Spain & Portugal
Reviews
Portugal is unarguably beautiful---and Tour Manager Catia took it over the top! Her vast and enthusiastic knowledge of history and culture filled in all the missing pieces of the tapestry that was quintessentially Portugal. We lucked out with ideal weather, and our congenial group simply enhanced the already perfect adventure. Catia exuded total confidence regarding our safety and well-being and ensured that we experienced the best that Portugal has to offer---which is more---and then some! The cork demonstration; the library at Coimbra University; the port wine tour, Fatima, and simply driving by the white-washed-red-tiled-roofs of the villages; rolling hills dotted with vineyards, pear trees and olive groves-- was much needed respite from the turmoil in which our world currently finds itself. Thank you, Gate One, for again batting 1000!
Melanie G.Our 15 day Northern Spain, France and Portugal tour was a very enlightening, historical and religious tour that encompassed a lot in a relatively short amount of time. Following part of the pilgrimage route was very spiritual, and would definitely change a non-believer. I appreciate the time that went into researching and organizing this route, the wonderful hotels and meals that were included, and the excellent bus driver that was put into some precarious situations driving up and down narrow and windy roads. Thank you for this adventure!
Cynthia B.We have just completed the "15 Day Classic Spain & Portugal" Gate 1 trip. We very much enjoyed it! Mr. Luis was our very professional, friendly and knowledgeable trip manager. The tour drivers and local guides were excellent as well! In addition to be shocked by the outstanding Iberian sceneries, we learnt a lot of the history and culture of the area with the help from the tour guides, particularly from Luis. The accommodations and the food were also excellent at the trip! We would definitely mark it as a five-star tour!
Chonglun F.This tour was one of the best that I've been on, and it was largely due to the fantastic tour director, Catia. She was incredibly prepared, organized, thoughtful, and anticipated what the travelers needed before any problem could potentially arise. Other tour directors do are usually organized and friendly, but not always to the level of Catia. One example is that when we arrived the first day with many hours to spare before the group orientation dinner, Catia was in the hotel lobby with maps of Porto already marked up with popular things to do (things that she knew we were not going to see on the tour) and a typed out list of things to do in our free time. She saved me from having to show her my guidebook and ask her the questions she basically already answered with her prepared materials. No other tour director has done this before on any tour I've been on, so I give her very high marks for doing this. Another example is that she had the seat rotation chart written out for all the days of the tour (including the first day we all had to be on the bus) and taped on the bus doors so that there would be issues with seating during the tour. This saved everyone from any potential awkward confrontation or conflict. She was also a fountain of knowledge about the country being the local that she is, and we really couldn't have had a better experience on this trip. Wonderful trip!
Shirley C.It was a great trip. Odete is a gem and takes wonderful care of us. She's friendly, warm, full of knowledge, and truly treated us like family. The hotels and food were very good; the bus and driver were top notch. Gate 1 has two new fans
Donald M.Just want to add that our Tour Manager Aline was truly exceptional. She guided us from the moment we met at the hotel and throughout the 12 days with care, compassion, enthusiasm and did everything in her power to insure we enjoyed the entire trip. Aline also had the group naturally bond together and created a friendly fun environment. We totally enjoyed the entire trip and Aline saw to it that everyone had the best time possible.
Henry M.The trip was great, thanks for asking. Our tour guide, Josep from Catalan, was excellent. We want Gate1 Travel to know this. He was kind, considerate, organized and caring. He was one of the best tours guides we ever had. We enjoyed the group dinners and surprises (religious medals and gelato). Josep had a good sense of humor and we enjoyed his jokes. Now we must recuperate from the trip. We walked a lot during the trip.
Teresita D.Our Tour Manager Alex was fantastic. If I have a choice, I will happily have him for all my future tours (I have a few upcoming). His communication ability, knowledge and problem solving were beyond words. He went far and beyond to take care of all the guests.
Dominic R.I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our tour manager Ana. She has created a very special atmosphere in our group which makes our trip very interesting and comfortable. We have learned a lot about Spain from Ana. We learned a lot of facts from Ana about history, religion, economics, art, architecture, education, climate, social life of Spain. It was truly discovery trip. Ana is very professional, friendly, organized and thoughtful. Our group developed a habit at the end of each day to say thanks to Ana for another beautiful day.
Yelena T.We took the "12 day Northern Spain Discovery" from March 28 , 2026 to April 8, 2026. Our guide, Hugo, was incredible! Best tour guide ever! Knowledgeable, fun, impeccable time management, and so accommodating. We felt like we were exploring with a local friend rather than a guide. He brought the history of the Spain to life with such passion and humor. He was attentive to everyone's questions and went out of his way to make sure our family had the best experience. Highly recommended!
Jim H.John, our tour manager, made our trip unforgettable, comfortable, and seamless. His exceptional group management and organizational skills ensured that each day went off without a hitch. He communicates clearly and timely, providing instructions that are always effective. John consistently shows genuine care for the group's well-being, paying close attention to everyone's needs. He offers assistance and advice even when it's not asked for, demonstrating his proactive approach. His warm and friendly personality makes his company enjoyable, and his in-depth knowledge of the places we visited-down to the smallest details-was truly impressive. This not only made the trip more enjoyable, but also highly educational. Overall, John is a well-rounded, top-tier tour manager, and definitely one of the best I've had with Gate1.
Gia H.The trip was fantastic. Our guide Antonio was beyond great and all the other guides through the cities were amazing, and the other people in the group were so nice. I am definitely hooked on you guys and looking forward to my next vacation in 6 weeks to Poland.
Boris S.I just completed my 19th G1 tour: the 8 day Affordable Portugal. This was one of the BEST trips I've been on with G1. Our guide, Joao, was very knowledgeable about all the sites and created a very relaxed, friendly vibe in the group. He never made us feel rushed while keeping the group on time. The included food was some of the very best I've had on a G1 land tour. Thanks for a wonderful Spring Break!
Beverly B.The tour managers on all our previous Gate 1 trips were very good, but we would like to specifically recognize this tour manager, Cesar. His knowledge of history, excellent presentation skills, and wonderful sense of humor were truly outstanding. He made the experience both educational and enjoyable, and we greatly appreciated his professionalism and enthusiasm throughout the tour.
Eugenia S.My trip to Spain was an unforgettable experience, made even more special by the incredible tour and guide who accompanied us throughout the journey. From the very beginning, the tour was well-organized and comfortable, allowing us to fully relax and enjoy every destination without any stress. Our driver was professional, punctual, and smooth on the road which made traveling between cities both safe and pleasant. Their friendly and approachable personality created a positive atmosphere for the entire group, making everyone feel included and engaged. It was clear that they truly cared about ensuring we had the best possible experience. Overall, this trip to Spain exceeded my expectations. The combination of a smooth tour, a skilled driver, and such a pleasant and knowledgeable guide made it not just a vacation, but a memorable learning experience. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to truly appreciate the beauty and culture of Spain.
Mildred H.I used Gate 1 for my first trip to Europe and I couldn't have asked for a better tour guide. Jorge is the nicest, kindness, and most caring tour guide I have ever encountered. He provided us with informative and entertaining tours and shared his knowledge about local history, culture, and places to go in our free time. He went above and beyond to ensure that we had a memorable and safe experience. I can't wait to come back to Spain with my family members so that Jorge can share his knowledge with them. I can't say enough about him. I only wish that he could do all my tours thank you Gate 1 for employing him and thank you Jorge for a wonderful trip!
Sandra W.We want to recognize our tour manager, Diego, and say that he was one of the best tour managers we have travelled with. He stood out for his professionalism, humanity, and genuine desire to make our trip as wonderful as possible. Please thank him again and wish him well. Thank you.
Michael L.This independent trip was one of your best. Hotel Marina Atlantic was located in one of the best areas of Ponta Del Garda convenient to the waterfront and area shops and restaurants. The optional trips (3) allowed us to visit all the important areas of the island. Hugo, our tour guide for the 3 days was extremely knowledgeable and personal. Thanks Gate 1, you did it again on our 28th trip.
Virgilio D.It was amazing, very pleased with the service, location and experience all together. Looking forward to my next trip !
Elizabeth P.Despite the terrible weather (due to a huge storm that hovered for most of 4 days) we had an amazing time. The airport transfers were smooth. The hotel was well located and very comfortable. Breakfasts were plentiful and delicious. We had 3 twin beds, which was perfect. The jeep excursions were all on time, expertly led by friendly local guides and unique opportunities to experience their beautiful island and Azorean foods for lunch. The pineapple and tea plantations were amazing. Flowers all over the island were lovely. The black sandy beaches were so different. House boats on the water looked like fun - but not during the storm we had. Since this trip was unescorted and the weather was colder than usual with strong winds and rain, we took advantage of many sites in the city. The sidewalks all have inlaid tile patterns. Due to the high seas, we did not get to do the whale watching boat ride unfortunately. We visited the privately-owned Botanical Gardens in the heart of Ponte Delgado. The trees, flowers and layout were beautiful with signs telling how these specimens had been brought to the Azores from around the world over the years. We also visited the military fort and museum on the waterfront which includes so many weapons, uniforms, radios and military history. Then we toured the Natural History Museum connected to a convent - very unusual and interesting. It covered all the animals on land, sea and air. All the prices were very reasonable for food and activities. We found wonderful restaurants for dinner in town with other Gate 1 guests.
Ann T.Excellent trip! Truly stunning landscape and magnificent views of the cities we visited. With the best care of our tour manager, we had a wonderful unforgettable experience with Portugal!
Xiaojing Z.My trip was fantastic! This was my first journey to Southern Spain, and I hope it won't be my last! Our Tour Manager, Antonio, was wonderful- patient, kind, organized, fun and very informative! We absolutely loved him and he did an outstanding job! The hotel was lovely with a big comfortable clean room, gorgeous breakfast each morning and wonderful dinner at the beginning and the end. Perfect spot! Really beautiful! Air transport, provided through Gate 1, was on time and very good! No bags lost! Transfers were great- on time with courteous drivers and comfortable vehicles! And the excursions were all just excellent! Marbella was charming and beautiful! Mijas was stunning. Our journey to Malaga and the Picasso Museum was fun and interesting! My absolute favorite was The Alhambra in Granada which I have wanted to see since my childhood. Majestic, beautiful, serene and geometrically perfect, this place dazzles. And Ronda was just exceptional! I loved it! Frigliana and Nerja were gorgeous and fascinating and magical. And Gibralter was so different and interesting. It was all absolutely wonderful from start to finish- a great hotel, fantastic TM, nice group of people, incredibly magnificent places, perfect organization and execution, great bus driver. I cannot offer a more positive review. This was, in every way, perfect! Thank you for offering me such an incredible experience! I shall remember this trip always!
Barbara S.Another fantastic Gate 1 trip! I have no complaints at all, but I wanted to make sure you know what an AMAZING job Lisa did! We felt comfortable with her immediately. She was a great communicator, and I think the fact that she grew up in the US made communication easier. She could really compare the differences between the US and Spain and Portugal. She has a wealth of knowledge and is super approachable. By the time we left, we all felt like we had known her all our lives! I wish she could be a tour guide for every trip we take! We love Gate 1 and tell everyone we know about you. I already have another trip on the books for November!
Dianna E.It was an excellent trip. Catarina was an exceptional guide and caretaker -- she is amazing & what a kind & fun person. Hugo, the driver, was the best of the best; and the local guides were just as good. It was my first time on a Gate 1 tour and it won't be my last.
Anita P.Cesar was our tour leader and he was fantastic. He had a wealth of knowledge and I enjoyed him very much. He was very approachable and made sure we all felt welcomed and safe. This was my first gate one tour and I travelled solo. I definitely will try another tour and hope all your tour directors are as great as Cesar was.
Kathleen K.I would like to take the opportunity to thank Gate 1 and Americo for a terrific trip to Portugal last week. Americo, our tour guide, was tremendous! From the opening dinner to our final goodbye, Americo was kind, considerate, knowledgeable, passionate, proud, enthusiastic, and funny. Simply put, he's a gem. Despite the rainy weather we had a great time and will definitely recommend Gate 1 and Americo to our friends and co-workers.
Jim F.We enjoyed every minute of it. A very memorable experience and our Tour Manager Peter is excellent and very knowledgeable. I'm giving him and Gate 1 the highest rating possible. Thank you for helping us with the perfect booking without any issues. Thank you for your help with everything. I will definitely recommend Gate1 travel with relatives and friends.
Naty G.It was such a wonderful trip to Azores Portugal that I spread good words about Gate 1 travel and Sao Miguel Island, Azores. Thank you so much for the opportunity to fly direct from Toronto to Sao Miguel. I was grateful to Gate 1 that I was able to visit one of Azores islands, it was one of my long-standing wishful places. And Neat Hotel staff were very nice, making my stay there quite enjoyable.
June C.My trip to Spain was amazing. Our TM Elio & our local guides were very knowledgeable and provided a lot of background & history I hadn't known before. I love that we were at the sites early, so we had a chance to see everything before the crowds arrived. And Spain is crowded at this holiday. Our driver was always on time & was super helpful. The hotels were lovely and I loved the food.
Jaquelyn O.My trip was wonderful!! Thank you so much for arranging everything for my whole group. Our tour guide, Javier, was phenomenal. He went over and above to make sure we were taken care of, from beginning to end. I give him so much credit. Thank you to Gate 1Travel, you are awesome :)
Anna G.This was my first Gate1 tour and my first river cruise. It was wonderful. Special kudos to Eva and Nial who both made the trip run seamlessly. Also thank you to the chefs and wait staff who made mealtimes special. Thank you to the captain for being welcoming to guests and for providing safe travels. Also enjoyed the bar staff who interacted with all of us, the lobby staff were always available to assist or answer questions, and the housekeeping staff did an excellent job making up the room each day and keeping the ship extremely clean. Thank you to all as they truly are the ones who made the trip so successful.
Grace L.My trip was wonderful. I especially liked the smaller ship where it was easier to meet people and get to know the staff. The scenery was very nice and the atmosphere on the ship was laid back. It was relaxing. The food was delicious and well prepared. The meat is so tender you could cut it with a fork. I enjoyed the presentation of the appetizers, entrees, and desserts. I liked seeing the countryside as I traveled to the different excursions. It showed me the picture of Portugal as a country that I wanted to know Overall, I enjoyed the sights and have recommended Gate 1 to my family and friends for a Douro River cruise.
Elaine G.Fabulous. Our guide, Claudia, was the best. Our driver, Patricia, was over the top. We learned so much history about Portugal and experienced so much culture with your tour. Thank you Gate 1
Carol K.I am writing to express my deepest appreciation for the outstanding work of our tour manager, Sonia. She has been an exceptional presence throughout our journey professionally, organized, and genuinely caring in every moment. From the very beginning, Sonia made us feel welcomed, supported, and excited for what was ahead. Her communication was always clear, her planning flawless, and her ability to handle every detail with calm confidence was truly admirable. She anticipated needs we didn't even know we had, ensuring that every stop, every transition, and every experience felt smooth and enjoyable. What makes Sonia truly special is her warmth. She brought joy to the trip-not just by guiding us, but by being part of the group. Her positive energy, patience, and generosity of spirit lifted everyone's mood and made us feel connected, safe, and valued. She treated every member of the group with kindness and respect, and her passion for what she does shined in every interaction. Because of Sonia, this tour was not just a trip-it was a beautiful, memorable experience that we will treasure. Her dedication and professionalism make her an extraordinary asset, and we are grateful beyond words for the care she put into making our journey
Olga K.Estefi was excellent!! She was knowledgeable, friendly, great energy, very caring and did a really great job keeping the group together, informed and on time. BRAVO!! Really enjoyed getting to know her and would definitely prioritize a tour with her again.
Jodi M.No complaints, excellent trip for us and our group of friends. We were impressed from airport pick up, accommodations, our guide Odete and driver to airport drop off. Top notch from beginning to end. We can't wait until out next travel with Gate 1.
David Y.This was our first Gate 1 trip, and we were thoroughly pleased with the quality and staff. We want to pass along how great our cruise director Carmen was. We have done many trips and have had many directors along the way. Carmen was outstanding and a credit to the quality of your tour, based on our experience we will look to Gate 1 for a future trip.
Theodore O.Our tour of Spain was great! Magnificent sights like the Prado, the Grand Mosque and Cathedral, the Alhambra, Sacra FamÃlia, the Valencia Science Center, and many more, were feasts for the eye and improved our understanding of the history and culture of Spain! Our tour guide Alina was excellent! Also, there are no problems with the flights! (Sure, glad you gave us extended layovers between transfers! We needed the extra time!)
Thomas A.We loved our Douro River Cruise from start to finish - even on rainy days! The ship was truly a home away from home, with much better service. Our tour director, Gisella, was wonderful - friendly, approachable and incredibly organized. We really enjoyed getting to know her. Entertainment director, Eva, was fun and a perfect fit in her role. The food was amazing! I can't recall how many times we said that the meals were incredible.
Amanda H.I wanted to comment about our tour manager (Adrianna) and driver (Antonio). They are both top notch! Everyone on the trip thoroughly enjoyed the tour and Adrianna really added a special touch. She and Antonio were always in synch on the plans and kept us on schedule 100% of the time. Very impressed with both of them, especially Adrianna as she had a lot on her plate. Thanks!
Jane T.Our guide was Rui. Rui was everything and more that a traveler could ever ask for. He was just the right mix of professionalism, humor, and passion about the history of his Country. He was an absolute delight to be with us and made our trip comfortable and enjoyable every day.
Pamela R.Would like to give my highest praise to our Lisbon Portugal and Spain tour director Eva. Eva was the best tour director we have had from all of our Gate1 tours. I can't say enough about the way she conducted our tour. Thanks Gate1 for assigning such a wonderful person as our tour director.
Eddie S.I wanted to give some additional feedback on my Spain trip. Our Tour Manager, Rolando, was so great! He was knowledgeable, professional, caring and very organized. He kept us all on task for a seamless, enjoyable tour. I really appreciated how much he was watching out for our safety. And all of this could have been overlooked because he did it so well others might not have noticed how much he was doing behind the scenes. He really made the trip for us and I'm so glad he was our Tour Manager!
Carol H.I wanted to let you know that the trip to Spain was well organized by Gate1. Raquel, tour manager, Paloma, local tour guide and the bus driver, Chimo are dedicated and appreciated for making this trip enjoyable. To add, Raquel is considerate, kind with a loving heart I'm grateful to Raquel than words can express. Thank you Gate1 for a wonderful and fun time!!
Maureen H.I can't say enough about our trip guide, Pedro He was incredible, and kept all travelers punctual. His information he shared was so detailed and so real. This made the trip one of the best we had on Gate 1 tours. You should highly value his worth to the entire team at Gate 1. Another person worth noting was our initial driver, Pedro. He took great care of all of us.
Richard L.It was wonderful. So nice to stay in the same hotel for the entire time. Basque cooking is delicious and Santandar was beautiful beyond my wildest dreams. The Guggenheim is an experience unto itself.
Arlene R.I wanted to compliment Rui and Nuno (tour driver). Rui was exceptional. His mastery of the history of Portugal was superb. He was able to answer our questions and taught us some of the language in a fun way. He was very engaging and knew when we needed to nap on the bus. He managed our group, so we all felt like family traveling together. He kept us on time in a gentle way. I would travel again with him absolutely. Nuno, our driver was the picture of professionalism, we had rain the entire trip, but his driving ability made me always feel safe. He dressed professionally and was concerned about our safety on and off the bus. All in all, this was the best trip I could have imagined for my first trip with Gate 1 and my first trip to Europe.
LeeAnn T.I have been on 3 previous Gate1 tours & the Tour Managers have been excellent. However, I cannot say enough good things about our recent Tour Manager, Blanca. She was exceptional-outstanding! She was very professional, but friendly and easily accessible. She was thoughtful and very pleasant and worked very hard. She was the perfect hostess. She went out of her way for everyone. Kudos for having such a great person on your staff!
Eve S.Marcel, the tour guide was a wonderful guide, always pleasant, helpful, informative, and gracious. I cannot recommend him enough. The bus driver also was so courteous and an excellent driver. The tour was marvelous - I highly recommend the tour to get a taste of the southern part of Spain. Thank you for providing such excellent service.
Diane W.This is our first trip with Gate1 and I think our Tour Manager Marcela made it special. Evidently he made a lot of preparations behind the scene to make our trip run smoothly. We enjoyed his well timed stories and his knowledge.
Sasie F.


