Tip: Come out to American Airlines and (Possibly) Win $200

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Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

American Airlines is one of the world’s gay-friendliest airlines. They consistently win “Best of” awards in all the major gay travel awards programs like OutTraveler and TripOutGayTravel. And for good reason.

American offers benefits to the same-sex partners of their gay and lesbian employees equal to those offered to everyone else. They’ve always treated their LGBT passengers with respect and equality. They’ve offered specials and deals to LGBT travelers on their AA.com/Rainbow site.

Now, they’d like you to stand up and be counted! Go to your AA.com AAdvantage account (or go create one) Picture 2 and check “LGBT Travel Favorites” like you see in the image to the right. You’ll automatically be enrolled in a chance to win a $200 AA gift card and two Admirals Club passes, but hurry they announce the winners on January 7.

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All-Male Ballet Troupe Rocks Joyce Theater till January 2

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Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

In performances by Les Ballets Trockedero de Monte Carlo, every role — male and female — is played by a man, which makes for some really fun and funny (and campy and queer) moments. Technically, whether in the role of a female or male dancer, the performers are excellent. The costumes and choreography are likewise intelligently and interestingly executed.

This dance troupe that the NY Times recently called “superb” in a recent review is performing, appropriately enough, at the Joyce Theater in New York’s gay-popular Chelsea neighborhood but only till January 2, so quick, grab tickets.

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo performs through Jan. 2 at the Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue, at 19th Street, Chelsea; (212) 242-0800.

Best of 2010 on GPS: My Fave Five

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Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

What a year it was!

2010 had some truly awful travel moments (disabled cruise ships, erupting volcanoes, exploding oil wells, snowbound airports), but it also offered sublime places, pictures, and people from the world over many of which we featured right here.

During my peripatetic wanderings this year, I had quite a few unforgettable experiences. It was tough to pare the list down, but here here are, in no specific order, the hotels, destinations, and excursions that rocked my travel world this year.

Hotel

The Amanwella resort in Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful hotels I’ve ever stayed at in one of the most stunning locations — on a palm-studded beach in the warm Indian Ocean.

Destinations

I visited two places — quite different from one another — that both have become quite interested in the gay market. Both invited me to speak to their tourism officials to help them understand the gay and lesbian travel market, but during those trips, I fell in love with both places.

Excursion

I’ve said it many times before but it’s worth repeating: There is nothing like a gay cruise. It’s one of th most fun vacations you can have but it’s also one of the only that will allow you to meet other great lesbian or gay travelers (I’ve made many life-long friends during gay cruises), and to actually feel re-affirmed as a gay person. How many vacations to do that? My favorite this year was the Atlantis cruise aboard the Solstice, a beautiful, contemporary vessel, like a W Hotel floating in the Caribbean.

Dining

I’ve noshed my way through three continents for you this year, dear reader, to bring you our top recommendations for where to get your calories. In a huge, long, competitive list of amazing and gay-friendly restaurants, one keeps popping up as this year’s favorite. Baker & Banker offers that elusive trifecta of amazing (farm-to-table) food, professional/friendly service, and romantic ambiance. (Click here for other top San Francisco restaurants and for our Out Guide to the city.)

Tour of the Week: Costa Rica with OutWest

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Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

With temperatures plunging in the northern and eastern parts of the U.S., thoughts turn south to warmer climes and sunnier, longer days. Costa Rica has plenty of both. Plus it’s gay-friendly as all-get-out to boot.

Join OutWest Global Adventures for a week of fun, adventure, and relaxation while exploring the best CR07groupslide1 that Costa Rica, or CR to its friends, has to offer. Raft through the rainforest on the Pacuare River, hike on a volcano, walk through red-ripe berries of a coffee plantation (could that little berry be in a future tall drip at Starbucks!?), and feel the warmth of the Pacific Ocean as you swim along the beaches and islands of beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park.

You can also take nature walks, kayak excursions, or just kickback by the pool and sip a tropical drink (or three).

When: February 12-19, 2011

More info: OutWest Global Adventures

Suite Dreams: Birkenhead House & Villa

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Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

By Jeffrey James Keyes

When you finally make it to South Africa, a dip in the Indian Ocean is a must. From May to December, not only are the beaches at Hermanus great for swimming, the coastline boasts the premiere whale watching site in South Africa — Walker Bay.

The World Wide Fund for Nature has even acknowledged this quaint holiday destination as one of the best land-based whale watching sites in the world. If you’re on the hunt for a seaside room with a view for an upcoming gay honeymoon, Birkenhead House  & Villa is your choice.

Named after the Royal Navy vessel, HMS Birkenhead, which sank back in 1852, this property has risen above the pack of touristy Hermanus accommodation options. Just off the terrace, the aquamarine Indian Ocean fans across the horizon. The beach just below the property is Voëlklip, perfect for a dip in the surf. The friendly staff at Birkenhead is more than happy to pack a picnic basket for your beach adventure. Be sure to lather on the sunscreen, because the African sun will sneak up on you like a Southern Right Whale spouting water from the Hermanus coastline.

Back on the main property, Birkenhead House & Villa lays out the red carpet for its guests. The GPS Hermanus 4 dual-level courtyard swimming pool is the best place to see and be seen. There is an eclectic attention to detail throughout the property, with a fun collection of seaside antiques in each of the 10 suites and continual rotation of lush, fresh local flowers everywhere. The cuisine in the restaurant is a careful blend of African modern with incredibly fresh seafood and creative dishes inspired by the Ocean. Be sure to have plenty of champagne, reapply that sunscreen, and take a nap next to your beau in the sunshine.  You’re on vacation, after all.

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. Check back next Thursday to discover another.

Deal of the Week: Historic Hotel in Savannah, Georgia

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Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Relive your “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” fantasy in Savannah with a special deal from Staybridge Suites, a very pretty hotel located in the historic district of this charming, mysterious southern town. Lady Chablis would love this deal, offered especially to members of IGLTA.org and extended to readers of GPS.OutTraveler.com.

The offer — $79 per night — is good through February 28, 2011. It includes a slew of amenities like a delicious hot breakfast buffet daily (eggs, bacon, biscuits, and more), free Internet, a fitness facility and more. The hotel is located within walking distance of restaurants, sites, museums, and attractions so leave the car and grab a beverage.

Important:

  • To obtain this rate, you must contact Lindsay at 912-721-9000 or Christa at 912-721-9016, who graciously offered this terrific rate to our readers.

Deal of the Week: Atlantic City is Coming up Aces

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Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Atlantic City, New Jersey — the east coast’s very own mini-Las Vegas. Isn’t all that far as the crow flies. But it was never really super easy to reach via public transportation. That’s all changed since the ACES (Atlantic City Experss Train Service) Train introduced direct service from New York to AC. With one stop in Newark, the total travel time is usually around 2 hours and 40 minutes.

ACES recently announced a special offer for the holidays. If shopping and the prospect of eating aunt Myrtle’s fruit cake has got you down, check out this deal. The “Eat, Drink, and Be Merry” package includes an overnight stay at the gay-friendly Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, choice of a spa treatment, and a $100 dining credit to use at any Borgata fine-dining restaurant. Rates start at $389 for 12/24 and 12/25 only. See TheBorgata.com for more information.

Start or end your journey with a fun night on the town in NYC (powered by our Out guide).

Five Bites: San Francisco’s Tasty Treats

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Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

During a culinary tour of San Francisco, I got to sample savory and sweet sensations at five new or newly improved restaurants. This is a foodie town and my visit was in no way meant to be an exhaustive search. I just found these eminently worthy of mention. Here are my latest five favorite dining spots in Baghdad by the Bay (in order of increasing likelihood of food-related orgasm).

Level III

  • The food and service were fantastic in this dining room, located on the third floor of the J.W. Marriott at Post St. and Mason St. in downtown San Francisco. The decor may be a bit too corporate to make it a romantic or “big night” destination dining spot, but it’s a terrific option for dinner after work or for some energy for before or after a shopping binge.

E&O Trading Company

  • Also on Sutter St. (near Grant St.) E&O Trading Company, a Southeast Asian Grill, has been around for a while but re-invented itself with the arrival of its latest chef, who introduced the new “lunch break” option, incredibly tasty and inexpensively priced options that have proven to be wildly successful with the business and shopping crowds at lunch.

Marlowe

  • This market-driven neighborhood bistro is located at 330 Townsend, deep in the once-scary, now super-cool SoMA (south of Market) district. Characterized by an eclectic offering of snacks, appetizers, sides, and mains and affordable and interesting wines, Marlowe recently featured a divine Jerusalem artichoke soup (with whipped creme fraiche), a garlic-y dish of roasted pistachios, and a warm open-faced deviled egg sandwich.

Starbelly

  • Serving brunch, lunch, and dinner just off Market in the still super gay-popular Castro district Starbelly has been wowing fans for over a year with inexpensive, farm-to-table cuisine. Dine in the patio year round. Enjoy snacks (like three Starbelly salumi for $14), small plates (including the mouth-watering pan seared day boat scallops also $14) or if you’re feeling peckish (or want to share) a pizza (the fall squash and sage pie is delish and cheap at only $13).

Baker & Banker

  • Save up one evening to enjoy a to-die-for meal at this eponymous restaurant. (The chef is actually Mr. Jeff Banker and his wife, the pasty chef is Lori Baker.) The restaurant serves upscale dishes and a great wine list at affordable prices in a relaxed yet chic setting, with terrific service. It’s one of those places that’s less known than the big name-dining spots but beloved by in-the-know locals.

For lots more great dining, as well as clubs, bars, hotels and much more in San Francisco, download our Out guide.

Suite Dreams: The Delaire Will Delight

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Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Story and photo by Jeffrey James Keyes

Waking up at the Delaire Graff Estate is just about as good as it gets.

Imagine the sun rising across an expansive vineyard as you splash around in your private heated infinity pool. Sure, there are plenty of things to do in Cape Town but cancel the sightseeing for a few days and recharge in wine country. Laurence Graff, Chairman of Graff Diamonds dreamed big when he reopened the property, situated in the crest of the Helshoogte Mountain Pass just outside of Cape Town where the scent of fresh jasmine fills the air, and the sun always seems to be out.

The 10 unique lodges of Delaire swing around a decadent main lodge that features the first-class Indochine Restaurant, a private cinema, meeting facilities, gymnasium, Pilates studio, and luxury spa. Pierre Bories designed the property, with interiors by the remarkable David Collins.

Morne Vrey, the resident Winemaker at Delaire, sets the scene for a wine lover’s passion play. The high altitude vineyards, excellent soils, and cooling breezes matched with their high-tech 230-ton wine cellar make for wine you will most definitely sneak through customs. The Delaire Sauvignon Blanc, with underpinning layers of gooseberry and asparagus, is one of the most delicious and flavorful glasses in the region. If you’re in the mood for red, the intense and aromatic Delaire Red Blend is a must.

After a tasting, be sure to explore the grounds and the gardens, peppered with sculptures and works of African art by the likes of William Kentridge, Sydney Kumalo, Dylan Lewis, Robert Hodgins, and Deborah Bell. Even if you don’t leave the property with a shiny new Graff diamond, a weekend at the Delaire Graff Estate will make you feel like you’ve struck it rich.

Best Seat in the House: R Lounge, Times Square

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Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Newly open, the R Lounge at the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel offers one of the best views of Times Square and probably among the best views in the entire city.

The lounge, on the second level of the hotel, seems to float above the dead center of Times Square. With floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides, you can almost reach out and touch the electronic billboards. But it’s all serenity and calm in the lounge itself. None of Times Square’s cacophony can be detected.

You’d expect bland food and ridiculous “expense account” prices, but you’d be dead wrong. The food is incredibly good with delectable lobster rolls and hamburger sliders at the top of a roster of yummy bar nibbles. The wine list, though not extensive, is varied and moderately priced.

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