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Puerto Vallarta: Wet, Blue Chairs, Anthropology, Paco’s

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

Puerto Vallarta, which is located in Jalisco, Mexico is a destination we have traveled to a few times now and and still for some reason always go when its not the season to go and too humid to breathe. We looked on the weather on our iPhones before we left and though okay it will only be 80 degrees which would be a nice change from the 100 degree heat in Dallas, TX. We did not think about the humidity and most of the clubs and restaurants do not have a/c and some of the condos do not either if you have rented one.

The time to visit the internationally known gay resort town of Puerto Vallarta would for sure be from October to March when the humidity is lower and when more of the boys are in town or out. Parts of the weekend seemed like a ghost town due to the humid weather and did not really see too many hot guys out but there were some hot dancers at places such as Wet and Tease. Tease even had some hotties working on Sunday night but the place was dead but it was all about the bartender there who reminded me of Antonio Banderas from “Evita” with his hair slicked back.

Wet had one of the hottest dancers come up to us after his show at Wet on the street who later had a drink with us he could speak some English and had one of the most charming smiles. He wore a bit too much deodorant though because when someone licked his armpits it got all over their tounge hahaha.. I wont say what drunken person did that… He was very lick-able though! Wet had a modern feel to it and a shower behind the bar where the dancers would stroke their hard cocks but all-in-all it was a “Tease”. (more…)

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Take a Party Bus?

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

If you live in Miami – Ft. Lauderdale or in the Los Angeles area you finally have some party buses to help you get to where the boys are. We have also seen this in some other cities such as Orlando. A party bus can be much better than taking a taxi from Miami to Ft. Lauderdale to say go out to the Living Room Nightclub on a Friday night. One reason is the air conditioning on the bus is better than sweating or having the windows down in a taxi – we know they never turn on the air. Another is the risk of a DUI or DWI, having to drive such a far distance to a club and drinking even after dancing it off may not be a good idea. You will also save money by not having to get a hotel room. The taxi is not going to have a bar and play dance music so why not just take a party bus unless of course you have your own chauffeur than use him.

California Party Boys:
Each Month BoyPartyBus will be Loading up the Hottest Guys from ALL of Southern California for a Stunning Night that Will Not Be Forgotten! Our all Inclusive Package Provides Everything a Gay Boy needs to Survive a Wild Night of Dancing and Debauchery at
Southern Californias Premier Gay Nightlife Destinations.
(more…)

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The sexiest places on Earth

Friday, March 4th, 2011

This is a hard one, no pun intended. Where is your sexiest place on Earth? Why is it ‘sexy’ and what’s there to make it so? I did some scouting around the net to find top destinations for gay guys, top lists of what others thought were sexy places, and whittled the lists down to six. Here are my thoughts on what are considered to be six of the sexiest places on the planet. In no particular order:

Barcelona Spain
Classic architecture, hot Hispanic boys in tight trousers, nights under the stars with a glass of Rioja and a tapas or two, romance and… bull fighting? Well, forget that last one and think about what else Barcelona has to offer us.

You have a wealth of the usual gay bars, discos, nightclubs and beaches, and you’ve got the Med right there on your doorstep. Start at the port (where better for some Matelos and sailors?), and the beginning of Las Ramblas, the main gay thoroughfare that everyone heads for. It leads you straight up to the centre of town, stopping short of the main gay village, it’s a popular street for street-performers and can be crowded with life, and professional pick-pockets, the only downside. In Spain you don’t go out to eat until after 10.00 pm so expect late and sultry nights under the night sky. Grab a siesta in the afternoon and prepare yourself for the sights and sounds, of those sexy Catalonian boys.

Key West, Florida
Did you now that Key West, Florida, is home to the nation’s only gay and lesbian historic trolley tour? They mean street-car type trolley, not supermarket type trolley. It’s also home to some of the sexiest parties and events on the planet, well, so their official gay website tells us. It’s your typical sun, sea, sand and sex destination with romantic places to dine, hot beaches to cruise, plenty of nightlife and gay friendly paces to stay. Accommodation here ranges from the luxurious for those with the cash, to the basic but comfortable for those on a budget. And then you have the festivals: Pride, Bear, Women – ad ‘fest’ to the end of each, plus many other events all year round. Romantic and buzzing; a really sexy place.

Las Vegas
This one surprised me; I thought Las Vegas was only casinos and gambling in the middle of nowhere? (Sorry.) But no, it’s a top gay destination and not just among gamblers. I’m told that there is a small town, fun feel to the place and plenty of friendly gay bars and clubs sprinkled around. There are spas and bathhouses too, plus endless miles of shopping opportunities. Krave is a big night club on the strip ‘expensive but fun’ according to one recent visitor, and I found a list of gay/gay-friendly restaurants for your romantic nights out which were, more or less, all given a five star rating by folk who had actually used them. Sounds like Las Vegas is a place for late night fun, following a romantic dinner among the glittery lights of The Strip.

Rio De Janeiro Brazil
This almost goes without saying. It’s not the safest city on the planet, but then where is? But it must be the most vibrant, lively, fun and laid back one. You’ve got all the Latin heat you handle here, from the spicy boys on the beaches to the spicy food on your plate. You’re watched over by the famous statue, and you have the world as your oyster when it comes to carnivals, festive occasions, quiet dinners and romantic walks by the sea. Head south and you’ll be hooked in no time.

Tel Aviv Israel
And another surprise entry into the list. Don’t think that it’s all troubles and battles here, there is more to this sexy place than you might glean from the media. It’s a 24 hour city with a reputation for being ‘one of the world’s finest and friendliest GLBT travel destinations.’ They will be having their Gay Pride celebrations there on June 10th 2011, so that’s one for your diary, and while you are there you’ve got a host of nightlife opportunities with many regular, occasionally, and once-a-month bars and clubs open to all. And did I mention the weather, the gay film festivals and the welcoming people? All those hot Israeli boys and girls waiting to welcome you intimately to their sexy city?

Palm Springs CA
And finally good old Palm Springs CA. the very name suggests luxurious hotels and locations, the beautiful sea, the toned boys, the sexy girls, the nightlife and parties, the warm weather the swimming in the clear sea, everything you could wish for in a sexy holiday destination. Again you’ve got plenty of romantic places to wine and dine your loved one, loads of choices of places to stay and go, sights to see and many events to hook into; from the Film Festival in January, to the Desert Romp in May, there’s something for everyone at this top destination.

So, a very quick rundown of what’s considered the set of top, sexy gay destinations. Here’s a challenge to leave you with: how many have you been to, and which one will you visit next? Can you see all of them within the next 12 months? Worth a try!

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Best Global Destinations

Friday, January 28th, 2011

So, you’re thinking about a vacation and you’re wondering where to go. You want to go to a place that great for gay, a destination that’s tops for trade, or first of fun. As long as there’s a gay life there you’re happy to try it. But where? Where’s the best gay destination in the world?

According to Trip Out Gay Travel you’ve got a few choices. Recently, Logo, a unit of Viacom’s MTV Networks, announced that TripOutGayTravel.com (its comprehensive travel site dedicated to the LGBT traveller and MTV Network’s first stand-alone, travel-focused site), revealed its second annual “TripOut Gay Travel Awards” at London’s World Travel Market – the premier global event for the travel industry.

Top of their list came New York City, it won the award for the ‘best global destination.’ A few other sites and bloggers agreed with NYC as being a top gay destination, but what if you don’t like cities? Well, trawling around looking at what people are saying is hot and what’s not, all the ‘top destinations’ I found were cities. Berlin for example…

Having recently been there I can give a big thumbs up to Berlin as a great destination. It’s clean and the people are friendly, public transport runs on time and you’ve got a great variety of places to go and things to do. From the zoo to the backrooms, you get well looked after in Berlin. And it doesn’t have to be expensive. For eating, you’ve got loads of sausage stalls beside the road, plus a huge range of eateries, and for drinking, I found that with a little planning, I was able to find a ‘happy hour’ happening at a bar somewhere practically every hour of the day.

If you fancy somewhere slightly more exotic, then how about Argentina? Buenos Aires, to be precise. Apart from seeing where some of Evita was filmed, and having the chance to do your best Madonna impersonation on location, you have a wealth of bars and clubs to explore. If you check out thegayguide.com.ar an Argentinean gay guide site, you’ll also find saunas, restaurants, maps and a guide to the city’s pride celebrations, though that information was a little out of date.

And back in Europe there is always London, somewhere else I’ve been recently. One of the best gay bars in the world (as voted for online) can be found there in Vauxhall, but there is more to London than the famous West End and Soho, the gay village. When you’re there you should look in the free magazines and listings to find clubs and bars that are away from the centre of the city. You will find a different atmosphere, guys seem to have more fun in the outlying areas, there is less attitude. And while you’re in England don’t forget Brighton, another ‘gay capital’ by the sea, and Manchester, one of the newer gay hot spots in the country.

Madrid, if you want sun, sea, sangria and sexy Spanish boys with tight butts and tanned skin, is a perfect destination. Get away from it all in a cultural city that’s got more going for it than just its architecture. Gay Madrid websites report that many bars have back rooms, where just about anything goes, and the whole city seems to breathe a raunchy atmosphere.

Over the pond you’ve also got Montreal. There’s a whole strip of places to hang out there, loads of bars and cafes, restaurants and clubs. It’s going to be a question of knowing where to start, so a site like montreal.gaycities.com is a good starting pace. And, when you’re looking around at these gay city sites and choosing your destination, you may find special offers for hotels and travel. I noticed several, all very tempting.

But if you’re not into city vacations but still want to go gay? Well, how about a gay cruise? But that’s another story.

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Best Gay Breakout Destinations

Friday, December 17th, 2010

Taking a vacation isn’t always about sitting by a pool, seeing the sun set over the sea, and being pampered. There are loads of adventure holiday companies these days, but what if you want to do something different and gay? What if you want to find a new and upcoming exciting gay destination and you’ve already done the usual places? Well, then you want to look around for the best breakout destination, the best up and coming new place where it’s cool and hip and fine to be gay. Here are a few ideas.

Mexico City gets a gay friendly rating from Trip Out Gay Travel who describe is as ‘loopy bars, friendly locals, amazing food and urban insanity.’ Sound like it’s going to be fun. There is a smattering of gay bars, and plenty of ‘gay friendly’ places to go and to stay. The transport is cheap though you are warned to be a little cautious when out and about, the same as in any major city really. Think safety and you’ll have more fun.

Reykjavik, Iceland, doesn’t always spring first to mind when thinking about a gay vacation or a visit. But it’s on the Breakout list and there is a growing gay scene there. Being Iceland you’re going to find the gay scene all in one place, in the capital. Gayice.is is the site to start your browsing, the official gay guide to the country is found there. You’ve got bars and clubs, places to stay, events and much to see and do. But you might want to check out prices first, we’re heard that drinking in Iceland is not the cheapest of pastimes.

Ever thought of going to Tel Aviv, Israel? There’s an all year round nightlife, a great scenes and friendly and welcoming people. The annual pride even is in June next year, everyone’s welcome and you’ve got the added attraction of the weather, the coastline (there’s a safe nude beach at Ga’ash, and the Hilton beach is recommended for cruising), and of course those sexy Israeli guys and girls. Gaytelaviv.com is a simple community based site where you can discover basic listings, though Gaytlvguide.com has much more information.

Toronto sound interesting? It’s breaking out, like the others we’ve listed, but its probably more established than some other breakout gay destinations. The hit TV series ‘Queer as Folk’ was filmed around the Church and Wellesley Gay Village so it’s become popular for that, more popular than it was before; it’s always been a bit of a hot spot. As has the city’s other gay village, the Queer West Village, which is described as being funkier and edgier.

And now let’s throw one at you right out of left field. Cambodia. No, honestly and there’s an good online guide to the country and its gay life at Cambodia-gay.com It’s legal to be gay in Cambodia, the reign of terror that stalked the country is well and truly over. The first gay pride was held there in 2004, in Phnom Penh, but the current government is holding back on gay marriages and civil partnerships, even though the King supports them. Meanwhile, you’ve got bars and clubs just the same as anywhere else, but with Asian charm and hospitality added in for good measure. And not just in the capital either. There are other cities, such as Siem Reap, and in the south, Sihanouk-Ville which is small, has one gay bar and two hotels. But, as they point out on sites about Cambodia, the people are friendly – you can meet and chat anywhere and, reading between the lines, what they are saying is hat it’s easy to pick up and meet ‘new friends,’ wink, wink.

There you go, there are a few ideas to give you some food for thought. When you’re tired of the same old same old vacations, you should turn your thoughts to one of these new Breakout Destinations and become a pioneer.

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Top Gay Friendly Hotel Chains

Monday, November 29th, 2010

Gay travelers want to know that when they travel they are treated with respect. Some hotel chains do a better job of focusing on the needs of the gay traveler or at least promoting diversity in their corporate culture. Favorite chains for GLBT travelers range from the small boutique brands to the largest worldwide chains, each with their own amenities and character. From hip and funky to decidedly upscale and luxurious there is something for every kind of traveler.

Axel Hotels has won several awards as the best gay friendly hotel chain. Axel has only three hotels; Berlin, Buenos Aires, and Barcelona. The boutique Axel chain focuses on the needs of gay travelers but they bill themselves as “heterofriendly” due to their tolerant attitude towards all guests. The hotels are decidedly modern and upscale. The all boast a rooftop Sky Bar and a wellness club with spa treatments and fitness options.

Ace Hotels is a small chain with hotels in Portland, Seattle, Palm Springs, and New York. They say they are both modern and bohemian and they are serious about being eco friendly.The hotels are not only gay friendly but pet friendly too. The small Portland hotel is in the historic downtown. This hip hotel has a bar with good local bands and a black and white photo booth in the lobby. The hotel near the Theatre District in New York is tiny, only 12 rooms, with some of the best rates in the area. The Palm Springs hotel is the biggest with 180 rooms in a midcentury modern motel. They are known for their minibars with cheese popcorn, patios and fireplaces. They have DJ’s at the pool, hip music in the bars and celebrations for GLBT events.

Andaz Hotels are part of the Hyatt chain. Hotels are in the chicest places; London, New York, Los Angeles, and San Diego. They cater to a cosmopolitan upscale customer. One of recent promotions at the Andaz West Hollywood was to give each guest an all access VIP pass to live entertainment venues on the Sunset Strip. Over the top theater nights in the London hotel draw many GLBT guests. In the 5th Avenue location the closets have rolling garment racks, luxurious marble bathrooms with footbaths, and a fashionable lounge bar.

Kimpton Hotels cater to the GLBT community with special promotions like their crush contest with a winning prize of a weekend at a Kimpton Hotel. Kimpton started in San Francisco so they have been gay friendly for over 20 years. They support local GLBT organizations and participate in the annual Red Ribbon campaign. They have over 50 hotel properties in major cities across the United States. A few hotels are resort and spa properties.

Four Seasons hotels are luxury properties in locations across the globe. They host LGBT events at the hotels. Four Seasons hotels are known for their spas, their incredible locations, and their legendary service. Their fitness centers have personal trainers and classes like yoga and Pilates. Four Seasons doesn’t shy away from hosting events for the gay community such as Gay Travel Expos at their hotels.

Hyatt has been voted one of the best places to work for LGBT employees. They have 16 Hyatt resorts in the United States and the Caribbean. Regional architecture, gourmet cuisine with fresh local ingredients, and spa treatments are all part of the experience. Hyatt has a reputation of being gay friendly for guests and trains employees to welcome diversity. The Park Hyatt in Paris has been selected as one of the top ultra luxury hotels in the world by gay travelers.

W Hotels have 37 locations. They offer a glamorous contemporary experience that they say is “centered around fashion, music and entertainment”. They all have acclaimed restaurants, posh shopping and luxurious spas. The hotels have the latest technology to keep you fully plugged in. From spa products in the rooms, luggage forwarding, pet amenities, gourmet meals for you to take on your flight and even being able to choose the perfect pillow style the W is famous for their guest services.

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Sexiest Gay Destinations

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

Planning a vacation this year? Want to go somewhere different? What’s top of the list for gay destinations around the world? When considering the Top gay destinations for 2010 you should definitely take a look at the meat in Brazil.

Rio De Janeiro. Well, it was in 2009 according to Trip Out Gay Travel. Their 2009 awards are a good guide to what’s currently top of the polls for gay travellers. Rio De Janeiro, ‘Brazil’s sexiest city’ is a bit of a mix. Yes there is the huge Pride celebration and Mardi Gras, yes there are the beaches and the clubs, the party atmosphere and of course those oh so sexy Latin men, but it is not without its drawbacks. It’s not as cheap as it used to be, global currency rates are constantly changing though, and it is not without its dangers. Go, party, but be safe, is the advice.

The Trip Out Gay Travel awards last year also had Buenos Aires as a nominated top destination, another Latin country, Argentina, and another one that is easier to get to if you are in the States, than if you are in Europe. But not to worry, voters put Barcelona in their top list too, along with London. You may note a recurring theme in these destinations, the Pride celebrations. Which is why Sidney was also up there towards the top in the nominations. But there is more to a vacation than a Pride march and party.

Greece may not strike you as the place to go, at the moment at any rate. But don’t believe all you see on the news. There was a riot recently, the country is struggling with debt and so on, but then many other countries in Europe are facing the same things. Meanwhile, small and idyllic islands sit in the cool Aegean Sea, their people welcoming and friendly, and their prices still reasonable – again depending on your currency exchange. A tiny island called Tilos made the headlines a while back for hosting the first gay civil partnership marriage in the country, controversy and publicity followed. Mykonos is still a popular island for visitors after a lively time, and the recent news from the island of Rhodes is that Faliraki, long thought to provide British lout hell, has cleaned up its act and is now a more tranquil place to be, as it once was. Nearby you have the neo-classical island of Symi, for peace and calm and quiet, and this island is typical of many that appeal to the more discerning gay traveller.

How does Curaçao sound to you? ‘One of the Caribbean’s best kept secrets’ won the award for the best ‘breakout’ destination last year. It is a Dutch island not far from the coast of Venezuela, maybe tricky to get to, but worth the visit we’re told. And if you want the sexiest city? Then it has to be Paris, again as voted for in the 2009 awards. It’s busy, it’s beautiful especially at night when lit up, and it’s crowded. I have to say it’s also not that cheap, but you can’t beat a romantic cruise on the river, at night, a walk along the tree lined boulevards, and the wealth of museums and galleries. Sit with your coffee at a café on the sidewalk and drink in the views, the people and the atmosphere. You can find tranquillity inside the city and just outside, it or you can party the night away. It does have a lot to see and do.

Of course these destinations are only one set of suggestions, based on what the users of one top website had to say about things. Everyone has their own favourite place to go, just as everyone has their own wish-list of destinations. But if you want something really special: Machu Picchu in Peru, a night at an eco-hotel, sunrise over the ancient Inca city and a night-time blessing by a shaman (of your gay relationship is fine), is my personal top of the poll recommendation. (See Amro Holidays for more.)

Photo: Courtesy of OUT Magazine cover of a hot, hot Brazilian boy.

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Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn Shuffle

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

map-hotels-gaydaysThinking back to all the Gay Days Drama of 2009 we saw so many changes good and bad.  2010, seems to be no less a shocking set of new hotel rooms.  First you have the original host hotel of Gay Days changing from their long time friend close to Disney moving all the way over to Sea World.  Next you have no word at all from One Mighty Weekend and the Johnny Chisholm group so I suspect that there is one more announcement coming.  This one came from Mark Bakers facebook page which said their hotel pic will be the Holiday Inn.

The Holiday Inn is known for some fun songs and all but will this go over with the Gay circuit crowd the same way the Buena Vista Palace did?  Well this hotel is newly renovated with a $35 million dollar makeover.  Rooms at this Holiday Inn include pool views but I see no suites which we were used to at the Buena Vista Palace.. Does this Hoooliday inn have such things?

The Doubletree hotel, a Hilton family hotel, is the host hotel for the Gay Days event where they have an expo center.  They made a drastic move for 2010 to run from Disney over to SeaWorld area on International Drive.  Not so sure this is the smartest move since it’s supposed to be Gay Disney.  Why not just move things downtown orlando while your at it?

If you are contemplating which hotel to stay at the Doubletree offers smoking or non-smoking rooms and they start at $99 and they do have suites but they are mostly sold out of the best ones facing the “interior” of the “resort”.   The Mark Baker events host hotel will start out at $159 with the highest room at $179, a bit steeper than the Doubletree rooms.  Who knew a Holiday Inn costs more?  Maybe the pool area is bigger?

There is also the Parliament House which the rooms are still available if you book them now.  This resort has not-so-sleek rooms but they do the job.  We spend most of the day out at the pool parties anyway don’t we? Until we want to take someone back to a motel, hotel, or a Holiday Inn…

The Mark Baker host hotel will be closer to the Arabian Nights events but if you are worried about that you can always get a hotel next door so you do not have to deal with buses or cabs.  The Seaworld hotel is close to Wet N’ Wild which might be fun but Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon I am sure is much funner.

I have a feeling we will all be missing the Buena Vista Palace when this is all over, but I am willing to give the newly renovated hotel a try on Hotel Plaza Blvd.  Hopefully, the crowds will still come to the event in 2010 and the music will be just as fierce as it was the past few years!

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