Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe.
Estonia has land borders to the south with Latvia and Russia to the east.
The tourism bureau says, “Like Alice in her Wonderland, you will find there is even more
to see in Estonia than you have dreamed about.
The dream world becomes real and the reality is unbelievable.”

                                                                      
Tallinn, Estonia’s capital city is only about 40 miles south of Helsinki, across the Gulf of Finland.
Sweden is Estonia’s western neighbour across the Baltic. Russia is to the east, with St. Petersburg
just across the north-eastern border.

While Tallinn may not be a cultural metropolis like London, Paris or New York, people here do still like to
feed their souls. The town is home to a number of theatres, an opera house, several interesting museums
and galleries, and even an art-house cinema.

Though attitudes in Tallinn have become more in line with those of Western Europe over the last few years,
overt public displays of affection are still rare here. Similarly, Tallinn’s gay nightlife venues, with a couple of exceptions, tend to keep a low profile.

Gay and Lesbian Information Office
Tartu mnt 29
ph +372 5811 6969
gay@gay.ee
www.gay.ee

 Parliament House – how gay is that?!

There has been a gradual improvement for the position of the GLBT community in Estonia since 1990.
Several gay groups have been set up and since 1998 Tallinn has hosted a large and popular gay club.
Estonia’s close ties with Scandanavia would suggest that the position is likely to improve in the future. 
Some friends went to  Estonia and would recommend Tallinn as an interesting
and different city break for gay and lesbian visitors.  –
I just love all those European guys! And the countries are so rich in history and architecture.
The age of consent here is 14! Can you imagine????
For club information and nightlife – check here.

         

From the Winter 2006 issue of The Out Traveler           –

The Caribbean‘s proximity to the United States makes it an easy tropical escape.
Though the region on the whole has a less-than-perfect reputation among gay and lesbian
travelers, a number of standout destinations — many boasting lavish new restaurants, resorts
and spas — are making the gay-friendly grade.

Dominican Republic

The appeal
The Dominican Republic may be Latin and Catholic, but the vibe is refreshingly relaxed and tolerant.
Most of the gay action is centered in the capital, Santo Domingo, where a clutch of bars and discos
cater to travelers of both genders. But the real lure is the city itself. One of the Caribbean’s largest,
it was founded by Columbus’ brother in 1496, and it’s the oldest colonial city in the Americas.

Both Dutch St. Maarten and French St. Martin have long had a gay-friendly reputation, with many
private villas for rent and beaches and bars where gay and straight couples peacefully coexist. St. Maarten’s reputation was sullied somewhat by a 2004 incident where a gay couple was assaulted
near a popular beach bar, but island tourism officials were quick to apologize, and the island remains
near the top of the list for many gay Caribbean travelers.


   

Martinique

The appeal
The second-largest island in the French Caribbean, volcanic Martinique is known for its culture (Paul Gauguin briefly lived here), gorgeous beaches and rum, the island’s main product. You can sample the
spirit from the source at estates such as St. James Distillery. Visit during harvest season — February to June — to witness fresh sugarcane go from field to bottle. Like fellow Frenchie St. Barts, Martinique boasts a similar laissez-faire attitude to gay and lesbian travelers as well as a small scene in the capital, Fort-de-France.

Aruba and Curacao

The appeal
Forced to recognize the recent marriage of two local lesbians, Aruba — like the rest of the Dutch Antilles — leads the Caribbean in LGBT-friendliness. Neighboring Curacao recognizes domestic partners, and both islands actively court and welcome the gay market. Cosmopolitan Curaçao, with its Dutch allegiance, ranks among the most gay-friendly islands in the southern Caribbean, and the island has dozens of fine beaches. Although none claims to be a definitive gay mecca, the broad, magnificent nudist beach below Sunset Waters Beach Resort definitely pulls in plenty of gays and lesbians. Moreover, it’s a stunning stretch of sand, and all sorts of beach equipment can be rented here, from paddleboats to aqua-bikes.

Puerto Rico

The appeal
Puerto Rico, a U.S. commonwealth, is the Caribbean made easy. It has direct air links to every major
U.S. city and an American-style gay scene, at least in San Juan. Stick close to San Juan’s grand resorts
or head to the tiny islet of Vieques, a vestige of tropical Caribbean purity where wild horses run along crystal-clear bays and gay-owned inns welcome off-the-beaten-pathers.

Don’t miss:
On Puerto Rico’s tiny and queer-friendly isle of Vieques, just off the northeast coast. The small beach
in the village of Esperanza opens onto a glorious bay and is a favorite hangout among guests of the
area’s many gay-friendly inns.

Mayan Riviera

The appeal
The region just north and south of Cancun is rapidly emerging as a gay-friendly, luxurious, low-key
eco-focused alternative to that perennially crowded spring-break favorite.


With its fun-in-the-sun destinations, carefree attitude, and myriad couples-oriented resorts, the
Caribbean seems an ideal vacation spot for gay and lesbian couples. But not all Caribbean islands are created equal: some (notably the French, Dutch, and U.S. islands) roll out the welcome mat for gay
couples, while others, like Jamaica, Barbados, and the Cayman Islands, have a reputation for
homophobia. With the help of the travel experts at Gay.com, here’s my picks for the top Caribbean destinations for gay travelers.

The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA; tel. 800/448-8550 or 954/776-2626; www.iglta.org) is the trade association for the gay and lesbian travel industry, and offers an online directory of gay- and lesbian-friendly travel businesses; go to its website and click on “Members.”

 

   

I have never been to Switzerland, but it looks picture perfect! I came across a little book recently –
It’s Only Natural – from  myswitzerland   and it was all about gay and lesbian travel in
Switzerland. It looks amazing! Ritzy Geneva, fairytale towns like Lucerne, and sophisticated Zurich.

Switzerland is a very conservative country but now has very progressive laws on homosexuality.
The gay scene is centred in Zurich and Geneva where there are many bars, clubs, cafes, restaurants,
saunas and organisations. –  The age of consent here is 16! Oh my!



 

A good guide to the city can be found at Zuri-Gay and also at  Gay Agenda.    Zurich is the bigest town and
hence, the biggest gay scene. A stroll through the picturesque Old Town with its historic defence and civic buildings, the Stein castle ruins, the Stadtturm (town tower) and of course the splendid Tagsatzungssaal (Meeting Hall) is impressive at any time of the year. Besides the active nightlife, with its clubs and bars,
Zürich is host to a number of cultural events for gays, such as the “Warmer Mai” (Gay May) festival,
featuring, among other things, the Swiss gay and lesbian film festival, Pink Apple. There are parties in
Zürich seven days a week; from the legendary Weekend Nights at the Labyrinth Club to the large-scale mainstream white and black parties staged by the Angels,
there is a club and event to suit each and every taste. 

 

Whether you want the majesty of the high Alps or a Mediterranean flair, a cosmopolitan city or unspoiled countryside: Every part of Switzerland has its own distinctive character. These regional variations are part of what makes Switzerland so special. But from what I have seen, it looks so unpolluted and unspoiled and
picture perfect, you just expect Julie Andrews to pop out at any minute! Seriously, the landscape looks as breathtaking as it did 40 years ago! Pack my liederhossen!  Let’s go!

 

 

It doesn’t get much hotter than the passionate, piquant Argentine capital!


 
Buenos Aires is really coming into its fabulous own, with a spicy gay nightlife,
progressive gay-rights laws and a strong and vocal gay and lesbian movement.
And the recently devalued Argentine peso will make for a visit that’s both enriching
and cheap!  In this city you will find a mix between the elegance of the Europe capitals
and the spirit of South America .   Visiting Buenos Aires, you will experience a sort of
“deja vù” of Europe while you explore the grand boulevards, expansive parks,
magnificent architecture, and ever-changing fashion of Argentina’s beautiful capital.
Buenos Aires is the city with the most freedom and openness for the homosexual community
in Latin America, and the first one to legally recognize the civil union of homosexuals.

Clive Sanders website editor of London Gay Times Travel says: “Buenos Aires is probably the most liberal and gay friendly city in Latin America. Here you will find a large and sophisticated gay scene.

 

We were very impressed with Buenos Aires which has a gay scene that we felt compared very favorably to any similar sized city in Europe or North America. There are loads of gay bars, restaurants and clubs, several saunas and even a raunchy sex club. the only down side is that being a Latin country everything is of course really late and most bars don’t get started until well after midnight.”



 

There is much to see and do in Buenos Aires!
Shopping, restaurant great museums and architecture! Argentina’s buzzing Buenos Aires has
turned into a top Latin American destination for homosexual tourists, as the capital gets its
gay-friendly message out to lure fresh revenue.

The recent designation of the city as Latin America’s first host of a homosexual football World Cup and an opening of a wine bar catering to gays are some of the latest effects of Buenos Aires’s rising star. The tourism office lists “gay” addresses and themed circuits around the city, particularly in San Telmo, the historic tango neighbourhood. About 20 businesses in the quarter, including the new wine bar, are part of the initiative.
    

For great packages in Argentina – check out BUE GAY. Oh yeah, did I mention the hot men?

 

Sydney, Australia!   The largest city in Australia offers tons to see and do. Attend a performance at the famed Sydney Opera House, surf the waves at Bondi Beach or cruise around Sydney Harbor. At night, rest up at one of the city’s many fine hotels or resorts. (like the VERSACE HOTEL!)

There is no place in the world like Sydney. There is no time like Mardi Gras. The 2007 Mardi Gras Season begins on 2nd February and culminates on the 3rd March with the world famous night-time parade through the streets of Sydney and the enormous Mardi Gras party. It has grown from a small local event to one of the largest parties on the planet!  You can find all you need to know about our events and Gay Sydney on this site.

 

The Rocks Market is Sydney’s leading lifestyle market, featuring
a delectable range of arts, crafts, homewares and collectables.
Situated at the northern end of George & Playfair Streets and
housed under a unique sail-like canopy, the all weather market
is home to over 150 magnificent stalls every weekend.  The Market
was launched in 1991 as part of the strategic marketing program to
reposition the historical Rocks as a venue of quality, innovation and
atmosphere.  It has now established itself as Sydney’s premier
street market and the envy of other markets.

 

Many cities only muster one gay village. Sydney has plenty.

 

The traditional centre of activities has been Oxford Street in Darlinghurst, but it has become more mixed in the last ten years.

 

Nearby Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay have become the home to the smart party set. They both enjoy a stunning harbour setting and close proximity to the nightlife hub of Kings Cross.

 

Further up Oxford Street you get to Paddington. Once a bit of a dive, its rich network of Victorian terraces have long since been gentrified and it’s home to a lot of chi-chi metrogays.

 

Then there’s the beach. North Bondi is the current plage du jour while Tamarama (Glamarama) is home to some very well-to-do gay Sydneysiders.

 

Melbourne  – Australia’s second-largest city, Melbourne boasts great festivals and shopping, a passion for food and wine, and fabulous arts. With myriad restaurants and a colorful tapestry of Eurasian ethnicity, Melbourne is a culinary and cultural heaven, situated on the Yarra River. The gay scene spreads over two distinct queer neighborhoods: Collingwood in the north and Prahran/South Yarra/St. Kilda in the South. Outside Melbourne, you’ll find a host of regional attractions, from the Little Penguins to the spectacular Great Ocean Road.

  

Joyous gays and lesbians celebrated last week as the Mexico City Legislative assembly voted 43-17 to approve a bill allowing civil unions for gays and lesbians! It is historic, that more and more countries are moving forward on this issue!

The bill, which would not approve gay marriage, allows same-sex couples to register their union with civil authorities, granting them inheritance rights and other benefits typically given to spouses. Heterosexual couples who are not legally married can also be registered under the bill.

“This law … does not require anyone else to change their thinking, nor does it hurt the concept of the nuclear family,” said legislator Juan Bustos of the left-leaning Democratic Revolution Party, or PRD, which has pushed for the law in the capital for years.






Mexico City has  20 million people and is the Capitol of the Republic of Mexico. It’s the third largeest metropolis in the world, next to Tokyo and New York City. The Centerpiece of this great Capitol is the Zocalo. The second largest public gathering place in the world. (The first is Red Square, in Russia).

The Gay Tourist scene is located in the Zona Rosa on the Paseo de la Reforma. It includes the following avenues. Avenidas Insurgentes, Liverpoll, Londres, Hamburgo, Florencia, Amberes and particularly in the Avenidas Genova and Niza. Zona Rosa is a  trendy ‘bohemian’ quarter with it chic mixed cafes and restaurants, its straight girlie-bars, gay clubs, discos, gift stores, video and Internet stores, fast food chains–many now happily hang the rainbow flag above their doors with hardly any notice from the predominantly non-gay crawlers in this district. Lots of restaurants and bar info is available at GAYMEXICO.com .

   



The Netherlands, Canada, South Africa, Belgium and Spain have legalized same-sex marriage, while several other European countries have laws giving same-sex couples the right to form legally binding civil partnerships. In the U.S., only the state of Massachusetts allows gay marriage, while Vermont and Connecticut permit civil unions.

 November 15, 2006                     

SOUTH Africa became the first country on the continent to legalise marriage for gay and lesbian couples when lawmakers gave their final approval to controversial legislation. A total of 230 lawmakers voted for the civil union Bill after a stormy debate at the Parliament in Cape Town, while only 41 opposed the measure.

“In breaking with our past, we need to fight and resist all forms of discrimination and prejudice, including homophobia,” Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula told MPs in the debate before the vote.

The  Mother City of Africa, and the Western Cape, an area which is regarded as one of the most beautiful regions in the world. The City is a rare cultural gem, resulting from the amalgamation of Indonesian, French, Dutch, British and German settlers, the local Bushman and Hottentot tribes and the Bantu tribes from the north. 

Like Seattle, San Francisco and Sydney, Cape Town shares the magical combination of water, culture and geographic beauty that make for an extraordinary visit. Add to that endless beaches, supersexy locals and a gay-friendly vibe wired deep in the country’s constitution, and Cape Town seems tailor-made for an exotic, gay-friendly getaway. Cape Town has become one of the great international gay destinations.
Cape Town’s queer tribes are rich and varied, with different events and venues catering to their needs. The international stereotypical GWM (gay white male) subculture exists here as elsewhere, with a mix of muscle men, fashion victims, fitness freaks, and a handful of drag queens. Local lesbian life is more low-key — more along the lines of ceramics classes and having meetings about making documentaries about women.

                       

                                    

The impressive presence of Table Mountain, flanked by the legendary Devil’s Peak and historical Signal Hill, stands proudly above the city. Beautiful white sandy beaches along a peaceful coastline frame the Cape Peninsula, which is famed for its unique floral kingdom, bountiful rivers, vleis and dams and magnificent countryside. The surrounding area extends far into the winelands, green in summer and red-gold in autumn.

 Best Beaches — Clifton’s Third Beach is where you’ll find international male models parading in garments so tight you can tell what religion they are. Sandy Bay is Cape Town’s nudist beach, with discreet cruising at the far end of the main beach. But beware: The freezing ocean will bring you down to size.

Recommended Guesthouses — There are a variety of options to be had in De Waterkant Village,which is situated in the heart of the Queer Quarter, within easy walking distance of clubs and bars. Amsterdam Guest House, 19 Forest Rd. (tel. 021/461-8236; www.amsterdam.co.za), is an extremely popular men’s-only guesthouse situated on the slopes of the city, with a pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, and the like. Parker Cottage, Carstens, Tamboerskloof (tel. 021/424-6445; www.parkercottage.co.za is a neat, graciously decorated Victorian home away from home that will suit the older traveler.
Alternatively, you can peruse the options listed earlier in the book, all of which are gay-friendly.

  

Writer Harry Preston preston8@earthlink.net, said “After arriving in Cape Town, I checked with Gay esCape, the local gay tourist bureau and was referred to T’Groenezicht, a gay guest house, one of several dozen in the city. This establishment is an old Dutch mansion overlooking the city, built a hundred years ago, and has a pool, a sauna and clean, comfortable rooms each with private bath. Included in the daily rate was a sumptuous breakfast, all for 220 Rand a night, the equivalent of less than forty dollars! Believe me, dollars can buy you a great time in Cape Town.”

The city’s tourism authority has put its weight behind attracting gay tourists to the city. “Cape Town is the gay capital of Africa and we hope that some day it will become the gay capital of the world,” Sheryl Ozinsky, manager of Cape Town Tourism, has been quoted as saying. Guides such as the Cape Gay Guide booklet offers gay travellers information on where to go and what to do.


 

 GAY AMSTERDAM

Amsterdam has rather a large gay scene. Many foreigners find themselves attracted to the city, and you can also spot celebrities. Amsterdam has
more than one hundred gay bars, discos, saunas, video stores, bookshops, restaurants and hotels.


Pink Point
Gay and lesbian information and souvenir kiosk situated at the Homomonument, Westermarkt (on the Keizersgracht). Friendly and helpful volunteers will answer all your questions about gay Amsterdam. As well the best selection of gay gifts in Holland. Open daily 12.00 till 6 PM.
www.pinkpoint.org



Gay night life
There are a few main gay night-life areas in the city: around the square of Rembrandtplein: throught all Reguliersdwarsstraat, via Halvemaansteeg, and along Amstel. Then Warmoesstraat, which is a parallel street to Damrak,
next to the Red Light District. Here you will find also many leather bars and rainbow-flagged saunas. For a great selection of gay venues see PiP’s web site: www.underwateramsterdam.com

THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT is all about a Beer and party atmosphere, sex
for sale, and limitless people-watching. The stores are full of hardcore
videos, magazines and sex toys. The  District is somewhat of a sexual amusement park and often not taken too seriously by the hordes of
tourist who frequent it. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the Red
Light District, is that it’s actually quite pretty. The famous red window
lights are striking against the quaint, old canal houses and even the fairy
lights that line the bridges at night are coloured red. Although it is generally considered to be a very safe area, care should still be taken when walking through the quieter streets of the area.
There is a strict “No Photography” policy.







Amsterdam’s Canals
The number of canals have led Amsterdam to become known as
“The Venice of the North”. And thus, a trip to Amsterdam is not complete
without a boat-ride. A canal tour can be both fascinating and relaxing by
day and enchanting and romantic at night when many of the houses and
bridges are illuminated. The GAY PRIDE PARADE in August, floats down
the canal. Great hotel prices are also available.







 SEE YOU IN AUGUST2007!

 Milan, Rome, Venice…..ITALY!

Even if Italy isn’t the most tolerant country regarding same-sex couples, due to the hard
influence of the Vatican, it has grown to accept homosexuality, especially over the past
few decades. Homosexuality is legal since 1889, and the age of consent is 16. It is of
course forbidden to have sex in public, and even hard petting can be badly considered
by officials in some cases.




Notwithstanding, Italy remains a favorite romantic destination for gay women and men.
It is rather common to see openly gay couples walking down the streets in big cities like
Rome, Milan, Florence, though university cities like Pisa also take gayness in stride. But be
careful, in smaller towns it can be more dangerous to be too jaunty in public venues. 
Places like Bologna, Milano, Parma, Pisa, Roma, are much more firendly and tolerant than
Palermo, Napoli, Lucca, Salerno and Messina.


Few countries match its wealth of pleasures and treasures like Italy:
history, art, music, fashions, and food. Yet the greatest pleasures
 here are the Italians themselves. They not only possess the world’s
greatest outlook on life (La Dolce Vita), but are the essence of
Mediterranean dark and sexy. While Italy’s primary appeal is its
history and culture, gay travelers will find a limited but interesting
choice of nightlife spots, particularly in the big cities. They provide fun
nighttime diversion, and a glimpse into the challenges faced by Italian
gay women and men, as they begin to express their sexual identity
within the confines of a family and church dominated society.   


Out Travel travel agency and tour operator is nowadays the leading
Italian company commited to growing  gay and lesbian tourism. 


 
 

MILAN
Better known for being new and fashionable, Milan is the
capital of Lombardy and Italy’s richest and second largest city.
The limelight is dominated by the fashion houses. Fashion
victims and supermodels ( and supermodels’ victims!!) descend
upon the city twice a year for its two fairs (spring and autumn collections).
No other place would do for gay people it seems! And yes, Milan is not
only the fashion capital but also a gay capital, if we may say so. Lots of
bars from cruising to relaxing atmosphere ones, discos, saunas, etc.


Nightclubs, of course, are here and there. With lots in Milan & Rome.




 

 

Versila is the “place in Italy where you are not judged for your sins, but for your suntan!”
or say the ads claim!

Tuscany is a land of freedom, that’s a fact. Tuscany
gave birth to two of the most important geniuses of
mankind, Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci. Florence
has been the capital of sodomy between the fourth and
fifth century. Gianluca Leopoldo I in 1853 was the first
who in Italy decriminalized homosexuality. Pisa and
Empoli the first two towns which have agreed to keep a
Register for the Civil Unions of both gay and lesbian
couples, a big first step indeed for the GLBT community.
Pick any place of Tuscany and discover the beauty of this
region, from the majesty of the Apuanians Mountains to
the sweet Sienese hills, from the wild sand beaches nearby Livorno and Grosseto to the
relaxing hot springs all over Tuscany.

This region has always been very welcoming towards gays and lesbians.
 “Friendly Versilia” is a project started in 1998 with the aim of giving visibility
to the large and still hidden GLBT community in Torre del Lago, a nice town between
waters, those of the sea and those of Massaciuccoli Lake, between Viareggio and Pisa.
The project was created by the GLBT local switchboard, supported by the local Municipality
 and sponsored by gay and gay-friendly business. No matter the difficulties and the hard
times, Friendly Versilia is today able to attract over 100.000 homosexuals both men and
women from all Europe, from the last week of April until the first week of September.

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.



Occasionally in my research on LGBT life in distant countries I come across a web site
that’s neatly organized, easy to use and very informative. They nearly render my own
storytelling unnecessary. Such as web site exists for gay Croatia; it’s called simply
Gay Croatia Tourist Info .

There are not many official LGBT venues in Croatia. Global Club in Zagreb is the only
danceclub for homosexuals in the country. Except for Global Club and some saunas
in Zagreb most places in Croatia are unofficial meeting-places. LGBT people in Croatia
generally meet each other outdoors in public places, which are known to be gay friendly
but don’t specifically count as being gay.

If you’re visiting Croatia during summer you’ll have the best chance to meet LGBT people by
visiting some of the beaches mentioned in our guide or by contacting some of the LGBT
organisations. In public places homosexuals tend to act “straight” and therefore hard
to “detect” while they’re much more relaxed on the gay-friendly beaches. It’s usually
very easy to make contact with people in Croatia and when you get a Croatian friend you’ll
have a friend for life.

   

Ibiza

Whether you pronounce it “ee–be–sa” or  “ee–bee-tha” –  it’s  HOT!

 

A Spanish island of the Balearic Islands in the western Mediterranean Sea
southwest of Majorca. The island attracts tourists and artists and has Roman,
Phoenician, and Carthaginian ruins.

Ibiza / Eivissa is a very popular tourist destination, especially due to its legendary and
at times riotous nightlife centered around two areas Ibiza Town, the island’s capital on
the eastern shore and San Antonio to the West. Ibiza Town has become a popular
destination for tourists.

The Island is famously known for its summer parties, with thousands
of people flooding in for the big summer club nights. Famous clubs include Space, Pacha,
Privilege (ex Ku), Amnesia, Eden and Es Paradis. They are hosts to parties of international
fame such as Cream, Manumission, Fuck Me I’m Famous, etc.

   

The climate of Ibiza is mediterranean and has milder winters and slightly cooler summers
than Mallorca. The winters are mild with temperatures around 15 degrees (59 degrees
Fahrenheit) and some rain. The hot summer season lasts from June to September inclusive
wth temperatures regulary reaching 30 degrees (86 Degrees Fahrenheit), lots of sunshine
and very little rain. Frost and snow are very rare. Easyjet – start direct flights in mid-July   www.cheapflights.co.uk

 

Gay bars in Ibiza change hands, appear and disappear and occasionally reappear in a
different location with the kind of flourish that is generally reserved by a closet in a dark
room. These pages are updated as changes take place (give or take a week or three
dependent on the number of changes..) and a list of changes are sent out to all of those
who request them in the updates newsletter  @ GayIbiza.net

Most gay and gay friendly bars in Ibiza offer something very similar: A combination of
terraces, barmen and a Mediterranean atmosphere, generously augmented by the
stunning backdrop provided by the Dalt Vila.




Ibiza is known for it’s music. There exists a genre of trance music named for Ibiza
dubbed Balearic Beat, similarly to the way Goa trance is named for Goa, India. The
style tries to reflect the atmosphere of Ibiza, and listeners often say they can see a
Mediterranean sunset when they hear its euphoric, uplifting melodies. The atmosphere
is brought on with the use of synthesized string instruments, the sound of waves,
mandolins and guitars, and wispy vocals.

Musician Michael Cretu, famous for his project ENIGMA and his wife Sandra, have their
home and A.R.T. Studios on Ibiza. It is where albums ( including MCMXC a.D. and
Le Roi Est Mort, Vive le Roi!), selling 120 million copies, were recorded. They also own
a small 16th century villa and a restaurant Goya in Ibiza city.

   

One of the joys of being on this island is that, no matter where you are,
especially when driving, you are never far from one of the many wonderful
beaches or secluded little coves… Over 80 beaches to choose from –
depending on your mood!

 

Shopping, Dining, Relaxing, Clubbing – it’s all here! Magnificent views or under
trees in peaceful meadows; Restaurants perched on beautiful beaches overlooking
the azure sea and others in the resorts that have made Ibiza world famous.
PACK MY BAGS!

 

 There’s nothing like sitting on a quiet beach sipping pina colada’s and watching beautiful men!

Pack your bags and check out the new Costa Rica! In recent years, they have become more gay
friendly and a top travel destination for gay tourists. And gays are moving there and/or buying
homes there.
Costa Rica has hotels and resorts near the beach,  and rain forest: many of  the top
Costa Rica hotels and resorts, sportfishing boats, canopy tours & dining, are very affordable.  
Beaches, surfing, scuba diving, villa rentals, rico resorts & all-inclusive hotels –  the choices are
plenty!.  Find a luxury resort, beach hotels, or all-inclusive hotels, exotic villas and rental houses –
there are many choices here. Combine a Costa Rican vacation with a look at local  real estate.
Many gays and lesbians are buying property here! Go deep sea fishing for marlin and sailfish
on a fishing charter from Quepos or Jaco.


Costa Rican lesbians and gay men have made significant gains in the last ten years.
Although a gay traveler who was here in 1990 would hardly recognize gay life today,
paradoxes still abound. Gay and lesbian life may now be legally protected and thriving,
but the lives of lesbians and gay men remain divided between a supportive peer culture
and a national culture which still condemns and vilifies them.  – But with gay tourism
pouring in, things have changed. The gay scene in Costa Rica is really beginning to blossom.
In San José, you can choose between any one of a dozen downtown bars and clubs, and
even a couple saunas!



 San José has everything that a North American city has for gay people. Gay bars, discos,
gyms, boutiques, organizations, hotels, and restaurants. It also has museums of history,
science, and art that are like none other on the planet. For example, the Gold Museum is
four stories underground below the Plaza de la Cultura. This “museum in a vault” contains
over 2000 priceless, pre-Columbian gold artifacts. The Jade Museum, located on the 11th
floor of the National Insurance Building, (INS), has the world’s largest collection of
pre-Columbian jade.

 

The variety of food and restaurants has been another surprising improvement over the years.
Costa Rica has always been blessed with more wonderful and exotic fresh fruits and vegetables
than you can imagine. New combinations and the cooking styles from numerous cultures have
created an endless variety. The seafood is good and fresh. Chicken is, well, chicken. The beef
is lean and a bit chewy, since Tico cows do a lot of walking and do not have the tasty fat
marbled through the meat, like Gringo cows! There are lots of gay and gay friendly
restaurants here.

 

No matter what you are in the mood for, a volcano tour, deep sea-diving, a rainforest aerial
tram, laying on the gay beach Manuel Antonio, visit the turtle sanctuary, sip cocktails at
the hour-long sunsets, go white water rafting, or visit the hot springs – Costa Rica has
something for everyone.
 Once you vacation here, you will want to buy something here! It’s spectacular!