Gay Vancouver for Romance – The Nomadic Boys

Gay Vancouver for Romance - The Nomadic Boys

Vancouver is a diverse, bustling city on the west coast of Canada in the British Columbia province. It’s gorgeous because on the one side you have the ocean breeze and on the other side, the city is surrounded by snow capped mountains. Nature is everywhere here.

The downtown central part of Vancouver is an excellent base for couples to visit, with many highly rated hotels, restaurants and bars. We loved the gay scene of Vancouver, as well as the range of activities you can do during the day. These are our 5 favourite romantic things to do in Vancouver, which we loved, and most importantly, you can do throughout the year.

Evening stroll along the Vancouver waterfront

The waterfront area of Vancouver was our favourite spot. It the perfect place to come for an evening stroll and watch the sea planes take off/land on the water. We also loved the city views here because of the mountain backdrop.

When strolling the waterfront, be sure to check out another favourite landmark of ours – the iconic blue raindrop statue called The Drop. The official explanation of this sculpture is that it is meant to pay homage to the power of nature, particularly water, which surrounds the city. We also love the unofficial explanation by locals that it is more of a celebration of the high amount of rainfall in Vancouver.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at The Nomadic Boys

Vancouver Gay Travel Resources

Queer Ho Chi Minh – Passport Magazine

Ho Chi Minh - pixabay

Ho Chi Minh City has the country’s biggest LGBT population. Vietnam has never had any anti-gay laws, and is relaxed and tolerant of gay and lesbian visitors.

For a generation of Americans, Vietnam is synonymous with the brutal war that raged here just a few decades ago. The first wave of US combat troops arrived in Vietnam in 1965, and remained until the signing of the Paris Peace Accords in 1973 that brought America’s military involvement in the war to an end. The war itself continued until 30 April 1975, when the People’s Army of Vietnam and the Vietcong liberated the southern Vietnamese capital, Saigon.

Veterans who returned played a role in improving ties between the two countries. Their presence also helped Vietnam to develop as a tourist destination, and today Vietnam boasts all the accoutrements that international travelers demand. Although veterans have reliably returned for decades, this generation is aging, but fortunately for Vietnam’s ongoing tourism economy, a whole new generation has begun to appreciate the country’s diverse offerings: including charming old cities like Hanoi and Hoi An, pristine beaches, and the vibrant and colorful metropolis formerly known as Saigon.

Saigon became Ho Chi Minh City (abbreviated HCMC) in 1976 in honor of North Vietnam’s first leader, the communist revolutionary Ho Chi Minh. Although the city’s top-ranking sites relate to the Vietnam War, there’s now a much broader range of cultural attractions competing for the top spots on Tripadvisor, including boat cruises, foodie tours, and spa experiences.

By Stuart Haggas – Full Story at Passport Magazine

Vietnam Gay Travel Resources

 

Food in Italy – Dolly Travels

Food in Italy

Good morning, all,

As you know, if Italy is not on my mind, food is. When I have the opportunity to enjoy both Italy and the food of Italy, I am in Nirvana. Fortunately, whenever I go to Italy, I have been able to find apartments with a kitchen, no matter how small, and I can cook sometimes. When I am not cooking, I am always on the lookout for restaurants that serve specialties of the area.

This was the beginning of one meal in Rome on my last visit. Notice the stove with its 2 burners, a small sink and countertop, but that was sufficient space for me to make our dinner of tortellini soup and Caprese salad. Notice that I was able to buy the soup vegetables in a package. I love that I can just pick up one package and have carrots, celery, onions and parsley without buying a lot of either vegetable.

Each area of Italy has its own food specialty, according to what grows well in the area, for Italians use foods that are locally grown and not difficult to find.

Risotto, for instance, is a dish that originated in the Lombardia area, for the weather up in that northern part of Italy is cooler, and rice is one of the principal foods grown in that region.

Further south of Lombardia is the Emilia-Romagna region, where Bologna is a major city. It was in that city that the Bolognese sauce was born, as beef and pork are both raised in this area. The traditional meats used in the Bolognese sauce are veal, pork and beef, simmered with garlic, tomatoes and herbs for hours. This sauce is used for lasagne and spaghetti. The trattorie of Bologna specialize in dishes prepared with this sauce.

Corn is another crop grown in this area of Emilia-Romagna, so polenta is another dish you will find on the menu of the area.

Up in the most eastern part of the country is Venice, situated on the Adriatic Sea; therefore, the specialties of Venice are seafood delicacies. My favorite dish from that area is baked sea bass, although many varieties of seafood are available, as one trip to the fish market near the Rialto bridge will tell you.

On the other side of the country, on the Ligurian Sea, is Genoa, home of pesto, and the Cinque Terre, the 5 villages along the rugged coast, where fishing is a major commerce.

Going south and more westward, is Florence, almost in the midway point between east and west, with no seacoast. The most famous dish of Florence is the Bistecca Alla Fiorentina, a porterhouse steak from the Chianina beef that are only raised in Tuscany. These animals are huge!! I went to a festival once that featured the bistecca. The butchers marched into the Piazza Republicca, led by a band and accompanied by lovely ladies in Renaissance costumes. The butchers brought in sides of that Chianina beef and laid them on a big work table and started slicing off steaks. These steaks are cut about 2 inches thick and each steak weighs about 1 kilo (2.2 pounds). The steaks are brushed with olive oil, sprinkled with salt and pepper, then thrown onto a grill, they are cooked 5 to 6 minutes on one side, turned over and cooked 5 to 6 minutes on the other. Some chefs brush balsamic vinegar onto the steak after it is cooked, but I have not found if that is the normal way of doing things. It does no good to ask for your steak to be cooked medium or medium well; If you do not like your steak rare and bleeding, don’t order Bistecca alla fiorentina. The beef, though, is very tender and very tasty.

There are numerous farms as well as vineyards in the Tuscany region. Chianti is the most famous of the wines of that area, but farm crops, such as spinach also abound. If you see a dish on the menu that has the word “Florentine” or “Fiorentina” in its title, it probably has spinach in it. One of the dishes I had one of my tour groups make while we stayed in Florence, was Gnocchi alla Fiorentina….little pillows of potato and flour dough, with eggs and spinach incorporated into them. Those little fluffy pillows are cooked in simmering water, drained and served with almost any type of pasta sauce, but they really show off their tastiness with just some browned butter over them and Parmesan cheese.

As you travel further south in Italy, there are numerous hill towns. Wild game is plentiful in the hills and valleys of these areas, so foods made with the wild boar, cinghale, are prominent on the menu.

Rome claims to be the birthplace of pasta all carbonara, where freshly cooked pasta is tossed with egg, bacon and cheese. Pasta Arrabiata is another pasta dish that supposedly originated in Rome. Rome also promotes pasta l’amatriciana as theirs, although that dish actually came from the village of Amatrice, up in the hills east of Rome. That village was nearly destroyed by earthquakes a few years ago. Restaurants all over Italy held fund-raisers for that city by featuring pasta l’amatriciana on their menus, with proceeds from sale of that dish going to earthquake relief of the village.

One word of caution, though, when in Rome, do NOT try to order any pasta with Alfredo sauce. You will be met with cold stares, unfriendly words, for no one in Italy considers Alfredo sauce to be truly Italian. Yes, it was developed by a chef in Rome for a famous Hollywood couple, but it was his invention and not a traditional Italian sauce.

Further south of Rome is Naples, the birthplace of pizza. Traveling even further south we come to Sorrento, known for its lemons (limoncello) and seafood. I look forward to going to Sorrento, to the Ristorante Delfino on the Marina Grande, and enjoying spaghetti with clams, my favorite Italian dish anywhere, but especially when prepared at that ristorante.

No matter what you eat or in what area of Italy you are, there is always time and a place for gelato. And no matter how old you are, you must have a gelato.

So until next time, I hope you have enjoyed a little food tour of Italy.

Ciao for now,
Dolly

Amber House B&B – Sacramento Gay Friendly Bed & Breakfast

Amber House B&B - Sacramento Gay Friendly Bed & Breakfast

Amber House was converted to a B&B in 1984. We have a total of ten rooms: five are located in our 1905 Craftsman-style home known as “Poets Refuge”, and five more in the sophisticated 1895 Colonial Revival directly across the street, known as “Musicians Manor”.

Both houses maintain their individual era of elegance, and also boast modern amenities such as Jacuzzi tubs for two, HD flat screen TVs, gas fireplaces, antique soaking tubs, luxury beds, private patio/balcony, free Wi-Fi & parking…just to name a few.

A fantastic 2 course breakfast is served every morning, either in your room, on the patio, in the dining room or in our garden. We offer gluten/dairy free options as well as a light breakfast, or a to-go bag for our guests in a hurry. In the evening fresh baked cookies are delivered to each room, with turn down service available if requested.

Comfort and convenience are our top priority here at Amber House. Added extras include (but are not limited to):

  • In-room single or couples massage
  • Car service
  • Rose petals & candle lit bath
  • Wine/Champagne with chocolate covered strawberries
  • Tickets to the B St Theater
  • Weddings

Located in the heart of midtown, there is always a plethora of things to do and places to go. Any one of our amazing Innkeepers can give suggestions or directions to suit your desires. Give us a try! I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Whether you’re traveling for business, on vacation or in need of a local getaway…make Amber House your home away from home.

See the Amber House B&B Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Sacramento Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

 

Twenty Seven Hours in Kuwait – Keep Calm and Wander

Kuwait - Keep Calm and Wander

Early this year, I was in Kuwait for 27 hours connecting flight on my way to Sri Lanka. It’s my first time to fly Kuwait Airlines and I was not impressed. My flight was delayed for an hour and a half – and apparently, it’s normal for this airline. That’s according to the Kuwaiti guy who is a frequent flyer sitting next to me. Boo…

What to do in Kuwait? I really have no idea. The country is not known as a tourist destination. There’s only very little information about what to do in the city / country. Even my friend who has been living in the Kuwait City for years can’t really recommend a place to visit. He did tell me to walk along the corniche leading to Kuwait Towers. And that’s exactly what I did in the morning – before the heat could burn me to hell.:D What we all know is that they’re rich in gas and oil.

But, of course, there are things to do in Kuwait. I was just not into exploring the city due to the heat, expensive taxis and in such a short time.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Wizard of Oz Movie Museum – Traveling in Our Fabulous Gay World

Wizard of Oz Movie Museum

For those of you are who are into movies and particularly the movie, ‘The Wizard of Oz’, then you need to visit the OZ MUSEUM which is located in Kansas. Actually it is located in a small Kansas town of Wamego which is located about 40 miles west of Topeka, the State Capitol and just a few miles north of I-70. Over 35,000 visit the museum yearly and not only from the United States but from all over the world !

Wizard of Oz Movie MuseumFounded in 2004, the OZ MUSEUM in Wamego is dedicated to THE WIZARD OF OZ: from L. Frank Baum’s classic 1900 book to MGM’s iconic 1939 film. It even features memorabilia from the Tony Award-Winning Broadway musical, THE WIZ and Motown’s film adaptation.

Since they opened, their artifacts now number in the thousands. You will find a complete history of the author, L. Frank Baum. He was quite a remarkable and a very interesting person. The museum is quite large and takes up 2 buildings.You will see life size replicas of Judy, the Tin Man, the Lion, the Scarecrow as will as Glinda, the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Wizard of Oz Movie Museum

You can see many costumes of the cast as well as interesting photographs and read about the “munchkns” and different things about the making of the movie.
In the Museum they have a movie theatre that runs all day so if you get the urge to see the movie again, just sit down and enjoy it.

In addition they have a large gift shop where you can purchase all kinds of Oz memorabilia.

Every October, the small Kansas town transforms for it’s annual “OZtoberFEST” weekend when thousands of people descend into town. It reminds us of “Elvis Week” at Graceland in Memphis”.

Wizard of Oz Movie MuseumThe Oz Museum is located right downtown and the Columbia Theatre Museum and Art Center is just a few doors down the street. It is a grand old structure which has been renovated back to it’s grand old glory. We were most impressed with 6 rare paintings from the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair each measuring 11 feet by 16 feet. Besides having an art museum they also have live theatrical productions. It is truly a remarkable structure.

Any museum is only as good as the people involved with it and Clint Stueve, Executive Director of both the Oz Museum as well as the Columbian Theatre, and Chris Glasgow, Curator have done an outstanding job.  Chris gave us a tour of the museum and she is one of the finest tour guides that we have had in our travels across the country.  This is a “MUST SEE” MUSEUM and now that we got rid of governor brownback, it truly is safe to visit Kansas.

Check out www.ozmuseum.com and  http://columbiantheatre.com/main.asp

Don and RayAlways remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!

TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-winning, Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from coast to coast (And now legally married).

Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/

Las Vegas Gay Travel Resources

Point Reyes Schoolhouse – Point Reyes Station Gay Friendly Cottages

Point Reyes Schoolhouse - Point Reyes Station Gay Friendly Cottages

Three residences on this historic family compound on the top of the hill just above the village of Point Reyes Station – 5 minute walk to town and a 5 minute drive to the headquarters of the National Seashore.

Beautiful gardens, views and cozy fireplaces with naturalist libraries in each place

See the Point Reyes Schoolhouse Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Marin County Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Gay Friendly Hotels Nicaragua : Casa Lucia Boutique Suites – The Globetrotter Guys

Casa Lucia Boutique Suites - The Globetrotter Guys

After an action-packed 9-day tour full of 5am starts and late nights we were ready to escape from it all once we reached Granada, Nicaragua. Stepping through the door of Casa Lucia, we were immediately confident that we would be able to do just that.

We had stumbled across Casa Lucia after a Google search for “gay friendly hotels Nicaragua”. Not knowing anything about the gay culture and lifestyle in Nicaragua, or even if gay friendly hotels existed, we were keen to find out just how gay friendly the hotel could be.

The Background of Casa Lucia
Casa Lucia is owned by Eloisa, and her sister Arantxa, both from the Caribbean island of Bermuda. The hotel is actively run by Eloisa who is always present onsite as the “manager”, where she is joined by her husband Danilo, locally from Granada.

Back in 2012 whilst visiting Granada as a tourist, Eloisa and Arantxa joined a colonial house tour. This was where they first laid eyes on the property, and it was love at first sight. After spending 2 nights here ourselves, it is pretty easy to see why.

After a year of extensive renovations, Casa Lucia was ready to open its doors to guests as a traditional boutique hotel, with a focus on wellness and yoga, located right in the heart of the colonial city of Granada.

Full Story at The Globetrotter Guys

Nicaragua Gay Travel Resources

Gay Dublin – The Nomadic Boys

Gay Dublin - The Nomadic Boys

When Ireland legalised gay marriage in 2015, they made history by becoming the first country to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. Despite long having the reputation for a very conservative approach to LGTBQ rights, the country is undoubtedly one of the most gay friendly destinations in Europe. Even the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), Leo Varadkar is an openly gay man.

A little walk around the city’s famous Stephen’s Green Park in Dublin will eventually bring you to one of history’s most famous Irishmen, Oscar Wilde. The iconic playwright and literary legend’s statue is an incredible testament to Ireland’s appreciation for its LGBTQ community.

But it does not stop there. These are our 5 gay Dublin travel highlights that all gay travellers need to add to their bucket list:

A night out at The George gay club

To say this gay club is iconic is an absolute understatement. To put things into perspective: The George opened in 1985, some 8 years before homosexuality was legalised in Ireland. During this period, The George provided a safe and fun place for gay people to come to and simply be themselves.

In 2018, The George is still running loud and proud, and as raucous as ever. It is still one of the best meccas for everyone in the Irish LGBTQ community, and one you need to check out on your next visit here.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at The Nomadic Boys

Ireland Gay Travel Resources

Catalina Park Inn Bed & Breakfast – Tucson Gay Bed & Breakfast

Catalina Park Inn Bed & Breakfast - Tucson Gay Bed & Breakfast

Catalina Park Inn Bed & Breakfast opened in 1994 by Mark Hall and Paul Richard who continue to welcome guests visiting Tucson in their 21st season. The home was built in 1927 and retains many of the original details including all the beautiful Mexican mahogany woodwork. There is original artwork throughout the inn and surrounding desert gardens.

Leave your car at the inn and walk or take Tucson’s new Sunlink Streetcar light rail to the many restaurants, bars, and shops of Fourth Avenue, Congress Street and University Boulevard. When you are ready to tackle the many other sights to see in Tucson and the surrounding area access is a cinch as the inn just a mile from the highway.

If you are searching for an inn that offers a quiet and relaxed atmosphere and not a “scene”, Catalina Park Inn may just be the ticket. The vibe is quiet and low key. Each of our five guest rooms has a private bath and many amenities including free Wi-Fi, Flat panel TV, DVD players, CD/AM/FM/iPod dock stereo, plush robes and super comfortable beds with high quality linens. On the main floor there is large living room for guests, and a Butlers Pantry with a guest fridge, glassware, ice, and a DVD library.

The inn’s clientele is varied and at the full breakfast served each morning in the dining room you might meet the parents of a UofA student, a guest lecturer or straight and gay tourists from anywhere in the world. It all adds up for lively and fun breakfast conversation.

Plan to stay in Tucson for a few days if you are able. There is much to see and the area offers magnificent natural beauty. Just a few of the sights you will want to check out are: The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Sabino Canyon, The Saguaro National Monuments East and West, Mission San Xavier, Kartchner Cavers, Tombstone, Bisbee, The Pima Air and Space Museum, The Center for Creative Photography, Tohono Chul Park, Kitt Peak National Observatory, Mount Lemmon and so much more!

See the Catalina Park Inn Bed & Breakfast Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Tucson Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals