Riding the Bolivian Death Road – Keep Calm and Wander

Bolivian Death Road - Keep Calm and Wander

Biking the Bolivian Death Road is the ultimate thrill-seeker’s destination. Many people consider it the “World’s Most Dangerous Road.” I can proudly say that I survived it, despite being naive about riding a mountain bike. And, yes, I fell on my bike – a tough fall. Read more of that later in this post.

Why it’s called the Bolivian Death Road?

When it comes to adrenaline-pumping activities, a few things can compare to hurtling down a mountainside on a bicycle. And when it comes to mountain biking, few places can compare to Death Road in Bolivia.

Death Road, also known as “Camino de la Muerte,” is a 64-kilometer stretch of road that connects the city of La Paz with the town of Coroico. The road got its nickname from the fact that, prior to 2006, it was responsible for an average of 300 deaths per year. In recent years, however, a new, safer highway has been built parallel to Death Road, and as a result, the number of accidents has decreased dramatically. Then, the Death Road was relegated to history – until mountain bikers discovered it. Thus, when you’re in Bolivia, every hostel, hotel, and other accommodation is pimping the Bike Tour to Death Road.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Walking Tour of Gay Lima – Keep Calm and Wander

Walking Tour of Gay Lima - Keep Calm and Wander

Take a Walking Tour of Gay Lima and See The Sights

This walking tour in Lima will last 2-3 hours, depending on your pace. That’s what we did. Though there are a few “free” walking tours in the historic district, we opted to do it ourselves because we had the whole day to explore the area and didn’t want to rush. We wanted to take it slowly, on our own terms.

Lima is a bustling city and the world’s second driest capital, next to Cairo. Most often, Lima is where most tourists/visitors land on their way to fulfill a bucket list – Machu Picchu! Staying for three days in Lima is ideal – enough to explore the historic district, Barranco, and Miraflores neighborhoods. And maybe, a day tour to Huacachina and Paracas.

On our first day in gay Lima, we started at 9 o’clock in the morning. On our way to Plaza San Martin, we encountered locals in their costumes. We didn’t really know what was going on, but I think they shot a promotional video for the upcoming Independence Day or something.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Lima Gay Travel Resources

Cabo San Lucas Snorkeling – 2TravelDads

Cabo San Lucas Snorkleing

As heartbreaking as it is to realize that your kids are growing up it’s also amazing.  We are able to do so many more fun things and share even more new experiences with them.  One that is really exciting is snorkeling! Snorkeling in and around Cabo San Lucas is surprisingly great and if you’re in the right spot, it’s mellow enough for kids. Our Cabo snorkeling guide highlights just that: best Cabo snorkeling spots!

Have you been snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas?  Have you been to Cabo when you WEREN’T on spring break as a college kid?  Well, Cabo San Lucas is one of our favorite family travel destinations and now with growing kids we’re excited for our many future visits.  When it comes to snorkeling, there are a variety of fish-type experiences we enjoy doing, both with and without the kids.

Cabo San Lucas Snorkeling: Boats vs. Beaches

We have done a wide variety of snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas over the years, and when we say “variety” we’re not just talking about the beaches we’re at, but the method of approach and overall wildlife. You know that we love to get out on the water, so that’s one approach we take, but then we also will venture out in a car or even on foot to find good snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas and all the way up to La Paz. The best Cabo snorkeling spots are in surprising places.

By Chris and Rob – Full Story at the 2TravelDads

Baja Sur Gay Travel Resources

Starlight Sailing Charters – Gay US Virgin Islands Sailing Tours

Starlight Sailing Charters

Starlight Sailing Charters provides friendly and fun private sailing vacations aboard the large, modern, and luxurious sailing yacht, Starlight. Starlight sails November through May in the wonderful Virgin Islands and Eastern Caribbean.

During Summer Months, Starlight sails from Sag Harbor, New York on exquisite Hamptons day charters and sailing vacations. A Starlight vacation is wonderful for a special occasion, or a fantastic way to relax and escape in paradise. Starlight accommodates up to six guests, but is also appropriate for smaller groups and solo travelers.

Captain Toby Stull is your host for charters exploring paradise in the Virgin Islands, St Maarten and St Barths, Antigua and Lower Caribbean. With a lifetime of sailing experience and a decade chartering in the Caribbean, Capt. Toby knows exactly where to bring guests and how to tailor your experience depending on your desired activities aboard.

Our vacations can be booked as “captain-only,” on which guests eat half their lunches and dinners at local Caribbean restaurants, or “all inclusive” where a chef joins to prepare all meals. Either way, Delicious onboard meals can be suited to all types of dietary restrictions. Also, the Captain’s adorable yet unobtrusive boat dog, “Bamboo,” joins on all charters.

See the Starlight Sailing Charters Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

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

Panama: Ideal Destination for Discerning Travelers – EcoCircuitos

Panama

Located at the heart of the Americas, Panama City is the most cosmopolitan of the Central American capitals; overflowing with trendy new clubs, cool boutique hotels and gay friendly neighborhoods and attractions. As a long established hub for international business, trade and transportation the City has developed into a modern, busy metropolis attracting visitors from around the world.

LGBT travelers may find Panama City more gay friendly than other Central American countries; many of the main destinations throughout the country are friendly to all visitors and will make LGBT families and travelers feel at home.

PanamaPanama is a safe, stable and friendly country of almost four million inhabitants and 75.517 square kilometers. It is among the most biologically diverse countries on the planet and features a variety of unique ecosystems. With a total of over 2,500 km of coastline on two oceans, 15 national Parks and seven distinct indigenous cultures there is much to explore. Five UNESCO World Heritage sites wait to be discovered.

This short guide will direct you to the best spots in town but keep in mind that nightlife in Panama does not really start after midnight. Have Fun!!

WHAT TO DO IN PANAMA CITY

PanamaPanama City is a cosmopolitan city, a delightful combination of the historic and modern. It is also one of the safest cities in Latin America. There are three Cities: the historical ruins of the 16th Century city named Panama Viejo, the 17th Century Spanish Colonial Casco Antiguo area of the city and the modern skyscraper city with the business district.

Day tour of Panama City – Visit the three cities in one day: the ruins of the 16th century original city, walk the Casco Antiguo colonial city and admire the modern city. Walk the Casco Viejo – Old Quarters at night for bar hoping and amazing gastronomy. There are several roof top bars that will offer an amazing view of the City. Our suggestion: Tantalo, Barlovento, Casa Casco and Casa Jaguar.

The Panama Canal – City tour includes a trip to the Panama Canal. A must-do is a visit to the Visitors Center at Miraflores Locks. And if you want an unforgetable experience, go dining to Atlantic and Pacific Co. Overlooking the Miraflores locks.

The Panama Canal Transits – Only on special schedule, this is a great option for those that interested in the complete history of the Panama Canal and experience crossing the locks in a mini cruise. This is a great adventure with friends.

PanamaAmador Causeway and Biodiversity Museum – A visit to the Amador Causeway is also a good option to admire the spectacular views of the Panama City’s skyline and the Panama Canal. You can bike or walk the area or just enjoy a Panama bear at the restaurants in the Marina. A must to see is the Biodiversity Museum, an architectonic jewel design by Frank Gerhy.

Panama Canal Railway trans-isthmus – Ride the historic Panama Canal Railway, the original transcontinental railway inaugurated in 1855. In special observation cars, the trip takes you across the scenic Isthmus from Panama City on the Pacific, to Colon on the Atlantic Side.

PanamaThe Rainforst Discovery Center in Soberania National Park – The Discovery Center in the Panama Canal Rainforest is open every day from 6.00AM to 4.00PM Climb this 100-foot Observation Tower for a breathtaking view above the forest canopy and hike the trails around the center. You will learn about sustainable practices in this fantastic place. Ideal for couples and families. Our guides are naturalist that will amaze you with great interpretation of the neotropical forest.

Portobello: A picturesque bayside town of with the ruins of Spanish forts and a restored Spanish Colonial treasure house. In Spanish colonial times the Portobello Treasure House was the center for trans-shipment of all the Peruvian gold and treasure taken from Latin America to Spain. Spanish galleons came and went constantly and many fairs were held. That easy heyday ended with the arrival of English pirates like Sir Francis Drake who repeatedly looted Portobellos treasures and brought about its eventual demise. The Portobelo Ruins are a pillar of Spanish colonial times, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

PanamaFort San Lorenzo: A well preserved fort ruin perched high on a stunning promontory above the Chagres River as it meets the sea. Sir Henry Morgan attacked the fort and made away with booty in 1666. It is essential to go with a tour operator since to date this unusual site has no signs or tourist info of any kind.

Embera Cultural Encounters, Chagres National Park – An unforgettable encounter with a living Indian culture in Panama’s rain forest. Panama is the only place in the world where you can have this experience in a day trip from a major metropolitan city.

PanamaThe tour begins less than 2 hours from Panama City, where you’ll take a motorized canoe up a scenic rainforest river, the only means of transport in the jungle, to an authentic Embera Indian village on river bank deep inside the rainforest. The village consists mostly of the rough wood and palm homes on stilts typical of the jungle Indians. Embera indians will perform a tribal dance offer authentic body paintings, exquisite handicrafts, share a typical meal and explain their way of life, traditions and beliefs.

Handicrafts and shopping – Beautiful boutiques and amazing brands in Casco Antiguo. Try el Valle Sunday Market, the Artisan’s Market and don´t miss the city’s shopping malls, ideals for those looking for brands. Check Multiplaza a high end shopping mall.

Optional day tours from Panama City: kayaking, biking tours, arts tours, sailing tours in San Blas, Beach Escapes to Bocas del Toro and the Gulf of Chiriqui, Azuero and the highlands. For more information click on our website: www.ecocircuitos.com

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Gentle Tours – Mexico City, Mexico

Gentle ToursPeriodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: Guided tours in Mexico City and environs, taking you to beautiful places, tasting different kinds of food, immerse in daily life and enjoy fantastic works of art and architecture. Aztec & Hispanic Heritage Tour Discover the wonders of the Aztec Capital City in the Main Temple and the splendor of New Spain in the glitter of Mexico City Cathedral. After visiting Main Square you’ll have four routes to choose to enjoy Colonial Mansions, Artistic highlights and hidden treasures.

See the Gentle Tours Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

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

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GaySail: Gay Tour Operator in Amsterdam

GaySailPeriodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly tour operatorsy: At GaySail we organize about 50 gay sailing cruises a year, all over the world, for single gay men, -couples, -friends and private gay groups. We sail in Greece, Croatia, Ibiza, Virgin Islands, St. Martin & St. Barth, Bahamas, Brazil and Thailand. With our team of 22 fully licensed gay skippers and gay cooks/co-skippers we can offer you a wonderful one- or two week gay sailing vacation. We offer regular GaySail sailing cruises but also a lot GayNudeSail sailing cruises and GaySail Exclusive luxury sailing cruises, both monohull- and catamaran yachts. Cruises with gay skipper only, or skipper and cook for breakfast and lunch. Something for everyone! No sailing experience needed. If you like, you can take the wheel and learn to sail and navigate, if you just want to relax, soak up in the sun on the front deck, watch out for the dolphins, it’s your holiday! We usually sail about 6 hours a day. Most of the time we anchor for lunch and swim. At night we dock in little in local harbor and have dinner in the local restaurants of we stay overnight in a bay under the stars and have dinner on board.

See the GaySail Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in the Netherlands

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Tru Bahamian Food Tours: Gay Friendly Bahamas Food Tours

Tru Bahamian Food Tours Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: Tru Bahamian Food Tours offers unique and innovative local culinary experiences to visitors of The Bahamas in a safe, sustainable, and environmentally responsible manner. Our mission is to connect visitors with authentic local food items, the stories and traditions behind these foods, and the Bahamian entrepreneurs that prepare and preserve them. Travel off the beaten touristic path to explore the intoxicating flavors of Nassau, Bahamas on a guided food tasting and cultural walking tour through this charming island city. Sample 6 delicious specialties (enough for a hearty lunch) as you follow your knowledgeable and friendly local guide from one eatery to the next. Discover colonial Nassau, traveling away from busy Bay Street in search of authentic Bahamian flavors. Youa[euro](TM)ll eat your way through locally adored Nassau establishments, family-owned restaurants, and speciality boutiques as you stroll through Downtown’s storied neighborhood with your culinary guide.

See the In addition to our regular travel articles, we’re starting a regular travel round-up, for those stories that don’t warrant a full posting on the blog, or that we didn’t have time to add. Enjoy!

See the Tru Bahamian Food Tours Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in the Bahamas

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