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.

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.

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.

Explore St. Patrick’s Ireland with Discovery Tours. Click here for trip details!

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!

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