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TravelOut
By
Sandra Wilkins
I
Have a Feeling We’re Not in Kansas Anymore
Your travel primer to the top gay travel destinations
in the U.S. and the world
Where
should you spend your hard-earned (and greedily sought-after)
gay travel dollars? Let’s take a peek at familiar
destinations, and a few you may not have thought about.
Gay
USA: My top 5 picks
San
Diego, California
Why: So cool, such incredible natural beauty, such a
wonderfully integrated gay community, so much to see
and do. The gay scene centers in the Hillcrest area.
And, it’s always spring so it’s always time
for the convertible!
When: Year-round destination.
More info: www.gaysandiego.org.
Fort
Lauderdale, Florida
Why: This hopping place won Out & About’s “Destination
of the Year” for 1999 for its miles of beautiful
beaches, fantastic guesthouses, shops, clubs, and restaurants.
When: May to October is best. Avoid springbreak time.
More info: www.gaytraveling.com.
Providence,
Rhode Island
Why: Southwest Airlines flies nonstop from Houston Hobby
once a day. This charmer embodies the culture and charm
of a big city without the intimidation or bustle. She’s
a beautiful place, sits on the river and is home to
the Rhode Island School of Design and the Culinary Archives
and Museum, and is a stone’s throw from the “cottages”
at Newport.
When: Year round, May–October are best for Providence,
while you should avoid Newport like the plague during
those months.
More info: www.visitrhodeisland.com.
Ogunquit,
Maine
Why: Because if you’re educated, upscale, and sophisticated,
you deserve this place: New England’s quiet gay
getaway. It’s 60 miles north of Boston, sitting
on one of the most beautiful beaches in Maine, and rich
with art and theater history.
When: May through October, busiest in July and August.
More info: www.gayogunquit.com.
South
Miami Beach, Florida
Why: Now a well-known favorite, but the ongoing evolution
of South Beach brings on an Exorcist-like head-spin;
even if you went six months ago, it’ll look different
next week. And it’s hard to find a funkier, more
fun, more flavorful place to spend a weekend or a week.
When: Year round, but April to October is best. Avoid
major holidays.
More info: www.gaysouthbeach.com
Gay
World: My top 5 picks:
Paris,
France
Why: Those progressive French welcome gay travelers.
The French Government Tourist Office even publishes
a wonderful brochure: “Gay Friendly France”
(Call 1-800-2-France to order your copy). The “Montrose”
of Paris is Le Marais district, the heart of gay Paris,
with new clubs, bars, and restaurants opening every
day. Though gay life is concentrated in Le Marais, you’ll
encounter a warm welcome anywhere in this most beautiful
and romantic city in the world.
When: Year round. March–April, and October–November
are cheapest and less crowded.
More info: www.francetourism.com.
Prague,
Czech Republic
Why: Mercifully spared the ravages of destruction from
WWI and WWII, Prague is an architectural wonderland
and cultural heaven. More performance (opera, theater,
dance, and sidewalk jazz bands) occurs here daily than
one can possibly appreciate. Gay visitors delight in
the open and welcoming atmosphere that pervades this
breathtakingly beautiful city. And...it is cheap!
When: April through October is best.
More info: www.czechcenter.com.
Bangkok,
Thailand
Why: You want exotic, this is the place for you. Nicknamed
“Land of Smiles,” Thais are friendly, warm,
and gracious. For the gay traveler with sex on the itinerary,
you won’t be disappointed here. Bangkok sports
a thriving gay nightlife, and sex and tourism go hand
in hand here. Most popular for gay men are the “go-go”
clubs, where incredibly beautiful young men dance on
a catwalk as patrons “shop.” Beyond this lure
is a rich and delicate culture with fine food, good
shopping, and fascinating architecture at various wats
(temples) scattered around the city.
When: Hot and humid year round. Best to visit November
through May, the dry season.
More info: www.thaimex.com/patpdf.html
and www.tourismthailand.org.
Cape
Town, South Africa
Why: Since apartheid was abolished just a few years
ago, South Africa has rapidly become a very important
gay travel destination. Like Prague, those who’ve
gone come home saying, “You have to go there.”
You may be surprised to find this African country a
dream come true to gay people; it’s one of the
few countries in the world to prohibit discrimination
based on sexual orientation. Cape Town enjoys a beautiful
setting, surrounded by the sea and towered over by Table
Mountain. Three gay-popular beaches provide fun in the
sun: Stunning Sandy Bay is a nude beach, and Clifton
3 and Graaff’s Pool (men-only gay nude sunbathing)
are also worth a visit.
You’ll love Cape Town, but try to visit some other
parts of this amazing country, including the Wine Route,
The Blyde River Canyon, and Kruger Park.
When: Remember, this is in the Southern Hemisphere,
so the seasons are flip-flopped. Best to visit the Cape
Province January–April.
More info: www.aztec.co.za/aztec/capetown.html.
Amsterdam,
The Netherlands
Why: Who wouldn’t want to encounter the most enlightened
and liberal gay city in Europe? The city’s gay
citizens are so thoroughly integrated with the rest
of her inhabitants it’s hard to tell who’s
who. A snug little city, built around charming canals,
one can “do” Amsterdam in four days. This
jewel abounds in gay and gay-friendly accommodations,
and she’s an all-night party town, with some of
the finest museums in the world. Besides, where else
in the world can you legally smoke marijuana in your
favorite coffee shop?
When: Year-round, off-season is best.
More info: www.goholland.com.
Gay Tours: My top 5 picks for Fall 2000
Most
Affordable:
Club RSVP Cancun, Nov. 4-11 from $899. RSVP takes over
the entire Club Med Village for the week. Located at
the end of hotel row, you’ll enjoy the privacy
and fun of a Club RSVP week, but be able to venture
out and experience all that Cancun has to offer, along
with the rich Mayan history of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Men and women welcomed.
More Info: www.mexico-travel.com
and www.rsvp.net.
Most Luxurious:
South Africa & Botswana with David’s Trips
and Tours, Nov. 4-19, $5,500 land. Here’s your
chance for the splurge you’ve been dreaming of.
Cape Town, five nights at the luxurious Table Bay Hotel,
two nights in Johannesburg, three nights safari in Botswana
at the Phinda Private Game Reserve, winner of Best Game
Lodge in Southern Africa, and three nights in Sun City
at the remarkable resort, Palace of the Lost City. Price
includes luxury accommodations, sightseeing, and 13
breakfasts, seven lunches and eight dinners. Men and
women welcomed.
More info: www.africasafari.co.za/phinda.html
and www.davidtours.com.
Most
Exotic:
Morocco “Swords & Sabres,” Oct. 22-29,
$1,599 includes air from New York. This is an all-inclusive,
six-night gay vacation at a seaside resort in the village
of Agadir, Morocco. All meals, open bar, sports and
instruction, fabulous entertainment, a major dance party
featuring DJ David Knapp from NYC, a fashion show, optional
excursions, and more. A two-night extension to Marrakech
is priced at $199.
More
info: www.tourism-in-morocco.com
and www.damrongaytravel.com.
Most
Adventurous:
Trek the Himalayas in Nepal with Toto Tours, Oct. 14-28,
$2,395 land. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure concentrates
on spending unhurried time hiking in the shadows of
the Himalayas. In addition, visit the palaces and temples
near Katmandu, then transfer to Chitwan National Park,
a tropical jungle within 100 miles of glacial peaks,
where, borne high on the shoulders of elephants, you’ll
take a safari in search of rare Bengal tigers.
More info: www.welcomenepal.com
and www.tototours.com.
Most
Butch:
Horseback Holiday at the Lazy El Ranch, Sept. 10-16,
$1,875 land. Grab your cowboy hat and boots and head
to Montana for an authentic Wild West experience. Just
30 miles from Yellowstone National Park, on this 15,000-acre
working ranch, gay-owned and -operated, you’ll
drive cattle, ride horses, raft rivers, hike, and sight-see
by day, and sing campfire songs by night! Men and women
welcomed.
More info: www.travel50.com/montana/tourism
and www.outwestadventures.com.
Sandra
Wilkins is owner of The Travel Partnership in Houston.
She can be reached at outtravl1@aol.com.
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