Category: Regions

#G1PhotoFridayEurope

Admiring the Past at the Colosseum, Rome

on August 23, 2019

The Colosseum, or Flavian Amphitheatre, was built in Rome under the Flavian Emperors, the ruler Vespasian and his sons. Construction on the Colosseum begun in 70-72 AD under during the rule of Vespasian and continued into 82 AD when his son Domitian completed the uppermost story. Now, the Colosseum serves as Rome’s most popular attraction and receives around 7 million visitors to the site annually!

This week’s #g1photofriday was uploaded by user @rimamalik0408 using the hashtag #gate1travel. This picture was taken at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy. Be sure to tag your photos on social media with #gate1travel or #g1photofriday to be featured. Check out Gate 1 Travel’s Italy trips here! 

Did you know: The Colosseum had a retractable awning, or velarium, that shielded spectators from the sun?

AfricaSmall Group Discoveries

Tanzania: Wildlife Utopia of Africa

on August 21, 2019

If you’re an avid traveler with insatiable wanderlust, then an African safari is likely high on your bucket list. The continent is full of options for spotting the Big Five (water buffalo, rhinoceros, elephant, lion, and leopard), encountering a herd of elephants ushering their calves through the bush, or admiring the regal giraffe as it serenely glides over the plains.

What makes Tanzania so magnificent and unique from other African countries is the grand and sweeping stage on which the drama between predator and prey unfolds. Unlike many other parts of Africa, the landscape here takes the breath away as much as the animals do. For variety and the most spectacular landscapes, no country could outperform Tanzania. We here at Discovery Tours think this magnificent country makes for one of the most captivating travel experiences on the planet.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire boasts the most diverse landscape and vegetation anywhere in Tanzania’s safari parks. Thick Baobab trees, towering termite mounds and gentle hills dot the landscape of this immense park. Its 1,100 square miles are sliced in two by the Tarangire River, the only source of water in the Maasai land during the dry season. Even animals from Lake Manyara come here to drink when the water in their neighborhood dries up.

With such diverse ecosystems and a constant water supply, there’s a great concentration of big game here. This includes up to 6,000 elephants, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, lion, leopard and cheetah. Several antelope species not seen in larger parks can be found here, too, including the eland, oryx, and the elusive Grant’s Gazelle. Birds can also be seen in abundance with over 500 species calling Tarangire home. As for the Baobabs, these fascinating trees hold water in their trunks in reserve for the dry season, with the largest able to store 26,000 gallons. Keep your camera handy when visiting here so you can capture photos of the Baobab trees silhouetted against the sky, a sight unique to Africa.

Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara hosts one of Africa’s most unique parks. Most of its area comprises a narrow strip of land bordered by a mountainous wall on one side and its namesake lake on the other. The lake is the true centerpiece of the park and the hot spot of animal activity.

The lake, with rich alkaline properties that draw an abundance of pink flamingos, virtually disappears in the dry season. Some of these birds remain when the lake dries up. More than 400 species of bird live here year-round and by some accounts you can easily expect to see 100 of them in one day. Aside from its birds, all manner of wildlife lives within the park’s 130 square miles, including zebras, giraffes, elephants, and the famous blue monkeys. The hippo pond allows for thrilling, and safe, views of these rotund creatures. The park is also known for its tree-climbing lions, a rare sight.

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti is perhaps Africa’s most famous national park, and Tanzania’s oldest. When the Maasai people migrated to these lands in the late 1600s, they gave it a name that means, “the place where the land runs on forever.” That translation has been simplified over the centuries to “endless plains.” When you arrive at Serengeti, you will understand how it earned the name.

Here, you will see unforgettable images of Africa including vast expanses of tall grass dotted with umbrella-shaped acacia trees, fiery sunsets that cast the landscape in light, and wildebeest and zebra marching across the plains. These magical sights are very much unique to the park and Africa. You will view sights including the Simba Kopje, used as inspiration for settings in The Lion King, the Seronera Valley, famous for lion and leopard populations, and Moru Kopjes, a unique landscape characterized by rocky cliffs with boulders and caves. You can even choose to join the optional Sunrise Balloon Safari that will take you high above this tranquil setting as the sun rises. Drift above the landscape and watch wild game roam on the plains below.

The Serengeti also has the largest populations of the Big Five animals. Lions thrive here because of the abundance of prey. Leopards, though reclusive, number about 1,000. While elephants are recovering after years of poaching, rhinos are dwindling because of it, and the water buffalo population has suffered from disease. Still, all five are here and our sharp-eyed driver-guides will help you seek them out.

The Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles, a wildlife sanctuary that has remained virtually unchanged for millennia. This vast caldera, covering around 100 square miles, was formed when a large volcano exploded and collapsed on itself two to three million years ago. It has remained largely unchanged ever since. Today, it is home to a varied landscape of grassland, bushland, pristine streams, salt lakes lined with birdlife, and forests teeming with monkeys.

Here you will descend about 2,000 feet to the floor of the crater, one of the largest calderas in the world, and discover a diverse ecosystem and a concentration of birds and animals. Perhaps view herds of elephants with their calves wandering along the dirt paths or even see the endangered rhino, if you are lucky! You will enjoy a picnic lunch here before ascending back to the rim of the crater and returning to the lodge. This magical setting of abundant and unspoiled wilderness never fails to enthrall visitors.

 Discovery Tours Unlock Tanzania’s Wonders

You enjoyed an ancient river teaming with vegetation and wildlife, a bird haven on a lakeside sanctuary, the endless plains of the Serengeti National Park and a large caldera home to an Eden-like paradise. For its breathtaking variety and stunning beauty, no other safari experience can equal that of Tanzania. A Discovery Tours small group lets you experience it all in the most intimate fashion. We invite you to read more, then join us in Tanzania!

EuropeNews

Russian River Cruise Ship Refurbished

on August 20, 2019

The MS Nizhny Novgorod, refurbished in 2019, is one of the most comfortable ships to cruise the Russian waterways. Built in East Germany in 1977, this four-deck vessel has a pleasing design and features elegant deluxe cabins with large windows affording stunning views, as well as well-appointed standard cabins. The ship’s amenities include 2 restaurants, 2 bars, a souvenir shop, a coffee shop and a doctor’s office.

Not only will you experience the incredible on-board amenities of the MS Nizhny Novgorod, you will also see some of the most magnificent sites that Russia has to offer when you are at port. You will sail from the heart of Russia in Moscow to the European-style city of Saint Petersburg and explore many cities and towns along the way. All of these experiences happen while being whisked away seamlessly from port to port on the comfortable MS Nizhny Novgorod.

Tour the city of Moscow, Russia’s fascinating capital. Enjoy such sites as the Red Square that encompasses St. Basil’s Cathedral and the GUM department store. Visit the Kremlin and view the Czar Cannon, Czar Bell and Cathedral Square on the grounds. Also visit the Novodevichy Convent, an architectural monument that is one of Russia’s best-known cloisters. See all that Moscow has to offer all while having a beautifully updated ship to come back to for meals, rest and relaxation.

After Moscow, be transported to the smaller towns of Russia including historic Uglich on the banks of the Volga River, Yaroslavl, one of Russia’s oldest cities, Goritsky, a quintessential Russian town filled with cultural heritage and rich history, Kizhi with its 300-year-old wooden church built without nails and Mandrogi, a reconstructed 18th century traditional Russian village set amongst a perfect landscape.

Next, you will arrive in beautiful Saint Petersburg, a sophisticated city that is bursting with both Russian and European culture. This “window of Europe” is the cultural capital of Russia and most “European” city in the country. Explore the best sites the city has to offer including Nevsky Prospekt, the main avenue of the city, the immaculately designed Peterhof Palace gardens, Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, a perfect example of Russian architecture and the Hermitage, a huge museum with masterpieces by Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Rembrandt and many others.

Explore Russia in unbeatable comfort with Gate 1 Travel on a Russian River Cruise. You will experience a completely updated and refurbished ship while cruising from place to place in this impressive country. All while unpacking your bags just once and letting Russia come to you!

AfricaSmall Group Discoveries

Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Animal Sanctuary

on August 19, 2019

Africa’s “Garden of Eden” or Ngorongoro Conservation Area is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also a protected haven for all the animals that one would associate with Africa. The park is named after a large volcanic caldera, Ngorongoro Volcano, that was active around 2-3 million years ago and is thought to have collapsed inward after a major eruption. What was left can still be found here today; a vast and unbroken caldera that has barely been altered since the time of its collapse. The volcano is the world’s largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera and it has brought a fascinating and complex ecosystem into the world due to its closed off and self-sufficient environment.

Upon arrival at the national park, you will descend to the caldera’s floor, almost 2,000 feet down and catch your first glimpse of the hugely diverse ecosystem, and concentration of birds and animals here. The floor is primarily open grassland and includes animals such as elephant, black rhino, leopard, buffalo, gazelle, warthogs, wildebeest and the densest population of lions in the entire world. The floor of the crater spans over 100 square miles and contains many animals including the “Big 5”. Nearby Lake Magadi is an excellent spot to see flocks of pink flamingos as the lake is a shallow soda lake ringed by extinct volcanoes. This is also a focal point for animals in the area as it is the perfect place to go and quench their thirst or find prey who are quenching their thirst.

An estimated 25,000 large mammals are resident in this caldera including 6,000 wildebeest, around 26 black rhino and around 70 lions. The crater is one of the most likely places in Tanzania to see the endangered black rhino, as a small population is thriving in this naturally-protected environment. It is also one of the few areas in the world where they continue to breed in the wild. The cheetah moves in and out of the area while the leopard is encountered mostly in the Lerai Forest. Golden and black jackal are abundant and the serval, who is primarily nocturnal, can be seen here during the day! A number of buffalos, zebra and Thompson’s gazelle can also be seen in abundance here.

The local Maasai people also graze their livestock in the crater and you may even see some of the people who have made this place their home. The cows and wild zebra even graze side by side with wild animals and sometimes brave giraffe can be seen wandering right by the homesteads of the Maasai people who live in the area. The Maasai live harmoniously with wildlife and it is taboo to consume wildlife meat or kill animals that are not harmful. Other native tribes that live in the area include the Datooga and the Hadzabe.

The Ngorongoro Area is one of the most fascinating places on Earth and a perfect place for nature enthusiasts to explore. We hope you will come and see its wonders with Discovery Tours.

AfricaSmall Group Discoveries

The Great Migration

on August 17, 2019

“The only beginning is the moment of birth” writes East African author Jonathan Scott of one of the world’s greatest natural wonders: the wildebeest migration.

Many people imagine that a migration has a start and an end point. But for 1.5 million white-bearded wildebeest—and their supporting cast of 350,000 Thomson’s gazelle, 200,000 zebra, and 12,000 eland—the endless loop through the Serengeti and the neighboring Masai Mara literally never ends.

Like with every other beast in Africa, their behavior is driven by the search for food and water. This great mass of ungulates chase the cycle of rain from plain to plain, feeding on newly grown grass and quenching their thirst in newly fed streams and rivers. Naturalists say that this constant chase is the only predictable thing about the great migration, its exact route varies year to year, which is often a disappointment for safari-goers who long to witness this phenomenon.

It’s hard to believe that even a gathering of almost 2 million can be hard to come across but it’s all thanks to the massive stage across which the migration unfolds. Its 15,000 square miles, known collectively as the Serengeti Ecosystem, stretches from the Ngorongoro Crater, westward through the Serengeti, and into the Masai Mara in Kenya.

During January and February of every year, 300,000 to 400,000 calves begin their endless journey right out of the womb. Incredibly, the newborn can walk within just two to three minutes after birth. It gets its bearings enough to run with the herd within just five minutes. This birthing period lays out a buffet for predators like lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas. Luckily, the huge numbers work in the wildebeests’ favor. There are far too many calves to go around, so most of them survive.

After birthing, the epic journey continues its endless cycle for the adults, but it’s just beginning for the newborns. Scientists aren’t exactly sure what guides the wildebeests toward the growth of new grass and sources of water. Some believe they react to thunder and lightning in the distance. Over millennia, they have learned that where there’s thunder, there’s rain and food. Others go deeper than this, pointing instead to an instinct etched into their DNA over countless generations. The herd as a collective whole has learned where food sources are abundant and where they are lacking. Basically, the wildebeests know where to go and where not to go.

They go where the land is fertile and teeming with life and nutrients. Generally, they follow a clockwise circuit from the southern Serengeti westward to Lake Victoria, where more than half a million cows mate within just a few weeks during May and June. As they head north into Kenya and the Masai Mara, they’re met with some of their most treacherous obstacles: the annual torrential swelling of the Mbalangeti, Grumeti, and Mara rivers. Wildebeest not only fear the water itself, but also what may lurk beneath its surface and amidst the vegetation on the rivers’ banks.

Scientists know that wildebeests fear the water because they’ve observed a great hesitation from them in crossing. Their numbers might build up by the tens of thousands on a river’s bank before they have no choice but to forge ahead. Then one of the greatest dramas in Africa plays out as crocodiles lunge and thrash for their meals, or as the weaker wildebeest are caught by the river’s current and washed away to their deaths. It may seem tragic that hundreds or even thousands are lost, but without this natural cycle, the wildebeest population would explode to unmanageable numbers in just a matter of a few years.

Come October, the herd has come full circle across the Masai Mara and back south into the Serengeti. Cows are heavy with calves waiting to enter the world. And the cycle begins anew. Come experience this incredible act of nature and see these incredible animals in the wild with Discovery Tours on the 11 Day The Serengeti & Beyond: A Tanzania Safari.

#G1PhotoFridayUSA & Canada

The Jewel of Alberta; Moraine Lake, Canada

on August 16, 2019

Beautiful Moraine Lake is a glacially fed lake located in the Banff National Park’s Valley of the Ten Peaks about 10 miles from Lake Louise. The vivid blue waters of the lake come from nearby Fay Glacier via Larch Creek. Lake Louise may be the more popular of the lakes among the travel industry and visitors but Moraine, with its indigo hued waters surrounded by the Ten Peaks, is a remarkable beauty you will not want to miss.

This week’s #g1photofriday was uploaded by user @khriz_just_travels using the hashtag #gate1travel. This scenic picture was taken at Moraine Lake in Alberta, Canada. Be sure to tag your photos on social media with #gate1travel or #g1photofriday to be featured. Check out Gate 1 Travel’s Canada trips here! 

Did you know: The Valley of the Ten Peaks was featured on the Canadian $20 bill twice?

AfricaSmall Group Discoveries

A Discovery Tours Tanzania Safari Primer

on August 14, 2019

Many first-timers have lots of questions as their safari draws near. We invite you to review the Trip Preparation tab for our Serengeti & Beyond: A Tanzania Safari. In the meantime, we want to share with you what a typical safari day looks like, bearing in mind that the structure of your day will vary by exact itinerary and lodging you are staying at. We also be sure to share some safari-specific tips that will make your adventure safe and comfortable:

A Typical Safari Day

With years of experience, Discovery Tours driver-guides have learned where animals tend to gather, though they can never guarantee consistent sightings. One thing is certain, though: the thrill of any African safari is in the search. It also helps that the parks of Tanzania are graced with some of the most sweeping and spectacular vistas on the planet.

Rise and Shine

Wildlife is most active in the early morning hours, so we’re sure to get out and explore as soon as we can. On some mornings, we even squeeze in a game drive before breakfast, then return to our camp or lodge for a satisfying meal.

Break for Lunch & Relaxing

During full-day game drives, your driver-guides prepare a picnic that you’ll enjoy out in the bush. There’s something truly special about savoring a meal while scanning the plains for elephants or giraffes in the distance. If we’re only out for the morning, we return to the camp or lodge for lunch. Often, we spend a few hours at camp to avoid the hottest part of the day—a great chance to do some journaling or relaxing between adventures.

Close the Day with a Drink

It’s a long-held safari tradition: sharing a drink in the bush with fellow adventurers at the close of a thrilling day. Our driver-guides know the best spots to break out the cooler and mix some drinks or uncork a bottle. After lingering over a drink or two, we return to the camp or lodge for the night.

Helpful Safari Tips

1. There’s no need to buy new clothes. Unless bright and vivid colors are the only hues that hang in your closet, you probably have what you need for safari. Wear earthen tones during game drives; and if color is a must for you, keep it muted. You will want these neutral colors that adapt to the changing temperatures throughout the day. Remember also to keep comfort in mind. Breathable, cozy outfits are an excellent choice for safari days.

2. Don’t fear the mosquito. The malaria mosquito is nocturnal. Even then, they don’t like moving air, so keep the ceiling fan blowing in your room. And remember that most bug-repellant clothing is not breathable, so use spray instead.

3. Repel the tsetse fly with your wardrobe. Navy blue and black attract the tsetse fly. Consider this when packing clothes and keep in mind earthen tones from tip #1.

4. We won’t be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro but… the crater rim surrounding the Ngorongoro Crater lies at about 7,500 feet above sea level and might cause some discomfort if you’re sensitive to altitude changes. If you’re affected, then avoid over-exertion, drink plenty of water, and eat lightly.

5. Be a welcome guest, not a loud and smelly one. Remember that we are guests in the animals’ home. During safari, avoid making loud noises, eating, or other behavior that will distract the animals. And because animals’ senses of smell are so strong, leave your perfume and cologne at home.

6. Protect your skin. Tanzania is near the equator, so the sun is strong here year-round.  Pack plenty of sunscreen and apply it liberally and often. One bad sunburn can ruin your whole trip and you do not want to be hurting during your trip to incredible Tanzania.

7. Take a break, and bring your humility. The savannas and forests of Africa do not have public bathrooms. When we stop for bathroom breaks, men retreat behind one shrub and women behind another. Be prepared.

8. Don’t over-vaccinate. Consult your doctor or travel clinic to make sure, but typically malaria and yellow fever shots are all you’ll need. See your doctor or travel clinic 4-6 weeks before your scheduled departure.

9. Bring cash for visas. Tanzania requires a visa for entry into the country. The cost is $100 U.S. cash. Though you may purchase it at the Kilimanjaro Airport upon your arrival, we strongly recommend you acquire it in advance. To pre-purchase a visa, contact the Embassy of Tanzania, 1232 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037, telephone (202) 884-1080. More information can be found here: https://www.gate1travel.com/visas

Cairo City
Gate 1 ConnectionsMediterranean

Egypt: Luxury on the Nile

on August 12, 2019

See the pages of history books come to life in this mythical country in the Middle East. Hieroglyphics, mummies, tombs and the Great Sphinx become a reality when visiting Egypt and you will see them all and much more with Gate 1 Travel. This country has skyrocketed into popularity recently and there is no better time to visit this country than now. Your itinerary consists of the best experiences of Egypt including the Pyramids of Giza, Cairo, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Aswan and more. Join us as we navigate the Nile and land of the pharaohs.

Experience a luxurious Nile River cruise on the MS Esplanade. This ship has 5-star accommodations and includes a pool, bar, spa, laundry, boutique, restaurant and much more. Cabins include an LED TV with satellite channels, safe, individually controlled air conditioning and internet connection. You will be whisked away from place to place all while admiring the spectacular scenery of the Nile Valley passing by. Imagine visiting some of the oldest temples in the world by day such as Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor, and returning to your luxurious ship at night to eat, rest and relax. It is a true dream vacation.

Cairo: Your Gateway to the Secrets of Egypt

Welcome to a city that is a true mix of ancient and modern, in the capital of the country: Cairo. While in Cairo, perhaps explore independently or join the optional half day Egyptian Museum and Citadel tour. The museum contains the world’s largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts and has more than 120,000 items on display! Some of the most famous items include actual mummies of Ancient Egyptian royalty and King Tutankhamun artifacts, including his infamous death mask. Continue to the Saladin Citadel of Cairo, a UNESCO World Heritage site and medieval Islamic fort. The site is located near the city’s center and is famous for its fresh breeze and grand views of the city.

Visit the most famous attraction in the country and one of the most recognizable landmarks in the entire world; the Pyramids of Giza. Giza is located on the west bank of the Nile River and you’ll be surprised by how close the complex is to the city, in fact it is basically surrounded by it. The Great Pyramid is the oldest and biggest of the three pyramids in the complex and was built for the pharaoh Khufu. The other two smaller pyramids are called Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure. The Great pyramid is part of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and they are the oldest and only surviving site on the list. After exploring the immense pyramids, continue onto the Sphinx that guards the Giza plateau. This half-lion, half-human is constructed out of a single-piece of limestone and sits in a reclining position. Enjoy some of the most beautiful and magnificent sites of Egypt here and take it all in because there is nothing else on Earth quite like it!

Luxor: Ancient Thebes In Real Life

The ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, current day Luxor, was once the capital when pharaohs ruled the land in the 16th -11th century BCE. You will be brought to Luxor via your deluxe river cruise ship and you are free to either explore at your own pace or join the optional tours to Valley of the Kings, burial site of pharaohs from around 1539-1075 BCE, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, with its unique 3 terrace designed, and the Colossi of Memnon, the two large stone statues of king Amenhotep III guarding the whole site. Included tours bring you to see the East bank of Luxor, which include the magnificent Temples of Karnak, including the Great Temple of Amon, an ancient temple dedicated to the king of the gods. Also visit Hypostyle Hall, 134 massive sandstone columns and Luxor Temple, the site of an ancient temple dating back to 1400 BCE. Also see the avenue of the Spinxes, a row of Sphinx statues connecting Luxor and Karnak temples.You are sure to see all that Luxor has to offer when you book your Egypt tour with Gate 1 Travel.

Nile River Cruise: Ultra-Sophistication from Aswan to Luxor

Your deluxe cruise takes you on the 5-star MS Esplanade river boat. The Esplanade will take you to can’t miss locations along the Nile including the cities of Luxor, Karnak, Edfu, Aswan, the towns of Komombo and Edfu and so much more. Optional tours while on board include a tour of Abu Simbel by bus, the ancient sites of Luxor including Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon and a Felucca sail boat ride. Your cruise will be truly unforgettable with exploration of these fascinating sites while at port and sailing effortlessly down the Nile while you relax and enjoy your ship and onboard amenities on your luxurious ship.

Edfu & Kom Ombo: History Alive

Visit the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved ancient monuments in the entire country in Edfu. This temple was dedicated to the Egyptian god Horus, the falcon-headed god, who you can see depicted around the temple. There are many well-preserved statues and hieroglyphics here so pay attention to the intricate details of the temple. The site was built more recently than others you’ll visit, around 237 BCE, and took 180 years to build. The temple itself was buried in sand, rubble and part of Edfu village and was excavated in the 19th century. This site is truly marvelous and highlights the prosperity the country enjoyed in the time period it was built.

Next up, enjoy the town of Kom Ombo, that itself is simply an agricultural town located on the east bank of the river in the south. The town is most famous for the Temple of Kom Ombo, an unusual looking double-sided temple dedicated to the worship of both Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god. The temple was built this way in order to separate the two gods’ places of worship, because they were known to be brothers yet enemies but worshipped in the same temple. For this reason, the complex has two entrances, two courts and so on. Picture yourself here in the days of the pharaohs and visiting this place to worship the gods!

Aswan: An Engineering Marvel

Aswan is an ancient frontier city made famous by the High Dam of Aswan, an engineering miracle from the 1960s that brought the Nile’s devastating floods to an end. Arrive by motorboat to the island location of Philae Temple. This temple is dedicated to the goddess Isis, the mother of Horus and the wife of Osiris. Afterward, stop at a local perfume shop, which are famous in Aswan. Here you will learn about the creation of the perfumes and hear more about the healing effects of certain oils. Perhaps explore the local Aswan market (souk) where you can find almost anything, from souvenirs to clothing to spices and much more. If you have free time, satisfy your thirst with a local Egyptian drink such as mint or hibiscus tea at a local café.

Abu Simbel: A Site Completely Relocated

Abu Simbel is an optional tour with your itinerary. You will get there by bus because it is around 170 miles outside of Aswan. This unforgettable sight may just become the highlight of your trip. This easily recognizable site was actually saved from the waters of the Aswan High Dam and had to be completely reconstructed in its present location. It is as close to the original as possible with even the temples facing the exact same direction. The site is comprised of two temples: the Great Temple and the Small Temple, both created during the time of Ramses II for him and his wife Queen Nefertari. Step outside of the temples and admire the majestic seated statues of Ramses II. Proceed to the Temple of Hathor to view the murals with images of the goddess Hathor and Queen Nefertari.

Uncover the countless wonders of Ancient Egypt and the Nile River with Gate 1 Travel on a deluxe cruise ship. When you do, you’ll close each remarkable day in luxury accommodations, delight in local cuisine, and gain in-depth insight from local guides who call this destination home. Join us!

Please Note: Sightseeing varies per itinerary.

#G1PhotoFridayLatin America

Wonders of the Salt Pools in Maras, Peru

on August 9, 2019

The Salt Pools of Maras, Peru are quite a unique and interesting experience for travelers to the country. The site is actually comprised of a canyon filled with geometric salt pools that have been harvested and in use since the days of the Incan Empire. The individual pools are fed by a local stream which are then opened and damned. The salt is then collected by a process of evaporation once the pool is filled with water from the stream. There’s nothing else on earth quite like it!

This week’s #g1photofriday was uploaded by user @thebinstergram using the hashtag #gate1travel. This picture was taken in Maras, Peru. Be sure to tag your photos on social media with #gate1travel or #g1photofriday to be featured. Check out Gate 1 Travel’s Peru trips here! 

#G1PhotoFridayEurope

The Grand Canal at Sunset in Venice, Italy

on July 26, 2019

The Grand Canal in Venice is the main artery of the city and follows a natural channel that creates a reverse S shape. The canal is about 2 miles long and has an average depth of 17 feet. It connects at various points with different smaller canals throughout Venice and creates the water traffic channels that make it possible to get from place to place. Since there are no cars; gondolas, water taxis, public transit water buses and more use these canals every day to transport visitors and locals.

This week’s #g1photofriday was uploaded by user @oanh_derer using the hashtag #gate1travel. This picture was taken in Venice, Italy. Be sure to tag your photos on social media with #gate1travel or #g1photofriday to be featured. Check out Gate 1 Travel’s Italy trips here! 

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