12 Day Classic Greece with 6 Day Idyllic Aegean Cruise
From
$2399
Land Only
$3219*
Air & Land
Hotels/Plans Available for Departure Dates
| Cat. IA Inside | ||
|---|---|---|
| Zafolia Hotel | Athens | |
| Amalia Hotel | Kalambaka | |
| Grand Hotel Palace | Thessaloniki | |
| Celestyal Cruises | Athens | |
| Cat. IB Inside | ||
|---|---|---|
| Zafolia Hotel | Athens | |
| Amalia Hotel | Kalambaka | |
| Grand Hotel Palace | Thessaloniki | |
| Celestyal Cruises | Athens | |
| Cat. IC Inside | ||
|---|---|---|
| Zafolia Hotel | Athens | |
| Amalia Hotel | Kalambaka | |
| Grand Hotel Palace | Thessaloniki | |
| Celestyal Cruises | Athens | |
| Cat. XA Outside | ||
|---|---|---|
| Zafolia Hotel | Athens | |
| Amalia Hotel | Kalambaka | |
| Grand Hotel Palace | Thessaloniki | |
| Celestyal Cruises | Athens | |
| Cat. XB Outside | ||
|---|---|---|
| Zafolia Hotel | Athens | |
| Amalia Hotel | Kalambaka | |
| Grand Hotel Palace | Thessaloniki | |
| Celestyal Cruises | Athens | |
| Cat. XC Outside | ||
|---|---|---|
| Zafolia Hotel | Athens | |
| Amalia Hotel | Kalambaka | |
| Grand Hotel Palace | Thessaloniki | |
| Celestyal Cruises | Athens | |
Click a Date to Book Online
Click a Date to Book Online
| 2022 Dates & Prices Single Supplement: $700 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel | Dates | Embark | Tour Starts | Ship | Land Only | Air & Land |
| $2499 | $3609* | |||||
| $2449 | $3759* | |||||
| $2449 | $3399* | |||||
| $2399 | $3219* | |||||
| 2022 Dates & Prices Single Supplement: $750 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel | Dates | Embark | Tour Starts | Ship | Land Only | Air & Land |
| $2649 | $3759* | |||||
| $2599 | $3909* | |||||
| $2599 | $3549* | |||||
| $2549 | $3369* | |||||
| 2022 Dates & Prices Single Supplement: $750 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel | Dates | Embark | Tour Starts | Ship | Land Only | Air & Land |
| $2749 | $3859* | |||||
| $2649 | $3959* | |||||
| $2699 | $3649* | |||||
| $2649 | $3469* | |||||
| 2022 Dates & Prices Single Supplement: $800 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel | Dates | Embark | Tour Starts | Ship | Land Only | Air & Land |
| $2799 | $3909* | |||||
| $2699 | $4009* | |||||
| $2749 | $3699* | |||||
| $2699 | $3519* | |||||
| 2022 Dates & Prices Single Supplement: $800 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel | Dates | Embark | Tour Starts | Ship | Land Only | Air & Land |
| $2849 | $3959* | |||||
| $2749 | $4059* | |||||
| $2799 | $3749* | |||||
| $2749 | $3569* | |||||
| 2022 Dates & Prices Single Supplement: $800 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel | Dates | Embark | Tour Starts | Ship | Land Only | Air & Land |
| $2949 | $4059* | |||||
| $2849 | $4159* | |||||
| $2899 | $3849* | |||||
| $2849 | $3669* | |||||
*Not Included:
Port charges of US $339, optional shore excursions and gratuities.
Additional Information:
Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers. As taxis are difficult to find upon disembarkation, we suggest that the departure transfer is pre-booked.
Passengers returning from Athens on Day 12 should select flights that depart no earlier than 12 PM.
Your cruise package includes the following excursions: Ancient Ephesus through the Ages (KUS-02), Rhodes & Lindos Combined (RHO-01).
While sailing with Celestyal Cruises, passengers are subject to the cruise line's Terms & Conditions which can be viewed at: Celestyal Cruise's Conditions of Carriage of Passengers and Their Luggage.
Visas are not required for shore excursions to Kusadasi.
Passport information for all passengers traveling on Celestyal Cruises must be submitted 60 days prior to departure.
Accommodation Details:
Triple rooms/cabins are not available.
Passengers traveling abroad require a passport valid for six months beyond their travel dates. All travelers are responsible to check if a visa is required for all countries on their itinerary. For visa information, check our Visas page.
Is This Trip Right for You?
Part-Escorted Package Includes
- Round trip flights New York-Athens, Athens-New York
Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices - Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
- 10 nights accommodations
- 2 nights Athens
- 1 night Kalambaka
- 1 night Thessaloniki
- 6 nights Celestyal Cruise
- Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
- Hotel porterage
- All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates†
- 26 meals: 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 9 dinners
- Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
- Services of English-speaking tour manager (Days 2-6)
- Entrance fees per itinerary
- Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring
Special Features
- Visit the Acropolis Museum, a modern museum housing ancient relics from the Acropolis
- Explore the archaeological site of Delphi and the imposing Temple of Apollo
- Ascend to Meteora with its mystical monasteries
- Embark on a walking food tour, where you discover Thessaloniki's distinct local flavors
†Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates
Is This Trip Right for You?
This program is fast paced. Walking is done over uneven surfaces, stairs, steps, and significant slopes. Expect most of the sightseeing to require three to four hours of walking as well as a considerable time standing. Many historical cities have specific driving regulations, with set drop off and pick up points, that result in extra walking to and from the sights. The pacing is active as many sites are included. The cruise is a leisurely-paced program, and affordable shore excursions are available locally on board the cruise to enhance your holiday. This is a Partially Escorted program. For more information, click here.
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Gate 1 Travel itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
This first class hotel sits in Kalambaka near Meteora, a site famous for its monasteries built around 1100 AD.
Hotel Details
This first class hotel sits in Kalambaka near Meteora, a site famous for its monasteries built around 1100 AD.
Hotel Details
This first class hotel sits in Kalambaka near Meteora, a site famous for its monasteries built around 1100 AD.
Hotel Details
This first class hotel sits in Kalambaka near Meteora, a site famous for its monasteries built around 1100 AD.
Hotel Details
This first class hotel sits in Kalambaka near Meteora, a site famous for its monasteries built around 1100 AD.
Hotel Details
This first class hotel sits in Kalambaka near Meteora, a site famous for its monasteries built around 1100 AD.
Hotel Details
- Tours purchased while travelling may cost an extra 10% or more
- Tours often sell out. Avoid disappointment
- Save your cash. Credit card processing may not be possible locally
- Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure
- Book Online or call to book these tours up to 1 week before your departure
- The day the optionals operate varies by the day of the week
| Know Before You Go | |
| Although most of the planning and preparation is taken care of for you, there are still a few things you should know and some details you should take care of to ensure your comfort, safety and peace of mind. Please review the following information before your departure to ensure that any surprises along the way will only be pleasant ones. |
| Getting Ready to Go |
| Passports and Visas |
| It is each traveler's responsibility to have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the dates of travel and a visa if required. Please check the information at www.gate1travel.com/visas.aspx for the specific country/region you are visiting for more details. IMPORTANT: Passengers who are not U.S. citizens must check with the respective consulate or a visa agency to determine what personal identification is required. Passengers who enter, leave and then re-enter the same country on their itinerary should check if they require a double-entry visa. Passport applications are available at most U.S. Post Offices, as well as at regional Passport Agencies. Passengers requiring visas, whether obtained in advance or locally upon arrival, should ensure that their passport has blank pages.
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| Celestyal Cruises - Passport information must be submitted to Gate 1 Travel at least 60 days prior to departure. This information needs to be submitted to Port Authorities for embarkation. |
| Traveling with Friends or Family? |
| If you are traveling with friends or family who are booked on another reservation, please make sure that we are aware. On occasion, we may operate more than one vehicle on your tour departure in which case we will ensure that guests will be assigned together. This is achieved by connecting your reservations before your departure. Once you arrive in your destination, it may not be possible to make assignment changes. To check that your reservations are linked, log into https://www.gate1travel.com/res with your email and password, select your reservation number, and check to see that your reservations are indicated as "Traveling With" at the top right side of the display. |
| Trip Preparation |
| A little pre-planning can make your trip go a lot smoother. Several weeks before your trip, make a list of what you will need to take with you. Make sure your personal documents (passports, visas, driver’s license) are in order. Make sure also that you have enough prescription medications to last through the trip and carry them with you in case your luggage is delayed. Bring a change of clothes in your carry on bag in the event that your luggage is delayed or lost. We suggest that you make photocopies of passports, visas, personal ID and any other important travel documents and pack them separately from the originals. You may also make a digital copy of your passport to keep a clear picture with the important details in your cell phone or digital camera photos. If you lose the originals while traveling, you'll have copies for easier reporting and replacement. Pack a list of medications including dosage and generic names. You may consider bringing a small supply of over the counter medications for headaches and/or anti-diarrhea pills (especially when traveling outside of the USA and Western Europe). We recommend that you pack a portable alarm clock. Due to security reasons, many museums have restrictions on the size of bags that can be taken inside and backpacks, carry-on bags or large purses may not be permitted. It is recommended to bring a small shoulder bag or purse to use in these situations instead. Avoid placing valuables such as cameras in your checked luggage. Airplane pressure can cause similar pressure in your body, most notably in ears, as well as liquid tubes and bottles. Your physician can suggest medication for decongestion. We suggest that you place liquid containers into Ziploc bags to catch any leaks. |
| Celestyal Cruises Terms & Conditions: Celestyal Cruises Terms & Conditions governing the cruise component of a Tour & Cruise package apply to all customers sailing with Celestyal Cruises. Carriage by Sea is subject to the Carrier's Conditions of Carriage which are expressly incorporated into the following document: Celestyal Cruise's Conditions of Carriage of Passengers and Their Luggage |
| Travel Safety Advice: The safety of our guests is Gate 1’s #1 concern. Before making the decision to reserve your vacation, we want you to be aware of potential situations which may impact your holiday. While most of the time our programs run precisely according to plans, on rare occasion force majeure events including weather, transportation mechanical issues, or uninhabitable accommodation, civil unrest and even criminal or terrorist activities will present themselves unexpectedly and with little or no notice. Gate 1 will make the decision to cancel a tour only after receiving verifiable government issued information. We are otherwise obliged to comply with contractual airline and vendor agreements and carry out the tour until or unless we are advised otherwise. In the event of such an occurrence anytime after your date of departure, Gate 1 and the local destination ground staff, in coordination with government advisories, airlines, hotels, cruise ships and other vendors, will make decisions with regard to your safety first. We strongly recommend that tour participants review the destination country's specific information at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html. |
| Travel Protection |
| Even the best-planned trips can be impacted by the unexpected. And that is why we recommend that you help protect yourself and your investment by purchasing Travel Protection for your Gate 1 trip. Travel Protection can help with medical coverage for illness or injury, trip cancellation and/or interruption, baggage loss, medical evacuation, and more. At any time before you complete Final Payment, you may choose to purchase Travel Protection. The protection plan premium is non-refundable after a 10-day review period. In addition, you must be medically able to travel at the time the premium is paid. For a summary of the plan details on coverages, benefits, limitations and exclusions, please refer to the Description of Coverage by visiting www.gate1travel.com/insurance/. Cancel for Any Reason Waiver Benefit (CFAR) is a non-insurance feature that allows you to cancel up to 72 hours before your scheduled departure for any reason not otherwise covered in the Travel Protection Plan. CFAR must be purchased at the same time as the Travel Protection Plan as well as within 21 days of the original booking date. Independent or escorted tour reservations will be eligible for a future travel credit equal to the full cost of your trip, less the cost of initial deposit, airline-assessed fees, amendment fees, and insurance premium. Sea or river cruise reservations will be eligible for a future travel credit equal to 50% of the cost of your trip, less the cost of initial trip deposit, airline-assessed fees, amendment fees, and insurance premium. All CFAR credits are valid for a period of two years from the original date of travel. CFAR Credits have no cash value and are not transferrable. Airline-assessed fees are generally $300 per person, but may be as much as fully non-refundable. Some non-refundable airline tickets may retain value, less airline-assessed fees. Your future air credit must be used to book with the same airline. Deadlines to rebook and complete travel vary by airline and may be as early as 12 months from when the tickets were originally issued (not the date of travel). For details, www.gate1travel.com/insurance/. This program does not apply to custom groups and Antarctica cruises. Residents of New York, Missouri & Minnesota may purchase this Cancel for Any Reason Waiver Benefit separate from Travel Protection. Call to speak with a reservation agent for details. This Cancel for any Reason Wavier Benefit is not insurance and is provided by Gate 1 Travel. |
| Cell Phones & Calling Cards |
| You may wish to carry a cell phone while traveling. Check with your cell phone provider if your phone will work in the destination(s) you are visiting. If you can access the Internet as you travel, you can take advantage of email or a Skype Internet telephone (VOIP) account for the best value. Additionally, if your phone can connect to WiFi you may be able to make voice and video calls free of charge. Please contact your cell phone provider for further details. Alternatively, you may investigate renting a cell phone before you leave or buying an inexpensive phone locally. When calling the U.S. from a foreign country, you may also use a prepaid calling card; normally, the only additional charge (besides the prepaid long distance charges) is a local fee of a few cents and possibly a connection fee if you are using your card at your hotel. It is best to check with the hotel's reception desk prior to making phone calls to avoid unexpected charges. Please note that we are unable to provide compensation for phone calls regardless of reason. |
| Making Telephone Calls from One Country to Another |
| When dialing a number from one country to another, you should proceed as follows: dial your country's Exit Code (often indicated with a “+” sign), then the destination Country Code, then the Phone Number. For most countries, the exit code is 00. Exceptions include the USA and Canada (011), Hong Kong and Cambodia (001), Australia (0011), and Russia (8 Pause 10*). For Brazil, please consult with the local telephone company. If you are dialing from a mobile phone, you can enter a “+” instead of the international Exit Code (011, 001, 0011 or 00) by pressing and holding the 0 key. For most countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and South Pacific, if you are calling from a local phone to a number within the same country, you should drop both the exit and country codes and then add a leading 0 (zero). Exceptions include Spain, Italy, Hungary and Malta (no additional zero needed to dial locally). Example: To dial the following number in Germany (as listed on your voucher): +(49) 0555-555 From USA or your US cell phone: 011-49-555-555 From another country in Europe: 00-49-555-555 From a German phone within Germany: 0555-555 |
| WiFi Access |
| WiFi access has improved. Free or inexpensive WiFi internet is accessible at coffee shops, airports, restaurants, libraries and on some trains and buses. WiFi access in hotels and cruise lines often involves a fee, determined by that property. Signal strength is subject to local conditions and not guaranteed. Availability on cruises is also dependent upon its location while sailing through multiple countries. Please note that WiFi can be extremely slow, unreliable and sometimes nonexistent in developing countries or, on moving conveyances such as buses and cruise ships. |
| Staying Healthy While Traveling |
| All travelers should familiarize themselves with local conditions, such as high altitude or required immunizations, which could affect their health. We recommend you consult with your personal healthcare provider, the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) and/or the World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/en/) for their recommendations. There are several easy steps you can take to stay healthy while traveling which may help prevent contracting an illness while away from home.
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| Notice on Aircraft Cabin Insecticide Treatment - Please note that some countries may require aircraft cabin insecticide treatment for in-bound foreign flights. A list of such countries is available at:
http://www.dot.gov/office-policy/aviation-policy/aircraft-disinsection-requirements. |
| Consideration for Tour Participants (Escorted Tours) |
For the benefit of all tour participants, we ask tour members to be considerate of their fellow travelers in the following ways:
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| Climate & Clothing |
| Greece - Spring: 60°F-80°F; Summer: 85°F-95°F; Autumn: 60°F-80°F; Winter: 40°F-50°F Bring comfortable walking shoes, a sweater, clothes you can layer, and an all-weather coat. Some religious sites may require modest dress code to enter (no shorts, short skirts, or sleeveless tops). Long pants are required for men, a long skirt covering the knees is required for women, and shoulders are required to be covered. On cruises, daytime dress code is casual (shorts and t-shirts for example), however swimsuits are not allowed in public areas or restaurants, except for the lunch buffet on deck. The majority of evenings on board are country club casual. There will be one formal evening on the 4 day, 5 day, and 7 day cruise, which will be indicated on the daily program. A suit and tie are suggested for gentlemen, and a cocktail dress or pantsuit suggested for women. Greece Average Temperatures: https://www.gate1travel.com/weather/mediterranean/default.aspx#greece-weather |
| About Drones |
| Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or “drone” technology has quickly become affordable and is increasingly popular with recreational users. While some countries have clear, established drone laws, others do not, or existing regulations are undergoing review and change. Travelers who wish to bring a drone on their trip are responsible to research and abide by the laws and regulations of the countries they are visiting, as well as to check with their airline(s) regarding their rules for transporting drones. Please note that tours are unable to extend the length of scheduled visits and stops to accommodate use of drones. |
| Book & Film Recommendations |
| Many of our guests enjoy reading about their destination - either in advance of their trip or while traveling - as a way of adding context to their visit. Whether reading a traditional guide book, learning about the history and culture, or simply enjoying a fictional novel set in the destination, a good book can add greatly to your experience. Similarly, a good movie set in your destination helps set the mood before you travel. We asked our Tour Managers and staff to recommend books and films which past guests may have enjoyed. The following does not constitute an endorsement of any authors, books or films listed, it is merely a collection of guests' recommendations. |
| GREECE: Books Colossus of Maroussi by Henry Miller The Island by Victoria Hislop The Odyssey by Homer The Summer of my Greek Taverna by Tom Stone Eleni by Nicholas Gage It's All Greek to Me by John Mole Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres GREECE: Films Mamma Mia! The Movie (2008) Boy on a Dolphin (1957) Shirley Valentine (1989) Zorba the Greek (1964) Moonspinners (1964) |
| Preparing for Your Trip |
| Seat Assignments |
| As a courtesy service, complimentary airline seat assignments are requested on your behalf and, when available, are displayed in order of Passenger #1, #2 and so on. Assignments reflect the best available seats at the time of booking. Some airlines and/or fare types do not allow for pre-seating and require this be done at airport check-in only; in which case the display shows “N/A”. Seats are subject to change by your airline(s) including, for example, when there is a schedule change or equipment change after your initial booking; this may cause seat assignments to be changed or even cancelled. Some airlines offer preferred seating for an additional fee; these seats may only be purchased directly from the airline. You will need your family name and the 6-digit airline “Record Locator” which is displayed with the flight details on your reservation. In the event that you change seat assignments directly with your airline, changes will not be reflected on your invoice or documents. At the time that Gate 1 travel documents are issued, the currently assigned seats will be listed based on the assignments stored in your airline reservation at that time. Should you have questions regarding your assignments, please write to us at www.gate1travel.com/contactus. |
| Luggage & Packing |
| Checked bags are typically limited to a total dimension of 62 inches by adding length + width + height (example: 26"+26"+10" = 62”), and a maximum weight of 50 lbs (23kg). Smart Bags with a USB charging port, GPS tracking device and other high-tech features are prohibited as checked or carry-on baggage unless the bag is made with removable batteries and the batteries are removed and stored separately. Many airlines charge for checked bags including flights which begin and end within the USA. The most inexpensive airfare options commonly known as Basic Economy airfares do not include any checked bags nor seat assignments before the day of departure. However, for some airlines, other airfare categories also do not include checked baggage. This will be clearly displayed in our airfare selection and on your invoice. Where available, we highly recommend selecting airfares which include at least 1 piece of checked baggage. Gate 1 Travel is not responsible for checked bag fees, excess luggage or weight charges levied by an airline. Checked baggage allowances displayed on reservation details and invoices reflect the applicable allowance at the time of booking but are subject to change by your airline(s). For your airline’s requirements and fees, visit www.gate1travel.com/baggagefees.aspx. For important baggage information, visit www.gate1travel.com/luggage.aspx. Avoid placing valuables in your checked luggage. Federal law forbids the carriage of hazardous materials aboard the aircraft in your luggage, your carry-on or on your person. A violation can result in five years’ imprisonment and penalties of $250,000 or more (49 U.S.C. 5124). Hazardous materials include explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids and solids, oxidizers, poisons, corrosives and radioactive materials. Examples: Paints, lighter fluid, fireworks, tear gases, oxygen bottles, and radio-pharmaceuticals. There are special exceptions for small quantities (up to 70 ounces total) of medicinal and toilet articles carried in your luggage and certain smoking materials carried on your person. Check the Transportation and Safety Administration (TSA) website www.tsa.gov to find out the current list of acceptable items you may bring on a plane before packing. We recommend that you use brightly colored luggage tags, straps or other identifiers to help you locate you luggage upon arrival or to describe it in the event that it is lost. |
| Celestyal Cruises - Our local staff will provide luggage tags for the cruise which you should clearly label with your name, cabin number and sailing date. |
| Day of Departure |
| Flight Services |
| What to do if You Need Assistance |
Whether you purchased your airfare from Gate 1 Travel or from the airline directly, please bear in mind that Gate 1 Travel does not own nor operate the airline(s), nor the airport facilities where they operate. At times, flying can be a frustrating experience, especially when things do not go exactly as planned, and airline explanations can be confusing or even misleading. Should you face a problem, remain calm and seek assistance either from the airline directly or from Gate 1. Please be aware that in most cases, on the day of your flight(s), airlines pass responsibility for your reservation to their staff at the airport and it is not always possible for Gate 1 Travel to intervene on your behalf, either through our reservations system or directly with your airline. |
| Arrival & Departure |
| Arrival Procedures |
| Upon arrival, please complete immigration formalities if necessary and claim your luggage. If your program includes airport arrival transfers, check your voucher for specific instructions, as they vary with every destination. In most cases, you will be met after collecting your luggage or passing through Customs by the local representative who will be holding a Gate 1 Travel sign and/or a sign with your name on it. In some instances you will be instructed to walk a short distance to a transportation counter. The company's name and location will be printed on your voucher. If for any reason you do not connect with the Gate 1 transfer personnel, go to the Tourist Information Desk and ask them to page the Gate 1 Travel representative or phone the number on your voucher. If you are delayed due to lost luggage, phone the number on the voucher or have a companion exit the Customs Area to advise the transfer representative. |
| Greece - If you have purchased international airfare and/or transfers from Gate 1, please complete immigration formalities and claim your luggage. You will be met by our local representative after you pass through customs. Look for someone holding a Gate 1 Travel sign. If for any reason you do not connect with the Gate 1 transfer personnel, please call the Gate 1 emergency phone number on your voucher. |
| What To Do When Your Flight Is Delayed |
| Airlines do not share flight manifest information. Therefore, the only way we may learn of a delay or schedule change while you are traveling is from you, the traveler. The sooner you are able to contact one of our offices, the better we can respond. Please refer to the Emergency Assistance instructions on this same document. Gate 1 Travel is only able to guarantee pre-reserved arrival transfers for up to one hour from the scheduled time, no matter the cause. In case you are delayed for any reason, and are unable to follow the instructions on your voucher, please make independent transfer arrangements and retain your receipts. Unused tour services, including transfers and hotel nights are not refundable. Upon you return home you will need to contact your airline and/or insurance carrier to investigate the possibility of reimbursement for any unused tour services. |
| Departure Procedures |
| If your program includes departure transfers, instructions will be stated on your voucher or provided locally. |
| Transfers |
| Due to local traffic and other extenuating circumstances, we ask that you allow 30 minutes from your scheduled transfer time for our representative to arrive. This includes hotel, airport and cruise transfers. Such possible delays are taken into consideration in scheduling transfers and you should therefore have no concerns about arriving late for your tour, flight or cruise. For transfers from a hotel, let the hotel reception desk or concierge know that you are waiting for a transfer. In the case of a missed transfer, reimbursement for your out-of-pocket expenses will be considered provided you obtain a written statement from the hotel's front desk verifying the length of time you waited, and the time you left the hotel, and a receipt for your transportation with time and date. The cost of a transfer is more expensive than hiring a taxi, as a Gate 1 transfer necessarily includes round trip service, or 'dead-leg'. Often the places of call (airports, seaports, hotels) demand entrance and parking fees, where drivers may have to wait for up to an hour. Passengers comfortable hiring a taxi on their own and do not require assistance will save money. |
| Public Transportation for the Athens Airport and Piraeus Port Metro service between the Athens Airport and the center of Athens, Syntagma Station, is available on the Blue Line and is scheduled every 30 minutes. The cost is 10 Euros per person and journey time is approximately 50 minutes. The Metro runs between 6 AM and 10 PM. There is also a bus service from Syntagma Square to the airport (and vice versa) for 6 Euros. They are scheduled every 10 to 15 minutes, and journey time is approximately 60 to 70 minutes. Buses run 24/7, though from 11 PM till 6 AM, they are running every 30 to 50 minutes. The Suburban Rail Line train runs every 30 minutes between the airport and Larissa Train Station. The cost is 10 Euros per person, and journey time is approximately 50 minutes. A taxi from the airport to the Athens city center costs approximately 35 Euros per taxi during the day. Between midnight and 6 AM, this cost is approximately 50 Euros. Metro service between the Piraeus Port and the center of Athens is available on Metro Line #1 from Omonia Station. The cost is 1.40 Euros per person, and journey time is approximately 30 minutes. A taxi from the center of Athens to Piraeus Port costs approximately 15 Euros, and journey time is approximately 30 minutes. |
| About Your Accommodations |
| Hotels |
| Gate 1 Travel has carefully selected each hotel based on overall quality, location, price, food, service, and cleanliness. All rooms are standard twin-bedded (two single beds) rooms with private facilities. Special requests such as bed types, smoking preference and connecting rooms are subject to availability. Room selection in all cases, unless otherwise reserved, is strictly at the discretion of the hotel's management on a run-of-house basis. Triple rooms consist of standard twin beds or one double bed plus a sofa/folding bed or cot for third person except in the U.S. and Canada, where triple rooms often consist of two double/queen beds for three persons; where available, a fee may be charged by the hotel for the addition of a cot/rollaway. The number of persons accommodated does not dictate the room size. Although available at most 4 and 5 star hotels, the use of air-conditioning abroad differs greatly from the United States, and is often shut down at night and from the end until the start of the summer months. Some lodges and accommodations in remote regions may not have all of the amenities, such as hairdryer, alarm clock and room service, that you might find in a larger hotel located in a city center. |
| Hotel Check-in/ Check-out |
| Hotel check-in time is generally not before 4:00 p.m. and check-out time is prior to noon. If you will be arriving early in the day or departing in the evening, hotels will usually allow you to store your luggage in their luggage room. Ask at the front desk if the hotel can check you in earlier, or let you stay later. |
| At Your Destination |
| Eco & Sustainable Tourism |
| We support global efforts to create a more eco-friendly world, intolerant of any forms of cruelty, abuse and intentional environmental destruction. To that end we ask that our clients maintain a watchful eye as they travel, and report any abuses they may encounter. One of the many benefits of tourism is the shared cultural knowledge and ultimate elimination of negative behavior through education. We rely on your good feedback to enable this element of symbiosis. As you travel and learn about foreign cultures, we ask first and foremost that you practice tolerance and respect for local customs. |
| Gratuities |
| Tipping is always a matter of personal discretion. For your convenience, please use the summary below as a guideline for recommended gratuity amounts. Gratuities may be paid in local currency or US dollar equivalent where accepted. Please be aware that tipping is considered by many locals to be a part of their normal remuneration and some may approach you for additional "compensation." There is no need to be intimidated by the request, nor should you feel pressured to pay more than recommended. If you become uncomfortable by any behavior you encounter, please advise your tour manager or phone our local office. Numbers are provided in your documents for your convenience. |
| Suggested Tipping: Greece & Greek Island Cruises |
Tour Manager (Coordinator; may or may not act as a guide): US $6 per person per day Driver (Provides chauffeur services and limited assistance with luggage) : US $3 per person per day, US $2 per half day Local Guide (Offers in-depth information at specific locations. There may be one or many guides along a tour program): US $3 per person per day of sightseeing, US $2 per half day Hotel porters and wait staff: Included |
| Greece - Service charges are generally included in restaurant bills, however it is customary to leave a 10% tip. Also, it is customary to leave coins totaling around one Euro for the busboy. |
| Celestyal Cruises - Cruise gratuities are included in your package rate. |
| About Your Sightseeing |
| To ensure a pleasant and fair experience for passengers on our escorted tours, there is a mandatory seat rotation policy on our motor coaches which will be organized by your Tour Manager. Some buses are equipped with toilet facility, however they are strictly intended for emergency use only and often require the vehicle to stop for safety reasons before use. When travel dates coincide with religious holidays and national celebrations, some monuments and sites may be closed, sometimes without prior notice. On these occasions, escorted touring itineraries may be amended to reflect these closures. Occasionally, during holidays and certain periods, and/or due to other unforeseen circumstances including weather conditions, there may be last-minute changes, sometimes after arrival, which may affect the sequence of the tour and locations visited. National monuments and tourist sites regularly undergo renovations, which can obscure the monument's view. No tour will be canceled due to renovations, however Gate 1 will decide based on the conditions whether to amend an itinerary. To respect the privacy of all tour participants, your tour manager will not organize a group photo or collect passenger email addresses for a group list. |
| Land Only Passengers (Escorted Tours) |
| Your tour manager will contact you after your arrival at your hotel. Passengers who have not purchased arrival transfers from Gate 1 Travel should proceed directly to the hotel for check-in. The details of the hotel can be found in your documents. |
| Purchasing Tours Locally |
| On escorted tours, the guides will generally sell optional tours to passengers who have not pre-purchased them. Payment can be made by cash or credit card, unless otherwise noted below. This does not apply to Independent packages. Please see Gate 1 Terms & Conditions for more information. https://www.gate1travel.com/terms.aspx#optional |
| Independent Activities - Gate 1 itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently and with due consideration. Gate 1 is not responsible for any activities not expressly included in its programs. Caution should be exercised when selecting certain activities that may require physical strength, coordination or exertion. Particular care should be taken when considering animal rides, such as on camels, mules or horses |
| Celestyal Cruises - The Euro is the currency used aboard the ship. Please note that while calling at port, other currencies may be used depending on the country being visited. |
| Greece - The Euro is the currency of Greece. |
| Greece - Credit cards are not widely accepted in restaurants, small shops, museums and archeological sites. |
| Shopping |
| Most people enjoy bringing home at least one souvenir from the countries they visit. However, some find any amount of shopping to be too much while others never find enough opportunities. We have built into our Escorted itineraries a few shopping stops at recommended spots. These stops are designed to enhance your experience by providing an opportunity to see first-hand quality locally crafted merchandise which you may not be able to find on your own. Shops are checked to ensure the quality and authenticity of the products they offer, and we limit guides from visiting other locations. In some cases, we plan these stops to provide an opportunity to use clean bathrooms and to stretch your legs. All shops want your satisfaction, and therefore in case of any misunderstanding they ask that you kindly submit your claim to us within one week of the item's receipt. Claims submitted later will be subject to each store’s policies. While shopping independently, we advise you to exercise care and common sense when making any purchase. Always get a formal receipt. And remember that, just like in this country, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is! About Tax-Free Shopping Tax-Free Shopping allows shoppers to reclaim the VAT (Value-Added Tax) or GST (Goods and Services Tax) they have paid on their purchases in some foreign countries in accordance with restrictions and procedures as dictated by each country. Refund eligibility varies by country, but may require presenting a scanned copy of your passport at the time of purchase, a minimum amount spent, or providing original store receipts. For more details, check the respective country’s online website, with the shop salesperson, with your tour manager or at www.globalblue.com for specific country regulations and airport operation hours. Please keep in mind that you must apply for VAT refund in the airport of the country the items were purchased and allow enough time prior to your flight for the application. U.S. Customs & Shipping Charges You may carry items with a fair retail value totaling $800 into the U.S. Taxes may be applied to the next $1,000 worth of merchandise. U.S. Customs determines the value of your items, often honoring a genuine sales receipt. Items which are shipped home are always subject to duty when received in the U.S. (in addition to shipping charges). Some shops may offer to include shipping and duties in the price but this typically means shipping only to the customs facility closest to you and payment only of the export duties; you would still need to collect the item and pay U.S. import duties. Please be aware that it is illegal to import products made from endangered animal species. U.S. Customs & Border Protection will seize these items, as well as most furs, coral, tortoise shell, reptile skins, feathers, plants, and items made from animal skins. |
| Greece - Greece offers an array of boutique shopping. Along with traditional handicrafts, honey, and olive oil, Greece is famous for its production of high-end, designer footwear and other fashion accessories. Shops generally open at 9:00, closing in the mid afternoon, and sometimes reopening for a few hours in the evening, from about 5:30 to 8:30. Most major department stores and boutiques are closed on Sunday. |
| Your Safety is Very Important |
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Prior to your trip, if you are traveling overseas, we strongly recommend that you visit the website of the U.S. Department of State at www.travel.state.gov, specifically the section which addresses International Travel. You should read the tips for foreign travel and travel warnings for the country or countries that you plan to visit. It is also important that you do not allow your common sense to take a vacation while on your trip. Here are several tips which, if followed, will save much potential hardship:
If you've purchased an escorted tour program, your travel documents will include telephone numbers of local Gate 1 Travel representatives who will do their utmost to assist you in the event of an emergency. The numbers are printed on your Gate 1 Travel vouchers. Please copy the numbers. Once you relinquish the voucher, you will not have this information. Passengers traveling independently should employ the services of hotel concierges and local authorities. |
| Celestyal Cruises - You are on a ship with a high safety standard and reliable crew. In case of emergency, we ask you to follow the instructions of your crew. Swipe your card when you leave and board the ship. This helps ensure your security by allowing the crew to immediately determine if all passengers are on board before continuing the cruise. While in port, please keep your cabin door locked. |
| Greece - Pick-pocketing is a centuries-old crime. However in Athens, the incident has rapidly increased over the past few years. These crimes are rarely aggressive, however, this warning should not be taken lightly. Pick-pocketing typically takes place in crowded shopping areas, tourist attractions, and while riding public transportation, particularly while traveling on the subway/metro. Take note:
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| Tourist Street Scams |
Pickpockets and thieves can destroy an otherwise wonderful holiday. Be mindful of these precautions to help avoid being scammed or robbed:
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| Local Emergency Phone Numbers |
Greece
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Celestyal Cruises
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| Languages |
| Greece - Greek is the local language. Limited English is generally spoken in tourist areas. |
| Electricity |
| Please note: The U.S. uses 120 volts and you can purchase a converter and transformer at most hardware stores for your 120V appliances. |
| Greece - The voltage used is 220 volts. |
| Celestyal Cruises - Crystal, Olympia: the voltage used is 110 volts. |
| Code of Conduct |
| Greece - The Greeks are known for their relatively relaxed approach to life with an emphasis on hospitality, similar to other Mediterranean European countries. The Greek Orthodox Church retains a fairly strong cultural influence. In Greece, politics is considered an acceptable topic of discussion in almost any social situation. As a result, people may attempt to draw you into political discussions, which can include the subject of American politics. Keep in mind that regardless of their political views, most Greeks like Americans themselves very much. Smoking is mostly prohibited in public places except in designated areas. Violations can incur fines. Restaurants have smoking and non-smoking sections, while traditional coffee houses and nightclubs usually allow unrestricted smoking. Casual dress is generally acceptable, though some religious sites require long pants for men and a long skirt covering the knees for women, and for shoulders to be covered. |
| Food and Meals |
| As specified in each itinerary. Meals are based on the hotel's or restaurant's buffet or set menu. In general, beverages are not included, unless specifically stated. Although Gate 1 cannot make guarantees, every effort will be made to honor special dietary requests submitted in writing at least 72 hours prior to departure at www.gate1travel.com/contactus. Terminology for dietary requests can vary from country to country and options may be limited. Therefore we recommend that you make your wishes known to your tour manager upon arrival, and at each hotel/restaurant. |
| Holidays |
| On public holidays, there may be reduced public transportation, as well as limited hours or closures of attractions, shops and restaurants. |
| Holidays - Greece |
Holidays 2022 Jan 1: New Year's Jan 6: Feast of the Epiphany Mar 7: Ash Monday Mar 25: Independence Day Apr 22: Orthodox Good Friday Apr 24: Orthodox Easter Apr 25: Orthodox Easter Monday May 1: Labor Day Jun 13: Day of the Holy Spirit Aug 15: Feast of the Assumption Oct 28: Ochi Day Dec 25: Christmas Day Dec 26: Synaxis of the Mother of God Holidays 2023 Jan 1: New Year's Jan 6: Feast of the Epiphany Feb 27: Ash Monday Mar 25: Independence Day Apr 14: Orthodox Good Friday Apr 16: Orthodox Easter Apr 17: Orthodox Easter Monday May 1: Labor Day Jun 5: Day of the Holy Spirit Aug 15: Feast of the Assumption Oct 28: Ochi Day Dec 25: Christmas Day Dec 26: Synaxis of the Mother of God All offices, stores and some sites or museums are closed on these days. The Plaka area is open year round, except for the morning of New Year. |
| On-board Cashless System - Celestyal Cruises |
| You will receive an Access Card, which will serve as both your boarding pass and onboard charge card. Please store it securely as you would any other charge or identification card. There is a cashless system on board. All on board expenditures (in the bar, restaurant, shop, etc.) are charged to your Access Card, and cash is not accepted at any of the ship's outlets. Your card's limit can be extended by verifying a credit card at Reception . At the end of your cruise, the closing invoice will be presented for settlement. Payment can be made by cash, credit card (American Express, VISA, MasterCard, Diners Club) and traveler's checks. Personal checks are not accepted. Children's Access Cards may be restricted by taking them to Reception for re-encoding with a reduced limit. If you misplace your Access Card, report this immediately to Reception. Otherwise, another person may use the card and you will be liable for their charges. |
| Cruise Embarkation / Disembarkation |
| Embarkation commences three hours before the departure time of the vessel. Your passport and cruise voucher should be ready to present to the embarkation staff. The ship's staff collects and holds your passport for the duration of the cruise. A receipt will be given to you and should be presented at the designated time when passport will be returned to you prior to disembarkation. At embarkation you will be issued with your own personal embarkation card which acts as your on board payment card and the security for embarking and disembarking the vessel. Disembarking in Athens: Upon arrival, please proceed through customs with your luggage. With Gate 1 transfer: Meet Gate 1 representative holding Gate 1 sign after clearing immigration and customs. You will be responsible for carrying your luggage to the vehicle. |
| On Your Cruise - Celestyal Cruises |
| Attire: Daytime dress code is casual (shorts and t-shirts for example), however swimsuits are not allowed in public areas or restaurants, except for the lunch buffet on deck. Long pants/dresses are required for meals in the main dining room, and no flip flops are permitted to be worn (sandals are allowed). The majority of evenings on board are country club casual. There will be one formal evening on the 4 day, 5 day, and 7 day cruise, which will be indicated on the daily program. A suit and tie are suggested for gentlemen, and a cocktail dress or pantsuit suggested for women. On shore excursions, some religious sites may require modest dress code to enter (no shorts, short skirts, or sleeveless tops). Long pants are required for men and a long skirt is required for women or a sarong wrap will be provided if necessary. Meals and Dietary Restrictions: Upon embarkation, the Maitre d'Hotel will take your dining room reservation and assign your table. You will have the choice, depending on availability, of main or late sitting. Breakfast and lunch are free-sitting and no reservation is required. All dietary restrictions, particularly for medical reasons should be advised at time of booking. While every effort will be made to accommodate, Gate 1 cannot guarantee every restaurant will be able to comply to the fullest extent. Dinners in tour packages are based on set menus and some buffets. Your cruise includes a drink package. This package includes tap water, soda, juice, coffee, tea, and select beer and wine by the glass. This package includes a variety of liquors and cocktails. Certain specialty beverages, such as premium cocktails, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and canned/bottled soda are available at an additional supplement. Alcoholic beverages will not be available for passengers under the age of 18. Details of beverage choices will be provided on board the cruise. The drink package is available from the opening to the closing hours of the bars and restaurants, from the time you board the vessel until the time you disembark. Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in all areas except one designated lounge, the casino and on open decks. Smoking is not permitted in the cabins. Casino: The Casino will be open during sailing times only. Guests under the age of 18 are not permitted to enter. Your ship's account card may not be used to play in the casino. Excursions: Additional shore excursions will be available for purchase on board the cruise. In Santorini, passengers on a shore excursion will disembark at Athinios, all other passengers in Fira. Disembarkation and embarkation in Santorini, Patmos, and Mykonos may be done via tender boats. Cruise itineraries and ships are subject to change without notice. Furthermore, cruise ships may be chartered and/or departure dates canceled after publication, in which case all moneys will be refunded. Gate 1 takes no responsibility for ship substitutions or itinerary changes imposed by a cruise line. Shore excursion itineraries and rates: Olympia and Crystal: https://www.gate1travel.com/cruises/ships/celestyal/excursions/ Email: Internet facilities are available on board for a fee that is charged to your shipboard account. |
My trip was wonderful. This was the 1st time i used Gate 1 and I have to say I am very happy with the experience. All was very organized and the Gate 1 people were very nice and helpful. I definitely will do another one with Gate 1 and I will recommend to my friends. Thank you for being professional and organized.
Sandra V.
Great trip to Greece! Eva is a exceptional tour manager. She is well organized and kept us on schedule, and extremely knowledgeable. All went smoothly, no issues. Looking forward to our next gate 1 trip in October.
Darrel W.
Overall trip was AMAZING! Gate 1 was on point in all areas with regards to being present when I arrived at the airport, at ferry site, tours and responding to questions in a timely manner. This is my second time using Gate 1 and know Gate 1 will be the only travel agency I will use for all my future international travels. Again THANK YOU and I look forward to booking my next trip with GATE 1.
Kandes D.
I would like to thank our tour guide for her excellent care and service during our tour. Managing 35 people with a variety of needs, demands and some very different personalities and physical abilities is a difficult task. However, Viviane handled each person with skill and professionalism as well as a sense of humor. For some of our group the Greek trip was physically demanding, they were accommodated kindly and given alternative suggestions when the tour was too strenuous for them. I can't thank Viviane enough for her guidance along the way as well as her knowledge of Greek history and the sites we visited.
Barbara E.
WOW!!!! What an awesome trip. From the time we finally made it through to customs & loss luggage (about 2 hours) Dimitri at Gate 1 reassured me the driver Kostus was waiting for us. We had the time of our lives. Every tour guide was knowledgeable and welcoming at each tour we booked. And, a very "SPECIAL" thank you to our tour manager Pano. He was also knowledgeable and helpful with the multiple questions we had. He answered each question concise and always with a smile. I was so worried about getting loss in a foreign country, but with Gate 1 and the entire professional staff of tour guides: Helena in Athens, Sue in Ephesus, Celesei in Patmos, Alexi in Rhodes & Alexa In Santorini; bus drivers and PANO our wonderful tour manager who kept us on schedule and on time, and information for areas to explore on your own. This was a trip of a life time for me and GATE 1 alleviated all my fears and allowed me enjoy myself. Thank you. I have recommended you to my friends.
Beverly W.
I would like to express our gratitude for our tour guide Yiotta. She is a a true gem. She is kind, thoughtful and extremely organized. She truly cares about everyone having the best experience possible. She is patient and is in tune to everyone's needs. My husband and I travel often (2-3times a year) and this was our first time using the services of Gate1. If all tour guides are the caliber of Yiotta, we will definitely be using and recommending Gate1 to others. We consider Yiotta to be one of the best tour guides we have ever encountered. Thank you for a wonderful experience.
Carol W.
I would like to express our gratitude for our tour guide Yiotta. She is a a true gem. She is kind, thoughtful and extremely organized. She truly cares about everyone having the best experience possible. She is patient and is in tune to everyone's needs. My husband and I travel often (2-3times a year) and this was our first time using the services of Gate1. If all tour guides are the caliber of Yiotta, we will definitely be using and recommending Gate1 to others. We consider Yiotta to be one of the best tour guides we have ever encountered. Thank you for a wonderful experience.
Carol W.
What a wonderful trip to Greece. Certainly and as expected flights, accommodations, sites were excellent but did not know as a bonus that I would meet and be guided by the "Energizer Bunny", Ms. Maria. She was with us every minute of every hour of every day providing much needed information and being the problem solver in chief. Patient as a saint and every attention to detail was paid in full. Have done a number of Gate 1 tours previously but she really made this one memorable. Enough so to want to return!
Thomas P.
The trip was wonderful! Great hotels and service by the Gate 1 representatives we dealt with. Our transportation vehicles and drivers were all very nice and had prompt pickups. Very thorough explanations of how things will work when we arrived in Athens.
Diane A.
It was a great trip! My wife and I as well as our friends joining the same group enjoyed every minute of it. We are particularly impressed by the tour manager/guide Angeliki, who has so much detailed knowledge about the history, culture, and various interesting things of every place we visited. She worked tirelessly to make the tour so exciting and enjoyable. We are looking forward to have another tour with Gate1 in the near future.
Gary L.
Amazing as always! Our guides Efi and Panos made sure the land and sea portions went smoothly and were knowledgeable and just generally awesome. Accommodations and included meals were top notch.
Staci B.
We have just returned from our second Gate 1 experience, this time the 2022 Classical Greece tour. We thought nothing could match our previous outing (Egypt), but thanks in large part to our incomparable guide Jenny we have just had one of the best vacations imaginable. Jenny was highly educated in all the right disciplines yet entirely relatable. Her command of English, her outstanding people skills, and her mastery of logistics and scheduling- with great flexibility whenever called for - combined to make her a memorable, effective, delightful leader of our group. Parting from her after two weeks was bittersweet: we wanted more Jenny, and because of her, more Greece. And definitely more Gate 1!
Mona G.
Grateful, Thankful and Blessed. It is with great joy and thankfulness to express our gratitude for organizing such an amazing trip to Greece. Our hostesses -Tour Guides from the Moment we arrived to Greece (Athens )we were welcomed with courtesy and warm candid smiles. When my husband Julio and I arrived to the Hotel Divani Caravel in Athens each working personal were very attentive and very welcoming .The same attitude and care was equally given in all the Hotels we stayed in . Eventually we meet Our Tour Guide Matina. Our experience traveling with Matina as our Tour Guide was phenomenal, terrific, marvelous and fantastic. Every tourist location we went with Matina was well organized with details. Matina surpassed our expectations. She is very knowledgeable in the history of her country and was able to communicate well with assertiveness the value and history of every place we travel with her in Greece. As Matina would guide us explaining the places she was taken us ,she showed and transmitted passion for the culture and history of her nation . My husband and I can only say that our childhood dreams came to true traveling in Greece. After all, Greece is the cradle of civilization for the birth of Democracy. Also ,with this in mind, the bus driver Socrates was Matina's Traveler companion that drove the 24 USA Passengers from Gate 1 to each touristic city we visited .Socrates was an excellent driver with experience. He was very attentive in carrying and transferring our luggage as we arrived to each hotel. Overall, it was a joy to have travel in Greece.
Diana C.
Our 10 days vacation in Greece was memorable, everything EXCELLENT from beginning to end; Our tour Manager Eva was EXCEPTIONAL, very knowledgeable, Incredible, unforgettable, she made us feel as family, she explained everything very well; very organized, she is passionate about the history of her country, every question was responded with lots of explanations. The drivers were AMAZING very kind, taking us safe wherever we went thru those narrow routes. Everything fantastic and we will definitely book our next vacations with GATE1 and we certainly recommend GATE1 to friends and family. THANK YOU!
Maria A.
Our tour of Greece with Eva was so enlightening due to her expansive knowledge and friendly nature. There wasn't a question she couldn't answer about the sites or museum artifacts. Her enthusiasm for her country shown through in her work. She did an especially good job with a group of diverse ages and interests.
Mary A.
Our trip to Greece with Gate1 Travel was just wonderful, we enthusiastically breathed the aromas of the spring wildflowers, enjoyed the beautiful scenery, held our breath and listened to our really professional guide Maria who enthusiastically told us about ancient Greece, historical sights and so much much more... We are truly fascinated by this journey into the past of Greece!
Halina C.
My husband and I just returned home after our first Gate 1 tour in Greece. We have been to Ireland on a tour with another company, it was very nice, but this was most amazing vacation ever! Elena, our tour guide was the BEST! She is vibrant, enthusiastic, funny, patient, organized and efficient! It is an understatement to say that she knows Greek history! She explained buildings, sites, food and even shopping! She kept it so very interesting and entertaining! The way the tour was set up was very smart as well. First, the museum to have everything explained and then go to the actual sites. It all came together. It is incredible how knowledgeable she is! Our group included many people that have been on several Gate 1 tours. They all agreed that Elena was EXCEPTIONAL! The hotels were very nice with great meals. The food on the rest of the tour was delicious. I must speak on Emirates Airlines. My husband is retired from American Airlines, so we fly frequently. Emirates is phenomenal! The flight attendants all look so professional and neat! They were so friendly, organized and beyond efficient! The food was delicious. It reminded us of how flying used to be. My only complaint is a minor one. The lack of legroom on the bus and in economy class on the plane. We did upgrade our flight home to the seats with extra legroom and that was very comfortable. We thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful trip and definitely plan on using Gate 1 travel again in the future! Next year, Italy!!
Patricia S.
I took the 7 day Greece tour with a start date of Jan.31. I wanted to make sure that my guide, Mila and my driver Socrates are recognized for their amazing work!! It was an experience of sheer perfection thanks to their hard work and great care. I was a Delta flight attendant for 40 years and I sure know amazing customer service when I see it. They were simply legendary.
Debra D.
We just completed a trip to Greece with our return to the USA on Christmas Day. My wife and two adult children and I had never been on a group tour type trip in our lives and were a bit nervous about how it would go. I must say that Gate1 did a wonderful job. Nina and Costa were our guide and driver and we cannot say enough about their professionalism. Greece is a place we will definitely return to, we had a wonderful time. We will definitely consider travelling with Gate1 in the future and wish everyone a happy new year.
Gregg C.
This was our first Gate1 trip. My husband and I were not sure what to expect. We should not have been concerned. Our trip to Greece was top notch from our guide Anna with her organizational skills, knowledge and friendly personality to the meals and accommodations. We could not have been more pleased. We look forward to our upcoming Gate1 trips with complete confidence.
Charlene C.
Our tour guide in Greece, Militsa, was an exceptional guide. Not only her knowledge of the history of Greece, Greek Mythology and how they impacted the rest of our culture, but her ability to herd our group around. She not only kept us together the best she could, but if stairs or hill climbs were too difficult for some, she gave them viable alternatives. Also her instructions as to when and where to meet back up worked 100% of the time. Prior to entering a monastery, church, ruin, restaurant, or pedestrian area, she prepared us as to rules, customs, expectations, especially as it related to Covid. On the bus she made sure we stayed masked and if someone forgot, she nudged them back into compliance. And 100% of our group tested negative at the end of the tour! Loved loved this trip
Vickie S.
We absolutely loved this tour and can’t believe the incredible value we received! Everything was top notch! Maria, our tour guide was knowledgeable, caring and professional. We couldn’t have asked for a better tour guide if we tried! She had a wealth of historical knowledge, was charming and downright fun! She helped us get a feel for her country and gave us valuable tips along the way. She is a definite asset to Gate 1 in Greece! The hotels in all cities were well located, highly rated, comfortable, charming and welcoming. We especially loved the gorgeous Hotel Apollonia in Delphi. We were amazed at the beauty of the town and the gorgeous view from the balconies. Just to look out at the mountains gave us a magical feeling! The Hotel Europa Olympia was also beautiful, comfortable and relaxing. We loved our stay in that location, too. The Athenian Callirhoe was in a terrific location, their staff was friendly, the rooms were extremely clean and we found it a great place to stay while in Athens, not to mention the rooftop restaurant looking out at the Acropolis that was especially lovely in the evening! We completely fell in love with Greece and found the itinerary chock full of interesting sights and information. We saw so much of Greece and especially loved the cooking class and dancing lessons! This was a last minute addition to our tour and this activity really helped to make our group bond, laugh and feel happy. The best part was that this day was also my birthday and this activity made my day so very special!!! I was even serenaded with “Happy Birthday” and a cake by the group! We will definitely be telling more of our friends about Gate 1. We rave about your company everywhere we go! This was our 10th tour and won’t be our last!!!
Russel L. Appleton, WI
Our trip was really great. The tour Guide Maria was fantastic and exceptionally good,with her knowledge and experience. I was astonished at the high level of service Provided. Picking up bags, clear directions every day. The tour was well organized and gave us what we were looking for regarding the history and beauty of Greece. We also had plenty of opportunity to get to know and enjoy with our fellow travelers.
Rustam P. Nagpur, India
Well, I can’t say enough good things! It was the best trip ever. Our first Discovery tour. We have had excellent tour guides with Gate 1 and other companies, but Jenny was by far the best! She was so knowledgeable, kind, caring, engaging, and fun. We especially loved the hotel in Athens but all the hotels were good. We enjoyed all of the meals and loved the students who joined us for dinner in Athens. What amazing young people. Greece is now our favorite trip! Looking forward to planning our next Gate 1 trip.
Sharon & Stephen L. San Luis Obispo, CA
It was a great trip! The guide, Yainni, was fantastic and the driver had nerves of steel! I do not plan to drive myself in Athens anytime soon. I was astonished at the high level of service provided...picking up bags, clear directions every day, and making sure we were escorted to the airport. Those are tiny examples, but they meant a lot.
Judy K. San Pedro, CA
The entire trip was wonderful. The islands were fabulous, the weather couldn't have been better, and every part of the trip Gate 1 was involved in was flawless. The contact at the airports, the transfers, the hotels and the excursions were all wonderful! Rest assured, we will definitely be using Gate 1 Travel again in the future.
Michael W. Louisville, KY
It couldn’t have been better. We can’t say enough about our tour guide, Demetra, who anticipated every need of our group and shared the wealth of knowledge she has of Greece and its history, places, and culture. The tour was well designed and gave us what we were looking for regarding the history and beauty of Greece. The exposure to quality local restaurant foods was beyond our expectations. Also exposure to products such as the kumquats and wines was a nice feature of the tours. The hotels and services were more than satisfactory. The pace of the tour assured we wasted none of the precious time set aside for the Greece tour. We also had plenty of opportunity to get to know, enjoy and bond with our fellow travelers. And finally, at the very end when we had to get on a transfer vehicle to the airport at 4AM, Demetra was there to make sure the connection was working for us and fellow travelers and to wish us a warm farewell. We would do a tour with Gate 1 and Demetra anytime we can arrange for one in the future.
Larry and Helen T. Suffolk, VA
Our trip was really great. We enjoyed the Gate 1 customer experience for the first time and were impressed by the way the trip was planned. Most importantly, Demetra our tour guide was exceptionally good. With her knowledge and professionalism, she made our vacation quite memorable. She is the best travel guide we have had so far.
Shrikant N. Kendall Park, NJ
I had a fantastic time. Our tour director , on the land tour, Militska, was wonderful. She could relate historical facts intertwined with mythological fascinations. I always marveled at how upbeat she was every day. She cared about our safety, and helped us avoid overcrowded areas. I definitely would tour with her again. She also had a great sense of humor. The short trip to Kusadaki was fascinating and interested me in the Turkish population. The food we ate was superb both at tour sites and on the ship. I would recommend Gate 1 to others..
Frances G. Lakewood Township, NJ
Wonderful, just wonderful; will use Gate 1 again. Lovely lady met us at the airport both ways, and the guide on the ship was lovely too. Really enjoyed the set up on board with tours in the AM and free time in the afternoon. Food and entertainment on board were great.
Maureen G. Downingtown, PA
We had a wonderful time. Our tour manager, Yainni, was terrific. He made the trip informative and fun. The hotels were great and we loved the food. The surprise cooking and dancing lesdon was so much fun. Thanks for another ( my 14th) awesome Gate 1 trip.
Gabriele D. New Hope, PA
It was amazing and another one of my most memorable international trips. Gate 1 made it even easier and stress free for us as an independent tourist. I felt like we were never alone on this adventure. Gate 1 was so organized and kept us informed about our next process to our next destinations. Would definitely travel with Gate 1 again!!!
Yin L. Staten Island, NY
Our "family vacation" to Greece was fantastic and I want to thank Gate 1 Travel for the excellent service. Although we opted for an independent package we had the support of Gate 1 during all of the transfers and other optional sightseeing packages. We were greeted at each location by the Gate 1 representative and they made sure we made it to our hotels and got on the proper ferry to both Mykonos and Athens. We will definitely consider Gate 1 for our future travel plans!
Duane & Dianne M. Rochester, MI
We had a wonderful time. Our trip through Greece was sensational and we were very happy with the choice of hotels and restaurants– the food and wine were so delicious. The Gate 1 Guide, Millitsa, was excellent and she kept us informed and helped us have the most informative and entertaining time. There were only 14 of us on the trip and we all got along very well (only us from Australia and the others from US). This was our third Gate 1 trip this year and we very much appreciate the standard of service which Gate 1 provides.
Pauline G. Canberra, Australia
The trip was great. Very well managed. I loved our two managers Yannis and Panos. Super knowledgeable and considerate. They had every detail of the trip planned out so we had a stress free trip and made some friends too. I have recommended Gate 1 to many friends and we will definitely trace with Gate 1 again.
Wei Z. Chesterfield, MO
My trip was excellent I would recommend Gate 1 to all my friends- all our guides were wonderful, Stella who met us at the Athens airport, Kassandra who was our Guide in Athens, was excellent- she was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Constantine who came aboard the ship with us was organized, checked in with us daily, gave us great advice, he was also excellent.
Suzanna A. Cardiff, CA
Aaaaamazing! The hotels were good, especially the Callirhoe in Athens. The location was perfect and that view in the restaurant!!! We loved our guide Helena. She is so very knowledgeable and really brings the history to life!!! What a surprise to have Panos as a guide during the cruise portion. Gate 1 is really savvy to have a cruise director. This was our first large ship cruise. Panos organization and advice about the excursions, getting on/off at ports of call, and general helpfulness made it so much more maneuverable! Thank you tons and more for helping us with the reservations Gate 1. We will be contacting you soon to plan a new adventure!
Kathy H. Thomasville, GA
We had a wonderful time in Greece! Sandra (our tour guide), along with Nick (our bus driver) made the trip run smoothly. Sandra was very welcoming and knowledgeable about all areas we visited. We were also fortunate that the tour was planned so that we were often the first bus to arrive at sites which helped to lessen the wait times and crowds who would arrive later. The weather cooperated fully throughout our trip too! Looking forward to planning our next Gate 1 trip!
Cynthia H. Lowell, MA
We had a great trip. Sophia, our guide was amazing. She had an endless knowledge of Greek history and culture and was able to relate it to all the things we saw. George, the bus driver was a careful driver and a gentleman. The trip went smoothly and the group size was great. This was our first discovery tour, although we have traveled many times with Gate 1, and I am sure we will do this again.
Debbie N. Nova Scotia, Canada
Our trip to Greece was incredible! As always, traveling with Gate 1, was fun, informative and full of new experiences. We can't wait to book our next trip with you.
Jane P. Austin, TX
Wonderful! Our tour guide, Maria, who was filling in for another person, did an excellent job. She was always warm and cheerful, available for questions and very knowledgeable. A superb guide! Thank you for another great trip!
Marsha W. Lehigh Acres, FL
The trip was just absolutely remarkable. You guys cannot be paying Militsa enough. She is a great ambassador for your company and for the country that she loves. Because of her commentary the whole experience was richer. She provided great information on each site that we visited but perhaps more importantly for me she offered information on Greek life and the Greek people that was not available in the guide books. My wife and I were as interested in the lives of the people who live in Greece as we were about the sites. Militsa happily answered our, no doubt tedious, questions. She even provided Greek treats for the tour participants. Basically she treated us like family and it made the trip that much more enjoyable.
Joseph B. Versailles, KY
Our trip was great. We had seen everything on my bucket list and a lot more. Our guide Anna was very helpful and informative. I and a lot of others in my group had said Gate 1 is highly recommended for good trips at a great value.
Marvin D. Belle Fourche, SD
My trip was everything I had ever imagined and then some - absolutely the experience of a lifetime! Our guide in Athens, Chris, was OUTSTANDING and our whole trip was effortless and stress free. We will definitely be booking more trips with Gate 1 and have already recommended Gate 1 Travel to all of our friends!
Roxanne E. Colton, SD
Our trip was fantastic. It exceeded our expectations. The most important thing to having a trip of a lifetime was Gate 1’s addition of an outstanding tour guide, Constantine .. He was one of the best ... We want to return! We will use Gate 1 again.
Kathleen G. Virginia Beach, VA
Wow...wow...wow! I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed Greece! What a perfect trip! I loved every minute! First, our guide Effie was amazing and made everyone feel at home! She was so informative about everything and the history was mind boggling! She made my trip even better by making sure my food was perfect and I felt even more special! The bus driver, George, was friendly and efficient ...The hotels were so first class and spectacular! The scheduled events included several new adventures everyday! ... The people of Greece were so warm and friendly and you should be so proud how Effie represents your company so wonderfully! We learned how to Greek dance and loved the food! Thank you for one of the best trips...they get better and better!
Linda M. Los Angeles, CA
My trip was wonderful. I learned so much about Greece and our tour guide, Yianni, went above and beyond to ensure that everyone had a great trip! Gate 1 is the best!
Susan H. Bunker Hill, IL
This was our first Gate 1 tour and I must say it was outstanding. We saw so much of Greece, both the islands and mainland in the 2 weeks we were there. I couldn't have asked for more. Celestyal Crystal was an older ship, the crew kept it spic and span and provided such wonderful service ... The food was excellent and a good variety. The provided tours, drink package, and other add ons were great. Although the cruise was contracted to Celestyal, having Constantine and Julia along to guide us through things and insure we got everything we were supposed to was stellar. The hotels and their buffets were great. We had a free cooking class for lunch, that was great; thank you Gate 1 ... All the Gate 1 personnel at the airport, hotels, tours, etc were super. This was an outstanding value for the money! We ran into many other people on this trip that had been on prior Gate 1 tours and could only say the best things. We look forward to traveling with them in the future, possibly a Russian river cruise in 2020. We're already committed through 2019. Once again, thanks for a wonderful experience Gate 1!
Edward D. The Villages, FL
FABULOUS!! Sophia was absolutely wonderful & a wealth of knowledge. We all were amazed at her abilities regarding all the history at each location we stopped at, including the Acropolis Archaeology Museum. You are very fortunate to have her as your guide. Also, Christos is an excellent driver. He is very skilled at getting into surprisingly small spaces with our huge bus. We all appreciated his assistance with our travel around Greece. Great trip.....many highlights!!!
Cheryl H. Lakewood, CO
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our vacation trip to Greece and Turkey. The cruise for seven days was delightful and convenient for us. Loved the entertainment on board the cruise ship, the food preparation and Greek dancing lessons. We have told our friends to try Gate 1 Travel for their vacation trips.
Jay F. Detroit, MI