Tenerife and Gran Canaria – Nomadic Boys

Canary Islands - Nomadic Boys The Canary Islands are renowned for the many pride events, carnivals and orgies of colour that take place throughout the year. Some of the most colourful of all include Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas in Gran Canaria in February, offering up the sort of atmosphere that can rival Rio along with some mind blowing drag queen competitions. We love our carnival party fun atmosphere and after the Lou Queernaval in Nice, we were keen to discover more, but Spanish style. THE CARNIVAL OF LAS PALMAS Drag queen fever has taken over the world, especially since THAT iconic Miley Cyrus VMA performance. The Drag Queen show at the Las Palmas Carnival in Gran Canaria includes spectacular performances from drag queens drenched in glitter, OTT lipstick, fabulous platform heels and some of the best lip syncs you’ll ever see.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Canary Islands Gay Travel Resources

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Gay Cuba: An Aura of East Acceptance

Gay Cuba Photo Credit: Augusto Mia Battaglia/Flickr[/caption] Last May I was living the dream — or at least, I was living someone’s dream. I was on a plane bound for Cuba with 11 handsome, muscly men. We had rented a villa in Cuba’s swanky Miramar neighborhood, where we were destined to spend our days sipping Cuba libres poolside, meandering the streets of Old Havana and dancing to that sultry, syncopated Cuban music that can make you forget that the sun rose hours ago. It was definitely fodder for some type of female fantasy … save for the fact that all 11 men were gay. To an outsider, Cuba would probably not seem to be a prime location to promote LGBT travel. But what we found was quite the opposite: a widely tolerant community where being gay is more than accepted. In fact, in Havana, it’s a nonissue. “Forget about the communist side of it: Latin cultures aren’t necessarily accepting of homosexuality,” said David Lee, owner of luxury travel company Cultural Cuba. “Combine that with the communism, which is also not very accepting, and you assume Cuba would be the worst possible place for LGBT travel. But it’s not.”

By Meagan Drillinger – Full Story at Travel Weekly

Cuba Gay Travel Resources

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Suite 16 – Gay Friendly Vacation Rental in East Sandwich, Massachusetts

Suite 16 Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: Beachfront: Newly remodeled and upgraded during the winter of 2012/2013. Old Cape Cod meets the 21st Century. This well maintained, and newly remodeled Vintage Cape Cod beachfront cottage on Springhill Beach retains its old Cape Cod charm while providing all the amenities you are used to at home. Enjoy your own private beach with awesome views of Cape Cod Bay and the salt marsh. The distance to the water just depends on whether it is high tide or low tide, but the beach is always just out the front door. Completed during the winter of 2012/2013:

  • Newly remodeled existing bathroom
  • Additional half-bath
  • Outdoor shower
  • New doors and windows all around.
  • Upgraded electrical
  • Refinished hardwood floors throughout the house
  • ”Sandwiched” between the beach and the salt marsh, the house includes 4 comfortable, ”actual” bedrooms with doors. 3 of the bedrooms have double beds and one has a Queen size bed. 1 1/2 baths and an outdoor shower as well.
Wireless internet, three cable TV’s, Stereo system. IPod dock. Comfortable living room of about 400 square feet with refinished hardwood floors and three full sized sofas (one is a sofa-bed). Walk-around stone fireplace and beautiful original beadboard wood paneling throughout, providing that ”Old Cape Cod” atmosphere while blending with the modern. The newly remodeled kitchen provides all the amenities. Washer and dryer conveniently located. A second newly remodeled bathroom as well. New outdoor shower added. The lot next door has been dedicated to the Sandwich Conservation Society so there is no one right on top of you and you get plenty of that morning sunshine as well as breathtaking sunsets. Enjoy our dune deck overlooking the beach and have a barbecue. Don’t forget to bring your fishing poles and beach toys.

See the Suite 16 Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals on Cape Code

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Gay Iceland

gay Iceland The Land of Fire and Ice according to gay pilot Oegmundur Gislason – from the minimal gay scene to the most unearthly landscapes It’s the magical Nordic island of lunar landscapes, wild weather conditions and volcanoes, glaciers and geysers aplenty. But gay Iceland is also known for its trailblazing LGBTI rights record; it was the ninth country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2010, and ex-PM Johanna Siguroardottir was the world’s first openly gay head of state. Icelandic carrier WOW air even revealed it was naming a vessel TF-GAY earlier this year in honour of its LGBTI passengers – and last week, it came to light that the man behind the name was openly gay pilot Oegmundur Gislason. Here, Oegmundur speaks to Gay Star Travel to give a personal insight into the unique country he calls home… What’s it like being LGBTI in Iceland? I can’t imagine a better place to be LGBTI. People are so openminded here. Most people don’t care what your preferences are. Here, you can just be yourself and everybody welcomes you. Are there are downsides to being LGBTI in the country? I don’t know if I can call it a ‘downside’, but the thing I fear is that we, LGBTI people in Iceland, don’t realise how privileged we are. We live in a very protected and accepting environment, but that’s not the case for many LGBTIs around the world. We have to remember to appreciate what we’ve got.

By Jamie Tabberer – Full Story at Gay Star News

Iceland Gay Travel Resources

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Iranawila Beach House – Gay Friendly Accommodations in Sri Lanka

Iranawila Beach House Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: Welcome to Iranawila Beach House, we are a Kiwi owned 2bed/2bath exclusive hideaway with private Chef … not too much off the beaten track, in beautiful Sri Lanka. You’ll feel at peace with everything you need in this open plan architecturally designed home. There’s lots of polished concrete, solid teak and a wonderful feeling of space and freedom. Both spacious rooms have Queen beds, fresh linen, towels and ceiling fans. The ensuites are identical and cleverly designed to be semi outdoors

  • open to sky rain showers & hot water
  • fresh Aloe Vera plant for sunburn
  • river pebble floor for a soft foot massage
  • Every room faces and has a direct view of the Indian Ocean; a 52ft saltwater swimming pool fits perfectly in front of the house on a manicured sand terrace, for year round dips.
  • Iranawila beach is swimmable in high season – Oct – April.
We offer Yoga classes for all levels & excellent massage. When you book the Beach House you get exclusive use of the pool bar, terrace and outside kitchen with pizza oven. The terrace is also perfect for chilling out, sunset drinks and fantastic views. With the beach in front, a small local road frames the villa, fully walled and set on 1 acre of coastal gardens, tropical fruit trees and a working vegetable patch, we try to grow as much as we can here. Different colors and varieties of Frangipani feature around the property as do an array of colorful bird life. Breakfast is for up to 4 guests in the nightly rate, other meals, easily by arrangement with our Chef, Gayan. He caters to all of your special requests. Any Sri Lankan delicacies you want to try? A Sri Lankan curry cooking class in the outside kitchen? An all day menu is available too. A unique attraction during high season are the smiling hard working fishermen/women pulling in nets on the beach in front and fishermen in an array of boats and canoes. Both activities have front row seats here. There are no tourists or advertising. Iranawila is a very “Nat Geo”, peaceful village, perfect for photographers of all levels. Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is 1hr away, perfect for guests arriving and acclimatizing or to end your Island holiday before you say farewell. The “Cultural Triangle, Elephant Orphanage, Wilpatu National Park are all within easy reach from IBH. The nearest local town is easily reached with several attractions as well. We are also popular with cyclists. There are extra beds for children or other guest’s, they can be moved to any place on site and mosquito nets fitted for a real experience. The property is perfect for anyone who needs to escape the crowds and experience a unique peaceful environment, something you don’t find very often. We rate our service style and fresh cuisine highly as we do our sunsets. I’m certain you will have an unforgettable time with us.

See the Iranawila Beach House Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Sri Lanka

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Other Gay Beach Towns

Colonial Beach house We all love Rehoboth Beach, Del. Fire Island remains a popular and iconic destination for gay beachgoers, especially from the New York area. And Provincetown continues to draw LGBT crowds for its laid-back vibe and welcoming atmosphere. But if you’re looking for something new, there are gay-friendly beach towns off the beaten path. Here are a few within driving distance of Washington. Colonial Beach, Va. Chris Adcock and Ted Tait were drawn to Colonial Beach in 2011 for its reputation as a great boating town. Once docked, they discovered its gay life. For those wanting to skip the fast-paced partying and slow-moving traffic of Rehoboth Beach, Del., Tait and Adcock recommend Virginia’s second-largest beach for its quaint, small-town feel and warm acceptance. “They’re drastic opposite ends of the spectrum in a good way,” Adcock says. “Rehoboth is the new, modern, clubby younger scene where as Colonial Beach is much more sleepy and neighborhoody. Everybody knows everybody.”

By Selene San Felice and Joey Diguglielmo – Full Story at The Washington Blade

Central New Jersey Gay Travel Resources

Virginia Gay Travel Resources

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Five Things You Didn't Know About Gran Canaria – Nomadic Boys

Nomadic Boys - Gran Canaria When we told our friends we were going to Gran Canaria for a summer break, the reaction went along the lines of… “You’d better return with plenty of STDs otherwise it NEVER happened!” OR: “Oh yeah Gran Canaria… one of my mates came back absolutely RUINED – literally: he got pissed with a few blokes he met in the sand dunes and ended up spending the entire night there!” Gran Canaria certainly has a fierce reputation and is hugely popular with the gay boy party crowd. And for good reason: Maspaloma Pride is one of Europe’s largest annual gay events. The beach near the sand dunes of Playa del Ingles is THE place to hang out during the day and then it’s on to the infamous Yumbo Centre in the evening – a shopping mall gay playground filled with bars, clubs and Clone Zone type shops. However, there is a completely different side to the island, begging to be discovered. Most will base themselves in Playa del Ingles and not make it past Yumbo or the sand dunes. So here’s our 5 things you didn’t know about Gran Canaria to inspire you to venture out beyond the pink Playa Del Ingles bubble.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Canary Islands Gay Travel Resources

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Columbia River Gorge – Dolly Travels

Columbia River Gorge - Dolly and Randy My blog posts are usually about faraway places: Europe, New Zealand, Mexico, but today I had the lovely experience of riding through the magnificent Columbia River Gorge, right here in the United States, on the back of a motorcycle. I came up to southern Washington State several days ago, primarily to visit my eldest son and his family and to help Randy celebrate his 60th birthday. Now those festivities are in the past, but we wanted to do something fun. Sunny days have been a rarity up here during this trip; however, yesterday and today turned out to be very pleasant. Randy asked me if I would like to visit the Columbia River Gorge on his motorcycle. We left La Center, motored south past Vancouver, crossed the bridge over the Columbia River and turned east. The Columbia River is the boundary between the states of Oregon and Washington for over 80 miles. We wanted to travel the Historic Gorge Highway, which is on the Oregon side. We left the main highway, got onto the Gorge Highway, which winds up and up, twisting and turning, crossing old bridges, following along what is known as the “Waterfall Trail”, as there are several waterfalls along the route. The largest of the waterfalls is Multnomah Falls, towering 620 feet above the gorge, falling in two sections to join a stream that flows down to the Columbia River. There was so much traffic around the falls today that signs were up directing traffic away. We had to stop and take this picture from a roadside stop on the Washington side of the River. The falls are still impressive. Along the Historic Highway, we stopped at Vista House. This building was constructed in the early 1900’s as a rest stop for travelers. It is a very attractive building, built of local stone with stained glass windows and inside walls of marble. We climbed the staircase inside the building and came out onto a balcony that encircled the building, giving visitors a 360-degree view of the Columbia River, mountains in the background, farmland around small waterways. We were happy that we had talked to the young couple. They were from Melbourne, Australia, and they were having a grand time touring our Pacific Northwest. However, they were a bit embarrassed that they could not pronounce the names of places correctly. Randy told them that some of the names are of Native American extraction , so unless one was born here, the names are difficult for all of us. They were so cute and friendly. We were sorry to leave them. Later, we stopped for gas and a snack, which we had while resting at a picnic area. A young man, also riding a motorcycle, stopped and engaged Randy in a conversation about road trips, motorcycle efficiency and other motorcycle-related topics. This must be the way things are all over the world: people of like minds and interests gravitate to others of the same interests. Finally, we had to head for home. We crossed the Columbia River again, over to the Washington side, by way of the Bridge of the Gods. This is a cantilevered steel bridge. While driving across, I fcould look down and see the water about 400 feet below us. I only looked once! I had to research why it is called Bridge of the Gods. Apparently, over 600 years ago, an earthquake made a dam in the River, allowing people to cross from one side of the River to the other. Eventually, that dam washed away, and other bridges were made, with only man-made materials and labor, but the name stuck. Once on the Washington side of the River, we followed the Lewis and Clark scenic highway back to Vancouver. We had to get on the freeway for some time before Randy turned found the exit he wanted. We finished our trip by going through more farmland and peaceful scenery. I had a great time, and I am very grateful to my son who took the time to take his mother on an adventure. Thank you, Randy. Ciao for now, Dolly

By Dolly Goolsby – Full Story at Dolly Travels

Columbia River Gorge Gay Travel Resources

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Five Best Beaches in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria With its year-round temperate weather, there’s never a bad time to visit the gayest Canary Island of them all: Gran Canaria. Known around the world for its rugged landscape and the friendliness of its locals, the destination – which covers a landmass of just 1,560km squared – is most famed for its paradise-like beaches. Here, we look at five of the best – from the gay beach on the doorstep of the island’s most buzzing town, Maspalomas, to the secluded nude beaches favoured by locals… Playa de Montana Arena Its name translates to ‘Sand Mountain’ because of the large mound overlooking it, offering unrivalled privacy and isolation. It draws a varied crowd and is favoured by many local LGTBIs living in the south. About half the people who go to this beach sunbathe in the nude.

By Jamie Tabberer – Full Story at Gay Star News

Canary Islands Gay Travel Resources

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Villa Gasparini – Gay Friendly Bed & Breakfast in Dolo, Italy

Villa Gasparini Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: Villa Gasparini is a fully renovated historic building has 15 exquisitely finished rooms, furnished following 6 different themes, from classic Venetian to ethno-chic style, that represent the masculine / feminine duality and the juxtaposition of opposites. We are close to the art cities of Veneto, thefamous Venetian Villas, Padua, Treviso and countless large and smallgems that we will be pleased to suggest. All of our rooms are equipped with free wi-fi, LCD tv, safe, minibar and air-conditioning.

See the Villa Gasparini Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Veneto, Italy

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