The best part of this story involves the fact that there is a Cruise with a very similar itinerary to the one I experienced that is scheduled for this coming July/August. So grab a cocktail, put your feet up and read my tale of castles, flowing beer and beautiful men as we cruise down the river to Amsterdam Gay Pride!
Working with GTO Travel out of Palm Springs, California, we start our European tour in the historical city of Munich, home of beer, bratwurst and boys. The city is a bustling hub of activity for tourism and business alike. If it’s sausages and beer you’re after, this is the place. The English Gardens is the large beer garden where you can sample beers of all kind, from light to dark, lager to ales. Cafes on every corner offer you a wide selection of german sausages for all tastes. If it’s afterdark entertainment you seek, there is a plethera of nightclubs for every gay lifestyle. However, if you’re still looking for some more of that German style sausage, then check out “Deutsche Eiche”, the largest sauna in Munich. There’s an adjacent hotel (same owners) for accomodations.
Want to shop? Be sure and check out the underground boutiques. And if you want an original Black Forest Cookoo Clock, the Fussgangerzone, or walking area, has some of the best prices in Germany.
Sightseeing in Munich is abundant with the cities diverse history throughout the centuries. The best sight to see however, is approximately an hour and a half away. “Neuschwannstein Castle” is a true delight to behold. It was the castle of Mad King Ludwig II and was the inspiration for Walt Disney’s “Cinderella’s Castle”. A forest painting of animals that can be seen in the Opera Hall of the castle was also the basis for “Bambi”. Many tour operators offer this excursion. DON’T MISS IT!
From Munich, we boarded our deluxe motorcoach to Nuremburg. There, we found our home away from home for the next week: The Viking Spirit, a moderate but comfortable river boat with accomodations for 148 passengers (which ensures that each passenger’s needs will be seen to by a well trained and courteous staff).
Cabins on the Viking Spirit were comfortable and bathrooms were more spacious then much larger ships I’ve been on. You could actually turn around in the shower! Once on board, a cocktail reception ensued, followed by a sumptious meal in the well appointed dining room. Since this was an all gay and chartered cruise, GTO Travel went out of their way to see to it that each guest was treated with the utmost respect and that they were happy with all arrangements on board. And for all you girls who need your entertainment fix, there was entertainment on board nightly. (The featured performers were guess who? Me! And of course the wonderfully talented and funny Paul J. Williams as well. I just love that boy!)
Our first stop during our week on the ship was Bamburg, a city built in the middle ages. It was, at one time, the center of the Holy Roman Empire. With its narrow cobblestone streets and charming old world buildings, you’ll want to make sure you have your camera ready at all times. (Bamburg is also the home of the world famous “smokey” beer, Rauchbier, by the way. I had to taste quite a bit of it to verify that it lived up to its name. Hiccup!)
For the real history buff, Mainz, our destination on day three was a real winner. We toured the Gutenburg Musuem, and found housed inside, the original printing presses and an original Gutenburg Bible. Another must see in Mainz is the 13th century cathedral of St. Stephen, which features stained-glass windows designed by Marc Chagall.
Gay PRIDE is coming!!!
As we exited the Main River for the Rheine, it was clear that we were all getting geared up for Amsterdam. Still, the scenery on the Rheine really takes your breath away, as you see castle after castle after castle - the most beautiful man-made creations that have stood the test of time. I sat outside on deck for hours at a time, just enjoying the view and clicking away with my camera .
Knowing we had one more stop before Amsterdam was also made more palatable by the fact that it was to be in what is probably the “gay-est” open and friendly city in Europe - Cologne. With roots dating back to Roman times, Cologne is also the home of the largest cathedral in all of Europe. The twin spires of the 14th century Dom Cathedral are beacons for miles, complete with flying buttresses, gargoyles, and stained glass windows (which were removed during WW II for safekeeping). Gay nightlife in this city is constant, with numerous clubs, baths, cafes and restaurants.
Amsterdam!
As we arrive in Amsterdam, the excitement and anticipation on board is electrifying. The openness of gay life and other “alternative” lifestyles in the Dutch capital is well-known throughout the world. The coffee houses here are not as one might expect. “Space cakes” and pot brownies can be purchased like a piece of cheesecake, and a cup of coffee can also be had. Enjoy to your hearts content, but BEWARE. DON’T TRY TO BRING ANY BACK TO THE U.S.! It’s just not worth the trouble.Clubbing in Amsterdam is as simple as walking out of one bar and directly into the next. Bar hopping means walking next door. The most popular bar seemed to be “The Cock Ring”, which, in honor of gay pride, held a contest in which participants were required to strip naked and reveal their most private parts. When asked to be on the panel of judges, I, of course, mustered up the courage to present myself in a most professional manner. After all, I wanted to make sure that the most talented and qualified individual won. Of course all those good intentions quickly went to the wayside after a series of shots of Schnapps.
I woke up (i.e., came to) the following morning to the strains of ABBA being played on someone’s boombox, and just in time to head off to the riverboat parade (aspirin in hand). As an added bonus on our cruise, GTO Travel offered us the unique opportunity of being in the parade itself. Participants could board a chartered boat that was part of the parade (and included an open bar with snacks). What an exhilirating experience to add to one’s memoirs. There was a bevy of beautiful boys everywhere you turned. And the turn-out to see this spectacle was staggering. Thousands of onlookers gawking, cheering and generally having a crazy good time. Of course, master tourist that I am, I could not limit myself to Gay Pride. I had to take in a myriad of other sites around town, including the Anne Frank house and Rembrandt Museum. A very solemn moment of my Amsterdam visit was the “Homo Monument,” which was built to honor those of us who lost their lives during the Holocaust. Everyone should include a trip to the “Homo Monument” in their visit to this amazing city.Denouement.
I have so many fond memories of the entire trip, that I was absolutely overjoyed and exhilirated when GTO Travel told me they were scheduling another Amsterdam Gay Pride Cruise for 2006. Best of all, they’ve asked me join them, and I hope you’ll choose to do the same. The itinerary begins with pre-cruise nights in Zurich, then on to Basil, where we will board the MS Swiss Pearl. (I must tell you, I was able to take a tour of this lovely ship when in Amsterdam this past year. With its handcarved teak and mahogany accents and world class menu, this ship and cruise will undoubtedly be even better than my last one!) Highlights along the way will include Strassburg, Heidelburg and the Moselle Valley, not to mention Cologne and of course.... AMSTERDAM GAY PRIDE! For more information about the 2006 Amsterdam Gay Pride sailing, visit the boys at www.GTOTravel.com. Hope to see you on board and I’ll meet you at the Cock Ring! CHEERS!
