Eating Out San Francisco – Lesbian Travel Edition

San Francisco

Long ago, in another era and career that involved cubicles and quarterly reports, a colleague sat his khaki-clad butt on my linoleum desk and asked me the question that would ultimately lead me straight out the front door.

“What would you do, professionally, if you could do anything?”

The answer came immediately. “I’d write.”

Working beside me day after day, he’d witnessed the frowning and temple rubbing–my career frustration hadn’t escaped him.

At my response, he stood up and put a hand on my shoulder.

“Do it,” he said. “Go find what you love and fill up on it.”

Twenty years later, not a day goes by that I don’t sit down to a blank page and feel grateful for that conversation. Today, I write for a living and have been blessed with bylines in some of the best publications in the world. It never gets old–especially when the subject matter combines three things I love to muse over—people, places, and food.

When the opportunity to pen Unique Eats & Eateries of San Francisco came along, it was impossible to say no. San Francisco is that place, for me, where food and memory are inextricably linked.

By Kimberley Lovato – Full Story at Tango Diva

San Francisco Gay Travel Resources

Madame Tussauds London: Take a Selfie With These Gay Icons -Nomadic Boys

Madame Tussauds London - The Nomadic Boys

“OH MY GOD Stefan are we really going to see BEYONCE and BRITNEY and MADONNA and LADY GAGA and RIHANNA..and and THE Queen?”

We were so excited to visit the Madame Tussauds waxwork museum in London, a place where some of the most famous gay icons in the world have been immortalised as wax sculptures.

Following our visit to this iconic museum in Baker Street, we’ve put together our top 10 gay icons at Madame Tussauds you need to get your selfie with.

TRAVELLER TIP: this is one of London’s top tourist attractions so it’s always super busy with huge queues. We therefore strongly recommend going early in the day on weekdays to avoid the crowds and to book your time slot in advance to minimise waiting time. We used PlacePass who also do a bunch of other super cool tours in and around London.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at The Nomadic Boys

London Gay Travel Resources

Why Are We Losing Our Lesbian Bars?

Lesbian Bars - The L Word

At a recent newly-launched lesbian party in Brooklyn, women scattered themselves haphazardly throughout the backyard of a gay bar filled mostly with men. Wearing dark jeans and denim jackets, they stood in small groups, intermittently scanning the room while talking amongst themselves. Inside the bar, the dance floor was empty.

“This is why lesbian bars all close, because everyone is U-hauling!” Valentina Osorio, a queer-identifying woman who lives in Brooklyn exclaimed, alluding to a verb that refers to how quickly lesbian and bisexual women move towards commitment and, often times, the suburbs. “When you’re coupled up you don’t leave the house.”

Osorio wasn’t imagining things: Women don’t want to spend money at lesbian bars anymore. Although the number of people who identify as LGBTQ is on the rise, the number of spaces dedicated to their communities has fallen. Statistics are few, but an analysis of gay travel guides showed the number of LGBTQ bars in the U.S. decreased by 12.5 percent between 2005 and 2011.

By Kari Paul – Full Story at the New York Post

Wishing for Peace at Trevi Fountain – Keep Calm and Wander

Trevi Fountain - Alain

This is no bull – but I really wished for world peace at the Trevi Fountain in Rome. Though my life isn’t perfect, I’m already grateful for what I now have. I didn’t even think about that wish because every time I find a wishing well or fountain in my travels, I always have the same wish – and you guess it right – world peace!

The World’s Most Beautiful Fountain? Well, the locals named it as the world’s most beautiful. While Rome has a lot of fountains, Trevi Fountain is the largest fountain in the city that is of Baroque style.

Nearby Attraction. The Spanish Steps is a walking distance from here.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

LOCATION Gay Travel Resources

Red Rock Road Trip – Go Girlfriend

Sedona

Got a bucket list? One of my bucket-list items was to drive across the desert and see the epic flatness, red rock passes and endless desertscapes of the wild west. Conjuring images of old westerns watched with my dad, I imagined the good guys and the bad guys hiding in the canyons and bluffs for the ambush. While visiting Phoenix, Arizona, I took a 400 mile, 9 hour road trip from Phoenix through Sedona to Flagstaff, on to Meteor Crater, via Route 66 to “Standin-on-the-corner” in Winslow, Arizona and back cross-country to Phoenix … in a Ford Mustang Convertible!

Doesn’t the top-down freedom of wind in your hair, the endless sun of Arizona at 70 miles per hour in a convertible sound like a perfect daytrip? If historical landmarks are your thing, Montezuma’s Castle’s for you. If it’s the grandiosity of the red rock wonders, Sedona’s yours. Prefer upscale shops and boutique getaways? Sedona’s got what your chasing. Camping or kid-friendly desires? Slide Rock or Red Rock State Park is the thing.

First Stop … Montezuma’s Castle

Taking Highway 17 north from Phoenix towards Flagstaff first takes you to Montezuma’s Castle (in the Cape Verde area). Over a thousand years ago, the Sinagua people lived here in an ingenious 45-room dwelling high up on the cliff face – Montezuma’s Castle

100′ off the valley floor. Etched under the overhang of the cliff face is a 6-storey architectural wonder (remember this was all created 1000+ years ago) housing hundreds in this community. As I explored the valley area below, seeing the remnants of their agricultural and hunter/gatherer lifestyle on the banks of the Verde River, I thought how peaceful and idyllic a location to have as an ancient homestead.

By Stacy Rosien – Full Story at SOURCE

Nortern Arizona Gay Travel Resources

Frog Meadow B&B – Newfane, Vermont

Frog Meadow

Frog Meadow Bed & Breakfast and Massage Oasis for Men is a welcoming, non-judgmental place for men of all colors and backgrounds to unwind and shed the trappings of busy modern life. Situated on 63 private acres with mountain views, gardens, swimming pond, a wood-fired hot tub, and a full gym, Frog Meadow is what you’ve been looking for!

Frog Meadow Vermont is New England’s premier four-season resort for men. Centrally located in southeast Vermont, Frog Meadow is 2-1/2 hours from Boston, 3-1/2 hours from New York City and 4 hours from Montreal.

Enjoy Frog Meadow’s spring-fed swimming pond and full gym. Take the time to release muscle aches, stiffness, pains and renew your body and soul with a soak in the wood-fired hot-tub. Frog Meadow’s private 63-acre recreation trail network is ideal for hiking, snowshoeing & cross-country skiing, in season. The highlight of the trail network is the “Brokeback Cabin”, a small rustic hut with beautiful views that is a fun destination for guests!

Guests can choose from five different and unique lodging options at Frog Meadow:

The Main House South & The Main House North: Two spacious standard rooms, each with king bed and A/C. Both rooms have garden & mountain views and share a beautiful, large ceramic-tiled bathroom.

The Frog Meadow Suite: A deluxe junior suite with a king bed and sitting area, A/C, mini-fridge, huge en-suite private bath with a two-man Jacuzzi and separate walk-in shower, garden & mountain views.

The Deluxe Barn Suite: A spacious 700 square-foot housekeeping suite with kitchenette, A/C, private deck with BBQ, two queen beds and a queen sleeper sofa, mountain & garden views, sleeps up to six.

The Brook Cottage: A charming brook-side, cedar cottage with queen bed, private outdoor sitting area. Fully insulated and heated for year-round enjoyment. Lots of windows with gorgeous views everywhere!

Your stay at Frog Meadow comes complete with a full country breakfast, access to the gym, wood-fired hot tub, swimming pond, surrounding gardens, orchard, grounds and 63-acre recreation trail network.

Frog Meadow also hosts many men’s retreats & events including Yoga, Massage, Tantra, Wellness & other Men’s Retreats which are an opportunity to relax, explore, de-stress, re-connect and have fun!

Treat yourself to a welcoming and restorative space where men come to relax and leave the outside world behind! So much of today’s mass media society is about exploitative sex, violence, wealth and physical perfection. All this serves to stifle the ability to be comfortable in one’s own body and the opportunity to embrace your imperfections and those of others. Frog Meadow is a place to leave that behind and celebrate the Brotherhood of Men!

See the Frog Meadow B&B Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Southern Vermont Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Manhattan Day Trip – Dolly Travels

Manhattan Day Trips - Dolly Travels

I love to travel…everyone who knows me, knows that. How has it happened that I had never visited New York City?

Well, yesterday (Thursday, November 9), I got to enjoy a day in the Big City.

Frank and I are staying at a hotel on Long Island, as that is where all the activities around the Cradle of Aviation and the gala on Saturday night are happening.

From the advice of the hotel people and our new friends from the Museum, we took a taxi to the Westbury Station; one of the stations of the Long Island Rail Road. The train trip took about 45 minutes, letting us out at Penn Station in Downtown Manhattan.

When we emerged from the train, I was amazed at how large Penn Station is. All those trains carrying people to all the boroughs of New York. We exited the station right into the thick of things..panhandlers, myriad salespeople for the different bus trips, boat trips, different activities in the city. The tall buildings and moving billboards on the buildings. We walked along 7th Avenue, with me, looking at everything, just like a kid.

Crossing that first intersection, I had a good view of the Empire State Building. We debated about going up to the top of that building, since it was only two blocks away, but decided against that, as we had tickets for a matinee performance at one of the theaters near Broadway.

The weather was a bit nippy, but tolerable. I enjoyed the walk, seeing all the tall buildings, the Macy’s store that took up an entire block.

Who needs a newspaper? Just sit at a table in Times Square and read the news in Large Print.

Finally, we stopped for lunch at a restaurant near the theater. We had planned to have dinner later, after the performance. I just enjoyed “people watching” along the way.

We arrived at the Majestic Theater in plenty of time to find our places.

We had very good seats. This was the only photo I got of the stage. Soon, the cell phone police (the ushers) came along, pointing at cell phone offenders, to ensure that no one would photograph any of the actors or scenes.

The production was amazingly wonderful. The voices of the actors, the stage settings, all were magnificent, where we felt transported to that opera theater in Paris all those years ago.

Now, Frank and I both have the music still running through our heads.

“Just love me, that’s all I ask of you.” Or, “Music of the NIght”. Now you can have the music running through your heads, also.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable day. When we got back to Penn Station, night had fallen, but the city was definitely not dark.

That was my day in Manhattan. It was certainly a day I will remember.

Now we are back on Long Island, and we will be going to the Gala dinner and reception at the “Cradle of Aviation Museum” this evening.

I will tell you about that tomorrow.

Until then,
Ciao for now,
Dolly

Famous Colombian Foods – The Nomadic Boys

Famous Colombian Foods

Colombia has a rich and diverse cuisine with a strong influence from the highlands as well as the Caribbean.

During our trip in Colombia, we spent the majority of our time split between the tropical coast in Cartagena, the Eternal Spring city of Medellin, and in the cooler highlands climate of Bogota. Each serves up its own unique dish, from the coconut inspired dishes from the coast, to the rich homely soups from the cooler regions.

These are our 10 favourite drinks and foods from Colombia you need to try.

Bandeja Paisa: the Colombian heart attack

The bandeja paisa is the signature dish of Medellin and the surrounding Antioquia region. People from this area are referred to as paisas, and bandeja means a tray in Spanish. The bandeja paisa is a large plate with a hearty mix of rice, ground beef, red beans, chicharron (pork rinds), chorizo, morcilla (blood sausage), fried egg, avocado, arepas and plantains.

Phew!

And all that’s just 1 person! The origins of this highly calorific meal comes from the days when the peasant field workers would consume it to provide them with a full day’s worth of energy and nourishment to keep them going throughout the entire day. One thing’s for sure, after devouring an entire bandeja paisa, you won’t feel like eating else for the rest of the day.

Rhodes, the Crossroads of Civilizations – Go Girlfriend

Lesbian Rhodes

With the mythical origins of Rhodes attributed to Helios after Zeus’ battle with the Giants, it is no wonder this beautiful island is bathed in the warmth of the sun and surrounded by the tropical waters of the Aegean Sea. Low mountains, lush landscapes, sandy beaches and historical sights make Rhodes a vacation treat to delight and educate.

Largest within the Dodecanese Island string, Rhodes sits within miles of Turkey’s shores.  Historically, it’s infant roots begin in the Stone Age through advancing conquests of the Minoans, Persians, Egyptians, Romans, Venetians, Knights era, Arabs, Turks, and Italians all laying claims throughout history before becoming Greek as we know it today. This has created a vibrancy to cultural, food and architectural influences for your sensory delights.

As crossroads to travel between Constantinople and Alexandria, Rhodes’ vibrancy of trade, culture and education

2400 years old, the 2.5 mile fortifications surrounding the made it a destination hub and central meeting place of the Mediterranean. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the old walled city of Rhodeshouse the Palace of the Grand Masters, the seven fortified entry gates, The Knights’ Hospital (now housing the Archaeological Museum) and possibly the short-lived Colossus of Rhodes.

By Stacy Rosien – Full Story at Go Girlfriend

Greece Gay Travel Resources

Kavas Yachting – Gay Friendly Greek Tour Operator

Kavas Yachting

A Getaway Drawn in Crystal Blue.

When you think about vacationing, how grand do you picture the escape? How free? How wild and thrilling? Or how serene? And what if you could have it all?

Since 1985, Greek yachtsman Vagelis Kavas and his sons put it in their minds to give these questions all the right answers. Today, with more than 50 yachts (Mono-hulls and Catamarans) in their possession, their dream is a definite reality and they truly love to see it shared in the Greek seas.

Inexpensively and with “meraki”, which in Greek means doing something wholeheartedly, they are sure to offer you your dream getaway. After all, nothing says “extra” like island-hopping around the Mediterranean, enjoying a meal mid-sea under the stars or living it up with a summer party on your own, private yacht.

Passionate about sailing and distinguished at the World and European championship, Kavas’ yachting is so much more than simply having a good time: it is about an invaluable experience at a unique part of this world where you will not find a thing more precious than its people and the fond memories that they will leave with you.

See the Kavas Yachting Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

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