Time flew quicker than we thought with our busy schedules and my partner, and I realized we hadn’t taken a vacation together in over a year. We wanted to remedy the situation, and both had an opening in late October to take five days off. It’s an ideal time to travel in Europe, but if you want to find beach weather, it’s tricky. We wanted to relax and hangout at a beach or pool with warm enough weather for bathing suits, flip flops, chaise lounges, and water that wasn’t too cold. After obsessively researching beach resorts in Greece, Spain, and Italy, the Algarve region in Portugal had the highest average daily temperatures (high 60s to low 70s Fahrenheit), plus more sunny days and less wind that period of the year than the other destinations.
Boasting a rugged coastline with dramatic cliffs, breathtaking beaches inside hidden coves, caves with sparkling azure water of the Atlantic Ocean, and an ideal climate of over 300 sunny days a year (more than California), one could easily understand our attraction to the area.
Like many appealing resort areas, it’s become a victim of its own success, paving the way to overdevelopment with thoughtlessly designed bland condos and inexpensive all-inclusive resorts attracting mass tourism. However, among the cookie cutter hotels and resorts and restaurants there are some hidden gems, and we scored big time by finding three of them.
By Richard Nahem – Full Story at Passport
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I spent 9 weeks in Colombia, longer than I’ve spent anywhere else in the past couple of years (except for New York), and I would have even stayed longer, had Mexico not called my name. Looking back, I can’t believe I almost canceled my trip – I would have missed so many amazing experiences.
In short, I loved my time in Colombia. It was one of the best trips I’ve taken, and while I was concerned about safety as a solo female traveler in Colombia prior to my trip, I never felt unsafe or in danger. I’ve been to places where I traveled feeling somewhat uneasy, but Colombia was not one of them.
Instead, I found beautiful beaches here, gorgeous Spanish-colonial towns, a vibrant nightlife in Bogota and Medellin, some of the best fruit I’ve ever eaten, a spiritual awakening in the Amazon, the ruins of an ancient city in the Sierra Nevada mountains, great new friends and memories that will stay with me forever.
On imagination of the perfect couple’s hideaway the sights of boutique dwellings catered to every desire, deserted beaches destined for frolicking and the privacy of your own love spring to the mind of many. In the Centro region of Portugal, some 50km north of Lisbon, these visions become one seemingly everlasting reality.
The region, best served by car, is home to four rustic and timeless old towns that unlock the true heart and soul of rural Portugal, bringing a thirst for connection to life.
Obidos, Nazare, Peniche and Caldas da Rainha will spark the flames of a love that will last forever. Welcome to the Centro region in Portugal:
Nazare
This market fishing town, in the north of the region, plays homage to the true beginnings of the area. Fish-sellers, scattered amongst the cobbled maze of streets and terracotta roofing, lay out the carapaus (horse mackerel) to dry as done by their ancestors and attract custom with the sweet smell and colourful array of fresh fruits and vegetables nurtured in the local area. During the summer months the area awakens with the spirit of returning Portuguese holidaymakers, travelling in from Lisbon and Porto, who bring a tide of international followers to Nazare’s vast expanse of beaches promised with ambient basking in the Portugal sun.
Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:
The Woods Cottages & Cabins at the Russian River is the perfect answer for a rejuvenating, relaxing and slightly “spirited” escape to the Sonoma Wine Country.
The Woods, a Russian River Hotel that is centrally located in downtown Guerneville, is situated between the tall, swaying redwood trees and the hypnotic flow of the splendid Russian River for the ideal getaway! Watch our video!
This Russian River Hotel is within walking distance to shops, restaurants, dancing and live entertainment. Enjoy wine tasting and tours along the Russian River Wine Road through the Russian River, Dry Creek and Alexander Valley appellations. Enjoy varietals including Sauvingnon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Barbera, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and a wide variety of dessert wines.
The Woods Resort, Russian River Hotel, offers cottages, free-standing guest cabins and multi-room suites with full kitchens, gas fireplaces, private balconies and stunning views of lush redwood forests. The resort has one of the largest swimming pools in the area and has full sun all day long. With an outdoor fireplace, stone fountains and romantically lighted landscaping, your stay at The Woods is guaranteed to make you forget the chaos of the real world.
The Woods Resort has a wireless Internet workstation available for guests in the lobby …and is an ideal venue for Russian River weddings, conferences and private parties.
Your hosts at this Russian River Hotel, Michael and Verna, are veterans of the local customer service industry with a familiarity of all the area has to offer in the way of recreation, adventure, wine tasting, dining, spa treatments and entertainment. They are happy to help you plan an exciting, memorable stay at the Russian River.
Most people associate Berlin with crazy sex fetish clubs and an extremely lax attitude to, well just about everything. In fact, you’re not far from the truth: in Berlin, anything goes, except crossing the road when it’s red. Don’t get caught jaywalking in Germany! Couples (straight or gay) will in particular love this city. There’s plenty of romantic things to do in Berlin to suit all preferences. Here’s our 5 favourite:
Before going to Egypt, I really thought that climbing the Pyramids is a big No-No thing to do because they’re ancient, fragile and they have to be protected at all cost. Boy, I was so wrong!
Apparently you can climb the Pyramid as high as you can–that is if you can find your way to the top. Well, you aren’t allowed to climb in all three of them but in only one: The Pyramid of Khafre (or the middle Pyramid).
Somewhere, I read warning signs, “No Climbing” but only in certain areas of the said pyramid. Nearby, guards are watching people go up and down the steps. And if they think you’ve gone high and far, they’ll remind you to stop and come down.
We’ve spent a lot of time at Bear Week in Provincetown so it is amusing to see a new VICELAND (Vice’s new TV channel) segment on the annual rendezvous.
Calling it “a world of many contrasts,” reporter Thomas Morton (the hairless twink in the shot above) headed to Bear Week to dig down into the world of bear culture, find out about the lingo, and check out just what goes on in the pool at the Provincetown Inn.
Says Morton:
“The term bear once referred to a very specific type of gay man, particularly a big and hairy gay man. Over time bears have evolved into an entire family of gay men of various body types and hairinesses…”
Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:
Comprised of a gorgeous farm house and barn, both originally built in 1915, The Chanticleer Guest House is truly one of Door County’s most unique bed and breakfasts.
We are located on thirty private acres, just 1/2 mile north of Sturgeon Bay. The guest house and guest barn have been carefully renovated to capture the beauty of each structure, while providing the modern conveniences you should expect in a fine country bed and breakfast.
If a secluded cabin is more your idea of a romantic retreat, The Chanticleer Cabins were built just for you! Our four luxury cabins are located on forty private, wooded acres a few minutes walk from the guest house. Each cabin overlooks a private, 1/2 acre pond, which is a magnet for deer, turkey and other wildlife.
The owners and staff of The Chanticleer Guest House and Cabins have been caring for guests since 1993. We take great pride in offering clean, comfortable accommodations in a private and romantic setting.
Open year round, The Chanticleer is here to make your visit to Door County an enchanting experience. We look forward to your arrival.
My father left Cuba in June of 1962. The revolution was intensifying and as part of “Operation Peter Pan,” a program developed by the Catholic Church of which the church still denies ever existed, my grandparents placed him on the last Lufthansa flight out of Havana one morning. A young boy, my father wouldn’t see his parents for years to come. He has never returned. After decades, I became the first of my family to return to the island nation and left to my desires, I would have stayed. I’ll get to that in a minute.
My father is proud, PROUD, of his homeland in the same way that I am PROUD of being a member of the LGBT community. Pride runs deep with Cubans and with us Verdugos. Over the last several years my father has opened up about the Cuba he once knew more than 50 years ago, and often shares his memories of Camaguey, the town in which he grew up. He spills stories about our cousins, but mostly he speaks of the beauty of this massive island. The crystal waters, the undisturbed beaches, the fishing, the music, and la gente. Our people.
I grew up in Miami (aka Little Havana) surrounded by the vibrant and colorful, musical, passionate, sexy cultura of my people. However, something didn’t click for me. My parents divorced when I was two and so I had very little knowledge of my Cuban heritage at home. While soulfully drawn to it, it felt equally foreign. Something was amiss. There was a disconnect.
Every traveler should stop by at least at one of the Caribbean islands. Their raw beauty, warmth and rich culture make them ideal for a romantic getaway or adventure seekers. But we think the national cuisine is yummy enough to convince you to book a flight and head over to the Caribbean right now! Here’s 5 Caribbean foods which may just sway you to head on over.