Prince Harry & David Beckham top the men most people would like to spend a long weekend away with, according to new research.
CREDIT: H&M
The prince topped the poll of famous people Brits would most like to join them for a short break.
In second place is Friends favourite, Jennifer Aniston, followed by footballing megastar, David Beckham.
Commissioned by Best Western Great Britain hotels, 2,000 UK adults were surveyed to see who they would like to spend a quick getaway with.
Andrew Denton, Director of Communications at Best Western Great Britain hotels, which commissioned the study, said,
“The British public have spoken and crowned Prince Harry their King.
“He was a popular break date choice in the poll but you don’t need to be royalty to enjoy a perfect break.”
Aussie pop queen Kylie Minogue also featured in top 10, along with soap star, Michelle Keegan.
Some of the notable entries in the women’s list included veteran heart-throb Johnny Depp, X-Men star Hugh Jackman and singing sensation Adele.
While Luther actor Idris Elba and The Night Manager‘s Tom Hiddleston appeared too.
The findings follow a survey of 2,000 people which identified the signs you need are in need of break.
It found that if you repeatedly hit snooze on the alarm, forget a loved one’s birthday, or put milk in the cupboard and cereal in the fridge then the chances are you need a break.
Swearing more often, entering a room but forgetting why, and finding grey hairs also featured.
Having a messy house but not wanting want to tidy it, getting into a mild rage when queuing in the supermarket or eating more and more comfort food are also signs a break is needed.
While no longer having the energy to make small talk at work and over reacting when your work computer crashes are more reasons for some time away.
On average, people will put up with five different signs a break is needed before they will actually commit to going somewhere nice.
Other signs a rest might be a good idea include shouting at the telly more often and secretly wanting to dislike photos on Facebook when friends share their holiday snaps.
Realising you’ve consumed your weekly quota of wine when it’s only Wednesday also featured, along with accidentally leaving the house with your slippers still on.
Andrew Denton, Director of Communications at Best Western Great Britain hotels, said:
“The results show it’s time the great British public stopped struggling and gave themselves a proper break.
“We all know how easy it is to put up with everyday stresses, but it doesn’t need to be like that. Britain deserves a break and Best Western is here to help.”
A study of 2,000 found a large percentage purposely keep their phones on during their sunshine break while one in five says they have to check their work emails while on holiday ‘just to be able to relax’.
Research revealed millions of us find it hard to switch off even after we have landed at our chosen destination, with worrying about targets or work performance, job security and office politics the main issues.
In fact, Brits lose the best part of two days of the typical holiday to worry or stress from their home life, before they can properly switch off, results showed.
The research, which was commissioned by Travelbag.co.uk, the tailor-made long-haul holiday specialist, found the average person spends at least 15 minutes per day contemplating work while supposedly on holiday.
And over a fifth can’t help but day dream about work while on the beach or relaxing by the pool.
While fears over mounting workloads and what they’ll be returning to plagues a third of Brits.
Other stresses which tend to follow us on holiday include nagging thoughts over finances, followed by general work worry and the worry about family other members’ health.
“It’s no secret that the expectations and pressures surrounding modern working lives have changed.
“Increasingly, workers are asked to be more contactable and as a result it can be much harder to separate work and leisure time.
“Making sure people get the time to properly unwind and disconnect from their routines and regular stresses is important in keeping people happy, relaxed and returning to work all the better for it after a break.”
Results also showed we can be our own worst enemy even when there’s nothing to worry about– a fifth of tortured holiday goers say they imagine problems going on at work in their absence and that it puts them on edge.
A frazzled one in six workers say their work expects them to be contactable even while on holiday.
That’s why one in seven has checked emails while poolside or at the beach and says that they would be worried on returning to work if they hadn’t made any contact before stepping back into the office.
Worryingly more than a quarter of people said they found going away for a holiday more stressful than relaxing at times.
And 14 per cent of those polled said they’d wished they hadn’t gone on holiday in the first place after returning to massive workloads.
Hopkinson adds:
“The research shows people not only struggling to switch off but actually needing to check work emails in order to gain peace of mind, even while on holiday.
“If you do need to be available on your holiday, set a particular time with your work colleagues, to highlight when you’ll be checking your emails, and make sure you stick to it.”
April 2016 marked a huge milestone for the new gay beach festival called TropOut, which debuted on the island of Phuket is southern Thailand. The event was masterminded by founder Aaron Zoanetti after finding a lack of diverse travel experiences designed with LGBT people in mind.
CREDIT: Two Bad Tourists
Feeling comfortable in a new destination as an LGBT traveler is always an issue particularly for gay friends or couples traveling together. So with that goal in mind, Thailand was not surprisingly selected as the location for the first event. I attended the festival from April 3rd through 9th and was amazed by what came together.
This wasn’t my first trip to Thailand but it was certainty my favourite. Having not been in Asia for nearly four years I had almost forgotten the attention to service and detail that one experiences and Thailand is no exception. I flew from London Heathrow via Bangkok to Phuket and was lucky enough to get an upgrade to business class. Somehow beyond my comprehension Thai Airways’ A380, the largest passenger aircraft on the planet, manages to transport more than 500 people on a single plane to the Thai capital in just under 12 hours. The ride was incredibly comfortable in fantastic lie-flat seats making the journey one I almost didn’t want to end. Still, my destination was Phuket and I had one last quick flight to catch in Bangkok before arriving.
CREDIT: Thai Airways / Two Bad Tourists
Having traveled from London the day before, the hot and humid air hit my face suddenly. I wasn’t sure what was in store but I was pleasantly surprised to have already met four attendees at the airport and we shared a quick 20 minute transfer to the hotel. Some 30 minutes south of the bustling area of Patong sits the Laguna Phuket complex made up by several separate resorts. TropOut coordinated with two properties specifically to host guests depending on budget and the amenities they were looking for. The 4-star Cassia is brand new, trendy and hip and hosted most guests on the trip creating a hub where guests could meet and socialize throughout the week. Those wishing for a bit more luxury opted for the 5-star Angsana Resort just a five minute boat or bus ride away. I stayed all six nights at the Angansa Resort complete with numerous pools, bars and restaurants, indoor and outdoor activities and most importantly, a private beach and fabulous beach club just minutes away from my room.
I wondered why Zoanetti was so motivated having spent the last year organizing for this event , but within less than a day his vision unraveled before my eyes. TropOut is exactly what most large gay festivals are not. The fact of the matter is that gay circuit parties have for years (and even decades) been a motivation for people to travel to an exotic destination. The likes of XLSIOR Mykonos, Circuit Barcelona and The White Party in Palm Springs may be successful events, but for some they leave something to be desired. Sure, TropOut understands that people love a good party. After all, their simple yet effective slogan Chill, Party and Explore makes clear the goal of the event. In fact, everyday of the program included a social gathering including a pool party, white party, a night out in Patong’s gay Paradise Complex, not to mention the opening party headlined by famous DJ Robin Schulz at Angsana’s Xana Beach Club.
CREDIT: Two Bad Tourists
But even as the parties went on, TropOut did not lose sight of what they think is an important part of travel, which promotes experiencing the local scene, gastronomy, culture and natural landscapes of the destination. This is why more than half of the attendees booked an excursion like a Thai cooking class, Phuket city tour or one of two stunning boat tours to either Kho Phi Phi Islands or Phang Nga Bay. Not only were these excursions enjoyable for the guests but they provided an extra social atmosphere within the group beyond the daily parties and gatherings.
The agenda was meticulously created but not in such detail that guests lost freedom. There was plenty of time for people to chill and relax by the beach or even sleep in through the afternoon for those that stayed out partying late the night before. But perhaps the most memorable part of the experience were the friendships that were created. Just as Aaron explained to me some months ago, the vision of TropOut was to create a more sophisticated gay travel experience with like-minded people. And the truth is that within just a couple days I had already formed friendships with people that I’m excited to meet again on future trips or maybe even the next TropOut event.
CREDIT: Two Bad Tourists
And as luck has it, the TropOut team announced the dates and location for the next festival, which is already in the works. If you’ve ever dreamt of visiting the South Pacific this might be the perfect opportunity. From May 6 to 13 of 2017 the island of New Caledonia will host the next version of TropOut. Situated between Australia and Fiji and just a two hour’s flight from Brisbane, next year’s event in the beautiful French Overseas Territory is sure not to disappoint.
One of the things you’ll find if you’re staying in Manhattan is that hotel rooms come in two sizes. Small and extra small – that is unless you’re staying at the Hilton near Times Square.
Some may argue that the location is too conventional and too safe and that the “real” New York happens several blocks away, but if you’re a Big Apple novice and you’re looking for a friendly place in a city of over 8 million people, the Hilton is a perfect choice.
Nice, France – February: Each year, for the entire month of February, Nice on the French Riviera is overtaken with celebrations of the Carnaval.
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
This year, due to recent events in Paris, the festival was reduced to two and a half weeks. At the heart of the festival, is the King and Queen of Carnival, two massive floats that sit in the city centre presiding over each and every day of the Carnival, while the city celebrates with flower parades, parades of light and the very first Queernaval in France, until the final day, when the king is towed out to sea and burned.
CREDIT: Aaron HollowayCREDIT: Aaron Holloway
The weekend I visited Nice, the sun was shining brightly and the city was warm. Upon arriving at the simply stunning Ellington Hotel a short walking distance from the centre of the Nice old town, I was taken immediately by the old-world charm of the hotel. The interior is decorated with deep colours reminiscent of 19th century French design. The colours are deep and the light fittings opulent. My suite looked out over the street and the king sized bed was so deliciously soft that I nearly fell asleep right there after my flight down from Bremen.
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
However, the days were perfect to wander the streets and explore the little hidden secrets of the Nice old town. While the main parts of the city are easy to find, from the main market square in the old town, right next to Matisse’s old home, along the main shopping area, filled with adorable little shops and cafes, restaurants and bars, up to Place Garibaldi, named after the Nicoise politician who is considered one of the fathers of unified Italy, despite Nice eventually becoming part of France in the 1800’s.
The traditional Nicoise style and architecture is still apparent in the old town, with tall closely huddled buildings in terracotta, yellows and pale pinks lining the streets, often with traditionally green shutters. The street signs are also given in the traditional Nicoise names, as well as the new French names. Sometimes these are simple translations, but other times, the names are entirely different.
If you take a moment to walk away from the crowds, and through the back streets, you get to see a completely different part of the city. The hustle and bustle of the crowds dies away and the streets seem quiet. Looking up, you can see people’s washing hanging from the lines outside windows, it really feels as though you have been pulled backwards through time and the modern world isn’t important. The most interesting thing about these back streets, is that for the most part, there really isn’t anything to do. There are no café’s hidden away, no little secret stores. These are the houses of the people who live in the old town, or the backs of the stores that can be found in the other streets. If you take the right streets, perhaps with the help of Google Maps, you can wander your way through the back streets and find the memorial to Nice’s very own ‘Joan of Arc’ character, Catarina Ségurana who led the army to fight back an invasion attempt by the French king and his Ottoman allies in 1543. Wander further and you’ll find the back steps up to where the Nice castle used to stand, looking out over the city, until Louis the 14th had it dismantled block by block after taking it by siege. The view is incredible over the entire city of Nice, across the Med towards the airport and beyond, and back towards the alps that the city nestles itself against.
Aside from exploring the town, there is another great reason to visit Nice during Carnival, and that is: the parties. Particularly, Lou Queernaval. Organised by the same people who manage the LGBT organisation and the Nice Pride parade, Queernaval is the first LGBT Carnival in France, and this year, returned for a triumphant second year of celebrations. The streets were jam packed with people, both gay and straight, celebrating queer culture in Nice and the surrounding areas. The parade took place in Messina Square, in the heart of the city, between the old and new towns. People packed the stadium seating, and crammed in around the floats on the road, dressed in all manner of costumes and outrageous outfits to celebrate the event.
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
On the day of the big event we stopped for lunch at the long-time family owned Acciardo restaurant where we were served by the younger generation of the family a delightful pair who served us an incredible selection of traditional nicoise food: a gnocchi made from Shard, a particularly traditional ingredient for Nice, Daube a slow cooked beef stew served with ravioli – a particularly incredible, but heavy dish, alongside nicoise salad and traditional entrées. I honestly have not eaten so much food in a long time, followed by a lemon meringue tart which we had to share, simply because we couldn’t eat a whole one. It was a good thing we had plenty of errands to run in the afternoon, including getting some spiffing costumes to wear to the parade. I decided along with two others who I joined at the festival, to go as French noblemen. I was ‘The Old Comte De Plonge’, joined by Monsignor La Vache, and The Comte de Frou Frou (thanks French & Saunders for the names!)
For dinner we were treated to some more local cuisine at the L’Empire restaurant. Succulent legs of chicken resting on beds of potato salad with a rich mushroom sauce, and fluffy chocolate sponge cake which was just to die for. There is one thing for sure, if you visit Nice, you won’t go hungry, and you won’t be starved for choices.
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
We quickly moved on to the Queernaval to see the show begin, and it did not disappoint. The event was hosted by the fabulously dressed Erwan, complete with a massive pair of feather wings. He was joined at the celebrations by local bands, local dancing troupes, a sea of drag queens and dancers and Manuel Blanche, a simply stunning DJ from Paris. The party began with a bang and went on until midnight when it moved to local bar Glam to continue well into the night.
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
The next morning, we met our group after breakfast and walked into town to make a short tour of the old town and the daily market that happens in the square. The market is different every day, but on the weekend it is local flowers, spices, herbs and other foods. Among the stores in the old town there is a store with traditional sweets from Nice made from sugared flowers and candied fruits. Definitely something worth trying while you are visiting Nice.
Through the old town which, like most old towns, is a mess of winding streets containing various stores of locally made produce, pottery, food, gifts and souvenirs. At the end of the plaza is the house that Henri Matisse lived in while he was in Nice. The house is still in use as a house, and there is a Matisse museum a short bus ride out of the main city area. It’s worth taking a few hours to explore the streets, and to wander away from the main shopping streets and discovering the quiet streets where there are less tourists, a more traditional look to the old town, with coloured buildings and shutters, washing hanging across the street 4-floors up. There are hidden treasures around the town, with things such as two holes in a wall where two cannonballs struck the wall during a failed invasion by the French and Turkish forces.
CREDIT: Aaron HollowayCREDIT: Aaron Holloway
Our afternoon was filled by a visit to the festival of flowers, a parade of locally-grown flowers and colourful floats and giant floating ‘things’. The street parade runs several times during the weeks of Carnaval in the mid-afternoon along the Avenue de Americas on Nice’s beachfront.
CReDIT: Aaron Holloway
Just a few minutes walk along the Avenue de Americas is the Nice Castle Mont. While the castle is no longer on the top of the hill, after being dismantled by the King of France after finally capturing the city after a long siege, there is a park and lookout from which you can see far into the Mediterranean and beyond the mountains behind Nice. The long walk up the steps is worth it once you get to the top and can enjoy the view. There’s even a back-passage you can take down the mountain that drops you at the back of the old town along the main shopping street.
The main event for the Carnaval is the Carnaval parade on Saturday night. When this parade gets going the king and queen, two massive floats with moving parts are joined by a large number of other floats made by local artisans to a theme, this year’s theme was the King of the Media, and along with music and dancers and performers they drive around Messina Square for a couple of hours. The French floats are certainly not shy in pressing the controversial issues, covering ideas of kids consumed by phones and television, politicians being caught with strippers and Chinese and North Korean censorship issues.
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
Les Garcons: Gay restaurant in the gay section of the town has a great selection of local food and wine, and an incredible basement for having a few drinks while waiting for your table.
Attimi: A ‘Slow food experience’ made with locally sourced fresh food. The service is quick and the food is light and fresh and perfect for sharing with a group.
Gaglio: A traditional Nicoise restaurant with a great selection of local cuisine. Located next to the park a short walk from the old town.
L’Empire: A modern dining restaurant in a minimalist style, the food is rich and full of flavour, the staff friendly (and attractive!)
Berlin is a principal political hub overflowing with history, monuments, and entertainment venues, and is highly regarded for its diverse architecture and high standard of living. Of paramount importance (to me) are the 24-hour train services, outstanding theatre, and the Friedrichstraße area (formerly East Berlin) that has an East Side New York feel.
CREDIT: TTstudio-bigstock
I frequently use Ryanair when flying to Berlin as the journey time of one hour twenty minutes from Stansted is sufficiently short for one not to realise the lack of comfort provided by an economy airline. Arriving at Berlin’s Schonefeld airport, one can get direct to the city centre in forty minutes. Purchase your travel pass at the airport tourism kiosks to save time (one-day, three-day or five-day passes can be bought). Berlin’s trains are easy to use and the lack of ticket barriers provides a feeling of trustworthiness and frees one from the obstacles such barriers can present.
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Turning to accommodation in Berlin, one is spoilt for choice. Ranging from five-star hotels to hostels and private apartments, these can be sought in prime locations. A prime choice of apartment for me would be Miniloft, which is located near Friedrichstraße, an area subjected to major rejuvenation in the downtown area of Mitte, noted for its upmarket real estate. Located in close proximity to the U-Bahn station and trams, Miniloft apartments offer accommodation in four authentic and eye-catching designs, prime location and a tailor-made guide for the tourist. Miniloft has fully equipped apartments with lift access, private entry control and comforting heated floors. There is a splendid light environment, complete with the convenience of blackout blinds. A ten-minute walk will find one surrounded by the chic wine bars and colourful eateries of the Mitte district.
CREDIT: R.Babakin-bigstock
If one is looking for culture in Berlin, the theatre breaks offer an outstanding option, and entertainment features the Broadway likes of Chicago, The Blue Man Group, and Aladdin. One point of note is that dialogue and music are in the German language.
Moving away from Berlin’s Broadway, stay at Minioft to explore the city’s East End, Berlin’s hip nightlife district. Europe’s largest show palace is located here, Friedrichstadt Palast, which contains the world’s largest theatre stage.
With excellent accommodation, which can be found by visiting www.miniloft.com, and outstanding cultural, historical, and recreational attractions, a visit to Berlin is certain to provide maximum appeal.
Why not treat yourself to a stay in one of Europe’s major cities, and absorb the atmosphere in Berlin, where there is an abundance of diverse attractions waiting for you to discover.
Gay Air France flight attendants are concerned over flying into Iran after the airline reinstated flights to the country.
CREDIT: AirFrance
Air France is due to recommence flights to Tehran in Iran which has left many of its gay flight attendants fearing for their lives and what might happen to them after landing.
A petition has been created by a concerned employee of France’s largest airline who called for the airline to re-look at its ethics.
The petition has reached over 13,000 signatures.
Mr. Laurent who created the petition called upon Air France/KLM to reconsider its ethical stance on sending gay flight attendants to Iran
“It is time again to show that Air France believes in ethics, not only for his public image. [But to] grant gay crew the right to refuse to go to a country where they could be killed for who they are.”
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Homosexuality is illegal in Iran and those found guilty can face 74 lashes or the death penalty.
In 2008 Air France suspended flights to Iran. The airline is resuming the service after international sanctions on the Islamic Republic over its nuclear programme were lifted.
Speaking about Air France’s decision to resume flights to Iran, Mr. Laurent commented,
“If the economic decision to open flights to Tehran is understandable, the moral issue is different. Human Rights in this country are almost non-existent.”
Air France has already said it will allow female flight attendants the right to refuse travel to Iran. The petition is asking the company to consider the same option for those who identify as openly gay.
“Fortunately, the unions intervened, the feminist cause is often seen, the media seized the debate, the hostess got (which would have seemed logical from the start) the right to refuse travel.”
TheGayUK reached out to Air France for comment, the airline has yet to comment on the petition or answer questions about the safety of LGBT staff members.
Jess Glynne is set to wow audiences at the annual Isle of MTV festival in one of Europe’s most gay friendly countries this summer after being the first act to be announced.
CREDIT: PR Supplied
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Jess, who enjoys heavy rotation on the UK’s number one gay radio station Gaydio, will be singing her hits Rather Be and My Love in Malta for the 10th Annual Isle Of MTV and will be joined by a host of other acts, which have yet to be announced.
A relative newcomer, Jess, has become one of the most successful female artists in the UK with five of her singles hitting the number 1 spot. She and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini are the only two British women to have achieved the feat.
Jess Glynne commented: “I am super excited to be coming to Malta for the 10th anniversary of Isle of MTV. Can’t wait to celebrate with you all”
CREDIT: Visit Malta
50,000 people are expected to descend on Malta for the free MTV festival. The Island is just a short 3-hour flight from the UK and has in the past hosted a whole range of celebs in the past including Jessie J, Lady Gaga, the Black Eyed Peas and even Rylan Clark’s bestie icon Nicole Scherzinger.
The number of visitors under the age of 24 to Malta since the start of the Isle Of MTV event nine years ago has risen 120% and now accounts for 20% of all tourists, according to MaltaToday.com
For many festivalgoers the Isle of MTV is their first introduction to the Island and its smaller neighbouring Island Gozo. Coupled with the fine weather and English as an official language, Malta cements itself as one of the go to holiday destinations in Europe.
CREDIT: Visit Malta
LGBT rights in Malta have been majorly ramped up in the last decade. Gay and lesbian travellers can expect to have their marriages recognized and it also has strong anti-discrimination laws.
Brussels is still a modest yet highly spirited neighbouring city with an extremely active gay scene (more so than London).
Attractive deals with Eurostar can take you from London to the heart of Brussels in 2 hours with fares from as little as £58.00 return (March 2016). With the gay scene in London becoming somewhat embarrassing, take an easy ride to this quaint, convenient and charming city where you can pelt yourself into their friendly and loyal gaybourhood.
Accommodation options available to travellers used to be limited mainly to hotels and dare I say it hostels however in the last say 8 years we have seen an increase of shared accommodation services that entice LGBT travellers – they are all great and serve a purpose yet if you are in need of modernized surroundings with complete privacy in a generous spaced apartment and not a ‘bedroom sized’ hotel room then the option of B-Aparthotels should be high on your list.
B-Aparthotels has 5 pristine properties in the Brussels city area and located close to the important fun things to do – especially their property near Grand Place. Instructions to enter this fresh and orderly establishment is very slick and whilst there is no reception desk staff you instantly receive a warm welcome with the cleanliness and sleek instructions on how to obtain your room key in order to navigate to your very own apartment.
All B-Aparthotels are stocked with quality toiletries, kitchenware, appliances and has daily housekeeping service all-inclusive of the decent room rates that are available for their swank 1, 2, 3 bedroom, penthouse and duplex apartments.
The thought of hotel rooms for business or leisure travellers, meant working, sleeping and eating in the one, often cramped space. It also made travelling for families and groups expensive, with multiple rooms required to accommodate everyone. Features, unique to apartment hotels, allow you to cook your own meals, do your own laundry, and relax with plenty of space. B-Aparthotels attracts guests who stay for days, weeks or months at a time.
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Staying at this B-Aparthotel allows you to be in the midst of Brussels restaurant row. Rue des Bouchers is the gateway to a neighbourhood of food where there are more than 70 restaurants, one next to the other, on the street levels of the old step-roofed stone, brick and timber buildings in what is one of the oldest sections of historical central Brussels.
Rue du Marché au Charbon is a short and pleasant walking distance from the B-Aparthotel (Grand Place) and it’s this cobbled stretch that sits numerous gay bars, restaurants and plays host to the heartbeat of Gay Brussels – a place where you will want to B-Apart of.
Madrid Pride. It’s one of, if not the, largest Pride events in Europe. Visited by around 2 million people every year, this week long festival is jam packed full of amazing parties, events, street festivals and a parade that will knock the socks of anyone game enough to visit. Known as Orgullo (Spanish for Pride), the whole event is open to, and greatly visited by, people from all walks of life, so finding your LGBT+ brothers and sisters may be a little trickier earlier in the festival.
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
Not only is the Main Parade on Saturday afternoon at 6pm, the WE Party festival begins a few days earlier and provides a mega-gay party event every day until the end of the festival. For those who aren’t into the massive man-flesh crush that is a circuit festival – and I know you’re out there – the City of Madrid offered a complete week of events and live music concerts and DJ’s to keep you dancing until the early hours of morning.
Aaron Holloway
Our week began with a short trip from the airport to Madrid centre which is easily accessible by a combination of the Metro (40+ mins) or the Metro and the TVL train (20+ mins). The tickets are available in cards of ten, and you’ll need to buy an airport pass for a few euro extra per person when you leave the airport on the metro. Exact fares and combinations available alter depending on if you’re arriving to T 1-3, or T4, but the trip takes about 30 minutes, and costs less than 5€ each way.
Once in town, we had a cosy little apartment looking over Placa del Sol, which is a main meeting point, tourist hub and metro/highspeed rail station. From Sol it’s a short walk up the affectionately named ‘Hooker Street’, which is lined with women asking you to dine in her restaurant, or men and women, offering more intimate nights out, towards Chueca which is the main gay area of the city. Not that during Pride it’s easy to tell the gay areas from the non-gay areas: pride flags fly from almost every balcony, shop window, store front, stores have ‘pride sales’, and seeming pop-up-stores appear out of nowhere to sell ‘minis’, which are basically 700ml cups of mojito or sangria. No one seems to know why they’re called minis – it’s just a Madrid thing.
Aaron HollowayAaron HollowayAaron Holloway
All around Chueca you can find singing, dancing, music, and people relaxing and drinking, and generally having a good time. It’s here that you can find tiny little bars that will sell you a beer for 6€ and also give you a plate of tapas for free – each new beer brings a new plate – it can be a very cheap way to eat out on some local(ish) specialties. Speaking of specialties, *the* thing to eat in Madrid is calamari on a baguette, and the best place to have it, is a cute little diner called The Little Bell. It seems to be almost all they serve, and is literally deep-fried calamari on a short baguette bread. It’s wonderfully delicious if not a little strange. As my friend Matt commented: ‘How is seafood a specialty in a city in the middle of Spain?’ While we’re on food, traditional Madrid food is a wonderful mix of seafood and meat. Dishes are covered more in oil than not, and if you want a salad with your plate of meat, make sure you order a side salad, or you might literally get a quarter of a tomato as your salad. It seemed to me that the lovely Spaniards aren’t big on ‘healthy’ eating.
Aaron HollowayAaron Holloway
Despite the seemingly unhealthy food, the Spaniards are generally a very attractive people. And the Pride parade gives them ample opportunity to show it all off. The parade starts at 6pm, so that it’s not too hot, although when we arrived to watch at about 8pm, the local firefighters were hosing down the crowd with the truck hoses. Unfortunately they were all fully dressed. The crowd on the other hand, not so much. While some people just went shirtless, others came in costumes of all kinds, rainbows were flying from every visible hand, surface, tree, and body. They even had a massive rainbow flag draped over the Madrid Town Hall from top to bottom in the first time in the parade’s history. The parade made its way slowly down the street past a water fountain lit in rainbow colours, towards the Town Hall, where a massive stage had been set up to provide a live band and an all-night party to entertain the crowd for hours. One of the interesting things about the Madrid pride is that it is not only frequented by Madrid’s gay population, but also by other members of the general community, bringing families and friends together to enjoy the celebration of individual expression and acceptance that embodies the modern pride parade era.
CREDIT: Aaron HollowayCREDIT: Aaron Holloway
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The Madrid pride festival runs for a week at the beginning of July each year. Dates vary from year to year, the parade is always on the Saturday at the end of the festival beginning at 6pm. Nightly free street festivals and concerts are presented by the City of Madrid free of charge at various sites around the city.
CREDIT: Thai Airways / Two Bad Tourists
