I’ve talked about Berlin a lot on this site, providing you with some useful guides for the city (check out:
By Dani – Full Story at Globetrotter Girls
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After our amazing first weekend in Berlin, we continued our adventures with more street art, more German breakfasts, my visitor’s (and my!) first ever curry wurst (this was the first time I found a vegetarian curry wurst), sunsets over Tempelhof airport (one of my favorite places in the city), and an epic 20 mile bike ride through Berlin. The city is so enormously big that is impossible to explore it on foot, and since it is a really bike-friendly city with plenty of bike lanes, bikes are a great way too see Berlin. Tiergarten alone (Berlin’s version of Central Park) is big enough to spend half a day there (or longer) walking along the trails.
We were blessed with beautiful summer weather, cycled from Alexanderplatz to Brandenburg Gate to Victory Column on one of Berlin’s main boulevards, along the canals, and all over Tempelhof which is another one of those places that is too big to be explored on foot. We did get our fair share of walking in this week, however, with the free history walking tour (I mention this tour in my quick guide to Berlin with a few other must-do activities) during which our guide brought us to the iconic Berlin landmarks such as Checkpoint Charlie, the Memorial for the murdered Jews of Europe, the Berlin Wall(again!) and the beautiful Gendarmenmarkt Square.
By Dani – Full Story at Globetrotter Girls
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Hello from Berlin! Just like New York, Berlin now feels like home to me. I spent enough time in the city over the past few years to know my way around, to navigate the comprehensive transportation network (buses, trams, overground trains, underground trains) without getting lost, I have favorite coffee shops and even a co-working space here. And this time, I even found the way to my AirBnb apartment without a map after my Google Maps app stopped working. I’d almost say that after New York, Berlin feels like my second home now.
And just like last summer, I proudly showed off this awesome city to a visitor – my first of two visitors from NYC! And this one is joining me for the fourth time this year, which I am stoked about! We must have walked at least 20 miles all over Berlin this weekend, exploring my favorite neighborhoods, devouring traditional German breakfasts, strolling over weekend flea markets and taking in German history at the Berlin Wall.
And the best way to learn about Berlin’s complicated history? In combination with some street art! A walk along the East Side Gallery, Germany’s longest still standing piece of the Berlin wall, nearly a mile long (1.3km) was of course the highlight for two street art lovers, and traveling with a fellow photographer also meant playing with our cameras a little more than I’ve been doing on recent trips, and I was excited to pursue a little Polaroid project that I had been wanting to do for a while – you’re getting a little sneak peek here.
By Dani – Full Story at Globetrotter Girls
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After a few short days with my family, I returned to Berlin on Thursday for six days – and to welcome two special visitors from New York!
I have to admit that I am slightly exhausted after sightseeing for days, but I love showing people around this giant urban sprawl that can be overwhelming and hard to grasp for first time visitors.
We wandered the tree-lined streets of Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg, shopped at the Sunday flea market in Mauerpark and listened to people from all over the world belt out their favorite songs in front of 1,000 people at Bearpit Karaoke. We watched an epic sunset from Berlin’s coolest rooftop bar, Klunkerkranich (which even made it in the NYT, as a must-go spot in 36 hours in Berlin) and strolled along the canals.
I also managed to get us tickets to visit the Reichstag dome on Saturday, which I hadn’t done in three years – tickets are hard to get during the summer months, probably because they’re free. Sadly I couldn’t get them for my first visitors a couple of weeks ago, so the happier I was that I was able to show these two Berlin’s best 360 degrees views.
By Dani – Full Story at Globetrotter Girls
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fantastic cultural meccas that always take a keen interest in making everyone feel comfortable, and those who identify LGBTQ will fit right in. So what are you waiting for—the party’s just ahead!
With a long standing history that is as intense as it is troubled, Berlin has arisen from the ashes of its past to become one of the most diverse, well-rounded, and respecting cities in the world with multi-ethnicities immigrating and thriving with the German population.
In addition to their incredibly progressive views, Berlin is also the gay capital of Europe with a gay museum, a gay memorial, and an openly gay mayor. While that doesn’t cover all the basis, the open-minded city is equally comfortable with the rest of the queer community. Head for Hafen, one of the most famous gay bars in town, Connection, a dance club that shouldn’t be missed, and Gay Hostel for accommodation—you’ll find plenty of like-minded people here to experience this amazing city with.
While most of Hollywood is constantly under scrutiny of being one or more of the letters in LGBTQ, the truth is that Los Angeles is a great place to be LGBTQ. Between the cultural metropolis and its heavy art, business, and beauty industries, there are plenty of LGBTQ-friendly beaches and nightclubs to frequent, and the weather is always perfect for a stop down by the sea.
Make a stop at The Abbey for the quintessential gay bar-lounge-party time, which includes both an indoor and outdoor areas and the most prominent members of the LGBTQ community as regulars on the busy weekends.
Madrid is home to perhaps the gayest community around, Chueca, where nightlife reigns supreme, as well as lots of rights and cultural nods to gay culture. Madrid recognizes gay marriages and openly uses LGBTQ lifestyles to influence trendy shops, restaurants, and hotels throughout the city. It’s one of the most progressive cities when it comes to gay rights in the world, and that shows in their laws, party scene, and every other corner of life.
The Cage (a popular fetish bar) is always a perfect place to head for a laugh or even something a tad more serious, but Space of Sound is one of my favorite hangouts for the go-go boys and total party vibe. Park it at Medea for the city’s oldest lesbian bar and don’t forget to leave plenty of time for a sauna experience—the Sauna Octopus is a must for every visitor! For a bonus into the city, I suggest downloading apps such as Grindr and Manhunt if outdoor cruising and sex parties are your thing (grab a Virtual Private Network for your phone to make sure the geolocation functions are working correctly)!
Take one look at the hot bods and it’s obvious why Miami is a gay capital of the world—but more than just being a place to get hot and sweaty out in the open, Miami flourishes with culture and happenings that accept all flavors of ice cream (if you pardon my expression).
While I think a stop at the topless-optional South Beach is an excellent way to spend an afternoon, I also suggest Da Leo Trattoria, for an excellent meal. Don’t miss out on Twist either for a run around the dance floor and then a relaxing evening on the roof for a drink and an overlook of the city that likes to party all night long.
Any city is a great place for the LGBTQ community to travel, but these picks are a specific brand of cultural richness that will just hit all the right notes, so enjoy!
Have any suggestions on where to head after finishing this list? Leave a comment or a next trip itinerary, and I will personally take the recommendation around for a ride!
About the Author: Cassie Phillips is an active tech guru, digital nomad, and wordsmith discovering the world as readily as she explores obscure depths of the internet. Curious about anything and everything, she loves her cat, her coffee, and her growing photography collection. Ask her about her famous Birthday Cake Pancakes recipe or her one-time run in with Ben Affleck and JLO—both stories are likely to leave you in disbelief!
All photos from pixabay, provided by Cassie Phillips]]>
Forget the industrial fumes and the sometimes grim aesthetic of Socialist East Germany – Prenzlauer Berg is cooler and funkier than ever, thanks to a mix of gentrified neighborhoods, squats, artists’ labs, street art shops and breweries-turned-cultural centers.
One of the most hidden but precious areas in the German capital is also a growing gay district, already playing host to flocks of LGBTI people from all over the world. I had the chance to explore Prenzlauer Berg at the beginning of April; the trees were blossoming, guys and girls were starting to wear summer clothes, beers and cocktails were enjoyed outdoors among the leafy avenues and the small alleys, and the mood of Berliners was on the up.
For those who want to explore Prenzlauer Berg, a good starting point is the triangular open space of Kollwitz Platz. The atmosphere is gentle, especially in spring, and it’s just a short walk to the Kulturbrauerei, one of the most interesting venues in post-industrial Berlin.
By Daniele Guido Gessa – Full Story at Gay Star News
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“Du bist verrueckt mein Kind, du musst nach Berlin.”
(“You are crazy, my child. You must go to Berlin.”)
So said one of the great composers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Franz von Suppe (1819-1895) during a time when Berlin was so famous for its liberal attitude and sexual freedom.
Even after the Nazi era and the hard post WW2 years, the city gradually returned to its former glory as a place where whatever you’re into, you will find it.
Berlin has an extremely relaxed attitude to sex and sexuality. This is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for some cheeky romantic playtime with your lover. This is our list of our favourite 5 sexy hotels in Berlin.
By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys
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Berlin is super gay. Gayness is so well accepted in every aspect of society that you’ll find sprinkles of it everywhere. Schoeneberg is the heart of the gay community and has been since the 1920s when it became the first ever gay village – in the world.
Although it was all heavily repressed during the Nazi era, it was reborn after the Berlin Wall was erected in the 1960s and has continued to thrive ever since. Alternative gay scenes have started to spring up in the East over the past 20 years since the Wall came down, particularly in Kreuzberg, Neukoelln and Friedrichshain.
But Schoneberg nonetheless remains the Queen of the Berlin Scene.
By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys
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Most people associate Berlin with crazy sex fetish clubs and an extremely lax attitude to, well just about everything. In fact, you’re not far from the truth: in Berlin, anything goes, except crossing the road when it’s red. Don’t get caught jaywalking in Germany! Couples (straight or gay) will in particular love this city. There’s plenty of romantic things to do in Berlin to suit all preferences. Here’s our 5 favourite:
By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys
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