Berlin and Amsterdam are two of the best cities on earth for gay travellers. Today Berlin is probably the queerest city in the world. It has a vast gay scene and very liberal attitudes towards sex in general. This was also true in the decadent Weimar Republic of the 1920s. It seemed as life truly was a cabaret at that time, but the rise of the Nazi party in 1933 brought the party to an end.
On this group trip you’ll learn about the fascinating histories of two great European cities, take a boat ride along Dutch canals, visit art museums and attend Berlin Pride.
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Group Trip Breakdown
Day 1: Berlin
We’ll take a bus ride around the city to get our bearings. Berlin is a wealthy, modern and liberal city but there are signs of its troubled past all around. The Reichstag is a reminder of the rise of Hitler, and the Soviet-era TV tower in Alexanderplatz calls to mind the era of Cold War gloom. But in spite of these symbols of Germany’s dark days, Berlin is one of the most fun cities you’ll ever visit.
Day 2: Berlin
In the morning we’ll go for a walking tour of Schöneberg. This neighbourhood is the setting of Christopher Isherwood’s famous Berlin novels that inspired the musical Cabaret. It’s also the birthplace of one of the great LGBT+ icons, Marlene Dietrich. We’ll visit the Gay Museum, the Jewish Museum and the Topography of Terror. In the evening we’ll have some time to decompress and enjoy the pleasures of Berlin’s nightlife.
Day 3: Berlin
It’s Berlin Pride today. We’ll explore the city’s art museums and experience one of Andrew Lear’s famous “gay secrets” tours. This will cover everything from Greek vases to homoerotic German art from the Victorian period. It’ll then be time to experience Berlin Pride. The festivities kick off at 2 pm and carry on well into the early hours. Feel free to experience as much or as little of what’s on offer as you like.
Day 4: Berlin
This morning we’ll head to Potsdam, a charming city associated with the bridge of spies and the Potsdam conference. We’ll visit the Sanssouci palace, Frederick the Great’s favourite residence. He was Germany’s Enlightenment monarch, and most likely gay. He male favourite, Baron von Steuben, had the distinction of training the American Revolutionary Army. We’ll have lunch in the beer garden and then head back to Berlin.
Day 6: Amsterdam
Our guide will take us around the Rijksmuseum, one of the best museums in Europe. We’ll learn about the steamy side of Dutch Golden Age art. After lunch in Vondelpark, we’ll take a city tour along the canal. Amsterdam is known as the “Venice of the North” for a reason. Evening at leisure.
Day 7: Amsterdam
Today we’ll visit the apartment where Anne Frank lived in hiding and wrote her famous diary. Then, we’ll head to Jordaan, Amsterdam’s artiest and gayest neighbourhood. In the afternoon you’re free to explore the city at your own pace. We’ll have a farewell dinner in the evening.
Day 8: Departure
Our tale of two cities ends today after breakfast. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight.
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Trip Highlights
- Gay history tours of Berlin and Amsterdam
- Experience Berlin Pride
- Walking tour of Berlin’s gayborhood
- German Gay Museum, Berlin Jewish Museum, Topography of Terror Museum
- Amsterdam canal tour
- Anne Frank house
- Explore Amsterdam’s red light district
- Our tour guide the revered Professor Andrew Lear
