As a company, we don’t believe that behaving like rock stars trashing a hotel room is the most enlightened way to see the world. The planet is a fragile place, and travelers (and travel companies) who treat foreign destinations and communities like they’re there to be used and abused leave a lot to be desired.…
[Neuschwanstein Castle] “Why the hell would I want to go to Germany and Austria in December?” Two words: Christmas Markets. Europe during the holiday season is an absolutely magical place. You’ll wanna take that dollar store tiara with you, because you’ll feel like you’re in a fairy tale. Between the festively decorated city streets (Europeans…
You be the judge: It’s the largest gay pride in Europe, with roughly 1.5 million (In fact, Madrid hosted WorldPride in 2017.) There are theme parties at all the city’s best venues. (And these are some fairly fantastic venues.) They host Mr. Gay Spain. Madrid (Spain’s capital, for those who flunked geography) has a vibrant…
Warning: you’ll wanna stuff one in your man bag. Spending time with the families of gorillas in Rwanda is an otherworldly experience. You’ll absolutely fall in love with these furry creatures as they eat and play and behave for all the world like humans who haven’t quite boned up on their social conventions. (They may…
Budapest is home to some of the grandest working bathhouses in the world. Of course, these aren’t “wander around in a towel looking for love” bathhouses – they’re “take a soak in healing mineral waters and people-watch” bathhouses. With that said – ain’t nothin’ wrong with people-watching some hot dudes! Budapest was named the “spa…
Going on safari in Tanzania is like driving a jeep through the world’s most heavily populated zoo. Except there are no walls or glass enclosures or churro stands. In some countries within Africa, there can be great viewing of a particular species or two – say, elephants and rhinos – but in Tanzania’s Serengeti, there…
Terraced vineyards on mountainsides. Moorish alleyways. Portuguese guys who look like they just stepped out of a Dolce & Gabbana underwear ad. It’s kinda hard not to love Portugal. Between the scenery – which includes some of the most breathtaking vistas in Europe – and the culture of wine and music, there’s something for every…
Toddlers vomiting into the aisle. A guy watching bondage porn on his laptop next to you. Sitting bolt upright for 12 hours like a Guantanamo Bay interrogation suspect. These are the joys of an international flight in coach. Who wouldn’t want to escape the hoi polloi and travel in comfort up front? The trouble is,…
When most of us think of Europe, we picture frescoes, ruins and hot guys with accents. So, who knew you could get a dose of incredible nature on the Danube? Most people take Danube cruises because of the sophisticated, world-class cities that line the river, like Vienna and Budapest. But there’s another great reason: just…
At nearly 4 million square feet, Bucharest’s Parliament is the largest and most expensive government building in the world, and a testament to the ego and excess of the Communist regime of Nicholae Ceausescu. ‘Cause nothing says “one for all and all for one” like a $4 billion palace. As you know if you’ve visited…
Everyone has this perception that taking a transatlantic flight on a low-cost carrier means wrapping your legs around your ears and dodging chickens running up and down the aisle (and not the good kind of chicken). I did, too. And then I took Norwegian Air to Europe. I booked this carrier because: Friends had taken…
Who doesn’t love Italian men sightseeing? Naples, on the southern coast, is the gateway to some of Italy’s best, with the world-class historical site of Pompeii and the jet-set island of Capri just a few minutes away. If you’re taking Brand g’s Pearls of the Adriatic cruise in September, we’ll be visiting Naples. And if…
My Wish List: Win the Powerball and go into the Witness Protection Program Accidentally walk in on Channing Tatum taking a shower Go on an African safari Somehow, the third one seems the most attainable. But to be honest, I was never sure what – outside of seeing and photographing big game – an African…
The Vietnam War. Bombings. Airlifts. Not exactly the kind of mental images that make you think, “Fabulous vacation!” But America’s venture in anti-communism ended 45 years ago, and a LOT has since changed in southeast Asia. Today, Vietnam and Cambodia are booming. [Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon] These two beautiful countries both still…
Dear Brand g friends and supporters: Tis the season to reflect on what we are thankful for. Having just completed our second Mekong River Cruise of 2017, we wanted to share a story of giving that is far from over. Earlier this year, and again last month, we had the privilege of visiting a school…
Game of Thrones is one of the (physically) largest TV productions in history. And its fan base borders on hysterical is wildly enthusiastic. Although Dubrovnik was already one of the top destinations in the Mediterranean, more than 250,000 tourists have flocked to the city solely because it serves as the set for multiple GOT locations.…
Taking your first river cruise tends to be a rite of passage for gay travelers. Most people’s first all-gay vacation is an ocean cruise, which can be a lot of fun; but because of the size of ocean vessels (3,000-6,000 passengers these days), you eventually tire of waiting in lines like a Communist waiting…
Most of us couldn’t even point out Nepal and Bhutan on a map. But these compact little countries that sit high in the Himalayas (and run along India’s northern border) are voted tops with travelers for their incredible historical sights and extravagant natural beauty. Best of all, given these countries’ remote location, there are still…
Americans generally think of Machu Picchu as one of two things. Either: A crazy Incan Disneyland with barefoot costume characters dressed as monks Or A sacred site that rewards the people who endure the nosebleed altitude with mystical enlightenment and Bewitched-like powers Regardless of your spiritual or secular view of the place, it really…
The Amazon is a lot more than creepy crawlies and humidity. It’s incredibly lush, it features a staggering amount of wildlife (monkeys, jaguars, dolphins, macaws, etc), and most importantly – since we are gay, after all – you can travel there in luxury. ‘Cause let’s face it, it’s a lot more fun watching wild apes…
Many people think India isn’t much more than the Taj Mahal and poor people selling Chiclets. But this country of 35 UNESCO World Heritage sites (the U.S., by comparison, has 23), is a continent of extraordinary sightseeing. And thanks to an amazing exchange rate, you can see it all in 5-star luxury, for prices comparable…
When people think of Africa, their minds inevitably go to safaris – which are, of course, one of the ultimate bucket list experiences, right up there with skydiving and making out with Ryan Gosling. But sadly, a safari is all many people go to Africa for. Getting there from the U.S. requires about 24 hours…
Europe, with its many small countries strung together, is like a giant theme park – chock full of E-ticket attractions in some of the most picturesque cities on the planet. And the cities lining the Danube are among the most spectacular of all. You won’t find many costume characters or churro booths, but they’ll wow…
Ever wondered how a company like Brand g chooses which cruise lines to charter, and which ships within that line? Not all cruise lines are alike. Trust us. Some look at gay charters as nothing more than a liquor bonanza. They figure they’ll hire a hot bartender and get some extra wheelbarrows for the cash,…