Tag: Gay Travel

All the latest information on travel for the gay community.

GAY TRAVEL | Lisbon – One of Europe’s Best Gay Capitals

Man there are a lot of hills in this city!

Portugal’s capital city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Just two and a half hours away by EasyJet, the city makes an ideal city break for the weekend. It helps that the weather is awesome and that it’s one of the most affordable of all the European capital cities.

Lisbon is often overshadowed by other great gay destinations such as Berlin or Barcelona, but with stunning views, heaps of history, and loads of gorgeous gays, Lisbon should absolutely be on your list of places to jet off to.

Where is the gay scene in Lisbon?

gagnonm1993 / Pixabay

Lisbon’s gay scene is mostly divided into two neighborhoods: Barrio Alto and Principe Real. Both are very centrally-located, so if your goal is to go club-hopping, make sure you get a hotel/hostel/AirBnB nearby. Speaking from personal experience, stumbling down steep cobbled streets after a night of drinking and dancing is a LOT more treacherous than you think. And I wasn’t even wearing heels!

Bairro Alto

Image: Flickr

This is the real touristy area, where you can mingle with a load of mixed crowds of gay, straight, bi, and lesbian Lisbions. In fact, drinking in the street is a real part of Lisbon culture, so expect to see swathes of drinkers just standing in the street. This doesn’t mean the club is SO busy they can’t fit, it’s just what they do over there.

(Note, if you go during the winter months, it will be rainy, so take a hood or an umbrella for street drinking).

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Principe Real

Image: Flickr

If you’re searching for some serious gay bars, this is where you’ll need to go. As usual though, we went out WAY too early. Clubs really don’t get going until 2am at the earliest, and many of them are located within what looks like residential houses. Lisbon’s Catholic roots meant that the gay scene was originally kept well hidden, and remains part of their aesthetic to this day. It seems fairly normal to have to knock on doors or ring bells in order be let into the really gay clubs.

Also, Friday night is not an especially gay night, with a lot of gay-specific venues only open on Saturdays. This was the breakdown of places to go I got from a guy on Grindr:

Finalmente – This clubs is the go-to gay venue and is pretty much packed every night of the week with Drag queens performing regularly.
Trumps – Not to be confused with you-know-who, Trumps is known to be the home of the young and the beautiful gay crowd in Lisbon, and is especially popular on Fridays.
Construction club – It’s tagline is “Built for you!” This hetero-friendly club is home to guys looking for something a little harder, edgier, and with more of a cruising atmosphere. Enjoy!

Let’s go to the beach!

Image: pxhere

Let’s face it, one of the biggest appeals of Lisbon is – like it’s Spanish sibling, Barcelona – you can pair up a city break with a beach trip all in one visit. There’s loads of luscious beach to soak up the sun in, but let’s get down to the nitty gritty.

Cascais and Estoril – This is the home of elegant resorts that draw in the crowds of sun-seeking tourists.

Costa da Caparica – This is where the locals tend to prefer, possibly specifically to avoid said-tourists. With lots of high-rise apartments and camping sites, it’s not for everyone, but just beyond Caparica there’s an expanse of pristine beachfront that only gets more unspoiled and secluded the further south you head.

Lisbon’s nude beach!

Praia 19 – Just north of the village of Caparia, Praia is a stunning stretch of beach where Lisbon’s gay community tends to go and strip off. Yes, that’s right, it’s a nude beach, set amongst the backdrop of beautiful dunes and woodland with LOADS of convenient spots for cruising. There’s a mixed crowd of locals and visitors from all over Europe (and the world) so you’ll have your pick of “friends” to make.

Image source: Lisbon Tourism Board

Getting to Praia 19 – It’s a bit of a schlepp, and while there are public transport links, the best way is to either hire a car and drive, or just go on a beach tour. You can book onto a tour on for around €29 per person which includes round-trip transportation between central Lisbon and Beach 19, an English-speaking guide, a Gay Lisbon map and guide and even a beach towel to use during the day… which they hopefully wash THOROUGHLY!

Where to gay stay in Lisbon

Despite its MANY hills, Lisbon is one of the most walkable cities in Europe. So as long as you choose a hotel/hostel/apartment that’s fairly central then you’ll be able to get to pretty much everything without too much effort.

I stayed at the fabulous 1908Lisboa, which is the ultimate expression of boutique hipster chic located within minutes of the city centre. Yes, the room was lovely, yes the decor was cool AF, but it’s biggest appeal (for me) was the restaurant which was the perfect place to grab a big greasy breakfast when you get in at 7am before you crash.

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Have you been to Lisbon?

Tell us about your gay experience in Lisbon in the comments section below, on TheGayUK social network, or on Twitter @thegayuk.

23rd January 2019
GAY TRAVEL | Overdose on chocolate and then go and sleep with Hubert in Brussels.

dimitrisvetsikas1969 / Pixabay

There’s no real scientific evidence to suggest that chocolate actually does work as an aphrodisiac. Many foods have been assigned such qualities, but by and large, they tend to have a strong placebo effect instead. In other words, they get you thinking about sex just by association, and this puts sex to the front of your mind. Could this be why ‘Chocolate Row’ in a central part of Brussels positively glows with the frisson of sexiness?

dimitrisvetsikas1969 / Pixabay

Belgium is known for two things, and if you are not here for the beer, then you should head along to the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert and try the chocolate. Found right in the heart of Brussels, this glass-domed series of galleries was one of the first shopping malls to be built in Europe and still retains the grandeur and architectural spectacle that reflects its century and a half age. It is filled with high-end boutiques, cultural organisation and, of course, a generous helping of chocolate shops.

Walkerssk / Pixabay

And if you are looking to explore the heart of Brussels social scene, bars and nightlife then there is no better location to use as your base than the nearby Hotel Hubert. Only a few minutes from the Grand Palace and Brussels Central Station, Hubert is a perfect mix of the luxurious and the easy-going, aims towards self-service but has an attentive staff to help you negotiate its modern concepts.

They strive for a home from home feeling, and that is precisely what you get. Brussels is one of the most progressive and liberal cities in Europe, it is a leading gay city with a rich history, thriving nightlife, a French vibe and delicious cuisine. It also has plenty to explore for the man looking for a men-only scene, a scene which you will find is discrete, varied and welcoming.

As the gay scene in London seems to be slowly fading out, Eurostar promotions are keeping the Londoners afloat with extremely affordable deals. If you want a city destination that is close and reasonably priced.

5 gay establishments to consider in Brussels

Macho Sauna: A very friendly and comfortable suite of rooms accommodating a sauna, a steam room, a gym and a hammam, a terrace, a lounge and a club zone. Choose the time to go carefully, mid-week is perfect if you want to concentrate on the facilities but the weekend is when it gets jam-packed and turns into a party zone.

Oasis Sauna: Pretty much the opposite of the sleek modernity of Macho Sauna, instead it is housed in a rather grand building filled with chandeliers, fireplaces, portraits and comfortable armchairs. All the usual facilities are to be found but with more of the atmosphere of an old-time Gentlemen’s Club.

The Stammbar: Open about the fact that it is a “music cruise bar, “ it is fitted out in an industrial style, has cruising areas, a dark room and is open every night. While it plays to the more obvious end of the scene, it is friendly and attitude free, popular with locals and visitors alike and manages to stay on the right side of the divide that separates sleazy and sexy from sordid and grubby.

La Baroque: Best described as compact and bijou but proves that size isn’t everything by being one of the most popular bars on the city’s the gay scene. It is full of colour and atmosphere, but most visitors drink outside. On the weekend, there’s usually a DJ who plays a mixture of club classics and pop music. Give him a wink, and he’ll play your favourite tune.

Station BXL: Midweek is very busy. It has a retro feel, plenty of room for dancing, some dark corners for more intimate encounters and although it might be at the more expensive end of the drink pricing it is undoubtedly a comfortable and rewarding place to spend time.

Written by Ray Si – proud member of IGLTA

17th December 2018
Concert Review: Ms Lauryn Hill: Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 20th Anniversary Tour

Lauryn Hill may have a reputation for being a difficult, and sometimes wayward artist but seeing her perform, even if it meant travelling to another country to do so, could not have been more comfortable or more enjoyable.

Embed from Getty Images

Eurostar recently launched it’s direct service from London to Amsterdam.

Their services has become one of the most convenient and pleasant ways to travel for a lot of my European jaunts, and the process of checking in, clearing security, scanning tickets, and all the other rigmarole associated with travelling abroad seems much smoother than most airports I have experienced.

This journey was more than just a live gig, it was the 20th anniversary of Ms Lauryn Hill’s iconic album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The album was written in exasperation and hope after the dissolution of the Fugees and documents the relationship between Ms Hill and her bandmate Wyclef Jean. Soon after making this defining album she left the music industry to raise her children.

Her returns to the live arena have often been marred by stories of a difficult personality and a reputation for lateness, but tonight nothing seems to be further from the truth. Many fans have commented on such tardiness as being disrespectful to those who buy tickets to watch her shows, but I would say that it is more disrespectful to loyal supporters if they turn up to find their favourite artist lip-synching through the performance. Not that Ms Hill would ever need to resort to such cheap tricks and by contrast, her vocal delivery is both impressive and sublime.

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The arena was full with a crowd made up of all ages, parents and children, family and friends, fans from back in the day, and those who have come to the artist more recently. They were all united by one common cause. As Ms Lauryn Hill reminded us just why this album and her performances had become the stuff of legend, the audience had only two real choices; To stand and stare at this iconic artist; To dance along, and stare at this iconic artist. She is known for freestyling through her set, often meaning that singing together is not the easiest thing to do, as she delivers unique takes on her music and wanders from the lyrical script. But as the better-known numbers occurred towards the end of the set, the whole arena could be heard singing the words to `”Killing Me Softly” and “Ready or Not”.

Ms Lauryn Hill proved that all she needs is a stage, a collection of sublime songs, and her awesome vocals. The Dutch crowd lapped up every moment. Ms Hill carried the audience through memories and nostalgia, a tribute to 20 years of this fantastic album, and the equally amazing women who made it and proving that music, like fine wine, can also age gracefully.

After such an inspiring musical experience, the last thing I wanted to do was jump on a train and rush home again, so I stayed at The Toren Hotel.

The hotel seems to be stuck in another world, a mixture of the elegance and opulence of the past, a blend of original features and modern convenience. A few humorous touches to keep things exciting and offbeat, it works! A perfect place to compliment Eurostar and my comfort needs.

Livenation lists a string of dates for Ms Lauryn Hill: Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 20th Anniversary Tour, including Wembley SSE Arena on 17th December 2018.

Written by: Ray Si – member of IGLTA

9th December 2018
GAY TRAVEL | A visit to Luxembourg, a country led by a proud gay Prime Minister

Luxembourg might not jump out at you as the most obvious place to head to for a European break. After all, France boasts Parisian style and world-renowned wines, Belgium and Germany are the beer destinations of choice for those with a taste for the hop, and if you are looking for sun, sea, sand and …well, shenanigans, then you probably head for the Mediterranean.

pvdv63 / Pixabay

But if you are a cultural explorer looking to see just how much fun can be had on the pink pound, then this little country has something that no other European state can rival. So the question is, ‘how vibrant is Luxembourg, a country where their Prime Minister is openly gay?’

The Grand Duchy, as it is more formally known is encompassed by Germany, Belgium and France and the capital, Luxembourg City has a population of only 115,000, a city where languages are as trendy as their chic nightlife. I have to admit that Luxembourg was not high on my list of must-see places, but when I started to research how easy and affordable direct flights were from London City Airport with Luxair, I packed my overnight bag and off I went.

Photo by visitluxembourg.com

The real draw of Luxembourg, both the country and the capital city, is that it is small but perfectly formed and offers a charming and manageable slice of northern Europe. It is also one of the wealthiest countries in the world and also features high on the list for global wine consumption.

Arriving at Luxembourg airport is probably going to one of the best immigration experiences you will encounter; 7 minutes or less to disembark from the plane and speed through customs is about par for the course. The city of Luxembourg is easily accessible by local bus, and it says much about a place when you learn that buses are free of charge on the busiest day of the week, Saturday.

Photo by visitluxembourg.com

Luxembourg City has been involved in European politics and war since Roman times due to its location, and as such there are vast swathes of fortification integrated into the fabric of the urban layout. But today that same location means that it is a weave of Gallic and Germanic cultural influences and has twice been named the European City of Culture. As expected it offers a wealth of museums and theatres, galleries and historic buildings and a gentle but friendly nightlife.

Photo by visitluxembourg.com

On the advice of visitluxembourg.com, I opted to stay at Le Place d’Armes, a hotel that would offer the same chicness and style as that of the city around me. I found myself booked into a luxurious two-story suite, which like all the rooms in the hotel are a mixture of ultra-modern and restored 19th-century original features. The carpets felt so plush it was as if they were changed daily just to keep my feet happy, and the bath was so deep that even an inveterate shower lover like me was briefly tempted to change my habits. The hotel has its own Michelin star restaurant and is in the perfect location as a base from which to explore the city, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Photo by hotel-leplacedarmes.com

Xavier Bettel is Luxembourg’s first openly gay Prime Minister and, worldwide, only the third openly gay head of government. He has stated that increasingly in Luxembourg, “people do not consider the fact of whether someone is gay or not,” and this is precisely how I would describe this liberal and welcoming country. The visitor who wants to find the ‘gay scene’ in Luxembourg will have quite a challenge as there is only one gay bar in the country. But that could be because Luxembourg does not need to have an identifiable and separate ‘scene’ when the whole country wants to celebrate the diversity of LGBT people, and frowns on the idea of people being excluded.

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The compact and bijou nature of the city means that you can comfortably explore it on foot, and there are plenty of official tours to guide you through its most exciting and endearing features. My tour guide Sascha, kept me captivated that the four hours I spent in his company seemed no more effort than relaxing in the hotel’s sumptuous bath.

The city is full of cultural attractions from museums dedicated to everything from Roman occupation to The Battle of The Bulge, which raged through this area towards the end of World War II. From ancient cloth manufacturing to modern art to literature, industry, aviation, and of course wine.

Photo by visitluxembourg.com

Luxembourg is a well-kept and wonderful snapshot of Northern Europe through the ages. It is hard to find a destination that can hold a candle to this beautiful city and this tolerant and welcoming country.

Written by Ray Si – a proud member of IGLTA

2nd December 2018
GAY TRAVEL | A visit to Europe’s most LGBT-friendly country, Malta
A return to Malta

Mariamichelle / Pixabay

I first visited Malta 14 years ago and remember myself and my friends trying desperately to find a gay scene and left extremely disappointed as you could imagine as an early twenty-something would in a fruitless search of gay nightlife in the winter sun. The visit in 2004 was in the same year that Malta had its first Pride March an event to which no more than 50 people attended and so my interest was piqued when Allied Rainbow Communities announced the 2018 Malta Pride Parade & Celebration taking place in Valletta, the European Capital of Culture.

Time to give Malta a second chance.

Photo by @marieouaw

5 LGBT facts you might not know about Malta
1. It is a little-known fact that Malta ranks as the leading country, before even The UK and Belgium, regarding how the laws and policies of the country positively impact on the lives of LGBT+ people.
2. Discrimination regarding sexual orientation, gender identity and expression in Malta has been banned nationwide since 2004.
3. Malta is one of the few countries in the world to have made LGBT+ rights equal at a constitutional level.
4. In 2016, Malta became the first country in the European Union to ban conversion therapy.
5. Despite being a liberal country, Malta is extremely limited when it comes to exclusive gay venues.
There are a few places that are indeed worth checking out for a stay on the island, the best two I have included here.

Photo by: Ray Si

The Phoenicia

The Phoenicia in Valletta has to be one of the finest places to stay and is probably only designated as a 5 Star hotel because they don’t allow you to go up to 6 stars and it is the best of both worlds in many respects. It is traditional in its decor and style yet offers ultra modern facilities and excellent service. It is to be found just outside the City Gate, the main entrance through the cities awe-inspiring 16th-century bastion walls and surrounded by acres of manicured gardens and vibrant greenery.

Photo by: www.campbellgrayhotels.com

But despite the feeling of being slightly separated from the hustle and bustle of the city most of the best restaurants and exciting sites in the capital are within easy walking distance. Inside the building retains the members club style that betrays its British, early 20th century origins and the rooms are suitably spacious to match with plush beds and an overall fresh, summery feel. After a recent, overdue revamp, the food in the Phoenix Restaurant is back up to its 5-star standard. Seasonal menus offer a mix of local and traditional, and obviously, well-represented seafood. If like me you are on the island for the Pride event then this is the perfect place to use as a base as the march’s starting point is at the Grand Triton Fountain, literally a stone’s throw from the hotel. Or at least a glitter bomb.

Photo by: www.campbellgrayhotels.com

La Falconeria

Although rated as a 4-star hotel, you could make a straightforward argument for it becoming a 5-star without any extra effort. It is situated at the heart of Valletta making it pretty much 5 minutes walk from, well, everything – St John’s Cathedral, Grand Master’s Palace, museums, bars and restaurants and for exploring further Ferry and Bus Station are all close at hand. The building has a fascinating history, and if you know where to look, you can read its past in the walls.

Photo by: www.lafalconeria.com

Although most of the original 1580’s building didn’t survive the bombing of the Second World War, what did remain has been incorporated into the modern architecture. One fascinating fact is the name of the building, deriving from the fact that The Knights of the Order of St John who ruled the island were obliged to send the King of Spain, Charles V, a trained falcon as part of an annual fee. It was in the neighbourhood that this hotel now stands that the famous Maltese falcons were breed and trained. Today’s building is spacious to the point of palatial, the balconied rooms reminding you of its rich history with its mix of ancient and modern, reverential yet run with a welcoming and friendly attitude. The in-house restaurant offers some beautiful Mediterranean flavours which change with the availability of seasonal produce.

Photo by: www.lafalconeria.com

It’s all about having Pride.

Now, of course, we come to the reason I had decided to return to the island. In keeping with Malta’s Gay Pride March being less overtly raucous and flamboyant, I took a more holistic approach before the event and visited local TV celebrity Adrian Gusman – one of the only LGBT trained and qualified therapists on the island – who in a spirited manner, converted his home into a spa sanctuary for men. Adrian’s treatment ranges from creative bodywork underwater to jet massages and all while sipping on Rose sparkling wine. Truly an indulging experience at a surprisingly inexpensive cost (treatments with Adrian start from 50 euros).

Photo by: Adrian Gusman

Malta’s Gay Pride March is an example of how to include people from all across the gender, sexual and political spectrum. The event is still about driving a message of acceptance and equality and the fact that both the island’s Prime Minister and the opposition leader attended and members of the Catholic clergy used the event to help build bridges with the LGBTQ community shows how things are moving in the right direction.

Photo by: loveinmalta.com

And maybe it is the tastefulness of it all, the fact that it wasn’t about overt sexual displays, flamboyant fetish wear or extreme outfits to shock passers-by. Nor was this about consumerism something which has taken root in too many similar events. This was about Pride and progress, as shown by the fact that everyone from toddlers to ageing visitors was happy to take part in this respectful, modest, lively and thoroughly wonderful street party.

Written by Ray Si – proud member of IGLTA
1st November 2018
People are totally lying about their weekends to make it sound like they had a good time
Millions of workers admit to spinning stories about their weekends – to make their lives sound more exciting to their colleagues, a study has found.

12019 / Pixabay

When asked about their weekends on a Monday morning, a poll of 2,000 workers found three in 10 exaggerate or make up what they did to avoid having to admit to staying in or not really doing anything.

Pretending they went to the pub with friends instead of just sitting in front of the TV is the most common fib, followed by making out they went to an expensive restaurant or got in a workout at the gym.

Going on a mini-break, seeing a gig or playing a sport are also among the top 10 lies workers tell on a Monday morning.

But one in five have been caught out fibbing about their weekend activities.

It also emerged 51 per cent usually regret not making the most of their two days off work.

A spokesman for Holiday Inn, which commissioned the research said, “Being asked ‘what did you get up to at the weekend’ is a common question from colleagues and friends on a Monday morning.

“While this is great if you did something exciting, it can be awkward if you had a weekend where you didn’t even leave the house.

“Rather than admit to a quiet weekend, many are making-up more exciting activities to avoid looking boring in front of others.

“One respondent told a colleague they had gone on a city break, not knowing their co-worker had seen them walking around their hometown.

“Going away for the weekend can add instant colour to your Monday morning weekend chat.

“Holiday Inn is committed to enabling the best weekends possible. With so much to explore right here in the UK, we help people nail their response to that dreaded Monday morning question ‘what did you do this weekend.”

People are even posting old photos to Instagram to prove how much fun they had!

StockSnap / Pixabay

The study found a third of workers dread colleagues asking what they did at the weekends in case it comes across as boring.

Social media is also filling Brits with weekend remorse, with more than one in 10 admitting to posting old photos on their Instagram account to make their weekends look more action-packed.

And if they do go away for the weekend, more than half say they would immediately share photos on social media.

But seven in 10 wouldn’t dream of telling colleagues they did nothing at all over the weekend.

The research, carried out via OnePoll, also revealed that a quarter of Brits reckon they go on more weekend breaks than they did five years ago.

And when it comes to trying to impress their colleagues, workers think attending a music event is the best weekend activity to do, along with relaxing at a spa, exploring a different UK city and participating in an extreme sport.

Whether looking to explore Windsor Castle, walk the cobbles of Coronation Street or simply find somewhere relaxing to stay for a friend’s wedding, Holiday Inn is there to assist with a weekend escape.

If travelling as a family, kids under the age of 12 stay and eat for free and up to two children under the age of 17 can stay for free when sharing a room with up to two adults.

Holiday Inn guarantees the lowest price rate when booking direct.

For more information visit www.holidayinn.com/weekend.

The top 10 fibs or exaggerations workers make about their weekend:
1. Going to the pub
2. Going to an expensive restaurant for dinner
3. Visiting the gym
4. Doing a cultural activity
5. Taking a road trip
6. Playing sports
7. Visiting a high-end cocktail bar
8. Going to a gig
9. Going on a mini break
10. Taking a bike ride
22nd October 2018
6 things that make a great gay holiday

So what really makes a great gay holiday?

CREDIT: bigstock / Rawpixel.com

The idea of Melmoth Travel came out of a number of conversations with our great friend David Melmoth, a lively and thoughtful older gay man and an experienced traveller.

We asked David to summarise his views about gay holidays for this article and we have invited him to join us on our Krakow tour in December to access how well we’ve acted on his advice.

So here are his top tips…

1 Places that are about people

I like people. They are what most interests me when I travel. Even when I am looking at ancient ruins, it is the people who lived in them that stir my imagination. I also love stories – especially new ones. So when I got on holiday it’s a plus for me if I don’t know the historical background to the place I’m visiting.

Destinations in Eastern Europe have a strong appeal. Now that we have Estonians and Slovaks living in the UK you frequently hear their countries mentioned but what are these places like? I only have vague, fairytale impressions: forests, castles, handsome heroes and beautiful flaxen-haired maidens. All wrong, I’m sure, but tantalising …

One place I would love to visit is Transylvania. I find the Dracula legend so compelling but, to be honest, I am not sure the famous castle even exists. How amazing it would be to find out!

Sun and sand holidays, on the other hand, are not really my style. I’ve done the Costa del Sol and the Greek islands in August. Now it’s the Mediterranean in winter that speaks to me. I’d like to climb Mount Etna when the temperature isn’t in the nineties, find out whether the Greeks eat hot puddings in winter, look at some serious archaeological sights and museums. These are the sort of holidays I would go for now, holidays with magic where new stories are always beginning.

2 Going in a group

©-yanlev-Depositphotos

I’m single at present and a gay group holiday would be far preferable to holidaying on my own. There’s less of a gay scene in my area these days so I don’t socialise too much. I tend either to go on dates or I trek to London for an evening in a pub where I’m mostly mixing with strangers. A holiday in the company of other gay people would be just up my street.

The dynamics of a group on holiday allow you to get to know people better than a string of one-to-ones. You see them in different situations interacting with each other. That’s certainly what I found when I used to go abroad with friends from Uni. And everyone is different. Some people are good to talk over experiences with while others will buck you up if you need encouragement. When I’m in countries where English isn’t spoken, I sometimes have to swallow hard before going into a bar or cafe on my own. Those sort of nerves don’t even happen when you’re in a group.

I think some people might prefer a holiday where the destination is a backdrop for the group: that would apply to stag weekends for example. But it’s not quite me. I would prefer to be in a place that’s fascinating in its own right with the group making it a shared experience. That would strike a better balance.

3 Guide

A guide on a group holiday is a necessity. Particularly on a short break. Particularly in unfamiliar places. The main reasons are practical. We’ve all been on tours where the guides have been charming and obliging. However, that is not the essential thing about guides. It’s the time and stress they save you. Of course, you know that you could actually do most of their work for yourself but who wants to spend a holiday navigating a strange city, working everything out by trial and error? I once spent a whole weekend in São Paulo without realising it had a Metro. That’s the sort of thing that can’t happen when you have a guide.

By the way, when I say a guide I’m not just talking about a knowledgeable person who shows you around ancient monuments. I mean someone who is part of the group and can resolve any difficulties almost before they happen. That’s especially important when the group members are gay men. There may be information they need and are shy about asking for: where to buy things, where to cruise, local sensitivities or whatever. The guide needs to be well-informed, discreet and ready to help with any of these issues.

4 Financial security

Boring I know, but if I’m splashing out on an all-inclusive package then I want the confidence that I’m getting what I’ve paid for. That means an ATOL certificate and the necessary bonding arrangements to ensure that if the operator goes bust I’ll get a similar holiday or my money back. This isn’t negotiable for me. I haven’t heard of cowboys in the gay tourism sector but it’s a rapidly developing market so you can be sure there are a few out there. I like adventures and I like the unexpected but some risks I don’t take. For me, financial security is a red line.

5 Freedom

After everything I’ve said about groups and guides and financial security, it may sound a bit rich saying I want to be free on holiday. But I do. Although I’m pretty gregarious but I also like to get away from time to time. I can see myself spending a few hours with just one or two other members of the group or maybe just going off to explore on my own. I’m quite typical of many gay men in that I know how to enjoy my own company. I’ll be frank too. If I’m going to visit a sauna or somewhere like that I don’t necessarily want to be surrounded by people I know.

From the tour operator’s point of view, giving people freedom means making some excursions optional but it’s also a question of approach. Right from the start, in the marketing, it should be clear that the tours are for people who don’t want to socialise a lot as well as those who do. The attitude of the guide should reinforce this. It’s imperative to avoid people being pressured into more involvement than they want.

6 Gay means gay

If a holiday is sold as “gay” then that’s what it should be. “Gay-friendly” doesn’t pass muster. I realise that most of the barriers between gay and straight have come down in recent times, but that makes me more, not less, interested in services that are specifically designed for gay people. Virtually all hotels, restaurants and bars welcome gay customers now but that doesn’t make them particularly gay. It just sends out the reassuring message that they’re homophobia-free which is great but doesn’t make for a gay experience in any positive sense.

What I would really like to do on holiday is meet other gay people socially. That is not going to happen in a gay-friendly hotel if there don’t happen to be any gay people in it! I’m not saying I want to time-travel back to a 1970s ghetto where everyone’s a friend of Dorothy and speaks Polari. But I would like to experience things with other gay people so that we can talk about them over dinner in the evening. That sort of relaxed approach increases the possibility of making friends, perhaps even long-term friends. Of course, no tour operator can guarantee that but it ought to be possible to make it a bit more likely. It’s certainly worth a try.

David Melmoth

Melmoth Travel

15th September 2018
Considering travelling to Belgium or France by coach? You might want to reconsider

It is better to travel well than to arrive, at least, that’s how the saying goes. The idea being that the journey itself should be an equal experience, form part of the memory, add some quality to the overall excursion, as much as the destination. That’s the theory anyway.

Coach travel operators Ouibus, however, seem not to have heard of this phrase.

I’m an adventurous type of person, open to new ideas and experiences, and so never having travelled to Europe by coach, normally preferring the Eurostar or plane, I thought that my planned trip from London to Bruges and on to Lille was within reasonable distance for a coach trip. Ouibus, by the look of their website, were the perfect balance of affordability and service that I was looking for, and so there I was at Victoria Station at the appointed hour to start my journey to Belgium and then to France. I was there, but sadly the coach wasn’t!

With no representatives from Ouibus available at Victoria Station, there was no way of knowing if the coach was late, cancelled, or if the departure times had changed. As my fellow travellers and I sat around the designated waiting area, a glorified cloakroom with all the charm of a low brow nightclub the morning after their busiest night and prior to the cleaners arriving, we came up with a quite reasonable plan. Ring customer service. A twenty-minute wait to be connected to an international number only to then be disconnected without speaking to anyone didn’t improve collective spirits, but finally, only two hours late, our carriage drove into view.

Not quite the level of luxury that the website had indicated, but there was designated seating to prevent that disorderly scrum that happens as people rush for the best seats. Sadly, the Ouibus staff failed to regulate or organise the flow of bodies, and the system quickly descended into chaos. But at least we were now on the way.

Or we would have been if the coach had been punctual, but the two-hour delay ensured that we were stuck in the worst of the London commuter traffic, adding another two hours to the journey as we inched our way through the nose to tail congestion that is part and parcel of inner city life. There was a Wi-Fi connection, but this was only a limited service, so I occupied my time watching the south of England and eventually the west of Belgium pass by the window.

The time allotted to a long lunch stop I had planned in Bruges had already been eaten up by the delays, and again without a company representative to consult, I hopped straight onto the Lille connection, which was surprisingly comfortable and spacious for the remaining 45-minute jaunt.

And if my journey had been frustrating and disappointing, The Grand Hotel Bellevue in Lille was total consolation. A 4-star hotel but plush enough to have been rated 5, located on the Grand Place or main square, wonderful urban views and positioned right at the city’s heart. What more could you ask for? Grand, plush bedrooms? They have that too. Great service? Absolutely. The feeling of being treated like royalty? Check.

Lille is not only a great city for families and romantic breaks, historical visits, and to soak up the rich culture, it has a wonderful gay social scene, especially at La Privilege, a very stylish and chic gay friendly bar and club, beautifully embellished and not overly expensive, and all just a short walk from the hotel. If you feel like a bit of a change, then Vice Versa across the road, though more of a boisterous, clubland vibe, is also worth checking out.

The city, in general, is a wonderful experience; there is strong support for local arts and the cafe culture, and night-time social scenes are vibrant and friendly. Two nights are enough to experience everything you need, and if you prefer a quieter place to stay whilst doing so, Grand Hotel Bellevue’s sister Hotel Couvent des Minimes is your answer.

So my advice to you comes in the form of another famous phrase. You get what you pay for and Ouibus’ cheap ticket price is such for a reason. Say no to the Ouibus, say oui (yes) to Eurostar, but ensure you experience both Bruges and Lille at least once in your life.

Written By: Ray Si – Proud Member of IGLTA

22nd June 2018
THEATRE REVIEW | The Blue Man Group and The One in Berlin

Berlin is famed the world over for its eclectic and slightly hedonistic nature, the diversity of its nightlife, never-ending club scene, and an anything-goes attitude. It boasts a fantastic spread of establishments, from old-school corner pubs and smart wine bars to grungy indie bars and live gig venues. But more than anything, the image of Berlin is one of the sumptuous theatres filled with elegant people watching edgy and left-field performances. It is an image that is as well-deserved today as it was back in the city’s golden age in the nineteenth century.

And so, I thought, what better place to head for to catch a couple of the star attractions of theatre-land and the chance to give my mouth some respite from the usual round of food and drink that is and instead, treat the eyes and ears for a change.

Berlin’s Friedrichstadt-Palast is a taste of both the old world and the new, a modern building that seems to reflect its past as a circus, theatre, and vaudeville house, with a facade including stained glass church windows. Once inside, the foyer and bar are stunning, and the main room itself, home of the largest theatre stage in the world, is nothing short of breathtaking.

The One Grand Show is a strange and varied production, part acrobatic, part song and dance cabaret, part Gaultier fashion retrospective all brought together in a vibrant Las Vegas-style experience. It is loose in structure, depicting an underground party that awakens the ghosts of an old Berlin theatre through the lavish visions of one partygoer. The show takes in many of the themes one would associate with Jean Paul Gaultier’s style including tattoos, graffiti, body modification, androgyny, fetish wear and punk; Studio 54 meets futuristic steam-punk revue, occasionally a bit lost but always surprising.

More rewarding was The Blue Man Group. The Berlin performance by Stage Entertainment is the only one in Europe and distinct from any of the other BMG shows running in other parts of the world. Unless you have seen the show, you may have an image of three bald, blue-skinned guys making music via bits of plumbing, and although that is certainly in there, it is the tip of their blue-tinted iceberg. So what has the show got? Well, everything. Comedy, music that ranges from dramatic rock to clubland frenzies, art, drumming, a blurring of lines between act and audience – the first three rows are supplied with ponchos to protect them from flying food and paint – dance, circus, and plenty of audience interaction. The hype is real, catch this show as soon as you can.

The bottom line is if you are going to immerse yourself in high-end theatre, do it in Berlin. Flights are cheap, tickets are reasonably priced, and it goes without saying that Berlin’s liberal attitudes mean that there is a thriving gay scene to explore between shows.

Paris may have glamour, London culture, and New York edge … Berlin has all three!

Written By: Ray Si – Proud Member of IGLTA

14th June 2018
These are the most gay-friendly cities where you can celebrate pride this year

Wondering where the safest and friendliest places to celebrate pride in 2018?

Pride Kickoff Rally 2013, Tribeca, Manhattan

Airbnb reveal the world’s top destinations for an unforgettable Pride this year.

Through a specially commissioned study conducted by ABCD in May 2018, the people-powered hospitality platform with a mission to create a world where anyone can belong anywhere has found out which destinations have the most to offer LGBTQ travellers.

The study looked at 100 cities with the highest Pride attendance worldwide and found out which of these fared best under five different LGBTQ categories, including nightlife and dating. Here are the winning cities and categories:

1. OVERALL WINNER – New York City

The Big Apple not only offers one of the biggest Pride celebrations, it also boasts a bustling nightlife, a busy dating scene, well-established marriage equality and impressive Airbnb stats: the city that sparked the gay Pride movement following the Stonewall riots will welcome over 27,000 guests on Airbnb during Pride Week.

Runners-up 2. London, 3. Madrid, 4.San Francisco, 5. Paris, 6. Berlin, 7. Toronto, 8. Chicago, 9. Los Angeles, and 10. Amsterdam.

2. TINDER DATING WINNER – London

Traditionally a mecca for LGBTQ travellers, it’s no surprise that London topped the ranking for dating. Using data shared with Airbnb by Tinder this May, they discovered that the British capital has the highest per capita usage of LGBTQ Tinder profiles worldwide (via Tinder’s More Genders feature).

Sydney places 9 in the Dating category so why not take your date to Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Australia’s most successful musical? On this Experience, bookable on Airbnb, you’ll get to go behind the scenes and take a sneak peek at the costumes, wigs and make-up from the production that usually only cast and crew get to see.

3. NIGHTLIFE WINNER – New York City

Looking at the number of LGBTQ clubs and bars, New York City is a top destination in this category too.

The city that never sleeps is closely followed in this ranking by 2. Los Angeles, 3. Tokyo, 4. Berlin, 5. Madrid, 6. London, 7. Mexico City, 8. Paris, 9. San Francisco, and 10. Barcelona.

4. PRIDE WINNER – São Paulo, Brazil

Image credit: Ben Tavener / Flickr – https://flic.kr/p/nupESZ

In terms of sheer numbers attending Pride celebrations, São Paulo tops the ranking in this category. Approximately 3 million visitors attended last year’s celebrations.

Liniker, a popular transgender musician from São Paulo, will take guests to some of her favourite local spots and end her experience with a private listening session of her upcoming album.

(read our warning about Brazil)

Next in line are 2. Toronto, 3. New York, 4. Madrid, 5. London, 6. San Francisco, 7. Chicago, 8. Cologne, 9. Houston, and 10. Paris.

5 – MARRIAGE EQUALITY (JOINT) WINNERS – Amsterdam, Rotterdam & Utrecht, Netherlands

Airbnb also looked at their list of cities to find out which destinations pioneered LGBTQ marriage equality. In the Netherlands, same-sex marriage was made legal in 2001, making it the first country in the world to do so. This places the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht in joint first position.

The Dutch paved the way, but these countries and their respective cities followed closely behind:

6. TRAVEL WINNER – London

For this category, Airbnb looked at cities that had the highest year-on-year growth in Airbnb guest arrivals during Pride. They also identified which cities have the highest number of LGBTQ Experiences on Airbnb and where you can find Airbnb Guidebooks with the highest number of tips for LGBTQ travellers.

160K+guests are expected to check in to an Airbnb during London’s Pride Week

The top city in this ranking is London, followed by 2. Los Angeles, 3. New York, 4. San Francisco, 5. Tokyo, 6. Paris, 7. Montreal, 8. Amsterdam, 9.Berlin, and 10. Barcelona.

10th June 2018
TRAVEL GUIDE | Gay York

York in the North of England is a gorgeous, historic city with a number of things to do for LGBT+ travellers.

So what is in York for gay travellers and LGBT guests? There are a couple of gay-friendly pubs in York and generally speaking in terms of crime the city of York is safer than similar areas of its size.

In terms of politics, however, things are not so great. There are four MPs who represent the area three from the Conservatives and one from Labour. MP Greg Knight (CONS) has generally voted against gay rights, but did vote for same-sex marriage in 2013. MP Rishi Sunak (CONS) has consistently voted against laws to promote equality and human rights. MP Rachael Maskell (LAB/COOP) has consistently voted for laws that promote equality and human rights. MP Julian Sturdy, has almost always voted against gay rights including same-sex marriage in 2013.

Gay Bars

Are there any gay bars in York? There are a couple of places of note and although they’re not specifically “gay bars” they are very LGBT+ friendly. Firstly there’s the Nag’s Head, (100 Micklegate, York YO1 6LX) which is described as very LGBT friendly and managed.

There is karaoke (8:30 PM til 12:00 AM) with Kira every Monday at Thomas’s Bar of York (Museum Street, York, YO1 7DT)- and there’s a free shot for singers.

There’s the York Arms in High Petergate (26 High Petergate, York, YO1 7EH) attracts a mainly gay male customer.

There is a transgender/cross dresser and TV night at Corner Pin and Flares (17 Tanner Row, York, YO1 6JB) every Third Saturday.

Fibbers (3-5 Toft Green, York, YO1 6JT) runs a Lip-Sync night event on the last Sunday of the month, described as LGBT+ friendly.

There is a monthly “queer” night at Dusk on New Street called Hot Crush. Times vary so you should check their website.

(FILE PHOTO) TuendeBede / Pixabay

York has a yearly Pride event.

There is a yearly pride event held in York. This year’s event takes place on Saturday 9th June 2018. You can find out more about the event here.

Are there any gay saunas in York?

There are no gay saunas in York, the closest is Basement Complex and Steam Complex both in Leeds (29 miles), Lindum in Bradford (43 miles), Plastic Ivy in Dewsbury (36 miles).

Any LGBT Hotels in York?

There aren’t any gay or LGBT+ hotels available in York. However, you can check for the best deals from Hotels.com, Booking.com and Travelodge

How to get to York

York is centrally located in the heart of the UK. There are direct rail links from London, Edinburgh, Manchester in around two hours. There are numerous airports close to York, including, Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds/Bradford. Seaports that are closest are, Hull and Newcastle, both around a two hours drive.

If you’re travelling by car here are the travel times and approx miles: London: 3h 50m / 210 miles | Edinburgh: 4h 12m / 210 miles | Manchester: 1h 34m / 73 miles | Sheffield: 1h 19m / 63 miles | Cardiff: 4h 23m / 250 miles | Glasgow: 3h 56m / 211 miles | Newcastle: 1h 47m / 87 miles | Nottingham: 1h 45m / 87 miles | Bristol: 3h 53m / 223 miles | Liverpool: 2h 01m / 102 miles | Derby: 1h 47m / 91 miles | Carlisle: 2h 23m / 116 miles | Birmingham: 2h 26m / 134 miles

Meeting gay guys in York?

If you’re looking for a connect to gay and bisexual guys in York why not join our free social network.

With many thanks to York LGBT Forum for the help in signposting for this article.

5th June 2018