Small Group DiscoveriesUSA & Canada

Experience the Staggering Beauty of America’s Last Frontier

on September 28, 2016

The year was 1959. The United States had already owned the land that comprises today’s Alaska for nearly a century, having purchased it from Russian Czar Alexander II in 1867. In 1912, the far-flung area became organized as an official territory, though it wasn’t admitted as the 49th state for another 47 years under the Eisenhower administration.

The largest state in America (twice the size of Texas), Alaska is also the nation’s third-least populous. By comparison, consider that the population of New York City numbers around 8.5 million over about 305 square miles. In Alaska, a mere 750,000 people are spread over 663,000 square miles. To say that the state is sparsely populated is an understatement, one that explains why its vast and unending wilderness stands among the most unspoiled and pristine expanses on Earth.

Without question, its two most fabled national parklands stand out for their magnificent scenery. Discovery Tours is thrilled to show them to you during one of our latest small group adventures.

Denali National Park

Few places embody Alaska’s untouched and dramatic beauty like Denali National Park. The 6-million acre park and preserve center around the highest peak in North America, once known as Mt. McKinley but renamed “Denali,” meaning “the high one” in the language of the local Koyukon people. The 2015 name change generated a fair amount of controversy. But you’re sure to agree that, no matter what you call it, the exquisite splendor of the peak and its surrounding wilderness defy any language.

Our small group journeys to the park in the most dramatic fashion: by deluxe dome railroad car. This spellbinding route is one of the most scenic train rides in the United States, stopping along the way in remote mountain towns where locals are as likely to board with luggage as with huskies. You will traverse magical woodlands, vast tundra and craggy peaks dusted with snow en route to the park, where more dazzling vistas await.

Denali National Park hosts a leg or two of the world-famous Iditarod, the “Last Great Race on Earth.” During your stay, you’ll have the chance to meet with a sled-dog musher and his team of four-legged racers who habitually careen over rugged mountains and across frozen rivers. After your visit with the hardy team, you’ll get a taste of the wild terrain over which they race when you drive through the expansive and legendary tundra itself. Grizzlies, moose and eagles call this untamed, subarctic wilderness home, roaming freely in the shadow of Denali and the majestic Alaska Range. For the most serene experience, your small group is invited to leave your touring vehicle behind and embark some sturdy rafts for a gentle float down the glacier-fed Nenana River. Few experiences compare to drifting in silence through such a breathtaking and inspiring landscape.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

The beauty of any visit to Alaska is that you are constantly immersed in the wonder of your destination. Everywhere you look, during every waking moment, you encounter panoramas more spectacular than the last. All the more wondrous is the time we spend above the treeline admiring the alpine vistas, which we’ll do as we drive to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest park in the United States. Secluded valleys, madly flowing rivers and rich wildlife make this wilderness area hugging the Canadian border truly special.

Small mining towns were built in valley crevices and on mountain slopes as prospectors seeking gold and copper arrived in the area’s early days. Today, what remains of these towns such as Chitina and Kennicott provide a fascinating glimpse of yesterday. But the highlight of your stay in Wrangell-St. Elias may not be the time you’ll spend on the ground, but the bird’s-eye view you’ll have from high above.

You’ll take wing in a small plane over some of the most breathtaking terrain in the world, flying over mountain peaks, massive glaciers and rushing rivers. All around you, snow-covered rock walls spill down into graceful valleys and ravines and fantastic rock formations dot the landscape. You might even spot flocks of Dall sheep or mountain goats carefully traversing cliff sides.

Your destination is the airfield in McCarthy, a modest town nestled in the middle of the park and surrounded by more 14,000-foot peaks and more glaciers than any other place in North America. This is one of the most unique and thrilling experiences you’ll likely ever enjoy. But to Alaskans, travel by small plane is commonplace: Cities and towns are so far apart here that travel by car is not only impractical but sometimes impossible as many remote regions cannot even be accessed by road.

But such is Alaska: rugged, remote and astonishing. And throughout your Discovery Tours adventure – whether you’re walking atop glaciers or ascending Mt. Alyeska by tram, cruising the pristine waters of Prince William Sound or visiting a reindeer ranch, experiencing native heritage, meeting an Alaskan native elder in Fairbanks or touring the Native Heritage Center of Anchorage – you’re sure to be mesmerized by this unique and spellbinding state that seems a nation unto itself.

Experience Alaska in with Gate 1 Travel and have an unforgettable experience in the heart of the North!

Small Group Discoveries

Preserving Alaska’s Magnificent Wildlife at AWCC

on September 26, 2016

The vast tundra and soaring slopes of Alaska host an endless array of wildlife, from bears to moose, from reindeer to fox. As you might witness for yourself throughout our Alaska’s Natural Beauty adventure, they are all very much at home here and as much a part of the landscape as the mountains peaks that pierce the sky. But some of these majestic creatures need help. Perhaps they’ve been misplaced by development or rescued from being illegally kept as pets. That’s where the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) steps in. Since 1993, it has been a protective refuge for animals that cannot survive in the wild.

Our small group has the privilege of visiting this nonprofit shelter for animals-in-need. Its mission is to preserve the region’s magnificent wildlife through public education, all while providing a safe haven and quality care for the injured and the orphaned.

Some animals are reared here as babies and prepared to be released into the wild. One dramatic story illustrates the importance of the conservation’s work. In 1941, the wood bison, North America’s largest land mammal, was declared extinct after over-hunting. But in 1957, a small herd was discovered. In 2003, the Conservation Center took in about a dozen of these remarkable animals from the Yukon and embarked on a carefully executed breeding and re-introduction plan. Today, the wood bison thrives in its natural habitat. A group of elk, too, was successfully re-released on Akun Island by the AWCC.

During your visit to AWCC, you’re likely to see reindeer, porcupine, bears, lynx, moose and more. Mind you, this is not a zoo; rather, the residents here roam fairly freely in large enclosures that are designed to resemble the natural environment. You’ll navigate your way through this spectacular menagerie on boardwalks and trails. The magnificent facility, set amidst mountains and glaciers, stretches out across 200 acres along the shores of Turnagain Arm.

The Center’s ultimate goal is to teach its residents to fend for themselves so they can roam free in the wild. That bald eagle you might see swooping down for salmon just might be in training. The coyote peering out from behind a bush may be putting its newly acquired survival skills to work. But not all animals will graduate into the natural world. Some simply never learn the skills or have physical limitations, leaving them to take up permanent residence here.

Hugo, for instance, is considered the Queen of the Conservancy. The young grizzly was discovered alone, hungry and injured with 150 porcupine quills in her paws. Upon arrival, she was nurtured back to health, but her injuries will keep her here. And that seems fine with her; she has 20 acres to call her own. At mealtime, a fresh piece of salmon might be left on the roof of a small cabin within her enclosure. Should you pass by while she’s dining, you’re sure to gain a deep respect for the size and might of a grizzly.

We hope you’ll experience this very special refuge for Alaska’s wildlife for yourself. Join us on our new Alaska’s Natural Beauty.

Small Group DiscoveriesUSA & Canada

Cruise Amidst Alaska’s Magnificent Beauty

on September 23, 2016

Imagine waters so calm that they mirror the snow-capped mountains and towering glaciers that hug their shores … a secluded body of water fed by cascading waterfalls that is host to an array of wildlife … a tranquil paradise where eagles take wing above and adorable seals frolic below. This is Prince William Sound, one of Alaska’s most spellbinding scenic wonders, and in a Discovery Tour small group, you’ll have the chance to cruise upon its glassy surface amidst one of the majestic landscapes you’re ever likely to set your eyes upon.

This spectacular pocket of Alaska was named for King George III’s son, Prince William Henry, in 1778, after international explorer James Cook came upon it. At the time, the prince was just 13 years old and was a decidedly young midshipman in the Royal Navy. As for Cook, he went on to chart North America’s northwestern coast and emerged as the first cartographer to ever place these far-flung, unspoiled reaches on a map.

Prince William Sound embodies the unspoiled majesty of Alaska still. Its surrounding shores are part of the Chugach National Forest, the second largest in the United States. As you cruise these waters, you’ll pass remote islands and astonishing fjords carved by millennia of glacial activity. This remains one of the most dramatic spots in the world to witness tidewater glaciers that tower hundreds of feet right at the shore and to see a swell of waterfalls making their final fall into the seawaters.

Besides the glaciers themselves, you will see ample evidence of the colossal work they’ve done over thousands of years. Starkly beautiful, barren hillsides tell the story of the ice wall’s slow retreat. And just below the water’s surface, ancient moraines– boulder and soil deposits left behind as glaciers drew back – mark the spots to which they once reached. It all makes for a remarkable and fascinating geological snapshot of the centuries.

As you cruise, you’ll learn that there is no other place on the planet that equals Prince William Sound for its earth-sculpting drama. This is the world’s densest concentration of tidewater glaciers, and many of them reach twelve miles inland and upward to ice-covered peaks, some of them 9,000 feet tall. As you explore, a diverse array of wildlife watches over your ship: bald eagles, countless seabirds, otters, seals and Dall’s porpoises among them. Occasionally, your naturalist will even spot whales. And there’s always a chance that you’ll witness the spectacle of a calving glacier as it splinters into the sea with a tremendous plunge.

Join Discovery Tours for the cruise of a lifetime in Prince William Sound during one of our newest adventures, Alaska’s Natural Beauty.

MediterraneanTravel Tips

On Our Bookshelves: Israel

on September 20, 2016

We asked our specialists to tell us what books about Israel are on their reading lists. Here’s what they told us:

The Middle East: A Brief History of the Last 2,000 Years by Bernard Lewis

In a sweeping and vivid survey, renowned historian Bernard Lewis charts the history of the Middle East over the last 2,000 years, from the birth of Christianity through the modern era, focusing on the successive transformations that have shaped it. Elegantly written, scholarly yet accessible, The Middle East is the most comprehensive single volume history of the region ever written from the world’s foremost authority on the Middle East.

The Source by James A. Michener

In the grand storytelling style that is his signature, James Michener sweeps us back through time to the very beginnings of the Jewish faith, thousands of years ago. Through the predecessors of four modern men and women, we experience the entire colorful history of the Jews, including the life of the early Hebrews and their persecutions, the impact of Christianity, the Crusades, and the Spanish Inquisition, all the way to the founding of present-day Israel and the Middle-East conflict.

From Beirut to Jerusalem by Thomas L. Friedman

One of the most thought-provoking books ever written about the Middle East, From Beirut to Jerusalem remains vital to our understanding of this complex and volatile region of the world. Three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas L. Friedman drew upon his ten years of experience reporting from Lebanon and Israel to write this now-classic work of journalism.

The Great War for Civilization: The Conquest of the Middle East by Robert Fisk

A sweeping and dramatic history of the last half century of conflict in the Middle East from an award-winning journalist who has covered the region for over thirty years, The Great War for Civilization unflinchingly chronicles the tragedy of the region from the Algerian Civil War to the Iranian Revolution; from the American hostage crisis in Beirut to the Iran-Iraq War; from the 1991 Gulf War to the American invasion of Iraq in 2003.

The Jewish War by Josephus

Josephus’ account of a war marked by treachery and atrocity is a superbly detailed and evocative record of the Jewish rebellion against Rome between AD 66 and 70. Originally a rebel leader, Josephus changed sides after he was captured to become a Rome-appointed negotiator, and so was uniquely placed to observe these turbulent events, from the siege of Jerusalem to the final heroic resistance and mass suicides at Masada. His account provides much of what we know about the history of the Jews under Roman rule, with vivid portraits of such key figures as the Emperor Vespasian and Herod the Great.

The Earthly Jerusalem by Norman Kotker

Jerusalem’s centuries-long significance as a religious center is emphasized in an objective, well-written history that covers 5,000 years but gives far more space to the past than present.

Jerusalem: City of Mirrors by Amos Elon

A portrait of Jerusalem which gives an insight into the kaleidoscopic culture of this magical city. Battle-scarred from 4,000 years of violent conflict, the holy city is a sacred symbol of Judaism, Islam and Christianity and its religious wars of today reflect those of the past.

The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain

In 1867, Mark Twain and a group fellow Americans toured Europe and the Holy Land aboard a retired Civil War ship known as “Quaker City.” Throughout the journey, Twain kept a written record of his experiences. The Innocents Abroad is both a travelogue and a critique of clashing cultures—but more importantly, it is an entertaining and insightful work written by one of the great masters of American prose.

My Michael by Amos Oz

Set in 1950s Jerusalem, My Michael is the story of a remote and intense woman named Hannah Gonen and her marriage to a decent but unremarkable man named Michael. As the years pass and Hannah’s tempestuous fantasy life encroaches upon reality, she feels increasingly estranged from him and the marriage gradually disintegrates. Gorgeously written, profoundly moving, this extraordinary novel is at once a haunting love story, and a rich reflective portrait of a place.

Small Group DiscoveriesUSA & Canada

A Unique Glacier Adventure in Alaska

on September 15, 2016

As peak experiences go, few can match hiking on the gleaming surface of a glacier. Crisp, clean air embraces you at every step. Snow-covered slopes rise for miles to dramatic peaks. And the only sound you hear is the crunch of your crampons digging into the snow and ice. It is tranquility and serenity at its most sublime.

Thanks to the small group size of our Discovery Tours trips, you can do all of this along the breathtaking Wrangell range in Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park. One of America’s natural treasures, the park was established in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter. Remarkably, the park is larger than the nation of Switzerland.

Root Glacier is one of North America’s few accessible glaciers, and your adventure with Discovery Tours leads you into a virtually untouched and pristine wilderness. Because this majestic mountain range is almost completed draped in white glaciers, geological studies have never been conducted of the rocky contours of its slopes. Despite this lack of in-depth surveys, it is believed that the mountain range has an ancient, eroded wall that once surrounded a volcano’s crater. In this primitive environment, it’s easy to imagine a time eons ago when lava and fire exploded into the sky and poured down the mountainsides.

Root Glacier is more than a mile wide and flows for 15 miles through the dramatic valleys. As you can imagine, this surely once played a part in the lives of the people of Kennecott, an abandoned mining camp where copper was once extracted. Today, the camp is a National Historic Landmark District, rich in history and lore. A fascinating walk among its preserved shacks and work houses will get you acquainted with this often overlooked corner of the United States.

Your glacier walk begins right from the old mining camp. With your guide, you will strap on crampons and venture onto the thick ice floe. All around you, a white wonderland of unforgettable beauty stretches upward and outward as your guide helps you understand the glacier’s minuscule movements and the ways it has carved out this magnificent landscape. Above you, Mt. Blackburn soars into the sky, the highest peak in the park. As you explore, you’ll walk past the stunning, mile-high Stairway Icefall, a 7,000-foot vertical wall of ice alongside the shores of Erie Lake. This is just one spectacular natural feature you’ll marvel at during your walk. Turquoise blue pools and massive formations of ice sculpted by the elements mark your progress during this truly incredible outing.

USA & Canada

Celebrate the National Parks Centennial

on August 25, 2016

August 25, 2016 marks the 100th birthday of the US National Parks Service and we thought we’d celebrate with some National Park Service facts and links to events to help everyone celebrate this historic day.

Did you know?

  • Over 400 National Parks, monuments and historic sites are managed by the National Park Service
  • California has the most National Parks with 9 & Alaska has the most parks & sites
  • Alaska is also home to the largest National Park – Wrangell-St.Elias
  • The most visited National Park, with over 10.5 million visitors a year is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina & Tennessee
  • Yellowstone was the first National Park in the world created in 1872

Ways to Celebrate:

  • Free entrance days – there are a total of 6 remaining Free Entrance Days of the 16 that were offered in 2016 including August 25-28th
  • Google Arts & Culture has released a collection of videos & 360 degree tours highlighting 5 different parks
  • The National Park Service is encouraging users to post to social media with the hashtag #findyourpark
  • Explore the National Parks with Gate 1 Travel on one of our 15 packages that visit US National Parks & Sites!

Gate 1 Tours highlighting National Parks & Sites:

For more information on all of our Gate 1 USA & Canada Tours click here, check out a few of our National Parks Videos here.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Yosemite National Park Sunset
Yosemite National Park Sunset
Mt Rushmore
Mt Rushmore
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park

Tag your photos with #gate1travel on Instagram and submit your photos on our site.

Gate 1 ConnectionsLatin America

Overwhelming Beauty, Unmatched Diversity: Go Green in Costa Rica!

on August 25, 2016

Costa Rica lays claim as the greenest country on earth. And it wears the title – conferred on it by the Happy Planet Index, a measure devised by the new Economics Foundation –with enormous pride. Its varied terrain is blanketed in lush rainforest, towering mountains, sizzling volcanoes, and pristine plains and coastlines. This small country (just a quarter of a percent of the earth’s surface, a bit larger than Vermont and New Hampshire combined) boasts a full 5% of the planet’s biodiversity. This is not a natural phenomenon alone; it is the result of the efforts of local ticos to keep their country unspoiled. Consider that 25% of Costa Rica’s land is protected as national parks and conservation areas, and you’ll quickly understand why this tiny country is indeed a model for a happy planet. And Gate 1 Travel introduces you to its most magnificently preserved corners.

San Jose: Gateway to Breathtaking Beauty

All journeys in Costa Rica begin in San Jose, the capital built by coffee barons. As their wealth grew, they imported the talent of European architects and artisans to create a graceful cityscape of plazas and stately buildings. Affectionately called “Chepe” by locals (after the nickname for “Jose”), San Jose boasts a lovely mountain setting. La Sabana Park makes for delightful strolls along green pathways. The city’s finest historic buildings are the National Museum, housed in a butter-yellow 19th-century fortress, and the neo-baroque National Theater.

Into the Highlands: A Magical Forest and a Soaring Volcano

North of San Jose, emerald hillsides undulate over soaring mountains and fertile plateaus fed by rivers and streams. Living is simple here, as a stop in the village of Sarchi shows. In this artisan town set among coffee fields, workshops produce wooden furniture and ox carts (carretas) painted with colorful floral scenes or geometric designs. Sarchi’s pastel-hued church in the town square is a sight to behold.

In these highlands, it’s easy to get a sense of how fully Costa Ricans respect their land. Endless sugarcane nurtured by rich volcanic soil covers the countryside as farmers tend their fields. The pace is slow and patient and tuned to the cycle of crops. And in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, a soft mist casts a mystical aura. These hills are often engulfed in clouds, the result of humid trade winds rolling up from the Caribbean Sea. The moisture supports a huge array of flora – more than 3,000 species! – and more than 500 species of birds, including the elusive resplendent quetzal. Over 130 mammals, like the booming howler monkey, also roam the forest. We stop at a local finca, or coffee farm, we meet a farmer who makes a living from the ubiquitous bean that’s so central to Costa Rica’s economy. Optional walkway tours amidst the forest canopy and along hanging bridges let you peer into a world you never knew existed – the thriving life in the treetops.

North of Monteverde, a wonderland of lakes, forest, thermal-fed springs, and lunar landscapes awaits in the beautiful Arenal region. This outdoor lover’s paradise has been sculpted over thousands of years by the Arenal Volcano, whose towering conical form seems to stand watch over the eponymous lake, dense forest, and lava-strewn terrain. Hiking opportunities abound here, and Gate 1 travelers can explore along the Las Coladas trail whose route snakes around the volcano’s base and passes otherworldly lava flows from past eruptions. You’ll also have the option to soak in some of the region’s famed hot springs and explore the shores of Lake Arenal on a boat tour.

Comb Costa Rica’s Caribbean & Pacific Coasts

Some of the most rewarding explorations of Costa Rica’s natural world unfold closer to its coasts. This is certainly true in Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean Sea. The park was established to protect the nesting ground of the green turtle and covers 14 miles of tropical shores. The only roads here are canals and inlets, so we explore this watery wonderland by boat, stopping along the way for up-close views of caimans, otters, and white-faced monkeys. We meet some locals at a Tortuguero village and learn more about turtles – greens, leatherbacks, and loggerheads.

On the northern Pacific coast, Guanacaste Province is home to more diversity. Volcanoes reach to the skies, rivers course through valleys, dramatic beaches with pounding waves draw a surfing culture, and lush rainforests share the stage with arid woodlands and plains. It’s a region ripe for exploring, and Gate 1 helps you do just that with options for sailing and snorkeling along Costa Rica’s Gold Coast, or just relaxing on the beach.

Farther south, Manuel Antonio National Park unfurls its rainforest splendor along the Pacific. Though it only comprises about six square miles, it boasts an amazing biodiversity of flora and wildlife. Sightings of macaws, sloths, monkeys, and others are virtually guaranteed here; we’ll keep our eyes peeled along its trails. Our option to explore by horseback promises even more of a thrill. En route to Manuel Antonio, we discover that there’s more to the breathtaking coast than its natural beauty as we visit the small town of Jaco, a national surfing center.

Explore Costa Rica Your Way with Gate 1 Travel

Costa Rica is such a diverse country, it calls for a diversity of travel styles. That’s why Gate 1 Travel offers so many ways to explore its natural wonders. If some destinations interest you more than others, you’re sure to find the perfect combination among our fully escorted itineraries, lasting as little as 7 days or as long as 15. Each trip includes accommodations, many meals, services of a Tour Manager, and a full array of tours and features.

If you prefer the flexibility of arranging your own itinerary but still want to take advantage of Gate 1’s buying power, then choose one of our Fly & Drive options, lasting from 5 to 12 days. These unregimented trips include airfare and car rental. Then you’re free to explore independently and reserve your own accommodations.

No matter which trip you choose, you can reserve our land-only option or allow Gate 1 Travel to arrange your flights for you.

Explore More of Central America

A visit to Central America isn’t complete without an exploration of Panama. The famed canal shaped much of 20th century history in the region. Gate 1 travelers will visit the remarkable Miraflores Locks and take in the “three cities” of Panama City: Old Panama, where the original city was founded; Casco Antiguo, with its rich mix of architectural styles from Caribbean to Art Deco to Colonial; and Modern Panama, a pulsing district of waterside skyscrapers and commerce.

If Guatemala is on your travel to-do list, you can combine your Costa Rica adventure with an exploration of its rich colonial culture and breathtaking beauty. Tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Antigua. In Chichicastenango, browse the colorful crafts and wares at the Indian Market and visit the beautiful Church of Santo Tomas. And see the deepest lake in Central America, Lake Atitlan.

We Invite You to Gate 1’s Costa Rica

With so much spellbinding beauty to explore, and so many ways to explore it at the most affordable price you’ll find anywhere, Gate 1 Travel’s Costa Rica is your clear choice! Join us!

Latin AmericaTravel Tips

Costa Rica: Climate & Clothing

on August 24, 2016

Costa Rica has a tropical climate with two seasons. The dry season is from December to April and the wet season is from May to November. Weather always varies between regions, some higher altitudes like Monteverde have cooler, wet weather. Manuel Antonio experiences hotter, more humid weather, and while during the day the temperatures can be very warm everything can cool down at night.

Comfortable lightweight clothing is recommended, as well as a sturdy pair of hiking boots and a light rain coat. Layers are recommended for people traveling to many different parts of the country so that you can adapt to every type of weather throughout your trip. If you choose to participate in the optional Canopy or Zipline tours, it is recommended that you wear old or worn clothing.

Tortuguero: For passengers traveling to Tortuguero it is very important to pack rain gear, hiking shoes, and insect repellent in the luggage that will accompany you to Tortuguero.

Costa Rica Average Temperatures: http://www.gate1travel.com/weather/americas/default.aspx#costa-rica-weather

Latin AmericaSmall Group Discoveries

Bolivia: Straddling Past and Future

on August 24, 2016

Deep in the historic center of La Paz, Bolivia’s bustling and thriving capital, the Mercado de Brujas, or the Witchcraft Market, clings to centuries-old traditions. Its herbal tea infusions, coca leaves and colorful alpaca sweaters place it on par with most any other Andean marketplace. But closer inspection reveals the more peculiar items that have helped to give this unusual emporium its name. Dried toucan beaks and snake skins might help the buyer cast spells. And sullus, dried llama fetuses, can be purchased as traditional offerings to the earth goddess Pachamama. There’s a reason this most unusual of markets still thrives after centuries of calming the spirits. Bolivia, though moving ever-forward into the 21st century, holds fast to the history and traditions that have helped shape its cultural identity.

People of the Gods

Though Bolivia has been inhabited for at least 5,000 years, the first society emerged here with the arrival of the Aymara people in 1500 BC. By 300 AD, these settlers had grown into a regional powerhouse as the Tiwanaku Empire. Because they had a corner on the llama market and controlled the flow of food trade, they were able to bring dozens of indigenous cultures under their rule. Its capital city, also named Tiwanaku, was home to 30,000 people at its peak.

You may still see evidence of that era’s grandeur in La Paz, where an open-air museum reveals some of the highlights of the Tiwanaku. Chief among these is the 10-ton Gate of the Sun, an impressive arch carved from a single slab of stone and etched with condor heads and the mythic Lord of the Walking Sticks. Here, it’s easy to sense one of the earliest expressions of Bolivia’s belief in the spirit world. But even as Tiwanaku fell, otherwordly beings maintained their influence.

In the late 14th century, the Incas wrested control of the region away from the Aymara and Bolivia became part of the Incan Empire. Copacabana on the shore of Lake Titicaca is perhaps the most memorable place to soak up the spell of that time. Crossing the shimmering water by boat to the Isla del Sol (the Island of the Sun), you can discover the spot where, according to Inca legend, the creator of the universe rose from the lake and threw the sun into the heavens. The island, unpaved and wild, remains dotted with mysterious pre-Columbian ruins to this day.

Colonial Highs & Lows

The Inca period didn’t last long. The arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century led to a European-style building boom, as salt and silver mining yielded great wealth. The epicenter of the Spanish heyday was Potosi, perched at 13,400 feet above sea level. At one point, Potosi produced 60% of the world’s silver, had its own mint, and boasted 200,000 residents. A saying that spread across South America spoke to the growing city’s prosperity: “to be worth a Potosí” meant to really be worth something. Seeing its grand churches and ornate colonial architecture now, it’s easy to imagine the era. The same may be said of elegant Sucre, Bolivia’s original capital city. Here, all buildings are whitewashed by government decree and stone patios call to mind the architecture of Catalan.

Sadly, the wealth of Potosi and Sucre flowed only into the coffers of Spain and Spanish descendants. Indigenous people reaped no wealth from the fruits of their land. You might think the brujas from the Witchcraft Market would have cast an evil spell on the colonialists. Instead, the indigenous people turned to Simon Bolivar, the h American revolutionary who led the battle for independence in 1825. Their sovereignty won, the people named the country for their national hero. In Sucre, the 17th-century Liberty House preserves the signed independence documents which you can still view today. As for Bolivar, he didn’t stay—the newly free people offered him the presidency, but he was already president of Colombia.

Bolivian Tradition Lives On

Today, Bolivia is a democratic republic, ruled by its first-ever indigenous President, Evo Morales. As you can tell from its Witchcraft Market, the nation continues to embrace its many cultures. Thirty-six languages are officially spoken here. Other traditional goods are on display in the village markets of Candelaria and Tarabuco. In a Discovery Tours small group, we can fully experience the singular story of Bolivia, from remote ruins and witches’ stalls to colonial-flavored towns and modern cities.

Explore the beauty and mystery of Bolivia with Gate 1 Travel.

Vienna Townhall Christmas Market Austria
Gate 1 ConnectionsNews

Now is the Time to Reserve Your Christmas Markets Tour!

on August 23, 2016

Summer might still be in the air, but the holidays will be here in the blink of an eye. So this is the ideal time for Gate 1 travelers to book their visits to Europe’s festive and colorful Christkindlmarkts!

It’s been said that the off-season for tourists is the on-season for some of Europe’s most intimate and delightful cultural festivals. Christmas markets are just one example of this adage, as Central Europe’s old squares come alive with local traditions that conjure Christmases past. Each year, the cities of Germany and Austria offer a feast for the senses. Aromas of cinnamon, gingerbread, baked apples and roasting chestnuts waft through Old Town squares. Gaily decorated stalls brim with handmade ornaments, toys, and endless ideas for holiday gift-giving. Artisans are often on hand to demonstrate their crafts, carolers roam about the snowy squares, and stalls are decorated with the finest trimmings. It’s hard to find a more perfect place to ring in the holiday season than in Central Europe.

Christmas Markets Steeped in German Tradition

Two of Gate 1’s Christmas Market itineraries feature time to experience the city in which the market tradition began: Nuremberg, Germany. Blanketing the squares of the old walled city, this market dates back to the 1600s. Here, almost 200 stalls illuminated by candlelight cluster in the Haupmarkt competing for the “Plum Person,” a prize for the most breathtaking display. And everywhere, you’ll marvel at the gingerbread houses and Zwetschgenmannle, or dried plum statuettes, for which Nuremberg is known.

The spirit of Nuremberg echoes in cities throughout Germany. Munich’s Marienplatz in the Old Town hosts one of the world’s largest Christmas markets. Its twinkling lights and draperies of garlands vie for your attention amidst a sea of ornament-filled stalls. Under a canopy of festive lights in Berlin, you may discover the perfect hand-blown glass ornament, meticulously painted wooden nutcracker, or an intricately designed Weihnachtspyramide keepsake, a captivating multi-level carousel powered by the rising heat of candles; these precious treasures were first carved in Germany’s Ore Mountains. Dresden, too, boasts its own Striezelmarkt, named for the beloved Stollen Christmas cake. And in neighboring Leipzig, more than 250 stalls offer a profusion of holiday delights in the shadow of St. Nicholas Church, final resting place of Johann Sebastian Bach. If you listen closely, you might hear echoes of his celebrated Christmas cantata floating from within.

Smaller German cities also take part in the holiday cheer. In Heidelberg, delight in the treats of the city’s elegant market square in the Old Quarter, including lebkuchen, a tasty holiday cookie. The millennium-old Cathedral of St. Martin in Mainz adds a hallowed air to the brightly decorated stands brimming with wooden toys, straw stars, colorful ceramics and more.

The Magic of Austria

Vienna is one of Europe’s grandest capitals any time of year. But during the holiday season, it is illuminated and festooned unlike anywhere else. The city’s markets date back to 1298, when Albrecht I allowed his people to hold a Krippenmarkt in December. Today, 20 markets spread out across this elegant city, from the platz in front of City Hall, where international choirs sing carols, to the makeshift village at Belvedere Palace. As you browse, you’ll want to have a delicious vanillekipferl in hand, a crescent-shaped holiday biscuit dusted with sugar.

In Salzburg, city of The Sound of Music set amidst Austria’s stunning alpine landscapes, the brass sounds of a turmblasen band echo among richly adorned stalls. As you peruse the countless crafts in beautiful Cathedral Square, you just might spot wandering among the stalls the fabled Christkind, dreamy figures in white and gold robes donning feathered wings. And you’ll no doubt want to avoid the Krampus, mythical creatures who accompany St. Nicholas in case the children behave badly.

Deck the halls with Gate 1 Travel this year during one of our three festive itineraries that bring the joy and fun of the holiday season to vivid life. Don’t miss out! Just select from one of the trips below!

8 Day Christmas Markets of Germany & Austria

10 Day Christmas Markets of Germany

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