Trip Operator:

Moselle & Rhine riverboat cruise featuring 2 pre-cruise nights in Brussels and ending in Amsterdam during Pride!

Brand g Vacations is proud to offer a unique river cruise experience unlike any you’ll find on the rivers of Europe today. With this all-LGBT+ full cruise charter on the Amadeus Queen, you will be pampered by a crew of forty in an atmosphere of total relaxation. We’ve created an itinerary that includes three countries; Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands.

Explore the undiscovered beauty of Europe as we begin in Brussels, the legendary center of European democracy, a beautiful capital full of history and tradition. Sail from beautiful Trier to Bernkastel, Cochem and Coblenz before reaching Bonn, Colon and Dusseldorf before disembarking in the metropolis that is Amsterdam.

Luxury Level: ***** Five Star       Activity Level: Low to Moderate       Guest Count: 160

Highlights

  • Explores Brussels the capital city of modern European democracy
  • Touring of the historic Belgium cities of Bruges and Ghent including lunch
  • See the ancient German health resort of Cochem situated in the Mosselle wine valley
  • Explore Koblenz one of the most beautiful cities in Germany
  • Visit the charming cultural city of Bonn
  • Walk the ancient gothic city of Cologne
  • See historical Dusseldorf
  • See the Amsterdam waterways and villages of Amsterdam as well as the city.

 

Inclusions

  • Guaranteed all-LGBT+ charter
  • Two nights in historic Brussels
  • Full day tour of Bruges and Ghent including lunch
  • Visit historic Liege for lunch en route to the cruise
  • 7 nights cruise accommodation
  • Daytime cruising through the Moselle and Rhine Rivers
  • Complimentary shore excursions offered daily including tours of Bonn, Colon and Dusseldorf *see difficulty levels in main itinerary.
  • Complimentary beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the cruise
  • Superb Dining: all meals included during your cruise
  • Complimentary shore excursions offered daily
  • Brand g signature entertainment
  • Arrival and Departure airport transfers in Brussels and Amsterdam

 

Entertainment

On a Brand g European river cruise, every night is opening night. Our cruises always include two featured acts (occasionally three) who provide nightly entertainment throughout the cruise.

Although the focus of our cruises is mainly on sightseeing and socializing, we do like to mix in a bit of frivolity as well. With that in mind, we’re planning a couple of themed deck parties during the cruise. If you should choose to participate great, if you’d rather just be a voyeur that is totally fine as well.

Steigenberger Wiltcher’s or Similar

Dates of Stay: July 28-30, 2023

Additional pre-program nights available upon request. Please contact us for availability and pricing.

Amadeus Queen

The Amadeus Queen is the 15th river cruise ship of the Austrian ship operator, Luftner Cruises. Similar to its predecessors, this ship continues with the company’s orientation to high quality river cruises in Europe.

The new ship offers 72 spacious deluxe cabins and 12 Amadeus suites in total. As on all ships built since 2011, the Amadeus Imperial cabins on the Mozart and Strauss decks also feature lowerable panoramic windows along the entire cabin width. All deluxe cabins and suites are equipped with comfortable, spacious bathrooms, an infotainment system, a flat screen television, a telephone, a cabin safe, a minibar and individually adjustable air conditioning. The suites also have an accessible outdoor balcony with a seating area.
Dates of Stay: July 30 – August 6, 2023

Arrive in Brussels and transfer to your host hotel. After settling in, meet your guide for a walking tour of this beautiful city.

Meet your fellow guests at welcome gathering in the early evening. (Welcome Reception)

Following an included breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a full day tour of Bruges and Gent, including lunch. (B, L )

Tour of  Bruges – Morning

This very interesting tour will take you right back to the Middle Ages. Bruges is one of the oldest towns of the province of Flanders. Enjoy the city walk visiting the church of “Our Lady” with its famous Michelangelo sculpture “Madonna and Child” , admire the picturesque medieval “Beguinage”, a beautiful hidden courtyard still inhabited by nuns. There is a surprise around every corner. The Bruges experience is most fulfilling and not to be missed. We will explore Bruges by foot and boat.

Walking Grade 2/5: Easy walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 4 hours

Ghent Walking Tour – Afternoon

Ghent is a city and a municipality in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is the capital and largest city of the East Flanders province, and the third largest in the country, exceeded in size only by Brussels and Antwerp. Much of the city’s medieval architecture remains intact and is remarkably well preserved and restored. Its center is a car free area. Highlights are the Saint Bavo Cathedral with the Ghent Altarpiece, the belfry, the Gravensteen castle, and the splendid architecture along the old Graslei harbor. The best way to discover this unique town is by walking around and having the city, the city life explained by your excellent guides.

Walking Grade 1/5: Very easy walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 4  hours

After an included breakfast board your luxury motor coach as we travel to Germany to board the Amadeus Queen via the “Fiery City” Leige, also known as Luik in the Flemish language. During our lunch stop in Leige you’ll also have free time to explore this city known for it’s cultural abundance and warm and festive atmosphere. (B, L, D)

Today we visit Bernkastel on the Middle Moselle – a well-known winegrowing center.  After a walking tour enjoy lunch onboard and a beautiful scenic sailing as we head to Cochem.  (B,L,D)

Tour Of Bernkastel- Morning

Enjoy a delightful walking tour of this state-recognized health resort, seat of the Verbandsgemeinde of Bernkastel-Kues and birthplace of one of the most famous German polymaths, the mediaeval churchman and philosopher Nikolaus von Kues.

Walking Grade 3/5: Moderate walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 3  hours

Overnight Cochem

This morning enjoy the magical city of Cochem along the beautiful Moselle wine valley, the harmonious triad of unique Moselle landscape, millennia-old wine culture and history makes Cochem a popular destination. Discover the town with its narrow, winding streets during a city tour. Next visit the Reichsburg castle with its imposing complex which dominates the area landscape due to its size and its location on a rugged rock high above the town.

As your ship sails towards Koblenz, enjoy the magnificence of the Moselle valley. (B, L, D)

Tour of Cochem

Enjoy a walking tour of arguably one of the prettiest towns in the entire country often describes as out of a fairy Tale. With a population of roughly 5,000, this small town is also one of the most pedestrian-friendly. Enjoy the impressive view from the castle of the Moselle valley with its dreamy mixed forests and vineyards, as well as the old town. Inside the castle you will find a collection of Renaissance and Baroque furniture, as well as other treasures, carefully collected by the Ravené family who owned the castle until 1978, when it was turned over to the town of Cochem, for all to enjoy.

Walking Grade 4/5: Moderate walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 3  hours

Overnight Koblenz

This Morning discover Koblenz, one of the most beautiful and oldest cities in Germany with more than 2,000 years of history. Afterwards we sail to Bonn  where you may disembark for a tour  of this beautiful city and return to the ship in Cologne in time for dinner or you may wish to have an evening of the ship exploring Cologne’s old town.

Tour of Koblenz – Morning

During a walking tour in the romantic side streets between the Basilica of St. Kastor and the Church of Our Lady, view the most important sights of Koblenz.  Continue your excursion by cable car, built for the International Garden Show, high above the Rhine to the impressively situated Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Ehrenbreitstein Fortress is the second largest preserved fortress in Europe. The fortress dates back to 1000 AD and evolved to its present form between 1817 and 1828. Today, the fortress houses the Koblenz State Museum with its diverse exhibitions including the history of the fortress, the Army Memorial and a youth hostel.

Walking Grade 4/5: Difficult walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 3  hours

Tour of Bonn – Afternoon

Enjoy the highlights of Bonn

Walking Grade 4/5: Difficult walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 3  hours

Overnight Cologne Arrive 5:30pm

The morning is dedicated to the fascinating cathedral city of Cologne, which has over a million inhabitants. You can expect a young, vibrant metropolis with a rich cultural history and world-famous sights, in particular the Cologne Cathedral. This afternoon enjoy a  3 hour scenic sailing during lunch as your ship sails for Dusseldorf. On arrival in Dusseldorf enjoy a tour of this vibrant modern city known as the a global business and financial hub and home to  some of the biggest fashion and trade fairs in the world. (B, L, D)

Tour of Cologne – Morning

Enjoy a walking tour  visiting the gothic old town as well as a tasting of the local Kölsch beer. Alternatively, if you have a love of chocolate, then a tour to the Chocolate Museum may be on your agenda for the day. During lunch, your  vessel departs from Cologne for an afternoon of cruising as we sail towards Dusseldorf.

Walking Grade 4/5: Moderate walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 4  hours

Overnight Dusseldorf

Enjoy the wonderful views that the Rhine river has to offer.  Noon depart for Amsterdam to arrive at 3am on the 5th   (B, L, D)

Tour of Dusseldorf -Morning

Enjoy a tour of this fascinating city.

Walking Grade 4/5: Moderate walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 4  hours

By breakfast you will have crossed yet another country border to arrive in the Dutch city of Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. There are many things to do in this vibrant canal city. After breakfast choose to explore the city by canal boat, or perhaps venture out to the town of Haarlem with its medieval character and gothic Cathedral, just a short drive away.

This afternoon offers the opportunity to  join the excursion through the Waterland to the pretty villages of Volendam and Edam and a tasting of delicious Dutch cheese. After dinner, enjoy a rousing Shanty Choir performance to end the evening. The vessel remains in Amsterdam overnight.  (B, L, D)

Excursions TBC

Overnight Amsterdam

Disembarkation

Today we disembark and Transfer to the Amsterdam airport or stay an additional day or two and experience one of Europe’s most fun city’s.

For those want to remain additional post hotel nights available upon request. (B)

Staterooms for this luxury cruise range from $7,499 Suites to $4,499 Cabins. Please contact us directly at alan@conciergetravel.cc or +17132530041 for real-time availability of spaces.

Enhance the Experience We have been booking with Concierge Travel for many years. They provide access to all of the Gay Travel products available and are able to provide advice on which type of travel or specific trips will meet our needs. Concierge team members often join us on the trip and provide a few little extras to enhance the experience. We would never consider using anyone else.

Joe and Keith Houston, TX

Joe and Keith