DESTINATION GPS

Brendan Vacations is an expert in local know-how, yet still has the flexibility to go off-script from a planned itinerary. That means a trip through Ireland and Scotland can be amplified by a bowl of spontaneous chowder in a harbor pub or a dram poured by the person who distilled it. The company has built its reputation on knowing just where to go for meaningful moments like these. The result? Guests happily forgo typical sightseeing for the kind of culinary access only locals can offer: family-run kitchens, working distilleries, and guides who treat every meal as a story worth telling.

These six unique experiences showcase how food, wine, and spirits can foster a deep connection to the people, traditions, and landscapes of Ireland and Scotland. Meanwhile, MAKE TRAVEL MATTER^® Experiences put the spotlight on the locals who spring these culinary traditions to life.

1. Learn to bake traditional Irish soda bread at Tracey’s Farmhouse, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER^® Experience where guests connect with local traditions through hands-on baking and warm Irish hospitality.

2. Taste freshly harvested oysters in Connemara, Ireland at DK Oyster Farm and learn about the region’s renowned seafood culture.

3. Join a guided walking food tour of Westport, Ireland, sampling local specialties while discovering the town’s culinary history and vibrant community.

4. Experience the flavors of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way with a visit to Burren Smokehouse, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER^® Experience showcasing traditional artisan smoking techniques and sustainably sourced seafood.

5. Discover the heritage of Scotch whisky during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER^® visit to Oban Distillery, one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries, producing whisky since 1794.

6. Indulge in handcrafted chocolates at Highland Chocolatier with award-winning chocolatier Iain Burnett, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER^® Experience celebrating Scottish craftsmanship and locally inspired flavors.