Fall in Love With Lisbon

Lisbon - Belem Tower Lisbon, the 531,000-person strong capital of Portugal, is a city full of unforgettable sights and experiences. The immensely green Parque Eduardo VII; the colorful graffiti on huge buildings in Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo; the pretty white houses of the Alfama area in the heart of the old Lisbon; the commanding Sao Jorge Castle perched on a hilltop. Jump on a tram, talk to the locals – yes, the Portuguese speak great English – and follow the smell of grilled fish in its small alleys. Have you ever seen a real sunset? This is what you can admire, sometimes, from the Praca do Comercio, one of the main squares in the city. I could barely breathe for the enchantment. The city will give you hundreds of sweet memories like these – the ones I’ve mentioned are some of the richest in my heart.

By Daniele Guido Gessa – Full Story at Gay Star News

Portugal Gay Travel Resources

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Lesbos, A Greek Refuge

Lesbos Susan Wright for The New York Times[/caption] On the island of Lesbos, the slow and rustic rhythms of Greek life rule. Sheep block traffic as they amble across mountain roads, bells clanking. At a seaside tavern, diners nibble on freshly caught calamari under the generous boughs of an old mulberry tree. This is a routine Sunday afternoon at Myrivilis’ Mulberry tavern in Skala Sikaminias, a fishing village of about 100 residents on the northern tip of Lesbos, Greece’s third-largest island. It’s a sharp contrast from last autumn, when the restaurant’s calamari fisherman was busy hauling sea-soaked asylum seekers to dry land, and waiters turned tables into makeshift hospital beds for shipwrecked survivors treated for hypothermia. Since last year, more than a million Middle Eastern migrants (mostly Syrians, Afghans and Iraqis) fleeing war and uncertain futures have risked their lives crossing the Aegean Sea from Turkey on flimsy boats to reach Greece. More than 1,100 people drowned on the way. Nearly 60 percent of migrants landed on Lesbos, thrusting a quiet vacation island into newspaper headlines.

By Daniella Cheslow and Daniel Estrin – Full Story at SOURCE

Greece Gay Travel Resources

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Another Side of Cuba

Henry_Harris_County_Park_in_Tavernier_Florida_insert_c_Washington_Blade_by_Michael_K_Lavers It was breezy, yet sunny Sunday afternoon at Henry Harris County Park in the Upper Florida Keys. Coconut palm trees lined the calm water in which a few dozen people — mostly young children and their Spanish-speaking relatives who were watching them — were swimming. The first landmass that one would reach if he or she were to have sailed directly south from this point of land would be a group of islands near the Cuban city of Sagua la Grande, which is less than 150 miles away on the other side of the Florida Straits. Life couldn’t be any more different for those who live on this side of the treacherous body of water that has taken the lives of untold numbers of Cubans who sought a better life in the wake of the 1959 revolution. I met Samuel, a 23-year-old man, at Cabaret Las Vegas, an unofficial gay club in Havana’s Vedado neighborhood, on my first night in his country. I was completely exhausted from lack of sleep, but we immediately hit it off and he gave me his phone number before I walked the block to the house in which I was staying.

By Michael K. Lavers – Full Story at The Washington Blade

Cuba Gay Travel Resources

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Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast – Dolly Travels

Sorrento Sorrento is a lovely coastal town, nestled in the southern shore of the Bay of Naples. The city itself is narrow and long, with many hills, narrow, winding streets, walled pathways leading to Marina Piccola on the eastern side and to Marina Grande, the old Fisherman’s Village, on the western side. Hotels in the center of town are on fairly level ground, with most of them having lush gardens and some with swimming pools. Other hotels are up on the cliffs, high above the city, but the view of the bay from those cliff side hotels are incredibly breathtaking. Sorrento is the birthplace of limoncello, that delicious lemon liqueur. Lemon and orange groves are abundant throughout this region of Southern Italy, with lemon groves outnumbering the oranges. The trees bloom and produce fruit year round. Limoncello is made from the peel of a knobby yellow fruit, which has such an intense flavor. The seductive, addictive lemon flavor surfaces in many foods, many specialties of the region. One of my favorite desserts: lemon sorbet with limoncello poured over, plus ice cold limoncello to sip. In the background you can see Frank’s dessert: light, airy sponge cake with lemon cream filling, topped with whipped cream and wild strawberries. It doesn’t get any better than this. These desserts were the finale for a delicious seafood dinner at our favorite restaurant in Sorrento, Ristorante Delfino in Marina Grande. Other food specialties are cheeses made from the milk of water buffalo that are raised in the countryside south of Amalfi. These animals were originally imported from India. Now raising them iin Campania is a huge enterprise. We went to our second favorite restaurant in Sorrento, called Inn Bufalita, that specializes in all things buffalo. We had a salad made with cherry tomatoes, small balls of Bufalo mozzarella, fresh basil and arugula. That was fantastic, Frank had a buffalo steak, which did not impress him. When we went to Paestum, I asked Raffaele, our driver, if he knew where the “buffalo roamed”. Laughing, Raffaele told me that many people have images in their minds about the milk coming from the American Bison. “I always explain that this milk and the milk products come from the water buffalo, but somehow many people cannot connect water buffalo with this southern region of Italy”, he told me. Then he asked if I would like to see the animals. “Of course!”, I replied. Raffaele drove us out to one of the farms. There the buffalo are kept in large enclosures, but that ensures that they only eat the food provided by the farm. Raffaele then told us that, just like clockwork, when it is milking time, the animals start heading for the milking shed. “The buffalo are very organized and time conscious”, he said. There you have it; my love of the food of this Amalfi-Sorrento region is one of the many reasons that I will keep returning. Most of my readers are well aware that I am an incorrigible “foodie”, so you will probably read more about food while I am on this trip. Until next time, Arriverderci, tutti. Dolly

By Dolly Gollsby – Full Story at Dolly Travels

Campania Gay Travel Resources

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Mountainside Cottage – Lesbian Owned Cottage in Alexander, North Carolina

Mountainside Cottage Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: Built in 2008, Mountainside Cottage is the perfect place to stay while exploring the wonderful towns of Asheville and Weaverville. The interior is light-filled and sunny, thanks to the many windows and skylights (there’s even a skylight in the shower!). The cottage has central air conditioning for warmer days, as well as ceiling fans for those who prefer a cool breeze. Even though we’re only about 15-20 minutes from downtown Asheville, our cottage is totally secluded. Once you’re here, you can see no one and no one can see you. Imagine sitting in the hot tub at night with no roof overhead — you can look right up at the stars. And it’s perfect because there are no city lights to spoil the view. You can either stay in the cottage and enjoy the hot tub and totally relax or use it as a place to come back to after you’ve explored Asheville. We even have a binder that has restaurant menus, information on the Biltmore Estate, the Blue Ridge Parkway, things to do in Asheville, hikes in the area– complete with maps and written directions. We’ve tried to think of everything to take the guess work out of what to do and how to get there. That way you don’t have to spend all your time planning what to do–you can just go do it! We furnish everything you’ll need for a perfect vacation. Washer/dryer, linens, microwave, toaster, mixer, blender, coffee maker, wine glasses, pots and pans, dishes–there will even be a bottle of champagne in the refrigerator when you arrive! You simply need to bring clothes and food. Even though we do have an outdoor gas grill at the cottage, there’s a great park a mile-and-a-half away where you can cook out beside the French Broad River (yes, you can even hear the river at night). The Ledges Park is also a place where you can put in to kayak the area or go fly fishing. And we’re more than happy to accommodate your pets (dogs only, please!). The cottage is totally surrounded by woods, so it’s a great place for your furry friends to run and play. There’s also a dog park/mountain bike trail a mile from the cottage.

See the Mountainside Cottage Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in the Greater Asheville area

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Transgender Travel: People are Mostly Okay

Airplane Airport people watching is one of my favorite activities. In general, airports make me anxious. The crowds; the frenetic sense of urgency as people rush around; the smell of other people’s (way too much) perfume or cologne; the bottled water that costs $800; business bros talking loudly into ear pieces so that we will know they are Very Important; constant reminders to guard your stuff, people, terrorists are everywhere!; the thousand ways my day and trip could be derailed by a sneeze or a thunderstorm; and did I mention the crowds? I have no fear of flying, but the hours-long labyrinth journey to the plane…I sometimes need to carry a little orange pill in my pocket for that. But barring the availability of narcotics, I endure through mindfulness. Deep breaths, and meditative people watching. Yesterday, I saw: a woman taking two small dogs to Phoenix for a month-long visit (“They will be so hot!” she said); a grandmother-type who brought a large bag of cookies to share with her fellow passengers; the aforementioned Business Bros (Lord, they are everywhere); tired parents and very excited children hauling adorable tiny suitcases; and a transgender college student, boarding the same flight as me.

By Erin Wathen – Full Story at Patheos

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The 5 Friendliest LGBTQ Vacation Hotspots

fantastic cultural meccas that always take a keen interest in making everyone feel comfortable, and those who identify LGBTQ will fit right in. So what are you waiting for—the party’s just ahead!

  1. Berlin, Germany
Berlin - pixabay With a long standing history that is as intense as it is troubled, Berlin has arisen from the ashes of its past to become one of the most diverse, well-rounded, and respecting cities in the world with multi-ethnicities immigrating and thriving with the German population. In addition to their incredibly progressive views, Berlin is also the gay capital of Europe with a gay museum, a gay memorial, and an openly gay mayor. While that doesn’t cover all the basis, the open-minded city is equally comfortable with the rest of the queer community. Head for Hafen, one of the most famous gay bars in town, Connection, a dance club that shouldn’t be missed, and Gay Hostel for accommodation—you’ll find plenty of like-minded people here to experience this amazing city with.
  1. Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles - pixabay While most of Hollywood is constantly under scrutiny of being one or more of the letters in LGBTQ, the truth is that Los Angeles is a great place to be LGBTQ. Between the cultural metropolis and its heavy art, business, and beauty industries, there are plenty of LGBTQ-friendly beaches and nightclubs to frequent, and the weather is always perfect for a stop down by the sea. Make a stop at The Abbey for the quintessential gay bar-lounge-party time, which includes both an indoor and outdoor areas and the most prominent members of the LGBTQ community as regulars on the busy weekends.
  1. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Marijuana and prostitution aren’t the only things bringing visitors to Amsterdam; it’s also the totally chill vibe of the city of Amsterdam. Between the canals and coffee shops, the city is thoroughly on board with the LGBTQ cause—in fact, the city legalized same-sex marriage in the early 1800s, the first place in the entire world to do so. But enough about the history; time to get to the cool stuff! When in Amsterdam, do as the Amsterdamians do and hit up Cafe Dubbel D (formerly Cafe Rouge), one of the busiest shops in the entire city. Next, plan your day around Rapido parties, because this is a good time you aren’t going to want to miss. Then hit up Thermos for an excellent spa experience and Hemelse Modder for a perfect European meal and excellent service.
  1. Madrid, Spain
Madrid - pixabay Madrid is home to perhaps the gayest community around, Chueca, where nightlife reigns supreme, as well as lots of rights and cultural nods to gay culture. Madrid recognizes gay marriages and openly uses LGBTQ lifestyles to influence trendy shops, restaurants, and hotels throughout the city. It’s one of the most progressive cities when it comes to gay rights in the world, and that shows in their laws, party scene, and every other corner of life. The Cage (a popular fetish bar) is always a perfect place to head for a laugh or even something a tad more serious, but Space of Sound is one of my favorite hangouts for the go-go boys and total party vibe. Park it at Medea for the city’s oldest lesbian bar and don’t forget to leave plenty of time for a sauna experience—the Sauna Octopus is a must for every visitor! For a bonus into the city, I suggest downloading apps such as Grindr and Manhunt if outdoor cruising and sex parties are your thing (grab a Virtual Private Network for your phone to make sure the geolocation functions are working correctly)!
  1. Miami, Florida
Miami - pixabay Take one look at the hot bods and it’s obvious why Miami is a gay capital of the world—but more than just being a place to get hot and sweaty out in the open, Miami flourishes with culture and happenings that accept all flavors of ice cream (if you pardon my expression). While I think a stop at the topless-optional South Beach is an excellent way to spend an afternoon, I also suggest Da Leo Trattoria, for an excellent meal. Don’t miss out on Twist either for a run around the dance floor and then a relaxing evening on the roof for a drink and an overlook of the city that likes to party all night long. Any city is a great place for the LGBTQ community to travel, but these picks are a specific brand of cultural richness that will just hit all the right notes, so enjoy! Have any suggestions on where to head after finishing this list? Leave a comment or a next trip itinerary, and I will personally take the recommendation around for a ride! About the Author: Cassie Phillips is an active tech guru, digital nomad, and wordsmith discovering the world as readily as she explores obscure depths of the internet. Curious about anything and everything, she loves her cat, her coffee, and her growing photography collection. Ask her about her famous Birthday Cake Pancakes recipe or her one-time run in with Ben Affleck and JLO—both stories are likely to leave you in disbelief! All photos from pixabay, provided by Cassie Phillips]]>

The Cairo Skyline – Keep Calm and Wander

Cairo Skyline My stay at Hilton Ramesis Hotel in Cairo wasn’t really planned at all. I had to stay in the city one more night while waiting for my employer’s decision on what to do with my expired visa. It’s a long story which will bore you to death. When I arrived at the reception, I specifically told the guy that I want a room with a view of the Nile River – the higher the floor, the better. He assured me that I’d get the room I desired. He handed me the key to a room on the 18th floor. As soon as I opened the door, I dropped my backpack and stepped out of the little private balcony. And instead of the Nile River I was expecting to see, I saw more of Cairo’s skyline that combines the old and the new. The Nile was on my further left and I can see just a little bit enough of it.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Egypt Gay Travel Resources

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What’s New in Rehoboth

Rehoboth The Washington Blade hosts its tenth annual summer kickoff party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., this Friday from 5-7 p.m. at the Blue Moon, an event the staff looks forward to all winter. And although the weather is so far not delivering summer temperatures, the town is ready for the season’s crowds. As always, there’s plenty to do at the beach when you’re not relaxing on the sand. Rehoboth’s restaurant scene continues to draw crowds and attention. Among the changes this year, Blackwall Hitch, which has outposts in Annapolis and Alexandria, is opening soon at 52 Rehoboth Ave. and promises live entertainment in a setting more refined than surrounding T-shirt shops and pizza joints. The long-popular Nage (19730 Coastal Highway) has been reinvented as Fork + Flask at Nage and features a remodeled interior with much larger bar area. There’s a new menu, too, with more affordable options. Just a few doors down, is the new Jimmy’s Grille opening soon next to Outlet Liquors. Down the highway in Dewey, the iconic Starboard has spun off a new joint, Starboard Raw (2000 Coastal Highway) a 48-seat raw bar that is now open. Chesapeake and Maine (316 Rehoboth Ave.) is a new high-end seafood restaurant and bar from the team behind Dogfish Head. The slick new bar is already drawing crowds as construction begins on the revamped Dogfish Head next door.

By Kevin Naff – Full Story at The Washington Blade

Delaware Gay Travel Resources

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Mr Linh's Adventures Travel – Gay Friendly Vietnam Tour Operator

Mr Linh's Adventures Travel Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: Our company started business first in Ba Be National Park, Nam Mau, Bac Kan, Vietnam since 2008. We started in a small office on the lake shore and named it as ‘Ba Be Tourism Center’. We offered accommodation for traveler staying in our traditional stilts house. We offer a unique service of homestay accommodation – Mr Linh’s homestay. We provide excellent home cooking with English and French speaking knowledgeable local guide. We quickly attracted a steady flow of travelers who were looking for the unspoiled, remote beauty of the mountains, lake, jungle and minority villages. Following these success, we quickly expanded its horizons with the Mr Linh’s Adventures, opening its office in Ha Noi, offering its own tours to other areas. All the itinerary are tailor made and we use our utmost experience about the region to take tourist further not only in the North, but also in the South of Vietnam. Today Mr Linh’s Adventures serves up to 2500 travelers yearly, Our Sales and Operations offices in Ha Noi and Ba Be are run by a tight knit team, who, if not family, are loyal and long serving staff members, keen to share in Mr Linh’s vision. Sales staff act as consultants and advisors and the operations team work together to ensure that all aspects, travel, boats, hospitality and restaurant all run smoothly to ensure you have an enjoyable, stimulating and unique experience. Once again, thank you for contacting to us. It would be our pleasure to be listed on your shortlist.

See the Mr Linh’s Adventures Travel Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

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

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