Gay Holidays to Bhutan
October 12, 2009 by Howie Holben · Leave a Comment
Tucked between Tibet and India in a remote region of the Himalayan Mountains, lies a tiny Buddhist kingdom called Bhutan. Visitors to this spiritually and culturally-rich country will find a simpler way of life that is largely unaltered by Western culture and modern attitudes. Every aspect of life in Bhutanese villages and towns is steeped in the age-old traditions, beliefs, customs and practices of Buddhism, which is the basis of this countrys conservative, traditional way of life.
Although Bhutan is a conservative, traditional country in most ways, folks on gay travel tours are welcomed by the warm Bhutanese people and the tariffs paid by visitors on both straight and gay vacations are used to improve life in Bhutan through education, public services and economic growth and stability. Because tourism is limited, travelers who have the opportunity to explore this mystical Buddhist kingdom should take advantage of the chance to experience the rich Bhutanese culture to its fullest.
Bhutan has no LGBT scene to speak of; therefore, a gay vacation planned to this magnificent mountain kingdom would certainly not be planned with the intent of experiencing a distinct LGBT community or visiting LGBT establishments. Of course, this is not to say that same-gender behaviors and relationships do not occur. These activities are actually common and accepted and there is a significant amount of bisexual sexual behavior practiced among Bhutanese men.
In fact, bisexual behavior among men is not considered taboo and is a commonplace occurrence that does not affect ones identity. Languages in this region do not have words for lesbian, gay or bisexual and most of the men who would perhaps be defined as bisexual in Western cultures are monastic monks or are married to women. While there is an old law outlawing same-sex sexual activity that is still technically on the books, there is no evidence that this law, which includes the possibility of life imprisonment, has ever been enforced.
Gay travel to Bhutan allows an opportunity to experience a culture that is largely untouched by the outside world and is the ideal setting for a spiritual awakening or renewal. From hiking to visiting monasteries and exploring ancient villages, Bhutan gay vacations are unlike anything you will experience anywhere else in the world.
To fully enjoy all that Bhutan offers, it is recommended that you plan your gay holidays to this majestic land very well. This will help to ensure that you are given the opportunity to discover the beauty and spirituality of this magnificent country, while respecting Bhutans natural and cultural richness.
Morocco and Gay Travel
October 12, 2009 by Howie Holben · Leave a Comment
Morocco is a popular tourist destination in northwestern Africa and is a land of rich history, deeply entrenched culture, legend and myth. Well-known as a setting for books, play and movies, this desert nation offers visitors the opportunity to explore ancient ruins, traipse across the desert on a camel, stay in a hotel made of sand and bargain with insistent rug and spice traders in old-world open air marketplaces. In many cities and towns traditional homes have been converted into guest lodgings, called riads, which often provide for a more welcoming environment for folks on a gay vacation and allow visitors to experience Moroccan life and culture up close. Morocco is a conservative Muslim country and has no scene to speak of; however other reasons to include this exotic land in your gay adventure travel are abundant, including beautiful beaches, exceptional architecture, expansive desert landscapes and the chance to meander through souks (markets) that twist and turn through narrow village streets.
Morocco is a land of legends and myths, steeped in rich history and culture, where travelers can stay in a hotel made of sand, trek across the desert on camels and bargain with spice and rug traders in old-world marketplaces. In many places homes have been converted into hotels, called riads, that are sometimes more welcoming for visitors on a gay vacation and offer visitors the opportunity to experience the life and culture of Morocco more closely. There is no definable scene in Morocco, which is a conservative Muslim country; however there are many reasons to include Morocco in your travel, including pristine beaches, ancient ruins, enticing souks (markets) that wind through narrow streets offering a variety of wares, vast desert landscapes and amazing architecture.
Morocco was once a popular vacation destination for jet set from Europe, including famous writers, composers and socialites; however, although Morocco was once known as a welcoming spot for exotic gay vacations, homosexuality was criminalized in Morocco in 1962. While the law is rarely enforced, travelers on a vacation in Morocco should be aware that same-sex conduct is illegal and is punishable by fines and six months to three years of imprisonment.
The government recently released a statement noting that increased efforts to repress homosexuality would be put in place and that homosexuality will not be tolerated; which may lead to stricter enforcement of this law. This type of intolerance and laws against same-sex conduct are not uncommon in African nations or conservative Muslim countries and does not mean that Morocco must be avoided during your gay travel.
It simply means that discretion and awareness are advised while taking a vacation in Morocco. Travelers may want to consider visiting Morocco in an organized travel tour group or planning your vacation to Morocco through a gay travel and tours agency that has particular knowledge regarding the most welcoming lodgings and locations for vacations.
Extraordinary Gay Travel Experiences
October 11, 2009 by Howie Holben · Leave a Comment
Planning gay travel or gay vacations may at first seem like a daunting task but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are many travel agencies that specialize in planning and organizing a vacation that will meet and exceed all expectations. These agencies specialize in making travel plans for gay travelers and their families and friends. There are many gay couples that have children that will need to be included in the plans; whatever the circumstances are there are many destinations that cater to gay travelers.
Whether you use the services of an agency or plan your vacation yourself you first need to determine your budget. Your budget and your schedule will have a great deal to do with determining your destination. If you have just a few days to spare perhaps weekend retreat would be the perfect getaway. There are many gay travel retreats and workshops that can provide the perfect atmosphere for you and your partner to reconnect and relax. Many retreats offer workshops that focus on personal growth, self-awareness and spirituality.
Many people that are planning gay travel enjoy taking trips with likeminded people. There are a huge number of destination journeys available that can allow you to explore many unique destinations throughout the world. Tours are available that can allow you to view a beautiful sunset at Lovina Beach on the north shore of Bali.
Perhaps taking a white water rafting trip on the Colorado River as you wind our way through the Grand Canyon would be more appealing. Many people are thrilled with a trip to Egypt and marvel when they cruise the Nile or view the ancient Pyramids. A journey like this would surely leave you energized and would uplift your soul.
Taking the time to really think about what you need and expect from your vacation is an important part of the planning process. Do you want your time to be spent with lots of fun activities or spend time discovering and growing your spirituality? Perhaps you would like a vacation that offered a mix of different activities.
Planning gay holidays or gay retreats that are spiritually uplifting as well as fun can be just the way to rejuvenate both the body and the soul. By taking advantage of the expertise of agencies that have years of experience at planning exciting and exotic destination vacations you will have the opportunity to visit places you may not normally think of. Take the time to plan the journey of a lifetime.
Some gay travel experiences involve exploring ancient cultures. A pilgrimage is often the name given to this kind of travel. On a pilgrimage, the traveler learns the old traditions from the people and places visited. But it is not all serious, there is lots of time to relax and just sightsee.
Since prehistoric times sacred places have exerted a mysterious attraction on billions of people around the world. They have been claimed to heal the body and enlighten the mind. They continue to be the most venerated and visited locations on Planet Earth. Exploring these sacred places will provide an interaction with ancient ways and sites, which can lend to personal insight and healing.
Planning Gay Vacations to Greece
October 11, 2009 by Howie Holben · Leave a Comment
Greece offers an array of opportunities for a fantastic gay vacation. Gay travel to Greece will naturally include amazing sunrises, relaxing on white, sandy beaches, trekking to historical sites to explore ancient ruins, and ferrying between several of Greeces breathtakingly beautiful islands. Whether you dream of a gay vacation that includes family fun like picking olives and exploring museums, a restful respite in a seaside resort with your partner, or a rowdy week of taking in the Athens nightlife with a group of friends, Greece will undoubtedly prove to be an ideal setting for your gay travel plans.
Athens has several gay bars and clubs, as well as coffee shops and cafs that are gay-owned or gay-friendly. And, of course, there are saunas for gay men interested in the bathhouse scene during their gay vacation to Greece. Athens Relax is right across the street from a gay club and is a large sauna with mixed-age clientele, while Hera is a smaller sauna with more mature patrons. Limanakia beach, just south of Athens is a popular beach area for gay men that offers a rocky shore, underwater rock formations and swimming.
No gay travel experience to Greece would be complete without visiting Mykonos, one of the Greek Islands where folks on a gay vacation will find a warm, welcoming environment. Mykonos offers breathtaking scenery, exceptional beaches, a pulsating nightlife, a cosmopolitan atmosphere and friendly locals, making this a must-see spot for any Greek gay vacation. There are plenty of gay-friendly accommodations on Mykonos, including a gay-owned lodging that caters solely to gay travelers and is adults only. Another popular Greek island for gay travel is the Island of Crete. While you will not find a highly visible gay scene on Crete, you will find a few gay bars and establishments, gay beaches, a gay-owned bed and breakfast and a welcoming environment, making Crete a great choice for a gay vacation in Greece.
The Island of Lesvos ” often referred to as Lesbos ” is an obvious choice for lesbian travelers where they can explore Sapphos birthplace, take romantic strolls along pristine beaches, experience a hydrotherapy spa treatment, people watch over ouzo at a sidewalk caf and indulge in the friendly women-centered nightlife. Of historical importance to the lesbian community and always filled with lesbian travelers, Lesvos is a must-see for women on a gay vacation to Greece.
Greece remains a mostly traditional, religious country, but those who visit Greece on gay vacations will find a welcoming environment almost anywhere in the country. One of the best ways to partake in a gay vacation to Greece is to visit this beautiful country as part of an organized gay travel tour. Another great option is to plan your gay vacation to Greece through a travel agency that regularly plans Greece gay vacations. This will ensure that you will have the opportunity to experience all that Greece has to offer and will return with a lifetime of memories.
Gay Vacations to England
August 26, 2009 by Howie Holben · Leave a Comment
England always has been and always will be a gay vacation destination and offers a wide variety of options for gay travel. With a thriving, very visible gay and lesbian community and far more rights than those given to the LGBT community in the United States, England is an ideal location for gay vacations. From lively London nightspots to the relaxing beaches of Brighton and all the bucolic countryside and urban adventures that can be found throughout the country, England offers something for every kind of gay travel tourist.
Visitors to London will not want to miss Old Compton Street and the Soho district, which is a thriving gay and lesbian neighborhood filled with gay bars, clubs, restaurants and businesses. Soho is close to many of Londons most famous tourist hotspots, like Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, Chelsea and Kensington. And, with Londons stellar public transportation system, everything is within easy reach of this gay mecca. Manchester also has much to offer to the gay and lesbian traveler, including a lively gay scene with a variety of bars, clubs and pubs to choose from, as well as a quaint gay village encompassing the blocks around Canal Street.
If you prefer a gay vacation by the sea, Brighton ” which is also known as Soho by the Sea – has the second largest lesbian and gay community in England, including the popular Kempton neighborhood, which is home to gay bars, clubs, restaurants and bed and breakfasts. Walk along the pier or pebble beach, or explore quaint shops and boutiques located throughout Brighton for a relaxing gay vacation. Another gay-friendly city that welcomes gay men and lesbians on gay vacations is Newcastle Gateshead, which is home to a sophisticated, trendy gay village with a lively gay scene including cafs, pubs, bars and clubs.
Gay men and lesbians will find gay-friendly lodgings in every region of England, including some options that are exclusively for the gay travel community or only gay men. If you are working with a travel agency that is accustomed to organizing gay vacations in England, your travel agent will be able to guide you to the gay-friendly hotel, bed and breakfast or other lodging option that best suits your needs. If you are interesting in roughing it during your gay vacation to England, there are also gay-owned and gay-friendly campsites available, such as the gay-owned Out in the Open campground in Cornwall and Brighthouse Farm in Suffolk, which has six acres of farmland for camping, as well as self-catering accommodations and a bed and breakfast.
An England gay vacation planned with the assistance of a professional travel agency dedicated to arranging gay travel is sure to be one of the greatest gay vacations of your life.