Category: Europe

It’s been said that Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life. Indeed, the glorious panoramas, exquisite cuisine and wine, elegant architectural treasures, magnificent art, and smiling Italian people unfold in dream after dream when you visit this beloved country. You surely won’t want to awaken once you’ve fallen under its beguiling spell.

Gate 1 Travel takes you to Italy, from the northernmost Alps to southernmost Sicily, in the most eye-opening ways. You’ll visit breathtaking iconic treasures that date back to the Renaissance, Ancient Rome, and earlier. Sample delectable food and wine that will make your taste buds sing and your spirits soar. And uncover a fascinating history rich in tales of the wealthiest families and the humblest wine growers. As dreams go, visiting Italy with Gate 1 and experiencing la dolce vita for yourself is about as good as it gets. We hope you’ll join us!

Magnificent Cultural Capitals: Vestiges of Empire and Influential Families

Rome really is the Eternal City, where past and present seamlessly intermingle. On streets 2,000 years old, Vespas scoot by visitors soaking in the loveliness of the city’s charming piazzas. These open plazas embody public art at its finest, adorned with finely sculpted fountains carved by some of history’s greatest artists, from Bernini to della Porta.

Piazza to piazza, even the ancient architecture astounds—the Roman Empire didn’t do anything half heartedly. The Pantheon, built to honor the gods, remains the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome and is a masterwork of Roman engineering. And the ancient Coliseum still dazzles: Once able to host 80,000 spectators, this was where Romans gathered to witness gladiatorial combat and contests between men and beasts.

Art and architecture come together in an inspiring fashion in Vatican City. Surely, St. Peter’s Basilica and its sprawling square is one of the most moving pilgrimage sites in all of Christendom. Whether it is faith or art history that calls to you, the Vatican Museum rewards with one of the world’s undisputed treasures, the Sistine Chapel, painstakingly painted by Michelangelo over the course of many years. In total, the artist painted more than 5,000 square feet of frescoes here. Today, they remain a wonder of rich color and sumptuous detail.

Rome might think of itself as the pinnacle of Italian culture, but citizens of Venice would firmly disagree. The glories of the Venetian Empire, which ruled much of the Adriatic region for over 1,000 years, are on full display. The glittering domes of St. Mark’s Basilica watch over its namesake square, which Napoleon once called “the drawing room of Europe” for its grace and beauty. The nearby Doge’s Palace was the empire’s center. Here, opulent chambers recall the lifestyles of the rich and regal. The Bridge of Sighs, which connects the palace to the prison, afforded the final view that convicted criminals enjoyed (and “sighed” over) before they were locked away. And you can still find Murano glass, a true Venetian treasure, being shaped on the neighboring island by descendants of the finest glass blowers in history. Inland, historic Verona holds a similarly romantic appeal, from the remarkably preserved amphitheater to the charming balcony on which Shakespeare’s Juliet is said to have swooned over her famous suitor.

It didn’t take an entire kingdom to elevate Florence—just a family. The politically powerful and deep-pocketed Medicis made the city the epicenter of art and intrigue alike, a powerful draw for the greatest minds and talents of Europe. No wonder Florence gave birth to the Renaissance. With its grand buildings, sculptures, gardens, and the astonishing Duomo of the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, the city is an open-air museum of the period that defined it. Visitors have two chances here to see its most iconic work, Michelangelo’s David: The original is in the Accademia of Fine Arts and a replica stands in the Piazza della Signoria.

Milan may not have given rise to an entire movement, but it made a name for itself as the heart of fashion in a nation that puts other countries to shame when it comes to style. You might never strut the catwalks of Fashion Week here, but you can always make your own runway with a stroll through the glamorous Victor Emmanuel Galleria, a 19th-century pedestrian mall beneath a large arched glass ceiling. It’s the perfect distillation of Italian city life—stylish, historic, and aesthetically beautiful all at once.

Stunning Medieval Hill Towns

When you leave the bustle of metropolitan centers for lush valleys and romantic hill towns, Italy’s astonishing natural beauty comes into view. In the Tuscan town of Montecatini, spectacular vistas of emerald-hued slopes await from Montecatini Alto—if you can tear yourself away from a soak in the city’s extensive thermal-fed spas. Travelers have long come here to “take the waters,” and you may do the same during your free time.

Italy’s hill towns each boast a unique flavor and, of course, produce some of the world’s most celebrated wines. Siena is a gem that sits elegantly over three hills. You can explore the huge central plaza, Piazza del Campo, which is the site of the famous Palio horse race that takes place twice each year. And take a step back in time in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Gimignano, a small walled village famous for its medieval architecture and towers that create a unique skyline. Umbrian Assisi straddles a hilltop, appearing more like a fortress than a major center of the Franciscan Order, though the view from the city is indeed heavenly.

Treasures of the North: Lakeside Splendor, Alpine Beauty, Cultural Gems

Verdant green hillsides spill down to the sparkling waters of Lago di Como, or Lake Como, in Lombardy. Playground of jet-setters and celebrities, this vast and glistening lake is surrounded by cypress trees, earth-toned villas, lush gardens and spectacular views of the Italian Alps. It is pure pleasure simply to be here and stroll the scenic lakeside promenade. While you’re here, it’s hard to resist a cruise to nearby Bellagio, “The Pearl of Lake Como,” where gentle waves lap at a lyrical red-roofed village.

Though a bit less renowned, Lake Maggiore extols all the virtues of its sister lake. On Isola Bella (“Beautiful Island”), echoes of the Borromeo family whisper in their preserved baroque palace, where white peacocks strut through lavish gardens. And for a glimpse of what daily life was like for the working class, visit Isola dei Pescatori, or “Fishermen’s Island.” The lakeside city of Stresa, with its breathtaking alpine setting, was Ernest Hemingway’s inspiration as he wrote A Farewell to Arms; it will surely inspire you, too.

There’s more inspiration in Turin, capital of the Piedmont region and host of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. The city is a spellbinding repository of architecture, from Renaissance to Rococo, and was the home of the Royal House of Savoy. Their residences, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provide rich insight into Italy’s past. Piedmont is also celebrated for its embrace of the slow food movement, its dishes always accompanied by one of its wines, perhaps Barolo or Spumante.

Food also takes center stage in Parma, where balsamic vinegar, prosciutto and cheese vie for attention with splendid architecture and a soaring musical heritage. The city’s theaters—revered temples of Italy’s music scene—host world-renowned artists and its splendid buildings span the ages. Some foodies consider Bologna somewhat of a sister city to Parma. It, too, boasts an international reputation for its cuisine, most bountifully on display in the city’s oldest food market, Quadrilatero. And, surprising to many visitors, its historic center of preserved buildings is Europe’s second largest, home to sprawling piazzas, elegant fountains, and grand palaces. Meanwhile, a Venetian air defines all things in Treviso, a lingering remnant of its time as the first mainland possession of the Venetian Republic. Even canals criss-cross the historic city of medieval palaces and residences. It’s all worthy of a toast over a glass of prosecco, the refreshing wine that originated here.

A Sparkling and Spectacular Coast

As lovely a backdrop as Lake Como might be, it is easily rivaled by the stunning sweep of Italy’s jaw-dropping coastline. On the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre, a necklace of five villages clinging to cliff sides, is one of the world’s most enchanting destinations. Largely untouched by the congestion of the modern world, the villages can only be accessed by foot, boat, or by a 19th-century railway.

The Amalfi Coast tempts with a spectacularly scenic drive, tracing dramatic and rocky shores to quaint seaside villages and colorful houses that seem to spill into the sea, from Positano to Ravello. Its gateway is Sorrento – famed for its limoncello lemon liqueur and its sweeping views of the Gulf of Naples. As for the city of Naples, no other Italian city compares. Twenty-five centuries have shaped its distinct Neapolitan culture. Often considered the food capital of the nation—it was here, after all, where pizza was invented—its vast collection of palaces, plazas, and art takes the breath away.

The citizens of nearby Pompeii were not so lucky in having their city survive into the modern day. But, preserved as it was under 20 feet of ash from the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD, it presents a fascinating portrait of 1st-century life in a typical port city. Residences, wine shops, public baths and even brothels have been uncovered here and many mosaics and frescoes remain remarkably intact and vibrant.

Sicilian Splendor

Sicily has been a crossroads of civilizations for centuries and countless cultures left their mark here – from the hilltop Norman Cathedral in Monreale to the 12th-century Byzantine mosaics within. The island’s heart is Palermo, its Old Town a stunning blend of architectural styles, many of them represented in the Palermo Cathedral, which was built and enhanced over centuries.

A spectacular sampling of Greek culture defines Agrigento. Here, in the Valley of the Temples, are the best-preserved worship sites outside mainland Greece, including the Temple of Juno and incredibly intact Temple of Concordia. Remarkably restored Roman villas are nearby, providing unique insight into the lives of that era.

The most active volcano in Europe, Mt. Etna is the island’s true conqueror, outlasting all other regimes. It watches over Taormina and Catania alike. Perched on a rocky plateau, Taormina overlooks the Bay of Naxos and the Ionian Sea. The meticulous preservation of its Greek stadium and its walls is equaled only by the coastal vista from its hillside setting. To the south, Catania stood on par with Florence for its cultural and artistic contributions during the Renaissance. Much of the town was destroyed during a 1693 earthquake, and so today it boasts a more baroque flavor, with wide-open piazzas and colorful markets.

Undiscovered Beauty

Perhaps less well known to outsiders than Sicily—and thus seldom as crowded—the Puglia region spreads across the heel of Italy’s boot. Surrounded by turquoise sea, the port city of Bari has been welcoming home sailors and fishermen for more than two millennia. At the open-air market, locals buy the day’s catch, often brought ashore by their own friends and loved ones. The Bari Cathedral and the grand Romanesque Basilica of San Nicola show that Italy’s penchant for artistry didn’t miss Puglia. The same is true in Lecce, where baroque gems outline 300-year-old cobblestone streets. From its Piazza del Duomo to its 2nd-century Roman amphitheater, it’s easy to see why Lecce is fondly named the “Florence of the South.”

Like in the rest of Italy, history stretches back across the centuries in Puglia, as a visit to a pair of UNESCO World Heritage Sites reveals. Alberobello is home to 14th-century dry stone huts known as trulli, small conical structures based on prehistoric building techniques. And in Matera, the Paleolithic Age is revealed by the mysterious Sassi, ancient stone dwellings carved into rock, believed to be the first human settlements in Italy.

Italy Your Way with Gate 1

Truly, the full sweep of human history awaits you in Italy, from boot to heel and mountain to sea. And as always, you’ll enjoy the best possible value with Gate 1 Travel. We invite you to browse our many Italy vacations, including our Discovery Tours trips designed for small groups so you can experience it all up close. Then call to reserve the itinerary that suits you. We look forward to hearing from you!

Fiery passion. The fine wines of Rioja. Architecture that ranges from traditional Moorish arches and soaring Gothic spires to the surreal works of Gaudi. Cuisine with deep roots in the sea and on land. Wide vegas rising up to soaring montañas. And dances that have withstood the march of time, from the energetic flamenco to the duel between el toro and el matador.

Spain is one of Europe’s grandest symphonies, at once slow and romantic and then impossibly quick-footed. Its rich culture engages and uplifts the spirit. Its long history enlightens the mind. And its welcoming people warm the heart. We can’t wait for you to experience it for yourself.

The Beating Heart of Spain

You might call Madrid “el corazón de España” – the heart of Spain – the central point and capital from which Spanish life and culture flow. Its colossal Royal Palace, on the vast Plaza Oriente, was built on the site of a former Alcazar, or castle, in the mid-1700s by Philip V and Carlos III. Paired with the adjacent Almudena Cathedral, it is a spectacular site. The Plaza de España – with its skyscrapers and towering memorial to Cervantes – is no less impressive. Art lovers flock to El Prado, the huge repository of Spanish art featuring the works of Goya, Velazquez, Picasso, El Greco, and countless others.

Lovers of Spanish history and art consider Toledo a national monument, a rich canvas of all the elements that have shaped today’s Spain. Both Moorish and Christian architecture survive here; steep, cobbled streets offer endless (though strenuous!) strolls. Its St. Tome Church evokes the romance of the high-style Gothic era, and its chapel houses El Greco’s most famous masterpiece The Burial of the Count of Orgaz.

The city’s many cultural institutions have earned it the moniker, “The Museum City.”

Farther west, historic Salamanca rises on the plains like a medieval crown. This breathtaking city is home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, founded in 1134, and was long a major intellectual center of Europe. Still today, it exudes a lively student vibe and café scene. But the most impressive sight is its massive cathedral that dominates the skyline. You could consider them two cathedrals in one: The Old Cathedral was built in the 12^th century and the “New” four centuries later. Together, they are an imposing echo of the power of Christianity in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

To the North, Sample World-Class Art and Wine

The Mediterranean climate of the province of Rioja – like in southern France and Italy’s Tuscany – creates a prime wine-growing environment. Vineyards and bodegas, or tasting rooms, dot a landscape of rolling valleys and towering mountain ranges. We find it the perfect northern idyll for its wine-tasting opportunities.

Perhaps the north’s most famous city is Bilbao, linked to the Bay of Biscay by the Nervion River. Frank Gehry’s 1997 Guggenheim Museum might have put this city on the international map – a wondrous work of glass, titanium, and limestone – but Bilbao’s Old Quarter, or Casco Viejo, is a fantastic preservation of the medieval city’s original seven parallel streets.

Christianity takes on a more powerful meaning in Santiago de Compostela. Devout pilgrims have gathered here since the Early Middle Ages after having walked the famed Way of St. James, or El Camino de Santiago, some from as far away as Eastern Europe. What makes this place so holy is one of the tombs within: It is believed that St. James, one of Christ’s apostles, is buried here.

Live the Spain of Your Dreams in Andalusia

For many, Andalusia – the sun-kissed southern province on the Mediterranean – is the real Spain: flamenco dancers, matadors, bougainvillea spilling over wrought-iron balconies in white villages, and the Alhambra. Of course, Andalusia is only a slice of this scintillating country – but a glorious, historic, and festive one.

Perhaps no other city conveys Spain’s diverse past as powerfully as Cordoba, once the most populous city in the world and the intellectual center of medieval Europe. Its Jewish Quarter and synagogue are marvelously authentic pockets of history that were once strolled by the great Jewish philosopher Maimonides. The marriage of Muslim and Christian is poignant in the massive mosque-cathedral of La Mezquita – also known as the Mosque of the Caliphs. Its forest of 856 columns of jasper, onyx, marble, and granite is an unforgettable sight. Predating all of this is the still-standing first-century Roman bridge over the Guadalquivir River.

Seville, home of the flamenco, is arguably one of Spain’s great cities. Its cathedral is the largest Gothic building on earth. Christopher Columbus, one of the country’s great heroes, is entombed here. This, too, was once a mosque; when Spaniards razed it, they couldn’t bring themselves to tear down its lovely minaret. So they topped it with a five-story bell tower that shifts in the breeze and called it La Giralda, roughly translated as “something that turns.” Nearby, the Santa Cruz Quarter – the Jewish Quarter in medieval times – is a labyrinthine network of intimate warrens. A more recent symbol of the city, the Plaza de España, is a graceful, tile-adorned work of perfection, built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition.

Any visitor to Granada will understand why Boabdil, its last Moorish king, wept when he lost his city to Ferdinand and Isabella. Indeed, its magnificent setting and palatial fortress brings a tear to the eye of many a visitor. The Alhambra Palace overlooks today’s modern city, but within its walls kings and caliphs savored a world of their own: cavernous rooms, ornate courtyards, and extensive gardens overlooking snow-capped peaks.

Catch Spain’s Mediterranean Breezes

The resort town of Torremolinos provides a taste of Spanish beach life. Mediterranean sands and the city’s delightful seaside promenade are right across the street from your hotel, and the town’s shops in the upper town invite an afternoon of browsing. It all makes for a relaxed stay, but truth be told, relaxing may be the last thing on your mind when you’re tempted with an excursion to Gibraltar, the British Crown Colony renowned for its mighty Rock, and Malaga, birthplace of Pablo Picasso and one of the coast’s most historic and breathtaking cities.

Farther east lies the city where the famous Spanish dish of paella was invented by fishermen. Fed by Mediterranean moisture and the waters of the Turia River, Valencia is Spain’s Garden City. Its most historic buildings – aside from the ornate City Hall – huddle around a 14^th-century cathedral. But perhaps its most incredibly preserved structure is the Torres Serranos, or City Gates, that have greeted travelers for thousands of years. A decidedly more modern addition is the Arts and Science City, a massive and futuristic complex of entertainment venues and museums.

Barcelona stands as Spain’s jewel on the Mediterranean – though residents of this Catalan capital have long advocated for secession. No matter your opinion on the matter, the city is a vibrant metropolis of long boulevards, hopping cafes, ocean breezes, and surreal echoes of its native son Antonio Gaudi. For a true taste of Catalan culture, there’s no place like Las Ramblas, the pedestrian zone lined with cafes, tapas bars, and shops. Even more of a draw, however, is La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Gaudi’s perennially unfinished church. This soaring masterpiece – and the charming structures within his vast Parc Guell – looks torn from the pages of a storybook. Outside of town, Montjuic Hill overlooks the city. The hill saw intense competition at the 1992 Summer Olympics in the Olympic Stadium, still in use today.

Take in All of Iberia – Add Portugal!

You’ve long heard of Portugal as the launching pad for the Age of Discoveries. You can explore this beautiful nation rich in tradition for yourself when you choose a Gate 1 itinerary that helps you explore beyond Spain’s borders.

From Portugal’s shores, courageous mariners set sail to claim new lands, map the world, and develop global trade. Much of Lisbon’s wealth was built on these endeavors, as its palaces, monasteries, and monuments show. And in the city’s Alfama district, strains of fado music spill into narrow lanes. Farther north, on the Douro River, the city of Porto has witnessed a long history of wine making – beginning with the port wines produced in the nearby Douro River Valley, the world’s first demarcated wine zone.

There are so many reasons to visit Spain with Gate 1 Travel. Rich history, magnificent landscapes, stunning architecture and opulent palaces might top your list. Gate 1 Travel gives you another reason – a value that you simply won’t find anywhere else. Join us!

Scandinavia has it all. Relaxed and welcoming people, fascinating mercantile and maritime past dating to the Viking Age, vibrant cities where long-held traditions and modern design combine into an intriguing portrait, breathtaking natural vistas where charming farming and fishing villages huddle in wide valleys and along dramatic coasts, and a culture rich in art, music and literature.

Nature’s staggering beauty and the majestic vestiges of history paint a unique canvas the likes of which you cannot see anywhere else. And when you experience it all with Gate 1 Travel, you’ll come away with a perspective that’s as fresh and invigorating as the pristine landscapes and engaging cities you’ll visit.

By Land and By Sea:

Norway’s Staggering Vistas and Irresistible Culture

Norwegian Oslo exudes all the flair of any major European capital. The city takes full advantage of its seaside location, boasting a beautifully restored quay and a modern, world-class Opera House that slopes dramatically into the water. This innovative structure only hints at the city’s – and the nation’s – deep desire to stay connected to the natural world. You can witness the full expression of this desire at Vigeland Sculpture Park, a stunning outdoor installation of 212 bronze and granite sculptures depicting various stages of life. The artist behind these figures, Gustav Vigeland, is also beloved as the designer of the Nobel Peace Prize medal, which is awarded each year in Oslo’s City Hall. To glimpse Scandinavia’s Viking past, you can opt to visit three restored ships used by the explorers 1,200 years ago.

If the cosmopolitan beauty of Oslo takes your breath away, Norway’s natural beauty will send your spirit soaring. Lillehammer, situated at the northern end of Lake Mjosa, hosted the 1994 Winter Olympic Games and you’ll understand why when you witness its alpine setting. The town of Lom is home to one of the best preserved stave churches in the country. Its magnificent wooden structure was inspired by its woodland surroundings. It was built without a single nail! But perhaps there is no more inspirational feature of Norway than its fjords.

Cruising the glacier-carved fjords is surely one of life’s most unforgettable and astonishing experiences. Depending on your itinerary, you’ll savor a leisurely cruise through Sognefjord, the longest and deepest of them all, and witness the magnificent natural splendor of glacier-carved landscapes during a ride on the legendary Flam railway, passing flower-filled pastures, waterfalls and snow-covered peaks. This spectacular train journey, one of the world’s most scenic, climbs to 3,000 feet in 12 miles, delivering you to unbelievable vistas.

Nestled amidst it all is the historic coastal city of Bergen, capital of history’s Hanseatic League, the mercantile trade organization that controlled much of northern Europe’s trade in the Middle Ages. Its neat and pretty wooden structures recall the heyday when cargo ships unloaded pelts, spice, bronze and countless other wares from distant lands, filling the coffers of local merchants with endless riches. Today’s fish market still bustles with shoppers and made-to-order lunch stalls. Visit the Bergen Museum to learn more about this influential city’s fascinating past.

There is no more breathtaking way to take in the pristine and remote beauty of Norway than on a coastal cruise. You’ll trace the routes of postal ships, stopping at culture-rich cities and charming villages tucked into stunning fjords. Exact itineraries of our multiple-night cruises vary. You might disembark to admire the Art Nouveau architecture of Alesund, rebuilt in this style after a fire destroyed the city in the early 20^th century. Explore Trondheim, Norway’s oldest city and original capital. Cross the Arctic Circle, where you might spot sea eagles amidst the dramatic vistas of Bodo. Visit the Lofoten and Vesteralen Islands, known for their soaring granite cliffs and tiny fishing villages. Stop in Tromso, historic gateway to the northerly polar reaches, and witness the northernmost points of Europe during a call to Honningsvag or Hammerfest. Take all these sites in, and so much more, as you cruise among magnificent fjords and past staggering coastal mountains.

Cultural Treasures of Sweden

Spread across a vast archipelago, Stockholm is Sweden’s scintillating capital. The city’s Gamla Stan, or Old Town, is a delightful maze of cobbled streets that lead to inviting squares surrounded by gabled houses and grand public buildings. Three of the city’s historic buildings also stand out. The Royal Palace, a vast Italian-Baroque wonder and home to the Swedish royal family, overlooks the water from its perch on the island of Stadsholmen. Riddarholm Church, with its tall spire pointing skyward from the island of Riddarholmen, was the royal burial place until 1950. And the Romanesque City Hall on the island of Kungsholmen, with architectural touches that mirror the great buildings of Venice, hosts the Nobel Prize banquet each year.

Second only to Stockholm in size and cultural offerings, Gothenburg is a lively university town. Many call it the friendliest city in Sweden, if not all of Scandinavia. One thing is certain: Its youthful vibe is truly contagious. You can tour this vibrant city via its charming 17^th-century canals lined with charming wooden and neo-classical buildings.

Endless Danish Charms

South of Sweden across the five-mile Oresund Bridge lies the island of Zealand, part of the nation of Denmark and home to the Danish capital, Copenhagen. The city is a delightful amalgam of elegant palaces, fairytale streets and beautiful public spaces. But amidst all the city’s grandiosity, every visitor is drawn to the Little Mermaid statue in the quaint park of Langelinie. The charming sculpture is based on the fairy tale written by the city’s native son, Hans Christian Andersen. During your stay in this pretty city, try a traditional smorrebrod, the Danish version of an open-faced sandwich. And if you wish, venture out of town to visit some of the country’s famed castles, including Elsinor, made famous by Shakespeare when he penned Hamlet.

The Dramatic Beauty of Iceland

It’s easy to forget that Iceland is part of Scandinavia. But once you visit, you’ll surely never forget the unspoiled natural beauty that seems to steer you back to the very beginning of Earth’s origins.

Reykjavik is the nation’s gateway and the world’s northernmost capital city. You can get a good look at the city layout from Oskjuhlid Hill, where the lookout spot of Perlan provides excellent views. Back in the city, you’ll no doubt notice a charm reminiscent of smaller-scale buildings from the continent’s Old Towns. No grand palaces and enormous open squares here, just a delightful fully functioning city frozen in time that befits the nation’s small population. You’ll see the modest stone Parliament and the adjacent Cathedral, the National Museum, and the Hofdi House, where Reagan and Gorbachev famously met in 1986. Of course, a trip to the Reykjavik area isn’t complete without a soak in the geothermal waters of the famous Blue Lagoon.

Outside Reykjavik, the modern day seems to slip away as you step into an untouched, primitive world marked by volcanic slopes, glaciers, waterfalls and geysers in a starkly beautiful landscape free of trees. Traversing this barren terrain, you can’t help but feel that this is what the earth must have looked like in primeval days. And you wouldn’t be far from the truth: Geologically, Iceland is a young land and its location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge makes it an active and ever-changing zone. You’ll hear more about this during a visit to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located right on the ridge.

Witness all this breathtaking natural beauty when you stop to marvel at Dyrholaey Nature Reserve on the South Shore, admire the sheer splendor of Skaftafell National Park, thrill to the famous Gullfoss waterfall, and explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula with its colossal Snaefellsjokull Glacier. That’s only a fraction of the unforgettable natural sites you’ll view.

The northern reaches, too, are rich in cultural wonders and stunning wilderness. The cultural capital of Akureyri, home to Iceland’s finest timber buildings and glorious Botanical Gardens that hosts all of the island’s native species, is gorgeously set at the tip of the country’s greatest fjord. And a visit to Siglufjordur, the closest town to the Arctic Circle, reveals a long tradition of fishing for herring.

In the east, lunar-like landscapes unfold to more staggering fjords, soaring mountains, and quaint fishing villages. This is home to Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, draped over several volcanoes that are still active. Though it appears to be a barren region, farmlands thrive here, as you’ll learn during a visit to Hoffell Farms.

Throughout your exploration, you’ll stop to witness Icelandic culture and history, whether at the Skogar Folk Museum, the Fridheimar Tomato Farm, the Bjanarhofn Farm or the Settlement Center at Borgarnes, which chronicles the history of the Vikings here. Stroll the charming streets of tiny villages and sample local cuisine. Learn about the impact of global warming on the country’s glaciers, and hear how geothermal energy and a thriving greenhouse culture have helped Iceland harness energy in the most efficient manner.

Explore Scandinavia Your Way

The beauty of Gate 1 Travel is the many options you’ll enjoy as you decide how you’d best like to discover Scandinavia. If Russia is on your bucket list, for instance, then you’ll want to join our Scandinavia & Russia trip. In addition to exploring Copenhagen, Gothenburg, and Stockholm, you’ll spend one night on a Baltic Sea ferry and two nights in Helsinki, Finland’s stylish and historic capital. Then board a high-speed train for a scenic journey to St. Petersburg, Peter the Great’s gilded city and home to the priceless collections of the Hermitage Museum. Continue by train to Moscow, Russia’s fascinating capital, where you can view the magnificent Faberge Eggs at the Armory Museum and explore the nation’s grandest gathering spot, Red Square, with its colorful onion-domed St. Basil’s Cathedral.

Get a closer look at Scandinavia when you explore with a small group on our Discovery Tours Scandinavia, Naturally Charming itinerary. Immerse yourself in the glories of Stockholm, Bergen, and Oslo. Plus, in Sweden, explore the architectural diversity of Falun. In Norway, take in the alpine setting and Olympic venues of Lillehammer and marvel at what many have called the most spectacular scenery in the world in Geiranger, nestled in a dramatic fjord, and visit Sogndal, home to a stunning stave church, one of the largest in Norway.

From the Midnight Sun to the Northern Lights

No one brings you this close to Scandinavia. And when you travel to these northern nations at the height of summer, you’ll enjoy them to their fullest, thanks to the near-constant Midnight Sun. Off season, too, has its advantages. The farther north you travel, the more likely you are to view the fantastical Northern Lights, a stunning celestial light show that illuminates the night sky in greens, blues and reds. Of course, Gate 1 can never guarantee sightings, but should you join us at the right time of year, your Tour Manager will monitor conditions to increase your chances.

Discover Scandinavia with Gate 1 Travel!

Join Gate 1 and discover for yourself the show-stopping glories of Scandinavia. When you do, you’ll enjoy the best value in the industry, and the most rewarding experience. Join us!