River cruises have long been more than just an elegant way to see Europe – they have become a complete platform for lifestyle, culture, and human connection. Now, a new type of vacation is joining the genre, aiming to take the experience one step further: Combining luxury cruising with a tight-knit community, offering dedicated programs and a distinctly social atmosphere.
The “Gordon Tourism” group, specializing in European river cruises, is launching its first collaboration with the “Gimelim” community – Israel’s largest lifestyle community for divorced men and women – with a new cruise package called MIAMI-TLV River Retreat. This marks the first initiative in a long-term partnership, with additional travel packages planned both in Israel and abroad.
Waking Up in a Different City Every Morning
The first cruise under this collaboration will set sail next summer, from July 15–22, 2026, aboard a luxury river ship designed as a floating boutique hotel. The route passes through some of Central Europe’s classic and most beautiful stops: Passau, the Wachau Valley, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, and Melk – combining vibrant cities with peaceful, green riverscapes.
The concept will be familiar to fans of the genre: Wake up each morning in a new destination, disembark for guided shore excursions, enjoy free time for strolls, shopping, and entertainment – and return in the evening to gourmet meals and comfortable accommodations without repacking. But here, the organizers promise, the focus is not only on the destinations – it’s on the people.
Beyond the tourism aspect, the vacation has been intentionally designed around social connections and shared experiences. Throughout the week, participants will enjoy activities borrowed from the retreat and lifestyle worlds: Fitness sessions at sunrise and sunset, card workshops, personal development lectures in the “Through the Buddha” style, daily DJ parties on the ship or deck – and live performances by singer-songwriter Sahar Tuito.
The idea, according to the partners, is to create a space that allows for both freedom and escapism, as well as effortless human connection – one that naturally forms when a group travels, eats, and experiences the journey together.
A Cross-Continental Collaboration
Led by Sharon Weshler, the “Gimelim” community now operates globally, and the package launch is accompanied by marketing in both Israel and Miami. The goal: To create international encounters among community members and establish a format for dedicated vacations and cruises that will continue to develop.
According to Shiri Gordon, CEO of Gordon Tourism Group, the partnership was almost a natural fit: “River cruising is an excellent way to foster social bonding. The combination of maximum comfort, movement between fascinating destinations, and an intimate environment creates experiences that can only be found in the transition from river to land. The Gimelim community brings energy, openness, and a genuine desire for connection – which naturally aligns with what we do.”
On the community side, they emphasize that this is only the beginning. The shared vision includes building a series of high-quality products, offering a carefully curated vacation – one that doesn’t compromise on values of freedom, enjoyment, and human closeness.