Tag: India

Tulip Season in the Netherlands
Uncategorized

Top Spring Events and Festivals Around the Globe

on March 19, 2026

Spring is a season of new beginnings, colors, and celebrations across the world. As winter fades and flowers begin to bloom, many cultures welcome the warmer months with vibrant festivals and unique traditions. From colorful parades to century-old celebrations, spring offers travelers unforgettable experiences that highlight the culture and spirit of destinations around the globe.

Tulip Season in the Netherlands

Each spring, millions of tulips bloom across the countryside of the Netherlands, transforming fields into a stunning patchwork of bright colors. Tulip season in the Netherlands runs from late March to mid-May, with peak blooms usually in mid-April. The best place to see these are at the Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse (open March 19-May 10, 2026).

keukenhof Gardens

If interested in seeing this beautiful spectacle in person, Gate 1 has you covered with our 9 Day Tulip Time River Cruise tour. Travelers will embark on a panoramic tour of Amsterdam, next they will visit Willemstad to view the iconic windmills built in the 1700s, and last, they will take a morning tour in the Keukenhof Gardens. Gate 1 also offers this trip with up to seven different variations for travelers to pick from.

Holi Festival: India’s Celebration of Color

The Holi festival typically occurs on March 3-4 every year. Though this date has already passed, we thought it was worth mentioning. The festival begins with Holika Dahan, a night of bonfires symbolizing the destruction of evil. The following day, known as Rangwali Holi or Dhuleti, involves joyfully applying colored powders and water to friends and family.

Holi Festival

The significance of the Holi festival in India commemorates the legend of Prahlad’s devotion to Vishnu and the burning of the demoness Holika. It also celebrates the divine, playful love of Radha and Krishna. The different colors featured in the festival all have individual meanings. Red (love), blue (Krishna), Green (new beginnings), and yellow (turmeric/auspiciousness). Participants often wear white, enjoying traditional foods like gujiya and thandai, and celebrate in the streets with music and drums.

Songkran: Thailand’s Famous Water Festival

Songkran, the Thai New Year and world’s biggest water fight, is celebrated annually in Thailand from April 13-15 as a time of renewal, purification, and family reunion. The purpose of the festival is to celebrate after the rice harvest to mark the sun’s passage into Aries. This represents a spiritual cleaning to welcome the New Year with good fortune.

Songkran Thailand

The festival has evolved into city-wide water battles, particularly in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, involving both tourists and locals. If you’re planning on participating in Songkran, tourists must follow these rules. Make sure to wear bright floral shirts (Songkran shirts), use waterproof bags, and bring a small change just in case. Do not pour water on monks, infants, or the elderly.

Cherry Blossom Season in Japan

Hanami is a Japanese tradition of celebrating spring by holding picnics and parties under blooming cherry blossom trees (Sakura). This typically occurs between late March and early April, signifying new beginnings. Locals will gather for food and drinks to enjoy the beautiful scenes, often extending into illuminated night viewing (Yozakura).

Japan Cherry Blossom

This iconic blossom moves from Southern Japan to Northern Japan. The top locations to see this gorgeous view include Hirosaki Park, Maruyama Park, and the Yoshino area. Some tips for travelers visiting the blossom are to get to the spots early, many locals have spots reserved hours in advance. Also, do not pick the blossoms from the trees, it is strictly prohibited.

Las Fallas in Valencia

The Fallas of Valencia, Spain is a UNESCO listed festival held annually from March 15-19 to welcome spring. It features hundreds of giant, satirical, papier-mâché sculptures called fallas and smaller ninots erected throughout the city. The celebration hits its peak with a “La Cremà”, where these artistic monuments are burned, symbolizing purification, renewal, and a fiery start to the new season.

Valencia Las Fallas

This tradition dates to the 18th century, originating from local carpenters burning old wood and remnants on the feast day of their patron saint, Saint Joseph, to welcome spring. Though the main events are from the 15-19, celebrations occur starting on the first day of March. Every day from the 1st to the 19th, synchronized firecracker displays go off at 2 PM in Valencia’s Town Hall Square.

Celebrating Spring Around the World From flower-filled gardens in the Netherlands, to colorful celebrations in India, and lively traditions in Spain, spring festivals bring communities together to celebrate new beginnings. Experiencing these events first-hand offers travelers a deeper understanding of local cultures while celebrating the beauty and energy of the season. If interested in visiting any of these countries mentioned above, click here to see Gate 1’s full itinerary.

Tourist in India
Asia & PacificGate 1 Connections

Discover India: Scenic Landscapes, Bustling Cities & Ancient Landmarks

on September 2, 2025

A Land of Stunning Diversity

India’s natural diversity makes it unlike any other destination. In India, you will see large mountains, deserts, forests, grasslands, and coastal regions. Speaking of mountains, travelers can join the optional Mt Everest flightseeing tour to enjoy an hour of spectacular scenery over Mt Everest on Gate 1’s 12 Day Classic Nepal Guided Tour.

Everest Flightseeing Tour

If wildlife sparks your interest, then Gate 1’s 16 Day Northern India Culture & Heritage Guided Tour is the perfect choice for you. On this tour, you will explore Ranthambore National Park, one of the largest and most renowned national parks in Northern India, the former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. Accompanied by a naturalist guide, board your park-assigned jeep or canter vehicle and begin your search for elusive tigers as well as antelope, deer, birds, and foxes. The park is most famous for its tigers and one of the best locations in India to see these majestic predators in their natural habitat.

Farther south, travelers on Gate 1’s 16 Day Heart of Southern India Guided Tour will get the opportunity to take a jungle or safari boat in Nagarhole National Park. A local naturalist guide will accompany guests as they are on the lookout for the stealthy jungle inhabitants.

Bustling Cities Full of Energy

India isn’t just about natural beauty; it’s also home to some of the most vibrant cities in the world. One city that stands out is Bengaluru, known as the “Silicon Valley of India”, due to its role as India’s center for high-tech industry. On the 16 Day Heart of Southern India Guided Tour at Gate 1, travelers will take a morning city tour of Bengaluru to witness the spirited blend of modernity and tradition that characterizes the city. View the Vidhan Soudha from the outside, an iconic legislative building with its neo-Dravidian architecture, and Lal Bagh a historic botanical garden. Conclude at Gurudwara, a place of worship for the Sikh community.

New Delhi

Another prestigious city to visit on your trip is New Delhi, the energetic capital city. Gate 1’s 16 Day Northern India Culture & Heritage Guided Tour has travelers explore just outside New Delhi at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Qutub Minar. Following lunch at a local restaurant, ride a cycle rickshaw along the lanes of Chandni Chowk, once the imperial avenue of Mughal royalty, which today is the busiest commercial area of the city. Then, drive past the imposing India Gate war memorial, Presidential Palace, and Parliament House. New Delhi is home to 34 million people; you will always have something to do and explore when visiting.

Timeless Landmarks and Heritage

Historic buildings and locations can be found all over India. Travelers can travel to Hassan, known for its historic and architectural gems. Gate 1’s 16 Day Heart of Southern India Guided Tour immerses travelers in the cultural splendor by visiting two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. First on the itinerary is the Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebid, a marvel dating back to the 12th century, renowned for its magnificent architectural design. Next, proceed to the Chennakesava Temple in Belur, a masterpiece of Hoysala architecture. Stroll through the temple complex, marveling at the intricately carved sculptures that vividly depict scenes from the Hindu mythology.

Golden Temple Bylakuppe

On the same tour, travelers will journey through the historic treasures of Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the iconic Vithala Temple, and admire the ornate stone chariot, considered a symbol of the Vijayanagara Empire. Proceed to Virupaksha Temple, an ancient marvel dedicated to Lord Shiva before returning to your hotel. That afternoon, head to Lotus Mahal with its unique Indo-Islamic architecture and venture to Rama Temple. This beautiful site is decorated with finely carved pillars and intricate sculptures depicting scenes from the Ramayana.

A Culinary Adventure

When visiting India, you can’t miss out on the country’s world-famous cuisine. When visiting a cocoon market on Gate 1’s 16 Day Heart of Southern India Guided Tour, learn about wine production in the region, witness the winemaking process, and conclude with wine tastings. Later, travelers will enjoy a home hosted lunch of local dishes at the iconic Mysuru Palace. Last, visit a spice plantation in Goa, where you will learn about the various culinary and medicinal uses of the spices. Once finished, travelers will get to enjoy a delicious lunch of traditional Goan dishes.

Conclusion

Whether it’s viewing wildlife, exploring bustling cities, admiring ancient landmarks, or savoring unforgettable flavors, India has something new to experience every day.

Ready to experience it all? Click here to browse Gate 1’s full selection of India’s guided tours and start planning your unforgettable journey!

#G1PhotoFridayAsia & Pacific

Jaipur, India; The Pink City

on November 15, 2019

The city of Jaipur, India is the capital and largest city in the desert state of Rajasthan. This beautiful pink city was painted this shade as a celebration of the 1876 visit of the Prince of Wales, Prince Albert Edward. The Hawa Mahal, or “Palace of the Winds” is a pink and red sandstone palace decorated in a lacy, ornamental facade. The palace is said to resemble that of a bee hive with its 953 windows and intricate latticework. Other must see stops in Jaipur include the Amber Fort, City Palace and the Palace of Mirrors.

This week’s #g1photofriday was uploaded by user @haydzarantz using the hashtag #gate1travel. This very pink view was captured in Jaipur, India. Be sure to tag your photos on social media with #gate1travel or #g1photofriday to be featured. Check out Gate 1 Travel’s India trips here! 

Asia & PacificSmall Group Discoveries

9 Facts About the Taj Mahal

on September 14, 2019

Rauza-i munawwara, or the “The Illuminated Tomb” rests tranquilly on the Yamuna River in Agra, India. When you first lay your eyes upon it, it seems the making of a dream– a vision of white marble glittering in the sun like a diamond. It actually takes a few breaths to actually realize you are here, standing before one of the most dazzling works of architecture produced in Mughal India – indeed, in the world. Here are some surprising facts you may not have known about this magnificent marvel.

The most romantic of gestures. Though often called the “Temple of Love,” the Taj Mahal was not built as a temple but as a mausoleum. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan had the white marble wonder constructed to entomb his third and favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, whose names means “Chosen One of the Palace.”

Emperor of emperors. Shah Jahan was India’s fifth Mughal Emperor, ruling from 1628 to 1658. One of the greatest Mughal rulers, he ushered India into a prosperous Golden Age. Besides the Taj Mahal, he left behind a grand legacy of Mughal architecture, including the Agra Fort, Jama Masjid mosque in Delhi and many other revered buildings.

Labor of love and cash. The Taj Mahal took more than 20 years to build, from 1632 to around 1653. About 20,000 craftsmen and artisans contributed their skill and hard labor. In today’s dollars, it would have cost $340 million.

Breaking the imperial bank. One of Jahan’s sons, believing the building to be an extravagant use of imperial money, jailed his father in the Agra Fort, from where the deposed leader gazed upon the Taj Mahal for the rest of his days. Upon his death, he was entombed beside his wife in the structure he built for her.

Not a surface left untouched. Jahan’s son was right: The Taj Mahal is an extravagant display of Mughal power and ingenuity, and therein lies its ethereal beauty. Every inch of its interior is adorned with calligraphy quoting beautiful verses from the Q’uran, precious gemstones and other elegant inlay, bas-reliefs, imagery of fruits and flowers, intricate Persian patterns and more.

Mughal masterpiece. The perfection of symmetry, the Taj Mahal is considered by architectural historians to be the finest example of the Mughal style there is, referred to by many as the “jewel of Muslim art in India.”

The Crown’s touch. During the era of the British Empire, the English caretakers of the Taj Mahal altered the gardens to resemble the vast lawns found in London parks at the time. They are still in place today.

The Taj in modern wartime. Scaffolding has been erected around the Taj Mahal at least three times in its history: first in 1942 as protection from a Japanese attack by air and again during the India-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971.

A splendid spread. The Taj Mahal’s vast complex includes a mosque, beautifully manicured gardens of trees and fountains, other mausoleums (for Jahan’s other wives and for his favorite servant) and various outbuildings of equal grandeur.

#G1PhotoFridayAsia & Pacific

A Labor of Love: the Taj Mahal, India

on June 8, 2018

The iconic Taj Mahal is located in Agra, India and has become a true landmark of the country. The building was commissioned by the emperor, Shah Jahan, in 1632 to become the resting place of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The building of the structure took two decades and more than 20,000 workers.

When the emperor passed in 1666 he was buried right next to his wife in the Taj Mahal, forever together.

 

taj

 

This week’s #g1photofriday was uploaded by user @Mike Pierce using the hashtag #gate1travel. This reflective view was taken in Agra, India at the Taj Mahal. Be sure to tag your photos on social media with #gate1travel or #g1photofriday to be featured. Check out Gate 1 Travel’s India trips here!

Asia & PacificSmall Group Discoveries

How India’s Spices Changed the World

on May 17, 2016

As you explore the city of Kochi, consider this: The “Queen of the Arabian Sea,” as the port city is known, has been exporting spices for 5,000 years. For the majority of this time, the highly valued cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, pepper and turmeric were shipped out via large caravans of camels and horses. Saddled with their fragrant cargo, they followed the well-traveled Silk Road that linked China and the Middle East, history’s first global trade route. But as the trade-friendly Byzantine Empire fell to the highly territorial Ottomans in the 15th century, the Silk Road was cut off. Traders had to find another way to transport spice and other goods.

This was the dawning of the Age of Discovery. Navigators and explorers set sail from Europe’s shores in search of a sea route that would connect them to their treasured spices. In 1498, Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama was the first to arrive on India’s Malabar Coast, having navigated his way around the Cape of Good Hope at the tip of southern Africa. Had his pioneering journey only resulted in fostering a mutually beneficial trade relationship, history would have unfolded very differently. Instead, the Portuguese – and later the Dutch and British – saw an opportunity to expand their empires. And so European dominance took root in India.

The Indian spice trade changed the world in other ways, too. Before da Gama’s voyage, Christopher Columbus set off in search of a western route to the Indies in 1492. He, of course, came upon the Americas instead. Some believe that when he met island natives in the Bahamas, he called them “Indians,” believing that he had landed in India. It’s a name that has stuck to Native Americans to this day. In 1500, Portuguese explorer Pedro Alvares Cabral, too, stumbled on unknown shores when he tried to reproduce da Gama’s journey. He was blown off course and instead landed on the beaches of today’s Brazil, which still today exudes a rich Portuguese influence.

All of this – the accidental discovery of new worlds, monumental achievements in navigation, the growth of empires – unfolded in the name of spice. Ideas of Buddhism and Hinduism left India’s borders as tenets of Christianity arrived. Merchants needed to learn the language of their colleagues to survive. Ideas of economy, art, cuisine and customs were exchanged on a newly global scale. The international yearning for Asia’s spices transformed the world in ways pre-colonial spice farmers could not have imagined.

Black pepper was the most prized spice traded along the Malabar Coast. Cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, saffron, vanilla and other fragrant spices were among the countless other culinary and medicinal enhancers that left India’s shores. (Many people include curry in this list, but curry is actually a flavor achieved by the combination of several spices.)

In your Discovery Tours small group, you’ll savor the fragrances of Kochi’s spice trade and uncover more of its fascinating history when you visit a spice plantation. Stroll through fields redolent with sweet and tangy aromas and learn about the variety of ways spices are used in medicine and in cuisine. Later, you’ll visit a private home and be welcomed into your host’s kitchen for a cooking class. You’ll be transfixed as your cook transforms some of India’s most prized spices into an incredible dish that you’ll later enjoy for lunch.