TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD: Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha Sign

There are a lot of cities in the country that for some reason or another, travelers just don’t think about. Omaha, Nebraska might be one of those cities however it is a very vibrant and live city where the arts and culture as well as many other things of full of places to visit.

Omaha - Joslyn Art MuseumOne is the Joslyn Art Museum. It is located just south of downtown at 5200 Dodge Street. The galleries begin with the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque artists, and continues with 18th and 19th Century works by British and French painters and concludes with Impressionism and Modernism. You will also fine sculptures, photography as well as a large variety of art at the Museum. One of our favorites is a wonderful oil painting by the British born Artist, J. G. Brown who later moved to New York City and became famous for his depictions of street urchins found on the streets (bootblacks, street musicians, posy sellers, newsboys, etc).

Omaha - Joslyn Art MuseumThey are open everyday but Mondays.  In keeping with the tradition of a lot of other art museums around the country there is no admission fee.  Check out their website at http://www.joslyn.org/visit/

While there be sure and visit the Museum’s Peter Kiewit Foundation Sculpture Garden which is open all year from 7 AM to 11 PM and again that admission is also free.

Omaha  - Henry Doorly Zoo and AquariumOmaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is certainly something that you do not want to miss. It is ranked one of the world’s finest zoos with over 130 acres. It is the home to the world’s largest indoor desert and the largest indoor rainforest in North American. You can explore exotic locations and underground caves to see thousands of animals from around the world in their natural habitant with more than 7 acres of indoor exhibits! The Zoo is located at 3701 South 10th St. and their website is: http://www.omahazoo.com. Plan on spending the entire day there.

Omaha sits right on the Missouri so simply drive over the bridge into Council Bluffs, Iowa and visit Casinos if you are into that.

Downtown Omaha is alive and well and unlike so many other cities, It is all happening right downtown. They do have a very vibrant nightlife there. The MAX, 1417 Jackson St, in the Old Market District has been around for years. They have different levels and rooms and there is always something for everyone. Flixx Video Bar, 1019 South 10th Street is a music video bar. Omaha Mining Company, 1715 Leavenworth St. is more of a neighborhood bar and we have been going there for years. As in most cities in today’s world, Gays and Lesbians are welcomed anywhere and that is certainly so in Omaha.

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

The Golden Gate of Versailles – Keep Calm and Wander

Palace of Versailles

There’s no doubt that the golden gate of the Palace of Versailles displays excess opulence of French royalty. Boy, I was blown away the moment I got a closer look of the iron-wrought gate swathed in gold. Ok, it might not be real gold but it should be something close to that. The palace is also widely known as Chateau de Versailles.

Exact Replica. The 80-meter golden gate that stands today is not the original one. Nothing was left of the old one that was destroyed during the French Revolution. The French government decided to build the exact replica of the golden gate. It took two years to re-create referencing historical documentations. This 15-tonne masterpiece cost 4 million pounds!

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Paris Gay Travel Resources

Frisco Lodge – Gay Friendly Frisco Bed & Breakfast

Frisco Lodge - Gay friendly Frisco Bed & Breakfast

The Frisco Lodge is a gay friendly Frisco bed & breakfast nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. We first opened our doors in 1885 as a stagecoach stop for the miners on their way to strike in rich in Idaho Springs. Stay in our historic lodge and travel back in time.

As soon as you enter the Frisco Lodge, you will be immersed in yesteryear with Victorian ambiance. We offer much more than a place to sleep. Enjoy our complimentary bicycles, Wi-Fi, HD TV’s equipped with digital channels and a movie library.

After your mountain adventure, relax in our soothing outdoor hot tub and warm up by our adjoining fireplace. During the evening we offer a tantalizing happy hour with hors d’oeuvre and two glasses of wine. Each morning we serve a picture worthy breakfast complete with lattes and cappuccinos. Our homemade Belgian waffles and freshly cut fruit will give you the energy to take on our majestic Colorado landscapes.

Our family-owned bed and breakfast has been delighting guests for 57 years. We believe in, “Your Home Away from Home,” mantra to ensure your stay in the mountains are a memorable one. We have kings, queens, doubles and family suites to accommodate any sized party.

We are located right in the heart of Main Street for convenient shopping and dining. Frisco, Colorado adjacent to five world class ski resorts and offers a free bus to get from town to town. Our lodge has a bus stop a block from our front door.

The area also has a slew of activities to do between snowfalls and especially in the summer. We hope you let us wine and dine you on your next mountain exploration.

See the Frisco Lodge Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Northwestern Colorado Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Five Hilights of the Yangon in Myanmar – Nomadic Boys

Yangon in Myanmar

Yangon Myanmar is a very cool city. Whilst it has a modern face with trendy bars and fancy restaurants, it has also retained its colonial charm with some of the best preserved buildings from the days of the British Empire. The tea house culture has held strong and let’s of course not forget the standout highlight, the stunning Shwedagon Pagoda.

Yangon used to be the official capital city of Myanmar until 2006 when the government officially proclaimed the newly built city of Nay Pyi Daw as the new capital. Yangon nonetheless remains the cultural and commercial heart of the country as Nay Pyi Daw struggles to attract a similar atmosphere.

These are our 5 favourite not-to-miss highlights in Yangon, which we think every traveller should have at the top of their Myanmar bucket list.

Connecting with Buddha at the Shwedagon Pagoda

The Shwedagon Pagoda is a marvel to behold. It is the main iconic site in Yangon you can’t miss. The main gold-plated dome is so impressive, it will take your breath away. It is topped by a stupa containing over 7,000 diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires.

At 99m (325ft) tall, the Shwedagon Pagoda is Myanmar’s largest temple, and as such, it dominates the Yangon city skyline. It also considered the most sacred temple of the country because it is believed to contain relics of the 4 previous Buddhas.

We visited in the evening around sunset and loved the ambience. It attracts a large number of visitors, both tourists and locals who come to worship. But despite the large numbers, there is a strong feeling of peace and tranquility here, which we did not feel in other temples we visited in our travels across Southeast Asia.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Myanmar Gay Travel Resources

Bella Roma, Ancora – Dolly Travels

Dolly Travels

Buongiorno, tutti,

Yes. Once again, we are in the Eternal City. We have been here 5 days already, so you will think that I am very lax in getting out a blog post. Honestly, although I thought we have been seeing our lovely city at a leisurely pace, we have been busy for these 5 days.

Before I go any further, I want to tell you that renting this apartment in the Monti District, has been one of the best finds of our many trips to Rome, so I will give you the rental information now, just in case I have piqued your interest in Rome enough that you will want to come here, also. Natalia, the landlady, also has apartments in other sections of Rome.

On Friday, we went to our favorite art museum, the Borghese Galleria, up in the northern part of the city. This house belonged for to the Borghese family and the art work is displayed where that family intended it to be displayed. The villa is set within the Borghese Gardens, where there are acres and acres of trees, grass, parks, a small lake; spending some time in the gardens is a good way to unwind. Find a bench, do some reading, rent a bicycle, or pedal cart of some sort and spend a peaceful, fun afternoon.

In the Galleria, there are many sculptures by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. These are in different rooms on the main floor. There are paintings by Caravaggio, an important Italian artist, also on the main floor, then on the second floor are more classical paintings. I always get so mesmerized by the Bernini sculptures that I keep going back to see them. I go upstairs, see the paintings, then go back to the sculptures.

After we had toured the Galleria, we took a taxi to our favorite watering hole, a sidewalk cafe facing the Vittorio Emmanuele monument, where we could have a glass of wine, a light lunch, while watching the organized chaos of the Roman traffic.

Yesterday, we went out to the church of San Giovanni in Laterano, just outside the ancient walls of Rome. The church was built in the 13th century. These dates always take me aback, for when I look at the brickwork of the church and the walls, it is so difficult to imagine the workers putting all that together 800 years ago.

The inside of the church is very beautiful, also. In the main chapel of the church, a ceremony was taking place, so we could not walk through as I had planned; however, we could walk along the aisles outside that main part of the church and view the enormous sculptures of the apostles lining both walls, and see some of the smaller chapels within the church.

Today we went to Piazza Navona, then to the Pantheon, then to Trevi Fountain, and eventually ended up at one of our favorite restaurants, the Abruzzi, on via S.S. Apostolli, near Piazza Venezia.

Frank and I were both concerned before we left, about how much walking he could do over here. He bought a cane, and has been using it. He has done well with all the walking we have done. We are both happy about that. We have also taken taxis for some of our trips, as taxis are very reasonable. The price is usually between 8 Euro and 11 Euro, and for us, it is a Godsend to get us where we need to be without the hassles.

We have also used the Metro system, which is very handy and reasonable priced, also. Our apartment is only a block from the Cavour Metro station. The trains come to the station about every 10 minutes.

We found a very good restaurant near here when we visited Rome last year. We were pleasantly surprised to see that it is about 4 blocks from our apartment. Last night, we found another good restaurant in this Monti neighborhood, so we will be visiting that one again, also.

Gli Angeletti is our favorite. The address is on via Angeletti, but right in the Piazza dei Monti. The other restaurant is called Trattoria Il Tettarello, via dei Capocci, 4. It is also an easy walk from our apartment.

And I, of course, had to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, as that means I will return to Roma again. My only concern was that the coin probably landed on another tourist’s head, rather than in the fountain, for there were many tourists there today. I might have to go back and try that again before we leave.

At any rate, we are having a good time; since we have been here many times before, we are seeing the highlights that we had enjoyed on other trips, while finding new places that we had not seen before.

Rome is huge but beautiful and there are new adventures along with the old, around every corner. I love the city, the small areas, the parks, and the people. I know I will return some day before long.

So I will say, Arrivederci. I will write again before long, I promis.

Ciao for now,

Dolly

By AUTHOR – Full Story at SOURCE

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Has the World Changed for Queer Travelers?

aul J. Heney and partner in Rio de Janeiro

Over the last few years, the acceptance of LGBTQ people has improved a great deal in most of the Western world—including the legalization of same sex marriage across the United States. But there are always pockets of greater and lesser acceptance in different regions, countries and cities.

We asked some frequent travelers what their experiences have been.

Keenan McGarvey, a 25-year old teacher from Seattle, believes the world has changed in regard to the LGBTQ community, and his experiences have been positive.
“In my experience that [positivity] is reflected more in the other travelers I meet than in the places I go to visit,” he said. “As a gay man, I already have the tendency to choose travel destinations where I am not going to be scrutinized too closely for busting out a pair of short-shorts. But I also feel that in general as a tourist, most places do not investigate your sexuality during your visit. What I have noticed is that I feel much more comfortable being myself and dropping pronouns about my exes in conversation with other travelers I meet than I maybe would have five years ago.”

Valerie and Jessi are married travelers who describe themselves as nomads. They have visited a new city or state every 2-4 weeks for the past 9 months. They see “immense” changes, at least in the U.S. “As a lesbian couple traveling from our safe harbor of San Francisco, not once did we face the discrimination we once faced when coming out 10 years ago,” they explained. “With that said, we are also white, cis-gendered, and have feminine energies that often present ‘straight.’ Our perspective is limited to our experience, but we came out to a lot of people all over the USA and never once had a mean remark, snarky look, nor a negative response. Did we get lucky? Probably. But we were surprised how warm and accepting people were.”

By Paul Heney – Full Story at Travel Pulse

LOCATION Gay Travel Resources

Hiking the Camino de Santiago – Globetrotter Girls

Camino de Santiago - Dani, Globetrotter Girls

When I started planning my 500 mile hike along the Camino de Santiago, I wanted to make sure I’d be as prepared as I could be, to ensure I’d have everything I’d need to make it to the end. But I also knew I’d need to pack as light as possible – something I am not very good at. Even one or two kilos can make or break a hiking trip, considering you will have to carry your own pack from place to place (even though it turned out I could have avoided carrying it, but more on that later).

Since I’d never gone on a five-week hiking trip before, I consulted every blog and website with travel tips & resources I could find, making notes on what equipment to buy and which brands were recommended.

Before I get into the details of what I brought, I wanted to start with a few remarks on stuff I didn’t bring and wish that I did have, and some things I brought and could’ve done without.

WHAT I BROUGHT AND DIDN’T NEED

Compeed: If you are a serious hiker, you’ll probably have heard of Compeed, a popular blister bandaid brand. My sister, who works at a pharmacy, brought me three different kinds of Compeed, and thank God I didn’t need a single one of them! I gave a couple of them away, and of course I held on to them in case I’d develop a blister, which luckily I didn’t. Since I saw Compeed bandaids in every single pharmacy along the Camino (I am sure they’re making most of their sales here), I wouldn’t buy them before the hike next time, and instead pick them up along the way if needed. People do swear by them though, so if you’re prone to getting blisters, you might want to bring a pack (they’re small and very light).

By Dani – Full Story at Globetrotter Girls

Spain Gay Travel Resources

If Straights Were Treated Like Gays on Vacation

straight couple

It’s a world many could not fathom, one where straight couples are questioned, harassed, and discriminated against while trying to relax together on vacation. That reality is one that all too many gay couples face, a new study from Virgin Holidays shows.

One of its depressing findings: Only five percent of LGBTQ couples feel comfortable showing affection while on holiday, compared to 84 percent of straight couples. Two thirds of LGBTQ couples reported not even feeling comfortable with a simple action like applying sunscreen to their partner’s back. A third experienced judgment and ridicule, like being stared at, laughed at, or verbally abused. One in ten reported being threatened with physical violence.

Virgin partnered with ATTN to show what it would be like if the situation were reversed, and straight couples experienced the same type of treatment. If it looks funny or unfair to see straight couples treated this way, perhaps it will help drive the message home that no one should have to deal with this kind of behavior, whether they are on vacation or not.

By Jeff Taylor – Full Story at LGBTQ Nation

The Mosaics of San Marco Basilica – Keep Calm and Wander

San Marco Basilica - Alain

These mosaics of San Marco Basilica are from 11-th century but they never lose their luster. They’re our windows to Byzantine arts.

Be warned: you can’t take photos inside St. Mark’s Basilica. While there’s no entrance fee, the number of visitors allowed to get inside is controlled, limited. There’s usually a queue outside in the morning and late afternoon. Go inside at lunch time when tourists try to avoid the nasty summer heat. A huge hat or an umbrella can be helpful, too.

One of the most interesting things to ogle at Basilica di San Marco is the presence of mosaics. You can’t miss them. They’re ubiquitous inside and on the facade of this holy place. You’ve got to remember that these mosaics date back from 11th century. Though their colours aren’t as brights as ages ago, they refuse to fade.

Except for the last mosaic (which I took near the entrance), the rest were taken from the facade. The ones that decorate the portals outside are said to be the oldest mosaics of the basilica.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Venice Gay Travel Resources

Von Abercron Residence – Hermanus Gay Friendly Bed & Breakfast

Von Abercron Residence Hermanus Gay Friendly Bed & Breakfast

VON ABERCRON RESIDENCE with a personal touch of German Royalty and flair in Hermanus is well situated directly above the Hermanus Golf Course and adjacent to Fernkloof Nature Reserve with magnificent panoramic mountain and sea views, a paradise for bird lovers, endless hiking trails and even paragliding, etc.

Only 5 minutes to the center of Hermanus which offers the best land based whale watching in the world, blue flag status beaches and magnificent cliff path views along the coast.

We offer our guests not only a high standard of comfort, but also a restful environment in a quiet, safe and peaceful area. Enjoy nature with the sound of birds and unbelievable views, only meters from the superb golf course, nature reserve and mountain trails.

Known as the “Riviera of the South”, Hermanus is situated on the Cape South Coast, a 1 hour and 15 minutes drive from Cape Town which takes one through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.

Excellent position, slightly away from the crowds and noises from the main parts of Hemanus.

The tranquility of the place, warm welcome and friendly attentative service to satisfy our guests is our endeavour.

See the Von Abercron Residence Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

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