Suite Dreams: Londolozi Private Game Reserve

GPS Londolozi 12

By Jeffrey James Keyes; Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Let go of everything that keeps you from the wilderness as you fly over the Kruger National Park and into the heart of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve.

Located on over 36,000 acres of Sabi land, Londolozi is everything you want South Africa to be. This privately owned game reserve was built on a solid foundation of partnership between the Varty and Taylor families, who arrived in 1926. Today the adorable and stylish Brownyn and Boyd Varty, with their team of rangers and friends welcome lucky guests to the unbelievable safari paradise.

Kudu and impala peek through the bushes as green Land Rovers full of gorgeous rangers arrive to escort you to camp. Freshen up in your chalet (we recommend the popular Varty Camp) and prepare for your first safari drive. Bring an extra jacket, binoculars, sunglasses, and your camera and get ready to see the “Big Five” and so much more. Catch up with the local pride and watch as hyenas and wild dogs stalk Zebra in the wild. Londolozi is famous for it’s leopard visibility, so plan on getting up, close, and personal with a few big cats.

Safaris take place at sunrise and sunset, be sure to swirl a little Amarula in your coffee in the morning and your ranger will be more than happy to fix a Gin and Tonic for you as the sun sets in the bush (if you’re not hunting with one of the lions or following a leopard to the watering hole). As Graeme Marais, one of the charming rangers can tell you “Most visitors to Londolozi never miss a game drive”.

Back at camp the Varty family knows how to throw a feast and pamper their guests. Feel like a member of the Swiss Family Robinson as you explore the expansiveness of the main property or treat yourself to a poolside massage in the middle of the afternoon. If you’re desperate to wander the wilderness, join one of the expert trackers and a giraffe or two on an unforgettable walking safari. At night, your glass of Pinotage will always be half full and the company extraordinary.

Londolozi has become a gathering place of perhaps the most special, free spirited people in the world.  There’s an uncanny energy in the air, you might never want to leave. If you must go, pick up a copy of Dave Varty’s The Full Circle in the gift shop to read on your comfy South African Airways flight back home.

On assignment for GPS, intrepid travel writer and photographer Jeffrey James Keyes made his way through South Africa recently. He visited many hotel properties and presents his “Big Five” picks for lodging most suitable for gay and lesbian visitors.

Good Morning, Fuji. I Hardly Knew You

Tokyo

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

We love getting e-mails from our readers, subscribers, and followers. Here’s one from “Out Traveler” Steve who traveled back to Japan on business for the first time since he lived (and came out there) a number of years ago.

Japan is awesome! It’s so cool to be back. I have the most amazing view of Tokyo Tower from my 32nd story window. And I woke up this morning and there was Mt. Fuji as clear as day behind Tokyo Tower. Stunning! Mt. Fuji is usually very difficult to see from Tokyo due to the smog. I think I only saw it twice in the whole year that I lived here, which makes it even more spectacular.

Travel the World in One Stop

Picture 2

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

If you are in the Philadelphia, New York or tri-state area and are just hankering to get away, come to Philadelphia for the Philadelphia Inquirer Travel Show this weekend: Saturday January 22 and Sunday January 23.

Travel shows are a great idea to get inspired find information about hotels, cruises, destinations and more and to meet some of your favorite travel personalities. GPS editor Ed Salvato will be speaking at the show on Saturday January 22 from 11:45 till 12:15 on the subject of gay and lesbian travel: Hot new destinations, events, tours, and cruises, including great deals for LGBT travelers.

The show sponsors have graciously offered Out Travelers a code for $5 off the price of admission. Click here to purchase a ticket and enter the following code: LGBT5OFF. See, sometimes it pays to be gay!

West Coast Dining Deals

90846379

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Hope you’re hungry! This month there are two “Dine Abouts” to talk about in two west coast foodie capitals.

In San Francisco, now through January 31, 2011, locals and visitors have the opportunity to experience some of the finest restaurants in town at a fraction of the price. You may select from more than 100 participating restaurants offering a two-course lunch menu for $17.95 and/or a three-course dinner menu for $34.95. For a complete list for Dine About Town San Francisco, click here: DineAboutTown.com.

Further north, Dine Out Vancouver kicks off January 24 and goes through February 6. This celebration of local food and British Columbia wine offers three-course prix fixe menus at $18 $28, and $38 price points (not including taxes, alcohol and tip) at 215 restaurants across Metro Vancouver. More info: Dine Out Vancouver.

Tour of the Week: China with Hermes Tours

Picture 1
Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

China took center stage during the Summer 2008 Olympics. And now it’s time for its encore, starring you and your Hermes small group. What’s on the playbill? How about an ancient wall 4,000 miles long? A city once forbidden to visitors? Or how about 8,000 stone warriors watching over an emperor and serene gardens whose tenders seek nothing less than metaphysical perfection.  The tour takes place April 9 – 18, 2011 and costs $2695 USD per person.

Kristina, our friend at Hermes Tours has a deal for you: “I can also offer a special discount for your readers. Save $100 off the price of the main tour or $150 off the main + Hong Kong extension. Offer valid until Jan 28, 2011.  Use code: OTCHJA28.”

More information: http://www.hermestours.com/tour_desc_china.html

Suite Dream: The Roxbury, a “Boutique Motel” in Upstate NY

Picture 2

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

In the charming 19th century town of Roxbury, in the picturesque heart of the Catskill Mountains just two-and-half-hours north of New York City, is the Roxbury Motel: a beacon of outrageously hip design and luxurious refinement in a reclaimed vintage motel and a fabulous new building.  It’s also a celebration of 1960ss and 1970s TV and film culture, for this is the inspiration behind the glamorous accommodations — a hint of long-ago favorites, from The Sound of Music to  Saturday Night Fever. The lounge (above) is a favorite haunt for local lesbian and gay men so you’ll likely get your gay on here. (Yep, that’s Nancy Sinatra in the photo to the right.) For monre info about the Roxbury, click here.

Kansas City Sizzles During Restaurant Week

87765663

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Kansas City Restaurant Week is back in 2011, providing foodies hundreds of opportunities to sample different menus across the Kansas City area. The second annual epicurean event will take place January 21 – 30. Ten percent of every Restaurant Week menu purchased during the ten days will once again be donated to Harvesters – The Community Food Network. Last year, nearly $56,000 was raised, translating to 275,000 meals served to the hungry in Kansas City.

Asian-flavored Specials at New Vegas Hotel

89695321

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Sin City boasts an indulgent new hotel property on the Las Vegas Trip. The Mandarin Oriental, which opened in late 2009, is celebrating its first anniversary with  special room packages and amenities. Guests can experience three luxurious nights at the Mandarin for the price of two with the “Fantastic Anniversary 3-for-2” offer. Until January 17, 2011, guests may enjoy an extra night of Mandarin Oriental’s renowned hospitality and award-winning suites. The Spa also features a special “Journey to the Orient” package throughout December. The treatment begins with a consultation to determine the guests’ personal Chinese element, and continues on a journey of rejuvenation and relaxation, using essential oils and massage to deliver the most exquisite spa experience. The extravagant treatment is two-hours long and can be enjoyed for only $300. That’s a pretty great deal for such a renowned spa. For more information, visit: The Mandarin Oriental.

London: Stay Well, Do Good

RP_Exterior_05_Hi
Story by John O’Ceallaigh; above the exterior of The Royal Park; Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

January’s usually a time of cutbacks and austerity for would-be travelers so it’s good to know that one of the New Year’s best deals is to be found in London — city rarely recommended for its affordability.

Throughout the month sister hotels The Royal Park and The Cranley are supporting two children’s charities with a novel promotion. Guests who book a room for £50 (including breakfast) and stay at either property from 5-31 January are invited to pay what they think the room is worth, with any balance over £50 going directly to either Ndoro Children’s Charity, if you’re staying at The Cranley, or the NSPCC, if you stay at The Royal Park.

Rooms at each hotel routinely start at £149 so savings are significant even if you make a substantial contribution to the causes, and there’s no compromise on quality. Both properties are housed in converted 19th-century townhouses within central London and exude old-school English charm throughout. The complimentary glass of champagne on arrival is a nice touch but the biggest draw is probably the service, which is more personable than many of London’s larger hotels, and the rooms themselves, which are often luxuriously but demurely finished with sturdy, old mahogany furniture and the odd antique.

If you’re keen to make your travel budget stretch even further it’s good to know both are near world-class museums that offer free admittance. The Cranley in exclusive South Kensington is minutes from the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Science Museum  — a trip to Harrods just up the road could set you back significantly more. (At press time, £1 will set you back about $1.54.)

Heading across the pond? First, check out our Out Guide to London.

Top 5 for 2011: It’s Going to be a Great Year for Travel

RenaissanceStPancras Buh-bye 2010! And good riddance. Sheesh, what a pesky year for a lot of people.

2011 is already looking way up. Economists are predicting an ever-improving economy, and recent research by Community Marketing suggests gay travel is on the upswing, with lots of pent-up demand for travel about to be unleashed. (Download the PDF of the this year’s research by clicking on the link at the end of this posting.)

LGBT travelers will find more — and better — travel options the world over. Here are a few things I’m looking forward to this year. Happy travels!

An explosion of art and culture

Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts

April 7-May 1, 2011

With over 100 performances and events throughout the Philadelphia region over a nearly one-month period, PIFA, overseen by the illustrious Kimmel Center, promises to be one of the most important expressions of art and culture in the U.S. this year.

The biggest gay cruise ever

Atlantis Events 20th Annirvsary Cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas

Feb 6-13

Atlantis, the largest tour operator for gay and lesbian travelers and their friends, is also the very first company (gay or straight) to charter the largest cruise ship ever built. This sold-out cruise will welcome nearly 6,000 gay men and lesbians to celebrate Atlantis’s 20th anniversary. Way to start the year with a bang! Ports include Ft. Lauderdale, Nassau, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas.

Gay hotels version 2.0

I’m very much looking forward to visiting one of the new breed of luxury gay boutique hotels like the recently open Lords South Beach; the vastly expanded Royal Palms in Ft. Lauderdale. I love the Axel Hotels in Buenos Aires, Berlin, and Barcelona and very much look forward to hearing more news about their proposed fourth hotel in New York.

Opening of St. Pancras Hotel

Most U.S. travelers don’t think of the Renaissance hotel chain as high end but that perspective really needs to be revisited. Scheduled for its grand opening in May 2011 the brand spanking new Renaissance St. Pancras opening in a gorgeous, historical building (pictured above) in central London will actual “soft open” in February. Hurry, make your reservations now before word gets out about this fabulous new property which sits atop St. Pancras International Train Station, London’s high-tech transit hub that will whisk you to Paris aboard the EuroStar bullet train in a mind-bogglingly fast two hours and 15 minutes.

More exciting opportunities in 2011

On a personal note, I will be presenting lots of information on new hotels, exciting destinations, hot events, cruises and tours to LGBT travelers and their friends and travel professionals at four upcoming travel shows this year. Here are the dates and websites for more information about the shows, including where and when I’ll speak at each one.

(If you’d like to download Community Marketing’s 2010 Research Survey Results in PDF format, click here.)