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- Newsletter 346: World Pride Amsterdam Cruise, Gay Wine Weekend + Beginner's Guide to the Leather Community & More
Newsletter 346: World Pride Amsterdam Cruise, Gay Wine Weekend + Beginner's Guide to the Leather Community & More

Get Some Canal Action at World Pride Amsterdam with VIVA Cruises
World Pride Amsterdam is going to be huge — gloriously busy, joyfully chaotic, but famously hard to navigate once the crowds arrive. So VIVA Cruises had a smarter idea: don’t just attend Pride, stay inside it. From July 29 - August 5, 2026, their eight-day LGBTQ+ sailing keeps you at the centre of the celebrations within a floating boutique hotel right up in the canal action steps from the Canal Parade, parties and cultural buzz.
What’s more they are combining it with a journey through the most gorgeous riverside towns in the Netherlands. You board in Düsseldorf, glide through Rotterdam’s striking modern waterfront, then dock in Amsterdam for three nights at Pride’s peak. When the glitter settles, the journey continues to Antwerp’s grand squares and café culture and Nijmegen’s relaxed historic charm before returning to Düsseldorf.
Onboard, VIVA ONE is effortlessly all-inclusive: generous dining, drinks throughout, spa, sun deck, entertainment and convivial lounges. Stylish cabins — from smart staterooms to balcony suites — include minibars (because at Pride it’s never too early). Shore excursions, Amsterdam transport, gratuities and themed Pride events are all covered. Inclusivity, community spirit and fun are at the heart of VIVA Cruises. So, go and get on board with the event of the year!
SPONSORED BY VIVA CRUISES
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Are you (or someone you know) planning to visit Paris in the next 12 months?Vote now to shape your travel content—and leave a comment if you’d like help connecting with a trusted tour partner in Paris. |
Sail More, Save More with Bare NaviGAYtors Rewards. Turn every sailing adventure into bigger rewards. Bare Waves Sailing has launched its one and only frequent-sailor program - Bare NaviGAYtors: earn Bare Miles that unlock up to 50% off future trips. Climb the tiers, save more, and refer friends to stack even more discounts. JOIN HERE and start earning with your first European summer trip this year in the Greek Cyclades (Santorini). |

Pour Decisions Encouraged: Gay Wine Weekend Is Back
Wine, drag, more wine, T-dances, dinners, pool parties, concerts—did we mention wine? Gay Wine Weekend is back, baby, and after 15 years, this year it’s heading back to where it all started, Sonoma Valley in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country
Reserve your space for the weekend of July 17-19, 2026, and treat yourself to a weekend of epicurean delights for the LGBTQ+ community. You’ll indulge in world-class tastings at premier wineries, savor fabulous farm-to-table dinners, attend a drag brunch meets wine auction, dance like it’s 1999 at the signature event of the weekend, the Twilight T-party, before topping up your glass one last time at the closing pool party soirée. Those staying through Sunday night will also see talented singer/spoken word artist Mary Lambert post-pool party. What’s more you can curate your Gay Wine Weekend experience to suit your palate with a range of passes available, from VIP all-access packages that unlock exclusive receptions, tastings, and priority entry to individual event tickets that let you choose your favorite moments.
Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or simply love a great glass shared in great LGBTQ+ company, you need to be there. At Gay Wine Weekend, your glass is never half empty—it’s always full. And cheers to that!
SPONSORED BY GAY WINE WEEKEND
Book Now for Our Danube Cruise! Central Europe is one of the world’s most underrated regions and best seen at the riverside. Join us August 22-29, 2027, for a 7-night all-inclusive Danube cruise from Budapest to Esztergom, Linz, Bratislava, and Vienna —all with gourmet dining, an open bar, a rooftop pool, and great company. DEADLINE! Must book by April 27, 2026. HOP ABOARD |

Bad Tourists to the Bone in Barcelona & Sitges 2026
Calling all gays for our 2026 7 Days in Spain group trip! After the successes of the last four years, from May 13-19, 2026, we’re heading back to Barcelona & Sitges for the fifth time. Barcelona is a stunning city beautifully sandwiched between mountains and sea - with all year-round sunshine, hunk-filled beaches, instantly recognizable monuments with stunning architecture (like Gaudi's Sagrada Familia cathedral), vibrant gay nightlife within areas such as Eixample (or Gaixample as the locals call it) and fabulous restaurants serving delicious tapas realness. On our trip we’ll see all this and more on a dynamic range of tours. Then there’s Sitges, the seaside town with a lot of personality, where the gays go to unwind. Together we’ll explore its restaurant/bar filled cobblestone streets, seafront promenade and gorgeous beaches – including a cheeky nudist one! O and they’ll be wine, lots of wine.
SPECIAL OFFER! - ONLY 1 ROOM LEFT
For friends & couples: book a double room and save $100 per person.
For solos: book a private room and pay just a $200 single supplement.
LAST CHANCE! We’ve been able to extend bookings for a couple more weeks. Bookings close on March 30. Reserve your spot today!
All Aboard for Europe in 2026. Our gay group trips are for everyone—single, couple, throuple, or grouple! Join us June 21-28, 2026, for our Med cruise from Barcelona to Rome, Tuscany, and Ibiza with group dinners, shore excursions, and more across three European countries. SPECIAL OFFER! Solo travelers pay just $2,065 for a private cabin. Hurry, bookings close on April 30! ALL ABOARD |

Leather Culture 101 - A Beginner's Guide to Gay Leather & BDSM Communities with Mister Leather Spain
Kink has been a fundamental part of gay culture from the very beginning. After all, sexual preferences aren’t exactly something gay men have ever shied away from expressing among each other. And now, what was once coded, underground, and forced into the shadows is visible, celebrated, and fully reclaimed! We take a look at the history of the scene and talk to Mister Int. Leather & Boots Spain to find out just how much heart beats beneath the hide—and why, for many, the leather scene isn’t about what you wear or do, but about being part of a chosen brotherhood.
From Athens to Barcelona. Join us on our gay group cruise from October 4-11, 2026, voyaging all the way from Athens to Barcelona with stops in Mykonos, Sicily, the Amalfi Coast, and Rome. Enjoy themed parties, group dinners, shore excursions, and more! SPECIAL OFFER! Solo travelers pay just $2,240 for a private cabin. Only 3 cabins left. BOOK NOW |

Chueca, Tapas & Pride Vibes in Madrid
Four restaurants, seven tapas, four drinks, three hours…that’s the score for our Madrid LGBTQ Tapas Tour—now with extra sparkle for Pride! Join our local LGBTQ+ guide and passionate foodie for an exploration of the best places to eat in Madrid’s iconic gayborhood, Chueca, at the height of Madrid Pride Week from June 29 - July 2, 2026. With daily departures throughout the celebrations, it’s the perfect way to experience buzzing tabernas, lively markets, and the neighborhood’s unforgettable festive atmosphere. Along the way, you’ll dive into Spanish food and drink while uncovering Chueca’s rich LGBTQ+ history. May your stomach be ever full, your glass never empty, and your Pride spirit soaring.
Andalucía Adventure with Two Bad Tourists. Flamenco, tapas, Moorish palaces, mosques that are also cathedrals, nights out in Spanish gayborhoods, and more! Join us from November 11-19, 2026, for a 9-day gay group trip through Southern Spain—from Madrid to Seville, Córdoba, and Granada. BOOK NOW |
Are you or someone you know planning to visit Amsterdam in the next 12 months?Take our poll and help us customize your travel content & experience. |
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