Vagabond is the perfect small-group holiday for people who don't want a coach tour but still want to fully experience the grand country they are visiting.
We hope you like our website, it has been designed in the same way as our tours, which are great fun and very informal yet extremely professionally, personally and thoughtfully created.
Our range of shorter breaks and week-long vacations combine imaginative mixtures of breathtaking scenery, relaxing exercise, local culture and cosy accommodation.
Instead of buses or minibuses, Vagabond uses 4WD Land Rovers, so our group sizes are smaller and more flexible and we can explore areas far beyond the reach of normal tours.
You'll leave the road behind and drive along beaches, through rivers or up muddy tracks; You'll walk in the mountains, surf in the Atlantic, ride a horse or play golf; You'll clamber over ancient ruins, learn about pirate queens, retrace the steps of pilgrims or search for your ancestors.
And at the end of the day - a roaring fire, some music, great food and a pint.
Got any better ideas?
Small Group sizes
With a maximum group size of only 13, Vagabond is more like travelling with a group of friends than being stuck on a coach tour. Our groups tend to be made up of individuals, couples and small groups of friends - all are very welcome.
Our small group sizes are a huge advantage for passengers in so many ways:
- Our service is very personal, you even get to sit up front with the driver and have a chat.
- We don't have to use large hotels in big towns, but get away from the crowds and stay in cosy B&B's and smaller hotels in some of Ireland's most remote and picturesque spots.
- It allows much more flexibility, so if there is something specific that people in the group want to see or do, then we can almost always arrange it (even last minute).
- There is no feeling of being herded around the country, it is your tour and everyone gets to make decisions. Because of this no two Vagabond tours have ever been the same.
History of Vagabond Tours
Vagabond tours was established in February 2002, the brain child of Rob Rankin who had been travelling in Southern Africa with his wife, Amy. While there, they saw the safari and 'overland' tours that were so popular and realised that a more adventurous way of seeing Ireland would be a fantastic experience for visitors. Ireland may not have the lions, elephants and deserts of Africa, but it certainly has plenty of great scenery, fascinating history and a few wild creatures running loose. Just what you need for a good safari.
Since 2002 Vagabond has grown steadily year on year, building an excellent reputation within the Irish Tourism industry and with customers abroad. We have won several awards and been featured in numerous articles in publications around the world.
The tours are constantly evolving, we put a lot of store in customer feedback and each year our trips have developed accordingly.
ITOA
In June 2009 Vagabond was accepted into the ITOA (Incoming Tour Operator's Association) which is a great milestone for us. This is the professional body for inbound tour operators in Ireland, and we are delighted to have become members. The benefits for our customers are that we are bound by a strict code of ITOA conduct and we are also contributor to (and are covered by) the ITOA Insolvency Insurance Scheme. So you know that when you book with Vagabond you are dealing with a well established and reputable company. The ITOA website can be found at www.irishtouroperators.com
