FlockFest Events has a Vienna Pride Cruise planned for June 11-18 for an unforgettable celebration of love, diversity, and acceptance.
Experience the magic of Pride surrounded by stunning views of Vienna's iconic landmarks while cruising along the Danube River. Prices are based on double occupancy and include gratuities, wine/beer with lunch and dinner, entertainment, cocktail parties, theme parties, and more. Single supplements are available as low as 30% additional. FlockFest booked the entire ship, and the itinerary is customized to spend more time in Vienna. The group is sailing on Amadeus Riva, which is the newest ship in the Amadeus River Cruise Line, with a maximum of 158 guests. There are two optional pre- and post-cruise tours for Prague and Budapest, respectively. Ticket prices start at $3,324 per person, for more information go to flockfestevents.org.
If you prefer fall colors to Pride colors, Brand g Vacations has also got a cruise on the Danube from Sept. 3-12. Sail aboard the Amadeus Nova, a luxurious ship that redefines modern river cruising, with the latest technologies, offering more luxury and space than ever before. Your LGBTQ, all-inclusive, guaranteed full-ship charter adventure begins with two days in Prague, one of Europe’s most beautiful and best-preserved cities. From Prague, you travel one of Europe’s most fabled rivers, the Danube. Your cruise journeys from picturesque Passau to Melk, Vienna, and Bratislava, and culminates in in the vibrant Hungarian city of Budapest, one of Europe’s hottest destinations.
From the time you land until you leave, nearly everything is included: two nights hotel accommodation in Prague including daily buffet breakfast, welcome reception in Prague, a half-day guided walking tour in Prague, transfer from the hotel in Prague to the ship, complimentary beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the cruise, all meals included during your cruise, complimentary shore excursions, entertainment, optional tour to Salzburg, Austria, two full days and nights in Vienna and airport transfers in Prague and Budapest. Cabins start at $6,599, go to brandgvacations.com for more information.
I haven’t forgotten about the ladies. Olivia has a cruise on Portugal’s Douro River from May 14-21. Like a blue ribbon, threading through the green Douro Valley, the River Douro carries you through some of Portugal’s most legendary landscapes. You’ll spend 8 days/7 nights on the Avalon Alegria, the newest addition to Avalon's award-winning fleet, and most everything is included, food, drinks, Wi-Fi, entertainment, and sight-seeing as well as gratuities.
Meaning “River of Gold,” the Douro River lives up to its name by revealing priceless gems along sloping vineyards and sleepy villages where rugged landscapes have been tamed for centuries to produce a bounty of wines and cuisine. Be swept away by Douro’s timeless treasures and traditions, family farms and fevered Fado music, and mouth-watering culinary creations in the world’s oldest demarcated wine region. Along the way, you’ll make stops in Porto, Entre Os Rios, Peso da Régua, Pocinho, Barca d’Alva/Salamanca, and Caldas de Aregos/Amarante. You’ll have a choice of three types of tours for each shore excursion experience. Classic tours guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. Discovery tours are inspiring and interactive activities that allow you to immerse yourself in each culture you explore. Active tours allow you to embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on-the-go such as a guided jogging tour in Amsterdam or biking and hiking. Two of Olivia’s favorite performers will entertain during the trip. Tickets start at $6,699 per person.
Editor’s note: Since writing this piece, the tour has been booked, but you can still sign up for the waitlist.
Who could resist a cruise of "Bearvarian" Christmas markets on the Rhine River? BearCruise.com invites you to enjoy the magical Christmas markets in Würzburg, Rothenburg, Bamberg, and Nuremberg, Germany alongside Santa’s little helper, Varla Jean Merman. Gay chef Todd Erickson has custom-curated menus for the event with incredible wine pairings and craft cocktails. There will also be hands-on cooking classes, cooking competitions, and more fun activities. Rates start at $3,499, based on double occupancy, and include all meals, drinks (open bar), Wi-Fi, excursions and entrance fees, airport transfers, and all taxes and gratuities. For more information, go to transcend-cruises.com/bearcruise.
