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Tag: Austria news

Get the latest LGBT+ Austrian news from THEGAYUK. Breaking news, features and interviews from Austria.

  • Gay Travel | Vienna – Culture, Clubs & Nude Beaches

    Gay Travel | Vienna – Culture, Clubs & Nude Beaches

    Vienna has a reputation for music and culture, trust me, you’ll hear a lot about Mozart and Beethoven while you’re there, and it’s that cultural appeal that draws in a lot of gay travellers like yourself. But there’s more to Austria’s capital than just museums and art.

    How gay-friendly is Vienna?

    Official Vienna tourism website: www.vienna.info

    It’s usually a good sign that a city is gay-friendly when the tourism board has a dedicated gay travellers page on their website.

    Vienna is incredibly gay-friendly, with gay couples walking comfortably hand-in-hand and LGBT rights assured across the board. Gay marriage, gay adoption, all these rights are protected by the Austrian government despite the influence of Catholicism that once dominated the country. They host their own Pride parade, as well as being home of the Euro Pride celebrations 2019.

    This isn’t a city that will leave you feeling like the only gay in the village as there’s a thriving LGBT population that are out, open, and welcoming.

    Vienna gay scene

    I was lucky enough to visit Vienna during EuroPride 2019, meaning the entire city was transformed into an open-air gay bar; swarming with international lovelies alongside enough gorgeous locals to make your Grindr overload.

    However, for the rest of the year there are still plenty of gay venues to chose from, despite the fact that Vienna doesn’t have a dedicated gay neighbourhood.

    Located on one of the oldest streets in Vienna – the Tiefen Graben – WHY NOT is a relatively small gay club that’s something of an institution in Vienna, having been around since 1980. Open every Friday and Saturday, WHY NOT plays popular house and dance music with 3 bars on 2 floors, and even a pole-area… just in case.

    Pitbull, Vienna’s first bear & butch club, opened in 2009 and – in their words – provides sweat-producing beats for that pure testosterone rush. While some of that may have been lost in translation, it still sounds filthy and fabulous.

    Museums and operas, oh my

    Image by Gerhard Bögner from Pixabay

    If you’re not into the scene, there’s still a load of gay-friendly activities to keep you occupied during your visit. The cultured gays of the world will feel right at home in Vienna with plenty of museums and galleries to visit, as well as the State Opera and the Volks Opera for those looking to experience some of the world’s best opera performances.

    Even if you’re not super into art or history, the MuseumsQuarter is definitely worth a visit, and the Kunst Haus Wien museum is known to show LGBT exhibits and artists such as Mapplethorpe and Pierre & Gilles.

    The best time to visit Vienna

    We visited Vienna at the beginning of June and we were sweating our balls off! The best time of year to visit Vienna is typically April to May or September to October, either side of the intense heat of the summer months. Plus higher temperatures tend to bring with them higher prices along with even more tourists.

    So if you can avoid the busier summer months I would recommend it. That being said, the summer sunshine is great if you want to swim in the Danube and strip off at the beach.

    Nude beaches in Vienna

    Yes gentlemen, there is a nude beach right smack in the middle of the city, on the shores of the Danube River itself.

    Donauinsel (Danube Island) is a long narrow island in central Vienna, between the Danube river and the parallel channel Neue Donau. Nude sunbathing is permitted on both sides of the Neue Dona, starting from Steinspornbrücke and ending at the southeast end of Donauinsel.

    It is not a secluded beach, so this is not the nude beach to visit if you’re shy. Expect to get glances from the 190,000 visitors that come to Danube Island, not to mention the swathes of tourists that sail along the river itself (some might even take a few pics… not that we would ever have done such a thing).

    FKK (pronounced ‘eff-ka-ka’) is written on the roads to guide you to the right spot, it’s printed on a sign or stenciled on a wall or sidewalk indicates freikörperkultur or nudist area. The area directly across from the marker on the Donauinsel is also designated as a gay beach on many maps.

    There are even some restaurants on the dam where you can eat and drink without having to put your trunks back on.

    For more information about Vienna and it’s gay scene visit www.vienna.info

     

  • Austria’s top court allows same-sex marriage

    Due to licensing this article must be read on our website

    Austria’s top court has ruled that same-sex couples can marry from 2019 at the latest, bringing the often conservative Alpine country into line with more than a dozen other European nations. “The Constitutional Court nullified with a decision on December 4, 2017 the legal regulation that until now prevented such couples from marrying,” a statement released on Tuesday said. (more…)

  • Gay Party On A Pink Lake In Austria!… Why Wouldn’t You?

    Gay Party On A Pink Lake In Austria!… Why Wouldn’t You?

    I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, not every gay festival needs to be a pride festival. While it made my gay heart swell three sizes that day, there’s more to gay festivals than rainbows, parades and boys in short shorts… I mean not much more.

    This year, Austria’s Pink Lake Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary, decking out the small town of ‘Velden am Wörthersee’ with pink flags and offering up fun in the sun and general gay merriment.

    3 days of gay

    For those of you who haven’t been, the Pink Lake Festival stretches out over 3 days, with themed parties on each night and the day left open to wander the riviera-style town of Velden, or simply sprawl out in the sunshine.

    Olly, one of the many gorgeous gays that I met who had flown over from the UK, was more than happy to gush about why this was his third trip to the festival.

    “For me there’s an infectious sense of fun about the whole festival. There’s more than a dash of holiday camp about it – with the games at the beach club and the splashing about in the Wörthersee on inflatable flamingos and unicorns. The chance to meet lots of gays from elsewhere in Europe is also really exciting – I’ve met Austrians, Hungarians, Germans, Czechs.

    It’s enjoyable being in a minority as a Brit, and being able to find out about gay life across the continent, not just in the established metropoles. Austria is generally beautiful, and Carinthia has some of the best weather. Any event that can bring stunning scenery, reliably pleasant weather and lots of interesting and attractive gay men is bound to be a winner in my book.”

    Day 1: Lederhosen night

    No gay trip to a German-speaking country would be complete without dressing up in Lederhosen… no straight trip either I imagine. The Lederhosen party kicks off the first night of festivities, located in a sectioned off area of the town square, the little city is awash with gay tourists from the world over, strutting around in the least kinky of get ups you could imagine. And it’s fabulous!

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BYNU8EDgH95

    Day 2: Pink & Blue Ball

    (As a single gay attending this trip solo and being surrounded by gorgeous Euro-gays, the irony of this night was not lost on me.)

    Where the first night was a more casual mingling of gays at sunset, the Pink & Blue Ball got back to our stereotypical roots; piling hundreds of gays into an out-of-use hipster grunge club in an old factory layout. It was exactly how you would picture it, yet still somehow surprisingly civil. With multiple rooms and levels, it’s kind of impossible to find anyone once you lose them, but all the basic staples of a great gay night out were there. Extended dance mixes of your favourite forgotten songs, a dedicated pop room that I did not spend enough time in, and a couple of appearances by Mr. Gay Austria himself.

    A complimentary coach will pick you up from town and take you to this weird and wonderful location on the other side of the lake. However, don’t feel that you need to get the first coach there, as I did. I was basically standing around trying to look interested/interesting for 2 hours before the quality crowd rolled in at around 11pm. The coach will also take you back to town. Oooooorrrr, you could catch a disco taxi! What’s a disco taxi I hear you say?

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BY5vVIVg8X_/

    Day 3: The Boat Party!

    You can’t have a gay festival on a lake without the obligatory boat party to wrap up the festivities. At 9pm, the first of three loud, pink riverboats comes crawling into town. The ever-subtle presence of blazing pink lights and blaring Euro-Pop music is accompanied by, what I assume are hilarious, German comments from the local drag queen host.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BYZGwQ1Dhtl/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BYZFStxjHWw/

    Water-sports

    Not that kind of water-sports … I mean there may have been, but they weren’t on my itinerary.

    While you recover from the night before, it’s important to remember that this is called the Pink Lake Festival for the very obvious reason that it is held by a lake. Add in the gorgeous 30 degree weather and bright blue skies, it would be worth the trip to just sit and soak up the sunshine while surrounded by gorgeous gays in tiny trunks. Seriously, you couldn’t make this setting up if you were writing Danielle Steele novels for homos.

    Pink Lake Festival 2018

    It’s not too early to start planning your visit for next year. Visit http://www.pinklake.at/en/ to find out more details and to book tickets now!

    For further information on Holidays in Austria, please visit: www.austria.info

    Social Handles

    Facebook – @visitaustria

    Twitter – @Austria_UK

    Instagram – @visitaustria

     

  • 3 Alternatives to Pride | Gay Festivals to Go to This Summer

    3 Alternatives to Pride | Gay Festivals to Go to This Summer

    Don’t get me wrong, I love pride. I like a parade as much as the next gay, but I wouldn’t always want to plan my year of travel around it.

    © EpicStockMedia Depositphotos

    There are plenty of locations around the world that are looking to celebrate everything that is wonderful about being gay, without the onslaught of rainbows, banners, political undertone, and crowds so large that you’re about as likely to get to the bar as you are to score a wristie from Russell Tovey (ps if anyone knows how to do the latter, please get in touch IMMEDIATELY!).

    So if you’re thinking about a gay vacay but don’t fancy packing your rainbow flag, here are a few fabulous festivals that you can book right now.

    1. Pink Week Festival, Slovenia – 24th to 28th May

    Slovenia is probably not one of the first places you’d think about when you consider gay festivals, and while Mykonos and Tel Aviv have plenty of obvious draw, Slovenia definitely has its own appeal. Slovenia boasts being one of the greenest countries in Europe, with breathtaking backdrops and lush green countrysides that put ours to shame. And while it’s a relatively small country, that could, in fact, be a big part of its appeal.

    Now in its 4th year, Pink Week is an event that aims to combine cultural, culinary, and outdoor experiences with a healthy mix of events and parties for both visiting and local LGBT communities.

    Pink Week, organised by local couple Matej and Mattej (matching names, totes adorbs), offers a variety of different packages that you can buy in advance, depending on the type of gay holiday you’re looking for. Have a browse and pick from highlights such as guided tours of the capital Ljubljana, gourmet dinners, a visit to Tiffany GAY Club, an afternoon of luxury at Lake Bled, and a champagne boat ride on river Ljubljanica.

    Head on over to pinkweek.eu to find out more!

    2. Pink Lake Festival, Austria – 24th to 27th August

    Another Pink-themed gay festival in Europe, hopefully featuring this guy wandering around handing out drinks … or weird pink hovering balls.

    Set, as the name suggests, around a lake in the Wörthersee Region of Austria, Pink Lake is an LGBT celebration that revels in its small town charm. With so many big-scale LGBT events across Europe, Pink Lake’s appeal is it’s “off the beaten track” nature. No big city backdrop, no parades, no international celebrities, Pink Lake is more of an international get-together for all LGBT travellers. All taking place in a beautiful town in a magical countryside that’s straight out of a gay fairytale.

    Find out more about this at pinklake.at

    3. Aspen Summer Holiday, USA – August 24-26

    Hosted by men’s wedding magazine Men’s Vows, the Aspen Summer Holiday is the complement to its more established winter counterpart, Aspen Gay Ski Week. For its first year, Aspen Summer holiday has paired with notable charities such as the National LGBT Task Force and The Generation project to turn some well-earned fun into a good cause for the whole community.

    I mean, check out the promo guy on their website. He looks like he’s having a nice time…:)

    The event is focused on all the amazing activities you can do outdoors in Colorado, giving gay men the chance to meet other people and bond while hiking, horse riding and river rafting. There are fashion shows, pool parties and event CrossFit sessions planned, so it looks to be a community event with a difference.

    If you favour the idea of fresh air, exercise, and outdoor activities that don’t include underwear parades and dogging, then visit www.aspensummerholiday.com

     

  • Top 10 Most Beautiful Christmas Markets In Europe

    Christmas is coming and with it comes the cold, snow, stressful last-minute-present-buying, and Christmas markets.

    You’ve probably seen some around your town or city, and if you’re in for travelling a little further afield this year, here are 10 of the best Christmas markets from around Europe.

    MADRID

    SPAIN

    The largest square in Madrid is home to a stunningly beautiful market in November and December.

    This usually summer vacation spot comes alive to celebrate Christmas during the winter months.

    VIENNA

    AUSTRIA

    Between mid-November and the end of December, Vienna’s centuries-old Christmas markets have something for everyone. One of the oldest in Europe, running since 1298 as a simple ‘December Market’, there are now over 20 Christmas market areas across the city.

    PRAGUE

    CZECH REPUBLIC

    A smaller market in Prague is coupled with the Annual International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music. The city space is home to traditional Advent markets, and open-air performances by various ensembles.

    BRUSSELS

    BELGIUM

    Running from late-November to early January, the Brussels market covers the city centre and is one of the few that includes a public ice-skating rink.

    LILLE

    FRANCE

    This cute French city springs into vibrant Christmas celebrations at the market place ‘On Place Rihour’ where visitors can find local and international treats, arts & crafts, and food. Ooh la la!

    DRESDEN

    GERMANY

    One of Germany’s largest markets, Dresden’s city area, is covered in hundreds of market stalls, and seemingly no space in the city’s vastness is left without a market. With rides, food, crafts, and gifts, as well as traditional Gluhwein, Dresden’s market is one to see to believe.

    MUNICH

    GERMANY

    A massive market in Southern Germany, the Munich market (or Kriskindlemarkt) is one of the oldest, and combines traditional southern-German food, crafts, and gifts, with modern touches. These vast markets will certainly have something to entertain everyone, no matter what your interests.

    BUDAPEST

    HUNGARY

    This market centres on the Vörösmarty Square, which houses the majority of the festivities, including an ice-rink between late-November and January.

    STOCKHOLM

    SWEDEN

     

    The Old Town in Sweden is home to this wonderful market where visitors can sample local delicacies such as elk meat and reindeer between late-November and the end of December
    STRASBOURG

    FRANCE

    One of the best markets by size, reputation and popularity, this market is the oldest official Christmas Market, beginning in 1570. Running from mid-November to late December, this market is packed with tradition and modern excitement.

  • TRAVEL | We Are In Vienna

    Gay and lesbian couples are photographed at their favorite place in Vienna and presented on a website. Join in and win a trip to Vienna including a professional photo shoot!

    Sponsored by:

    We Are Vienna

     

     

     

     

    The “WE ARE IN VIENNA” campaign of the Vienna Tourist Board demonstrates how homosexuality is part of life in the Austrian capital, showing that people can be whoever they want to be in Vienna.

    Caspar & Kristoffer, Petra & Jess, Marko & Gerd, Marlene & Silvie, Martin & Max: Gay and lesbian couples living in Vienna get together at their favorite place in Vienna. At this place, they are photographed, freeze style, sharing an intimate moment. The resulting film will be posted on the we-are.vienna.info microsite with a short personal history of each couple. In total 12 gay and lesbian couples will be introduced on the site by the end of 2014.

    Join in and win!
    Would you like to be one of them? Then submit a photo and a short text about you and your partner on we-are.vienna.info and with a bit of luck you are in with a chance of winning a trip to Vienna!

    Win four busy days for two to explore city life in Vienna and discover the place that turns your stay into your Vienna story. That’s where you’ll be filmed at the end of your trip, and the footage produced will be presented here on this site.

    Join in at we-are.vienna.info!