Gay Travel Online

There is open recognition of gays in London exemplified by annual festivals, hosting of EuroPride in 2006, the first tourist office dedicated to LGBTs and the right to civil partnerships available in the United Kingdom.

Some sources of accessible information include: G3, a free lesbian monthly, which carries the latest news. Other magazines include Out Magazine and Boyz for gay men.

A walk in any London gayborhood (Soho, Vauxhall, Islington, Hoxton) will reveal some restaurant treats. These include: Balans Cafe, First Out Cafe-Bar, Bistrotheque, Steph’s, Les Trois Garcons, the Providores and Tapa Room, and the Alisan which are just a few of the tasty options.

In East London is a rare venue, the Sunday Up Market at the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, where designers sell directly to the public. Gay’s The Word is a book shop worth visiting. Since 1979 it has been the country’s most comprehensive lesbian and gay bookstore.

This is just an excerpt, read the full article here: http://kentuckystory.com/an-unforgetable-adventure-awaits-for-gay-travel-to-london

Good news! India is becoming more open to gay and lesbian travel. This was only the third gay pride event to take place in Delhi, a reflection of the recently changing attitude (and laws) towards homosexuality.

In 2009 the Delhi High Court repealed a law which made sex between people of the same gender punishable by up to ten years in prison. This is fantastic news for the community and to those wanting to travel.

The boost to the economy from gay and lesbian travelers will help to support local gays and lesbians, normalizing our sexuality and boosting the economy.

Check out the full blog post here: http://www.myholigay.com/2010/11/gay-travel-gay-pride-hits-the-streets-of-new-delhi/

In travel, as in life, it is frequently ‘different for girls’. The goals, needs, motivations, desires and strategies of lesbian travelers often differ from those of our male friends.

Lesbians have to ask questions that the boys don’t. If accommodations are advertised as gay/lesbian, will we find ourselves the lone ladies in a boy saturated, clothing-optional compound? If a guidebook listing merely states gay-friendly, does that also translate as lesbian-friendly or lesbian-popular? While the travel industry is pumping up the offers and holidays for GLBT travelers, the information provided about holidays isn’t always as distinct as it should be.

For gay women, it is vital to research in advance the lesbian factor of venues we plan to visit in an unknown city. Your safety, comfort and holiday happiness can often depend on it.

If you are considering other travel packages, be sure to compare like packages. Your vacation investment is too important to risk on an inferior product or a straight package that has simply been labeled gay. Don’t discount small areas or local bed and breakfasts. They may not be resorts, but you’ll find many that offer some excellent women-owned and/or women popular cafs, restaurants and night clubs.

Hotel accommodations arent always the best solution for many travelers, especially those seeking a lot of privacy. Budget-minded gay and lesbian travelers may want the option of preparing their own meals at their convenience. They may travel as larger groups of friends who wish to share a common living space without sacrificing the privacy of separate bedrooms. And they dont want to step down from the quality of life they have at home.

There is nothing wrong with expecting clean, centrally located accommodations with elevator and maid service, close to public transportation. Others, on a less restricted budget, may wish to enjoy the finest accommodations that the world has to offer. All with the feeling of spaciousness afforded by suite accommodations. You can find exactly what you’re looking for, you just need to do your homework.

With the right help (usually from a travel agent) you can find accommodations that are gay and lesbian friendly and will leave travelers wondering if they ever left their own front door. You can have the choice of eating out or preparing your own meals. You can enjoy the luxury of entertaining in your own living room and then later, sinking back into an overstuffed sofa and relaxing, surrounded by the comforts and charm of a fine home. Best of all, you will be able to enjoy all this at up to half the cost of comparably-appointed upscale hotels.

If you cherish making life-long friendships, both gay and straight, then setting up your vacation correctly is very important. With the right preparation you will find the the most gay-friendly holidays available and enjoy style and elegance as you relax. Always remember, a festive experience is guaranteed when traveling with other gay passengers.

According to the LGBT marketing agency Out Now Consulting the US is the place to go for the best Gay Travel destinations.

It beat the runners up, Australia and France in their poll. This is good information because everyone is wanting to jump on the Gay Friendly Travel wagon to try and grab their share of this growing market.

“The phrase ‘gay friendly’ is pretty hackneyed and does absolutely nothing to rescue a holiday that can be ruined when a stay feels far less than welcoming for a lesbian couple because of their experience at check-in or for two gay men when ordering room service to the honeymoon suite… Improvements need to be made.”

This is good information – you want to know whether or not your “Gay Friendly” destination is really going to be friendly or if they’re simply interested in your money. Check out the full article here: http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/gay-travel-hotspots-revealed-2132672.html

For a long time now, gay travelers have been daring and explorative than most straight travelers.

Finally the world has begun to realize this and many travel companies have implemented gay travel seriously.

Lately, gay and lesbian people have become darlings of the travel industry. Many destinations convention and visitor bureaus and tourism bureaus are developing sites designed to attract the attention of the gay traveler. Big names like Orbitz, Expedia and Travelocity (just to name a few) are out actively seeking a gay clientele.

Even with the help of travel programs designed for gay and lesbian travelers, there is always room for trouble.  Here are some tips to make sure you’ve got all the basics covered.

Try to find a gay friendly resort that suits your needs. Resorts that market to the gay community are your best bet and those that cater to a sophisticated, well-traveled clientele are another. You want to avoid family resorts in gay unfriendly areas, like Jamaica or Grand Cayman. It only takes a little bit of research to determine the “friendliness” of an area, and it’s absolutely worth the effort.

Make sure your bedding requests precede you and that both of your names are on the reservation request. A note faxed from you or your travel agent to the front desk manager a day or two before your arrival is also a good idea. Simply tell him or her that you and your spouse are on your honeymoon, that you want to make sure that they know your king or queen bed request is not a mistake, and that any special arrangements or consideration that would make your trip a memorable one would be greatly appreciated. This may seem like overkill, but the fact that you bothered to take the time will be noted by the manager.

Be prepared to feel a little conspicuous if you are in a mixed resort. No matter how comfortable you, your friends and family are, it is inevitable that some of the other resort guests (and possibly staff) may be curious and more than little interested. If you feel you are attracting unwanted attention it is usually best to simply ignore it. If anyone becomes hostile or harasses you, report it directly to the general manager’s office immediately.

Finally, I personally think this goes without saying, tip well early in your stay. Hotel staff always take special care of big tippers. If you can, try to budget an extra $10 to $30 per day and spread it around, employees brag about big tips so the whole resort staff will now about you quickly.