How Fit Do I Need To Be?

You'll need basic mobility to enjoy any of our small group tours of Ireland. Standing and walking for extended periods is required on both tour styles.

For Vagabond Cultural Adventures, the fitness requirement is considerably higher than on a Driftwood Journey of Discovery.

☘️ Driftwood - Basic Fitness & Mobility Required

On a Driftwood tour, the pace is easy. Driftwooders don't hike — they stroll!

Mobility is essential. Mobility aids must be pre-booked with our team. If you are planning to bring a foldable wheelchair or mobility aids, please email us using enquiries@vagabond.ie

We think you'll enjoy Driftwood Journeys of Discovery more if you match the following requirements:

• ✅ I CAN STAND UNAIDED FOR 45-60 MINUTES. Driftwood tours make lots of stops and offer guided tours of heritage sites. You'll get more from the trip if you can stand for 45-60 minutes at a time.
• ✅ I CAN WALK 10,000 DAILY STEPS. On a Driftwood Journey of Discovery, guests can clock up to 10,000 steps daily. You'll enjoy your tour more if you can comfortably walk distances of 0.25 to 0.5 miles (0.4 to 0.8 km) at a time.
• ✅ I CAN ACCESS THE VEHICLE UNAIDED. You should be able to step in and out of the Drifter tour vehicle unaided. The step height is approx. 10 inches (25 cm) from ground level.
• ✅ I CAN CLIMB STAIRS. Most Driftwood hotels feature elevators. However, access to your room is still likely require the ability to walk up and down staircases.
• ✅ I CAN CARRY MY OWN LUGGAGE. While your VagaGuide will help with loading and unloading baggage from your tour vehicle, porterage at our hotels is not guaranteed. You will be asked to carry your own luggage at some point on tour. We recommend choosing a compact suitcase and packing lightly.
• ✅ I HAVE GIVEN ADVANCE NOTICE OF ANY MOBILITY AIDS. Vagabond must be informed in advance if you plan to travel with a wheelchair or other mobility aid. In the interests of safety, our booking terms reserve the right to turn guests away if this condition is not adhered to. Space on Drifter tour vehicles is limited. All mobility aids must be foldable and safely fit into the rear luggage compartment after all all other guest luggage has been stowed. Mobility aids cannot be stored in the passenger area of the vehicle.
• ✅ I HAVE STAMINA FOR MY TOUR. Our longest Driftwood itinerary is 15 days long and our most popular itinerary is 11 days long. Althought Driftwood features a relaxed pace, each day is full of variety and activity. You will be checking out of a hotel on most mornings. Please consider this carefully and select one of our shorter itineraries if it would better suit your needs.

Learn more about mobility requirements and wheelchair users

🥾 Vagabond - Moderate Fitness Required

Vagabond Cultural Adventures are centred around outdoor adventure activities. Extended hikes on hilly terrain are integral to the experience.

We think you'll enjoy Vagabond Cultural Adventures the most if you match the following abilities:

• 🚴 BE MODERATELY FIT. Vagabonders have the choice of various adventure activities. Typically, you will be an active person with at least a moderate level of fitness.
• 👣 WALK UP TO 30k DAILY STEPS. On a Vagabond Cultural Adventure, guests can clock up to 30,000 steps daily. The minimum, on a lower activity day, would be around 10,000 daily steps.
• 🥾 HIKE ON UNEVEN TERRAIN. Hikes on Vagabond Adventure can last up to 2.5 hours. Terrain may be steep and loose. The Irish climate is changeable. The marked trails where you’ll hike are often remote; there is usually no alternative activity if you choose to sit out a hike.
• 🧳 CARRY YOUR LUGGAGE. Your VagaGuide will help with loading and unloading baggage from your tour vehicle. However, not all of our hotels have elevators and porterage is generally not available. You will be carrying your own luggage to your room. We recommend choosing a compact suitcase and packing lightly.
• 🔋 ON THE MOVE. Our longest Vagabond Cultural Adventure itinerary is 12 days in duration. This tour style features an upbeat pace and each day is full of variety and activity. You will be checking out of a hotel on most mornings. Please consider this carefully and select one of our shorter itineraries if it would better suit your needs.

What Are Vagabond Hikes Like?

• Hikes can happen each day on some departures.
• The degree of difficulty and frequency of hikes will depend on your tour group's abilities and preferences.
• Hikes can last up to 2.5 hours.
• The terrain that you hike on can be rough, steep, wet or uneven. On rare occasions, the ground underfoot is all of the above!
• Hikes always happen on marked trails.
• You’ll frequently hike in remote and mountainous locations; there is usually no alternative activity if you choose to sit out a hike.
• Our VagaGuides will generally hike at a pace to suit the group.
• A typical day on a Vagabond adventure tour can clock up to 30,000 steps.

What Other Activity Options Are Available?

The following adventure activities are optional — you can choose to partake or simply opt-out:

• 🛶 Both sea kayaking and rowing can last for up to 3 hours. Expect to get wet! Waves, wind and rain are distinctly possible.
• 🚴‍♀️ Guided bike tours happen on traffic-free trails and roads with undulating — but rarely steep — terrain. They can last for up to 2.5 hours. E-bikes are not always available.
• 🐴 Both horseback-riding and sea kayaking carry personal weight limits. Please check the weight limits ahead of your tour to avoid embarrassment.

😎 KNOW YOUR PERSONAL TRAVEL STYLE. How do you want to travel? If it’s at an upbeat pace, with lots of fresh air and outdoor activities, Vagabond is for you. If you want to move at a more relaxed pace and enjoy free time strolling through gardens and villages, Driftwood Journeys of Discovery are for you.