles, and cultural sights. That means you need to be prepared to walk and to climb stairs if you truly want to see everything. While not extreme, some in our party had difficulty with this. Another thing is that some of the hotels we stayed at do not have lifts or AC. It's Ireland, so you really don't need AC most of the time, but it is something to be aware of when booking, especially if you have any kind of allergies. I didn't personally have any issues, and if you keep the lights off you can leave the windows open at night. Ireland has midges, not mosquitos. As for the lack of lifts, this is why you need small luggage. If not, most hotels will have someone take it up, or your guide will even help. Just ask or discuss with your guide at the start of the day. You will be on the bus for 3 hours a day, with stops everywhere. Some will be just a 20 minute go look at the outside of a place, while others you'll stay a while. Some places our group wished we had more time, others were perfect with the amount we had. For instance, Dingle could be done in a day, but it was nice to have the extra night there. The sheep farm was probably one of my favorite parts, as was the tour of Bantry House and Muckross House (this was extra $). Also, Ireland loves cash, but you can get doing most things using a credit card. I needed cash three times: the tip for the driver, the payment for the horse ride (a must--trust me), and paying our tour guide back after he paid cash to get us a discount into the Muckross house. You'll get breakfast every morning, and it's a full Irish breakfast with a menu you can order from. While you're on your own for lunch and dinner, most of the lunch/dinner spots are prearranged. The meal at some places can get a bit pricey, but the food was sublime and perfect, and I'm a foodie who loves Michelin star restaurants so I know good food. This trip takes you to two spots with the best food ever: Abbyglen Castle and the Gougane Barra Hotel. The dinners there rivaled some of the best meals I'd ever had, so budget and enjoy. As for Abbyglen Castle, I cannot say enough wonderful things about the view, venue, and my accommodations. As for Ireland itself, this was my first time abroad in a new place by myself where I knew no one. Ireland is warm, friendly, and beautiful. The tour gives you but a taste and made me want to visit again. I'd do another Driftwood Tour, or even one of the more active Vagabond tours based on this experience. Highly highly recommend.

Ireland really is greener, You breathe a little deeper, and connect to the calm. Every moment on this tour was pure perfection. The best vacation I have ever been on!

Our tour guide , Ava, went above and beyond to ensure everyone in our small group tour had a great time. We went to many out of the way places to take in the incredible scenery. All of the activities from biking, hiking, horseback riding and more were very fun. The food and hotels were great! Overall, an excellent family vacation!