Gay Budapest and Mr. Gay Europe
I think I was lived in Europe in a past life! All my life I have been drawn to the romance of Europe – something about Europe resonates in me. I have only been once, to Germany, but this year plan to go to London, Amersterdam and Prague! While doing my research though, there are so many places I want to see. So we’ll be covering some of the places I have been reading about and being told about!
BUDAPEST! I met a porn star last year who filmed a movie there and he said Budapest has the hottest men! And this summer, MR. GAY EUROPE finals will be held in Budapest in July.
The Mr. Gay Europe Pageant is much more than a beauty contest. The young man selected will be more than just a pretty face and a nice body. While physical beauty will be part of the judges’ considerations, it is a young man’s inner beauty that will make the difference in their selection.
Mr Gay Europe – celebrates the gay European man and pays tribute to the diversity as well as what we have in common as gay men in Europe. The theme for the competition is “brotherhood and uniting gay Europe” and there has already been some interesting conversations going on about the difference of being gay in for instance Bulgaria and Sweden. This is the second time, that this competition takes place.
With all the architectural style of Paris and Prague but without the accompanying expense, Budapest is fast becoming a holiday hot spot. Ever since Hungary’s entrance into the European Union in 2004, the city has been progressing at the rate of knots — but, thankfully, prices have remained low. Located in the city center, you can stay at the Best Western Grand Hungaria for $87 per night, or the equally central Buda Castle Apartment next to Chain Bridge for $48 per night, or the Marco Polo Youth Hostel for a mere $33 per night.
(If you’re going to Budapest or Prague, check out Prague Saints for gay travel packages and accommodations!)
Hungary offers easily affordable restaurants and bars, making this the perfect place to go for a bachelor party or wild weekend away. Expect to pay around $13 for a meal out with drinks and $3.50 or so for a pint of beer. Do look out for restaurants without prices on the menu, however — this is a known tourist trap and should be avoided at all costs. Budapest isn’t only great for night owls; as it also offers a great cultural scene — most of it cheap or free, such as the Danube River, Buda Castle and Fishermen’s Bastion. Before you leave, make sure you pay a visit to the Szechenyi Turkish Baths, which you can get for $4 if you take less than two hours.
According to BudapestGayGuide, “Budapest is the capital of Hungary with appr. 2 million people living here. Best time to visit is from early April to middle of November. During the past few years, an interesting and lively gay scene has emerged in Eastern Europe, especially in Hungary. Budapest (“Paris of the East”) has always been known as a gay metropolis in Eastern Europe. However, you will not find gay bars and dance clubs or cafés for a specific audience (like a leather bar, a rent boy bar, a bar for chubbies, etc.). Everyone goes to the same places (age or preference doesn’t matter). All of the bars (except some baths) are in the center of Budapest’s Pest side, in the 5th, 6th, 7th and 9th district. Buda is hilly and residential, Pest is flat and the lively part of the city.”
Grand, tree-lined boulevards and neoclassical buildings from the 19th century. Neighborhoods with winding, narrow, cobblestone streets from medieval times. Antique-filled flea markets, fascinating book stores, inviting cafés with strong coffee and sweet confections, museums and concerts to delight the eye and ear.
Budapest has had a significant gay and lesbian population all the time. Discrimination started to decrease after 1990. Gay and lesbian Budapest is still preserving its separatism even today. Their annual celebration is the LMBT Festival (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual Festival) which is traditionally held in early July. The Budapest Pride is the biggest and oldest festival of its type in central Europe. – I had hoped to go this year to Prague and then Budapest for their Pride, but there is a conflict with dates for me. So instead, my partner and I will be doing Prague and Amsterdam Pride!~
For more information on Budapest visit BUDAPEST INFO and BUDAPEST GAY VISITOR.
