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14 Day Majestic Balkans

A 14-day discovery tours by gate 1 tour starting from $3,059.

Brochure Price $3,059

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• Dates & Prices
• What's Included
• Reviews & Ratings  

Dates: 09/01/2023 - 09/15/2023

Dates: 09/08/2023 - 09/22/2023, dates: 09/15/2023 - 09/29/2023, dates: 09/22/2023 - 10/06/2023, dates: 09/29/2023 - 10/13/2023, dates: 10/13/2023 - 10/27/2023, dates: 10/20/2023 - 11/03/2023.

Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation.

Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.

All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability and are quoted in U.S. Dollars. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.

Tour Highlights

See Description

Sightseeing Highlights

InterContinental Athenee Palace Bucharest This deluxe hotel is located in the heart of the city close to the Romanian Athenaeum and former Royal Palace.

Hotel Imperial Plovdiv This first class hotel is a ten minute drive from the Plovdiv Old Town.

Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia This deluxe hotel is located in the city center of Sofia.

Grand Hotel This deluxe hotel is located right in the heart of Sofia, overlooking the City Garden.

Skopje Marriott Hotel This superior first class hotel is located in the heart of Skopje.

Hotel Unique Resort & Spa This first class hotel is set between Lake Ohrid and the Galicica mountain.

Hotel Boutique Kotoni This first class hotel is located in the heart of Tirana's prestigious Blloku area.

DAY 1, Friday - Depart for Romania Depart for Romania

DAY 2, Saturday - Arrive in Bucharest Arrive in the bustling Romanian capital of Bucharest known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and glorious Belle Époque buildings. Time to settle in at the hotel before tonight's orientation meeting with your Tour Manager followed by a light dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive in your destination no later than 4 PM Overnight: Bucharest Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Sunday - Prahova Valley, Sinaia Monastery, Peles Castle Heading north along the Prahova Valley arrive at the elegant mountain resort of Sinaia. Here, visit the impressive 17th century Sinaia Monastery named after St. Catherine's Monastery on Mt. Sinai. The monastery features religious treasures and beautiful frescoes. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the romantic Peles Castle, former summer residence of Romania's first royal family. The castle is a masterpiece of German Neo-Renaissance architecture. Afterward, return to Bucharest for dinner and overnight Overnight: Bucharest Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4, Monday - Discover Bucharest, Palace of Parliament, Village Museum, Special Dinner & Guest Lecturer The day begins with a view of Bucharest's Arch of Triumph, an impressive replica of the French Arc de Triomphe, built to commemorate the bravery of Romanian soldiers who fought in WWI. Then, as you travel along Calea Victoriei (Victory Avenue), the city's oldest and most fashionable street, gaze at some of the most stunning architecture, including the splendid National Museum George Enescu housed in the Cantacuzino Palace, one of the most beautiful buildings in Bucharest, named a historical monument. Its sumptuous entrance in Art Nouveau style, emphasizes the luxury and refinement of the era. Next, at historical Revolution Square, understand how the last Communist dictator in Eastern Europe was overthrown. Visit the gigantic Palace of Parliament, the second largest building in the world (after the Pentagon) with over 3,000 rooms. Then, tour the Village Museum, a fascinating open-air museum showcasing traditional Romania village life with authentic thatched houses, barns, churches and other structures. Get a glimpse into how people lived and worked in rural Romania over the centuries. Tonight, a special dinner featuring a renowned guest lecturer who enlightens you on Romania's turbulent history Overnight: Bucharest Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Tuesday - Veliko Tarnovo, Tsarevets Hill, Arbanassi, Choir Concert, Plovdiv (Bulgaria) Depart Bucharest for Veliko Tarnovo, the 'City of the Tsars', where houses cling to the cliffs of the River Yantra, making it one of the country's most beautiful towns in Bulgaria. Here, take an orientation walking tour that features views of the Tsarevets Hill, the inescapable symbol of the city. This reconstructed medieval fortress dominates the skyline and is one of Bulgaria's most beloved monuments. The former seat of the Tsars, it boasts the remains of more than 400 houses, 18 churches, a royal palace and more. Continue to picturesque Arbanassi where you leisurely savor a delectable lunch of traditional Bulgarian favorites. After exploration of the quaint village, arrive at the 17th-century church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel. A superb afternoon of beautiful sounds awaits you. Listen to the magical voices of a local choir, surrounded by magnificent frescoes. The day ends in Plovdiv, a millennial town with a tumultuous history. Dinner is at the hotel Overnight: Plovdiv Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Wednesday - Plovdiv's Old Town, Sofia A delightful exploration of Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria. Walk along the cobbled streets lined with art galleries and bohemian cafes -- this city has an exuberant spirit! In the Old Town, lovingly restored to its mid-19th-century appearance, admire the Thracian, Roman, Byzantine and Bulgarian antiquities. Visit the impressive Roman Amphitheater* best preserved in the Balkans, now used for performances. The day ends in Sofia, Bulgaria's lively capital, with dinner at the hotel and overnight *In case the Roman Amphitheater is closed, the Ethnographic Museum will be visited instead Overnight: Sofia Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Thursday - National History Museum, Alexander Nevsky Church In magical Sofia, the morning tour starts with panoramic views of golden Ottoman domes dotting the skyline. Visit the National History Museum with its exhibits of Bulgarian lands spanning 8000 years and glimpses of unique gold and silver treasures dating back to Thracian times. View, St. Sofia Church and across the square visit the impressive neo-Byzantine golden-domed Alexander Nevsky Church, one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world. Next, view the 4th century Roman Rotunda, a red brick building transformed into the present day St. George Church, the oldest architectural monument in Sofia and St. Joseph's Cathedral. Leisure time this afternoon to stroll the lanes of the city on your own and perhaps linger at one of the lovely cafes along Oborishte Street to just people-watch. Tonight, enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant Overnight: Sofia Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8, Friday - Rila Monastery & Museum, Skopje (Republic of North Macedonia) After breakfast, ascend to the 10th century Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, considered one of the greatest centers of literacy and religion in Bulgaria, playing a key role in preserving Bulgarian culture and language. Visit the monastery's church and view the astonishing frescoes, painted by famous Bulgarian artists. Continue with a visit to the monastery's museum. Afterward, descend from these lofty peaks and drive to Skopje, the capital of the Republic of North Macedonia, accented by a historic hilltop fortress overlooking monumental modern architecture. Tonight, enjoy a delightful dinner at a local restaurant Overnight: Skopje Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9, Saturday - Discover Skopje's Old Town In the morning visit the moving Holocaust Museum that commemorates the all but lost Sephardic Jewish culture of North Macedonia through a range of photos and video displays. Explore the historic streets of this eclectic capital's Old Town, stopping at Macedonia Square, Porta Macedonia, the 15th century Turkish Stone Bridge and the 6th century Byzantine Fortress, that dominates the skyline of the city. At the House of Mother Teresa, you're reminded that the famed Catholic nun of Calcutta was born here in 1910. Perhaps time to bargain for wondrous treasures at the old Turkish Bazaar. The afternoon is free for individual pursuits Overnight: Skopje Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Sunday - Ancient Stobi, Wine Tasting & Vineyard Lunch, Lakeside Ohrid The ancient city of Stobi is revealed today. Lying in a fertile valley, this ancient city was part of a vital trade route and was the crossroads of civilization with a rich legacy of palace ruins, bright mosaics, and religious relics. Enjoy a tour of a local winery along with a tasting of the fine wines, followed by appetizers including assorted local Galichnik cheese, smoked meats, and lunch. Afterward, on to the town of Ohrid, a jewel of the Balkans, set beside a pristine lake and topped by a medieval castle. During your leisure time here, discover the picturesque architecture and verdant crystal-blue waters of the lake. Perhaps walk along the waterfront, relax on a secluded beach or wander along the winding lanes to the Roman amphitheater. Tonight's dinner together is at a local restaurant Overnight: Ohrid Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11, Monday - St Naum Monastery, Boat Cruise on Ohrid Lake Drive along the shores of Lake Ohrid to reach St. Naum Monastery with its world-renowned priceless icons and religious paintings. Then, take a relaxing boat tour through the springs of the Black Drin river, often referred to as the Springs of Sveti Naum, the main water supply of Lake Ohrid. Afternoon tour of the Old Town named the "Jerusalem of the Balkans". A town of vast history and heritage, Ohrid was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. A stop at the statue of St. Clement, before continuing to the lower gate, the National Museum, Church of St. Sophia, the Roman Amphitheatre, view St. Clement's Church and Tsar Samoil's fortress. Later, relax on a boat cruise on Lake Ohrid, ringed by mountains, attractive villages, and beautiful beaches. Dinner is at a popular restaurant on your last night in Macedonia Overnight: Ohrid Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12, Tuesday - Elbasan, Tirana (Albania), Skanderbeg Square, Mosque of Et'hem Bey This morning, depart North Macedonia for Albania, stopping en route at Elbasan, one of the largest cities in Albania in the central part of the country. Later, arrive in lively and colorful Tirana, the beating heart of Albania, known for its vibrant café culture and funky public art. This relatively new city, situated on the site of a Byzantine fortress, has been the capital of Albania since 1920. Visit famous Skanderbeg Square, dedicated to Albania's national hero, home to the Opera House and the National Historic Museum adorned with a gigantic mosaic mural known as 'The Albanians'. Pause at the small and elegant Mosque of Et'hem Bey, one of the oldest buildings left in the city before proceeding to the Clock Tower and the towering statue of G.K. Skanderbeg. Continue with a visit to Bunk'Art 2, an ex-nuclear bunker that was conversed to a museum featuring photographs and equipment that illustrate the political persecution of some 100,000 Albanians from 1945 until 1991. Tonight, enjoy dinner together Overnight: Tirana Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 13, Wednesday - Kruje's Skanderbeg Museum, Ottoman Style Bazaar Step back in time on your visit of Kruje, the hero Skanderbeg's hometown where 500 years ago he defended the town from the Ottomans. At the Ethnographic Museum, see a typical 18th-century Ottoman house that once belonged to an affluent family. Afterward, a stroll through the Ottoman style Bazaar, the best place for souvenir shopping with its lanes of antiques, gems, and handicrafts. Watch as women use looms to make kilims (rugs) - you can purchase the finished products! A spirited end to the day as you attend a performance of a local musical group who will serenade you with Albanian tunes. The rest of the day is at leisure in Tirana. At your dinner tonight, bid farewell to your Tour Manager Overnight: Tirana Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 14, Thursday - Depart Albania Transfer to the airport for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast

• Small groups of maximum 22 travelers guaranteed
• Flights New York-Bucharest, Tirana-New York Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices
• Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
• 3 nights Bucharest
• 1 night Plovdiv
• 2 nights Sofia
• 2 nights Skopje
• 2 nights Ohrid
• 2 nights Tirana
• Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
• Hotel porterage
• All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates†
• 26 meals: 12 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 11 dinners
• Coffee and tea with all meals
• Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned vehicles
• Services of local English-speaking tour manager throughout
• Comprehensive, guided sightseeing and entrance fees per itinerary
• Active itinerary with unique cultural features
• Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring
• Enjoy your visit to romantic Peles Castle, former summer residence of Romania's first royal family
• Special dinner with a guest lecturer who enlightens you on Romania's turbulent history
• At a beautiful 17th century Bulgarian church, attend a performance by an esteemed local choir
• Walk along the cobbled streets of Plovdiv, a millennial town with a tumultuous history
• Ascend to the 10th century Rila Monastery, proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Explore the historic streets of Skopje’s Old Town, stopping at the House of Mother Teresa
• Wine tasting and vineyard tour in Stobi, a city in the Republic of North Macedonia at the crossroads of civilization
• Discover lively Tirana, the beating heart of Albania, with its vibrant café culture and funky art
• Visit Kruje, where the hero Skanderbeg defended Albania from the Ottomans

Not Included: Gratuities.

Additional Information: Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers.

No current offers.

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Excellent in the past, but.... - GATE 1 TRAVEL

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• GATE 1 TRAVEL

I've been on about 7 Gate 1 tours and sometimes they are great and sometimes not. I just returned... read more

We had a fantastic tour of Spain and Portugal. Unfortunately, we were overcharged by hundreds of... read more

Excellent in the past, but....

We have been on 4 Gate 1 tours - all small group discovery tours. Loved them all. We had one booked in Africa in a couple weeks, but that one has been cancelled by Gate 1. We have fully paid for that one - nearly $10,000. (We booked our own airfare.) It appears that we have a choice - 75% refund or future tour credit. Since they cancelled, it really doesn't seem right that we cannot get all of our money back. (We booked our own flights.) Is there a chance that Gate1 will file for bankruptcy? If that could be on the horizon, maybe we should take the 75% and run....

I have done 3 previous European trips with Gate 1 and I have been very satisfied. You do see more of the world for less $$. I had a Danube River Cruise booked for May 2020 that was paid in full which was cancelled because of the coronavirus. Gate 1 was fantastic. They offered a future credit or refund. I was always able to get thru to a friendly and helpful agent and they refunded me my entire trip cost- cruise and air. They are a solid reliable company and I will book with them again when I feel comfortable to travel. Thank you gate 1. Highly recommend.

Americans denied entry to Germany on 3/15/2020 and Gate 1 did not inform us. Gate 1 dropped us off at the airport at 5am on 3/16/2020, where we were informed we could not board to Munich. Our only option was to purchase our returns flights to USA. Gate 1 local office in Turkey, emergency lines, local tour manager all washed their hands and left us stranded at the Istanbul airport. Our flights (including tour) were purchased thru Gate 1. No refund & no communications! They are not set up for any type of Crisis or do they care about their customers. Their only concern is their bottom line and keeping customers monies. Their insurance option is a hoax and does not cover this type of crisis. It's a shame that our trip ended in such a soar note and double the expense! 15 days after our return to the USA and still NO communication from Gate 1. We've left messages, call on a daily basis and no avail to reach a representative or any type of result ion and/or refund! Be prepared if you travel with Gate 1 that you are on your own should any crisis arise...

Travezoo listed a 7 Day Egypt's Pyramids offered by Gate 1 Travel. Egypt was on our bucket list and Gate 1 offered the trip at a good price. The base trip included round-trip airfare, hotel with daily breakfast, hotel transfers, and one excursion to the pyramids and sphinx. All other excursions were optional, but available to book on their website for, what I felt, were reasonable prices. We booked every excursion except for one because we wanted one by ourselves to explore Cairo on our own. We liked being able to book these excursion separately, and you can add them at a later time if you change your mind. Visa: Gate 1 does not provide visa service for the Egypt Visa, However, a visa can be easily obtained online or upon arrival at the Cairo airport. We chose to get our visa in advance. Simply complete the online application no more than 90 days before your departure. We received the visas via email the next day after completing the online form and payment of $25.00 USD each. Note that we were never asked to see our visa upon entering or leaving the country. Upon arrival, a Gate 1 representative was holding a Gate 1 sign before reaching the Immigration desks. We followed the representative’s instructions and had no problems. Note that Gate 1 warned us in advance of the trip to not accept a ride from any driver who will not accept the Gate 1 voucher as payment. A couple on the same flight and travel package chose to get their visas at the airport. They completed the forms and paid the representative $27.00 USD each (in cash). The representative obtained the visas for this couple in about 10 minutes while we all waited for bags at baggage claim. Hotel transfers: Arrival: Once through customs at the Cairo airport, our representative took us to a comfortable air conditioned van, provided bottle water, and drove us to the hotel. Departure: Our guide, during our stay in Cairo, told us what time to meet in the hotel lobby. We went to lobby ahead of the scheduled time and had free coffee at bar and box breakfast because the hotel restaurant was not open yet. Excursions: We had the same guide for all of our excursions. Depending on how many people went on the excursions, we had either a full-size bus or a smaller bus. In either case, the buses were newer, clean, comfortable, and air conditioned. The full-size bus had a toilet. Our tour guide was licensed as an Egyptologist (whatever that means) as required for tour guides. He was friendly, had a great sense of humor, spoke English fluently, and very knowledgeable about all things in Egypt. In addition, he was well organized and all excursions occurred without problems. Along with our guide we had the driver and an armed, plain-clothed Tourist Police Officer. We were told that the Tourist Police are everywhere to help ensure tourists remain safe. Apparently, an office may be randomly assigned to a tour company and accompanies them. In our case, we had the same officer every day. He was friendly, would take pictures for you, and, most importantly, intervene when there was trouble with a street vendor or one of the many locals trying to get money in return for some “service” such as taking photos of you. Tipping: I tipped the driver and Tourist Police Officer everyday on behalf of myself and my wife. You should definitely tip the driver daily because you may have different drivers on different days.. You don’t really need to tip the officer, but I felt he was doing a great job as a ‘body guard’ and was very personable. I generally tipped the driver and the officer EGP 100 (about $6.00 USD) each every day on behalf my wife and I. I felt that both the driver and officer did not expect a tip, but were grateful for the tips. I tipped our tour guide at the completion of our last excursion for the entire time – about EGP 160 ($10.00 USD) per day. Our guide was grateful for the tip, and never felt pressured to tip. Nile Dinner Cruise: I don’t know the name of the dinner cruise company, so am placing the info in this Gate 1 review. The dinner cruise was along the iconic Nile river in Cairo. The meal was very good, the evening/night views were great, and the entertainment was wonderful!

This was my first "tour" experience. My husband had taken one Gate 1 tour last year and convinced me to do the Costa Rica 14-day tour with him and another couple. I guess we had a relatively small group... 34 but it was a great, cohesive group. We all became a family. Our tour guide, Jose, was phenomenal... the amount of knowledge he possesses was what made this tour so worthwhile. What we learned about the culture, flora, fauna, and history was something we would never learn on a self-guided tour of Costa Rica. The zip-line experience was SO MUCH FUN!!! Above and beyond any other zip-line experience I've had before. I regret not taking the optional natural hot spring/dinner trip because everyone who did it said it was the best steak they've ever eaten, and the views from the restaurant were gorgeous. We were able to complete the entire 14-day tour, flying out of San Jose the day before they closed the airport due to to the Corona virus. Jose made sure that everyone got home safely, tweaking flight changes for some. Such a great guy.

I titled my review above and beyond, because Gate 1 does just that. They give you V.I.P. treatment at very reasonable prices. I recently toured Egypt with Gate 1. Ahmed Samir our tour manager from Gate 1 was excellent. He treated everyone like family. He explained the sights and gave us inside information on Egyptian culture. Gate 1 also provides security for us so we would feel comfortable our entire vacation. He was very proud of Egypt and conveyed that pride to us. Gate 1 picked us up at the airport and made sure we boarded our plane with ease upon departure. I highly recommend them to everyone. I have traveled with them 3 times and would give them 10 stars if I could.

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?

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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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Discovery Tours by Gate 1 vs Odysseys Unlimited

Tour companies compared.

Discovery Tours by Gate 1

5   Excellent  

Odysseys Unlimited

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Reviews & Ratings

5   Excellent 93 reviews  

5   Excellent 50 reviews  

Recent Reviews

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...

It was a dream come true trip!

We just finished our Tanzanian Adventure tour to Tanzania and Zanzibar. It was a dream come true trip! On safari, our guide Augustine, was stellar, and our driver, M...

Tour:   Classic Safari: Kenya & Tanzania

Operator Overview

Travelers age

global Company

Trip prices

$4,199 - $4,199

Service level

Tour languages

$2,895 - $7,984

• Group Tours

• North America
• South America
• Australia & Pacific
• Middle East & North Africa
• Central America & Caribbean
• Photography

Similar Companies

About Discovery Tours by Gate 1

About Odysseys Unlimited

Small Groups: Our Only Focus

Small group travel is all that we do – just 12 to 24 guests on our own custom-designed tours. And it’s all we’ve ever done, from the day we opened our doors in 1998.