Tour of the Week: Sweet Adventures for Women

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Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Ladies, this one is for you.

Sweet, a lesbian travel company with a social twist, merges vacations for gay women with social and environmental awareness. Lead by Shannon Wentworth and her plucky (and pretty) team, the company is offering the following vacation options for women (though men are warmly welcome).

Sweet Isla Mujeres Resort, April 30-May 7, 2011 AND September 24-October 1, 2011

  • An island of women, doesn’t that sound like paradise? What if on that island, you had extremely nice people giving you all the food and drink you wanted, whenever you wanted it? Let’s add in the crystal clear warm Caribbean Sea, a huge swimming pool, white sand beaches, a double jacuzzi tub in your room and 120 of the nicest, smartest women you’ve ever met in your life. Now, that’s your 2011 Sweet Isla Mujeres Resort vacations. Information: DiscoverSweet.com.

Sweet Machu Picchu Adventure, July 21-31, 2011

  • Immerse yourself in the myths, legends and history of the Inca. Start with a day in Cusco, one of the most beautiful towns in Peru and the southern capital of the Inca Empire. Then move on to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and explore this fertile valley lined with picturesque Andean markets, impressive churches and remarkable Inca ruins. Information: DiscoverSweet.com.

Deal of the Week: New York CityPASS

Empire-highlight-tower

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Travelers to New York have three ticket book options: CityPASS, Smart Destinations, and New York Pass. The basic differences between the three passes probably boil down to cost, included attractions and validity periods.

  • Smart Destinations Explorer Pass – $109.99 for 5 attractions | $144.99 for 7 attractions = 30 days
  • New York Pass – $165 = 7 days
  • CityPASS – $79 = 9 days

The best pass for you will depend on a number of factors (budget, length of visit, if you’ve been to NYC before, how much time you have to spend, etc.) But in terms of pricing, the least expensive is CityPASS.

Examining all three passes, we found that the other passes offer more choices. However, the visitor — especially one who isn’t familiar with all of the choices — then has to do her/his own research to decide which attractions to visit and/or how many attractions to see may be better off with CityPASS.

With New York CityPASS, it’s one decision (to buy the pass), one purchase, and off you go to the included attractions. Also, CityPASS only includes a city’s top attractions based on actual visitation/foot traffic. So, for example, if you’re an international traveler who may only get one chance to visit New York, you know that by using CityPASS, you’ll see the quintessential New York attractions that most first-time visitors don’t want to miss — and you’ll have everything on one easy-to-use pass.  In terms of choices, the other passes have more; in terms of simplicity, CityPASS is the one.

Whichever pass you purchase, be sure to check out our Out Guide to New York by clicking here.

Princely Welcome in Canada’s Smallest Province

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Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

With a scant 140,000 inhabitants, Prince Edward Island is Canada’s least populous and physically smallest province or state. An island which only OK’d the stunning, 8-mile Confederation Bridge, an architectural marvel, to the mainland of New Brunswick, another of Canada’s lovely Maritime Provinces, about 13 years ago, sort of likes to be left alone. But they also like — and genuinely welcome — tourists with nearly a million visiting from Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere per year.

How are they with the gays? Up till now it’s been largely don’t-ask-don’t-tell. But recent initiatives  indicate an authentic welcome to LGBT visitors, including the launch of their gay tourism association, GayPEI which is a great place for lesbian and gay tourists to start their research. I stayed at the stately Shipwright Inn, a historic, gay-friendly B&B (yummy pancakes!) run by a British ex-pat husband and wife team. Two nice gay-owned, gay-operated properties where you’ll feel very comfortable include Rainbow Lodge, probably a good choice for value seekers and the Cranford Inn, a four and a half star contemporary B&B, run by a lovely lesbian couple.

While you’re up there, why not combine a trip to P.E.I. with bustling lil Halifax. Its picturesque waterfront made our hotlist of 2010 Romantic Travel Destinations.

Tour of the Week: Costa Rica with Out Adventures

Costa Rica OUT Advetnures

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

When most people think Costa Rica, they think of beaches and sun. Although these are among the top highlights, gay-owned and gay-operated, Toronto-based Out Adventures offers a gay tour for those seeking both relaxation and adventure in this stunning, verdant, safe, and friendly country.

Few countries offer the diversity that Costa Rica does where you can watch a sophisticated gay show in San Jose one day, discover La Fortuna by bicycle the next, zip over the mist-shrouded rainforest in Monteverde after that and finish with rest and relaxation on the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park.

This tour runs a few times per year and the company limits its group size to 12, claiming that a more authentic experience is achieved while traveling in smaller groups, and also with a local leader from beginning to end. Note that the February departure will also be accompanied by handsome, gregarious Out Adventure co-founder Robert Sharp.

Suite Dreams: The Saxon Boutique Hotel and Spa

Story by Jeffrey James Keyes. Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

The Saxon Boutique Hotel and Spa in Johannesburg, South Africa was the private residence of insurance giant Douw Steyn until 2000. It boasts countless famous regulars including Oprah, Shakira, Kevin Spacey, and the Black Eyed Peas. Nelson Mandela, another frequent guest, edited his Long Walk to Freedom at the Saxon after his release from prison. Three new villas containing twenty-nine new suites have more than doubled the capacity of the luxurious hotel, ensuring their rightful claim to the World’s Leading Boutique Hotel title for the ninth year at the World Travel Awards.

Saxon Suite
Saxon Suite

Designed with the luxury and exclusivity for which the Saxon brand is known, each of the new stand-alone villas has its own private pool, terrace, and lounge. The villas were initially tailored for celebrity guests in Jo’burg for the World Cup, but will certainly make for a posh welcome for your first stop in a big gay South African vacation. That’s the Saxon Suite to the left. Sweet!

Join the cute boys splashing and bouncing under the fragrant jacaranda trees on the Pool Terrace and get a glimpse of the colorful Koi on the Koi Terrace. A visit to the Saxon Spa and Studio is a must: Venture out of your comfort zone with an Elemental Massage Therapy, inspired by Earth, Fire, Water, and Air.  By the time the masseur gets to air, your jet lag will already be on safari.  Be sure to grab your first glass of Pinotage at the Terrace and Olive Bar and take in an inaugural African sunset before retiring to your suite or the Oprah room (yes, the Oprah room) for a little reading.

For more information, visit Saxon.co.za.

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 the next four Thursdays to discover the others.

Deal of the Week: Buy Four, Get Three at Island House

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You'll come back to the Island House

This winter, take a vacation that will automatically earn you another (for free!). Well, the lodging will be free anyway.

Key West’s frisky and very popular Island House, which has won Best Gay Resort awards from parent site OutTraveler.com, is offering a “Buy Four Nights and Get Three Free” promotion. Visitors who buy four nights this winter earn a free three-night stay next summer. To qualify, stay four nights at Island House resort between now and June 30, 2011. The free stay is available on weeknights between July 13, 2011 and October 20, 2011 subject to availability.

Note: A weeknight is considered to be Monday through Thursday and blackout dates apply over Labor Day from September 1 to 6. Your free room will be the same type as booked during your paid stay. You may upgrade your room at additional cost during your free stay. For more information on gay Key West, including events, click on GayKeyWestFl.com.

If you stop off in Miami on your way, check out our Out City Guide: Miami.

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Hear Ye, Year Ye: Ed Salvato on the Radio

Jeff (left) and Ed after their keynote address

Karen Mair of CBC Radio, Prince Edward Island, Canada interviewed Ed Salvato and Jeff Guaracino for her show Main Street after their keynote address at the annual conference of Tourism PEI. Click below to listen to their short interview.

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Karen Mair, host of Main Street

Ask the Expert: Tahiti and Bora Bora

 

I heard you on Sirius XM98 OutQ. My partner and I are planning a trip to Bora Bora. We would like to go in either July or August of next Year. First thing I would like to ask is what month would you recommend as being ideal to go to Bora Bora.

Based on what I have see online this is a good time of year. Second, is there any sort of agency/company that you are aware of that could help us with packaging our trip. I would like to visit at least two islands and want to incorporate meal plans, travel island to island in the cost. Any info. that you could provide me with would be great.

– Aaron via email

Yes, July and August are awesome weather wise. It’s the middle of Tahiti’s winter as we’re on the other side of the equator – between 70 – 80 on average with a great breeze coming in from the south – in fact, it can get chilly for Tahitians at night in late August with the southern wind. The water is between about 78 – 80 year round, so that’s always good. I’d recommend checking Tahiti Tourism’s official gay website to locate a travel agent either nearby or with the GLBT specialty – both searchable from the travel agent link from the homepage.

Planting a Giant Rainbow Flag in PEI

This past weekend, gay travel expert Jeff Guaracino (right) and I (left) were the keynote speakers at TIAPEI’s (Prince Edward Island’s tourism association) annual travel conference. Check out the ‘Press‘ section of of this site to see the stir we caused (front page headline news!).

Above in the photo is PEI’s minister of tourism, Robert Vessey (center).

Yuletide in Europe’s Cool Capitals

Vienna

Vienna, above, lights up for Christmas and New Years

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

From canal parades in Amsterdam to beautiful outdoor lightning installations in Vienna, Europe’s gay-friendly coolcaptial cities (Amsterdam, Antwerp, Valencia, Vienna, and Zurich) offer a tantalizing array of Christmas activities right through the new year.

Amsterdam

  • Christmas Canal Parade (December 9, 2010-January 1, 2011)

A series of four major Christmas activities take place in and around Amsterdam canals and several important plazas throughout December. The highlight takes place on December 23, as a specatular, lit-up parade of boats sails from the Prinsengracht to the River Amstel. Information: WinterMagicAmsterdam.com.

Antwerp

  • Skating on the Scheldt (December 11)

Belgium is a very Catholic country. Though no longer very religious, they really love Christmas. This year Antwerp’s ice-skating rink will be located in Steenplein, overlooking the river Scheldt. Alongside the rink, visitors will find a Christmas market and food and beverage stands. The city counts no fewer than 107 nativity scenes. Information: Antwerpen.be.

Valencia

  • Innocents Day and New Year’s Mascleta (December)

This artsy, design-oriented Spanish city has become a popular destination for LGBT travelers in recent years. Christmas season is a fun time to visit. On December 28 Innocents Saints Day, Valencia’s version of April Fool’s Days sees all sorts of pranks and hijinks such as fake/inventive newspaper headlines. The biggest New Years Masletá (an eplosive fireworks display) takes place in the Paseo de la Alameda. Information: TurisValencia.es.

Vienna

  • Designer Lighting Design (Through December 23)

“Light-UP,” Vienna’s contemporary holiday light installations, feature designs ranging from perched clouds in the Volksoper district to an open-air ball room on Graben. Eco-conscious readers note: 70% of the designs use energy-saving LED technology. Information: CoolCapitals.com/Vienna.

Zurich

  • Christmas Lighting at the Bahnhofstrasse (Through January 2, 2011)

Zurich also has a Christmas holliday light installation, known as “Lucy,” stretching along the world-famous Bahnhofstrasse. Lucy is turned on at 6pm every night through New Years. Information: Zuerich.com.

For more information about coolcapitals click here.