conxGuide: Olivia

North America's leading lesbian travel company

Who Goes On Olivia Trips?	Almost exclusively women. Although Olivia doesn't promote it, gay men are welcome on the understanding that they are on a lesbian vacation. The majority of guests are couples but, depending on the trip, there usually a large contingent of single women too.
Types of Trips Offered	Cruises, usually with a strong music and/or activity focus. Activity intensive resort vacations Luxury touring vacations to less-travelled destinations Weekend break holidays, usually event related.
Destinations	Cruises: Mexico, Caribbean, Europe, Alaska Resorts: Mexico, Caribbean
Best Known For	Trips featuring top notch entertainers and celebrities
Travelling Solo	Olivia will match travellers looking to share with other solo guests on their cruises and resort vacations. If you prefer not to share, a single supplement will apply. For cruises the total cost of a single traveller is typically twice the "double occupancy" rate. Single supplements on resort vacations are about 50% of the "double occupancy" rate
Price Range	Prices range widely, depending on the destination and type of trip. Cruises range from $1,000 to $15,000, resorts from $1,500 to $4,000 and tours from $7,000 to $10,000. Almost all trips have "early bird" pricing that be as much as 25% less than the regular price. Port charges, gratuities and other fees are additional for cruises and can range from $200 to $500 depending on the itinerary. All prices are in US dollars.

In The Company of Women

Olivia has a well-deserved reputation for delivering excellent vacations. The company has its roots in the women's music industry and that heritage of fostering women entertainers is refelcted in almost every trip they offer. This year Olivia is celebrating its 35th anniversary and is presenting an impressively wide range of vacation options for lesbians.

Unfortunately, most Olivia holidays aren't cheap. But almost every woman who has been on an Olivia trip has said it was well worth the price. And if you book early enough you can get the least expensive cabin or room categories and benefit from the Early Bird pricing that can save you up to 25%.

Cruises

	Cruise for Our Cause Caribbean March 30 - April 6, 2008 Enjoy musical guests Heart or get in a bidding war to purchase Melissa Etheridge’s guitar. All the fun and fundraising is benefs the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation. Chastity Bono will join in as a guest speaker and celebrity auction co-chair. Contribute, chill, and live it up in this incomparable Caribbean setting.

	Discovering Provence and Burgundy I July 1 - 8, 2008 Breathe in the sensual aromas of the French countryside of Provence and Burgundy on a river cruise that will tantalize your taste buds and titillate your palate. Experience the rich history and exquisite wines of the world-renowned Beaujolais region. Take in the charm of Romanesque Viviers, and the mystical "Palace" in Avignon, the "City of Popes."

	Discovering Provence and Burgundy II July 8 - 15, 2008 Breathe in the sensual aromas of the French countryside of Provence and Burgundy on a river cruise that will tantalize your taste buds and titillate your palate. Experience the rich history and exquisite wines of the world-renowned Beaujolais region. Take in the charm of Romanesque Viviers, and the mystical "Palace" in Avignon, the "City of Popes."

	Cruising the Romantic Danube July 27 - August 3, 2008 Come waltz on the Danube with the women of Olivia. Experience the romance of Medieval Europe with a 7-day cruise on the Danube River and understand why Strauss immortalized this enchanting river in his famous Blue Danube waltz.

	Cruising the Romantic Danube II August 3 - 10, 2008 Come waltz on the Danube with the women of Olivia. Experience the romance of Medieval Europe with a 7-day cruise on the Danube River and understand why Strauss immortalized this enchanting river in his famous Blue Danube waltz.

	Music and Sports Mexican Riviera October 4 - 11, 2008 Join Olivia in the beautiful Mexican Riviera as they celebrate the women in music who inspire us and recognize athletes who have significantly elevated sports for women.

	Amazing Galapagos Adventure November 15 - 24 , 2008 Discover the origin of Darwin's inspiration with the women of Olivia. Journey to the land of unrivaled beauty that set Charles Darwin's imagination aflame and changed the course of science forever.

	Amazing Galapagos Adventure II November 22 - December 1 Discover the origin of Darwin's inspiration with the women of Olivia. Journey to the land of unrivaled beauty that set Charles Darwin's imagination aflame and changed the course of science forever.

	35th Birthday Bash Caribbean November 23 - 30, 2008 This is Olivia's biggest celebration ever! Join in as Olivia finishes off celebrating 35 years of courage, inspiration, community, music, experience, adventure, and most importantly, 35 years of YOU! Just imagine the Biggest Lesbian Celebration—then multiply it by 100!

	Smooth Sailing Barbados January 18 - 25, 2009 Sail on this breath-taking boat through the turquoise waters and become enchated by the emerald hills of Barbados.

	Caribbean FUNRaiser March 1 - 8, 2009 The first of only two Olivia cruises in 2009, sail the beautiful Caribbean and do some FUNraising while you’re at it! Don't miss the endless activities or the onboard auction featuring items generously donated by your favorite lesbian icons, and more!

	Sapphire Seas of Tahiti Boutique Cruise March 14 - 21, 2009 Experience the beauty of paradise in Tahiti. Come away with the women of Olivia to the romantic islands of French Polynesia aboard the luxurious Paul Gauguin, named "Best Luxury Cruise Line" in Travel Weekly's Readers' Choice Awards 2005.

	Tulips & Chocolate, Rhine Riverboat Cruise April 12 - 19, 2009 Take in the beauty of medieval Europe as you sail the breathtaking Rhine River from Amsterdam to Basel. You'll cruise aboard an Avalon riverboat, known for its luxurious accommodations, over-the-top amenities, and all-inclusive excursions.

Resorts

	Indie Fest 1 - Viva Cancun May 3 -10 , 2008 Join the women of Olivia in the first ever "Indie Fest 1" music, comedy and film festival. Get a look at who and what is up-and-coming in the lesbian entertainment community as Olivia showcases some of the hottest independent and rising artists around.

	Indie Fest 2 - Viva Cancun May 10 - 17, 2008 Join the women of Olivia at "Indie Fest" week 2, a new week and a new lineup of emerging artists and your favorite Olivia stars at this brand new, all-inclusive resort in Cancun.

	Laugh Out Loud! Turks Resort October 25 - November 1, 2008 Come out and celebrate with Olivia's Laugh Out Loud comedy extravaganza! Olivia welcomes you to this all-new, all-inclusive, all-out laugh fest at the stunning Club Med Turkoise in the Turks & Caicos Islands.

	Laugh Out Loud! Turks Resort II November 1 - 8, 2008 Olivia has added a second week—take your pick or stay for both! Olivia welcomes you to this all-new, all-inclusive, all-out laugh fest at the stunning Club Med Turkoise in the Turks & Caicos Islands.

	Indie Fest Ixtapa January 25 - February 1, 2009 If you dig beaches, deep blue waters, pool-side indie entertainment and all the umbrella drinks you can handle, then Indie Fest Ixtapa is the place to be! Join in atthe newly-renovated, all-inclusive Ixtapa Pacific resort for the second annual Olivia Indie Fest!

	Columbus Isle Paradise Resort May 2 - 9, 2009 If you’re looking for a private oasis with all the amenities, then welcome to heaven! In fact, you’ll be pampered at this all-inclusive island retreat where food, drinks (yes, even cocktails) and most activities are yours to enjoy at no additional cost.

Ultimate Escapes

	Adventure Down Under October 4 - 14, 2008 Take an ultimate adventure with the women of Olivia to the land of Aussies and Kiwis. Exotic, remote, and half a world away, Australia and New Zealand are filled with unexpected plants and animals, a rich indigenous culture, and that infectious down-under spirit.