Croatia, Slovenia & The Balkans
Reviews
OVERALL TOUR EXPERIENCE: Both the Tour Manager, Elvis, and our driver were excellent! Every check-in process went smoothly thanks to Elvis, and the hotel staffs. Outside of the Hotel Paris, our hotels were of high quality. We were not pleased to learn of extra fees charged by Lufthansa for seats. On one of our flights (Denver to Munich), the seat map that was used to select seats did not match the aircraft, resulting in us not getting the seat location that we requested. Overall, we are very appreciative of the efforts by Gate1 to provide a very enjoyable experience. HIGHLIGHTS: The Traditional Croatian dinner held at the family's farm was the highlight experience of the tour. The performers at the Slovenian meal, and the group hat dance were a lot of fun. Prior to entering the National Park in Croatia, we had lunch at a remote site. We enjoyed the hosts, and the meal. The evening we spent with our local guide in Tirana, Albania was very educational. The day spent in Kruje, Albania, was well done. Our tour guide led us through the museum; and we were entertained by a talented group of performers and dancers.
Benjamin K.Just wanted to submit kudos for our Balkans Tour Manager, Damir. His knowledge, respect, and passion for the history and varied cultures of the region were outstanding. Often, I fall asleep on the bus, but I found Damir's history lessons, cultural explanations, and personal stories to be so engaging that I stayed wide awake and engaged, despite the jet lag. Additionally, he ran a tight ship which kept us punctual and maximized our independent time. He also created a lot of additional fun moments, which made the group bond in a way that I haven't experienced on other tours. Damir was the epitome of professionalism and turned this vacation into one of my all-time favorites!
Angela K.Just want to personally commend Damir, our amazing, funny, and super knowledgeable guide who made our Croatia trip over the top, and the best Gate One experience by far! Looking forward to our next adventure to Dubai!
Pedro S.One of my favorite Gate1 Vacations. Nikolina, the guide was the best we've ever had and the same for the driver, Egor, and the coach was so new, clean and comfortable. The hotels, food, optional tours, and local guides were all wonderful. We met so many nice people on the tour that will become lifetime friends Thank you for everything.
Carla O.I just want to add a special thanks to our tour director, Jelena, who was outstanding. She provided a detailed and professional overview for each of the four nations we visited, and in the case of Serbia, her own nation, she provided an invaluable perspective of what it was like to grow up during a horrible civil war and watch her nation re-emerge as a nation state in the years that followed. Her management of the tour was flawless; she had a great personality. Gate 1 is very fortunate to have her as a tour director.
Michael H.Jakov was fantastic! He was knowledgeable, friendly, funny, and caring. He made the trip exponentially better. His knowledge and love of the country was wonderful and endearing. He was an excellent communicator and made us feel informed and safe. He was always on time and was happy to interact and answer questions at any time during the trip. I would love to have him as my guide again! Our driver - Silvie - was also fantastic. He was very helpful and made us feel safe. And that was not easy on some of those narrow, windy roads! He always made a point to stop or slow down for us to take photos or see something special. He was also super helpful with the luggage and was very friendly. I could not ask for a better guide or driver than we had with Jakov and Silvie.
Sharon S.The trip was amazing! I think it might be my best Gate 1 yet! Croatia is a beautiful country. I love the mix of history, current life and the blending of cultures. Nicolo, our guide, was AMAZING! So was Samir our bus driver. Their concerns for our safety, comfort, enjoyment and cohesiveness made every better better than the one before it!
Kathleen H.Our tour manager Nikoleta was a major contributing factor associated with our Slovenian trip. I consider this trip to be one of my favorite Gate1 adventures. Nikoleta is a gem!!
Deborah W.The 14-day Croatia, Bosnia & Slovenia with Venice tour was my third trip with Gate 1. Even though this was a Classic tour with more than twice the number of travelers than my previous Discovery Tours, everything ran smoothly and the group dynamics were fantastic. Our Tour Manager, Josip, was excellent. His knowledge, organizational skills and humor were top notch. He was very attentive to individual needs and questions. The amazing clear waters of the Adriatic Sea, the water falls and spectacular Fall colors in the Plitvice Lakes National Park, and the Postonja Cave are only a few of the highlights. Definitely worth revisiting in other seasons!
Constance M.Our tour manager Edo was truly outstanding. Everything about our tour was orchestrated in a most professional way, yet his wonderful personality created a perfect atmosphere for learning and enjoyment. Edo is extremely knowledgeable about the Balkans and all the places we visited and explained everything so well. His patience and kindness were evident as he interacted with all 41 of us. Having Edo as our tour manager truly made the trip a fantastic experience it was.
William G.My husband & I thoroughly enjoyed the Gate 1 8 day Croatian Islands walking tour! This trip by far has been my most favorite one out of the four I have been on. Our tour managers, Vanja & Vana were exceptional! They made sure everyone in the group was safe at all times, and also created a fun & interesting atmosphere. The trails we covered were challenging as described, but having Vanja & Vana lead us along, made them more manageable. They both deserve the highest praise and recognition for not only being true professionals, but also for being kind, considerate and outstanding people. Thank you to both of them and thanks to Gate 1 for this fantastic trip!
Janice O.I've been on several Gate 1 trips. This one rates at the very top of all. We had only 20 in the group and it was amazing how we all got along and became dear friends. But the icing on the cake was our trip manager, Dusan! He is so knowledgeable about the area, and so customer oriented. He has great communication skills, and is just the nicest, happiest and caring tour manager I've ever had. He represents Gate 1 beautifully. So much so that my sister is planning a trip to Romania next spring because Dusan will be the tour manager. The optional tours were great as usual. The accommodations were always very easily accessible (not miles away like with some tour companies) and all the meals were great.
Evelyn P.This was our 8th Gate 1 trip, and we feel it was the best one ever. Our guides, Blaz in Slovenia, and Vivi in Padua were caring, kind, and made us all feel special, safe, and had such wonderful personalities. Everyone on both parts of our trip felt the same. Thank you for the gift of this trip. The tours were all interesting and lovely, and both of our tour guides went over and above with us each day.
Sandra M.Our Tour Managers, Ivan and Alan were excellent. In my opinion, they went above and beyond being helpful, knowledgeable and empathetic to our needs. You should be proud to have such exceptional Tour Managers in your employ.......do not loose them!!!
Elizabeth A.Aside from being extremely knowledgeable and informative about all the sites that were visited on this tour, Tour Guide Damir provided an extra element to ensure that each traveler had an outstanding experience. Whether it was his concern for and attention to ailing travelers, providing recommendations and suggestions for free time activities, or in my case celebrating a birthday, his attention to detail and his pleasant demeanor was much appreciated and added that special touch to this trip. He is an outstanding tour manager.
Laura A.Just back from the Discovery Tour of Slovenia, Croatia and the Dalmatian Islands. Nikoletta was our tour guide, and she was fantastic. She was knowledgeable, kind, informative and she made the trip stress free from start to finish. Every tour we took was wonderful, the scenery was breathtaking, and we had some free time to explore what interested us. I highly recommend this tour.
Martha D.Just want to let you know that our Tour Manager, Damjan, was excellent. He was friendly, very professional, and knew so much about the history of the places he took us to. He is a credit to Gate 1 Travel.
Patrick F.We completed the survey but wanted to add our thoughts about the tour program. Most every answer was excellent - it was a memorable and well-managed trip. They say the best party was the host and our "host" - Milos - was an excellent tour director. He was amazing, his knowledge was remarkable, his personality engaging and his ability to make each guest feel special and included was exceptional. He treated us as family and offered personal experiences to enrich our tours. He was always respectful, took time to listen and allowed us, as a group, to decide options. We owe Milos so much as he made each day special and memorable. And I must mention that our driver Ċ½eljko, he was the most responsible and congenial driver we have ever had the privilege to share a motor coach with. Great guy, smooth and safe driver, any request honored -- a true professional. Kudos to him and again our host Milos. Gate 1 is lucky to have these two professionals who reflect your reputation and marketing promises made. When we book another tour program with Gate 1, I hope to have this dynamic duo at the helm.
Jim N.Zjelijko and Mate were excellent hosts/guides. I will travel again with Gate 1 because of their expertise. Zeljko has a compelling combination of being a professor, an athlete, and a detail-oriented tour manager. His ability to share stories of Croatian economic, historical, agricultural, and environmental issues is exceptional. He took great care to ensure that guests were hiking within their abilities, and he provided opportunities for both faster and slower guests to travel at their own pace. Zjelijko's humor was compelling. Mate exuded positivity and humor as well. His knowledge of marine biology and Croatian culture was appreciated. Indeed, their compassion for guests, knowledge, and athleticism are outstanding-many thanks to them for a memorable, fun, and instructional week.
Gayl L.The 8-day Croatian Walking/Hiking tour was everything we hoped for. Beautiful sights, hiking adventures, lovely accommodations and new friends. Our guide Vonja, kept a group of 20 hikers of varying abilities together and happy. She make transitions to ferries and hotels smooth and effortless. She deserves special recognition.
Julie B.This was my first guided trip with your company, and I was quite pleased! Everything went very smoothly. Our tour manager, Mario, was outstanding!! He was very informative, knowing the history of the countries and very helpful with the myriads of questions our group asked. The food was delicious everywhere we ate, but at times it was just too much in quantity. The optional tours were delightful; I think my favorite being the Silk Wonder and Old Mill tour. The Edisto Winery was also quite interesting. It was also great getting to meet so many new people. Thank you for putting together such an awesome trip.
Phyllis E.I want to say this trip was PERFECT! the variety of locations to visit, the quality of the hotels, the incredible tour guide Vlaho and our driver Jeko. It was all wonderful. Our tour guide was very skilled in ensuring harmony with the group. We had a mix of newbies and seasoned Gate 1 travelers, and the expectations were all over the place and Vlaho navigated it all with exemplary diplomacy and finesse. We all felt like a very big family very soon after starting the adventure together. Vlaho was so funny and kept the atmosphere very light and fun. I believe this on my list was one of the most wonderful adventures and I cannot wait for my next one. I know I will be back in Croatia for more. 10 days was not enough.
Stephanie S.We enjoyed a wonderful first-time tour experience with Gate1 Travel and will plan to participate in future tours! We were most impressed with our tour Manager, Mario! Mario was so well organized and was an excellent communicator. He was extremely knowledgeable about the history and culture over the entire 12-day, 3 country itineraries. More importantly, his ever-pleasing personality and extra steps to ensure his guests' comfort and security along the way were most satisfying. He is a great asset to Gate1 and is a big part of our plan to book our next adventure. I need to add that our driver, Alex, was truly amazing and skillful in his operation of our bus tour along the way. We always felt safe and in good hands as he expertly navigated many narrow and busy roads. Thank you, Alex!
Tim K.I would like to express my gratitude to the tour's manager Jelena. She is an incredible talented person. She made our trip unforgettable, maybe the best we had in organized tour. She has a knowledge of history and a passionate love for her country. She is funny, very well-articulated, always on time and very efficient. There were absolutely no delays, unpleasant moments during our tour. To manage a group of more than 20 people with a lot of travel between the places is a pretty challenging task. But Jelena did it so effortlessly that it seemed that it cost her nothing. She provided a lot of suggestions on where to eat, what to see in free time, which facilities to use in hotels. Our driver was also incredible - very skillful on narrow roads, maintained the bus in excellent condition, was efficient with luggage. My husband's and mine appreciation and gratitude to both of them.
Alla M.This trip was our sixth Gate One tour. We were impressed with all our guides, but Jelena was far above and beyond. She did an excellent job with the organizational part of her duties as did all the other guides on our previous trips. What set her apart was her ability to bring the group together and create as atmosphere where we were not just a group of random people on a tour but friends who enjoyed each other's company. Her sense of humor and her ability to make everything so much fun was a true asset. She gave us information about the places we visited and the history in ways that were not only informative and interesting but entertaining. She gave us insight into what life was like during these times in history. We not only saw the sites, but we felt the vibe of each area. She was always ready with suggestions and information. She is a true asset to Gate One. We would love to travel with her again!
Dawn M.I wanted to be sure to let you know that we were more than happy & pleased with the whole trip. The hotels were amazing, the food more than enough and delicious and most of all our tour guide (Ines), local guides were outstanding, as well as our bus driver Dado. This was our 2nd time with Gate 1 and will be our choice again when we tour.
Janet P.AMAZING doesn't begin to describe our experience on the 10 Day Walking/Hiking Tour of Croatia and the Dalmatian Islands! The hotels, Tour Manager and Assistant, food, fellow travelers and the hikes were beyond all my expectations! We have found our type of travel and our tour company. We can't wait to embark on our next adventure with Gate 1
Ann R.Our trip was really great, thank you! Our guide, Nenad was exceptional. He was extremely knowledgeable and really went out of his way to accommodate the many requests made of him. Hrvoje, our bus driver, also did a great job. His driving was extremely smooth and gave everyone tremendous confidence in our safe travel throughout the trip.
Harold V.My trip was amazing. Thank you for helping me book this tour. It was one of the most special tours we have done because of how we bonded with our tour managers and our group. Croatia was beautiful and had unique landscapes. Hotels were beautiful as well especially the one in Dubrovnik. Hiking was challenging but enjoyable.
Michelle F.Our tour director Christeje, was superb, the best tour director of other great tour directors I've enjoyed on Gate1 trips. He was professional, personable, gracious, witty, helpful. He addressed and took care of our every need. Bravo!!!!
Donald P.We would like to express our gratitude to Gate 1 for the excellent work that is done with all trips that my husband and I were taken over the last two years. We are very confident that the next time when we decide to travel we definitely will go with Gate 1. The hotels are chosen with a lot of thought to it, with the location, food, and cleanliness in mind. All the excursions are very organized and interesting. Great work Gate 1!!!
Tatyana F.Once again I am impressed with Gate 1 employees. You always go above and beyond your travel agent duties, being professional, caring and friendly. Our tour guide Jelena was outstanding. She made us laugh and feel at ease. She was professional and made us feel safe. The Hotel was wonderful and in particular, Marina at the hotel desk was very helpful. The trip was a different adventure every day, making each day a special new memory! Thanks for all you do. I hope you are well healed after your medical leave. Looking forward to the next trip with Gate 1!
Sandra J.I've always traveled with Globus, so this is my first time traveling with Gate1. The difference between Globus and Gate1 is your tour manager, Mira. She embodies all the qualities a tour director should have; friendly, cheerful, humorous, punctual, knowledgeable, considerate, patient, organized and above all thoughtful. She plans out every step so there is no surprise or delays to the customers. I also appreciate the small souvenirs that were given to us here and there during the tour. It was a very nice gesture. I will be traveling with Gate1 going forward. Thanks.
Noah T.The driver Vinka was outstanding. Not only did he drive us safely through out the trip but each morning he had our water at our seats before we boarded. He had our border papers ready, two times he checked our luggage and had our room keys as the group tour, had the bus washed so the windows were cleaned to take better pictures, and when we traveled by his home town, his mother made fresh pastries for the group! Vinka and Mario took wonderful care of us. We also loved the treats Mario gave us throughout the trip. The local guides were all great.
Nita C.Our Balkans trip was fantastic! We visited Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Slovenia and Venice and we love every bit of it. Our guide Jon was excellent and very knowledgeable. He took very good care of us and made sure we enjoyed every step of the way. Jon answered all our questions and explained so many things to us. We give him a 5 star for his excellent performance and service to us. Our driver Slavko was also very good and took good care of our suitcases and all our transportation needs. We also loved many of the local guides during the tour, especially Enes in Sarajevo. We commend Gate 1 for such a great tour and would definitely recommend it to our friends and family. Way to go Gate 1. Keep up the excellent work!
Gamal H.Slovenia is a beautiful country. More beautiful than words can say. The Stay and Explore program is wonderful. I was able to participate in outings with others but also had plenty of time to explore on my own. David is a fantastic Tour Manager. He was always helpful with whatever we needed and always had a smile. He had a great sense of humor while always staying professional. His knowledge of Slovenia was very appreciated also. I travel the world to learn other cultures so I normally end up asking a lot of questions. He was able to answer them all!
Ruth L.Just returned from our 14-day Croatia Slovenia and Venice trip. We had a great time. Our guide Mario was the very best. He was a professional fan and cared about all our needs. Driver Sylvio was great. The hotels were very good.
Liliana A.It was wonderful, we had such a good time. My friends want to travel again with gate 1, it was their first time, and they were so pleased with everything. Our tour manager Lana and driver Sam were great, they did such a good job, they're the best. It was my 6th time travelling with you and I am already looking for the next adventure
Aurora O.It was fabulous, the tour guide, Gabi, was wonderful, we loved her and got so much information from her. The scenery was beautiful, fascinating history of the region (both ancient and more recent), and insights into the culture were very interesting. The local guides were also excellent. We had a fantastic trip.
Gayle F.I enjoyed this trip very much. Slovenia was a very pleasant surprise, being a first-time visitor. Ljubljana in particular was a lot of fun to explore. This was our first "Stay & Explore" tour. Definitely offers some advantages for a more in-depth experience of that location and nearby sites of interest. Changing hotels every 1-2 nights never bothered me, as I am a well-organized packer. But staying in the same hotel for 7 nights does have some convenience. Both of our TMs were excellent: Blaz (Slovenia) and Viviana (Italy). Both are very knowledgeable and passionate about their countries and people. Vivi was extremely charming and fun.
Ruben L.This was an amazing trip due mainly due to our fabulous tour director, Nikola. His knowledge of the region's history and culture was extremely beneficial as my knowledge was limited at the start of the trip. He was kind and thoughtful and very fluent in English. He also had many surprises and treats and made everyone feel comfortable and always made sure the slower folks on the tour were taken care of. Gate 1 is very lucky to have such a phenomenal tour guide who is a true professional. He is the best tour director I have had so far.
Indranie S.Amazing! Anna was excellent! Damir was wonderful! Food, local guides and attractions were all great! We're looking at our next trip now. Bravo!
Robert M.It was spectacular. Mario provided us with every thing we needed and wow all the history and information from city to city. One day was as good as the next. Tour guide and driver were the best!!!
Marilyn E.It was awesome. Our guide Ivan was fantastic!
Karen A.This was our first time traveling with Gate1, and we were blown away. From start to finish, everything was thoughtfully planned. The hotel selections were absolutely the best. Every hotel was in a great location, walking distance to sights, and breakfast was always included. And not just bread and Nutella (my wife and I were used to that when traveling on our own). This was stress-free travel at its finest. Now to our Tour Director, Josip from Zagreb. What a gem! He made the trip not only fun but rich with history, culture, and unforgettable stories about important figures like Nikola Tesla and Marco Polo. Josip's knowledge, positivity, and genuine kindness made every day enjoyable. He is truly an outstanding leader and a kind human being. Dubrovnik deserves its own spotlight. It is a place you'll never forget. So magical that you might even forget the other cities. Yes, it's that beautiful. From the old city walls to the glimmering Adriatic, it's simply unforgettable. Our driver, Sebastian, was also fantastic. He was safe, calm, and professional, making every drive smooth and relaxing. We were part of a large group of 42 travelers, and everything went incredibly well. Everyone got along, which speaks volumes about the energy Josip created. My best advice is to go with the flow. Trust your tour director. Be present in the moment. Appreciate the journey. It won't be perfect all the time, but Gate1 truly goes the extra mile to make you feel cared for. Considering the price we paid, which included the planner, hotels, transfers, accommodation, and breakfast, we definitely received more than our money's worth. Thank you, thank you, thank you Gate1 Travel, Josip, Sebastian, and our amazing group for the incredible memories. We are already looking forward to our next Gate1 adventure.
John D.I recently returned from a Gate 1 vacation, and I must say this trip was truly unforgettable-largely due to our exceptional tour guide - Vlaho. From the very start, he demonstrated the highest level of professionalism and care. He was incredibly accommodating to everyone's needs, always making sure we were comfortable and well-informed. What set Vlaho apart, however, was his genuine kindness and compassion. He treated every traveler with respect and warmth, creating an inclusive and enjoyable environment throughout the journey. His generosity in encouraging us to try new things-whether it was local cuisine, cultural experiences, or optional excursions-made the trip feel rich and immersive. He went above and beyond every single day, anticipating our needs before we even voiced them and handling every situation with grace. I've traveled with Gate 1 on several occasions, and I can honestly say Vlaho is one of the best guides I've had the pleasure of touring with. His passion for what he does shines through, and it made our entire experience that much more special.
Marissa P.I am a travel agent and I traveled as a consumer on this trip. This trip was well organized and well planned. The stops were great. The hotels were well located and appropriate class. Danny our driver was excellent and kept us safe. Edo the tour manager did a great job of managing the group, making everyone feel special, and took care of a few medical issues along the way. He was always prepared and ready for the day. I wouldn't hesitate to send clients on this tour.
Anne M.I would like to comment on the excellent job done by both our tour manager Gabi and our driver Milan for making our trip so very enjoyable. They made our trip very interesting , informative and we always felt safe . Gabi's knowledge was mind boggling and Milan's driving abilities were beyond belief !
Wayne G.The breathtaking coastline of Croatia, the historic limestone fortresses, the lush green of lavender, rosemary, and grapevines, the mesmerizing turquoise lakes and waterfalls at Plitvice, the fantastic food and delicate wines, the gracious Croatians---surpassed only by our more than capable driver, "Danny", and our Tour Manager, Edo--The Quintessential Tour Guide! Edo's charm and wit and amazing attention to detail left all of us enjoying our vacation even more as we knew we were in totally safe and capable hands. The narrow switchback roads in Hvar were skillfully maneuvered by driver Danny; a couple of unfortunate "blips" (health issues) in our group were handled smoothly and seamlessly by Edo, and not a beat was missed. His impressive knowledge of the history of all the places we visited; his engagement with each and every one of us; his delightful sense of humor kept us all "tuned in." We had an especially harmonious group, and everyone was kind and respectful and ready to laugh. It was truly an adventure never to be forgotten. As always, Gate One was the "Star of the Show" as no one could say enough about it. Seasoned Gate One-ers easily convinced the newbies of its expertise. Good Job, Again Gate One!!
Melanie G.As ALWAYS Gate 1 is tops!!!! Hiking in the beautiful country of Croatia was perfect I trained according to the Gate 1 suggestions and I'm so glad! Rugged mountainous terrain Heat were all factors, But I didn't miss a PEAK, and I was the oldest hiker on the trip!!! All of the hotels were Superb All meals EXQUISITE. The fellow Team Hikers were friendly, and the guide Ivan and Alan went out of their way. AS ALWAYS with the guides
Janice S.


