Feb 20
Howie HolbenTravel Tips destinations, gay, Gay Holidays, gay retreats, Gay Tours, gay travel, Gay Trips, Gay Vacations, leisure, recreation, Tips, tours, travel, Travel Tips, Vacations
The majority of travelers that journey to Iceland each year do so to experience its unique, diverse natural beauty that is unlike anything you will find on gay vacations in other countries. From volcanoes and Europe’s largest glacier, to the Northern Lights and the sparsely populated island of Grimsey on the Arctic Circle, Iceland offers unmatched opportunities to experience the outdoors in a whole new way. Kayaking, hiking, rafting, ice climbing, bird watching, whale watching and ocean fishing are all popular activities throughout the country and are ideal for inclusion in adventurous gay tours.
Folks who might prefer a more urban journey will also find what they are looking for in Iceland, particularly in Reykjavik, the nation’s capital, where solo travelers and participants in gay tours will enjoy numerous historical and cultural attractions, a vibrant nightlife, plenty of shopping and dining options, an expansive waterfront and museums.
Nature lovers and birdwatchers will certainly want to take the short journey to Grimsey, an island 25 miles off the northern coast. Its only town, Sandvik, is Iceland’s northernmost settlement and has a population of just 150. Best known for the many bird colonies and steep cliffs that line its shores, folks who include Grimsey in their gay vacations to Iceland might also get to see polar bears, which occasionally arrive on ice drifts from Greenland.
While on Grimsey, participants on gay tours, as well as solo voyagers, will not want to miss the opportunity to get their certificate showing they crossed the Arctic Circle. Iceland’s other outdoor attractions include the glaciers that cover more than 10% of the land, particularly Vatnajokull, Europe’s largest glacier and a popular location for ice climbing.
There are also a number of hiking and sightseeing opportunities throughout the country, including breathtaking cliffs, waterfalls, picturesque coastlines and Videy Island, which is just minutes offshore and is home to the oldest stone building in Iceland, as well as many sculptural art pieces.
The time of year chosen for gay vacations to Iceland is an important factor in determining which of the country’s natural phenomena you will experience during your trip: the Polar Nights, Midnight Sun or Northern Lights.
Regardless of the time of year, there is one must-do activity that no gay vacations to Iceland can be complete without: taking a dip in the Blue Lagoon. This mineral-rich, geothermal seawater pool is located just 45 minutes from Reykjavik and treats visitors to a unique experience with fluorescent blue waters surrounded by black lava rocks.
Pointers about Iceland conceived by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys recommends gay guides and gay romance vacations.
Jan 28
Howie HolbenTravel Tips advice, Gay Holidays, Gay Tours, gay travel, Gay Trips, Gay Vacations, Holidays, leisure, recreation, Tips, tours, travel, Travel Tips, trips, Vacations
Although small, Ecuador offers a vast array of diversity when it comes to geography and various indigenous people with unique languages and cultures. From tropical coastlines to volcanoes that spend much of the year covered in snow, Ecuador is home to varying landscapes that make any time of year a great time for exciting gay tours.
While the Galapagos Islands are perhaps the most frequently visited attraction in Ecuador, the mainland is also filled with numerous activities and sightseeing opportunities that ensure gay tours to Ecuador will be exciting, fulfilling and memorable. Whether you seek an outdoor adventure, a spiritual journey or gay travel that consists of exploring the LGBT community in Quito, trekking through the rainforest and spending lazy afternoons on the beach, you will surely see why so many travelers return to this popular tourist destination year after year.
Quito is unquestionably the center of LGBT life in Ecuador and has a growing community. La Mariscal is the neighborhood where you will find the most friendly establishments, including cafs, bars, clubs and a new community store called Rainbow Connection. There is a Pride celebration in June each year in the bohemian neighborhood of La Mariscal, and this is the place to see and be seen on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the year.
Quito sits at 9,200 feet above sea level against the backdrop of the 13,000-foot Pichincha volcano. The historic district is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and the streets throughout several neighborhoods are lined with art galleries, shops and quaint cafs. There are several major cultural attractions that may be of interest to those on gay vacations to Ecuador, including the Museo de la Ciudad, the Centro de Arte Contemporaneo, the Capilla del Hombre Guayasamin and the Parque el Ejido, where visitors will find an open-air market filled with local handicrafts.
Since the late 1990s, legal rights have expanded in Ecuador with protections that make gay vacations to this beautiful country safer and more enjoyable. However, discretion in public is still a good idea in many places, particularly due to the high level of machismo the still permeates the culture. Those who are considering gay vacations to Ecuador may want to take advantage of pre-arranged gay tours, which allow for a higher level of security and a focus on fun, while travel professionals manage logistical aspects of the voyage and ensure that you will not miss out on some of the most appealing cultural, historic and natural attractions that Ecuador has to offer.
This will allow you to relax and get the most out of your journey, while professional travel organizers take care of the logistics and ensure that you will have the chance to experience the many historic, cultural and natural attractions that Ecuador offers.
Discussion on Ecuador by Howie Holben with info on gay travel destinations and gay travel deals.
categories: gay travel,gay tours,gay vacations,gay holidays,gay trips,travel,vacations,holidays,tours,trips,advice,tips,recreation,leisure
Jan 25
Howie HolbenTravel Tips advice, Gay Holidays, Gay Tours, gay travel, Gay Trips, Gay Vacations, Holidays, leisure, recreation, Tips, tours, travel, Travel Tips, trips, Vacations
Gay tour operators are popping up all over the world and now offer dedicated tours for gays to travel together the world over in small groups. Lesbian and gay tourists can now enjoy Turkey for gay tours.
The gay population of Turkey has grown rapidly over the last 10 years. Subsequently, Turkish gay men have started interacting with other gay people from all around the world, and there have been considerable developments in gay travel.
The gay bars and clubs have also started publishing their own business websites which would have English pages for gay visitors from other countries.
Turkey has a Muslim religion, yet it has a very relaxed attitude compared to other Islamic nations towards gay and lesbian people. Turkey is highly western and progressive allowing gays and lesbians to have a freedom of expression as well as access to fulfilling careers and pursuing romantic intimacy.
Groups are no bigger than 12-15 and are ideal for travelers that are easy going and fun loving people that enjoy getting to know other people and approach the new culture they will visit with a sense of curiosity. At the same time, the small tour group offers a camaraderie and intimacy amongst members where you will bond and make lifelong travel friends. A spirit of adventure, people and new places will ensure that gay adventure travel to Turkey will be a memorable experience for you.
These memorable gay vacations to Turkey are upscale and offer decadent meals and upscale accommodation along with professionally guided tours. Themes include party vibe or easy adventure, cultural and historical trips, safaris or cruises, or nature walks.
Gay tour companies provide travel experiences that are fashioned from carefully selected programs of insightful cultural sightseeing and/or outdoor activities. Not only will they take you off the beaten path, but they will also take you to some exciting well-trodden spots where they’ll show you a uniqueness and subtlety that most tourists never dream of.
Tour operators allow you to create your own tour if you cannot find a suitable package on the website suitable to your schedule where you can create your very own itinerary. Choose from the normal tour guides and books to create your own itinerary. Pick from any or all of the sights mentioned or request a place that was not mentioned, anywhere in Turkey. Greek Islands tours and Blue voyage cruises within Turkey are offered for private groups, big or small to fit in with your vacation period.
Rest assured that in planning your own gay vacation to Turkey, all major tourist attractions are connected with public bus transport, be it long distance or short distance.
The Turkish railway system is not very reliable and comfortable at all. Domestic flights are available from Istanbul to all other local as well as all international airports. Charter flights are only available during peak tourism season and are rare even then.
When you plan a gay trip to Turkey, book in advance, especially if you plan on going during peak season in order to avoid delays on any requirements for flights and accommodation.
Info post about Turkey originated by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys suggests gay vacation spots and is a place for gay spiritual singles.
categories: gay travel,gay tours,gay vacations,gay holidays,gay trips,travel,vacations,holidays,tours,trips,advice,tips,recreation,leisure
Jan 11
Howie HolbenTravel Tips advice, Gay Holidays, Gay Tours, gay travel, Gay Trips, Gay Vacations, Holidays, leisure, recreation, Tips, tours, travel, Travel Tips, trips, Vacations
Those seeking gay vacations will love Bali as a destination that offers historical, cultural and spiritual sites, welcoming residents and plenty to see and do.
Whether opting for solo gay vacations or gay tours, LGBT travelers will find that Bali has much to offer, including wonderful beaches, delicious cuisine, beautiful temples, volcanoes, terraced rice fields, exceptional shopping and even LGBT scenes in some of its major cities. From countryside villages offering handmade crafts, to fashionable boutiques and elegant hotels, Bali is a diverse, intriguing island country that is simply waiting to be explored.
Kuta, Seminyak and Legian each has an array of clubs, spas, restaurants and bars from which to choose, providing a variety of nighttime entertainment opportunities for LGBT travelers looking for a night out on the town. Drag shows are very popular in Bali and there are several clubs that offer shows throughout the week. The most popular of these is Hulu Caf, which is well-known for being Bali’s original drag club and hosts performers six nights each week, often with internationally-known drag performers.
When on gay vacations to Bali, travelers also often indulge in a day at at least one of Bali’s popular garden or beachfront spa and eatery establishments. The two most visited options are Bonita’s and Callego Caf & Spa, each of which is located in Seminyak and offers drinks, food, spa services and massage.
There is a cruisy wooded area nearby and Petitenget, along with Ganesha Beach in Seminyak and Blue Ocean Beach in Kata, is one of the beaches well-visited by the community. There is also a popular Italian restaurant in Petitenget Beach, La Lucciola, which offers an upscale dining experience with an all-male staff.
Whether you wish to partake in gay travel to Bali to experience the community there, or for an excursion based on spiritual growth and renewal, you are sure to find just what you are looking for in this beautiful country that has much to offer.
One of the best ways to experience Bali is to participate in a gay vacation, which are a great way to make new friends, take in some of Bali’s most important historical and cultural sites and allow well-versed travel professionals who regularly organize gay tours to take care of the logistics of the trip for you. This will allow you to focus on getting the most from your travel experience and to create lifelong memories, while avoiding dealing with the more mundane aspects of trip planning.
Howie Holben has been a world traveler for over 30 years. He is the caretaker of Spirit Journeys, a spiritually based gay travel group. Spirit Journeys has offered gay tours to Bali and gay travel in Bali since 1992.
categories: gay vacations,gay travel,gay tours,gay holidays,gay trips,travel,vacations,tours,holidays,trips,advice,tips,recreation,leisure
Jan 11
Howie HolbenTravel Tips destinations, gay, Gay Holidays, gay retreats, Gay Tours, gay travel, Gay Vacations, leisure, recreation, sexuality, Tips, tourism, travel, Travel Tips, Vacations
The diverse geography and culture of New Zealand has always made it a hotspot as a destination for gay tours, due in part to the accepting, open mindset of the locals and important laws that forbid discrimination against LGBT community members, as well as the country’s natural allure and numerous adventures and activities available in every region of this awe-inspiring nation.
LGBT folks looking for gay holidays to New Zealand will find a wide variety of choices, including opting for a relaxing beachside respite, hiking through breathtaking wilderness, snowboarding and snow skiing at popular resorts or indulging in the exciting nightlife of New Zealand’s cosmopolitan towns and cities. Whether you are looking for a family-friendly vacation at the beach, or a raucous week of Pride events, New Zealand has much to offer for gay vacations of all sorts.
Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and Hamilton are just a few of the cities of New Zealand where you will find visible, large LGBT communities, Pride celebrations and a wide variety of clubs, businesses, pubs and restaurants all catering to the community. Those interested in a city gay vacation will find that these metro areas provide numerous options that are sure to please travelers interested in a lively nightlife and a plethora of entertainment, dining and shopping options from which to choose. If you want to include skiing or snowboarding into your gay travel plans, you will be pleased to know that there are various ski resorts on South Island and North Island, which makes it easy to take a day trip to the mountains between sightseeing tours, cultural events or visiting New Zealand’s smaller islands.
New Zealand gay vacations can be centered around spiritual awakening or renewal, spending long days at beautiful beaches, snowboarding and skiing, or partaking in enticing adventures that appeal to families, groups of friends or couples. While there is simply too much to see and do to manage to fit it all into just one trip, planning to partake in a gay vacation with an organized tour group is one of the best ways to make sure you do not miss some of the best sights and experiences that New Zealand offers.
For folks who would rather travel solo, planning your trip through a gay vacations agency is the best way to stay up to date on the latest LGBT goings-on, as well as current information that is helpful to the members of the LGBT community when traveling in New Zealand.
Score by Howie Holben about New Zealand gay couples travel. Spirit Journeys also offers gay rafting adventures.
categories: gay travel,gay vacations,gay tours,gay holidays,gay retreats,travel,tourism,tips,gay,sexuality,destinations,vacations,recreation,leisure
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