Great Travel Photos From Around the World
SO MANY beautiful places to see?? Whats your favorite?? Tell us!
I love that last photo! Swimming with the sharks!
#gaytravel
Winter Party 2013 takes over South Beach March 6-11
Over 10,000 guests from around the world attend our annual
six-day extravaganza featuring the most spectacular venues, the most
unforgettable parties and receptions and the best international DJ
talent.
Launched in 1994 as a one-time charity dance event on the sands of
beautiful South Beach, Winter Party Festival has evolved into a
week-long series of events benefiting the LGBT community nationally and
locally. A portion of the net proceeds of WPF support the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s
efforts to take action, build power and create change for LGBT
people. The majority of the proceeds are donated to local service
organizations through a grant-making process administered by The Miami Foundation.
March 6-11, 2013!!
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 Pride Kicks off April 6 in Phoenix Arizona
THE HISTORY OF PHOENIX PRIDE In 1981, a group of gay & lesbian
activists organized the first Pride march thru the streets of downtown
Phoenix to the state Capitol building. It was a politically focused
march to bring awareness to gay rights issues in Phoenix.
Nearly ten years later, a group of volunteers joined together to
coordinate the annual Pride festival. This committee, best known as the
Phoenix Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee, Inc. helped establish a 501(c) 3
non-profit organization known today as Phoenix Pride.
The organization was created as an educational non-profit to continue
to educate and promote issues that affect the LGBTQ community in metro
Phoenix. Under the leadership of Phoenix Pride, there has been an annual
march, festival, parade or celebration in metro Phoenix for more than
30 years.
The organization is a leader in the metro Phoenix LGBTQ community.
During the past several years, the organization has been able to make
significant contributions to other LGBTQ focused non-profit
organizations and has awarded scholarships to deserving LGBTQ
individuals continuing their education. It is the goal of the
organization to continue developing community programs to benefit the
LGBTQ focused non-profit community and to continue to raise public
awareness about the LGBTQ community in hopes to eliminate homophobia,
transphobia and discrimination still very much prevalent some 30 years
later.
In 2011, the LGBTQ community celebrated the 31st Anniversary of the
first LGBTQ march in Phoenix. Phoenix Pride will continue to honor and
celebrate our community by promoting April as “Pride Month” in Phoenix,
Arizona and by continuing the “10 Days of Pride” started in celebration
of our 30th Anniversary in 2010.
GayTravel.com Crowns the next Gay Travel Guru Bryan Kosarek
By Sophie Needelman
Traveling the world is the
dream of a lifetime. This dream is made even better when traveling is your job-
and when, as a member of the LGBT community, you get to represent a segment of
the population while exploring, demanding, and experience gay friendliness in
the destinations you visit. GayTravel.com’s (Gaytravel.com)
Gay Travel Guru campaign made this dream a reality for one lucky winner, as
well as for the incredible finalists along the way. For Guru winner Bryan
Kosarek, this dream will continue to be reality as he leaves last month’s Guru
finale at Aspen Gay Ski Week to begin his gay-traveling journey around the
country.
Not only is being the Gay
Travel Guru an absolute dream job, but also it is the ultimate way to serve the
gay community as its representative in travel. With its Guru campaign,
GayTravel.com (www.gaytravel.com) brought
to the attention of the LGBT community the importance in engaging in gay and
gay friendly travel- as well as the importance of engaging in specific LGBT
oriented travel while visiting any of the world’s incredible travel
destinations.
GayTravel.com (www.gaytravel.com)
provided all of the Guru finalists with the opportunity to expose themselves to
the gay travel community which truly gave a voice to this progressive body of
travelers. The Guru campaign unfolded over the course of six months, where
applicants submitted various forms of travel content and social media engagement
to best advocate for their inner Gay Travel Guru. Some of these contributions
included photos, videos, blog articles, and more. Finalist Jared reflects on
his Guru experience: “The entire process, from start to finish, was an
amazing experience. I learned a lot about about myself by venturing out of my
comfort zone. Gaytravel.com expects a lot from the Gay Travel Guru, so you must
be willing to push your boundaries to generate interesting content for viewers.
I met a lot of amazing people on this journey and made memories that I will
carry with me for the rest of my life. It was a lot of work but it was more
than worth it!”
What began for Jarred,
Bryan, and all of the other finalists as simply pressing a button to submit an
application turned into the adventure of a lifetime as the finalist pool was
flown to Aspen Gay Ski Week where an epic finale took place to crown Bryan
Kosarek as the Gay Travel Guru. The incredible Guru finale was just icing on
the cake of a legendary campaign by GayTravel.com in the attempt to bring the
LGBT community together under the umbrella of the love of travel- as well as to
grant one lucky winner the chance of a lifetime!
Joey Konecek, GayTravel.com’s
Community Director who spearheaded the Gay Travel Guru campaign, reveals
essential details about the campaign, the finalists, and the grand finale at
last month’s Aspen Gay Ski Week:
SN: What were the main events held over the course of the Guru finale? (overview of events basically)
JK: “The finalists were really put to the test throughout our time in Denver and Aspen. Aside from having only 1 day to create a video about the destination and hotel sponsors they were also asked to sell raffle tickets, do a modeling shoot, compete in the downhill costume contest and host parties. And if that wasn’t enough they were also being filmed throughout the week which meant doing confessionals and getting very little time to themselves. Aside from that each finalist was also doing a ton of social media and self promoting online and in person at Gay Ski Week.”
SN: What about Aspen made it a great place to hold the Guru finale?
JK: “Winter in Aspen is magic! The city is clean and beautiful and all around a great place to film.”
SN: What other cities were involved in the Guru process? Why were they chosen and how did they contribute to the atmosphere of the entire Guru campaign?
JK: “Aside from our sponsor destinations like Thailand, Dallas, and Key West we would really like to thank Denver, in particular the Hotel Curtis, The Westin Denver Downtown, and the arts community for being such gracious hosts.”
SN: How did Aspen Gay Ski Week set the stage for the finale?
JK: “We really could not have asked for a better backdrop for the finale! Vegas was great last season, but Aspen was the perfect setting and being Gay Ski Week made it even better. Pamela Herr who manages the events really rolled out the red carpet for our finalists and the gaytravel.com team. We also had amazing participation from her staff and the board of directors such as Todd Heimel, President.”
SN: How did the finale contribute to the atmosphere at Aspen Gay Ski Week?
JK: “The patrons and staff of Aspen Gay Ski could not have been more accommodating. Having the cameras around made our finalists very popular among the crowds and trust me; they ate it up. Our team also had the opportunity to help in raising funds for amazing non profit organizations that Aspen Gay Ski Week supports.”
SN: What were some highlights from the finale?
JK: “The finale was extremely emotional for everyone involved. We were all a family in Aspen; the staff, the finalists, and the camera crew all became very close over the duration of the trip and it showed at the finale event. I personally cried my eyes out, it was six months of hard work for everyone followed by a week of exhausting events, tasks, and challenges, it was the end and I couldn’t hold it back. Some were happy and some were sad but for the most part they finalists really supported Bryan in his victory.”
United New Baggage Delivery Service for a Fee
Tired of schlepping your over-packed bags?
and arriving at select U.S. airports, so you can skip the wait at the
baggage carousel and go straight from your arrival airport to your
actual destination. This service provides you with the convenient option
of having your baggage delivered right to your home, hotel or
office.
flight’s arrival if your destination is located within 40 miles from the
airport. If your destination is located between 41 and 100 miles from
the airport, you’ll receive your baggage within six hours after the
arrival of your flight.
Gay Travel to Tel Aviv is Still HOT HOT HOT
Four years ago, the straight mayor of Tel Aviv, Ron Huldai, realized his city had all the necessary ingredients to become a leading gay tourist destination: warm weather, pristine beaches, a vibrant nightlife, a thriving gay community, and some of the most beautiful men on the planet. The problem was, Tel Aviv wasn’t known as a gay town.
A study commissioned by the mayor’s
office showed gay tourists were more inclined to go to cities like
Barcelona or Berlin rather than Israel, a country they associated with
religion and war. So the mayor had an idea: brand Tel Aviv as its own
separate entity.
“We
knew that people who had been to Tel Aviv loved it,” says Yaniv
Waizman, the mayor’s adviser on gay community affairs. “So we made a
switch. We no longer talked about Israel, but Tel Aviv.”
There is an awesome story this week at the Daily Beast, about Israel.
Matthew Mitcham Autographed Books
WE LOVE AUSTRALIA!
corporate sponsorship. In the The Advocate, an editor said, “What’s a
guy to do when he’s got the gold, the fame, the man – but no big-time
endorsements?” In 2009, Mitcham secured financial support from the
Australian telecommunications provider Telstra. In 2010, he was
announced as the new face of Funky Trunks and has appeared on
advertising campaigns across Australia, Europe and the United States. He
is also a spokesman and “swimwear ambassador” for the brand.
“People kept remarking on how they were surprised that a gold
medal and fame hadn’t changed me. I always responded, ‘Why would I
change? Being me is the easiest person to be.’ I was lying. It wasn’t.”
Anaheim and Orange County; Fashion, Shopping and Art
When it’s cold outside…
head somewhere warm!!
Eureka! That’s California’s motto, which means “I have found it.”
Whatever it is you’re looking for, you can surely find it here. A
California vacation offers unparalleled diversity. Whether traveling to
Southern California or Northern California, the diversity of culture,
scenic beauty and things to do, makes travel in California unlike any
other place in the world. California epitomizes a place where anything
can happen – and usually does. Californians revel in their quirks and
contradictions, and are proud to live in one of the most diverse and
exciting places in the world.
Anaheim and Orange County offers probably the greatest array of shop-till-you-drop stores! Anything and everything you could possibly want or desire can be found in Anaheim or the surrounding areas!
The success of the center brought rapid expansion: an additional wing with Bullock’s in 1973, I. Magnin in 1977, Nordstrom in 1978, and Saks Fifth Avenue in 1979. The opening of the Nordstrom store is considered a seminal event as it was the first Nordstrom store outside of the Pacific Northwest and marked the West Coast and later the nationwide expansion of its chain. From 1986-thru the 90’s the plaza continued to grow at leaps and bounds.
South Coast Plaza is still privately held by the Segerstrom family (and the second largest family-owned center in the United States behind the Mall of America), and so is one of the few shopping centers in the United States that have not been purchased by a Real Estate Investment Trust/REIT.
About 15 minutes away are the Outlets at Orange
The Outlets at Orange is Orange County’s only outlet shopping destination. This beautiful open-air center is home to more than 120 outlet and value retail stores including Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom Rack, DKNY, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi’s Outlet and more.
The Outlets at Orange also offers fun and entertainment of all sorts including the famous, indoor 46,000 sq foot Vans Skate Park. I love Vans Tennis shoes!
Lucky Strike Lanes offers a unique, upscale bowling experience and Dave & Buster’s provides fun for all ages. Enjoy a movie at our huge AMC 30 (YES 30!) Theatre with IMAX. Looking for some much-needed relaxation? Spend a day at the Burke Williams Day Spa.
No visit to Orange County, California is complete without a day at Disneyland, located only a few minutes away from The Outlets at Orange. Other attractions located within 5 miles of the mall include the Anaheim Convention Center, the hands-on Discovery Science Center, The City National Grove of Anaheim concert venue, baseball games at Angels Stadium, and Anaheim Ducks hockey games at the Honda Center. Knott’s Berry Farm is located just a short 15 minute drive away up the I-5 freeway.
GAY DAYS ANAHEIM happens every October. The
first Gay Days Anaheim in 1998 attracted about 2,500 people. Today the
eventweekend attracts over 30,000 guests to the Disneyland Resort each year!
Pretty amazing. What was once a small one-day gathering has become a
full weekend event with parties, gatherings, group photos, scavenger
hunts, private meals, and much more! – *INSIDERS SCOOP – there is a MINI GAY DAYS April 13th this year. Just one day. A low key mix-in with a whole bunch of LGBTQ folks! Just buy a ticket and show up in something red or fabulous!
see also Anaheim Packing District
Cubans Enjoy Relaxed Travel Restrictions
CUBA may be a little easier to get out of this year.
The
relaxed policies open the door to a new era in travel for the Cuban
people, who have been long deprived of the right to freely travel
abroad.
There are still hurdles to surmount, however.
While
the Cuban government no longer requires the reviled exit permits and
the notarized letters of invitation from foreign hosts, Cubans still
have to obtain visas from most countries they plan to visit, buy an air
ticket and apply and pay for a passport to leave Cuba, a time-consuming
and expensive process that costs about $110.
Gay Travel with Jonny McGovern
include day-time realness activities, games, contests, dancing, but
most of all, kikiing with the cast of Gay Pimpin’. You can look at the
schedule right here, babies!
THE OUT NYC is Expanding to More Cities
THE OUT NYC is New York’s first straight-friendly urban resort (NOT a
hotel) located in the epicenter of gay life – Hell’s Kitchen, steps from
Times Square and Chelsea. Live your own unforgettable experience with
the best of lodging, dining, nightlife and design all in one place – THE
OUT NYC.
Complete with 5000 square foot spa, and a Sun Deck to get your tan
on or watch an amazing sunset. Along one side is a glass reflecting pool
with a water room enclosed by cascading curtains of rain.
The
Secret Garden is tucked inside serene plantings of black bamboo. It’s a
quiet place to bring your laptop and a snack. Work or read at our long
sturdy tables. It’s also the right place to bring your yoga mat for
quiet meditation.
The Great Lawn @ THE OUT offers everything you need to enjoy the
great outdoors. The grass is green. The beanbag chairs are soft. There’s
enough green space on the Great Lawn for outdoor games or events. With a
hilled stage at the north end, it’s the perfect place for a wedding
ceremony, cocktail party or press junket. And whatever the occasion,
Ktchn can be there to cater your every culinary need.
THE OUT NYC concept has been so successful, developers are now
seeking to expand to other cities – and are looking at locations possibly in Washington DC and Chicago. One source told us The OUT is even looking at Milan, the fashion capital of the world, by year end!
Stay tuned! We’ll have
more details soon!
THE OUT NYC, Urban Resort.
Stay. Play. Eat. Chill. Revive.
510 West 42nd Street, New York City, NY 10036
Russia Could Enact Anti-Gay Law Nationwide
Russia was never on the top of my short wish list, of places to visit. Now it looks like I will never go there!
Church would make it illegal nationwide to provide minors with
information that is defined as “propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism,
bisexuality and transgenderism.”
events that promote gay rights. St. Petersburg and a number of other
Russian cities already have similar laws on their books.
The bill is part of an effort to promote traditional Russian values as
opposed to Western liberalism, which the Kremlin and church see as
corrupting Russian youth and by extension contributing to a wave of
protest against President Vladimir Putin’s rule.
Samburov describes the anti-gay bill as part of a Kremlin crackdown on
minorities of any kind — political and religious as well as sexual —
designed to divert public attention from growing discontent with Putin’s
rule.
READ MORE AT ABC
Las Vegas Rolls Out Pink Carpet for Gays and Lesbians
The board commissioned a series of cool and fun ads featuring
average looking straight couples amidst gay and lesbian
revelry.
In the last 10 years, Las Vegas has really made an effort to welcome the gay community. Voted in the top three most popular US destinations by GLBT travelers, Las Vegas is a playground for adults and has it all!
Recognized as a safe, culturally diverse and supportive city, Las
Vegas is on par with cities such as San Francisco, New York and Miami Beach in
welcoming the gay community. With more options than ever before, it’s no
surprise that gays and lesbians are booking their stay at one of the many 4 star hotels in Las Vegas with their
friends for a few nights.
see more at BEST GAY LAS VEGAS
Gay Travel to Sizzling MIAMI in March for Winter Party
WINTER PARTY in Miami is one of the funnest weeks I have ever had.
The 2013 Winter Party Festival in beautiful Miami Beach, is one of the most anticipated events of the year, the hottest winter in the world. WPF’13 features six action-packed days and nights, nine spectacular dance parties and over 10,500 guests from around the world.
Party with a Purpose: Winter
Party Festival proceeds benefit the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
and local Miami nonprofit organizations that serve the LGBT community.
Launched in 1994 as a one-time charity dance event on the sands of
beautiful South Beach, Winter Party Festival has evolved into a
week-long series of events benefiting the LGBT community nationally and
locally. A portion of the net proceeds of WPF support the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s
efforts to take action, build power and create change for LGBT
people. The majority of the proceeds are donated to local service
organizations through a grant-making process administered by The Miami Foundation.
GET TICKETS ONLINE!
Booster Bag Scam at Airports – BEWARE!
They say do not leave your bags unattended…well, DO NOT LET YOUR BAGS OUT OF YOUR SITE!
Laguna Beach Paradise Found
When I first visited California about 20 years ago, I was living in Michigan at the time. I bought something at a store and used a credit card and had to show my ID. The salesman said, “Oh! I am from Michigan too! I moved here 5 years ago!”
When I asked why he loved it, he said, “Look around you….this is God’s country! It’s like heaven!” And he was right.
His words stick in my head every time I visit. California is the most beautiful state I have ever visited. From North to South, California has so many beautiful options.
California’s diverse geography ranges from the Pacific Coast in the west, to the Sierra Nevada mountains in the east – from the Redwood–Douglas-fir forests of the northwest, to the Mojave Desert areas in the southeast. The center of the state is dominated by Central Valley, a major agricultural area. California contains both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous United States (Mount Whitney and Death Valley), and has the 3rd longest coastline of all states (after Alaska and Florida).
With seven miles of coastline, Laguna Beach is home to more than
20 coves and beaches (all with public access), you can play in the
water, build sandcastles or explore pristine tidepools. They are a
protected marine preserve, so no motorized boats are allowed in or out
of their waters, which keeps the tidepools fresh and teeming with sealife
you can observe at low tide.
Eco-Tours abound from observing dolphins and whales up close, sea kayaking above the colorful garibaldi, or taking a wildlife & beach tour to check out sea lions, seals and
tidepool life. There is also a docent-led tour of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, the only marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation center
of its kind in Orange County.
Laguna Beach became a popular tourist destination in the late 1800s. Today, visitors can catch a glimpse of Laguna’s past by strolling the downtown and stopping at local landmarks, many dating back to the early 20th century. Laguna was a rich artists’ colony and a seaside retreat many Hollywood stars called home.
This is probably my favorite part of Laguna Beach. The downtown is quaint yet contemporary. Discover their walkable downtown village. Eclectic fashion boutiques,
gourmet kitchen and home furnishing stores, art galleries and jewelry
shops offer unique one-of-a-kind finds and gifts. And the first Thursday of the month, they do a gallery walk. First Thursday Art Walk goes year round. The next one is January 3rd, 2013! This free and art educational event is funded by member galleries, lodging establishments, and the City of Laguna Beach. Browse more than 100 art galleries and 72 pieces of
public art. Pick up a self-guided tour map of the artworks at the Laguna
Beach Visitors Center. The map delineates where public sculptures, art
in public places and artist-designed benches are located throughout
town, many of which were created by local artists. You can also tour
working artists’ studios in Laguna Canyon.
Twenty-thousand acres of wilderness attract hikers, bikers, bird watchers, backpackers and Plein Air painters, all of whom find beauty in the area’s hills, cliffs and marine sanctuaries. Hiking,
biking and equestrian trails are located throughout the protected reserves.
Be an artist for a day! Sign up for a Sawdust Studio Art Class where you’ll create a unique art piece to wear or to share, in just one session. Offered every Friday and Saturday at 10am and 2pm, each two-hour workshop is led by a professional artist. Choose from jewelry,
ceramics, pottery or fused glass. Or try an “Art of Tidepooling and Watercolor Journaling” class guided by an art instructor, where you’ll explore tidepools and craft your own watercolor journal of the tiny creatures you observed.
Each summer, Laguna’s renowned art festivals
take place: Art-A-Fair, Festival of Arts and Sawdust Art Festival. ART, ART and more ART!! Meet local artists, take in artist demonstrations and classes, and purchase
unique works of art. The world-famous Pageant of the Masters uses
volunteers, costumes and elaborate sets to create living pictures, and
magically transforms cast members into famous works of art.
Take a cooking class at Laguna Culinary Arts.
Located in Laguna Canyon, Home Chef Classes are held in the evenings;
there’s a weekend program of half- and full-day classes exploring
specific techniques and culinary styles; and a three-day, mid-week class
for beginners. It also features a gourmet Cheese and Wine Shop/Cafe and
Tasting Room offering 350 different wine labels and 90 different
cheeses from around the world, as well as olives, charcuterie, imported
oils & vinegars, breads & crackers, cookbooks and cooking accessories.
See why I LOVE this place?!
Find out more and plan your next California getaway!
Laguna Beach Info
Beautiful Christmas Displays Around the World
It’s like flowers in spring or colorful foliage in fall: You know it’s Christmastime when everywhere you go, there are colored lights and fanciful decorations.
district standbys: The evergreen inventiveness and humor of Macy’s
window displays, or Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Shoppers walk by
carrying gifts, kids are everywhere and holiday music ribbons the whole
scene. It’s like a warm Christmas bath: if holiday shopping has you worn
down early, a visit can help even the Grinchiest visitor find the
spirit.
decades, where cars and tour buses fill with families for hours-long
sightseeing trips. Winn Tours’ “Tacky Lights Tours” drives customers by
some of the area’s best-decorated homes, complete with personalized
Christmas music and a full bar–even eggnog. “We do over 100 of these
tours every season, each with a group of 40 or more people,” says Mark
Pounders, director of operations for Winn Tours. “There are all types:
large families who come together, church groups, office parties.”
From wacky residential displays to professional over-the-top spectacles, AOL Travel has rounded up the 10 Best Christmas Light Displays in the U.S. Unlike your kooky neighbor’s blow up Santa Claus, these Christmas light displays have been bringing visitors back year after year. Some are classy, others tacky — but each one sparkles with unmatched holiday cheer.
Here is the America’s Best Online list of the Best Christmas Light Shows in America. After the top ten light shows and festivals there is a
list of honorable mentions. Many are listed with the approximate dates
they are available for viewing but start and end dates change yearly.
HAPPY GAY HOLIDAYS!
SPONSORED BY….INNdulge Palm Springs
Naked Men in the Desert
