Destinations

Lesbian London – Our Taste for Life

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Lesbian London - Our Taste for Life

London is one of the most gay and lesbian-friendly cities in all of Europe. I’ve lived and worked in London for almost all of my life. And I’ve always been grateful for its tolerant and open-minded attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community. As not only can you be yourself without fear of discrimination, but the gay and lesbian nightlife in London is some of the best in the world. From pulsating gay nightclubs and exclusive lesbian bars, to the cities world-famous PRIDE events, gay and lesbian London has a lot to offer.

London’s fabulous gay scene aside, the British capital is a thriving metropolis, bursting with culture, history, fashion, architecture, and an eclectic culinary scene. Not only that, but the city boasts an endless realm of attractions and places to visit that will keep you entertained for days on end. So if you’re looking for an action-packed, gay-friendly, city break in Europe, lesbian London is a winning choice.

You can honestly never get bored in London and all it has to offer. 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 do around the city. We will also touch on LGBT+ rights and social opinions in the UK, so you come fully prepared.

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

Lesbian London Travel Resources

Gay Florida Keys – The Nomadic Boys

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Gay Florida Keys - The Nomadic Boys

We’ve travelled the world extensively, and can hands down say that when it comes to stunning sunsets, the Keys of South Florida is the best place to come. There are of course many other reasons to visit the Keys: the terrific gay scene of Key West, the diving in the many coral reefs, beautiful beaches, and of course the star culinary highlight, the divine Key Lime pie! But for us, those magnificent sunsets stole the show.

The Florida Keys are a string of thousands of tropical islands stretching about 120 miles (193km) off the southern tip of Florida, between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The word “Keys” comes from the Spanish word “cayo”, which means ‘small island’.

The Keys begin at the southeastern coast of the Florida peninsula, about 15 miles (24 km) south of Miami. They then extend from Key Largo, all the way to Key West, which is the westernmost of the inhabited islands.

This is our gay travel guide to the Florida keys, where we set out the best gay hotels to stay, our favourite gay hangouts and top things to do.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Gay Florida Keys Travel Resources

Walking Tour in Gay Jakarta – Keep Calm and Wander

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Gay Jakarta

A walking tour in Jakarta is possible – as long as you have the stamina to walk around, of course! And when I say walk, I’m talking about 4-6 hours of movement from one place to another. But such length of time depends on the pace you’d like to take. Remember that Jakarta is a huge city and streets can be confusing for a first time visitor.]

Hire a Tour Guide

I highly recommend getting a private tour guide for this walking tour – just like I did. It saved me so much time from researching and using Google maps. My guide made sure that I had a total experience of the city. We walked in streets and alleys, crossed bridges and passed through the nitty-gritty parts of Jakarta. We also took a shared public cab once and got on a train – and I loved the experience! If you want the same experience I had, you better call or send WhatsApp text message to Prie via +62-818-0228-8008.

My tour guide picked me up at Oria Hotel in central Jakarta on a rainy morning. He brought with him two raincoats, just in case we needed it. Fortunately, when we started at 9:00 in the morning, the rain temporarily stopped. And since the streets were wet and slippery, we walked slower than expected. These are the places and activities we did – in order of visitation.

Full Story From Keep Calm and Wander

Gay Abu Dhabi – The Nomadic Boys

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Gay Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and second-most populous city in the UAE after Dubai.

Initially, Abu Dhabi began as a magnet for the oil industry, but over the last decade, it grew massively in popularity as a tourist destination.

Whilst crime is very low in Abu Dhabi and it is a safe destination to visit, for the LGBTQ community, the reality is a lot different. Homosexuality is illegal here, so just like LGBTQ rights in Dubai, you run the risk of being arrested and/or deported if you get caught being open! Despite this, many LGBTQ expats (who are mainly cabin crew for Etihad) live here without any problems and have even created their own underground gay scene.

We visited Abu Dhabi during our travels in the UAE and give our take on whether we think Abu Dhabi is safe for gay travellers based on our first-hand experience. To be clear, we are not advocating Abu Dhabi as a gay haven, simply an honest account of what it was like for us.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Lesbian Thailand – Our Taste for Life

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Lesbian Thailand - Our Taste for Life

When it comes to LGBT-friendly destinations in Asia, Thailand tends to top the list every time. We’ve spent a lot of time travelling through Thailand over the years. And we’ve always been grateful for their tolerant and open-minded attitude towards to the LGBTQ+ community. As not only can we feel free to be ourselves without fear of discrimination, but there’s a thriving gay scene both in Bangkok and other locations across the country. Combine that with sun, sea, sand, and adventure, gay and lesbian Thailand has a lot to offer.

Thailand’s fabulous gay scene aside, the ‘land of smiles’ is a stunning and diverse country. On the one hand, you have pristine beaches, sweeping jungles, and exciting cities. On the other, jaw-dropping temples, fascinating culture, and mouth-watering cuisine. Not to mention the beloved Thai people, who are always there to welcome you with a smile and a “sa-wa-dee-ka/krab”.

With something to offer everybody, Thailand is a dream destination that should be on everybody’s bucket list. 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 places to visit around the country. We will also touch on LGBT+ rights and social opinions in Thailand, so you come fully prepared.

So let’s get to it. Here’s our amazing and comprehensive guide to gay & lesbian Thailand.

LGBT+ Rights in Lesbian Thailand

Thailand has some of the most progressive LGBT laws in all of Asia. Same-sex relations got decriminalised in 1956, which is earlier than many countries in Europe even. It’s also one of the only Asian countries to have implemented anti-discrimination laws for the LGBTQ+ community. Meaning that it’s illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity, in employment, housing, and the military.

That said, it’s still uncertain if the 2019 bill to legalise same-sex marriage will be approved. There is a general consensus, however, that this will pass, making Thailand the second country in Asia (after Taiwan) to recognise same-sex marriage. If this turns out to be the case, there’s also plans to allow same-sex married couples the right to adopt.

Full Story at Our Taste for Life

Lesbian Thailand Travel Resources

Gay Key West – The Nomadic Boys

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Gay Key West - The Nomadic Boys

Conch! It’s quite a quirky word, satisfying, yet it sounds like you’re cursing… “you CONCHhead!” or “you’re such a CONCH!”

Giggles aside, over in the gay island mecca of Key West, a conch is a legit nickname given to the locals. And this bunch of conchers sure know how to live life to the fullest!

Key West is famous for its relaxed, tolerant and queer inclusivity. Historically it’s always been different, helped by the fact that it is the southernmost point of the USA mainland, slightly cut off from the rest of Florida. This has allowed Key West to thrive as a mixed haven for an eclectic blend of people ranging from Native Americans, Spanish, freed slaves, pirates, and of course, the LGBTQ community. It has also been a bedrock for artistic talent with the likes of Tennessee Williams, Ernest Hemingway and Judy Blume all making this unassuming island their home base. Key West even has an official motto of “One Human Family“.

We absolutely loved Key West. There are so many things to do here with a really exciting gay scene along Duval Street. We’ve been to Key West several times and always had a ball on each visit. We’ve put together this detailed gay guide to Key West to include our experience trying out the best gay hotels, partying in the bars/clubs, inspiration for things to do, and more.

Gay Key West

The gay area of key West is based around the busy Duval Street, between Angela and Petronia Streets. There is a permanent Rainbow Crosswalk here so you can’t miss it! This small intersection forms the gay neighbourhood of Key West, largely centred around 3 large complexes forming a sort of triangle. The 3 large complexes are 801 Bourbon, Bourbon St. Pub and Aqua. Each one has around 3/4 separate bars/clubs inside which we summarise in detail below.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Key West Gay Travel Resources

Topside Inn – Gay Owned Bed & Breakfast in Boothbay Harbor, Maine

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Topside Inn - Gay Owned Bed & Breakfast in Boothbay Harbor, Maine

BEST WATER VIEW IN MAINE

Topside Inn has been named the number one hotel in Maine, and the fifth for Most Romantic and in the top ten for Best Service by TripAdvisor.

Innkeepers Mark & Buzz were also named “Innkeepers of the Year” for 2020 by Hospitality Maine. We look forward to welcoming you to Maine’s beautiful Boothbay Harbor. 

We have a gorgeous location at the highest point in Boothbay Harbor. Our 19th-century sea captain’s home offers panoramic harbor views, and is surrounded by perennial seaside gardens with peaceful places to relax. But we’re just a few steps away from everything you’ll find in the charming village of Boothbay Harbor.

Our main house and two classic summer guesthouses provide stylish, comfortable lodging, and our indoor and outdoor common spaces are perfect to enjoy the harbor views, sip on a glass of wine, or meet some of our other guests.

Water views are evrywhere – greet the sunrise and the famous footbridge across Boothbay’s inner harbor to the east, take in the sight of lighthouses and islands to the south, and enjoy sunsets in the west. From the front lawn, you’ll have the perfect place to observe harbor activity throughout the day and the starry night skies.

See the Topside Inn Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Miscoast Maine Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Cabrillo National Monument – 2 Travel Dads

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Cabrillo National Monument - 2 Travel Dads

San Diego, California is such a popular west coast destination. We all love to head to SoCal for the nearly guaranteed sunshine and beaches where you can actually swim. And the coastal vibe is so different, with bare feet everywhere and flowers blooming on the bluffs year round. Cabrillo National Monument is a great place to experience that great SoCal feeling.

Cabrillo National Monument is part of the National Parks system (#FindYourPark) and it’s perfectly located for an awesome afternoon during a San Diego visit. Planning a day out at Cabrillo includes everything from lighthouses to tide pools, picnics to National Park Passport stamps. Yep, our family has favorite activities and Southern California is the perfect spot to do all of them!

Finding the Cabrillo National Monument

A lot of people visiting San Diego are going to be playing tourist in the Gaslamp District or being fancy and lounging on Coronado Island, but there’s so much more to San Diego. The beach neighborhoods are awesome! Starting at the north is La Jolla (it’s own city) with its cove full of seals, then working the way down is Hermosa and the bluffs, and then it’s the beaches!

Full Story at 2Travel Dads

San Diego Gay Travel Resources

Analana Park: Where the Weird Things Are – Keep Calm and Wander

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Analana Park - Keep Calm and Wander

At Analana Park – it’s where the weird things are. I mean, they look weird to me. And scary, too! Nope, they’re not of small size but of giant size! Goodness, what if they were real or would suddenly move? I would never have the chance to run nor the chance to plead for my life. Those creatures could just spit at me and I’d turn into a rolling ball.

Where is Analana Park?

The park is inside the Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta. You can only see it after you exit where the main temples are. Just follow the exit signs and you will find your way to the park’s entrance.

The Straw Characters

The first things you notice when entering the park are the giant characters. As you can see, they look impressive and are made of straw.

Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Indonesia Gay Travel Resources

Gay Sarasota, Florida – The Nomadic Boys

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Gay Sarasota, Florida - The Nomadic Boys

This is the home of Siesta Key Rum, the Siesta Key beach, the massive Ringling Circus Museum, and so much more! Sarasota is a destination that most gay travellers to Florida are likely to overlook. 

We’ll be very honest, before coming to Sarasota we knew very little about it. However, it turned out to be the hidden gem of our trip, a place we would definitely love to return to. As well as being a cultural hotspot of Florida with so many things to do, Sarasota also has a small fun gay scene worth checking out, with annual events like the “Harvey Milk Festival”and “Sarasota Pride”.

Following our trip, we’ve put together this detailed travel guide to Sarasota featuring the best gay bars, events, things to do, gay friendly hotels to stay, and more.

Gay Sarasota Neighborhood?

The Sarasota gay scene is very small with only a handful of gay hangouts spread around the city. As such, there is no official gay neighborhood in Sarasota. The focal point of the city where you may want to consider basing yourself is by the pretty Bayfront Park. It’s close to the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens as well as a few queer-friendly bars like the Pangea Alchemy Lab and the Westin hotel rooftop bar.

Purple Rhino is the main gay bar of Sarasota, which is located around 10 minutes taxi ride south Bayfront Park. Even further south is the Oasis club, which is close to famous Siesta Key beach.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Sarasota Gay Travel Resources