IRELAND & SCOTLAND 2009/10 www.BrendanVacations.com 15th-century Ross Castle overlooks the Lower Lake in Killarney 2 | www.BrendanVacations.com Welcome Dear Traveler, Taking a vacation to Ireland and Britain is exciting! Wouldn’t it be great if you knew someone who has personally been there to guide you though the experience? For over 40 years, Brendan has been helping travelers plan, book and enjoy their special vacation. Whether it’s on your own, with a guide and a group of like-minded travelers, or a combination of the two, we will help you make it the vacation of your dreams. It starts with your reservation. One of our experts will personally handle all the details, make sure you have the information you need, share ‘insider’ destination secrets and answer your questions. When it comes to Ireland and Britain, my father and I know this part of the world intimately (some would say, better than anybody). My father grew up in Dublin, and I have visited many times, plus we’ve both been to England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales on numerous occasions. We have explored it all, from the famous ‘must see’ sights to little out-of-the-way local favorites. When we design our tours, we do so with the same care and thought that we use for our own personal vacations. Britain and, especially, Ireland hold a very special place in our hearts, and we look forward to sharing them with you. “Taking You Personally” is more than our slogan. It’s the way we want to be treated….so it is the way we want to treat you and every Brendan traveler. We look forward to helping you plan, travel and share all the incredible memories of your vacation. Where do you want to go next? Personally yours, James Murphy Gary Murphy Founder President www.BrendanVacations.com | 3 No fuel or currency surcharges in 2009, GUARANTEED! See page 11 for details. IRELAND & SCOTLAND Vacation Selections GUIDED INDEPENDENT VACATIONS VACATIONS Before You Go * Your Choice, Your Vacation Style – Guided Vacations | 6 An in-depth look at a specific Explore Ireland and Great Britain’s region, with an experienced favorite cities and towns at your Independent Travel | 7 Brendan Tour Director. leisure, with independence and Very Accommodating | 8 flexibility. Extra Nights | 9 Irish Jaunt | 14 Bon Appétit | 10 6 days - Dublin to Shannon IRELAND So Many Ways to Save | 11 Treasures of Ireland - South | 16 Self Drive Ireland | 36 Sustainable Tourism | 12 8 days - Dublin to Shannon Our Favorite Hotels in Dublin | 40 Terms & Conditions | 64 Travel Protection Plan | 66 Glimpse of Ireland | 18 Dublin Break | 42 9 days - Dublin to Dublin 3 days Low Airfares & Transfers | 67 At Home with the Irish | 20 Explore Dublin & Beyond | 43 9 days - Dublin to Dublin * Brendan is a division of the family- Our Favorite Hotels owned The Leading Travel Companies, in Waterford, Kilkenny, and is renowned and trusted for its The Best of Ireland Wexford & Cork | 44 outstanding quality, service, value, & Ashford Castle | 22 reliability and financial stability. 9 days - Dublin to Dublin Our Favorite Hotels in Killarney | 45 Irish Pubs & Folklore | 24 10 days - Dublin to Dublin Our Favorite Hotels in Shannon, Limerick, Ennis, Mayo & Donegal | 46 Country Roads of Ireland | 26 GREAT BRITAIN 11 days - Dublin to Dublin Our Favorite Hotels in Galway & Sligo | 47 Self Drive Great Britain | 58 All of Ireland | 28 13 days - Dublin to Dublin Our Favorite Hotels London Break | 61 in Northern Ireland | 48 3 days The Scots & The Irish | 30 15 days - Glasgow to Dublin B&B Gems | 49 Our Favorite Hotels in Edinburgh | 62 Rent an Irish Home | 52 Highlights of Scotland | 32 Our Favorite Hotels in Glasgow 7 days - Glasgow to Edinburgh Irish Castles & Manors | 53 & the Scottish Countryside | 63 Chauffeur Driven Ireland | 56 8 days 4 | www.BrendanVacations.com Hore Abbey, near the Rock of Cashel, was founded in 1272 Your Choice, Your Vacation Style Guided Vacations Relax with the confidence of knowing fully selected sightseeing, transfers, share valuable information and in- you will see all the highlights ... at the even entertainment – all included in sights on all the places you will visit. right time, the right place, and with your vacation package. Now imagine All of this expertise comes with the the experience of an expert guide. a concierge, with long-established relationships with local experts peace of mind that you are getting It’s knowing how to get to the front of throughout Ireland and Scotland, the best value possible. With an ever- the line and the best time of day to traveling with you the entire time to changing dollar, this is more important avoid the crowds. It’s knowing the ensure a stress-free trip – that is who than ever. And with so many inclusions secrets that make for a completely your Tour Director is. (meals, entrance fees, hotel taxes, hassle-free vacation, including the right service charges and tips for baggage mix of sightseeing and independent EXPERIENCED GUIDES handling), you can rest assured that leisure time. Every aspect of your ex- there won't be unwanted surprises. Our top priority is using the very best perience has been expertly designed Tour Directors, Local Guides and So whether you travel on your own, to make the best use of your time. drivers. These knowledgeable, highly with a partner, family or friends, you Imagine tempting meals (many in- experienced professionals are well can be certain that a Brendan Guided cluding traditional Irish and Scottish versed in the history and culture of Vacation will guarantee you an cuisine), first class hotels, plus care- each destination. They are eager to unsurpassed travel experience. Where Quality Preferred Departures & Value Meet We know many of our clients like to make their travel With the current economic times, you want to arrangements well in advance of their vacation. To assist know you are getting the most for your money. you in booking ahead, we have designated a number of Everything that is included in your vacation is our departures as “preferred,” noted on itinerary pages specifically noted in this brochure – there are with a “PD.” The dates we choose as preferred have a no hidden fees. Plus, we offer you a wide reliable booking history and generally operate, so we will range of travel styles and trip durations, allow- run them over other departures. If none of our preferred ing you to travel when you want and where dates fit with your travel plans, don’t worry! The majority you want. Our ultimate goal is to provide of our Guided Vacations will operate as scheduled, and the best travel experience and value for your we will keep an updated list of preferred dates on our money. And you can travel with the peace of website. Plus, we will not reschedule any package within mind that comes from working with a strong 60 days prior to its departure from May 01-Sep 30. and financially secure company. 6 | www.BrendanVacations.com Independent Travel Customize your vacation by selecting best accommodation value, from from a wide variety of enticing hotels to bed and breakfast accom- options. We will help you design modation to castles and manors! your own unique itinerary while giving you all the inside information. We have included in this brochure And because we buy in such large a wide selection of rental car, hotel, volume, we can assure you of the B&B, castle and manor options for independent travelers. You can de- sign the package of your choice and rest assured your Brendan Specialist will be there to give valuable insight and recommendations. It’s all up to you. You choose the accommodation, type of vehicle (from economy to luxury), sightseeing and transfers that best suit your interest and budget. Plus you decide the days you wish to travel and for how long, and a pace that suits you Unlock Brendan’s Hidden Treasures & Local Specialties Tour Directors – out of the way sights and experiences that they have come to know and love, and that they want to share with you. These special highlights bring Ireland and Scotland to life in a way you can’t capture traveling on your own. Look for the q symbol in our itineraries. In addition, Brendan is adding ‘Local Specialties’ in 2009. These unforgettable experiences have been carefully selected to bring even more to your Brendan vacation. Some of our Local Specialties to look forward to include Sample fine Irish whiskey at Jameson Distillery a tour and tasting at the Jameson Whiskey Distillery With Brendan, you will not only see Ireland and Scotland’s and a stop at Waterford’s marvelous Crystal Factory in the most famous sights, but also some of their “hidden treas- south of Ireland. Look for a s on itinerary pages to find ures.” These unique highlights are special favorites of our Local Specialties. www.BrendanVacations.com | 7 Ashford Castle Very Accommodating Brendan understands the importance of a great use Deluxe (DLX) properties on some itineraries. hotel, and when you travel with us you can rest In locations where there are no hotels that fit these assured of getting only the best. Your hotel will categories, we choose the best available Superior always be located where you want to be – in a Tourist (ST) and Moderate First Class (MF) hotels. convenient part of town, close to shopping, Our ratings are in accordance with the Hotel & historic districts, restaurants and public trans- Travel Index. portation. Brendan staff have personally stayed • All hotel taxes, service charges and tips for in or inspected all of the properties we use as baggage handling are included in the price part of our continuing quality control program.