Topside Inn – Gay Boothbay Harbor Bed & Breakfast

Topside Inn - Gay Boothbay Harbor Bed & Breakfast

With a picture-perfect location at the highest point in Boothbay Harbor, this 19th-century sea captain’s home has panoramic harbor views, seaside perennial gardens and quiet places to relax while being just steps from all that the charming town of Boothbay Harbor has to offer. The main house and our two classic summer guesthouses offer stylish, comfortable accommodations and indoor and outdoor common spaces to enjoy the view, a glass of wine or gather with other guests.

Water views greet you in every direction – sunrise and the famous footbridge across Boothbay’s inner harbor to the east, the lighthouses and islands and out to sea to the south, and the western sunset. Our front lawn provides a grandstand seat to observe harbor activity throughout the day and the lights of the sky at night.

Start your day with a delicious full breakfast prepared to order. We offer a different main dish each day, often featuring produce from our vegetable and herb gardens or offerings from the local farmers market. Lobster, locally harvested mushrooms, fingerling potatoes and fresh cheeses are just a few of the regions freshest ingredients that have been enjoyed by our guests. Guests can help themselves to great local coffee or tea, fresh fruit, tasty homemade granola, yogurt, baked goods, cereals, juices and more. We are happy to accommodate special requests including vegetarian, vegan and gluten free.

The Boothbay Region offers much more than one might expect – we can easily fill a 3, 4 or even week long stay with plenty of activities. Boothbay Harbor is a classic Maine seacoast village and our guests enjoy the convenience of a one-minute walk to restaurants, shops, and art galleries.

There are so many ways to enjoy the water as well. Boat excursions leave from the in-town piers, whale watching, puffin and seal sightseeing, lighthouse tours, schooner sails, fishing, kayaking and more. On land, the spectacular beauty of the peninsula awaits on the Land Trust hiking trails, at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, or jon winding roads to spectacular lookout points such as Pemaquid Lighthouse and Ocean Point. Breweries, wineries and farmers markets are all within an easy country drive for our foodie guests. We’ll help you find it all!

Come to the Topside Inn, and see why everyone says: WOW, WHAT A VIEW!

See the Topside Inn Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

idcoast Maine Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Hidden Barcelona – Keep Calm and Wander

Hidden Barcelona - Keep Calm and Wander

Barcelona remains one of the most popular destinations to visit in Europe, attracting over 32 million people per year and it is easy to see why. This historic city, with its incredible architecture, energetic nightlife and famous beaches make this an attractive holiday destination for tourists. Barcelona also has a fantastic array of restaurants, including 24 Michelin-starred eateries such as ABaC, a three Michelin-starred restaurant in the heart of the city.

While it is exciting to see a different side of the city, there will be some things you won’t want to miss when you visit Barcelona. La Sagrada Família, Park Güell and La Catedral, for example, should all be on your must-see list. However, there are also some fascinating places that you can see in Barcelona that are not as obvious choices for tourists.

For example, you could pay a visit to the Museu Nacional de Art de Catalunya where you can admire the breathtaking views of the city as well as an amazing array of modern art. Don’t forget to check out the stunning waterfall!

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Barcelona Gay Travel Resources

Gay Vancouver Island for Romance – The Nomadic Boys

Gay Vancouver Island for Romance - The Nomadic Boys

Vancouver Island is a fabulous place for a romantic weekend getaway in British Colombia – Canada’s westernmost province. Despite the name, it’s actually far from Vancouver downtown and involves either a short plane ride, or car/ferry ride to reach it. We came here for a weekend retreat during our trip in Vancouver and completely fell in love. There are many highly rated restaurants, beautiful sceneries to explore, and even a few wineries to check out. Yup – Canadian wine is a thing!

Following our trip, we’ve put together our 5 favourite romantic things to do in Vancouver Island, which we hope will inspire your trip. Please note the island is huge, and we only saw a glimpse of it, so there are of course many many more things one can embellish this list with!

The Hydropath at the Pacific Mist Spa

One of the most relaxing things we did as a couple on Vancouver Island is the Hydropath circuit at the Kingfisher hotel. We chose it because every local we asked for tips on what to do in Vancouver Island, suggested this. This is a guided circuit in what feels like an underwater sea cave. The circuit took us around various wellness pools including a mineral massage pool, waterfall massage, steam cave, tidal bath and more. Our favourite was the final bath, which included a sand and seaweed body scrub, presented on a large scallop shell.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at The Nomadic Boys

Vancouver Island Gay Travel Resources

Queer Stockholm – Out Magazine

Queer Stockholm - pixabay

A while ago, I had a conversation with my boyfriend that stayed with me. He’s American, and just recently moved in with me in my Stockholm apartment, having lived in New York City for eight years. As I started showing him the city, I was intrigued to hear his reactions. He seemed surprised. Where were all the gay bars? Why did I seem less comfortable engaging in PDA on the subway in Stockholm than he does in New York? And where exactly, if Stockholm is so gay, were the drag queens? Stockholm’s gay scene seemed poorer than my boyfriend had expected. Did he as a foreigner think I was living in some kind of gay utopia?

It wouldn’t be strange. Hell, Wikipedia’s page on the subject starts off with “LGBT rights in Sweden have been regarded as some of the most progressive in Europe and in the world.” But what does that actually mean for queer life? Granted, Stockholm is much smaller than New York. Still, I wondered: how would an LGBTQ tourist visiting the city perceive it? And what would help them make a more informed travel choice?

Here is what every LGBTQ tourist visiting Stockholm should know.

By Erik Galli – Full Story at Out Magazine

Sweden Gay Travel Resources

Running a Clothing Optional Resort – Gay Star News

InnDulge Palm Springs

‘It’s a relaxed, welcoming, free environment. It makes people comfortable to be who they are. If that’s someone comfortable with their clothes on, great, or with their clothes off, also great. It’s about being in a safe, queer space.’

Jon Jackson and his husband Sandy Miller thought twice before buying Palm Springs’ gay, clothing-optional resort INNdulge in 2010. But little did they know what an amazing experience running the 31-room hotel would be.

Think midnight pool parties, making new friends from around the world, and spending their days in one of the US’s most amazing cities. Palm Springs is of course known for its huge LGBTI population, super cool art deco stylings and 300 days of sunshine a year.

InnDulge Palm Springs

‘We had this bad taste in our mouths,’ says Sandy, over Skype from the South California town now he calls home (both Jon and Sandy are originally from North Carolina). ‘We’d previously moved to San Francisco to save this restaurant we’d invested in. We ended up there for 18 months. It was miserable. Running a restaurant is a horrible business! When we came to purchase the hotel, there was this nagging doubt.’

By Jamie Tabberer – Full Story at Gay Star News

Palm Springs Gay Travel Resources

Photos: Franz Rodriguez via INNdulge Palm Springs

Barcelona Lakeside Bed and Breakfast – Lake Erie Gay Friendly Bed & Breakfast

Barcelona Lakeside Bed and Breakfast - Lake Erie Gay Friendly Bed & Breakfast

Enjoy an intimate place to gather with friends, family or an upstate New York romantic getaway just for two.

Our Lake Erie bed and breakfast is less than one mile from Interstate 90, on the shore of beautiful Lake Erie in Westfield, NY, near Erie, Pennsylvania.

See the Barcelona Lakeside Bed and Breakfast Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Chaugauqua-Allegany Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

24 Hours in Queer Winnipeg – Travel Pulse

queer Winnipeg - pixabay

Winnipeg is a delightful city and a surprisingly queer-friendly destination that’s not on the radar of many Americans. But what if a queer traveler had a single day to sample its pleasures? What would be at the top of the list? Matt Schaubroeck, Corporate Communications Specialist for Tourism Winnipeg, gave us some pointers.

“There’s always so much to do in Winnipeg—we’re a four-season city filled with attractions, restaurants and entertainment that’s sure to have something for everyone to enjoy,” said Schaubroeck. “I’d recommend starting at The Forks, where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet. You’ll find one of Winnipeg’s best tourist attractions there, featuring bike rentals in the summer or skate rentals in the winter. You can take the river trail (when it’s cold, one of the world’s longest winter skating trails) throughout the heart of the city including our French district, St. Boniface and our architecturally stunning Exchange District.”

The city doesn’t have one specific “gayborhood,” as queer residents and businesses are somewhat uniformly spread out among the larger city.

By Paul Heney – Full Story at Travel Pulse

Queer Winnipeg Travel Resources

Xcaret On the Mayan Riviera – Keep Calm and Wander

Xcaret - Mayan Riviera - Keep Calm and Wander

I am not a theme park person. But, if the ticket is offered free, why not go, right? And you know, I’ve never been to an “eco-archaeological theme park” before, so Xcaret in the Mayan Riviera in Mexico was my first one. This is a 250-acre theme park that brings you from jungle to sea.

How to go there. If you’re buying your ticket in one of the hotels in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya, transport is already included. If not, you can either hire an Uber or take a public transport called “shared taxi/van.” Ask the driver to drop you off at the entrance of Xcaret, along the national highway. And from there, you can walk.

Get a brochure/map of the park right after you buy the ticket. Sit down and talk about it with your companions on what to do and see first and last. Every free activities (included in your ticket) here are worth trying. Take note that there are paid activities here. Before buying the ticket, inquire what are included (especially the lunch buffet) and excluded. Take note of the time and places of the live performances you want to see.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Quintana Roo Gay Travel Resources

Alexander’s Guesthouse – Gay Key West Guesthouse

Alexander's Guesthouse - Gay Key West Guesthouse

Alexander’s Guesthouse is a European style luxury guesthouse catering to Gay & Lesbian clientele.

We offer a complimentary breakfast buffet and an open bar, as well as multiple level tanning decks, a 24 hour heated pool & Jacuzzi.

Alexander’s Guesthouse is a retreat for your soul… with comfortable beds and crisp white linens, a lovely pool and jacuzzi to melt your worries away, and delicious breakfasts to get you started each morning and a friendly Happy Hour.

See the Alexander’s Guesthouse Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Key West Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Lesbian Travel: The Weekend Quickie

Weekend Quickie - Lesbian Travel

When you’re a kid, playtime is as important as naptime and meals – you couldn’t live without it! Sadly, most adults think we can’t live without our smart phones and the world they connect us to… North Americans (on average) have access to 10 vacation days per year while Europeans can tap into 4-6 weeks of away time … what a difference. Even more shocking – North Americans skimp on their time away while Europeans take what’s given to them and then some. And why not?

Recently, an acquaintance of mine bragged that she and her husband have never taken a vacation together. They`ve been married 12 years (with 2 kids) and have never indulged in a dirty weekend getaway – just the two of them. Even their family vacations incorporate work time because they’re both entrepreneurs and neither wants to miss an opportunity. She told me she’s happy and their businesses are thriving but the tiredness around her eyes revealed a much different story.

When did NOT taking a vacation become a badge of honor? When did we forget that routine without playtime is the death of desire?

By AUTHOR – Full Story at Go Girlfriend