From the moment we landed in Athens, every single detail felt guided, organized, and steady, even when things around us (like canceled flights and changing schedules) weren't. Our transfers were seamless, our hotel stay at The Stanley was easy and comfortable, and every part of our three-day Aegean cruise unfolded effortlessly. Even when we hit unexpected travel issues later in the journey, Gate 1's structure gave us something solid to rely on. That alone was worth its weight in gold. But the true heart of this trip was Maria, our tour guide. Exceptional doesn't even begin to describe her. She was warm, knowledgeable, and unshakably calm-one of those rare people who can make a group instantly feel grounded and taken care of. She somehow managed to weave history, humor, culture, and guidance together in a way that made everything feel personal. She remembered the details, answered every question, checked on each of us, and made sure we never felt lost-whether we were navigating Athens, the Acropolis, the cruise schedule, or a new island at sunset. By the end, she felt less like a guide and more like someone you genuinely hope stays in your life. She told me to find her on Facebook so we could keep in touch, and of course that's when I realized I didn't have her last name-because she's simply "Maria," the way someone unforgettable only needs one name. Gate 1 turned what could have been a stressful first international trip into something beautiful, smooth, and full of once-in-a-lifetime moments: wandering Mykonos at night, standing above Santorini's caldera, exploring Ephesus, watching sunsets we'll remember forever. My boss always said Gate 1 was the best. After this experience, I can say with certainty-she was absolutely right.

I wanted to take the time to comment on our experience with Yiannis, our tour guide for Athens & Greece, prior to the 4-day Aegian cruise. Yiannis was amazing. He was not only extremely knowledgeable of Athens, Olympia, Delphi, Crete, he also shared valuable cultural information. He was personable, friendly, and punctual, and always took time to confirm that everyone understood what was expected at each location. He was patient. He was very concise. What we enjoyed the most about Yiannis is that he was very passionate about GREECE, and tried to pass it on to his tour group. He helped us experience Greece in a way that we could never do on our own! The rest of the trip (cruise portion with Panos, Nicholas, and Isadoro) paled in comparison to our experience with Yiannis on the land portion of the trip. He is a great asset to Gate-1!

Vivian was an EXCELLENT guide, definitely the best tour guide Ive had to date. Vivian's historical knowledge and ability to communicate was thorough. I received everything I wanted on this tour -Thank you!

I wanted to express kudos to Rania. She is in a class by herself. Her attention to detail, professionalism and ability to manage a heterogeneous group was evident from the moment the tour began. Her being an anthropologist with an amazing command of her country's history made for an exemplary experience. You have a gem on your staff.

I'd like to give additional props to our tour guide, Murat. He was exceptional in every way - I marveled at how he was able to corral 40 people, make everyone feel "at home", keep us organized, and make it look absolutely effortless- incredible! In addition, his extreme knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm for our tour history and subject matters was truly unparalleled. I (and everyone on the tour), learned so much about Turkey and Greece from him. This, combined with his welcoming personality and delightful humor, just wrapped it all up to be an amazing experience!

Our tour manager, Efi, is very knowledgeable and friendly. She showed a lot of passion on Greek history and mythology. It was great to have her as our tour manager.

My husband and I had the best time with Gate 1. We will be back for more tours. Katerina, our tour guide in Greece was wonderful!! She was able to make the entire trip fun and keep 40 people organized and share a wealth of knowledge about the Greek culture and history. We appreciated seeing so many interesting places, planned excursions, tasting a large variety of Greek foods. If we had planned a trip ourselves, we would have had the pressure of figuring out how to get to places and what to do. With Gate 1 you took all that pressure away and we were able to totally relax and have fun. We became friends with our bus driver, Giannis too. He was a delight. The cost of the trip was affordable. As I said above, we will be back.

Our last Discovery 13 days Greece the Birthplace of Civilization trip was exceptionally great. We were 9 of us in our group with 10 others. Our Tour guide Eva was amazing. Well-read and very proud of her culture and heritage. She was so good that the whole group felt like was a family. In our group we were 6 of us who were vegetarian and Eva went out of her way to provide us with the best local meals. At one restaurant when the meal was not acceptable, she made sure they replaced it with something which was acceptable. There were times our day started at 8.00 am. This was to beat the traffic and crowds. We can give EVA five for her great service. We would NOT like to forget the coach driver Plato. We wish to have him drive us on our future trips. Greece streets are very narrow with cars parked on either side. Plato knew what he was against. So precise in his driving. Besides he took care of the coach and kept it very clean. Overall, we were all very happy with Gate 1 Travel. Truly "MORE OF THE WORLD FOR LESS!"

I would like to just say that every tour guide we had on this vacation did an amazing job. They were friendly, professional and helpful with every move we made. I would like to give special recognition to Vivian, who was brilliant, fun, professional and overall, the best tour guide I have ever had. I had tears in my eyes when we said good-bye. Thank you for employing people that have such high levels of people skills along with significant knowledge and great pleasure in doing their jobs.

I just wanted to say what a great level of service our tour guide, Maria, provided on our trip to Greece. She was very knowledgeable of all locations we visited and was able to answer all questions the group asked. She was also very punctual, accommodating, friendly and kept everything running smoothly. I don't know what more a guide could have done to provide a wonderful, memorable experience. She is a real asset to your organization.

This was our first trip with Gate1 Travel. Overall, our trip to Greece & Crete was wonderful. The 2 tour managers who were on our trip (Athina in Crete and Georgina in mainland Greece) were absolutely amazing. They were both very knowledgeable about the sites we saw. They provided content about the sites along with Greek mythology in a way that was fun and factual. They were both professional and personable. We very much enjoyed the various sites we visited and the hotels and food were excellent. We look forward to selecting our next overseas trip with Gate1.

It was absolutely fabulous, hiking from Fira to Oia was on my list...CHECKED!!! Dimitris and Dionysis was awesome tour managers/guides, plus we had a great group of people!

Very nice! Our guide, Constantino, really enjoys his work and truly could be a professor of Greek history and mythology. We learned so much, and not at the cost of having lots of fun too. Not to mention delicious food and wine!

I wanted to tell you that our Tour Manager for Greece, Mara, was amazing! She was fun, very knowledgeable and extremely organized. We really enjoyed her personality and all the history she gave us. She really made our tour! Also, while on the Celestial Journey, our bartenders, JD and Mark, were amazing! Very friendly and entertaining! We really enjoyed their magic show!

We really enjoyed our trip. Demetra, the tour guide, was outstanding. The trip was well organized and the accommodations were very nice. The bus drivers were amazing with their excellent skills at maneuvering the bus in small areas. A+ for them. The trip and tour exceeded our expectations.

I just want to compliment Dominique for her excellent planning skills and her attention to details to make the entire trip very pleasant and stress free for customers.

Rania was an amazing book of knowledge. She took great care of us and was so organized and gave us so much great information. She kept us ahead of the crowds and hot weather. Wonderful tour guide! Panos brought such positive energy and spirit to our cruise and excursions. Such a blessing to have met him! Also, our driver in Greece, Kostas, took great care of our safety for all of our drives. Very nice man too. I look forward to another Gate 1 adventure!

Effie was the ultimate tour guide. She had a wonderful way with everyone on the tour. She is not only extremely knowledgeable, but also very personable. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was always willing to answer every question. The accommodations were beautiful with great views all of the time. The interactive lunch in Olympia and the Catamaran Excursion in Santorini was among my favorite times of the trip. I cannot stress the comfort which Effie made everyone feel and it was great to have her be a part of every day. I'll always remember this trip as one of my favorite two weeks of my life.

The trip was great. Perfect weather, great guide, wonderful food and the history is incredible. This was our first Tastes of... trip and the format worked out really well for Crete. The guide helped with arrangements for a car and driver for a group of us one of the free days. I would recommend switching Chania for Santorini.

We had a wonderful time in Greece. We thoroughly enjoyed the energy, knowledge and delivery of information from our guide Elena! We have been on several tours, and all have had guides that were excellent, however it was obvious Elena loves being a tour guide and we are glad you have her on the Gate 1 team! We also enjoyed Panos and Nikolas on the cruise. The dancers at the lunch and winery were fabulous, enjoyed being entrenched in the culture. The little extras like the magnets Elena's friend made for us and the soap from Panos/Nikolas was very nice, too.

I would like to commend our Tour Manager Jenny. Our tour was not only informative but fun. Her knowledge of the history and sites we visited was exceptional. She knew exactly what we should see and experience instead of aimlessly walking around. We probably would have missed the highlights if it were not for her direction. She interspersed antidotes and stories that kept us engaged and we truly felt like a family.

Our recent Kaleidoscope of Greece trip with Gate 1 certainly lived up to its name...we hunted truffles, climbed to remote monasteries, explored ancient ruins, learned a few Greek recipes (and dances), strolled delightful villages and enjoyed tasty cuisine. What's more, our tour manager and guide, Anna, was a wealth of knowledge about "everything Greece." Her organization, enthusiasm and commitment to our group was exceptional. Thank you Gate 1 for another memorable journey!

George was an amazing bus driver and Stella was an amazing contact in Athens. She gave us a hand marked map of Athens with sections of town to explore circled AND the sections that would be covered in the next day's tour circled so we wouldn't spend our precious time in areas we'd see the next day. On all my tours, I have never had a guide so helpful, friendly and entertaining who took their own time to do this for each traveler. Outstanding!!

We recently returned from a Gate 1 tour of Greece and couldn't be more impressed. From start to finish, everything was perfectly organized and thoughtfully executed. Our accommodation in Athens, Olympia, Delphi, Kalambaka, Crete, and Santorini were excellently comfortable, well-located, and ideal for relaxing after full days of sightseeing. The local guides in each location were knowledgeable, engaging, and really brought the history and culture of Greece to life. What truly made the trip exceptional, though, was our overall Gate 1 guide, Maria. She handled every detail, seamlessly-transportation, logistics, tickets, and timing-so we could just enjoy the experience. Her background knowledge was impressive, and she was always ready with answers to any question we had. This trip exceeded all our expectations. We felt like we got to truly experience the heart of Greece-both its ancient past and modern charm. I highly recommend Gate 1 for anyone considering a tour of this incredible country! I will absolutely consider another Gate 1 tour in the future.

Just wanted to say that Evi was the best guide I've ever had. She was both efficient, organized and knowledgeable about everything we saw. She has a great sense of humor and was kind and sensitive to everyone's needs. She learned everyone's name early into the trip and hung out with us throughout. We all bonded with her and will miss her.

We just returned from "The Birthplace of Civilization" Tuesday departure trip. Our tour guide was named Angela, and our bus driver was Jani. Angela was a perfect tour guide. She had extensive knowledge of Greek history and was very clear and informative in sharing her expertise. She was very much in charge and very personable!!! We were so lucky to have her as the tour guide. We never had to worry about any issues as she was ready and able to solve all issues. Her personality was calm and very pleasant. The driver was a miracle man! THANK YOU!

Our tour was wonderful. The included meals were the most we have got on any Gate1 tour. And the "surprise" lunch and cooking class with dance lessons was an added bonus. To top it all off, the enthusiasm, passion and energy our guide Anna brought to the tour made all the difference to someone like me and my wife who were visiting Greece for the 6th time (not all Gate1 tours).

Our experience on the 12 Day Classic Greece tour and Cruise was excellent. From the greeting at the airport to our departure, the Gate 1 staff did a phenomenal job. Nina was excellent, outstanding and extraordinary. Her knowledge and presentation of each site brought them to life and added tremendously to the experience. She gave clear and direct guidance and instructions. Our driver Bern was exceptional and navigated our travel smoothly and safely. Isador and Panos were both excellent and a joy, providing helpful information about our cruise, the excursions, and how to navigate the various ports and cities. They took care of us and were patient and cheerful. On the cruise our cabin steward Jess was also excellent and very attentive, providing answers to our questions before we asked and ensuring we had all we required. In the dining room Mussa served us as if we were royalty providing excellent service. My wife and I truly enjoyed the entire experience and look forward to traveling with Gate 1 in the future.

Our trip was excellent. We liked the size of our group (15 total) which made it very easy to get to know each other and Eleni was able interact with everyone. I was really impressed with the knowledge of Eleni, our tour manager. She made every place we went very interesting and enjoyable. We were able to see most of Greece's highlights and she explained everything. She is truly an asset to Gate 1 Travel.

Zeta was the best tour manager! Her knowledge surpassed any tour guide we would have had. She really cared about our group and cared that we had the best experience possible. She was so organized, and she even taught us a few words of her native language. Because of her my experience was the best! Accolades to her!

Our tour guide/tour manager Eleni, was an exceptional guide. Her attention to every detail on our trip and her professionalism went beyond the call of duty. Eleni communicated to us her deep knowledge of the sites we visited in a very understandable way. At every site she had a folder containing pictures and diagrams thereby illustrating and bringing to life the history of the location. Additionally, her masters in archeology was an excellent asset. She provided practical support as well as being attentive to our individual needs. Eleni's positive and professional attitude made the experience all the more enjoyable.

Just a note of thanks to Vasia and George in the Athens office for the transport to the airport. And a HUGE thank you to Kostas and Adriana, our tour managers, who went out of their way to make sure every detail on the cruise was attended to and that everyone had a terrific time. Especially with the many excursions they had to arrange with the cruise ship - they made sure everyone had the best time possible. I can't say enough good things about them. Especially Kostas who is a veritable encyclopedia of Greece and the Greek culture. Well done, all!

Just came back from my trip and want to say thank you for the best trip ever. Special thank you to our trip guides Constantin and Adrianna. They work restlessly to give us as much information as possible and to have the best experience. They made sure to meet us every day with updates. Every meeting was very clear and informative. I feel that I liked this trip mostly because of their guidance. I was very amazed and pleased how well organized this trip was. I'm looking forward to booking another trip with Gate1Travel.

Our trip to Greece with Gate 1 was absolutely unforgettable! Everything was perfectly organized from start to finish, making travel completely stress-free. The hotels, transportation, and daily itineraries were all thoughtfully planned, giving us the perfect balance of sightseeing, history, and relaxation. A special thank you to our guide, Nicholas, who truly made this experience extraordinary. His deep knowledge of Greek history, culture, and mythology brought every site to life, and his passion for sharing his country was inspiring.

Thank you Gate1 for such a lovely trip. You guys are thorough from the beginning right up to the end. The flights, transport (guide & driver to The Stanley were so pleasant & explained everything so clearly. Our Athens tour guides and drivers and ALL transport were outstanding! Pannos and Nicholas...wow!!! under Pannos' direction, the two together are a fantastic team and true assets to Gate1 Travel! They were so kind, very knowledgeable, made perfect recommendations for our on your own-land visits. They both made our trip so enjoyable. For them and all the rest of Gate1 Travel...Outstanding!!! Thank you again and I look forward to doing travel business with all in the future.

Our trip was stunning! Each archaeological site was jam packed with both beauty and history. Our tour guide, Vivi, was exceptionally well versed on Greek history, which made for an enriching tour experience. She was knowledgeable, passionate, and always willing to take questions. On top of that, she was extremely kind and caring to our entire group. Our driver, Fanouris, navigated the roads safely and efficiently, ensuring that our group made it to each stop in a timely manner. The accommodations were equally stunning. The views of the Greek countryside were beautiful and comforting. The food was amazing, giving us an opportunity to taste authentic Greek cuisine in the most comfortable ways possible. Overall, the vacation was easily one of the best my family has been on. We would easily recommend this trip to anyone interested in an all-around introduction into Greek history & authentic culture.

The trip was amazing. I brought my son John, his wife Kristen and granddaughters on the trip and we all had a fabulous time. Our guide Katerina was wonderful. She was an amazing guide at all the historical sites, kept us all in good humor with 112 degree temperatures, cared for all our personal needs for meals, hotels, transportation and even delighted us with cooking classes and dancing Greek. We couldn't be more delighted. It was my family's first time with Gate1 and I'm sure it will not be their last.

Nick is AMAZING! We were truly blessed to have such a knowledgeable and passionate tour guide for our trip. He was fun and so helpful. I wish I could pick him for other tours.

We had a phenomenal trip to Greece via Gate One! Our tour guide, Militsa, was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, engaging, funny, and a fabulous host. Her passion and enthusiasm for educating others on the history and beauty of her country was apparent to all. Militsa's charming personality and Greek mythology story telling added to the romance of the trip. We are deeply appreciative of the care and guidance she provided us and will remember her and our trip forever.

We had an amazing time exploring Greece w Marianna and a lovely group of new friends! We saw so many places, spectacular views and learned a lot! It was a perfect combination of sightseeing and relaxing island time. Marianna was a perfect guide - so fun, full of information, recommendations and amazingly patient. We highly recommend this trip and can't wait for our next trip.

Greece was great - packed full of sightseeing opportunities. It was especially nice that there were only 10 travelers, and we all got along well. Our guide, Anna, was also wonderful - a walking encyclopedia of information.

We have just returned from your 14-day Greece with Mykonos and Santorini. We have nothing but praise for your tour company and especially for our guide, Katarina! From the welcome dinner to our farewell meal, Katarina was professional, friendly and did everything possible to make our trip memorable. Every stop along the way was organized and maximized our time ensuring we say all the highlights. She kept everything running smoothly. This was our 8th trip with Gate1 and without exception, your company and your tour managers continued to make each trip a long-lasting memorable experience. We are so glad that we chose this company to help us celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. PS! Just got home from Greece and already booked your 21-day South Africa trip in November! Looking forward to it!

I would just like to add an additional complement to our tour guide Vivian. She was extremely knowledgeable about all the historic sites and ruins. In my experience, I have never encountered a tour guide so completely educated and articulate - it was very much like touring with a college professor! She certainly made the tour so much more enjoyable, and I would not hesitate to take another tour with her - she is a gem!!

Our tour guide, Stratos, was excellent, making sure we saw the sights and explained everything plus answering our questions. We had an extra day post trip and Stratos suggested we see the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion which we did and enjoyed very much. This was the first time we used Gate 1 Travel and will use it in future based upon this experience from beginning to end.

Our highest rating is for our Tour Manager Marianna. Between me and my spouse, we have had 15 Gate 1 tours, and we rank Marianna head and shoulders over the other Tour Managers. While the others showed exceptional service, Marianna stands out among them. She is personable, well-organized, and very patient with everyone. She is also very knowledgeable with Greek history and archaeology, as befitting of a licensed Tour Guide. She is an invaluable asset to your organization.