Swinging in Bali – Keep Calm and Wander

Swinging in Bali - Keep Calm and Wander

You know you can’t leave Bali without getting on one of the swings everywhere on the island. They’re literally scattered everywhere. If you see coconuts and rice fields in one place, there’s a big chance that there are a few swings around. Or perhaps, a man-made nest intended for humans, not for birds.

Yes, swings and nests are just two of the most artificial “tourist attractions” in around Ubud promoted as “theme parks” Or whatever they call it.

A fellow traveler and I went to Aloha Ubud because you know – we wanted to experience the thrill of it all. But when we arrived at the reception – boy, the prices got me backed off the moment I read it! Goodness, it’s more expensive than going inside MoMa in New York or at the Louvre Museum in Paris!

Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Bali Gay Travel Resources

Gay Penang – The Nomadic Boys

Gay Penang - The Nomadic Boys

Penang is one big fat foodie paradise in Southeast Asia. Honestly, we were blown away by the many culinary prizes available here…Asam Laksa, Wanton Noodles, Hokkien Prawn Noodles, Char Koay Teow…Penang is one place we’d definitely rush back to just for the food!

Penang is also famous for its street art murals, particularly in the UNESCO listed cutesy colonial-era capital, George Town. And the biggest surprise of all, despite being a small island of less than 2 million, in a country where homosexuality is a crime(!), there is even a gay scene!

We visited Penang as part of our big trip around Malaysia and totally fell in love. We were told by both Malaysians and fellow travellers that Penang is a not-to-miss highlight of the country and oh boy were they right! We ended up extending our trip in Penang from a few days to two full weeks. Based on our firsthand experience, we’ve put together our gay guide to Penang setting out the best gay friendly hotels, hangouts, foodie tips, and more.

Is Penang safe for gay travellers?

For the most part, yes…as long as you’re careful and avoid any PDAsIt’s not as bad as the Middle East here, but it certainly ain’t no Barcelona, Bangkok or gay Berlin!!

There is a large LGBTQ community in Penang, both locals and foreigners, living and working quite openly. Penang is after all a touristic hub with a large international population, so people are more likely to be diverse, tolerant and open-minded here compared to other parts of the country.

Full Story at The Nomadic Boys

Malaysia Gay Travel Resources

Mountain Laurel Creek Inn & Spa – Gay Owned Bed & Breakfast in Dahlonega, Georgia

Mountain Laurel Creek Inn xmasfront

UPSCALE DAHLONEGA MOUNTAIN GETAWAY

Georgia’s Mountain Laurel Creek is a quiet getaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with some of the best accommodations in Lumpkin County.

We over seven elegant suites in a beautiful mountain setting, each equipped with:

* Private bath
* Whirlpool tub
* Separate shower
* WiFi
* Balcony
* Romantic gas fireplace

Our large suites sleepsone or two, with queen- or king-sized bed, sitting area, in-room Keurig K-cup coffee maker, clock radio/cd player, and dedicated AC.

Mountain Laurel Creek provides a relaxing, quiet, romantic escape where you can re-energize and take care of yourself and your partner. We’re also a great place to spend a vacation with family or friends.

At Mountain Laurel Creek, we are green and eco-friendly – we recycle and use green/organic products wherever possible.

See the Mountain Laurel Creek Inn & Spa Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

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

Staying Fit on a Summer Gaycation

gay men by pool - Upsplash photos - free

In this environment, it’s very challenging for a gay guy to be perceived as handsome. Not because he isn’t, but because it’s very tough to keep up with the body goals the society puts on us. Summer might be the most challenging season of them all, though, mostly because it’s very common to see shirtless guys showing their guns and their abs, so more often than not, we can feel a bit self-conscious about our own body. 

So, what are we supposed to do when we have a gaycation coming our way? Do we play it cool, embracing our own bodies, and showing the world that everyone’s beautiful in their own way? This is one way to play this game, but there’s also the option of doing whatever it is in your power to stay fit and give your body a chance to look amazing. Take a look at some of the tips that we have for you – perhaps you won’t be the next Chris Hemsworth, but it definitely won’t hurt!

You always start with a plan

Everything new you want to start, planning it out is the first step, and this is not an exception. Proper organization can help you out tremendously. That’s why it would be a great idea to come up with a plan of what you want to achieve and until when, write it down, think about all of the things you have to do, or give up on to meet your goals.

But don’t forget that one of the crucial things here is to be realistic, as staying fit and changing your body is not an easy task. There’s so much you will have to give up on, so much dedication and hard work. The right organization will also help you calculate for how long you have to stay on a specific dietary regimen, how often you have to go to the gym, and what you need to do when you’re at home.

Use the things that can help you out

Next up, think about the external factors that can help you out, such as the services of different professionals or equipment you might need but won’t find at the gym. First and foremost, if you can afford one, go with a personal trainer. It’s always good to have some help by your side, and it’s even better when it’s coming from a professional. Moreover, bear in mind that it’s for the reason that professionals came up with different kinds of supplements. These are here to help you make your transformation process better and faster, so why not opt for the best whey protein on the market and make sure that your results are visible quickly? If you’re skinny and you need more muscle mass, this will help you out. If you have mass but simply want to form your muscles, this is the way to go. Who knows, perhaps you’ll be the next big OnlyFans superstar!

Mind your diet

Not even one fitness decision comes to life without giving up on what we all love so much – sweets and junk food. Yes, sometimes this food is tasty; other times, it’s simply easier to grab a hamburger then cook at home, but know that abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym. To improve your diet, you will need to be very organized and actually go shopping for the products that you need and cook in advance so that you always have fresh and healthy food to eat. You can also opt for a nutritionist’s services if you don’t know what food is good for your body and blood type. Another way to play this game is to have a consultation session with your personal trainer. What is very important to note is that you don’t always have to jump on this bandwagon all at once. Start slow; baby steps can be very helpful. Cut down on all the unhealthy food that you eat, and slowly start introducing proteins, vitamins and plenty of vegetables.

It might be quite difficult to make the idea of changing your body for the better come to life. This requires a lot of dedication, determination and hard work. And most importantly – stay true to who you are, stay positive, and always be satisfied with your body. Not all of us were born to be fitness gods, but we can do several things to provide us with a better version of ourselves.

Peter is a gay lifestyle writer at Queer Voices magazine. Follow Peter on Twitter for more tips.

Gay Cusco – The Nomadic Boys

Gay Cusco - The Nomadic Boys

“Stefan look: rainbow flags are everywhere…it must be Cusco Pride right?”

Seby wasn’t wrong. One of the first things you notice when walking the streets of Cusco are all the rainbow-like flags flying proudly all across the city. But to our disappointment, it has nothing to do with the LGBTQ community. This is the Inca flag, similar to our Pride rainbow flag, but with an extra blue stripe added. Unless you’re in Cusco in late-June, that’s the extent of any gay Pride you’re going to see happening here…

Cusco was once the historic capital of the Inca Empire. Today it is Peru’s #1 tourist destination, receiving almost 4 million annual visitors who mainly come to visit Machu Picchu. We’ve been to Cusco, loved it so much, we visited a second time a decade later, doing the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu on both occasions and also exploring the stunning Sacred Valley surrounding the city.

We’re not gonna lie – Cusco is not a party destination, not by a long stretch! It’s a small city, a very beautiful one, but one where you come for the rich cultural heritage and impressive landscapes over anything else. Whilst there is a small gay scene here, we suggest you get all the partying out of your system over in the big coastal capital city, Lima before heading over. Cusco is instead a rewarding cultural journey into Peru’s historic Inca civilisation, one that we loved and would happily return to in a heartbeat!

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Peru Gay Travel Resources

Gay Bali, Indonesia – wolfyy

gay bali

Bali is a classic gay travel destination in Southeast Asia. You might be aware that Indonesia is not the most gay-friendly country, however Bali is quite the exception! The island has a special religious openness that has allowed them to welcome millions of gay tourists over the years.

Why Do Gay Men Love Bali?

Many gay holiday destinations attract travelers for specific reasons. Some examples are a vibrant gay culture, gay neighborhoods, popular gay beaches or exciting gay nightlife. Bali is unique in that this little slice of paradise offers tranquility for LGBTQ people, especially in a relatively inexpensive and gay-friendly atmosphere.

Gay travelers don’t tend to have huge dance parties or nude beaches in mind for their gay Bali experiences. There aren’t necessarily giant gay meetups. Instead, gay tourists seek private, luxurious accommodations and experiences, comfortable with the notion that other gay travelers will be nearby. This affords the a peaceful LGBTQ travel experience, obviously in addition to the lush tropical landscapes and friendly locals.

gay bali hotels

Where to Stay in Bali

Bali is a large island, and the southern half is quite heavily treaded. While you can find secluded enclaves all over, there are some general trends to keep in mind before you set out on your gay Bali adventure.

The airport is in the south of Bali in Denpasar. Staying in the south part of the island is easiest in terms of quick transport to your hotel. This is best if you’re short on time. A couple hours north is the famous town of Ubud, which is more peaceful. However, with Bali’s exploding popularity, Ubud is also quite busy. In the very north of the island, you’ll find increasing numbers of truly secluded places to stay. This is to be expected however, since it takes quite a long time to reach there by car!

Options for Bali hotels, resorts, and home stays are truly endless. Whether you’re looking for a tropical forest bungalow or a standard five-star hotel, you’ll certainly have plenty to choose from. I’ll let you know about some of my favorite spots in the full wolfyy travel guide!

Full Bali Gay Travel Guide on wolfyy

Gay Indonesia Resources

Gay Lebanon – The Nomadic Boys

Gay Lebanon - The Nomadic Boys

Exquisite food, impressive UNESCO sites, crazy nightlife and some of the most handsome guys to walk this planet…on the face of it, Lebanon is a gay man’s wet dream right?
In some ways, it sure is! By Middle Eastern Arab standards, Lebanon is often regarded as a very liberal and progressive place. There’s even a vibrant gay scene in Beirut. We certainly rate Lebanon as one of the most gay friendly countries in the Arab world.

BUT: this is by Middle Eastern standards!

The Middle East is one part of the world where being openly gay can get you into a great deal of trouble (Israel, a gay paradise, being the sole exception). For example, in say, Saudi Arabia, Egypt or Iran it’s a straight-up capital punishment. In places like Lebanon, Dubai or Abu Dhabi, being gay is very much an arrestable offence that can get you a prison sentence, a fine and deportation.

The purpose of this article is to describe our experience of travelling in Lebanon as a gay couple, present a balanced perspective and give advice for LGBTQ travellers who want to explore it. It is a stunning country, one that you won’t regret visiting…but this is still very much an Arab country where being gay is against the law. You will need to go back into the closet, avoid all PDAs, set all your social media to private and never post anything gay related online before or during your trip.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Madrid Gay Shopping – The Globetrotter Guys

Addicted & ES Madrid

When it comes to gay shops in Madrid, the majority are focused on clothing and apparel showcasing some of the best gay clothing brands around such as Addicted and ES Collection.

Madrid’s gay scene is unapologetically sexualised, so it’s no surprise that these shops reflect that scene. The list gay shops in Madrid below focuses on shops found in the gay area of Madrid, Chueca. This is also where you will find the majority of the gay bars and clubs in Madrid.

It is definitely worth checking out these gay shops and picking up some new gear when visiting Madrid, we don’t have many of these shops on offer at home in the UK!

Gay Shops in Madrid

One of our favourite brands for swimwear, Addicted and ES Collection are both high quality Spanish brands. The shops sells everything from underwear, to swimwear, t-shirts, vests/tanks, shorts, jeans, sports gear and Addicted now also has a fetish collection.

Full Story at The Globetrotter Guys

Madrid Gay Travel Resources

Gay Berlin – The Nomadic Boys

BLOG - Gay Berlin - The Nomadic Boys

Jokes about German sausage are the wurst!

…especially when you arrive at the Wittenbergplatz in gay old Schöneberg, to be greeted by the cutest, gayest, rainbow-clad super-kitsch kiosk of Fritz & Co selling particularly yummy currywurst German sausages. More about Fritz & Co below, but as our first impression of Berlin, we knew we were in for a gay old time here! Gay Berlin is notorious for being the city of sin – a truly liberal and diverse hub where anything goes. The absolute wurst…and we live for it!

Schöneberg is considered to be the main gay area of Berlin, the traditional heart and soul of Berlin’s LGBTQ gay community, where the bulk of its gay bars, clubs and hotels can be found. The city also has several other exciting gay neighbourhoods to check out, each with its own unique character, vibe and queer hangouts. The main ones are Kreuzberg, Neukölln, Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain.

We’ve been to Berlin several times and usually base ourselves somewhere in Schöneberg, which we love. For us, Schöneberg remains the best gay neighbourhood of Berlin – the true Queen of the Scene! We also love venturing out to the bars and parties happening in the other gay districts of Berlin such as Möbel Olfe in Kreuzberg, SchwuZ in Neukölln, Flax in Prenzlauer Berg, and the infamous Berghain in Friedrichshain. The Berghain super club is almost like an entire gay neighbourhood in its own right! This is reason alone why we rate Berlin as one of the top gay friendly vacation destinations in the world.

We’ve put all our notes and stories from our many travels to Berlin in this comprehensive gay guide to help inspire your own holiday to this crazy and super exciting city including the best of the gay scene, gay hotels, parties, events, things to do and more.

Where is the main area of Gay Berlin?

The main gay area of Berlin is based in Schöneberg. It is the traditional heart and soul of Berlin’s LGBTQ gay community, dating back to 1897 when the world’s first-ever LGBTQ organisation was founded right here: the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee. From this point on, the area blossomed, becoming the Gay Village capital of the world.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Berlin Gay Travel Resources

Casa Alebrijes Hotel – Gay Owned Bed & Breakfast in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

Casa Alebrijes Hotel - Gay Owned Bed & Breakfast in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

CENTRAL NEAR GUADALAJARA GAY NIGHTLIFE

Welcome to Casa Alebrijes – the best hotel in Guadalajara, Mexico for gay men and lesbians and their friends.

Guadalajara is often called the San Francisco of Mexico, and our boutique Guadalajara hotel is just two blocks from gay nightlife in town – twenty-five gay bars and discotheques, all within an easy walk from our front door.

Our Guadalajara hotel has two floors with two suites for 1-4 persons, and seven guest rooms that can each accommodate 1 or 2. The first floor also has a beautiful garden patio with a lovely fountain. The second floor has a wide balcony that overlooks the garden.

Casa Alebrijes is in a late 19th century home that has been carefully and lovingly restored in a traditional style. We’ve added all the modern conveniences, while respecting the beauty of the original architecture.

See the Casa Alebrijes Hotel Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

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