Category Archives: News and Happenings
Hidden Arrival and Departure Travel Fees
Argentina: Passport required. Visa not required for business/tourist stay of up to 90 days. U.S citizens are required to pay an entry fee / reciprocity in the amount of $140. The entry fee will be collected at Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) and is payable in pesos, US dollars, credit card and travelers checks. For complete details with regard to the entry fee, visit migraciones.gov.ar/ Belize: $20 Bolivia: Departure tax to be paid in USD or local currency upon checking in for flight Brazil: None (Included in ticket price). Chile: Fee to be paid in USD, Visa, Master Card or American Express upon arrival at customs. For US passport holders, this fee is currently $131 per person and is good for the validity of the passport. Costa Rica: $26 to be paid in USD, major credit card, or local currency prior to checking in with the ticketing booth. Ecuador: Mexico: The Mexican airport departure tax of approximately $20-30 will be collected at the airport as you leave for home if it is not already included in your ticket. Check with your Travel Representative to see if the Mexican Departure Tax is included in your ticket price. Panama: Passport required. U.S citizens are required purchase a tourist card in the amount of $30 at the airport in Panama City before clearing customs. Peru: Departure tax to be paid in USD or local currency after check-in before entering gate area Uruguay: $31 (if it is not already included in your ticket) to be paid in USD after check-in, before entering gate area. Check with your Travel Representative to see if the Uruguayan Departure Tax is included in your ticket price. Jordan: JD 5 ($7 approximately) for land crossing from Jordan to Israel (Arava South Border, Sheikh Hussein North Border and King Hussein Bridge/Allenby Bridge). There are no departure taxes when departing via an international airport. Cambodia International Flights: $25 per Adult, $13 per child under 12, and Infants under 2 are exempt, to be paid before check-in at a separate booth. Cambodia Domestic Flights: $6 per person to be paid before check-in at a separate booth. Indonesia International Flights: 150,000 Indonesian Rupiah per person to be paid at separate booth before Immigration Clearance. Indonesia Domestic Flights: 30,000 Indonesian Rupiah per person to be paid at separate booth before Immigration Clearance. Nepal: Current airport tax is Nepalese Rupees 1356 per person (approx. 19 USD). The departure tax in Katmandu is to be paid at a special bank counter located inside the airport terminal and Prior to checking in to the flight. New Zealand: $17 to be paid upon checking in for international flight from New Zealand.
DID YOU KNOW…..
Some foreign airports may charge you an ARRIVAL FEE or DEPARTURE FEE?
The biggest are Argentina, U.S citizens are required to pay an entry fee / reciprocity in the amount of $140. And also Chile, this fee is currently $131!
Other fees…..
Central and South America
Mediterranean
Asia
Pacific
Gay Travel to Havana Cuba Growing
A new revolution is quietly brewing in Havana, Cuba which could make it the next great gay travel destination. Even more surprising is our visit to Café Cantante, behind the National Theatre on the highly symbolic Plaza of the Revolution. Tonight is the one-year anniversary of a disco night called El Divino attended by hundreds of men and a handful of women.” Cuban restaurants have traditionally been dismal, however this is changing rapidly. You can expect to pay eight to fifteen dollars for an entree and not much more than three dollars for a drink in an upscale restaurant Public antipathy towards LGBT people is high, reflecting regional norms. This has eased somewhat since the 1990s. Educational campaigns on LGBT issues are currently implemented by the National Center for Sex Education, headed by Mariela Castro.
Only two hundred miles from Miami, the gay scene in Havana is beginning to sizzle after years of repression. Raul Castro’s daughter, Mariela, has even participated in a gay rights march and Brokeback Mountain has been seen on government television.
FENUXE reports, “While gay life is still largely underground, one of the most amazing scenes occurs every night in Havana starting at about 11:00 pm where La Rampa Street and the Malecon, an ocean front walk, intersect. On weekends you’ll see hundreds of guys strolling, chatting, and playing guitars all night until the sun rises. Talk to the right people and you’ll get an invitation to one of the private home parties that pop up in different locations throughout the week.”
MONAGA site says, “Our destination is a bar called Habaneciendo where the marquee advertises, “Estrellita Jaime Jimenez.” Gay Cuban men of all ages fill the small space until the show begins with Chantal, a cross between Dolly Parton and Wonder Woman, who persuades the audience to sing along while tucking plenty of money down the front of her dress.
Six years ago, on my last visit to Cuba, this scene would have been unthinkable. Back then, most parties were illegal and were held in semi-secret locations under the constant threat of police raids.
Havana is a great walking city and a photographer’s paradise. The architecture is stunning. There is a wide diversity of art, music and museums which could take weeks to explore.
Put this on your watch list!
Tell us if you have been here yet…..
Curacao Jazz Fest in September 2011
Selected as one of the ‘Top 21 Places We’re Going in 2011’ by Fodor’s, one of the ‘Hottest Destinations for 2011’ by AOL Travel and one of the ‘Destinations to Watch in 2011’ by SmarterTravel, Curaçao is a unique Caribbean island paradise, boasting 35 uncrowded beaches, and an eclectic mix of history and culture. Explore the vibrant, culturally diverse capital city of Willemstad – a UNESCO World Heritage site – with its distinctive architecture, museums, monuments and world-class shopping. Indulge in Curaçao’s vast selection of flavorful restaurants, with a mix of sophisticated international and tasty local cuisines.
Time is running out for travelers to reserve a spot at the hottest concert series of the season, the highly-anticipated second annual Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival, September 2-3, 2011! This year, the star-studded line-up already has many hotels across the island almost completely booked, but some limited rooms and packages are still available at hotels, including the Plaza Hotel Curaçao & Casino, Atlantis Diving & Apartments, Royal Sea Aquarium Resort and Breezes Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino.
Acclaimed Jazz musician Branford Marsalis and his quartet have been added to the A-list line-up of musicians performing this year. Marsalis will join 16-time Grammy award-winner Sting and 25-time Grammy award-winner Stevie Wonder, who are headlining the sizzling, soulful event.
Marsalis, a three-time Grammy award-winner and brother of famed jazz artist Wynton Marsalis, will bring his world-renowned sounds to the World Trade Center Curaçao in Piscadera Bay, where the event will be held. Two of the Branford Marsalis Quartet albums, Braggtown and Eternal, have been nominated for Grammys.
“Our incredible line-up of iconic award-winning artists, including Stevie Wonder, Sting and now the Branford Marsalis Quartet, will be a huge draw for this year’s Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival,” says Curaçao Tourist Board Marketing Manager North America André Rojer. “Building on the success of last year’s Festival, this year’s event is sure to heighten awareness of Curaçao as the hottest island in the Caribbean, as evidenced by the many hotels that are already fully booked for the Festival dates.”
Having recently been named one of the ‘Best Islands in the Caribbean for Bar-Hoppers’ by The Huffington Post, it is no surprise that Curacao and its Festival have attracted so many followers. Living up to its title, the island’s popular party spot Mambo Beach will transform into a week-long music-inspired, social extravaganza, with pop-up concerts and events happening every day until the kickoff of the Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival.
The first-class jazz and blues concert series will also incorporate soul, rock and Latin music this year with performers including Dionne Warwick, Earth, Wind & Fire, Ruben Blades, Roberto Fonseca, Juan Luis Guerra, Terence Blanchard, Chic featuring Nile Rodgers, Poncho Sanchez, Danilo Perez Trio, Levi Silvanie, Chucho Valdes Afro Cuban & Messengers and Ronchi Matthew.
Day passes for this year’s event are priced at $185 and may be ordered online at www.curacaonorthseajazz.com. For more information on Curaçao or to book your trip to the 2011 Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival, please visit Curacao.com.
Discover Curaçao’s abundant natural beauty, pristine dive sites and spectacular snorkeling at secluded beaches – including Cas Abao Beach, selected as one of the ‘Top 10 Beach Destinations for 2011’ by SmarterTravel. Curaçao offers idyllic weather, situated on the fringe of the Hurricane Belt. To learn more about the island of Curaçao visit Curacao.com. To request a FREE Curaçao information package click here or call toll free 1.800.328.7222.
Confused by Foreign Menus? New Food App will Help!
Guay tiaw khua kai. ???
A visit to Thailand has unearthed this dish on a menu. Is it tastebud-tingling spicy? Does it include parts of an animal one has never considered eating before? Is it an appetizer, main course, or dessert, or for that matter, is it animal, vegetable, or mineral?
The new free MyCityCuisine app now available through iTunes answers these questions and more. This informative, interactive app provides descriptions and photos of traditional local dishes from cities around the globe.
After downloading the app on iTunes, users can search for local dishes from over 66 cities, with more cities added weekly. Each dish includes a description that lists the main ingredients and other interesting facts such as its history and distinctive characteristics. Colorful photos also accompany each dish, which will make mouths water in anticipation!
Dishes are organized into several easy-to-navigate categories, and users can search either by city or by the name of a dish. The app is a mobile companion of the web-based MyCityCuisine.org, a Wiki project, and content is provided by contributors from all over the world.
In addition to learning all about local cuisine, app users can help add to this already extensive foodie directory by voting for their favorite dish or submitting comments about dishes tried — love ‘em or hate ‘em. The app also makes it easy to upload photos of dishes and post them for all users to see. If a dish isn’t included, users can report it to MyCityCuisine, so the community can contribute information on the dish.
Armed with the MyCityCuisine app, on their next visit to a new city, visitors will know exactly what local dishes to try in order to satisfy their culinary curiosity. And as for Guay tiaw khua kai, it’s a delicious stir-fry noodle dish with chicken and egg, seasoned with a light sauce. A must-try taste of Thai cuisine!
HOW COOL IS THAT?!
Buenos Aires Argentina Still Leader in LGBT Gay Travel…but More of Latin America is Expected to Follow
Latin American cities
jockey for gay tourists
For the last few years, Buenos Aires has been growing in popularity with gay travelers. Plus, will the fall of the Peso, it is super affordable!
It is estimated that this year, 20% of the travel revenue flowing into Argentina, is from LGBT travelers.
Global Post writes, “Rio de Janeiro is trying to lure tourists with pictures of muscular men.
But the brochure, with the slogan “live the Rio sensation,” isn’t aimed at women.
It’s for gay men.
And it’s part of an effort by Rio to position itself as the global capital of gay tourism.
Brazil is the largest nation to recognize same-sex civil unions and this week marks Rio’s inaugural diversity week. It follows months of gay-friendly initiatives, including vocational training for transvestites, anti-bullying projects aimed at gay and lesbian students and legislation outlawing discrimination in nightclubs.
The country is hoping that its openness will also prove a moneymaker, drawing gay men — and their money — from around the world. Last year 25 percent of Rio’s tourists, or about 880,000 people, were gay, reports the Guardian.
But Rio isn’t the first Latin American city to try to lay claim to the gay tourist market.
After Argentina legalized same-sex marriages, Mexico City offered a free honeymoon to the first couple of wed under the new law.
Last year, the city opened an office that caters to gay tourists with the goal of turning Mexico City into the No. 1 gay-friendly destination in Latin America, reported CNN.
And Buenos Aires isn’t about to give up its reputation as a gay mecca. Last year Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalize gay marriage.
Gay tourism makes up about 20 percent of overall tourism to the country, according to the tourism ministry.
“Whichever angle you look at — be it travel, be it where you stay, be it dancing tango — there’s everything for gays now,” said Welsh tourist Kalervo Barker. “We we gays tourists feel really comfortable here.”
There is an informative video at Global Post, worth watching.
Rail Europe LGBT Discount to FAB FOUR
The “Fab Four” deal gives travelers a 10% discount on rail passes to European countries well known for gay and lesbian travel. The “Fab Four” countries are Switzerland, Denmark, The Netherlands, and Germany.
These “fab four” countries are well-known as top destinations for charming gay and lesbian travelers. Switzerland has a lively gay scene and offers travelers an exciting mix of bars and restaurants, shopping, and beautiful sites. Denmark also extends a warm welcome to gay and lesbian travelers, as it was the first country to fully recognize same sex marriages. The Netherlands and Germany aim to celebrate gay pride at its finest as well, with Amsterdam and Hamburg’s biggest gay pride festivals taking place in August.
Offering travelers easy and seamless travel throughout these destinations, Rail Europe’s ‘Fab Four’ promo is valid for more than 25 of Rail Europe’s rail passes. Whether you’re savoring Germany’s best brews, gliding along the Swiss Alps, biking around beautiful Amsterdam, or enjoying bustling Copenhagen, Rail Europe offers the best way to travel around Europe’s most iconic gay destinations this summer.
Not only are there wonderful events happening all the time in these fab countries, but the gay and lesbian nightlife and overall acceptance of gay people makes them wonderful travel destinations. Check out Passport Magazines World Beat section for events you can check out while hopping from country to country.
The rail system runs throughout Europe, making travel between these countries quick and easy. Flaunt your spontaneity, hop on a train, and make your own unforgettable gay tour of Europe.
Gay Pride Around The World
Top Pride Festivals Around The World In honor of National Gay Pride Month!
The following list will help travelers decide what European pride festivals they won’t want to miss this summer:
Sao Paulo , Brazil
The Sao Paulo Gay Pride Parade is still the largest of its kind on the planet.
The Parada do Orgulho GLBT de Sao Paulo, in Portuguese, has grown from 2,000 participants in 1997 to 3 mi. the 2000’s. They made to the Guinness Book in 2006 for the world’s biggest Gay Pride celebration. 4 million people are expected for 2011! Main event is June 26th. GAY PRIDE BRAZIL.
Amsterdam is probably one of the most exciting!
Gay Pride Amsterdam is the yearly highlight for gay Amsterdam. This year the main Amsterdam Pride weekend will be from August 4-7th, 2011.
Amsterdam Pride is one of the biggest and most special gay prides around the globe! With street parties all weekend long, the best club circuit parties and of course the famous Canal Parade on Saturday.
The Red Light District doesn’t hold a candle to the debauchery that is the Amsterdam Pride Festival. G, L, B, T, whatever you are, there’s a party going on during the festival that celebrates every person flying under the rainbow flag.
Berlin Germany.
Berlin Gay Pride 2011:in Germany called CSD (Christopher Street Day). Destination of the parade and closing event at the world-famous Brandenburger Tor. Events take place the last weekend of June.
Traditionally, there have been gay areas in the districts of Schöneberg and Kreuzberg (both in the western part of Berlin) as well as in Prenzlauer Berg (eastern part). Recently, the district of Friedrichshain developed as another area with a couple of gay-friendly clubs and restaurants. Most of the gay hotels, bars, cafes and shops in Berlin are located in the Schöneberg district (which had dance halls for men already back in the 1920s).
Stolz ist höchste. Pride is supreme—that’s the feeling anyone traveling to Berlin might have if visiting during the second half of June. It can be a zoo (quite literally, as Zoo Berlin hosts a gay night with a swing dance party during the event). In addition, the Schöneberg district doesn’t disappoint with dancing in the streets throughout the festival. Berlin Pride.
London
London is a Mecca for pride festivals. The calendar of events is measured in weeks, not days, and it’s jam-packed with fun. This year, Soho will come alive with an open-air dance floor, and in 2012, London will host the third World Pride event just before the Olympic Games held July 27th thru Aug 12th.
Pride London aims to promote equality and diversity through all of its campaigns. The Pride London festival uses theatre, music, debate, art and entertainment to raise awareness of discrimination and the issues and difficulties affecting the lives of LGBT people around the world. The Parade is an explosion of Pride in the heart of the capital, attracting over 1,000,000 people in a celebration of diversity. Pride London.
Rome Italy
Hundreds of thousands of people marched through central Rome in a gay pride parade earlier this month, and was capped by a brief Lady Gaga performance in the ancient Circus Maximus stadium.
With scores of GLBT fans, it only seems fitting that Lady Gaga performed at the closing ceremonies for Rome Pride. Rome has a complicated history with gay rights (it’s proximity to the Vatican doesn’t help), but things are becoming more and more liberal. Gaga’s performance came at the end of a week of club parties and parades. Euro Pride Roma
NEW – UP AND COMING!
PRAGUE!
This year Prague will have its first pride festival. The Czech team is confident they will put Prague on the map as Central and Eastern Europe’s capital of diversity, even though Prague is the last capital in the European Union to organise a pride. The organizing team is preparing a programme covering five days of events from August 10th to 14th that will be interesting for all, not just the LGBT community. Everyone is invited to participate in the event.
I think this is one Pride which will really grow into something big! Prague is an amazing city.And Pride should attract a big international crowd.
TRAVEL TIP – The official currency of the Czech Republic is the Czech crown (koruna), abbreviated as Kč, with the international abbreviation CZK. Most businesses will accept EUROS, but you DO NOT want to pay with EUROS. Convert your currency to CZK. It will go MUCH FURTHER.
GAY TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD
Budapest Pride Declared a Success Despite Problems with the Police
We went specifically for their Gay Pride March.
The Budapest Pride is Hungary’s largest annual LGBT event. It has historically been known under several names, including Budapest Gay Dignity Procession (Hungarian Meleg Méltóság Menet) or simply “happy parade” (Hungarian Meleg Méltóság Menet). The parade has taken place each year since 1997, usually on the first Saturday of July, proceeding along Budapest’s most expansive thoroughfare, Andrássy Avenue, between the City Park (Városliget) and Elizabeth Square (Erzsébet tér). Though much smaller in scale than similar gay pride parades in Western Europe and the Americas, between a thousand and two thousand marchers typically participate in the Budapest procession. Radical right-wing demonstrators and hooligans have severely disrupted the Budapest gay parades held in 2007 and 2008, casting concerns with the Police in Budapest.
In the past, sometimes anti-gay groups threw eggs, smoke bombs and bottles into the crowds. Several years ago, Gábor Demszky, Budapest’s mayor from the Alliance of Free Democrats party, condemned the violence against the event for which he had expressed unambiguous support. However, three non-governmental organizations accused the government-supported police of doing little to stop the fascists.
I will say this, this year, we saw Police stopping people dressed in all black clothes, asking for ID and detaining them somewhat, from certain areas.
This year, nearly 1500 Police! protected the marchers. It is estimated that 2500-3000 marched. It was wild to see. Side streets were being blocked off with fences and there were 20 police here, 30 police there…it looked like soimething out of a movie, like we were under attack or something.
Police effectively sealed off streets and protected the route. I am surprised, this much money was spent “protecting gays”…perhaps the fear of bad press? if another bad incident was to occur??
We did not want to participate in the entire 3 hour event. We had a previous appointment that day, but planned to join the marchers at the Opera House. Police told us at 4pm, we could join in. At 4:30 Police told us we could NOT join in, and they began “sweeping” the streets, clearing and pushing everyone away from the oncoming parade. – I am told that over the last 2 months, Police kept chaging the plans and even up to the final hour of the march, police kept changing the rules.
We thought perhaps we could cut through the park, and meet up with marchers at the stage at the end. So we ran over to the ending spot, and found a fence up, with another 30 Police keeping eveyone back. As marchers came into the blocked off area, protesters began gathering around us! Yelling DIRTY GAYS, DIRTY GAYS. We decided it best to leave!
So unfortunately, we got to see nothing. But we are told the event was successful and was the biggest turnout they have had yet!
However, news reports online say there fights and attacks right after the event.
According to the latest information, the attack that took place on 18.6 at Gay and Lesbian Pride in Budapest was well planned and prepared for. Those involved were obviously members of the right-wing extremist organization 64 Burgkomitate Youth Movement (HVIM), which organized and registered the counter-demonstration at Oktogon, as well as the representative of Hungary’s right-wing extremist party Jobbik, Gyula Györyg Zagyva, and Jobbik’s lawyer, Andrea Borbély. The right-wing extremist demonstrators had already had violent confrontations with the police during the parade and attempted to disrupt the parade with homophobic and anti-Semitic chants.
In addition to an attack with an irritant spray, which was carried out by two women, there were verbal and gestured threats, such as non-verbal death threats and Nazi salutes by members of 64 Burgkomitate. In spite of the previous attacks, the right-wing extremists posed as victims, and from then on the police treated the group from Vienna as suspects, obviously due to intervention from the Jobbik representative. Jobbik systematically implements this reversal of guilt as a legal strategy.
I think many of us take our freedom for granted. Walking around Budapest I always felt safe. And we met many young straight men who were nice to us and offered us directions when lost.
Budapest has a significant gay and lesbian community, whose social status has seen great improvements since the fall of Communism. While there’s no specific gay neighborhood in Budapest, the city has plenty to offer the gay visitor. Budapest has a wide selection of bars and clubs, restaurants and cafés and baths and saunas, which are gay-friendly or frequented mostly by gays and lesbians. Budapest is one of the most popular cities in Central and Eastern Europe for gays and lesbians. The city is also seeing a revival of the monthly gay parties attracting gays and lesbians from neighboring countries.
One must always be aware of their surroundings and never take things for granted, no matter what city you are in.
Gay Travel to Amsterdam Pride Discount Packages
Amsterdam Pride is one of the biggest and most special gay prides around the globe! With street parties all weekend long, the best club circuit parties and of course the famous Canal Parade on Saturday.
Last year Amsterdam Gay Pride drew in a record amount of visitors. Some 500,000 people watched the Canal Parade, where a record 80 boats took part.
Our friends at Travel Leaders have negotiated amazing rates for an 8-day/6 night package running from August 1-8th.
Roundtrip airfare from Boston (other departure gateways available, pricing upon request)
6 nights hotel – a deluxe hotel in the city center near all attractions
Roundtrip airport/hotel transfers
All taxes and surcharges
Local escort from Travel Leaders to show you around
The price is $1998.00 per person based on double occupancy.
This is an awesome way to experience Amsterdam and Pride!
Call David for all of the details 1-800-942-1280 or email him.
Join DAVE for an unforgettable 8-day/6-night getaway to exciting and beautiful AMSTERDAM, a city that is easy to get around by bike, canal boat or on your own two feet! You will be impressed with its eclectic architecture, excellent museums, mazes of canals, great shopping and its SERIOUS PARTY SCENE! The mix of people and cultures is like no other in Europe.
Come with me and be introduced to the unique history, PARTY SCENE and spirit of Amsterdam – from the historical city center to the heart of the famous RED LIGHT DISTRICT to the many “COFFEE SHOPS” to the AMSTERDAM PRIDE festivities – you will be amazed at its unique, laissez faire attitude. You won’t be disappointed.
$1998!
AUGUST 1 – BOSTON – AMSTERDAM: Depart Boston’s Logan International Airport aboard your overnight, transatlantic
flight to Amsterdam with full meal and beverage service available. (other departure cities available).
AUGUST 2 – AMSTERDAM: Morning arrival at Schipol airport in Amsterdam where we board our private motor coach for
the drive into Amsterdam. We will check into deluxe hotel in the heart of Amsterdam.
AUGUST 3-7 – AMSTERDAM: Buffet breakfast is included at our hotel each day and all other meals are on your own. All days
are at leisure to explore Amsterdam. Dave can assist you in choice of activities. Enjoy the many Amsterdam PRIDE festivities
– throughout the city and the famous Canal Parade on Saturday, August 6. Thousands from around the world flock to
Amsterdam for the many parties, street festivals and other special events.
AUGUST 8 – AMSTERDAM-BOSTON: Buffet breakfast and hotel check-out. Transfer to the Amsterdam airport to board our
return flight to Boston with full meal and beverage service.
This is an awesome way to experience Amsterdam and Pride!
Call David for all of the details 1-800-942-1280 or email him.
First Gay Pride Celebration Comes to Prague!
GAY PRIDE COMES TO PRAGUE!
This year Prague will have its first pride festival. The Czech team is confident they will put Prague on the map as Central and Eastern Europe’s capital of diversity, even though Prague is the last capital in the European Union to organise a pride. The organizing team is preparing a programme covering five days of events from August 10th to 14th that will be interesting for all, not just the LGBT community. Everyone is invited to participate in the event.
“We want to show the general public and of course visitors from abroad, Prague can host a complete pride festival. Prague is one of Europe’s main LGBT travel destinations and we are organising a festival the city can be proud of” the organizing team explains. “By now we already know there will be a wide variety of events organized by our many partners.” All of the five days promise to be full of interesting happenings. From corporate workshops on diversity in human resource management to a sports event, theatre performances, exhibitions, cinema, a kids event, guided city tours, disco and circuit parties etc. “It is really great to see organizations and venues from the community, as well as mainstream bars and clubs, really want to make it work. They all plan to organize something interesting to add to the programme” the director of the festival says.
The highlights of the festival are the parade and concert on Saturday the 13th of August. There will be a festive parade through the city centre in the early afternoon. Individuals, companies and organizations will all join the celebration. The route will take the participants to Střelekcy Island where many local and international stars will perform. The line-up is still a secret but we promise it’s impressive. “The parade is new for Prague and we expect about 1500 people to take walk with us, many more people will be interested in the concert and festival venue, where we hope to receive thousands of guests.” the organization tells us.
On the organizers’ PRAGUE PRIDE and their Facebook profile there is a preliminary overview of the programme; more informations can be found soon.
NEED A PLACE TO STAY?
We highly recommend – The Temple Club and GuestHouse!
GAY DAYS Will Come To Las Vegas in 2012
The organizers of Orlando’s Gay Days said this week they’re expanding and will host a Gay Days Las Vegas starting in September 2012. The event is designed to complement the annual expo and party in Orlando.
“When we decided to start researching Vegas, … the feedback was just tremendous,” said Chris Alexander-Manley, president of Gay Days Inc., who noted the expansion will coincide with Gay Days 21st anniversary. “We say, ‘We’re 21, we’re legal, we’re going to Las Vegas.'”
Gay Days, based in Gotha, started in 1991 when about 3,000 members of the gay community wearing red gathered at the Magic Kingdom on a Saturday in June.
This year, the group is expecting 160,000 people to attend what has grown into a weeklong series of events that includes theme-parks visits, pool parties and a travel-retail exposition.
Starting next year, Gay Days Inc. is hoping to replicate that experience at the Rio Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, where it has signed a three-year contract.
September 4-10, 2012. As in Gay Days Orlando, the Las Vegas event will include a Travel-Retail Expo, pool parties, and events all around town with a portion of proceeds benefiting local non-profit organizations.
PAN AM 60’s Airline Comes to ABC tv
to the airwaves, that is.
Pan American Airways, the giant airline that virtually defined air travel from 1927 until its demise in 1991, will get a “Mad Men”-like treatment on a TV show set to debut on ABC in the fall. The “Pan Am” show, which is scheduled to air at 10 p.m. on Sundays and stars Christina Ricci, will follow the lives of stewardesses circa 1963 and their bouts with “passion, jealousy and espionage” at 30,000 feet, according to the show’s Facebook page.
Drama aside, it likely will be the glamour of the golden age of air travel and those snug blue Pan Am uniforms that will seduce viewers to tune in — again, taking a page from AMC’s “Mad Men’s” fashion-driven portrayal of Madison Avenue in the same period.
Back then, stewardesses generally couldn’t be married or have children and had to meet strict weight standards.
full story at LA Times.
Central Queensland to host First Ever Fair Day
I have never been to Australia…yet.
So when I read about The very first Central Queensland Fair day will raise its rainbow flag this weekend on the 21st of May. – I Googled it.
I came up with 2 VERY DIFFERENT photos! So I am not sure which is more accurate!
The very first of its kind for Central Queensland, the CQ Fair Day is a chance for locals to celebrate the diversity of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender communities. Head of the organising committee Ric Stumpf has commented the celebration of the LGBT community will be the running theme of the day, and he hopes it attracts crowds from all over central Queensland.
Live entertainment, including hosting duties from drag diva Vanessa Wagner, market stalls and fun activities will be set for the course of the day with the Rockhampton Campus of CQ University playing as the hosting ground.
With the Tropical Alternatives Film Festival (TAFF) already a key event in Rockhampton for the gay community, organisers are no doubt hoping the CQ Fair Day is a success so the Central Queensland LGBT community have two key events on their calendars, as well as bringing awareness to local gay-friendly businesses, health services, performers and entertainers.
QAHC Health Promotion Officer Tim Spratling welcomes the new event. “For the first time in Central Queensland, in one spot, the opportunity exists to raise awareness of local gay-friendly businesses, health services, performers and entertainers. The CQ Fair Day will allow the LGBT communities to gain access to information on health, sexuality and support services.
Central Queensland Fair Day takes place on Saturday 21st of May at the CQ University, Rockhampton campus. Let us know how the day goes! And take some photos!
Spirit Journeys Announces Gay Vacation to India for 2012
Spirit Journeys’
offers a chance to experience
India as it was meant to be experienced.
This is an extensive 16 day exploration of some of the best that India has to offer in October of 2012. From Delhi to Haridwar, Rishikesh to Jaipur, Pushkar to Varanasi and so much more!
Participants will of course visit sites of incredible historical, archItectural and spiritual significance, staying at some of the finest hotels available. Even more importantly they will explore and experience the spiritual roots of this magical land and culture.
As with all Spirit Journeys’ adventures, the joys and benefits of gay vacations are provided but with a “stop and smell the roses” kind of attitude. Conscious travel in this manner allows ample personal time for play, reflection, relaxing and appreciating the beauty of India. This adventure holds the possibility for you to reconnect to, or discover, your own spiritual roots and at the same time experience all the flavors and fun of India.
Throughout this journey there will be daily optional yoga practice (usually in the mornings) led by world famous yoga instructor David Moreno. David has studied extensively in India and he will share his in depth knowledge and understanding of India, the Hindu spiritual traditions and mythology, as well as Ayurvedic medicine. These times with David are an invaluable addition to your time in India.
David Moreno is a long time Spirit Journey’s facilitator and has lead men’s workshops, retreats, and international travel trips worldwide – including several to India. He is recognized internationally as a senior yoga instructor and has taught at international yoga conferences, and universities. His commentaries on yoga have been published in various yoga journals and his recently released yoga DVDs are featured on Amazon and as electronic books through iTunes and iBook.
David began practicing yoga in the late 70’s studying the Iyengar, Ashtanga, Anusara, and Bihar styles of yoga, currently studying the primordial tantric roots of the yogic tradition. When not traveling, David teaches in the San Francisco bay area.
Howie Holben is also a co-guide for this journey with David Moreno. Howie is the owner and caretaker of Spirit Journeys. Since early childhood, he has been drawn to indigenous peoples and their spiritual teachings, traditions and practices. His personal journey through addiction and recovery has spawned in him a genuine interest in assisting others on their own spiritual path and he takes great pleasure in introducing people to practices, sacred ways and cultures to help them “step outside their box”. A Reiki/Karuna Ki Master, Quantum Touch and Breathwork Practioner, his desire is to help others uncover their potential and set their hearts and minds free.
The Magic of India – 2012
Sixteen Days Exploring Some Of The Best India Has to Offer!
October 25, 2012 to November 10, 2012 Limited to 16 people.
Spirit Journeys Mission:
To create opportunities for participants to grow mentally, emotionally and spiritually; to create environments where they can feel safe enough to grow and move towards living a freer, more joyous life.
For additional information on Spirit Journeys’ special gay vacations and gay retreats, contact Howie Holben at (800) 754-1875 or visit SpiritJourneys.com.
Budapest PRIDE 2011 will Go On June 11-19
Earlier this year, Police gave Budapest Pride and it’s organizers a little bit of drama! But everything has been ironed out and all events are moving full speed ahead!
WE are very excited, we’ll be attending and covering the main events this year!
Our friends at Budapest – gay.com can help you with your stay!
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.
We’ll be giving you some more reports, as it gets closer!
More details and information at BUDAPEST PRIDE!
Gay Travel Magazine PASSPORT now with Barnes and Noble NOOK
The magazine’s debut arrives just in time for the summer travel season, giving Barnes & Noble’s NOOK Color customers a variety of useful travel tips, comprehensive articles, and beautiful color photography. The device’s compact size and light weight makes PASSPORT Magazine a truly portable resource for travelers.
“We’re delighted to be the first gay magazine available on NOOK Color,” said Don Tuthill, the publisher of PASSPORT Magazine. “We know it’s increasingly important for customers to have useful travel information when they’re on the go, and making our publication available to NOOK Color customers is another step in our efforts to give our readers what they value most.”
“Our goal is to make exciting travel information as easily
accessible to people as possible, wherever they are.”
“When it comes to travel, PASSPORT Magazine is the insider’s guide to the best gay-friendly destinations, accommodations, and cultural events in the world!” added Robert Adams, Editorial Director. “Our goal is to make exciting travel information as easily accessible to people as possible, wherever they are.”
The May issue of PASSPORT magazine is now available on Barnes & Noble’s Nook Color ($1.66 an issue) and features an astonishing array of fascinating destinations (Cairo, Mumbai, Prague, Capri, and Chicago), and over 309 Insider Travel Tips about the best hotels, greatest restaurants, and most exciting nightlife and cultural attractions around the world!
Launched in 2001, PASSPORT Magazine, has become a vital source of unbiased travel information and reporting for the gay and lesbian community. The magazine is available in the USA, Canada, and a number of overseas location, and on the internet at www.PassportMagazine.com. But hey! Don”t forget about us!
NewGayTravelGuide.com
BestGayCities.com
BestGayNewsMagazine.com
BestGayNewYork.com
BestGayChicago.com
BestGayLasVegas.com
LGBT Gay Community Survey Now Online
We would like to invite you to take a new survey about your opinions and preferences, from an LGBT perspective.
There’s Power in our Pride! Participating in this study helps open minds and doors around the world, and influences positive changes for our community. Last year’s survey yielded 45,000 respondents from 100+ countries! You may have seen CMI research quoted in the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, etc.
Click here to start the survey, or paste the following into your browser: http://www.LGBTSurvey.com.
It takes about 10 minutes.
Everyone who completes the survey by June 15th will be entered into a drawing to win one of five $100 cash prizes, or if you win, you can designate a charity to receive the $100.
If you have LGBT friends around the world who might be interested in this survey, please forward this message to them. And please post it to your Facebook and Twitter accounts!
VIRGIN Will Fly You to the MOON…and Now Plan to go Deep Sea Diving
Virgin is taking reservations, and deposits, to fly people to the Moon. And now Virgin is taking 5 of the most amazing deep sea dives, in 5 different oceans in a new state-of-the-art Virgin Submarine.
Imagine diving over 11,000 meters down into the Pacific ocean, to the deepest unexplored point of the PLANET!
History is about to be made. Over the course of 2011 and 2012, Richard Branson and his team will take Virgin Oceanic’s one-person sub on journeys to the deepest part of each of Earth’s five oceans. The first dive will be to the deepest place on the planet: the bottom of the Mariana Trench – 11 kilometers (7 mi) straight down. This will be the first time since 1960 that human eyes have set sight here. Less than 3% of the seafloor has been explored, and none of the deepest points of the planet have ever been explored beyond a brief visit to one. The opportunities to see and learn from these dives are monumental.
Fantastic new technologies and materials harnessed by the world’s foremost submarine designer, Graham Hawkes (with Hawkes Ocean Technologies), make it possible to push the boundaries of human experience.
If we are successful in our mission with this innovative design of submarine, then we will have proven that a vehicle can be built to withstand the extreme pressures of the oceans and that it is possible to take humans at far reduced risks to the bottom of our Oceans. The submarine we unveil today will likely finish its days on display in a museum here in the US but if we can prove the design, Virgin may explore the possibility of future missions involving other submarines that can collect samples and facilitate science and research. When we have evolved our capacity for exploration, we will unlock opportunities to discover vast areas of our planet that we currently have no knowledge of. This is our vision.
VIRGIN OCEANIC
Religious Group Tells STR8s to Stay Away From Disney World Orlando for Gay Days
LGBT visitors put on their red shirts and walk hand in hand with other gay and lesbian guests (preferably ones they knew). The Gay Days have continued to grow, becoming more and more popular each year, adding dozens of extra parties.
The Gay Day events in Orlando can attract over 100,000 gay and lesbian participants to the Disney theme park. Organizers maintain the festivities bring in about $500 million to region.
Religious conservatives from the Sunshine State are warning families not to visit the Magic Kingdom on the first Saturday of the month. AS WELL THEY SHOULD!
David Caton, the executive director of the conservative Florida Family Association, who has led numerous protests targeting companies that advertise on television shows with questionable and mature content, urged that Disney, which is not sponsoring the event, to restrict Gay Days activities to after-hours.
“Why would Disney allow Gay Day to take place during regular operating hours at the expense of offending tens of thousands of unsuspecting guests when they require other special events to be held after normal operating hours?” demanded Caton. “Disney requires special events like Grad Night and Night of Joy to be held after the Magic Kingdom’s regular operating hours. Disney does this to avoid having a large group of likeminded people in the park at the same time with regular patrons who expect a normal day at the Magic Kingdom.”
Caton noted that his organization had raised enough funds to rent an airplane which would fly over the Orlando area on that Friday and Saturday with banners warning about the event.
Chris Alexander-Manley, the president of Orlando based Gay Days, Inc., welcomed the free publicity that Caton offered the event!
Alexander-Manley opined that the Florida Family Association could have spent their money on better causes than renting an airplane for their banners.
“That $3,700 could have been better spent supporting the disasters in Japan or the storm victims of Central Florida from the tornados from yesterday,” added Alexander-Manley.
Started in 1991, the Gay Days events received national attention when the Southern Baptist Convention voted to boycott Disney in 1997. The convention lifted the ban in 2005. Prominent televangelist and former Republican presidential candidate Pat Robertson made national headlines back in 1998 when he suggested that God would punish Orlando for hosting Gay Days by unleashing natural and man-made disasters upon the region.
Gay Maui Hawaii SunSeeker Getting Bigger and Better
GROWING BIGGER
AND BETTER
THAN EVER!
You may remember, when we reported that the staff and owners of Maui Sunseeker were ecstatic because they had bought the property behind the three buildings we all know and love as the current Maui Sunseeker LGBT Resort, pictured here.
That ‘new’ property is known as ‘Serenity’, located at 20 Wailana Place. At one time, Serenity was a ‘wellness center’ and rumor has it that even Whitney Houston stayed there at one time. (OK, so you say she’s been in and out of so many places, that any dive can make that claim…..point taken).
But hang in, the story continues.
”
We talked of great dreams of spas and even an outdoor jacuzzi.
We also asked for opinions in the last newsletter. Some said… ‘We want a 24 hour jacuzzi!’ Others said ‘We want a pool!’ And yet others said, ‘Build us a SPA!’ ‘ says a spokeperson for Maui Sunseeker.
“We can now say that the property behind Serenity (which is behind Sunseeker) known as Sugar Beach, a property located at 26 Wailana Place, is in escrow to be bought by Maui Sunseeker! We are just as thrilled!!”
Imagine a contiguous 1 acre gated compound of adults-only property right on the North Kihei shore that is fully dedicated to the LGBT Community!
“If all goes according to plan, we will close escrow in THIS MONTH and hope to have the ‘Sugar Beach’ property online in May with 4 poolside full suites, upstairs is a 2,000 sqaure foot Penthouse unit with an adjacent junior suite. The addition of these two properties will literally double the amount of land that currently comprises the Sunseeker resort.
Most exciting….in addition to giving the Maui Sunseeker LGBT Resort much more land, we will now have, most importantly, a pool!! Many guests just want a place to relax on property without all the Little Beach brouhaha, now they will have it.”
“When all is complete, we will increase from a 17 room resort to a 31 room resort with breakfast service, a pool, an in-ground outdoor jacuzzi and a total of 6 buildings on one acre of land with much more planned.
We would like to hear what your thoughts are for what’s important in our design and policies as we go forward. Please take a moment to complete our development survey. We want to know what you think of our clothing optional policy and what amenities YOU want to have. Your opinions matter to us, so please share them now as we go through our design.”
It’s going to be an AWESOME 2011 at MAUI SUNSEEKER
