INTREPID EXPANDS RANGE OF UK AND IRELAND HOLIDAYS FOR 2021

December 11, 2020 – Intrepid Travel has expanded its range of low-impact trips in the UK and Ireland - creating its largest ever range of domestic holidays - to meet the demand for closer-to-home travel amid the pandemic.

The eight new trips in Scotland, England and Ireland are designed to support local communities and uncover the hidden spots away from the usual tourist trail.

Walking and hiking form a key part of the trips after Intrepid saw an increase in appetite for active holidays over recent months. New experiences include trekking through Ireland's Wicklow Mountains, hiking through forests and paddocks with reindeer in the Cairngorms, and exploring Hadrian's Wall with a local guide.  Families are also catered for with an active walking holiday through the lush Scottish Highlands.

Zina Bencheikh, managing director EMEA at Intrepid Travel, said: “The response to our initial range of UK holidays back in June was very positive – clients told us they loved seeing their own country from a new perspective. I'm excited to be able to bring our UK customers even more ways to enjoy the Intrepid experience they love, but closer to home.

“These trips are all about supporting local communities, getting active and sampling the different food and drinks of the region.”

As Intrepid continues to reimagine its business for the post-COVID-19 future, closer to home trips have been a global priority. In the UK, these trips also support the company's wider mission of reducing global emissions and setting up Intrepid for a low carbon future.

Offering more domestic trips was listed as one of the key actions when Intrepid recently became the first tour operator in the world to commit to science-based targets. 

Each tour will operate under Intrepid's new Safe Travels health protocols, developed in partnership with the WTTC. All travellers will complete a health screening at the start of the trip and be required to wear masks in certain settings, in line with local laws and regulations.

Groups are accompanied by a local leader who has received specific COVID-19 training, which covers hygiene, sanitation, physical distancing, PPE as well as supplier monitoring.

Intrepid recently introduced a new Flexible Booking policy, which permits changes to travel plans 21 days before a scheduled departure, allowing for new travel dates or an entirely different trip with no change fees. 

Highlights include:

Scotland's Orkney Islands (5 days, from £1,015pp)

The Orkney Islands are teeming with historic sites to explore, from the Neolithic township of Skara Brae, to the renowned Ring of Brodgar and 12th-century St Magnus Cathedral.  Join your group leader on a walking tour of Kirkwall – Orkney's main centre. They'll be able to share with you the history and traditions behind the game of 'Ba' in town. Spend the morning discovering the island of Shapinsay on a coastal walking tour, full of rich heritage and small-town quirks. You might even spot some resident seals! 

Ireland: Ring of Kerry & Dingle Peninsula (5 days from £1,380pp)

Embark on a five-day Intrepid adventure from Dublin, heading to the charming and historic Killarney region, along the rugged Ring of Kerry, and arriving at the scenic Dingle Peninsula. On the way, appreciate the history and local lore of Ross Castle, meet a custodian of Sean-nós singing in Dingle town, and go foraging for seaweed with a local expert. 

Ireland: Kilkenny and Surrounds (5 days, from £1,190)

Travel to the heart and soul of Ireland's ancient east on a five-day regional escape starting from Dublin. Use the historic hub of Kilkenny as your base and get involved in the local Gaelic game of Hurling, watch a live sheep herding demonstration and cosy up in a pub for a lively group whiskey tasting. Cycle the converted Waterford Greenway and discover the river system from Bennettsbridge to Kilkenny on a leisurely hike with your guide.

Walking in the Cairngorms (5 days, from £830pp)

Wrap up warm and experience the wonder of the Scottish highlands in winter. Take on a section of the scenic Speyside Way Trail from Aviemore to Boat of Garten. You'll hike with reindeer through the mountain landscape, enjoy a whisky tasting, visit a microbrewery and learn about the nature of the Cairngorms National Park and local projects such as rewilding from your expert local guide.

Scotland Family Holiday (Min age 10, 6 days, from £1,320)

Get the family outdoors and active on this trip through the Scottish Highlands from Inverness. Stroll the grounds of Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, have a canoeing adventure on the Caledonian Canal from Fort William, and head out on a hike to the peak of Creag Bheag in the Cairngorms.  

For more information please contact:

intrepid@finnpartners.com

About Intrepid

Independently owned by the founders and staff of Intrepid Travel, Intrepid Group is a collection of three tour operator brands and 25 destination management companies united by the vision of Changing the Way People See the World. For more than 30 years, Intrepid has been taking small groups to travel the local way, on real life experiences that give back to the places and people we visit. As this style of travel has caught on, Intrepid has grown and in 2019 offered more than 2,700 trips to more than 130 countries and on all seven continents. We cater for all ages, budgets, and appetites for adventure through Intrepid Travel, Peregrine Adventures and Urban Adventures. Globally renowned as a leader in responsible travel, in 2018 Intrepid became the world's largest travel business to be certified B-Corp, joining a growing community of businesses looking beyond the bottom line. Our not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, has raised over AUD $10M for more than 130 charities around the world.

For further information on Intrepid or to download the company's 2019 Integrated Annual Report, visit www.intrepidgroup.travel