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.
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