This year’s event stretching from February 29 through March 5, 2012 promises six non-stop days of parties and events. The big event is the Winter Party Beach Party on Sunday, March 4 (12:00 PM – 06:00 PM) at Lummus Park, Miami Beach.
Prices for most events are discounted till January 15, 2012. (Discounted women’s events passes are valid through February 1, 2012.) For more information, visit WinterParty.com. Prices at the host hotel — Surfcomber, now a Kimpton property — rise January 7, 2012. Click here for more information.
A portion of the net proceeds of WPF support the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force‘s efforts to take action, build power and create change for LGBT people.
Boasting a recent $70 million renovation, the Grand Hyatt San Francisco is an exciting option for San Francisco visitors wanting the style, décor and amenities of a boutique property with the convenience, size and loyalty perks of a large-scale chain.
The renovation spiffs up the property’s 659 guest rooms and suites (as well as the corridors, elevators and conference facilities) bringing them into the 21st century with Uno-Bitell iPod dock phones, Wi-Fi and HDTVs featuring multimedia hubs to connect to your laptop. Meeting the needs of both work and play travelers — guest rooms include ergonomic workstations and spa-like glass and tile bathrooms.
Featuring clean, modern design (favoring light wood and calming textiles in the décor) the overall atmosphere of the rooms and common spaces is light and relaxing. This is truly a notable accomplishment from L.A.-based design studio, Indidesign (named one of the top hospitality design firms in the US by Interior Design Magazine).
Located just off Union Square, the Grand Hyatt is a great option for easy access to shopping, theatre, art galleries, museums and scores of great restaurants. Speaking of which, be sure to visit the 36th floor Grandviews Lounge for a drink so you can experience the amazing view (but skip the Grandviews Restaurant with its over-priced and in need of renovation old-school hotel menu).
Other notable claims to fame include: 21 hypoallergenic rooms, 22 ADA accessible rooms, scenic 35th floor fitness center, executive business center; in addition to a lengthy list of other expected amenities, all rooms have low-flow toilets and electronic blackout drapes with bedside controls (tres James Bond!). If you’re looking for upscale comfort and style the Grand Hyatt is one good choice amongst the admittedly numerous accommodation offerings in the City by the Bay. Also note that additional renovations are planned for the foyer, lobby, lounge, restaurant and mezzanine in the next two years.
Rooms start at $199 (Sunday-Thursday) and $179 (Friday-Saturday) for queen, king and double rooms. Starting rate for an Executive suite are $399 (Sunday-Thursday) and $379 (Friday-Saturday). For reservations call (415) 398-1234 or visit www.grandsanfrancisco.hyatt.com.
There are 13 great LGBT-oriented travel packages to various locales at very inexpensive prices. Most were donated by IGLTA members.
At the left is a picture of the fabulous Hotel Palomar in Philadelphia, a lovely part of one of the terrific packages you can find at this auction.
Find the bids at www.BiddingForGood.com/IGLTA. Proceeds from the online auction go towards helping raise funds for the new IGLTA Foundation. Details about IGLTA’s Foundation can be found at: www.iglta.org/foundation.
He compiled his findings into a terrific tip sheet for anyone considering traveling there. And why wouldn’t you? It’s nearly summer in the SoHe (Southern Hemisphere0 and, well, the guys are hot and rugged!
Here are a few of his tips. For the complete article, visit Windy City Times.
On the looooong flight:
On a flight this long, it is important to rack up miles on one airline and you should definitely choose your carrier wisely. You will want a newer plane with a great international service. Air New Zealand now flies two new planes between Los Angeles and Auckland. Service is Kiwi-friendly and the food is superior. The airline has a good sense of humor and is very gay-friendly. Fitness celebrity Richard Simmons stars in the onboard safety video “Mile-high madness with Richard Simmons,” a hilarious take on safety. Check it out on YouTube.
At last check, roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles on Air New Zealand in November cost $2,000 for economy; slightly more for premium economy; and about $8,000 for business premier. Visit http:// www.airnewzealand.com for current prices. A round-trip flight between New Zealand and Australia costs about $500. It is best to search multiple airline websites at http:// www.kayak.com .
What does a gay traveler need to know?
Consider a travel agent or tour operator to book your trip. A trip to these two countries could be complicated and you will want to plan a few organized or group tours. Check out www.iglta.org for gay-friendly and LGBT-owned businesses operating in New Zealand and Australia. There are also a number of U.S. and Canadian based tour companies that organize group trips to these destinations. Research destination itineraries and explore New Zealand at http:// www.newzealand.com/us .
For gay nightlife, spend the weekend in Sydney. You will find a number of gay bars ( also called hotels ) along Oxford Street. New Zealand’s LGBT scene is very, very small but you will find bars that cater to mostly men. Search the web for up-to-date information. Grinder is also a terrific travel app where you can ask the locals what is happening while you are there.
What does the average LGBT traveler even know about this former Soviet republic bounded by Turkey, Georgia, Iran and Azerbaijan? The good folks at LebTour have decided the time is right to visit this culturally rich country, the only country remaining in 3,000-year-old maps of Anatolia. The gay tour of Armenia is scheduled for April 21 through 26, 2012.
Homosexuality was made legal in December 2002 and sine then, an organized “out” gay scene has begun to emerge in the capital Yerevan.
New York City is one of the most exciting destinations to visit, well, ever, but it’s particularly energetic, vibrant and fun between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The sidewalks are packed with eager shoppers from around the world. Stores try to one-up each other with festive window displays. The sounds of horse-drawn carriages clomping by and smells of roasted chestnuts for sale by street cart vendors add to the multi-media holiday extravaganza.
According to an article in today’s New York Times, if you express gratitude (sincerely) you’ll enjoy a health benefit. The more you do it — and the more consistently — the greater that health benefit will be. Witness:
Because it’s a gay ski week posting, that’s why! Plus who can resist this sexy image of A-List New York’s Reichen Leimkuhl?
Telluride Gay Ski Week, named by Gay.com as “Top Gay Ski Week” in the U.S.A, includes Leimkuhl and other A-List reality personalities along with abundant snow (they hope and assume) and lots of fun activities and events.
From the organizers:
We’ve got fun things planned for 2012 – new and returning likeNuclia’s Get Wasted Party, White Night Party and on-mountain T-Shack. We will start off the week with the Academy Awards but we are keeping it casual this year with an Oscar Bar Partywhere you can keep up with the awards but more importantly work on getting your altitude and you attitude accustomed to partying in Paradise.
The Telluride Gay Ski Week is scheduled to take place from February 23 through March 3, 2012. For more information, visit: www.telluridegayskiweek.com/
Here’s your sneak peak above. Check out these hotties!
Who’ll win? You’ve gotta go check it out in person or read about it online after. The competition takes place tonight and tomorrow. Here’s the schedule:
U.S. Mr. Gay Weekend Schedule:
Friday, November 18, 2011
Welcome Party and 1st Round of Q & A
Woody’s – 202 S. 13th Street – Philadelphia
Time: 8:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Hosted by: Brittany Lynn and NY Ink’s Robear!
Smirnoff Open Bar & Hors D’oeuvres
Performances by: Ms. Brittany Lynn & Steve McManus
Here are three alliterative tours offered by the fabulous folks at VentureOut in 2012. There’s even a deal on “Cats” (African safari, not the show!), so click away and start your joyful journey.
The LGBTQ Travel Expert. Educator. Speaker. Author. 