EuropeGate 1 ConnectionsMediterranean

The Irresistible Allure of Greece

on September 21, 2017

The Cradle of Civilization Is as Magnificent as Ever

It is no secret that Greece has long danced to its own rhythm. One would expect nothing less from the place where western civilization itself was born. From poetry to philosophy, from democracy to drama, all the major disciplines that formed the building blocks of how we live today were created here during an ancient renaissance of arts, science and critical thinking.

Greece remains one of the most beautiful and sought-after places on earth. How could it not? Its intense mountain and coastal beauty, dotted with colonnaded temples and awash in Aegean sun, are the stuff of every traveler’s dreams. Its lively culture, punctuated with dance and fabulous Mediterranean cuisine, engages the most stoic visitor. And its ancient monuments, proudly perched amidst cities, mountains and island vistas, have endured millennia of change. Dare we say, they will continue to do so. As for the Greeks themselves, they take hospitality to be god-given, just like their ancient ancestors. To them, warmth and kindness are divine rights that everyone deserves. They are as welcoming as ever, their spirit soaring and their doors and arms wide open, and their tables overflowing with fresh, delicious fare. And speaking of Greek dining …

Fresh, Mediterranean Cuisine at Every Table

Greece is world famous for its simple food. The Mediterranean diet has certainly won praise for its proven health benefits. Local dishes exude the steadfast character of their origins – fava in Santorini, amygdalota in Mykonos, cheese pie with honey in Crete. But no matter where you visit, you’ll encounter the pleasures of freshly baked breads and a bounty of vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and zucchinis. To Greeks, food is a celebration best served as saganaki, a fried cheese; souvlaki, grilled meat on a skewer; moussaka, a meat and eggplant casserole; and fried octopus – all enhanced with that crisp Greek olive oil. To wash it all down, uncork a bottle of an up and coming wine grown in the country’s diverse terroir. The flavors and notes of Greek wines is so unique that 72% of its vintages that were entered into the Decanter World Wine Awards received a prize, 3 of them gold and 50 of them silver.

Civilization’s Cradle

Just as Athens is the Cradle of Civilization, it is also the central focus of many trips to Greece. Its Acropolis stands gloriously atop its hill like a beacon in the Grecian sun, as if shining down upon the modern-day city that it shaped. So many elements of civilization were born here—democracy, philosophy, arts—that it’s impossible to not be moved when you are surrounded by its temples and admiring its masterfully preserved Parthenon. Much of the site and its relics (as well as artifacts from Greek antiquity worldwide) are beautifully illuminated by a visit to the National Archaeological Museum. Indeed, it is considered one of the great museums of the world.

The legacy of the ancients lives far and wide, of course. But it’s especially poignant to witness the houses of democracy in the city of its birth, from the President’s residence to Constitution Square. And when it’s time for a relaxing stroll, the intimate streets of the shop-lined Plaka district at the base of Acropolis Hill invite you to explore.

The Pleasures of the Peloponnese

A 19th-century engineering marvel separates the mainland from the Peloponnese Peninsula. The Corinth Canal, which opened in 1893, was literally carved out of solid rock. It had long been a dream of the ancients to connect the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf; construction efforts date as far back as the 1st century AD. Today, the sculpted gorge is sheer-faced and dramatic.

The rustic Peloponnese Peninsula—to the west of metropolitan Athens—boasts a rich past of its own. Perhaps most famously, the first Olympic Games were held here, in Olympia. They were first staged in honor of the god Zeus, whose temple is still impressive despite that it lies in ruins. Nearby, the hillside city of Nauplion, with its stunning setting on the azure waters of the Argolic Gulf, was the capital of the First Hellenic Republic and a coveted city of many royal houses. Its cobbled streets and stone buildings with multi-hued shutters date back centuries. Two castles add to its scenic splendor: The Venetian Bourtzi sits in the middle of the harbor and the hilltop Palamidi offers dramatic views of the town. In the second millennium BC, however, it was Mycenae that held sway over southern Greece. This major center of ancient civilization was defended by a solid stone fortress whose ruins whisper of sieges past.

Stunning Places of Worship and Wonder

North of the Peloponnese, Delphi attracted countless devout worshipers in ancient times. Legend recalls that a high priestess delivered prophecies here in a highly agitated state. It was believed that the gods were speaking through her, but today scientists suspect it was the vapors rising from a chasm below the temple that put her in an altered state. Today, Delphi still inspires awe, albeit more from its natural setting than from its incantations. This vast complex includes the Temple of Apollo, the Delphi and Tholos temples and a huge amphitheater—all of it surrounded by soaring mountain slopes.

More sources of inspiration are perched high on sandstone pillars in the town of Kalambaka in Greece’s central plains. Here, the six Eastern Orthodox monasteries of Meteora (translated as “in the heavens above”) are perched atop naturally formed rock towers averaging 1,000 feet above sea level. When they were originally built starting in the 14th century, they could only be reached by a harrowing climb up a rope ladder. These incredible structures must be seen to be believed.

The Aegean of Your Dreams

The Greek Islands find their way into every traveler’s dreams. Blue church domes and rustic windmills rise from a cluster of whitewashed villages that cling to hillsides. Sleepy cobbled streets lead to inviting squares and cafés where you can while away an afternoon over grape leaves and ouzo. Time slows down in the Aegean, and Gate 1’s island itineraries help you do the same in a magnificent setting, from the glittering Cyclades to the historic Dodecanese archipelagos.

The small island of Mykonos could be the most famed of the Greek Islands. Along the coast and amidst its hilly interior, white villages with blue doorways and rounded, thatched-roof windmills dot the landscape. Its labyrinthine tiny streets are a delight to explore and its sandy white beaches were surely made for basking.

Santorini is one of the most romantic islands. Its volcanic origins have given it beaches of white, red, and black sand. It is truly an otherworldly landscape of dramatic rock formations and lunar-like terrain. Its fascinating Bronze Age archeological site of Akrotiri opened recently, giving fascinating insight into primitive life here. Surprisingly, Santorini is one of Greece’s most prolific wine producers, as you’ll learn if you visit a local winery.

Vineyards also dot the landscape of Paros. All varieties of beaches line this pretty island’s shores, from tiny hidden bays to long swathes of golden sand. Gentle, terraced vine-laden hills and olive groves undulate over the island. The vibrant blue of Naoussa Bay plays host to fishing boats in cheery colors, a lovely sight against the waterside whitewash of the village.

Crete stands as the largest and most diverse of the Greek Islands. In addition to endless beauty and stunning beaches, tiny villages and agrarian settlements hold fast to tradition here. Medieval fortresses lord over the coast. Snow-covered peaks spill toward dramatic gorges that pour mountain-fed water into the sea. Crete is also home to large cities brimming with rich culture. But its historic touch-point is Knossos, an ancient palace complex dating to 1900 BC. This remarkable site is considered the oldest city in all of Europe. According to legend, King Minos kept his mythical son Minotaur in a labyrinth here.

These four islands offer just a taste of the Aegean’s magnificence. Select Gate 1 itineraries also call on the Cyclades Island of Milos and the Dodecanese Islands of Patmos and Rhodes, where a beautifully preserved medieval city and the sprawling Grand Masters Palace overlook the glimmering sea.

So Many Ways to Experience Greece with Gate 1 Travel

A country as diverse as Greece opens itself up to limitless exploration. Gate 1 offers an array of travel styles so you can take in the rich and colorful Aegean culture your way. Our classic Escorted Tours showcase the best of the country for you, with a generous array of inclusions and the services of a local Greek Tour Manager. For the free-spirited, choose one of our Independent Vacations, which provide your basic necessities like flights and hotels and leave you to follow your own whims.

If the magical Greek Islands call to you, choose an itinerary that combines land touring with overnight accommodations on a small ship. And if you’d rather rub elbows with locals, some of our hotel-based trips let you island-hop on local ferries, for a truly authentic experience.

The Perfect Time to See Greece Is Now

The timeless antiquities, spectacular beauty and warm welcomes of Greece are to be savored. And you can do just that in a relaxed and hospitable atmosphere, guided every step of the way by our Greek Tour Managers who know their country inside-out. Join us in 2018 and experience it all for yourself, at the value you’d expect, with Gate 1 Travel.

Join Gate 1 Travel in Greece! Follow these links to our exciting Greece Tours and Greek Island Cruises. Or call to reserve, 1-800-682-3333!

EuropeMediterraneanSmall Group DiscoveriesTravel Tips

Curious Facts about Greece

on September 20, 2017

When we think of Greece, we quickly picture the Acropolis perched upon its rocky outcropping overlooking the city below. Or the azure domes of the Greek Islands hovering over whitewashed buildings. These sweeping views stir the soul. But when you look behind these magnificent canvases, a more intimate picture emerges, offering rich insight into the day to day details that make Greece so unique. Herein, we offer a collection of interesting facts – just the type that a Discovery Tours small group is likely to reveal.

Greece Through the Ages

  • Ancient Greece comprised about 1,500 city-states called poleis, each of which had its own laws and army. Athens was the largest. Poleis sometimes went to war with one another, and some of these conflicts were chronicled in classic works of literature that are still read today.
  • The Olympic Games debuted in Greece in 776 BC. Its first champion was a modest cook by the name of Coroebus; he won the sprint. During each Olympics, 100 bulls were sacrificed to Zeus.
  • Some of Greece’s olive trees have been producing the coveted fruit here since the 13th century.
  • Many doors, church domes and windowsills are painted a turquoise blue shade that is locally called kyanos. It has been believed for centuries that this color keeps evil spirits away, which might explain why the word “cyanide” is named for the color.

Greece’s Splendid Geography

  • About 80% of the country is mountainous, and it has no navigable rivers.
  • Every geographic spot in Greece is within just 85 miles of water. The country has 9,000 miles of coastline.
  • Of the more than 2,000 islands under the Greek flag, 170 of them are populated.
  • Greece enjoys 250 days of sunshine a year.

Today’s Greece

  • More travelers visit Greece each year than there are Greek citizens living there.
  • If you don’t cast your vote on Election Day in Greece, you’re breaking the law. All citizens 18 years and older are required to go to the ballot box.
  • Around 7% of the world’s produced marble comes from Greece.
  • Birthdays in Greece are not given much thought; rather, people celebrate the “name day” of the saint for whom they are named.
  • It is considered rude to wave in Greece with the fingers extended; rather, Greeks wave with the palm closed.
  • The blue color of the Greek flag stands for the sea and the sky; the white represents the purity of the Greek struggle for freedom.
  • Despite its poor soils, the island of Santorini produces some of the country’s most popular wines. Vines are grown unstaked and kept low to the ground in a basket shape. Huddled close to the earth, the grapes are thus protected from fierce winds and heat.

Get the insider’s view in a Discovery Tours small group during our Greece, The Birthplace of Civilization tour.

Asia & PacificSmall Group Discoveries

Malaysia’s Magnificent Capital: Kuala Lumpur

on September 15, 2017

It doesn’t take long to understand why Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s robust capital, is one of the most visited cities in the world. First, there is its remarkable diversity—a mix of Mughal, Moorish, Tudor, Neo-Gothic, Asian, Islamic and modern architecture. Then there are its charming shophouses, historic and colorful two-story structures in which merchants once sold wares on the ground floor and lived on the second with his family. As for culture, the city is awash with arts, from dance to sculpture and painting. But rising above it all is the city’s main draw and glittering centerpiece—the Petronas Twin Towers, soaring postmodern skyscrapers resembling a pair of rockets preparing for liftoff.

It is a spectacular achievement that a city so young could develop so quickly. KL, as it is sometimes called, was founded by a Malay chief with help from Chinese tin miners around 1857. Back then, just a few houses and shops lined the jungle-dense shores where the Sungai Gombak and Sungai Klang Rivers meet. (To give you an idea of the city’s modest beginnings, its name translates into “muddy confluence of rivers”). The British ruled from the late 1800s, overseeing railway construction and spurring rapid growth. The harvesting of rubber in the early 1900s—used primarily to outfit the newly invented automobile—bolstered the city’s wealth and vitality further. Kuala Lumpur, except during the stagnant Japanese occupation during World War II, became an economic force, unbridled even more by its independence in 1957.

Today, Kuala Lumpur is unlike any other city in the world. This dizzying metropolis is renowned for its emerald-draped parklands dotted with banyan trees, gleaming skyline that conceals gigantic shopping malls, reverent mosques and temples, and sizzling street food served amidst incense-laced markets. One could say that KL is many things to many people, a rich amalgam where tradition and custom remain very much alive despite the pull of modern technology.

EuropeSmall Group Discoveries

Provence: Rustic and Irresistible

on August 28, 2017

Deep in the heart of Southern France, tidy stone-cut villages straddle limestone hills … lush vineyards drape over vast fields like emerald blankets … fertile farms produce heavenly cheeses, honey, olive oil, herbs, and other bounties … and unspoiled delta plains host rural farms, droves of wild white horses, and some of the last true cowboys in Europe. This is France’s unrivalled Provence region, where man and nature seamlessly converge into a rich and symbiotic culture of breathtaking and bucolic beauty. And there is no more rewarding way to experience it than in a Discovery Tours small group during our new Treasures of Provence trip.

The Untouched Wild of the Camargue

Near Arles, before the legendary Rhone River spills into the Mediterranean, it fans out into countless tendril-like waterways and forms one of Europe’s most magnificent delta systems. This vast untamed region is the Camargue, a spectacular 570 square miles of pastures, lagoons, wetlands, and salt flats that hosts some 400 species of birds, including the wondrous pink flamingo. Bird lovers and nature enthusiasts alike revel in the endless horizons, silent stillness, and clean air of this beloved preserve.

Perhaps one of the most magical residents of the Camargue is the wild white horse. One of the oldest horse breeds in the world, the Camargue horse is believed to have thrived here for thousands of years. Most are wild, but some have tamed by les gardians, the local cowboys who herd the black long-horned bull and sheep. Their ranches are among the only residences in the largely undeveloped area; some date back hundreds of years and embody a generations-old tradition of living off the land.

Remarkable Villages Cut from the Earth

Farther north, another seductive pocket of French landscapes and village culture beckons. The Luberon came into popular renowned with the publication of Peter Mayles’ A Year in Provence. The hilltop medieval villages that he so lovingly depicted as he renovated his farmhouse are all here. Many of them, rightly so, have been officially named among the “Most Beautiful Villages of France.”

Mayles lived in Ménerbes among its narrow cobbled warrens and dramatic vistas. Perched on a hillside in the foothills of the French Alps, this precious hamlet is surrounded by cherry orchards and vineyards and has been compared to a great ship floating in a sea of vines. Two of its most prominent sites—the miniature citadel fortress and the Chateau du Castellet—are spectacular to behold.

The village of Gordes clings to the southern slopes of Monts de Vaucluse. This medieval fortified town, a marvelous patchwork of gray and white stone houses, is crowned by a magnificent Renaissance castle and was once a powerful stronghold of wealth and power. Wandering its calades, the local name given to its streets paved with stone, is pure pleasure as shaded intimate alleyways open up to fantastic views of the Luberon hills. Nearby, the gray-stone Sénanque Abbey is one of Provence’s most popular sites, especially in June and July when the lavender rows are in full bloom, lending a soothing color and fragrance.

Another Provençal gem, the pretty “red village” of Roussillon has lured artists for centuries. Little wonder, with the way its brilliant ochre shades contrast with the surrounding green forests of pines and oaks. Its fiery red cliffs, oddly found nowhere else in the Luberon, seem to have given rise to the sienna-stone buildings that climb up the hillside. You can stroll the former ochre quarries from where the stone was harvested, aptly known as the Sentier de Ocres, or the Ochre Path.

To view the first Renaissance castle to be built in Provence, you will visit Lourmarin. This stunning golden-hued stone village is not on a hilltop at all, but nestled in a combe, or valley, between the Grand Luberon Mountains and the Petit Luberon. Its Mediterranean-style climate lures visitors year-round, as its many outdoor café terraces attest. The village is renowned for its sophistication and relaxed air, and as the last residence of legendary writer Albert Camus.

Uncover the Beauty of Provence with Discovery Tours

The irresistible allure of the Camargue and Provence’s stone villages is that, even in the 21st century, they remain intimately tied to the natural world. The march of progress has stepped aside and let the timeless charms of France endure. We look forward to sharing this beguiling corner of Europe with you during our Treasures of Provence trip.

EuropeSmall Group Discoveries

France’s Spellbinding Côte d’Azur

on August 25, 2017

Few destinations exude the joie de vivre for which the French are famous as their very own Côte d’Azur, where culture, glamour, and stunning natural beauty combine to create one of the world’s most unique and exhilarating coastlines. And you can experience it all firsthand during Discovery Tours’ new Treasures of Provence trip.

The arbiter of culture on these scenic shores is Marseille, France’s oldest and second largest city. The delightful Vieux Port, or Old Port, fans out into the harbor from the end of the Canebière, the historic street often compared to the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The Old Port bustles with fishmongers, locals out for a quayside stroll, and cafes crowded with diehard lovers of bouillabaisse, the fish stew invented here, and pastis, the celebrated 90-proof spirit. It all unfolds under the watch of two 17th-century fortresses, erected under Louis XIV after local citizens rose up against the governor. Perhaps more quintessentially Provençal than Marseille, Nice exudes small-town charm in a big-city atmosphere. The Cours Saleya in the Old Town is lined with market stalls purveying the treasured products of the countryside—from honey and flowers to cheese and lavender soaps.

Though not technically a part of France, the independent Principality of Monaco is every bit a part of the French Riviera. For a taste of the glamorous life, you will visit its smallest quartier, Monte Carlo. This is where Europe’s well-heeled come to see and be seen, whether lounging on their mega-yachts or dropping some coin at the roulette wheel in the gilded casino. But the center of it all is the extravagant Royal Palace and the St. Nicholas Cathedral, where Princess Grace and Prince Rainer are entombed.

All this glitz and richness of culture share a stunning backdrop of soaring mountains, forested capes that reach into the Mediterranean, and rock-strewn coasts. Indeed, the dramatic landscape adds immeasurably to the unmistakable spirit of the Côte d’Azur. Tiny medieval villages seemingly carved from the very earth are perched atop conical hills. The Mediterranean glitters like shining diamonds unfurling in the sun. White, craggy limestone rock walls (calanques) spill into the sea, forming tiny coves that embrace turquoise waters. The Côte d’Azur is sure to leave you spellbound.

Take in its glamour, culture, and beauty during our Treasures of Provence adventure.

EuropeGate 1 Connections

From Cornwall to the Highlands: The Best of Britain

on August 24, 2017

This is one of the most interesting times to visit England and Scotland. As the former turns its gaze toward Brexit and the latter grapples with the implications of the shift, both nations are inevitably looking inward, re-affirming their cultural identities and their entwined histories. Not incidentally, this is also the time to visit the British Isles if you want to go easy on your travel budget as the U.S. dollar will take you considerably farther.

But, Britain being Britain, most things haven’t changed at all. This proud island clings to tradition and ceremony no matter the political winds, from the hallowed halls of London where Britannia ruled the waves to the castle-topped craggy hills and glass-surfaced lochs of the Scottish Highlands. And here’s something else that will never change in England and Scotland: Gate 1 Travel’s longtime presence here means you’ll gain an immeasurable understanding of the past, present, and future of these beguiling countries from our local Tour Managers. 

England: Legacies of Empire

The history of The Crown lives and breathes on every street corner in London. The architecture of this grand city spans the ages, from Westminster Abbey, whose origins date to the 10th century, to the 19th-century Gothic Revival splendor of the Houses of Parliament to the modern bustling squares of Piccadilly and Trafalgar. London—and much of England—opens windows to the Norman, Tudor, Victorian and Edwardian Ages like few other places can and reveals the stately vestiges of what was once the mightiest empire on the planet, whether you’re exploring Windsor Castle, the oldest inhabited castle in the world, or Blenheim Palace, the 17th-century birthplace of Winston Churchill. If the nobility of England interests you, and if you were a devotee of Downton Abbey, visit Highclere Castle, where the fictional, post-Edwardian Granthams grappled with the changing tides of history.

Before England was the center of a mighty empire, it was merely an outpost to another great power: the Roman Empire. One of the most remarkable echoes of Rome’s presence here are the natural mineral springs of Bath. Today, the city is also a rich repository of Georgian architecture; the city’s showstopper is the Royal Crescent, a row of terraced houses forming an elegant crescent shape. Indeed, there is no shortage of elegance in England, as the nation’s renowned bard, William Shakespeare, reminds you during a visit to his birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon. If touring the playwright’s home leaves you yearning for additional academic pursuits, then a stop in Oxford may satisfy your craving. The city’s renowned ivy-cloaked colleges comprise the second oldest university in the world and many of its alumni went on to change the world, including Stephen Hawking and Margaret Thatcher.

Legendary English poet, John Keats, wrote that “A thing of beauty is a joy for ever.” No doubt he was inspired by the Lake District, a dreamy expanse of gently rolling hills, charming farm villages and shimmering lakes. But there is also ample beauty to be joyful about in the south of England, in the Cotswolds and Cornwall. The tidy villages of the Cotswolds are among the most beautiful in the nation, clusters of stone houses topped by thatched roofs. Quaint, distinctly English villages also line the dramatic coast of Cornwall, though St. Michael’s Mount, perched atop a granite crag on a scenic tidal islet offshore, is a true scene-stealer.

Quite another seaside gem watches over England’s western shores. Liverpool is mostly celebrated as the home of The Beatles, but it is also beloved for its splendid setting on Liverpool Bay and the Mersey Estuary and its extraordinary architecture. Speaking of architecture, York Minster in the breathtaking, Viking-founded city of York was the crowning glory of medieval England. Still today, it is England’s largest Gothic cathedral. This masterpiece took 250 years to build and its central tower towers 200 feet.

Land of Tartans, Bagpipes and Whisky

Not far past Hadrian’s Wall, the largest surviving Roman artifact that stretches from the Irish Sea to the North Sea, Scotland fans northward, a dramatic canvas of rivers, lakes, and sophisticated cities threaded among starkly beautiful highlands. The nation’s landscapes have been called brooding and barren, but we think you’ll be spellbound by its soaring contours and wide-open splendor.

The capital, Edinburgh, provides insight into the Scottish heart and soul. The stunning Edinburgh Castle overlooks it all from a craggy perch as the Royal Mile stretches out to the country’s most treasured buildings: the baronial Scottish Parliament, Museum of Scotland, and Holyrood Palace, the queen’s residence when she is in town. Glasgow, Scotland’s other cultural capital, was proclaimed the “Second City of the British Empire” during Victorian and Edwardian days, such was its size and importance. Its 19th and early 20th century buildings are testament to its former status, a rich and satisfying blend of the periods’ architecture.

The stirring soul of Scotland, however, haunts the Scottish Highlands, an inspiring, wind-swept terrain of rocky hills and emerald-cloaked slopes and dales where calls of ancient clans echo through dense forests and over lochs, including its most famous, Loch Ness, legendary home of the fabled, elusive creature. The spectacular Cairngorms National Park is the centerpiece of the region, ideally explored from the enclave of Aviemore. It was near here at Culloden Battlefield that the Jacobites famously lost their battle with the British, losing their land to the empire. You can imagine the plotting behind stone walls that led up to the battle as you drive through the Highlands’ magnificent landscape dotted with castles, some left in dignified ruins and others splendidly preserved. And for sheer, unspoiled beauty, few experiences rival a drive through Glencoe, where precipitous mountains pierce the sky, rising over deep green valleys.

But the Highlands are not all inland mountains and lakes. The coastal regions have their own unique beauty. Nestled on the shore of Loch Linnhe, the town of Fort William rests at the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak. Glen Nevis Valley skirts the mountain’s lush slopes and served as the pristine setting for movies such as Braveheart and Rob Roy. The sleepy seaside village of Ullapool, secluded and tranquil, provides a taste of life in the northwestern Highlands. Its cabbage trees might make you think you’re in the tropics for their resemblance to palm trees. Farther north, dramatic rocky coastlines point to the Castle and Gardens of Mey, once home to the Queen Mother, and to Thurso, the northernmost town on the mainland and the gateway for a day-long cruise to the Orkney Islands, a rural archipelago with a history that stretches back to the Viking Age.

On the west coast of the Highlands, the Inner Hebrides Islands beckon with their breathtaking vistas of jagged peaks, sparkling lochs, charming fishing villages and medieval castles. The Isle of Skye, connected to the mainland by a bridge in 1990, is the largest and closest to the mainland. On the Isle of Mull, spectacular sea cliffs and white-sand beaches greet you, reaching inland to jagged mountains of a rosy pink hue. The town of Tobermory is brimming with brightly colored shops, the perfect way to end a day after exploring the Isle of Iona, a sacred island where it is thought that monks created the famed illuminated Book of Kells.

Uncover the Cultural and Natural Wonders of England & Scotland with Gate 1!

There is no more rewarding way to explore Great Britain than with Gate 1 Travel, whether you’re planning your first or your fifth trip here. We’ve been showing travelers this island of unrivaled history and enriching culture for as long as we’re been in business, so we’re well suited to point you to the very best sites. Our long experience here also translates into unmatched value for you. No one can provide such a quality experience at such an affordable price. Join us!

EuropeSmall Group Discoveries

Unexpected Surprises of Paris Icons

on August 18, 2017

The elegance and romance of Paris stay with you wherever you go for the rest of your life. It’s why Ernest Hemingway called the City of Light a “moveable feast.” And why Discovery Tours makes it a point to introduce you to its glories as your Treasures of Provence trip gets underway. Here are some little-known facts about the sites you’ll see during your stay in this most beautiful of cities.

Arc de Triomphe – Home of France’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, this massive arch was built between 1806 and 1836 to commemorate lives lost in the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. All of France’s victories and names of its generals are etched on its façade. Twelve roads converge here into a roundabout that surrounds the arch. But perhaps the most memorable piece of transportation history here occurred after World War I, in 1919, when during the nation’s victory parade a pilot flew his biplane under the arch.

Eiffel Tower – Built for the World’s Fair of 1889, Gustave Eiffel’s tower was greeted with scorn by most Parisians. They looked forward to the disassembly of the “metal asparagus” at fair’s end, but the now-beloved structure was saved because it was deemed useful as a radio tower. During the Nazi occupation of Paris, the French cut its elevator cables so that Germans would have to climb the 1,710 stairs to the top if they wanted to plant their flag at Paris’s highest point.

Notre Dame Cathedral – Celebrated as one of the world’s most splendid examples of French Gothic architecture, Notre Dame is one of the largest churches in the world. Generations committed themselves to its construction over almost 200 years, which started in 1163 and finished in 1345. Within its treasury are kept the Crown of Thorns said to be worn by Jesus, a piece of the Cross, and one of the Holy Nails.

The Louvre and the Mona Lisa – Breathtaking in scope and elegant in appearance, the Louvre occupies what was once the largest royal palace in the world, stretching a half mile along the Right Bank of the Seine. Of its 380,000 pieces, some 35,000 are on display. The museum’s centerpiece is the Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci’s renowned painting of the woman with the mysterious smile. Throughout its 500-year history, the painting has spent time hanging at Louis XIV’s Versailles and in the bedroom of Napoleon in his Tuileries Palace.

Basilica Sacre Coeur – Perched atop Montmartre Hill, with some of the best views of Paris, the Sacred Heart Basilica was built to assuage the humiliations of the French after their defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. This magnificent gleaming wonder was completed in 1914 and features one of the largest mosaics in the world, an artful rendering of Christ with open arms. It was no mistake that this symbol of conservative morality was built to oversee Montmartre, the city’s bohemian district of artists and hedonists.

Experience the beauty of the “city of lights” with Gate 1 Travel!

EuropeSmall Group Discoveries

The Birth of French Impressionism

on August 11, 2017

An endless canvas of vibrant yellow sunflowers … rolling hills of earth-toned wheat and green pastures undulating toward an alpine landscape … the welcoming charms of colorful stone-carved market squares dappled with shade from plane trees and vibrant umbrellas. These are the iconic images of Provence you may encounter during our new Discovery Tours adventure, Treasures of Provence.

Provence has long captured the imagination of travelers—to say nothing of the imagination of artists. In fact, the region was central to one of history’s most influential artistic movements, French Impressionism. When this painting style was introduced to the salons of Paris in the late 1800s, it was decried as sacrilege. For generations, the Parisian Académie des Beaux-Arts had set the standards for fine French art. To them, paintings were meant to depict historical moments and figures and to convey religious and mythological themes. Equally important, brush strokes were expected to be undetectable, ostensibly so that the viewer could not distinguish what was real from what was painted.

Impressionism turned theses standards on their heads and appalled the establishment. Thus rejected, young painters such as Paul Cézanne, Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, and others formed their own association with the aim of bypassing the Académie so their works could be viewed by the public without the hindrance of the so-called culture keepers. In their work, formal portraits, religious images, and realism were replaced by scenes of ordinary people, landscapes, and visible brush strokes meant to convey motion and life … in short, the artists conveyed their impression of nature and of place rather than duplicating it in the way a photograph would. In all, 30 artists displayed their work at their first exhibition in 1874. The art world would never be the same.

Several of the French Impressionists went on to find inspiration in Provence, drawn by the quality of the light. From Cezanne’s legendary depictions of Marseilles and Mont Sainte-Victoire … to Van Gogh’s images of the night café at Arles and a starry night over the Rhone River… to the lush images created by the likes of Chagall, Renoir, and others, Provence helped to immortalize a new movement in art. Their paintings forever etched one of the world’s most beautiful regions in our memories, and we’re sure you’ll find that it’s pure privilege to witness them firsthand.

Latin AmericaSmall Group Discoveries

The Many Curiosities of Cotopaxi

on July 26, 2017

Soaring more than 19,000 feet above sea level, Volcán Cotopaxi, the mighty Cotopaxi Volcano, is one of the world’s highest volcanoes, and it takes the record as the planet’s tallest continuously active peak. Ecuadorians are rightly proud to call it their own, though they regard its power with a reverential respect.

It is perhaps one of the most majestic and serenely solitary sights you’ll ever see, standing on the wide páramo, or highlands, where cougars roam in search of rabbits and weasels. You can take a closer look during Discovery Tours’ new Galapagos, Ecuador, Andes & Amazon trip. You’ll visit Cotopaxi National Park outside of Quito and take a walk around a pristine lake at the base of the mountain. Here’s a taste of what you will see and learn about this magnificent natural wonder:

    • Like Japan’s more famous Mount Fuji across the Pacific, Cotopaxi has a symmetrical cone.
    • Also like its counterpart, it wears its snow cover like a well-fitted hat trimmed at the same elevation all the way around the cone.
    • Cotopaxi is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a circle of active volcanoes that surround the ocean. It is one of 452 volcanoes in the ring.
    • Cotopaxi is home to one of the world’s only equatorial glaciers, which begins around the 16,400-foot mark.
    • The volcano boasts not one, but two crater rims. The inner one, remarkably for an active volcano, is covered with patches of ice.
    • Cotopaxi is part of Ecuador’s famed Avenue of the Volcanoes, a 200-mile stretch of peaks – seven in total – that stand more than 17,000 feet tall.
  • An 1862 painting of this magnificent peak by Frederic Edwin Church, an American landscape painter from the Hudson River School, hangs in the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Visit Cotopaxi National Park with Gate 1 Travel!

Latin AmericaSmall Group Discoveries

Experience the Ecuadorian Amazon Up Close

on July 24, 2017

High in the Ecuadorian Andes, underground springs bubble up from deep in the earth. As tiny streams trickle through the forest, they combine with snowmelt and mix with the volcanic clay of eastern Ecuador. These are among the most fertile soils in the world and they bring to life an exuberant variety of flora—from towering trees to minuscule mosses and all types of ferns and flowers in between. They, in turn, harbor an endless variety of animal and bird life. But the journey of these waters is just beginning.

They continue their course into the wilderness until they join one of the world’s largest river systems, forming a massive web of waterways. In Ecuador, this lush region is known as “El Oriente,” or The East, part of the massive Amazon basin. It is among the world’s most biodiverse regions, and certainly one of its most fantastic. It spreads out over more than a third of Ecuador, yet only four percent of the nation’s people live here. Among the endless network of streams and rivulets, you’re more likely to see the rainforest’s other residents: caimans, monkeys, birds, and pink dolphins. To say nothing of the indigenous tribes that still eke out a living in the jungles.

Head Deep into the Amazon

The small size of our group allows us to explore this primitive part of the world at a gentle pace. You’ll make your way from the frontier town of Coca via motorized canoe, a modern-day version of the traditional mode of river transit, to a lodge nestled within a private reserve on the shores of Pilchicocha Lake. The ride on the Napo River with your motorista, or canoe pilot—with water splashing by your side and the river’s banks gloriously unfolding on either side of you—is the perfect way to enter this remarkable and breathtaking world. From your very first moment on the waters of the Napo, you’ll get caught up in the expedition spirit that brought so many explorers here before you. And once you see the Sacha Lodge, with its thatched-roof huts embraced by the jungle, you’ll feel completely immersed in the spirit of an Amazon safari.

Revel in a Paradise of Flora and Fauna

Throughout your stay at Sacha Lodge, you’ll venture into the mighty Amazon by canoe and by foot, by day and by night, giving you the most intimate experience there is. You may, for instance, try your hand at catching some legendary piranha. The legendary sharp-toothed fish makes the murky waters of some nearby lakes its home—but they are surprisingly easy to catch, as your naturalist guide will demonstrate. The white caiman and the water monkey fish are also key parts of this fragile ecosystem.

You may notice other colorful creatures along the water’s edge as you head out on expeditions via traditional dugout canoe. Pools of mud on the shore have become enriched with minerals that attract countless parrots and parakeets. These parrot clay licks, as they are called, actually save the lives of many birds as the clay essentially neutralizes toxic seeds or unripe fruits they’ve eaten that would otherwise harm them.

But you won’t have to go far to witness one of the world’s most bio-diverse wilderness spaces. Just step outside your hut and you may spot any of eight species of monkeys cavorting in the treetops, from the tiny pygmy marmoset to the 17-pound red howler. Anteaters, sloths, ocelots, and numerous types of frogs may also be keeping you company.

For bird lovers, almost 600 species have been identified around the lodge alone. You’re likely to see many of them when you venture along the Canopy Walk, one of just a few self-standing suspension canopy walkways in the world. This invigorating “floating” pathway spans 900 feet and provides magnificent views from 120 feet above the forest floor.

Alternately, visit the lodge’s tranquil Butterfly House, a magical menagerie of colorful winged creatures. Here, in one of the largest butterfly breeding farms in Ecuador, you may see transparent, glass-wing butterflies, resplendent blue morphs, vibrant tiger longwings, and many others.

Preserving a Way of Life

Tribal residents of the Amazon Rainforests also inspire fascination. Amazonian Kichwas have lived along the Napo River’s banks for centuries. Until relatively recently, they—like other tribes up and down the Amazon and its tributaries—lived their days in a pure and primitive state, untouched by civilization as we know it. As modern man encroached, they imposed their moral and religious values on the tribes and exploited their resources for profit.

Many tribes survived. And though they can never again return to the ways of their ancestors, they strive to keep long-cherished traditions alive. The Kichwa, in particular, have had to fight to retain much of their land. As recently as 1992, Ecuador returned 2.75 million acres of land to them. Their traditions are critical to understanding the Amazon and you can examine them in depth at the Nueva Providencia Kichwa Interpretation Center. A group of local women are on hand here to share intimate details of their customs, cuisine and culture. You can support them and their tribes by purchasing their handmade crafts.

Magnificent beauty … an immersive lodge expedition … fascinating cultures clinging to tradition. Visit this magnificent country with Gate 1 Travel!

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