What’s The Difference Between Vagabond & Driftwood Tours?
The main differences between our two tour styles are the level of fitness required, the pace and the tour vehicles.
On both Vagabond Cultural Adventures and Driftwood Journeys of Discovery, you are guaranteed fun, history, culture, outstanding tour guides, spectacular scenery and excellent hotels.
- 💪🏻 FITNESS REQUIRED. Basic fitness needed for Driftwood; higher fitness for Vagabond Cultural Adventures
- 👟 TOUR PACE. Vagabond Cultural Adventures move at a more upbeat pace than Driftwood Tours
- 🚐 TOUR VEHICLES. Vagabond Cultural Adventures use 4x4 tour vehicles with a lower seating capacity (13 guests versus 15 guests on Driftwood)
Watch Johnboy's video for a quick overview of the differences...
Difference #1: Vagabond Adventure Activities Require Fitness 💪🏻
This is probably the most important difference between our tour styles…
- 🥾 Vagabond Cultural Adventures require at least a moderate level of fitness. This will allow you to maximise your enjoyment of the outdoor adventure activities on offer.
- 😎 While basic mobility and fitness is still important for Driftwooders, the activities on a Driftwood Journey of Discovery are more relaxed and less physically demanding.
For example, on a Driftwood Journey of Discovery, you might choose to go riding in a horse-drawn carriage — you'll be riding the horse itself on a Vagabond Cultural Adventure!
Even though you don't need to pack hiking boots, Driftwood Journeys of Discovery do involve walking. Driftwooders will need to have basic mobility and fitness.
Find out more about how fit you need to be for both tour styles in this FAQ
Difference #2: Vagabond Cultural Adventures Move At An Upbeat Pace 👟
On an active Vagabond Cultural Adventure, expect to squeeze the juice out of each day.
Typically, your tour will depart your hotel by 9am and return around 6pm. Vagabond Cultural Adventures generally move at an upbeat pace between each stop.
Driftwood Journeys of Discovery feature a more relaxed pace.
As a Driftwooder, you'll spend more quality time strolling around quaint villages, browsing craft shops and exploring elegant period homes.
Your Driftwood Journey of Discovery will typically leave your hotel at between 9 and 10am each morning, returning between 5 and 6pm.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Please consider the duration of your itinerary carefully.
Our longest Driftwood itinerary is 15 days long and our longest Vagabond itinerary is 12 days long. Regardless of pace or activities, both tour styles change hotels on most days.
Browse our range of shorter 5-6 day itineraries if you feel they would better suit your needs.
Difference #3: The Tour Vehicles Are... Different! 🚐
While both of tour styles travel in stylish Mercedes-Benz tour vehicles, there are some important contrasts.
The VagaTrons 🛞
Guests on Vagabond Cultural Adventures travel in customised 4x4 Mercedes Sprinters.
We call them VagaTrons.
They are chunky, funky, can go anywhere and seat up to 13 guests.
VagaTrons pull guest luggage behind them in a trailer. There are no overhead storage units for personal items on Trons.
The Drifters 🚐
Driftwood Journeys of Discovery use slick and comfortable mini-coaches.
We refer to them as Drifters.
Like Trons, Drifters are also Mercedes Sprinter models. But up to 15 guests can tour on a Drifter.
Another important difference; on a Driftwood Journey of Discovery, guest luggage is stored in the trunk — we call it the boot in Ireland! There is also overhead storage on a Drifter for personal items and daypacks/backpacks.
Lastly, Drifter tour vehicles are lower to the ground than VagaTrons; they little are easier to step in and out of.
Whether you choose active Vagabond Cultural Adventures or gently-paced Driftwood Journeys of Discovery, you are going home with a suitcase full of magic memories!
It's really a matter of how fit and adventurous you feel.
Still puzzled by the difference? Compare Vagabond and Driftwood tour styles