Travel Destinations

Chile is a wonderfully unique place for gay vacations that allow visitors to ski the Andes, explore volcanoes, relax on pristine beaches, and hit the clubs in Santiago’s gay district all in one day. The vast and varied landscape and landmarks of Chile include arid deserts, the Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, the statues of Easter Island, the Elqui Valley of La Serena (long rumored to be associated with extraterrestrial activity), the Mirador de Chepu Penguin Colony, and old-world churches and architecture throughout the country.

With many cultural, historic and natural attractions to choose from, Chile offers a variety of options for gay trips, which include snowboarding or ski strips to world-renowned Andes resorts, touring Chile’s wine country, pilgrimages intent on experiencing the country’s deep tradition of Catholicism and exploring churches, family vacations on the beaches of Vina del Mar, sightseeing adventures to take in the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia and learn of ancient island civilizations, or urban excursions centered on experiencing the cosmopolitan culture and nightlife in Santiago.

Chile has a long history of influence from both the military and the Catholic Church, which means that changes in attitude and acceptance of the LGBT community are progressing slowly. The center of Chile’s gay culture lies in Santiago and this city is where gay vacationers will find the greatest acceptance, as well as the highest concentration of establishments that are gay-owned or gay-friendly. Barrio Bellavista is the seat of Santiago’s gay community and is a trendy, clean neighborhood with quaint eateries, shops and cafes, as well as the vast majority of Santiago’s gay bars, clubs and bathhouses. While you will not find any rainbow flags flowing from balconies or couples strolling hand in hand down the street, you will find gay and lesbian magazines prominently displayed at newsstands and happy couples taking tea at cosmopolitan sidewalk cafes.

A night on the town in Bellavista or anywhere in Santiago generally begins with dinner around 9 or 10pm, as is customary in many Latin countries. In Bellavista, a night often begins at a gay-owned restaurant, such as Capricho, a well-known Spanish eatery, followed by dancing or drinks in local gay clubs and bars. Bellavistas gay clubs range from the usual fare expected in most larger cities, to bawdier options with live sex shows, and partying often goes until the sun comes up. Santiago also has several saunas (bathhouses), including one trendier, slightly more expensive option with mostly professional clientele. Folks considering visiting Santiago’s saunas should keep in mind that Chile, like the U.S., is struggling with HIV and should always remember to play safely to ensure a safe gay vacation.

Santiago is conveniently situated in central Chile, making it an exceptional choice as a home base for gay adventure travel, allowing you to more fully explore all that Chile offers. Add to this the more welcoming atmosphere found in this city and it is easy to see why Santiago is a common choice for gay tours. Working with a travel agency that regularly organizes gay vacations to Chile is the best way to ensure that you and your partner, your family or your friends has a fun-filled, safe gay vacation to Chile.

Howie Holben gay journeys to Chile ideas. He is the owner of Spirit Journeys, a gay meditation retreat enterprise. Spirit Journeys suggests spiritual and gay trips throughout the world.

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In many ways, Egypt is one big museum featuring numerous sites of religious, cultural and historical importance. Gay tours to Egypt can include everything from browsing open-air souks, cruising down the Nile, visiting old-world temples, exploring ancient cities, trekking across the desert on a camel and standing in awe of the Great Pyramids of Giza, to shopping in modern, cosmopolitan cities and lounging on white sand beaches. From the burial tombs at Valley of Kings or exploring the Temple at Edfu, to shopping for textiles in the Khan al Khalili Bazaar or touring the treasures of King Tutankhamun in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, there is truly no end to all that Egypt has to offer. For those looking for a gay vacation to Africa, Egypt is an excellent choice that is sure to please anyone looking for an exciting destination for gay travel.

While Egypt is a great destination for gay vacations, there are some points of interest to members of the LGBT community. The Egyptian government has become more aggressive in its efforts to arrest and imprison gay men in recent years, including a very public trial of over 50 men arrested on a boat hosting a night club in 2001 and several undercover sting operations in gathering spots, online chat rooms and other venues, which have led to arrests and imprisonment.

While Egyptian men are usually the focus of these raids and online undercover operations, local women and male and female tourists have also been arrested. There are no laws that specifically ban same-sex sexual activity conducted in private between consenting adults; however, laws against debauchery, contempt for religion and other similar behaviors have been used in recent years to persecute members of the LGBT community in Egypt.

With that said, this is not to imply that Egypt should be avoided during gay travel, or that travelers will feel unwelcome amongst the locals. Most visitors find locals throughout the country to be very warm and welcoming and have reported no problems with the government or police during gay vacation trips. Of course, this ongoing persecution does mean that it is difficult, if not impossible to find any visible LGBT communities; however, there are popular gathering spots in Cairo, Aswan, Dahab, Alexandria, Luxor and other metropolitan areas. It is important to note that while these hangouts do exist, discretion should be used, because the police are also well aware of locations frequented by the LGBT community.

Egypt is a land of mystery with several must-see historical and cultural attractions. To experience some of the best offerings of Egypt, while also helping to ensure a safe trip without hassles, those seeking gay vacations to Egypt should consider taking in this intriguing country as part of a gay travel tour, or at the very least, going through a travel agency that is aware of issues of concern to the LGBT community and is able to provide the information necessary for safe, fulfilling gay vacations to Egypt.

Howie Holben gay holidays to Egypt tips. He is the owner of Spirit Journeys, a gay meditation outfit. Spirit Journeys advances spiritual gay vacation all over the planet.

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South Africa has long been a gay tours destination, even before it became a human rights frontrunner with the abolition of apartheid, having the first constitution in the world that outlaws discrimination based on sexual orientation and becoming the fifth country worldwide to legalize same-sex marriage. Of course, after these landmark events, the interest in traveling to South Africa significantly increased in both the gay and straight communities. Today South Africa is the most accepting and gay-friendly country on the African continent with a growing gay culture that stretches from the pristine beaches of the Western Cape Province to the exciting, fast-paced lifestyle of Gauteng and is an increasingly popular gay vacation destination.

Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria are popular stops during South Africa gay vacations and each offers a variety of gay-friendly and gay-centered activities, establishments and events. Gay men who enjoy the scene will be particularly pleased with the vast array of establishments that cater exclusively to gay men, such as luxury guest houses that provide lodgings exclusively to gay men, the famous bathhouses found in Cape Town and the private, all-male nude bar, Camp David, in Pretoria. Gay culture in South Africa revolves largely around the gay male community; however family travelers and lesbians will also find a plethora of exciting opportunities for gay vacations in this country that is rich in history, culture and beautiful landscapes, including several organized tours that are gay-friendly or cater specifically to the gay and lesbian community.

Gay men and lesbians who prefer a gay tour centered around gay events may want to consider visiting South Africa in September, which is gay pride month and includes several pride celebrations and events, including the Out in Africa South African Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, which brings more than 16,000 visitors to Cape Town and Johannesburg each year. Or, in December, gay travelers to Cape Town can join more than 10,000 international visitors attending the Mother City Queer Project annual costume party. Cape Town is also home to two beaches that are widely popular among gay men, Clifton’s Third Beach and Sandy Bay nudist beach, as well as a gay village with numerous gay-friendly and gay-owned businesses and eateries in Green Point. Local publications serving the gay community, like Outright and Exit, can be picked up at various locations and provide up-to-the-minute information on gay goings on and the best bars and restaurants.

Any gay vacations to South Africa must include indulging in the plentiful options for dining in gay-friendly establishments like Johannesburg’s Bellgables Country Restaurant, where travelers dine in a refurbished farmhouse on a 21-acre farm; Cape Towns award winning Emily’s, which offers South African cuisine in a fine dining environment, as well as both beer and wine bars; or gay-owned Lola’s, a vegetarian caf in Cape Town with a bohemian feel.

Get the most out of South African gay holidays by working with a professional travel agency well-versed in gay travel to South Africa. Only a travel agency dedicated to gay travelers will be able to provide the up-to-date information and travel safety tips for specific areas in South Africa that are important to the gay and lesbian community.

Howie Holben wrote this gay trips to South Africa pointers essay. He is the caretaker of Spirit Journeys, a gay men vacations firm. Spirit Journeys makes available spiritual and gay travel tour all over the planet.

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