Tag: Danube

#G1PhotoFridayEurope

Cruisin’ on the Danube River

on August 10, 2018

A river cruise is a truly unique experience much different from touring by bus or car. You will stop at ports to see different cities each day and also get to watch the scenery and small towns pass by while on board. You also have a beautiful ship to go back to while you are whisked away to your next destination while you sleep or rest! This picture was taken of our very own Gate 1 Travel ship, the Monarch Baroness, on the Danube River (this picture was taken in Passau, Germany). An intimate cruise on an extraordinary river like the Danube might just become your new favorite way of traveling.

monarchbaroness
This week’s #g1photofriday was uploaded by user @bettybroker using the hashtag #gate1travel. This view along the Danube River was taken in Passau, Germany.  Be sure to tag your photos on social media with #gate1travel or #g1photofriday to be featured. Check out Gate 1 Travel’s River Cruise trips here!

EuropeTravel Tips

The Perks of Work: Employee Travel Testimonial – 9 Day Danube River Cruise

on June 26, 2018
View from Cabin - Passau Panarama

View from Cabin of Passau, Germany

The Danube River runs through Europe and is dotted with excellent towns, each with their own personality and culture. The best way to see all of these towns and make visits to each, is with a River Cruise. This way you can rest, sleep and relax while the boat takes you from one location to another and you see many towns and villages in Europe that are truly from fairy tales. We caught up with Jordyn, an employee of Gate 1 Travel, who took the 9 Day Danube River Cruise, and we got the inside scoop. Jordyn will give you her favorite towns, best meals and why she loved doing a European River Cruise especially.

Why did you choose this trip and what had you heard about these places that made you decide on it?
Honestly, I chose the Danube River Cruise since it was offered with an option to bring your partner. He had gone through some health struggles in the winter and I thought traveling would be a great way to celebrate his recovery. I was very interested in seeing

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Bavarian Cream Pie and Espresso

Budapest, but had never really thought about visiting Germany or Austria before. Budapest, and Hungary in general, has a really interesting language, since it’s Asiatic and not based in any Romance language. I also had heard great things about the city’s baths and monuments, that it was very pretty, so I was excited to travel through the countryside and take in the views. My college roommate also lives in Vienna at the moment, so the possibility of seeing her and her boyfriend was also a great reason to go.

Danube River Cruises are becoming popular international travel destinations, how was that reflected in your trip?
I completely understand why everyone’s really excited about River Cruises. After doing

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Small Alley with Bakery in Bratislava

one of these, it’s going to be hard to do another bus tour. You get in, unpack once, and by the second day, you know where everything is! By the third day, you know the waitstaff’s names and are friendly with the bartender. It’s truly a treat and really makes traveling feel so much less exhausting. Looking out of our windows at a new scene every morning was one of our favorite things about cruising. You wake up in a new city every day! The views from the ship were inexplicably beautiful, whether we were sailing through locks, past urban cities, or through the country-side, there was so much to see. It was really, really lovely and convenient, and the food was always good.

What were some of the highlights of your trip?
The views from the boat every morning, which was always different and always beautiful! I think a highlight for me was Passau, a super cute little town right on the border of Germany & Austria. Our guide was a student studying at the university and she so clearly loved her town. We wandered into a little bakery and purchased a pastry in order to break some larger bills, and that pastry was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in my life. It was a croissant, glazed, with a surprise of apricot jam inside.

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Wine in Bratislava

I also really enjoyed the tour of Bratislava immensely, I had come in with the least knowledge of that particular city, so learning the history of Slovakia & seeing the beauty of the city was a real treat. It’s much less crowded than some of the larger cities we visted & the weather was beautiful.

Another favorite stop on the trip was Salzburg, where my partner & I walked up to the castle high on the hill to take in the view of the town from above while some others were on a tour of some gardens. There were many very friendly dogs in Salzburg when we visited, which was a treat for me, a dog lover. One even dropped a stick at my feet and played fetch with me for a bit (with it’s owners nearby and watching on, of course). It was really a magical moment and such a beautiful place.

What was your favorite meal or what food did you have that you really enjoyed or felt was very authentic?

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Pretzel For a Snack

My favorite meal on the cruise was a ricotta stuffed gnocchi dinner in a carrot sauce. It was so good that my boyfriend, a meat eater, was jealous. I am a vegetarian, & I was honestly expecting to eat a lot of salad and soup on this trip, as I had been told that veggie options could be limited in Germany, Austria, & Hungary, but to my surprise, the veg options on the ship were wonderful! The ship’s chef came out every night to talk to passengers & ask how they enjoyed their meal, so it felt as if each meal got better and better as we traveled. There were authentic options available for each destination, as well, I know that there was schnitzel in Salzburg, & there was a specific Bavarian themed lunch, as well. There was a very nice selection of options for everyone on board.

How was the shopping and did you visit anywhere specifically great for shopping?
I’m not really a shopper. There were shops in Salzburg and in Regensburg, so you could do some shopping while walking around. We were able to purchase a rain coat in a Salzburg H&M, which was very helpful through the rest of our touring, though!

What travel tips would you give to someone preparing to go on this trip?
Make sure you have comfortable shoes & an empty stomach. I would also note that I had cell service, including GPS and internet access through my cell carrier during this trip and I would truly recommend having GPS service while on this trip. You’re given maps

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View from Cabin of Weimar Valley

of every location you visit, most of them even have highlighted areas to show you where you’ll be meeting up with the group after free time, but during our free time, having the ability to search for places off of the beaten track (we were able to find an adorable pastry shop in Bratislava off of a main road & eat some absolutely life changing Bavarian Cream Pie, for example) is a huge plus. Other than that specific advice, I would just say make sure you pack comfortable clothes and shoes for your touring.

How did you prepare for this trip?
As a bit of a neurotic person, I made specific lists for everything that I wanted to pack. I

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View from Cabin of Passau

also made note of the forecast for each location on the day that we were scheduled to be there and used that to inform my clothing choices. I tried to pack as many layer-able things as I could, since it was May and could still be a bit chilly in areas. I also made sure my bank knew where I was going, and for how long, so that I could get money out of various ATMs in the locations we traveled. I made copies of our passports to bring along as well.

Would you go back?
In a heartbeat. I would really like to do a longer trip to Bratislava, if you can’t tell how much I loved it from my answers.

How was your Cruise Director and what were they like? In what ways did they affect your trip?
Our Cruise Director was great, she gave us all of the information that we needed the day before any touring in our nightly port talk. She also advocated for us, as passengers, when the ship we were sailing on ran into engine trouble in Bratislava. She made sure that we did not have to leave extremely early to get into Budapest and ensured that we were able to get lunch and do all of our touring.

What did you feel was the overall theme of your trip?
For my partner and I, this trip meant a lot. As I mentioned, he had been going through some health struggles and the idea of being able to come out of those tough times Maker:S,Date:2017-8-11,Ver:6,Lens:Kan03,Act:Lar02,E-Ytogether, stronger than ever and excited about seeing the world together has truly meant so much. I’m very thankful for the opportunity, not just to learn more about the products that Gate 1 sells, but to really experience the change in perspective travel gives you, and the appreciation it instills in you when you get back home.

How did being on an escorted tour affect your trip?
It was a very fast paced trip. I think that were we to have gone on a trip like this un-escourted, we would have gone at a much slower pace. This would mean that we would have seen less, surely. I also don’t think we would have learned as much about Maria Theresa and the Hapsburgs, who I am sort of in love with now! The history really comes alive when you have the right guide! It all comes together and you can almost see your beautiful surroundings in each time-period as you tour.

Would you recommend this trip to family/friends?
I already have! My parents want to go on one next year!

 

Travel Tips

Our Top 12 Most Popular Tours of 2018

on May 14, 2018

Gate 1 Travel is letting you in on a little secret. Today we are sharing the top 12 best performing tours thus far in 2018 because you deserve to know! These tours vary greatly in destination but they all excel in showing you must-see sites, beautiful cities, unique cultures and natural beauty all in one escorted tour! We are giving you a countdown of our top 12 tours in hopes of giving you some inspiration when it comes to planning your next unforgettable adventure. Journey with us from Ireland to Vietnam to the United States with a whole world in between and enjoy our list.

12. 9 Day Enchanting Ireland
Enchanting Ireland is right. Ireland is a beautiful country known for a warm culture, lush greenery and excellent sites to see. While on this tour of Ireland you will see some Blarney_Castleof the can’t miss spots including the city of Dublin, where you will enjoy a city tour, visit Trinity College to see the Book of Kells, and have free time to explore. Also enjoy the Killarney area where you will drive through the world-famous Ring of Kerry and see sites on your way. On this tour you will also see Blarney Castle, Waterford, Bunratty Castle, Cliffs of Moher and Galway. If you have been wanting to visit Ireland, there is no better time than the present to go green.

11. 8 Day Essential Vietnam
Vietnam is a country that is so incredibly different from anywhere else that it’s popularity is no surprise. Your tour of Vietnam will most likely begin with a visit to Ho Ch Minh City, formerly Saigon, where you will have the chance to take an optional excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels, enjoy a optional half day tour of the city or explore the city on your own at your leisure. You will also visit the incredible Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see caves, grottos, islands, stalactites, stalagmites and waterfalls, to name a few! You will also have a full day in Hanoi to either explore the city leisurely or take some optional tours that include the Museum of Ethnology and a Cyclo Ride/Water Puppet Show. This genuine country will win you over and you will enjoy every minute of it.

10. 8 Day Classic National Parks, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone & Grand Teton
What better way to see what the world has to offer than by visiting parts of your own country? Although our country doesn’t have a history as old as some others, we do have amazing sites, national parks, natural phenomenon and plenty of great cities with their own special elegance. On this tour you will see 3 national parks, stay in 6 different locations and have the experience of a lifetime, all in 8 days! Visit Rapid City, the gateway to South Dakota’s Black Hills and iconic Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial. Experience the beauty of Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the United States and home to “Old Faithful”, hot springs, thermal features, rock cliffs and more! You will also get to visit Grand Teton National Park, with its dense forests and rich wildlife and then continue to Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s time to see what the United States has to offer and explore some of our greatest treasures.

9. 15 Day Cambodia & Vietnam
This excellent tour gets you seeing two of the greatest countries of Southeast Asia and experiencing some of the greatest sites they have to offer. In just over two weeks you will Vietnam HalongBay_1109_dt_16304888experience 7 different cities and add two different countries to your list! While on tour, visit Siem Reap, home to some of the most famous sites in the world; Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat. Travel to Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy leisure time or take some optional tours to get to know this fascinating city. While on your Cambodia & Vietnam tour you will also see the city of Phnom Penh, Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia, the ancient town of Hoi An, Hue; home to a wealth of palaces, temples, museums and libraries, Halong Bay and Hanoi. This tour covers so much of these two amazing countries that it is a truly unmissable experience.

8. 13 Day Turkish Treasures
Welcome to the true crossroads of Europe and Asia; Turkey. This country has history that dates back to B.C. and has ancient sites to see that are some of the oldest on earth! On your journey to Turkey you will tour the city of Istanbul and see the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace and the Spice Market. Traverse the ancient city of Cappadocia with its surreal rock formations, rock-cut temples and plenty of hot air balloons in the sky, with an optional have your own hot air balloon ride! This extensive tour also includes visits to the classical city of Troy, the port city of Izmir, the resort town of Antalya and Ankara the modern capital of Turkey. Learn about the country and sites you have read about in books like The Illiad and venture to this country today.

7. 13 Day Kaleidoscope of Central Europe
Central Europe has so much to offer in such a small area of the world. On this tour you will visit 5 major cities with a few stops along the way, and potentially add 5 new countries to your list. You will travel to the medieval city of Krakow, Poland, a city that was greatly affected by WWII and see the Jewish Quarter and Ghetto of the city as well as taking a solemn visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Experience the former center of the Hapsburg Empire; Vienna, Austria, where you will view Schonbrunn Palace, Empress Maria Theresia Monument, Votive Church, City Hall, Parliament and more. This tour will also bring you to more unforgettable places such as Warsaw, Czestochowa, Budapest, Bratislava and Prague. If you enjoy history, culture, music and experiencing unforgettable places, this tour is perfect for you.

6. 11 Day Affordable Croatia & Slovenia
Croatia is a travel location that is increasingly popular for good reason! This seaside country has excellent cities by the water and a neighboring country of Slovenia that you will not want to miss. This tour includes stops in 7 towns and cities with optional tours to see even more. This extraordinary tour takes you to Dubrovnik, the walled and cobbled-street city that you have probably seen on Game of Thrones, as King’s Landing, and in many pictures. Also explore the lake-side city of Bled, set among the Julian Alps and one of Slovenia’s most popular resort towns. Opatija, Zadar, Split, Krka National Park, Vodice, Zagreb and Ljubjana, Slovania are all included on this fully-packed tour. Come see why so many people are visiting this country and discover many of your own reasons!

5. 11 Day Enchanting Italy
Italy is always a great idea and this tour covers places you have always wanted to visit. If Venetian canals, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Michelangelo’s David, and Pompeii are things you have dreamed about, this tour covers it all and so much more. Visit and stay in the city of Florence, where David, the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and Signoria Square await you. Take a tour of ancient Rome, home of the Colosseum, excellent food and a tiny country called Vatican City. This tour will also take you to Venice, Tuscany, Pisa, Assisi, Pompeii, Sorrento, Bay of Naples and more! If a friendly culture, excellent food and beautiful sites are on your travel list, you will surely cross them off with this tour of Italy.

4. 8 Day Essential Greece
This country, in the heart of the Mediterranean, is home to some of the most famous landmarks in the world; the Acropolis, Olympia and Delphi. This tour has an unbeatable DelphiAthenaprice and gets you all around Greece in just over a week! You will likely arrive in Athens, the capital of Greece and home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Acropolis. Take a tour of the archaeological site of Olympia and see where the games were first held in 776 B.C. Visit the excavated site of Delphi, enjoy the coastal road to the mighty Corinth Canal and take an optional day tour to Hydra, Poros and Aegina Islands. Discover this ancient country that is the birthplace of democracy and the cradle of Western Civilization on this unforgettable tour.

3. 12 Day Danube River Cruise with Prague
A river cruise through Europe is an excellent way to see many destinations while returning to the comfort of a ship between each. Being on a cruise means that while you are busy sleeping or enjoying the ship, you are being whisked away to a new and exciting destination. On your river cruise you will sail along the Danube river and visit Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, and Germany, you will also see the Czech Republic on this specific tour. Visit the essential Danube village town of Melk, Austria where you will walk along medieval cobblestone streets leading to 16th century houses and wine taverns. You will also visit the city of Prague on this tour, where you will see the world-famous Astronomical Clock. The Town Hall, Jewish Quarter and many more sites. Other stops on this tour include Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Durnstein, Linz, Passau, Vilshofen and Regensberg. It’s time to experience Europe in one of the most unique and special ways; on a European river cruise with Gate 1 Travel!

2. 10 Day Affordable Peru
Seeing Machu Picchu is on the bucket list of many travel enthusiasts. If you are one of these enthusiasts this tour was made for you. Visit the city of Lima, the capital of Peru and its excellent landmarks including the Palace of the Archbishop, the Government Palace and the Cathedral of Lima. You will, of course, experience the ancient capital of the Incan Empire, Cuzco, which contains some ruins of its own and will be your gateway to touring the incredible Machu Picchu. This tour also visits Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Uros Islands, Puno and more! This exceptional tour brings you to some of the most photographed and visited places in the world and is affordable as well. Get out your hiking gear because Peru awaits.

1. 13 Day Kaleidoscope of Morocco
If you have not been to Morocco yet, it is a must-visit! This up and coming country has been hugely popular this year thanks to its unique culture, vast array of things to do and excellent pricing! This tour offers many essential locations in Morocco including Fez, an OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAancient city with breathtaking views that you can decide to discover on your own or join the optional city tour. You will also visit Marrakesh where you will visit the Saadian Tombs, Koutoubia Minaret, the Medina and the Bahia Palace. On this Moroccan tour you will also visit Rabat, Erfoud, Rissani, Ouarzazate and Casablanca. There’s no better time than now to start seeing the world and all its beauty and culture. What better way to explore, than to enjoy our most popular tour of the year to beautiful Morocco?

EuropeTravel Tips

The Perks of Work: Employee Travel Testimonial – Danube River Cruise

on April 19, 2018

The Danube River runs through several countries in Europe, with the featured itinerary

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Weissenkirchen village, Austria

having visited Germany, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia. A river cruise is a great way to travel if you enjoy seeing many different cities and countries, traveling through beautiful waterfront views and enjoying amenities on board while you are not at port. We caught up with Billy, a Gate 1 Travel employee, who recently enjoyed a Danube River Cruise, and we got the inside scoop on his trip!


Why did you choose the Danube River Cruise trip and what had you heard about the places it visits that made you decide on it?

Being able to go to 4 different countries on one trip was very appealing. I knew about the alpine landscape in Austria but I knew very little about the other destinations.

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Shoenbrunn castle, Vienna, Austria

The Danube River is a very popular international travel destination, how was that reflected in your trip?

Our local guide told us that tourism is the number one industry in Austria. It was so beautiful I can see why everyone wants to go there.

What were some of the highlights of your trip?

My favorite city was Bratislava, Slovakia. The old architecture was so charming and it was very easy to walk around the city. We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Lipizzaner Stallions in Vienna, Austria. The best thing was waking up each morning and having a different view out of our ship’s window.

What was your favorite meal or what food did you have that you really enjoyed or felt 

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St. Stephan Cathedral, Vienna, Austria

was very authentic?

The best meal was lunch on the optional tour of Salzburg where we had authentic Wienerschnitzel. The best food was in Regensburg where we could smell the Bratwurst from outside the restaurant. They were delicious.

How was the shopping and did you visit anywhere specifically great for shopping?

There were local crafts to buy everywhere as well as more touristy shops. What I love is to buy local artwork while on vacations. Outside the Schonbrunn Palace, I purchased a one-of-a-kind painting from a local student that still hangs on my wall at home.

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Passau, Germany

What travel tips would you give to someone preparing to go on this trip?

Do the optional tours! The Schonbrunn Palace Tour was amazing and really worthwhile.

How did you prepare for this trip?

I made sure to be ready to take a lot of photos and I was glad I did. Europe is beyond beautiful along the Danube River.

Would you go back?

Absolutely; but I also want to take the Gate 1 cruises on the Main and Rhine rivers and in Holland & Belgium during Tulip Time!

How was your tour manager and what were they like? In what ways did they effect your trip?

Our tour manager was great. He was very friendly and answered all our questions. He was very knowledgeable and funny too! I often hung out at the back of the group taking 

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Schoenbuehel Castle, Danube river, Austria

photos and noticed that even when we had a local city guide, he was watching to make sure everything was going well.

What did you feel was the overall theme of your trip? 
Convenience. When most of your meals are included and the travel between cities happens while you sleep, all you have to worry about is waking up from your afternoon nap in time for dinner! We also only had to unpack one time. To top it all off our tour manager was always ready to answer questions or give suggestions.

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Church of St. Elizabeth, called the Blue Church, Bratislava, Slovakia

How did being on an escorted tour effect your trip?

It was great to meet new people and have great conversations over meals.

Would you recommend this trip to family/friends?

I would recommend this trip to anyone; art & architecture lovers, history buffs, adventurers, and anyone who likes to have a good meal and drinks with new friends!