Outdoors

Incredible Hikes to Take Your Breath Away – Keep Calm and Wander

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Incredible Hikes - Mt.Sinai

These 6 incredible hikes will take your breath away. It did to me and I could still remember how these hikes changed me as a traveler. I was never a fan of hiking, especially when the scorching sun is unforgivable. But I learned to adapt to harsh weather conditions and make sure I wear appropriate clothes. 

Nature is therapeutic. In fact, in Canada, doctors can now prescribe trips to National Parks to enjoy nature. And what better way to enjoy nature than go on a hike? It doesn’t matter how long or how physically-demanding it is. A walk in the woods or enjoying silence by the lake is a break from the topsy-turvy world out there. Of course, for the adventurous and physically-fit souls, the mountains, the cliffs, the deep oceans, and other natural wonders are waiting. 

Let me show you these 6 amazing hikes that really blew me away.

Incredible Hikes #1 – Great Wall of China

While I was living in Beijing for 5 years, I had opportunities to climb and hike the Great Wall of China so many times. I even attended the first ever electronic dance rave held at the Jinshanling part of the Great Wall. It was chaos but fun

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

China Gay Travel Resources

Bali Waterfalls – Keep Calm and Wander

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Bali Waterfalls - Keep Calm and Wander

These 11 Bali waterfalls will add to the excitement when visiting the famed Island of the Gods. Whether they’re big or small, these waterfalls can surely delight your adventurous spirit. All of these waterfalls involve a bit of hiking, some are a bit exhausting and others are easy peasy. But once you see/hear the raging or calming sound of these waterfalls in a middle of a lush jungle, all worries are gone. Not to mention the sounds of birds, insects, and other living creatures that harmonize with the cascading water.

Bali Waterfalls – Sekumpul

I have no doubt this is Bali’s most beautiful waterfall. Sekumpul Waterfall is way up north of the island right in the middle of a jungle. I was speechless the first time I saw it. It was just beautiful from afar and much more stunning when I was at its base.

The hike down was easy but you’ve got to be wearing shoes to make it easy to wade in the water and to protect your feet from sharp objects/rocks. Going back up can be challenging as it would test your physical limits.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Bali Gay Travel Resources

Hiking the Valley of Fire in Vegas – 2TravelDads

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Hiking the Valley of Fire in Vegas - 2TravelDads

Before we went hiking at Valley of Fire with kids it just looked like an Instagram heaven. That’s all that we knew about it, all from photos that people had taken and posted to Instagram. And then we visited and hiked and had up close wildlife encounters and fell in love. Valley of Fire State Park is the best Las Vegas day trip you didn’t know you need to do.

We’re going to help you plan and have the best visit possible, seeing some of the most amazing geology Nevada has to offer, and so close to Las Vegas. And you can do it all on a trip to Las Vegas or as part of a southwest road trip.

Where is Valley of Fire State Park?

Located less than an hour northeast of Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park is an easy drive to take you into another world off the Vegas Strip. In the Moapa Valley (park area), you will find all kinds of unique sites. You might not find pyramids or waterfalls flowing off the tops of hotels, but there are windswept hoodoos, carved out caves and passages, and petroglyphs that predate any sort of pirate display in Las Vegas.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Las Vegas Gay Travel Resources

Gay Iceland – The Nomadic Boys

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Gay Iceland - The Nomadic Boys

A trip full of glaciers, waterfalls, spa days, and Iceland puns to drive Seby crazy. What could be better?

“Hey Seb, what do Icelandic dogs say?”
(Bracing himself) “What?”
“Bjork Bjork!”
*Cue evil stare*

“What do you tell the cashier when you have no money?”
“I can’t a-fjord it!”
*Cue him banging me over the head threatening to throw me out of our car rental*

With a population of 360,000, land proximity that equates to the size of Kentucky, and only one major city, we assumed we would see everything there was to see in one trip. Wrong! There is so much to do – and we left wanting to do more, more, more!

Exploring Gay Iceland

We spent 3 weeks touring gay Iceland by car along the famous Ring Road in the deep winter months hoping to get a glimpse of the Northern Lights (spoiler alert: we did!). Along the way, we were rewarded with giant glaciers, explosive geysers, a multitude of geothermal baths, fabulous fjords, whale watching, and the quirkiest people you’ll ever meet (you can’t beat Icelandic humor!).

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Pacific Northwest Kayaking – 2TravelDads

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Pacific Northwest Kayaking

Pacific Northwest Kayaking, and more specifically kayaking in Washington State, is a fun and sustainable summer activity. Yeah, you could plan paddling in the Puget Sound area in the fall or spring too, but summer is the best time to experience the beautiful waters of Washington. We’ve picked our favorite places in Washington for kayaking, and we know you’ll love them.

The Seattle area is best seen from the water: sailing, on a ferry, or on a kayak. Just short drives from the city are countless islands and bays to explore. Across the Puget Sound are the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, which are dotted with lakes and waterways, ready to be paddled. Kayaking in the Pacific Northwest is amazing.

The Best Places for Pacific Northwest Kayaking

When you visit the Seattle area, or even better, when you do a road trip around the Puget Sound region or to the south, you’ll be tempted to explore beyond the basic tourist sites and you should do it. Getting into a kayak is really the best way to experience the nature and views we’ve got. Kayaking in the Pacific Northwest will have you plotting to return again and again.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Puget Sound Gay Travel Resources

Montana’s Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park – 2TravelDads

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Montana's Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park - 2TravelDads

Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, just north of Yellowstone, is a remarkable place to explore. A must see on a Western Montana road trip, the caverns are an easy addition to any number of travel plans, including a cross-country drive. In this article we’re going to tackle the who, what, why, when and where of the Lewis and Clark Caverns (but not in that order).

Where is Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park

Located about forty minutes south of Butte, Montana, the Lewis and Clark Caverns are just off Highway 2. If you’re driving across the state, taking the detour to the Jefferson River Valley is easy and won’t put you terribly off track. The highway actually loops back onto I-90 so you don’t even have to back track! Like doing a detour to Philipsburg, MT visiting Lewis and Clark Caverns is an easy addition and totally worth it.

From Yellowstone National Park, Lewis and Clark Caverns is about 2 hours from the Gardiner, MT entrance and just under 2 hours from the West Yellowstone entrance. There are plenty of other attractions in the area, including Big Sky and Virginia City, so if you need to interrupt your Yellowstone trip, you’ll have plenty of other interesting sites and activities to make the day additionally worthwhile.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Montana Gay Travel Resources

Things to Do Near Glacier National Park for Gay Families – 2TravelDads

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Great Things to Do Near Glacier National Park for Gay Families - 2TravelDads

Visiting Glacier National Park for gay families means hiking and wildlife, but it also means crowds in the peak of summer. Here are a bunch of easy things to do near the park, some that go into the park and some that are in the general vicinity, that are fun and beautiful. Also, these activities are good in spring, summer or fall!

What to Do Around Glacier National Park for Gay Families

Montana is one of the largest states in the USA and it’s crazy diverse. It’s Big Sky Country, for sure, but it’s also big mountain country and ridiculously still lake country and ride-a-horse-through-the-woods country. Basically, Montana is everything you could hope for except the beach. Flathead and Glacier Counties of Montana have all of this and more, and they encompass the entire area around Glacier National Park, so you know you’re set to experience so much.

We’ve always felt like this gem is a bit overlooked within the National Park Service. Not that it doesn’t get tons of visitors already, but just that Yellowstone and Yosemite really get the spotlight. Glacier NPS and the surrounding area are really beautiful and incredible, particularly when visiting with kids. When was the last time you immersed yourself or your family in… beauty and relaxation?

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Montana Gay Travel Resources

Naked Snorkeling – Everything to Sea

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Naked Snorkeling - Everything to Sea

Sometimes we’re asked if cruises provide naked snorkeling options. We are EVERYTHING TO SEA, so it’d be crazy if we didn’t! Especially because we’re sailing in part of the famous Coral Triangle, dubbed “The Amazon of the Seas”. Picture a beautiful landscape under the sea, rich with marine plants, gorgeous coral, and the greatest diversity of coral reef fishes in the world.

Naked Snorkeling in the Coral Triangle

We highly recommend snorkeling during our trips to our travelers. Not only is it “The Best Place on Earth” to do so. It’s also really easy to do. And, the water temperature and clarity are truly ideal. You should expect breathtaking views – including some other naked snorkelers! Although whales may be hard to spot, you’ll probably see some “free willies” flopping around.

If you haven’t snorkeled before – or if you haven’t done it in a while – rest assured that in the Coral Triangle, it’s easy to do so in a safe manner. And on every trip, we’re able to give special attention to up to two guys who might want extra guidance. This means every time you’re in the water, you’d have the direct attention of one of our staff as your own personal snorkeling buddy. First-timer? No problem – we’ll begin by showing you how to snorkel in a spot where you can stand, just off the beach.

Full Story at Everything to Sea

Santa Maria Wine Country for Gay Families – 2TravelDads

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Santa Maria Wine Country for Gay Families - 2TravelDads

Over the years we’ve had several trips and shared lots about the Santa Maria Valley in California. This is one of our favorite places on the Central Coast, and not just as a road trip stop, but we love visiting for the outdoor experiences and agriculture, the California agritourism, in the area. The Santa Maria Wine Country also is its own AVA, meaning that it’s a special wine producing region. This podcast and article is all about how YOU can enjoy the Santa Maria Valley vineyard culture, both in person and from wherever you are.

I interviewed two seasoned SMV winemakers, Norman Beko (Cottonwood Canyon Winery) and Wes Hagen (J. Wilkes Wines), and we discussed everything from what makes the SMV a special region for growing grapes, to how visitors can tour Santa Barbara County Wine Country during the Coronavirus pandemic. These winemakers and their teams are working hard to keep the wine culture alive and available.

What Makes the Santa Maria Wine Country Unique?

Being located near the coast and between both east/west and north/south mountains, the climate stays remarkably cool for being a central/southern California area. When it’s blazing hot in Los Angeles, it’s nice and cool in the SMV. When it’s cold and foggy up in San Francisco, it’s warm and pleasant down here. This is the ideal climate for growing chardonnay and pinot noir grapes. Nearly 80% of the wine grown in Santa Barbara County is chardonnay or pinot.

Full Story at 2TravelDads

Best Isle of Man Beaches – Our Taste for Life

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Best Isle of Man Beaches - Our Taste for Life

You’re never too far from a beach in the Isle of Man. From the popular tourist haunts to the secret little coves, I know them all. And in this article, I’ll be sharing 15 of the best Isle of Man beaches so that you can check them out for yourself.

Finding the Isle of Man Beaches

One of my favourite things about living here is the endless glorious beaches. Rain or shine, a stroll on the beach is my all-time favourite way to clear the head. So there aren’t many days that you won’t find me on one coastal walk or another with our little pup Ronnie.

We are incredibly fortunate when it comes to our local beaches. Compared to other UK beach destinations such as Bournemouth or Cornwall, you could say that the Isle of Man beaches are almost secluded. Even during our busiest months of the year, it’s easy to find a spot all to yourself.

Not only that, most of them are utterly pristine. By that, I mean little to no rubbish and sparkling blue water that invites you to dive in every time you look at it. Not to mention the diverse jaw-dropping surroundings that make each of the Isle of Man beaches unique and exciting.

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

Isle of Man Lesbian Travel Resources