Each month we will take a look at getaways for those looking for unique LGBT vacations for interliners. This month we look at river cruising in Europe. River cruising is the perfect way to experience the heart of Europe. Couples will find river cruising offers the chance to experience the wines of the region along with excellent shopping and historic tours. River cruises in Europe are perfect vacations for couples wanting to get away and enjoy time together and come home with experiences and memories you can share with your friends. You can even find some river cruises that are LGBTQ charters only, but really any river cruise in Europe you will make you and your partner feel right at home. 
Here is just one example of what awaits you on a European River cruise.
Relax on an 11 night river cruise from Budapest to Prague. Eastern Europe is full of fascinating history and like most European river cruises the packages can include 2 nights pre or post for your cruise. Pre and post hotel packages on European river cruises are highly recommended. Go in ahead of time and get use to the new time zone and experience the local culture. See the sights, dine, shop and relax before boarding your luxurious floating hotel or your flight home at the end of your river cruise.
On our Budapest to Prague river cruise, go in a couple of days ahead of time to experience Budapest. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is Eastern Europe’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan city. Seven bridges connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left bank. The massive hilltop castle complex with Fisherman’s Bastion and the Matthias Church are just come of the impressive sights you’ll see on a tour of Budapest.
The LGBTQ community in Budapest has witnessed great improvements to their social status becoing rather open, as opposed to the past’s secrecy. The annual Gay Pride Festival, held in July 6 this year, has taken place every year since 1993, with a street march and various parties afterwards. In 2013 Gay Pride is officially celebrated from Jun. 30 to Jul. 7, The week-long Budapest Pride Film and Cultural Festival offers theater performances, film screenings, discussions, concerts, parties, and more. For more info check out http://2012.budapestpride.hu/en
There are about a dozen bars and clubs in Budapest that are visited mostly by gay people, and there are special saunas, clubs and even places to stay that specialize in gay travel. The Hungarian Parliament has passed a law in 2007 that allows gays and lesbians to live together in a “registered relationship”.
LGBTQ bars:
- Action Bar, V. Magyar utca 42. – Cruising for men only – www.action.gay.hu
- CoXx, VII. Dohány utca 38. – Cruising bar for men only with special parties – www.coxx.hu
- Habroló Bisztró, V. Szép u. 1/b. – Nice and tiny place – www.habrolo.hu
- Why Not, V. Belgrád rakpart 3-4. – A very pleasant place at the bank of the Danube. More gay visitors in the evening
- Mystery Bar, V. Nagysándor József utca 3. – Medium size, friendly place with Internet facility, which is suitable for providing information for foreigners
Clubbing
- Capella Café, V. Belgrád rkp. 23. – Disco with two dancefloors. Not gay, but with drag shows – www.capellacafe.hu
- Alterego bar&lounge, VI.ker Dessewffy u. 33. – the most exclusive and exciting gay club with a transvestite and live show in Budapest. The club is visited by the hottest gay crowd from Wednesday to Saturday – www.alteregoclub.hu
LGBTQ friendly restaurants and cafés:
- Eklektika, V. Nagymező utca 30. – The unofficial lesbian café of Budapest, also popular with gay men
- Amstel River Cafe, V. Párisi utca 6. – Dutch-style café and restaurant in Dutch ownership
- Club 93 Pizzéria, VIII. Vas utca 2. – One of the oldest “gay” restaurants with plenty of pizza and pasta
- Macskakő Cafe, I. Fiáth János utca 8. – www.macskako.com
So after a couple of days in Budapest board your ship, where you’ll savor your luxury stateroom as you prepare to sail Eastern Europe’s waterways.
After boarding sail to Vienna, the “City of Music,” for your overnight stay which allows ample time for dinner, a concert and the fabulous night life of this magnificent city. Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Austria’s capital has much to offer: lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral just to name a few of the sights you will enjoy during your city tour. Shop in the Karntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café.
The cruise then continues to Durnstein, located in the heart of the magnificent Wachau wine region and known for the baroque Stiftskirche with its blue facade. Above town are the ruins of the castle where England’s King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. Next, travel up river to Melk, where the magnificent Benedictine Abbey dominates the town from its commanding hill site and is one of Europe’s largest monasteries.
A morning stop in Linz, Austria affords an optional full-day excursion to Salzburg to take in the popular “The Sound of Music” sights. Or, enjoy the day onboard as the ship navigates further up river to Passau, Germany. Ideally situated at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz, and Danube; Passau is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets where St. Stephen’s Cathedral houses the world’s largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes.
Awake the following morning to one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities – Regensburg, whose architectural highlights include the Old Town Hall and Porta Pretoria – gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Before dinner, enjoy some of Germany’s famous beers. The next day on the river brings you through the Main-Danube Canal to Nuremberg, which has been restored to its original style after suffering extensive damage during WWII. Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous gothic churches and elegant patrician houses. Nuremberg’s traditions include its famous Lebkuchen, toy making, and metal working.
Continue into Eastern Europe with transfer from Nuremburg to Prague, Czech Republic, where you’ll spend two nights in say the upscale Prague Marriott Hotel. Prague is a 1,000-year-old city preserved in time. See its best-known treasures, such as the Old Town’s Astronomical Clock, once the envy of all of Europe; Hradcany Castle grounds, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Charles Bridge. Browse the shops for hand-cut crystal or art books, mix with the locals in Wenceslaus Square or stroll along the Vltava River.
Whether you’re looking to explore the great museums of Prague, listen to an opera where it was written, or just take in the beautiful scenery from the privacy of your own stateroom.
Prague Pride is held annually and in 2013 the dates run from Aug. 12 to 18 with more than 25,000 visitors attending. Held at various attractive locations in the Czech capital, this 7 days event is filled with entertainment, debates, concerts, exhibitions, theatre and more. For more information check out www.praguepride.com
As you can see regardless of sexual orientation, a European river cruise is a wonderful vacation. We hope we have provided viable information for you to locate a wonderful community to enjoy your experince to the fullest.
Interline rates are available on river cruises from Portugal to France, Germany, Eastern Europe and even SE Asia and China! Contact the author for more information on those and other LGBTQ vacation options for interliners.
Interested in learning more about this or other vacation options for LGBTQ interliners, contact www.interlinetravel.com or by phone at 800 766-2911.
Are there any other oppertunities or festivals youve heard of that we missed? Feel free to comment below to let us know!