Photo: Ashford Castle Ashford Castle Exterior, Ireland

Brendan Vacations is rolling out a new Small Group Tour travel style for 2026, along with additional accommodations and activities designed to give travel advisors more ways to personalize Celtic journeys.

The new travel style is capped at 18 to 24 guests and includes the guidance of a dedicated Travel Director plus at least one MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience. 

Four itineraries debut in 2026:

• Timeless Ireland & Ashford Castle: This nine-day luxurious journey through Ireland features a stay at Ashford Castle, a city tour of Dublin, a coastal hike at the Cliffs of Moher.
• Ireland at Leisure: On this premium 10-day itinerary, travellers will explore Galway, the Aran Islands and Cork, plus learn about the importance of seaweed at the Ring of Kerry.
• Incredible Ireland: This 12-day luxury itinerary includes a stay at Dromoland Castle, visits to Killarney National Park and Glensane Farm, and a tour of a local distillery.
• Wild Scotland & Isle of Skye: While on this luxurious nine-day trip, guests will spend two nights on the Isle of Skye, go on a Glasgow street walking art tour, and enjoy crafted cocktails and live performances in Edinburgh.

New accommodation options also allow travel advisors to further personalize flexible itineraries with stays that feel unique to every traveller. 

These include:

• Dunluce Lodge, the only five-star resort on Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast, which offers coastal views, spa treatments and an on-site restaurant
• Seaton House, located in the birthplace of golf, St. Andrews, is located near ancient ruins, artisan shops and local cafes
• The Dean is a boutique hotel in the heart of Galway city with uniquely decorated rooms, a gym and health club, hydrotherapy pool and rooftop views of Eyre Square
• The Scott Hotel in Edinburgh is a four-star gem housed within an 18^th-century baronial house featuring 36 rooms with complimentary access to nearby fitness facilities

Rounding out guests’ vacations in Scotland are new activities that expand Brendan Vacations’ selection of experiences. 

Vacations in Scotland include:

• Harry Potter Train & Scenic Highlands:On this day tour in the Highlands, guests will explore Inverness with its ancient ruins and sweeping beaches, plus ride aboard the legendary Jacobite Steam Train, travelling across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the recognizable pass from the Harry Potter films.
• Edinburgh People’s Story: This 90-minute private walking tour through Edinburgh offers an exclusive look into the lives that helped shape the city, from kings and clergy to everyday citizens.

Bookings for the new Small Group itineraries and expanded flexible options are now open for 2026 departures at brendanvacations.com/en-ca.

Source: Travelweek