Small and Large Gay Cruises Will Float Your Boat

Gay cruisers enjoying their visit to an intimate Caribbean port

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

One of the most enjoyable and satisfying vacation options for LGBT traveles is an all-gay cruise. From the moment you step on board, you know you are someplace special: an environment where you are completely and totally safe and free, and where you are in the majority as an LGBT person.

Many gay travelers are familiar with the larger cruise options offered by tour operators such as Atlantis Events, RSVP Vacations, Olivia, and Sweet (the last two primarily for women). These cruises are often large to very large (up to 3,500 other gay passengers!); they are on big, beautiful ships loaded with options and they stop in some of the most familiar and gay-friendly destinations on the planet.

There are several tour operators available that welcome much smaller groups of LGBT passengers (in the scores to the low hundreds). These cruises often ply less familiar waters, calling in at smaller, more interesting ports that cannot accommodate larger ships. They are more intimate and allow guests to really get to know one another. This may be a good option for a couple leary of a big cruise or a frequent large-ship cruiser looking for something different. With cruise season upon us, we’ll be highlighting several of these tour operators in the months to come.

Concierge Travel, the largest gay-owned and operated travel agency and tour operator in Texas, is Star-flyer_home offering its first all-gay luxury sailing ship cruise to Costa Rica and Panama. The cruise will sail on Star Clippers’ elegant Star Flyer clipper ship March 6-13, 2011. There she is to the right; image courtesy Star Clipper. The 170-passenger Star Flyer is the world’s tallest sailing ship, with a mast that stands 226 feet tall.

If you are used to the amenities of a larger ship, fret not! Sure, you won’t find a rock-climbing wall or an ice-skating rink, but there are two pools to choose from, you’ll find lots of cozy and intmate corners and luxurious spaces, and the decor is gorgeous, reminiscent of the golden age of travel. You’ll call in at some unique, off-the-beaten-track ports (check here for itinerary) with a small handful of other travelers. It’s also incredibly quiet. Remember, the ship uses the ultimate green energy source: wind.

Speaking of large cruises: A big gay happy anniversary to RSVP Vacations!

  • It’s not a small gay cruise but it is certainly noteworthy: RSVP Vacations, celebrating its 25th anniversary, will be in Hawaii for the first time ever.
  • The cruise takes place from October 30, 2010 to November 6, 2010 on NCL’s Pride of America (appropriately enough). And there is still availability.
  • If you’re looking for a gay-friendly hotel to stay in prior, the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort has been actively reaching out to LGBT travelers for the last year. They have an NCL office in their lobby and Hulas the famous gay bar (and virtual LGBT center for the island of Oahu) is a three-minute walk away.

Gay Travel Round up

The work "Mother and Father Worked Hard So I Can Play" is by Yinka Shonibare from The Brooklyn Museum of Art, part of the Ringling International Arts Festival

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Florida arts festival

  • The 2nd annual Ringling International Arts Festival (RIAF) is set for October 13-17 in Sarasota, FL. Playwright Nilo Cruz, Mikhail Baryshnikov and violinist Tim Fain are the headline acts premiering their newest creations on opening night (October 13).
  • For more information about the festival and ticket prices visit RinglingArtsFestival.org.

Wine, no headache

  • The highly-acclaimed South Gate (154 Central Park South between 6th and 7th Avenues, NYC) at Jumeirah Essex House on Central Park South announced a Live Virtual Wine Tasting experience.
  • You just missed the inaugural one (September 23), but South Gate is planning on holding monthly virtual wine-tastings. For information about upcoming wine-tasting events at South Gate, visit the Jumeirah Essex House Facebook page or South Gate’s website.

Designer wine

Ultrachic Gay-owned Inn in Serene Corner of Wisconsin

The inn viewed from the back yard courtesy of McCormick House Inn

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

It’s not just the coasts that count. Nor are the coasts the only parts of the U.S. that offer sophisticated travel experiences for LGBT travelers. Wisconsin, long (and justifiably) known for its excellent cheeses, also offers an array of appealing assets for gay and lesbian travelers.

Madison and Milwaukee are probably the best known major urban centers in the state, and both present new, exciting, and sophisticated options for queer visitors. Each will be featured in future postings here. (So, check back!)

The latest find to come across our desk is the gay-owned and gay-operated McCormick House Inn, in Hayward, Wisconsin, located in the northwest part of the state a few hours drive from the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota). The inn, in the heart of the state’s beautiful Northwoods, was built in 1887 as a stately private home. Purchased and lovingly restored by Jeffrey Miller and Dean Cooper, a gay couple, the stylish mansion provides one of the finest lodging experiences in the state. And it makes for a fabulous romantic getaway for a lesbian or gay couple.

Living_Room_205
Living room at McCormick Hous

Sophisticated, yet comfortable, the inn is full of swank touches, including large, light-filled, airy rooms; high-end bath products; handmade silk draperies; hardwood oak floors; an inviting, secluded hot tub on the rear deck; and crystal chandeliers. Guests have use of in-house iPod Nano’s, an up-to-date DVD movie library, and high speed WiFi throughout the house. A copious homemade breakfast is prepared each morning; complimentary snacks are available throughout the day; and a wine hour caps the end of every afternoon.

There’s plenty to do in the area in the off season, from leaf-peeping in the fall to cross-country skiing in the winter.

Munich’s Gay Oktoberfest

Above, image (of the Gay Sunday event in the Bräurosl tent during Oktoberbest) by John O'Ceallaigh

Story by John O’Ceallaigh originally posted in GPS.OutTraveler.com

It may be 200 years old this year, but if the opening weekend’s celebrations are anything to go by there’s plenty of life left in Munich’s Oktoberfest.

Still attracting crowds of up to 6 million a year, the festival has also become a magnet for Lederhosen-loving, beer-guzzling gay visitors, with a number of events aimed at the market. Our arrival on Sunday coincided with the biggest of them all: Gay Sunday. Held in the Bräurosl tent, it sees some 8,000 gay visitors and the odd drag queen attired in a Dirndl — a type of traditional Bavarian dress — gather at any one time in the Bräurosl tent.

But what exactly happens? Well, in essence, not much. You gather with others at communal wooden benches and wait for a waitress to ask what you’re drinking. Although that’s really just a formality — while water’s available the only liquid any legitimate visitor would consider imbibing here is beer, served frothy, fresh and by the liter in heavy glass tankards. At €8.80 a pop it’s a bit pricier than the going rate in downtown Munich, but the brew’s stronger than standard beer and entertainment’s provided for free.

For us that included the opportunity to see thousands of rather strapping Germans show their patriotic side. Traditional dress is de rigueur, with snuggly cut Lederhosen, checked shirts and neckerchiefs the uniform of choice for the boys, and tightly fitted Dirndls and heaving cleavages on display from the girls and their impersonators; the soundtrack is resolutely Bavarian too, with a brass band accompanied occasionally by local yodelers and an unnamed lady who was described to us as ‘the German Dolly Parton.’

We tried the following day to recall the specifics of her performance but our memory alludes us — as with all the best parties, if you can remember all of Oktoberfest you probably weren’t there. There’s another opportunity to experience it though — September 27 ‘Gay Monday’ takes place at the Fischer Vroni tent.

Getting there

Lufthansa, Germany’s national airline, offers more services to Munich than any other airline. For more information on flights and promotional fares visit Lufthansa.com.

Liberace Museum Closing; Era Ends

The museum entrance

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

At the height of its popularity, the Liberace Museum in Las Vegas attracted 450,000 visitors a year, putting it on par with some of the most visited attractions in Sin City. But times and tastes change.

Despite measures to attract visitors in recent years (some bordering on desperate), only 50,000 people walked through the doors of this camp attraction last year. Unable to cover its costs, the museum has decided to shut down. October 17, 2010 will be the last day you will be able to visit.

Liberace, with his red, white and blue hot pants and knee-high boots, was the Lady Gaga of his time. He

A very Liberace-esque outfit

died of AIDS in 1987, but never copped publicly to his homosexuality. His costumes and accessories spoke volumes though, including his wild fur-lined capes; his 1962 Phantom V Landau Rolls-Royce, covered in mirrors, that looked like a disco ball on wheels; his candelabras, rings, and more.

The museum will close but the collection will go into storage. Future exhibits may be planned but this is the last time visitors will be able to see the entire public museum collection as it exists now.

If you head to Vegas, be sure to check out our previous coverage by clicking here.

Do Buy for me Argentina

The owner of Sankët and the author modeling a Sankët shirt with the colors of the Argentine flag at the store

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Thanks to a favorable exchange rate, with $1 U.S. fetching approximately 4 pesos as of press time, Americans feel relatively rich in Argentina. You’ll be the envy of your gay friends as you strut around in your custom-made leather jacket or unique jeans.

There is shopping throughout the city, but a large concentration of gay-popular boutiques can be found in Palermo, especially along Gurruchaga Street, which is the place to snag the latest trends by local designers. Try El Burgues for more formal styles or funky shirts, sweaters and jackets. Sashay proudly around the Abbey in one of the inexpensive, butt-hugging denim creations you’ll pick up at Old Bridge, a local brand and chain of hip boutiques.

Also in Palermo, try some of the world-renowned Argentine wines or pack some for gifts at Rogelio Wine Store & Art, with its huge selection of wines and spirits at great prices. The store is run by a sommelier with a deep passion for Argentine wine.

Downtown, check out Sankët, a tiny hole in the wall owned and run by a handsome young designer who sketches out his clothing line, cuts the patterns and oversees local seamstresses. He offers button-down and polo shirts, jeans and khakis, and gorgeous handcrafted leather jackets. His style is simple and masculine yet sophisticated at prices approximately a quarter of what you may pay in New York or L.A. Speaking of leather, Maybe Leather custom makes envy-inducing leather jackets in 24 hours. Ask for Diego.

After a day of strenuous shopping, make an appointment at Markus For Men, an upscale spa for guys with higher-end treatments and prices to match. Locker and wet areas are a little cramped, but the treatments are excellent and, though this is a legit spot, there’s definitely a cruisy vibe.

More Buenos Aires

Local resources

  • GMaps (great local guide-map combination).
  • CM by Carlos Melia inbound tour operator/travel agent and all-around B.A. expert.

New Versace Tea Service at Posh Miami Hotel

Images courtesy of the Villa By Barton G.; above Villa Tea; below right, the Courtyard; below left, the Fountain

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

We know you’ve always wanted to check it out, and here’s your chance!

The former Versace mansion on Ocean Drive in South Beach, Miami, where famed designer Gianni Courtyard_pool Versace was gunned down by deranged 27 year-old spree killer Andrew Cunanan on July 15, 1997, has been lovingly and painstakingly renovated (more than $1 million was spent on the 19,000-square-foot property) and reopened in March 2010 as the Villa By Barton G.

The Villa by Barton G. houses a boutique hotel, a restaurant, and event space, and, starting November 1, 2010, it will offer Miami Beach’s first afternoon tea, the only British tea service in Miami Beach. This special afternoon mini-meal will be served in the fantastic Mosaic Garden besides the famous Thousand Mosaic Pool designed by the late Gianni Versace, and will include a wide range of teas, tasty sandwiches, and sweets ($55 per person) or, optionally, Champagne ($75 per person). Tea is served on Versace by Rosenthal Les Reves Byzantins china.

Barton G. Weiss is a famous events producer and restaurateur.

Fountain

Cool Capitals Announces Chance to Win a Trip for 2

Image above from Design Week (Rumkugelbahn) © mischer'traxler

Story by Ed Salvato; originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Charge up that digital camera and whiten your smile!

coolcapitals — a joint initiative between the tourism offices of: Amsterdam, Antwerp, Valencia, Vienna and Zürich to promote art, architecture, food, fashion and design recently announced the Two for You! contest.

These capitals of cool want to send you and a friend to experience some of the abundant culture, cusine, history, and shopping these five trendy European cities have on offer.

To enter, submit a photo of what you would like to see in the capital of cool of your choice and tell them N251790745647_1750 who you want to bring with you. To enter and learn more details of the contest, click here.

You may win:

  • 2 plane tickets
  • 4 nights’ accommodation
  • Dinner for 2
  • 2 city cards
  • 2 coolcapitals gift bags

A panel of finalists will be selected by a jury and the final submission that receives the highest number of votes will win a coolcapitals inspired adventure for two.

To enter and learn more details of the contest, click here.

Design geeks, read on! Speaking of cool, Vienna is hosting the 4th annual Vienna Design Week from October 1-10, 2010. Vienna is turned into a showroom and laboratory for all expressions of design, presenting more than 80 events (workshops, lectures, exhibitions, and installations — as well as design tours and educational programs.

For more information, click on the official Vienna Design Week site.

In Buenos Aires Get to the Pink Point

The Pink House, Argentina's presidential palace illuminated at night by Ed Salvato

Story by Ed Salvato; originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Hot off the heels of becoming the first nation in Latin America to offer same-sex marriage rights to its gay citizens, Argentina announced another first — the opening of a new center for LGBT visitors to the capital district, Buenos Aires.

Pink Point Buenos Aires is a “hetero-friendly” tourist information center for gay and lesbian travelers, providing information about the following in the capital district and all across Argentina.

  • Gay and gay-friendly bars, restaurants, and accommodations;
  • Gay travel agencies, saunas, beauty salons, health care centres, and arts and design boutiques.
Pink Point Openin Night
The Pink Point opening night September 2, 2010, courtesy Roy Heale

Stop into Pink Point Buenos Aires early in your visit to help get yourself oriented to this sprawling city and huge country loaded with surprising options ranging from the breathtaking waterfalls at Iguazú to the Pampas, to the chilly southern tip of Tierra del Fuego, and much more.

The info center opened it doors September 2, 2010, but the grand opening is scheduled for November 5, 2010, which just happens to be the night before Gay Pride 2010.

For more information on Buenos Aires, click here or visit our Buenos Aires Out City Guide.

A Perfect (Gay-owned) Inn in Napa Valley

The Chanric Inn by Niles Hatch Photography courtesy of the inn

Story by Louise Rafkin; originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

The Chranic Inn is the perfect Napa Valley B & B. Outfitted like a top-of-the-line boutique hotel, with simple, classic furniture, rooms in shades of soothing browns and greens, and top quality bedding and bath products, proprietors Channing McBride and Ric Pielstick provide a calming venue for an intimate getaway just an hour from San Francisco or the more gay-saturated Russian River.

With reasonable rates $209-349 (the average is $259) including gourmet 3-course brunches, the Chanric is not only one of the more elegant accommodations in the wine country, it’s also a great value.

The six rooms in the renovated farmhouse are modern and immaculate and the well-tended grounds, charming and lush. Complimentary Napa wines, sodas and beer are free-flowing both day and night, and biscotti, water and fruit are also provided. Comfortable, classy chaises ringing the large kidney-shaped pool and hot tub make for the perfect setting for a late afternoon chill, with a spectacular view of the Palisades Mountains. An elegant two-person spa room is available for onsite massages, Swedish, deep tissue, or healing stone, ranging from $110-$330 for 60 for a full 90 minutes.

Aside from the absolute charm of the place itself, the proprietors, Seattle transplants Ric and Channing  are as charming (and

Proprietors/owners Channing McBride and Ric Pielstick, taken by Jeffrey Davila and Daphne Waldo. Ric is the chef.

handsome!) as hosts could be. As active members of the Napa community, they provide insider recommendations on restaurants and wine tastings, hiking, biking and other valley activities, and even make arrangements for you. Their “Brokeback Mountain” relationship story of how they met on a cattle farm is worth a visit itself.

But most rave worthy here is the second “B” of the B & B equation — brunch.

Pielstick, a trained chef, presents outstanding gourmet California cuisine using seasonal, local ingredients. Starting with delicate, homemade fresh-baked pastries, followed by a fruit course – watermelon soup or perhaps mixed stone fruit salad with a delicious syrah reduction sauce – by the time Channing delivers the entree you fully understand why Ric swept him off his feet. Ric often posts his recipes on the Chanric Inn’s Facebook page, but whether you attempt such favorites as truffled polenta, or poached eggs with lightly fried green tomatoes in a fresh tomato sauce, or his amazing chived eggs on fontina toast with sautéed spinach and truffle oil, is up to you. Easier for me to simply make another trip to the Inn!

The couple’s adorable Labrador, Dinnegan, will romp to greet you — and if your own pooch is well behaved, he is welcomed as well. Other pluses here are free parking, free wi-fi, a minimum stay on Saturdays only, green cleaning products, plush spa-robes, and spa and romance packages listed on the website. The Inn is also available for small group retreats, and the guys will gladly customize any visit to suit.

For reservations:

The Chanric Inn — Napa Valley California

877-281-3671 or 707-942-4535

1805 Foothill Blvd., Calistoga, CA 94515

www.TheChanric.com/ email is info@TheChanric.com.