First up is an interview with Katherine Reilly, Managing Director of Brendan Vacations. Part of the TTC Tours brand and experts in travel to Ireland and Scotland, this tour operator offers many products and support to agents researching ancestral travel for customers with family roots in those countries. We offer
Travelweek: Brendan When did Vacations really start doing ancestry tours?
Riley: “At Brendan Vacations, we always have guests who travel to connect with their ancestors.
“In recent years, interest in travel rooted in personal heritage has increased in response to the popularity of ancestry tracking technologies such as Ancestry.com and 23andMe.
“More than ever, travelers are booking vacations that bring them closer to their heritage and bring deep family connections in place of their heritage. Travelers are finding their own personal experiences while retracing their journey to America. explores the story of and searches for the beginning of a family.
“In addition to walking the paths of their ancestors, ancestral travelers seek out experiences with local people and learn about their heritage through geographic and cultural connections.
“The Irish believe that “blessed are the families whose homes are too small to accommodate the whole clan.'' This belief is embedded in all of Brendan Vacations' services for travelers seeking ancestral experiences. ”
Travelweek: Many travelers definitely want to research their family history and do a trip like this, but they think it can be complicated. Is that…? How does it work?
Riley: “At Brendan Vacations, we aim to make your ancestral journey as stress-free as possible. We understand that an ancestral journey can be a huge and daunting event. We want our customers to have a comfortable and positive experience.
“We encourage travelers to work with us to create a customized itinerary that sees exactly what they want and ensures they don't see anything they don't want. .
“We connect travelers with expert genealogists in both Ireland and Scotland who point out exactly where travelers need to go to feel connected to their roots. Arrange a VIP tour with a curator, a genealogy consultation with a family history report at the EPIC Irish Immigration Museum, or a visit to the Culloden Battlefield where Scottish travelers can trace their surname and find out which side they were on. You can also book a visit.The family took part in the famous battle of 1745.
“Travelers can also trace their family tree on their own and work with Brendan Vacations to create an itinerary that explores the areas where their family stories began. Upon request, Brendan Vacations will organize an immersive itinerary in the province of Ulster, Ireland, where the family settled in the Middle Ages as the Gallowglass Warriors. You can share a pint in a Belfast pub where your ancestors might have enjoyed a nightcap.”
Travelweek: Is there a typical length of time for ancestry tours? Are the tours privately guided or do the customers do it alone?
Riley: “Ancestry trips are completely customizable and vary in length, but most guests choose a 1-2 week trip.
“Travelers who wish to have a guide accompany them throughout their trip will feel most comfortable with Brendan's private chauffeured itineraries.Each of our drivers is a destination expert, ensuring our guests have the best experience in the Scottish Highlands and beyond. We can provide you with a wealth of information while traveling through the Ring of Kerry.
“Guests will be met by a local host at each stop on their journey who will provide further insight and personal stories about each city or town.
“Travelers who prefer to act on their own can book a locally-hosted rail or self-drive itinerary. This allows travelers to not only explore on their own, but also meet a local host and visit the best local pubs. Get tips and information about each city from the Guinness Book of World Records, where jewelers make the most stunning Claddagh rings, and, based on research, where guests' ancestors may have lived or worked. It's a place. ”
Travelweek: Can you share some highlights of sample itineraries from your Ancestry travel clients?
Riley: “These are all sample itineraries, so any itinerary can be used and tailored to the needs of the guest's ancestry.
“For example, a traveler who wants to learn about his ancestry in Ireland's coastal villages could use Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way itinerary, which includes stops in Donegal, Westport and Connemara, as a guide, and then build on his knowledge of his ancestry. You can adjust your itinerary.
“Alternatively, travelers interested in exploring Ireland’s history can visit Trinity College and the Book of Kells, where they can discover more than 200,000 books filled with Irish history.
“We can also arrange stays in elegant castles, such as Clonalis House, home to the kings of Ireland and Connacht for over 1,000 years, giving guests the feeling of being an ancient king or queen.”
Travelweek: What is one of the most interesting ancestral travel stories you have ever come across?
Riley: “It's always rewarding to find homesteads, headstones, government and church records that prove ancestry, but we often arrange to meet with relatives our guests didn't even know existed.” We helped organize a family gathering for one guest consisting of over 20 new relatives.
Travelweek: What is your best advice for agents interested in this niche?
Riley: “Do your research. When advisors present potential ancestral journeys to clients, they should be able to provide assistance with initial genealogy research, including recommendations for databases and DNA testing services.
“From there, advisors need to get an idea of where a particular lineage goes back, in order to suggest general exploration areas such as Northern Ireland or more specifically Belfast. Always ask questions and Try to understand the client's end goal: Is the client hoping to find their ancestral home or simply experience the culture of their relatives?
“The team at Brendan Vacations will take care of all the logistics, but the more information you can get from your advisor, the better.”
Enjoying Craik in Ireland
For more information, please visit https://www.brendanvacations.com/en-ca/travel-inspired/ancestry/. Check out Part 2 of Travelweek's Heirloom Travel series in the next issue of Travelweek Daily.
