Reviews
It was wonderful! Arthur, our Travel Guide, did a fantastic job with the group. He was organized, enthusiastic, and knew so much about the history of France. The weather was great. Never rained. Hotel accommodations and food were excellent! Everyone in the group got along so well and helped each other all the time.
Michael H.Wanted to tell you of the exceptional service provided by our tour manager Ana in my recent tour of France. Beyond the usual greetings and information sharing, she was attentive to each member of the tour and asked on a regular basis what she could do to make our tour more successful. When a small issue was mentioned, she immediately worked to fix the problem. It was a lovely trip handled well by an informed and kind manager Good one Gate One!!
Nancy D.What a great and informative trip! Once again, you have exceeded our expectations!!!! Craig was very professional yet still fun! He was very knowledgeable about the places with visited - we all commented that we needed him as our history teacher!
Hilda S.My trip was wonderful! The staff on the ship was beyond exceptional. Carmen was a hoot, and Nod was such a positive energetic leader! We all had a great time!!
Karla J.I couldn't let an opportunity pass without providing feedback about our Tour Director, Adoram. There were many seasoned travelers in our group, and we all agreed he was heads and shoulders above any tour director we've ever had. He was so personable, knowledgeable, caring and organized. It made this the best trip I've had in a very long time. He speaks so highly of Gate 1. He is a great representation of your company. He is someone who clearly loves what he does for a living and that shines through in everything he does. I feel spoiled for any future tours. This was my first trip with Gate 1. Thank you for a wonderful experience.
Susan L.Our guide Craig was excellent. He was charming, funny, and was very concerned about our safety and that we had a good time. Our group was good overall, and we tried to meet everyone in the group either through an excursion or a meal. We had a blast on this trip- it was tiring as I signed up for every tour imaginable, but I wanted to see as much as we could in the little time, we were there. Mission accomplished! I am already looking at another trip for next year and will recommend Gate 1 Travel to everyone that I meet!
Stephanie A.We had a wonderful trip. Hats off to Gate 1 Travel! I commend your office because everything is so organized, well planned and well-coordinated. Everything went smoothly from beginning till the end. I only have good words to say about our experience with Gate 1 Travel. Even the customer service is impressive... polite, knowledgeable and friendly. Thank you for the wonderful experience. Gate 1 Travel is highly recommendable.
Rosario B.Wanted to praise our tour guide Adoram. He was well informed, had a great demeanor and made sure all of us were aware of the daily plan and that he was there for us.
Pablo G.The Affordable France trip was excellent. Our tour manager, Craig, did a very good job "herding" our group to keep us on schedule and providing excellent background information for the sites we visited. There were too many highlights to discuss, but the emotions felt at the American Cemetery and Craig's planning so we might experience the lowering of our flag was certainly one. That and Mont St. Michel were the 2 must sees on my list. However, the walking tour in Bayeaux was an unexpected joy. The local guide was delightful. And the grandeur and complexity of the Apocalypse Tapestry was amazing. The opulence of the chateaus Chenonceau and d'Amboise contrasted with the simplicity of the unfurnished interior of Chambord. And how can I even begin to express the emotions experienced at the Notre Dame of Chartres. It is magnificent. While we were unable to visit the interior of Notre Dame Paris due to an unforeseen interpretation of Gate 1 policy, my memory of an earlier visit there says it would pale in comparison. Overall, the itinerary was very good. I would have liked more time in some locations, but the time we had was very well managed.
Mardell B.Ava, our trip to London and Paris was absolutely amazing! We had great weather while we were there, saw so many beautiful sights, and our guide, Corena, was just delightful! We did think that this trip had much more downtime than previous tours with Gare 1 that we had to search for local guides and tours. We love Gate 1 for that very reason that you usually offer so many side tours and options, but London and Paris especially just was teaming with historic places that we had to find our own way around. But we did manage. Both cities were gobsmacking beautiful!!
Betty T.Best trip ever. Everything was flawless and our guide and driver were FANTASTIC. Huge shout-out to both. I want to also say that the hotels were also great. Especially St-Malo. We just loved everything and can't wait to book another soon.
Jessica B.managed; the accommodations were comfortable; the food excellent. We had already gone on Viking's comparable tour, and that paled in comparison. What also sets this tour apart was someone named Craig. If you check, you'll know this was not our first Gate 1 tour, and we have found all your tour guides terrific-but Craig is in a class by himself. He managed to make what would have been a delightful three-dimensional tour of Paris and the countryside into a multi-dimensional extravaganza. This speaks volumes about his intelligence, wealth of knowledge, creativity, patience, concern, and humor. But most of all, it speaks to his generosity, which was evident everywhere and in abundance
Michael S.Our trip was fantastic. Our tour director Khristiene is the reason. She did everything and was always there for us. Being in an unfamiliar country can be stressful but Khristiene took the stress out of all of it. My husband and I will travel again with Gate 1 because of this unforgettable vacation. Please pass our satisfaction onto Gate 1 management because Khristiene deserves recognition for a job well done.
Victoria P.Elsa was magnificent....Very knowledgeable & caring. Her #1 priority was for us to have a great & safe trip. Went very far above her call of duty. Elsa made "special" arrangements for my Son & me to visit my Uncle's grave in Normandy. To deliver his purple heart to him. Elsa has a way of making a person feel sooo special & comfortable. Every time I would visit .....I would want Elsa to be on my team to be my guide.
Sharon W.This is our second tour with Gate 1, as expected, we were not disappointed, we had an amazing time. The itinerary was fabulous, fun excursions with enough free time on our own to enjoy the areas we were in. Unfortunately, the optional tour to Palace of Versailles was not available. We explored beautiful sites (Mont St Michel and Normandy just to name a few) and got to see all the beautiful Christmas decorations everywhere we go. The hotels we stayed in often feature exceptional staff, great amenities and perfect location. During our stayed at St Malo, we got a large room with beautiful, nice ocean view. We were thrilled. We will join Gate 1 again and would recommend Gate 1 to anyone interested.
Alan L.I wanted to take moment to express how exceptionally pleased we all were with Adoram as our tour guide. Adoram was not only extremely knowledgeable of every destination, but he was also very much in touch with the diversity and inclusion of the group. He spoke & approached everyone with the level of consideration and respect that was appreciated & truly necessary. In my opinion, and others, it was Adoram that made this tour so exceptional! He is amazing.
Michelle P.What a great trip! Janine was one of the best tour managers I have ever had with Gate 1--knowledgeable, sincere, humorous, enthusiastic, organized--and the list goes on. Every day she would share a special drink or goodie that brought the region to life in a more personal way, making the trip truly special, as well as treating us to wine with our meals. She and our driver, Roman, were a great team, taking wonderful care of all of us. Clone that tour manager! :)
Annette R.This is feedback about our recent 9-day trip to France. What really added to the total experience was the little things that occurred. Right after we got off the bus the first day in Paris to walk toward Norte Dame - the bells started ringing on the nine O'clock hour. At Monmarte a local choir group sang Christmas carols while marching through the area. On the way back to the hotel that night Edo had our bus driver stop across the river from the Eiffel Tower right before it started sparkling with lights at 9pm At the cemetery in Normandy we were there at 4pm when they played taps through their loudspeakers and lowered the American flags for the day. Perhaps one of these was just happenstance but the others were perfectly planned to enhance our enjoyment and experience. Thank you for these simple but special touches.
Bradford B.Tour manager Siobhan was amazing. She personalized everyone's trip by connecting with each individual and making comments/recommendations relevant to their situations. Her knowledge and local insight were so appreciated by everyone in the group. Her special added touches each day were such treats each day! Her preparation and up-front communication left no guessing for the group. She was able to pivot seamlessly if required and always made sure everyone was comfortable and satisfied. We would recommend Siobhan to anyone who has an opportunity to cross her path in the future.
Lauren L.I wanted to drop a quick comment about Alina, our restaurant manager on our river boat cruise. She worked so hard to make sure I got an allergy free meal at every meal! She also made sure that there was a variety of meals. I was so impressed with what an excellent job she did. I wanted to let you know ow so other passengers with severe food allergies and celiac don't have to worry about it. The rest of the cruise staff was wonderful! I can't wait to go on another Gate1 River cruise.
Laura C.My husband and I recently returned from one of your tours, and we wanted to express our sincere gratitude for the wonderful experience. Our guide, Dennis, distinguished himself as one of the finest we have ever encountered during our many years of international travel. Dennis was warm, welcoming, and consistently professional. His deep knowledge, punctuality, and attentive accommodations elevated the trip to a truly memorable level. We appreciated his friendly manner, his ability to share rich cultural and historical context, and his flexibility with the group's needs. As business owners ourselves, we recognize and value what it takes to maintain a high standard of service. Dennis is clearly a standout asset to your team - someone who reflects the very best of Gate 1. Thanks to Dennis's exemplary guidance, we will absolutely be choosing Gate 1 for our future travels. Please pass along our sincere thanks and commendation to him.
Jenicha W.Thank you very much. We enjoyed the vacation tremendously. The Cruise Director Melissa was very professional, caring, gracious and fun, I loved the daily treats she provided to the whole group. Laura, in charge for guests activities, was also so humorous and pleasant! All the staff on board were super accurate and polite. We found the quality of the meals on board above our expectations, also there was a lot of variety and everything was nicely presented, with a prompt, attentive service. The cabin suite we booked was spacious, very clean, very comfortable. I loved looking at the banks of the Seine passing before my eyes, while I was comfortably laying on my bed. The activities were perfectly organized, the pace was smooth, relaxed, and yet rich and diverse: just what I needed. It's been a wonderful trip, I already suggested it to friends and colleagues.
Mercede M.Thank you and loving the new Stay & Explore tours - deservedly very popular as such a treat to stay in one location for an extended time and take excursions from your base, both included and optional. This was a revisit to the French Riviera for me - have always loved Nice and was delighted that a few months before departure our hotel choice was changed to the fantastic Hotel Beau Rivage in Nice Old Town, steps from Cours Saleya market and one block from the seaside Promenade, and one block from Place Massena and its Christmas Markets which opened for the season during our trip - Restaurants, cafes and shopping all close-by and the hotel was just lovely, boutique in feel, great staff, comfortable rooms and a delicious buffet breakfast each day with served beverages. Location could not be beat! A lovely and charming tour manager, Raphaelle, who had great suggestions for leisure time and restaurants and a very competent driver Laure, always with a smile and keeping us safe with her great driving. Loved the revisits to Monaco, especially the Old Town, Villa Ephrussi in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and the optional to the Citrus town of Menton near the Italian border. Exploring more of Nice is always rewarding too. This was trip #68 for me with G1 and as always, everything was flawless and enjoyed another excellent time!
Lorraine P.We had a fabulous time on our trip through Gate1 Travel to Germany & Austria for the Christmas Markets. It is hard to say what part of the trip was our favorite as each destination was great and had such unique and special things! Our tour Manager Michael was phenomenal - so knowledgeable and kind and funny as well. He made us feel so comfortable and was always willing to help in any way. He was natural at making us feel like our group of 41 people was family and friends! He is such an asset to your organization! All our hotels were nice and clean and comfortable! I would not change a thing about our trip. We will be repeat customers
Janis L.I wanted to express our sincere appreciation for the work of our guide, Carina. She was absolutely wonderful in every way. Her friendliness, enthusiasm, knowledge, preparation, and ability to adjust to different circumstances helped my wife and I (and all in our tour group) maximize our understanding and insight to sites we visited. We were very, very fortunate to have her as our guide and I hope she is recognized for her efforts. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Jeffrey L.It was a great experience! Ana our tour coordinator was fantastic, took really good care of each member of our group! Antonio our bus driver was an expert driver able to weave through narrow streets and ensured our safety on the road as well. Local tour guides were outstanding too!
Elmer B.Edo was an exceptionally skilled guide. He chose excursions that featured fascinating historic sites, guiding us expertly via local guides through the key sites within a historical and cultural framework. His diverse choices included gorgeous medieval towns, a remote artist colony, a local Veterans Day celebration, a diverse communally-run town, a local wine-maker, and a family-owned cheese maker - all very eclectic and creative. Edo gave us a feel for the real France, and it was delightful. He's an interesting and generous man who made everyone feel included.
Ruth H.From the moment we arrived at the hotel (a day early), Maevon was there to greet us, make us feel welcome, and provided us with an information packet on the local area as well as a few immediate restaurant recommendations, which we gratefully used. Maevon went 'above and beyond' from that first meeting to make sure we all were well-informed, comfortable and happy with each day events, meals and lodging. He even included extra information and some of his hand-drawn maps which I will keep as special mementoes of our trip and for future reference. We have never had a tour guide who continually checked with each group member on how things were each day, and sincerely cared about our enjoyment, learning and comfort on the trip. We know that wherever in the world it is, if Maevon is guiding, it will be a stellar and fun travel experience!
Lynne W.Our trip was fantastic! Our first discovery tour and we will do it again. Our tour manager, Gilles, was great! He was very knowledgeable, gave us directions for getting the most out of each location, taught us French, sang for us. We were a very friendly group of really nice people, and I had the feeling he enjoyed us as much as we enjoyed him! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves every day! Our driver, Antonio, was terrific too. Thank you for leaving us with many nice memories of our trip.
Patricia C.We loved it! The weather was great; our tour leader Anne was very professional and knowledgeable. The hotel was in a scenic location across from the Promenade d'Anglais and the excursions were spot on. I would definitely consider another Stay and Explore Tour with Gate 1.
Ruth H.Our tour leader, Gwen, created a webpage for our trip, that included maps of the areas we were visiting, recipes for foods of the region, things to do in Toulouse, daily summaries, and more - it was really well done, very interesting, and such a useful addition for our tour experience! We really enjoyed seeing all of the places we went on this tour and found the most meaningful experiences to be in the small, inhabited towns (like Auvillar, Cordes-sur-Ciel, and Montbrun-Bocage) where we could talk with people about what their lives are like living there today. Our visit to Auvillar included being greeted by the Director of the Tourism Office - which was really an honor for us - and the Auvillar Museum was fascinating, hearing about how the town had come together to donate prized family possessions for the museum. Hearing about and seeing pottery was also interesting. We also really enjoyed meeting Irene at Le Clos du Marbier - she was so inspiring, warm, and welcoming (and her wine is excellent!) The farm visit was fun and interesting, and the cheese was fantastic! Opportunities to connect with local people really made the trip extraordinary and I hope Gate 1 will continue to include those. Dinner last night was at a local restaurant rather than at the hotel and that was a treat - the food was excellent, the location was perfect, and it felt like a celebratory sendoff. The hotel was perfect - central location, wonderful staff, comfortable rooms, excellent breakfast and bar. And lastly, we really appreciate and enjoy the Stay and Explore format - it is so nice to unpack once and be able to explore the town during free evenings - we hope that Gate 1 will expand their offerings on these trips!
Kathleen M.Our Tour Guide, Arthur, was one of the best guides we have had in our 12 Gate 1 trips! He was so knowledgeable of all the places we visited and gave us interesting history of the different regions. He was very kind and caring. Arthur gave us many suggestions of things to do in our free time. Arthur is a wonderful example of the quality we get when booking our trip with Gate 1! Thank you again for a great trip.
Patricia K.I just returned from a Seine River cruise with Paris and London extensions . Kate was the tour director and she was amazing! She's a true professional, but does it all with a fantastic sense of humor. She really maximized my enjoyment of this fantastic trip. Well done !
Susan F.The travel through the Seine River was fantastic. Starting in Amsterdam with our travel guide Kristina we experienced a new part of Holland and Brussels going to Edam then on to Bruges. She was knowledgeable, adding her expertise to the beautiful area. After arriving in Paris to meet our ship Monarch Countess we visited Normandy then back to the ship to sail the Seine with travel manager Kate and our entertainment host Nad. What a duo!! The ship and crew were top notch. Overall, the 15-day excursion met all our expectations.
Diane Z.Nancy and I had a most amazing trip to Paris and the surrounding area. The planning and implementation of our tour made it most memorable. Our tour guide, Laura, provided so much information on our trip and as we were riding to our destination as well as inside the various venues. Our bus driver, Mohamed, was magnificent as he navigated the busy highways and the very tight streets. Mohamed always greeted us with a bottle of water as we returned to the bus,
Rickey R.I just want to make a few specific comments about my trip with Gate1. I have been on multiple trips with Gate1 and have always been happy but this trip I think was over the top. Edo was the best tour guide and very knowledgeable, professional, organized and friendly. Our bus driver, Conny, was also very professional, kind, friendly, and the Best dressed on the bus. Thank you to Gate1 for providing such great service and tours. I have a lot of friends who ask me who I use as a tour company and I always tell them Gate1 and that they cannot beat the service and prices. So, thank you again.
Jean B.The trip was excellent and worry free thanks to our awesome tour director, Craig. He and the other tour guides were great. Craig was very attentive, knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. Also very patient. Keep him around!!! We have already booked our next trip with Gate1 and trust that it will be just as great!
Larry E.Our tour manager, Simeon, did such an excellent job explaining details about each of the places we toured! He's extremely well spoken and knowledgeable about the history and current life around France. I was somewhat knowledgeable about France already, but I am amazed at how much I learned on our vacation. France is incredible. thank you very much.
Clifford G.Anne, our Tour Manager, was Phenomenal! Her knowledge and ability to share behind the scenes stories enabled us to understand and remember the history of each place. She treated us as family with caring and thoughtfulness. Anne is Awesome! Thank You for the Best Gate 1 trip!
May C.The trip was terrific. It truly exceeded our expectations. Everything ran smoothly.... transfers, the ship, guides, tour manager, excursions...could not have been better. The cabin was comfortable; the meals were excellent.... staff friendly.... really a "well run ship." Buses looked brand new.... comfortable and clean. We were very happy with the itinerary.... wonderful sites. We were particularly impressed with the level of organization required to handle so many people going to different locations after the trip....and it was so interesting to hear how many Gate1 trips our fellow travelers had been on. One couple had been on 25!
Karin P.I just came back from my first trip with Gate 1 and Laura was our tour manager, I'd like to share my experience with her. Laura was exceptional in every way. She demonstrated outstanding professionalism and deep knowledge about every site we visited. I was genuinely impressed by how much she knew and how clearly and engagingly she shared that information. Her sense of humor made the trip fun and memorable, and her constant attention to our safety and comfort showed how much she truly cared about every guest. She managed the group with great skill and respect, always staying punctual, organized, and positive. It was clear that she takes great pride in her work and genuinely loves what she does. Her excellent teamwork with the driver - who was also highly professional - made the experience smooth and enjoyable. She made a lasting impression on me and truly elevated the entire tour experience.
Rashin B.I'd like to compliment Craig for his skills in being an experienced tour manager for our Essential Paris & London tour. Our group was large (40), and he had done his homework and preparation to handle our entire tour. It was especially nice to have the printed information he gave to us about our touring sites and recommendations on what to see in our free time. My daughter and I were impressed with his abilities, travel savvy and always helpful and pleasant manner.
Lisa M.Our exceptional tour manager, Arthur, truly enhanced our experience. He possessed an extensive knowledge of French culture and art. His insights into historical contexts and contemporary dynamics enriched our understanding, making each site we visited come alive with significance. Arthur's ability to connect with the group was authentic. He was warm, attentive, compassionate and ensured everyone was accounted for and on time for activities. He maintained an atmosphere of camaraderie and fun! He was organized and professional. He needs to be promoted to a position in charge of the tours in France!! Highly recommend his tour. More than 5 stars!!!
Dawn D.Having just returned from this France excursion, I have to say that the entire Gate 1 experience has been wonderful and I would definitely travel with gate 1 in the future. I have traveled with our tour companies, many of which were very good, but what made this experience over the top was our tour guide/manager Adoram. His knowledge, kindness, efficiency and wit were beyond anything I had experienced before. He made the trip for us! Thank you!
Patricia W.This trip, w/o a doubt, was the best organized, and interesting one I have ever been on with Gate 1! Our guide, Craig, was excellent. He was absolutely the most knowledgeable and charming guide I have ever had. So well organized and accommodating to everyone in our group. I hope that he gets recognized for his excellent service and representation of Gate1!
Nancy J.I would like to compliment Julien, our Tour manager, for the excellent job he did on the tour. He not only provided the history of the country and sites, but also insights into the culture and attitudes of the French people. He was a very entertaining and enjoyable guide.
Kathleen J.We just completed our 14 Day Classic France trip and really enjoyed ourselves! Our Tour Manager Edo and Tour Driver Helio were outstanding in every way and worked very well together! We appreciate all the extra things that Edo and Helio did to make this a memorable trip, and they deserve a raise or promotion for an outstanding job! We have travelled many times with Gate1 and will continue to do so for great experiences and affordable pricing!
Gordon D.Thank you. My trip was wonderful. Though we had been to Paris before but not London, this was our for experience to both countries with Gate 1. Our tour guide, Craig, made us feel welcomed by being friendly and helpful when we arrived in Paris, our for stop on the two-country tour. He was very approachable and we appreciated that. I personally appreciated how he kept us on time with every planned tour. I thought he made things light and fun. I really loved the hotels we stayed in, the food at each restaurant was wonderful and the front desk staff were so helpful. Our bus guides were fabulous, knowledgeable and even funny which made the tours fun as well. My favorite part of the entire trip was London. There's so much history, the guide was incredible and shared so many details. Even getting out and exploring on our own, felt easy to maneuver and found the people to be quite polite and lovely. I have heard great things about Gate 1 Travel and I can honestly say, you all hold up to the compliments. It was a great experience. We would use Gate1 Travel again, for sure.
Tonya A.Thank you for such a fabulous trip! Edo, our tour manager was absolutely fantastic! We loved all of his stories, the treats that he bought us along the way, his expert knowledge of France, and his easygoing and fun personality! His attention to every detail was amazing and we felt very taken care of during the entire time. We enjoyed every minute of this trip and we owe it to Edo! Elio, our bus driver was also an expert driver and a very polite gentleman at all times. His driving skills are absolutely amazing. His coach was very immaculate! He even made separate trips to the hotel while were enjoying a tour to drop off our luggage so that we'd have it sooner. Those in our tour group called Edo and Elio the "Dream Team". They made our trip so special! We hope that Gate 1 is aware of the outstanding tour manager and driver team that these two are. A few of the hotels could have been better but all in all, we already have such fond memories of this fantastic vacation. We sure hope that the next trip on Gate 1 is as great as this one was! Thank you, Edo and Elio! We'll miss you!
Jodi K.Gate 1 has never disappointed us. The attractions, the scheduling, the food, the museums ,the hotels ,the local guides, the comfortable bus and driver, always reliable! but we need to give a special thank you to Marc our tour guide. He was fantastic!! I needed to find a few special things to help me through the trip and he made them happen! He was very kind and patient.
Julia C.


