Reviews
Matthew was an outstanding tour guide during our time in Ireland. He blended deep local knowledge with a warm, easygoing personality that made every stop more memorable. His storytelling brought the history and culture to life, and he always went the extra mile to keep everyone comfortable and engaged. If you're exploring Ireland, you couldn't ask for a better guide than Matthew.
Paul K.The 12-Day Kaleidoscope of Ireland exceeded my expectations. All my Gate 1 trips were wonderful, but the local guides really were exceptional where all four were top notch. One wasn't better than the other- they were fabulous!!! Our tour manager, Elieen, and driver, Enda, were terrific and made out trip so memorable. They went far beyond their way to make our trip so pleasant and without worries. We look forward to our trip to France next month. Many thanks to the Gate 1 staff for arranging such wonderful trips.
Wendy L.My trip to Ireland was an amazing and fruitful experience! Our leader Linda was so knowledgeable, funny and showed warmth to us ALL! Our driver Damien was also excellent at his driving skills and got us to our destinations safely and calmly! Linda and Damien synced well with one another, making our time traveling around Ireland BOTH fun, beautiful, and overall, the best tour ever. Bringing back memories with me I'll never forget! I had a marvelous time, making new friends and I am more knowledgeable of Ireland in itself. There is so much history there that I never knew and came back both thankful to Linda and Damien for their kindness to everyone who came from All over to share in this awesome tour of Ireland! The Emerald Isle was so very beautiful, especially the rainbows we saw often. Blessed to have gone on this amazing adventure!
Maureen R.Just completed the Kaleidoscope of Ireland tour. I expected a good tour, and it exceeded all expectations. Good hotels, good towns and a great feel of both Ireland and Northern Ireland. What made the tour exceptional was the tour guide (Kristiane). She was absolutely a gem with her humor, incredible knowledge of all topics (history, arts, daily life, etc). She was incredibly organized and provided the leadership to manage 42 people. She obviously loves what she does and shares the love. I will absolutely look to have her as a tour guide if possible in Europe. I also appreciated our tour bus driver Mark (also another gem). He was kind, helpful, always greeting us with a smile and made us feel safe even on tight and challenging roads. He was an absolute gem and wonderful complement to Kristienne. Absolute thank you to both and to Gate One for an incredible tour. Thank you.
Vincent D.This was our first Gate1 trip. It will not be our last! Lenny, our fearless leader, and Robbie, our even more fearless driver, were the BEST duo to guide our family... and new friends... through Scotland and Ireland for two weeks. The itinerary exceeded our expectations. Our family came home with many memories of beautiful scenery, history, food, and culture... that were only made better with Lenny and Robbie's sense of humor and attention to detail!!
Heather G.I can't say enough about Peter as our Tour Guide. Extremely entertaining and so very knowledgeable about Ireland. His suggestions and pointers for leisure time were spot on. And our bus driver Alex's ability to drive on those winding, narrow roads was amazing. A delightful trip all around.
Anna L.Our walking/hiking tour of Ireland was a truly wonderful experience! Ireland is gorgeous and our guides made the trip extra special. Brendon, Lieka and Carlo are very knowledgeable, warm, funny and passionate about sharing Ireland with visitors. Our driver, Adrian, was equally delightful - and a sharp dresser, too. We were in very good hands and could just immerse ourselves in the experience knowing every detail was handled. Our accommodations were excellent as well. I would highly recommend a Gate 1 walking tour and will definitely be a repeat customer!! Thank you!
Carmella H.This was our first Gate 1 travel experience. I can see why people book through Gate 1 multiple times; we had people in the group who are at 30 trips and counting! I especially want to comment on Malcolm, our tour guide. He was professional, had a wide expanse of knowledge, great at communicating before, during and after each day's events, and more. We loved his humor and came away with fun "Malcolmisms" that we'll mirror and that continues to remind us of our terrific travel experience. I'd also be remiss if I don't include a special nod to Dan, our bus driver. We had every confidence in his ability to get us safely to our destinations - through city traffic, winding roads, tight quarters, etc. Honestly, Malcolm and Dan made a special team.
Jean K.My husband and I recently returned from the Irish Culture tour with Mel. This was our third Discovery experience; each of them has been wonderful. I'm writing to inform you that Mel is a gem to Gate 1. He was knowledgeable, professional, entertaining, kind, and considerate. He kept the group on schedule with ease and ensured that everyone was comfortable. I loved the snippets of information he shared each day as we traveled on the coach, and I learned a great deal about Irish history, culture, politics, and literature. It was a wonderful trip, largely due to Mel's competent leadership of our group. It was evident that he was devoted to ensuring a memorable experience for each traveler.
Jennifer T.We had the most amazing time in Ireland! The country was absolutely breathtaking!! Our tour guide Martina and driver John were both amazing! They went above and beyond in making sure we had the most memorable vacation! I cannot say enough about how wonderful they were. We will definitely go back!!
Tracey K.This was my first gate One tour. My sister booked it for me and my other sister for her 60th birthday trip. I really didn't know what to expect. Linda made the trip just so exceptional. Her great information was well accepted and her lovely attitude and hopefulness made you feel so welcome and safe. She was absolutely amazing.
Casi D.Khristiene was excellent, her story telling, kindness, helpfulness, jokes and so much history about Ireland was remarkable. She was easy to listen to, she made everyone feel special. We had treats, recipes and information handed to us. She gave us excellent ideas on pubs and restaurants to visit. Khristiene will not be forgotten with our family. Gate 1 is lucky to have her. Looking forward to our next Gate 1 trip to see if anyone can beat the high standards she met. Thank you.
Diane L.We wanted to give extra feedback on our tour manager and driver for our 16 day Scotland/Ireland tour. We found that Lenny was very organized, personable and extremely knowledgeable about the areas we were touring. Both Lenny and Robbie went out of their way many times to make everyone on the tour feel special and important. Lenny encouraged everyone to befriend each other and share photos and as such our group bonded very well even with an age group as young as 15 to 86 years old. We were given great options of things to see or do and places to eat at on our free time. The daily itinerary that Lenny provided was extremely helpful and we always knew when and where we needed to be. Lenny also went over and above to make sure our group was always safe and that everyone made it to where we needed to be. Both Lenny and Robbie were very personable and made the trip fun. We feel very lucky to have gotten them on our first tour abroad and the bar has been set very high for all of our future travel we hope to do with Gate 1.
Jean M.The trip was fantastic. Derek, our guide, was knowledgeable, helpful, and engaging! He made the trip informational and fun. He also provided recommendations for stops and free time. We loved the history and the fun stories he told about each region. The driver, Michael, was great as well - skilled through the narrow Irish roads. We loved all the stops and beautiful scenery. Ireland was a lovely adventure.
Alyson W.I truly can't say enough about how wonderful our trip was! I can't wait to travel again with Gate one travel! Lenny our guide was an absolute genius-our driver, Tony-top notch professional!
Victoria F.Would like to extend Kudos to Tarik our tour manager. He was always early every morning, took the time to mingle with our travel group, was extremely knowledgeable and a pleasure to be around with. On our last day prior to our shuttle to the airport he awoke early and presented in the lobby (430 am) to assure we did not miss our shuttle. Who does that? Cannot say enough good words about him. He is a keeper and deserves a raise. Our bus driver Joe was also excellent! Always on time and very courteous. Kudos to Joe as well.
Sergio C.I would like to compliment our outstanding tour guide, Martina. Martina has by far been the BEST tour guide that I have experienced with Gate 1. I have toured with Gate 1 a total of six times. She did an excellent job of informing us, socializing with us, and making us feel at ease. I traveled as a single occupant. She made sure I was safe and included with the group. She is definitely an asset to your company.
Mable A.Our trip to Ireland was wonderful, thanks to our energetic and amazing tour director, Sheila, very good driver, Tony and fortunately, great weather. Sheila was very knowledgeable, detail oriented and had the amazing talent of storytelling which not only held our attention but also helped us understand and enjoy the emerald isles, so much more. The hotels were great, dinners were good and Sheila's suggestions about various restaurants came in very handy when we were on our own. Thank you Gate1
Anjali M.Our trip to Ireland was wonderful, thanks to our energetic and amazing tour director, Sheila, very good driver, Tony and fortunately, great weather. Sheila was very knowledgeable, detail oriented and had the amazing talent of storytelling which not only held our attention but also helped us understand and enjoy the emerald isles, so much more. The hotels were great, dinners were good and Sheila's suggestions about various restaurants came in very handy when we were on our own. Thank you Gate1
Anjali M.Our trip was fabulous. Both my wife & I enjoyed every minute of our Ireland trip. Our tour guide Christienne was fantastic, knowledgeable & very helpful. We have learnt a lot about Ireland during this trip.
Pasalai S.It was Fabulous! Our Tour Guide Sibahn and Driver Mark were superb. We want them again for the next one we book. Thank you for helping us to book it. Couldn't have been better. The weather was excellent every day of our trip too!!
Richard A.The trip was great especially the tour guide, Maureen and the driver Declan. Gate one delivered as promised the hotels Were nice and comfortable and the breakfasts were absolutely fantastic. Maureen provided extensive details about all the sites. She was patient, friendly and always pleasant. It was a pleasure having her as our guide.
Rasheeda M.Our trip was amazing - it was our first time traveling with Gate 1 and would do it again! Emmeline our travel coordinator and driver Jim was AMAZING - they made our trip simply FANTASTIC - Emmeline is a definite ASSET to Gate 1 - wish she could be on every trip I would book -and Jim the driver was professional and his driving skills are amazing!
Deborah G.My trip was absolutely amazing. I loved everything about it. Our tour guide was Peter and he was fantastic. The driver Enda was also amazing. Our trip was so much better with Peter and Enda. I would definitely use Gate1 again, but I guarantee you we will not have a better tour guide and driver than we did in Ireland last week. Peter and Enda highly recommended. Thank you very much.
Maureen G.Absolutely well beyond our expectations. Lovely hotels and meals. Great experiences in all the towns and along the way. Our tour manager, Colm, was knowledgeable, kind, thoughtful and took such good care of us. Our tour group were all very nice people, and always on time so when the traffic gods were with us as well, Colm managed to slip in a few unscheduled viewing points or stops along the way. Can't wait to go on the next adventure with Gate1! Thank you for spending so much time with me getting us prepared for this trip. We'll talk again soon! So grateful for you and your guidance
Joanne P.The Ireland Scotland trip was such a great experience with a lively group of people who were friendly and got along well. Our TM Chris was great and had a a great personality with a touch of humor and got along well with everyone. He had a good amount of history and living in Scotland told us a good deal about life in his country. Stops were added that enhanced the experience and it was one of my favorite trips with gate 1. Our driver Darius was amazing driving on narrow roads and we always felt safe with him at the wheel. Really a great experience with both of them.
David G.Our tour manager, Siobhan, went over and above to assist all throughout the tour. Her and John (the driver) were great. She is one of the best tour managers we have experienced and we have had some excellent ones while traveling with Gate 1. She is an asset to Gate 1.
George E.I recently completed my first trip using Gate 1 to travel Northern Ireland. This trip exceeded my expectations in many ways. The hotels were all excellent: the food offered at each hotel was delicious and the distance to restaurants and shops in the different cities was great. I liked how the dinner was at the hotel the first night when settling into a new city. This allowed you to settle in and get the lay of the land before dining in the town the following night. The charter buses were comfortable, and the drivers were experts in the city centers and windy country roads. A highlight of the trip for me was the tour manager, Aoife. She was at the hotel to greet us and offer suggestions for getting the most out of Dublin before the trip even officially started. She had great suggestions of sightseeing, eating, and shopping throughout the trip. Aoife offered history of Ireland throughout the trip, gave the necessary information without it being overwhelming, and effortlessly checked on everyone to ensure that they were having the best trip possible. The number of beautiful sights and scenery that was packed into this tour was amazing! I look forward to traveling with Gate 1 on a future trip.
Monica M.We just want to share how amazing an adventure it was for us to tour Scotland & Ireland with Lenny, our dynamic tour guide and our driver- humble amazing Robbie. Gate 1 is so fortunate to have such a great team... we learned so much and had a blast doing so- all of the details about each stop along the way and opportunities to engage - by far the best tour we have been on!
Ramona P.We just want to share how amazing an adventure it was for us to tour Scotland & Ireland with Lenny, our dynamic tour guide and our driver- humble amazing Robbie. Gate 1 is so fortunate to have such a great team... we learned so much and had a blast doing so- all of the details about each stop along the way and opportunities to engage - by far the best tour we have been on!
Ramona P.Just got back from my Classic Ireland tour. My brother invited us to go with him. This was his 4th trip with your company. This was my first. It was a fantastic trip. Martina and our bus driver Damien were great pair. I am amazed that Martina knew our names the morning after we met. I wish I had that ability. She made history come alive for me. It was a great tour that also allowed us some free time. I would highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting to see a bit of Ireland. You folks had a great selection of hotels to stay at and the food was great too. I thanked my brother so much for inviting me.
Virginia S.It was fantastic. David was a terrific tour guide, with his vast knowledge about the UK, his friendliness, organizational skills, stage voice, and his sense of humor. Joe did a great job of driving and being congenial. The breakfasts, the beautiful hotel rooms, interesting sights, food, entertainment, the added meals, comfy bus seats, and cost were more fantastic than I could have imagined. I'm looking forward to our next trip
Rebecca M.I just returned from the Classics of Ireland tour. I loved it! I want to know more about Ireland now and that is in large part to the most amazing Gate One guide. Sheila. She is the best guide I have ever had in all my years of travel. She was non-nonsense, intelligent, funny, kind and cared for our safety. I cannot speak highly enough about her. She showed me the best of Ireland--and that included herself. It was obvious she cared about her job, Ireland and her clients. I feel fortunate to have had her as my guide. Our bus driver, Enda, was fantastic also! I miss them both! I wish them only the best! And Gate One has two amazing employees and I just thought you should know.
Lynn S.It was a wonderful experience, very memorable and meaningful, met new friends, great food, great places and great hotels. Our tour guide is great, John is very knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and accommodating to all our needs, very important, John is flexible. We're a big group but he was able to handle us with respect. We had an excellent driver, Dan, who drove us everywhere in all our tours making sure were comfortable and safe throughout our journey. We enjoyed so much our tour and at the same time we learned so much about Ireland history, memorable and enjoyable.
Maria C.Wonderful tour from beginning to end. Peter was the absolute best tour manager. His infectious laugh, humor, friendliness, knowledge, attention to detail and concern for our wellbeing were a highlight of the tour. He made our group so cohesive that we became friends and this added to the enjoyment. He gave us great suggestions for our free time....both for sights and meals. There was nothing he could have done better......we were so fortunate to spend time with Peter. Our driver, Eric was absolutely a marvel as he maneuvered our bus thru some tight spots. He was wonderful in managing our luggage, kept our bus spotless and was a delight to talk to. We had a wonderful time and know that Peter played a major part in making us sure we will use Gate1 again and recommend your company to friends.
Phyllis B.The guide, Mary was simply excellent. She significantly enhanced the quality of the trip. She ran a tight ship, kept everything on time, was extremely knowledgeable of all the places we visited, was very friendly, and had great recommendations for free time activities. Quality guides like her is the reason we continue to chose Gate 1. The motor coach accommodations were fantastic. New bus, comfortable, spacious, etc. The driver, Pat, had superior driving skills, amazing. Felt confident in his abilities. He was also a great guy to be around. The hotels were absolutely amazing, great choices by Gate 1. The dinners and lunches were awesome, had a great time.
Christopher A.Just want to say I loved this trip Mel was amazing I loved how he made us all feel like a family protected safe and so much fun. I loved all the excursions and would highly recommend this trip to anyone. Thank you Gate One.
Debbie T.cannot say enough about how fabulous our tour guide was, as Linda was a complete gem! She honestly made the trip so much fun and exceeded our expectations for how integral a part of our experience a tour guide would be. Linda was kind, thoughtful, charming, SO knowledgeable, and hilarious! I can promise you our trip would not have been what it was if we didn't have Linda. Our driver Adrian was wonderful as well, providing us with such security and safety, and he was so funny and friendly. Linda and Adrian were very entertaining, the perfect hosts for the beautiful country of Ireland, and hands down were a huge part of why our trip was so memorable. Linda is the best of the best.... We feel lucky we got to spend time with her! Thank you!!
Jennifer H.Our entire party loved Maureen and Damien's. Maureen was so knowledgeable and seemed actively interested in the history and facts about Ireland in general and our destinations in particular. Such a nice, friendly person! . Damien was an extremely skilled driver and a fun character!!
Mary P.Our tour guide Khristiene was wonderful, knowledgeable and such a pleasure to travel with. Our driver Keith was also very pleasant and he was a excellent driver. I've never been on a Gate 1 tour but I've heard good things about your company. I don't know that any other guide will meet the bar that she has set. We will see you in the future. Hopefully we will run into Khristiene on one of our next tours.Thank you and especially Khristiene for such an awesome vacation!
Dale C.A special shout-out for tour manager Kat and bus driver Dan . Both were extremely professional at their jobs, very personable and approachable, and knowledgeable. They also worked very well as a team. Best I've had from Gate 1!
Judy S.Absolutely excellent! Fantastic guides and drivers, wonderful itinerary, beautiful scenery, and so much more. The hotels, the food and the extra "surprises" were all five star experiences. And of course the welcoming people of both Ireland and Scotland and their acceptance, helpfulness and all around appreciation made the trip perfect. Gate 1 provided us with an exceptional and a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you!
Phillip C.This trip, by far, is the BEST experience we've ever had with Gate1. Edwina was phenomenal -- we knew what to expect at the start of each day, her knowledge of history and ability to share that knowledge in an easy-to-understand way was truly amazing. Her stories are peppered with humor, and she answered every question we threw at her with a deep knowledge of the subject followed by anecdotal stories. EDWINA IS THE BEST GUIDE WE HAVE EVER HAD! And our bus driver, Robbie, was amazing as well. We thought they had worked together numerous times -- only to find out at the end of our trip that this was their first trip together. You NEVER would have known. Their interpersonal dynamic was so refreshing and fun.
Margaret M.I really appreciate John, our tour guide. He was always polite, punctual and made himself available to us at any time. He was so very Knowledgeable about the history of Ireland and told us so many interesting stories about Ireland and the people. He went out of his way to make each person on the trip feel special. I'd love to travel with him again.
Jill S.Our tour manager David is simply outstanding! His knowledge, enthusiasm, and attention to detail made every stop on our itinerary not just informative but truly engaging! He went above and beyond to ensure that everyone was comfortable and had an enjoyable experience. His kindness and warm heart made everyone feel just like at home! He made every moment enjoyable and ensured that we felt welcomed and engaged throughout the journey. I want to say "Thank you to David" from the bottom of my heart! Our driver Jordan's professionalism and friendly demeanor on the road complemented David perfectly! His skillful driving gave us peace of mind, allowing us to relax and soak in the beautiful scenery. The way David and Jordan worked together made our travel experience seamless and enjoyable! We have had a great time from this trip, we enjoyed all the moment with David and Jordan and the group!
Xianbao X.It was a wonderful trip. Anne did a great job, and the locations we visited were incredible. The hotels were premium and the meals were as well. We only had one day with rain which I guess is a rarity in Ireland. We are looking forward to our next trip with Gate-One! You did a great job.
Robert S.Our tour manager, Sheila, was outstanding. Her knowledge of Ireland's history, culture, and customs added so much depth and meaning to the entire experience. Every destination came alive through her stories, insights, and passion for that beautiful country. Beyond her expertise, Sheila was incredibly proactive, organized, and helpful throughout the trip. She anticipated needs before they even arose and handled every situation with professionalism and ease. No matter what challenge came up, she was always calm, resourceful, and quick to find a solution. One thing we especially appreciated was how thoughtfully she managed the daily schedule. Sheila consistently got our group to the major sites early enough to avoid the large crowds, which made the experience far more enjoyable and relaxing. Her planning and attention to detail truly set this tour apart. Sheila's positive attitude, dedication, and exceptional leadership made our Ireland trip unforgettable. We would gladly travel with her again and highly recommend her to anyone considering a Gate 1 tour.
Luz B.Our tour manager, Sheila, was outstanding. Her knowledge of Ireland's history, culture, and customs added so much depth and meaning to the entire experience. Every destination came alive through her stories, insights, and passion for that beautiful country. Beyond her expertise, Sheila was incredibly proactive, organized, and helpful throughout the trip. She anticipated needs before they even arose and handled every situation with professionalism and ease. No matter what challenge came up, she was always calm, resourceful, and quick to find a solution. One thing we especially appreciated was how thoughtfully she managed the daily schedule. Sheila consistently got our group to the major sites early enough to avoid the large crowds, which made the experience far more enjoyable and relaxing. Her planning and attention to detail truly set this tour apart. Sheila's positive attitude, dedication, and exceptional leadership made our Ireland trip unforgettable. We would gladly travel with her again and highly recommend her to anyone considering a Gate 1 tour.
Luz B.Absolutely wonderful in every way, our tour guide Patrick was full of knowledge, understood American culture and could make many contrasts and comparisons to things in Ireland. I came away with a better understanding of Irish history and culture. Patrick has a wonderful sense of humor and was kind and caring. It is very evident that he loves his job. Our bus driver Keith was also very personable, and we enjoyed talking to him when he wasn't driving! It was my first Gate One tour and it exceeded my expectations. The hotels were fabulous and the itinerary was well planned.
Wendy B.There are not enough words to express how much we enjoyed and appreciated our tour manager, Matthew! From Day 1, he made himself available in the hotel lobby to answer questions and give suggestions for free time in Edinburgh, and he knew the names of everyone in the group on the first night at the Welcome Dinner. His calm demeanor, sense of humor, and vast knowledge of the area really made the trip for us. The extra surprise stops along the way added so much to the experience. The hunting lodge, the stop near Lord Mountbatten's home, and the sheep dog demonstration were highlights, but all were thoroughly enjoyed! Matthew often purchased little treats for us, explaining their significance, and offering suggestions for gift ideas to take home to friends and family. He made sure that all of our questions were answered, and managed seating on the bus beautifully. Matthew even repaired my suitcase handle that broke as we were leaving home to embark on our journey! I would also like to acknowledge our coach driver, Robbie. His cheerful disposition and willingness to help were a bright spot each day, and he also learned everyone's name. Robbie spent countless hours cleaning and washing the bus, and it was always ready for us each morning. Robbie's driving skills were exceptional as he maneuvered through all circumstances flawlessly. We never had a moment's concern for our safety. This was our first trip with Gate 1, and because of our experience with Matthew and Robbie, we will definitely consider another one. I hope that all tour managers and bus drivers with Gate 1 are as wonderful as Matthew and Robbie!!
Eileen S.




