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.
The land of ice and fire seems straight out of an episode of Game of Thrones, mainly because a big chunk of it is filmed there.
It has an eery feel to its vast wilderness that fits the show perfectly and makes for a really cool gay trip. Here are a few gay travel tips that will make your visit to the land founded by Vikings that were too tough for the rest of ancient Scandinavia, as much fun as that sentence was to write.
1. Check out AirBnB
Tourism is Iceland’s biggest industry, and since the financial crash decimated a lot of other businesses, they have invested heavily in getting as many tourists there as possible. With insanely cheap flights connecting Europe to North America, there’s plenty of foot-traffic, and the government would prefer that they stay in fancy-ass hotels. So that’s what they built. You’ll find plenty of luxury hotels and a few hostels, but not much in between. If you’re on a budget, but wouldn’t call yourself a budget traveller, Airbnb is a popular option.
2. Book everything in advance
The best time of year to visit is definitely summer, although that does rule out seeing the Northern Lights as the sun never really sets. This means that flights, accommodation, and tours will all be booked solid if you leave it until your trip to book anything. This includes booking your entrance AND transport to and from the Blue Lagoon in advance. There’s no difference in price but there is limited availability, so get clicking now.
We flew direct from Gatwick to Keflavik (Iceland’s only international airport) with low-cost airline rising stars Wow Air. They offer civilised flight times for a reasonable price (from £250) or plenty of those crack of dawn flights for even more reasonable prices. Both of which come complete with lavish purple decor, and check out this legroom!
When it comes to the typical tourist jaunts, Reykjavik Excursions endless options and departure times, ferrying us to the Golden Falls (careful) and the Blue Lagoon in comfort. However, if you fancied something a little special, you could opt for a gay tour company called Pink Iceland, who arrange many of the same tours, but with a little rainbow twist.
4. Rainbow unicorn chocolate
There’s rainbow unicorn chocolate. If you don’t buy it you’re technically not allowed to call yourself gay anymore.
Yeah, of course, there’s a penis museum. Why wouldn’t there be?
6. Get the public transport app
If you don’t drive or don’t really want to drive while in Iceland, then you need to download the Straeto.is app. For some bizarre reason, Google doesn’t recognise any of Iceland’s rather limited public transport, so this is the only way to figure out how to actually get anywhere rather than paying 3,000 Kr (£21) for each taxi trip into town. Plus the buses will not give you change, and you can pay for tickets directly through the app.
7. Take a sleeping mask
If you go during the summer, don’t underestimate the importance of a sleeping mask. Iceland gets about an hour or 2 of “darkness” per night, so you basically just don’t sleep and go a little crazy.
Before hitting the town for a night of gay dancing at the infamous and only gay club in the country, Kiki bar, be sure to get lightly trashed before heading out. Like many things in this beautiful country, alcohol is insanely expensive. And this is coming from someone who lives in London.
9. Hook up
Iceland is the safest country in the world, so you should feel confident to go meet up with guys. And be sure to set aside some time for this, since the community is so small and insular, any fresh meat will be well received and the locals would be grateful of some new conversation. Note: We cannot guarantee that they’ll all be winners.
Be sure to check out Pink Iceland for more information and to book a gay tour or two. And feel free to check out my Instagram for more pictures of me being a dork around Iceland (and around the world!).
On a scale of Saudi to San Fran, just how gay, camp, LGBT-friendly is this small southern-European country?
When I told people that I was going on a trip to Slovenia, the typical reaction was “Oh cool… what’s there?” To which I shamefully admitted, “No idea!” So I went to find out.
A little background on Slovenia
The ex-Yugoslavian country has been independent since 1991 and is just a short 1 hour and 45-minute flight from London. With a small population of about 2 million people, English is widely spoken, otherwise, they’d have very few people to talk to. Probably the greenest country on the planet, Slovenia manages to fit in breathtaking mountain ranges and Mediterranean beaches, all within a few hours drive of the capital city Ljubljana (pronounced lube-ee-aanna… ha ha, lube).
Sounds great right, but how does it stack up as a gay travel destination?
Is Slovenia safe for gay travellers?
If you don’t know where Slovenia is, then it’s fair to ask whether or not you’ll be safe travelling there. Unlike some of its more Soviet neighbours, Slovenia is a very safe country for LGBT travellers. When the shit hit the fan in the 90s, Slovenia was well-positioned in the region not to get sucked into all kinds of conflict like nearby Serbia. And while there is religion here (I even spotted a couple of nuns floating about), it’s not that in-your-face kind of religion. None of that “here’s another painting of the Virgin Mary” and a Bible in every bedroom kind of thing.
For a former communist country, it’s a big deal that Slovenia has recognised same-sex partnerships since 2006, with same-sex marriage approved last year. When we spoke to guides and locals, they were all proud of the progress they’d made but admitted there was still some way to go, with adoption and parental rights still a bit lagging.
But that being said the city is still very welcoming and friendly. It’s host to Pink Week each year, which focuses on highlighting gay tourism within the country, organised by husbands with matching names Mateo and Matteo of Luxury Slovenia travel agency.
Can I go out gay clubbing?
Yes, you can and you totally should. Yet despite what some of the gay guides say, there’s only one real gay club in Ljubljana. Klub Tiffany has been open since 1993, and it looks like they haven’t done much to update it since it opened. However, that’s part of its charm. Tiffany is one of many clubs located in old military barracks, laid out with a communal square that looks straight out of the 90s version of Mad Max, complete with oil drum fire pits.
So if you tire of the Kylie/Eurythmics playlist inside (if that were humanly possible) then you can always wander around outside for a drink, a smoke, and a mingle. Side-note: a round of 5 beers cost us 15 Euros. Bargain.
Can I hook up easily?
In the more rural areas, by the lakes and up in the mountains, you may have a hard time (he he) hooking up. However, the capital city offers the usual plethora or perpetual penis pics, the same as any big city.
Granted they’re not all winners; for every stud, you’ll find a dud, just like in most cities. But the nearest gay was always within walking distance (subtracting the 15 or so other gay journalists on this particular trip which were somewhat skewering the curve).
Is it camp at all?
Slovenia feels a little more serious than some of the more Eurovision-y countries, but only slightly. The beautiful mountains, piercing blue lakes, and sun-drenched beaches are all conducive to a fair amount of camping (in both senses of the term).
The coastal town of Piran has a strong Mediterranean feel, having once been a colony of Venice. It’s long stretch of beaches (some of them nude, but not many), which are swathed in speedo-wearing locals and endless places to purchase gelato. Ideal!
When in Slovenia, you have to visit the gorgeous Lake Bled, which is one of the country’s most popular tourist spots. And it’s clear to see why. Take a trip across the lake in a traditional Pletna boat and soak up the idyllic atmosphere. If you’re REALLY lucky, you could get a hunky oarsman. I mean we didn’t, but the boat in front of us did. Now that’s a view…
The mountains are perfect for singing an impromptu Julie Andrews medley, and there are plenty of cute and camp local activities you can experience, from churning your own butter to petting a tiny pony with Bjork-style bangs.
Add to that a bounty of outdoor activities that include hiking, biking, skiing, and swimming (depending on the time of year), and I really can’t recommend Slovenia enough for an excellent gay getaway.
Are the men hot?
Now here’s where we get to the really important journalism. And like in every country I visit, the answer is “yes and no”. Slovenian men tend to be fairly fair, but not quite blonde and Scandinavian-looking as you might find in nearby Austria or Switzerland.
They’re also quite rogue-ish, but not quite at the same stoic level as the Russians, or the overtly sexual demeanour often found in Italy. So in Slovenia, you’re likely to find a unique mix of both; plenty of blue-eyed boys with beards, often with a friendly but not overly soft demeanour. And if like me, that’s totally your type, then you’re in for a treat.
Can I have a cheap mini-break there?
The flights to Slovenia from London tend to be a tad more expensive than those of nearer European countries, averaging around £150-£200 for a return flight. The upside of this is that it weeds out some of the stag/hen-do types of traveller, leaving their hetero-normative basic behaviours behind.
Slovenia has to be one of my favourite places I’ve visited so far, one that I will look forward to re-visiting as soon as possible. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, stunning scenery, or just a lovely and hospitable city to wander around in, I can’t recommend it enough.
Check out the I Feel Slovenia website for more insanely gorgeous photos and information of where to go. And feel free to check out my Instagram for more pictures of me being a dork in foreign countries (plus that infamous unpacking video).
We sent Travel Editor, Nick Baker to Hamburg, to find out how gay it was…
I’m a big fan of exploring new cities, and when you book a trip to Germany there are a few cities that pop to the forefront of your mind. You may fancy the hipster-chic of Berlin, or the traditional beer-fest that is Bavaria, and so cities like Hamburg are often overlooked.
Amidst the melee of middle-class stag dos, I stumbled onto the streets of Hamburg. Striving to slightly distinguish itself from the hipster-haven that is Berlin, Hamburg has a nautical history that is evident in most of its decor. Since 80% of the city was obliterated by bombings during World War II, the millennial-style spaces inhabit less-than-ancient warehouses and dockyards.
The gay scene is different in every city in every country around the world, so don’t expect Hamburg to be just like any other German city. Here are a few of the totally gay things you should try and do whilst you’re in Hamburg.
1. The Drinking!
You can, of course, go day drinking, in fact, we would highly recommend that you do given the city’s excellent selection of beers. However, don’t expect there to be a bustling gay crowd during the day, even on the weekend. The Germans love to go drinking and they love to go partying, but unlike the Brits, they don’t start early. Bars won’t get busy until about 10 pm and the clubs won’t even tend to open until about 2 am.
Again, of course, you can go to one of Hamburg’s gay saunas at night, but the crowd is better during the day… I’ve been told. My sources say that the best time to hit up a gay sauna in Hamburg is Sunday afternoon when people have recovered enough from the night before. Getting in at 6 am means that it will be a few hours before many of the good gays resurface and head to the sauna to sweat out the sin from the night before.
3. Towel Policy
Here our British modesty tends to be our downfall, but when in Rome (Hamburg), do as the Romans (Hamburgers). No one wears a towel in the sauna, whether it’s a gay sauna or the one at your hotel. And while you may not enjoy an eyeful of that old straight guy’s crotch, there’s no reason not to give him a sneaky peak of the goods while you can. You might just make his day.
4. Hotelling LGBT Style
While we are proud to support the LGBT-friendly hotels that have become a staple mark of Hamburg’s gay district, you don’t need to limit yourself to the hotels in St. Georg. There are plenty of cool, trendy, friendly, hipster hotels dotted around the city that are never too far away from the gay parties. I stayed at the adorably chic 25Hours Hotel in HafenCity, which wasn’t necessarily the closest location to the gay scene, but was easily one of the coolest hotels I’ve ever stayed in.
Designed with a distinctive maritime theme, it oozed millennial and was a great place to hang out (especially when your bloody Easyjet flight isn’t until 9:45pm and your checkout time was at noon). Free wifi, portable speakers you can take around town with you, and a short ride to St. Georg on the nearby 24-hour Meßberg underground.
Plus they make THE best soy latte that I’ve ever had!
If you, like me, are always looking for an excuse to soak up the sun, regardless of it being summer yet or not, look no further than the sunny Croatian peninsula of the Istrian region.
Pula is the main centre and on the edge of the water lies a large resort complex run by Park Plaza. I had the pleasure of staying at the Park Plaza Arena Pula, which is a beautifully built new resort complex nestled among the trees, right at the water’s edge. The resort has 175 rooms, which are beautifully appointed with large comfortable beds, spacious bathrooms, and balconies you can sit in to enjoy the sun. At Arena Pula you have the option of waterside or park side rooms, either side gives you a wonderful vista across the peninsula. For those with a little more pocket money, or just in need of a little more space, you can splash out for the penthouse suite, a favourite of celebrities that come to Pula to perform. Or the newly build garden suites which include two bedroom, two bathroom suites and a large patio or balcony, depending if you’re on the ground or level one.
Park Plaza Arena Pula, Croatia:
Prices from £101(EURO 117) per room per night, based on two people sharing a standard room with breakfast.
Price inclusive of VAT. Tourist tax not included: daily 1,00 Euro per adult and 0,50 Euro per child (12-18)
To book, visit: www.parkplaza.com/croatia
Once you have settled your luggage, the resort facilities offer a pool, access to the Adriatic Sea via a small beach directly in front of the hotel, a spa and massage service (extra fees apply), I highly recommend the Gold Massage, where you are luxuriously pampered as you are massaged with gold-infused oil. The massage left me feeling very relaxed and shimmering with a golden sheen that lasted all afternoon. Also available in the facilities in the resort are a small gymnasium, which is open daily, and a comfortable foyer bar and terrace where you can enjoy drinks as you soak up the sun’s rays. The bar has a more than competent staff, and a decent cocktail list. They can also whip something up for you should you so ask.
The resort also provides a buffet breakfast and dinner, and an a la carte lunch. While we visited, we were able to sample some wonderful local style foods, which take their influence from the rich history of Croatia, particularly Pula, which has at times been controlled by the Romans, Venetians and Austria-Hungary. This gives their food a wide range of influences, not least of which is the use of locally pressed olive oils in pretty much everything, as well as an excellent, and award winning local wine industry. Each of our courses on this trip were coupled with a different local wine, chosen to suit the food we ate.
While in Pula, travel further afar from the resort area to the local sites. In Pula city, you will find the ancient Roman amphitheatre, which you can explore as a tourist. The building is mostly destroyed, though there are still some seats remaining, as well as an exhibition of an ancient olive oil press that once ran underneath the complex. If you are in town at the right time, you can enjoy the arena as a functioning entertainment stadium. Throughout the year the stadium hosts the opening night of the Pula International Film Festival (July) and the opening night of the local music festivals which continue throughout the summer months in various abandoned Venetian fortresses which surround the city. Outside of the festivals, the fortresses can be visited to look at and wander around, but not to enter. The Old town in Pula boasts several squares where one can enjoy a coffee, or many local stores.
If you’re staying in Pula at the Park Plaza Arena Pula, I suggest hiring a car so that you can explore the local areas. One of which is Fažana, a local sea-side village, from where you can take a short ferry ride to the Brijuni National Park. Here you can take a ‘train’ ride tour of the islands, where you get a trip through the zoo, populated with animals that were mostly given as gifts to the President of Yugoslavia. The President, Tito, had a summer residence on the island, which is now used by the President of Croatia, and visiting dignitaries from other countries. My advice would be to visit the island in the morning, as school trips and the majority of tourists head over in the early afternoon. We returned on the 1 pm Ferry to Fažana, where we found the village mostly empty of tourists, as they had all been on the return ferry. We enjoyed lunch at the Stara Konoba, where we were treated to several local specialities, including Boskarin (ox meat) and sardines cooked in more ways than there are numbers. This was again accompanied by a selection of local white wine.
Once in Fazana, you can take an hour or two and enjoy an olive oil tasting session with one of the local producer. I enjoyed the olive oil of Balija a small local producer, one of the few managed by a woman. She and her team produce only 2000 bottles of olive oil per year.
Getting there: Jet2.com – Stansted-Pula Leading leisure airline Jet2.com offers friendly low fares and great flight times to Pula from London Stansted Airport, with flights operating up to two times per week. Jet2.com also flies to Pula from Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford and Manchester Airports. Fares from Stansted Airport to Pula with Jet2.com start at £25 one way including taxes. Fares from Edinburgh Airport to Pula with Jet2.com start at £25 one way including taxes.
While Pula is a small city, of about 85,000 people, during the summer it comes alive with the hundreds of thousands of tourists who arrive to enjoy the many natural delights. During the summer the small city entertains 2 million overnight stays. There are of course a number of bars and clubs that are available to enjoy, long into the morning. While we were there, we found a little bar called the Shipyard, Pula’s newest bar. Filled with the young people of Pula, attentive bar staff and a DJ to play music, it is a great place to take in a few drinks.
Back at the resort, if you’re interested in exploring various local things, the hotel can arrange a culinary experience, where you can learn how to make some local pasta, which you can enjoy as a side to your next meal. For guests at the Park Plaza hotels, the hotels guest relations people have a large range of activities that can be organised at the front desk of the hotel. These include information about places around the Istrian region that you can drive to with your rental car or towns you can get to by taxi for short excursions. The Histria hotel also has a 300msq gym, an indoor heated pool and a large spa/massage centre which can be booked by guests of that hotel. In addition, a yacht club restaurant is open to the public to enjoy a great selection of local food and excellent cocktails right on the waterfront.
Not far from the Histria hotel is the Ribarska Koliba restaurant. A local seafood restaurant situated directly in the marina. Here you can try some truly wonderful locally sources seafood, prepared freshly each day. The new chef recently hired at the restaurant has created a menu that is rooted in the local cuisine of Istria with a modern twist.
Getting there: Jet2.com flies directly to Pula from Stanstead, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, and Manchester. Flights from Stanstead leave at a bright and early 8am, so you might want to stay at or near the airport. Holiday Extras offers a choice of UK airport hotels that can include your holiday parking along with lounges at all major UK airports.
A night’s stay at an airport hotel is the perfect way to get your holiday off to a hassle-free start. Holiday Extras offers a choice of UK airport hotels that can include your holiday parking along with lounges at all major UK airports so you can start your holiday in style. Hotel room at Stansted Airport from £55.00. To book, visit www.holidayextras.co.uk or call 0800 1313 777
BIRMINGHAM is a vibrant hub of old and new buildings nestled between landscaped zones of paved walkways, water features and one of the largest gay scenes in the UK.
If you’re looking for a weekend break then you’ll find plenty to do here from the bountiful shopping malls and markets, home to some of the best-loved retailers, to the small market traders offering a wide range of household, clothing, and party goods, to the fully charged nightlife. With nine gay bars and clubs to choose from, a few of which serve great food, you’ll be pressed not to find a place to enjoy a cosy pint, watch some cabaret or dance till the early hours.
It’s not all just about shopping and clubbing though, Birmingham has a wide range of restaurants offering celebrity branded eateries, favourite chains and a whole global cuisine on offer including the famous Birmingham curry – Do check out the Hen and Chickens, 0121 236 3121 which serves not only the best curry in town (TripAdvisor) but also a range of Asian, barbecue, pub and grill for those friends who prefer something different.
Birmingham is also the home to a number of theatres including the REP, with a wide season of plays, comedy and drama and the Birmingham Hippodrome bringing you the best of the UK’s national tours such as Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, One Man, Two Guvnors and Wicked.
If you’re looking for something a little more cultured then do pay a visit to the delightful Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. There’s a wide varied collection to see dating back 200,000 years to the present day, including Pre-Raphaelite art, wrapped Mummies and a detailed look at the history of Birmingham and how over the years it’s grown into one of the UK’s best-loved cities.
Recent facelifts have ensured that Birmingham is a fresh city to eat sleep and play in. The only question is, can you fit it all in with just one weekend?
Editor’s choice in gay bars: SIDE WALK bar and restaurant is located on the busy Hurst Street and serves a wide variety of great affordable food for lunch and dinner. Their vegetarian burger deserves a personal nod of appreciation as does the friendly helpful bar staff who all help to make Sidewalk a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere during the day with the party tunes picking up the pace in the evenings. With walls stripped back to brick and wooden floors there’s a cool pop-up club vibe about the place. Certainly worth a visit.
THE LOFT LOUNGE is another venue for good food at reasonable prices. Table service is on offer both in the main dining area to the rear or if full, as we found out – which is always a good sign, then the helpful staff will happily find and serve you at any of the comfy sofas or tables around the rest of the bar. A great place to meet friends for both everyday and special occasions with a more relaxed atmosphere during the daytime before the party starts in the evenings.
The Village Inn Address: 152 Hurst Street, B5 6RY Telephone: 0121 622 4742 Website: VillageBirmingham.co.uk
What is there to do in Birmingham?
ASTON HALL Trinity Road, Aston, Birmingham, B6 6JD Tel: +44 (0)121 675 4722
Entry: Charges apply to house only. Gardens, grounds and visitor facilities are free to all visitors.
Adults £4
Concessions £3
Children under 16 FREE
Free entry on the first Sunday of the month.
Opening Times: Aston Hall opens again on Saturday 12 April 2014.
BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY
Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3DH Tel: +44 (0)121 303 1966
Entry: Free entrance.
Some exhibitions and events may charge.
BBC BIRMINGHAM TOURS Do you fancy yourself as a TV presenter? Visit BBC Birmingham’s Public Space at The Mailbox and have a go at presenting the news and a weather forecast. Take a look through the window into the television gallery. This is where the BBC Midlands Today team choose shots, cue the studio and keep everything on air!
If you’d like to get inside the television gallery and see it up close, a studio tour is for you.
Guides will take you into BBC Birmingham and show you around the state-of-the-art studios.
Tours last approximately 1.5 hours and give you a fascinating insight into the world of broadcasting. Do Visit: bbc. co. uk/tours for more information BBC Birmingham The Mailbox Birmingham B1 1RF Tel: +44 (0)370 901 1227
Where is the shopping Birmingham?
SHOPPING If you’re the kinda guy that just loves to shop, then Birmingham has it all from large retailers like Selfridges and Harvey Nichols to small market stall owners selling a wide variety of household goods, pet foods and party supplies.
The shopping areas are well planned out, open and pedestrian friendly so you get a good chance to explore the city by foot.
There’s plenty of opportunity to stop for a bite to eat. With over 150 restaurants and coffee shops you’re bound to find something to fuel the next round of shopping and with bus and rail transport close by you’ll soon have the bags home.
Be sure to also check out Chinatown just the other side of the markets nestled in Southside close to the gay scene.
BULLRING This much-photographed part of the building with its circular disk covered curved walls is the home to Selfridges. Explore the rest of the building and you’ll find over 160 retail shops and restaurants. This modern art of the city blends with the old St Martin church perfectly without even looking out of place. A real treat for shoppers in the heart of Birmingham.
THE BULL RING MARKET is a large indoor market with traders calling out for you to buy their goods. There’s plenty of bargains to be had and a wide selection to see from fabrics, pet foods, cosmetics, CDs and DVDs, old console games, and a personal highlight of ours – the party shop. Every coloured wig, mask, costume, make-up is all here for Pride events or your usual weekend party outfit
ROAD TRIP!!! It’s the ultimate call to action that remains one of the best ways to explore a country when travelling. For some reason, the thought of piling into a beat up rental car armed with a sat nav and a bag full of snacks has yet to lose its universal appeal.
CREDIT: Google Maps
One of the most popular road trips is the historic drive up California’s Route 1, aka the Pacific Coast Highway. Google it and you’ll instantly be presented with a barrage of stunning images of America’s most popular coastline. The twisting and cliff-hugging route 655 miles long and could be driven in one or two days, but where’s the fun in that? You could easily stretch it out to five days if you wanted to. With countless places to stop for both beautiful vistas and idyllic little US towns, you may as well make the most of your airfare and take your time.
San Diego
CREDIT: pixabay / Public Domain
Starting from the bottom and working your way up tends to be the preferred way to travel, possibly because starting in San Diego gives you the opportunity to relax after what will inevitably be a long and arduous flight from London.
Weather
San Diego is known to have the best weather in the country, and some say even the whole world. San Diego gets over 300 days of sunshine every year, meaning you don’t need to wait until the more costly summer months to get a perfect weather. The average summer temperature is apparently a comfortable 22℃ according to their local tourist board, but I was always baking. Don’t even bother taking jeans, you won’t wear them. Even in the middle of winter, the temperatures won’t drop far below 16℃, so avoid the peak prices and crowds by booking outside of the summer months. You’ll still tan.
Beaches
Here’s a picture of me at the infamous Black’s Nude Beach contemplating life/trying to make out dong from a distance. CREDIT: Nick Baker
There are 33 beaches in San Diego, all of which offer water sports (in the traditional sense) and allow a chance to top up that tan before starting your trip up the coast. Only a few of these beautiful beaches are located within walking distance of the city centre; for the really idyllic ones, you’ll need to rent a car or fork out for an Uber.
The infamous Black’s Beach is San Diego’s premier ‘clothing-optional’ beach, located about three miles north of the popular La Jolla Shores beach. It is one of the largest nude beaches in the US and is frequented by nudists and naturalists from all over Southern California. The beach is situated at the bottom of a steep climb, so prying eyes from the ocean drive won’t be checking out your dick whilst sitting in traffic.
The city itself is a great place to explore for tourists. Balboa Park is home to the famed San Diego zoo, Old Town features plenty of tacky tourists sights of when San Diego was first settled, and the city has a couple of gay/gay-friendly areas. Ok, the whole city is pretty gay-friendly, but the main concentration of LGBT establishments are in the uptown neighbourhood of Hillcrest. Just a few miles north of the city centre it offers a plethora of bars, restaurants, coffee houses, boutiques and unique thrift stores.
Los Angeles
CREDIT: Pixabay / TPSdave
The so-called City of Angels is massive and can be overwhelming if you don’t have a local guide.
Hollywood
CREDIT: pixabay / Unsplash
The first item on most tourists’ agenda will be a tour of the Hollywood hills and a glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous. A word of warning to those who’ve not been to LA before, Hollywood is not as glamourous as you would expect. The hills (both Beverly and Hollywood) are of course gorgeous but don’t expect glam in Hollywood itself. Follow the Walk of Fame long enough and you’ll cross paths with plenty of hookers and homeless drunks. So be prepared. Go on your tour, take the obligatory photos and then get the hell out of there.
West Hollywood (WeHo)
The LA equivalent to our Soho, WeHo is a stretch of the city that reminds you why life’s so much better when you’re gay. The borough of West Hollywood is a cool, quaint and kitschy stretch of neighbourhood that is lined with great cafés, bars, restaurants, shops and clubs.
The Abbey is WeHo’s most (in)famous club which is the perfect place to go day drinking, with hot, topless wannabe actors and models bringing you low-calorie beer. Be warned though, despite their best efforts, the Abbey has become increasingly mainstream. Which means that come nightfall, floods of straight guys in hockey jerseys appear, perving over the crowds of single girls in skimpy dresses. Time to move on to other, more genuinely gay gay clubs.
Hiking
Jpeg
OK, it may seem like a weird topic to include. But going for a Saturday morning hike is something of an LA tradition, and a great way to get exercise and take in some truly amazing views of the city. There are plenty of trails to choose from, I did a relatively easy route in Franklin Canyon Ranch that doesn’t let you see the Hollywood sign, but still gives a pretty good view.
Pacific Coast Highway
The highlight of the road trip is when you finally hit the road and get onto Route 1. That cool ocean breeze is a welcome treat as you bid LA a fond farewell and begin your drive up the Pacific Coast Highway. On your way up to San Francisco, you’ll pass by a few perfect places to stop and either spend the night or simply a few hours taking in the view.
Tip:
In my humble opinion, having made the trip a couple of times now, you’re far better spending your time and travel budget on this part of the trip, rather than adding extra days to your stay in the bigger cities. Not only are smaller towns WAY more affordable, but they allow you to explore a much more unique element of the States than just another big city. But that’s just me.
Ventura and Malibu
CREDIT: pixabay / denvit
Just a short jaunt from LA are these two perfect pit stops on the coast. Ventura is an ideal spot to do some surfing, or stroll through historic Downtown Ventura and explore the vintage boutiques and second-hand stores, and Malibu is just several miles of gorgeous sandy beaches, piers, luxuriously extravagant weekend homes and super healthy restaurants that remind you just how close Hollywood and LA is.
Santa Barbara Santa Barbara is a personal favourite of mine, providing a welcome respite from big cities and long car rides. With the Santa Ynez Mountains providing a dramatic backdrop, this beach town is populated by Mediterranean-style white stucco buildings with red-tile roofs that reflect the city’s Spanish colonial heritage. For nature lovers, there’s the Santa Barbara Zoo, Botanical Gardens and Lotusland, and for culture lovers, there’s the Lobero Theatre, the Arlington Theatre and Santa Barbara Historical Museum. For booze and bargain lovers, the city’s main street, State Street, is lined with upscale boutiques and restaurants offering local wines and seasonal fare. So why not park the car for the night and partake in some world-renowned Californian wine?
Pismo Beach
Nearby Pismo Beach is another slice of Americana that accidentally turned out to be one of the best nights out of my life (it involved beer served in buckets, George Michael karaoke and an overly-friendly group of bikers… don’t ask). Known to some as the ‘Clam Capital of the World’ I’d only heard of Pismo Beach as Bugs Bunny’s ideal summer destination.
If you want to get the real road trip experience then Pismo Beach is a must. With plenty of restaurants, ATV rentals, wine tasting, fishing, surfing, skydiving, bowling and mineral springs all waiting for you, it’s a great contrast to the sophistication of Santa Barbara.
Big Sur
CREDIT: pixabay / tpsdave
The most beautiful stretch of the highway is also the most challenging. With views like these, it’s hard to keep your eyes on the road (which we thoroughly recommend as there’s a significant drop if you don’t). There are plenty of spots to stop along the way such as Ragged Point, Point Sur State Historic Park, McWay Falls and Pfeiffer Beach.
If you have the time, I’d really recommend taking a few days to relax and enjoy this route, but even if you don’t, the drive itself is beautiful. At one point we found ourselves actually driving through, and then on top of the clouds. It was bizarrely beautiful and one of the most amazing views I’ve ever seen.
Monterey
CREDIT: pixabay / thuyhugens
Monterey is well known for its Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and the Old Fisherman’s Wharf. But while the town itself isn’t overly exciting, it provides a great pit stop for exploring the scenic ‘17 Mile Drive’ that offers you the opportunity to go whale watching, sailing, kayaking, golfing, and just have a leisurely mooch around cutesie seaside villages, shops and cafes.
Santa Cruz
CREDIT: publicdomainpictures / pixabay
About an hour and a half drive away from San Francisco lies the slice of Americana that is Santa Cruz. The old-school 60s vibe is especially strong along the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, with plenty of vintage goodies to be found and a charming/tacky feel that is an essential part of any great American road trip. The Wharf is a great place to start for restaurants and shops and if you have the time you can go on a whale watching boat or fishing expedition.
San Francisco
CREDIT: pixabay / tpsdave
So here we are, at last, the gay capital of America, and some say the world, San Francisco. Despite what I said earlier about not spending too much time in the big cities, San Francisco is one place where I’d break my own rules. The city is an eclectic mix of tourist sights and hipster spots, with a healthy sprinkling of gays throughout.
Castro
CREDIT: pixabay / agentv
So if San Francisco is gay heaven, then the Castro is the gay … Vatican I guess? The centre of LGBT society and culture is here, and the beautiful California weather (mixed with some beautiful California men) make it the perfect place to start you gay excursions in the city. By day you could spend hours perusing antique shops and frequenting trendy cafés, and by night there are so many gay bars and gay clubs that you won’t know where to start. Badlands, 440 Castro and the coyly named Moby Dick are just a few places to whet your whistle and make the most of your English accent to score free drinks (however in my experience the Americans still prefer a Scottish or an Irish accent, so if you can fake either of those that could work out better for you).
Touristy Stuff
I won’t go into too much detail about the infamous city by the bay, as that would take up another 10 pages. The touristy spots could pretty much be seen in a day if you were really efficient and had an active Uber account, but like most cities, it’s far more enjoyable to take your time and really soak up the city. The Golden Gate bridge is a sight that you’ll need to see up close, mainly because most of it will be enshrouded in fog.
The Golden Gate Bridge peaks out of the fog CREDIT: Nick Baker
Fisherman’s Wharf is great for seafood and pointless touristy crap you might want to buy, and Alcatraz Island is an interesting day trip out if you’re wondering how prisoners were incarcerated between 1933 and 1963. Union Square is brilliant for people watching and Lombard street is essential for an “I’ve been to San Francisco” selfie.
There are loads of things to do in San Francisco, so just take your time, get lost and enjoy yourself after your long drive.
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.
If you’ve never had a weekend away in Blackpool then I demand you book a train right away and head for the North West coast where you’ll find this unique entertainment town.
CREDIT: Pixabay
The seafront, known as the Golden Mile, is home to the world famous Blackpool Tower, three piers, the Pleasure Beach and the largest display of illuminations you’ll find in the UK.
Often referred to as the British Las Vegas, Blackpool has an entertainment scene like no other with a number of gay bars and clubs, live cabaret shows, theatres and amusements. Highlights include the Blackpool Tower with its famous Ballroom, the ‘Big One’ roller coaster that gives you fantastic views on the way up, and the new comedy carpet outside the Tower that has over 1,000 famous names and comedy quotes set out over 2,200 square metres.
With over thirty gay-owned and run B&Bs you’ll be sure of a personal and entertaining stay. So pack your trunks, your chuckle muscles, your head for heights and your sense of adventure as you explore the brightest jewel in the North West.
The Gay Bars
Flamingos
With seven nights of clubbing at the world famous Flamingo Club, attracting some of the biggest named DJs and club nights, you’ll be sure of a memorable night out.The club has an open to all, closed to prejudice policy, so you’re guaranteed of a great party atmosphere. The club illuminates from the brightly coloured dance floor, which calls for you to show it your best moves.
The Flying Handbag
One of Blackpool’s longest running venues, You’ll be in for a great time day or night. The long bar offers plenty of seating for a daytime catch up with friends and dance floor space. There’s a cabaret stage, for a whole host of entertainment, plus a snack bar, should you be feeling peckish during the party.
With all you need in one place, you’ll need a good excuse to leave.
If you’re travelling to Blackpool for a party, the Pride weekend or a holiday then you’re in for a treat. Blackpool has the largest selection of gay-run B&Bs in the world and all offer the home comforts and personal touches that you just can’t find in a chain brand hotel. Furthermore, the proprietors have pulled together to bring you the BAGS card – Blackpool Accommodation For Gays. Founded in 1997, the BAGS card will not only ensure your stay in Blackpool will be a friendly and welcoming experience but it’ll also give you fantastic discounts in over 60 establishments around Blackpool, including Bars, Cafes, Restaurants, Shops, Shows and Theatres. You can pick up your free discount card from one of the following accommodations.
If there’s availability left then try a stay at the popular Granby Lodge B&B set in the heart of Blackpool’s gay scene. Brian and Geoff have an unfailing love to ensure your stay in Blackpool is welcoming and comfortable. Plus they cook up one of the best breakfasts in the North- West. Rooms from £30.
Top Attractions
CREDIT: Pixababy
Blackpool Illuminations
Blackpool Promenade, Blackpool, FY1 5BE
Since 1879, Blackpool has been illuminating the promenade road which runs the length of the sea front. Attracting over 3.5 million visitors last year, the Blackpool Illuminations are the highlight of the calendar. Launching at the end of August, a well known face will switch on the 400,000 bulbs.
Pleasure Beach
Ocean Boulevard, Blackpool, FY4 1EZ
Tel: +44 (0)871 222 1234
The most fun you can have in one day out is all located within the Pleasure Beach walls. Carnival-style games, illusion and cabaret shows and not forgetting a collection of thrill seekers rides including the Big One!
The Big One climbs you to a height of 235ft. before dropping you at up to 87mph along the one-mile track.
Other unique rides include the Steeplechase where you choose a horse and race alongside other on separate tracks and the Avalanche where you free fall down a track at 50mph in the UK’s only bobsled ride.
Blackpool Zoo
East Park Drive, Blackpool, FY3 8PP Tel: +44 (0)1253 830 830
A wide selection of animals both large and small await your visit at Blackpool zoo in natural enclosures giving you a close up view of these magnificent creatures.
The Blackpool Tower
THE BLACKPOOL TOWER
Bank Hay Street, Blackpool, FY1 4BJ
Tel: +44 (0)871 222 9929
Celebrating 120 years the Blackpool Tower has been home to all the greats of British comedy. Visit the beautiful Ballroom with its famous Wurlitzer organ, rising from the floor. The tour starts with a 4D show on Blackpool including sights, smells, and special effects. From here you’ll enter the SkyWalk room at the top of the tower for uninterrupted views, including underfoot!
Blackpool Pride
Winter Gardens 97 Church Street Blackpool
FY1 1HU
Yearly event in June.
Blackpool Pride this year will be bigger and better than ever before with headlining act 5th Story performing alongside other special guests. The Winter Gardens are also hosting the European Same-Sex Dance Championship. So grab a partner or some friends and make sure you’re part of the North West’s biggest party.
Travelling to America as a gay man you probably think of the usual haunts including New York, South Beach and San Francisco – and they are all fantastic cities, but have you ever thought about small-town America? Well, we recently had a little sojourn to America’s Midwest where we uncovered some gems and found the joy in small-town America.
PR SUPPLIED
Galena
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 hotspots to visit while you’re in the area. One such find is the ridiculously beautiful town of Galena (main street pictured at the start). Around three 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 motorways. 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 Mississippi River) you’ll be left wondering if you’ve actually stepped back in time.
CREDIT: TheGayUK
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.
PR SUPPLIED
For lunch 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 Trolley – which departs from 10 AM until 9 PM. Your guide will take you on a whirlwind stop of this picture perfect town. If you have 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.
Rockford
CREDIT: TheGayUK
Driving on the I20 east, just an hours drive from Chicago is Rockford in northern Illinois. Although home to 150,000 people Rockford manages to maintain its small-town heart and friendly folk are all around. There are two friendly gay bars, The Office right in the centre and Dusty Boots Saloon and Eatery. Home to a number of attractions such as the Laurent Home, the Anderson Japanese Gardens and the Burpee Museum (don’t forget to say hello to Homer the T-REX).
CREDIT: TheGayUK
However, if you’re looking for a real treat, head over to the jewel of Rockford the Coronado Theatre right in the centre of town and book yourself into the theatre tour with Marty Mangas, who really is a gem of a tour guide. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get to see Bob Bates play the 80-year-old original organ before heading off on a backstage experience. Be sure to refresh and replenish the senses with a cool beer down at the Prairie Street Brewhouse nestled on the river’s edge. A perfect look out spot as the sun sets. You’ll find comfortable lodgings at the Fairfield Inn and Suites.
The Quad cities – Moline
CREDIT: TheGayUK
As you set off from Rockford, heading south, be sure to stop off and have breakfast at Poopies. You’ll find it on Viaduct Rd, and you should be prepared for a huge plate of homey food at a decent price. Don’t be put off by the name or the restaurant’s seats – which are actually made from toilet seats.
Moline is a cutesy but agricultural town right in the heart of farming country, one hundred and sixty-five miles west of Chicago. Surrounded by miles and miles of farmland, the population is a little over 43,000 and it sits between The Rock and the mighty Mississippi rivers. Moline makes up the Quad Cities along with Davenport, Bettendorf and Rock Island. There’s a small but friendly gay scene in Davenport centred around Connections and Mary’s On 2nd. For lunch, you must take lunch at Lagomarcinos Soda Fountain on 5th Avenue – their milkshakes and deep filled sandwiches are to die for.
Don’t forget to get up early and take in some views of the Mississippi.
Andersonville
CREDIT: TheGayUK
Okay, cheating slightly here, because Andersonville is actually a neighbourhood in northern Chicago less than a kilometre from the lake front, but it is an absolute must visit. Chicago offers two incredibly friendly neighbourhoods for the LGBT community – the more youth orientated Boystown and the slightly maturer Andersonville. Of course, there are many gay bars to visit and street festivals throughout the year 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 the neighbourhood’s streets are filled with a party atmosphere and music stages provide your evening with a crowd-pleasing soundtrack.
Make sure you grab yourself a slice of original Chicago pizza pie and a chilled Margarita.
TGUK stayed at:
Fairfield Inn and Suits, Rockford
The Irish Cottage Boutique Hotel, Galena
The Carleton of Oak Park, Chicago
TGUK flew into Chicago O’Hare on Icelandair with a layover in Reykjavik. However, there are direct flights with British Airways, Virgin, American Airlines and United.
Myself and another LGBT journalists were graciously invited by Visit Sweden to attend their West Pride festival, and see how just how different gay life is for the Scandinavians in the welcoming city of Gothenburg.
Travelling to Gothenburg
It’s 8:30 in the morning, and after two days of less-than-fortuitous encounters with trains, tubes and buses, I am well and truly sick of London transport and ready to get the hell out of this city… At least for a little bit.
Sat at Gatwick Airport after clearing security, I get a few moments to sit and watch the mêlée of stag and hen dos downing glasses of wine before scurrying off to catch their flights to Ibiza, Prague, etc.
Classy as ever England, let’s go see how the Swedish do things.
My flight was delayed, but then this is Gatwick so it’s no big surprise, but before long I am jetting out on Norwegian Airlines to the second largest city in Sweden.
First impressions of Gothenburg
Despite it sounding like Batman’s second home, the city of Gothenburg is bright, open and friendly. Rainbow flags greeted us as we walked out of the airport, flying high and proud upon almost every available flagpole across the city. The best word to describe the city would be ‘welcoming.’ Welcoming to gays, to tourists, and gay tourists alike.
Sweden’s second-biggest city is a peculiarly perfect mixture of artistic venues, universities and trendy hipster locations, all quaintly positioned along Sweden’s Western coast. It’s the home of the Volvo (and you’ll see them everywhere) and is at the heart of a thriving internationally important music culture, producing music acts from Ace of Base (my first ever CD) to the slightly heavier The Knife. Swedish music is hugely gay-friendly, with the Swedish version of pop music making Justin Bieber look positively Goth. Schlager music, as it is known, can be thought of as the songs and acts too cheesy for Eurovision, and it was playing in every gay club, bar and open-air venue that we came across.
Touring the city
Foto: Jorma Valkonen.
Gothenburg is a city that is easily explored by foot. From our cozy retro-chic hotel (Bellora Hotel) on Kungsportsavenyen (yes that’s what the street names look like over there), the longest we ever had to walk was 15 minutes, and that’s only because we stopped for coffee on the way. (Important side note: the Swedish people have a lovely tradition known as fika. If you go on any arranged tours or excursions you’ll likely see several of these scheduled throughout your day. A fika is pretty much just a coffee break, however it is very much tradition to take several fikas everyday. You cannot fika alone, so it is the act of sharing a short break, a hot drink and something sweet with a friend, family member, colleague, or random passer-by. Indulge your sweet tooth and enjoy this Swedish tradition as often as possible).
Travel cards are available, and are a good investment if you’re planning on taking tours and visiting several museums as it allows for free entry to almost all of them alongside your bus and tram travel, but if you just want to wander around it’s easy enough to walk.
When the city was first founded in the 17th century, it was laid out largely by Dutch planners and is still home to several canals. These can be explored by canoe, paddleboat, or by boat tour which comes with plenty of terrible Dad joke-style puns, the core of true Gothenburg humour.
The most famous boulevard is called Avenyn, which is lively and lined with numerous great shops and restaurants (yes, they do have a lot of H&M stores there). For something a little more hipster, head to Haga, known as the ‘old town’ of Gothenburg which was once the city’s working class area and is now awash with vegan cafés and vintage record stores.
We spent our last day touring the islands of Gothenburg’s archipelago, which can be reach easily by tram and ferry, just 20 minutes from the city centre. There are several islands you can visit, easily hopping on and off the ferry, and explore on foot.
There are a few quaint B&Bs on each if you feel like staying the night, or simply stopping off for some lunch or a cheeky glass of wine. We were lucky enough to soak up some sunshine while enjoying a delicious seafood lunch at the LGBT-friendly Pensionat Skaret Guest House, who had proudly raised their rainbow flag in honour of the West Pride weekend celebrations.
West Pride
Those involved in West Pride work all year round to provide support to the LGBT community. West Pride is more of a celebration of their ongoing work, and the success they’ve had strengthening their community, rather than celebrity performances and parades of underwear models (unfortunately). The parade and events are all free and open to all members of the public, and that is one of the things that most surprised and impressed me about Gothenburg, the solidarity. As I said, rainbow flags were everywhere across the city, not just on theatres and hanging outside of clubs, but at the airport, fire stations, churches and small rural B&Bs. Even the traffic lights were changed to show two men and two women holding hands. The spirit of gay pride could be felt in every corner of this city.
The feeling of community was wonderful, and felt all the more important as Sunday’s West Pride parade fell on the day after the Orlando mass shooting. With the whole world reeling from this attack on the LGBT community, the people of Gothenburg stood united.
The parade was the first that I’d attended in which I was actually allowed to march. I was surrounded not just by activists, community organisers and gay club owners, I was walking next to straight families pushing buggies while their young children waved rainbow flags, proud parents, and welcoming religious groups. It was exactly as the name suggested, a celebration of pride in who we are as individuals and who we are as a community.
West Pride ran hundreds of programs throughout the celebration, everything from the now-famous lesbian breakfast to museum exhibitions on LGBT history. Granted I wouldn’t have been averse to some underwear-clad floats, but the welcoming feeling of support and acceptance would more than make up for it.
CREDIT: Pixabay
Gay Places to go in Gothenburg
While the upside to Gothenburg’s quaint size is its sense of community and its supreme walkability, the downside is the limited options when it comes to going out gaying. For the biggest gay nights, there are parties that take place either once a month or even once every two months. Wish You Were Queer is probably the biggest gay party, set once a month on a docked boat called Rio Rio (which rumour has it may be closing down soon, so keep an eye out for a new venue likely coming soon).
Jazzhuset was another incredible venue we visited, located within in an art deco-style apartment building, it felt a bit like we were crashing someone’s house party. There were stand up comedians performing who were apparently hilarious, I missed most of the jokes as they were obviously in Swedish, before the dancefloor was eventually consumed by the biggest crowd of dancing lesbians I’ve ever seen in one place. Bee Bar refers to itself as a “straight-friendly” bar, situated in the city centre it is an ideal place to grab some gay food or gay drinks whatever the time of day and sit and watch the gay world go by.
The only real gay club that exists in Gothenburg all year round is the infamous Greta’s (confusingly pronounced Giriatas by the Swedes), and it is the city’s biggest and longest-running gay club. It is here that a real love of cheesy pop is absolutely crucial. Do not expect dance remixes or house music to be playing in this two-storey mansion of gayness. If you’re a Eurovision fan you’ll be right at home here. With drag acts regularly flown in from London and the compulsory hot bartenders, Greta’s is the perfect setting for a great gay night in Gothenburg.
Check our listings for up-to-date information.
The men of Gothenburg
Now I don’t like to perpetuate stereotypes, but bugger me the Swedes are frickin beautiful! Think Aleksander Skarsgards just everywhere. Reason enough to book a flight immediately.
Nice, France – February: Each year, for the entire month of February, Nice on the French Riviera is overtaken with celebrations of the Carnaval.
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
This year, due to recent events in Paris, the festival was reduced to two and a half weeks. At the heart of the festival, is the King and Queen of Carnival, two massive floats that sit in the city centre presiding over each and every day of the Carnival, while the city celebrates with flower parades, parades of light and the very first Queernaval in France, until the final day, when the king is towed out to sea and burned.
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
The weekend I visited Nice, the sun was shining brightly and the city was warm. Upon arriving at the simply stunning Ellington Hotel a short walking distance from the centre of the Nice old town, I was taken immediately by the old-world charm of the hotel. The interior is decorated with deep colours reminiscent of 19th century French design. The colours are deep and the light fittings opulent. My suite looked out over the street and the king sized bed was so deliciously soft that I nearly fell asleep right there after my flight down from Bremen.
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
However, the days were perfect to wander the streets and explore the little hidden secrets of the Nice old town. While the main parts of the city are easy to find, from the main market square in the old town, right next to Matisse’s old home, along the main shopping area, filled with adorable little shops and cafes, restaurants and bars, up to Place Garibaldi, named after the Nicoise politician who is considered one of the fathers of unified Italy, despite Nice eventually becoming part of France in the 1800’s.
The traditional Nicoise style and architecture is still apparent in the old town, with tall closely huddled buildings in terracotta, yellows and pale pinks lining the streets, often with traditionally green shutters. The street signs are also given in the traditional Nicoise names, as well as the new French names. Sometimes these are simple translations, but other times, the names are entirely different.
If you take a moment to walk away from the crowds, and through the back streets, you get to see a completely different part of the city. The hustle and bustle of the crowds dies away and the streets seem quiet. Looking up, you can see people’s washing hanging from the lines outside windows, it really feels as though you have been pulled backwards through time and the modern world isn’t important. The most interesting thing about these back streets, is that for the most part, there really isn’t anything to do. There are no café’s hidden away, no little secret stores. These are the houses of the people who live in the old town, or the backs of the stores that can be found in the other streets. If you take the right streets, perhaps with the help of Google Maps, you can wander your way through the back streets and find the memorial to Nice’s very own ‘Joan of Arc’ character, Catarina Ségurana who led the army to fight back an invasion attempt by the French king and his Ottoman allies in 1543. Wander further and you’ll find the back steps up to where the Nice castle used to stand, looking out over the city, until Louis the 14th had it dismantled block by block after taking it by siege. The view is incredible over the entire city of Nice, across the Med towards the airport and beyond, and back towards the alps that the city nestles itself against.
Aside from exploring the town, there is another great reason to visit Nice during Carnival, and that is: the parties. Particularly, Lou Queernaval. Organised by the same people who manage the LGBT organisation and the Nice Pride parade, Queernaval is the first LGBT Carnival in France, and this year, returned for a triumphant second year of celebrations. The streets were jam packed with people, both gay and straight, celebrating queer culture in Nice and the surrounding areas. The parade took place in Messina Square, in the heart of the city, between the old and new towns. People packed the stadium seating, and crammed in around the floats on the road, dressed in all manner of costumes and outrageous outfits to celebrate the event.
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
On the day of the big event we stopped for lunch at the long-time family owned Acciardo restaurant where we were served by the younger generation of the family a delightful pair who served us an incredible selection of traditional nicoise food: a gnocchi made from Shard, a particularly traditional ingredient for Nice, Daube a slow cooked beef stew served with ravioli – a particularly incredible, but heavy dish, alongside nicoise salad and traditional entrées. I honestly have not eaten so much food in a long time, followed by a lemon meringue tart which we had to share, simply because we couldn’t eat a whole one. It was a good thing we had plenty of errands to run in the afternoon, including getting some spiffing costumes to wear to the parade. I decided along with two others who I joined at the festival, to go as French noblemen. I was ‘The Old Comte De Plonge’, joined by Monsignor La Vache, and The Comte de Frou Frou (thanks French & Saunders for the names!)
For dinner we were treated to some more local cuisine at the L’Empire restaurant. Succulent legs of chicken resting on beds of potato salad with a rich mushroom sauce, and fluffy chocolate sponge cake which was just to die for. There is one thing for sure, if you visit Nice, you won’t go hungry, and you won’t be starved for choices.
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
We quickly moved on to the Queernaval to see the show begin, and it did not disappoint. The event was hosted by the fabulously dressed Erwan, complete with a massive pair of feather wings. He was joined at the celebrations by local bands, local dancing troupes, a sea of drag queens and dancers and Manuel Blanche, a simply stunning DJ from Paris. The party began with a bang and went on until midnight when it moved to local bar Glam to continue well into the night.
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
The next morning, we met our group after breakfast and walked into town to make a short tour of the old town and the daily market that happens in the square. The market is different every day, but on the weekend it is local flowers, spices, herbs and other foods. Among the stores in the old town there is a store with traditional sweets from Nice made from sugared flowers and candied fruits. Definitely something worth trying while you are visiting Nice.
Through the old town which, like most old towns, is a mess of winding streets containing various stores of locally made produce, pottery, food, gifts and souvenirs. At the end of the plaza is the house that Henri Matisse lived in while he was in Nice. The house is still in use as a house, and there is a Matisse museum a short bus ride out of the main city area. It’s worth taking a few hours to explore the streets, and to wander away from the main shopping streets and discovering the quiet streets where there are less tourists, a more traditional look to the old town, with coloured buildings and shutters, washing hanging across the street 4-floors up. There are hidden treasures around the town, with things such as two holes in a wall where two cannonballs struck the wall during a failed invasion by the French and Turkish forces.
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
Our afternoon was filled by a visit to the festival of flowers, a parade of locally-grown flowers and colourful floats and giant floating ‘things’. The street parade runs several times during the weeks of Carnaval in the mid-afternoon along the Avenue de Americas on Nice’s beachfront.
CReDIT: Aaron Holloway
Just a few minutes walk along the Avenue de Americas is the Nice Castle Mont. While the castle is no longer on the top of the hill, after being dismantled by the King of France after finally capturing the city after a long siege, there is a park and lookout from which you can see far into the Mediterranean and beyond the mountains behind Nice. The long walk up the steps is worth it once you get to the top and can enjoy the view. There’s even a back-passage you can take down the mountain that drops you at the back of the old town along the main shopping street.
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
The main event for the Carnaval is the Carnaval parade on Saturday night. When this parade gets going the king and queen, two massive floats with moving parts are joined by a large number of other floats made by local artisans to a theme, this year’s theme was the King of the Media, and along with music and dancers and performers they drive around Messina Square for a couple of hours. The French floats are certainly not shy in pressing the controversial issues, covering ideas of kids consumed by phones and television, politicians being caught with strippers and Chinese and North Korean censorship issues.
CREDIT: Aaron Holloway
Les Garcons: Gay restaurant in the gay section of the town has a great selection of local food and wine, and an incredible basement for having a few drinks while waiting for your table.
Attimi: A ‘Slow food experience’ made with locally sourced fresh food. The service is quick and the food is light and fresh and perfect for sharing with a group.
Gaglio: A traditional Nicoise restaurant with a great selection of local cuisine. Located next to the park a short walk from the old town.
L’Empire: A modern dining restaurant in a minimalist style, the food is rich and full of flavour, the staff friendly (and attractive!)
The ex-Yugoslavian country has been independent since 1991 and is just a short 1 hour and 45-minute flight from London. With a small population of about 2 million people, English is widely spoken, otherwise, they’d have very few people to talk to. Probably the greenest country on the planet, Slovenia manages to fit in breathtaking mountain ranges and Mediterranean beaches, all within a few hours drive of the capital city Ljubljana (pronounced lube-ee-aanna… ha ha, lube).
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