Life On Tour

All of our tours are fully guided by our team of expert driver guides.

We call them VagaGuides.

The industry standard in Ireland is €15 per person, per day. But this is, of course, at your discretion.

Our team of VagaGuide tour guides really appreciate any tips that come their way after leading a Vagabond or Driftwood small-group tour.

Ireland is one of the best destinations on the planet for people with dietary requirements.

That said, please alert us to your specific needs before your tour departure: enquiries@vagabond.ie

Although it can be a bonding experience — and a lot of fun — there's absolutely no obligation to eat with your fellow guests while touring.

Everyone is free to do their own thing.

Owing to the remote nature of some hotels on our tours, there will occasionally be only a single choice for evening dining.

Your VagaGuide can help make group reservations for restaurants if you do want to dine with fellow guests.

When your Vagabond or Driftwood tour overnights in a town, expect a myriad of great dining options.

Kinsale, Dingle, Waterford and Kilkenny are all notable for a wide choice in restaurants.

Past guests tell us that eating gluten-free in Ireland is easily achievable. All menus in Ireland must list allergens by law.

Coeliacs and those with wheat intolerances can find GF options in restaurants, cafes and supermarkets, as well as at hotel breakfasts.

Yes, we do operate a limit on luggage.

Owing to the compact nature of our small-group tour vehicles, your luggage limit is one suitcase per person (no bigger than 30” or 75cm along their longest side).

Yes, you'll be required to move your bag in and out of each hotel room.

Your VagaGuide tour guide will load and unload your baggage from the tour vehicle.

Most of our hotels do not offer porterage services.

It's difficult to access your main luggage or suitcase while on tour. Luggage is securely packed in our tour vehicles. As a result, it's not easy for your driver guide to access individual items of baggage during the day.

However, you can easily access your luggage at each hotel. So that you have your travel essentials close at hand, we recommend bringing a daypack, or backpack, that you can keep beside you in the tour vehicle.

We put great effort into selecting accommodation for both Vagabond Cultural Adventures and Driftwood Journeys of Discovery.

You will be staying at small family-run hotels, high quality guesthouses or even an Irish castle hotel!

Most hotels in Ireland do not have air conditioning.

The climate in Ireland usually isn't hot enough to warrant air conditioning.

In periods of prolonged warm weather, hotels that don’t have air conditioning will normally install fans in the bedrooms.

Find out more about Irish weather and the best time to visit Ireland

Your group will start exploring between 8.45-9.30am each morning.

Each evening, your group will return to your hotel at around 6pm.

Yes, you'll be required to move your bag in and out of each hotel room.

Your VagaGuide tour guide will load and unload your baggage from the tour vehicle.

Most of our hotels do not offer porterage services.

All of our hotels offer the following choice of room types:

• Doubles (one bed)

All of your hotel rooms on tour provide hairdryers.

Please note that, in some cases, Irish hotel hairdryers may not be the most powerful models.

Yes, all hotel rooms on Vagabond and Driftwood Tours of Ireland are ensuite.

Expect your own separate bathroom with toilet, sink and shower and/or bath.

We operate a strict no smoking policy on all of our tour vehicles.

Vaping and e-cigarettes are also not allowed while on board our tour vehicles.

🚭 Smoking Ban In Ireland

Smoking is banned in all enclosed public places in Ireland and in all workplaces.

Smoking is also not permitted inside your hotel. However, all hotels will provide outdoor smoking areas.

The ban on smoking in Ireland includes company vehicles (cars and vans) as well as offices, pubs/bars and restaurants.

Dreaming of a night in a romantic Irish castle?

The following Driftwood Journeys of Discovery spend at least one night in a castle hotel:

Are you coming to Dublin in 2024 or 2025?

Find out what's happening in Ireland's capital city during our touring season — and avoid high hotel rates — from May to October 2024.

The following hotels on Vagabond & Driftwood Tour hotels have pools and spa facilities.

• 🏊‍♀️ Actons Hotel - Kinsale
• 👙 Mount Falcon Estate - Mayo
• 🤿 Dingle Skellig Hotel - Kerry
• 🩳 Tower Hotel - Waterford

Don't forget your swimming trunks!