The official GAY UK travel guide. Bringing you the latest from the travel world and reviews of the most gay-friendly holiday destinations and where they go the extra mile to make you feel welcome.
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.
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.
The city that doesn’t sleep isn’t cheap. In fact, you’ll find it hard to find free things to do, but here are 10 of our favourites.
Empire State Building, Midtown, Manhattan, NYC
Planning on going to New York? Well, as a gay traveller there are certain things you have to do, like visiting the Stonewall Inn or even planning a night out at the infamous Cock bar. But, if you’re on a budget here are some of our favourite things to do for free, or just the price of a drink, in one of the greatest cities in the world.
Staten Island Ferry
Staten Island Ferry, View of Boat
This is one of the go-to free things to do while in the city of New York. The 5.2-mile trip takes you right past the Statue of Liberty giving you an outstanding opportunity to take a full-on frontal picture of the great lady. The cruise takes about 25 minutes and runs every 15 to 30 minutes depending on the time of day. Many people disembark once arriving at Staten Island and get straight back on the boat for the return journey.
The Central Park Reservoir
On a sunny day, the 1.5-mile walk around Central Park’s reservoir will enliven the senses and make you feel like you’re a world away from the hustle and bustle of Midtown and Downtown Manhattan. It stretches from 86th to 96th Street (very close to the Guggenheim Museum).
The decommissioned reservoir holds over a billion US gallons of water and covers 106 acres. One of the best times of year to walk around the reservoir is when the cherry blossoms are blooming.
The High Line
Take a stroll along the disused and abandoned railway track set above the streets of Lower Manhattan. It’s a 1.45-mile walk which leads you through landscaped gardens over the roads. The High Line has been repurposed from a former railroad, which was created to ship goods from one part of the city to the other. It runs from 34th Street to Gansevoort Street, in the Meatpacking District. After “getting off” the high line, head for the Bus Stop Cafe on the corner of Bethune and Hudson for a spot of lunch.
Stonewall Inn
Where it all began. The birth of the modern gay rights movement in the USA. Located in the gay/gay-friendly neighbourhood on Christopher Street, a trip to the famous Stonewall Inn should be high on your list of gay things to do in New York. Entry is free, but please do buy a drink and support this historic, legendary venue.
Christoper Park
Situated outside the Stonewall Inn in the centre of Christopher Street is Christoper Park. Christopher Street is the oldest street in the West Village and in the 1970s became the “Main Street” of gay New York. Over the decades, numerous shops, bars and other businesses that cater for the LGBT community have populated the street. Make sure you get your photo at the Gay Street sign which coincidentally intersects with Christopher Street.
In Christopher Park, there’s a Gay Liberation Monument where numerous bonze statuses, covered in white lacquer sculptures commemorate the Stonewall Riots, which took place in 1969. It features four people. Two men and two women.
9/11 Memorial Park
A humbling experience awaits at the 9/11 memorial. Take time to reflect and remember.
A humbling experience awaits in the mass of skyscrapers at the lower end of Manhattan. This is where, in the footprints of the original World Trade Centre twin towers, you’ll find the names of nearly 3000 people, who died on September 11th, 2001, etched into bronze, on the outer rim of the two reflecting pools where the towers once stood. There is a museum as well. However, queue lines are long, and the entry ticket costs a whopping $44 each for admission and the tour. You can get significantly reduced entry by purchasing a New York CityPASS.
The Buildings
Empire State Building, Midtown, Manhattan, NYC
One of greatest attractions of New York is its buildings and where NYC is concerned, bigger is best. Across Manhattan, you’ll discover icon after icon. There’s the Empire State Building, The Rockefeller Center, Radio City, Carnegie Hall, New York Times, Times Square, The Chrysler Building, The United Nations building, One World Trade Center, the former PamAm building (now MetLife), The Guggenheim and Madison Square Gardens. The list goes on and on.
Pier Life
Pride Kickoff Rally 2013, Tribeca, Manhattan
If you’ve ever watched Paris Is Burning, you’ll know that the piers played a considerable part in LGBT+ life in New York especially during the 70s, 80s and 90s. The dilapidated piers reaching out into the Hudson River became a hang out for those on the fringes of society. Some of the piers have been redeveloped and given a new lease of life. Take a walk to the piers at the end of Christopher Street. It’s not uncommon to find all manner of activities taking place, like dance classes or music to listen to.
This year’s pride parade takes place on the 24th June. Check out the parade route here.
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
Walk the walk. 10,000 people every day cross the Brooklyn Bridge
This famous bridge is well worth the walk – despite the crowds (apparently 10,000 people use the footbridge part every day). The views of Lower Manhattan from the centre are breathtaking. The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest bridges in the USA. It was finished in 1883 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964. Look out for the 3500 bikers who use the bridge every day too. They aren’t particularly friendly towards pedestrians who walk on the cycle lane!
Once in Brooklyn make the short walk to Brooklyn Bridge Park for some impressive views of the waterway between Brooklyn and Manhattan and the famous NYC skyline.
Big Apple Greeter
Believe it or not, you can get a free walking tour with the Big Apple Greeter organisation, whose team of volunteers will show you New York in a totally personal light. You should request your greeter at least three to four weeks before your trip to New York. The Big Apple Greeter has a no tipping policy, but they do ask you to consider donating to help continue the non-profit service.
Marie’s Crisis Bar
Ask anyone where to go for a good night out that’s camp and gay and they’ll probably suggest this legendary piano bar, where show tunes and awesome singers are the promised offering. It’s a gay bar just off 7th Avenue behind Christopher Street on Grove Street. Be prepared for how busy it gets and bring cash for drinks and tips. We loved this Yelp review from Niall and it pretty much sums up this venue:
“While this is a gay bar it is also a musical bar. There are two types here; gays who love musicals and everyone else who loves musicals. If you are a member of either tribe you are family, if not, please keep it moving!”
How to get to NYC?
Wondering on the cheapest way to get to Manhattan after arriving from JFK – check out our guide here.
Our top tip is if you’re going to be a total tourist – which you totally should be in this magnificent city, then purchase yourself a CityPASS. It will give you access to numerous tourist destinations, like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty for 40 percent off. It costs around £96.27 and is well worth the price if you plan on visiting all of the destinations on offer.
Durham is a city in the Northeast of England, its proximity to Newcastle means that you might need to leave town to go gay.
So what is in Durham for gay travellers and LGBT guests? Gay clubs and bars are thin on the ground in the actual city of Durham, you need to travel to Newcastle which is about 15 miles away from Durham.
Generally speaking Durham is a safe place to be and the police in the area are committed to ending homo/bi and transphobia. There have been numerous reports in recent times of homophobic attacks or abuse. Caution is advised over public displays of affection between same-sex couples.
As a plus, all three of Durham’s Labour MPs Roberta Blackman-Woods, Kevan Jones and Pat Glass (who no longer serves the North West Durham) voted in favour of same-sex marriage back in 2013.
Gay Bars
Are there any gay bars in Durham? The short answer is no. However, there is an LGBT+ night on Monday nights at Osbourne’s Bar.
There is a yearly pride event held in Durham. This year it takes place on the last May bank holiday weekend (Sunday 27th May). You can find out more about the event here.
Are there any gay saunas in Durham?
The nearest gay saunas/bathhouses to Durham are located in Newcastle which is 15 miles further north. There is the Number 52 sauna, Base Newcastle. There was a sauna called H2O but it looks to have closed.
Number 52 and Base offer entry to non-members for £12.
Any LGBT Hotels in Durham?
There aren’t any gay or LGBT+ hotels available in Durham. However, you can check for the best deals from Hotels.com, Booking.com and Travelodge
Meeting gay guys in Durham?
If you’re looking for a connect to gay and bisexual guys in Durham why not join our free social network.
How to get to Durham
By road
Durham is only two miles from the A1(M). Leave the motorway at Junction 62 on the A690 Durham – Sunderland road and follow signs to Durham City Centre.
By rail
There are 60 trains from most major cities in the country calling at Durham each day. There are 14 trains from London, which takes under three hours from Kings Cross.
By air
Durham is 30 minutes’ drive from Newcastle Airport and about 40 minutes from Durham Tees Valley. Both serve domestic and international flights. Durham is linked to Newcastle Airport by rail and metro. To look for flights click here
Travel expert, Ray Si takes to the roads to check out Sam Smith in Belgium in a gay travel special.
Sam Smith in concert
If music be the food of love, and travel broadens the mind, then it follows that undertaking a trip to watch a live music concert should make you lovelier and more broad-minded than you were to begin with. There seems to be logic to that, but you would probably have to ask someone with a more academic background. However, it’s a nice thought, so let’s go with it. But it takes more than nice thoughts to make all of the logistical pieces of a trip to an arena show fall into place these days, as was evident when I attempted to secure tickets for Sam Smith’s London O2 show.
Despite springing into action as soon as tickets were announced, I encountered what is becoming a regular stumbling block for gig-goers of late, in that as soon as they come up for sale, a quick scan through the box office website generally reveals that all of the best seats have been bought out by a sister site, and the prices inflated way beyond face value. This was indeed the case, and I did want to see Sam Smith live. What’s a boy to do? A scan through other available tour dates, a quick flex of the credit card to the tune of €66, and I was not only able to secure a 4th-row ticket at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp but give myself the perfect excuse for a short break in Belgium. Not that anyone really needs an excuse to head off to Belgium.
Eurostar waiting in London’s St Pancras
Okay, so in the grand scheme of things, I didn’t really save much money doing it this way, because of course, I now had to include the cost of a hotel and a Eurostar ticket, but what I did end up with was a mini holiday in another country for the price of the original London seat.
Inside the Eurostar
Any trip from the UK to Europe is best done on Eurostar, and believe me, the new trains add a whole extra level of convenience and comfort to your journey. Tickets and check-ins for the train are simplicity itself, and with spacious seats, power sockets, and entertainment (via WiFi) and a generous luggage allowance, the journey couldn’t be more enjoyable. Eurostar’s new Standard Premier is even more spacious, quiet, and has a cute meal and drinks service included.
An upgrade on your Eurostar journey
As a small celebration for getting such a good seat for the show at such a reasonable price, I thought that I’d splash out a little on accommodation and chose The Dominican hotel in central Brussels. Not only was its central location wonderfully convenient, but it is one of those hotels where you can’t help feeling a little bit special. Built on the site of a Dominican abbey, hence the name, this majestic hotel mixes utmost modernity with historical elegance and abounds with antiques and artwork from more classical times.
Inside the Dominican LobbyInside the Dominican Bedroom
There are plenty of options to eat in at The Dominican, but with such a short time to fit in as many new experiences as possible, I wasted no time in finding a great little restaurant in the guise of the wonderfully named Ricotta and Parmesan. Cheesy in name perhaps, but anything but cheesy in nature. It’s actually a wonderful Italian eatery, a blend of traditional flavours served in modern ways, although having mussels on the menu this far from the sea is odd, though it does allow diners to crack a Jean-Claude Van Damme joke or two.
Although Antwerp and Brussels are only an hour apart, to save having to fight through all the other gig goers jostling to get to the same station after the show, I thought it best to book something more convenient for apres-gig accommodation, and the B-aparthotel Moretus was the perfect combination of comfort and practicality. Not for me a fight through the madding crowds just to experience standing room only in a full to the brim train.
And of course, the reason for this trip was to take in the bruised balladry of Sam Smith, no longer the new kid on the block but musically seeming like an old soul, wise beyond his years, and walking a fine line between the melancholic and confessional, and more upbeat and soulful musical waters. And with this current tour spread out across the world right through to the end of the year, my little adventure just goes to show that you don’t have to play the ticket touts’ game, and with a bit of planning, you can use the live show as the jewel in the crown of a fantastic short break.
Exeter is a city in the South of England, it’s known for its history but also a place where you can be accepted for who you are.
The crowds turn up to celebrate Exeter Pride
So what is in Exeter for gay travellers and LGBT guests? Well, for a start, Exeter boasts some of the lowest crime rates in the country. In 2018 the county’s major football team, Exeter City took a stance against homophobia and Exeter’s MP, Ben Bradshaw is an openly gay man.
Gay Bars
Are there any gay bars in Exeter? Well in 2018 there is one gay venue and it’s called The Vaults, which is located at 8 Gandy Street, Exeter, EX4 3LS. Overall it gets great ratings from users on TripAdvisor. It opens daily at 7 PM or 9 PM except on Sunday when it opens at 10 PM.
Exeter has a yearly Pride event.
This year’s pride takes place on the 12th May. Exeter Pride takes place in Northernhay Gardens, but there is also a parade to watch. It will run from the St Sidwell Centre which will move down Exeter High Street to Northernhay Gardens, best of all it’s free to take part and enjoy the event.
Are there any gay saunas in Exeter?
The nearest gay saunas/bathhouses to Exeter are in Plymouth (45 miles), Manticore Spa or Torquay, the Steamer Quay Spa (23 miles).
Any LGBT Hotels in Exeter?
There’s the “gay-friendly” Woodleigh Coach House, which is set on the edge of Dartmoor, about 11 miles west of Exeter. They have a choice of five rooms, all ensuite.
There are a few “gay owned” hotels in and near to Exeter. Overcombe House which is about 45 miles away from Exeter is, “just a short distance from the historic market town of Tavistock & there is easy access to the ancient maritime city of Plymouth; whilst having all the benefits and amenities of Dartmoor National Park & the adjacent Tamar Valley area of outstanding natural beauty” right on the doorstep.
There’s the gay-owned Strete Barton House in Dartmouth which is located 42 miles away.
There is also a gay-owned self-catering holiday cottage in Sidmouth, which is about 16 miles away.
Check out all accommodation options and the latest prices with our partners TripAdvisor and hotels.com.
Meeting gay guys in Exeter?
If you’re looking for a connect to gay and bisexual guys in Exeter why not join our free social network.
If you have never visited the Costa Del Sol might it of been because you are not ready to retire, don’t need a tan, don’t want to socialise with Brits abroad or don’t care for an English breakfast or perhaps that was just me.
I had to add some gay travel glam to this trip so booked a direct flight from London City Airport to Malaga and with a flight time of 2hrs 40mins and the welcoming temperature of 20°C (Feb ’18) this was a great start.
A 20-minute drive from Malaga airport is Torremolinos a beach town obsessed by the Brits wanting to escape the grey’s of the UK to catch some of the 300 days a year sunshine in the comfortable climate of this Mediterranean resort town. Sol House Costa Del Sol by Melia occupies the edge on one of the sandy beaches that is La Carihuela.
Waking up to views of the ocean and the seafront promenade in one of the hotels main attraction (stayed in House Suite). Its cosy modern loft style design can be divided into two private independent spaces by a sliding door.
The Sol House Costa Del Sol Hotel is in a very desirable location with easy access to Benalmádena which hosts one of the best marinas in the world. Having explored a few of the beachfronts in the nearby areas you will notice that La Carihuela has a more compact feel with a nice bustling energy of locals and visitors exploring this stretch.
There are numerous activities, trips and excursions that the Sol House offers which easily places this hotel in the family and pet-friendly category. The hotel’s resort approach will have a few surprising beach gifts waiting for you in your room which offers a considerate welcome.
Breakfast time can be quite stressful at this hotel as if you are lucky enough to get a vacant table right away you will still end up with warm toast and cold tortilla (omelette) or vice versa – I just don’t know how to mathematically work my way around those buffet breakfast’s especially when hot food should be hot…so cereals and fruit it is.
After the commotion of breakfast, it was wonderful to discover this serene water culture haven in Malaga – Hammam Al Andalus. The Hammam experience at these Arab baths allows you to enjoy the water journey, massages and rituals without any overcrowding since they have a strict capacity for each session which adds to the exclusivity of your visit. This gem has some wonderful touches that will make the feeling of being wrapped in clouds a possibility. Hammam Al Andalus is so peaceful I almost felt as though the elegant staff can sense when you need assistance and then serenely appear.
I always find it a turn off when restaurants try to lure diners from the promenade with staff or advertising – I don’t want pizza, all day English breakfasts, kebabs or generic tapas. I wanted somewhere where the food speaks for itself and not dependent on advertising or location – I won the food lottery with finding the discreet, humble and enticing Lime and Lemon. Every dish was like a visual theatrical experience. Their tapas menu raised the bar for combined flattering tastes and creativity all without the hefty price tag. It was no surprise that this quaint passion joint was fully booked. The snug atmosphere that the owners create all match the pleasing dishes they produce.
G
The Sol House Costa Del Sol Hotel arranges themed nightly performances however; leave yourself plenty of time to order a beverage as like me, you may go unnoticed at the bar (and I’m very tall).
I would definitely return to the Costa Del Sol – unless Lime and Lemon open up and take a squeeze out of The Big Apple or London.
Despite homosexuality not being illegal in Indonesia, recent events have shown that it is not an entirely safe place for gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people to visit.
Strictly speaking, homosexuality is not illegal in Indonesia. However, the country does have a very conservative view on same-sex sexual acts.
Recently there has been a crackdown on homosexuality and transgender people, particularly in the Aceh Province, which uses Sharia law to govern its people, Sharia law outlaws same-sex sexual activity.
There have also been reports where there have been raids on gay men in the Country’s capital city, Jarkata. In May 2017, dozens of men were arrested for allegedly attending a party at a sauna. Police raided the venue and captured 144 men, under broad pornography laws. The broadly written rules have been used to target the gay community in the past unfairly.
THEGAYUK.com cannot, at this time recommend that anyone who identifies as LGBT+ travel to Indonesia for the foreseeable future. However, if you do visit, we recommend that you do not use gay saunas, which could be targetted by law enforcement officials. If you are travelling to Aceh province, you should refrain from public displays of affection with a same-sex partner.
Israel is a land full of contradictions, as both the birthplace of the world’s three major religions and the first country in the entire Middle East to legalise gay marriage. It’s part desert, part war-zone, part perpetual pride parade.
So here are a few things to expect should you decide to take a gay trip with a difference this year:
When people think of Israel, they think of the capital city, Tel Aviv. And while it may be the home of one of the world’s greatest and gayest pride celebrations, there is so much more to Israel than Tel Aviv.
As the birthplace of human civilisation, the history of the country is staggering. I swear our tour guide very rarely began a story that didn’t start 2,000 years ago. At least. Much of the ancient structures are still there, allowing you to experience what life was like before Jesus.
Locations like Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, and Galilee, should definitely be included on any history buff’s itinerary.
2. It’s VERY gay-friendly
Despite its profoundly religious background, Israel is THE most progressive and gay-friendly country in the entire region. Having accepted gay marriage long before the UK did, that’s made even more impressive by the fact that the region and the country are so deeply religious.
LGBT-friendly bars and clubs are everywhere in Tel Aviv, and there are plenty of LGBT tours that operate all year round for those wanting to see the sights with some fellow gays.
3. It’s hot… in a good way
In some of the mountainous areas, the winter months can see snow while the rest of the country is wearing shorts. We were hiking up mountains in shorts and floating in the Dead Sea in November, and it was GLORIOUS!
4. It’s not cheap … not in a good way
Despite the thrift market feel of some of Tel Aviv’s best shopping districts, the city and the country as a whole, are not cheap. So don’t go out expecting a bargain-basement break when you visit.
Seeing as Jerusalem was where all three of the major religions were started, it’s not surprising that religion is deeply ingrained in Israel’s society to this day. It was fascinating (if not a little creepy) to be the only atheist in a city where Jesus himself hung out; seeing the tomb where he was supposedly buried, and the countless churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples crammed into this tiny little patch of land.
Every region in Israel claims to be the inventors of hummus, and that they make the best hummus in the world. So be expected to eat a lot of it. From luxury hotels to tiny street cafés, there’s plenty of variations to try, paired with endless servings of freshly baked pita. Indulge! It’s only chickpeas!
7. They will talk about the war… and it will be awkward
When you tell your mum you’re going to Israel, she will invariably tell you to be careful. And with so much talk about the many wars that have taken place in this tiny stretch of land over the millennia, I can understand why. It took us five days of history lessons before we could finally grasp the intensely complicated history behind the civil unrest that is still taking place. However, there were times during our tour when we were a few scant kilometres from the action, and we never heard a thing.
There are signs and novelty t-shirts making jokes about Palestine, but in my experience, it’s probably best not to joke about it too loudly if you’re not a local.
I like to think I’m fairly well-travelled, and I have NEVER experienced anything like the check-in procedures when visiting Israel. I spent easily half an hour explaining every detail about my trip and my travel history to the woman at customs, all before I’d even checked my back. (It probably didn’t help that I grew up in the Middle East and have a load of Arabic stamps in my passport).
I arrived 3 hours early, and I certainly needed that much time. They will ask lots of questions, they may take your passport and make you wait for ages, but they’re doing that so that they can keep their country safe. Do you blame them?
I’m not usually one for quiet weekends, for me, a quiet weekend usually means I didn’t go out Friday night but didn’t get home on Saturday night until Sunday afternoon. I had a weekend spare, and a friend of mine was having a birthday in Hamburg so I popped up and spent a couple of days touring the city on a surprisingly warm summer day, while still managing to fit in a night at a great club on the city’s party strip, the Reeperbahn. Aside from clubbing and meeting hot German boys, here are 4 things to do in Hamburg on a quiet weekend.
Take a harbour tour. The city of Hamburg is home to the largest commercial harbour in Germany, and the third busiest in Europe. Unsurprisingly, this makes it Hamburg’s largest tourist attraction. Most of the attractions of Hamburg can be found around the water, in fact, the water is almost everywhere: the city has more bridges than any other city in the world, with 2300 bridges within the city limits. While Hamburg is a very walkable city, and there is plenty to see when you travel around the city by foot, but there is nothing quite like taking a harbour tour and seeing it all from the water. The harbour boat tour company Barkassen-Mayer provides several boat trips throughout the day, and are easily found along the main harbour terminal near the Hamburg Hard Rock Café. The tour takes about an hour and takes you past several interesting features of the harbour, including military installations and the largest ships to be found in the port.
Take an open-topped bus tour with Red Double-Decker Busses.Like many cities, Hamburg has a hop-on-hop-off open-topped bus tour. The buses run all day long, and stops are all over the city. There’s even a helpful tour-guide to point out all the interesting things there are to see along the way. To make things easier, you can catch the bus at the main station, and take it down to the harbour to get the boat tour and continue the bus tour to another part of town. A perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon when nothing much else is happening.
Visit the Hamburg Miniature Wonderland. Not content with having the largest port in Germany or the most bridges in the world, Hamburg is also home to the world’s largest model railway. A really fun way to spend an afternoon – particularly on days when the weather isn’t the best for being outside.
Visit the Elbphilharmonie viewing platform. While bookings to get seats inside the brand-new Hamburg Phil are booked out until sometime in mid-2019, the open-access viewing platform is open to the public for free every day. Free tickets are available online or from machines at the entrance. These give you access to the 6th-floor viewing platform, which aside from providing a great view over the harbour, are also home to a number of great bars and restaurants which offer an excellent view with your dinner or drinks. After spending the weekend touring the city, a relaxing drink overlooking the harbour is the perfect way to wrap up a weekend in Hamburg.
While staying in Hamburg, you’ll need a convenient and well-appointed hotel. The Radisson Blu Hamburg Airport is a great option as it puts you a short walk from the airport, and is on the metro line that runs directly to the main station and on to the main party district of Hamburg city. The Radisson offers the level of comfort you expect from a high-quality hotel. The rooms are spacious and the large beds are comfortable and probably can give you a great night’s sleep – but whoever came to Germany to use a bed to sleep? They do however offer a great bar in the lobby, and the breakfast buffet is also excellent, with a wide range of options to suit all your needs. I’m a particularly big fan of the whole smoked salmon, but that’s just me.
The best way to get from A to B in Hamburg is the public transport system. Metro and buses run 24 hours to all parts of the city and there are handy machines at every metro station (including the one at the airport) where you can buy a Hamburg card which gives you unlimited travel on the HVV public transport system, as well as discounts on many museums, tours, and restaurants. Cards are also available online, can be purchased for groups of up to 5 people, and are valid for the day of purchase until 6 am the following day.
Travelling to America as a gay man you probably think New York, South Beach or San Francisco, well we recently had a little vagaytion to America’s Midwest and we uncovered some wonderful gems.
CREDIT: Jake Hook
View from the John Hancock centre. 96 floors up.
Springfield
CREDIT: Jake Hook
Springfield’s capitol building.
Springfield is the state capitol of Illinois and the political heartland of the state. Every street corner is bustling with political back channelling, clandestine meets and poll rigging… We may have just made that up, but we’re absolutely certain people were talking about The Good Wife. Politically speaking, Illinois is one of the epicentres of US politics, which boasts two Presidents who lived in the state, Abraham Lincoln and Barrack Obama.
CREDIT: Jake Hook
Rub the nose of Lincoln, it brings good luck
Whilst you’re there make sure you visit the Illinois State Capitol building (pictured above) and breath in that political air, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, the Oakridge Cemetery, where Abraham Lincoln’s tomb is located, (don’t forget to rub the nose of his statue, it’s supposed to be good luck) and be sure to grab yourself a hot dog on a stick at the Cosy Dog Drive in.
CREDIT: Jake Hook
You might be surprised to know that Springfield has its very own gay bar, Club Station House – a very friendly affair. On the night we stayed we sang Rick Astley karaoke – the locals had no idea who he was, but they clapped all the same.
CREDIT: Jake Hook
Stay at the gorgeous State House Inn, but here’s a tip – ask for an odd numbered room. They’re at the back of the hotel – and you shouldn’t be disturbed by the Juggernaut trains that slice through the city at 3 AM in the morning – horns blaring.
Chicago
CREDIT: Jake Hook
Obviously, no trip to America’s Midwest would be complete without a stay in Chicago. From an LGBT perspective, it’s got two incredibly friendly neighbourhoods – the more youth orientated Boystown and the slightly maturer Andersonville. Of course, there are many gay bars to visit and street festivals to try out, but one particularly sensational event to try, is the Andersonville Annual Midsoomarfest. If you go a stranger, I promise you won’t leave without making friends.
As with all major cities make sure you make time for a river cruise and perhaps catch something at the theatre – perhaps the Blueman group and avail yourself of some Chicago pie. It’s like nothing you’ve ever tried before.
Indianapolis
CREDIT: Jake Hook
Outside Illinois state, in the state of Indiana, you’ll want to try and visit the state’s capital city, Indianapolis, famous for amongst other things the Indy Car Race Track. If you’re around March through September make sure you catch one of the 16 races – and join over 300,000 spectators who revel in the high-octane Indy car racing. If you fancy something a little slower then try a Sedway riverside tour. Honestly, as you take a Sedway tour along the river, you’ll think you’re in a different time altogether – as it looks incredibly futuristic. It’s no secret that Indianapolis’s culinary scene is booming, ask any city-dweller the best place for eats, and they’ll gladly reel off a list of great places. For one of the most incredible meals, you need to dine out at St Elmo’s Steak House and try the Shrimp Cocktail.
Indianapolis is home to a number of gay bars and spaces and has one of the highest attended LGBT Prides in the US. If you’re looking for a spot of entertainment then a visit to the Talbott Street Nightclub is a must. They regularly host special events which often feature the gals from RuPaul’s Drag Race.
For more venues visit our guide page.
Galena
CREDIT: Jake Hook
If you’re a fan of the fly/drive holiday then you’ll want to check out the Great Lakes Facebook page, where you’ll get lots of ideas for glorious cities, friendly towns and exciting hot-spots to visit whilst you’re in the area. One such find is the ridiculously beautiful town of Galena. Around 3 hours west of Chicago, you’ll drive through miles and miles of farming land – the Midwest is known as the breadbasket of America – because of its wheat production and you’ll certainly see a lot of it.
The roads are easy, wide and once outside the city limits mainly free from traffic. You can forget the M6 or M25. Galena is a different world altogether and as you enter through the town’s giant floodgates (it sits on the Galena River which feeds into the almighty Mississippi River) you’ll be left wondering if you’ve actually stepped back in time.
Home to just under 3500 people, the town has an incredible friendly laid-back appeal. You must stay in one of the gorgeous, unique suites at the Jail Hill Inn – owned, operated and lovingly restored by the Inn Keeper, Matthew Carroll. Fill your boots at the wonderfully authentic Vinny Vanucchi‘s Italian restaurant. To really get your orientation in this quaint historic town buy a ticket for the Galena Trolleys – which depart from 10 AM until 9 PM. Your guide will take you on a whirlwind stop of this picture perfect town.
If you’ve a head for heights book yourself on to the Balloon flight experience – and see how beautiful the Midwest countryside is from the sky. As you float several thousand feet up let yourself drift with the wind – who knows where you’ll end up next.
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.
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!
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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?
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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.
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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.
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