Manatee Encounters at Blue Spring State Park – 2TravelDads

by
Blue Spring State Park - 2TravelDads

Blue Spring State Park is our most common activity with friends visiting Florida, and it’s the best place to see manatees near Orlando or Daytona Beach. Florida has over 1000 natural springs and they’re all a little different. Some are in high traffic areas like on the Crystal River and others are so strange to pronounce that you might not have ever heard of them… like Ichetucknee Springs. This is everything you need to know about visiting Blue Spring State Park, including the best time for manatees, handicap accessible wildlife viewing, and kayaking / standup paddleboarding information.

Where is Blue Spring State Park?

Blue Spring State Park is a little over a half hour away from Daytona Beach in Orange City, Florida. It’s actually really easy to get to and quite simple to make a day trip out of. Blue Spring State Park is easy to pair with the trip to De Leon Springs State Park or Gemini Springs. It’s a bit further from Cocoa Beach if you’re heading to that part of the Florida coast, but it’s still worth the visit.

If you are visiting Orlando this is also an easy trip to add on (45 minutes drive) and is a nice alternative to theme parks or crowded hotel pools. After a whole bunch of time at Disney World or Universal Orlando no doubt you’ll be ready for some nature and Blue Spring State Park is just perfect for that. Also, the manatees and alligators are real, actual wildlife vs being animatronics, so they’re more exciting!

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

East Central Florida Gay Travel Resources

Our 10 Favorite New York Gay Bars – Nomadic Boys

by
Our 10 Favorite New York Gay Bars - Nomadic Boys

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned scene queen, here’s our roundup of the top gay bars in New York City to check out now! Everyone knows that the New York City gay bar scene is nothing short of vibrant and the city’s nightlife is unquestionably busy.

New York is also one of the gayest cities in the United States! The problem is that sometimes it can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time visiting the city. It can feel like there is too much to do and not enough time… where do you even start?

Here is a list of the top New York gay bars, whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned scene queen ! And the best part… most of them are on the west side either in the West Village, Chelsea or Hell’s Kitchen, so really, depending on how long you are in the city, you can bar hop and visit most, if not all of them!

New York Gay Bars – The Stonewall Inn

This NYC landmark is where the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement started in 1969. Popular with tourists and locals alike, it’s no surprise that the crowd varies in age, gender, and geography. You’ll meet people from everywhere in this bar.

Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

New York Gay Travel Resources

Top of the Ridge Farm Bed & Breakfast – New Hampshire Gay Friendly B&B

by
Top of the Ridge Farm Bed & Breakfast - New Hampshire Gay Friendly B&B

BESPOKE NEW HAMPSHIRE GAY FRIENDLY B&B

Welcome to the Top of the Ridge Farm, a New Hampshire gay friendly B&B perfectly located on a quiet country road, offering amazing vistas of Mount Washington and New Hampshire’s White Mountain. Our NH B&B is luxurious B&B for adults on six acres of meadowlands and trees.

Top of the Ridge Farm Bed & Breakfast also an ideal escape all four seasons – there are so many great things to see and do here in any season. Our luxury bed and breakfast is close to many of NH’s most beautiful destinations, as well as places in Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont. 

We’re just a two-hour drive from the mountains, the seacoast, a multitude of pristine lakes and ponds, some important historical sites, and many great little towns and art and foodie communities.

See the Top of the Ridge Farm Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

New Hampshire Gay Friendly B&Bs, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Should You Visit Cabo or Cancun? – 2TravelDads

by
Cabo or Cancun - 2TravelDads

Quite often people ask us if we prefer Cancun over Cabo San Lucas. That’s a tough question and depending on what the goal is with a Mexico vacation, we might answer with either one. We’re going to help you decide if a trip to Cabo or Cancun is the better option for you and your family.

I think you will see that the two areas are extremely different and in many ways are not comparable. But since people ask us, clearly there is either some confusion or people just want to take a trip to tropical Mexico and don’t understand their options. You can decide for yourself after this which you would prefer.

Cabo or Cancun for your Mexican Vacation?

When you compare Cancun and Cabo San Lucas you will find that both have tons of both small independent and major resort hotels, there are lots of beaches, and both tend to be popular spring break destinations. But truly they have more that is different than the same. In both Cabo San Lucas and Cancun you will find tourism and hospitality that is catered to Americans looking for a cheap Mexican vacation, but then you will also find five star resort experiences and fine dining that exemplifies the best of Mexican cuisine.

Full Story at 2TravelDads

Mexico Gay Travel Resources

Domaine Madeleine – Port Angeles Gay Friendly Inn

by
Domaine Madeleine - Port Angeles Gay Friendly Inn

Port Angeles Gay Friendly Inn – Olympic Peninsula

Seattle Magazine called our beds “the most comfortable in the world”. Trevor Morrow Travel said that Domaine Madeleine is “the perfect spot to hide away from the world.” Guests give us five stars for our attention to detail and cleanliness, luxury amenities, casual comfortable vibe, and romantic private gardens set amongst old growth evergreen trees.

Domaine Madeleine is a Port Angeles gay friendly inn that sits at the gateway to Olympic National Park on the scenic Olympic Peninsula, about 2 hours Northwest of Seattle. Located on a high bluff, the luxury inn overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca, San Juan Islands, Vancouver Island, and the Dungeness Spit. The collection of suites and cottages feature water views, private outdoor entries, indulgent spa bathrooms, and luxury amenities including super fast complimentary WiFi.

Olympic National Park is regularly named one of the Top 10 National Parks in the world. With over a million acres of unspoiled wilderness, you’ll discover the quietest spot in North America in the Hoh Rainforest, marvel at the sweeping alpine views from Hurricane Ridge (and re-enact The Sound of Music if you want), and sit in awe at the crashing waves on the wild Pacific Coast–all in the same day!

See the Domaine Madeleine Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Olympic Peninsula Gay Friendly Inns. Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

When a Travel Writer Can’t Travel – Dolly Travels

by
Dolly Travels

This past year I have not kept in touch with all of you, my friends, like I should have done. My excuse is that I am a travel writer and since I have not been traveling, I really did not have anything much to write about. Today, though, I want to say Hello again and recap some of my favorite memories of travel.

If you have followed my blog for the past eleven years, you will know that every year since 2008, I have gone to Italy for extended periods of time. Italy is my favorite country and I truly have gone through withdrawal, not having gone there this past year. I have learned so much about the country and its marvelous people in the travels I have done there, as I travel independently and as Rick Steves says, I try to become a temporary local.

In 2014, I was conducting tours of Italy for some of my friends. Florence was our home base, but as you can see, my friends and I covered quite a bit of the country. One of my favorite things to do in Florence was go to the mercati. This is inside Mercato Centrale. My friends and I would buy fruit and vegetables in season, choosing what caught our eyes on any particular day. From the butcher, we would select meat to go with our vegetables. Then we would go back to our apartments and cook. Everyone helped and we truly enjoyed our meals at home. It was so good to come back to our apartment after a day of sightseeing and make a homemade dinner.

Full Story From Dolly Travels

Our Favorite Laos Street Foods – The Nomadic Boys

by
Our Favorite Laos Street Foods - The Nomadic Boys

Imagine rows and rows of mouthwatering sizzling barbecued meats, fresh salads, salted fish, and yummy coconut pancakes…

Our Favorite Laos Street Foods

When it comes to eating out in Laos, the food markets are a treat! Whether you’re visiting the gorgeous Luang Prabang, the capital, Vientiane, or adventure hub, Vang Vieng, we guarantee there’ll be several excellent local street food stalls that you need to check out. Not to mention the fact that it’s an inexpensive way to dine.

Generally, the whole street food scene in Southeast Asia is a thing we highly recommend all travelers immerse themselves into – particularly in Thailand, Vietnam, and of course, Laos! In this article, we run through some of the best Laos street foods that made us super happy during our trip here and needs to be on that culinary Bucket List of yours!

Barbecued Meats

There are many stalls selling barbecued meats. But unlike elsewhere in the country, the street food in Luang Prabang has been adapted for foreigners. In Laos, every part of the animal is eaten, so eating in a more local restaurant was hard for us – congealed pig’s bl00d in your noodle soup, anyone? Or chunks of pork fat or other insides…?

Florida Keys Kayaking Adventure – 2TravelDads

by
Florida Keys Kayaking - The Globetrotter Guys

Florida Keys Kayaking was one of our favorite parts of our road trip from Miami to Key West (mmm, key lime pie!). The best places to kayak in Southern Florida are spread out between the many islands, and they aren’t all where you’d expect. This is our guide to kayaking with kids in the Florida Keys, and any of these spots are great as an adult too.

As we go through the many kayaking spots in the Keys, you’ll see that some of the launch sites are in state parks and others are public access via beaches or boat ramps. Wherever you’re putting in, and whether it’s a kayak, canoe, or standup paddleboard, always be aware of wildlife, underwater obstacles, and other boats. Remember, safety first in all things if you want to have an amazing Caribbean vacation!

Best Places for Florida Keys Kayaking

Kayaking through the backcountry waters of the Keys, and you’ll see one of the world’s most diverse marine life ecosystems. The quiet, shallow backwater region of flats and mangrove islands has inspired many naturalists and outdoor enthusiasts to combine environmental tourism with the sport of sea kayaking. The opportunity to explore such serene, untouched areas is very special.

Full Story at 2TravelDads

Florida Keys Gay Travel Resources

Japanese Gay Life – The Nomadic Boys

by
Japanese Gay Life - The Nomadic Boys

Our gay friend Shintaro from Tokyo tells us what Japanese gay life is like from his perspective in this fascinating interview. We love Japan. We’ve been fortunate to visit several times. Each time we leave, we say sayonara with a strong thirst to return for more!

As a gay couple traveling in Japan, we’ve always felt extremely welcome, everywhere, never receiving any judgment or raised eyebrows. To our foreign eyes, Japan feels like you’ve taken a time machine into the future. Everything is so much more advanced here, so clean, so impeccable, where trains arrive/leave on time, correct to the second!

And the Japanese themselves? Well, they’re just the icing on top – you couldn’t ask for a more welcoming and respectful nation. Everything is well received with a sweet, warm smile and a humble bow.

All About Japanese Gay Life

As we said, that’s through our superficial perspective as queer travelers visiting. What’s the reality like for the Japanese LGBTQ community? We often hear that whilst the Japanese are very welcoming to gay foreigners, on a local level, the country is very conservative when it comes to LGBTQ rights.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Athens Gay Beaches – The Globetrotter Guys

by
Athens Gay Beaches - The Globetrotter Guys

Athens is one of our top hotspots in Greece and like many gay friendly capital cities around Europe, attracts many LGBTQ+ travelers. As a result, if you head to the nearest coast you can find some unofficial Athens gay beaches, which are especially popular in summer. Read on to find out how to get there…

Athens Gay Beaches – Limanakia B

Limanakia B nudist beach (in Vouliagmeni) is the most popular beach near Athens for gay locals and travelers alike. Like most of the nearby coast, the beach is relatively rocky but as a result you are granted beautiful clear waters to swim in which may be welcome after spending time in the hot city itself!

Liminakia gay beach is a 30-minute drive from the city centre or you get public transport or an Uber. It known for being hot, busy and naughty during the summer.

If you are going to take public transport, you need to get the local metro (M2) to Elliniko station (red line) and upon exiting the station take a 30 minute bus (bus number 122) – keep an eye on your route using google maps to be sure where to get off the bus – the stop you want is stop ‘B Limanakia’. from here follow the road directly to the beach.

By Sion & Ben – Full Story at the Globetrotter Guys

Athens Gay Travel Resources