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Introducing The World’s Best Rated Tour Companies

There are moments where you want to shout to the world from the mountain tops. Being voted as one of the world’s best rated tour companies is one of them. VagaGuide and Digital Marketing Executive Brian introduces the World’s Best.

The World’s Best Rated Tour Companies At A Glance

🚐 Vagabond Tours of Ireland

🦁 Timbuktu

👩🏻 AdventureWomen

⛰️ Wilderness Travel

Artisans of Leisure

✈️ TCS World Travel

💛 Unforgettable Travel Company

🥢 ATJ

Quasar Expeditions

Black Tomato

🥾 Classic Journeys

🌍 Mahlatini Luxury Travel

🐻‍❄️ Natural Habitat Adventures

🚴🏻 Trek Travel

👣 Butterfield & Robinson


By Brian

Brian Barry combines the roles of Digital Marketing Executive and Tour Guide at Vagabond Tours. As an award-winning travel blogger and a published Lonely Planet author, he knows a thing or two about Ireland.

Hi, I’m Brian, VagaGuide and Digital Marketing Executive at Vagabond & Driftwood Tours.

We are delighted to share that Vagabond Tours has once again been named as one of the best rated tour companies in the world by Travel + Leisure. First added to this exclusive list in 2023, we are incredibly proud to have made the list for a second time.

The cheers in the office and from the VagaTrons and Drifters on the road could be heard all over Ireland when the news was delivered. At VagaHQ, we finally opened the good biscuits that only an occasion like this could justify.

VagaGuides jumping for joy to be one of the best rated tour operators in the world

While we are as happy as a pig in mud, this award isn’t just about us. We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has boarded a Vagatron, travelled on a Drifter, shared time with our VagaGuides, ventured through the hills, had the craic in the pubs or patiently waited for the flock of sheep on the road to clear.

Of course, this list is packed with some of the best touring companies on the planet. We are delighted to be just one of the 15 tour operators to be recognised as one of the best rated tour companies in the world in 2025.

Let’s raise a glass (or a pint) to those great tour companies around the world that made the list.

 

🚐 Vagabond Tours Of Ireland

Vagatron on the Healy Pass, County Kerry

That’s us! We focus on small-group tours and big adventures. This is our second time being listed as one of the best rated tour companies and we’re the only Irish tour operator on Travel + Leisure’s world’s best tour operators list. We’re mighty proud of it.

We offer two distinct types of tours here at Vagabond Tours Of Ireland. Our active Vagabond adventure tours and the more easy-paced Driftwood tours.

With more than twenty years of experience touring Ireland, we take pride in taking the road less travelled while also bringing our guests to the iconic sights. All our tours are led by one of our passionate VagaGuides and we travel the country in style in our specially customised Mercedes Benz tour vehicles.

Our love of Ireland is unmatched, and our mission is simple; “We want you to love Ireland as much as we do.”

“This award is a testament to our incredible team, from the driver guides on the road to the support staff working behind the scenes. We’re especially proud to have received so many votes from past Vagabond and Driftwood guests and to represent Irish tourism on the world stage.”

Rob Rankin, Founder and Managing Director

🦁 Timbuktu

Timbuktu

Offering tailor-made trips, tours and safaris, Timbuktu focus on “Making travel extraordinary from beginning to end”. Making far-flung, exotic locations accessible, they have over 30 years of experience in empowering travellers to fulfil their travel dreams.

"To be named one of the best tour operators in the world by Travel + Leisure — not just once, but two years in a row — is an amazing feeling and a huge honour.

We’re incredibly proud to be recognised by such a respected publication and its passionate community of travellers. We started Timbuktu 11 years ago with a dream to shake up the way people plan their trips, allowing them to create their own itineraries using our interactive planner, with the help and guidance from our team of travel experts.

This award feels like a big thumbs-up from our community and an incredible moment for our team, who pour their hearts into every itinerary.

We’ve spent over a decade building deep knowledge and a way of working that puts travellers in the driver’s seat — and we’re just getting started."

Johnny Prince, CEO

👩🏻 AdventureWomen

Leading all-women trips since 1982, AdventureWomen create trips designed exclusively by women, for women. Travelling to more than sixty destinations around the world, they have something for every style of traveller and offer a unique way of seeing the world.

“We are so grateful to our adventurous guests who have trusted us for over 40 years to deliver meaningful, women-led journeys across 60+ destinations and 75+ itineraries around the globe. This recognition reflects the effort we pour into each journey and to each guest. We honor a deep commitment to making sure every woman returns home from an AdventureWomen trip feeling inspired, empowered, and fulfilled. This award is all about the trust of our guests, their stories, and their unwavering support.”

Paige Davis, President

⛰️ Wilderness Travel

Wilderness Travel

Wilderness by name, wilderness by nature. From mountain adventures to snorkelling excursions, cultural journeys and so much more, Wilderness Travel craft trips for every travel style. Leaders in adventure travel since 1978, they continue to lead the way.

“Being recognized by Travel + Leisure readers as one of the very best tour operators in the world is enormously meaningful to us.

It’s our 12th time making the World’s Best Awards, and we view it as a heartfelt vote of confidence from our travelers. Many of them return year after year, and their loyalty inspires us to keep pushing the envelope.

This honor also reflects the dedication of our world‑class Trip Leaders and our partners across the globe, many of whom we’ve collaborated with for more than 30 years. They embody the adventurous spirit and deep local knowledge that make our journeys so enriching.

Ultimately, this recognition reaffirms our commitment to crafting small‑group trips that are responsible, immersive and truly life‑changing.”

Scott Abbott, Managing Director

⭐ Artisans Of Leisure

Artisans Of Leisure

Based in New York, Artisans Of Leisure, offer bespoke luxury tours in more than seventy countries worldwide. From exclusive dinners to private museum tours and insider experiences, every tour is uniquely crafted to meet the needs of their guests.

✈️ TCS World Travel

TCS World Travel

Travelling around the world by private jet is a dream that TCS World Travel make a reality. See the world in one seamless journey, explore the best golf courses on the planet or tour China making unforgettable memories along the way. All by private jet.

💛 Unforgettable Travel Company

Unforgettable Travel Company

The name says it all. Unforgettable Travel Company allow you to travel the world in a way that is unique to you. Weaving epic experiences into your perfectly curated journey, they ensure that their guests enjoy every moment of their personalised itineraries.

🥢 ATJ

ATJ

Asia-specialists ATJ have been crafting itineraries through some of the most fascinating countries, cultures and cuisines for decades. Wander through local markets, watch the sun rise over temples, explore cities and get off the beaten track with their epic trips.

⛵ Quasar Expeditions

Quasar Expeditions

For epic South American adventures, Quasar Expeditions, are the one of the very best touring companies. Enjoy luxury expeditions through the icebergs of Antarctica, along the shores of the Galápagos or overland through Patagonia for the trip of a lifetime.

✨ Black Tomato

Black Tomato

Luxury travel experts, Black Tomato, focus on tailor-made travel experiences. Sidestepping tourist traps, these travel experts travel to all seven continents, providing guests with an intimate connection to the cultures they encounter along the way.

🥾 Classic Journeys

Classic Journeys

Exploring on foot is what Classic Journeys are all about. Feel the crunch of the trail underfoot, stop to chat with the locals, share meals with families and take time to revel in the detail. They have rightfully earned their places as a WBA Hall Of Fame honouree.

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🌍 Mahlatini Luxury Travel

Mahlatini Luxury Travel

Indo-African experts Mahlatini have the local insight needed to create epic bespoke itineraries of Africa and the Indian Subcontinent. Travel off the beaten, in a meaningful way, while contributing to the preservation of these fascinating destinations.

🐻‍❄️ Natural Habitat Adventures

Natural Habitat Adventures

From polar bear tours to Alaskan adventures and African safaris to Asian voyages, Natural Habitat Adventures is the perfect choice for wildlife enthusiasts. They promote “Conservation Through Exploration”, giving back to the incredible destinations they visit.

🚴🏻 Trek Travel

Trek Travel

Discover the world on two wheels with Trek Travel. Taking their guests on epic cycle adventures, they combine the thrill of active travel with exploration for a unique perspective you won’t get elsewhere. They want to show you the magic of active travel.

👣 Butterfield & Robinson

Butterfield & Robinson

Bike, hike, boat or doglsled with active luxury travel experts Butterfield & Robinson. As the pioneers of biking and walking tours, travelling from one stunning hotel to the next, B&R embrace the road less travelled. They focus on slowing down, so you see more.

🏆 Why These Are The Best Rated Tour Companies In The World

Travel is about creating memories, having unique experiences, and is about the laughter as much as it is about the landmarks. From African savannahs to Irish boreens and private jets to bicycles, the great tour companies listed above have shone as the best travel tour companies in the world.

Focusing on the guest experience, striving to offer something unique and always standing out from the crowd is what the best touring companies strive for.

A huge congratulations to the best tour operators across the world and to all of those great tour companies that didn’t quite make the list; you know who you are.

We are very thankful to our guests for voting us as one the best rated tour companies in the world at this year’s Travel + Leisure awards. We look forward to welcoming you to Ireland again soon.

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