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6 Sublime Wonders of New Zealand

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To say that New Zealand takes your breath away doesn’t quite say enough about how staggering its beauty is. Instead, you could say New Zealand stirs the soul. It makes your spirit soar. It fills you with a stupefying wonder for all that is divine and powerful. Well, you get our point. And you’re sure to agree that words simply cannot express the effect that this spectacular country has on everyone who visits.

It’s fair to say that, before director Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy—which was filmed amidst its scenic splendor—New Zealand wasn’t on the radar of many travelers. Now, we can’t get enough of it. So we’re happy to share with you six of our favorite places, the ones that are sure to take your breath away and even stir your soul. Here’s what they shared:

THE NORTH ISLAND: VOLCANIC SPLENDOR

A rocky plateau sits just above the city of Rotorua. An entirely different world bubbles and gurgles upon this mound:   the geothermal area of Whakarewarewa. Geysers erupt, hot springs steam and mud pools boil in this otherworldly landscape.

Whakarewarewa lies within the North Island’s Taupo Volcanic Zone, and it sports some 65 geyser vents and 500 hot-spring pools. Seven of the geysers are active, with Pohutu (Maori for “explosion”) erupting up to 100 feet tall about once an hour. The most fascinating thing about several of these active spouts is that they often erupt in concert—first the Prince of Wales Feathers Geyser, then Pohutu, followed by Waikorohihi. The reason for this symphony is that they all protrude from a common fissure regulated by a highly complex system of pressure and release.

Rushing down the Waikato River in a torrent, the Huka Falls flow from Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand. The river, as it leaves the lake, is up to 300 feet from one bank to another. Then, its waters are funneled into a dramatic canyon that’s just 50 feet wide. The result is a surge of water—often 58,000 gallons per second—through a very tight space. The river first courses over smaller falls of about 25 feet, followed by a more dramatic 35-foot drop into a beautiful (and very loud!) tree-ringed basin.

Tongariro National Park

The oldest national park in New Zealand and the fourth one established in the world, Tongariro offers spectacular vistas of snow-capped peaks, dense forests, open plains, and pristine rivers. It’s important to New Zealanders because it is one of only 28 “mixed” UNESCO World Heritage Sites, protected by the United Nations organization for both their natural beauty and their cultural heritage. You won’t have to look far to understand why this unspoiled and majestic land is worth protecting. It is a medley of nature’s best, and its wide sweeping vistas made for a stunning setting for Peter Jackson’s movies.

The park was in fact declared sacred in 1887 by paramount Maori chief Te Heuheu Tukino IV. Certainly, he wanted to protect the wilderness for future generations. But he also made his declaration in order to protect the many Maori religious sites within the park. The native islanders consider three of its mountain summits—Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu—as tapu , or sacred.

THE SOUTH ISLAND: DAZZLING ICE AND WATER

Franz Josef Glacier

Even the scenic road to Franz Josef Glacier is a wonder to behold. It traces the Clutha River Valley to the pretty town of Wanaka on the pristine waters of Lake Wanaka. From here, the mighty Clutha River has cut stunning glacial terraces into the landscape. Today, the Franz Josef Glacier is part of what’s left of the glacial system that carved this landscape. At 7.5 miles long, it is unique in that it has crawled toward the sea from the heights of the Southern Alps through the lush greenery of a rainforest.

The first Europeans laid eyes on this massive icefield in 1859, but it was a German explorer who named it after the Austrian emperor six years later. Of course, the Maori, New Zealand’s indigenous people, were intimately familiar with it and called it Ka Roimata o Hinehukatere , which means “the tears of Hinehukatere.” The name comes from a local legend in which Hinehukatere persuaded her lover, Wawe, to climb in these mountains with her. After an avalanche buried him alive, her countless tears flowed down the mountain and froze to form the glacier we see today.

Milford Sound

Rudyard Kipling called Milford Sound the eighth wonder of the world. So it comes as no surprise that it has often been ranked as the world’s top travel destination. The sound is a magnificent fjord flowing in from the Tasman Sea. Pristine waters glimmer at the foot of vertical, soaring mountains that rise up to 3,900 feet on either side. One of its peaks, called The Elephant, is shaped like a pachyderm’s head. Another, The Lion, resembles a crouching jungle cat.

Two permanent waterfalls cascade down sheer cliffs to plunge into the waters of the fjord: Lady Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls. After heavy rain, however, any number of waterfalls could suddenly appear from above and drape the forested cliffs in watery curtains. Lucky for us, it rains a lot in Milford Sound. With rain falling 182 day each year on average, it is one of the wettest places on Earth.

Lake Wakatipu

New Zealand’s longest lake (50 miles), and the world’s third largest in area, Lake Wakatipu is overlooked by the aptly named Remarkables mountain range. From the air, it is shaped like a sharp-curved “S.” At its greatest depth (an astounding 1,020 feet), its floor lies below sea level.

The setting of Lake Wakatipu is truly spectacular, and the people of Queenstown are fortunate to be right in its midst. Our Wonders of New Zealand spends three nights in this charming city, giving you ample time to take in the alpine beauty. A cruise aboard the TSS Earnslaw takes you along the lake’s shores to admire the vistas. Keep your eyes open for Mallards, black-billed gulls, and pied shags, a type of cormorant native to the region. If the lake looks familiar, that’s because it was used as a backdrop for several scenes in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Discover the magnificent beauty of New Zealand on a Gate 1 Travel escorted tour!

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Ireland Tour

We recently finished the Gate 1 tour of Ireland. It advertises as 10 days, but it is not actually 10 days, and I'd like to be sure that people who are considering the tour understand that. Day 1 is for leaving to arrive in Ireland. Day 2 is for arriving in Ireland. Day 10 is for leaving Ireland to go home. That effectively leaves 7 days for a tour. I wrote to Gate 1 because the tour actually was only 6 days. On Day 9 there was no longer a tour bus driver. Gate 1 sent him home. Instead, they hired a local driver to take people on an "optional tour" to the Irish EPIC museum, which was actually within a reasonable walking distance of our hotel. If you didn't pay to go to this museum, you were finished with the tour on Day 8 and left to pay for your own transportation and planned excursion on Day 9. I told Gate 1 that they could have taken the entire group to a place like the National Botanic Gardens on Day 9 (our last day) instead of the museum. It was quite expansive and lovely, and it's free to enter. We had to pay for the transportation to get there. Ireland was enjoyable to visit, but Gate 1 needs to advertise its tours properly. "The tour actually lasts for 6 days unless you go on an optional tour on your last day in Ireland."

Date of experience : July 06, 2024

Reply from Gate 1 Travel

Thank you for taking the time to share your comments. We appreciate the feedback and hope to welcome you soon on another Gate 1 trip.

Scotland/Ireland 16 day excursion

I just finished the Scotland/Ireland 16 day excursion with a Tour guide named Ian and our coach driver named Robbie. They were both FANTASTICO! The 42 travelers were also wonderful. The sites in Scotland and Ireland were magical. The hotels were all very nice with breakfast and half our dinners included. The food was good. I would highly recommend Gate1 and plan to take another tour. Gate1 also needs to give those two wonderful men raises! They certainly made the trip amazing! Humor, history, intelligence, and much fun to entertain such a large group for 16 days! Great job Men!

Date of experience : June 03, 2024

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!

Tour guide can make or break a vacation.

Hawai'i 9-day tour 02/14/2024 thru 02/21/204 was busy and organized perfectly. Tours were organized and efficient. The preset hotels Queen Kapiolani and King Kamehameha were clean and well maintained. Due to the Lahaina devastation, which was hard to view, our hotel upgrade was amazing and impressive on Maui. Charles "Kaleo" Degala, the singing tour guide, made the trip. His love of his home, knowledge of the islands and respect for the culture of Aloha made you feel as if you were family not just a guest. Guides like him are a rare gift for a traveler.

Date of experience : February 14, 2024

RUDE service

This company has absolutely the most rude customer service. I'm a travel agent, asking basic clarifying questions regarding airfare and prices, and I was yelled out and treated very rudely two days in a row. They must hate their jobs. Unbelievable. Do not use this company! So many other professional travel companies to use!

Date of experience : May 03, 2024

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

Not worth it!

My husband and I have taken many trips with Gate 1 but something with the company has changed and I do not recommend travelling with them now. We travelled on their Japan, Then and Now Discovery trip in March and there were so many problems–some with the itinerary and some with the Tour Manager. Many of the activities were unnecessary or badly timed. I never got to see the “NOW” in Tokyo or any other city. Plenty of “Then” as we constantly travelled outside the cities to see gardens that weren’t blooming or another shrine that was never explained why it was important. The food on the trip was terrible, whether it was a group dinner or a food court in a train station. Some of the hotel rooms were so small there was no room to open a suitcase. It was a Discovery trip but nothing was special about it. It was a lot of money for what we got and we will not with travel with Gate 1 again.

Date of experience : March 10, 2024

After reading all the negative reviews…

After reading all the negative reviews I decide to not go ahead and confirm the Baltic trip I had hoped to do with Gate 1 Travel. No way do I want to get stuck someplace with no help from the tour company. Glad I decided to read reviews before clicking the "Book" button.

Date of experience : March 16, 2024

Travel Protection is a scam, thru Gate 1.…

Booked Christmas market trip for early Dec. Bought ‘Travel Protection’ that Gate 1 promotes. My travel partner needed a heart operation. Had to cancel trip. We’ve waited two months after providing info requested with letter from surgeon. Today they say coverage denied because she had defib prior. Of course the Protection was stated as covering pre-existing conditions!!!!!! Total rip-off. Deceptive scam artists. VERY disgusted!!!

Date of experience : December 05, 2022

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.

Essential Portugal and Spain

Our experience was terrific! We were greeted at the airport by the tour manager Alex and taken to the hotel. Everything was so organized with time between tours for lunch or shopping. The hotels were nice too. We felt safe and cared for at all times. The tour guides were fantastic in each city giving us plenty of history without being boring. The bus driver Marco was excellent making sure our things were secured at all time. We will definitely use this tour company again.

Date of experience : February 29, 2024

Dear Susan, 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!

Very disappointed with Gate 1

Very disappointed with Gate 1. We’re scheduled to tour Egypt in November. However, due to the the conflict that’s happening now with Israel in Palastine/Gaza and the West Bank, we are justifiably concerned about our safety. Our trip is fully paid, but we had humbly requested to reschedule for a later date to travel (Not asking for a refund) just to reschedule. Unfortunately for us Gate1 outright denied our request disregarding our concerns. The Arch insurance that’s offered through Gate1 essentially only covers Gate1.

Date of experience : October 17, 2023

Thereza, our tour guide in Europe

Thereza, our tour guide on Gate One's trip from Mainz, Germany to Venice, Austria November 2023 was extremely accommodating. She was punctual while caring for specific needs of some 40 people for 10 days. She was very knowledgeable of the 5 countries that we toured and surprised us continually with gifts; nice hotels; meals and even music that we all sang along with as we traveled. She was fun and we'd recommend her highly for a trip with Gate One travels in your future!!!

Date of experience : November 02, 2023

9 Day Classic Japan

This 9 Day tour should actually be called 7 Day Classic Japan - Gate 1 needs to revise / review since 2 of the days you are actually in transit. Our tour guide Ichiro was phenomenal- kudos to him for his patience & handling the hiccups. Loved the country, it's people & the culture. Only disappoinmet was that Japan has so much to offer but the Gate1 itinerary focussed on way too many shrines/temples.

Date of experience : June 06, 2023

Poor customer service leading to loss of ticket value

No possible to reach the travel agents on phone. Hence, communication to the Gate1 travel agents is possible via emails only. By 3pm UK time on 18 Feb, I confirmed my request to change my flight, from 19Feb at 1:45am to another day. But no response has been received, although my response was within 30-40min since the agent's reply time.. I appreciate this was on Sunday, but a clear statement on working hours and limitation from the beginning would be helpful. It seems the value of the ticket is lost which is very unpleasant. This could be easily avoided if there was an opportunity to call to agree the change and pay the diff in tariff.

Date of experience : February 18, 2024

Hello, 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 1 Travel is an amazing company

Gate 1 Travel is an amazing company. For starters, booking our trip to Ireland was easy, complete and priced reasonably. Next, our bus driver, Mark, a very kind gentleman, navigated all the twisty-turny roads like a master. And most important, our tour guide, Jill, was incredible! Her knowledge of all the towns, roads, pubs, Irish traditions, and folklore, was nonstop. Her sense of humor and the details of everything made a wonderful trip more memorable than we had expected. My only criticism is that not one of our rooms (in any of the hotels) had a view other than back parking lots, roofs of buildings, or high walls. Other than that, we highly recommend Gate 1 Travel.

Date of experience : October 22, 2023

Worst customer service

Worst customer service. I had booked a trip to Greece. I called them about my plane itinerary. No answer after being on hold for hours together. I emailed them, but no response whatsoever. I will never ever book anything with these people. Stay away from 'GATE1 TRAVEL". I 100% agree with majority negative reviews on this website. Please do yourself a favor and save yourself from tremendous future headache by not using this lousy travel company.

Date of experience : July 10, 2022

Dear Yash, We are sorry to learn of the delay in responding you your phone call. We were experiencing an increase in call volume related to our most recent promotion. We do value our customers and make every effort to answer calls as quickly as possible. Please be assured we will respond to your email, you may also request a call back using the call back feature. Thank you for your understanding.

We have taken six tours with Gate 1 and…

We have taken six tours with Gate 1 and have never been disappointed! Unfortunately, I think people tend to come onto review sites when they are frustrated. However, having read some of the reviews, people blame Gate 1 for their own mistakes--eg. Not taking out insurance and then expecting the company to reimburse them. We have always been very happy with the hotels, tour guides and the excursions! Heading away with them in a couple more months again!

Date of experience : October 06, 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!

Southern England

We toured Southern England. Our guide, Mark, was delightful. Our accommodations were awful. In Stratford-Upon-Avon, where it was in the mid-80’s, we had no air conditioning in our rooms. There were major traffic issues. I’d you don’t mind substandard accommodations, go for it.

Date of experience : August 09, 2023

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

Never had a problem

I was very surprised to see all the negative feedback. It is true that the Tour Manager makes all the difference on these kind of tours and ours have always been exceptional. We have done Italy, Spain, and SE Asia and have loved everyone of them. We are not old and feeble so maybe that has something to do with it because Gate1 does make sure you see everything on the itinerary and you get your monies worth, which what we like. Our last tour manager was Tim for the SE Asia trip and she was amazing, in fact we are still in touch because we have become friends. From our view they keep getting better and better and we would recommend Gate1 highly. PS ask for TIM if you go to SE Asia won't be disappointed.

Date of experience : April 09, 2024

Res# 2287535

Res# 2287535 There was no booking on a domestic flight for me from Istanbul to Gaziantep on 10/3. The tour guide, Serdad, insisted that I must pay at the counter of Turkish Air instead of paying from other sources. Later, I got cash reimbursement, but he should be more careful, which could easily be preventable. Serdad did not inform us how much to walk involved at each spot; his time management was poor, and for example, we had two hour lunch break In front of the Zeugma Museum on a hot day without AC. We could enter the museum earlier.

Date of experience : October 03, 2022

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

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

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!

gate 1 travel new zealand

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.

Gate 1 travel logo

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.

Gate 1 travel tour

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 travel bus

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. 

Gate one travel boat

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!

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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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11 Day Classic Scandinavia

gate 1 travel new zealand

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  • Take a city sightseeing tour of the Danish capital of Copenhagen Visit Vigeland Sculpture Park, designed by Gustav Vigeland. The park contains 192 sculptures with more than 600 figures See Lom Stave Church, one of the largest and best-preserved stave churches in Norway built in 12th century Cruise on the breathtaking still waters of the Sognefjord, the longest and deepest of all the Norwegian fjords Board the famous Flam Railway for a mountain train ride into Norway's high glacial regions Walk through Bergen's UNESCO-listed Bryggen, the old Hanseatic pier and wharf area †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

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Travel themes, destinations, attractions, trip includes.

  • Flights New York-Copenhagen, Bergen-New York Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices Airline taxes & fuel surcharges 9 nights accommodations
  • 2 nights Copenhagen 1 night Gothenburg 2 nights Oslo 1 night Lillehammer 1 night Sogndal 2 nights Bergen Hotel taxes, fees & service charges Hotel porterage All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates† 15 meals: 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners with wine Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout Services of local guides in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Bergen Entrance fees per itinerary Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring

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Secluded Paradise of The Azores: São Miguel, Pico and Faial Islands

Secluded Paradise of The Azores: São Miguel, Pico and Faial Islands

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

Dates & Availability

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Gate 1 Travel .

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Gate 1 Travel Reviews & Ratings

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Tour operator, gate 1 travel.

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.

Associations

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip, travel confidently, what's excluded.

  • Not Included:Optional tours and gratuities.

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

Become a member

  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations

Tour Companies

Things to do, itineraries.

IMAGES

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COMMENTS

  1. New Zealand Vacations on Sale

    Save up to $400 per person on New Zealand vacations with Gate 1 Travel. Choose from independent packages or escorted tours and enjoy round trip flights, breakfast and more.

  2. 14 Day Wonders of New Zealand

    Gate 1 Travel has provided quality, affordable escorted tours, river cruises and vacation packages for more than 40 years. You'll find that same commitment to quality and value on our Discovery Tours. ... DAY 1, Sunday - Depart for New Zealand Depart for New Zealand. DAY 2, Monday - En Route Cross the International date line en route to New ...

  3. 15 Day Tour of New Zealand & Australia Including Flights

    Explore the highlights of New Zealand and Australia on this First Class journey with flights, hotels, meals and sightseeing included. Save up to $600 on selected departures with promo codes and enjoy Maori culture, Milford Sound, Sydney Opera House and more.

  4. 14 Day Wonders of New Zealand by Gate 1 Travel

    Explore the best of New Zealand's North and South Islands on this small group tour. Enjoy scenic drives, geothermal attractions, Maori culture, wine tasting, and more.

  5. A Guide Through the Best of Australia & New Zealand

    With Australia ranking as the world's sixth-largest country and New Zealand falling into the bracket as the sixth-largest island country by area, a trip to these destinations is best spent soaking in the assorted treasury of activities and sights they offer. Behold the Scenes of Sydney. Upon deplaning in the Land Down Under, you might be hit ...

  6. 6 Sublime Wonders of New Zealand

    To say that New Zealand takes your breath away doesn't quite say enough about how staggering its beauty is. Instead, you could say New Zealand stirs the soul. ... Discover the magnificent beauty of New Zealand on a Gate 1 Travel escorted tour! Related. Posted in: Asia & Pacific, Small Group Discoveries; Posted by Gate 1 Travel More of the ...

  7. Discovery Tours

    Watch the experience now! | New Zealand, package tour Video. Home. Live. Reels. Shows. Explore. More. Home. Live. Reels. Shows. Explore. Discovery Tours - Wonders of New Zealand. Like. Comment. Share. 77 · 15 comments · 8K views. Gate 1 Travel · May 30, 2017 · Follow. Curious about what a Discovery Small Group tour to New Zealand is like ...

  8. Gate1 Tours New Zealand

    Find affordable and quality tours to New Zealand with Gate1 Travel, a leader in international travel for over 35 years. Choose from escorted tours, independent vacations, customized trips, and river cruises to explore the wonders of New Zealand.

  9. Discovery Tour of New Zealand

    Description:Gate 1 Travel offers affordable guided tours everywhere around the world.Follow the link below for more information about all of our New Zealand ...

  10. New Zealand

    A user asks for feedback on booking a 14 day trip to New Zealand with Gate 1 Travel. See the replies from other users and the link to the New Zealand forum.

  11. 13 Day New Zealand Walking Tour

    Gate 1 Travel has provided quality, affordable escorted tours, river cruises and vacation packages for 40 years. ... Holidays - New Zealand: Holidays 2024 Jan 1: New Year's Day Jan 2: Day after New Year's Day Jan 22: Anniversary Day (Wellington) Jan 29: Anniversary Day (Auckland/Northland) Feb 6: Waitangi Day Mar 29: Good Friday

  12. Tour of New Zealand and Australia with Airfare from Gate 1 Travel

    Spend an unforgettable 15 days in New Zealand and Australia as you travel through their rugged landscapes and their cities; airfare included. Get the Groupon App. ... Call Gate 1 Travel at (800) 682-3333 for pricing from any airport that isn't listed on the Groupon Getaways deal page. Note: All options priced per person, based on double ...

  13. Gate 1 Travel Reviews

    Gate 1 Travel is an amazing company. Gate 1 Travel is an amazing company. For starters, booking our trip to Ireland was easy, complete and priced reasonably. Next, our bus driver, Mark, a very kind gentleman, navigated all the twisty-turny roads like a master.

  14. Australia & New Zealand Tours on Sale

    Save up to $1100 per person on tours of Australia and New Zealand with Gate 1 Travel. Book by January 30, 2024 and use promotional codes to get discounts on flights and land packages.

  15. 14 Day Wonders of New Zealand by Gate 1 Travel

    Explore the best of New Zealand's North and South Islands on this small group tour with Gate 1 Travel. Enjoy scenic drives, cultural experiences, and natural wonders, from the Waitomo Caves to Milford Sound.

  16. 14 Day Australia & New Zealand by Gate 1 Travel

    Board your flight this morning for Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, known as the "City of Sails." Take a short walking tour of Auckland before checking in to the hotel. This evening, get together for dinner at the hotel Overnight: Auckland Meals: Breakfast, Dinner. DAY 14, Sunday - Depart New Zealand.

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

    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.

  18. Discovery Tours by Gate 1 Travel

    Gate 1 Travel has provided quality, affordable escorted tours, river cruises and vacation packages for more than 35 years. You'll find that same commitment to quality and value on our Discovery Tours. Sign Me Up! From $4599*. 13 Day Namibia, Naturally. From $5199*. 12 Day Life & Culture of South Korea. From $4099*.

  19. Gate 1 Travel

    Gate 1 Travel has provided quality, affordable escorted tours, river cruises and vacation packages for 40 years. We look forward to showing you More of the World for Less on your next vacation. From $2199*. 10 Day Portugal Tour Including Flights. From $1749*.

  20. 11 Day Classic Scandinavia by Gate 1 Travel

    Flights New York-Copenhagen, Bergen-New York Other departure cities available. ... 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. ... OnDay : 10 Price : $29 North Zealand Castle Tour ...

  21. More of the World For Less!

    Gate 1 Travel has provided quality, affordable escorted tours, river cruises and vacation packages for 40 years. We look forward to showing you More of the World for Less on your next vacation.

  22. South Pacific

    Our Tour Director, Richard, is an outstanding, professional, knowledgeable, organized, and empathetic person. Richard's organization of information and knowledge of New Zealand made the trip easy and interesting. If Gate 1 has a rating system Richard is 100% and an outstanding ambassador for Gate 1 travel.