Photos from the Dinah Vegas – Lesbian Travel

Dinah Vegas Palm Springs, Calif., may be the city most associated with the legendary Dinah Shore festival (so called for a golf tournament bearing the entertainer’s name), the annual gathering of lesbians seeking sun and fun. But for the past five years, Las Vegas has hosted its own Dinah gathering. This year’s Dinah Vegas — which wrapped Sunday and took place at the Rio, Tropicana, Flamingo, Linq, and Luxor resorts — was another rousing success, according to founder Sandy Sachs.

Full Story at The Advocate

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The Tomb of King Ramesses IV – Keep Calm and Wander

King Rameses IV Tomb In Luxor, the ancient Egyptian capital, archaeologists discovered 63 royal tombs at the Valley of the Kings. These pharaohs ruled the country in the 18th, 19th and 20th dynasties. But, perhaps, the most famous discovery from here is the tomb of a Tutankhamen who ruled in the 18th dynasty. Unlike Cairo, pyramids weren’t used here as a tomb for the Kings or Pharaohs. Instead, these royalties were buried in an elaborate, long, tunnel-like passage that goes deep down under at the valley. Nowadays, only three royal tombs are open to the public for viewing for a ticket price of one. Yes, we went down to all three but only one has left me in awe – the tomb of Rameses IV.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

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PowWow in Phoenix – Globetrotter Girls

Pow Wow - Dani After spending my first weekend in Tucson with Katie, I had a surprise visitor in town for my second weekend, and VisitArizona had listed an event online that piqued our interest: a PowWow in Phoenix. A PowWow is a gathering of several Native American communities who perform their traditional dances and showcase their communities’ costumes, and not knowing much about Native American culture at all, despite several visits to the Southwest, including various Indian reservations, I decided that it was time to learn more about their culture and so we headed to Phoenix for the day. A PowWow is traditional held so that Native Americans of different communities can meet, dance and sing together, make new friendships, and of course: preserve their heritage and culture. But there is usually a dancing and/or singing competition, in the case of the PowWow we went to, there were competitions for both.

By Dani – Full Story at Globetrotter Girls

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Gay Philadelphia: Public Art

gay Philadelphia One of the things we absolutely loved about our visit to gay Philadelphia in October was the amazing amount of public art – murals and statues and the like. Of course, we had to get a photo of the famous “Love” sculpture – and did you know there’s one in Spanish too? But there is so much more to see scattered throughout the downtown core. One plaza is covered in giant pieces from various board games we loved as children. And walls all over the city are plastered with gorgeous murals, including the LGBT one on the side of the Center. Here are some of our favorites! <

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Laconia Bike Week 2016

Laconia Bike Week 2016! http://glynnhouse.com/events/  Celebrate 93 years of riding legacy in Glynn House Evening-c2016! Join other enthusiasts at the world’s oldest motorcycle rally in Laconia, New Hampshire. Laconia Bike Week 2016 is unmatched for scenic riding along New Hampshire’s tranquil country roads. Laconia Bike Week 2016 has a schedule packed with terrific events too. Scheduled events include gypsy rides, live music, bike air jumps, stunt shows and lots more. Residents and business alike, welcome motorcyclists during Laconia Bike Week each year. If riding is your pleasure, join us for Laconia Motorcycle Week 2016 – June 11 – 19. Are you looking for Laconia Bike Week accommodation? The historic ‘circa 1895’ Glynn House Inn is the perfect Laconia Bike Week 2016 location. The Inn is situated 20 minutes from Weirs Beach. It’s perfectly positioned for cruising dozens of easily accessible country roads too. Laconia Bike Week 2016 guests experience elegant surroundings delicious food, modern amenities, unrivaled service and genuine hospitality. Rates include gourmet breakfast – served at separate tables in the Victorian dining room. A full gluten free breakfast menu is always available. Afternoon refreshments and early evening wine and cheese are offered daily. Bike trailers readily be accommodated. Hoses and rags are available for bike cleaning. Let your four-footed canine pal join your Laconia Bike Week 2016 getaway. Reserve one of five pet friendly rooms. Therapeutic in-room massage is available in most guest rooms. Experience additional delights during your two-wheel visit to New Hampshire’s amazing White Mountains and Lakes Regions. Art galleries, antiques and ‘tax free’ shopping options will entice the most discerning shopper. Cultural activities include concerts reflecting every genre and four professional theaters. Vineyards and micro breweries offer complimentary tastings and exceptional products. Outdoor enthusiasts can experience lakes and mountains, outdoor adventure, plus endless hiking trails. Guests are eligible for some terrific local activity discounts too. Great local dining options will satisfy your palette. View the Glynn House website http://www.glynnhouse.com for additional information about the Inn and local activities. Book Your ‘Laconia Bike Week 2016’ Accommodation Now! http://ao4.availabilityonline.com/availability_search.php?un=glynnhse or call (603) 968 3775.]]>

The Ice Diamonds Of Breiðamerkursandur – Globetrotter Girls

Breiðamerkursandur Steaming geysers, thunderous waterfalls, breathtaking canyons and vast lava fields – I saw more stunningly beautiful places in my week in Iceland than in any other country in such a short time. But my favorite place? None of those. My favorite destination was Breiðamerkursandur – the place that puts the ‘ice’ in Iceland: Jökulsárlón, Iceland’s most famous glacier lagoon, and even more so Diamond Beach, just across the street from the glacier. When I parked our car in the little car park right on the black sand beach, I understood immediately why it was called Diamond Beach: like bright diamonds in different shapes and sizes, dozens of chunks of ice litter the beach, giant waves crashing against them, moving the smaller ones around, and forcefully repelled by the bigger ones.

By Dani – Full Story at Globetrotter Girls

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Gay Philadelphia: Elfreth's Alley

Elfreth's Alley Elfreth's AlleyLate last year, we visited gay Philadelphia. It was our first time in this amazing, diverse city, and we’re just finally getting around to sharing it with y’all. One of our favorite things in the city was Elfreth’s Alley. It’s a tiny, one-block section of the city, tucked away om the east side close to the Delaware River. The whole city sits between the Delaware and the Schuylkill Rivers, one to the East and the other to the West. Elfreth’s Alley is fascinating. It’s called the “nation’s oldest residential street.” The street was created in 1702, and the houses there date from 1728 to 1806. The houses on the south side of the street were built under British occupation, and are shorter than the others and fly British flags. The ones on the north side were built after the Revolution, and are taller, with American flags. Elfreth's Alley panorama If you look closely, you can see little metal emblems on many of the houses. At the time, you had to pay for fire protection, and the company you chose would put their emblem on your house. Just so they didn’t accidentally save a house that hadn’t been paid for. Elfreth's Alley panorama We took our tour of historic Philadelphia with an outfit called Urban Tours. The guide there was friendly and very knowledgeable, and actually lived in the neighborhood. Elfreth’s Alley is a really cool place to see and take pictures the next time you’re in Philly.]]>

TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD: Hotel Pattee, Perry, Iowa – A Destination Unto Itself

hotel-pattee- good front shot Sometimes we want to go to a resort and spend some time whether it is in the mountains or seaside or desert and other times we want to go to a destination just to enjoy that particular destination. Earlier this year we stayed at the HOTEL PATTEE in Perry, Iowa which is more or less in the middle of Iowa. Perry is actually located about 35 miles northwest of Des Moines and has a population of about 7,000. The very historical HOTEL PATTEE was built in 1913 and the interior is from the Arts and Crafts movement of that era and it is still the same. The lobby and all the rest of the interior of the hotel brings you back when grandeur was what it was all about. pattee hotel jaySince the beginning of the HOTEL PATTEE the hotel has gone thru a few owners. Jay and Denise Hartz from St. Louis purchased the hotel in 2013 and have done a truly remarkable job. They really enjoy the hotel business and are extremely professional. They live in the town and are there everyday to see that everything is done properly. hotel pattee lobbyThey offer 22 Classic Rooms, all with different themes like the Gustav Stickley Room, Needlework Room, Irish Room, Quilting Room, Russian Room, Southeast Asian Room, Welsh Room, Williams Morris Room, Woodworking Room, Bohemian Room, Marching Band Room, plus a large variety of other ‘themed’ rooms. pattee suite12 Premier Rooms, all with different themes like Perry, Iowa natives and former residents, VT Snick Hamlin, (Creator of the popular comic strip, ‘Alley Oop), Bill Bell, (who was in the John Philip Sousa band and later the Principal Tubist for the New York Philharmonic), Barry Kemp (Television writer and produce known for Newhart, Taxi and Coach) and other motifs like Swedish, Mexican, King’s Daughter, Japanese, Dutch, Chinese, American Indian, Amana Colonies and 1913 Farm House Room. 6 Full and Junior Suites (including the Louis Armstrong Suite, D.J. Pattee Suite, Earl & Virginia Green Suite, Travelers Suite, David Ahmanson Suite for Kids and the George and Agnes Soumas Suite.) pattee trainThey have a wonderful restaurant, called David’s Milwaukee Diner. It was named for David Jackson Pattee, the gentleman in whose honor the hotel was built, and for the Milwaukee Railroad which for over 100 years was the the main employer in Perry. The Diner takes you back to the era when the train was King! The Arrow Room, named for a Milwaukee passenger train is a recreation of an early 20th century railroad dining car, complete with coffered ceiling, wood paneling, and murals showing the countryside near Perry. The Challenger and Hiawatha Rooms, also named for Milwaukee trains are designed in the Arts and Crafts style frequently found in depot hotel restaurants and railroad hotel dining rooms. Their Inter-Urban Lounge, named for the electric trains that shuttled travelers back and forth between Perry and Des Moines through the early part of the 20th Century. The lounge is decorated in the style of the Midwest’s best known Arts and Crafts designer, Frank Lloyd Wright. Known as Prairie Style, Wright’s designs dot the Midwest. Photos of the Inter-Urban, Perry’s railroad history and the people who made the town line the walls. Relax and enjoy drinks while enjoying the nostalgia. They have live music on weekends. In addition they have a wonderful outdoor patio that is within the hotel grounds. They offer a large variety of places for weddings, anniversaries and all types of private parties. This is one of the most LGBT friendly hotels in the country. They offer many amenities including over 130 pieces of original art by more than 30 artists which are on display honoring noteworthy native sons and daughters of Iowa. Your experience will feature oversized beds, wireless Internet access, spacious bathrooms, oversized bath towels and plush robes. Spa and wood-burning fireplaces are available in selected rooms. During your stay, take advantage of their fitness center with sauna, steamroom and hot tub. And believe it or not, they have a bowling alley on the lower lever of the hotel. It has two full-functioning lanes with automated scoring. EVERY member of their staff is extremely professional and friendly. The owners certainly have taught them well. Our favorite staff member, for his ultra professionalism was Josh Riviera, Front Desk Manager. But all of the staff was perfect both in the hotel as well as in the restaurant. Thank you to the owners, Jay and Denise Hartz for returning the historical HOTEL PATTEE to its original grandeur. You and your staff are to be commended for a wonderful job on making the hotel a 5 star stay for your guests. Whether staying just for a couple of days or a week or more, we guarantee that you will be in for a very special experience. In all of our travels from coast to coast, this is the most unusual and interesting hotel we have visited. Check out their website at: www.hotelpattee.com Most hotel websites do not give a lot of details however their website tells you everything about the hotel including photos of all the rooms so before you check in, you can choose exactly which ‘themed’ room you want. They are located at 1112 Willis Avenue in downtown Perry. The phone number is 515-465-3511. The HOTEL PATTEE truly is a destination unto itself! Don and RayAlways remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone! TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-winning, Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from coast to coast (And now legally married). Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/

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Beach Escape to the Costa del Sol

Costa del Sol If you are looking for a destination that delivers some quality beach time and great weather, then it’s hard to beat Spain’s Costa del Sol. The term Costa del Sol refers to the stretch of coastline surrounding the city of Malaga – this region is one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations. The weather and the beaches are the key attractions, and there has been extensive development along the coastline to cater for the influx of international tourism.

By Gareth Johnson – Full Story at Gay Star News

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Gay Miami Where to Relax

Gay Miami Photo via Flickr by T. Tseng[/caption] When life becomes monotonous, head down to Florida, America’s favorite year-round destination, to break free from everything dull. Some go for the hedonism it offers, and others go to relax. But when you’re thinking of your ultimate escape, look no farther — Miami, the Magic City, will never fail to make you feel refreshed, relaxed, and energized by the time you get back to work. Here are five places offering rest for the weary in gay Miami. Stroll Around Wynwood Art District With over 70 museums and art galleries, Wynwood Art District screams life, hopes, and dreams in vibrant colors. The open-air street art installations you’ll see here won’t just awaken your drained body but will feed your mind as well. If you want to explore together with other art lovers and learn more details about the visual feasts you’ll be seeing, join the Wynwood Art Walk Tour. When you’re done, sit at one of the cafes in the neighborhood and enjoy the artistic vibe. If you like contemporary art, be sure to check out the internationally acclaimed Art Basel, an annual art show held in December.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

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