Columnists

Gay Hanoi – Keep Calm and Wander

by
Gay Hanoi - Keep Calm and Wander

Here are 20 things to do and see in gay Hanoi (Vietnam). If you are into Vietnamese food, this list won’t help you much. I’m not including the names of restaurants because when you are in Hanoi, you can eat everywhere, especially in the Old Quarter. The locals love their food so much that it’s no wonder food stalls and restaurants are ubiquitous in the city. The list below is mostly tourist attractions in the city which you can pretty much read in travel guides.

How to get around Hanoi

You can all do the sightseeing by yourself with no problem. However, Hanoi is huge, and walking from one attraction to another can be tiring. So, you better consult your Google map where to start first and where to end. Also, the fastest and the cheapest way to go around is by hailing a Grab bike/scooter. Another option is to rent a motorbike daily or weekly.

Tourist Attractions in Hanoi

Let’s start from the area where you can walk from one place to another. The first six attractions on this list are within walking distance from each other. 

1. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

This is a heavily-guarded place where tall guards in white uniforms are freakin’ good-looking. Really! Zoom in your camera and you’d know I’m not exaggerating. Unfortunately, the mausoleum is not open to the public. All you can do is walk from the entrance to the main square and to the exit. Just in case you are wondering who Ho Chi Minh is – he was once the president of Vietnam and a well-respected revolutionary leader.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Hanoi, Vietnam Gay Travel Resources

Four Days in Lesbian London – Our Taste for Life

by

Lesbian London - London Eye - Our Taste for Life

4 days in London is the perfect amount of time to appreciate all that this pulsating city has to offer. And if you’re here looking for the best 4 day London Itinerary, you’ll be pleased to know you’ve come to the right place. I’ve spent most of my life living and working in London, which is why it’s not too difficult for me to suggest the best places to visit in London in 4 Days. In this guide, I cover all of the London hotspots, including some cool hidden gems. I include where to eat, sleep, and party. And finally, I share all of my insider tips to ensure you have the best possible time exploring the city.

London is one of the most happening and exciting cities in all of Europe. And I know you’re probably thinking I’m biased because I’m a local, but it’s true. You see, everything about the British capital is larger than life. With its rich history, vibrant culture, magnificent architecture, eccentric fashion, wild nightlife, and unrivalled culinary scene, London ignites your senses in the best possible way.

I grew up on the outskirts of London, and while I like to think I know the city pretty well, I’m certainly no expert. You know what they say, you rarely explore the beauty that’s right on your doorstep. But last year I pledged to change that. And I’ve seen more of London in the past 12 months than I have in the past 30 years. That said, I certainly can’t claim to know it all. It would be easy to spend weeks if not months exploring London and just about scratch the surface.

With this in mind, the goal of this 4 day London itinerary, is to cover several of the cities major landmarks such as the London Eye, Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace. But you’ll also discover a slightly alternative side of London by visiting quirky neighbourhoods such as Shoreditch and Camden. Not to mention, eating at remarkable restaurants and drinking at traditional London pubs along the way.

Full Story at Our Taste for Life

London Gay Travel Resources

Gay Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia – The Nomadic Boys

by
Gay Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia - The Nomadic Boys

Kool-krazy-kat-Kota-Kinabalu, the capital and gateway of Malaysia’s Sabah region on Borneo island. This is the city where treks up to Borneo’s highest mountain (Mount Kinabalu) begin, the tropical waters of the Gaya islands are right on your doorstep, lots of different magnificent experiences can be found, and, the coolest nickname ever for a city: KK!

Whilst most travellers will skip out KK, using it just as a transport hub to enter/leave Sabah, we think you should spend a few nights here. We visited KK during our trip around Malaysia and loved it. It’s a relaxed, modern place that offers so much. It also has a large LGBTQ community and sometimes even a gay bar – ie it closes/reopens a lot (more on this below)!

We’ve put together all our findings from our trip in and around gay Kota Kinabalu in this article. We’ve included important practical safety tips for LGBTQ travellers, gay friendly hotels we tried/loved, queer friendly hangouts and some of our favourite things to do which we hope inspires you.

Is Kota Kinabalu safe for gay travellers?

On the whole, yes, but as long as you’re careful to avoid PDAs. Malaysia is not on par with some of the places in the Middle East, but it’s obviously no Bangkok here!

In relation to progressive LGBTQ rights in Malaysia, there are none at all. There is even a horrible archaic anti-gay law which carries with it a 20-year imprisonment as well as caning, fines and/or deportation! The reality is that the anti-gay law of Malaysia is rarely ever enforced, particularly against foreigners. However, this gives you an idea of how society regards homosexuality and therefore why it’s best to avoid PDAs.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Gay Friendly Madrid Hotels – The Globetrotter Guys

by
Axel Hotel Madrid - The Globetrotter Guys

Madrid is well known for being a beautiful and open city and you will easily find gay friendly Madrid hotels. It’s a bit odd to need to talk about being gay friendly in Madrid and we would use the term quite loosely here.

The city is so open and such a safe haven for gay travellers that we can say with confidence that pretty much all hotels will welcome all types of traveller without batting an eyelid.

It feels like asking the question ‘is your hotel gay friendly‘ is a bit redundant in Madrid and you would probably get some quizzical looks for asking – it feels ingrained in the culture here.

However, there are always hotels that are naturally more popular with the gay community, whether because of their brand or by their proximity to the gay area of Madrid.

We have focused on hotels that are in close proximity to the city centre and Chueca (the gay district). Here is our shortlist of gay friendly and gay hotels in Madrid to book for your next trip:

Axel Hotel Madrid – Adults Only

If you are looking for a hotel that falls in the category of ‘gay hotel’ then look no further. Having stayed at Axel Hotels in Berlin and Gran Canaria this would be our first choice, especially since it is specifically aimed at gay travellers and brands itself as ‘hetero-friendly’. The rooms are stylishly decorated, insta-worthy and come with the very cheeky ‘do disturb’ signs if you want to hang them on your doors!

Full Story at The Globetrotter Guys

Madrid Gay Travel Resources

Gay Montréal, Canada – wolfyy

by
gay Montréal

Montréal’s gay life is found in the popular gay village, located in the east of the city near the Latin quarter. The gay village has increasingly been promoted as a tourist destination over recent years.

Gay-owned restaurants, clothing stores and bars line the streets beneath festive hanging balls. This rainbow art installation has become symbolic of Montréal’s gay life. The city is one of the best lgbt-friendly destinations for gay travelers who want to visit Canada.

The Montréal Gay Village

Montréal has a pretty legendary gay village. All the gay nightlife is in this part of town and the area is a fantastic place to hang out, with tons of bars, restaurants, and boutique stores lining the main street. The vibe is undeniably awesome.

For many years, strings of rainbow-colored balls hung over St. Catherine Street East, which is the heart of the gay village. This art installation has created a beautiful symbol of how gay-friendly the city truly is.

montréal places to stay

Should you look for a hotel in the Montréal gay village? Well, this depends on what type of accommodations you typically prefer. If you like more local experiences, then I’d head over to Le Plateau

But, there are some places to stay that I definitely wouldn’t pass up. I’ll give you the full rundown in wolfyy’s gay Montréal guide linked below.

Montréal Gay Travel Guide on wolfyy

Gay Canada Resources

How to Stay Fit While Traveling – wolfyy

by
how to stay fit while traveling

The question of how to stay fit while traveling, whether it’s for work or play, seems to always be on our minds. What’s actually possible without access to a gym?

Being away from your local fitness center or the trails of your favorite park can definitely throw you off. When we’re on the road, working out can easily become an afterthought. 

However, jumping right into a specialized travel-fitness routine is actually easier than you think. Whether you’re embarking on a several month journey or taking a week-long holiday, these easily-actionable recommendations will help you learn how to stay fit. You’ll be able to work out while traveling without any hassle.

How To Stay Fit While Traveling Without Equipment

Sometimes we get so accustomed to using weights, treadmills, and other equipment that we forget how to manage without them! Weights and other machines are helpful, but as most of us know, utilizing your body weight alone can be equally as effective.

Most importantly, when we attempt bodyweight exercises, we have to remember to challenge ourselves. Shift focus away from the discomfort associated with exhausting your muscles and work toward fully activating your target muscle with mental clarity.

Read More: How to Stay Fit While Traveling on wolfyy

Purple Roofs Gay Travel Resources

Gay Aspen, Colorado – wolfyy

by
gay aspen

One of the most luxurious ski towns in the United States, Aspen draws a loyal crowd that’s eager to have a good time. Most LGBT travelers also have this unique Colorado destination on their radars for the yearly Aspen Gay Ski Week events.

Aspen isn’t just a winter destination. Tourists visit all year round! While more people come once it’s cold enough for snow, many travelers enjoy the mountainous terrain all year. Seeing the yellow Aspen trees in Autumn is priceless.

Similar to nearby Vail, Aspen has a largely transient community, which means the number of gay travelers there can fluctuate. You’ll of course find yourself amongst a sea of other gay guys during Aspen Gay Ski Week, as well as a decent bunch over the winter season.

LGBT Aspen: Hotels & Vacation Rentals

When people think of staying in Aspen, luxury typically comes to mind. There are so many options for luxury resorts and vacation rentals. I’ll fill you in on which hotels are perfect for you, whether you like to be in the center of it all or prefer a secluded mountain chalet.

Full Aspen Gay Travel Guide on wolfyy

Gay Colorado Resources

Gay Gili Islands – The Nomadic Boys

by
Gay Gili Islands - The Nomadic Boys

Are we having a fabulous time in Indonesia? Gili-Ty as charged!

…we’d even go as far as saying the Gili Islands is one of our topest-bestest-most-favouritest beach destinations in all of Southeast Asia. In all seriousness, it’s a place we always recommend when we’re often asked – “Guys, can you recommend me an inexpensive beach getaway in Asia?”

Why? ‘Cause these 3 small islands combine white sandy beaches, flat clear water, terrific diving sites and plenty of activities (have you ever tried Subwing?). There’s also plenty of partying for when you want it or complete remote island solitude when you just want to be completely cut off from the world. And then there are those phenomenal magical sunsets, every evening!

In summary, the Gili Islands impressed us a lot. They’re nicknamed “the Maldives of Southeast Asia” for good reason. We’ve put together this detailed gay guide of the Gilis based on our firsthand experience travelling here as a gay couple, which we hope inspires and helps you have a fun and safe trip.

What and where are the gay Gili Islands exactly?

The Gili Islands are made up of 3 small islands that lie off the northwest coast of Lombok island.

Gili Trawangan is the largest and craziest of the three with a population of around 1,500 people. This is where you’ll find the parties, most of the hotels, best restaurants – essentially it’s the main “hub” of the three islands. Party gay boys will want to base themselves right here.

Full Story at The Nomadic Boys

Lombok, Indonesia Gay Travel Resources

Hiking Sri Lanka’s Ella Rock – The Nomadic Boys

by
Hiking Sri Lanka's Ella Rock - The Nomadic Boys

Ella Rock is the prettiest desktop background I’ve ever had on my laptop! No joke – the view from up here is absolutely jaw-droppingly stunning!

The trek to Ella Rock is only half a day tops, but it easily ranks as one of the best treks I’ve ever done with Stefan during our travels. And we’ve done some pretty amazing treks together, from the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal to the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru.

Ella is a beautiful small town in the south of Sri Lanka in the Hill country located at an altitude of 1,041 metres (3,415 ft). It’s the ideal base to explore the surrounding hills and take in pretty breathtaking views of the Badulla green valleys. The weather is usually quite humid, with moderate air temperature, sunny mornings, and often rain showers in the afternoon. Ella Rock is a famous cliff, located high above Ella’s village, around 8km (5 miles) from the centre of town – around 4 hours total trekking there and back.

The trek to Ella Rock from Ella town is pretty straightforward if you follow our advice below! Sometimes finding the correct path can be tricky, so we’ve put together this easy-to-follow step-by-step guide to help you on your way.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Sri Lanka Gay Travel Resources

Gay Colombia – The Nomadic Boys

by

Gay Colombia - The Nomadic Boys
  • Gay mega clubbing with 5,000 Colombian boys in Bogota? Tick!
  • Swimming in a rainbow river, the Caño Cristales? Tick!
  • Remote paradisiac Caribbean Islands like Providencia? Tick!
  • Partying in the most exciting Carnival of South America outside of Rio? Tick!
  • Sniffin’ up tons of fresh cocaine in Pedro-Escobar-heartland: Medellin? Ti…no wait…

…you may also have been inspired to visit this incredible country from Netflix’s Narcos series, but as every Colombian will rightly tell you, the awful cocaine industry that gripped the country with an ugly civil war for decades is now ancient history. And good riddance to it!

Colombia has evolved to not only become one of the best and safest tourist destinations in all of South America, it has also become one of the most gay friendly.

We spent 6 months travelling in Colombia during our big trip in Latin America, using Medellin and Bogota as a base. We cannot rave enough about it! We were captivated, mesmerised and totally impressed. Colombia is such a rewarding destination offering beaches, culture, gay scene, loads of partying, beautiful landscapes, and some of the hottest people to walk our planet!

Full Story at The Nomadic Boys

Colombia Gay Travel Resources