Outdoors

Hiking Palm Springs, California – 2TravelDads

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Hiking Palm Springs - 2TravelDads

We love to find places that everybody talks about but nobody knows the cool stuff you can do there.  One such place is Palm Springs, California.  I mean, everybody goes there for a nice weekend or a relaxing vacation, but besides golf, gay bars and swimming pools, what is there?  The ACTUAL Palm Springs!! Agua Caliente Indian Canyons is the reason for the name, and hiking here is awesome!

Have you been to Palm Springs and done the oasis hikes at Indian Canyons or out at the Coachella Preserve and know what we’re talking about?  Been thinking about a visit maybe but didn’t know what to do beyond golf and shopping?  Well, let us give you some motivation to make a weekend trip out of it or at least get you away from the pool for a few hours – try hiking Palm Springs!

Visiting Palm Springs and the Indian Canyons

A two hour drive from Los Angeles, Orange County or San Diego, PS lies to the east of the coastal cities.  You’ll have to pass through Riverside or Ontario, so plan for city traffic on your drive… or you can just take a short flight from any of the Southern California airports.  Actually, most West Coast airports have direct flights into town.

Once you’re in town, drive right through to the end and follow the signs for Agua Caliente Indian Canyons. After about ten minutes you’ll be at the park entrance. Pay your fee and pick where you’d like to begin, then enjoy hiking Palm Springs and all its glory.

Full Story at 2TravelDads

Palm Springs Gay Travel Resources

Kayaking Arizona Rivers – 2TravelDads

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Kayaking Arizona - 2TravelDads

Arizona offers rivers and lakes in the low deserts, as well as the high deserts and the mountains, for a variety of kayaking and paddling experiences year-round. These are some of the best places for kayaking Arizona, no matter your skill level, from kayaking spots near Sedona to rafting adventures just outside of Phoenix.

Whether you’re venturing far into the wilderness or staying close to your kayak launch site, always be prepared. Riding the rivers is amazing, but it can also be fierce with hot sun and strong winds. Pay attention to conditions and remember, safety first. As you plan out your paddling places in AZ, feel confident booking guided tours where available, as professional, local knowledge can really make for a great experience.

Also, these boat trips often can lead you to wonderful trail heads for hikes. Some of the best places to go hiking in the state are very nearby our suggestions, so enjoy the full AZ outdoors experience!

Kayaking Arizona (Northern)

Northern Arizona is famous for its otherworldly canyons and red sandstone formations. This is where Arizona meets Utah, so think Grand Canyon meets Zion National Park. Here you’ll find the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon. This is also the gateway to the Grand Canyon. There are several amazing National Parks and BLM sites to explore in this part of the state, and some of the best places to kayak in the state! If you’re doing a road trip to the Grand Canyon and beyond, add this kayaking Arizona spot to your travel plan!

Full Story at 2TravelDads

Arizona Gay Travel Resources

Gay Taiwan – The Nomadic Boys

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Gay Taiwan - The Nomadic Boys

When it comes to welcoming queer travelers, gay Taiwan is the only place in Asia that we think tops Thailand. They even have a temple dedicated to a gay god!

Taiwan is super gay – it has the largest gay Pride in Asia, it was the first place in Asia to legalize marriage equality and has a massive LGBTQ+ scene in Taipei. That’s before we’ve even mentioned the delicious food, breathtaking scenery and really friendly charming Taiwanese people – who will make you smile every time you speak to them!

In short, Taiwan gave us everything we wanted from our Asian gaycation. We’d go back in a heartbeat and know you will want to as well. Regardless of whether or not you’re a seasoned traveler or maybe thinking about your first adventure, Taiwan is a place to consider. In this queer country guide to Taiwan, we’ve put together our fabulous discoveries from our adventures together with safety advice, culinary inspiration and the best gay events to seek out.

Rights in Gay Taiwan

The first thing to note is that LGBTQ+ rights there are very progressive. More progressive than some Western countries so we even rate it as one of the most gay friendly places in the world. It’s no wonder that Taiwan is so welcoming to LGBTQ travelers. This was immediately apparent to us from the moment we touched down at Taipei’s airport. We never had any issues whatsoever and we felt so comfortable while we were travelling around.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Visiting Carson City for Gay Families – 2TravelDads

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Carson City for Gay Families - 2TravelDads

By now you know that visiting Carson City, Nevada is a must-do and it is a pretty cool town. After three visits I can say that it’s one of my favorite places in the Southwestern USA. This is the complete scoop from a local, Lydia Bruegge from the tourism board, on what she loves about living in Carson City and what to expect throughout the seasons in the Reno-Tahoe area. Lydia shared with us where to play and what to expect for weather year-round (it’s not a desert!). And why to visit Carson City for Gay families.

Located in western Nevada, very close to the California border, Carson City is the state capital. It’s a small city / big town with about 55,000 residents.

Even though its elevation isn’t as high as Denver, if you live at sea level, you’ll feel the higher altitude when you set out on a hike. It’s wonderful and you can smell the freshness of the air being so high, but it’ll surprise you if you’re not expecting to be able to feel 4800′ of elevation.

Carson City is laid out in a very easy-to-get-around way, with the downtown being on a grid and the surrounding areas easily accessible via boulevard or freeway. At about 157 square miles, it’s a good sized place. Highways 395 and 50 make it easy to get to the more rural or mountainous areas, such as the shores of Lake Tahoe, while I-580 connects Carson City to Reno.

Full Story at 2TravelDads

Nevada Gay 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

Unforgettable Days in Gay Tahoe – 2TravelDads

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Unforgettable Days in Gay Tahoe - 2TravelDads

Reno and Lake Tahoe have so many more things to do than casinos and skiing. I’ve created an ideal itinerary for enjoying all kinds of outdoor adventures, history, and great food all around Carson City and the Lake. Many people consider Lake Tahoe for vacations, but there is a whole world just a few miles from the lake that is perfect for families or solo adventurers alike. Use this itinerary as a gay Tahoe / Reno travel / trip planner to build the sort of vacation YOU want.

This four day itinerary will give you a nice mix of culture, nature and Nevada’s historic mining past. With time in Nevada’s State Capitol, Carson City, and in the mountains surrounding the Eagle Valley, all the way to Lake Tahoe’s shores, this travel plan will keep you busy and allow for plenty of down time to relax and enjoy the area. You’ll find many things to do between Reno and Tahoe!

4 Days in Gay Tahoe /Reno Itinerary

As you arrive in the Reno-Tahoe airport or general area, you’ll most likely fly into Reno (RNO) or be driving from the San Francisco Bay Area. Either way, you’ll do some quick sightseeing in downtown Reno, driving under the Reno Arch and checking out the facades of some of the famous vintage casinos. But then you head south and start your awesome vacation.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Tahoe Gay Travel Resources

Pura Lempuyang Indonesian Temple – Keep Calm and Wander

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Pura Lempuyang Indonesian Temple - Keep Calm and Wander

Pura Lempuyang (or Lempuyang Temple) is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Bali. It is also one of the oldest and holiest Hindu temples worth going to when traveling to this tropical island.

This sacred temple is two hours drive away from Canggu. The picturesque ride on your way up there is one to be enjoyed with such delight.

Visiting Lempuyang Temple during the pandemic has its good and bad side. There were only very few people (close to none) when we were there. On the other hand, not every temple was open.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Indonesia Gay Travel Resources

Indonesia’s Floating Temple – Keep Calm and Wander

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Indonesia's Floating Temple - Keep Calm and Wander

Indonesia’s Floating Temple

Pura Ulun Danu Beratan Temple in Bedugul, in the highlands of Bali, gains its monicker as Indonesia’s Floating Temple as it is on the edge of Lake Beratan. However, the structure is not literally floating on the lake. It depends on where you stand, the temple, at a far distance, looks like it is buoyed up. 

On the day I visited it, the water was so low that it didn’t really look like I expected it to be. It was disappointing to me because I already knew how/where I want my photos taken. Backdropped with a gorgeous mountain, the complex reveals its beauty on a sunny day. As it is on the highlands, the weather changes from time to time.

I was lucky that on the day I visited it, the sun cooperated. But as soon as I was done, a thick cloud revealed, and rain came.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Indonesia Gay Travel Resources

Finding Gay China – The Nomadic Boys

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Gay China - The Nomadic Boys

Picking out the best vacation destination is a challenge, which is why we’re here to give you a simple word of advice: don’t be sleeping on the Sleeping Giant!

It seems a common misconception that China only represents oppression and a loss of freedom. We definitely understand concerns from the LGBTQ community regarding discrimination, but allow us to assure you that most Chinese citizens are respectful, kind, and almost too eager to receive visitors from all walks of life. Welcome to gay China!

As one of the world’s first civilizations, there has been more than enough time for specific Chinese cultures to steep like an exquisite cup of tea. Seemingly every region of China offers its own distinctive cuisine, architectural wonders, and natural sights. The country provides boundless opportunities for exciting travel from the countless pagodas and temples to the towering mountains and shining bodies of water. And that’s not even mentioning the gay bars, clubs, and saunas that can be found in some of gay China’s more progressive cities.

As daunting a task vacation planning can be, just follow our comprehensive guide to gay travel in China, and you will surely leave the country with a smile on your face.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Gay China Travel Resources

Visit Tempe for Gay Families – 2TravelDads

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TeTempe for Gay Families - 2TravelDads

It’s rare that just one of us dads gets to escape for a trip with just one of the kids. It happened though!! It really did! Oliver (our oldest) and I (Rob) got to take an adventure down to Tempe, Arizona and it was the perfect bonding trip that we needed. This central AZ town was the ideal spot for us with nonstop outdoors and kid-focused activities. Tempe for gay families = best idea ever. Tempe engaged us to go explore and share our experience and huzzah we loved it!

It might seem strange to go to a small city,, but it’s actually smart travel. When you hit up a spot like San Francisco or Miami you’re going to be faced with lots of skyscrapers and fancy food. Tempe with kids fit us just right for keeping things mellow and fun (and still great food). Check it out!

Tempe for Gay Families

A lot of people fly through Phoenix (PHX) for work or as a general travel hub, and if you’ve got a long layover or want to add an easy adventure to a work trip, This Phoenix suburb is super easy for that. Located about fifteen minutes east of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport you are really close to whatever else you’ve got planned.