Gay Life

Lesbian Chiang Mai, Thailand – Our Taste for Life

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Lesbian Chiang Mai, Thailand - Our Taste for Life

Chiang Mai is one of the most liveable cities in Asia, but what is it like for us in lesbian Chiang Mai? We travelled to Chiang Mai to find out and found it to be one of the most gay-friendly cities in Thailand. With an abundant selection of gay and gay-friendly bars, nightclubs, hotels, cafes, and activities, gay Chiang Mai has a lot to offer LGBTQ+ travellers.

Don’t get me wrong, when you compare to gay Bangkok or Phuket, Chiang Mai’s gay scene is relatively tame. However, there is still plenty of fun to be had both during the day and at night. The gay scene aside, Chiang Mai is a cultural city, popular amongst backpackers, digital nomads and LGBTQ+ travellers alike.

What we love most about Chiang Mai is that it has all the perks of being in a city, such as great food, temples, nightlife, markets, cafes, and shops. But in as little as an hour, you can immerse yourself in nature. Escape into the jungle for hiking adventures and elephant sanctuaries, or go ziplining or cliff jumping at a nearby canyon.

It’s impossible not to fall in love with Chiang Mai. 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 see and do.

Is Lesbian Chiang Mai Safe for LGBT+ Travellers?

In short, absolutely yes! Thailand, in general, is one of the most gay-friendly countries we’ve ever visited. Here’s a statement from the Go Thai Be Free website:

“In Thailand, we believe that diversity is amazing. As the most LGBTQ+ welcoming country in Asia, we’re proud that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community – and all people – no matter how they identify; and whom they love; feel free when travelling in Thailand on vacation or holiday.”

Full Story at Our Taste for Life

Chiang Mai Gay Travel Resources

Gay Germany – The Globetrotter Guys

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Gay Germany - The Globetrotter Guys

Gay Germany is notorious for being one of the most open and friendly countries in Europe. Like many countries in Europe, Germany has a troubled past when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights but now easily can class itself as one of the most gay friendly destinations worldwide.

Same sex marriage has been legal since 2017, same-sex couples have full adoption rights, there are strong discrimination protections and transgender people can legally change their gender without surgery. From the vibrant and diverse scenes that you will find in its main cities, to the welcoming attitude of the people, you can feel at home here.

We have been lucky enough to spend time in some of Germanys biggest and gayest cities, including celebrating pride (aka Christopher Street Day) in two of the 3 gay Germany cities in this list.

Berlin – The Hedonistic Capital

Three words to describe our visit to Berlin – liberating, insane and gay! Berlin probably eats other gay cities for breakfast! There is an attitude of open mindedness across Berlin that seems to be embedded into its culture. People don’t seem to care if you are different and we really felt a sense of ‘anything goes’ and ‘you do you’.

Not only that, but it is a beautiful city, steeped in history and activities to keep you entertained all weekend unless the nightlife takes you first. Berlin has a wealth of gay nightlife, from casual bars to huge clubs and more cruising clubs that you could shake a stick at.

By Sion & Ben – Full Story at the Globetrotter Guys

Gay Germany Travel Resources

Top 5 Thailand Gay Islands – The Nomadic Boys

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Top 5 Thailand Gay Islands - The Nomadic Boys

With over 1400 islands to visit in the Land of Smiles, we say the Thai’s the limit when it comes to your Thailand vacation!

Thailand offers everything that us gay boys want when we venture out into the world. There are beaches packed to the brim with speedo-clad hotties, cultural ventures lurking around every corner, a terrific gay scene in Bangkok, and most important of all, genuinely kind citizens who greet every visitor with a warm welcome.

And that’s just the mainland! Believe it or not, the Thailand gay islands are somehow even more perfect because each one is incredibly unique. Whether you’re hoping to find a spot to get back in touch with nature, to explore the party animal within you, or to enjoy a romantic getaway with your sweet, sugar love, there is bound to be at least one island that suits your exact needs. Even if you’re looking to stay within a strictly queer environment, we promise that there’s an island out there for you. This is our comprehensive guide to the best Thailand gay islands so that you can achieve your vacay nirvana. Be sure to also read alongside our detailed gay guide to Thailand.

Side note: ‘koh’ means “island” in Thai, so most islands will have Koh or Ko written before its name.

Thailand Gay Islands: Koh Phuket

Ah, Phabulous Phuket… Where to even begin? There are hardly the words for this vast, beautiful destination. Perhaps the best way to describe it is by declaring it the largest and most famous of the Thailand gay islands!

Unlike other islands, Phuket has an officially designated gay area known as the Paradise Complex where gay businesses flood the streets. Whether you’re hopping into Zag Club, which is an energetic club most renowned for its outstanding dance music, or visiting the Boat Bar, which is our personal favorite for its eclectic crowd and classic pop music, it will be easy to see just how much this neighborhood thrives on its nightlife. Honestly, even without setting foot into a single establishment within the Paradise Complex, the gay scene of Phuket spills outside every evening when exotic dancers strut their stuff up and down the pedestrian roads.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Thailand Gay 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

Gay Osaka – The Nomadic Boys

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Gay Osaka - The Nomadic Boys

Do you want to know why they really call Osaka the Kitchen of Japan? It’s because once you see all of those scrumptious boys wandering about the city, you will be left hungry for more!

Of course… We’re sure the delicious cuisine helps to bring the point home! As the foodie capital of the entire country, you will find the best of the best in terms of classic Japanese dishes such as takoyaki and okonomiyaki. But, among the bustling food stalls and restaurants, you will also be introduced to stunning, modern architecture and a gay nightlife culture supported by kindhearted, welcoming locals.

Since it is located alongside the ports of Honshu, Osaka essentially functions as the primary commercial center for Japan. However, the city is still a close neighbor of Kyoto and Tokyo, which means that it tends to fly under the radar of travelers seeking a grand Asian adventure. But today, we’re here to plead on behalf of Osaka. We want to highlight exactly why gay travelers should be calling this fantastic destination their next hot vacation spot.

With the second-largest LGBTQ+ scene in Japan and a friendly atmosphere that promotes total self-expression, gay Osaka will surely provide you with enough pleasant memories to last a lifetime. With the help of our comprehensive guide, we can ensure you an Osaka trip packed full of only the-can’t-miss stops for LGBTQ travelers. Prepare to be enveloped in a city that offers the comforts of both a metropolitan area and a natural, historical getaway!

Is Gay Osaka Safe for Travelers?

We found Japan to be very safe for gay travelers, including Osaka. Whilst LGBTQ rights still have far to go in Japan, by Asian standards the country easily ranks as one of the most gay friendly Asian countries.

The Japanese are very conservative people and even straight couples limit public displays of affection, so it would pay to respect this. Having said that, the Japanese are extremely respectful people, particularly to foreigners. As an openly gay couple, we found people in gay Osaka to be super sweet. At no stage did we ever have any problems checking into a hotel or requesting a double bed in any of the places we stayed at. Osaka is even home to the first government district in the country to officially support LGBT human rights.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Gay Osaka Travel Resources

Gay Wales – The Globetrotter Guys

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Gay Wales - The Globetrotter Guys

Wales has a special place in our hearts given Sion grew up in North Wales.

For those that have not been, Wales is part of the UK (i.e England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland) and is a beautiful country with incredible landscapes and lots of adventures to be had.

But what about gay Wales?

From Sion’s perspective he did not see the gay side of wales at all growing up, it was non-existent at that time. It was only when he arrived at University in the gay capital of the North, Manchester, that he experienced his first gay bar.

So instead, we connected with fellow gay travel blogger Jack who is from South Wales to tell all about what is on offer to the gay traveller coming to Wales today and how accepting the country is from his personal perspective.

For more about Wales, check out our guide to North Wales (we had so much fun!)

Gay Wales: An interview & travel advice with Jack

Hi Jack! If you could introduce yourself to our readers first that would be great before you tell us about gay Wales..

Hi! My name is Jack and I live in South Wales.

I created a travel Instagram and blog under the name Jack Runs The World, to be able to write about my travels, share travel tips, and share travel content.

It was something I had wanted to do for a while, but wasn’t sure how was best, and in the end I just decided to go for it, and it was one of the best things I’ve done!

I also write novels, mainly murder mystery, I work in TV when I’m not travelling, and I’ve recently started making music! 

By Sion & Ben – Full Story at the Globetrotter Guys

Wales Gay Travel Resources

Lesbian Bangkok – Our Taste for Life

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Lesbian Bangkok - Our Taste for Life

Bangkok is known as the gay capital of Asia. We’ve spent quite some time in Bangkok over the years. And we’ve always been thankful for its liberal and open-minded attitude towards to the LGBTQ+ community. Not only can we be ourselves without fear of discrimination, but the gay nightlife in Bangkok is some of the best in the world. From pulsating gay nightclubs and exclusive lesbian parties, to several acclaimed gay-friendly hotels, gay and lesbian Bangkok has a lot to offer.

Bangkok’s lesbian scene aside, there’s a lot to love about beautiful, busy, bombastic, Bangkok. On the one hand, you have the rich Thai culture in the form of jaw-dropping temples, bustling markets, and sensational local cuisine. On the other is Bangkok’s edgier side, with its wild nightlife, epic rooftop bars, and opportunities for urban exploring.

In my experience, lesbian Bangkok is a bit like marmite. You either love it, or you hate it. But the one thing I insist on is giving it a chance. I’ll admit, as a first-timer arriving in the city, the chaos of it all can be overwhelming. But we’ve visited Bangkok over a dozen times now. And despite being everything we usually hate about big cities, we’ve actually grown quite fond of her.

Lesbian Bangkok

I’m confident that if you give Bangkok a chance, you’re guaranteed to find something you like about the city. 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 see and do.

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

Lesbian Thailand Travel Resources

The Best Berlin Gay Bars – The Globetrotter Guys

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The Best Berlin Gay Bars - The Globetrotter Guys

Berlins gay scene is insane (in a good way) by most countries’ standards! There is something for everyone and everyone is welcome.

It’s worth pointing out that Berlin is well known for its positive and ‘matter of fact’ attitude when it comes to getting intimate so don’t be surprised to find a dark room and cruising area as standard in most gay bars and gay clubs in Berlin.

We have split this post into two parts: the first half focused on the more typical gays bar in Berlin before moving on to the gay cruising bars in Berlin – this is probably the route your night will take after all!

We have a full gay guide to Berlin you should also check out.

Berlin Gay Bars

Here are some of our favourite Berlin gay bars to visit – let us know your favorite recommendations:

1) Prinzknecht

This is one of the go to bars for most people to start their night, especially since they often have 2-4-1 drinks specials.

The crowd here is quite mixed but tends to be slightly older. They do play a huge variety of music and we somehow managed to get them to play back to back Ariana followed by Cher which seem a bit out of place but made us happy!

The main thing about this bar for us was that it was fun, friendly and gave off good vibes. Oh, and there is a small dark room/cruising area downstairs (of course).

Address: Fuggerstraße 33, 10777 Berlin, Germany

By Sion & Ben – Full Story at the Globetrotter Guys

Germany Gay Travel Resources

Gay Valparaiso – The Nomadic Boys

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Gay Valparaiso - The Nomadic Boys

Santiago might be home to a large gay scene in Bellavista, but for our money, Valpo is even more tolerant, open-minded and downright fabulous!

Valpo (for short) is one of the country’s most popular draws, famous for its magnificent street art and unique architecture. Pablo Neruda, the famous Chilean Nobel Prize-winning poet, loved Valpo so much he set up one of his homes here. UNESCO was so impressed, it added Valpo’s Historic Quarter to its World Heritage List in 2003, and The Guardian described Valpo as a “mini Berlin by the seaside“.

As Chile’s capital of culture, Valparaiso is packed with art, nightlife and creativity of every kind. This makes the city a hub for the nation’s gay community and we felt more at home in Valpo than anywhere else in Chile.

We fell in love with Valpo’s stunning seaside location, it’s amazing works of art and, of course, the drop-dead gorgeous locals. It goes without saying that by this point, Valpo is one of our favorite cities in Latin America.

To show you how great Valparaiso for LGBTQ travelers, we decided to create a comprehensive gay guide to the city and its neighboring gay resort town Viña del Mar. From the most gay-friendly places to stay to the wildest gay bars and clubs, we will cover it all in our guide to Chile’s coolest city.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Chile Gay Travel Resources