GayCities Announces Best Destinations for Gay Travelers

Chicago claimed the coveted title of “City of the Year" in the most recent Best of GayCities travel awards. Vienna won for “Culture Hub,” while Santa Fe, NM was declared 2013’s “Hidden Gem.”

The winners were chosen by GayCities members who cast over 80,000 votes in 14 categories.

“We’re proud to present the biggest annual awards chosen by real gay travelers,” said GayCities CEO Scott Gatz. “Audience engagement in this year’s campaign was a record high, proving the continued interest in LGBT travel and GayCities’ commitment to helping over 720,000 LGBTs connect and discover the best destinations each month.”

Other winners include: New York City (“Nonstop Nightlife,” “Fashion Capital,” “Singles Scene”); San Francisco (“Utopian Pride,” “American Marriage Mecca”); Paris (“Foodie Paradise”); Sydney (“Fun in the Sun”); Key West (“Relaxation Central”) and W Hotels (“Heavenly Stays”).

Best of GayCities 2013 also reflected the international momentum for marriage equality with three new categories: “Global Marriage Mecca” (winner, Amsterdam); “American Marriage Mecca” (winner, San Francisco); and “Honeymoon Hotspot” (winner, Santorini).

Nice to See StevieB: Three Weeks

By StevieB

*swimsuit not representative
of how Steve will look.

It's just three weeks until the big gay cruise. This means my dietary intake has been reduced to lettuce and dust. Well, and coffee.
I decided to buy one of those "motivational" swimsuits. The type that I'll never really be able to look good wearing, yet I walk by five times a day, as it sits atop my dresser mocking me. "I will let the Caribbean sun see you, Speedo! I will." I just need to eat as if I was Karen Carpenter.
In my food-deprived state, I have realized how unprepared I am for this trip. Other than my Speedo. Last night, I realized the reservation I made for a rental car for Fort Lauderdale was promptly deleted by me. I had zero information in regard to the reservation. Thankfully I had used my credit card points to pay for it, so I called the helpful credit card elves to find it for me. Yay.
If you need me for the next three weeks, I'll be at the gym. I'll be the one with a trail of empty Slim-Fast cans behind me and a glazed-over pre-cruise lack of carbs pallor.

This post originally appeared on Steven Bennet's website Nice to See StevieB. Republished with permission.

Travel: Passport's Florida Road Trip Itinerary

Join Passport.com on a ten-day road trip through the Sunshine State that loops through big cities, ancient swamps, legendary gay playgrounds, and a whole lot more!

10 Reasons to Visit Denver in 2014: Chihuly, Cartier, Maya and more

The Mile High City will host a dazzling array of international art shows, one-of-a-kind exhibits and premiere sporting events in 2014, including a worldwide exclusive showing of Cartier jewels, the largest exhibit of Maya artifacts in American history and the World Lacrosse Championships.

Check out ten exciting reasons to explore Denver in 2014 after the break.

Passport Names Florida's Top 10 Gay Beaches!

Florida's fantastic beaches welcome all, but some are friendlier than others to the LGBT community. From party places such as Miami, Key West and Fort Lauderdale to mellow, secluded spots in St. Pete Beach and Sarasota, here are some of Sunshine State's best gay-friendly beaches.

Nice to See StevieB: Stevie's Choice

By StevieB

I am glad to say that I have survived this semester of school. Now it’s time to relax and play, “school boy on winter break.” I’m very excited.

As I’m on winter break, I have time to finally complete some over-due chores. This morning re-ignited a debate in the house. Where to stay the three days before the cruise in February. Or, what gay B&B shall we flop at for three days over Valentine’s Day. As you no-doubtfully are aware, I’m a gay ghetto gay. Meaning, if given the choice in life, I would love to live in the center of a gay neighborhood. Hence the choosing of vacationing a couple of days early in Fort Lauderdale verses Miami before our cruise on the 15th. To enjoy Fort Lauderdale’s gay village.

Two Guest houses top the list, one The Cabanas Guesthouse and Spa lives up to its name and has a gay men’s spa. Complete with hot stone massage. The clothing optional pool is also a nice, and necessary benefit. 

The other B&B has a clothing optional pool as well. It’s a... leather themed guest house called the Inn Leather. Seriously. The glossy brochure highlights a real leather sling in every room. Patrick suggested I inquire if they are Corinthian leather. “Our slings are covered in a fine Corinthian leather.” Well, it will be over Valentine’s Day... Nothing says “I love you’ like an in-room sling. Whilst the Spa is nifty, the Corinthian (as we’ll now call it) also has free WiFi, and a better spread for breakfast... for me.

With either choice there is only 9 weeks until I get to recline next to a pool. All naked. 

This post originally appeared on Steven Bennet's website Nice to See StevieB. Republished with permission.

Travel: Greater Fort Lauderdale

Looking for a fun vacation getaway? Say hello to a diverse and vibrant scene in Greater Fort Lauderdale —Florida’s LGBT mecca. There are so many ways to play with over 150 gay-owned establishments and world-famous Sebastian Street Beach. From the ocean to downtown, you’ll always find an open embrace for gay travelers.

Fort Lauderdale's fab events include:

Lady Gaga: artRAVE: ARTPOP Ball Tour, May 4, BB&T Center
Cher: Dressed To Kill, May 17, BB&T Center
Stonewall Summer Pride & Street Festival:
June 21 – 22th, Wilton Manors

Visit sunny.org/lgbt for the details and enter to win a fabulous gaycation. (via Instinct)

Travel: Enter Today to Win a Pink Christmas in Stockholm, Sweden!

Stockholm has an excellent reputation among international LGBT travelers, and has been ranked in the past few years as one of the world’s gay-friendliest destinations. In conjunction with Pink Christmas Week in Stockholm, Stockholm Visitors Board and Visit Sweden will be focusing on a social media contest to attract more international LGBT travelers to Stockholm.

“Pink Christmas is an annual highlight in Stockholm, with a number of Christmas events. We hope to use the campaign ‘A Pink Christmas’ to highlight the fact that Stockholm has tons to offer gay and lesbian travelers during the Christmas season, too,” says Christina Guggenberger, project manager of the Stockholm Gay & Lesbian Network in Stockholm Visitors Board.

The Pink Christmas campaign can be found at facebook.com/gaylesbianstockholm and is based on a contest in which the prize is a trip to Stockholm. With themes such as Charge, Refresh and Recharge, the city hopes to feature how Stockholm’s offering can fulfill dreams of travel. The contest will take place over the three-week period from October 29–November 19, 2013.

Nice to See StevieB: Booked

By StevieB

I did it. I finally did it. 

I guess I wouldn't make a very good world traveller. Me, jet-setting off to all the global gay hot spots. Like haut and cold running circuit parties. Other than not being twenty five and having a cocaine habit, I am the worst procrastinator when it comes to booking air travel. I like to finalize a vacation, hop on-line to check out the travel sites, then wait a month, or two until the prices go up sixty to seventy bucks.* Why pay the cheapest fair when I can wait and pay more money? 

I finally did it. I booked my ticket to fly to Florida for the Big Gay Cruise in February. It’s a nice feeling to have it done, and that I didn’t pay too little for it. 

Since we’re flying out several days early, now I have to find a fun Bed & Breakfast in Miami or Fort Lauderdale. One that has a pool and is clothing optional. Please write in if you have any suggestions. I’ll wait until January to book the room. I have plenty of time. 

If you would like to join Patrick, me, and 4,000 of our closest friends on the boat, check out RSVP's site. Here. 

*Yes, I am aware of the “return site visitor price hike” I do clear my cookies. 


This post originally appeared on Steven Bennet's website Nice to See StevieB. Republished with permission.

Travel: San Francisco Bear Pride 2013

Once Octobearfest is all finished up it'll be time for everybear's fancy to turn to San Francisco Bear Pride 2013. It's everything you want in a bear event and much, much more.

Travel: Colorado's Authentic Old West Ghost Towns

Colorado is home to 150 recorded town sites and many more abandoned or ghost towns with storied pasts of mining riches, rowdy saloons and outlaw showdowns. Walk these main streets and imagine the former hustle and bustle of these towns in their heyday during Colorado’s mining boom frenzy in the late 1800s. Below is a sampling of some of Colorado’s best-preserved and most accessible ghost towns for modern-day visitors to take a step back in time and a peek at the Old West.

Win the Ultimate Swiss Gaycation from Passport and Swiss International Airlines

Passport and Swiss International Airlines have teamed up to send you on the gaycation of a lifetime! Click here and show 'em how you travel for a chance to win the VIP treatment in Switzerland.

Travel: The World Map of Penis Sizes Worldwide

Everybody's got a different itinerary when it comes to vacations and traveling. Mayhap this map of worldwide penis sizes can help you with yours!

Travel: Road-Tripping to Roadside Attractions

By Margo Pfeiff

We've all seen them on highways and rural byways, massive roadside attractions that elicit a gasp or a guffaw — buffalo as big as locomotives, a helicopter-sized mosquito or a cowboy boot that would fit King Kong. Everybody loves a road trip and these kitschy, small-town landmarks are part of the fun. While they may not be a destination on their own, they offer a quirky target to aim for with the goal of exploring the surrounding region.

British Columbia has its share of mammoth landmarks and — since this is Canada — the Guinness Book of World Records' holder for the world's largest hockey stick (and puck), seems a good place to start. Recognized by the Hockey Hall of Fame, the 207-foot (63-metre), 33-tonne wooden goal-maker was created for Vancouver's Expo 86 and now graces the community centre in Duncan, north of Victoria on Vancouver Island. And when hockey fans need to refuel? You're in the heart of the Cowichan Valley, where produce is showcased weekly at the town's lively Saturday farmers market. A short drive from Duncan promises a lush mini-Provence, where you can navigate scenic, winding country roads along "Gourmet Trail" tasting routes, dropping in on cheesemakers, wineries, cideries and organic farms. If adventure is your game, head west of Duncan for hiking and paddling around Cowichan Lake; 20 minutes to the south, Shawnigan Lake is the site of the historic Kinsol Trestle, one of the world's largest free-standing wooden trestles at 187 metres (614 feet) in length and 46 metres (150 feet) in height. With views of the Koksilah River, this eye-popper can be found on a hiking/biking route that is part of the Trans-Canada Trail.

Travel: Gay Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta has been Gay North America’s favorite winter beach destination for decades. The city boasts a broad array of gay bars and nightclubs, gay-owned restaurants, hotels, stores, services, and entertainment that put any other destination to shame.

Denver Daytrip: Fall Colors - Four Times and Places to See Them

Denver has one of the longest periods of fall colors of any city in the country. That’s because there are five different climate zones within a two-hour drive of downtown Denver. Pick your elevation and you can find yourself at the height of fall colors for more than two months, from mid-September to Mid-November.

Adjust Your Altitude
Aspen trees in Colorado grow from 6,500 to 10,500 feet in elevation. Although many factors make leaves turn color, as a general rule, the higher the elevation, the sooner the leaves turn gold. That means that over a period of time, you can often see a variety of shades of color on one mountainside, with deeper golds on top at 10,000 feet, blending to pale yellow in the 8,000 foot range, while down in the valley or along the plains in Denver, trees might still be green.

There are 1.9 million acres of aspen trees in Colorado – over one billion trees that if placed together would cover an area larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined. Aspen leaves don’t just turn color in the fall, they positively glow in a luminescent bright yellow, almost as if they had their own light source. The leaves are small, delicate and tissue-thin, with an aerodynamic shape that keep them in perpetual motion. Even a slight breeze sends every leaf on the tree shimmering.

Although seasons can vary greatly, there are generally four distinct areas and time periods for fall colors – perfectly located to enjoy as a daytrip from Denver.

See 'em after the jump!

Early-Bird Ski Vacation Deals & Flights Announced by Crested Butte, Colorado

As summer begins to gracefully turn into the golden days of autumn, there are big benefits to planning ahead and thinking of blissful powder days, a fun-filled family vacation on the slopes and a romantic snowy getaway to Crested Butte, Colo. Three outstanding deals with early-purchase dates offer tremendous values to experience “Colorado’s Last Great Ski Town, and an expanded flight schedule for this winter features new Chicago air service along with direct flights from Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Denver.

The ski season launches on Nov. 23 for Crested Butte Nordic Center and Nov. 27 for Crested Butte Mountain Resort in this pristine mountain valley known for its friendly, free-spirited vibe and outstanding winter recreation that also includes snowshoeing, tubing, dog sledding, horseback riding, ice skating and hot air ballooning.

Finding winter vacation deals at properties throughout the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley is easy all season long by going to www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com/packages. Check out a sampling of early-bird offers already posted after the jump.

Colorado Ski Country Resorts Entice Guests to Celebrate Labor Day with Slew of End-of-Summer Soirees

There’s still another month’s worth of summer fun to be had at Colorado’s mountain resorts before the colors begin to change, the night air becomes crisp, and the minds of  alpine enthusiasts begin to wander towards tune-ups, new gear, pass purchases, and early snowstorms. Many resorts are offering great summer activities and lodging specials through the end of September.

The Labor Day weekend is the last holiday weekend as resorts begin their preparations for the winter. Whether washing down an afternoon’s worth of competition chili with renowned microbrewed beer, attending music festivals featuring award-winning musicians, taking a ride in a vintage aircraft, or enjoying the many summer sporting and recreational opportunities at Colorado’s resorts, the Labor Day weekend festivities offer something for everyone. Below are some of the events and activities taking place during the long holiday weekend around Colorado Ski Country. 

Check out the full list after the jump!

Travel: Las Vegas Pride

It's time once again for Pride in Las Vegas!

Head downtown on Sept. 6 for the annual PRIDE Night Parade. Warm up with the pre-party at Fremont Street Experience and enjoy the parade through the heart of downtown. Then it’s on to the daylong celebration Sept. 7 at the PRIDE Festival from noon-10 p.m. at the Clark County Amphitheater.

Fabulous Las Vegas returns Sept. 3–8. This one-of-a-kind celebration includes events such as PRIDE Family Bingo at Circus Circus, the hilarious standup of comedy queens Margaret Cho (Sept. 6) and Kathy Griffin (Sept. 7), and Temptation Sundays, the signature pool party at Luxor followed by REVO at The Mirage’s Revolution Lounge.

There’s more excitement to be had at Gay Days Las Vegas Sept. 3–9 with daily pool parties, dance parties, The Gay Days Expo at Luxor and other Gay Days events at the Tropicana, Rumor and all over town!

GayTravel.com Drops Russia

Due to the recent ban on homosexuality issued by the Russian government, GayTravel.com has officially dropped Russia from the gay-friendly destination listings on their website and say they have fully refunded all of their advertisers from Russia until further notice to directly address and discourage the severity of the homophobia encouraged by the Russian government.