Identities

Complete Guide to Gay Athens – The Globetrotter Guys

by
Complete Guide to Gay Athens - The Globetrotter Guys

Athens has been on our list to visit for our long time! It’s an intriguing city steeped in Greek history, mythology and some incredible Greek food. However, we did not know much about ‘gay Athens’ or whether there would be a gay scene in Athens at all.

Luckily, we spent 10 days in Athens, made friends with some locals and got to explore the gay scene. In this short guide, we will explore the gay bars, gay life in general, gay tours, saunas, hotels and things to do in Athens.

Let’s get started with our gay Athens guide!

Gay Area in Athens and the Gay Scene

Don’t come to Athens expecting a huge gay scene like you might find in Berlin (see our gay guide to hedonistic Berlin). In Athens the gay scene is much smaller but fun nevertheless.

The gay area in Athens can be found in Gazi, named after the fact that this area was home to the old gas works.

Gazi is considered to be the upcoming, cool place where young people spend their evenings to eat, drink and party. It may therefore be no surprise that this is where the gay bars and gay clubs in Athens have found a home.

Full Story at the Globetrotter Guys

Athens Gay Travel Resources

10 Famous Filipino Foods – The Nomadic Boys

by

Filipino foods are exciting, surprising and full of wonderful flavours.

We travelled around the Philippines extensively as a gay couple and found many traditional yummy prizes to enjoy. With the exception of balut(!), we’ve put together our favourite foods and drinks from the Philippines that we think everyone must try.

This is our video of our travels around the Philippines as a gay couple, focusing on the awesome gay scene of Manila, party island Boracay (pre-cleanup!) and the stunning Palawan.

1. Chicken adobo: the famous Filipino dish

Chicken adobo is one of the most famous Filipino foods to try in the Philippines, known and loved by everyone.

Adobo means “marinade” in Spanish and this is just that: chicken (or pork) marinated in a mixture of soya sauce and vinegar. This was traditionally used as a way of cooking meat because the acid from the vinegar and high salt content of the soya sauce produced an undesirable environment for bacteria. Other ingredients are added depending on whose recipe you follow. 

An authentic adobo is cooked in clay pots, but today it’s more common to see them prepared in a wok or metal pot.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

The Dinagat Islands – Keep Calm and Wander

by

The alarm wakes me up at three in the morning. It’s time to get up and catch the 3:30 bus for Surigao City from Butuan City. By 7, the early morning breeze kisses me as I sit in a motorized boat. Today, I am crossing the Pacific Ocean through Surigao Strait. I’m on my way to explore the mythical group of islands in Caraga Region in the Southeastern part of the Philippines.

The Dinagat Islands

They say that traveling to this place must be done early in the morning to avoid big waves. I’ve heard a lot of stories on how beautiful Dinagat is – unpolluted air, crystal oceans, and white beaches. I was intrigued by all the adjectives my friends used to describe this place – and I can’t wait to see it myself. They told me, too, that there’s an abundance of seafood – and I’m planning to devour as much as I could. 

Our first stop was at San Jose, the island’s capital and center of commerce and trade. If you are planning to discover the entire island or go island hopping, you should buy the things you need from here.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Gay Argentina – The Nomadic Boys

by

We love Argentina. It’s got it all: hot guys, delicious food, loads of cute boys, stunning scenery, a huge diversity of wildlife…and did we mention it has the hottest guys on the planet…?!!

Above all else, Argentina is one of the most gay-friendly countries in Latin America and in our opinion, one of the most gay-friendly in the world. It’s a very easy country for gay travellers to explore, with many top not-to-miss highlights to check out. Most of the big cities also have fun gay scenes, particularly Buenos Aires, which has one of the best on the continent.

During our big trip in Latin America, we’ve travelled at length around Argentina, all the way from the Iguazu Falls in the north right down to the Patagonian tip at the other end. Based on our first-hand experience, we’ve put together our comprehensive country guide to Argentina for gay travellers to help inspire your trip here.

LGBTQ+ Rights in Gay Argentina

Despite the strong influence of the Catholic Church, Argentina has one of the most progressive LGBTQ rights in the world. Homosexuality was legalised back in 1887 and in 2010 it became the first country in South America to legalise same-sex marriage, which included adoption rights. Argentina is also one of the most trans-friendly countries in the world, allowing you to change your legal gender without having to undergo hormone therapy, surgery or any psychiatric diagnosis. Rosario, in particular, is famous for being a trans person haven in Argentina.

With regards to the army, gay men and lesbians have been allowed to openly serve since 2009. Sadly, the same law does not (yet) apply for transgender people. Finally, whilst anti-discrimination laws are lacking across parts of Argentina, Rosario and Buenos Aires have their own in place. However, in 2012, legislation was introduced adding life imprisonment to hate crimes based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Argentina Gay Travel Resources

Gay Galapagos Cruises – The Nomadic Boys

by

Sea lions, iguanas and tortoises – oh my! 

Visiting the Galapagos Islands is very high up on the bucket list for most travellers. If you love island hopping and spotting wildlife, you’ve probably dreamt of one day visiting these incredible volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean.

The ideal way to explore the Galapagos Islands is aboard one of the many excellent gay cruises on offer. Not only is exploring these unique islands with a like-minded fabulous bunch of gays heaps of fun, but it also allows you to visit the more remote islands, thereby getting a deeper experience.

We’ve led our own branded Nomadic Boys cruise to the Galapagos with Ishpingo Tours – a local gay-owned/operated tour company based in Quito. In addition, there are several other gay cruises to the Galapagos to choose from, whether it’s a large group leaving on a fixed date, or aboard a private gay charter. In this article, we’ve rounded them all up so you can choose the best one for you.

OUT ADVENTURES GALAPAGOS GAY CRUISE

Out Adventures is one of the best gay tour companies out there that organises exclusive trips for LGBTQ travellers. They provide a luxury cruise around the Galapagos Islands aboard their private yacht, The Grand Queen Beatriz, and oh boy she sure is absolutely grand!  Amenities include sundecks, a hot tub, bar and very spacious bedrooms, some with private balconies.

Full Story at The Nomadic Boys

Ecuador Gay Travel Resources

Lesbian Skåne, Sweden – Once Upon a Journey

by

Are you looking for a holiday destination that has beautiful nature, great outdoor activities, sea and beaches, good food and cute little towns? Don’t look any further! Skåne County is the place to go to! It’s the most southern region of Sweden, which used to belong to Denmark. This region offers a lot, there’s much to see and do and we will tell you all about the best things to do in lesbian Skåne. This region of Sweden is a lot different than the rest of the country, don’t expect mountains, fjords and large forests with pine trees. Skåne is “Sweden’s Tuscany” with hills, some of the best Sweden beaches, farmlands and even a vineyard!

About Lesbian Skåne, Sweden

Skåne County is located in southern Sweden and has a population of 1.3 million people. A long time ago this part of Sweden used to be part of Denmark, and you can still find Danish influences in this region. It’s also very close to Denmark: the 16 kilometres (10 miles) Øresund bridge connects Denmark and Sweden with each other. The bridge is Europe’s longest road and rail bridge. Thanks to the bridge it’s easy to reach Skåne from Copenhagen. It’s also possible to fly to Malmö.

Full Story at Once Upon a Journey

Instagrammable Paris – Once Upon a Journey

by

Paris, the city of love, or the city of light, the capital of France and the third most popular destination in the world. It’s no wonder it’s also amongst the most photographed cities in the world and yet, everyone’s obsessed with Paris photography. Everyone searches for the best view of the Eiffel Tower and couples often book a Paris photoshoot to immortalise the romance. Paris pictures are simply magical when done right!

“Paris is always a good idea.” – Audrey Hepburn

Audrey was right, Paris is always a good idea, however, taking Paris pictures can be difficult. The best Instagrammable Paris places to visit are usually insanely crowded, which is why we highly recommend going to the hot spots during sunrise. Yes, it takes courage to wake up early, but trust us: it’s so worth it. We’ve visited a couple of times already and have collected the best places in Paris to take pictures!

Full Story at Once Upon a Journey

Paris Gay Travel Resources

Barcelona Gay Saunas – The Nomadic Boys

by

Being one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world, it’s no surprise that there is such a huge variety of gay bathhouses to choose from in Barcelona.

The fascination with hot, steaming rooms dates back to the bathhouses which could be found all around Europe in medieval times. Back then, people would go to saunas to bathe, socialise and unwind. At one stage, they even began to believe saunas held magical powers. With that idea put out into the universe, the Church quickly turned around and said a big hell-no to sauna use, which led to the closure of many bathhouses across Europe.

Over the past century, saunas have grown more popular than ever, particularly within the gay community…what could be sexier than a boiling room, filled with steam and naked guys just hanging out? They’ve become an important staple of the LGBTQ community, a safe haven where you can come for action and to explore your sexuality or simply just to chill.

The gay scene of Barcelona in “Gaixample” (pronounced “gay-shample”) is vast, brimming with many queer hangouts and of course, plenty of gay saunas. Why they are so popular here is mainly a result of the intense recession the country has faced over the past decade. This led to high unemployment rates, particularly among young guys, who as a result of this have had to live with their parents to save money, making it hard to bring back a date (or two!). Hence the rise in demand for gay saunas across the city.

In this guide, we’ve put together the 6 best gay saunas in Barcelona to check out where you can connect with locals, bears, otters, twinks or whatever and whoever takes your fancy!

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Barcelona Gay Travel Resources

Stunning Lakes in the Canadian Rockies – Keep Calm and Wander

by
Stunning Lakes in the Canadian Rockies - Keep Calm and Wander

Last week, I visited three turquoise-colored lakes in the Canadian Rockies: Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake. The first time I laid my eyes on each of them, I was utterly stunned, swept away by their incredible beauty. These lakes and the mountains surrounding them made me realize how tiny I am as a human compared to their size, power, and magnificence.

To enjoy all of these lakes, I would recommend that you stay in the town of Banff. If you could splurge for a night, book a room at Fairmont Chateau, overlooking Lake Louise. I promise that your stay here would be as unforgettable as any birthday celebration you have somewhere luxurious.

About Banff

Banff is a resort town with beautiful mountain ranges. The skyline mainly includes the view of the mountain peaks of Mt. Rundle, Mt Cascade, and the Rocky Mountains (or The Rockies). There are hiking trails everywhere with the spectacular views of natural wonders, including glaciers that stand like Gothic cathedrals in the wild.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Alberta Gay Travel Resources

Gayest European Cities – The Nomadic Boys

by

From the industrial warehouses in Berlin to the babbling of water stroking the canals of Amsterdam, European gay life spans across the entire spectrum. And we can’t get enough.

We’ve been around the European block quite a few times, and can safely say, it boasts some of the most progressive places in the world. Yet, each gay scene manages to be different from the others. Some are smaller, some are wilder and some have become so intertwined within city life, that the straight community is left feeling like they’re intruding into our special world!

For this list of the top 10 gayest European cities, we look at the gay scene, what gay life is like, what’s it like to live there for a member of the LGBTQ community and from our own first-hand experience travelling there as a gay couple. For more inspiration, be sure to check out our more comprehensive guide to the gayest cities in the world and our top gay destinations in Europe.