Tour of the Week: Turkey with Venture Out

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Gulet1 In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, we highlight Venture Out’s fabulous land/sea tour of Turkey, June 2-11, 2011. (Get it? Gobble gobble.) The Turkish Delight: Istanbul, Ephesus, and Sailing the Turquoise Coast was full this past summer and had a waiting list, so t’s not too soon to make a reservation.

The trip begins in the fascinating and pulsating city of Istanbul which straddles Europe and Asia and is famous for its baths. After three nights exploring this city, the group heads to Ephesus, one of the world’s best preserved ancient Roman cities. Next you board “gulets” (modern and comfortable versions of traditional-style Turkish sailboats) for an exploration of the Aegean coast, featuring many ancient ruins.

Deal of the Week: RSVP’s Mediterranean Cruise

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

RSVP is heading back to Europe next summer for the first time in four years on the new state-of-the-art ms Nieuw Amsterdam by Holland America.

There are only 2,000 passengers on this ship. While it seems funny to say “only 2,000” since that would have been an unheard of number even just several years ago, in today’s cruise terms where 6,000 are gathering for Atlantis’ sold-out 20th Anniversary Allure of the Seas cruise, it’s actually a pleasant, manageable number of fellow passengers for many cruise lovers.

Often the lowest rates (starting at $1,269 per person for this cruise) and choicest cabins are scooped up first so it may pay to plan now.

Boston: Newly Improved Gay Paradise

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Picture 3 Boston, the “Hub of the Universe” hasn’t exactly been known for its hot nightlife these last few years. Considering that Manhunt and Grindr were both started here, it may not be surprising that nightlife was adversely affected early and severely by the rise of online dating sites.

Maybe there’s a little backlash brewing against the anonymity and somewhat unsocial aspect of online dating outlets or maybe bars and clubs are finally stepping up their game to entice men away from their laptops and smart phones.

Paradise in Cambridge, Mass., just over the river from Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, has vastly expanded its downstairs, more than doubling its space and adding a bar, and remains one of the most popular clubs in town, especially fun on Fridays and Saturdays.

The bar/club still offers six nights of hot male dancers so on most days you can sneak away from that conference or meeting and check out some hot guys.

Tour of the Week: New Years in Rio with Zoom Vacations

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

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New Years in Rio de Janeiro has been firmly established as a popular gay high holiday. Every year, thousands of gays and lesbians from the U.S. (and many other countries) flock here to ring in the new year.

RioBeachScene
Boys on the beach in Rio

Rio is exotic, beautiful, and charming. And the locals, known as Cariocas, are friendly and oh so gorgeous — both men and women. They seem to live on the beach, playing volleyball (regular as well as the variation of the sport played with feet only) and soccer; performing that sexy dance-cum-martial arts called capoeira; eating (you can get anything from grilled shrimp to exotic fruit); and cavorting in the warm Caribbean-like waters. Nightlife is an explosion of music in some of the  hottest venues in the world.

It’s relatively easy to get there on your own, but it’s one of those destinations — especially for first-timers to Brazil — that may make sense to visit with a group. A terrific choice is Zoom Vacations, which offers a six-day Gay Rio New Years Tour December 28, 2010 to January 2, 2011. More information: ZoomVacations.com/RioNewYears.htm

Kendall Hotel, a New Option in Boston

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

1 If you’re visiting your alma mater (and there are countless institutions of higher learning in the Boston area that beckon alumni/alumnae — gay, straight and otherwise — back for reunions, fundraisers, continuing education, and more), there’s a cute, inexpensive, ivy-league-looking option just for you.

With its brick facade, peaked roof, and bell tower, the Kendall Hotel would seem more comfortable in Harvard Square, but it is located on Main Street in the heart of MIT’s expansive Cambridge campus steps from the Kendall Square MTA Red Line subway stop. The former firehouse sits next to the Brain Research Center for heaven’s sake.

You can just feel yourself get smarter as you sip on your “Braintini” or “Perfect Margarita” at Black Sheep, the hotel’s pub/lounge, decorated with colorful swaths of Americana — think bright quilts, and lots of American flags. It’s named for the original motley fire brigade which was called the Black Sheep.

 

Ask the Expert: Tahiti and Bora Bora

Baby, come back

I heard you on XM98 OutQ and was excited to hear someone who was in the know about all things travel. 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.

Ask the Expert: BookIt.com and Spirit Air

Spirit Airlines' route map

Do you know anything about bookit.com and Spirit Airlines? Their deals sound too good to be true.

— Stanton, via e-mail

I’ve done some research and bookit.com seems to be a good site with lots of information in addition to a booking engine. I’d give it a try and compare it to some of the other booking engines I like. I’m also a big fan of Kayak.com which is a meta-search engine comparing the best of a number of different booking engines.

Spirit is an ultra-low-cost (read no frills) airlines which I’ve flown. They serve a limited number of destinations, including many in and around the Caribbean (see image above).

Ask the Expert: Toronto on a Budget

I recently had the pleasure of hearing you on Sirius/XM with Derek and Romaine and actually feel comfortable enough to ask you some questions. I am visiting Toronto, ON Dec 27-Jan 4. I am recently single and well, I need some healing time so i thought to try a new city.

Can you suggest some hotels that would be close to my kind of action?  I like muscular guys. Any bathhouses? Please kindly let me know if you have any suggestions.   Moderate price is preferred..not cheap, but not pricey either…thank you for your time.

–James via email

Here are a few suggestions from my friends in Toronto.

Lodging:

Bathhouse:

Leather scene:

  • The Onyx Ball – This is the big leather/bear party at the Opera House on New Years eve.  It draws a crowd relatively early and clears out by around 3 or 4 when people either go home or to the gigantic party that is usually held at Sound Academy.  There is no website for either yet, so I suggest he pickup a copy of Xtra or Fab when he gets to town to find out details.
  • The Eagle – http://www.blackeagletoronto.com/Black_Eagle/Black_Eagle.html

 

Ask the Expert: Nice Budget Amsterdam Hotels

I was wondering if you could recommend a hotel in Amsterdam — nice but not luxurious.

— Richard, Ft. Lauderdale

Try Chic and Basic on the Herengracht. It’s part of a Spanish chain. Nice and great location but not luxurious. Honestly there are lots of little hotels in Amsterdam… gay ones on the Kerkstraat like “Golden Bear” are very basic. For stays of a week, there are good apartment rentals on Ebab.de.

Tour of the Week: Mardi Gras, Aussie-style

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Australia makes for an incredibly exciting and exotic escape for Americans, especially those experiencing the last throes of winter, which in the southern hemisphere is actually summer.

In 2011 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras takes place in early March, the perfect time to plan a visit during what is considered the largest LGBT gathering on the planet. One way of attending Mardi Gras in style and without the fuss of all that pesky individual trip planning, is by placing yourself in the assiduous care of an a gay tour expert.

Steele Luxury Travel — known for their Mykonos villa escapes, Life Ball exclusives, and last year’s inaugural Milk & Honey Israel excursion — recently announced their newest group trip called Bondi Bliss, March 1-10, 2011, which includes Sydney Mardi Gras, Hamilton Island, and the Gold Coast. The group will spend the final two days at the luxe Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast, considered the Miami Beach of Australia.

Want some culture with your cocktails? Check out our past Out Traveler feature on Sydney’s artistic side.