gay travel

Hanging Out in Gay Albania – The Nomadic Boys

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Hanging Out in Gay Albania - The Nomadic Boys

The Best Things to See and Do in Gay Albania

Albania. One of Europe’s best-kept secrets. Though something tells us this is about to change…

With a landscape filled with white sand beaches, fairytale-like castles, and a history that is as fiery as a Real Housewives reunion, is it any wonder gay Albania is fast becoming a must-visit for LGBTQ+ travelers? It’s a wonderful mix of the modern world, with a super chic capital city full of hip bars and clubs, as well as a natural landscape that rivals the French Riviera.

Albanian society may not be as liberal as their neighbors in Greece, but it’s by no means as rigid as places like Serbia or Russia (although that ain’t a tall order…).

Tirana, the capital, hosts an annual Pride event featuring activities throughout the city and a massive parade. However, there are no official gay bars or clubs in Tirana. That being said, there have been major strides toward acceptance in recent years, especially after the country overthrew communist rule in the early 1990s. We found most Albanians we met to be very friendly, and eager to make us feel welcome as a queer couple, particularly the younger generations.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Gay Life in Italy – The Nomadic Boys

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Gay Life in Italy - Marco from Puglia - The Nomadic Boys

Marco From Puglia on Gay Life in Italy

Whenever we come to Italy, our gaydar is always in a state of flummox! Every other guy here is ripped to perfection and dressed immaculately. Personal space isn’t an issue with Italians – it’s easy to misconstrue innocent friendly warm gestures. Not that we’re complaining!

We always welcome a trip to the bel paese. We love it and always leave wanting to return – from our first year anniversary in Venice, our gay road trip in Puglia, the glorious Amalfi coast, exploring historical Rome, and partying in the exciting gay scene of Milan. The Italian cities and countryside simply tick every box.

But, when it comes to LGBTQ rights here, it is lagging behind its West European neighbors. For example, Italy has not yet introduced LGBTQ+ equality (although civil unions were introduced in 2016) and anti-discrimination laws have not been applied nationwide. This is not to say that this beautiful country is in any way a dangerous place for queer travelers – quite the contrary! This place offers so much for LGBTQ travelers and welcomes them with open arms. So what is gay life in Italy really like?

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Italy Gay Travel Resources

Visiting Gay Johannesburg – The Nomadic Boys

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Visiting Gay Johannesburg - The Nomadic Boys

Visiting Gay Johannesburg With the Nomadic Boys

In our guide to gay Johannesburg, we’re sharing the best of the best of the gay scene, safe places to stay and top things to do.

“Guys don’t go to Johannesburg…you’ll get mugged or shot at!”

…so said many of our friends across our social media channels. We touched down at Tambo airport feeling quite tentative about our trip here. But as with many big cities we’ve been to on our travels with big “warning signs” from fellow travelers (Rio, Delhi, Buenos Aires, to name a few), we were absolutely fine.

Jo’burg is like any big major city. Of course, it has its problems, and you should avoid certain areas, lock up your valuables in your hotel room’s safe, and keep your phone in your pocket out of harm’s reach. But with basic common sense, your trip will be worry-free. This was our experience, despite being on our guard from the moment we arrived.

Johannesburg is a fascinating city to explore, and a complete contrast to Cape Town. It’s gritty, edgy, raw, tough, full of green spaces.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Johannesburg Gay Travel Resources

Painted Hills Vacation Cottages – Painted Hills Gay Friendly Resort

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Painted Hills Vacation Cottages & Retreat - Painted Hills Gay Friendly Resort

Another Day in Paradise At Our
Painted Hills Gay Friendly Resort

Your perfect base to experience the wild beauty of the Painted Hills, located just 12 minutes away by car.

Our five unique cottages at our Painted Hills gay friendly resort offer an enchanting European flavor, with different sizes for families, romantic getaways, or solo travelers seeking aa meditative experience or to reconnect with nature.

There’s lush gardens that attract wildlife, and the common ground area offers great views, gorgeous sunsets, and star gazing, as well as barbeques, fire pits, and games for family fun. Pets are welcome for a small pet fee. The Rose Tree Gallery is a perfect space for art shows, yoga or small retreat groups.

See the Resort’s Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Eastern Oregon Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Andiron Seaside Inn & Spa – Gay Friendly Mendocino Coast Inn

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Andiron Inn - Gay Friendly Mendocino Coast Inn

Gay Friendly Mendocino Coast Inn in Little River

You know how sometimes you want a special getaway that isn’t like any place you’ve ever stayed before? That’s what our gay friendly Mendocino Coast inn is – The Andiron. Totally unique, very special, and welcoming to everyone (including pets!).

Every single one of the inn’s 11 cabins and rooms is different and furnished by the creative owners, lifelong collectors of salvage, vintage, and nostalgic childhood memories, yet modernized to be truly inclusive. 

Like: the “Write” cabin, with a working typewriter, chalkboard wall, and the writings of Lorca, Hurston, Austen, and more. Then there’s the cabin called “Nurture,” with a costume chest, fifties beauty salon mural, and a feature wall of trans heroes and beauties. Or, the enchanting and spacious one-bedroom Suite, with two bathrooms (one with a jacuzzi tub), an incredible 40s lounge complete with record player, records, and sweet camel bar (!!), kitchenette and dining area – and filled with authentic 1940’s love letters and memorabilia. Swoon!

See the Andiron Inn Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Northern California Coast Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Winter in Lesbian Ljubljana – Our Taste for Life

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Winter in Lesbian Ljubljana - Our Taste for Life

Lesbian Ljubljana in Winter – The Ultimate Travel Guide

If you’re planning a memorable trip to Ljubljana in winter, you’re in the right place. In this guide, I’ll share all the best things to do in lesbian Ljubljana in winter, plus all of my top tips for visiting during this magical time.

Slovenia’s tiny capital is one of the most underrated cities in Europe. With its whimsical architecture and charming cobbled streets, it feels like something straight out of a fairy tale.

While the city is dreamy and captivating all year round, there’s nothing quite like winter here. It’s at this time of year that the magic really happens.

Snow adorns the ground, rivers ice over, and traditional Christmas markets pop up around the city. It’s simply beautiful and undoubtedly one of my favourite European winter destinations.

Full Story at Our Taste for Life

Exploring the Mammoth Lakes for Gay Families – 2TravelDads

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Mammoth Lakes for Gay Families - 2TravelDads

Things to Do in Mammoth Lakes for Gay Families

If you didn’t grow up in California, you may not have heard of Mammoth Lakes before. Known to San Francisco Bay Area residents as the place to go for winter skiing, in the summertime it’s a quiet mountain getaway. There are so many things to do at Mammoth Lakes for gay families in the summer, and it’s the perfect addition to a Yosemite National Park Vacation.

Most people think of it as a skiing destination like Vail, CO or Big Ski, MT, as it is one of the closest ski areas to Los Angeles, so we wanted to find the best things to do in Mammoth Lakes for a summer visit. There are fewer people visiting in summer and the destination takes on a very different feel. Outdoor activities and sightseeing are plentiful and you get an ideal combination of beautiful views and bizarre science. I love it!

Since we travel as a family of four our time in Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite is a combination of really active mornings and relaxing afternoons. We like to mix hiking and sightseeing with more chill tours and enjoying the actual townsite or resort space we’re staying at

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Sierra Nevadas Gay Travel Resources

Gay Life in Turkey – The Nomadic Boys

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Gay Life in Turkey - The Nomadic Boys

Gay Life in Turkey From a Local

“There was a time when Turkey was way more progressive and Western-facing. It had a high level of freedom of speech and Istanbul even had one of the biggest Pride Marches in the world”.

So said our buddy Saf, an openly gay born-and-bred local from Ankara. In fact, there was a time when this beautiful country was a queer haven – at least it still is for LGBTQ people in the Middle East and in the Arab world which are home to some of the most dangerous places in the world for LGBTQ people.

We fell in love with Turkey when Sertab Erener won Eurovision in 2003 with the banger of a track “Everyway That I Am”, which became a staple in every gay club around the world. Sadly, Turkey withdrew from the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013, and hasn’t participated since! The country we know today went the other way – Pride events are banned each year and LGBTQ laws are almost non-existent.

We got the lowdown on what gay life in Turkey is like now from Saf, who also told us about the scene across the country, and what life was like growing up there.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Turkey Gay Travel Resources

Exploring Gay Rome – The Nomadic Boys

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Exploring Gay Rome - The Nomadic Boys

Come Visit and Explore Gay Rome In All Its Glory

Everywhere you step you stumble over an ancient artifact that dates back millennia… We’ve never been so spellbound and intrigued by a city before. It completely captivated us.

We had such a romantic time together in gay Rome. The rich history is just made for that – I arrived in the city one day earlier than Seby (due to family commitments) so went to meet him at the airport – he arrived on a late flight over. I brought him to our Airbnb in downtown Rome, dropped our bags, and went for our first stroll in the city at around midnight to the famous Trevi Fountain. Even at that time, this world-famous fountain is busy, but the atmosphere around it is truly magical.

When we say Rome is romantic, we really mean it. It’s a great place to explore with a loved one. However, if you’re looking for gay parties and nightlife, this city is rather limited. There are a few places to go out which we highlight below.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Rome Gay Travel Resources

Exploring Gay San Juan, Puerto Rico – 2TravelDads

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Exploring Gay San Juan, Puerto Rico - 2TravelDads

After spending a few days diggin’ on the incredible nature of Puerto Rico’s east coast, we relocated to San Juan, the capital. Wow! What a city! From the historic forts and Old City to the vibrant district of Condado, visiting gay San Juan was a blast! It’s hard to pick what we enjoyed the most about exploring San Juan, so I’ll just share how we did it and what the highlights were.

On top of this city being warm and beautifully set on the Atlantic Ocean, it’s also home to one of the coolest National Park sites I’ve ever visited. I really kicked myself for not bringing the whole family with me, especially since we’ve all enjoyed St Augustine and the Castillo de San Marcos, but it’s just one of the reasons I know we’ll be returning together soon. Just see what I mean…

Visiting Gay San Juan, Puerto Rico

Whether you want to be active or just relax as you experience the city, there are LOTS of things to do and see ihere. Between the old city and forts and the nightlife on the Condado, it’s a diverse collection of sights and activities. We love to be active, so our plan for exploring the town includes a lot of outdoorsy things to do.