The trip was really sensational. Our Tour Manager, Lisa, was outstanding. I have had many TMs and they are all good, but she was unusually helpful and was always willing to go the extra mile to help us. And the Gate 1 staff on the phone lines were also extremely helpful. Also, Gate 1 met all our transfers all the time, including the bus (!) to take my friend Eric Pollyea and myself to the Barcelona airport at the end of the trip (after most people had departed). And I found on the return flight that vegetarian meals had also been ordered, that was amazing. Thanks for all your help in organizing the trip, which was so helpful. I have been and will continue to recommend Gate 1 highly.

I just completed my tenth Gate 1 tour, 10 day Classic Portugal. Portugal was beautiful, and the weather was fabulous, but Rui Barreiro, our tour manager and guide, was the major reason for the success of the trip. Rui was, "Simply the best; better than all the rest." His knowledge of the historical sites as well as his ability to detail the history of Portugal and the history of several cities and towns, was beyond comprehension. By offering detailed accounts of legends, of Portugal's history, of significant events that shaped Portugal, Rui made Portugal come alive. His English was better than many Americans. He could, without hesitation, answer every question posed by any member of a group of 41. He was serious, funny, patriotic, energetic, patient, proud of his country, extremely well organized, attentive to detail, and most importantly a great storyteller. He was truly exceptional in every facet of his role as tour manager and guide. Rui went beyond all expectations. When the porters were slow in delivering or retrieving luggage, he was beside them offering assistance. Regardless of the time of departure for travelers, he was there to offer assistance and to bid a farewell. Gate 1 has so many proficient managers, but Rui surpasses all. Because of guides like him, Gate 1 will forever be my go-to vacation tour company. I have loved every trip I have taken with them; I look forward to many more.

Javier was by far the best guide that I have had in all of my years of traveling. We arrived early and he took the time to get our luggage checked in and gave us lunch recommendations. He was very knowledgeable and punctuality should be his middle name. He even spent his free time hanging out with us. His primary concern was always the safety of the group. When my daughter and niece had issues with their room, he handled it right away. I was sorry when our trip had to end. This was my first trip to Spain and Javier made it even more memorable.

My husband and I recently had the pleasure of embarking on our first escorted tour with Gate 1 Travel, "11 Day Crown of Spain", and I can confidently say that it was an experience that exceeded all our expectations, thanks to our incredible tour manager, Alex. His exceptional skills, knowledge, and unwavering enthusiasm truly made the trip unforgettable. From the moment our adventure began, Alex set the tone for an amazing journey. He possessed a remarkable ability to engage with each traveler, making us feel like a close-knit community from day one. His warm and welcoming demeanor created an inclusive atmosphere, where everyone felt comfortable and excited to explore together.

Our lasting memory of this cruise will be the quality and approachability of all the crew / staff on board. The Captain, the soon- to- be- appointed captain Louis and the other crew always greeted us like friends. The Bar staff brought great pleasure, especially Amalia, who perpetually radiated happiness and a welcoming attitude. A picture of her is attached that epitomizes her personality. The restaurant and cabin staff were also friendly and happy to interact. I think that the attitude of all the crew/staff created a happy atmosphere on board that led to general content among all passengers. I was also very impressed with Sonia, who demonstrated a great love and knowledge of her country, that resonated with me (born in England), as Portugal and England form the longest lasting alliance in history.

It was amazing! We absolutely loved the tranquil pace of the river cruise and the Douro Valley is stunning. I loved the vineyards, olive trees and ramshackle old houses along with the beautiful estates dotting the river. The food on the boat was wonderful and I miss the Portuguese bread! The wait staff was so kind and helpful. Sonia did such a great job keeping us organized and knowing what to expect - and I appreciated her in-depth knowledge of the Portuguese culture and people. Jorge also was a welcome member of the team. The crew who got us through the locks and docked did it in a way that made it look easy - although it is not! We were in very capable hands throughout! And the trip to Salamanca was also exceptional! What a beautiful city. The other excursions we took were also very valuable experiences: Guimareis, Castelo Rodrigo and Obidos. And in Lisbon, the tour of Belém - the tower and Pasteis de Belem were great! This was our first Gate 1 trip and first river cruise - and it absolutely exceeded our expectations! I think a part of that was how beautiful and fascinating we found Portugal. What an amazing country! We will have to go back! We filled out the survey before leaving the boat, and I just want to add that the entire team works extremely hard! I think the wait staff and kitchen crew worked the hardest - we descended upon that dining room as if we had never eaten before! And the food was always plentiful, varied and delicious. Thanks to you all!!!

How does one begin to describe the trip of a lifetime. Our tour director, Maevon was amazing. He was knowledgeable, humorous, helpful, looking to all details. Maevon even drew and and distributed several maps of Spain and Portugal, describing the history, the regions, and other important information. I have been on several tours with Gate 1 and other companies and no other tour director took the time and interest as Maevon did. As to the itinerary, it too was fabulous. I was worried a 16 day tour was too long. Not at all. Lots of stops along the way. Lots to see and experience. Truly, this has been the trip of a lifetime!

I wanted to thank you for an amazing trip. Your team member Daniel was absolutely the best. He was well versed about the places we travelled to and the information he gave us made the trip interesting. I know he has worked for your organization awhile now and I have to say he represented your organization very well. If I was still running a company, I would have tried to buy him away from you. Very professional. This is my second trip through Gate 1 Travel and I can't say enough good things about your company. I always tell people that if they are going somewhere they should check your website. Thank you for making my trip so memorable and exciting.

All compliments The travel group was wonderful...folks participated and shared life's adventures, stories and journeys with one another. The hotels were well-placed in their communities, immaculately kept common and private spaces. Felt safe on these properties and staffs were efficient and friendly. Breakfasts were very good and I single out Porto location for excellent breakfast and service. Dinners and add-on features were more than worth the price paid. Bus was kept clean and the driver was absolutely practiced safe, defensive driving skills. He was friendly and efficient. The sites were well-selected, and interesting commentary was presented by local guides. Saving the best for last: from the moment we met Adriana, our Gate One guide, to when we departed, she never failed to impress with her patience, good humor, willingness to share her story and the stories, history, culture (many facets, for that matter) of Portuguese people and nation. All together a marvelous experience.

The Portugal tour I just finished is the first time I am with Gate One. My husband and I are very happy with the hotels, meals, tour guides, drivers and the itinerary. Thank you and I'm glad I've booked Iceland tour in Feb 2024. We will definitely travel with Gate One again and recommend to our friends.

This was our first trip with Gate 1. We want to give a shout out to our tour manager Ercilia . She was fantastic. Our group of 42 people was very diverse, and in our opinion not easy to manage, but Ericilia did an excellent job. She showed an incredible amount of patience. It is because of her that this will not be our only trip with Gate 1.

It was wonderful!! Our tour manager Francisco was great and the local guide Martha in Porto was very good as well. We were very happy with all of the Hotel choices. Portugal is an amazing country with incredible history , Fado music , delicious cod fish dishes, custard tarts and Port Wines. Thank you Gate 1 for this memorable trip!

Just want to express how great Carla the tour manager, she's the best that I'd ever experienced! She's extremely knowledgeable, kind, sweet, caring and super helpful. She had the whole tour 34 peoples got along super well, I'd join any tour just to have Carla as my tour manager, she is the very best! She enhanced my tour and saw firsthand how she great she handled and took care of an injured senior tour member. Jus love Carla!

Thank you for booking us with an amazing guide Alex. This was our first trip with Gate 1 and he took care of everything and us from day 1 to our last. He is the reason we will be booking our future trips and telling our friends to book with Gate 1. Please let him know our experience was incredible and we are so thankful for all he did for us. Alex you're a genuine beautiful person that is living his calling and you do everything with sincerity and we are so blessed that we met you.

I just completed the post trip survey, but I wanted to give extra kudos to our Tour Manager Nicolas (Nico). I have been on 6 Gate 1 trips now and have had wonderful experiences every time, as well as traveling with other escorted tours through other travel companies. Nico is the best Tour Manager we've ever had. We arrived in Madrid 2 pre days and Nico contacted us when he knew we had checked into the hotel. Knowing that we'd be out an about on our own before the tour started, he had an envelope delivered to our hotel room with all of the tour information, his contact information, and helpful hints. Wow, so impressed by his organization - this was so refreshing and reassuring that he was watching out for us in a new foreign country. We thoroughly enjoyed Nico's approach, concerns about our safety, reminders about pick pocketing, and how he brought the group together. I can appreciate that escorting a large group (we had 28) can be like herding cats at times and sometimes people won't get along. Nico's tone brought harmony to our group and he made it look effortless! We didn't know what to expect from Spain, but we were totally impressed with the country, people, and what Gate 1 provided us. We continue to refer friends & family to Gate 1. I hope that Nico gets this so he knows how much we appreciated him.

Just a few words to compliment Odete on her leadership and management of our large (38) group. Although I rated her as excellent in all categories, there should be a rating of "excellent plus". Really enjoyed her as our tour manager. Fernando, our driver, was amazing. He is a skilled, friendly professional, and I felt 100% safe in his capable hands. I don't recall the names of our local guides in Lisbon and Porto, but again, Gate 1 has hired the best! All in all, there is a reason why we, like so many others in our group, keep touring with Gate 1. Keep up the "excellent plus" work!

I want to add feedback about our tour guide, Carmen. Her experience and attention to detail made our trip run unbelievably smoothly. We walked into our hotels with our keys, our luggage was handled correctly in every hotel, we knew what to expect with every stop, and she kept all of us on track with everyone on time to events. She provided cautionary information without alarming anyone, especially how to avoid pickpockets. At our hotel in Barcelona we happened to be in the lobby one afternoon when another tour group (not Gate 1) arrived. It took over an hour for people to get their keys and clear the lobby. It was then I realized the organizational wizardry of Carmen. This is my third Gate 1 tour (South Africa and Morocco) and I'm scheduled for another in June (Japan). In addition, she provided valuable insight into the places we visited and into life in Spain. Please continue to support excellent experienced tour guides like Carmen--they are a treasure!

We had so much fun! It was wonderful! Our tour manager , Filipe was the best! He was so kind and genuinely caring, patient, knowledgeable , conscientious, and just a wonderful! He was there from beginning till end, and went beyond our expectations, as compared with our past tour with Gate 1. He was like a shepherd, tendering to his flocks, making sure that everyone was taken care of . Of course, the tour driver , Filipe is worth mentioning too . We had the chance of meeting new friends , experience Portugal and Spain's culture, traditions, cuisine ,all of these made possible by Gate 1. Thank you so much from our hearts. We will , surely, recommend Gate 1 to our friends on their next travel. Hasta la vista!

The trip was glorious. Eloina kept us moving along and interested every step of the way. Her passion for Madrid is contagious and her knowledge is sweeping. All of the guides, in each of the cities, were equally as good. I am a retired journalist (years ago, back when people still bought newspapers, I contributed to USA Today's 10 Greats travel column. ) After that I was a researcher at CNBC. I am speaking from a professional perspective when I say it was excellent. I am an art and architecture enthusiast. I took the trip solo to explore those things with total freedom. As was my previous experience with Gate 1, the group dynamic is a perfect compliment for such independent exploration. There are Lots of lovely folks traveling with Gate1 and it makes for interesting, even fascinating, company. I appreciate how your tours nurture collegiality among the travelers. As you might imagine, I spent time chatting with, and enjoying, the company of a diverse group of people. It was as enlightening as the travel highlights we explored. I won't be writing it, but I couldn't help thinking, this has all the elements of a terrific book (or script!).

This trip to Portugal and Spain was one of our favorite so far. Our tour manager Carlos was fantastic. He showed us so many things and even when we were with local guides he stayed with us and helped us in every way imaginable. We told at least a dozen people we met along the way what a wonderful company Gate1 is. This was our third trip to Europe this year and our group made it one of the most enjoyable. Switzerland in May and Italy in the first 2 weeks of December all have been terrific. We are now looking forward to our next adventure. Keep up the great work.

Thank you for another fantastic trip. This was my 6th trip with Gate 1. Miguel was an amazing guide and the even with a large group it felt like he took care of everyone. Portugal was beautiful and the itinerary was a good blend of scheduled activities, free time and optional excursions. I signed up for all three of the optional excursions, they were all great additions to the trip. The Fado dinner was my favorite. The hotel in Lisbon was in such a great location making it easy to walk around the center of town to restaurants and shops.

We cannot express our appreciation for the wonderful time we had on our 10 Day classic Portugal trip with our guide Rui Miguel and driver Pedro. The amount of knowledge Rui shared with us was outstanding. Both Rui and Pedro were very friendly, kind, always willing to answer any questions we had. They made our trip so enjoyable. It was the best trip we have ever had. We hope if we book another tour that Rui will be our guide. With 41 people by the end of the tour it felt like it was like one big family. Thank you again for the excellent service and the attention to detail at all the hotels, all the cities we toured, and all the history and knowledge that was shared in each of these areas.

This was my 1st Gate1 trip and I was extremely skeptical about it at the beginning. Worried the price for the package was too good to be true. We couldn't possibly stay in all those places, get so much included (tours, food, transport) for the price quoted. The entire group consisted of 42 persons. Mostly couples and mini groups of 4. By the 2nd hotel we were all one family moving through Portugal and Spain together. Our tour manager Lorena exceeded my expectations taking care of us. She made the trip. Giving us details of everything to see around us. Making sure we kept hydrated and ate at the best places in the towns we visited. She is an beautiful person who genuinely wanted each of us to have a great time and see as much as we could. Every city we got a itinerary so we knew exactly what we were doing each day and the times we were doing it. It was a couple persons birthday on the trip and she ensured we all acknowledged them and made them feel special for their day. I definitely want to book her for a trip with a different group. I have already broadcasted to my friends and family the next trip has to be through gate 1. It was MORE than worth the price. It's NOT some cheap budget travel group but luxury and comfort at a affordable price. LOVED it. Thanks for making it available and for exposing me to New people, cultures and opportunities.

The trip was fantastic. Gate 1 made sure we stayed in some of the best hotels; stopped in some of the most historical sites; received information from very knowledgeable and informative guides; and if that was not enough, they also threw in perfect weather for good measures. I did not know much about the history of Spain, so for this trip, it was like going back to school. After the tours, I was busy on the internet each night learning more - my knowledge thirst was at an all-time high. To top it off, when I returned, The New York Times had an article, In search of the Lost Spain, that not only had in it many of the pictures I had taken, but also an expansive article on what I took away from Spain as my biggest surprise - religions and Spain architecture.

Portugal was wonderful! Now if only Gate 1 could control the weather. I always am amazed and impressed by the quality and quantity of the tours that you provide. At 20+ trips with you I am your best advertisement. Each trip has something unique so each one is the best in its own way. Hoping that I will be on my way to Japan in April. Thank you for giving me the world at a price I can afford.

Our trip was amazing in all cities. The guides for 8 Day Art Cities of Spain (Sep 26 - Oct 3, 2022) were all excellent. In particular Andrea, our main guide was wonderful, knowledgeable, courteous and so helpful while always wearing a smile and keeping us on time. One of the best I ever experienced and this was my fourth Gate 1 trip. I must also mention, in particular, our local guide Jose. He was THE BEST local guide I have ever had. All have been exceptional, but he was above and beyond THE BEST. Jose's demeanor, articulation, voice level...all so warm and kind. My daughters (their first Gate 1 trip) were amazed and particularly with Jose also. How can Jose know he made our trip more special, if that is even possible? I/we thank Andrea; he knows we truly appreciated his expertise and warmth, but I've never mentioned a "local guide" and Jose was EXCEPTIONAL. Thank you so much.

We had a great trip. We found our tour guide Javier to be excellent. He was professional, kind, caring, helpful, knowledgeable with a great sense of humor. We enjoyed him a lot. We also found our local guides to be great with a good sense of our language. We couldn't have been happier with the whole experience. Even our fellow travelers were a great group. We definitely will travel with Gate 1 again. Thank you.

It was wonderful, Spain and Portugal are 2 beautiful countries with a lot of history , diverse in their cultures between them. There is so much to see and delicious cuisines to try. It was made special because our Tour Manager Alex. Alex was very friendly and comfortable speaking to our group and even in storytelling. He was very knowledgeable to relay everything from historical facts to cultural etiquette and safety measures. He takes personal interest in each of the tour members endearing himself to all of us by having small chit-chat with as many as possible. His organization skills is superb with an eye for detail, made the tour very interesting and able to multitask and very punctual. We have been traveling with Gate 1 for almost 10x and he is the best, he raised the bar of how a tour manager should be. We love you Alex wishing you all the best.

Trip was great! We had an awesome tour manager Vera who was on point. Friendly, helpful, highly organized, professional, and on time. We couldn't ask for more. Everything ran like clockwork and each guest got individual attention when needed. Local guides were knowledgeable, engaging and personable. All in all we had a great time.

Kaleidoscope of Spain was an excellent tour, allowing us to see a great deal of Spain in a short period of time. We came home with far more photos than we intended and wonderful memories of all we saw and experienced. I really don't think any other company includes so much for the cost. Looking forward to the next one.

We enjoyed our trip to Spain very much. The group was congenial, the guide Lisa was excellent - very knowledgeable, & took very good care of us all. She was generous with her suggestions for using our free time, considering the interests of the different people. The local guides added a great deal of interesting information to our tours. Staying in hotels in the center of the cities made it easy for us to shop, explore & eat during our free time.

This was our first Gate 1 tour, recommended by our friends, who have made 4 or 5 Gate 1 trips. They had praised the tour company, and encouraged us to travel with them to Portugal. Our trip did not disappoint! Starting with our wonderful and knowledgeable tour guide, Adriana, she amazed us with thorough and interesting insights to the cities we visited. Our tours of historic churches and museums were fascinating, and we marveled at the beauty and magnificence of the centuries old structures. We dined on some delicious seafood choices, and enjoyed many of the local wines and ports. One of our favorite optional tours was the Fado music at a local restaurant. We delighted in this traditional Portuguese songs by several singers, and the wonderful guitar accompaniment by a couple of musicians. Thanks to Adriana, our trip ran smoothly, we were quite satisfied with our tours, the friendly Portuguese citizens, the relaxed pace of life....we will definitely make other trips with Gate 1 Travel.

We just came back from the 11 day Crown of Spain. We had the greatest time. It would not have been as great without our tour director Pablo. This was our third G1 tour and we thought we had the best tour directors. Then we met Pablo. He made our trip! He was caring, extremely knowledgeable, and made everyone feel special. My wife and I have made a new friend. We thank Pablo from the bottom of our hearts for such a wonderful vacation. We look forward to our next two Gate 1 trips. Also want to thank Pedro our great driver, and all the tour guide specialists in all the cities we visited. They were great. Bravo Gate 1.

I just returned from the 15 Day Kaleidoscope of Spain. WOW, what an amazing experience. This trip was to celebrate both my recent retirement and birthday and (as in the past) Gate 1 did not disappoint. The entire process from pick up to drop off was seamless. What an amazing itinerary and the optional excursions complimented the overall experience of the trip. Our guide Javier was exceptional. He was patient, funny, knowledgeable, courteous, etc., He answered all questions and concerns for the group and kept everything running smoothly. Our driver Jose was also just as great, greeted each of us with a smile every day, assisted those in the group with boarding / disembarking as needed and kept us safe while driving us to our destinations. I've traveled with Gate 1 in the past and I continue to be very happy with my Gate 1 travel adventures. I look forward to traveling with you again in the future. Thank you.

Joaquin and "Chimo" (driver) went above and beyond to make sure we had a fabulous, stress-free trip. In addition to their ability to anticipate and take care of all our needs, I was especially impressed that they treated us to special experiences that weren't part of the packaged trip (local delicacies like Pastéis de Belém and Piononos, visit to Reservatauro Ronda, scenic photo stops, birthday and anniversary celebrations, etc.). Both of these gentlemen are exemplars for their roles and should be well-rewarded for their talents and dedication to customers. I hope I'm lucky enough to have them for my next trip!

The trip was wonderful!! We saw so much. Vera the guide was the best guide that I have ever had on a land trip. She was perky, energetic, gracious, open, kind, knowledgeable and just the best. The dinners and breakfasts and hotels were wonderful and centrally located. The day guides were brilliant. The driver, Francisco was kind, helpful, a great driver and suited to the job. What a pleasant staff that was on the trip! Unforgettable experiences.

This tour was excellent and well exceeded my expectations. Our tour guide Rui was outstanding and I received information and insight that I would not have on my own. As I was traveling alone, I was concerned that I would not be integrated into the group. This was not the case and I made many friends along the way. I was impressed hearing all the previous Gare 1 tours the others had attended in the past. It was a wonderful experience and I will definitely consider Gate 1 in my future travel plans.

Our trip was awesome. It was our first on Gate 1. The hotels were great. Meals were delicious. Everything was very well organized. Our tour guide Rui was beyond awesome. He made the trip one of our best. We will travel again on Gate 1 in the future I am sure.

It was fabulous, thank you! We learned so much and had a wonderful time. Our tour manager, José, was excellent, very meticulous with the details, very knowledgeable and friendly.

I have completed the survey for a great tour I had with Gate 1 but I would love to add more about the tour guide we had. We were blessed with Ms. Vera for the 11 days Lisbon to Madrid. I had 5 trips with Gate 1 by now and all the guides were nice and professional but Vera is another level. She is Intelligent, warm, caring, fun, funny, professional, sensitive, and emotionally mature beyond words. She navigated constantly between all the travelers and made everyone feel special and cared for! I never saw her eat or take a break. She was constantly giving 101% to everyone and everything.

This trip (3rd time with Gate 1, and a 4th will be planned) was fabulous!! Portugal is a beautiful country on every level. Just now trying to process all that we experienced. Got a true feeling and love for the country and the culture.....thanks to the itinerary and our tour manager. Our tour manager, Ercilia, is extraordinary. She has an incredible base of knowledge, fantastic attention to detail, so organized and thorough, and achieved a personal bond with every traveler in our group. She gets a major endorsement from me. Issues that arose with other travelers or things out of anyone's control (a closed site, Covid), she handled so professionally and calmly, always with a positive attitude and outcome. I had an issue with an ill family member at home and her compassion and manner calmed me down - she really cared - and helped me relax so I could focus on the trip and have fun. Thumbs up to Ercilia. Our driver, Roberto, is truly amazing too! How he was able to navigate some of those tiny, twisty roads, with his passengers' safety number 1 at all times, was remarkable. He should be commended for his professionalism. Loved that Gate 1 handled every detail of this trip perfectly and flawlessly. Would I change anything, no! Keep doing what you are doing, and do so well. My traveling pal and I had a blast. I will happily recommend Gate 1 to my friends.

Just came back from this Spain and southern France trip. It was tremendous and I just wanted to compliment you on our guide. This is our fourth trip with Gate 1 and was probably the best. Our guide, Victor, was the best guide we've ever had with you or on any of the other trips we've taken with other agencies over the years. He was extremely knowledgeable and went out of his way to make this trip one to remember. Our bus driver, Julian, was also a pleasure to be with. With such a small group, it felt like we were traveling with family. Congratulations on the talent you employ.

I just finished my Spain tour with Joaquin was our tour guide. I just wanted you to know what a great job Joaquin did as our tour guide and leader. He worked endless hours assisting travel mates, dealing with issues, helping us with our Covid tests, handling dinner events, etc. He is an outstanding representative for your organization. I just wanted to share our positive experience with you. This is our third Gate 1 tour, and we will be returning with you again next year.

Thank you for arranging the wonderful trip which we are very grateful. Our tour manager Roberta has fulfilled her duties and took care of us very well from the beginning to the end. The local tour guides at every spot also showed their best knowledge to introduce us, especially the Madrid tour guide Amor. The arrangement of the hotel is also good, of course, the best is Spanish food, thank you again!

Our 16 day Iberia Trip w/ tour was amazing despite being tiring. Our tour manager, Isabelle was knowledgeable, resourceful, flexible, fun, decisive & the driver, Fernando sure was an able team player... blessed to have joined a cohesive tour group from manager, tour participants to driver. Special mention to the individual tour guides who were also very knowledgeable.