Richmond for Foodies – Passport Magazine

Richmond for Foodies

The camera eats first!” insisted the alpha-teen at the table next to me when a waitress arrived and lifted the lid from a bamboo basket of steaming shrimp dumplings, confettied with fragrant green snippets of chive.

Forty fiercely painted fingernails reluctantly reversed direction and withdrew as their queen bee moved her iPhone to catch just the right angle, sliding water glasses and cutlery out of view to frame the impend- ing tastiness just-so. “Come on,” com- plained one of her gaggle, “I’m hungry!”

Richmond, British Columbia, on Lulu Island, is the only place in the world where the visitors’ bureau has officially adapted “The camera eats first” as a tourism slogan, urging locals and out-of-towners alike to flood blogs and social media with mouthwatering imagery.

Success was pretty much guaranteed from the get-go. With the largest Asian population in North America and over 800 restaurants, Richmond provides easy access to a world of alluring, sometimes unfamiliar foods for American travelers without the time, budget, or adventurous- ness to manage trans-pacific travel.

Many gay travelers have been to Richmond without even knowing it. If you’ve ever flown into Vancouver, one of Canada’s most popular LGBT destinations, you actually landed in Richmond, where the “Vancouver” International Airport is located. Just a 30-minute car or public train ride from central Vancouver, its a must-do on any Vancity vacation. And if you’re a culinary adventurer, Richmond easily merits a dedicated long weekend trip of its own. Richmond is ready for its close-up, Mr. Delicious.

By Jim Gladstone – Full Story at Passport

Greater Vancouver Gay Travel Resources

West End Guest House – Gay Vancouver Guesthouse

West End Guest House

Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:

Come see us at the West End Guest House in Vancouver’s vibrant, gay friendly West End District – sandwiched between Downtown and Stanley Park.

From our front porch, a short walk will take you to the great shopping on Robson Street (the Beverly Hills of Vancouver), a tandem bike ride around the seawall, or to the gay bars and businesses along Davie Street.

The West End Guest House is also close to the cruise ship terminal.

We’ve had guests from around the world – they come here to experience Vancouver’s famous hospitality. We also enjoy haveing Corporate or Convention guests, Special Occasions (gay/lesbian weddings for small groups or weekend meetings).

Tourists visiting Vancouver for the first time, or the tenth, and Cruise Ship passengers wishing explore the city for a short time before or after their cruise will find the highlights of Vancouver at our door step.

The West End Guest House was originally built in 1906, and our Vancouver bed and breakfast has been renovated with many modern conveniences. The original builders were the owners of Edwards Brothers Photo Supplies in Vancouver, and Vancouver’s early years are chronicled in the Edwards Brothers photographs throughout our rooms.

Our old-world setting is completed with overstuffed parlour furniture and a Belgian-made mahogany dining suite, circa 1920. Other memorabilia and antiques are found throughout this popular Bed and Breakfast Inn.

Looking for the perfect place to stay in the heart of Vancouver? Come stay with us at the West End Guesthouse!

See the PROPERTY Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in AREA

Water Sprite Bed and Breakfast – Gay Lunenburg, Nova Scotia B&B

Water Sprite Bed and Breakfast

Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:

The Water Sprite Bed and Breakfast is located in Lunenburg Nova Scotia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within a few minutes walk, you will find numerous restaurants, boutique shopping and amazing galleries.

Just a stones throw away, Lunenburg harbour, a shelter from the North Atlantic Ocean offering refuge to fishing schooners, scallop trawlers and a fleet of sailboats. Go whale watching, rent a kayak, deep sea fishing or have a sail aboard the famous Bluenose racing schooner.

After a busy day, the Water Sprite awaits your arrival. You can choose from two suites.

THE MAINSAIL SUITE is located oceanside of the house. It has:

  • a king bed
  • beautiful 400+ thread count cotton sheets
  • a 50 inch flat screen TV with full cable and Netflix
  • Fibre optic high speed internet service is complimentary
  • the ensuite bath has a contemporary clawfoot soaker tub where you can lay back and watch sailboats as they enter the harbour

From your room you have your own private balcony where you will find two andirondack chairs waiting for you to sit and enjoy the unobstructed panoramic view of Lunenburg Harbour. A breathtaking sight. We even provide wool blankets should you want to sit out a little longer when the evening cools down.

THE STAYSAIL SUITE is two full size bedrooms with a shared connecting bath that is exclusively for your use. Each room is furnished with:

  • a queen size bed offering you a great nights sleep
  • a 33 inch flat screen in each room with full cable and netflix included
  • fibre optic high speed internet here as well.

All our guests are welcome to use the library, the living room space as well as the covered deck over looking the harbour.

All day treats and refreshments are complimentary and available 24/7.

If you can get out of that comfy bed, a multi-course home made hot breakfast is prepared for you at your convenience. You won’t want to miss that!

We are located on the Southern Shore of Nova Scotia and approximately one hour from Halifax. Be sure to take the Light House Route on your way so you get to see all the coastline has to offer.

We look forward to your visit.

See the Water Sprite Bed and Breakfast Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in AREA

 

Albion Manor B&B – Victoria, British Columbia

Albion Manor B&B

Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:

Welcome to Albion Manor B&B – Victoria’s Victorian Jewel. We want your stay at Albion Manor to be the crowning touch to your stay in charming Victoria.

Albion Manor Bed & Breakfast is ideally located just 5 minutes from the Clipper, Victoria Express and Port Angeles Ferries, the ocean, downtown and Victoria’s major attractions and shopping.

Albion Manor B&B is surrounded by a beautiful, private garden, and features spectacular architectural details both inside and out.

Enjoy modern bathrooms (some with Jacuzzi tubs), private entrances, fireplaces, balconies and patios all in a superb heritage building tastefully decorated with antique furnishings.

Or relax on the covered veranda, in the Peacock Sitting Room or the garden after your gourmet breakfast at Albion Manor.

Coming to Vancouver Island for your next vacation? Stay with us at Albion Manor in the heart of Victoria.

See the Albion Manor B&B Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Victoria

King George Inn – Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada

King George Inn

Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:

Travel back to Nova Scotia’s storied past at King George Inn Bed & Breakfast – originally built in 1868, our home is entirely furnished in wonderful, age-appropriate antique furniture.

Our B&B inn is a Registered Heritage Property, and has large, sunny guest rooms, private bathrooms, twelve ft ceilings, carved moldings, original leaded glass, fireplaces, gorgeous parquet floors, and Faith’s famous Nova Scotia hospitality.

Kin Gerorge Inn has a great location in Annapolis Royal – we’re an easy walk to all the main sights and attractions in the National Historic District.

Our inn features an antique-furnished parlour and 2 dining rooms, a grandstaircase in our main hall, and a Square Grand Piano in our larger dining room.

We offer 8 guest rooms, each furnished in beautiful oak or painted Victorian nineteenth century bedroom sets, complete with commodes, bowls & pitchers, Gone-With-The-Wind lamps, comfortable rocking chairs, oriental rugs, and artwork. Each room is also furnished with antiques, hand-made quilts, color TV, coffee maker, wine glasses, and a/c.

We have bikes available for guest use, or hang around at the inn and relax on our lawn swings, or take a picnic lunch out to our rolling back lawn. There are also a number of great outdoor activities available in the Annapolis Royal area, including whale watching, golf, and deep sea fishing – we can make reservations for you for any of these activities. There are also tennis courts and swimming facilities close by.

Our accommodations are non-smoking and scent-free. We both speak English and French.

Come visit us in Nova Scotia at the King George Inn.

See the King George Inn Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Nova Scotia

A Summer in Montreal

Priape - Montreal I walked by the bathhouse building several times. It had a discreet entrance, a nondescript façade. On the few past occasions I’d gone into a gay bathhouse before—in gay old Barcelona, in gay old San Francisco—it had been this way: a last-minute mental fencing match, a wrestling with the bathhouse angel, Thinking Fast and Slow About Whether or Not to Enter the Bathhouse. Now I was in gay old Montreal, passing along Saint-Catherine Street again. I turned a corner, walking in an expanding spiral away from the bathhouse on the Plateau, then reversed course, spiraling back towards it. This prolonged little drama of indecision might, I thought, either exhaust my racing mind, which was eminently capable of talking me out of doing anything, ever, or successfully muzzle that sweaty, stinking animal curiosity that had gotten me moving in the first place. Of course I was kidding myself: during that part of my life, curiosity won out almost every time, at least when it came to the question of entering some gay lair or another. I craved a connection—higher, lower, however one came by it—and the craving mastered me. A thunderstorm had passed through earlier in the day. Now, however, as I made my way back to Saint-Catherine, the sky was “clear,” which is to say: oceanic, dark, deep inasmuch as it stretched out and out into the great, grave beyond. I knew almost no one in town, and I’d be leaving soon. Straight couples and small groups strolled along the park, speaking Québécois French, West African French, English, blends of these, other tongues. Soon, the dotted, solemn, yellow-white lights of the park gave way to the cheerful ones of the boulevard, where people dined and drank en plein aire or in luminous rooms behind glass. A pleasing aroma of flesh and char and fat wafted from a brightly lit kebab shop.

By Evan James – Full Story at Travel + Leisure

Quebec Gay Travel Resources

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Toronto's West Queen West

Gladstone Hotel - West Queen West West Queen West, as locals have dubbed it, is the lesser-explored stretch of Toronto’s main shopping thoroughfare. It remains relatively spared from mega-chain stores while catering to a gayer, art-savvier population. Start your day at the Gladstone Hotel), a historic landmark and cultural center where you can enjoy a spot of tea — with a scone — while browsing cutting-edge installations on the upper floors. More eye candy awaits as you head east toward Ossington Avenue. Check out the nearby Twist Gallery — a 5,000-square-foot converted loft space with arched windows and exposed wooden beams — showcasing noteworthy local photographers and art events. Down a few blocks, the Stephen Bulger Gallery (BulgerGallery.com) is one of the most respected photography showrooms in the country. Recent exhibits have included works by Joel Meyerowitz and Vivian Maier, and Bulger also hosts free film screenings every Saturday in their 50-seat projection room and bar, Camera.

By Julien Sauvalle – Full Story at Out Magazine

Toronto Gay Travel Resources

Other Gay Travel Events

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Must Do's in Gay Montreal

Rue St. Denis, Gay Montreal One year ago, gay actor-director extraordinaire Xavier Dolan shot Adele’s Hello video just outside his native Montreal. The world watched transfixed as our still-heartbroken heroine, wrapped in faux-fur, emoted amid rolling hills, epic maples and twirling leaves. The clip was a love letter to Canadian autumn. And yet, almost paradoxically, it was filmed in black and white. Don’t get me started. Similarly, standing atop Montreal’s imposing Mount Royal in fall, exploring the picturesque Parc du Mont-Royal thereon, is your chance to channel your inner-Adele in rich, explosive technicolor. Yes, the surrounding countryside provides the perfect playground for foliage followers. But gay Montreal – home to 1.65 million, the largest in the Quebec province and the second-largest French-speaking city worldwide after Paris – is the natural start to such an adventure.

By Jamie Tabberer – Full Story at Gay Star News

Quebec Gay Travel Resources

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Tempting Toronto

Toronto My friend Ming and I had been housemates in London and I was a bit gutted when he decided to move to Toronto. He seemed to settle in quickly to his adopted city, so it didn’t take much persuading from him before I was cashing in my air-miles and making my first visit to Canada. I’d subconsciously decided not to like Toronto – I was here to remind Ming what he was missing out on in London and, in my own subtle way, encourage him to move back. I took a taxi from the airport to Ming’s house in the Trinity-Bellwoods neighborhood. After dropping off my luggage, it was straight out to dinner with Ming, his boyfriend Terry, and his friend Moine. It was a short wait for a table at izakaya-style Japanese restaurant Guu but we were soon tucking into tasty sharing plates of chicken, pork, and beef, all washed down with beer. ‘Irasshaimase!’ shouted the happy restaurant staff every time someone arrived – this is a busy, noisy, vibrant place. Undeniably great food.

By Gareth Johnson – Full Story at Gay Star News

Toronto Gay Travel Resources

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Eating Out: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Brooklyn-Warehouse_byKelsyChauvin The best part of the “eat local” trend is discovering a city with incredible regional ingredients. In Halifax, Nova Scotia, diners enjoy an embarrassment of riches, thanks to the region’s especially fertile and productive growing season, and the bold restaurateurs who take full advantage of Atlantic Canada’s best. In this island province, seafood is of course the star attraction. It’s often so fresh that your fish, lobster, oyster, or other marine delicacy may have been pulled from the bay just hours before. Local chefs complement their prized seafood with well-suited herbs, vegetables, grains, as well as wines and craft brews unique to Nova Scotia. They also excel at making old-favorite dishes their own. Who knew there could be so many delicious versions of poutine or chowder? Gay-friendly Halifax enthusiastically celebrates its Pride every July, but the rest of the year this midsize city is awash in its pride of food sourced from farms, fisheries, foragers, and small-batch producers. While you’re here, you’ll happily devour some of the tastiest food and creatively prepared dishes that we had the pleasure of experiencing during a recent visit.

By Kelsy Chauvin – Full Story at Passport

Nova Scotia Gay Travel Resources

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