Highlights Of Northern Iceland – Globetrotter Girls

Northern Iceland - Dani After driving the Golden Circle with its geysers and stunning waterfalls, traversing southern Iceland with its glaciers and black sand beaches, and marveling at the Eastern fjords, I wasn’t sure if the north of Iceland could top what we’d seen so far. But of course it could – this was Iceland after all, where you have scenic vistas everywhere you look. Ultimately, the north was the part of the country that had the highest density of awe-inspiring sights, and I am glad that our self-driving Iceland itinerary included a detour of the Ring Road which brought us to the Myvatn Peninsula. Most of the places that I consider highlights of northern Iceland are located on this little peninsula – like the grand Godafoss waterfall, the furiously fuming geothermal fields of Hverir or the rock formations of Dimmuborgir.

By Dani – Full Story at Globetrotter Girls

Iceland Gay Travel Resources

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France's First Gay Carnival – Nomadic Boys

Lou Queernaval Lou QueernavalFeather boas…glitter…cray cray make up…sexy topless men… This is Lou Queernaval, France’s first gay carnival and part of the famous Nice Carnival. We spent 3 days dancing and partying through the streets of the city celebrating Lou Queernaval clad in our medieval outfits. The carnival originated in the Middle Ages as a festival authorised by the church, allowing anyone wearing a mask to safely ridicule those in power. Anyone without a mask got flogged with stockings filled with flour. This is the time of year when Christians go crazy with overindulgence, eat loads of meat, fatty foods and party like mad before the 40 days of fasting for Lent begins.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Southeastern France Gay Travel Resources

Other Gay Travel Events

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Franschhoek Boutique Hotel – Featured Gay Friendly Accommodations

Franschhoek Boutique Hotel Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: Franschhoek boutique hotel at the base of the Franschhoek mountains is an eclectic mix of old world sophistication and contemporary design. Often said “home is where the heart is”, we have offered our souls to create a destination you will covetedly call home. Our hotel offers high end hotel styled service with the comfort of country living.

See the Franschhoek Boutique Hotel Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in South Africa’s Western Cape

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Vacationing in an Anti Gay Country

Maldives For three months I had been filled with pure excitement because my trip to the Maldives was finally booked. I spent hours on the internet looking at the wondrous beaches, fantastic hotels, and the pure idyllic paradise setting that made up the islands of the Maldives. Each island was more beautiful than the next but each had one thing in common. Each one was paradise. But each one was also anti-gay. The Maldives is governed by Sharia Law which criminalises same-sex sexual acts between both men and women. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association states that for men ‘the punishment is banishment for nine months to one year or a whipping of 10 to 30 strokes, while the punishment for women is house arrest for nine months to one year.’ I immediately felt the moral dilemma as an LGBTI traveler. Did I want to go to a country where it was illegal to be gay? Would I even feel safe there? Is it wrong to spend my money in a country where I’m not even welcomed?

By David Calderon – Full Story at Gay Star News

Maldives Gay Travel Resources

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Exploring Ancient Pyramids in Mexico – Globetrotter Girls

Mexico Pyramids - Dani This week’s Polaroid comes to you from Mexico! Yes, I made an on-a-whim flight purchase a couple of weeks ago and changed my plans rather unexpected… more on the reason behind that in my monthly round-up, but in short, I had the opportunity to meet up wit several friends here which was more enticing than continuing my travels through Colombia solo, and I’m not one to say no to the prospect of Mexican food! So here I am again, my fourth time in Mexico, a country I love very much and can visit over and over again. Plus: there are still so many places I haven’t been to yet – anything north of Mexico City, for example. And so after a few days in Mexico City, where I felt right at home again, my travel companion and I set off to explore some of the smaller, lesser known archaeological sites in Veracruz and Puebla, two states that are not far from Mexico City. Considering that Latin America is celebrating Semana Santa (Holy Week) at the moment, which is the busiest travel week of the year, I have to admit that these weren’t our first choices for a week of traveling, but beggars can’t be choosers when not planning in advance for such a busy period of travel (no worries, you’ll hear me whine about that in more detail in my March round-up later this week).

By Dani – Full Story at Globetrotter Girls

Mexico Gay Travel Resources

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Purple Roofs LGBT Travel Newsletter: March 26th

Purple Roofs Newsletter. Every day, our LGBT Travel Blog brings you featured LGBT travel articles, as well as tons of news and helpful travel tips, which we summarize here for you every few weeks. And you can also join our Facebook Travel Clubs for our daily discussions and your travel questions (it’s free!):

Gay Travel Club | Lesbian Travel Club | Transgender Travel Club | Bi Travel Club | LGBT Families Travel Club


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Featured Articles: Iceland - DaniICELAND: Dani’s Epic Iceland Road Trip by Dani, Globetrotter Girls After a day filled with waterfalls, geysers and Icelandic horses along Iceland’s Golden Circle, we started day 2 on the actual Ring Road. While we had breakfast, the owner of our lovely Icelandic farmstay came over with a map and showed us a small road just before Vik, a nearby town. It would be worth going in there to see some spectacular rock formations along the coast, she said, and because we were free to do whatever we wanted, we decided to take her up on her advice.

And I am glad I did: The rock formations and cliffs at Dyrholaey were stunning, and seeing the waves furiously hit the shore on this grey and stormy morning turned out to be a memorable start to the day.

(Tip: if you’re planning to drive this part of the ring road yourself and want to stop at Dyrholaey, turn left onto road 218, just before you reach Vik. This is also a popular place to spot puffins, but we weren’t lucky enough to spot any.)



Fethiye boat harbour 2 - AlaturkaTURKEY: Cruising Turkey by Ned at Alaturka Sail the azure waters of the Aegean Sea on a blue cruise in Turkey. Explore the rich history, diverse culture and pristine environment along the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts of the Turkish Riviera.

Istanbul is the capital of the gay community in Turkey, however the seaside is amazing for vacations. For the ultimate holiday experience, whether for relaxation, partying, or exploration, a blue cruise with Alaturka Cruises will ensure you have a breathtaking adventure! Floating along the Turkish coast on your carefully selected gulet-Turkish sailboat- will make you feel like a Greek god and goddess.

Let’s look at just a few of the destinations that are visited during a blue cruise. Although Alaturka Cruises has defined schedules, you are welcome to create your own itinerary.

Bodrum: This vibrant city is the fashionable place to go for Istanbul socialites. Beautiful beaches, spirited nightclubs, and world class cuisine are all found in this former fishing village.



Lula CellarsUSA, CALIFORNIA: Lesbian Travel – Mendocino on My Mind by Teresa Rodriguez, Tango Diva Go north, across the Golden Gate Bridge, past the sleepy coastal pastures, and over the winding roads that lead to the magical town of Mendocino. There, tucked between the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean and the silent giant redwood forest, you’ll find a small slice of heaven.

Mendocino is a rugged place where time stands still and devices like cell phones and Internet access are rarely used. This is great news for those who want to disconnect from civilization and reconnect with nature. Unlike many remote towns that are perched on the jagged cliffs of Northern California, Mendocino has plenty of options when it comes to dining, sleeping, and adventuring.

Mendocino has an impressive wine region and 25% of its vineyards are Certified Organic. Mendocino wine country leads the country in “green wine” production, which mean less toxins in your glass of vino. The region is best known for its full-bodied Pinot Noirs and light sparkling wines.



Brown Street Inn Bed and Breakfast - Donald and RayUSA, IOWA: TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD: Iowa City, Iowa, Part One by Donalt and Ray, the Gay Travelers Iowa City has often been referred to as the “Athens of the Midwest” because of it’s rich cultural and educational offerings. Two of Iowa’s certified cultural and entertainment districts are positioned in the heart of Iowa City.

The University of Iowa campus, intertwined with Downtown, showcases the Old Capitol Museum, the Pentacrest Museums and other cultural attractions throughout their community. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized Iowa City as the world’s third City of Literature joining Edinburgh, Scotland and Melbourne, Australia. It is THE only city of Literature in North America!

That designation provides additional international luster to the community and serves to validate the area’s long history of nurturing the literary arts and those who appreciate them. Pound for pound, this area constitutes the most literate community in the world!



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That’s it for this edition of the Purple Roofs Gay Travel Newsletter! –Mark & Scott Purple Roofs – https://www.purpleroofs.com
PO Box 4666, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 PS: Wanna sponsor this newsletter and reach over 27,000 people? Email us at wheretostay@purpleroofs.com for details. To be removed from this email list, just reply to this email to wheretostay@purpleroofs.com and enter “remove” in the subject line.]]>

Sunset at the Great Pyramids – Keep Calm and Wander

Sunset-st-the-Great-Pyramids-Giza-Egypt-2 After a delayed flight, I finally landed in chaotic Cairo at 3 in the afternoon. From there, someone helped me to get a visa on arrival and whisked me off to the guest house right in front of The Great Pyramids. It took us almost an hour drive from Cairo International Airport to Giza. The traffic was the worst I’ve experienced and drivers don’t really follow traffic rules. Most of the streets have no lanes at all and some buses and vans leave their doors open. Avoiding cars AND accidents left and right is another story to tell. If you survive or are expert in driving around topsy-turvy Cairo, you’ll be great driving anywhere—even in Bangkok, Manila or Mexico–all combined.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Egypt Gay Travel Resources

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North Carolina Tells LGBT Community Our Tourist Dollars Aren't Welcome

Governor Pat McCroryMuch has been written about the corporate response to passage of controversial “bathroom bill” signed by Governor Pat McCrory, but it’s clear the anti-LGBT legislation will also impact some vacation plans. Dozens of comments on the state’s official Travel & Tourism Facebook page finds people rethinking vacation plans after this week’s legislative action. One writer simply posted a link to The New York Times editorial title: “Transgender law makes North Carolina pioneer in bigotry”.

By Clayton Henkel – Full Story at NC Policy Watch

North Carolina Gay Travel Resources

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2 Village Square Inn Ogunquit – Featured Gay Owned Accommodations

2 Village Square Inn Ogunquit Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay.

2 Village Square Inn, located in the heart of Ogunquit , Maine, is a 17 room Inn nestled on a wooded hillside perch overlooking the town square and the Atlantic Ocean. The ladi-back and congenial atmosphere of our 1886 Inn is complimented by its close proximity to all the resort activity in this seaside getaway. 17 rooms, king and queen size beds available. All rooms offer guest controlled heat and air conditioning, tv/dvd player with cable, ceiling fan, refrigerator, and Keurig coffee maker. Three first floor common areas casually furnished with comfortable seating, library, dvd library, guest computer, piano, ice machine, and restaurant and attraction listings. 2 Village Square offers you and your friends plenty of both indoor and outdoor space to relax. Complimentary coffee and tea available in the common rooms. Guest have access to two microwaves in the kitchen and a gas grill poolside. Heated Salt water Pool and Hot Tub , and spacious surrounding deck and porch provide plenty of private outdoor ocean view space for relaxing. Pool and beach towels, as well as backpack beach chairs are provided. Full breakfast buffet served every morning from 8-10 included in the room rate. The breakfast menu includes a different hot entree each morning. Scrambled Eggs with Brie, Cinnamon French Toast, Maine Blue Pancakes, and Belgian Waffles. Various sausage selections, Applewood smoked bacon, and shaved steak, freshly baked Maine blueberry or white chocolate raspberry scones, a multigrain bread for toasting, fresh cut fruit, yogurt, cereal, coffee, tea, and juices.

See the 2 Village Square Inn Ogunquit Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Ogunquit

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Comedian Bob Marley

Comedian Bob Marley! http://glynnhouse.com/events/ You’ve seen Bob on LENO, LETTERMAN, CONAN, the glynnhse winterlate show with Craig Ferguson, and the movie BOONDOCK SAINTS! Comedian Bob Marley returns to the Palace stage this spring Celebrating 16 years as a stand-up comic, he is one of the hottest and most sought-after comedians in the country. He has been featured in his own special on Comedy Central, and is one of the few comics to do the complete late- night TV circuit: ‘The Late Show’ with David Letterman, ‘The Tonight Show’ with Jay Leno, ‘Late Night’ with Conan O’Brien and ‘The Late Late Show’ with Craig Ferguson and Craig Kilborn. Enjoy a phenomenal evening of comedy at the Palace Theatre April 8 – 9. Book your Palace Theatre accommodation at the romantic Glynn House Inn. Guests enjoy gracious surroundings, delicious food, uncompromising service and genuine hospitality. A multi-course gourmet breakfast is served at separate tables in the Victorian dining room. A full gluten free breakfast menu is always available. Afternoon refreshments and early evening wine and cheese are offered daily. Bring your favorite four-footed canine pal. Reserve one of five pet friendly rooms. Pamper yourself and book an in-room massage – available in most guest rooms. Are you looking for other spring activities during your visit to New Hampshire’s spectacular White Mountains and Lakes Regions? Venture away from the Inn and enjoy art galleries, boating, fine dining, fishing, golf, hiking, historic sites, tax free shopping or simply experience the delightful New Hampshire countryside. Inn guests enjoy savings on many spring activities. View the Glynn House website http://www.glynnhouse.com for additional information about the Inn, special offers  and local activities.]]>