Category: Small Group Discoveries

Indonesia
Asia & PacificSmall Group Discoveries

Indonesia: Where Two Worlds Meet

on May 22, 2017

Natural Wonders of Java and Bali Have a Mystical Side

If there’s one thing that stands supreme amidst all of Indonesia’s sumptuous beauty, it’s the volcano. Indonesia, after all, is its volcanoes. Lush rainforest, vast seas of sand, dense woodland, and the remarkable variety of wildlife … they were all borne from lava and ash. Indonesia’s islands – abundant, luxuriant, verdant, and so very respectful of their own beauty – are lucky and beautiful children.

Tanah Lot Indonesia

On Java and Bali – the two islands you’ll visit during Gate 1’s 15 Day Indonesia: Java & Bali guided tour – towering peaks form a spine near each island’s center. From these heights, green blankets of land flow to the sea, cradling tiny villages, vibrant cities, and oceanside havens along the way. It makes for a magnificent setting, and a rich lesson in how Javanese and Balinese people nurture their relationship with their Indian Ocean islands.

Calming the Spirits

To understand the Indonesians’ connection to their natural world, you need to know only one thing: many Balinese people (and many older tribes on Java) believe that objects in the natural world such as animals, plants, and mountains carry a spiritual essence. All things, therefore, possess their own power which can be used for good or for evil.

Lake Butar Indonesia

Nowhere is this spiritual notion more apparent than in the history of Indonesians’ relationships to the volcanoes. Sacrifices have long thought to appease the mountain gods that spew smoke from their crowns. Stories of human sacrifice are merely the stuff of legend, though devout locals do participate in pre-dawn hikes to craters so that they may sacrifice fruit, vegetables, rice, and livestock into the calderas.

Crops of the Gods

Volcanic soil makes for some of the most prolific farming. Certainly, Java and Bali have a huge bounty to show for their fortunate locale amidst this agricultural gold mine. Their economy in fact relies on this fertility; agriculture is the country’s second largest profit-maker after tourism. Throughout the countryside, farming terraces climb steep slopes and everywhere farmers work their land.

Indonesia Farming

But in many regions, it’s not the farmers who regulate irrigation to their terraces and paddy fields. It’s the priests. Crops here are fed by a water management system known as Subak, which is based on a Hindu philosophy of “Tri Hita Karana” that fosters a good relationship with God, with other people, and with the environment. Put simply, this system creates an intimate tie among farmers, communities, and their temples.

Though it might sound odd for a priest to regulate water distribution in a land with plenty of water, it’s helpful to remember that the infinite elements of nature – trees, fields, crops, even water itself – are spiritual beings. So who is better suited to negotiate the needs of the spirit world with the needs of the people? Subak remains a crucial part of Indonesia; because of it, the resulting cultural landscape on Bali has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Asia’s Amazon

For its natural beauty and rich wildlife, Indonesia is an unsung giant. It hails as the second most bio-diverse country on the planet, after Brazil. Dense forest covers about 60% of its land, much of it thriving with natural flora and fauna thanks to a combination of nutrient-rich earth and tropical climate. Its many islands – 17,508 of them, 11,500 of which are uninhabited by humans – further bolster a rich variety of species. As you might imagine, a healthy mix of Asian plants grow here, too, as Java and Bali were once connected to the mainland. We’re sure to spot some of them throughout our journey. However, more than a third of its 1,531 bird species and its 515 mammal species are endemic to these islands. Only Australia can claim a larger percentage than this.

Ubud Bali Indonesia

With 50,000 miles of coastline in this archipelago nation, natural diversity also takes to the waters. Varied ecosystems – beach, sand dune, mangrove, coral reef, and others – support more than 1,650 species of coral reef fish. This is one of the greatest varieties on the planet, and it earned Indonesia membership in the Coral Triangle, sometimes known as the “Amazon of the Seas.”

Paradise on earth. It’s a phrase often used to describe Java and Bali. But their magnificent beauty goes deeper than this. In Indonesia, the natural world is also the spirit world, and vice versa. And the real beauty lies in the people’s respect for them both, and in what passes between them. Our Discovery Tours small groups bring you close enough to experience it all firsthand.

You can learn more about our Gate 1’s 15 Day Indonesia: Java & Bali guided tour here. To browse Gate 1’s Southeast Asia itinerary, click here.

Asia & PacificSmall Group Discoveries

It’s All About the Rice

on May 19, 2017

Indonesia is the third largest producer of rice in the world, growing up to 50 million tons per year in the last decade. The average Indonesian consumes 441 pounds annually. But if rice is the star of most of this country’s meals, its various side dishes play delicious supporting roles. And what a cast … with 6,000 populated islands, Indonesia’s cuisine is hugely diverse. What’s more, the archipelago’s Spice-Islands reputation keeps today’s meals flavorful.

Ayam Penyet means “flattened chicken,” and it could be the tastiest bird you’ll ever eat. Preparation is simple: after marinating the pounded chicken in spices, it is fried to crispy, golden perfection. It is often served with plain steamed rice, sambal (see below), and vegetables.

Bakso is often found in street markets, a hearty meatball soup with noodles, tofu, chili, crisply onion, and sweet soy sauce. The meatballs might be made from beef, chicken, fish, or a combination of the three.

Cap Cai takes its inspiration from Chinese cuisine. The vegetable stir fry might consist of cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, onion, chili peppers, and mushrooms – all fried up with a dash of soy sauce. Some versions might include chicken or shrimp. Simple steamed rice is often served on the side.

Nasi Goring is a simple and wholesome meal of steamed rice fried with chili, shrimp paste, onion, garlic, and soy sauce. The beauty of this dish is its versatility; most anything can enhance it, from meats to eggs to cucumbers. Variations are found by region, from pale and mild to rich and spicy.

Otak Otak combines minced fish, lemongrass, kadok leaves, ginger, lime leaves, turmeric, eggs, coconut milk, and seasoning in banana leaves. That succulent package is then steamed or grilled over an open fire.

Sambal is actually a condiment, but it is on virtually every Indonesian table. Many dishes simply aren’t complete without this saucy combination of chiles, shrimp paste, lime juice, sugar, and salt.

Soto varies in its preparation by region. It is typically a mild soup of herbs, coconut milk, and either chicken or beef. Compressed cubes of rice (nasi himpit) might be served with it. Some parts of the country have spicier versions.

Tempe, though often used as an ingredient in other dishes, might be served on its own as a protein-rich substitute for meat. Its nutty flavor is enhanced when marinated in spices, lime juice, and turmeric, then fried.

Enjoy the diverse cuisine of Indonesia on our Discovery Tours’ Indonesia: Java & Bali small group tour!

Asia & PacificSmall Group Discoveries

Connecting the Dots: a Trio of Javanese Temples

on May 15, 2017

In the muted, ephemeral light of a Javanese full moon, they walk. They lay flowers and light candles among ancient stone temples. It is the noble life they contemplate and with every step they resolve to follow the revered Five Precepts, a set of Buddhist commandments against theft, infidelity, lying, intoxication, and doing harm to other living beings. Morality, simplicity, and humility guide them.

This is Indonesia’s Waisak celebration, considered Buddha’s Birthday even though it encompasses the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. The world over, the holiday is celebrated by Buddhists during the full moon of May or June – in Myanmar, China, Tibet, Thailand, and beyond. In Indonesia, it is commemorated with this magical and ritualistic stroll among a trio of temples built during the ninth-century Sailendra dynasty: the Mendut, Pawon, and Borobudur.

There’s no secret about what makes this temple-to-temple walk so magical. Its setting, on Java’s elevated Kedu Plain, between two twin volcanoes and two rivers, casts a spell on visitors of any religious persuasion. But there’s something else at work here – something beyond the pure physical beauty – and it’s been a source of mystery among the devout and among scholars. These aren’t just any temples: they were positioned along a perfectly straight line. And no one knows why.

Even locals can only guess. One legend has it that a brick road – enclosed by a wall on either side – once connected these three holy sites. Whatever the true story, their similar architecture and ornamentation first confirm that all three temples were built around the same time. Second, they may have symbolized the sacred unity of Buddhism. They may have even played a ritualistic role under a full moon, similar to the one that draws pilgrims here still today.

All told, pilgrims walk about three kilometers (just under two miles). The first two temples on their route are fairly modest in size, but elaborate in adornment. At Mendut, the small building is surrounded by a terrace, created for pradakshina, the circumambulating ritual of walking clockwise around a divine site. Animal stories and Buddhist divinities are carved into the exterior stonework and three statues sit upon thrones within. The small temple of Pawon, the second on the journey, is considered a “jewel of Javanese temple architecture” for its simplicity, symmetry, and harmony. Carvings of the tree of life (or kalpataru, said to fulfill all desires) decorate the walls alongside divine Buddhist beings.

Compared to the single-chamber buildings of Mendut and Pawon, Borobudur is a vast spiritual palace whose name means “holy building on a hill.” Indeed, with its multiple tiers – the bottom six are square and the top three are circular – it is the largest Buddhist monument in the world, constructed from two million blocks of stone. From the air, this complex resembles a colossal mandala. Remarkably, more than 2,600 bas-relief panels and 500 Buddha statues adorn the site. Once pilgrims arrive at this breathtaking spot, they know their journey is just beginning. A path surrounds the temple and leads them through an elaborate network of stairs and corridors. As they ascend the temple, they pass through three stages of mental preparation: Kamadhatu (the world of desires), Rupadhatu (the world of forms), and, at the top, Arupadhatu (the world of formlessness). Along the way, the story of the Buddhist divinity Sudhana is told in 1,460 carved panels. It is a journey at once historic and uplifting.

You can explore Mendut, Pawon, and Borobudur for yourself during Discovery Tours’ Indonesia: Java & Bali adventure.

Latin AmericaSmall Group Discoveries

Mexico’s Magnificent Mayan Treasures

on April 26, 2017

Deep in the dense jungles of Mesoamerica, an advanced civilization emerged 4,000 years ago. Its architectural and cultural achievements have been compared to those of ancient Egypt, Greece and China – with many advances occurring simultaneously as those of its overseas counterparts. Intriguing? To be sure. And visiting the ruins of these mysterious societies is more captivating still. And so we invite you to explore the vestiges of the Maya with Gate 1 Travel.

Mayans are believed to have developed the first writing system in the pre-Columbian Americas. Art, architecture, mathematics, and a calendar and astronomical system were also central to their culture. The structure of complex societies and organized agriculture predates the construction of cities, but once stones started being quarried for temples, palaces and other buildings, the Mayans went on a building spree. In your small group, you’ll visit four of the most significant and remarkable ruins.

Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, could well be the most famous and spectacular of ancient Mayan cities. Developed late in the arc of Mayan history, between 800 and 1200 AD, its many architectural styles suggest that it had a diverse population. As it grew in size, it also grew in reputation, gaining a place as one of the great mythical cities cited in Mesoamerican writing.

The city was a collection of temples, ball courts, several platforms, a steam bath, and many residences that fan out from the center. Parts of the city are connected by sacbes, or raised causeways that served as footpaths. Also central to Chichen Itza were the several cenotes, or sink holes, that still today are typical of the Yucatan Peninsula. These holes were often quite deep and took on religious significance to locals as they were believed to be portals to the gods of the earth. Sacrifices of gold, jewels and even humans were made to them.

But the centerpiece of Chichen Itza is El Castillo, a magnificent step pyramid also known as the Temple of Kukulkan, the feathered serpent deity whose carved figures can be seen at the temple’s base. Each of the four sides has 91 steps which, when totaled with the “final step” (the temple’s uppermost platform) add up to 365, the number of days in the Mayan calendar system.

The ancient city of Palenque is not as famous as Chichen Itza, but it should be. The mysteries of this UNESCO World Heritage Site have enthralled scholars since its discovery in 1773. Hundreds of buildings are strewn across the jungle that had once swallowed the city whole. Temples, stucco pyramids, funerary structures, a grand palace, intricate bas reliefs, towers, courtyards, and other buildings that mystify archaeologists and are therefore simply given a generic name and number, such as “Structure XII.”

The largest structure is the Temple of the Inscription, a step pyramid built as a funerary tomb for K’inich Janaab’ Pakal, who ruled for 70 years in the 7th century. Scholars flocked to this pyramid when it was discovered that it held many keys to the ancient Maya. Rich and revealing hieroglyphics were found on interior tablets expressing the idea that past events will be repeated on the same date in some future year, a uniquely Mayan notion that often reasserts itself in today’s culture. Inside the tomb, the great ruler was found wearing a death mask made of jade.

In Uxmal, a vast array of structures reflect the dominant building fashion of the Maya. Its most celebrated building, the Governor’s Palace, is a low structure built atop a large platform. It features 20,000 stones carved to resemble fine lace and boasts the longest façade of any Mesoamerican structure. The site’s tallest and most magnificent creation is the Pyramid of the Magician. Its smooth steep surface, rounded corners, and elliptical base set it apart from other pyramids.

Uxmal was remarkably preserved over the centuries, thanks in large part to the well-cut stones that the original builders used. It is second only to Palenque for the elegance of its square-built buildings and its layout. If you want to get a clear sense of a ceremonial center in the Mayan world, visit Uxmal.

Ek Balam is one of largest Mayan ruins in Mexico.  Elaborate statues, grand architecture, and intricate stucco facades reveal much about this once-mighty city. The most impressive site at Ek Balam is its Acropolis, a six-story ancient behemoth at 525 feet long, 230 feet wide, and 96 feet tall. Within, archaeologists discovered 72 rooms and El Trono, or “The Throne,” the temple and burial site of the king Ukit Kan Le’k Tok’. And just so his people would always remember how powerful he was, the doorway to the temple resembles the open mouth of a jaguar or, some say, a monster carved there in order to protect the underworld.

Mayan ruins have many stories to tell and many mysteries to unveil. Many visitors are surprised by their size and breadth, which is why a small group adventure is the perfect way to explore them. Join Discovery Tours—and an expert guide seasoned in Mayan history and archaeology—and uncover the mysteries of Mexico’s Mayan ruins for yourself during our fascinating Mexico’s Mayan & Aztec Illumination.

Latin AmericaSmall Group Discoveries

Witness Mayan Ingenuity Firsthand

on April 25, 2017

Though Mayan civilization lasted for more than two millennia, starting around 2000 BC, it reached its technological and cultural zenith from 300 AD to 900 AD. Like the ancient Egyptians and Greeks before them, Mayans built vast cities, developed complex societies, and worshipped multiple gods. They were among the first cultures in the Americas to do so, and their legacies live on still today. When you join Discovery Tours’ Mexico’s Mayan & Aztec Illumination, you’ll stroll in the footsteps of the brilliant Mayan minds who laid the foundation for civilization in the Americas.

There was no one ruler in the Mayan world. Rather, the empire was divided into many fiefdoms, each one ruled by a king. The king had a straight line of communication to the maize god and his enthronement was celebrated with a lavish affair. The royal seat was always passed down the paternal line, from father to eldest son. Their society is known to have comprised a noble, middle, and commoner class.

What the royals oversaw was truly monumental for its day. Mayan urban centers have been called one of the great preindustrial civilizations of the world. Of course, the construction of massive temples and other sites was a gargantuan task by itself— quarrying, carving, lifting, and assembling massive stones without the advantage of modern-day machinery. But there was another new concept that had to be invented and developed for it all to come together—namely, project management. Specialization of craft, a centrally controlled organization, and having the political clout to call together a massive work force were as important as the rocks used to build the cities.

As cities grew, the need for communication increased. The Mayan writing system was an extraordinary achievement whose roots took hold somewhere between 300 and 200 BC. Of the dozen or so scripts that developed in Mesoamerica, theirs was the most sophisticated and advanced. It is believed that no more than 500 symbols were in use at any given time; these symbols represented entire words (a jaguar head represented the jaguar, for instance) or represented syllables that, when combined, expressed a word.

Numbers, too, found expression in the Mayan world. Using a “base 20” system (compared to our “base 10”), Mayan numerals were similar to Roman numerals: That is, a dot (“•”) represented “1” and a bar (“—“) represented “5.” Dots were written on top of the bar. So “12,” for instance, was written as two dots side-by-side on top of two bars. The symbology of higher numbers increased in complexity.

This number system played a crucial role in the Mayan calendar. One of the era’s most sophisticated, it recorded lunar and solar cycles, eclipses, and even the movement of planets—all with startling accuracy. Rather than counting 30 (or 31) days in each month, the Mayans counted 20 days (or k’in) in each winal. A year, then (or tun), consisted of 18 winal, which totaled 360 days, followed by a 5-day period known as the wayeb.

Marvel at the ingenuity of the Mayans firsthand during our Mexico’s Mayan & Aztec Illumination small group adventure.

 

Latin AmericaSmall Group Discoveries

10 Surprising Facts About Magnificent Mexico City

on April 19, 2017

A major cultural Renaissance is overtaking Mexico City, Mexico’s unsung capital. Public spaces have been revitalized. Mexican cuisine is gaining international recognition. Innumerable museums celebrate its long history and burgeoning arts and culture. And traditional cantinas are opening their doors with a warm welcome. It is a surprising city in so many ways, with the magnificent historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, at its center. We invite you to uncover some of its countless surprises with a Gate 1 Travel escorted tour.

  • The major cultural center of Mexico, Mexico City is home to 160 museums, the greatest metropolitan concentration in the world. More than 100 art galleries and 30 concert halls host a vibrant arts scene.
  • Mexico City’s setting is stunning. It rests at an altitude of 7,350 feet, on a high plateau in the Valley of Mexico. Dramatic mountains encircle the city, which lies at the geographic center of the nation.
  • No city, not even those in Spain, is home to more Spanish-speaking residents.
  • It is the oldest capital city in the Americas, founded as Tenochtitlan on an island in Lake Texcoco by the Aztecs in 1325. When the Spanish arrived in 1519, it was the largest capital in the world.
  • Teotihuacán was the political and social capital of Mesoamerica before the Aztecs arrived. The eight-square-mile city, built between 100 BC and 250 AD and preserved today as historic ruins, is home to the second largest pyramid in the world, the Pyramid of the Sun.
  • In the mid-19th century, Austrian Maximilian I ruled the Mexican Empire as emperor. Today’s Paseo de la Reforma, the long and elegant boulevard lined with embassies and monuments, was fashioned by him after the Champs Élysées in Paris.
  • The capital’s enormous zócalo, or main square, is the second largest in the world after Moscow’s Red Square.
  • The magnificent Metropolitan Cathedral, the largest in the Americas, was built upon the ruins of a major Aztec temple.
  • The modern-designed National Museum of Anthropology is home to the Aztec Calendar Stone. A 24-ton circular stone more than 11 feet in diameter. The most recognized piece of Aztec sculpture, it is believed to have been carved around the turn of the 16th century to serve a religious or political purpose, or to simply track the passing of days, weeks and months.
  • The splendid murals within the 17th-century National Palace were painted by renowned Mexican painter Diego Rivera. They depict Mexican civilization from its ancient Aztec origins to its post-revolutionary period and took the artist 22 years to complete.
Latin AmericaSmall Group Discoveries

Mexico’s Colonial Jewels

on April 14, 2017

For an engaging and colorful experience rich in culture and heritage, Mexico’s colonial cities offer elegant architecture, lively music, expansive plazas, endless hospitality, and Spanish colonial beauty of every sort. In a Discovery Tours small group, you will trace the Camino Real, the route once used by early Spanish traders to transport silver and other treasures between their new cities and, ultimately, to Spain. It’s a fascinating journey, with an array of remarkable destinations:

Valladolid: The Magical City

The first capital of the Yucatan, Valladolid was named in the 1500s for the then-capital of Spain. The town was originally settled on a lagoon nearer the ocean, a location which, when combined with high humidity, resulted in mosquito infestations. Seeking permanent relief from the bugs, the settlers moved the capital to today’s location, building it atop an old Mayan town.

Today, provincial Valladolid is known by many names. This “Sultaness of the East” has been voted one of Mexico’s Pueblos Mágicos, or “magical villages.” It’s a distinction bestowed on it, along with other cities, for its unique combination of great natural beauty, cultural riches and historic importance. It’s easy to understand the illustrious honor: Row upon row of sun-soaked, pastel-hued historic buildings line the streets, leading to the vast, rose-colored Templo de San Bernardino. Handicraft markets are easy to spot. And the area’s cenotes, dramatic sinkholes that have formed thanks to a lack of streams and rivers, are celebrated and even worshipped here.

Merida: Still a City of the Maya

The largest city on the peninsula and today’s capital of the Yucatan, Merida is unique for its population: More than half its population is of Mayan descent, which infuses the local culture with traditions that pre-date the Spanish conquest. The influence of the ancients is even in its buildings, as carved Mayan stones were used to build churches and public buildings.

Grand family mansions line these streets, particularly along the Paseo de Montejo. The cathedral is a stunning specimen seemingly plucked from Spain with its Romanesque and Moorish touches. The Iglesia de la Tercera Orden is a vision in white limestone. And the Palacio de Gobierno, or Governor’s Palace boasts an arcaded front and lushly painted interior murals.

Campeche: Colonial Harbor City

When you visit Campeche, you may be among the lucky few who have it to yourself. This seaside city is overlooked by most travelers, and that’s a shame; it is one of Mexico’s most authentic and inviting colonial centers. Within its compact walled Old Town, multi-colored buildings are perfectly restored and mansions of the well-to-do from centuries past perfectly preserved. Its ambiance is so far removed from the dusty and run-down expectations we have of an historic city, Campeche seems like a manufactured version of itself. But it is very real, and very welcoming.

Puebla: The City of Angels

A remarkable blend of strident colonialism and relaxed, modern-day mores, Puebla offers a new surprise at every turn. Some 70 churches line the streets and plazas of the historic center, an astonishing number. Among them, the city’s Cathedral is so impressive and revered that it appears on Mexico’s M$500 bill. Even more astonishing, more than 1,000 colonial buildings are here, each adorned with decorative ceramic tiles for which the city is known.

We invite you to explore Mexico’s colonial jewels in the best way possible—with a Gate 1 Travel escorted tour!

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.

Small Group Discoveries

Ireland’s Beloved Patrick: From Slave to Saint

on March 17, 2017

Like Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day in much of the world has evolved into a day of celebration that may not exactly befit the man that it honors. Where December 25 has its commercialism and flying reindeer, St. Patrick’s Day has its green beer and leprechauns. Of course, it was unlikely that Patrick added food coloring to his ale and very likely that the sight of little men dressed in green would have sent him reaching for his cross in prayer.

Underneath all the pomp of St. Patty’s Day, what are people celebrating? You might not know it from all that lager pouring from pub spigots across the land, but March 17 is the date that St. Patrick died.

St. Patrick—a fifth-century Christian missionary turned bishop—is considered the “Apostle of Ireland.” He was born in Britain when it was part of the Roman Empire. At 16 years old, he was taken captive by Irish pirates and brought to Ireland as a slave. For six years, he herded and tended sheep, but also learned the Irish language and culture. He survived the ordeal through prayer, and when he heard a voice tell him that a ship was waiting to take him home, he escaped to a port that was 200 miles away.

Some versions of the legend tell us that he was captured again during this journey and held in Tours, France, for 60 days. But his imprisonment doesn’t seem all that bad as it’s said that this is where he learned about the contemplative monastic life from local monks. Another version says that his ship successfully landed on England’s shores, whereupon he and an entourage trekked through the harsh wilderness for 28 days. Regardless of the story you believe, the devout seem to all agree that he soon saw a vision of St. Victoricus—the bishop of Rouen who had died in the previous century—urging him to return to Ireland with God’s message.

When he arrived, controversy brought his finances and motives into question, but he remained unwavering in his faith and dedication. His earlier captivities served him well here. He was fluent in Ireland’s language and culture and had immersed himself in monasticism. With these experiences guiding him, he founded more than 300 churches and baptized over 100,000 people. To the astonishment of many, some of his conversions were sons of kings; he even persuaded wealthy women from elite circles to become nuns. Whispers of scandal followed him, largely because he refused all association with the reigning royalty. On one occasion, he was beaten, robbed, and put in chains to await execution.

Still, he prevailed. One surprising tool he used in his teaching was the modest little shamrock—the three-leaf clover. For him, it illustrated the Holy Trinity in the simplest and purest manner. Three entities could live in one God, he told his followers, in the same way these three tiny leaves could live in one plant. His teaching was so effective because the number three was also revered in the pagan religion. So it turned out that the modest little shamrock had been held as sacred long before Patrick arrived.

The significance of St. Patrick to Irish people all over the world has changed over time. Though he arrived as a Christian, he later became associated with indigenous religious identities, too, transforming him into a kind of hybrid spiritual figure. Today, Catholic Ireland embraces him as its patron saint and Irish Catholics everywhere revere him, as evidenced by the many cathedrals named for him. More than this, he has come to symbolize Irish national identity—a patron worth raising a pint of green beer to with a hearty toast.

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