Category Archives: Europe
Gay Travel to Europe is more affordable than ever with airberlin
EUROPE! Great Deals with AirBerlin.
airberlin, Germany’s second largest airline, will launch a fare sale
that is too good to resist. Fares offered start as low as $729*
including all taxes
and surcharges for travel for example from New York to some of Europe’s
most fascinating destinations like Krakow or Warsaw, Poland.
kicks off on May 22nd and runs through June 4th.
In this period airberlin offers sale fares
not only from New York but also from its other US gateways such as
Chicago to Copenhagen from $799*, Miami to Zurich from $859* and Los
Angeles to Vienna from $849*. Other destinations featured in the sale
include Barcelona, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Milan and Rome.
From the airberlin gateways New York, Chicago and Miami the fares are
valid for travel from August 16th, 2013 through December 13th, 2013 and from Los Angeles from August 16th through October 29th, 2013.
In
addition to airberlin’s great fares guests will also enjoy newly
refurbished economy and business class cabins featuring on-demand
entertainment systems, complimentary beverage service
throughout the entire flight and superior culinary selections.
To book visit airberlin.com, contact the call center at 1-866-266-5588 or your travel agent.
*Fares
quoted are samples fares based on round trip travel and prices
vary depending on dates of travel and final destinations. Additional
service charges apply such as booking through the call center or online.
Fares are based on limited availability.
airberlin
is one of Europe’s leading airlines and flies to 150 destinations in 40
countries. The second largest airline in Germany carried
more than 33 million passengers in 2012. airberlin offers a global
route network through its strategic partnership with Etihad Airways,
which is a 29.21 per cent stakeholder, and membership in the
oneworld airline alliance. The airline with the award-winning
service operates codeshare flights worldwide with 14 airlines. The fleet
has an average age of five years and is among the most modern and
eco-efficient in Europe.
Gay Hate Crimes on the Rise in Paris France
Gay Travel Warning – Paris may be the city of love – but not gay love. Even though France recently signed a bill for Marriage Equality – gay hate crimes and hate speech are on the rise.
homophobic hate speech have risen sharply in France over the last year,
according to the annual report by a leading gay rights group, released
on Tuesday.
Attacks on gay women and men and homophobic speech spiked last year
in the run-up to the French parliament’s approval of a bill
allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children, said a leading
gay rights watchdog on Tuesday.
In its annual report, SOS
Homophobie said it recorded 1,977 calls on its helpline in 2012, a 27
percent increase over the previous year.
The group’s head,
Elisabeth Ronzier, said the last few months of 2012 and the start of
this year were “intense,” with hate speech increasing
sharply, especially on the Internet.
She said incidents had doubled in October and November when compared to the previous year, and tripled in December. Read more.
Gay Weddings is Paris – The Most Romantic Place on Earth
Some say Paris is the most romantic city in the world! Now, GAYS and LESBIANS can get married there too!
Belgium said Yes! – 2003
Canada said Yes! – 2005
Spain said Yes! – 2005
South Africa said Yes! – 2006
Norway said Yes! – 2008
Sweden said Yes! – 2009
Portugal said Yes! – 2010
Iceland said Yes! – 2010
Argentina said Yes! – 2010
Denmark said Yes! – 2012
Uruguay said Yes! – 2013
New Zealand said Yes! – 2013
TODAY, TUESDAY, APRIL 23th, 2013,
FRANCE SAID OUI OUI!!!
debate that has exposed deep conservatism in the nation’s heartland and
triggered huge protests that tapped into deep discontent with the
Socialist government.
Legions of officers with water cannon braced outside the National
Assembly for violence that had not come by late evening. The protests
against the measure included thousands but were peaceful. Other
gatherings were simply celebrations.
But it was an issue that galvanized the country’s faltering right, which
had been decimated by infighting and their election loss to President
Francois Hollande.
The measure passed easily in the Socialist-majority Assembly, 331-225,
just minutes after the president of the legislative body expelled a
disruptive protester in pink, the color adopted by French opponents of
gay marriage. read more.
VIENNA Wants Some Gay Travel Dollars
VIENNA is joining the growing list of European cities, trying to woo the gay travel dollar.
City authorities in Vienna this month released
a review of the Austrian capital’s gay and lesbian tourism strategy,
deciding to focus on travelers interested in music, culture and history
— and with money to spend.
The
review followed a study among gay and lesbian travelers from outside of
Vienna that found their average household’s monthly net income was 385
euros ($500) higher than that of other tourists to Vienna.
Clemens Koeltringer, marketing
analyst from the Vienna Tourists Board, said this target group was
“high profile, luxury customers who go to the opera and enjoy very good
food”.
“Vienna is not a Mykonos, it
must not be,” Koeltringer told Reuters, referring to the Greek party
destination. “This is the main reason we are differentiating ourselves.”
Read more at Reuters
Not Everyone in France is Ready for Marriage Equality
Hundreds of thousands of people –
conservative activists, children, retirees, priests – many bussed in
from the French provinces – converged on the capital on Sunday in a
last-ditch bid to stop the bill.
The lower house of France’s
parliament approved the “marriage for everyone” bill last month with a
large majority, and it now faces a vote in the Senate next month. Both
houses are dominated by President François Hollande’s Socialist party
and its allies. Sustained protests led by opposition conservatives in
this traditionally Catholic country have eroded support for the draft
law in recent months, and organisers hope Sunday’s march will weigh on
the Senate debate.
The first few hours of the protest were
peaceful. But as it was meant to be winding down, about 100 youths tried
to push past police barricades on to the Champs-Elysées. In an
indication of the sensitivity of the issue, protesters had been barred
from marching on the avenue that cuts through central Paris and draws
throngs of tourists daily… tear gas was needed to control the crowd.
The crowd was estimated at 300,000 people, though organizers said it was 1.2 million.
Opinion polls show a vast majority are
in favor.
The bill passed the National Assembly last month and will probably pass
the Senate in April.
France was among the most advanced
countries in the world when it passed a civil union law in 1999 granting
same sex couple the same benefits as straight couples (including
immigration and social security).
Watch a video clip.
State Department Meets with Gay Travel Representatives
TRAVELING ABROAD can be a little scary – walking into a strange country, not quite sure knowing what to expect. And gay travelers need to be informed. Some countries do not take a liking to us!
efforts to provide LGBT-specific information to Americans who plan to
travel overseas.
“We want all of our citizens to be informed about their destinations
abroad and any particular challenges that they may face,” Janice Jacobs,
assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of Consular Affairs, said.
“We want them to know about the services that are available to them at
our embassies and consulates if problems should happen, despite their
precautions.”
Jacobs’ comments come five days after the Bureau of Consular Affairs added LGBT-specific information to its website
that includes travel warnings, alerts and other country-specific
advisories. These include references to “widespread” anti-gay
discrimination in Ukraine, efforts to curb “the promotion of
homosexuality” in Russian cities and an advisory that urges LGBT
travelers to “consider exercising caution when visiting Estonia” because
of harassment and violence those who have publicly shown affection have
experienced.
The country-specific profiles also include information about HIV/AIDS travel restrictions.
READ MORE at Washington Blade
Gay Travel for Christmas and Holidays in Europe
The European Christmas traditions are known to revolve around European countries like Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Spain, Scandinavia, United Kingdom amongst others.
walk around in the shopping streets will help you in discovering the
latest in fashion at Brussels. You can find the Czars of the fashion
world like Chanel, Vinton Hermes, Giorgio Armani, Gianni Versace and
Christian Dior.
St. Catherine. There are festive lights, decorations and numerous stalls
offering goodies like Christmas gifts and decorations, local crafts for your
family and friends. There is an ice rink nearby for you to skate zig zag and
soak in the festive spirit. A high speed Euro star service of less than two
hours from London offers the perfect justification to sample Christmas
festivities globally in the attractive city of Brussels. A laid back relaxed
pace and its compact size makes it a perfect place to have a family break, stay in a Brussels hotel for a few nights and soak up
the unique seasonal atmosphere.
Christmas abounds all over Europe. I love it all. But I really enjoy Budapest and Prague. It is definitely worth visiting any European capitals at this time of
the year even if the weather is quite cold. You can enjoy walking round
the main squares, looking at the stalls selling different kinds of
Christmas products, having a warm drink and some food and listening to
music.
In mid-November Budapest starts to prepare for Christmas.
Streets are decorated with colourful lights, shop-windows are adorned to lure in customers hunting for gifts.
More and more people set out to look for the ideal Christmas presents in shops or in the markets.
If you’re looking for a unique Hungarian gift and want to get away from the all alike shops visit the Budapest Christmas Fair at Vörösmarty Square.
Christmasin Prague is a magical time and December is undoubtedly
one of the nicest months of the year in this beautiful
city. Christmas markets are up, shop windows are
bright and beautiful, Christmas trees adorn the town
squares and the early dusk is filled with warm light.
People are nicer to each other, the mood is festive.
And if all is covered in fresh, white snow, what
more can you ask for?
Prague at Christmas is a special place,
so bundle up and take a stroll. If you get cold,
have some hot chocolate at a café, stop by a tea
room or buy a cup of mulled wine or grog from a
street vendor.
(Stay at the Jewel in Old Town for a nice treat – or The Temple, if you want something old world, quaint and very gay!)
You haven’t experienced Christmas lights until you’ve seen nearly four
miles of them artfully hung in patterns dictated by Tiffany’s head
designer in Copenhagen’s famed historic amusement park, Tivoli Gardens—and that’s not counting the 1,800 strands dramatically draped on the lakeside willows. Copenhagen celebrates Jul
(as in “yuletide”) in high style, with its famed Christmas market the
centerpiece.
Stalls stocked with fine handmade crafts, including
traditional figurines of clog-clad elves in pointy red caps, compete for
space with vendors selling iced doughnuts slathered with black currant
jam and hefty cups of gløgg, a steaming hot mulled red wine laden with
raisins, almonds, cinnamon sticks, and cloves—all of which, for good
measure, are steeped in aquavit or schnapps.
read more at Travel and Leisure!
Gay Travel to Amsterdam Pride and Boats on the Canal
Gay Pride festivals exist all over the world, but the Amsterdam Gay
Pride festival is among the best on the planet.
Since early days,
Amsterdam has been at the forefront in striving for
equality for the gay & lesbian communities. Amsterdam is famous for
it’s liberal mindset and by organising a yearly Gay Pride the city
welcomes a safe environment for gays, lesbians
and transgenders to both visit and live in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam
and it’s gay and straight citizens really know how to party and turn the
Amsterdam’s historic centre into one big Gay Pride celebration for a
weekend in August. The entire city joins in the fun, with the the famous
Canal Parade being highlight of Amsterdam’s Gay Pride event.
The hugely
popular Canal Parade is a floating event involving up to 100
spectacularly decorated barges, floating through Amsterdam’s
Prinsengracht (the canal of the Prinses) . The Gay Pride Canal Pride is a
celebration of devotion towards equality of the gay and lesbian
communities and as such many large Dutch institutions such as the City
Council including the mayor of Amsterdam, the Fire Brigade, the
Amsterdam police force and large Dutch corporates and employers such as
the ING insurances, ABN AMRO and Rabobank have their own boats in the
Canal Parade.
The festivities starts on a Friday night with two large outdoor
parties. On at the Gay & Lesbian Reguliersdwarsstraat street and the
other party at the Gay & Lesbian monument on the Westermarket in
the centre of town.
Gay Pride and the Canal Parade is the
biggest recurring event held in the city and takes place over the first
weekend of August
every year. On Saturday afternoon, the highlight of the Gay Pride
festivities is the Canal Parade which begins at 14.00 and goes on
until around 18.00.
The Canal Parade begins outside the Central Station,
sails along the entire Prinsengracht, the Amstel River
and finishes at the Eastern Dock. The participating boats are
spectacularly decorated and put on a show with their onboard DJs and lavish parties, guaranteeing unbeatable entertainment.
The
Canal Parade is open to all possible organisations, companies and even
private individuals. One needs to apply for a license from the city
council and one needs to rent a boat from one of the Amsterdam based
boat rental companies such as the Amsterdam Boot Huren boat rental agency. A quick look at this website shows the Ivan Frank open boat as pretty much ideal or one could consider the Avanti barge for it’s beautiful feminine curves. Another boat rental agency worthwhile looking at is Canal Cruise Amsterdam.
Both websites are in Dutch, but if you call the contact numbers, they
will answer in English, as nearly everybody in Amsterdam speaks fluent
English.
The event still grows in size and in 2012 a total of
188 organisations and companies applied for a licence in the official
Canal Parade. 2012 also had a Turkish boat participated
in the Canal Parade for the first time. The Turkish boat represents the
20,000 odd gay and lesbian people living in the
Netherlands who are of Turkish descent.
The Gay Pride Canal Parade draws more than 500,000 gay and straight participants and
visitors to Amsterdam. The city gets very busy and most of
the Amsterdam hotels are fully occupied and may ask ridiculous prices
for their accommodation. as an alternative, one might also consider
renting an apartment in the city centre from Apartment Amsterdam.
Most of the apartments very high quality and are located on one of the
famous canals or in the Jordaan area of Amsterdam. If you do decide to
stay in an apartment in the Jordaan, don’t forget to visit the Anne Frank house or to have dinner in one of the many little restaurants close to the Noordermarket.
Gay Barcelona Tours and Guides
Not only is Barcelona beautiful, charming, sunny, delicious and fun, it
also has the unquestionable distinction of being one of the premier Gay
capitals in Europe.
The gay scene is here vibrant and integrated. Barcelona is
a modern city, with a modern outlook. It is open-minded and welcoming to all –
so head on down for a good time! From the beaches to the clubs, from the shops
to the beautiful architecture, you’ll have plenty to do, by day and by night.
Most of the gay scene is centred around an area called Eixample
pronounced Ay-Sham-Play and, for reasons that will become apparent, nicknamed
gayxample. Just north of the centre, Eixample is a modern and trendy district.
It is the heart of the gay scene, even though it’s not exclusively gay. It is
here that you’ll find all the bars, clubs and accommodation that you need for a
great night out.
When daylight comes again, and you’re looking for something a little
more peaceful, head out of the city into the beautiful surroundings which are
replete with nothing less than vineyards. Why not try a wine tour in Barcelona? The local
wine is delicious, and will put you in the right mood to head back to the city
to do exploring.
There are lots of great sightseeing tours in Barcelona if you want to catch all the best bits. Don’t
miss the Sagrada Familia, the Park Guell or the endlessly eccentric La Ramblas
pedestrian shopping street – it’s a must-see.
Barcelona is open and welcoming like almost no other city in the world,
which simply adds to its many charms. And if you still need an excuse to go,
the fabulous annual Gay and
Lesbian Film Festival is on from
the 18th of October to the 28th.
Now that you’re out of excuses, go and enjoy yourself!
London in October: The creepiest places to visit
Heading to London this autumn?
The Most Romantic Cities in Europe
The Most Romantic Cities in Europe
Gay and lesbian travelers looking for a romantic escape should look no further than the gorgeous cities of Europe. Traditional romance, mixed with a culture of laid-back acceptance, can be found in all of Europe’s major metropolitan areas. For a truly unforgettable holiday look no further than these five cities.
Amsterdam
Modern, cosmopolitan, and full of life, Amsterdam has long been recognized for its friendly and welcoming vibe towards gay and lesbian travelers. It boasts culture, canals, and cafes as well as the famous “coffee shops.” Travelers can spend the day visiting stately museums, paddle-boating on the canals, and biking through the historic center. At night, Amsterdam offers one of the best party scenes in Europe. Or, if you prefer something quieter, try the Candlelight Canal Cruise, with unlimited wine.
Paris
Known around the world as The City of Love, Paris is the ideal spot for a couples’ holiday. From strolling hand-in-hand along the Seine to climbing the steps of the Eiffel Tower, Paris offers unforgettable experiences for couples. You can also visit renowned museums and cultural hotspots, partake in the wine and culinary scene, or experience the exciting nightlife. Paris tickets can be easily obtained on the Eurostar train from London.
Barcelona
A bustling port city on the glittering Mediterranean, Barcelona is a modern, cosmopolitan place with sunshine, palm trees, art, culture, and plenty of romance. You can tour the architectural wonders of Parc Guel and la Sagrada Familia (above), visit the Museo Picasso, and stroll along the beach. At night, sample the delicious tapas and then hit the streets and join the nightlife. Though a bit further away than other cities, it’s possible to get there via the train through France.
Milan
Where else to experience la dolce vita, but in Italy? Another well-known romantic locale, Milan (above) offers some of the best style, culture, fashion, and cuisine in Europe. See the treasures of the Renaissance, or pick one of the many sidewalk cafes and watch the world go by. Milan is also known throughout Italy for its many gay-friendly clubs and events, such as PourHomme, Company Club, and GLounge.
Brussels
A convenient stop in between Paris and Amsterdam, Brussels is a lovely gem of a city in the centre of Belgium (above). Surrounded by history, couples can explore this smaller, less crowded city on foot and experience the pleasant, funky vibe. There are art galleries, museums, excellent shopping and restaurants, and amazing chocolatiers. Good LesBiGay neighborhoods include Saint Jacques quarter, Dansaerstraat, and Sint-Goriksplein.
A Final Note
Even in the most cosmopolitan of locales, you can sometimes encounter an unfriendly vibe. Even though most of Europe is accepting of gay and lesbian travelers, it’s possible to find small patches of closed-mindedness. If you catch a hint of any judgment or rudeness from individual waiters or hotel staff, it’s best to just pack up and leave. This is your holiday, and life is too short for that kind of unpleasantness.
Gay Travel in Tallinn Estonia with new LGBT Map site
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of 159.2 km2 (61.5 sq mi) with a population of 416,536.[1] It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, 80 km (50 mi) south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg.
In Tallinn, where medieval meets both classical and modern, you have every chance of experiencing a unique, relaxing and fun holiday or city break with sightseeing opportunities up in the air, at street level and underground!
Tallinn is the perfect place to shop around, unwind and enjoy yourself in great company. It is full of surprises – a party to remember!
The locals know how to make your Friday or Saturday night out rock, in every sense of the word. You’ll be left wanting more… and we’re happy to help you!
A warm welcome to Tallinn, the capital of positively surprising Estonia!
GayMap Tallinn 2012 edition announces the capital of Estonia being now more gay-friendly than ever
More gay-friendly restaurants, more cafeterias, more hotels for LGBT travellers to choose from – Tallinn, the medieval yet modern capital of Estonia is truly more gay-friendly than ever before.
GayMap Tallinn is available as a pocket size city map distributed for free all over the town including Tallinn Airport, the Port of Tallinn, Tallinn Tourist Information Centre and Tallinn Traveller Info Centre. GayMap TALLINN is also available through the best service partners’ network and readable/downloadable online at tallinn.gaymap.ee – the daily updated LGBT tourism information service for Tallinn, which includes a full list of gay friendly partners and services plus a list of events and parties in town!
Tallinn, the northernmost capital in Baltic States, offers visitors a lush cultural scene with a wide scale of sightseeing opportunities. The brand new GayMap Tallinn 2012 edition allows LGBT visitors to easily navigate through the diverse cultural setting and enables them with the possibility to create an individualized holiday according to their own desires. This includes, but is not limited to a wide array of entertainment and city life, tours in nature, and shopping opportunities.
Death Threats in Croatia for Gay Pride
I have always wanted to see Croatia.
Croatia has a double ‘personality’ with its thousand Adriatic islands adjacent to picturesque mountains
and lakes. But it’s also a survivor of the bloody Balkan wars where massacres and ethnic cleansing ravaged
the land in the 1990’s. Narrow-minded socialist thinking still expresses some sharp intolerance toward gays and lesbians. But time, peace and prosperity have helped in the healing of war scars while new national legislation has given first-time recognition of LGBT partnerships. (from 2006).
THIS WEEK, Several government ministers in Croatia announced they will join a gay pride march
set for this weekend amid threats of violence from opponents, saying it
was a test of democracy for a country due to join the European Union
next year.
Last year’s event, held in the Adriatic city of Split,
plunged into violence as police failed to protect the marchers from
angry locals who pelted them with eggs and rocks. Several people were
injured and at least 30 arrested.
Several nationalist and war veteran groups have issued warnings
against this year’s June 9 march in Split, calling it a “shameful
provocation by sick people to which we will respond.”
I can tell you, we were in Budapest last year, 2011, for Gay Pride, and nearly 1500 police tried to protect the 1500 marchers. And it was kind of scary. This year Police said they would NOT do it again and tried to cancel Pride – but Parliament overruled, and said they MUST protect the marchers again this year!
But back to Croatia.
Croatian Gay Pride revelers are being threatened with violence by members of a rightwing Facebook group, according to reports.
B92 notes that over 400 Facebook users joined the now-defunct group,
which has been dubbed, “Blood will flow in the streets of Split, there
will be no gay parade.”– the group even threatened.
“The group says its goal
is to point out to the public that it was unacceptable to hold the
“immoral manifestation” which should be held on June 9 in Split.
According to the group, the manifestation is “poisoning children”.
“What
are they proud of, their disease?”, “Every normal person is sick of
parades of mentally ill people (gays). They don’t care about the fact
that someone’s child has to watch the sick people”, “Gay bashing June 9,
2012”, “Don’t parade, go get some treatment!” are just some of the
comments posted on the group.“
An investigation of the group and its origins is reportedly underway.
“We will try to determine who the author of the group was and we will
act in accordance with the law,” Split-Dalmatia Police Spokeswoman
Marina Kraljević-Gudelj told the site. “After that we will inform the
state prosecution.”
Gay Travel to Amsterdam Holland and Keukenhof
Keukenhof – known as the Garden of Europe – is the one of the best places to view the abundance of spring flowers in the South Holland region of the Netherlands.
Amsterdam’s flower market – the Bloemenmarkt – reflects the country’s passion for cut flowers and plants.
Around seven million bulbs are planted each year in the park at Keukenhof, in an area of 32 hectares.
The Bloemenmarkt – set on the capital’s Singel canal and said to be the world’s only floating flower market – has a score of stalls where you can buy all sorts of plants, flowers, bulbs and seeds.
The mild climate of Holland, with its wet springs makes it an ideal place for bulb cultivation.
DID YOU KNOW???
Tulips originated in the east and were brought to Holland from the Ottoman Empire in the mid 1500s.
In springtime, the lowland area by the North Sea is carpeted with fields of gladioli, hyacinths, lilies, daffodils, crocuses… and, of course, tulips.
Keukenhof – literally ‘kitchen garden’ – is part of the hunting grounds of the ancient Teylingen estate.
This year, the theme for the Keukenhof exhibition is Germany: Land of Poets and Philosophers.
The patchwork quilt of colours in the Keukenhof park, just outside Lisse in South Holland, is a veritable feast for the eyes.
The bulbs of Keukenhof are re-planted each year according to the current trends and in collaboration with a number of gardening magazines.
The best way to appreciate the full glory of the Dutch spring is to hire a bike and cycle one of the tourist routes among the bulb fields.
GAY PRIDE in Amsterdam is happening August 1-7, 2012
Special pricing and packages available NOW
Call DAVE at 1-800-942-1280
*All photos are owned by their respective owners and I disclaim any ownership. No infringement or copyright is intended.
If you own a particular photo/s and would like it removed from this site, please contact me raphaelsmp (at) gmail.com, with your proof of ownership then I’ll remove it within 24-48 hours.
St Stefan in Montenegro…Not So Gay Friendly?
So I am debating where to plan my next European adventure. While I love Prague and Budapest, and I can’t keep going there every year, when there are other places I want to see.
A friend recently suggested planning a trip around Montenegro. I said, “WHERE?!”
Montenegro is the pearl of the
Mediterranean, unique in many ways, is situated in the south of the
Adriatic. Nowhere else can you find, so much natural wealth, beauty,
mild beaches, clear lakes, fast rivers, and gorgeous mountains in such a
compact area as in Montenegro. In the morning you can wake up along the
beautiful Adriatic coast, have lunch on the banks of Skadar Lake, and
enjoy an evening walk in the Montenegrin mountains. Montenegro cannot
leave you indifferent.
Not only an excellent choice for holidays, Montenegro has many other
remarkable characteristics: history, culture, tradition, good weather
conditions, clean air, beautiful nature, the blue Adriatic Sea….
Everyone should visit Montenegro. This little country combines features
of both the Balkans and the Mediterranean, near Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia,
Italy and Albania. Despite its small size, Montenegro offers great
diversity and abundant natural beauty.
And my friend said ST STEFAN island and hotel resort is a must. The resort includes the islet of Sveti Stefan and part of the mainland,
where the Villa Miločer part of the resort is located. An Adriatic
playground for the rich and famous from the 1960s to the 1980s, the
hotel is now a 5-star franchise hotel of the international group of Aman Resorts,
completed in 2009 and operating under a 30 year lease. Formerly an
island, Sveti Stefan is now connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. The resort in total contains 50 rooms, cottages and suites on the island and 8 grand suites at the Villa Miločer.
My only worry is that Serbia is not so gay friendly. Many of those little countries over there are not so gay friendly!
In an article called HONEYMOON FROM HELL it says.. If embarking on a tour across Europe is your ultimate goal, same-sex
couples should skip a stop in Montenegro. Located on the Balkan
Peninsula, Montenegro decriminalized homosexuality in 1977; yet deeply
ingrained anti-gay attitudes continue to permeate the culture in this
conservative Eastern European nation. Similar sentiments are reflected
in many of the former Soviet Republics, including Belarus and Ukraine,
according to Collins.
Gay-friendly destinations in Europe: most western European countries, Czech Republic, Slovenia (western), Hungary!
Gay Family Treated Like Second Class Citizens at London Heathrow
Two gay dads traveling with their children claim they were
humiliated by border officials who refused to believe they were BOTH
parents.
Seething civil partners Tony and Barrie Drewitt-Barlow
said “horrendous homophobia” confronted them when they landed with three
of their five kids at Heathrow.
Businessman Tony, 47, said
yesterday: “The woman asked who I was. When I told her I was their
father, she asked who ‘he’ was, looking at Barrie.
“When I said he
was my civil partner and also the children’s father, she sneered and
said it was ‘biologically impossible’ for us to be their parents.
“It was horrendous – it made my blood boil. We travel abroad a lot and this has never happened.
“We’ve faced homophobia before but it was like going back in time.”
Tony
and Barrie, 42, made history in 2000 after they traveled to the US and
used donated eggs and a surrogate mother to have twins.
Saffron and Aspen became the first children in Britain to be registered with two dads and no mother after a court ruling.
Wieliczka Salt Mine outside of Krakow
I have not been to Poland yet – but I would like to go one day. I am told it is not the most gay friendly place on Earth. Someone from Krakow told me, “Being gay in Poland is like being a Michael Bolton fan at a metal
concert: it’s looked down on, not something you announce in a crowd of
skinheads, and might get you beaten up.”
Historically, unlike in many other Central and Eastern European
countries, homosexuality was never punished by law in Poland – but to
say it was tolerated is a stretch. Until 1991, homosexuality was listed as a disease. Today, legally
homosexuality is allowed, and the age of consent for gay (or straight)
sex is 15 years. Gay and lesbian couples do not need to register their
partnership, but adoption by gay or lesbian couples is not permitted.
Prostitution, however, is legal.
But for a country as homophobic as Poland, the gay rights movement is
surprisingly strong and well-organized, especially in recent years.
There is a site called Cracow Life which provides LGBT information. Everything from clubs to restaurants.
I AM TOLD that Krakow’s Wieliczka salt mine is no less magnificent than the Egyptian pyramids. A subterranean world of labyrinthine passages, giant caverns, underground lakes and chapels with sculptures in the crystalline salt and rich ornamentation carved in the SALT ROCK! Pretty Amazing! Visitors also marvel at the ingenuity of the ancient mining equipment in the Wieliczka salt mine. And the unique acoustics of the place have made hearing music here an exceptional experience.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine, located in the town of Wieliczka in southern Poland, lies within the Kraków metropolitan area. The mine, built in the 13th century, produced table salt continuously until 2007, as one of the world’s oldest salt mines still in operation.
The mine’s attractions include dozens of statues and an entire chapel that has been carved out of the rock salt by the miners. The oldest sculptures are augmented by the new carvings by actual artists. About 1.2 million people visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine annually.
FOR 900 years, it used to be one of the world’s biggest and most profitable industrial establishments when common salt was commercially a medieval equivalent of today’s oil. Always a magnet, since the mid-18th century Krakow’s Wieliczka salt mine has become increasingly a tourist attraction in the first place. Today visitors walk underground for about 2,000 m in the oldest part of the salt mine and see its subterranean museum, which takes three hours or so.
Liverpools Gay Quarter Installs LGBT Street Signage
Liverpool’s “Gay Quarter” (sometimes Liverpool gay village or the “Stanley Street Quarter”) is a relatively modern term to identify the gay scene in Liverpool.
The area encompasses Stanley Street, Cumberland Street, Victoria St and Eberle St, and is where the bulk of the gay bars and clubs are located in Liverpool, in North West England. Stanley St is the main hub of the gay quarter and is where most of the bars are found. On 12th August 2011, the area received official recognition by Liverpool City Council.
Liverpool’s gay quarter was pedestrianised in December 2009.
Stanley Street is now closed to traffic between 10pm-6am seven days of
the week, Cumberland Street is closed between 6pm-6am seven days of the
week, and Eberle Street is closed for 24 hours of the day seven days of
the week.
Liverpool is now the first city in the UK to officially recognise its gay quarter with street signs.
The new signs will
incorporate a rainbow arch and will be used on Stanley Street,
Cumberland Street, Temple Lane, Eberle Street and Temple Street.
The first sign was unveiled outside the Lisbon pub on Stanley Street
by the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Sharon Sullivan, in a ceremony to
be attended by representatives of the LGBT communities, local
businesses and residents.
Councillor Nick Small, member for employment and skills, said: “We
need to start unleashing the enormous economic potential of the Stanley
Street quarter and as one of the first moves we have to show that this
is our gay village.”
Over the next 2-3 years, much more will done to beautify and bring attention to this neighborhood!
#gaytravel
Gay Travel to Umbria Jazz, Lake Como Italy and East African Safari
Where will you go in 2012??
3 exciting LGBT tours!!
Love To Travel With Pride
Lake Como 2012
An Exclusive LGBT Vacation Event
Together We Welcome
Gay Men, Women and Friends
to join us on Lago di Como, Italy,
Summer 2012
We are offering this vacation on
2 separate weeks.
The choice is yours:
May 26 – June 2 or August 25 -September 1
Villa Stupenda is a stunning 9-bedroom Hotel and combined fully furnished apartment complex situated directly on Lake Como: A completely refurbished 19th Century Villa
Our enticing itinerary will introduce you to the culture and beauty of the Lake Como region of Northern Italy with:
Wine tastings,
A private estate BBQ,
Travel to St. Moritz, Switzerland,
“Sfilata Privata” (reception & private fashion display) in the
House of Armani, Milan, Italy
Spa Day in Bormio, Italy,
An intimate evening boat tour of the Villas of Lake Como,
An unforgettable unique dining experience at Locanda dell’Isola Comacina on Lake Como
As your on-site English Speaking hosts we ensure you a high level of personal service.
Tour Price: € 2199,00 per person dbl*
*With early booking discount of € 200,00 per person if deposit is received before 31 January 2012.
Non-refundable deposit of €200,00 is required to confirm your space at the time of booking.
Contact us now to book this Italian adventure:
1-800-565-2238 (North America)
+39 338 897 7965 (Italy)
“Passionately delivering a unique travel experience”
UMBRIA JAZZ FEST
in Perugia, Italy. July 2012!
One of the best Music Festivals in the World
Your one or two weeks in Umbria offers you the sights and sounds, the foods,
the music, the enchantment of Umbria and Tuscany.
7 – 14 July 2012
One Week – Umbria Jazz
EUR €1999 pp
7-21 July 2012
Two Week – Umbria Jazz Extended with
Tuscany & Umbria Touring
EUR €2999 pp
Prices include:
* Private Transfers from Rome or Florence
* 7 or 14 Nights accommodation at Il Borgo Torale
* Tickets to 5 Umbria Jazz events with transfers
* Private Day Tours in Umbria and Tuscany: Wine Tasting, Sightseeing, Food experiences
* On site Canadian Hosts
* Always stay in touch Italian Mobile Phone during your stay
* Included Special Events
Prices are in EURO’s (€) and are based on 2 people sharing a one bedroom, king size bed, apartment.
Studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments are available: Please enquire about pricing.
Contact us today to assist you with
booking your perfect holiday in Italy
1 800 565 2238 (toll free North America)
001 39 338 897 7965 (Canada to Italy)
0039 338 897 7965 (Europe)
Our Events are Unique Vacation Experiences Personally Designed for the Inquisitive World Traveller.
“Passionately delivering an exceptional travel experience”
Visit with us and Feel the Difference!
East Africa Safari
03 October 2012
This LoveToTravel exclusive East African Safari includes all the famous Tanzania and Kenya Safari highlights and attractions.
Explore East Africa on this relaxed
lodge and tent-camp safari adventure.
This is a small group, six (6) member, 15-day safari.
Highlights Include:
Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Masai Mara, Nairobi and Amboseli National Park
Price: USD $6100 per person, Single Supplement: USD $710
Included in the price:
-14 nights in lodges / permanent tented camps with en-suite bathrooms
-all transport in fully kitted out 4×4 safari vehicle
-game reserve drives as mentioned
-meals and activities as mentioned in itinerary
-accommodation
-park entrance fees
-experienced local guides
Tour Code: 2Y12P5900
Contact us today to Book this Exciting East Africa Safari Event
1 800 565 2238 (toll free North America)
001 39 338 897 7965 (Canada to Italy)
0039 338 897 7965 (Europe)
We would love to hear from you: jclement@lovetotravel.ca
Our Events are Unique Vacation Experiences Personally Designed for the Inquisitive World Traveller.
Warsaw Poland Plane Lands with no Wheels! Everyone is safe
A LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 767 from Newark to Warsaw carrying 230 passengers was forced to make a wheels-up emergency landing after its landing gear failed. The plane circled Warsaw for more than an hour burning off fuel. Thankfully, someone experienced was at the helm: “The pilot, identified as Tadeusz Wrona, had 20 years of flight experience on Boeings in addition to his background as a flight planner.” It is amazing how smooth the landing was, with no wheels!
Watch the video of the safe landing.
