We are looking at booking a tour to Ireland and Scotland and would to do a group bus tour. We are in out late 30's, early 40's but are still very active and like to have fun and stay out late. I'd like some recommendation on which tour groups would be best for us to travel with?

Group tours are not really set up for people that lie to syout late - since they often require that bags be outside you door at 7 am and on the bus at 8 am.

Separately, I think that you will find many places in Ireland and Scotland where you can;t stay out late - since nothing will still be open. I'm sure you can in a few major cities - but other than that - I don;t think so. (No dance clubs open until 4 am.)

I really looking for a group that caters more toward a younger crowd. No offense to older folks, but we want to hang with folks that are active

Vagabond or Wolfhound tours in Ireland would probably suit or maybe Paddywagon tours.

For what's normally described as a "bus" tour (big flippin' bus jammed with 35-45 travelers), good luck with that. You're past the cusp of the Contiki crowd and tour groups that don't market to that group tend to attract a LOT of oldies.

We don't do tours so I'm not vouching for any of these. That said:

The Vagabond tours Tony describes are smaller (max 16) as are the Rabbies tours (max 16) in Scotland. That doesn't guarantee you'll completely avoid the semi-mummified but it's likelier. The best way to dodge the pensioners is with something closer to an adventure tour group (Vagabond has some of these, so does Wilderness Scotland but that may be too eco-geeky). Don't know if the adventure tourists are going to drink and party all night; tend to doubt it.

Note that REI also has tour groups, at least for Scotland. I'd be somewhat shocked if you landed with a bunch of social security recipients on an REI tour.

Try macbackpackers.com - I saw several of their smaller bus tours while I was wandering Skye Mostly a younger, more vibrant crowd.

I tried posting to your thread during Fodors 12 hour outage last night (and a mighty fine post it was too )

But the gist of it was:

I had to laugh when reading >><i> . . . but are still very active and like to have fun and stay out late.</i><< Normally an entry like that would be from a 70 or 75 yo.

Is there a specific reason you want to do a tour? Not that there aren't some good tour companies, but the large group tours are mostly geared to either old timers or Contiki party animals. and they mostly run ITITIMBB type itineraries

Timberbush and Rabbies offer good small group tours in Scotland -- but they are mostly 1, 2 and 5 days tours, not comprehensive 'whole country' treks.

If you want a small group tour that covers more territory, you be looking at the higher end (<i>expensive</i specialists.

Both countries, but especially Scotland, are very easy to tour independently.

If you definitely want tours, maybe a good compromise is to travel there on your own, and then take local multi-day tours from Edinburgh and/or Dublin.

Good suggestions/advice by janisj. If you are especially interested in "staying out late" and socializing with a " younger crowd" then your best option for Scotland would probably be to locate in Edinburgh and/or Glasgow and do day tips or even a one to three day tour. Most people don't go to Scotland for the night life and even tour groups such as Rabbies and Timberbush will have older folks on board. You might will be surprised at how active the older population can be. I've seen some that can easily wear out those one- third their age.

Big Russ's concern that an adventure tour or similar might have a younger crowd but probably won't be into heavy partying is pretty much spot on.

Why wouldn't you just do it on your own? We are in our 50's and still do the tours on our own. You are so much freer to do what you want and see what you want and stay where you want?

Do consider doing it on your own -- get a couple of good guide books and either rent a car or do train/coach. From the description of your interests, I really don't think you'll like a tour group. Personally, I don't care for them even though I'm of the "semi-mummified" age group. When we can no longer travel independently, we'll check in at the funeral home.

From a couple reaching semi-mummification, we still enjoy doing our own thing in Ireland and Scotland. Taking your time and armed with a good guide book allows you the excitement of new discoveries and the freedom to spend time where you like.

Do you know why you are planning to go to Scotland? What do you want to see there. If you want to see the insides of bars I would stay home and do that. But if you want to see natural beauty and amazing history in Edinburgh, gorgeous scenery in Inverness, Bravehearts battle ground near Stirli g then off you go! Do part as a tour and a few days independent. I spent 16 days in April and will return in September. I loved it sooo much!

If you want a tour with more active people - pick a more active tour. Do one that focuses on hiking or long bike trips or whatever.

If you really want primarily cities and nightlife - then no tour makes any sense for you - just organize the trip yourself. (And in many smaller cities and towns you will find no place open after 11 pm or so most nights.)

I think we've lost the OP - hasn't been back to the thread (or Fodors) in 3 weeks.