It's Spooky Season! Let's have an Irish Halloween! There's a chill in the air and a shift in the wind - spooky season is officially here! But- did you know that Halloween’s origins are in Ireland? Originally known as Samhain (pronounced Sah-when) it marked the point in the year where the veil between two worlds - the living and the dead - would be at its thinnest. That’s spooky season at its finest. Celebrated with bonfires, dancing, chilling tales and treats, you can still find Irish Halloween (ahem – and Samhain) traditions alive and well in the Celtic Isles today. If you love autumn travel ..read more

Fall foliage in the forest, festivals and more things to do on your autumn in Ireland and Scotland vacation The month of September brings feasts, fall foliage in Ireland and Scotland and of course, the Autumn Equinox. We like to think of it as the tipping point because its literally the equal night and day point of the year – 12 hours of daylight and darkness. And once it tips? You’ll find yourself surrounded by the perfect weather for cozy drinks, delicious harvest season foods, stories by a fire (we like the spooky ones best) and seeing the autumn leaves change colors in our Celtic Nati ..read more

The beauty and history behind travel by train in Ireland and Scotland The anticipation, excitement and comfort of travel by train in Ireland and Scotland is something everyone should experience in their lifetime. Train travel is better for the environment overall, with train travel trips in Ireland or Scotland involving only intermittent need for cars (train tracks can’t go EVERYWHERE as it happens, as much as we’d love that). Here’s our top three reasons why we love train travel and why you should consider Locally Hosted Rail travel for your next visit to Ireland and Scotland. Travel by train ..read more

The best way to connect with your heritage on a Celtic family vacation We’ve all got a legacy, a story, or a family legend (sometimes they’re sitting next to you at dinner) and family travel in Ireland and Scotland is often where many discover the roots of their tale. While every trip with family is bound to make memories, sometimes taking a step back to consider what are the best things to do with grandparents as well can change the schedule. But - when it comes to multigenerational travel, well, diving into your Irish and Scottish heritage in the Celtic Isles is a great way to get closer to ..read more

Celtic Lughnasa – Harvest is the best season for foodie travel in Ireland and Scotland  What is it that makes for the best food in Ireland and Scotland? We say it’s got to have the heart of home in it, which means fresh-picked produce from the green fields of Ireland and Scotland’s farms, and there is no better season than the harvest season, Lughnasa, for sourcing said quality ingredients.   Celebrated as the first of the three Harvest Festivals in the Celtic Isles, Lughnasa takes place on August 1 and traditionally signalled the start of the reaping harvest seasons. Our farms ..read more

No matter the day, month, or season, your trip to Scotland isn’t complete without a tour of one (or six) of Scotland’s most famous whisky distilleries. From Dalwhinnie to Oban, you’ll sample spirits, meet local specialists and learn the secrets of making the ‘water of life’ at some of the best distilleries in Scotland, personally vetted by our team of Celtic experts.    Aviemore, Scotland - Dalwhinnie Distillery   Standing deep in the Scottish Highlands, discover the unique location and history of Dalwhinnie Distillery (the highest distillery in Scotland) and its iconic whisky ..read more

Luxury self-driven travel means premium comfort & being in-control of the journey. What is it about a LUX self-drive vacation that makes it different? Well, with the wheel in your hand, and the way laid out ahead, we can all but guarantee that the road will rise up to meet you.     The Whole Package  What makes a LUX Self-Drive trip so special? The experiences, stays and dining are always the most choice in Catherine’s Collection and the vehicles are the best available. Because it’s a custom luxury trip, golf in Ireland and Scotland can be added to your itinerary, with ..read more

Our Month-by-Month Guide When is the best time to go to Ireland? From celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, to cozying up to the winter months during the slow season, it’s always a great time to take a vacation to the Emerald Isle. No matter when you go, here’s our month-by-month guide to the best things to do in Ireland all year-round. January Our Nation of Storytellers is well-known for our superstitions, and we believe that the first person to walk through our doors on January 1st can bring good luck. So, let us welcome you in and show you all the fun traditions we have to ring in the Ne ..read more

Which Christmas market is best? Come visit and decide for yourself.  Maybe it’s the smell of fresh-baked cookies. Toasting snacks and spices. The sparkling twinkle of lights and hands warmed around a hot cup of mulled wine or spiced cider. There’s just something about a Christmas market that brightens up a winter night, literally. Ireland’s cities and town centers are bustling throughout the season with charming craft and artisan market stalls, treats, games, rides and perhaps even some ice skating. We’ve collected a list of the best Christmas markets that Ireland has to offer, perfect fo ..read more

The holidays are coming and that means: holiday sales, holiday shopping, busy schedules, extra planning, hustle and bustle and eventually – more things to add to the house once it's all unwrapped. Or does it? What if instead of buying the best gift item for the holidays was instead planning for the best vacation? Or better yet, planning the best vacation to Ireland and Scotland – the vacation of your dreams?  Brendan Vacations Black Friday Sale has you covered with 15% off select favorite trips. We’ve got six of our best guided travel itineraries on sale - each of them an excellent reason ..read more