Latest Travel Blog Entries

Friday, February 18, 2011

We are excited to announce new small group tour for Ireland for 2011. Travel in style with no more than 24 passengers in a small luxury motor coach. Stay in unique, historic castles and manors, enjoy exclusive sights and activities and delight in the authentic flavors of the region. Mingle with the locals while you sample fresh produce in quaint village pubs and local markets. Travel with an experienced driver/guide who, in addition to handling all of the travel details, will enrich your vacation with a wealth of expert knowledge and a great sense of fun. Discover Ireland the Brendan way - Intimate, Immersive and Experiential.

	Castles and Manors (2011-12) Vacation Type: Small Group Discoveries Duration: 11 days From: $2,899 land only Tour Code: BRCM11 Look no further, the ultimate Ireland experience is here. Spend 11 days taking in the absolute best of Ireland on a Small Groups Discoveries tour featuring overnight stays in Dublin, Kilkenny, Killarney, Ballynahinch Castle and Donegal where a personalized, professional tour guide highlights the ins and outs of every charming Irish destination.
	Tastes and Tales of Ireland (2011-12) Vacation Type: Small Group Discoveries Duration: 9 days From: $2,399 land only Tour Code: BRITT11 This 9-day Small Groups Discoveries tour takes you across Ireland’s scenic countryside bringing you up close and personal with the cuisine, culture, and locals. Your overnight stays feature the cities of Dublin, Cork, Killarney and the magnificent Dromoland Castle, one of Ireland’s most prestigious national treasures. Take it all in with the services of a personalized, professional tour director.
	Castles, Lighthouses & Pots of Gold (2011-12) Vacation Type: Small Group Discoveries Duration: 9 days From: $1,799 land only Tour Code: BRCL11 See it all. Experience the majesty of Ireland on a personalized, 9-day Small Groups Discoveries tour with overnight stays in the cities of Dublin, Wexford and Killarney. Highlights include a professionally guided historic Dublin city tour, Hook Peninsula excursion visiting cook lighthouse, a visit to Blarney Castle and much more!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Why You Should Travel with Brendan:

Brendan distinguishes themselves in the marketplace through their company culture which is based on providing superior Personal Service, which is why our main tagline reads “Taking You Personally”.  Because Brendan's management team is “hands on”, they make it a priority to inspect the properties and sights featured in their itineraries so they can create unique travel programs for everyone to enjoy.    In the years since Brendan's first vacations to Britain and Ireland were introduced, they have increased to over 800 exciting independent and escorted travel programs to more than 60 countries.

Brendan has been synonymous with quality, reliability and value for money, and our goal is to provide the most exceptional vacation experience possible. Brendan takes great pride sending people on memorable vacations.

The Brendan Advantage

1. Experience, Reputation and Breadth of Product
   • With 40 years experience, Brendan enjoys an incredibly high customer and travel agency satisfaction rating.
   • Brendan offers a wide variety of tours, from customized FIT (foreign independent travel) to fully escorted (coach) vacations.
   • Brendan consumer protection plan is rock-solid based on the regulations of the USTOA.
2. Value and Savings
   • Bulk buying power allows Brendan to pass along major savings and offer first class tours at very affordable prices.
   • The vast majority of hotels used in Brendan's tour programs are superior first class and first class. Compare what Brendan includes with others and you will immediately see the "value for money".
3. Personalized Service
   • Brendan's local experts and tour directors are the best in the business. In many instances, Brendan provides a tour director and a driver!
   • Our travel documentation and preparation is one of the best in the industry. Brendan provides three copies: for the client, for the client’s family at home, and for the travel agent.
   • “A trusted, global-yet-right-next-door travel company who knows the importance and value of taking personal care of its clients, ensuring their wishes and needs are fulfilled in a way which builds lasting memories and relationships.”
4. Technology
   • Brendan is a technology enabled company ready to utilize cutting edge expertise to meet the market demand
   • Heavy investment in web-based solutions

Awards

TravelAge West, the leading travel industry trade publication in the western United States, has named Brendan Vacations as the “Best Tour Operator for Europe during the  2009 WAVE Awards and as the “Best Tour Operator for South and Central America  during the  2008 WAVE Awards.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Common question asked by clients:

How can they possibly travel for a length of time with just one suitcase not to exceed 50 lbs & one carry-on?

Answer:

You would be surprised how many things can be packed and not exceed 50 lbs. There are some wonderful no wrinkle, light weight fabrics for traveling and you don't need a pair of shoes for each outfit. When staying in the same hotel for more than 1 night, you can take advantage of the laundry facilities they have to offer.

Make a list before packing and make sure to mix and match outfits. Always pack tightly. Scarf or jewelry can change the look or a blouse. Packing loosely will waste space and cause clothes to wrinkle from moving around. Use all the space you have available to you, such as putting socks & under garments inside of shoes.

You can get a great packing list from Frommers.

Keep in mind that the airlines are changing their restrictions and charges often these days. Make sure and go to their web site or call a couple of weeks before travel to get the latest information.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

I would advise clients to try to be a little flexible in their planning a trip. Sometimes by simply shifting a departure date we can find special promotions that offer additional benefits. We can also look at comparable suppliers for a similar itinerary to see if there is additional value added.

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Just thought of another confusing question among clients. What day does the tour begin?

Day 1 with the budget and first class tours is "always" the overnight flight to Europe, arriving on Day 2 - this means Day 2 is your first hotel night.

Day 1 with the Deluxe & Luxury Tours is the day you arrive in Europe to start your tour.

With US and Canada tours, day 1 is the day your tour begins.

With other exotic destinations such as South America, Asia and Australia, please check with you agent, as there could be as many as 1 to 2 days for the flight over.