Category: Regions

EuropeSmall Group Discoveries

Ireland’s Majestic Castles & Magnificent Beauty

on March 29, 2017

From its ancient and preserved castles to its stunning seaside panoramas, Ireland is pure pleasure to explore. The small size of our Discovery Tours group lets you take in the nation’s historic and natural treasures at a less hurried pace. Here are four Irish wonders you’ll visit with us:

Powerscourt

Downton Abbey has nothing on Powerscourt. Its entry drive just outside Dublin seems torn from a storybook, lined with hundreds of centuries-old beech trees. When the classical Palladian castle appears in the distance, flanked by two domed towers, you are transported back centuries. Originally, it was a 13th-century medieval castle that perched here, giving its owner Baron La Poer (from whom the castle gets its name) strategic views of the Dargle, Glencree, and Glencullen rivers. La Poer’s elegance would have been grand even by today’s standards with its 68 rooms, a 60×40-foot entrance hall adorned with heirlooms, and that same long avenue of beech trees.

Powerscourt has changed hands many times during its history, including one occasion in 1603 when Queen Elizabeth awarded the castle to Richard Wingfield for his military achievements. But don’t let its rich history fool you; today, it is far from a quietly preserved artifact hosting hushed tours down venerable corridors. Quite the contrary, the multi-use treasure would make its founder proud as locals and visitors alike stroll its pastoral river walk, admire 47 acres of lavishly manicured gardens, dine at its outdoor Terrace Café, shop at its Global Village, and browse the precious dollhouse collection at the Tara’s Palace Museum of Childhood.

Rock of Cashel

Don’t be fooled: the Rock of Cashel is much more than a rock. The fabled origin of this castle-topped promontory in County Tipperary rests 20 miles away. There, legend says that the devil took a bite from the side of a mountain that today goes by the name “Devil’s Bit.” In the process, he broke his teeth and a large rock fell from his mouth onto this spot. The ancient Kings of Munster recognized the potential of this limestone outcrop in defending and surveying the comings and goings of merchants and troops, so they built their mighty castle on the rock’s plateau. It’s believed that St. Patrick converted one of those kings to Christianity on this very site. So powerful was the pull of the church that a subsequent king donated the fortress to it in 1101. The Romanesque Cormac’s Chapel and the Cathedral were constructed in subsequent years and today the Rock of Cashel stands as one of Europe’s most incredible collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture.

Dingle Peninsula

One of Ireland’s most breathtakingly scenic corners, the farthest reaches of the Dingle Peninsula comprise Europe’s westernmost point (if you discount Iceland). Some locals call it the “next parish to America,” an understandable assessment when you consider how very inspirational its landscape is. This is some of the most rugged and magnificent scenery you may ever see—some 300 square miles of unspoiled and pure coast blanketed with soft olive and emerald greens and sparsely vegetated rocky-strewn slopes rising from the white-crested surf of the sea. A drive around its perimeter reveals not only this spectacular beauty. You will also glimpse Ireland’s agricultural roots as you pass livestock grazing in pastures squared off by stone walls laid centuries ago. And you’ll learn a bit about the beliefs of ancient tribes as you pass by Celtic monuments.

Cliffs of Moher

Rising dramatically up to 390 feet above the crashing Atlantic surf, the Cliffs of Moher have long stood as Ireland’s iconic beauty. These sheer rock faces afford stunning ocean views and glimpses of the Aran Islands. About 20 bird species live among the nooks and natural platforms of the cliffs, totaling some 30,000, including Atlantic puffins, which has led BirdLife International to designate this as an Important Bird Area. During your visit, see if you can make out the figure of a seated woman in the distance at Hags Head, one of the cliffs’ natural promontories. You’ll have time to stop by the Visitors Center, an award-winning facility for its non-intrusive construction into a hillside approaching the cliffs.

Experience the best of Ireland firsthand during our Irish Culture trip.

EuropeSmall Group Discoveries

The Gold Standard of Ireland’s Stud Farms

on March 24, 2017

When British royalty wants to add horses to its farms, it often turns to the Irish National Stud, a horse-breeding facility in County Kildare. In a Discovery Tours small group, you will visit this fascinating and picturesque place, too, meeting the breeders and trainers who husband Ireland’s finest thoroughbreds.

Colonel William Hall Walker, a wealthy Scotsman, purchased the farm in 1900 and went on to become one of world’s most successful breeders. Famously, he leased the racing colt Minoru to King Edward VII and the monarch won the 1909 Epsom Derby astride the horse. The pivotal victory laid the foundation for the newly acquired farm to become a leading breeding center of the world. The facility was later gifted to the Crown, in 1915. Since 1943, the Irish government has operated it.

Around the clock, life revolves around the horses here. Stallions, mares, and foals are put through their paces, and many more have gone on to win international derbies and crowns. “The Stud,” as it is known, has a more formalized program dedicated to breeding horses for royalty, and Queen Elizabeth herself has stopped by to inspect the facilities. During your visit, you’ll meet some of the passionate horse lovers who help usher their charges to success.

You’ll also hear about the legends that have made Irish National Stud such a respected and prestigious institution in the equestrian arts. See the revered skeleton of the bay gelding Arkle, a champion steeplechaser. Hear about Royal Charger, winner of three major races but more notable as a sire to many horses that went on to win cups and stakes around the world. Touring this remarkable place, you get a sense of the importance of the lineage, discipline and structure that go into creating the world’s most respected and crowned race horses.

You’ll find Irish National Stud to be a peaceful place. Tranquility reigns throughout the pastoral landscape, particularly in the farm’s iconic Japanese Gardens. Designed to achieve utmost harmony, these traditional gardens are traversed by pathways that link a lily pond spanned by a graceful arched bridge, an intimate tea house, a gentle waterfall and many other elements. As a whole, the garden is meant to symbolize the journey of the soul into Eternity. You may stroll past the cave of birth, the sunken path of childhood and the island of joy and wonder. Planted here in 1906, they are widely considered to be the finest in Europe, a perfect marriage of Eastern and Western designs.

Experience the Irish National Stud horse-breeding center during our Irish Culture trip.

Gate 1 ConnectionsLatin America

South America: Cosmopolitan Cities, Soul-Stirring Beauty, and Ancient Mysteries

on March 23, 2017

There is something at once familiar and foreign about the southern reaches of South America. From the magnificent beachside Brazilian metropolis of Rio de Janeiro, southward to Patagonian Argentina and beautiful Chile, a fascinating and intoxicating blend of cultures and vistas are both recognizable and exotic. Wide-open plains and a gaucho culture echo the American west. Soaring snow-capped Andean peaks might make you think you’ve landed in the Colorado Rockies. And while the sophistication and bustle of its cities might remind you of a large U.S. capital, the samba-stepping street performers and European-style architecture with Spanish colonial accents quickly remind you that you’re not in Kansas anymore.

This is South America through and through, where the civility of fine wines meets untamed Patagonia, where the controlled passion of the tango collides with the unbridled torrent of Iguassu Falls, where Rio’s Christ the Redeemer statue peers down upon scantily-clad Ipanema beach-goers. Reverential and wild, it all must be seen to be believed.

Brazil: Sultry City, Fantastic Falls

Brazil was named for brazilwood, a tree that once grew up and down its shores. The timber from this tree produced a red dye, and so it became a valued commodity to supplement the 16th-century European cloth trade. Once the indigenous Tupi people caught on to the overseas demand, they put the trees up for sale in exchange for European goods.

Brazil went on to become the largest Portuguese-speaking nation in the world, and the only one in the Americas. Surrounded by Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Mountains and brimming with big-city energy, Rio de Janeiro—the unofficial cultural capital—wears its largesse on its sleeve.

From atop its monolithic hills, Rio’s beauty unfolds before you in magnificent splendor: crescent beaches (including the famous Ipanema and Copacabana), glittering skyscrapers, and densely forested mountains form an intoxicating hive of activity. Corcovado is topped by the famed Christ the Redeemer, a 124-foot statue of Christ, with his arms outstretched as if embracing the city below. A steep passenger train ride gets you to the summit. On the other side of the city, all-glass cable cars bring you to the top of Sugar Loaf.

Rio certainly leaves the impression that Brazil embraces its natural beauty, even in its largest cities. Along the Argentinean border, another spectacular site awaits. Iguazu Falls—a thundering cascade of 275 cataracts that stretch two and half miles in a horseshoe shape—straddles the two countries. These incredible falls are wider than Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and higher than Niagara. Eleanor Roosevelt herself is said to have exclaimed, upon seeing this natural wonder, “Poor Niagara!” They are a stunning sight to behold, and that’s just from the Brazilian side.

Argentina: Refined Culture, Untouched Wilderness

About 80% of Iguazu Falls lie on Argentina’s side of the river and few are more impressive than Garganta del Diablo, or Devil’s Throat. This U-shaped torrent plummets 270 feet over a half mile stretch. A rail car offers spectacular views from the top of the falls.

Argentina’s capital of Buenos Aires offers another type of thrill. This is the city of Eva Peron, of “Evita” fame. The outspoken First Lady was wildly popular here, speaking out for those without a voice. She is buried in the Recoleta Cemetery, a fantastic miniature city of above-ground tombs and memorials. It is admittedly odd to see such an elaborate burial place in the middle of city that is so full of life. Indeed, Buenos Aires is called the “Paris of South America” for good reason: its wide, tree-lined boulevards pass elegant architecture, soaring cathedrals and beautifully manicured green parks. More intimate views of the city can be had in any of the working class barrios, such as La Boca or San Telmo, each with its own distinct and colorful personality.

Far from the city, in the eastern shadow of the Andes, lies Mendoza. Founded in the 16th century by Spanish settlers, this is today one of the world’s great wine regions. Vines here are planted at some of the highest altitudes in the world and yield Malbecs, Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays. Gate 1 travelers have the chance to sample award-winning vintages at the Bodega Achaval-Ferrer winery, and to create their own blends at Norton vineyards. But Mendoza is known for more than its wine. It also draws adventurers gearing up to climb Mt. Aconcagua, the tallest peak in the world outside the Himalayas, at 23,000 feet.

In this region of South America, stunning natural beauty—soaring mountains, pristine lakes, babbling streams—seems to beckon from every direction. Visiting the town of Bariloche, you just might wonder how much more beauty could possibly be in store. Nestled at the foot of the Andes, surrounded by forest, and hugging the shores of Nahuel Huapi Lake, Bariloche’s setting feels more Swiss than Argentinean, right down to the chocolate shops on every corner and the sweet scent of cocoa kissing the clean mountain air.

Yet there is more beauty in store—plenty of it—in Argentine Patagonia. The old wool-trading town of El Calafate is the gateway to Los Glacieres National Park, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, the Perito Moreno Glacier stands high above the waters of Lake Argentino, a massive ice wall three miles wide and 240 feet tall. Remarkably, this is one of only three Patagonian glaciers that is expanding. It is the largest ice cap outside Antarctica and Greenland and controls the world’s third largest reserve of fresh water.

Chile: Colonial Charms, Splendid Vistas and a Historic Capital

Patagonia leaves any traveler feeling in awe at nature’s design. Surely, the charming lakeside village of Puerto Varas will have the same effect. Its setting is spectacular, resting on the shore of the scenic Llanquihue Lake, one of the largest in South America, and overseen by the symmetrical, snow-capped cone of the Osorno Volcano. But the town itself is also a sight to behold, rich in the German-style wood-shingled architecture of its European colonists.

Those colonists couldn’t have imagined the breathtaking rock spires and fjord wilderness that stretched to the south. Indeed, they are hard to imagine until you set your eyes on them, which you’ll do as you travel from Punta Arenas to Torres del Paine National Park by way of Puerto Natales. An astonishing canvas unfolds here. Chile’s Patagonian steppe thrives with wildlife: Andean condors and eagles soar overhead, keeping watch over farmland grazed by sheep and a vast network of waterways once explored by the likes of Magellan, Drake, and Darwin. A full-day expedition cruise brings you face to face with sea lions, abundant birdlife, and spectacular glaciers. In Torres del Paine, you’ll have the chance to hike into the untouched Patagonian forest, where massive granite pillars pierce the sky—a dramatic backdrop to thundering waterfalls, massive glaciers and wild guanacos.

Back in civilization—more specifically, in Santiago—it’s a city’s design that may amaze you. Over the past few decades, Chile’s booming capital has grown tremendously, even hosting the tallest building in Latin America, the Gran Torre, or Grand Tower, and boasting a sunken freeway system. For a glimpse at its more historic side, head to the Plaza de Armas, center of the Old City’s grid pattern. The impressive neoclassical cathedral is here, with its twin bell towers, as are the grand colonial Central Post Office Building and the 1808 Royal Court Palace.

Easter Island: Mysterious Totems, Stunning Island Landscapes

One of the planet’s most remote islands, Chile’s Easter Island is located 1,200 miles from its nearest populated neighbor. The remarkable corner of the world lures archaeology buffs and nature lovers alike. Remnants of an ancient Polynesian people dot the emerald hilly landscape in the form or 800 massive and enigmatic stone figures, known as moai. Their mystery is twofold: Scholars can only guess at their purpose, and no one knows exactly how the stone was quarried from the island’s soft volcanic tufa stone and how the carved figures, weighing some ten tons each, were placed strategically around the island. Gate 1 takes you here for two nights so you can perhaps unravel the mysteries for yourself.

Add Peru to Your South America Journey

There’s so much of South America to see, so many cultures to experience. Farther north along the Andes range, Peru’s fascinating colonial cities, Incan ruins, and Quechua people provide an extraordinary glimpse of the continent’s early civilizations. You can complement your exploration of Brazil and Argentina with a visit to this remarkable country.

Explore the Peruvian capital of Lima, a unique and thrilling melting pot of European, Andean, African and Asian cultures and home to a remarkably preserved historic center. Explore Machu Picchu, the ancient Incan “Lost City” straddling a magnificent Andean plateau. Stroll the cobbled streets of Cuzco, the Incan capital turned Spanish colonial gem. And marvel at the floating Uros Islands of Lake Titicaca, each one woven out of reeds pulled from the waters.

Take Advantage of the Best Value

Incredible discoveries like these tell only part of the Gate 1 story. Our unmatched value in the industry tells the rest. Throughout your South American itinerary, you can sit back and relax knowing that you’ve attained the very best travel experience for your dollar. Excellent accommodations, delicious meals, unique cultural experiences and top-rated local guides add up to the most rewarding journey your travel dollar can buy.

Latin AmericaTravel Tips

International Entry & Visa Requirements for U.S. Passport Holders

on March 22, 2017

BRAZIL – Visa required.* Contact the Brazilian Embassy at 3006 Whitehaven Street, NW Washington DC 20008-3634. Phone (202) 238-2700. Website: http://washington.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us/. Note that those living outside of this region must contact the consulate of their jurisdiction. There are Brazilian Consulates General in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Hartford, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco. Two days following your initial booking and deposit, you will receive complete information via email about obtaining a visa to Brazil. It is only necessary to Include: Rio de Janeiro. Click here for more information. Alternatively, you may obtain a visa through a fee-based service such as GEN VISA. Please note that GEN VISA is unable to assist passengers who choose to apply for their visas directly.
*For travel between June 1st 2016 to September 18th 2016: Nationals from the USA and select other countries traveling to Brazil for tourism purposes may not require a tourist visa. Please check with the Brazilian Consulate for detailed information and to see if you qualify for the exemption.

Entry Fees & Departure Taxes for U.S. Passport Holders

Argentina El Calafate requires a fee of $11 per person. Ushuaia requires a fee of $4 per person.

EuropeSmall Group Discoveries

Immerse Yourself in Ireland’s Warm Culture

on March 15, 2017

You raise a pint to the uplifting sound of traditional music and listen as your pub-mate recounts how he tried to conquer the croagh just across the lough. He and his bird made it halfway up and it started bucketing brutal. Now he’s bushed and happy to sit here and blather with his Black Stuff and colcannon.
If you know everyday Irish slang, you know that you’ve been listening to “trad”itional Irish music and your friend and his girlfriend made it only halfway up that mountain that’s on the other side of the lake before it started pouring rain. Exhausted, he’s content to chatter endlessly, drink his Guinness, and eat his mashed potatoes and cabbage.

Colorful language comprises just a fraction of the fun that makes up Irish culture. When you journey to the Emerald Isle in a Discovery Tours small group, you’re sure to uncover more. And rest assured, it’ll be craic! (That’s pronounced “crack” and it means—we promise—you’ll have a great time!)

A Song in Their Hearts

When the Irish dance the night away, they’re summoning a tradition that stretches back generations. In many cities, it’s a nightly ritual to gather at rustic, relaxed pubs to catch up with neighbors over a pint or two. “Pub” is short for the old term for a watering hole, Public House, and the purpose of these original gathering spots was more to socialize than to drink. Today, if the band’s in the house to play some trad music, or traditional Irish music, there’s no telling when last call will be.

Trad music’s main instruments are harps, timpans (small stringed instruments played with a bow), fifes, buinnes (oboe or flute) and other winds, bagpipes, and fiddles. These ensembles and the folk music they play have survived into Ireland’s modern culture with more confidence than the traditional music of other European countries. For this, scholars thank Ireland’s remote location in relation to the European continent. Because it is situated so far west, it never became a battleground in the two world wars, so the oral traditions on which music thrives carried through the 20th century uninterrupted.

Irish dance has a similarly interesting background. The dance form that most Americans know today was popularized by Riverdance performances. This type of step-dancing has been influenced by the traveling performers of the 18th and 19th centuries. They showed up at fairgrounds or competitions and had to jockey for position in a crowded space, leaving them little room to perform. Some would hop onto a tabletop just to be seen. So it was by necessity that their dance style was so contained, with arms rigid at their sides. A more sedate dance is the ceili in which up to eight couples form a square and dance in formation, much like the square dancing of American culture.

A Rich Literary Tradition

For such a small country, Ireland’s literary influence on the world has been huge. It is proudly home to four Nobel Prize Laureates: William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett, and Seamus Heaney. The first three were all born in Dublin, which earns that city bragging rights as the birthplace of the most literary laureates in the world. To some, this disproportionate literary surge makes sense; after all, Irish literature is the third oldest in history so it’s had a lot of time to achieve perfection!

Of course, many others also contributed to the Irish literary canon, and to the cultural pantheon of the world. Who has not heard of Dracula, whose legend was first penned by Bram Stoker? What child has not delighted to the stories of Narnia, C.S. Lewis’s creation? And what lover of wit and social satire has not loved the plays of Oscar Wilde? All these beloved authors were Irish, despite that they lived much of their lives in London.

But perhaps Ireland’s most famous book is one of its very first. In the library of Trinity College in Dublin, four bound volumes are kept in a protected case. Together, these books comprise the four Gospels of the New Testament. The Book of Kells, as it is named (after the Abbey in which it was kept for centuries) is thought to have been created in 800 A.D. Each of its pages is elaborately and intricately illuminated with calligraphy, illustration, and geographic designs painted with ink that was imported to the “author” monks from exotic lands. It is one of Ireland’s most prized possessions.

Irish Cuisine: Beyond the Potato

The food of Ireland hasn’t traditionally been thought of as exciting or innovative. But that is changing as modern-day culinary awareness bolsters menus all around the world.

On the most basic level, Irish cuisine springs from the farm culture that has long defined the country. For centuries, it was a meat and vegetable culture until the potato arrived in the 16th century. No one could know then that this modest root vegetable would have dramatic effects on the Irish, their culture, and their politics. In fact, it’s fair to say that never before or since the Irish Potato Famine has a food altered the course of history so dramatically, instigating a mass exodus, changing the country’s birth rate and demographics for generations, and inciting political upheavals that would leave scars for decades.

Today, more than 150 years after the famine, the potato is plentiful. It appears in Irish stew, boxty (a kind of potato pancake), coddle (a stew of leftovers, which almost always includes potatoes), and colcannon (mashed potatoes with kale or cabbage).

A new Irish cuisine has taken hold in the last 30 years or so. Led largely by the graduating chefs from the Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork (which was founded by a local celebrity chef who embraces the slow food movement), new gastronomies—from pizza to curries to West African flavors—have been shaking things up in Irish kitchens. Salmon, trout, shellfish, fresh vegetables, and an array of cheeses now being produced throughout Ireland are raising the culinary bar in restaurants from Dublin to Galway. Perhaps this shift is an echo from Giuseppe Cervi, an Italian immigrant who brought a new dish to Ireland in the 1880s: fish and chips. His creation is now, of course, synonymous with Ireland and its British neighbors.

From language and song to literature and cuisine, it’s easy to lose yourself in the lovely and lilting culture of Ireland. Reserve our Irish Culture trip today, and you’ll soon be greeted with a hearty “Failte!”—the warm Irish welcome.

Small Group DiscoveriesUSA & Canada

The Grand Old Beacons of Newfoundland & Labrador

on February 22, 2017

Once European settlements were established in Northeastern Canada, ships transporting goods needed to be safely guided along the rocky coasts of Newfoundland & Labrador. So the province is home to many historic lighthouses that enrich the character and the coastal landscape of this pristine region, providing glimpses of its seafaring past. In a Discovery Tours small group, you’ll visit these national treasures, listed here by order of their appearance on the coast.

Cape Spear, Newfoundland (1836). Perched on a hill overlooking St. John’s harbor at the easternmost point of Canada, Cape Spear was the second lighthouse to be built on the island but is the oldest surviving one. During World War II, a gun battery was installed on the site to defend the harbor. Barracks were added for troops. Cape Spear National Historic Park was opened to great fanfare by Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1983.

Cape Bonavista, Newfoundland (1843). Marking the entrances to Bonavista and Trinity Bays, this historic lighthouse is the fourth-oldest in Newfoundland. Its original lamps and reflectors were shipped here from Scotland. It operated for about 120 years until an electric light on a nearby skeleton tower was illuminated to serve the same purpose. Today, Cape Bonavista Lighthouse is a museum with period furnishings and whaling and ecological exhibits, and still boasts the vertical red and white stripes of the island’s original lighthouses.

Point Amour, Labrador (1857). The tallest in Atlantic Canada and the second tallest in the entire country, Point Amour Lighthouse was built of limestone from local quarries at a time when steamships sailed through the Strait of Belle Isle, the stretch of sea that separates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador. The cylindrical tower is a Provincial Historic Site and was one of a series of “Imperial Towers,” so named as they were financed by the British Empire.

Lobster Cove Head, Newfoundland (1898). Before construction of the Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse in Bonne Bay, a simple oil lamp burned in the private home of G.C. Fearn to alert ships to the perils of the rocky coast. The townspeople, convinced that a stronger light was needed, got together to arrange for this iron tower to be built. Signal flags were also used here to convey messages between ships and the shore.

Fox Point, Newfoundland (1906). This charming square tower on a rocky promontory is quite modern, completed in 2003. When a light was originally placed here, in 1906, it was a round iron tower just a couple stories tall. It was replaced by another around 1960, at which point the first tower was lowered down the cliff face, presumably to be disposed of in the sea. The structure jammed in a crevice until the continual lash of waves washed it away.

Cow Head, Newfoundland (1909). The Cow Head Peninsula was long a summer destination for families, but not for vacationing. Before roadways were modernized, many Newfoundlanders lived on the ocean in warm months and sheltered themselves inland during winter so they had easier access to fishing in summer. When the Cow Head Lighthouse was completed, it became a gathering place where locals enjoyed picnic lunches and gazed out to sea.

Small Group DiscoveriesUSA & Canada

A Riot of Puffins on Witless Bay

on February 20, 2017

Each year between April and September, roughly a half million Atlantic puffins descend on Witless Bay in Newfoundland to nest. It is the largest colony in the western Atlantic and it truly takes the breath away.

This odd looking bird (some would call it adorable) is marked by its black crown and back, white underbelly and cheeks, the bold red markings on its beak, and its orange webbed feet. It is often called the “clown of the sea” for its bright colors and clumsy gait. But this is no clown: The Atlantic puffin is as graceful a swimmer as it is a flier, using its wings to propel itself through water and deftly catch small fish.

Remarkably, the Atlantic puffin spends autumn and winter (October through March, roughly) in the open waters of the northern seas. It comes to Witless Bay to breed, burrowing into the cliffs of the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, a quartet of small islands off the main island of Newfoundland. It lays a single white egg and, once the chick hatches, feeds it babies whole fish. It only takes six weeks for the chick to mature enough to set out on its own. Once it does, it flies the coop in the most dramatic fashion: In the dark of night, the fledgling swims out to sea and does not return to land for several years, following its instinct as it survives in a harsh marine environment.

Though the Atlantic puffin is a highly social bird during breeding season, taking over Witless Bay with a half million of its closest friends, it lives a solitary existence while at sea. Though it hasn’t been studied extensively in its open-water habitat, it seems to spend more time bobbing on the surface of the ocean than flying in the air. This helps to explain its plumage: Its black back makes it difficult for predator birds to spot it from the air, and its white belly can be easily mistaken by underwater predators for a bright sun spot or clouds in the sky. Once a year during winter, it becomes more vulnerable as it sheds its feathers to make way for new ones. This leaves it stranded on the water for up to two months.

Back on land during breeding season, the bird is monogamous. But their loyalty is to the burrow rather than their mate, as each male and female habitually return to the same nest year after year. Once they are settled in and their egg is laid, incubation duty is shared between partners. Incubation lasts about 45 days.

The Witless Bay Ecological Reserve plays a key role in the survival of the Atlantic puffin and in preserving the natural cycle of which they are a part. Witnessing some 500,000 of these incredible creatures at once makes for quite a spectacle, which our small group does during our new Newfoundland & Labrador trip. We hope you’ll join us to see one of nature’s greatest gatherings of sea birds!

Small Group DiscoveriesUSA & Canada

The UNESCO Sites of Newfoundland & Labrador

on February 17, 2017

The province of Newfoundland & Labrador takes the breath away with its astonishing natural beauty and fascinating history. Three of its landmarks stand out for their significance to the character of Eastern Canada and to the collective cultural identity of the world. Visit this remarkable corner of the globe with Discovery Tours, and you’ll experience these three important UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Gros Morne National Park

This magnificent landscape is the second largest national park in Atlantic Canada. It is named for its highest point, a misty-top mountain of barren rock that calls to mind the Scottish Highlands. But the park, of course, consists of much more. Vast Tablelands stretch out among the hilly orange-brown terrain; these rocky expanses are made more dramatic by their proximity to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Bonne Bay, in particular, is a spectacular sight, formed when two glaciers converged here 10,000 years ago. Today, the deep ravines that guided those two glaciers are now a double-armed fjord, a 15-mile inlet lined with steep cliffs.

Why it’s important: Gros Morne National Park is sometimes referred to as the “Galapagos of Geology.” Just as those islands provided evidence for biological evolution, these coastal mountains offer proof of plate tectonics. Scientists with a trained eye value this unique landscape because it illustrates the process of continental drift. The earth here shows clear evidence of the geologic forces the occurred when the continental coast of North America was carved by oceanic plate movement.

Red Bay Basque Whaling Station

In the 16th century, Red Bay was buzzing with the comings and goings of the whaling industry. At this west-coast settlement established by the Basques, hunters set out on their chalupas, or whaling boats, so they could harvest the creature’s oil for light lamps back in Europe. Each season from 1530 to the beginning of the 1600s, about 15 whale ships and 600 men were sent here from Europe in search of the right whale and the bowhead whale. Today, the old whaling station is a museum of original Basque artifacts and ships recovered from the bottom of the ocean.

Why it’s important: Red Bay provides the most complete picture of the European whaling tradition. Every aspect of whaling was conducted here, from hunting to butchering to oil production for shipment back to Europe. The old station features remains of ovens, cooperages, living quarters and underwater remnants of ships and whale bones.

L’Anse aux Meadows

Around the year 1001, the renowned Viking Leif Eriksson and his crew landed on the coast of Newfoundland, the first Europeans to reach North America. He called it “Vinland,” and sent back word to Greenland that others could follow. The settlement did not last long, however. Scholars disagree whether it was the harsh winters or conflicts with indigenous people that drove the Vikings away. But they left behind a treasure trove that offers a snapshot of their culture, from the remains of their sod longhouses to iron tools. Since the discovery of the site in the 1960s, a longhouse has been reconstructed and many theories have pondered how Vikings spent their time here.

Why it’s important: L’Anse aux Meadows provides ironclad evidence that Norsemen were the first to set foot on North American shores. When the site was discovered, it generated a fair amount of controversy among those who gave the credit to Christopher Columbus. But as the timber-framed turf buildings here were identical to those found in Greenland and Iceland from the Viking Age, this fascinating place marks a milestone in the history of human migration and exploration.

Visit these captivating UNESCO World Heritage Sites during our Newfoundland & Labrador tour!

Gate 1 ConnectionsUSA & Canada

Staying Close to Home? A Gate 1 Escorted Tour Makes It Easy!

on February 16, 2017

We hear time and again from friends and family that they’ve been so eager to visit other countries—from Europe to Asia, from Australia to Africa—that they’ve all but forgotten to see their own. So we want to tell you more about Gate 1 Travel’s itineraries right here in the U.S. Each one is carefully designed to be as enriching, as comprehensive, and as value-packed as our international trips.

From the magnificent sweep of our national parks to bustling cultural centers, from coastal beauty to southern charm, Gate 1 gives you plenty of reasons to stay close to home in 2017 and 2018. So join us … take a closer look at your own backyard.

Gate 1’s U.S. Escorted Tours: The Ultimate in Convenience and Value

Here’s the real beauty of seeing this magnificent country on a Gate 1 Escorted Tour: We take care of everything for you. This saves you countless hours of planning—arranging airfare and car rental, researching sites to visit and making sure you have driving directions, hoping you’ve picked a decent restaurant for your meals. We take care of all that for you, and are happy to recommend dining venues for meals that are not included in your trip cost. Plus, you’ll gain insight and learn more about your destination than you ever would on your own, thanks to the expert knowledge of our tour managers. Simply put, the only thing you have to worry about is enjoying yourself and taking in our country’s glorious sites.

What’s more, our buying power with hotels and other travel providers ensures you the lowest possible price for your overall trip. In fact, if you were to try to duplicate any one of our trips on your own, you would end up paying far more.

So let’s take a look at the breadth of Gate 1’s reach across our very own great country.

North by Northeast: Rich Histories and Seductive Charms

We’ll begin where the U.S. began. You’ve long heard about the birth of the nation and the gently rolling hills outside Boston, Massachusetts, that were the stage of the American Revolution. It’s quite a moving experience to witness firsthand the historic places that carry echoes of pre- and post-colonial days. It all comes startlingly to life in New England, from the first settlement at Plymouth Rock to the living museum of Old Sturbridge Village.

Of course, Boston was the hub of it all. Legendary sites like the Old North Church, Beacon Hill, and the Boston Commons—the oldest public park in the country—take you back to inspiring moments in history. There’s more inspiration in Hyannis on Cape Cod, lined with beautiful sand beaches and home of the Kennedy Compound, witness to so much national pride and tragedy. Massachusetts also nurtured some world-renowned literary and artistic talents, as you can see at Herman Melville’s Arrowhead; Edith Wharton’s home, the Mount; and the Norman Rockwell Museum—each one providing incredible insight into the lives of artists whose work has stood the test of time.

Those lovely rolling hills of Massachusetts rise into dramatic mountains in Vermont and New Hampshire. Traversing these stunningly beautiful states—much of them protected U.S. Forest Land—you’ll pause to explore charming, steepled New England villages and admire sweeping vistas of granite cliffs and hills blanketed in evergreen.

There’s more northern beauty along the legendary lakes that surround Michigan. This truly is one of the undiscovered corners of the U.S. But Michiganders are in the know about the tranquil beauty here, from inviting shores lined with Victorian gems and green forests to the charming Bavarian village of Frankenmuth. Major moments in history have also played out here: Detroit’s Henry Ford Museum chronicles the achievements of American inventors and Fort Mackinac was erected by the British to fend off the new colonists during the American Revolution.

The South: Grace and Vitality

The American South is a virtual gumbo of history, culture and beauty. Antebellum charms, pretty green parks, and trees dripping with Spanish moss line the streets in Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia. These inviting and very walkable cities are home to some of the country’s most treasured Greek Revival, Revolutionary Era, and plantation mansions. It’s easy to imagine sipping a mint julep on any of the sprawling porches of these gracious cities. Nearby, St. Augustine, Florida holds the torch as the country’s oldest city. Straddling the Matanzas River near its mouth, it was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1565, more than two centuries before independence.

For a completely different southern experience, you can visit New Orleans and Cajun Country, where life is lived slowly and strains of jazz echo on the bayou. Home of Bourbon Street and the annual Mardi Gras festival, New Orleans’ French Quarter is one of the most captivating musical centers in the country—a place to let your hair down and join in the fun. But the state of Louisiana has much more in store. You can take time to explore its rich history in its fascinating museums; take in the blend of Spanish, French, Creole and Cajun cultures in Baton Rouge; and witness the natural beauty of the Atchafalaya Basin, the largest wetlands in the U.S.

There’s music to be danced to, as well, in Tennessee. For country and rock music lovers, the state is home to revered pilgrimage sites. In Nashville, you can visit the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame. In Memphis, music clubs lure you in with twangs and strums spilling onto the famous Beale Street. And, of course, no visit here should bypass Graceland, the palatial home of Elvis Presley. Another musical legend, BB King, is memorialized at his namesake museum in the Mississippi Delta.

Texas, too, has its musical roots and much of them live in the lively capital of Austin. But the Lone Star State is known more for its Old West charm, cowboy culture and presidential past. Near Austin, the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park preserves the memory of the 36th president and Lady Bird Johnson. Dallas is home to the sobering John F. Kennedy Memorial and the Sixth Floor Museum, fronted by the infamous “grassy knoll.”  The George W. Bush Presidential Library is also here, and you’ll pay a visit. From San Antonio to Houston, you’ll admire Spanish colonial charms and an impressive cosmopolitan air. And you’ll see where Texas gets it reputation for indulging in all things in the biggest possible way; Houston even helped send men to the moon.

Our National Parks: Magnificence Preserved

West of the Mississippi, the plains open up to some of the grandest vistas in the country. Symbols of the grand American ideal, many are protected as American Parkland.

Perhaps one of the most interesting parks, South Dakota’s Mt. Rushmore is more know for its man-made wonder than its natural ones. For many visitors, its quartet of presidential sculptures carved into the granite cliffs of the Black Hills serves as an altar to democracy. In Wyoming, endless grassland and soaring peaks set the stage for the drama of Yellowstone. Its countless hot springs, massive mountain faces, and towering waterfalls are truly stunning, but the “Old Faithful” geyser steals the show. Not to be outdone, the Grand Teton massif, with its distinctive and spectacular craggy range, is a humbling testament to the west’s natural beauty.

In Arizona and Utah, fissures in the earth have carved out breathtaking natural wonders. Almost 280 miles long and up to 18 miles wide, the Grand Canyon is the great American icon—a colossal chasm sculpted over millennia. In Utah’s Bryce Canyon, conical-shaped rock formations stand like sentries among pine-dotted hillsides. And at Zion National Park, red sandstone canyons are kissed by cascading waterfalls, flowing rivers and vivid desert colors. Though it is nowhere near the size of the Grand Canyon, it’s been said that its beauty far surpasses its larger cousin.

More startling earthen colors and stunning rock formations grace the landscapes of Canyonlands National Park. Ascend to its 1,500-foot mesa to marvel at red-rock vistas, including the legendary Mesa Arch. Many more of these astonishing natural sculptures – the densest concentration in the world – greet you in Arches National Park. In Colorado, you can get a glimpse of how ancient peoples lived amidst such ruggedly beautiful terrain at the Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park, home to 5,000 known archaeological sites.

Farther north, you might answer the call of the wild in Alaska. Denali, (formerly Mt. McKinley) watches over an untouched wilderness in Denali National Park. This is a pristine world of magnificent panoramas cut by babbling streams and salmon-rich rivers. A deluxe train journey and a tour of the tundra highlight it all. Incredible scenery is everywhere in Alaska; even our transfer days take the breath away! And no trip here would be complete without seeing its impressive glaciers. Kenai Fjords National Park and its 300-square-mile Harding Ice Field is one of the best spots to witness them as they calve into the icy waters. You can watch from a safe distance during a spectacular cruise among soaring, snow-capped peaks.

The West: Glittering Cities Amidst Natural Beauty

The western U.S. has a lot more to offer than its national parks. California, especially, is home to beautiful cities that enjoy beautiful settings. To be sure, the hills of San Francisco, its situation on its famous bay, and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge make for one of the most breathtaking skylines in the world. Exploring the city—with its bustling Union Square and Ghirardelli Square—and the vineyards to the north—with their inviting wineries and galleries—is pure pleasure.

The star of California’s coast is the “17 Mile Drive.” Widely called one of the most scenic panoramas in the world, this road follows the jagged Big Sur coast to the Del Monte Forest. Sweeping vistas unfold around every corner, from crashing surf on rocky shores to multi-million dollar homes hugging hillsides. And of course, one cannot visit northern California without laying eyes on its towering redwoods, which you can do during visits to Redwood National Park and Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

Long heralded as one of the most magnificent corners of the U.S., the Pacific Northwest offers an enriching blend of natural beauty and rich culture. If you want to get a sense of how much Oregonians love and respect the wilderness that surrounds them, just consider that Portland ranks high on the list of the most “green and livable” cities in the world. From here, an exploration of the Columbia River Gorge, an 80-mile-long twisting river canyon fed by plummeting waterfalls, takes the breath away. The lush, rugged Oregon coast and Crater National Park punctuate the state’s unrivalled natural diversity.

An entirely different landscape mesmerizes all who visit New Mexico, where starkly beautiful desert vistas have long inspired artists and craftspeople for generations. Glimpse the old Pueblo ways in Albuquerque at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and the Bandelier Monument, one of North America’s oldest settlements. In Taos, explore the streets of Taos Pueblo, a typical ancient village preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And get to know the life and works of the region’s most famous artist, Georgia O’Keefe, at her home known as Ghost Ranch and at Santa Fe’s renowned museum named for her.

Explore More of the Americas with Gate 1 Travel!

Convenience and ease … the unmatched value of our buying power … magnificent and awe-inspiring destinations … a comprehensive trip made all the more fascinating by our expert tour managers. If you’re planning to explore your own country in 2017 or 2018, then a Gate 1 Escorted Tour is your ticket to a trip unlike any other. Join us!

Small Group DiscoveriesUSA & Canada

Newfoundland & Labrador: A Rare and Undiscovered Treasure

on February 15, 2017

Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada’s most eastern province, has long danced to its own slow and lilting rhythm. Some 97% of its residents speak their own old-world language known as Newfoundland English. They also keep their own time zone (30 minutes ahead of the mainland). And as for that rhythm? Much of it is tinged with the fiddles, wooden flutes, banjos, Irish drums and accordions of Ireland, England and Scotland – part of a rich folk heritage that dates to the region’s immigrant population.

It’s easy to feel like you’ve left the rest of the world behind here, perhaps thanks to the island’s historic isolation, or perhaps because as its fishing villages grew into towns and cities, the locals had no intention of yielding their traditional ways and warm folksiness to modernity. This desire to preserve the unspoiled province extends beyond the cherished culture. The natural beauty of Newfoundland & Labrador is also well guarded – and rightly so, as it is among the most magnificent wilderness in North America.

From its remarkable history to its soaring and spectacular landscapes, this is a land like no other.

Witness a Maritime Culture Born from the Old World

The first Europeans to set foot on the island of Newfoundland were the Vikings. Leif Eriksson landed here at L’Anse aux Meadows around the year 1001, but their stay was short-lived. It was almost 500 years later, in 1497, that John Cabot received a charter from King Henry VII to “set up our banner on any new-found-land.” And so he did, at Cape Bonavista. Meanwhile, the Basque set up camps for fishing and the Portuguese arrived and claimed much of Labrador, after exploration by Joao Fernandes Lavrador. By 1583, Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed Newfoundland as England’s first possession in North America. As for the other European settlers, they gave in to the Crown.

It wasn’t long before settlers saw how thick the Atlantic waters were with cod and so fishing villages appeared all along the coast, many of which remain. The French returned to set up their own colonies and over the centuries fought the British for land and sea rights. As the island prospered, more immigrants arrived from Ireland and Scotland, infusing Newfoundland with their unique cultures. As for the French, they eventually acquired land on the island’s west coast, but gave it up in the early 20th century.

This brief bit of history goes to show precisely why there’s so much of the United Kingdom in Newfoundland & Labrador. Nations of the UK worked hard to establish themselves here and so the people of this remote province hold fast to ancestral traditions. For instance, relaxed and welcoming pubs are prominent fixtures, from the capital of St. Johns to the tiniest villages like Quidi Vidi. Locals, like generations before them, are obsessed with the weather and will gladly engage you in a discussion about the soft morning mist or the brilliant blue skies that cast the rugged terrain in a sharp light. And everywhere, you will experience the beauty of gentle rolling hills, sharply contoured mountains carved by glaciers and a deeply rooted connection to the sea.

Marvel at an Unspoiled Beauty, from Rocky Coasts to Soaring Peaks

You might suspect, upon witnessing it all for yourself, that this latter point is no small matter. The landscapes of Newfoundland & Labrador evoke a local nostalgia for the Old World. In Gros Morne National Park, the wide green plains rising up to rust-colored slopes may bring the Scottish Highlands to mind. In Witless Bay – the ecological reserve of four islands that is home to the largest Atlantic puffin colony in North America – the magnificent rocky headlands plummeting to roiling surf conjure images of the Emerald Isle. And tiny seaside fishing hamlets from Trinity to Bonavista, with their multi-colored huts and bobbing boats in snug harbors, may make you think that England has misplaced its Cornwall. You may not be surprised, then, that the Long Range Mountains that you’ll see here form part of a mountain range that was split millennia ago whose other half, like a long-separated twin, rises from Atlantic shores in Scotland.

But make no mistake: the beauty of Newfoundland & Labrador is singular and staggering. Deep-cut fjords wind their way inland through cliff-lined glacial valleys. Flat-topped and stalwart Tableland mountains, thousands of feet tall, afford stunning panoramas. Coastal lowlands are blanketed with boreal forest and fertile bog. And everywhere, generous amounts of pure, fresh air fill wide open spaces.

Such a quiet corner of the world steeped in authenticity is best explored in a small group, which is why Discovery Tours is so eager for you to join us. With so few of us traveling together, you can linger a while at a pretty cove, delve more deeply into the sights that interest you and take some time to chat with some of the most welcoming people you’re ever likely to meet.

Discover the rare beauty and rich culture of Canada’s easternmost province for yourself during a Gate 1 Travel tour!

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