Changi International Airport’s Rain Vortex – Keep Calm and Wander

Changi International Airport's Rain Vortex - Keep Calm and Wander

Check Out the Rain Vortex at the Singapore Airport

The Rain Vortex at the Jewel at Changi International Airport in Singapore is mesmerizing. It was the first “tourist attraction” I’ve seen in Singapore. A friend picked me up at the airport and despite carrying my 14-kg backpack, we took a short bus ride to The Jewel.

The Jewel is a nature-themed zone filled with shopping malls, restaurants, and entertainment emporiums. And at the heart of it is this amazing attraction that collects, what else, water. 

Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Seattle’s Chihuly Glass Museum – Keep Calm and Wander

Chihuly Glass Museum

There’s an amazing world waiting for you inside the Chihuly Glass Museum (properly known as Chihuly Garden and Glass). This is a very unique museum that you’ve never ever seen anywhere in your travels. Who knew that glass can be such a wonderful medium to express human emotions and visions?

WHO IS CHIHULY? Honestly, I’ve never heard the name, Dale Chihuly, before – until I read a travel guide while I was on the train to Seattle from Vancouver. Dale Chihuly is a sculptor who makes life-size figures of everything made out of glass. Apparently, he’s the best in his field that his works are worth thousands of dollars, if not millions. Make sure to find the video room and watch the short clips about Dale and his art before you exit the museum.

TICKETS: First of all, your student card is useless in this museum. They won’t honor it. So, to save money in Seattle, I’d advise you to buy Seattle CityPass that includes Chihuly Garden and Glass. Click here for the price.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Seattle Gay Travel Resources

 

Barcelona’s Stunning Park Guell – Keep Calm and Wander

Barcelona's Stunning Park Guell - Keep Calm and Wander

Park Guell in Barcelona is visually stunning. I’m not only referring to the legacy of arts and architecture that Antoni Gaudi left but also to the nature and breathtaking views you’ll see from up here. You’ve never been to Barcelona if you’ve never been to Parc Guell. This is the city’s green space on a hill with views unequalled anywhere in the world. No wonder, this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Though the Park Guell isn’t really in the centre of the city, public transport is accessible. There are buses that stop right in front of the gate from downtown. All you have to do is find the exact bus number. I found it using google maps. The nearest subway or metro is Lesseps. From here, you have to walk uphill for 15-20 minutes.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Barcelona Gay Travel Resources

Flawless New Orleans Arts Destinations -Towleroad

Oleander on Royal gallery
Photo: Jonno D’Addario

It’s easy to get your fill no matter what you’re thirsty for in New Orleans. No, we’re not just talking about the city’s cocktail culture, 24-hour bars and infamous “go cup.” The Crescent City also serves up plenty of opportunities to drink in the city’s vibrant art and culture scene.

New Orleans’ rich history and unique blend of cultures are on display all over the city, from museums to bookstores and even just lining the streets. No wonder it’s long drawn creatives looking for inspiration (including Scissor Sisters’ frontman, Jake Shears). As New Orleans readies for a year-long tricentennial celebration, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite can’t-miss cultural destinations.

Mardi Gras may be New Orleans’ most famous annual tradition, but even if you can’t make it for the annual blowout, you can still partake in the celebration at Mardi Gras World. Let a tour guide lead you through the studios where artists are hard at work building floats. You’ll have the chance to see lavish costumes, extravagant props and even sample King Cake — a delicious treat that’s hard to come by when it’s not Carnival season.

By Andy Towle – Full Story at Towleroad

Louisiana Gay Travel Resources

Masterpieces of the RijksMuseum in Amsterdam – Keep Calm and Wander

RijksMuseum Amsterdam - Keep Calm and Wander

When you’re in Netherlands, don’t skip in getting to know all the masterpieces inside Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Boy, until now, I can’t help but remember the goosebumps I had staring at the originals masterpieces of Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Frans Hals, Johannes Vermeer and other Dutch masters.

How much time should I spend there? I was there two hours before is closed. That’s good enough time to explore the whole museum. But if you’re really an art enthusiast, then, you need a half day to scrutinize everything.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Netherlands Gay Travel Resources

Bourbon Manor Bed & Breakfast Inn – Gay Owned Bed & Breakfast in Bardstown

Bourbon Manor Bed & Breakfast Inn

Bourbon Manor Bed & Breakfast Inn is the world’s first Bourbon-themed Bed & Breakfast Inn featuring 10 luxurious, antique-appointed guest rooms, Bourbon Bar, and Day Spa.

2 Beautifully restored, National Historic Registry and Kentucky Landmark Plantation Homes built by the Brown family, known for their historic heritage of Kentucky Bourbon and Politics. An 1810 Federal House, 1820 Smokehouse, and 1830 Antebellum Mansion featuring luxurious, award-winning B&B Accommodations. Spacious antique-appointed rooms, fine art, and tranquil park-like setting. King Beds, private baths, whirlpool tubs, and fireplaces.

Award-winning Full Country Gourmet Breakfast. Bourbon Bar & Lounge and Health & Wellness Spa onsite. Located downtown Bardstown – Birthplace of Bourbon and voted “America’s Most Beautiful Small Town.”

Request a customized Bourbon Tour & Tasting Package, available with or without private transportation arrangements.

See the Bourbon Manor Bed & Breakfast Inn Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

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

Uphouse Manor B&B – Gay Friendly Houston B&B

Uphouse Manor B&B - gay friendly Houston B&B

Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:

Uphouse Manor B&B is large, light and airy, with lots of common areas.

The owner is an interior designer by trade and loves art (you’ll see!).

Uphouse Manor B&B offers six bedrooms, four and a half baths, kitchen, DR, library, reading room, TV room, parlor, laundry, veranda and porches.

Walk to everything here in the historic Houston Heights: the best restaurants, spas, and shops.

See the Uphouse Manor B&B Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Houston

Sedona’s Tlaquepaque

Tlaquepaque entrance

We just spent a few days in Sedona – my first time there since I was about fourteen – and I gotta say, I love this little town. There’s so much art here, both in galleries and shops and out in the public sphere.

Tlaquepaque - Statue

Sedona has two main shopping districts – there’s downtown, which has a few gems but is kinda filled with tourist traps selling t-shirts and cheap pottery.

But there is a great place to find an amazing array of quality souvenirs, from affordable kitchenware up to high-end sculpture and on-canvas art. It’s called Tlaquepaque – say it with me: Tah-Laa-Kwe-Packeee” – and it’s a gorgeous outdoor shopping center on the southern end of town.

Tlaquepaque - Plaza

Tlaquepaque is built in a Spanish Mission style, and it’s a pleasure to just wander the grounds, taking in the art and spending time sitting at the many fountains on a hot day and trailing your hand in the cool water.

Tlaquepaque Plaza

There are so many great places here.

If you get here at lunchtime, start out at the Oak Creek Brewery – the food is good, and the second-floor location offers some gorgeous red rock views through the picture windows.

Tlaquepaque - Oak Creek Brewery

Tlaquepaque - Oak Creek Brewery View

A short list of our favorite stores here: Cucina Sedona (really cool kitchen stuff); Esteban’s Pottery (OMG – we so almost came home with some of their gorgeous work); and The Inner Eye Gallery (just really cool art).

Tlaquepaque - Esteban's
Esteban’s

Tlaquepaque - The Inner Eye Gallery
The Inner Eye Gallery

We spent about an hour at Tlaquepaque, but I could have wandered around all afternoon.

A must-see while you are in Sedona. Here are some more examples of the public art that litters the place, and some of the nice views – enjoy!

 

Tlaquepaque - Art

Tlaquepaque - Art

Tlaquepaque - Art

Tlaquepaque - Art

Tlaquepaque - Art

Amazing Alexandria Murals – Keep Calm and Wander

Alexandria Murals

I was walking around for two hours until I saw these murals in Alexandria. It’s one of those moments when I allowed my myself to get lost around a new city. And when I can’t figure out, I’d hail a cab to bring me somewhere to satisfy my stomach.

These Alexandria Murals depict arts in all forms. I tried to find the artist’s name somewhere in these murals but didn’t spot it. If you know who did this amazing work, let me know so I can properly acknowledge him.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Egypt Gay Travel Resources

Enchanting, Lesbian Philadelphia – Windy City

Philadelphia

Philadelphia, the nation’s fourth largest city, feels vibrant, its walls covered in more than 3,500 murals, its narrow streets buzzing with excitement—and traffic. Streets can be packed with nightlife at two in the morning, but it feels rather like a carnival than an annoyance.

Despite the traffic, bicycles abound in lesbian Philadelphia. The Indego system—a bike share like Chicago’s Divvy—only costs $4 per half-hour ride. As long as you accept that the streets only have numbers sometimes, the grid system is easy to follow, and in the corners of the city you’ll find charming squares with sculptures, trees and benches. Staying in a Kimpton Hotel means you get free bike rental, though, as long as you return by sundown. The Hotel Palomar, in the middle of Center City, has a funky rock ‘n’ roll groove to it and personable, helpful staff who might offer you champagne at check-in.

When thinking about lesbian Philadelphia, art is not the first thing that comes to mind. Yet within a half-mile of each other exist the Philadelphia Museum of Art, home of the picturesque rocky steps, its smaller offshoot the Rodin Museum, and the Barnes Foundation. The Rodin Museum is a beautiful small repository of the sculptor’s works, including The Gates of Hell, one of his masterpieces.

The Barnes Foundation, a treasure trove of impressionism, is notable for staying true to its collector’s vision, despite a controversial move from the outskirts of town to the city itself—and for its utter lack of signage. Instead, visitors absorb the art with sly hints Barnes installed by the work, metal objects like keys and ladles indicating fundamental shapes in the painting below. It’s an unusual and ultimately incredibly rewarding way to view these priceless works, and is a must-see experience for an art lover.

By Liz Baudler – Full Story at Windy City

Philadelphia Gay Travel Resources