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
Nov 22
Howie HolbenTravel Tips destinations, gay, Gay Holidays, gay retreats, Gay Tours, gay travel, Gay Vacations, leisure, recreation, sexuality, Tips, tourism, travel, Travel Tips, Vacations
India is a country with many distinguishing characteristics and has plenty to offer all kinds of travelers. From pristine coastlines to snow-covered Himalayas, and all of the diverse terrain between the two, India offers abundant gay trips to relax or partake in amazing adventures. India has long been a center for spirituality and important advancements in natural medicine, making a gay vacation to India the perfect option for those in search of the opportunity to center themselves, rejuvenate their spiritual side and refocus on the things that really matter in life.
The multidimensional character of India also allows for gay vacations that focus on exploring sacred, historical and cultural sites, trekking through untouched wilderness, shopping in traditional bazaars and high-end boutiques, indulging in delicious cuisine or learning about life in a rural village.
When on a gay vacation to India, it can be difficult, or sometimes impossible, to find a visible LGBT community, even in larger cities. Delhi took a very important step in decriminalizing same-sex sexual behavior in that city in 2009, when the Delhi High Court overturned a British colonial law that had been on the books for–8 years. This law included same-sex sexual behavior in the behaviors that are outlawed as “carnal intercourse against the order of nature” and is no longer on the books in Delhi; however, elsewhere in the country, the acts defined under “carnal intercourse against the order of nature” are still a criminal offense for both straight and gay people, and are punishable by fines and imprisonment, including imprisonment for life.
While activists are fervently working to change this law throughout the country, folks who take a gay trip to India should be aware that both gay and straight people can still be prosecuted under this law, which can result in fines and imprisonment, including life sentences. Nonetheless, there are still some hangouts that can be identified, as well as cruising areas, which can be found in most countries, regardless of conservative laws or beliefs. Both the government and Indian society have mixed feelings about LGBT people, but a continued movement towards acceptance continues to make India an even better destination for gay tours.
Same-sex relationships may still hold a taboo status in much of India, but this has not stopped this beautiful, diverse country from being a highly popular destination for gay holidays, and LGBT travelers typically report no issues during their gay travel. One way to ensure that your India gay vacation is a fulfilling, safe, remarkable trip is to arrange to take part in a tour organized by a trustworthy, well-established company that is experienced in providing exceptional trips and tours catering to LGBT folks. When you choose to take part in an organized tour group, you are taking an important step in ensuring that your trip to India will be full of opportunities to take in the country’s most amazing attractions, awaken your spirituality at important sacred sites, experience life-changing moments and create lifelong memories.
Column about India created by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys has a great gay holidays list and also presents gay yoga.
categories: gay travel,gay vacations,gay tours,gay holidays,gay retreats,travel,tourism,tips,gay,sexuality,destinations,vacations,recreation,leisure
Nov 18
Howie HolbenTravel Tips adventure, advice, entertainment, Gay Holidays, Gay Tours, gay travel, Gay Vacations, health, leisure, recreation, relationships, sports, travel, Travel Tips
Want to blend romance with the exotic adventures? Then give Cape Town, South Africa a visit. Cape Town needs to be on the list of anyone that wantsgay vacations. With its wide variety of resources, you will not get bored. It is exotic, wild and civilized all at the some time. A great time away for both of you.
Cape Town is bordered by the mountains on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other sided. The blue skies with fluffy clouds will lull you into a deep sense of relaxation. The beaches will make want to never leave.
The Glen Boutique Hotel is gay owned and operated, and perfect little romantic hide-away. The rooms are gorgeous with marble appointed bathrooms. Marco’s African Place is a great spot for dinner or give Off Moroka Cafe Africaine a visit for more traditional African food. There are many places to stay and eat that are gay-friendly.
There is plenty to do in Cape Town once you’ve rested long enough on the beach. Visit the wine country or museums, The Bo-Kapp Museum, District Six Museum and National Gallery should not be missed. And the nightlife in Cape Town is amazing! From little bars to major clubs, Cape Town has them all.
The Rhodes Memorial is built on the slopes of Devil’s Peak. This memorial is in honor of Cecil Rhodes, a gay entrepreneur from Great Britain and founder of the Rhodes Scholarship and the DeBeers company. After you have done all this, it will be time to head back to the beaches again to rest up a bit so you’re ready for the clubs again.
It has been said before, but please do not miss the wonderful South African beaches. Cape Town has wonderful gay tours, such as wildlife, beaches and nightlife. A great place for that special vacation for you and your partner.
Info by Howie Holben about Cape Town post formulated by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys proposes gay vacation ideas and gay vacation destinations.
categories: gay travel,gay vacations,gay holidays,gay tours,travel,adventure,relationships,advice,entertainment,recreation,leisure,sports,health
Nov 17
Howie HolbenTravel Tips destinations, gay, Gay Holidays, gay retreats, Gay Tours, gay travel, Gay Vacations, leisure, recreation, sexuality, Tips, tourism, travel, Travel Tips, Vacations
Egypt hosts a wide variety of historical, cultural and religious sites, which makes the entire country fascinating. Gay travel to Egypt can include anything from taking a cruise on the Nile, crossing the desert on a camel, shopping in open-air souks, and taking in the awe-inspiring Great Pyramids of Giza, to shopping and dining in modern cities and relaxing on the pristine white sands of world-famous beaches. From the Temple of Edfu and the burial tombs in the Valley of Kings, to browsing through the Khan al Khalili Bazaar or visiting King Tutankhamun’s treasures in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt truly has endless offerings. Folks planning a gay vacation to Africa will not want to pass up the mystique and allure of Egypt, which is an excellent choice for gay travel.
While Egypt is a great destination for gay vacations, there are some points of interest to members of the LGBT community. The Egyptian government has become more aggressive in its efforts to arrest and imprison gay men in recent years, including a very public trial of over 50 men arrested on a boat hosting a night club in 2001 and several undercover sting operations in gathering spots, online chat rooms and other venues, which have led to arrests and imprisonment.
Most of these efforts have been aimed at arresting Egyptian men; however, in some instances women and tourists have also been included. One of the most publicized cases of a sting operation that led to numerous arrests and imprisonment was the 2001 raid of the Queen Boat, which resulted in the arrest of over 50 men.
That being said, this does not at all mean that Egypt should be avoided when it comes to gay vacation travel, or that visitors will be confronted with constant homophobia from locals. In contrast, most travelers who have taken Egyptian gay vacations have found the locals to be welcoming and warm, and have reported no issues with the police or government during their stay. While there is no real, visible LGBT community in most parts of the country, there are well-known gathering places in Luxor, Alexandria, Dahab, Aswan, Cairo and other larger cities. Of course, discretion is important when visiting local hotspots, since the police force is also aware of these hangouts.
Egypt is an intriguing country that is home to many must-see cultural and historical attractions. To help ensure a safe excursion and make sure that you do not miss out on some of Egypt’s best offerings, anyone planning gay vacations to Egypt may want to look into partaking in a tour specifically focused on planning gay travel adventures. Alternatively, folks planning gay vacations to Egypt should definitely go through a travel agent well-versed in the specific needs and concerns of the LGBT community.
Post about Egypt authored by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys presents gay retreats for gay spiritual singles and couples.
categories: gay travel,gay vacations,gay tours,gay holidays,gay retreats,travel,tourism,tips,gay,sexuality,destinations,vacations,recreation,leisure
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