Gay and Lesbian Travel
How's Europe treating gay and lesbian travelers? Here's a chance for gay and lesbian travelers to share practical lessons learned, and best and worst scenes.
- Please don't post questions here. Use our Travelers Helpline.
Happy Honeymoon
My wife and I just got back from a 3 week honeymoon in Italy. Using the Rick Steves guides, we stayed at their recommended hotels and let folks know it was our honeymoon. Without exception, people were good to us, especially Soggiorno Batistero in Florence and Hotel Paba in Rome.
Terri
San Francisco, CA USA 10/04/2009
Need Help with Gay Travel!
Thanks James! I checked out Queertrip.com and was impressed. Just booked a ticket to New York for only $327.67 roundtrip! Thanks again for the tip!
Samantha
Idaho Falls, ID USA 08/28/2009
I just want to recommeedn Absoluliving aparment rentals in paris. gay owned and operated. used them in 2007 and booking through them again this year.
an amazing company, great apartments.
BD <email>
vancouver, bc USA 05/29/2009
Gay Berlin Guide: Part Storyteller, Actor & Historian
My husband and I hired a truly unique private guide for five consecutive half-days. Jeremy turned out to be part storyteller/part actor/part historian. He doesn't just rattle off facts and dates and speak in a normal tone of voice -- he is able to spin yarns and weave tales because he uses such public speaking techniques as varying his pitch and speed as well as injecting humor into his commentary. So it's not just the well-researched content of his talks that is fascinating -- his honed delivery draws you into the storyline of that day's tour theme. I'm telling you this man REALLY knows how to hold an audience.
Another plus - Jeremy is a US expat, so he's easy to understand; and he’s lived in Berlin for almost a decade so he knows the city inside out.
He also brings Berlin to life with scores of pre-war & post-war photos. His various half-day tours of Berlin and other nearby areas, such as Potsdam, can easily fill up a week's vacation!
I can truly say he is the best private guide I've ever hired in the world, and therefore I'm delighted to share his info with you-- Jeremy Minsberg at www.theberlinexpert.com , 50 Euros an hour. So if you are planning to stay at a top hotel, dine in fine restaurants and shop at the boutiques on the Ku’dam, then consider Jeremy another must-have component of your holiday.
Christine Ansbacher <email>
New York, NY USA 03/27/2009
Gay Travel
I recently went to Hawaii with my partner and booked with a web site Queertrip.com. They were great! We were able to get our flights, book a gay bed and breakfast, and rent a car to drive around the island. I especially loved the beaches!! We recommend anyone looking to for gay travel to check out Queertrip.com.
James
Los Angeles, CA USA 02/20/2009
Blades Hotel in London
My partner and I have just returned from a long planned trip to London. Via a gay website we discovered a 'gay friendly' hotel in London - Blades Hotel. Expecting that it was just cashing in on gay business we were not expecting too much. We however found the Blades Hotel truly helpful and told us all the gay social areas and our stay in London was an experience and we return with fond memories. Recommend this hotel, it is very pro Rick Steves. Great location! We are planning a return trip to London and then onto Paris. We found booking direct was cheaper and quicker: www.blades-hotel.co.uk
Carl & Dan <email>
Tampa, Fl USA 01/12/2009
G & L Travel in Italy Great Fun
Rome & Italy. Katherine S & Sarah N from www.romanjourneys.com give great budget rates and Awsome tours and they are so much fun!
Deedra Smith
Los Angeles, LA USA 11/09/2008
A welcomed feeling
My partner and I have traveled in western Europe for over 10 yrs on a yearly basis. We have never felt unsafe in any city or country. All B&Bs and hotels have been great. Travel is a means to learn from other cultures and for them to learn from you.
Kirby Nichols
College Station, TX USA 10/27/2008
Italy
Thanks Boys we are checkin in with Arti & Hotel in Florence due to your guidance . Thanks so much. If you have any hints for Venice we're watching!!
Anita Cocktail <email>
Perth, WA Australia 08/25/2008
Loved Hungary
Just got back from 10 days biking tour along the Danube from Vienna to Budapest with 13 other Gay men, have to say Rick's advice to pack light really paid off - one member had his luggage/gear misplaced by the airlines - disaster for him.
Taking Rick's advice on going local added an entirely different experience than what I expected and I am sooo thankful I went this route for my first European trip. By cycling we navigated through small town and backroad Hungary - huffing it on bikes - like backpacking, provided a way to share a common bond with the locals, it de-touristed us. This is the way to go if you want to combine a workout with your travel!
Tips from this trip for Gay men:
1) Small town Hungary is fairly traditional and Catholic, on the other hand Budapest is cosmopolitan and Gay-friendly.
2) Beware the subway in Budapest, the tickets are complicated. We were apprehended by the police for having the wrong ticket. It cost us a 100Euro bribe. Buy the transit pass, its worth it.
3) Keep the number to the US embassy handy....
4) The best hot spring is the old Turkish bath in Buda......
5) The best dance club "Action"
6) The "Art-Hotel" is blocks from the turkish bath and sits right on the danube with direct view of the parliament. 3 stars/90Euro Single
7) If you can, do a biking tour of Budapest, you might get run over but you'll can get around quickly and it will keep your interest and excitement level up! We used budapestbike.hu
8) The chain bridge turns into a flea market on Saturday, you'll find the best souvenirs there.
9) Check out Raday street for restaurants but "Manna" restaurant behind castle hill was our favorite about $75 US each for a great meal.
10) I recommend having the hotel call the cab for you -its more expensive but you save money on being scammed or taken for a ride...
11) Bring a washcloth - the hotels dont stock any
12) Bring your own sunscreen it is very expensive if they have it
DW <email>
Seattle, WA USA 08/09/2008
Gay-friendly Budapest
Just wanted to share a great place to stay we found and tried in Budapest, it's gay-friendly and we got a great value for our money and a lot of handy tips, also on the gay-life of the city! We rented a small apartment downtown, where we had everything we needed and we got a free pick up from the airport, as we stayed longer than a week.
I highly recommend them to use, the website is: www.gaystay.blogspot.com
We found Budapest overall tolerant and there are surprisingly many gay places in there.
Wonk-Lai
Hong Kong, Hong Kong 05/24/2008
My partner and I travel extensively throughout western Europe. We've never had a problem in any location. That includes England, France, Germany, Italy, Checkoslovakia and the Netherlands. We make clear ahead of time what we want, and we vote with our plastic. If you're polite and straightforward, I think that helps a great deal.
stevio55 <email>
Portland, OR USA 04/12/2008
Host in Wiesbaden
I can host visitors (men, 55 years +) in Wiesbaden. I can also join you in your travels around Europe. Let me know.
greatfun <email>
Wiesbaden, Germany 12/14/2007
Gay Friendly
Suzann's B&B in Fussen is very gay friendly. We have visited with her and her family for the las 9+ years. She has invited us into her home. She has always made us feel welcome.
Kirby
Anderson, TX USA 09/22/2007
Hotel delle Arti, Florence
Hi i will like to introduce the Hotel delle arti, in Florence , small intimate , gay place, not so famous and popular, quiet, and in a great location if you want make museum visits or just for shopping days...they are Great...
Luis <email>
San Diego, Ca USA 09/01/2007
Amsterdam B&B
My partner and I stayed on a houseboat in Amsterdam called the Friendship B&B [http://www.friendshipbnb.nl/]on the Achtergraght right off off the Amstel river. It was centrally located, near the Hermitage, the Van Gogh museum, the Jewish history museum, and all the great tram lines.
The gay couple that runs the place have their own houseboat on the Amstel, just around the courner. So you actually stay in the boat alone. They have a fairly full kitchen, with no oven but a stove and everything else. The bathroom was divine, with a huge bathtub and the hosts bring you frech food every day, meant for breakfast, but can spll out into snacks all day. They provide such things as ham, bacon(european bacon) eggs, orange juice, yogurt with fruit, cheese, candies and a loaf or package of bread or rolls every day. YUM! There is also a computer for guest use.
We had rented a car in Calais, France, and we left it at a park and ride in the Olympishe Stadium for very little per day. They even provide free tram tickets for to and from the P&R!
Elizabeth <email>
Seattle, WA USA 08/15/2007
italy
for a unique, artistically creative experience in italy, consider traveling with www.ilchiostro.com. the company is gay friendly & will provide you with a memorable trip.
jim
brooklyn, ny USA 07/29/2007
Greece
We just spent three weeks in Greece, primarily in Athens but with about a week divided between Delphi, Thessaloniki, Meteora and Nafplion. I couldn't tell you what "gay life" in Greece is like but as a lesbian couple, and obviously so thank you very much, we never encountered anything negative from the folks there, and if when we were noticeably obvious with the "Honeys" and "Sweeties" no one was anything but polite and hospitable to us. We wouldn't hesitate to go again but next time it's Santorini!
anita <email>
danville, ca USA 07/21/2007
Nua Haven B&B Dublin, Ireland.
Myself and my partner have been travelling around Europe and staying in gay accommodation wherever possible. By far the best we have come across so far was NUA HAVEN B&B in Dublin, Ireland. The website www.nuahaven.com says they offer 4 Star Quality B&B and boy is that true! The house is first rate and Bruno, the host, is most helpful and kind. We couldn't recommend it strongly enough!
Brian Walsh
San Francisco, CA USA 06/27/2007
Cooking Holiday in Italy
We found an excellent way to learn to cook in the Italian countryside. This was near Rome, in Sabina. Our cooking week was organized by a company called Convivio Rome. (www.conviviorome.com). There was plenty of free time to relax by the pool. Great company, food and wine. Great way to unwind!
Paul O'Leary
New York, NY USA 05/17/2007
Gay Hostal in Madrid
Does anyone know about, Gay Hostal Puerta Del Sol, in Madrid Spain? Expedia list it, and I'm pleased that Expedia will list a gay hostal! Perhaps Rick should start listing Gay Hostals in his guide books!
USA 03/24/2007
accomodation
there are great resources on the net for gay and lesbian accomodation or gay friendly places
check out www.purpleroofs.com
also if I find a place I like or one I am unsure about I always email to ask if they are gay friendly.
db
03/15/2007
gay couples in Sarajevo
HELLO to Senad and Rolf from Germany from Valida and Guesthouse Halvat staff from Sarajevo :)
We don't have problem with a fact that our guests might be gay.Everybody are welcome to Guesthouse' Halvat' Sarajevo.
Didic
Sarajevo, B&H B&H 03/08/2007
sleeping arrangements
Yes, Western Europe is very tolerant compared to the USA, but be ready for some surprises too. My partner and I were refused a room with a "lit matrimoniale"(double bed)at the Hotel Mere Poulard in Mont St. Michel, France. The haughty receptionist exclaimed "deux messieurs - mais NON!" and that was that. Unfortunately that was the last room, too.
Andy Kane
Philadelphia, PA USA 01/24/2007
Strut your flaming selves through Amsterdam, you'll just love it, it's so divine!!!!
USA 12/22/2006
Ireland
When we decided to do the B&B vouchers we were, at first, a little concerned about the reactions of B&B owners. We had heard horror stories of places being suddenly full on arrival. When making our choices we avoided places with obvious names like the "Ave Maria B&B" and "Padre Pio Inn". That being said we still didn't know what to expect, there was little on the subject of LGBT travel outside of Dublin and Cork. But rest assured, we were warmly welcomed by each family. When making the reservations from the states, we used both names, so the hosts would know who was coming, and included a short note about the nature of our trip – traveling across Ireland by car - so we wouldn't be confused with a rowdy Stag party. We were always asked if we wanted double or twin, and always got one double and one twin bed. Some outstanding B&B's not in Rick's book were, Dunlavin House in Dingle, Dubhlinn House in Doolin, and Celtic House in Kilkenny. Interestingly, we got two twin beds at Jury’s Christchurch in Dublin, we had requested a double, but the view of the cathedral was so stunning , and we were so tired after the flight we didn’t care.
For Gay accommodation we enjoyed two nights at Emerson House in Cork, a lovely Georgian Townhouse up the hill from the center of town. Cyril Shanahan the host provides an excellent made-to-order breakfast, and the room was palatial,fireplace and all.
Neither of us is into the "bar scene" but opted for pubs and trad sessions. Never felt odd or unwelcome, especially if there was lots going on.
Ireland is incredibly romantic, and a great place to take your partner.
John Bradley & Charles Keenan
Jersey City, NJ USA 12/06/2006
Europe gay travel
Amsterdam is a must visit destination for gay travel. It's refreshing to see the people there treat being gay as a non-issue. It's a wonderful, liberating, and comfortable city to visit. You won't want to leave! England is also much more tolerant now, and have many new gay friendly B&B's and rentals. Many also now are offering to provide "commitment ceremony" accomodations. Also, having spent 3 weeks this year in England, Italy, Croatia, Greece, and Turkey, we found the Greeks to be the most gay friendly, in particular the people of the Greek Islands (such as Santorini and Mykonos). Greece and the Greek Islands are a must see not only for their hospitality, but sheer beauty and history. A must see travel desitination for any gay traveller. We never felt out of place in Rome either. Interestingly, I think American gay folk face so much hostility in the U.S. that we are worried about travelling to other countries. From what we experienced in our travels, we felt more comfortable in many European contries and cities than we do in many U.S. cities. Bottom line: don't let the fear and homophobia we see in the U.S. affect travel to other countries. Euro countries are getting smart and realizing that gays have tourist money to spend just as straight people do. If a country offers gay and lesbian marriage, or has very liberal same sex partnership provisions, it's a good bet that the country is going to be gay friendly. Go to Europe...you won't be disappointed.
JG
Seattle, WA USA 12/02/2006
East 'n West
Western Europe is one of the most tolerant places in the wold for gay travelers. Traveling with another guy, most people in London, Berlin etc..probably will figure out that you are "together". The balkans is a different story altogether, our Sarajevo taxi driver saw us as two guys without girlfriends, and obviously therefore in need of directions to the best place to pick up females! Not really comfortable holding hands anywhere bar certain streets in London and other more liberal cities.
Simon Reeve <email>
Chicago, USA 11/08/2006