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Lesbian India – Once Upon a Journey

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Lesbian India - Once Upon a Journey

The most common question we get asked as a travel couple is ‘what’s your favorite place you’ve traveled to’? Many are surprised when they learn that it’s India. They automatically assume it would be tough to travel as a lesbian couple in India, and they wouldn’t be far wrong. But honestly, it’s no more challenging than being a solo female traveler or two female friends. You see, to be a lesbian in India is still very much a taboo. Probably even more so than being a gay male. The issue with female travel in India isn’t our sexuality; it’s our gender.

Nevertheless, we still regard India as one of the most exciting countries we’ve ever visited. Everything from the food and the people, to the culture and the sights, create one of the most unique travel experiences one can ever encounter. At the same time, it’s worth pointing out that it’s probably not a trip for everybody. Female and lesbian travel in India requires patience, tolerance, and one hell of an open mind.

Taking all this into consideration, this blog aims to provide all the information you need to prepare for an unforgettable, but most importantly, a safe, trip in India. We touch on LGBT rights in India, the best lesbian-friendly places to visit, as well as all of our travel tips and advice for female travelers. Continue ready for the ultimate travel guide to lesbian India.

LGBT Rights in India

Unsurprisingly, the situation surrounding gay rights in India has always been a controversial subject. The past 20 years, in particular, have been a volatile road in the battle for equal rights and decriminalization. Various notable wins followed by frustrating setbacks saw LGBT activists taking one step forward and another back again.

Remarkably, 2018 saw a ruling made by the supreme court to decriminalize homosexuality. And with it, came an extension to anti-discrimination laws to include the LGBT community. In a socially conservative country such as India, this was not only a landmark decision. But an indication of hope for LGBT+ people all over the world.

By Maartje and Roxanne – Full Story at Once Upon a Journey

India Lesbian Travel Resources

Athens’ National Archaeological Museum – Keep Calm and Wander

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Athens' National Archaeological Museum in Athens

The National Archaeological Museum in Athens has wide collections of artifacts from various times in Greek history. It’s very overwhelming to see them all, especially when you don’t have much time to spare. So I’m breaking down 14 artifacts that you must see when inside. This is, for me, a very subjective list, of course! You’re welcome to add yours to the comment below this post.

Golden Age of the Mycenaean Civilization

As soon as you enter the museum, you will find the relics from Mycenaean civilization. The golden face masks command attention and the rest of the golden pieces of jewelry are fascinating.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Athens Gay Travel Resources

Victoria for Gay Families – 2TravelDads

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Victoria for Gay Families - 2TravelDads

Victoria BC is our go-to destination for fun and easy weekend trips around the holidays and in spring when the weather is getting nice. Yes, we go to Victoria often, but it’s because we love it so much! We’ve figured out our top favorite activities and tips for visiting Victoria with kids and get ready, because we’ve got 18+ things for you to do to have an unforgettable trip.

Victoria for Gay Families – Locale

Victoria BC is on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, just north of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and just west of Vancouver, BC. It’s a fairly large city and is situated on a harbor, the Inner Harbour, and then stretches out to its suburbs of Saanich, Sidney, and Sooke. Getting there is fairly easy and doable on nearly any budget.

We have written about Victoria before and have a lot of details around transportation to the city here, in our article highlighting a great 3 Day Victoria itinerary. Here’s a recap though and top tips for getting to Victoria with kids. By ferry, you can depart for Vancouver Island from either Vancouver (Tsawwassen terminal) or Port Angeles. Both sailings are approximately 1.5 hours so which you choose depends on your starting point, travel schedule and budget. Check out the map to see which makes sense for you. You can also take the passenger-only Victoria Clipper from Seattle, which is a great option for those adding Victoria with kids to their family trip to Washington.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Victoria Gay Travel Resources

Victoria’s Royal BC Museum – 2TravelDads

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Victoria's Royal BC Museum - 2TravelDads

There are very few museums that we’ve gone back to several times, but the Royal BC Museum in Victoria is one of them. Located just off the Inner Harbour, it’s an easy addition to a Victoria BC weekend getaway or even just a day trip. And the Royal BC Museum with kids is wonderful too. This is both our review and our guide to the museum and should answer any questions you’ve got about planning a visit.

Getting to the Royal BC Museum

Victoria is an easy place to get to, either from Seattle, the Olympic Peninsula or Vancouver. Living in the Seattle area, the Victoria Clipper is a great option for us. Catching the Clipper from Pier 66, there is overnight parking nearby or it’s a short Lyft ride from anywhere in the downtown area. The ride from Seattle to Victoria is a little less than three hours, and riding the Clipper is really relaxing. It’s a great way to start a Victoria weekend getaway.

Other options for getting to Victoria include the Blackball Coho ferry from Port Angeles, WA; Washington State Ferries to Sidney from Anacortes, WA; BC Ferries from Tsawwassen, BC to Sidney; or the V2V boat from Vancouver, BC (seasonal).

Depending on your overall travel plan, any of these can be booked on relatively short notice and at a variety of price points. Also, seaplane flights from Seattle’s Lake Union or Vancouver’s waterfront are available, but at a much higher cost.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Victoria Gay Travel Resources

Walking Gay Vienna – Keep Calm and Wander

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Walking Gay Vienna - Keep Calm and Wander

Here’s my own walking tour of gay Vienna – using the map I picked up at the tourism office at the train station. If you are arriving by train, don’t forget to drop by the tourism office and ask what you could do for a day or three in the city. The nice lady recommended and handed me a map of a two-hour walking tour. She patiently answered my questions and even gave a few coupons I could use. But, of course, I didn’t depend on the map alone. I had help from Google maps, too. 😉

I recommend that before you embark on your own walking tour, make sure to find these places in order. It will save you time, especially if you are not good at reading maps – like me. 😀

Vienna State Opera House

There is no better place to start my walking tour but here on a Saturday morning. This is not just a historical Rennaissance building, but this is the center of Austrian arts. Waltz originated in Vienna and world-renowned composers, like Mozart and Beethoven, found their homes here.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Vienna Gay Travel Resources

Washington DC for Gay Families – 2TravelDads

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Washington DC for Gay Families - 2TravelDads

One day in Washington DC is actually enough time to see and do a lot. Don’t believe me? This one day itinerary for visiting Washington DC includes the best sightseeing around the US capitol, best things to do in DC, and an overall plan for an easy day trip to Washington DC.

Washington DC for Gay Families

We partnered with Best Western to visit Virginia and Washington DC, so for our recommendations for where to stay, check out our “hotels” section at the end!

VISITING THE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS 

If you’re planning a day trip to Washington DC, you have to make time for at least one or two of the many Smithsonian Museums. Whether you’re looking for art or history, science or culture, there is a museum for every interest.

Most of the Smithsonian Museums are located along the National Mall, which is the long lawn between the Capitol Building and the Lincoln Memorial. Several have cafes, so if you want to stay in the relative area, it makes for an easy day full of museum-going.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Washington DC for Gay Families – Gay Travel Resources

Seven Great Places in New Orleans (Outside the French Quarter) – Keep Calm and Wander

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Image credit: Anne Ganucheau

It’s hard to think about New Orleans without immediately conjuring images of the French Quarter in your mind. The Big Easy’s historic hub is picture-perfect: Creole-style buildings railed with ornate iron balconies line the streets while roving jazz bands and happy party-goers join in a colorful parade of humanity.

It sounds like a great place to visit, and it is. But Louisiana’s largest city shouldn’t be defined by the 422 acres comprising the French Quarter. 

To show love for the Big Easy’s underhyped hot spots, here’s a look at 7 Great Places in New Orleans – outside the French Quarter – that you should check out the next time you visit. 

Great Places in New Orleans – Audubon Park

You’re committing a grave injustice if you don’t visit lush Audubon Park while in New Orleans. One of the most unique green spaces in the country, the park is filled with hundred-year-old oak trees, expansive lagoons, and beautifully dripping strands of Spanish moss.   

While the scenery is breathtaking—you could easily spend an entire day just relaxing in nature here—John James Audubon’s namesake park offers awesome activities for recreation-seekers.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

New Orleans Gay Travel Resources

Gay India – The Nomadic Boys

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Gay India - The Nomadic Boys

Touchdown in Delhi, the first thing we see are men walking the streets holding hands…

This is a tradition so deep-rooted in the culture of India: men are very docile around each other, whether straight or gay. It’s not a sexual thing, simply one of those cultural norms that caught our eyes!

India is often a monstrous feat for tourists. It’s so big, so full of culture, so diverse, that it’s impossible to decide where to visit if you’re going for a short trip. Which is why we didn’t just go for a short trip; we went on a month-long journey covering as much as we could from north to south. From cruising along the backwaters of Kerala, taking in the sounds of wild birds and air whistling through the trees, the Ghats of Varanasi, to the fiery food, that would burn the tongue of any ole’ Westerner (where the hottest spice we’re used to is salt!), India sets out to transform your perception of the world.

What called us to gay India in the first place? Was it the Taj Mahal, with its monumental appearance, a marble fortress set against the dazzling blue sky? Perhaps it was the jumbled landscape, with the extremes of sparse open fields lying next to a never-ending jungle, that lies adjacent to a labyrinth of a city filled with delicious smells, ancient temples and busy markets? Or the people: full of colour, sass, lots of head wobbling and plenty of smiles.

Famous for their unwavering hospitality, Indian people welcome tourists with an open embrace. Everywhere we went, we were met with smiling eyes and greetings of warmth. Chatting to merchants in the street we got to hear all sorts of fascinating stories about their local lives. The hustle and bustle, people brushing past you in tight quarters, and avoiding pickpockets were no mean feat but when matched with the gentle and beautiful hearts of the majority of Indians, it’s all so worth it.

All About Gay India

To learn more about all things tourist-y, food-y, and party-gay-centric around India, check out our ultimate gay country guide right here!

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

India Gay Travel Resources

Halifax and Nova Scotia for Gay Families – 2TravelDads

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Nova Scotia is a bucket list destination for many. After spending five days exploring and experiencing Halifax, the South Shore and Bay of Fundy, we’ve nailed down 30+ things to do in Nova Scotia that are sure to be a great experience, especially in fall. From Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to lobster grilled cheese on a secluded cove, this is the Nova Scotia itinerary you MUST HAVE!

WHEN TO VISIT NOVA SCOTIA

While summer is going to bring the best, most consistent weather, fall is THE time to visit Nova Scotia. Summer weather is ideal for long days of exploring and having the longest and most consistent operating hours for activities, but the fall colors make visiting just off season well worth it.

If you plan on visiting Nova Scotia in the spring, know that snows may continue to roll in through April, and many visitor services and tourist spots do not open until May.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Nova Scotia Gay Travel Resources