England, Scotland & Wales
Reviews
This was our 11th trip with Gate 1. Our tour guide, George, was exceptional, making this one of our most satisfying experiences. Friendly, professional, highly efficient, he added that extra touch that makes Gate 1 travel so rewarding.
Robert C.Our Tour guide David was awesome! He did a great job due to the size of our group of 40! Grahm was an awesome driver, very safe and made very good smart decision as we ran into unexpected issues with traffic on the roads and handled the coach amazingly and felt safe through the whole trip! Thank you, Gate1! and your amazing staff! This was our third tour with Gate 1, and all have been top notch!!!!!
Jeremy G.I have now been on multiple Gate 1 trips. Every time I think I have won the lottery with the Tour Guides. However, this trip, Elaine absolutely was the creme-de-la-creme! She has truly "set the bar" for all tour guides. She imparted amazing knowledge throughout the trip to help us understand Great Britain and the UK along with the people, past and current events, idiosyncrasies, local information, architecture, etc. She was not only personable, but she helped the entire group become cohesive. She was amazingly patient with one person who had trouble hearing and/or listening. I honestly do not believe there could be anyone better as a tour guide than Elaine. When she is ready to retire, she should be recruited to teach others how to become the BEST tour guide EVER!!! Thank you SO MUCH for hiring and retaining this incredible tour guide
Patricia S.Lenny and Jim did a wonderful job of making our trip memorable. I felt truly fortunate to be a part of the trip. Lenny shared his wealth of information about what we saw and was entertaining in the process. His suggestions for dinner and what to do if we had spare time were helpful. It was obvious that he wanted each of us to go home enriched by our experience and went out of his way to go the extra mile. Jim was an excellent driver. Their rapport was evident. We had a very congenial group of people and that enhanced my enjoyment.
Susan L.The 12 Day Kaleidoscope of Scotland exceeded our expectations in many ways. Our tour manager, Alison, was a wealth of information, readily provided information & kept our expectations at an exciting level, which did not disappoint. The tour guides in all locations along the way were equally well versed, sharing very relevant information. The rest stops were delightful & timely, keeping us comfortable along our journey. Our coach drivers were excellent, especially Kyle, who was with us the longest. Alison provided extra informational tidbits & treats adding to our enjoyment. Our group was congenial, with many having traveled with Gate 1 previously. The cèilidh at the Old Smiddy Inn with Raymond Bremner & the young bagpiper was an exceptional experience and the Taste of Scotland/Scotch Whisky Experience exceeded all expectations for both food, Scotch and information regarding both. Mainland Orkney and the Isle of Skye were very special highlights for us. We highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in experiencing Scotland.
Joyce K.We had the best tour guide, Lenny, and bus driver, Jim. This trip was amazing because of them. Lenny was so knowledgeable about the areas/history. He had great instructions, friendly, he cared for all of us! Our bus had great camaraderie too. We were like family & half the bus I keep up with still! Jim drove us through amazing scenery & winding roads. He's a great driver! And he was also polite & friendly. You should give them both raises!! Fabulous trip I will remember for a lifetime.
Judy R.This is to give a review message to Gate1 Travel. My wife and I recently returned from the "8 Day Essential London & Paris" tour, and it was spectacular. This marks our third journey with Gate1 Travel, and once again, they exceeded all expectations. A very special acknowledgment must go to our exceptional tour manager, Evan. From start to finish, Evan took incredible care of everyone on the tour, paying meticulous attention to every traveler's individual needs. Beyond his flawless organization, he truly enriched our trip by sharing his extensive knowledge and entertaining us with his beautiful singing voice. We highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to explore London and Paris. Thanks to Gate1 and Evan, we had an unforgettable experience and will be booking more trips with them in the future!
Jose J.I just must write and sing the praises of our Tour Manager Andreea and Bus Driver Clive during our 8-day Great Britain tour. Andreea was an EXCEPTIONAL Tour Manager; patient, kind, knowledgeable, professional, and with the utmost care for our group, attention to detail (even daily gifts and "tastings" to members of our group!), and EXCELLENT information for each city and site we visited. My daughter and I traveled with a group of 10 friends and family. We all LOVED HER! Additionally, our driver, Clive, was terrific and an amazing driver. We all felt so fortunate to have had Andreea and Clive as our Gate 1 Team. (I, personally, led student groups in a similar format for 25 years, and know what it takes to stay organized, and aware, responsible, and professional. Andreea was SO impressive throughout the journey, and I was deeply appreciative of her expertise, and with Clive as our driver!) Thank you for this wonderful and unforgettable first time Gate 1 experience! 1000% satisfied customers!
Lisa K.Our trip to Scotland was outstanding. The country is beautiful, and we were able to see it in all its glory. But the most important thing about our trip, of any trip, is your guide. We were very fortunate. We had a guide who was personable, knowledgeable, gracious, informative, and created an environment that made our trip the best trip we have ever taken. He is your biggest asset. James will never be forgotten. His intelligence, patience, organizational skills, knowledge of the country and its history are #1. Moreover, he is a very talented man. Anyone who is lucky enough to have him as their guide will be blessed with extraordinary experience.
Deborah P.Extend our sincere appreciation to our wonderful tour director, Shamus, and our bus driver Stuart, for making our trip to Scotland such a memorable experience. Shamus was knowledgeable, organized, friendly, and always willing to go the extra mile to make sure everyone felt comfortable and included. The stories, history, and insights shared along the way brought Scotland to life and made each destination even more enjoyable. Our driver, Stuart, also deserves special recognition. His professionalism, patience, and excellent driving made us feel safe and relaxed throughout the entire journey. Navigating the roads with such skill and confidence was truly impressive. Together, they made a fantastic team and contributed greatly to an unforgettable Scottish adventure. We are grateful for all their hard work and dedication and would highly recommend them to future travelers.
Karen O.I am so impressed with Michelle and with our Coach driver Allen. They did an excellent and outstanding service. They were so attentive to our needs. And because of them, i will always look forward on tours with Gate1.
Berna H.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.This was our 14th Gate 1 trip in the last 2 1/2 years. We love (LOVE) Gate 1 because of the way options are available, and Gate 1 knows how to time special stops,, like Stonehenge, Cliffs of Moher, Mt. Rushmore....etc... This Classic England/Scotland trip was made even more special as the 21 of us on this tour were immediately super comfortable because of our tour manager, Debbie.....SHE WAS THE BEST TOUR MANAGER WE HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED.!! Debbie is smart, funny, and she knows how to make her group have a beautiful trip!! Alan, our bus driver, was also an extremely wonderful person as well as the best driver I have ever seen in some tight situations in crowded London. Both Debbie and Alan deserve to be applauded for their excellence!! I overheard a few of the couples say that they are going to book new Gate 1 trips because of the great time they had thanks to Debbie.
Steven M.Michele (Tour Manager) made sure we had a great Honeymoon tour. She was by far the Best Tour Manager we've had on Gate1. She is a true asset to your company.
Danny V.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.It was incredible! We loved every minute of it starting with the Military Tattoo which we were lucky enough to see as part of our tour and ending with the Stirling Castlebin Glasgow!?Our tour manager was awesome, I miss Scotland already, it's a beautiful country and the people are so nice and welcoming! I would go again in a minute! Thank you so much for this tour.
Connie Y.Amazing! We especially enjoyed The Highlands, the quiet countryside over the busy cities. Ann and George were fantastic managers.
Jill D.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.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.This was a mother - Daughter trip and it was perfect. Loved the Hotel, which is centrally located, the staff were always friendly and helpful. Took every optional tour and got to see the countryside, one of our favorite tours was meeting the Coos. We enjoyed Mike, our guide, and his knowledge. My daughter and I agreed, we would enjoy any tour with Mike. I will recommend Gate 1, this Scotland Tour and Mike to all my friends.
Linda L.Amazing! Christina was everything and then some! We couldn't have been in better hands! She was organized, kind, witty, and knowledgeable. She also took the time to get to know each and every one of us. She has a great personality, and she made all of the difference. The programming was also lovely. Pedro, our driver was also great. He was an efficient, safe and pleasant. I would go again with Gate 1!
Lory H.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.I am writing to commend Tour Manager Clodagh. She shared a wealth of knowledge about the history of Scotland and each of the attractions we visited. She also shared information about life in modern Scotland. She did a great job getting us to the sites on time and early before bigger crowds arrived, which is a great plus for me. She facilitated hotel check-ins and attraction admissions efficiently in a manner that was seamless to the guests. She did it all with great good humor and a sense of fun. If I travel to Scotland again or to Ireland, I will consider myself lucky to have Clodagh as tour manager. The driver, Marcin, displayed impeccable driving skills all along the way. His handling of the bus on the narrow highland roads left me in awe. The local guides in Edinburgh, Orkney, and Glasgow were also excellent. Margaret in Orkney was especially delightful!
Ray R.This was such an excellent tour! The selection of Oxford as a "home base" was such a good choice. Lots to see and do and a great selection of restaurants available. The bus rides on the tour were never long enough to be uncomfortable, again reinforcing the wisdom of selecting Oxford. The hotel was well situated, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had plant-based milk, which, due to my dairy allergy, allowed me to make more choices at breakfast. The bus was immaculate and the bus driver Oscar was terrific. Wonderful personality and excellent driver. And I can't say enough good things about Michelle as a tour guide. Friendly, funny, very conscientious and "mother henned" us without being obnoxious about it. Great (and small!) group on the tour. For me, this was a home run.
Crystal W.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.I had a wonderful time on the trip. The hotel accommodations were perfect. The hotel was conveniently located to the bus and train station, as well as, the center of the city. Cannot say enough about our Tour manager, Mike. Mike was extremely professional, present And extremely knowledgeable. He made everybody on the tour, feel very comfortable and was a very good problem solver when the itinerary needed to be adjusted. The tours were well organized, and were extremely enjoyable! I look forward to booking another gate, one adventure tour in the future.
Brian K.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.We had a wonderful trip. We loved the sites and the walking. Our guides, Karl and Tilly were the best-knowledgeable and friendly. Lots of fun!
Karen W.We had a wonderful trip. We loved the sites and the walking. Our guides, Karl and Tilly were the best-knowledgeable and friendly. Lots of fun!
Karen W.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.This was our first time traveling with Gate 1. We completely enjoyed our trip! Evan was a welcoming, informative, attentive, responsive, and fun tour guide! We are already looking at destinations for another trip. Thank you for everything.
Kim S.What a fantastic trip we had. Adoram was professional, witty, intelligent, super helpful, respectful, and fun! He made everyone in our group feel comfortable. When there were problems, he was right there to help resolve them. He was patient with the group, was observant to our needs and likes, and he was overall the best tour guide I've ever encountered. His enthusiasm for "A Tale of Two Cities' was contagious, he entertained and educated us with historical references and art history. His love for what he does shone through all his presentations. Thank you Adoram!!
Maya S.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.I wish to give our tour guide, Tracy, an excellent rating as she provided us with exceptional knowledge and energy and became an integral part of our group. She went above and beyond my expectations to make my first Gate 1 tour perfect. My highest compliments to our coach driver, Arek, for keeping us comfortable and safe as he drove the unbelievable narrow roads throughout our trip. I thoroughly enjoyed Tracy and Arek during our time with them. Both get A+++ from me.
Suellyn M.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.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.Mark (our guide) and Stevie (out driver)what a team! You'd think they have been friends for life but they just met. Mark-with his infectious laugh and happy attitude, Shared lots of interesting history, he was always up, happy and humorous, his laughter will crack you up. Very thorough, you can tell he has fun w his job. He would give us our itinerary and guidelines of what's to come, several times to make sure everybody's got it, appreciated and helpful. Stevie-best driver, always professional and dressed like he is ready for business. ALL guides are exceptional but our Glasgow guide John was the best. He truly loves what he does and he had everyone captivated in his stories. The history of the church and the tour was incredible. ANOTHER great trip thanks to Gate 1!!!!
Toni S.A wonderful vacation, a very good itinerary and the best tour director, Elaine. Elaine is very knowledgeable and is on top of everything. She made the trip. I will go on another Gate1 trip to Great Britain because of Elaine.
Mary F.I would like to call to your attention the absolute wonderfulness of our tour leader, Michele. She enhanced every aspect of the tour and truly transformed it into a lifetime event: besides being incredibly knowledgeable and superbly organized, she exuded a warmth and friendliness, and sense of caring that elevated our group experience into almost feeling like family. Besides being extraordinarily knowledgeable, She was attentive to every group member and simply seem to generate a sense of warmth and caring that was noticed by every tour member. She should not only be highly commended, her skills would truly be a wonderful role model for other guides - I would highly recommend to you that you consider her not just as a role model, but as an instructor for other guides
Bruce M.I would like to call to your attention the absolute wonderfulness of our tour leader, Michele. She enhanced every aspect of the tour and truly transformed it into a lifetime event: besides being incredibly knowledgeable and superbly organized, she exuded a warmth and friendliness, and sense of caring that elevated our group experience into almost feeling like family. Besides being extraordinarily knowledgeable, She was attentive to every group member and simply seem to generate a sense of warmth and caring that was noticed by every tour member. She should not only be highly commended, her skills would truly be a wonderful role model for other guides - I would highly recommend to you that you consider her not just as a role model, but as an instructor for other guides
Bruce M.I've been on two trips with gate1 and will continue because of the quality of every little thing. In Ireland, Martina was an excellent guide, and Tony was an excellent bus driver, they were a hilarious duo, and the trip was first class. In Scotland, same experience, Malcolm was an excellent guide, and Marcine was an excellent bus driver and again they made an excellent hilarious duo and again the trip felt first class. These trips feel like more than just a vacation, I learn history and feel I get experience in countries from the quality of your tour guides.
Robyn L.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.I just wanted to give a shout out to our tour guide Damian and our driver Danny. They were both 10++.!!! I can't say enough about both of them. They made our trip fabulous!!
Jolen Z.This was our first trip with Gate1 and were impressed and will absolutely travel with Gate1 again. Debbie the tour manager was incredible. She was great at keeping everyone organized and on time and was very knowledgeable and provided lots if information on everything we were seeing. John the coach driver was also great. expertly navigating busy and narrow roads While all the city tour guides were good, Stuart (or Stewart?) the London tour guide was exceptionally fantastic! his delivery was always entertaining and he showed us a great view around London.
Mark B.My recent Gate 1 trip from London to the southwestern portion of England was a wonderful experience. Mixing tourist highlights as well as stops rich in history, our tour manager John showcased how important this region is to them to our world's history. Seeing the Magna Carta, the field in Runneymead where it was signed, as well as being able to step onto, and walk the path leading to where the Mayflower departed Plymoth was an amazing experience .John also squeezed it a little drive by trip that took one of our fellow travelers back in time- he and Dave googled a pub that was owned by a dear friend back in the 80's and planned one of our routes to go by it, She was able to send pictures of the pub to her friend and former owner, and told us stories of her time spent with her friends and owners of the pub. Thanks Gate 1 for another unforgettable experience
Joan G.Just wanted to leave a review for our bus driver and our fabulous tour manager Andrea, she was excellent in every-way. Knowledgeable - Prompt- Organized and just a delightful person. She was a wonderful leader and really was very patient with everyone and very helpful. My husband was amazed by the history she provided for both countries. She is a top notch Tour Manager.
Valerie C.The trip was awesome! - Thanks to the Gate1's flawless planning, David's great tour management (and his funny British accent, subtle sense of humor and new words in our vocabularies))), and our fellow travelers - such a great teammates!
Sergey V.Our guide Craig was excellent. He was charming, funny, and was very concerned about our safety and that we had a good time. Our group was good overall, and we tried to meet everyone in the group either through an excursion or a meal. We had a blast on this trip- it was tiring as I signed up for every tour imaginable, but I wanted to see as much as we could in the little time, we were there. Mission accomplished! I am already looking at another trip for next year and will recommend Gate 1 Travel to everyone that I meet!
Stephanie A.




