Brendan Vacations adds small-group tours for 2026
Brendan Vacations will introduce a new small-group tour style across Ireland and Scotland in 2026, answering demand for more intimate, destination-focused travel. Groups will be capped at 18 to 24 guests and feature upgraded experiences, castle stays, and daily breakfasts with select hosted meals. The first collection includes three Ireland itineraries and one Scotland itinerary, with headline routes such as a nine-day "Timeless Ireland & Ashford Castle" from $7,675 per person and a nine-day "Wild Scotland and Isle of Skye."
Key points
- Why it matters: Travelers get Ireland and Scotland access with just 18-24 guests, plus premium inclusions.
- Travel impact: New 2026 departures add capacity for high-demand dates and castle-stay inventory.
- What's next: Early-booking deals run through October 30, 2025, subject to availability.
- Price signals: Flagship nine-day Ireland small-group from $7,675; classic 10-day Best of Ireland from $3,075.
- Highlights to watch: Ashford Castle overnight, Cliffs of Moher, Dublin's Guinness Storehouse, Isle of Skye.
Snapshot
The small-group program launches with four guided vacations: Timeless Ireland & Ashford Castle (9 days), Ireland at Leisure (10 days), Incredible Ireland (12 days), and Wild Scotland and Isle of Skye (9 days). Brendan frames the format around premium experiences, distinctive accommodations, and transportation by luxury coach, with an expert Travel Director and Local Specialists. Timeless Ireland pairs Dublin and Cork with marquee stops like the Guinness Storehouse, Blarney Castle, the Cliffs of Moher, and a finale stay at Ashford Castle. The Scotland program tracks from Edinburgh into the Highlands and the Isle of Skye, with conservation-minded activities and a Loch Lomond cruise. An introductory offer of $600 per couple applies to 2026 small-group departures when booked by October 30, 2025.
Background
Small-group touring has surged as travelers prioritize access, authenticity, and time efficiency over large-coach dynamics. Brendan's parent group has tested flexible group sizing across Europe; this expansion formalizes a Celtic-focused small-group tier with hard caps between 18 and 24 guests. For price context, Brendan's Best of Ireland classic 10-day guided tour starts at $3,075 per person, while the new nine-day small-group Timeless Ireland & Ashford Castle starts at $7,675 with castle lodging and added inclusions. U.S. travelers should also plan for Europe's biometric border rollout this fall; see our explainer on the EU Entry/Exit System for timing and first-trip tips, including kiosk enrollment and connection buffers, in EU Entry/Exit System to end passport stamps this fall.
Latest developments
Four small-group itineraries, capped groups, and introductory savings
Brendan's 2026 collection lists four small-group guided vacations, each labeled "Small Group Tour" with a specified cap of 18 to 24 guests. The Ireland set spans leisurely pacing to more comprehensive routing, while Scotland's nine-day program focuses on Edinburgh, Highland heritage, forest-restoration experiences at Dundreggan, and island scenery on the Isle of Skye. Sample starting fares shown on Brendan's U.S. site include $7,675 per person for Timeless Ireland & Ashford Castle and $9,225 per person for Wild Scotland and Isle of Skye. An introductory offer of $600 per couple ($300 per person) is advertised for bookings with deposit September 23 to October 30, 2025, subject to availability and minimum guest counts to operate. For broader Europe planning context, also see EU Entry Exit System starts Oct. 12; ETIAS delayed to 2026.
Analysis
For U.S. travelers, the value proposition hinges on access and pacing. Capping groups at 18-24 typically reduces load-on, load-off times and allows tighter scheduling at high-demand sites, especially castle properties with limited room keys. Ashford Castle remains a scarcity driver on Ireland itineraries; locking that stay inside a small-group product will resonate with travelers who might otherwise need a private-driver plan to guarantee a castle overnight. Scotland's design smartly mixes city icons with Highlands conservation experiences and a Loch Lomond cruise, leaning into hands-on storytelling rather than checklist sightseeing. Pricing reflects the step-up in inclusions and inventory control versus classic groups; the $7,675 Ireland lead may still pencil out once you account for castle lodging, daily breakfast, intra-tour transfers, and guided access. Advisers should compare air gateways, pre-nights, and seasonal crowding, then position small-group for travelers who value fewer fellow guests and curated pace over rock-bottom price points.
Final thoughts
Brendan Vacations' small-group launch gives Celtic specialists a timely tool for 2026, aligning with traveler demand for intimate pacing, premium access, and castle-heavy overnights. With four itineraries and a clear 18-24 guest cap, the product bridges the gap between classic group value and private-driver customization. Early planners who want Skye viewpoints, the Cliffs of Moher, and an Ashford Castle stay on one ticket will see strong justification in the format, especially during peak months. If your client brief prioritizes smaller groups and high-touch experiences, start shortlisting the new Brendan Vacations small-group tours.