The Imperial Citadel of Than Long – Keep Calm and Wander

The Imperial Citadel of Than Long - Keep Calm and Wander

The Imperial Citadel of Than Long in Hanoi is a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its cultural, political, and architectural significance. Unlike other UNESCO World Heritage Sites I’ve been to, the citadel was kind of a disappointment to me. I thought I was gonna see much more than just one edifice of a bygone era.

Standing or sitting at the facade gave me an impression of its well-maintained domain. But, of course, I was wrong! Go up and you will find its outgrown sods.

I believe that there is more to this sole structure but they’re not showing it -yet? The brochure I had said about objects (coins, ceramics) that were excavated in 2004 but I didn’t see one.

Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Hanoi Gay Travel Resources

Fort Lauderdale Gay Bars – The Nomadic Boys

Fort Lauderdale Gay Bars - The Nomadic Boys

Fort Lauderdale is out, loud and fabulously proud!

Over the past few decades, Fort Lauderdale has gone from being a Spring Break destination for straight teen college kids to one of the gayest places in the whole country! It was even featured as the ultimate gay holiday for the boys in the hilarious movie with Ru Paul, Lady Bunny and Brent Corrigan – “Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild!”

We always love coming here to party. The gay scene of Fort Lauderdale is mainly based in the vibrant gayborhood of Wilton Manors, which comes alive every night of the week. It has tons of gay bars and clubs here to suit any gay boy under the sun! In this article, we’ve set out some of the best Fort Lauderdale gay bars to check out with a snippet of what you can expect. As you’re in the area, we recommend heading south to check out the gay scene of Miami – it’s only a 40-minute drive away!

01 ROSIE’S BAR AND GRILL

See and be seen at Rosie’s Bar & Grill!
It’s our favourite bar in Wilton Manors. Totally camp, always buzzy and full of guys cruisin’ and drinkin’. Whether you come on a Monday evening or Sunday brunch, it’s always a blast at Rosie’s, which is why we love it!

Rosie’s is the perfect spot to start the night with a group of friends, get a few burgers and cocktails, before heading over to somewhere like The Pub or Georgie’s. We love the quirky vibe here.

And then there are the burgers! Those tasty, juicy, cheesy award-winning bundles of yumminess…a reason to head to Rosie’s. The menu is priceless, with names such as Plain Jane and Miley Highclub – don’t forget the Hellena Bun – “tossed in Rosie’s own ‘Smack My Cheeks and Make ’em Rosy’ sauce”! When we last visited, the Brexit Burger was on the Specials Board making us all giggle!

Rosie’s is located at 2449 Wilton Drive. It is open every day from around 10am until midnight. Find out more on their Facebook page.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Gay Fort Lauderdale Travel Resources

Lesbian Malmo – Once Upon a Journey

lesbian Malmo, Sweden - Once Upon a Journey

Malmo is a trendy, eco-friendly, diverse, and green city in the South of Sweden. It’s the third-largest city of Sweden, after Stockholm and Gothenburg, and it’s the spot for young creative entrepreneurs. Almost half of Malmo’s population is under 35 years old and over 180 different nationalities live in the city. Malmo has many universities, so many students around the world come to Malmo to study. The city is a melting pot of cultures, traditions, and start-ups!

In this article, we will tell you all about the top things to do in lesbian Malmo. From exploring Malmo from the canals to playing boule to relaxing at the sauna, to visiting one of many museums; in Malmo it’s all possible. We will also tell you where to stay in Malmo and about a few Malmo restaurants where you can enjoy delicious foods.

This article is in partnership with Malmo Town, who invited us to explore Malmo. As always, all experiences and opinions are our own.

Explore Malmo Old Town (Gamla Staden)

The heart of Malmo is its old town. You can’t visit Malmo without exploring Gamla Staden. Wander around for at least half a day to enjoy the cutest streets with cobbled stones, colorful houses, historic squares, restaurants, cafes, museums, and shops. Don’t forget to bring your camera, as you want to take pictures here!

Full Story at Our Taste for Life

Lesbian Malmo Travel Resources

Sri Lanka’s Kandy Lake – Keep Calm and Wander

Sri lanka's Kandy Lake - Keep Calm and Wander

The views around Kandy Lake are worth seeing. I recommend you walk around the lake and just enjoy it leisurely. Stop in a nearby cafe or under a shed if you needed to. Strolling around was actually kind of therapeutic to me after a whirlwind of sightseeing days before I arrived here. On my second day in Kandy, I had a whole morning free so I used the time to stroll around Kandy Lake.

After the early visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, I told my driver I’d spend the rest of the morning strolling. He was okay with it and told me where to meet him afterwards.

Kandy Lake is a man-made lake that was built in 1807 to beautify the the country’s most sacred Buddhist temple.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Sri Lanka Gay Travel Resources

Best Gay Beaches in the World – The Nomadic Boys

Best Gay Beaches in the World - The Nomadic Boys

Waves lapped gently against the shore, the sun beat down and warmed my every fiber, palm trees swayed in the breeze. As I took a sip of my ice-cold mojito, I asked Seby: “Is there anything better than a trip to the beach?”

“Of course” he replied, “a trip to a gay beach!”

I had to admit, he was right. Whether it’s the chance to get active in the water, show off your hard work in the gym or simply top up that tan, it’s no secret that many gay guys feel most fabulous at the beach. This has meant that gay beaches have popped up across the world down the years, providing a hotspot for local gay communities and gay tourists too.

From vibrant city center beaches where summer nightlife lasts well into the early hours or more relaxed, isolated affairs with a cultivated vibe, gay beaches come in as many shapes, sizes, and guises as gay men. Whether you’re searching for the best gay beaches in the United States or fancy visiting a gay beach further afield, our rundown of the twenty best gay beaches in the world has got you covered.

Fire Island Pines Gay Beach in New York, USA

Fire Island is a thin sliver of land running parallel to the south shore of Long Island in New York. It’s a serious gay mecca on the east coast, where the Manhattan gay boys come to party during summer. The main gay areas are predominantly located around Cherry Grove (or “the Grove” for short) and Fire Island Pines (aka “the Pines”). The beaches around here are gay as hell.

The Grove and the Pines have been gay havens since the 1960s and have largely been left alone as self-governing communities. This has allowed an “anything goes” attitude to flourish here, which makes for some wild fun as well as some of the skimpiest swimsuits we’ve ever seen! Spots such as Pavilion are ideal for drinks in the sun before moving on to more hedonistic establishments such as Sip n Twirl.

Our favorite spot is located on the wild stretch of beach between the Grove and the Pines, separated by a large forest. As you enter the forest between the two communities, continue heading towards the beach ahead and there you’ll find it. The total walk from either the Grove or the Pines ferry dock is around half a mile. Check out why we also rate Fire Island as one of the best vacation spots in the US.

Full Story at The Nomadic Boys

Lesbian Bangkok – Our Taste for Life

Lesbian Bangkok - Our Taste for Life

Bangkok is known as the gay capital of Asia. We’ve spent quite some time in Bangkok over the years. And we’ve always been thankful for its liberal and open-minded attitude towards to the LGBTQ+ community. Not only can we be ourselves without fear of discrimination, but the gay nightlife in Bangkok is some of the best in the world. From pulsating gay nightclubs and exclusive lesbian parties, to several acclaimed gay-friendly hotels, gay and lesbian Bangkok has a lot to offer.

Bangkok’s lesbian scene aside, there’s a lot to love about beautiful, busy, bombastic, Bangkok. On the one hand, you have the rich Thai culture in the form of jaw-dropping temples, bustling markets, and sensational local cuisine. On the other is Bangkok’s edgier side, with its wild nightlife, epic rooftop bars, and opportunities for urban exploring.

In my experience, lesbian Bangkok is a bit like marmite. You either love it, or you hate it. But the one thing I insist on is giving it a chance. I’ll admit, as a first-timer arriving in the city, the chaos of it all can be overwhelming. But we’ve visited Bangkok over a dozen times now. And despite being everything we usually hate about big cities, we’ve actually grown quite fond of her.

Lesbian Bangkok

I’m confident that if you give Bangkok a chance, you’re guaranteed to find something you like about the city. And this guide aims to provide you with all the information you need to have an unforgettable time. I’ve listed all of the hottest gay bars and nightclubs; gay-friendly hotels and hostels; the best LGBT+ centred events; as well as all the top things to see and do.

By Charlotte & Natalie – Full Story at Our Taste for Life

Lesbian Thailand Travel Resources

Gay Valparaiso – The Nomadic Boys

Gay Valparaiso - The Nomadic Boys

Santiago might be home to a large gay scene in Bellavista, but for our money, Valpo is even more tolerant, open-minded and downright fabulous!

Valpo (for short) is one of the country’s most popular draws, famous for its magnificent street art and unique architecture. Pablo Neruda, the famous Chilean Nobel Prize-winning poet, loved Valpo so much he set up one of his homes here. UNESCO was so impressed, it added Valpo’s Historic Quarter to its World Heritage List in 2003, and The Guardian described Valpo as a “mini Berlin by the seaside“.

As Chile’s capital of culture, Valparaiso is packed with art, nightlife and creativity of every kind. This makes the city a hub for the nation’s gay community and we felt more at home in Valpo than anywhere else in Chile.

We fell in love with Valpo’s stunning seaside location, it’s amazing works of art and, of course, the drop-dead gorgeous locals. It goes without saying that by this point, Valpo is one of our favorite cities in Latin America.

To show you how great Valparaiso for LGBTQ travelers, we decided to create a comprehensive gay guide to the city and its neighboring gay resort town Viña del Mar. From the most gay-friendly places to stay to the wildest gay bars and clubs, we will cover it all in our guide to Chile’s coolest city.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Chile Gay Travel Resources

Gay Ios – The Globetrotter Guys

Gay Ios - The Globetrotter Guys

We first visited Ios as part of our gay sailing trip around the Greek Islands in 2019 and immediately fell in love with this beautiful island.

Ios is part of the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea and can be found between Naxos and Santorini. It is a relatively small island at only 18 kilometres long and 10 kilometres wide.

The island is known for its lazy days, beautiful beaches and party fuelled nights.

As places like Santorini become increasingly popular with huge numbers of tourists, places like Ios give you the opportunity to explore an equally beautiful island without so many crowds, especially since it has no airport so you can only arrive by sea!

Like Santorini, Ios is covered with white washed, blue domed buildings which look stunning and are iconic of these islands.

When it comes to gay Ios, it does not have a well established gay scene like you would find in Mykonos (see our Gay Travel Guide to Mykonos). However like many places we visited around Greece, we felt welcome as a gay couple and did manage to find it’s one gay bar during our explorations!

Check out our Gay Greece Guide for a shortlist of our top gay destinations in Greece.

In our mini ‘Gay Ios Travel Guide’ we share the best things to do in Ios as well as where to stay, and some great recommendations for a sunset drink!

By Sion & Ben – Full Story at the Globetrotter Guys

Greece Gay Travel Resources

Gay Puglia – The Nomadic Boys

Gay Puglia - The Nomadic Boys

Our gaydar went absolutely crazy on the beaches in Puglia. Everywhere we looked, these metrosexual studs were posing and just looking absolutely ripped…Italian men sure know how to take care of themselves!

Puglia is located in the southeastern region of Italy – the heel of the country’s boot. It’s a popular holiday retreat and a prime hotspot for gay travellers, particularly Gallipoli. It’s also stunning, full of UNESCO sites like Alberobello, pretty cities like Lecce, lush landscapes like the Grotta della Poesia, and some of the best food of the entire country…orecchiete anyone?

To get a flavour of gay Puglia, we recommend watching the 2010 Italian movie, Loose Cannons (“Mine Vaganti”) about a bourgeoise family in Lecce coming to terms with their two gay sons… You’ll laugh your socks off, but will also get some fantastic inspiration about the region. We also help to inspire you with our detailed gay guide to Puglia setting out our first-hand experience of the gay scene out here, the best gay hotels to stay, beaches, events and more.

Is Gay Puglia safe for LGBTQ+ travellers?

Yes it is! Whilst Italy is a conservative country with regards to LGBTQ rights, over the years, Puglia has become a bohemian playground for gay travellers. There are a handful of gay beaches across the region, as well as many gay hangouts in the main cities, particularly Gallipoli.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Puglia Gay Travel Resources

Lesbian Stockholm – Our Taste for Life

Lesbian Stockholm - Our Taste for Life

Stockholm, aka the lesbian capital of Scandinavia, is one of the most open-minded, liberal, and hip cities we have ever visited. I mean, gender-neutral bathrooms and shops nearly everywhere, how great is that?! But lesbian Stockholm isn’t just a great city to visit to celebrate feminism and being queer, it’s also great to go to Stockholm if you like nature, music, fashion, and food. Our favorite thing: fika! If you haven’t heard about fika yet, stay tuned, we will explain all about later in this article. We will also tell you about the best (LGBTQ+) spots in Stockholm. And afterward, it’s time to pack your bags and go see lesbian Stockholm yourself!

Stockholm is the capital city of Sweden and is the most populous city in all of Scandinavia. Therefore you might think of Stockholm as a busy city, but we absolutely love the calm- and nature-side of it. Stockholm is set on 14 islands, that’s why you see water everywhere in Stockholm! Perfect for a romantic stroll along the waterside on a hot summer night (or any time, really). The Baltic Sea and Lake Mälaren melt together in Stockholm, so there’s both fresh and saltwater in the city (separated by Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s old town).

LGBT Rights in Sweden

Swedes, in general, are very liberal people. It isn’t a surprise that their rights for LGBT people are one of the most progressive in Europe. Sweden is ranked as one of the most LGBT friendly countries in the world. And that’s something we notice during our visits. We feel welcome everywhere in Sweden and we can completely be ourselves. Nobody seems to care about seeing us, or our friend Barry and his boyfriend, walking hand in hand on the streets. Also, in both Stockholm and Malmö, we saw many gay couples walking hand in hand on the streets.

By Charlotte & Natalie – Full Story at Our Taste for Life