Posts Tagged ‘gay vacations’

PlannIng Gay Vacations To New Zealand

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

New Zealand offers an environmental and cultural diversity that has long been appealing to those looking for an exciting spot for gay travel. There is little doubt that the appeal of New Zealand comes, in part, from laws that protect the LGBT community from discrimination and the warm, accepting attitudes of the populace, as well as the various adventures that New Zealand offers and its pristine natural beauty.

Folks in search of gay travel experiences in New Zealand will find that there is no end to the possibilities, including relaxing on gorgeous beaches, skiing and snowboarding at several resorts, trekking through expanses of wilderness or partaking in the lively nightlife of many of New Zealand’s cosmopolitan cities. Whether you are in search of a laidback family vacation on the shore, or a wild week of LGBT Pride celebrations, New Zealand is an exceptional option for gay vacations of all types.

Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Christchurch are a few of New Zealand’s larger cities that are home to thriving LGBT populations, a variety of Pride events and an array of pubs, clubs, restaurants and businesses that welcome the community. For travelers interested in a city-based gay vacation, these cities are great options that are sure to delight visitors looking for an exciting nightlife and numerous dining, entertainment and shopping opportunities. Travelers looking to fit a bit of snowboarding or skiing into their trip will be happy to know that both South Island and North Island have ski resorts, which allows for day trips to the snow in between touring historical sites, going to cultural events or traveling to some of the smaller islands of New Zealand.

Gay vacations to New Zealand can be focused on spiritual renewal, beach-going and fun in the sun, skiing and snowboarding, or amazing outdoor adventures for couples, friends or families. With so much to choose from, and so many things to see, it is impossible to fit it all in a single trip; however, partaking in a gay vacation that has been organized by a professional tour company is one way to ensure that you will not miss out on some of the greatest things that New Zealand has to offer.

For travelers who would rather go it alone, working with a gay holidays agency to plan your excursion is an ideal option, which allows you to get the latest information that might be of interest to LGBT travelers and to find out about current hotspots and destinations that are popular with the community.

Conscious travel article about New Zealand by author by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys offers conscious travel opportunities. Spirit Journeys website, www.SpiritJourneys.com, has more info about Howie and his work.

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Planning Gay Vacations to Spain

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Spain is among the first countries in the world to allow same-sex couples to freely enjoy the legal rights of marriage, to adopt children openly and to be treated as equals on a level that the American LGBT community is still struggling to achieve. Because of this wide acceptance and legal equality, Spain is among the top choices for safe, enjoyable gay vacations. From the sexually-charged scene in Madrid, to the higher-brow LGBT culture of Sitges, there is a thriving community in every major city and many of the smaller towns throughout this country that offers breathtaking scenery, stunning architecture, rich culture and history, and wonderful year-round weather that makes any time a good time for gay travel to Spain.

Welcoming islands, cities and towns that should not be missed include Barcelona, Benidorm, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Sitges, Valencia and Torremolinos, which are the most popular destinations for gay vacations in Spain. Most of these hotspots offer excellent beaches and all offer exciting nightlife and a visible community. While Madrid is the place to be for anyone looking for a raucous LGBT scene, Ibiza and Gran Canaria offer a more laidback beach lifestyle and Valencia and Torremolinos offer a good mix of bars and beaches.

One of the most welcoming cities in Spain is Barcelona, which boasts amazing architecture, art and culture and is home to more clubs, bars, restaurants, bathhouses and other community establishments than any traveler could fit into their gay vacations. Visitors will surely want to visit LEixample, where most of the community bars and businesses are located, as well as the fabulous beaches located around this city that boasts a very active, very visible community. Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city that has earned its rank among the most welcoming, most out places in Europe and also makes a great home base for side trips to other areas that are popular with LGBT locals and visitors, such as the beach town of Sitges.

To get the most out of your gay vacation in Spain, you may want to consider visiting Spain with a professionally organized tour group offered through a company that specializes in gay travel. Partaking in a tour to Spain will allow you to discover the captivating landscapes and enticing adventures Spain has to offer while forging new friendships that will last a lifetime.

For folks who would rather explore Spain on their own, with their partner or with a group of friends, planning your Spain excursion through a well-known travel agency with experience arranging gay tours to Spain is the best way to ensure that you will have a memorable experience that is both enjoyable and safe.

Author Howie Holben wrote this gay vacations article about Spain. Spirit Journeys does spiritual gay holidays with a difference. Go to www.spiritjourneys.com for more info about Howie and his work.

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Planning Gay Vacations to England

Monday, August 31st, 2009

England offers a vast array of gay travel options, which is one of the reasons that it continually remains among the most popular gay vacation destinations in the world. With a highly visible lesbian and gay community, numerous gay events throughout the year and a much greater equality than that given to the LGBT community in the U.S., England is the perfect setting for gay vacations. Between the enticing London club scene, the restful shores of Brighton, the beautiful English countryside and the diverse urban landscapes, gay travel tourists of all kinds will delight in the gay vacation options that England provides.

Visitors to London will not want to miss Old Compton Street and the Soho district, which is a thriving gay and lesbian neighborhood filled with gay bars, clubs, restaurants and businesses. Soho is close to many of Londons most famous tourist hotspots, like Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, Chelsea and Kensington. And, with Londons stellar public transportation system, everything is within easy reach of this gay mecca. Manchester also has much to offer to the gay and lesbian traveler, including a lively gay scene with a variety of bars, clubs and pubs to choose from, as well as a quaint gay village encompassing the blocks around Canal Street.

For a seaside gay vacation, Brighton, aka Soho by the Sea, is home to the countrys second largest gay and lesbian community. Stroll along the pier, spend an afternoon on the famous pebble beach and explore the many unique boutiques and shops before heading to Kempton for dinner and a night on the town in this popular gay neighborhood in Brighton. Newcastle Gateshead is yet another gay-friendly option for a gay vacation in England and offers a bit of style and sophistication with a thriving gay scene complete with a gay village full of bars, clubs, cafs and pubs.

Gay travelers will find gay-owned and gay-friendly accommodations in all of Englands regions, including establishments that exclusively serve the gay travel community or specifically gay men. Gay and lesbian travelers who choose to work with a travel agency well-versed in planning gay vacations in England will benefit from working with a travel agent who can suggest the gay-friendly or gay-owned hotel, bed and breakfast or other lodgings option that will best meet your needs. If camping is on the agenda for your England gay vacation, gay-owned and gay-friendly campgrounds are available, including Out in the Open, a gay-owned campsite in Cornwall, and Brighthouse Farm, offering a six-acre campground, bed and breakfast and self-catering lodgings in Suffolk.

Make your England gay vacation all that it can be by planning your gay travel with the assistance of a travel agency that is well-versed in organizing gay vacations.

This article about gay travel to England was written by Howie Holben. He has traveled the world for over 30 years and owns and runs Spirit Journeys, a spiritually based gay travel firm. Gay vacations with Spirit Journeys are special. You can learn more at www.spiritjourneys.com.

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