Day 1 - Passau, Germany
Welcome to Passau and Transcend Evolve!
For guests not participating in Munich’s Gay Oktoberfest Optional Pre Cruise Extension Program, once you’ve cleared customs at either the Munich(MUC) Airport, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your floating boutique hotel, the Transcend Evolve docked in the heart of Passau (two hour drive).

For those that arrive at the ship by 11 am, we’ll visit the imposing Baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the mother church of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna which contains the largest cathedral organ in the world. We’ll attend a 30 minute performance of this incredible pipe organ followed by a brief afternoon visit to some of the most significant sites of Passau. The town is filled with charming little lanes and beautiful squares: Passau, the City of Three Rivers, boasts so much to discover in the way of art and architecture.

This evening, join your fellow travelers for a festive welcome reception and dinner followed by the first of several incredible performances onboard.

Day 2 - Linz, Austria / Ceský Krumlov, Czech Republic
This morning we dock at Linz, Austria, and following breakfast, we make our way to this fairy-tale town buried in the hills of the southern Czech Republic. With its delightfully cobbled Old Town, rare Baroque theater, and colorful castle, Ceský Krumlov feels lost in a time warp, so much so that the entire city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tucked into a hairpin bend in the Vltava River, it was a safe, choice spot for Celtic, then German, then Slavic tribes to settle. In the 16th century — the town’s Golden Age — Ceský Krumlov hosted artists, scientists, and alchemists from all over Europe.

We first visit the mighty castle of the Rožmberk family, who ran the city from this perch for three centuries, until about 1600. The interior of the castle gives a glimpse of the ultimate in Bohemian noble living through the ages.

The strikingly colorful round tower, featuring a 162-step climb to the top, was built to guard the medieval river crossing. Bear pits hold a family of European brown bears, as they have since the Rožmberks added these animals to their coat of arms in the 16th century (A must visit!). A 2,300-foot-long garden boasts a mix of French and English styles.

The castle’s highlight is the Baroque Theater, where guests of the noble family would go for evening entertainment. We’ll actually tour under the stage to see the wood-and-rope contraptions that enabled scenes to be scooted in and out within seconds while fireworks and smoke hid the action from the audience. Baroque theater was all about melodrama, created with lighting, perspective, and sound effects. Machines were used to simulate a horrifying wind, driving rainstorm, and menacing thunder. But the use of candles and pyrotechnics for special effects took their toll. Europe once had several hundred Baroque theaters, but most burned down. Ceský Krumlov’s theater is one of only two that survives, the other being in Stockholm.

We then head into the heart of the Old Town is the main square for lunch on our own. We will visit beautiful streets lined with a mix of Renaissance and Baroque homes (all built on 12th-century Gothic foundations). You’ll pass by the Lékárna, with a fine red Baroque facade on the lower corner of the square, which is still a pharmacy, as it has been since 1620. (McDonald’s tried three times to get a spot here but was turned away each time.) This afternoon visit the Puppet Museum at your leisure which features more than 200 movable creations and a model stage, where children(and grown men!) of any age can try their hand at pulling the strings on their favorite fairy tale. (Do I hear “High on a hill is a lonely goatherd…”? You are welcome for the earworm.)

Day 3 - Salzburg / Linz, Austria
This is likely to be one of the most memorable days of your life – how is that for setting expectations? We’ll head off for a brief drive to Linz’s railway station, where we’ll board the Majestic Imperator train for our journey to Salzburg. This literal palace on wheels will transport us back in time where we’ll enjoy a lovely breakfast as we make our way through the Austrian countryside, offering views of rolling hills, forests, and charming villages with distinctive architecture and charming facades. Upon arrival we begin a tour of the iconic movie “The Sound of Music”, the classic 1965 movie starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.

Set here in Salzburg in the years leading up to World War II, the movie follows Maria, a lively young woman who begins as a nun-in-training and ends up as the wife of naval officer Georg von Trapp and the stepmother to his seven children. (Meanwhile, the much more glamorous and flawlessly dressed Baroness von Schrader is sent packing to eventually become one of the fabulous Gabor sisters, but that’s another story for another day…) The film was adapted from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical (which was based on the memoir of the real Maria von Trapp) and features memorable songs such as “Do-Re-Mi,” “Edelweiss” “My Favorite Things, and “High on a hill is a Lonely Goatherd…” (There’s that earworm again!)

Even travelers who aren’t fans of the Academy Award-winning film will enjoy this day which includes some of the most beautiful parts of the Baroque city (a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the nearby mountain landscapes that served as backdrops for the movie. (Gurl… you know you want to spin around on that mountain!!!)

We’ll visit many of the places associated with the iconic film including the Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Leopoldskron Palace. We’ll have lunch at the incredible Schloss Hellbrunn, a 17th century estate alongside a reconstruction of the gazebo where Liesl von Trapp and Rolf the postman danced and sang “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”. We’ll continue on our Sound of Music tour learning along the way about the real Von Trapp family, we’ll also visit the grounds of the real Villa Trapp, the actual residence of the family. This afternoon we’ll once again board the Majestic Imperator for our return back to Linz and our floating hotel, Transcend Evolve. En route, we’ll enjoy a beautifully presented dinner onboard the train just as Kaiser Franz Joseph I would have. Both he and his wife Elisabeth (Sisi) loved to travel.

Train Deluxe - Majestic Imperator
Although the Austro-Hungarian Empire has vanished into the mists of time, this is a lovingly recreated replica of the Imperial Train. As you approach the Majestic Imperator Train de Luxe, the atmosphere of the past is redolent of romance and mystery. On boarding, one’s breath is taken away by the sumptuous elegance of a bygone era. The luxury carriages are based on the imperial train of the Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi). Surrounded by the splendour of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, one can absorb the magic of days gone by.

Sisi’s favourite colour was blue, which is used in the carriage named after her, whilst other carriages sport rich golds or deep greens, wood-carved Italian chairs and paintings of the Royal family. The ambiance created by these carriages during the day, turns into a romantic setting by night.

Day 4 - Sailing the Scenic Wachau Valley - Vienna Austria
This morning we’ll sail the Wachau Valley en route to Vienna. A scenic journey through this UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring terraced vineyards, picturesque towns, and ancient castles. Just 25 miles long, the Wachau Valley has been inhabited since prehistoric times, the rolling bends and access to fresh water too attractive to ignore for centuries. We’ll pass remnants of castles, churches and villages dating all the way back to the Dark Ages on this scenic stretch. People going about their daily business amidst one of the most beautiful regions in Europe. These are those towns that look the way we think all of idyllic Europe should look. Picture-perfect communities nearly hidden away by the mountains, with locals doing things not unlike they were done centuries ago. And that’s why ultimately UNESCO decided to add it to their list. Not just for the beauty, but for the cultural landscape. Seeing these beautiful towns and vineyards along the Wachau Valley can only be properly appreciated from the water which is a true highlight during our journey. As we sail, enjoy a fascinating afternoon talk by an expert on the gay history of Vienna. Vienna was an important city for progressive thinkers and researchers around sexuality in the late 19th century and the fun and interesting factoids definitely put color to our next stop along this journey!

This evening we arrive in Vienna as we enjoy our cocktail reception on deck with special entertainment. We then make our way to dinner onboard and enjoy the opportunity to disembark this evening to enjoy Vienna’s gay nightlife scene. Austria’s capital has a vibrant and active community and is often referred to as Austria’s “queer capital”. The city offers a variety of gay bars, clubs, and saunas, and it is considered a safe city for queer people. Join Metamorkid and Kelly Heelton, your hosts for this evening’s festive pub crawl to some of the most popular watering holes!

Day 5 - Vienna, Austria
The grand dame of the Danube, Vienna was the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and remains, to this day, the political and cultural center of Austria. Klimt painted here; Beethoven and Mozart composed here; Freud developed his theories here. It’s a treasure trove of splendid architecture, astonishing art collections, and inviting cafés—and today it is yours to explore.

We’ll head-off first on an expert-led architectural tour of Vienna, with a special stop at the Hotel Sacher, with a presentation and tasting of the iconic Sacher Torte. Following lunch on your own we then make a visit to The Spanish Riding School of Vienna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating from 1732, for a spectacular performance of the Lipizzaner Stallions. Continuing to explore the imperial flair of Vienna, we’ll visit the famous Schönbrunn Palace complex. Marvel at the massive Baroque building with its iconic yellow exteriors. Stroll hallways elaborately decorated with golden stucco, rich velvet, and stunning frescoes. This palace complex was the primary summer residence of the Habsburgs and features many testament to their history and extravagance.

After free time in the heart of the city, return to the Transcend Evolve for a festive Viennese inspired reception and dinner as we make our way to Budapest.

Day 6 - Budapest, Hungary
Following a relaxing morning onboard, we arrive at the iconic city of Budapest, known as the “Paris of the East” and we’ll dock very near the beautiful 19th-Century Chaine Bridge connecting the hilly Old Town of Buda with the flat but vibrant district of Pest. Following lunch onboard, we’ll start our tour at Heroes’ Square by the iconic Millennium Monument with statues featuring the Seven Chieftains of the Magyars and the Memorial Stone of Heroes. We’ll then continue to two of Europe’s most important synagogues at Dohány Street Synagogue and Rumbach Street Synagogue, as well as St Stephen’s Basilica, a neoclassical cathedral named for the first King of Hungary. Before returning to the ship for dinner, we’ll learn how Hungary has been home to a great number of accomplished musicians, including the famous Franz Liszt, who established a university for music in Budapest in 1875. To this day, the Franz Liszt Academy is still a world-famous conservatory, with degree programs in classical instruments, singing, conducting, and composing. Take a guided tour of the academy today, culminating in an orchestra performance by some of the current students.

Day 7 - Budapest, Hungary
Today we’ll show you how to snack around Budapest like a local, starting with a tram ride to the House of Parliament. Hop off the tram and take a short walk to your first treat: a coffee break at the First Strudel House of Pest. Energized by your cup of coffee, we’ll head to the Great Market Hall to sample some traditional Hungarian fare, such as salami, sausages, and cheese, while your local expert explains the intricacies of Hungarian cuisine. We then head off to Szechenyi Baths & Pool, a beloved Neo-Baroque spa complex that has been around for over a century. With 15 indoor pools, saunas, massage and facial facilities, and three outdoor pools featuring whirlpools and water jets, there’s plenty of relaxation to be had. The mineral-rich hot springs that feed the pools are believed to have therapeutic benefits, too. Our team will work with you earlier in the week to review and pre-book services for your convenience (spa services are at an additional cost).

This evening we enjoy our last night in Budapest in true gay style as top local drag entertainers host Drag Bingo aboard our ship, the Transcend Evolve followed by an incredible closing performance.

Day 8 - Budapest, Hungary
Following breakfast, we bid you farewell and provide airport transportation to the Budapest Airport (BUD) with memories of another remarkable gay cruise adventure!

Munich Gay Oktoberfest Extension

Start your adventure with a three-night stay at The Royal Bearvarian Hotel Munich, just minutes from the Glockenbachviertelm, Munich’s gay area. This vibrant district is known for its bars, clubs, restaurants, and cultural scene, making it a hub for the LGBTQIA+ community for both locals and visitors. The hotel is also just a very short drive from Oktoberfest (Theresienwiese).

Day 01 - Munich, Germany
After clearing customs, you’ll be greeted by our representative and enjoy a complimentary transfer to the The Royal Beavarian Hotel Munich, your home for the next three nights during this very festive time in Munich.

Upon arrival at the hotel, enjoy lunch on your own and explore Munich’s Old Town, which is within walking distance of the hotel. This evening, join us for our Welcome Reception in The Boilerman Bar & Library for a cocktail and an opportunity to mix and mingle with your fellow travelers.

Day 02 - Munich Gay Oktoberfest
Following a good night’s rest, we prepare for Munich’s legendary Oktoberfest today! So, plan to bring your lederhosen, dirndl, or even your best “Beer Maid fantasy” outfit, as we’ll have a contest today with some incredible prizes! There is also not a more festive time to visit Oktoberfest than Rosa Wiesn, or “Gay Sunday”! So, join our hostesses today, RuPaul’s Drag Race Germany Queens Kelly Heelton and Metamorkid, for the time of your life. Here you’ll enjoy your first three steins(1 liter each!) of beer with our compliments along with a tasty traditional German meal. Continue your Oktobearfest celebrations at many local gay bars into the evening hours.

Day 03 - Munich / Neuschwanstein / Oberammergau
This morning will be filled with colorful tales of King Ludwig II, considered to be one of the early gay icons. Before reaching Neuschwanstein Castle, we’ll learn about his fascinating life, loves, and ultimate demise. Completed in 1886, and often referred to as the 8th wonder of the world, the castle boasts opulent interiors adorned with intricate woodwork, vibrant frescoes, and majestic furnishings. The Throne Room, Singer’s Hall, and King’s Bedroom showcase the “Mad King’s” passion for art, music, and literature, offering glimpses into a bygone era of royal extravagance. Following our tour, we’ll make our way to the fairytale hamlet of Oberammergau. This small town nestled at the base of the Ammsergau Alps was struck by the bubonic plague in the early 1600’s and suffered many deaths as a result. Therefore, the townspeople swore that they would perform the iconic Passion Play every 10 years if they were spared further deaths. This tradition continues on still today. Enjoy lunch here on your own before we continue to our final stop, Linderhof Palace. Located in southwest Bavaria near the village of Ettal. It is the smallest of the three palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, but the only one completed during his life, and in which he lived most of the time since 1876. Constructed for him and him alone, a wish that is clearly reflected in the size of the rooms.

Ludwig II was a great admirer of the Sun King Louis XIV and longed for the return of French-style absolutism. His passion is reflected in the interior décor of Schloss Linderhof: Scenes from life in the palace of Versailles and portraits of French courtiers and mistresses adorn the ceilings and walls. The admiration he felt for Louis was also expressed by an unusual habit he picked up in his later years: While Ludwig ate alone, he often held civilised conversations with a table of imaginary guests from the French royal court, such as King Louis XIV or Madame Pompadour (Completely normal, right?).

We then make our way back to Munich, enjoy dinner on our own and prepare for our departure to Passau the next morning.

Day 04 - Munich / Passau, Germany
Following a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we’ll depart The Royal Bearvarian for a two hour drive to Passau, to embark our floating boutique hotel, the Transcend Evolve.