Reviews
I just wanted to give extra kudos regarding Patrick the tour guide for our vacation. He was so good. He made sure everybody had everything before we moved to the next location. He communicated well on time and gave previews of places we were going to. I thought he was a history major because he knew so much of the history, not only of the country but of the specific towns. He was humorous and easy to talk to. I just can't say enough good things about him.
Juliana R.I Just wanted to provide additional information on regarding my survey. This was our first time using Gate 1, but it won't be our last! We had an amazing time on our trip due in large part to the professionalism of your staff. Patrick was our tour manager and did an exceptional job. He had plenty of handouts with recommendations to maximize our free time. He did an amazing job of filling the travel time on the bus with relevant history, general information and humor. Jurica was our driver and provided exceptional service. At one point during a scheduled stop at a distillery, I had to run back to get an item off the bus for a fellow tour mate. I noticed that while everyone else was on the tour Jurica was washing the outside of the bus and straightening everything up for us. He was an exceptional professional.
Thomas S.Our tour guide, Lenny, could not have done a better job. He is extremely knowledgeable and shared so much with us. His humor is fantastic and his extensive experience made for a perfect trip. Lenny did an outstanding job keeping the group together which resulted in friendships beyond the tour. He set a very high standard for my expectations on future tours. Lenny and our driver, Arvydas, provided such a memorable experience that I would definitely use Gate 1 again for my future tours.
Elizabeth M.Our tour leader, Khristiene, was the most enthusiastic, fun, friendly, engaging, attentive, competent, sensitive and enjoyable tour guide I can imagine. Her knowledge and recall of history, culture, people, places, and events, was absolutely astounding.
Kip P.I would like to commend Mr. Patrick, our Tour Manager for this 9 Day Affordable Ireland Trip. Patrick is an extremely organized and meticulous manager who saw to it that everything is running smoothly. His attention to detail is beyond exceptional. He kept everyone informed of everything and anything. He is very friendly, accommodating and answers any question you have in a flash. He knows the area thoroughly and kept us informed of where to go and what to do during our free time. On our scheduled tours, he is on top of every detail necessary to run the activities smoothly. His presentation of materials to us are an excellent guide so we know where we are and what are the highlights of the area. He is a gem and definitely an asset to Gate1. Thank you Patrick for a trip I loved so much.
Y-Chie P.Amanda is amazing! We booked this Ireland trip to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. It was the most perfect, well-organized experience and we will forever have the most precious memories etched in our souls. Amanda treated us like family from the moment we met her. Sean is an absolute masterclass driver! He amazed me at every turn. I felt like I was saying goodbye to family when we had to leave. Thank you, Amanda and Sean, for showing me Ireland in a way I would have never enjoyed on my own.
Stephanie A.We had the best experience on our 10-day Ireland tour, and it is all because of our wonderful tour manager Khristiene. Khristiene is the loveliest, most thoughtful and kind person and we were so fortunate to have ended up on her tour. She is so knowledgeable about the history of Ireland, and she is so very proud of her heritage, and it showed in all her wonderful stories and history lessons she provided for us during our entire trip. She was friendly, engaging, attentive, and passionate about her job. She went above and beyond our expectations of a tour manager. We couldn't have asked for a better tour manager. We would do another Ireland tour with Gate 1 if we had Khristiene as the tour manager. She is top notch, and we can't say enough about her. In addition, we had Ireland on our bucket list, and we were not disappointed with this beautiful country that was so welcoming and friendly. We hope to return soon and maybe see some other areas not on the itinerary. For our first time, we believe the itinerary hit some of the top spots to visit in Ireland.
Lisa T.We had a grand experience on our Gate 1 tour of Ireland. The accommodations, the meals and the locations were all outstanding. But the standout was our guide, Martina. Her knowledge of the Irish people, culture and its history were beyond our expectations. Our bus diver Nick was a fun addition to our tour as well. We will be back and will recommend Gate 1 to our family and friends.
Deirdre M.Linda and Dan did a fantastic job shuttling our group around with accuracy and perfect timing. The itinerary was perfect, the food was perfect. Everything was perfect! Ireland is beautiful. And it hardly or ever rained while we were off the bus! Such luck!
James M.This was our first guided trip, and our overall experience was excellent. The trip was just as advertised; the accommodations and food were very good. Our tour guide Alaco was excellent, very informative and always had good control of the group. She was able to add a lot of valuable information as we toured. All of our activities were on time and well organized
Michael D.I just wanted to let you know how excellent our tour director, Liam, was for our tour! He was always so organized, put together, and friendly! Very knowledgeable throughout the tour! Our driver, Noel, was hands down the best driver. They both made the trip an excellent experience.
Emmalee H.Concerning our 16 day Scotland and Ireland trip, it was a truly a great experience. Our tour director (Gil) and our coach driver (Dan) were exceptional. Gil was very kind, professional, knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. We have traveled on 5 Gate 1 tours, along with several other travel companies, and Gil was the best tour manager we have ever had. Dan was an exceptional driver. He is also very kind, respectful, attentive, and professional. Both Gil and Dan are "people person" and very personable and interacted well with everyone. We had a super great trip. We will only travel with Gate 1 in the future.
Daniel C.I just returned from one of your Enchanted Ireland tours and would like to commend our tour guide Eileen, her knowledge, kindness and patience were unparalleled, paired with our amazing driver Tony, they both made our journey easy and extremely enjoyable.
Monica L.Our tour director Debbie was absolutely fantastic! She is extremely knowledgeable and just an all-around great person. We feel fortunate that we got to spend 16 days with her. Our bus driver Robbie was also a gem. Obviously, he is a talented driver, but he is also a fun and courteous man to be with. This was our second Gate 1 tour and there will be more of them in our future.
Kenneth N.This tip exceeded our expectations. The guides were all great. Loved the sheep farm and turf cutting tour. David was the most excellent guide. No one could've topped him. He's so knowledgeable and took excellent care of us. Loved our bus driver, Joe, too. Hotels were top notch. I will recommend Gate 1 to everyone who asks.
Marsha M.Returned recently from the 12 Day Kaleidoscope of Ireland with Matthew as our Tour Guide and Michael as our Bus Driver. They were an excellent team. Matthew went above and beyond to make the trip enjoyable. He played Irish music on the bus, took us on several surprise stops, gave us several edible or drinkable gifts and had an inexpensive group gift exchange which helped the group to get to know each other better. I especially enjoyed the surprise trip to Atlantic Sheepdogs in Grange, Ireland and Martin's demonstration with his border collie Mist. I also enjoyed the lunch stop at the Ti Linn Cafe. We were served delicious soup and sandwiches while being entertained by Irish ballad singer and songwriter Eunan McIntyre. I would definitely recommend Matthew as an excellent, informed and knowledgeable tour guide and Michael as a driver.
Linda C.Just a note to let you know how great our Tour Manager Matthew was. He complemented our tour with surprises along the way not listed in the tour description. We got to experience a sheep farm and trained dogs.... enjoy samples of Irish chocolates in the market.... Irish cider .......his descriptions of Irish tales and history was fascinating. Our driver Michael was also a very professional person and friendly.... his driving was without a doubt the best I have ever experienced. Once again Gate 1 exceeds my expectations. Well done!
Maritza M.Our cultural tour to Ireland was exceptional. We especially enjoyed the quality of the wide-ranging events showcasing Ireland. Our tour manager, Mel was instrumental in making our trip a memorable one - a gem for Gate1. Our coach driver, Michael was the best at navigating us throughout our trip. This was our first trip with Gate1 and will not be our last.
Jean C.We had a wonderful time. I've been on 7 different Gate One tours and this one did not disappoint. Adam, our tour guide was spot on! He was witty and hilarious and kept a good vibe going even at our most tired stages of running from one town to the next. Thank you for letting me travel the world on a beer budget with champagne taste!
Kalisa B.This was our first Discovery Tour. The size of the group was perfect. Our tour manager Derek, was very outgoing, engaged so many of those of us on the tour, and his knowledge of Ireland's history ...both past and present events, was beyond what we expected. He arranged timing of events seamlessly and was very organized! We felt very lucky to have him as our guide on or first trip to Ireland. Damian was our coach driver. Damian was able to quickly reroute us, to stay on schedule, when unexpected events like accidents ahead of us occurred on the highway. He negotiated the routes and busy streets smoothly. He and Derek communicated very well!!!
Valerie C.I've been on several Gate One trips now. Every guide has been exceptional, but Linda and the combination of the driver Fergal, made just the perfect team/Both Providing the best travel experience I've ever had. The two of them made us feel so welcome and safe on those beautiful narrow roads in Ireland. Linda had a wonderful way about her telling us about the history of Ireland, it's culture and the people. I found myself Hanging on every word she had to say about the country she dearly loves. I told her she would make a great storyteller. She has a real gift. On the last weekend we were back in Dublin which was NFL weekend - the place was hopping! She was able to get us a reservation at the Jameson distillery which we could not obtain on our own because the reservations were sold out. Throughout the tour, she made an effort to get to know everyone, kept us all safe, helped us to find things to do in our leisure time and then checked in later to see what we had purchased, where we ate, and what we did! She is just an absolutely lovely person Who clearly loves what she does and cares deeply about introducing travelers to her beautiful country.
Dorothy P.I wanted to let Gate One know just how impressed I was with our tour guide Alaco. I just came home from the 9-day enchanting Ireland trip, and it was wonderful. Alaco was so organized, so clear in her communications, so friendly and open to all and so informative about a wide variety of topics as we toured. She had lots of interesting suggestions for things to do during our free time and arranged interesting special events. She was also very funny and had us laugh many times a day. I felt as though there was nothing to worry about while she was at the helm. She had all our safety in mind and was very good at reminding us about traffic awareness, and general safety awareness, particularly in Dublin. The partnership between Alaco and our driver Enda was also impressive. I never worried about the curvy narrow roads while Enda was driving. He was a true professional and friendly and personable to everyone. This was my first Gate one trip. The company came highly recommended by a few friends. I am looking forward to my next adventure with Gate One. I would also like to say I was very pleased with the transfer service to and from the airport. The drivers were on time friendly and informative. And once again Alaco made sure we all had the information we needed for our transfers well in advance.
Deborah L.Wonderful trip! We saw so much and learned a lot about Irish history. Charming little towns and amazing scenery. Our guide Matthew was excellent in every way. Highly recommend this trip!
Margot C.This was my 3rd Gate One trip. I booked very last minute and got great assistance from gate one agent Javier to get it booked on such short notice. Being able to go on such a last-minute spontaneous trip just made it that much more special. Local tour guide from Derry (Ronan) gave a very engaging, moving, and touching talk on "The Troubles". From excellent weather, great travel group, to our Tour Manager, Matthew it was a wonderful trip! Special shout out to Matthew for the extra surprises each day-from scenic stops to special experiences like Sean's Bar. Kept a very timely, cohesive group, and very attentive to the whole group's needs. The personal stories he shared about growing up and living in Ireland, knowledge, humor, and suggestions really made this trip extra special.
Jennifer B.I recently completed a tour of Ireland with Christiene as the tour manager. Justin was our bus driver. They both were exceptional. Christiene was extremely knowledgeable about everything Ireland. She not only gave us the history but also spoke of the traditions which I found interesting. Justin is quite a skilled driver on the narrow roads of the countryside. We all felt very safe. I definitely would book another trip through Gate 1 Travel.
Carol U.I just wanted Gate 1 to know how fantastic our guide in Ireland was -- Neill and his co-guide Brendan and Bart were, by far, the best guides I've had in my 8-year, 11 international trip history. The trip was great to begin with, but Neill was attentive, knowledgeable, caring, very entertaining and the absolute fun. We learned so much about the history and culture of Ireland and had a great time just being in his company. This experience with him has probably ruined it for other guides as I'm sure they'll never be a better guide for our future trips. Please pass along these sentiments as I can't think of a better way to thank him for making the trip the best one ever.
Katherine M.We had the most amazing time on our walking tour of Ireland! Neil showed us a wonderful time. He knew we were very interested in Irish music, and he made it happen for us-Every Night!! Our bus driver-Jordan-was lovely. He was fun and funny, and we got to know him personally. Brendan and Bart (our local guides) were extremely knowledgeable about flora and fauna and local happenings. My husband was able to sit in (on mandolin!) with Bart on guitar and his musical partner, Sonia on fiddle at a local pub- a bucket list experience. The hiking was perfect and the scenery beautiful. Our group was small, and we really bonded with everyone. Overall, it was the trip of a lifetime.
Rian T.I returned a few days ago from a Gate 1 tour of Ireland. Martina was our tour director and a wonderful guide she was. Always wise, prompt and most polite with a wonderful sense of humor and a great way with a story. I cannot imagine any other guide could have done it better and am grateful that she was there for us. Many thanks to Gate 1 and especially to Martina.
Margaret S.Five of my siblings and I embarked on a 10 Day Ireland Tour with Gate1Travel. Through our journey, our Tour Manager, Martina and our Driver, Damien, were our guides. We could not have been in better hands. On behalf of my siblings and myself, I wanted to extend our heartfelt thanks to Martina for being such an exceptional educator and Damien for driving us through the countryside from destination to destination safely and with precision. We were impressed with Martina's deep knowledge of the history and culture of Ireland. Regaled with stories she brought to life (of landmarks, terminology, health system, educational institutions and more (It was Grand!)). Not to mention, the time she took to answer all our questions feeding our inquisitive appetites to learn. Oh, and Damien's wit. They both demonstrated poise, business acumen and professional demeanor, which was admirable. They always brought us up to date with landmarks, restaurant lists and making sure we were up to speed on various activities and their timing. We are ever so grateful to have experienced our ancestor's homeland together under your tutelage!
Kathleen K.What a wonderful trip. Having been to Ireland before and tried to drive the roads and find everything of importance, what a relief to know Gate 1 had done all of it for me. From Colm and Mike, the local guides, evening excursions, wonderful memories and learning about Irish history and strife Thank You! Reaffirms why we tell all our friends about, and continue to use Gate 1 for our world travels
Barbara C.My wife and I just returned from a 10-day Classic Ireland Tour, and we had an amazing experience. The hotels, shows, and locations we visited were perfect. The thing that made our trip most enjoyable and memorable, aside from the folks we travelled with, was Dereck the Tour Manager and John our coach driver. Dereck's insights and historical knowledge were fascinating! Dereck and John's affable and humorous personalities along with their kindness, always going above and beyond to ensure our safety and enjoyment helped to make our trip extra special. Thank you for the trip of a lifetime.
Robert M.This was a stupendous, exciting and outstanding trip. Martinia (host) and Dameon (coach driver) were totally professional in their jobs, both were very knowledgeable at every destination, entertainment, restaurants, and gift shops. Always prompt and on time for all tours and destinations visited. Every hotel was nothing short of FIVE-STAR accommodations, staff were always very helpful and knowledgeable of the local area for visiting entertainment and restaurants, and the kitchen staff and servers prepared excellent meals for breakfast or dinner. Traveling around the countryside was very pictured, the special spots we visited were full of a wealth of entertainment and breathe taken views that a once in a lifetime event we will cherish forever. It's been a lifetime dream of my wife, and I don't think anything was missing that was on our bucket list of life. Thank you for the adventure of a lifetime.
Robert C.I would just like to inform you of the wonderful job our tour guide Debra did. She made the whole trip worry free and made us all feel personally comfortable and special. I have been on other tours and can say that this was hands down, the absolute best. Debra brought every stop alive and special. It was all unexpected. We just didn't see stuff. We experienced the culture and history of Scotland and Ireland. If I come back to do an England tour I most definitely will try to get Debra again. She was excellent. I also want to mention how great our bus driver was. Cathol was amazing and I am sorry if I misspelled his name.
Jane M.I wanted to go beyond generic survey and give compliments to Khristiene from our recent Ireland trip. Both her and our driver Nick went above and beyond to make sure everyone in our group was informed, comfortable, and happy. From special menu options for picky eaters, to bonus stops and surprises along tour, to working way outside normal tour hours to ensure everyone was happy with hotel stay, directions, restaurant recommendations, etc ... I could go on.. but wanted to make sure Khristiene and Nick both received the extra positive feedback they deserve. This was our first Gate One tour but will 100% NOT be our last!
Beverly W.We travel often with Gate 1 and, as always, our Kaleidoscope of Ireland trip was excellent! We thought the food on this trip was exceptionally good. Our hotels were all very nice and comfortable. Sheila and Sam worked well together as our tour manager and driver and did a great job with our group.
Kristi B.The Ireland/Northern Ireland trip could not have been better. Matthew was a superb Tour Manager and his knowledge and ability to communicate so many details is remarkable. And I loved the "surprises" that added lots to the trip. The surprise visit to the National Folklife Museum was very worthwhile and a good use of time. The local guides Judith and Ronan, were excellent and the different perspectives in Belfast and Derry were informative and thought provoking. Paul was a great bus driver and I had complete confidence in him. The walking tour of Westport should be a part of each itinerary. We had already visited several Homes and Castles including Kylemore Abbey that day; so a tour of the small city of Westport with Stephen offered insight and information of how that community cooperates in so many areas including preservation of nature, respect for history, and development. I was very moved learning more about the Famine through the steps of the Famine Trail. This trip was a perfect mix of history, beautiful scenery, culture, border collies, examples of Northern Ireland reconciliation, etc. Every day was a delight and I can't speak too highly of the entire experience. Again, many thanks for a great trip and a special thank you to Matthew. Gate 1 is fortunate to have him as a tour manager.
Nalda V.The 10-day Ireland walking tour was our first experience with Gate 1, and it was fabulous. There were 13 of us in the group, ranging from people in their late 40s to those of us in our mid-70s. Everyone was friendly and upbeat. Our tour manager, Neil, was phenomenal. We learned so much about Ireland, past and present; that was one of Neil's gifts to us. He was charming, knowledgeable, and caring. And it was very entertaining! He and his nephew, Michael, were great ambassadors for their country. We also really enjoyed Bart, one of the local guides. Bart is an accomplished musician and serenaded us on the bus as well as in a pub. The accommodation and meals far exceeded our expectations. For those people shopping around for a Gate 1 trip, my wife and I would highly recommend this one. The walks were beautiful and not strenuous.
Warren S.This was our first trip with Gate1, and it was wonderful! We will definitely use Gate1 again for our future international trips. It started with the great service we received from Charlotte in booking our trip for us and ensuring we were grouped together with my sister and husband. We had an exceptional tour manager, Peter. Gate1 is very fortunate to have him as a part of their company. He is always "one step ahead" taking care of business to ensure his group has a wonderful experience. His personality brings the group together with his infectious laugh, historical expertise, special surprises, wonderful sayings, and funny jokes. He definitely knows how to cater to different personalities, made everyone feel welcome, and always checked on how everyone was doing. He made the difference in making this trip successful! We also are thankful for an exceptional driver, Dariusz, who kept us safe with his great driving skills, always had plenty of water, was very kind, and kept the bus clean. We enjoyed all the sightseeing, and all the accommodations were wonderful. We have no complaints.
Gail K.Our trip was flawless! Thank you so much for your help. Our flights were perfect, well timed for connections to be made, with time to spare. Our luggage got to destinations properly and without incident. Our Tour Manager, Peter, was beyond wonderful. He is so very knowledgeable of the history of both Scotland and Ireland, but he was also engaging, personable, and made sure each member of the group was comfortable with our trip as we traveled. Our coach driver, Dariuscz, was also so skilled. His having to navigate the bus through narrow roadways took great talent. The sites we saw were all fascinating, and we had time at each stop to appreciate their value. Thank you so much for helping us set up this trip. This was our first Gate 1 trip and will certainly not be our last. We have saved your information and will ask for your help again when we set out to travel (probably in a year from now).
Marilyn L.We completed the 9 Day Enchanting Ireland tour from Sept.1-9,2025. This was our second tour with Gate 1 but our first Coach Tour. I must say we thoroughly enjoyed it. Our Tour Manager was Alacoque. She was knowledgeable, respectful, thoughtful and very helpful as well as a lot of fun! Our coach driver was Justin. He was a great driver. We felt very safe even along some of the small roadways with busy traffic!
Colleen B.We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you and a big kiss to our incredible tour manager, Emmeline. She was truly the complete package keeping us entertained, informed, on time, and most importantly, safe throughout the entire trip. There was never a dull moment, even during the long bus rides. Emmeline filled the time with engaging activities like storytelling, sing-alongs, fun contests, limerick writing, music, and fascinating historical insights. Her energy and creativity made every moment enjoyable. She also helped foster a wonderful sense of camaraderie among all the guests, making it feel like we were traveling with a group of old friends. Many on our tour were first-time Gate 1 travelers, and I jokingly warned them that they've been spoiled-finding another tour manager like Emmeline on future trips will be a tough challenge! Thank you again for such a memorable experience. Emmeline is a gem!
Lucila R.I want to say that Mel and our driver Michael should be considered the pinnacle of a professional tour team. Every aspect far exceeded my expectations and my wife and I will cherish the time we spent in Ireland always.
Andy H.We recently returned from 11 days trip to Ireland. We had the best travel experience of our lives. Many thanks to our travel guide Linda, and our coach bus driver, Nick. Linda was very knowledgeable about Ireland history, culture and customs. She genuinely cared about all of us in her group. always available to answer questions and provide all pertinent information timely. She is exceptional. Nick was probably one of the very best drivers that I've ever come across. It was amazing to see him effortlessly maneuvered such a big bus along the narrow stretches of Ireland roads. I'm still in awe. Linda and Nick should be commended for making our Ireland visit stress free. We will definitely use Gate 1 in the future.
Leon L.A trip of a lifetime! It could not have been any better. Olga, in booking our trip was excellent and helped us with all of our questions. We had a small flight delay that concerned us, however a call to the emergency line was answered and immediately calmed our concern. Our tour guide and coach driver were fantastic! Our driver, Kevin, was so happy and pleasant that our day started with a smile. He was always on time and got us to destinations on time. Excellent job Kevin! Lennie, I cannot say enough good things about this man, friend and guide. Lennie was so knowledgeable about all of the sites, the history behind Scotland and Ireland. He presented all the information in a clear and unbiased format. Lennie went above and beyond, providing some mini city tours that were very informative. If I could I would rate Lennie and Kevin above 5 stars!!!
Wayne V.Loved Lenny, our tour coordinator, he goes the extra mile, kept us on task & schedule, and kept us entertained, a GREAT wealth of information, offered us good advice for food options and free time activities, was always easy to talk to and accessible. Loved Kevin, our driver, sweet, funny, welcoming, helpful, and a Fabulous & Safe driver!! We were so thankful for his expertise!
Chris P.The trip was wonderful. Alec, our Tour Manager and driver Marcelo were the best. Alec's knowledge of the history of both Scotland and Ireland made it more than a bus trip through countries. They were warm and caring and guided us through busy streets and locations. I would recommend Gate 1 and will schedule my next tour.
Sharon T.It was my first trip with Gate 1 and it will not be my last. I see many more trips in my future. I just wish our tour manager Tarik and bus driver Darius and all the people on this trip could be on my next trip. Tarik and Darius made a amazing team. Thank you Gate 1 for a trip that will forever be a great memory of new friends and places.
Penny B.As a seasoned Gate1 traveler, I have been on many tours but my recent 10-day trip to Ireland stands out as one of the best experiences I have had. A big part of this memorable journey was our outstanding tour manager, Linda. She was organized, informative and kept everything running effortlessly. Her knowledge of Ireland, combined with her easygoing nature, made the trip even more enjoyable. Linda didn't just share fascinating historical facts she also ensured we could relax and truly take in the beauty and culture of Ireland. Thank you Gate1 for providing such an incredible experience and for having such an exceptional tour manager. This trip to Ireland is definitely at the top of my list and I am already looking forward to my next adventure with Gate1!
Janet S.A big shout out for our tour manager Sheila. Sheila loves her country and loved every minute of sharing all she knows and loves about Ireland with us. She kept us together and always on time, always in tune to our individual needs. She's a "no-nonsense" guide and didn't herd us around like tourists. She gave us what we needed to know and let us enjoy exploring. Our driver, Noel, was the best also. I was amazed at the beauty of Ireland. Gate 1 did an exceptional job in every respect but Shiela really made the trip for me.
Twinkle N.I just wanted to compliment the tour manager and the coach driver. This was our 12th trip with Gate 1. All previous tour managers were excellent, yet Emmeline, the tour manager, was exceptional. Her in-depth knowledge of history and language on top of her acting background made our trip very enjoyable. Her presentations were superb! Everybody loved her!! The coach driver, Robbie, was also the best driver on our 12 trips. We felt very comfortable being on his coach while he was driving narrow winding roads. He kept the coach in perfect condition. My compliments to the Gate 1 management, too, recruiting and keeping good members in your team!!
Keebom K.


