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14 Day Italy Tour with Gate 1 Travel - All Around Italy

• Europe    
• Italy    
• Lazio    
• Rome    
• Rome - Things to Do    
• All Around Italy

Tour operators were on time, vans were very clean, and we felt very secure the entire time. We... read more

Fabrizio made Rome better than ever. The guy can talk and is most entertaining. From food to... read more

14 Day Italy Tour with Gate 1 Travel

We just returned from a wonderful 14 day tour of Italy with Gate 1 Travel. This was our 8th tour with Gate 1, and as always they delivered a wonderful experience. Our guide Michaela was very informed, organized and went above and beyond the call of duty. We toured Lake Como, Venice, Lucca, Montecatini, the Cinque Terra, Sorrento, Pompeii and Amalfi Coast. We also extended a few days which were spent on the magical isle of Capri. We are already looking forward to our next tour to Ireland with Gate 1 as they have spoiled me to ever make all my own arrangements, connections, flights and transfers. I would highly recommend them to anyone wanting to truly enjoy their time rather than deal with all the problems associated with travel today.

We had a wonderful time in Italy! We fell in love with the Country and it's history. The BEST affordable 11 Day trip! Use Gate 1 Travel company. It's a 11 day that starts from Venice 2 days include a tour of the city by boat, we added the gondola ride ( extra charge but definitely a must) and that was very nice, than we took a very nice bus to Florence stayed 2 days there! In the tour a visit to a farm in Tuscany where they make wine and olive oil and they serve you lunch and that was awesome! Wine, pasta, cheese and salami very tasty! Then a stop to Piaza to see the leaning tower of Piaza. Toured Florence a beautiful city, if you like to shop that's the place but very expensive! Gelato on every corner! Just make sure you always ask before you order anything at a restaurant! There is a place in the center of the corridor of the city that will chart you 50 euros for a cappuccino, so beware! Always ask how much and if they take credit cards and if they have a service charge! Tip is included in the price of your meal! You can leave change or 1 euro. Beautiful fountains like the Trevi Fountain is found there. Then another Bus ride to Assisi then Rome ( my favorite place) if you can only travel to one city I recommend Roma) tours of the ruins, colosseum, Vatican etc. Are included, 3 days there then went to pompeii the was very interesting, then to Sorrento! That was a bit scary because it's on the coast and the bus is very close to the edge of the road while you go up the mountain! Very beautiful! Make sure to bring motion sickness pills if you don't do will on long trips! It was an awesome trip and I highly recommend it! Enjoy

Our group of 6 visited Italy in October, 2013 and used the services of All Around Italy. All of the guides were friendly, flexible, knowledgeable, and accommodating. All the vehicles were VERY CLEAN and the perfect size for our group. The guides were attentive to our needs and helped us make the most of our time in each location!!!! Fabrizzio - the owner/operator of All Around Italy. He met us at the airport in Rome and took us tour hotel. During the drive he told us about our arrangements for the tours in all 4 locations, answered dozens of questions and set us up for a FANTASTIC TRIP!! He is energetic, animated and ALOT of FUN. We saw him twice later in the trip: at the Vatican and at Pompeii- he made it a point to stop and see us and ask how our trip was going. Mary - we never met in person, but she handled all our communications in the planning stages. She was prompt and organized, and everything she handled for us worked out exactly as planned Pepe - was our guide for the day in Rome. We told him our priorities and he arranged the day to get all of our wish list accomplished, while suggesting other items that were great to see. He is VERY knowledgeable and answered every question with an insightful explanation of background and circumstances. Stefania - was our guide for the Vatican museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Basilica. Talking is not allowed in the Sistine Chapel, she brought a book with photos of the paintings and gave us a detailed briefing on what to look for and where it was before entering. After we entered she walked us around and pointed out the high points and referred us to the book again. She was GREAT and excellent in helping us get a great perspective in all three of the venues. Laura - met us in Livorno. She is outgoing, flexible, and has a GREAT sense of humor. She took a few minutes to determine what we wanted to see and then suggested the best plan. Her knowledge of local traffic conditions made it possible for us to see and do a great deal. We visited both Pisa (the cathedral, bell tower and Baptistry, as well as some other leaning structures and a drive thru beautiful sections of the city) and Florence. On the way to Florence we took time to drive thru the Tuscan countryside and then stopped at an overlook with a panoramic view of Florence. After giving us the city overview, she took us into town. In Florence we saw the Duomo, the Campanille, the museum to see David and gave us time to walk around and enjoy the streets. During our walk we saw the Ponte Vecchio. She made time for us to have lunch - Casa Toscana - and guided us in ordering. She had bottles of Cold water for us and was prepared with umbrellas - due to the threat of rain. We asked about gelato, and she took us to La Carraia Gelateria - the BEST gelato on our trip Domenico - was with us for 2 days. He picked us up in Sorrento. he also planned for us to get our wish list. We managed Mt Vesuvius and Pompeii. On the second day he picked us up and took us to Ravella, gave us time to wander and sip capuccino in the square. Then we drove the Amalfi coast stopping to see the views and take in the sun. He arranged our lunch - Ristorante Da Costantino - excellent food, wine and OUTSTANDING Limoncello. At other stops he recommended local wines and filled us in on much of the local history, He was GREAT! Sylvia - our guide in Pompeii. She knew the site very well. She is educated as an archaeologist and worked at the site for several years, so she has detailed knowledge We intend to return to Italy and plan to use All Around Italy!!!!

It is obvious that Fabrizio and his company have the practice of placing his clientele first. We hired him on a recommendation from a friend of a friend and I would not hesitate to do the same. We were a group of 10 adults and all with individual requests. There was not a requested that was declined, and with a pleasant smile and comical attitude he accommodated all of us. The knowledge of Italy he provides and motor vehicle accommodations are excellent. He was the highlight of our vacation cruise and we are still amused by some of his funny stories.. Feel free to email me.

We and our 22 year old son very much enjoyed our trip. The drive and lunch in the relaxed town of Tivoli was a great break from the hectic pace of Rome. Most especially we enjoyed the opportunity to see Villa D'Este. The fountains in Rome are great but this place is a whole level above that. Simply amazing and best of all apparently off the radar of the mass tourist tours so we could relax and enjoy the hundreds of fountains . Your willingness to accommodate our desire to depart Rome about 12:30 hours where the others we talked to insisted that we had to leave at 7:30 to 8:00 was a big deal. This allowed us to see the Vatican in the morning and still include the side trip to Tivoli with out having to add an extra day's stay in Rome. The money saved of a day less in in Rome more than paid for the trip. Plus Peppe was a fantastic, fun and extremely knowledgeable host.

We were a group of 8 who booked this tour.It was an 8 hour tour leaving from the port of Civitavecchia. Fabrizio,our tour guide was waiting for us as we got off our cruise ship and our drive through the Etruscan countryside was underway.He kept us entertained and amused the whole trip!He stopped at the beautiful hilltown of Orvieto and we visited its Duomo and took an Orvieto underground tour-very interesting and informative. Next,on to Civita di Bagnoreggio,another beautiful,old hilltown.To reach this hilltown you have to navigate a bridge with a steep incline.We were all able to get across the bridge and wonder at the beauty of the town.However,i would hesitate to recommend this for anyone who has mobility issues or who has breathing problems.The tour company is "All around Italy" and Fabrizio did a great job.

Gate 1 Travel Review: Are Their Organized Tours Worth It?

Have you ever wanted to take a trip where everything is planned for you? I was in the same boat when I found Gate 1 Travel, which offers escorted coach tours all over the world. If you're wondering whether this is the route for you, I did all the work to give you the inside scoop!

One of the best parts of traveling is getting to decide where you want to go and what you want to see. However, it can also be the most stressful part of traveling.

How do you make sure you see everything you want to see, get the right hotels, and eat at the right restaurants, all while staying on budget? One option I often think about to help alleviate that stress is to book a tour that covers all the nitty-gritty details!

When you're thinking about organized travel, you'll come across so many tours and guides that'll it'll hurt your brain.

One of those is Gate 1 Travel. So, the real question is does it beat out other options when booking tours?

I wanted to find out so that you'll have the essential info on its tours, prices, destinations, and more! This way you'll be making a decision with lots of valuable knowledge.

What Is Gate 1 Travel?

If you're not a fan of traveling with strangers, my advice is to go with a travel agency or plan your own trip. Don't go with Gate 1 Travel or other travel groups. Plan and go discover on your own instead with Pilot!

That's because you will definitely be exploring with a group if you book with with Gate 1 Travel.

Numbers fluctuate, but if you're keen on staying in a smaller group, be sure to check out Gate 1's Small Group tours . Also known as Discovery Tours, there are no more than 22 travelers on these trips, so you won't have to worry about there being too many people with you.

‍ Discovery Tours also allow you to get up close and personal with the country you're visiting in a way that often isn't possible in larger, escorted tours.

How Large Are Gate 1 Travel Groups?

If you're not a fan of traveling with strangers, my advice is to go with a travel agency or plan your own trip. Don't go with Gate 1 Travel.

Numbers fluctuate, but if you're keen on staying in a smaller group, be sure to check out Gate 1's  Small Group tours . Also known as Discovery Tours, there are no more than 22 travelers on these trips, so you won't have to worry about there being too many people with you. 

‍ Discovery Tours  also allow you to get up close and personal with the country you're visiting in a way that often isn't possible in larger, escorted tours. 

How Do I Book a Tour?

If you're interested in booking a tour with Gate 1 Travel, you'll first need to make an account.

You can head to the login page to do this. Once you've done that, you can start booking!

You'll select your tour region, followed by the country you want to visit and the tour that appeals most to you.

Choose your departure date, and decide whether you want flights included. You can then select those flights and any optional tours you may want to do during your trip.

What's Included in Gate 1 Travel Tours?

When booking a tour with Gate 1, you want to know what's included.

Something I liked to see is that every trip offers a "land only" and "air & land" price, so you can decide whether to have your flights included. Flights do only go to and from select cities, depending on your tour dates.

Escorted tours will include the following:

• Accommodation for the nights of the tour
• Hotel taxes and service charges 
• Transport between cities
• Certain meals (what's included will be outlined in the tour details)
• Sightseeing per the itinerary in an air-conditioned coach with a guide!

Not included is airfare for land-only trips, any visa-related fees, and optional extras you may decide to add to your tour.

Gate 1 Deals

Every traveler loves a good deal, and Gate 1 offers some great affordable vacations. It's actually one of the best bundle travel deal sites out there!

By heading to the company's Featured Specials page, you'll get to see Gate 1's flash deals, as well as any last-minute deals for upcoming departure dates. They also have a featured destination sale which will change from time to time.

To access the deals, you'll need to use the promo code listed on these pages, and then you're on your way to saving on your next trip!

From its website, you can also sign up to receive weekly deals via email. You never know what you'll get in your inbox!

How Do I Contact Gate 1 Travel Customer Service?

Whether you have a question or a complaint, it's never a bad idea to know how to contact customer service.

Gate 1 Travel is currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries, but you can still fill out a  form  via the website to send an online inquiry. 

If you're traveling soon, you can get ahold of the team by phone. The company has 24-hour assistance line can be reached in the US by calling 215-572-7676. 

Cancellation Policy

If you find you can no longer join your Gate 1 Travel tour, how can you cancel your trip?

Once you've made at least a partial payment on your trip, you have to submit a cancellation request in writing via the contact us page.

Cancellation fees will then be applied based on how much time remains before your trip and will be applied as a percentage of what has already been paid. 

Customer Reviews

Overall, travelers seem to be satisfied with Gate 1's services and its tours.

Many of the complaints speak to packages booked with flights and how flight cancellations or changes have upheaved entire trips. Others have also mentioned the mismatch of travel credits promised versus ones they actually offer.

Other travelers have complained about Gate 1's customer service as being difficult to reach and not entirely helpful. It sounds like quite a few individuals had a tough time getting a full refund for their trip, even with travel insurance, when booking with them.

Whether it's that explanations can't be given, refunds are not fully issued, or travelers are sent in circles, it sounds like customer service is a hit or miss.

Other complaints have also touched on the itineraries being too packed to truly enjoy what you're seeing or to feel rested enough for them. 

Is Gate 1 Travel Worth It?

After all my reading, my advice is to proceed with caution. Here's why.

My first impression when I got onto the website is that this is mainly targeting an older audience, with their branding outdated to the 2000s. That's not a judging criteria, but just a red flag in my opinion.

While Gate 1 Travel offers a lot of packaged tours, the volume of travelers who have had their trips impacted by flights booked through Gate 1 is concerning.

Instead, I would avoid the flight risks by opting for land-only tours. If you go this route, Gate 1 does offer tours all over the world, so it's a good place to at least browse through when you're trying to make a decision.

They also offer other kind of tours like independent vacations, European river cruises, and customized international vacation packages, but it's honestly not for me. The price is way too expensive and I can frankly plan it myself.

They also seem to charge a bit more than the actual ticket for many attractions, which to me seems like a dealbreaker unless it is actually hard for me to get the travel reservations myself.

In Gate 1 Travel's benefit, they sure do have tons of locations. From Paris to Peru, From Ecuador to Budapest, their tour packages extend to many destinations around the world. They also offer discount travel packages there and here, so that's something to consider for all you deal-seekers.

Keep in mind that some comments were made about the itineraries being a bit packed. So, if you're more of a relaxed traveler, I would be very careful going with Gate 1 Travel.

That being said, if you want to do and see as much as humanly possibly, Gate 1 could be the tour company for you!

If you like the idea of booking a tour but still aren't convinced that Gate 1 Travel is right for you, make sure to also check out companies like EF and Intrepid !

Our Rating: 3.1/5 

• Tours all over the world
• Small group options for more immersive experiences
• Includes accommodation, and guided coach tours
• Options for smaller group tours
• Flight cancellations can result in trip cancellation
• Poor customer service
• Some feedback of packed schedules

Gate 1 Travel FAQs:

Is gate 1 travel still in business.

Yes, very much so. They've been operating for over 40 years and continue to maintain its operations despite its outdated website design.

Is Gate 1 Travel better than Trafalgar Tours?

They both offer the same comparable luxury comfort tours, so it's hard to say. I'd give Trafalgar the edge since they have more experience under their belt, but individual experiences will vary. Read our Trafalgar Tours Review for more detail!

Is Gate 1 Travel an American Company?

Yes, they're an American owned and run company based in Fort Washington, PA!

Who is the founder of Gate 1?

Dani Pipano is Gate 1 Travel's founder.

Ready to Get Traveling?

Whether you opt for a Gate 1 Travel tour, use another company, or decide to freestyle your next adventure, we want to make sure that you have the best time.

Use Pilot so you can keep all the different elements of your travels in one place and easily access them all. Plan your dream vacation today with Pilot!

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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The First Thing I'm Packing for My Trip to Italy Is This Comfy Linen Set, Starting at $18

I can get three different outfits out of it.

Travel + Leisure / Reese Herrington

I’m sure everyone in my life is sick of me talking about my upcoming Italy trip, but I’m honestly so stoked I truly don’t care. I’ve already started planning my travel wardrobe little by little, and I’m pretty proud of my finds. 

While shopping practically everywhere and saving inspo on Pinterest, I’ve kept a watchful eye on Target . The retailer’s huge selection of summer styles never disappoints, and this year, there are so many breezy linen pieces that are perfect for travel. My latest addition for my Italian getaway is a two-piece linen set, which includes a matching tiny tank top and bow-front maxi skirt from Wild Fable. 

Wild Fable Linen Tiny Tank Top

At this point, a sizable amount of my wardrobe is neutral-toned, but I decided to branch out and add a bit of color to my outfits for this upcoming vacation. Something about the limoncello-inspired yellow spoke to me, and I immediately bought it at Target. 

Since I already own my fair share of dresses, I wanted to add a set or two like this one so I could repurpose each piece and wear them together and separately if I needed additional outfits; it’s basically three looks in one. The breathable linen is perfect for hot weather and is lightweight enough to allow airflow without being see-through. Although the top ’s tie-up back is an aesthetic detail, it also helps me get the perfect fit around my bust. 

Wild Fable Linen Bow-Front Maxi Skirt

I gravitate toward maxi-length skirts because I can layer bike shorts underneath to prevent chafing. I’m good to go with this one since it’s flowy and opaque, which prevents my undergarments from showing through. It sits at my natural waistline, and the delicate bow detail in the center is a sweet touch. The skirt runs slightly large, so I bought a size down. 

One shopper said the tank top was “so cute and flattering” and looked like one of their favorite high-end brands “without the price tag.” In a similar sentiment as the top, another reviewer said the skirt offered a “flattering fit” and mentioned that it’s a great option if you’re tall. 

Grab the tiny tank top and matching maxi skirt from Wild Fable, and keep scrolling for more linen resort-ready styles available at Target . 

A New Day Short-Sleeve Linen Midi Shirtdress

A new day linen mini shift dress, universal thread linen midi sundress, shop more t+l-approved picks.

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Barstool's Dave Portnoy reviews Old Lyme pizzeria months after reopening from fire

B arstool Sports found Dave Portnoy has reviewed roughly 40 pizza places throughout Connecticut, and on Wednesday he made a surprise visit to Sapore Pizzeria and Bar.

“It was just business as usual, just a regular Wednesday,” Sapore manager Sarah Saunders said.

It was just a regular Wednesday, for a basic cheese pizza order at Old Lyme’s Sapore Pizzeria and Bar.

“He called and placed a to-go order, used a fake name, I had no clue,” Saunders said.

On the ticket - the name Austin.

“I don’t think I’ll ever forget that name for the rest of my life,” Saunders said.

Because the pie wasn’t for Austin, but Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, stopping in Old Lyme as part of his latest pizza review tour through Connecticut.

“It brought me happiness to be honest, because it’s the real world. People need to know how much effort I put into my job,” Sapore owner Luigi Conte said.

Conte moved here from Naples, Italy back in 2013.

“I say I am born in Italy, I was born in Italy, but I’m made in America,” Conte said.

His passion is pizza, but since taking over in 2019, building a business has been much harder than just tossing dough.

“Him and his wife, his wife’s family, they’re here all the time and they put everything into this and they just deserve it, they deserve the break,” Saunders said.

Last January, a fire ripped through the restaurant, closing the shop for an entire year.

“I woke up, they told me there was a fire, it was a nightmare,” Conte said.

After months of remodeling, Conte is back to what he loves, as are his customers.

“When he reopened, I’m trying to finish the menu. I've killed about all of the entrees, the appetizers,” Old Lyme’s Sterling Nesbitt said.

“To see a place like this open up and to see it busy and to see Portnoy come by it’s all great things,” Old Lyme’s Graham Aird said.

“After Dave Portnoy, I think it gives me the push to do just better, and think differently,” Conte said.

According to Conte, the pizza scored a 7.9 out of 10 on Dave Portnoy's scale.

Gate 1 Travel

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Gate 1 travel reviews & ratings, gate 1 cares about money and not customer satisfaction or safety.

We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however ...

THE ABSOLUTE WORST

THE ABSOLUTE WORST. Dishonest, incompetent, fraudulent. We booked a trip to Europe with them, and it was a mess from start to finish. The flight that we paid extra...

Joyce Toler

Poor customer service

It has been about 7.5 years since I traveled with Gate 1 Travel. In the past, customer service was exceptionally great! Now I am appauded with the unprofessional and...

One star is way too many

One star is way too many. I got a return ticket and wanted to change outbound one. Gate1 was nowhere to be found and there was no way of changing the flight. So I bo...

Shelley Anne Talla

I already wrote a couple of bad reviews…

I already wrote a couple of bad reviews during my last trip to Mexico with Gate 1 Discovery Tours—my aunt and her husband from Texas is currently doing the very same...

See all Gate 1 Travel reviews

Editoral Review of Gate 1 Travel

Founded in 1981 with three employees and based in suburban Philadelphia, Gate 1 now employs more than 200 people worldwide with offices in 20 countries, ranging from Hungary to Cambodia, Argentina to Israel.

What Makes Gate 1 Stand Out?

• Escorted tours & river cruises
• Good value 
• High quality guides

Gate 1 offers a variety of tour packages and river cruises around the world, promising to provide exceptional value for the price. They focus on North American travelers who seek “high quality, yet affordable” guided trips, with accommodations ranging from superior tourist to moderate deluxe class.

They have a lot of different choices when it comes to destinations, durations, and inclusions. Most tours have additional offerings for meals, activities, and excursions available for additional fees.

Traveler reviews for Gate 1 oscillate between 5 star and 1 star experiences. Those that have had an excellent time cite the tour pacing, guides, and extensive sightseeing opportunities as positives.

Those for whom these same factors contributed to a negative experience may have had higher expectations than is available or offered for the competitive budget prices that Gate 1 is known for.

Who Will Enjoy Traveling With Gate 1?

• Low to mid budget travelers
• Those open to simple accommodation and meal plans

Gate 1 is the perfect travel choice for families, couples, and friend groups seeking a cost efficient journey. As Gate 1 is a strictly budget minded brand, it’s important to be fully aware of the trade-off when you choose to travel with them.

You will see a lot, and be out and about visiting several sites - however keeping costs low is one of their main priorities. This means hotels will be basic, meals won’t be 5 star, and your coach will have fewer amenities. In addition tours with Gate 1 feature several optional add ons and sightseeing tours, not included in the base price. Average tour price is around $2,000, often less.

If you’re flexible, open minded, and are interested in maximizing your sightseeing above all else, Gate 1 could be for you. Knowing what to expect is key for enjoying the trip to the fullest.

Top Destinations

Gate 1 trips cover much of the world, including destinations in North, Central, and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Itineraries focus on the top sights, historical attractions, and national parks.

Gate 1 Travel Style

In a nutshell, the Gate 1 travel style is “see a lot for a little”. Hotels and accommodations are usually 3 star hotels. Expect basic comforts, with fewer amenities available. However if you’re the kind of traveler for whom a bed and some coffee in the morning is a fine trade-off for busy days outside and tons of sightseeing, the trade-off will be worth it.  

You will be met on the ground with a dedicated tour leader, available to assist throughout your travel experience.

Escorted group bus tours are a big part of their business - between 24-42 people. These coaches are again, more utility focused than amenity focused, but you will be comfortable. And in general bus tours take frequent stops to allow for stretching legs and using of facilities.  

Gate 1 also offers small group tours (with a maximum of 22 people), river cruises on two continents, independent city stays and fly and drive packages, rail packages, customized vacations, and combination bus/cruise tours -- something for almost everyone interested in a budget vacation.

Why Choose a Tour With Gate 1?

For the budget traveler, Gate 1 is a fantastic choice. They offer several types of trip package to choose from, including rail, river cruise, and small group tours, at competitive rates. Their escorted tours are extremely popular, and customers repeat trips with them regularly.

While Gate 1 is the primary brand, and they are all about giving a positive and packed international travel experience on a budget, other brands associated with Gate 1 are more premium focused. These include the Signature collection, offering luxury tour options and smaller groups.

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About the company.

Gate 1 Travel offers escorted tours, European river cruises, independent vacations and customized international vacation packages for less. Our discount travel packages and tour packages to destinations worldwide provide exceptional value, saving our customers time and money. We have taken care of all the details so you don't have to. Find your dream vacation today.

Company Background & Highlights

Mission: To deliver More of the World for Less by developing quality, affordable vacations for North Americans. To provide exemplary service to our customers and to earn their loyalty. To respect our partners. To invest in our employees, providing a safe and comfortable work environment. To know and understand our products and destinations. To constantly innovate and be a leader in technology.

Founded in 1981 with 3 employees; now with over 200 employees worldwide

Headquarters: Fort Washington, PA (Suburban Philadelphia)

Overseas Offices: Hungary, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Morocco, Argentina, Indonesia, Great Britain, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Peru, Ecuador, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

30+ years of providing travel services to clientèle

Product Types

Escorted Tours - Group Tours

Small Group Tours

European River Cruises

Escorted Bus Tour/Sea Cruise Combinations

Independent City Stays

Independent Fly & Drive Packages

Multi-Destination Rail Packages

Customized Vacations (Vacation Builder)

Custom Groups and Individuals

Target Consumer Market

Gate 1 Travel's target market is a traveler seeking high quality, affordable travel ranging from a superior tourist class to moderate deluxe class level of accommodations with the highest level of service.

Financial Security

Gate 1 Travel is backed by the largest, most well-respected financial institutions and insurance providers, guaranteeing the greatest level of financial security to every passenger. Gate 1 welcomes your inquiries of any of those independent offices.

Gate 1 Travel's active membership in USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association), a professional organization representing the world's leading tour operators, requires that Gate 1 meet a minimum requirement of $1 million professional liability insurance (Gate 1 maintains a $5 million policy).

Additionally , Gate 1 is required to participate in the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program, requiring them to post $1 million in security, held by USTOA, in the unlikely event of bankruptcy or insolvency.

Gate 1 Travel Trips & Specials

9 Day Golden Triangle of India

9 Day Eastern USA Heritage, Philadelphia to Washington D.C.

16 Day Scotland & Ireland

12 Day Affordable Central Europe with Warsaw & Krakow

10 Day Classic Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris & London

11 Day Affordable Croatia & Slovenia

15 Day The Serengeti & Beyond: A Tanzania Safari with Zanzibar

12 Day Golden Triangle of India with Varanasi

Want a tailor-made trip instead, your trip, your way, planned by an expert:.

• You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
• Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

Top Gate 1 Travel Trip Categories

Gate 1 travel company ranking by category, similar companies, associations, united states tour operators association.

USTOA is a nonprofit professional association representing the tour operator industry.Its members are made up of companies who provide services worldwide but who conduct business in the U.S.

undefined. Are flights included?

undefined. Do I need Travel Insurance?

It is HIGHLY recommended that you purchase Travel Insurance. You will be provided with insurance options during the booking process.

Note: Travel insurance through Gate 1 cannot be purchased after the final payment has been made. 

undefined. Can I extend my trip?

undefined. What is the Average Group Size?

undefined. Pre or post trip accommodation available?

undefined. Are kids welcome?

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NOT WORTH THE DISCOUNT😩

Not worth the discount! Don’t make electronic payments from your checking account. Gate 1 duplicated a $500 payment for a total of $1,000 out of my checking account. I’ve emailed via their “contact us” format and received no reply. Talked with more than one Gate1 representative via telephone. It will take a minimum of 2 weeks for them to return the money (if they follow through). February 6, Gate 1’s reply to this review are the exact ways I’ve reached out. Not sure why using the “contact us” link for a third time, or telephoning the number for a third time will improve their response.

Date of experience : January 25, 2023

Reply from Gate 1 Travel

Thank you for sharing your comments. We regret that your experience did not meet your expectations. So that one of our representatives can provide additional assistance and try to make this right for you, please call 1-215-572-7676 or submit an inquiry here: https://www.gate1travel.com/contactus

I have taken several trips with them in…

I have taken several trips with them in the past but they are awful now. Have tried several times to use a credit from a cancellation during Covid but their customer service managers put you on never-ending hold and then either book the wrong flights or come back to tell you that they can’t do it. Originally told I could book by December 31, 2023 in order to use credit and now told I have to finish vacation by then. They are highly unreliable and terrible to use now.

Date of experience : March 08, 2023

Thank you for sharing your comments. We regret that your experience did not meet your expectations. So that one of our representatives can provide additional assistance and try to make this right for you, please submit an inquiry here: https://www.gate1travel.com/contactus

Three weeks before we were scheduled to…

Three weeks before we were scheduled to depart for Israel (January 11, 2023), I suffered a heart attack. Gate1 reimbursed me 10 cents on the dollar. My wife and I were out more than $4,000. No reasonable reimbursement, no empathy, nothing. The group I was to travel with had taken multiple tours with Gate!. Never again. They have all vowed share my story with any traveler they meet. I will seek out every possible forum to share with as many people I can warn away from this dreadful, insensitive company. Thanks for nothing

Date of experience : January 18, 2023

Thank you for sharing this feedback. Your comments are very important to us. We regret that your experience did not meet your expectations. We have provided your contact information to our customer service team who will reach out so that we can try to make this right for you.

Awesome Kenya Safari

Christopher Musyoka was an outstanding tour guide, who went the extra mile for us. We saw all the animals we wanted to see. He was always concerned for our safety and comfort. The accommodations were outstanding! I only wish he would have been accessible during our stay the Ark! Thank you again, Gate 1, for a wonderful experience!

Date of experience : November 12, 2023

Thank you for taking the time to share your comments. We truly appreciate the feedback and look forward to welcoming you on your next Gate 1 trip!

Just finished an amazing safari in…

Just finished an amazing safari in Kenya with Gate 1.This tour was so special due to our Tour Director Christopher Musyoka .He was professional, knowledgeable and very organized with a great sense of humor. He went above and beyond as a Tour guide ( Gate 1 is so lucky to have him). Diane S

Thank you for your kind feedback. We can’t wait to see you again!

I'm thankful to my sweetheart for…

I'm thankful to my sweetheart for choosing Gate1 small group discovery traveling Sri Lanka now. Our tour manager Heshan is the best in the industry, very knowledgeable practical and protective of our safety as the floods at Yala national parks we were lucky to have him arrange the safari and see all wildlife including wild elephants Leopards crocodile. He took extraordinary pleasure in arranging my birthday celebration with balloon and cake.

Date of experience : January 14, 2024

Gate 1 Fail

Trip to India departing in less than four weeks. Received notification of changed flight. I booked a specific nonstop flight departing from a different city than where I live for the convenience of a nonstop flight. Since a nonstop flight was no longer available, requested a change of departure city from where I live. Of course that requires an additional payment. So when Gate 1 make an unrequested change: too bad so sad. When I request a change: too bad pay more. I paid for a nonstop flight that I am not receiving. You would think that Gate 1 and the airlines would do anything possible to accommodate the customer without additional charges. Lesson learned: Do not book flights thru Gate 1. This is the second trip where Gate 1 tried to levy additional charges for changes made by the airlines. Not customer friendly.

Date of experience : January 17, 2023

GATE 1 Cancel for ANY reason policy..... Warning

We bought a river cruise and took the Travel Insurance through Gate 1 Travel. Then she asked if we wanted the Cancel For Any Reason extra policy and we added that as well. Now we need to cancel and find out it is going to cost thousands of dollars and a partial Future Cruise Credit, not a refund. Be careful if you book with GATE 1 Travel!

Date of experience : February 27, 2023

Gate 1 company is terrible.

This company is terrible. Sitting in the airport 4 hours. The person at Gateway told me they booked my flight illegally. No compensation!!! Do not use this company if you value your time

Date of experience : October 06, 2023

We are sorry to hear of the issues you experienced with the flights you purchased; however, it does not appear that you purchased your tickets through our company. We are Gate 1 Travel, a U.S. based tour operator (https://www.gate1travel.com/). As we do not typically book flights only or round-trip flights originating outside of the U.S., it seems you may have booked through gate1.ca which is a European consolidator whom we have no association with. We advise you to contact them directly for assistance.

Hidden gem!

We've done 4 Gate 1 trips in the past and this recent trip to Azores was our first independent one. Our tour guides, Phillip and Hugo were FANTASTIC, making the optional trip experiences amazing. We have always given Gate 1 a 5 star rating, but this time it seems the hotel and hotel breakfasts were just ok... below the usual standards for our previous Gate 1 trips. Guess we should have upgraded.

Date of experience : May 05, 2023

Waste of what used to be a good company

We've been on several Gate One tours, but after this fiasco with flights and hotel stays in Equador we will not be using them again. Flight got permanently canceled on the return making us lose a whole day of the contracted 4 night trip. Gate One did zero.... nothing.... to resolve the issue. They were kind enough to offer another flight at an additional $3600. Sorry the company is hurting that bad were they can't fix the problem. We wl not be using Gate One again and I suggest you save yourself the headache.

Date of experience : September 30, 2022

We took Gate 1 trip 16 Days Scotland…

We took Gate 1 trip 16 Days Scotland and Ireland on October 2023 and it was outstanding. The hotel were well located and the food delicious. But what made this tour so special was our Tour Director Patrick King, he was professional, knowledgeable and very organized with a great sense of humor. He went above and beyond as a Tour guide ( Gate 1 is so lucky to have him) Our Driver Kevin Nelson was so sweet, funny and an excellent driver, we always felt safe with him. Again, Thank you Gate 1 for giving us a wonderful experience in Scotland and Ireland. Luz Babilonia.

Date of experience : October 09, 2023

We truly appreciate your business and grateful for the trust you’ve placed in us. We hope to see you soon on another Gate 1 trip!

Our tour guide Christi was very…

Our tour guide Christi was very personable as well as being very knowledgeable about our stops along the way. She made this whirlwind tour comfortable and enjoyable. Our driver Steve was a steely eyed driver around some pretty tight hairpin switchbacks. We had a wonderful trip experience due to these two wonderful people.

Date of experience : May 03, 2023

The absolute worst travel "rip-off"…

The absolute worst travel "rip-off" travel agency of the 21st century! Overpriced, they require you to leave a deposit that is non-refundable without exception, requiring you to rebook with them or forfeit your deposit. Read the fine print. There's much better travel experience out there.

Date of experience : July 27, 2022

Dear Emmett, thank you for sharing your comments. We regret that your experience did not meet your expectations. So that one of our representatives can provide additional assistance and try to make this right for you, please submit an inquiry here: https://www.gate1travel.com/contactus

Gate One negligent in supervising restroom stops.

Last fall my husband and I went to Eastern Turkey. I want to warn others as to the negligence of Gate One in not ensuring stops are safe. At a planned rest stop, the stairs down to the bathroom were never checked and very wet. I suffered a shattered elbow sliding on them. Please make sure your tour director checks for you before you leave the bus!!

Date of experience : September 28, 2022

Thank you for sharing this feedback. Your comments are very important to us. Our records show that we have already addressed your concerns. We hope to see you on another Gate 1 tour.

gate 1 group disaster

My wife and I have been traveling with gate 1 for 10 years now. Ever since COVID, the costumer service has gone down the drain. On our most recent trip to yellow stone, with 2 other couples, we found out just a couple days before our trip that gate 1 only booked 2 room for 3 couples, instead of 3. We called costumer service to fix their error and with so much attitude, they made us pay double for the extra room. I do not know how it is logical for 3 couples to book 2 rooms. Be very careful and double check your flights, room, meals etc when booking with gate 1

Date of experience : July 23, 2023

Company Lies and Has HORRIBLE support!

This company lied to me about being able to add travel insurance the day after I paid for my trip after I had a chance to check with my travel partner (my elder mom). I called the next day to add insurance after my mom said she wanted it, and was denied. Then they told me I could do a name change if my mom couldn't travel and after she ended up in the hospital, I spent hours booking new flights, and then was denied a name change by Gate 1 on my land only reservation. HORRIBLE customer service! Avoid! Their response suggesting they addressed my concerns is a complete lie too. No integrity at this company! Absolute nonsense that my concerns were addressed!

Date of experience : October 11, 2022

Thank you for sharing this feedback. Your comments are very important to us. Our records show that we have addressed your concerns in detail. Thank you for sharing your comments. We regret that your experience did not meet your expectations. So that one of our representatives can provide additional assistance and try to make this right for you, please submit an inquiry here: https://www.gate1travel.com/contactus

Unprofessional experience

My wife and I have been very blessed to have traveled to many different places around the world and we have used several different travel companies ( OAT Viking Tauck etc) Whenever we have had to change plans we have always been able to get our deposits either refunded or credited for future travel. Gate1 is the first company that wouldn’t even give us credit for the 1000 dollar deposit ( unless we took the same trip in a short time frame ) or refund. This was our first experience with Gate1 and certainly our last

Date of experience : July 21, 2023

London and Paris Independent Tour

This was an independent tour so our group liked that we can plan our own activities/tours. Glad that our Louvre tour got canceled because it was nice to be on our own pace. Gate 1 needs to improve on finding better hotel locations. We were so far away from the center of everything in London and Paris! The only plus in Paris was the metro was right there. For the amount we paid I think we could’ve gotten better hotel accommodations. (We had to switch rooms in Paris because the AC wasn’t working!) The airport transfer pickups were on time and smooth.

Date of experience : July 05, 2023

Our experience with Gate 1 Travel was frustrating and ended up costing a lot more than the "published" price!

Our experience with Gate 1 Travel was NOT positive. We booked our trip and flights about a year ahead to get the best pricing. When the airline canceled one leg of our trip about 6 months prior, Gate 1 basically said it was our problem and cancelled all our flights. We had to rebook through the airline itself through different cities, and as you might imagine, the flights were significantly more expensive by that point. Then because our flight was no longer with them, Gate 1 said we had to pay an additional $40 per person for airport transfers. I talked to Customer Service several times. You could tell they were reading from a script and were of absolutely no help. I would NOT book another trip through Gate 1.

Date of experience : December 07, 2022

What's your chance of seeing the northern lights tonight? A look at Saturday's forecast

Illuminating the night sky with pink, green and gray colors, the northern lights made its appearance in the United Kingdom and the northern half of the United States on Friday. The magical phenomena could happen again tonight.

The show fascinated many onlookers as they took out their phones to capture the beauty of the night sky. On Friday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued extreme (G5) conditions across the United States. A storm of this intensity has not been seen since October 2003. The storm gained the name "Halloween Storm" and caused many power outages in Sweden and damaged transformers in South Africa, according to Earth.com .

Meteorologists have predicted that the northern lights can be visible on Saturday as well as Sunday. If you are going outside to see the northern lights, forecasters want to remind the public that their solar eclipse glasses can be used for viewing the phenomenon.

Here's what you need to know to prepare for the next viewing of the northern lights.

The northern lights: Danced across the US last night. It could happen again Saturday.

What is the cloud forecast Saturday night? Will clouds block the northern lights?

If you missed the aurora borealis Friday night, you might still catch a glimpse on Saturday or Sunday, depending on where you live. But not if clouds get in the way.

The cloud forecast for Saturday night is generally good for most of America, but some of the people who missed their chance last night due to clouds may have a similar problem Saturday, said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines. Areas that are likely to be cloudy include New England and Mid-Atlantic regions, as well as parts of the Southern Plains, including Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado.

“Even just a few breaks in the clouds will allow the aurora to be visible,” Kines said. “There’s always hope.”

Peak visibility time Saturday night will be between 9 p.m. and midnight, with some chance until 2 a.m., Kines said. The best views will be in dark areas away from the light pollution of cities, he said, though some reported seeing the auroras Friday night from metro areas like Milwaukee and Detroit.

Sunday night, if there is any aurora to see, those in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic can rejoice, because Kines said the skies should be clearer.

Where can you see the northern lights tonight?

The Space and Weather Prediction Center  offers an experimental forecast map  that shows the aurora may be visible in a wide swath of the U.S. including Oregon, Nebraska, Indiana and Pennsylvania. Other states like California, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida could also see the sky light up again for an encore performance. But visibility will depend on shifting factors that include weather, pollution and cloud cover.

Below are forecast predictions for seeing the northern lights in New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana on Saturday.

Rain and clouds are expected to damper expectations to see the aurora borealis around the Rochester, N.Y. area . Elsewhere in NY, the  Lower Hudson Valley could see the lights again, if weather permits. 

NWS maps predicting the intensity and location of the northern lights Saturday and Sunday show the aurora will be visible in mid to northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

Saturday and Sunday are predicted to be mostly cloudy with some rain showers and isolated thunderstorms. The NWS predicted 48% to 58% sky cover in metro Detroit from 8 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday. The western portion of both peninsulas are expected to have a lower cloud cover.

In the Milwaukee area , the evening is expected to bring mostly clear skies and overnight will have scattered clouds, said Tim Halbach, local meteorologist with the National Weather Service. 

Those living around the Cincinnati region could be treated to the northern lights Saturday night with the NWS' Wilmington, Ohio , office forecasting dry, partly cloudy conditions. Clouds shouldn't be an issue as many Ohioans reported seeing the lights Friday despite some cloud cover.

 In a telephone interview, Mike Bettwy, operations chief of the NOAA's  Space Weather Prediction Center  in Boulder, Co, said Indianapolis and surrounding areas might have a better chance of seeing the aurora today and Sunday.

They can expect clear skies tonight, Bettwy said.

"The aurora itself might be actually a little bit less active than it was last night," he told IndyStar. "I think the ability for you to see it will be better because the skies will be clearing out — at least in the Indianapolis area and that immediate vicinity."

Northern lights forecast path

If you want to get a better idea of if you will be able to see the northern lights from your state, check NOAA's aurora forecast tool , which has a 30-minute forecast window. 

The auroras are a natural light display in Earth's sky that are famously best seen in high-latitude regions.

Scientist left amazed by the aurora

The aurora seen on May 10 amazed Antonella Fruscione, an astrophysicist at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. She sent photos of the lights and the April eclipse to her friends in Italy. The northern lights weren't as prominent in Italy as it was in other places.

"And I sent them the picture that I took at the solar eclipse and I said, 'Can you imagine how fortunate I was this year, one month apart, I see these two incredible spectacles of the universe,'" she recalled telling them.

The phenomena seen Friday and possibly Saturday night isn't usual, she said.

"It's a very rare occurrence, especially because last night it was really visible," Fruscione said.

That's because the Earth's magnetic activity was at a nine, the highest the index goes, coupled with the Sun being at an active peak, causing eruptions. She added the colors cannot be predicted either as it depends on how the solar energetic particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen atoms. Oxygen appears green, while nitrogen appears purple, blue or pink, she said.

"It just depends on which atoms in the atmosphere this particle interact with," Fruscione said.

She declined to predict how strong Saturday's aurora could be as it's not in her expertise, but said people make predictions all the time about space weather not just for the northern lights, but to ensure communications, space stations, astronauts and other matter in space doesn't get majorly disrupted.

Down on Earth, however, the activity is harmless to humans.

"It's completely harmless because the particles do not don't do not reach us," Fruscione said. "The reason why we see the colors is that the particle interacts with the atoms and they make these beautiful colors and that's it."

For Saturday, and any other day where chatter about the aurora borealis is high, Fruscione encouraged people to download an aurora forecasting app to their phones so they can see the colorful skies.

What are the northern lights?

The northern lights materialize when energized particles from the sun reach Earth's upper atmosphere at speeds of up to 45 million mph,  according to Space.com . Earth's magnetic field redirects the particles toward the poles through a process that produces a stunning display of rays, spirals and flickers that has fascinated humans for millennia.

Contributing: Eric Lagatta and Dinah Voyles Pulver , USA TODAY ; Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press ; Alex Groth, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ; Contributing: Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer ; Contributing: Steve Howe, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle; Rockland/Westchester Journal News ; Alexandria Burris, Indianapolis Star

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at  [email protected] . Follow her on  Instagram ,  Threads  and  X (Twitter)