Identities

Best of Gay Spain – The Globetrotter Guys

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Gay Spain - The Globetrotter Guys

As a gay couple, Spain is our number one country in the world to travel to. We have visited and lived in gay Spain and the level of comfort as a same-sex couple has consistently been incredible. We have never felt discriminated against, never felt uncomfortable and never had to second guess ourselves no matter where we have travelled to – for us, this is a priceless feeling.

In 2018 we lived in Madrid, Barcelona was one of our very first holidays together 10 years ago, Sitges is one of the best prides we have been to and we have been to Gran Canaria more than 7 times – this country has a special place in our hearts. There is an inherent feeling of safety, acceptance and normality when it comes to being gay here.

In our ‘Best of Gay Spain Guide’ we want to celebrate all the amazing destinations we have travelled to and share our best recommendations with you. First, let’s take a quick look at gay rights for some context:

Gay Spain: Rights and Culture

When it comes to LGBTQ rights in Spain, these are all very positive. Same-sex intercourse has been legal here since 1979, unsurprisingly this happened the year after democracy came to this country and they said good riddance to their dictator Franco. It was also the third country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage in 2005 and discrimination protections run nationwide.

Full Story at The Globetrotter Guys

Gay Spain Travel Resources

Gay Amsterdam – The Nomadic Boys

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Gay Amsterdam - The Nomadic Boys

We love visiting gay Amsterdam. Whether it’s for a city break, romantic weekend or a party, we always know we’re going to have a terrific time.

Whilst Amsterdam is most famous for its “coffeeshops” where you can smoke joints legally, it is also culturally rich with world-class museums and has the most distinctive urban landscape. The city is dominated by water, with 165 canals, around 500 bridges, lots of cute narrow cobblestone streets and many many many bicycles! It’s so picturesque that the network of canals in the 17th-century historic old town (called the “Canal Ring“) was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.

The city is also super gay, which is unsurprising given that it is the capital city of one of the most queer friendly countries in the world. It is one of the few places where we feel comfortable walking the streets holding hands and don’t feel like we first have to look over our shoulders to do that safety check! It also has some fantastic parties, plenty of LGBTQ+ hangouts, lots of events and the most unpronounceable gay village ever! We’ve summarised it all right here in our detailed gay Amsterdam travel guide.

First time in Gay Amsterdam?

One of our favourite ways to get a feel of Amsterdam is on a gay tour, in particular the ones offered by Gaily. They do a series of different tours in Amsterdam which we’ve tried, love and highly recommend, especially to first-timers. A local will take your hand and guide you through the touristic highlights of the city by day and will also show you around the Reguliersdwarsstraat scene by night.

Full Story at The Nomadic Boys

Gay Amsterdam Travel Resources

Gay New York City – The Globetrotter Guys

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Gay New York City - The Globetrotter Guys

When it comes to LGBTQ+ friendly cities, New York is one of the greatest to visit with its thriving queer scene, a deep-rooted history and some of the most iconic sights and buildings in the world. Each of our visits to gay New York City has been a truly magical experience.

We have always been wowed by its grandeur and palpable buzz, kept incredibly busy and each time left wanting more – it really is the city that never sleeps. NYC should be on everyone’s travel bucket list without a doubt.

In our ‘Gay New York City Travel Guide’ we will cover everything from where to find the queer areas here, to the best gay bars, hotels, the top things to do and many other helpful travel tips.

Why is New York so Gay Friendly?

We found the city to be very gay friendly and it should come as no surprise.

The Big Apple is considered to have one of the most well established, largest, out and proud LGBTQ communities in the world and home to one of the biggest pride celebrations.

This is likely to stem from the fact that New York is well known for being the birthplace of the gay rights movement – aka the Stonewall Riots.

Full Story at The Globetrotter Guys

Gay New York City Travel Resources

Gay Arequipa – The Nomadic Boys

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Gay Arequipa - The Nomadic Boys

We came to Arequipa as the base for our trek to the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world. We ended up staying a week because we fell in love with the cutesy old town and the chilled vibe of the “White City”.

On that note, the ‘White City’ nickname has nothing to do with coca(!) play or Miami-style White Parties…it is simply because the city is almost completely built out of “sillar” – a white volcanic stone.

Put simply, this is a place to come to be WOWed by nature over and above everything else. Travel + Leisure Magazine even named it as the #2 on its annual list of the top 50 best places to travel to. Whilst there is a small gay scene to explore (more on this below), we suggest saving up your partying groove in gay Lima.

In this guide to gay Arequipa, we set out the best hotels to check out, along with the queer-friendly spaces, events, our favourite places to eat and best things to do.

Is Gay Arequipa safe?

Overall we found the city to be safe for gay travelers. Tourism is a major source of income for the local economy, so businesses are used to dealing with foreigners and are accustomed to dealing with LGBTQ travelers.

That being said, remember Peru is still very conservative with a strong affinity to the Catholic Church. We took this on board and were careful not to flaunt our love in people’s faces. At the same time, we never felt unsafe anywhere in gay Arequipa. In the worst-case scenario, people just asked us if we’re brothers. All the hotels we stayed at were gay friendly and welcomed us – no one batted an eyelid that two men wanted to share a double bed.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Arequipa Gay Travel Resources

Ba Vi National Park – Keep Calm and Wander

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Ba Vi National Park - Keep Calm and Wander

Ba Vi National Park is a protected park just outside Hanoi. In what supposed to be an hour drive, it took us almost two and a half hours because of the unpredictable weather. It was a fight between the sun, clouds, and fog.

On our way up to the mountain, we would see the sun for a while, then the clouds covered it up – and suddenly a fog would envelop us. We didn’t really plan on what to do there. And worse, we even had no idea what to do and see up there. We just followed our GPS and stopped at a few places that caught our attention.

The road to the mountaintop was not an easy one. You’ve got to drive carefully because of its narrow zigzag-y road where one side is a dangerous cliff. Adding to that is a foggy road that we had to turn on the headlights a few times. As we got closer to the main attraction of Ba Vi National Park, the temperature also changed.

Vacationing In Cabo for Gay Families – 2TravelDads

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Cabo for Gay Families -2TravelDads

We’ve been to Cabo San Lucas with our kids load of times, like, we’ve spent the equivalent of three months there as a family. You could say it’s our favorite family destination in Mexico. Since we’ve done it so much, we’ve decided it’s time we share our best tips for visiting this beachside resort town with kids.

I’ll say this right away, Cabo with kids is mostly about relaxation and swimming vs digging into Mexican culture and nature. There are lots of opportunities for that, but Cabo for gay families is more about a luxury destination than adventure.

How to Get to Cabo San Lucas

For those traveling from the west coast, getting there is pretty easy. There are direct flights from Seattle, San Francisco, Sacramento, Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Diego. Denver and Dallas also offer direct flights, so know that even east coasters should be able to find a good flight. When flying in, the airport is SJD (San Jose del Cabo), Los Cabos International Airport.

The airport is actually quite nice now (thanks Hurricane O’dele) and as long as you arrive early in the day or in the early evening, customs is pretty fast and smooth.

Full Story at 2TravelDads

Baja Sur Gay Travel Resources

Treghan Luxury Lodge – Gay Friendly New Zealand B&B

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Treghan Luxury Lodge - Gay Friendly New Zealand B&B

STUNNING GAY FRIENDLY NEW ZEALAND B&B

The Treghan Luxury Lodge is a quiet gay friendly New Zealand B&B which sits on a little more than two acres of beautiful private landscaped gardens. Located in northern New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, it’s a special place to get away from it all and relax. Awaken in your own personal guesthouse, knowing your space is yours and yours alone.

We’ve carefully considered every last detail, from the oh-so-comfortable bed linens and feather pillows to our famous, fresh-baked organic cookies. Each guesthouse includes a/c and free Wifi internet access for your comfort.

Choose from:

The Owner’s Cottage – a fantastic cottage with its own ensuite bathroom, separate lounge and kitchenette.

Birdsong Retreat or Tranquility Retreat – our luxurious, totally new 2 bedroom cottages, each with two baths and fully-equipped kitchens (with both dishwasher and washing machine).

All three guest accommodations are beautifully decorated and fully equipped, well kept-up, and have everything you will need for your stay. We even supply breakfast provisions (organic wherever possible) when you first arrive.

Peace and quiet is paramount at the Treghan Luxury Lodge. Our award-winning guesthouses will give you the freedom to enjoy your stay in total serenity without constant interruption. Consider your cottage your home away from home – with secluded living, wide terraces and amazing rural views.

See the Treghan Luxury Lodge Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Kerikeri Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Snorkeling in Iceland – Once Upon a Journey

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Snorkeling in Iceland - Once Upon a Journey

One of the coolest (literally and figuratively) things to do in the land of fire and ice is snorkeling in Iceland – in Silfra, a fissure located in the Thingvellir National Park (Þingvellir in Icelandic)! At first, it might not sound appealing to go snorkeling in Iceland, but it’s a unique experience you don’t want to miss during your trip to Iceland. Silfra snorkeling is cold but so worth it. And luckily you get to wear a dry suit and other gear to keep you warm.

Iceland is the only place on earth where you can swim in between tectonic plates. Silfra is a rift between the tectonic plates of North America and Eurasia. The Silfra fissure Iceland arose after an earthquake in the 18th century and it keeps moving apart for 2 centimeters (0.79 inches) every year. At the Silfra fissure, you swim in between continental plates!

And what makes snorkeling in Silfra extra special is the incredibly clear water. The water comes from the second largest glacier in Iceland, called Langjökull. It takes years for the water to reach the Silfra fissure (about 30!). On the way the water gets filtered through underground lava rocks. This makes it the clearest and purest water in the world. The visibility underwater is unbelievable and the colors are stunning. You really need to see it yourself!

Putrajaya Walking Tour – Keep Calm and Wander

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Putrajaya Walking Tour - Keep Calm and Wander

This short Putrajaya walking tour is not really the kind of tour you’d like to join. I did it without a tour guide nor a map on hand. I did it because I like walking and I want to see what’s beyond the Putra Masjid, a landmark you shouldn’t miss. When I got out of the Pink Mosque, I walked across the street and onto the huge square.

From the square, I walked closer to the country’s impressive Legislative Building. There must be no session that day because the surrounding areas were so quiet. Aside from its well-manicured gardens, you’ll also see a huge sculpture of a hand. I tried to get closer to find its description but didn’t find one.

Near the Legislative Building is a long bridge. I walked across it, enjoying the lake views.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Arroyo Vista Inn – Gay Friendly Pasadena B&B

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Arroyo Vista Inn - Gay Friendly Pasadena B&B

GAY FRIENDLY PASADENA B&B NEAR DTLA

Welcome to the Arroyo Vista Inn, in South Pasadena under five miles from Old Town Pasadena just seven miles to everything that Downtown Los Angeles has to offer. We’re also just fifteen minutes by foot from the South Pasadena Gold Line Station.

Our gay friendly Pasadena B&B is in a historic Craftsman home originally built in 1910 and later converted to a bed and breakfast in 2006. The original home was designed by the famous architect Lester Moore, and features ten rooms.

Each of our guestrooms at the Arroyo Vista Inn has a queen- or king-sized bed and private bath, with wifi internet access and cable television.

Our South Pasadena Inn is perched on a hillside overlooking the Arroyo Seco with fantastic views of the San Gabriel mountains in the distance.

You’ll have your choice of rooms, from one of our mountain view guest rooms to a quieter hill-facing room, nestled under the shade of our beautiful old Oak Trees.

Guests enjoy our large sixteen-person dining table and beautiful outdoor patio for breakfast. We serve both vacationers and business travelers, with a continental breakfast weekdays with hot dishes also served at the table. On the weekend, we provide a full sit-down breakfast, with at least two specialty items from our kitchen. If you prefer to have breakfast in bed, there’s an additional charge to have breakfast for two delivered to your room.

We try to accommodate our guests’ special dietary needs with advance notice. Please tell us about any special food requests in your reservation note and we will do our best to meet them.

See the Arroyo Vista Inn Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Pasadena Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals