Reviews
My husband and I recently returned from our Gate 1 tour of Sicily, and I would like to express our appreciation for a wonderful travel experience. Sicily is a beautiful destination, rich in history, culture, architecture, and traditions. We thoroughly enjoyed discovering its fascinating cities, historical sites, and local cuisine. The tour was a memorable experience, and we appreciated the planning and organization that went into making it possible. Our tour manager Maria was wonderful! We have traveled with Gate 1 before, and we value the opportunity to explore different parts of the world through your tours. Thank you for helping us create such wonderful travel memories. We look forward to traveling with Gate 1 again.
Inessa L.From the time we landed in Milan to departure from Rome everything was extraordinary. Christopher had everything under control, organized from start to finish. It was amazing watching him coordinate all the logistics and adapt to every curve thrown at him. He was a wealth of information on Italy while adding personal touches about moving to Italy 20 yrs ago. On the bus, he knew when to talk and when not to explaining what we were seeing, where we were going and what was coming up the next day. He showed professionalism, compassion and a real love for his job. The hotels were all different and we learned to adjust to the differences from USA to Italy. Not a problem. Our local guides were good especially Vanessa. Some had heavy accents and spoke quickly which sometimes made it difficult to understand. But we managed. Our tours were well thought out and educational. The optionals were excellent. Overall I would rate this trip as excellent and will recommend it to others and to ask for Christopher. He made the whole trip easy, fun, organized and on point. We are exhausted but what an experience and so much fun. Glad to have traveled with Gate 1.
Bonnie H.I just wanted to take a moment to provide some additional feedback on our Tour Manager, Daniele, as he was OUTSTANDING! This was our first trip with Gate1, so we have nothing else to compare it to, but we were really impressed. He was extremely knowledgeable, adept at corralling our large group and not losing anyone, and was always ensured that everyone's needs were met. But more than that, he was extremely personable, funny, and seemingly effortlessly promoted group harmony, something that I'm sure is not always easy, especially with a group of nearly 40 people. On those few occasions when something unexpected came up, he handled it with grace, humor, and calm. We had an amazing time on our trip, and Daniele played a big part in making it such a success.
Jeffrey G.I would like to thank Gate 1 Travel for the best tour I've ever had in my many years of traveling the world, on my most recent tour of Italy (September 2026). Whereas many companies in America are cutting "corners" and "skimping" to make more profit, I find that Gate 1 Travel keeps improving their already great service. Our tour guide Flavia, was top notch ! She treated everyone in our tour group like her family from the start of the tour , until the very end. She was always smiling, encouraging , informative and fun. Her recommendations for local restaurants were phenomenal. She is the GOAT Greatest of all time ) of tour guides! The hotels, the bus driver, the local tour guides were also fantastic! Gate 1 Travel please keep your quality high, because I think your company is superb!
Ande M.This was my first experience traveling with a tour program, and I have to say, it was AMAZING! I LOVED every part of it and every second of the experience. My tour manager, Marianna, was exceptionally attentive to every detail. She kept all of us on track at all times, making sure we were safe, while providing all the information we needed in a very clear, timely, and extremely organized manner. I can honestly say she made us feel SUPER SPECIAL on our 25th wedding anniversary with a special treat during the gondola ride. That just warmed my heart!!! I felt like a star! Marianna did a great job providing suggestions for our free time, while always making sure we were safe and knew what to expect. The group was great, and the tour guides were super knowledgeable and answered all my questions with confidence. The pace was great too-I was afraid it was going to be too much, but it was just right. I wanted to leave my testimony and give Marianna a great shout-out because her care and attention went truly above and beyond what I expected. She made the whole experience feel special, comfortable, and incredibly well organized. Thank you, Marianna, for making our trip such a wonderful experience! Already planning the next trip!!
Claudia M.We thoroughly enjoyed the Gate 1 Tour Bari to Naples with Dionisio and all the touring guides. We saw some amazing sites and learned so much about the beautiful country. All the passengers added comfort and fun to the trip. Looking forward to our next trip with Gate 1. Thank you for inquiring and for all your assistance. Hope we have the pleasure of working with you again.
Sylvia S.I just returned from my 8-Day Enchanting Italy trip with my son. This was our 3rd trip with Gate 1 and I cannot tell you how much we've enjoyed each one of them. The structure of the trips not only eliminates almost all the stress in traveling, but the knowledge gathered along the way from your magnificent guides, tour managers and bus drivers is immeasurable. Our tour guide (Franco), our bus driver (Gianluca) and the many local guides brought so much joy and knowledge to our vacation that I simply can't say enough about them. We are so grateful that you obviously take such great care in acquiring these wonderful people. Thank you so much for yet another unforgettable trip with Gate 1!
Robert M.Our Italy trip was fabulous and our tour guide, Franco, went above and beyond. He is very knowledgeable, courteous, punctual, and cheerful which made our trip pleasant and successful. Local guides and bus driver need special mention, all of them are very professional. Enjoyed every moment of our stay in Italy.
Rashmi D.Sonia was our tour coordinator, and I wanted to specifically call out how wonderful she was. She made our vacation easy, fun, and relaxed from start to finish. She was incredibly knowledgeable and added so much value to our experience. I would highly recommend her to anyone planning a trip!
Sharon A.My Family and I recently returned from the 11-day Enchanted Italy tour, and it was truly an unforgettable experience! We visited amazing destinations including Pisa, Pompeii, Florence, Sorrento, Assisi, Rome, Venice, and Capri. Each place was unique and gave us a deeper appreciation for Italy's incredible history, culture, food, and traditions. Our tour manager, Mercedes, was incredible! She was knowledgeable, kind, patient, and always willing to help. She taught us Italian signs and phrases, which made the experience even more special and helped us feel more connected to the culture. Mercedes truly knows Italy and went above and beyond to make sure everyone felt comfortable and welcomed throughout the entire journey. Gate 1 Travel did an excellent job organizing the trip. The food was wonderful, the itinerary was well planned, and they were very accommodating and accessible. They also made the travel days comfortable by providing regular restroom stops and plenty of breaks along the way, which made a big difference during our bus rides. A special thank you to Miguel, our wonderful driver, during our time in Florence and Rome. He did an excellent job keeping us safe and comfortable while traveling, and he even entertained us as a DJ one night, creating even more fun memories for our group. Traveling with families, friends, and new friends made this adventure even more enjoyable. We absolutely loved Italy, and Gate 1 Travel helped make this trip a memory we will always treasure. If you can visit Italy, I highly recommend traveling with Gate 1 Travel and especially recommend having Mercedes as your tour manager. She made an already amazing trip truly unforgettable
Keyur P.Exceptional experience. Organization, great local guides, our group was fantastic and unforgettable memories. Everything can do it with our great Tour Manager Christopher. Thanks!!
Mario Q.Our tour manager Christopher was absolutely excellent. He was kind, caring, friendly, humorous, and helpful. Christopher was also very reliable and was there for us every step of the way. It was interesting to learn about the life of an expat (him) living in Rome and his take on daily living. Christopher helped our group to be cohesive and to help one another. Everyone had a fantastic trip. Our bus driver Francesco was also really, really good at what he does. I liked how he always helped us off the bus.
Lisa N.We just returned from our first Gate 1 trip, and we cannot thank you enough for such a wonderful experience. Our tour manager, Georgia, was incredibly responsible, attentive, and caring. She managed the entire trip seamlessly while going above and beyond to accommodate everyone's needs. The smooth coordination among transportation, excursions, and different destinations saved us so much time and allowed us to enjoy a full itinerary filled with delightful surprises. We will definitely travel with Gate 1 again and enthusiastically recommend Gate 1 to our friends. Thank you again for an unforgettable trip!
Jing F.We just got back from our first trip with Gate 1, and our tour manager, Sergio, made it an experience we will never forget. He was exceptional! Since it was our first time using Gate 1, we didn't fully know what to expect, but Sergio made the whole experience unforgettable. He was so informative, not just about Italy's history and culture, but about so many extra little things along the way. Sergio had a way of turning every single moment into something fun. We truly couldn't have asked for a better guide to introduce us to Italy.
Albert M.Our Tour Guide, Ana, couldn't have been better! She was knowledgeable, informative, friendly and had a great sense of humor. She made what was a wonderful vacation a perfect one! Many thanks to her!!
Donna A.The trip was fantastic. Everything went well and we had a great time. Our tour guide, Giampiero, was great. He was knowledgeable, funny, and paid attention to every detail. We cannot say enough good things about him. Thank you for helping us set up a family trip of a lifetime.
Michael C.This trip was truly one of a kind. Flavia poured her love and passion for Sicily into every aspect of the tour, creating a unique and thoughtfully curated experience that I will always remember. We traveled throughout Sicily, exploring its incredible food, rich history, and vibrant culture, while discovering how the island's past and present blend together to shape modern-day Sicily. Our bus driver, Giuseppe, was excellent. His bus handling skills left us in awe. Sicily, Flavia, and Gate 1 will always hold a special place in my heart.
Bob B.My trip to Italy was amazing! Everything was so well organized, from the point of arrival through departure. Vivana, our Tour Manager, was great. She was with us from beginning to end and was very knowledgeable and detailed. She went above and beyond. Because of her we will continue to travel with Gate 1.
Iris P.My trip was fantastico!! Favia was the best tour director I think I have ever had!! She's so caring . So much fun and so involved in the group she's taking care of!! I would love to go on another tour with her no matter where that will be. Thank you Gate 1 for a safe , and satisfactory trip!
Louise C.Wonderful experience ! Our guide Flavia was beyond great . I loved that she loves Italy as much as I do. She did so many extra things . Treating us to things like pesto focaccia, beautiful map of Italy, recipe for Limoncello, small masks from Venice . I can't say thank you enough for her.
Lynn M.We had an amazing vacation in Italy. The accommodations were great, the area tour guides were extremely knowledgeable, and Sergio, our Tour Manager, was exceptional! He was attentive, very knowledgeable about the sites, and just made the trip that much more fun. We will definitely book another trip with Gate
Joseph G.Fantastic!!! This was our first "Discovery" tour and it was amazing. Alice, our tour manager, was one of the best we've had with Gate1 - being organized, well informed about the sights, professional, respectful, friendly and fun! Giuseppe, our driver was thoughtful, helpful and kept us safe on the road always. It's difficult to recall all the amazing towns, villages and sights as we saw so much in such a short period of time. The fact that this tour concentrated on lesser known sights/towns meant a wonderful surprise awaited us each day. We would highly recommend this trip, especially if Alice and Giuseppe are in charge.
Michael P.We're in the "travel" business and have been on approximately 60 cruises as our 1st choice to travel. A land tour didn't sound appealing to us until friends talked us into taking a tour of Italy, and they recommended Gate1. The trip was truly fantastic, and we can't wait to go again! So many little things that Gate1 and our tour guide (Sergio) added to our trip that we would've missed if we'd tried to plan it ourselves. In fact, the trip was SO special that we started to fear that we'd simply picked the best one and found the absolute best tour guide, and any future tour wouldn't measure up. We talked to others on the trip with previous experience with Gate 1 and they assured us that we'd love the next tour as well. So...our friends, family, and clients rely on us and our opinions for travel, and they of course asked us what our favorite part of Italy was. What city, what sites, what food, etc., etc.. It was such a difficult question that we really had to think about it. In the end, the answer was obvious. Our favorite part of Italy and the tour, was Sergio, our tour guide. His humor, knowledge, storytelling, and experience truly took our trip to another level. We've been on a thousand excursions with a thousand tour guides. He was simply the best part of our vacation. Whatever he makes as a tour guide, it isn't enough. Give him a raise, please! But...don't promote him to management, it would be a waste of his talent! See you soon for our next adventure...
Edward L.My wife, Lisa, and I just completed our third trip with Gate 1, and while all three of our experiences have been excellent, this Italy tour stood out as our favorite-and a huge reason for that was our incredible tour manager, Lorena. From Venice to Florence, Rome, Sorrento, the Vatican, Assisi, and Tuscany, Lorena made every moment of the trip enjoyable, memorable, and seamless. She struck the perfect balance of being organized, informative, entertaining, and genuinely caring. Lorena kept us well informed throughout the journey, but she did it with such wit and personality that even logistics became part of the fun. She consistently went the extra mile for everyone in the group and somehow made each person feel known and valued. One of the things that impressed us most was that she learned everyone's names and connected with people personally-it never felt transactional; it felt like traveling with a friend. Her energy, humor, and attention to detail elevated an already wonderful itinerary into something truly special. Italy itself was beautiful, but Lorena brought the experience to life. If we had to rate this trip, it was a 10 out of 10, and Lorena was a major reason why. Thank you, Lorena, for helping create memories that Lisa and I will treasure for years to come.
James G.I have to tell you that my wife and I had a phenomenal Taste of Tuscan vacation. Carolyn was an amazing guide. From her outstanding knowledge of all the cities we visited, knowing all our names (again amazing), to her knowledge of key restaurants with outstanding food in every city. She was fantastic. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't also say the other guides were outstanding as well, unfortunately I don't remember their names. Nothing was left to chance, we felt completely secure.
Albert V.Although I have enjoyed every tour manager I have had previously, I must say that Andrea was the best of all. His warm personality and sense of humor made this trip to Sicily very special. He was organized and attentive to every detail necessary to make things run smoothly. Our group was quite cohesive because of Andrea's calm and helpful manner. His love for his country definitely made us love it as well.
Linda G.I wanted to express our tour manager Flavia was amazing with a great funny personality who took an interest in each of us! Our personal driver Johnny was excellent as well and made us feel safe! The overall trip was amazing!
Eileen B.We had a FABULOUS time and could not have been more impressed with Gate 1, and all the special accommodations they provided for the group! Sonja was such an amazing tour manager. We were so impressed with how she managed to keep us all together, help us avoid crowds, and share so much information with a fun and vibrant spirit. It is obvious that Sonja loves Italy and truly loved sharing her country with us! All the guides in the different cities were outstanding. Gate 1 took care of so many little details, from luggage to transportation, to boat tours, to extra special meals and activities, that the average tourist would have missed. On our final morning, I was blown away to find Sonja sitting in the hotel lobby at 4:30 AM, just to make sure we got on our transfer OK, with no problems. And when a Gate 1 person met us at the airport to make sure we didn't have to struggle with anything - well THAT IS JUST EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE!
Lynn J.Puglia, Italy Gate1 --- Sergio was an excellent tour guide, I think the funniest Gate1 tour guide I've ever had (and I've gone on 21 Gate1 trips). He is a fantastic storyteller, but also is very knowledgeable and pays close attention to get the details right. High quality tour guide! Enjoyed Puglia & Naples very much!
Stuart B.My family and I recently returned from our first tour in Sicily, and we truly had a wonderful experience, largely because of our exceptional tour manager, Giampiero. From start to finish, he was beyond accommodating, professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in ensuring every guest had the best possible experience! No request was ever too much, and he consistently went above and beyond to make everyone feel comfortable, informed and cared for. His passion in Sicily, attention to detail, and ability to seamlessly manage every aspect of our tour made our trip unforgettable. He transformed what would have been a great vacation into an extraordinary one. He is the reason we will not only remember this trip so fondly, but also confidently travel with Gate 1 again in the future. He deserves special recognition for the outstanding service he provided throughout the entire journey.
Melanie S.Fantastic trip! Our tour guide Lorana was so bubbly, knowledgeable and fun. I was afraid I would be disappointed after having Nick for the tour guide before this trip beings I was doing a back to back trip. She was no disappoint but a joy to be with. I did miss having the hands on things I had on the prior trip, but I did get to make pesto. Great group of clients on both trips. She made you feel special and what great humor she had. She was very sincere asking if we needed anything and if we were happy with our rooms. She made it her priority to make us happy. Only wish we had more time shopping, especially at the Cinque Terre. Would loved to have had more time at each village shopping. When stores are small and lots of people it takes time. No complaints only kudos..... great tour guide, amazing hotels & great food and tours.
Judith W.Our trip was FANTASTIC! Our tour guide and daily guides were great. The tours were beautiful. Gate 1 delivered exceptional service, as recommended. Our group was terrific. We all said that we would definitely use Gate 1 again for future trips. Thanks for all of your help.
Joseph E.Our trip was FANTASTIC! Our tour guide and daily guides were great. The tours were beautiful. Gate 1 delivered exceptional service, as recommended. Our group was terrific. We all said that we would definitely use Gate 1 again for future trips. Thanks for all of your help.
Joseph E.We would like to take this opportunity to sing the praises of our Sicilian/Malta guide Maurizio. My husband and I have traveled extensively and have had many good guides. But we can say with all sincerity Maurizio is one of the best. Beyond his knowledge and organizational skills he was so at ease with the members of our group right from the start. His sense of humor was endearing which affected all aspects of our days. He was generous with his time and liked to give us little surprises on a regular basis. We will never forget him or our trip.
Charlene C.We truly enjoyed our recent walking and hiking tour in Tuscany, Italy. We are writing to share our utmost appreciation for our incredible tour manager Alessandra and our hiking guide Michel, who made this journey unforgettable. Our tour manager, Alessandra, was simply phenomenal. From the moment we stepped into the Hotel Boston until our farewell embrace, she ensured we felt completely welcome and well cared for. Alessandra filled our bus rides with captivating stories of local history and delightful fun facts. She was also immensely helpful in suggesting local delicacies, arranging reservations, and securing tickets to a concert. We felt completely at ease throughout the trip, knowing she was always available-whether in the hotel lobby or just a phone call away. What truly set Alessandra apart was her genuine compassion. She brought a heartfelt touch to every situation, from celebrating a fellow traveling couple's 40-year wedding anniversary to providing support to a guest grieving the sudden loss of a family member back home. Her boundless energy and contagious laughter served as a wonderful catalyst for our group, bringing everyone together and making the experience truly memorable. Our hiking guide, Michel, was equally extraordinary. Michel was incredibly resourceful and possessed an impressive depth of knowledge, ranging from the intricacies of the hiking trails and ancient roads to the rich history of local castles and vineyards. He brilliantly pointed out local flora depicted in Leonardo da Vinci's paintings and shared moving historical accounts from WWI and WWII that took place along our paths. The personalized maps Michel created for each of our hikes have become precious souvenirs. Please forward our sincere appreciation and highest praise to Alessandra and Michel. They are exceptional representatives of your company.
Li Z.What a wonderful tour. All Gate1 guides are excellent, but I must single out Giorgia as my best. Her friendliness, proactivity, and attention to detail were memorable and exemplary. Please reward her in any possible ways. Our drivers are also very good, especially cutie Leonardo, who drove us very meticulously for one so youthful.
Michael G.Our trip far exceeded our expectations in large part due to our tour manager. In addition to creating a great group spirit, keeping us on time, making sure our questions were answered, being flexible (ex: making adjustments to benefit all), and giving us local tips, Giuseppe provided many interesting additional facts and background information that helped us further appreciate Italy as a country, as well as the areas we visited. Our driver was great, too! Thanks for a truly extraordinary experience!
Barbara F.Great! Maria, our guide was great! So was Giovanni, our driver. Great organization and I thoroughly enjoyed the Farmhouse lunch and winery experience. Erice and Cefalu was beautiful.. Loved the small towns. Guides were all well knowledgeable. We had a great group and the bus was very comfortable. Looking forward to our next Gate 1 adventure.
Mary K.We were on the Italian tour 5 May 2026 to 16 May 2026. I have traveled with Gate 1 numerous times; Luca was the most amazing travel guide. He gave us information on the areas that we were traveling through. He was entertaining and fun. Luca was wonderful beyond words. He was organized and yet very kind. He was able to resolve problems very nicely. As grand as Italy is, Luca really made this trip special. We really miss him and his wonderful personality.
Karen S.I can't say enough about the quality of the experience the 6 of us had on our trip with Alessandro- he took such good care of us! We have taken several Viking tours and had good experiences on those also, but nothing compared to this trip. His knowledge of local food and culture, his passion for Italy, and his personable demeanor made for a superb trip for our group. He truly cared about giving us a good experience and it showed every day!
John S.Our recent Discovery tour to Sicily and Malta was excellent due primarily to the efforts of our tour Manager, Mauricio. Together with our bus driver, Enzo and our local guide in Malta, Tracey, they managed every detail to create the best tour we have taken across the last five years. I don't think Maurizio could have managed the details any better while assuring a safe, educational, and fun tour. The standard Maurizio set for individual care should be a benchmark for your Tour Business for all guides.
Ralph P.Everything was wonderful! We could not have asked for anything better. Our Tour Manager Alice was truly awesome. She was knowledgeable about all the sights we saw and added value by showing us additional points of interest. Gate1 Travel is the best agency to work with. All the information we receiver was accurate and timely.
James V.This was our first Gate One tour and we were absolutely blown away at the organization, thoughtfulness, and care that went into making our trip to Italy unforgettable!! Our tour guide, Sabina, consistently went above and beyond in being a kind, gracious, and knowledgeable host!
Kym K.I would typically only write if I had a complaint however I felt I needed to send a message about the best trip of my lifetime- from the locations, to the hotels to the tour guide, Vivi- it was absolutely amazing. Vivi is absolutely amazing and made the trip and I will be returning for many more trips. Thank you for providing such a wonderful experience!
Michelle M.The trip was fantastic in every way. Having never taken a group tour before, I was a little apprehensive, but everything was very well organized, a great tour guide, wonderful hotel selections, and attention paid to all the details and all needs of travelers. I will definitely consider Gate1 for my future travels and will recommend your org to people I know.
Manisha M.Our 9 Day Tuscany hiking/walking tour was fantastic! Suzanne, who was our tour manager, was extremely organized, helpful and a genuinely kind and caring person. Local guide Michel, who we hiked with each day, was knowledgeable and quick to provide any needed assistance. Our driver Giuseppe was always pleasant and a superb navigator of the local roads. The meals provided were top-notch and in scenic settings. The scenery along the trails and many of the lovely towns and villages visited would not have been on the agenda of an average bus tour. The hikes were rewarding and our group of 14 travelers quickly bonded with each other. An additional benefit of this trip is staying in the same hotel each night. Montecatini offers plenty of restaurants and shops. Additionally, Montecatini Alto, which is located just above Montecatini, offers several restaurants with hilltop views of the area. Montecatini Alto can be reached via the funicular or by a 90-minute uphill hike. We would recommend Gate 1 walking tours to any travelers looking for a bit of a challenge and a willingness to more deeply immerse oneself into the local culture.
James C.It was great! Our guide Maurizio was the BEST guide I have ever had on any tour. Gate1 should make sure he stays with your company as he is even noted by other tour guides as the best in your industry.
Alisa Z.The trip was great in all aspects. Our guide Carolyn was terrific, the hotel was very nice and the tours were good. I really enjoyed this stay and explore style. Having a home base and then getting to places close by was a great way to get in touch with an area and culture.
Edwin M.I would like to express my admiration and gratitude to our guide Suzy for her excellent leadership during our 9-days tour of Northern Italy. She shared her deep love and knowledge of the region, with passion and humor. Especially impressive was how seamlessly Suzy navigated a complex day in Venice with multiple activities, transfers, gondola ride, etc.
Tamara W.I wanted to give a shout out to our Gate1 guide, Carolyn and our terrific bus driver, Vale. Tuscany trip, Montecatini, Carolyn is an amazing guide. Knowledgeable, patient, kind, and most of all, FUN! Vale, as well. He is hysterical. Rob and I had the very best time with them as our true, first trip to Italy, EVER, guide. Please know that it's because of people like Carolyn and Vale, we will continue to book our trips with Gate1.
Mariann C.




