Whale Watching in Provincetown

A whale watch tour is ranked as one of the top activities for Cape Cod and Provincetown.  As you depart traveling along the National Seashore you will view the beaches, lighthouses and the very tip of Cape Cod.  A naturalist accompanies every cruise to serve as an interpretive guide to the ecology and natural history of Cape Cod and Massachusetts Bays with emphasis on whales, other marine life and marine birds that passengers are likely to see.  The tours last from 3 to 4 hours.  Each boat has a sundeck, centrally heated /air conditioned cabin and viewing platform on the bow. It can be cool on the water this time of year so be sure to bring warm clothing.

‘Perfect Day’, ‘Great Trip’, and ‘Got a lifetime experience to cherish’ are some of the reviews of the whale watching tours.  This is one Provincetown activity you  can’t miss.  Every guest from our B&B that has taken the tour brings back rave reviews.

The Somerset House Inn has made your whale watching tour even easier.  Book any three-night stay during May, including the Memorial Day Weekend, and the Somerset House Inn will give you a 50% discount on two whale watching tickets.  That’s a $53 value!  Mention ‘Whale Watch’ when making your reservations and we will assist you with your whale watch tour reservations.

Ptown Dan and his partner Bob own the Somerset House Inn, an award winning Provincetown Bed and Breakfast.  Named the Best Bed and Breakfast on Cape Cod for 2018 by Cape Cod Magazine the Somerset House Inn is in the perfect Commercial Street location across the street from the water and walking distance to everything.  Please visit the Somerset House Inn web site to make your reservations.  We look forward to welcoming you to Provincetown.

Six LGBT Landmarks Celebrate England's Queer History

England's Queer History Six LGBT landmarks across England have been given special status to celebrate England’s Queer History. The locations include the London home of Oscar Wilde and the house where Benjamin Britten lived with his partner Peter Pears. It comes as a result of Historic England research project Pride of Place, which aimed to record and preserve the history of LGBT people. As an outcome, the grave of pioneering lesbian writer and Egyptologist Amelia Edwards was today granted listed status by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Five other places with queer histories have also had their landmark status bolstered to recognise their unique importance to LGBT history. Among them is London’s Burdett-Coutts Memorial, which commemorates Chevalier d’Eon – an 18th century transgender spy who lived as a woman inside the Empress of Russia’s court.

By Nick Duffy – Full Story at Pink News

UK Gay Travel Resources

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LGBT Tourism: "The Show's Going to Go On"

Pulse Members of the LGBT community say the shooting that killed 50 people early Sunday at a gay nightclub in Orlando won’t stop them from travel and business as usual. “From the LGBT perspective, it will not deter us from going to Orlando,” John Tanzella, president and CEO of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association told CBS MoneyWatch. “If anything, it will likely drive more travel to Orlando as it’s typical in our community to want to show support.” That holds true, Tanzella said, whether it involves travel to celebrate LGBT victories or to show solidarity with a community in mourning. “One example on the positive side is before the U.S. had same sex marriage, Argentina did. Our members were selling travel to that country including honeymoon trips,” Tanzella said.

By Kate Gibson – Full Story at CBS News

Orlando 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


Arbor House in San Antonio, Texas
Newsletter Sponsor: Arbor House in San Antonio, Texas

Texas at its Finest: Four historic houses that comprise the luxury 7 suite B&B clustered around an exquisite garden oasis, one block from Riverwalk and two blocks from convention center. High ceilings, pine floors, refridgerators, and coffee makers in rooms.

Expanded Listing | Email


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.]]>

Holiday Houseboys – Gay Travel Agency in Venturada, Spain

luxur - Holiday Houseboys Periodically we’ll feature one of our tour operators here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay.

A personalised tour guide service to help individuals or couples enjoy the back streets of famous cities around the world. Get to know the world in the company of a local, who looks after your safety and welfare at all times. Speaking the local language he will bargain on your behalf at markets, find the best exchange rates, introduce you to restaurant styles of your choice and sort out any travel options for you to ensure that you get a good deal. It is the unique way to travel to get the most out of your holiday, all in the company of a gay friendly guide who is proud of his culture and heritage. Check out the testimonials and they speak for themselves. Make your travel special, and contact us for a Holiday Houseboy.

See the Holiday Houseboys Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

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Tempe, Arizona – Perfect for LGBT Vacations?

Tempe The Tempe Tourism Office has been promoting vacations for the LGBTQ community long before the term “gaycation” was even coined. On Jan. 16, the tourism office was honored for its efforts, by receiving the first-ever Founding Client Award from Pride Guide, a statewide LGBT total travel, wedding and business resource guide. Pride Guide was first founded in Arizona and has since expanded to California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada and New Mexico. “The Tempe Tourism Office has been a great supporter of the Pride Guide and the LGBT Community from the very start of the Pride Guide concept,” Pride Guide Publisher Michael McFall said. “This award is not just presented to a client who has been with us from the beginning but also a client who used their talents and connections to push the Pride Guide to become what is today.” Tempe’s efforts first began in 2003, when it joined the Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Each year its efforts have grown through initiatives like specific targeting of LGBTQ vacationers through advertising and partnerships as well as LGBTQ-friendly events.

By Steven Tottan – Full Story at BizJournals.com

Greater Phoenix Gay Travel Resources

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Purple Roofs LGBT Travel Round-Up – February 8th

POP CULTURE:
Gay Couple Seek Revenge on Homophobic B&B Owner in New Thriller (Pink News)
A film about a gay couple who plot against a b&b owner who turns them away has found funding.
full story POP CULTURE:
Trailer for Gaycation (Joe.My.God)
VICELAND, VICE’s new TV network, launched the first trailer for GAYCATION, a brand new series hosted by Ellen Page and Ian Daniel.
full story ABU DHABI:
The Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi (Keep Calm and Wander)
The Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi is where you should stay—if you have the cash to burn. This hotel spells luxury and opulence of the Emirati world. “Everywhere around”, as my brother said, “is pure magnificent!”
full story Alain - Abu Dhabi AUSTRALIA:
Hot Aussies Having Fun In The Sun At Midsumma Festival In Melbourne (Gay Star News)
Midsumma Festival is officially back with a bang.
full story Midsumma DUBAI:
Desert Sunset (Keep Calm and Wander)
Desert sunset is breathtakingly magical. Behind the sea of sand, the orange ball goes down like a ball of fire, leaving an impression that makes us all sigh, hoping to see again the next day.
full story Alain Dubai EUROPE:
8 Best LGBT Events & Festivals in Europe 2016 (Travels of Adam)
February is traditionally the UK’s LGBT History Month. Over the past few years as LGBT individuals have gained more and more equal rights, there’s been a shift in traditional gay culture.
full story Nice-Gay-Carnaval_4725-620x414 FRANCE:
Three reasons to visit Paris in 2016 (Gay Star News)
If you’ve never been to Paris before there is an enormous list of must-do tourist essentials that will easily fill your time during your stay – climb the Eiffel Tower, wander around the Louvre, stroll along the Seine, sit in cafe and look intellectual.
full story ICELAND:
10 Reasons Not to Miss Rainbow Reykjavik (Gay Star News)
It started as an experiment by then-new LGBTI travel company Pink Iceland – with support from Icelandic industry heavy-hitters, including national carrier Icelandair.
full story Rainbow Reykjavik RUSSIA:
Gus Kenworthy and His Boyfriend Weren’t Allowed to Share a Bed in Russia (Towleroad.com)
Gus Kenworthy says that while attending a competition in Russia ahead of the 2014 Sochi Olympics he and his then-boyfriend were denied a room with a double bed by a Russian hotel. Hotel staff reportedly told Kenworthy, “Two guys can’t be in the same bed.”
full story Gus Kenworthy USA, CALIFORNIA:
Dinah’ 2016 Lineup Revealed (LGBT Weekly)
Club Skirts has revealed its entertainment line-up for The Dinah 2016. The Palm Springs, California-based all girl party and music festival will again take place over the span of five days (March 30 through April 3, 2016) at the Hilton Hotel, the PS Convention Center and Zeldaz Nightclub.
full story The Dinah 2016 USA, WASHINGTON:
Inside Starbucks’ Massive Seattle Roasting Facility (Shermans Travel)
Less than two miles away from Starbucks’ original Pike Place Market store sits its latest Seattle location: a 15,000-square-foot-plus café, roastery, and packaging facility perched on Capitol Hill.
full story Exterior-Starbucks-Reserve-and-Roastery]]>

Purple Roofs LGBT Travel Round-Up – January 29th

GENERAL:
Gay Travel Radar: Our Top 5 Discoveries for January (Towleroad.com)
Our travel radar helps you find your gay way in this big world with gay and gay-friendly discoveries from the four corners.
full story Radar_CinqetSept GENERAL:
Caitlyn Jenner and Friends Call for End to TSA ‘Horror Stories’ (The Advocate)
The transgender reality star and her costars shared their experiences of traveling while trans, and called on allies to demand better treatment.
full story AUSTRALIA:
LGBTI Tourism in Australia Gets a Rebrand (Gay Star News)
Gay and Lesbian Tourism Australia (GALTA) has revealed a new initiative, ‘Visit Gay Australia’, in an effort to attract more queer tourists to the country.
full story AUSTRALIA:
17 Shots Of Hot Aussies Having Fun In The Sun At Midsumma Festival In Melbourne (Gay Star News)
Midsumma Festival is officially back with a bang.
full story Midsumma Festival DUBAI:
Dubai Sunset (Keep Calm and Wander)
You really don’t have to worry where to take photos of Dubai skyline anywhere in the city. The only thing is that—you’ve got to drive your own car if wanna see it from a distance. Or hire / take a taxi if you’re just visiting the city. Best time to do that is early morning and late afternoon.
full story Alain - Dubai ICELAND:
10 Reasons Not To Miss Rainbow Reykjavik (Gay Star News)
It started as an experiment by then-new LGBTI travel company Pink Iceland – with support Icelandic industry heavy-hitters, including national carrier Icelandair. And next month, the fully grown Rainbow Reykjavik Winter Pride Festival returns for another outing.
full story Rainbow Reykjavik INDONESIA:
Where Does Bali Stand on LGBT Travel? (Bali Discovery)
A witch hunt is now underway on the Island of Bali that when viewed on a certain level seems highly hypocritical and inconsistent. Many ranking officials in Bali are in an uproar, adopting poses of righteous indignation over pictures posted on Facebook of several same-sex weddings taking place in Bali.
full story IRELAND:
Visiting a New Autumn in Ireland (The Advocate)
So many Americans — nearly 40 million — claim Irish ancestry that it’s little wonder it’s an incredibly friendly place for stateside visitors.
full story USA, CALIFORNIA:
11 Things To Do In San Francisco With Your GBFFs (Gay Cities)
San Francisco offers much more than just a vibrant bar club scene. The City by the Bay has unique activities lurking in every inch of its seven square miles every day of the week, so grab your friends and head out to these fabulous alternatives to cruising the bars–so you can cruise outside of bars!
full story]]>

Purple Roofs LGBT Travel Round-Up – January 21st

GENERAL:
R Family Vacations teams with Olivia (Dallas Voice)
For the first time, R Family is teaming with the premiere lesbian-specific travel company, Olivia.
full story INTERNATIONAL:
5 Blockbuster Gay Hot Spots For 2016 (That Aren’T London, Sydney Or Nyc) (Gay Star News)
We’re spotlighting five mega-gay world cities that are sometimes overlooked in favor of their bigger gay brothers.
full story DENMARK:
An Art Weekend Trip to Copenhagen & Malmö (Travels of Adam)
Recently, I met more than a few travelers who enjoy going to places but purposefully skip museums and art galleries. I respect them; but for me, art has always been a reason to visit a place, a city, a country.
full story Travels of Adam - Denmark ICELAND:
Why the Hottest Honeymoons This Year Are in Iceland (Take Part)
Gay and lesbian couples looking for a honeymoon or destination wedding spot have a slew of options these days—and the stakes are high when it comes to getting a share of the $140 billion global gay and lesbian tourism market.
full story SAUDI ARABIA:
How To Transport Camels in Saudi Arabia (Keep Calm and Wander)
Last weekend, while on our way for our weekend shopping, we saw these camels being transported in a Toyota pick-up. As you can see, there are three of them and they seem to be well-behaved camels.
full story Camel-on-Toyota-4 UAE:
The Robot at Yas Mall (Keep Calm and Wander)
This robot at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi didn’t fail to amaze me. I don’t usually blog stuff like this but this one is an exemption. Not because it’s a Transformer robot but because…
full story Yas-Mall-8 USVI:
St. Croix: What to Do While in Port (Shermans Travel)
Cruise ships often bypass St. Croix in favor of St. Thomas, but if you’re lucky enough to set sail for the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, you’re in for a treat. The quiet island offers authentic culture and some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. Here’s where to go when you’re in port.
full story UK:
Smirnoff Winter Pride Music Festival In London: Details Revealed (Gay Star News)
The Smirnoff Winter Pride Music Festival, in partnership with Pride in London, will take place on Saturday 30 January, it has been confirmed.
full story Smirnoff Winter Pride Music Festival London]]>

City Sundays: Rio de Janeiro

City Sundays - Rio de Janeiro Hey all, Welcome to our weekly series on the blog and our Facebook travel groups – City Sundays. Each week we’ll select a different LGBT friendly city to talk about, and we’ll invite our innkeeper and travel agent/tour operator friends to come talk with us about it as well. Today, Rio – a sprawling city at the edge of the Baia de Guanabara where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. The city is one of the most popular gay travel destinations in the world, and the annual Mardi Gras is a huge draw. With miles of beaches and a huge LGBT scene, Rio’s a fantastic LGBT travel destination. Have you ever been? What did you do while you were there? Do you wanna go? Let’s chat! Join the conversation here: Gay (Men) Travelers: Gay Travel Club Lesbian Travelers: Lesbian Travel Club Transgender Travelers: Transgender Travel Club Bisexual Travelers: Bi Travel Club LGBT Families: LGBT Families Travel Club Check out our Brazil/Rio page here: https://www.purpleroofs.com/southamerica/brazil.html And our Rio de Janeiro articles on the blog here: https://www.purpleroofs.com/gay-travel-blog/?s=Rio+de+Janeiro]]>