Gaycation Magazine

Gay and lesbian travelers looking for a bit of French glamour with a tropical twist would do well to consider a visit to New Caledonia – to its capital Noumea, the Isle of Pines, and the Loyalty Islands. Each has a landscape and culture that makes them totally unique.  While it’s easy to get to New Caledonia, the hardest part is leaving!  Hurry to New Caledonia, Noumea, and the Loyalty Islands before time and everyone else catches up!

If you’re wondering about the best time to visit or the best places to stay, then you’ll love what we put together for you here.

Jump to:
Why visit New Caledonia
Noumea
Isle of Pines
Loyalty Islands
Travel Information

Why visit New Caledonia?

1. It’s just next door to Australia New Caledonia is Australia’s closest South Pacific neighbor. Less than 4 hours from Melbourne, less than 3 hours from Sydney and under 2 hours from Brisbane.
2. It’s a French experience Charming French influence with English commonly spoken in tourist areas. The visitor information centers carry the complete range of touring, day cruise and accommodation options for exploring beyond Nouméa.
3. It’s a gourmet paradise The best food & beverage experience in the South Pacific with over 200 restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs in Nouméa alone.
4. It’s beach and secluded islands The New Caledonia Islands of Lifou, Ouvéa, Maré (the Loyalty Islands) and the spectacular Isle of Pines are a beach lover’s paradise. The fine white sands are only matched by the crystal clear waters. Islands are serviced daily by local carrier Air Calédonie.
5. It’s not touristy New Caledonia is not overrun by tourists. When you visit you’ll be joining the local population and sampling their day to day life. You’ll soon understand why over 80,000 French expats choose to call New Caledonia home.
6. It’s a natural wonderland It’s home to the world’s largest lagoon, six parts of which were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2008. With minimal commercial activity, New Caledonia’s reefs boast 146 coral varieties and 9,300 marine species.
7. It’s great value The Australian dollar is currently at a high against the local currency. So New Caledonia is a fantastic value for Australian travelers.
8. It’s exciting nightlife Exceptional nightlife for a South Pacific destination with a good selection of bars and clubs within walking distance of top hotels and accommodations.
9. It’s a safe place A stable and tolerant environment to relax and explore independently.
10. And, it’s easy to get there There are departures weekly from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to Noumea.

Noumea

Noumea is an emerging gay destination, with a community resource center, gay-owned nightclubs, and waterfront restaurants flying the colors and welcoming visitors to their events.

As the capital of New Caledonia, it is more than a tropical playground than a backpacker’s paradise.  It is a dazzling destination, with a diamond-blue lagoon surrounding it.  It is a stylish and sophisticated destination with hidden pink bits.  It’s a place where everyone is welcome and the joi de vivre is infectious.

Noumea rightfully boasts warm hospitality and European elegance.  It’s a gorgeous place to soak up the cultures of its joint Melanesian and French cultures.  Because of these attractive elements, Noumea is fast becoming a favorite of gay and lesbian travelers from the world over.  Tourism leaders are committed to this concept and gay visitors continue to rise as word gets out.

In Noumea, the fine French restaurants, designer boutiques, and cosmopolitan crowds all proclaim that this is the Paris of the Pacific. It is a small but busy city, a place where chic European decor and sophistication embrace elements of tropical island ambiance.

If your dream stay is more of a tropical resort, the islands of New Caledonia will not disappoint, as many Asian and European gay and lesbians have already discovered.

Isle of Pines

One of the biggest attractions is the Isle of Pines, an easy day trip from the main island of Grande Terre. Whether you want 5-star lodging or to camp out under the stars, this is the place. You can try your hand at snorkeling in a natural aquarium, and take a short walk in the rainforest or eat fresh-caught lobster on the beach.

On the Isle of Pines – just 20 minutes by air from the capital city Noumea – you can:

• relax beachside at a flash resort (3, 4 and 5-star)
• engage with Kanuk  culture  (bonne cuisine, dancing, craft markets)
• experience a homestay or camping on the lagoon

There are long, gorgeous beaches and tiny islets that attract day-trippers.  But if you fall in love with the place and pace,  stay for a while and soak up the culture.

Lounge by the turquoise-blue lagoon, walk the rainforest paths or go kite flying or kayaking. Do as much or as little as you want on this stylish, sophisticated and pristine spot in the South Pacific.

Loyalty Islands

The jewel of the Pacific might just be the collection of Loyalty Islands. Travel by air or sea to the charming outer islands named Mare, Lifou, and Ouvea. Each is picture-postcard perfect in its own right, each with its own Kanak Villages and traditions, each open to gay travelers who want a chance to interact with the people and culture.

Memories of Mare, Lifou, and Ouvea will draw you back if you’re a sun and water worshiper that prefers empty, pristine beaches, caves with deep blue holes, shallow dive reefs, and natural aquariums for snorkeling. Not to mention to-die-for lobster, sweet prawns, and other fresh fish from the lagoon every day. Kayaking in the bay at sunset…sailing, and fishing all day long… Even a brief visit to these idyllic islands is something not likely to be forgotten.

Another great way to experience the diversity of the Loyalties and the tribal villages is to island-hop. Whichever island you visit, you can enjoy a taste of local life… from learning about how to build a traditional Kanak hut to casting a net for the fish of the day to tasting bat soup.

Travel information

• For more information on New Caledonia, check out The official guide for New Caledonia Tourism

by: An Anonymous Travel Couple

For those in a long distance relationship, travel becomes a part of your everyday world. Some days are lonely. Others are full of anticipation and for the times when you meet at some remote airport at midnight, the days are just about as perfect as days can be. For all the ups and downs, it’s got to be a pretty special kind of love to go the distance. 

An excerpt from our travel diaries: 

It’s raining a soft slow rainfall like mist. The sky is grey, one sweeping shade so pale that it’s almost white. In the background I’m playing an indie love song, sent from her. I am filled with a warmth that falls down around me as I listen to each soulful lilting word and somehow know that only she would have ever found such music or thought to send it to me. She has my every mood tapped, knows just what I want to wake up to and how to carry me through the day. Even from thousands of miles away. Somehow, even long-distance she knows just how to be beside me and fill up the space. 

When I think about this relationship with another woman, I try to find the words to describe it, to give it the same context that comes when a guy and girl walk down the street. Like the music I’ve been listening to this morning, it’s hard to describe how it sounds or feels. Music carries you away, touches that splintered part of you and makes you whole. I remember when I was a kid staying at my cousin’s place, was my every holiday dream come true. I never thought about travelling far or doing something new, because the feeling of completeness when my cousin and I would lay in our beds, giggling way past midnight talking about our latest crush, filled our world’s with happiness. We just got each other and there was a simple joy in that familiarity. When I think of it now, it was like a sacred bubble of loveliness. That’s a little of what this girl love is like.

Perhaps this should be called “Why is gay love so good?” because maybe in relationship with our same-sex partner, we catch a glimpse of ourselves.

From those moments as little girls or boys finding our way, as teenagers recognising each other’s fears to falling in love and creating our place in the world. We wear the familiarity like an old jumper, cosying up against our girlhood or boyhood memories that only they would understand. Growing up, people tell girls that boyfriends will come and go, even men may come and go, but your girlfriends will be there forever; keep them close and love them fiercely. We all understand the natural sense of comfort this recognition brings. 

As for me, I recognised her immediately. I was in my late 30’s and I knew, just knew in an instant that life would never be the same again.  Yet it feels like the most familiar path to take and I wonder at how other’s judge what really is a natural part of who we all are. We cherish our sisterhood, we’ve carried each other through each up and down of life and we connect on a level that is understood. To take it a step further and love that little bit more, is a natural path for so many. At the end of last year, Australia, like so many other countries decided finally, that this love has a place. And though I wasn’t overly hung up whichever way the vote went, I was grateful that the process brought a little more awareness and a little more understanding of what makes this love tick. Like the stretch of stars scattered across the inky night sky, it shines like love does, within us all. 

Traveling in Our Fabulous Gay World, by Donald Pile and Ray Williams

When making travel decisions, choose what is safest and most comfortable to your pet.

For instance, unless you’ll be able to spend a lot of time with your dog, he’ll probably be happier at home than tagging along on your trip. As a rule, cats are almost always better off in their own home.

But if you have decided it’s best to bring your pet along, follow our tips for a safe and low-stress trip.

The safest way for your dog to travel in the car is in a crate that has been anchored to the vehicle using a seat belt or other secure means. Dog restraints or seat belts are useful for preventing your dog from roaming around the car and being a distraction to the driver, but they haven’t been reliably shown to protect dogs during a crash. Most cats aren’t comfortable traveling in cars, so for their safety as well as yours, keep them in a carrier.

It’s important to restrain these carriers in the car so that they don’t bounce around and hurt your pet. Do this by securing a seat belt around the front of the carrier. Keep your pet in the back seat of the car. If an airbag deploys while your pet is in the passenger seat (even in a crate), it might injure your pet.

Dogs and cats should always be kept safely inside the car. Pets who are allowed to stick their heads out the window can be injured by particles of debris or made sick by having cold air forced into their lungs. Never transport a pet in the back of an open pickup truck.

A quick pit stop may feel like no time at all to you, but it’s too long to leave your pet in a car by himself. One hazard is heat: When it’s 72 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the temperature inside your car can heat up to 116 degrees within an hour.

On an 85-degree day, even with the windows slightly open, the temperature inside your car can reach 102 degrees in just 10 minutes. If you’re held up for 30 minutes, you may return to a car that’s 120 degrees inside and a pet who is suffering irreversible organ damage or death.

Taking your pet on a plane is very difficult. Be aware of the dangers of flying your pet in a cargo hold. Animals flown in the cargo area of airplanes are killed, injured or lost on commercial flights each year. Excessively hot or old temperatures, poor ventilation and rough handling are often to blame. Many hotels, motels and resorts either do not allow pets on their properties or if they do, they charge a hefty charge for having your pet stay in your room.

Everyone loves their pets, however when traveling, think about leaving them at home and let them have a “vacation” from us as well.

Consider all the alternatives to flying. If you plan to bring your pet on vacation, driving is usually a better option. If you can’t travel by car, your pet will probably be healthier and happier if you leave her behind under the care of a pet sitter or boarding kennel.

Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!

Donald Pile and Ray Williams are award-winning celebrity travel columnists and proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at [email protected] or visit their website at gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com.

The last time we were in Las Vegas, our first stop was at the City Hall where we had an appointment with Mayor Carolyn Goodman so that she could welcome the “Gay Travelers”  to the city. She is one of the most professional, friendly and fun Mayor’s in the entire country. All of Las Vegas loves her and we can understand why!

Las Vegas has over 62,000 hotel rooms and last year they had over 40 Million visitors!  The best and cheapest way to get to and stay in Las Vegas is to get a ‘fly and hotel’ package.  Check the Internet as they have specials all the time.  It really doesn’t matter where you stay as long as you stay on the STRIP!   All resort hotels there have very nice rooms and within walking distance to all the shows and other resort hotels.

There are dozens of shows to see while visiting Las Vegas.  The major show to see is  the fabulous and very entertaining Frank Marino’s DIVAS. Frank has been performing in Las Vegas continuously longer than any entertainer in the history of Las Vegas. He has a very devoted following (including us) that has been returning to see his show year after year after year. He performs at the LINQ,  which is the old Imperial Palace/Quad resort hotel,  across the street from Caesars Place. Check out his website: www.frankmarino.com Talk about glitz and glamour! AND exciting! You know why he has performed for all these years and has such a packed house almost every night? Because Frank is a PROFESSIONAL and he loves what he does. After performing to over 10 million people, he is in the Guinness  Book of World Records of having the most performances on any Las Vegas stage.

Bally’s Jubilee which has all the fabulous showgirls and boys with their feathers, glitz and glamour is a must see. Not too many shows have that anymore, which is really sad to say. Visitor’s flock to Las Vegas to see glitz and glamour! Jubilee! Is Las Vegas’ last classic showgirl revue, with over 30 years of rhinestones and feathers making it the best-loved Las Vegas entertainment tradition and is almost the only topless show left in Las Vegas.  Information on that show is at www.caesars.com/ballys-las-vegas/shows/jubilee#.VcinQ5VRHIU

For those into magic, JAN ROUVEN is performing at the Tropicana Resort Hotel. He gives a fantastic performance and the audiences really love him. He does however need to dress better.  Check out his website: www.janrouven.com    One can also see Cher, Celine Dion and John Elton if you are wanting to shell out the big bucks.   Two tickets may cost more than your apartment rental or house payment ! They have a half dozen different Cirque du Soleil shows if you are into that type of entertainment.

And then there is THE FUNNIEST and DIRTIEST show that we have ever seen in Las Vegas in all of our years of going there. ABSINTHE plays nightly at the Stripside venue at Caesar’s Palace. The Emcee forewarns everybody at the very beginning of the show about it’s content and suggests people go across the street to see Donny and Marie if they think that they will be offended. Not ONE person left.  We were ashamed to laugh so much but during the entire show it was a “laugh riot”. They had jugglers, acrobats, high wire acts and every kind of performances that one can image PLUS the two co-stars are, well, let’s just say that you would not be wanting to be seated next to your grandparents while watching these two marvelous entertainers doing their skits. Penny does a skit with two sock puppets that you have to see to believe. This is a show in the round and you are so close to the performers that you can almost touch them. All we can say is DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW ! It is dynamite, raunchy, fun, funny and will keep you laughing throughout the entire show. Their website is: absinthevegas.com

There are so many things to see and do in Las Vegas. They have three major museums and we went to all of them. The new MOB Museum is located in the old  downtown.  Check out their website at: www.themobmuseum.org.

The NEON M– USEUM located at 770 Las Vegas Blvd. North. This is an outside museum filled with past neon signs from the hotels, casinos and restaurants in Las Vegas. It is truly amazing for visitors to be enthralled with the history of the city. Their tour guides  are extremely well versed in what they are talking about and this is a must see tour. The tour takes about an hour. When it is hot in Las Vegas, as it usually is, be sure and take their early morning tour. Their website is: www.neonmuseum.org.

The next museum which is “BEYOND FABULOUS” is the LAS VEGAS SHOWGIRL M– USEUM and the Director is Grant Philipo. He has lived in Las Vegas for years and knows everybody and everything about Las Vegas. This is a “private” museum and you must make reservations to see it. NO TRIP TO LAS VEGAS would be complete unless you have seen this collection of costumes and headdresses!  We are NOT talking about a collection of three or four costumes, we are talking about hundreds and hundreds and HUNDREDS of costumes from the past 50 years in Las Vegas! The collection is absolutely breath-taking! They have over 20,000 artifacts in their collection.  There are over 100 mannequins on display and their mannequins are custom painted with glass eyes and anatomically correct. Grant has been collecting since 1976.  BE SURE AND VISIT THIS M– USEUM NEXT TIME YOU ARE IN LAS VEGAS !!!!!  The website is: www.lasvegasshowgirlmuseum.com.

The most wonderful Museum was the famous Liberace Museum which was the #1 place to visit in Las Vegas.  Sadly about 4 years ago, it closed.

Dining while in Las Vegas can be a very daunting experience to say the least.   At Picasso’s restaurant located at the Bellagio Resort hotel, we had the ‘prix fixe dinner” with wine pairing for $173.00 per person.  We dined at the BORDER GRILL at the Mandalay Bay which is called “modern Mexican”. We do not care what they call it, but it was the best of the best!   If you are not winning all that much money at the slot machines, you can cruise the Strip and dine many places for under $10.00 so it really is all about YOU and where you want to spend YOUR money.

Over the years, Gay bars have come and gone and come and gone. However when one goes to Las Vegas, it really is all about having a fun and fabulous time so it is easy to see why the Gay  bar scene is not that good.   Some trendy bars charge a $30 cover and they soon learned that no one would pay that, so they are out of business.  They have a leather bar, cowboy bar, disco bar however the smaller ‘local’ bars are a lot more fun.

Before traveling to Las Vegas be sure and check out the local gay publication, www.qvegas.com. Their website will update you on the gay scene and activities in Las Vegas.  For shows and other information, go to www.lasvegas.com  and www.vegas.com/shows

On a special note, Las Vegas is very proud to have one of the finest Gay and Lesbian Community Centers in the country. Located near downtown at 401 South Maryland Pkway . Their website is: www.thecenterlv.com

Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone.

TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-Winning, Celebrity Travel Columnists. Proud members of the IGLTA You can email them at [email protected] or visit their website at: http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com

by Sally Calder
Tired of beach vacations, but still love to spend time by the water? A boating vacation might be the perfect way to up the ante. Instead of spending long lazy days on the beach, choose long lazy days on a chartered yacht or cruise ship, or go for an active vacation that includes diving and other activities. On the ocean or inland on rivers and lakes, there are lots of great LGBT-friendly destinations all over the world.

Sail the Greek Islands

The Greek Islands harbor some of the world’s most gorgeous scenery, and along with its deep turquoise water and wide blue sky, is definitely high on the list of the world’s most beautiful oceanic regions. LGBT tourism has really taken off in Greece in recent years, and there are now lots of queer-friendly places to visit. Mykonos remains a highly popular gaycation destination, but other islands such as Paros and Santorini are up-and-coming vacation favorites too. There’s now a pretty wide range of charter companies in the Greek Islands that fly the rainbow flag (figuratively if not literally), making this a great spot for a gaycation. Novices can choose the chartered option that includes a crew and an experienced skipper, but many companies offer the chance for passengers to get involved with sailing if they wish. It’s a great way to enjoy all the advantages of a private yacht without any of the hassle and additional expense of ownership. Not to mention, one of the most enjoyable ways there is to get a great tan!

Boating on England’s Canals

The English countryside is criss-crossed with a network of canals, constructed during the industrial revolution to tote goods from town to town. These days there’s not much call for transporting goods this way, but the canals are still in use for recreational purposes—one of which is traveling via boat for day trips and longer journeys. It’s the perfect DIY gaycation for independent travelers who want to try something a bit different, and while it’s not a fast method of travel, it’s a fun opportunity to see a little piece of England in an entirely new way. England’s network of canals is pretty extensive, so it’s a good idea to use a canal guide when you’re mapping out your itinerary. It’ll not only help you decide where to go, but also what to see and do in the towns and villages you travel through.

August in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has long been known as an LGBT-friendly city, and with its exhaustive list of attractions and sights, and clubs, cafes, and bars, it’s an amazing place to visit in its own right. It’s also host to a number of annual events, one of which is Sail Amsterdam, a celebration of the city’s rich maritime history and heritage. Sail Amsterdam is the world’s biggest public event, during which hundreds of ships—including stately tall ships as well as naval vessels and smaller craft—sail through the city’s harbor and into the North Sea Canal, eventually mooring at locations all over the city. It’s an incredible event, packed with cultural events and activities, but it’s one that’s not easy to catch. Sail Amsterdam takes place over a few days towards the end of August, and only happens every five years: if you miss the 2015 event, it won’t come around again until 2020.

Travel the Norwegian Coastline

Norway’s coastline is nothing short of stunning, and there’s no better way to see it than a week or two on one of the Hurtigruten line’s cruise ships. The vessels do double duty, carrying not only cruise passengers but also ferrying cargo and local travelers between adjacent port cities. As such, the ships make frequent stops along the coast, giving passengers plenty of opportunity to explore. It should be noted, however, that Hurtigruten ships don’t bear much resemblance to your average cruise liner. Each ship has a bar or two and typically has a great menu full of fresh local food, but there’s little in the way of onboard amenities and entertainment, as the real star of the show is the incredible scenery, and the cruise experience itself. However, for budget-conscious travelers looking for a quiet vacation option, this is a good one to add to the list of possibles. 

Santa Fe is so interesting and exciting. The city was established in 1610 and is one of the oldest cities in the country. The elevation is 7,000 feet. Everyone is welcome in Santa Fe. You will not see very many gay flags as they do not need any. Actually it is one of the most gay-friendly cities in the country.

We always stay at the Inn of the Turquoise Bear. In 1996, Ralph Bolton and Robert Frost purchased the estate which was the former estate of Witter Bynner, the famous poet and author who lived there for over 40 years. Ralph and Robert operated it until they retired last year. In April, 2014 Dan Clark & David Solem acquired the Inn. Their goals as innkeepers and as stewards of the estate and land that Bynner loved – are to rekindle the comfort, creativity and hospitality for which this home was renowned in the past, to protect, restore and extend the legacy of its famous creator, and to provide their guests with a unique, restorative experience that captures the essence of Santa Fe’s past and present. Actually the Inn is a “compound” with an adobe wall all around it. It is located just a few blocks of the downtown Plaza. You are really stepping back in time when staying there. Their guest list reads like a who’s who in the arts, entertainment and writers. We have met so many extremely interesting guests over the years staying there. This is just a very grand place to stay when visiting Santa Fe. Their website is www.turquoisebear.com

There are so many things to see and do when visiting Santa Fe. The “Plaza” which is the business square in downtown Santa Fe has been at the heart of Santa Fe. You will find all of kind of shops in the area selling Indian jewelry, bronze sculptors, and an abundance of all kinds of art for sale. The shops on Canyon Road are extremely top of the line. There are many museums in the city including the Museum of Fine Arts, with regional art, oil paintings, watercolors and photographs. The Palace of the Governors built in 1610 as well as the original capitol of New Mexico is located right on the Plaza. The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture with exhibits of pottery, basketry, clothing, carpets and jewelry is a must see. The Museum of International Folk Art houses over 130,000 objects from around the world. The Girard Room is truly spectacular.

The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum has the largest collection of her photographic works in the world. There are several other museums that you would also want to visit. For those interested in architecture Santa Fe has some of the most wonderful old churches, many dating back several hundred years. The Santa Fe Opera was established in 1959 and is considered the 2nd finest Opera company in the country, second only to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Check them out at www.santafeopera.org.

There are dozens of restaurants all around Santa Fe, from the finest 5 Star restaurants to little hole in the wall places that you will find interesting. We have been to Santa Fe over 20 times and have never had a bad meal yet. Gay bars seem to come and go in Santa Fe however you will feel welcome in ANY bar that you go. Santa Fe is for EVERYONE !

There are numerous day trips that one can take from Santa Fe including driving up the high road to Taos thru the very small Indian villages and then visit Taos itself. The Bandelier National Monument close to Los Alamos is a scenic beauty and just 15 miles to the south is El Rancho de Las Golondrinas which is a 200 acre ranch dating back to 18th Century. Check out santafe.org before going. And for the most memorable time visiting Santa Fe, be sure and stay at the Inn of the Turquoise Bear Bed and Breakfast.

Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone !

TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-Winning, Celebrity Travel Columnists. Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at [email protected] or visit their website at: gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com.

Hitting The Road – Biking Vacations For The LGBT Community

by Sally Calder

It’s been a long time since motorcycling was the exclusive preserve of the aggressively heterosexual white American male. While it still retains much of its cultural masculinity, biking no longer comes with the connotations of exclusivity and aggressive bigotry with which it was once afflicted. Plenty of people within the LGBT community have taken up motorcycling. For some, it – along with things like following sports and so on – is a way to engage with and assert their masculine side, challenging the societal view that gay men in particular must be effeminate. The homo-masculine and ‘leathermen’ cultures have contributed greatly to the way in which the world views gay people, and have helped them to be seen as human beings rather than a set of stereotypes. They have also helped to open up the world of motorcycling for all enthusiasts who like the freedom and exhilaration of a bike! If you’re so inclined, spending a vacation motorcycling around the world can be a truly incredible experience. Here’s a guide to some of the best biking vacations to be had:

Going It Alone

Obviously you don’t have to join any LGBT-specific tour to enjoy a motorcycle vacation. You could just hit the road of your own volition, on your own or with friends. The great freedom of biking is of course, one of its major enticements! However, you would be advised to do some research before you head off into the wide blue yonder. Make sure that your bike is prepped and generally ready for whatever the road has to throw at it – but also check out the reputation of the places you’re thinking of heading to. There has unfortunately been a rise in homophobic hate crimes in the USA, and some areas may be best steered clear of unless you feel like acting straight for the duration of your stay. This is sadly a particularly relevant piece of advice for those travelling by motorbike, as even in this day and age some people still see a biker as a challenge by which they can ‘prove’ their ‘masculinity’ – and a gay biker may well be viewed as an affront to that very same masculinity. Pitiful, but (alas) true. On the plus side, plenty of people are a lot more enlightened, and will be perfectly happy to treat you like any other vacationer. Just be sure to do your research and make sure you’re heading somewhere with a warm welcome!

Get Some Local Advice

There are lots and lots of LGBT biker groups all over the world. Wherever you’re going you’re bound to find a group of LGBT bikers with plenty of valuable local knowledge! If you want to get the lowdown on the area, find out the best biking routes, or even join like-minded people for a ride, making contact with one of these groups is a great way to go about it. Some even offer dedicated tours which could make for a great vacation! You’ll also find that there are plenty of organizations which offer guided biking tours and vacations, particularly within the United States. Again, do your research before signing up for any of these – you don’t want to be saddled with a homophobic guide for the duration of your vacation!

See The World

It is easy to combine a biking vacation with some sightseeing. If you’re planning on travelling to Europe, you’re likely to be pleasantly surprised by how LGBT-friendly Europeans are. In many ways, the USA still lags behind enormously when it comes to LGBT rights, and Europe – particularly Western Europe (the less said about Russia the better…) – is forging ahead. Europe is a fantastic venue for biking – amazing history, beautiful and varied scenery, a wide and fascinating mix of cultures, and some of the best roads on the planet! If you’re planning on travelling abroad with your motorcycle, again, do your research before heading off – paying particular attention to the highway laws, which are different all over the world. You don’t want to head off to Britain, Ireland, Australia, India, or New Zealand, for example, only to be completely flummoxed by these countries’ system of driving on the left!

It is hard to believe there is this very special and unique village in the Midwest where people go to on weekends to get away from their day-to-day lives and HAVE FUN! Actually people go there all week long! It has been called the “Switzerland of America”, “Key West of the Midwest”, “The stopping point between San Francisco and Ptown”. It has also been called dozens of other names and they would all be perfect for this little village with a population of about 2,100 people. There are no Gay bars and you really will not see too many Gay flags. They do not need that as most of the shops, bars and restaurants are owned by Gays and Lesbians. Everybody is there to have a fun time. It was the first city in Arkansas to officially endorse same-sex marriage and the first and only city in the state with a Domestic Partnership Registry. Eureka Springs is also the number one vacation destination in the entire Midwest for Out and Proud LGBT travelers. The antithesis of the redneck stereotype, their micro-Mecca has been a beyond-gay-friendly getaway for decades– long before OUT was in. In Eureka Springs, one Gay Pride weekend will not do. So, Spring, Summer and Fall they also celebrate a trifecta of Diversity Weekends that attract thousands of Gay and Lesbian gaycationers. A microcosm of San Francisco, they boast a disproportionately large Gay population, dozens of Gay-owned and Gay-friendly B&Bs, hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, art galleries, shops, turn-of-the-century Victorian homes and vintage trolleys plying steep and narrow village streets.

As we have been telling our readers for the past 15 years, traveling is all about “PEOPLE” and trust us on this, you will meet all types of people in Eureka Springs and you will come away with a new outlook on life. Life is to be lived to the fullest and most of the residents in Eureka Springs do just that. We are all born and we all die and it is what you do in between that counts. If you have never been to Eureka Springs, we HIGHLY recommend you go! It is a lovely little village that draws all kinds of tourists from coast to coast and even from Europe! 95% of everybody in Eureka Springs marches to their own beat. No two people in the town are the same. They dress different, act different, talk different and that is a great thing. You will not find much in the shops made in China. Most of the shops sell LOCALLY handmade items including jewelry, pottery, yard decorations, art work, etc.

The restaurants and bars are packed with people and everybody has a GREAT time. It is as though the Village People are in town and everybody is having a fabulous time. It is NOT a place to bring children. This is adult-town for adults to kick back and enjoy themselves, AND THEY DO! We met people who go there just about every other month! There are dozens of small B&B’s in this little village of 2,100 residents and most are GAY OWNED !

There are many restaurants in town, and one of our favorites was THE NEW DELHI CAFE. Bill is the owner; and what can we say about him? He is fun, funny, FABULOUS and more! Words cannot describe his personality. He has the cafe plus several outdoor decks on the patio which is always packed with people having FUN! The food and the drinks are wonderful. It is ALWAYS busy there from breakfast through closing, which is late at night. And if you are real lucky you will get ‘Grandma’ to be your server. Her real name is Penny but everyone calls her “Grandma”. She is a real jewel, but then most of his staff is great and different; and different is a good thing. The New Delhi Cafe and Patio Bar is THE place to see and be seen! The largest bar in town, the Eureka Live Underground which is a blast. We are not going to give addresses of the different places in town as they are all within walking distance of each other. Merely drive downtown, park your auto and walk or walk from your B&B. For a FABULOUS Mexican experience, BE SURE and dine at CASA COLINA MEXICAN GRILL AND CANTINA. The ambiance, the service, the food presentation, the perfectly cooked food makes for a perfect dining experience! Owners, Dani and Joe are terrific as well as the staff who were there the day we dined: Steve, Nick and Taylor were superb! This is what dining should be all about, a perfect blend of everything. You can dine inside or out on the patio. We really would rate this as one of the finest Mexican restaurants in the entire Midwest. Other wonderful restaurants are DeVITO’S. It was voted the best Italian Restaurant in the entire State of Arkansas and has been in business over 26 years.

LOCAL FLAVOR CAFE is a MUST DINE AT restaurant in town. You can either dine inside or on their patio overlooking the street. It is a great place to people watch and their food on a scale of one to ten is a solid TEN!

CAFE AMORE is another Italian restaurant that serves wonderful home cooked Italian.

Shopping downtown is a real treat. You will not find shops filled with things made in China. Instead you will find actual handmade and handcrafted creations, many of which are made by the artisans in the area. The shops are filled with artwork, jewelry, garden statues and items related to your outdoors, lots of pottery, etc. Plus a few shops with very unusual clothing. One of our very favorite clothing shops was THE FINE ART OF ROMANCE. It is a large shop filled with Fine Art, luxury intimate attire, books and romantic gifts. It is a FUN shop. The MOUNTAIN ECLECTIC is an historic Gadd Springs home and shop and one of Eureka’s more eclectic shops and a must see for many who find it hard to believe there is a flowing spring inside, garden accessories and hundreds of other items that are very unique and different. They have a fenced side yard that is filled with beautiful flowers and shrubs. The owners Paul Aulgur and Jack Bratt are terrific guys. They are located at 104 North Main Street just a couple of blocks North of downtown. They have plenty of free parking. Do NOT miss this shop!

Other very interesting shops that we visited were EUREKA’S NUT HO– USE full of some of the finest and tastiest nuts you ever had.

FUSION SQUARED, Owners and partners are John Jarrett and John Rinehart. John Jarrett was instrumental in helping round up underwriters for our visit. He’s also acting president of the new Eureka Springs Gay Business Guild. John Rinehart is a fabulous glass artist and jewelry maker.

QUICKSILVER GALLERY is co-owned by Lamont Richie, one of a very few gay elected officials in Arkansas. He’s a Carroll County Quorum Court Judge (in plain English, that’s the equivalent of a “county commissioner”). He wrote the marriage-equality resolution passed by the city council in November 2012– making Eureka Springs the first city in the state to officially endorse marriage equality.

OUT ON MAIN GALLERY is located on a staircase between Spring St. and Main Street directly across from Basin Spring Park. Partners Pat Lujan and Lee Kroll are amazing potters and show the work of other artists in their gallery. Some of the most interesting pottery involved using horse hair accents. For nightly entertainment you have a wide choice of special bars and lounges.

A ‘MUST SEE” show when you are in Eureka Springs is at the Intrigue Theater. “The ILLUSIONIST and THE MEDIUM starring the incredible talents of Illusionist, Sean-Paul and his wife Juliana Fay. Together they amazed and stunned the audience with their unbelievable talents. The entire audience was in AWE of what they did. The Theater is located in an historic old stone church that closed several years ago and that setting only adds to the mystic of the wonderful experience. We have seen Illusionists from coast to coast and Sean and his wife Juliana are the best of the best and truly remarkable. Do not miss this show!

For daytime entertainment there are all types of possibilities of things to do. There are lots of places to fish, hike, or just see the sights and sounds of the village. We loved TURPENTINE CREEK WILDLIFE REFUGE. It is located just 10 minutes East of town and is the largest big cat refuge in the world. It is open to the public 7 days a week. They have all types of wild animals so be sure to take your camera. BLUE SPRING HERITAGE CENTER is located about 10 minutes west of downtown. It is a natural wonder, pouring 38 million gallons of cool, clear water each day into a trout feed lagoon. You walk over the entire area on a very landscaped trail. Take a picnic and enjoy hours there. It is hard to get closer to nature than visiting there.

If you arrive in Eureka Springs by bus, train, walking or anyway other than by auto, be sure and check out ABUNDANT TRANSPORTATION, 479.553.8294. They are a full service Taxi company and have great rates. They are the only Gay Owned & Operated taxi service in the Northwest Arkansas Area. They offer clean late model cars at a great rate! They also offer service to Rogers/Bentonville as well as the many area Airports. Go to Eureka Springs to enjoy life, to enjoy yourself and to enjoy others. Eureka Springs truly is a hidden gem in the Midwest. Eureka Springs is all about being yourself and enjoying everybody there. Their friendliness will really rub off on you and you will return home a better person. Meet new people and TALK to everyone.

For a weekend or a week, find out for yourself how easy it is to be Out In Eureka Springs! They have one of the finest gay organizations in the entire country, so be SURE and check out their website for a complete listing of what is happening and the different entertainment they have in store for you. They also have a listing of merchants who WANT your business. It is too bad that larger cities do not have as great of an organization as they do.

We want to thank Michael Walsh and OUT IN EUREKA for a wonderful..NO. FABULOUS time in their hidden gem. P.S. Did we mention how FRIENDLY of a town this is?

Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!

TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-winning, Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from coast to coast (And now legally married). Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at [email protected] and visit their website at www.gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com

The New Delhi Cafe and Patio Bar
www.newdelhieureka.com

Eureka Live Underground
www.eurekaliveunderground.com

CASA COLINA MEXICAN GRILL AND CATINA
www.pepetacos.com

DeVITO’S
www.eureka-springs-usa.com/devito

LOCAL FLAVOR CAFE
www.localflavorcafe.net

CAFE AMORE
www.cafeamorearkansas.com

THE FINE ART OF ROMANCE
www.fineartofromance.com

FUSION SQUARED
www.eurekafusion.com

QUICKSILVER GALLERY
www.quicksilvergallery.com

OUT ON MAIN GALLERY
www.outonmain.com

Intrigue Theater
www.intriguetheater.com

TURPENTINE CREEK WILDLIFE REFUGE
www.turpentinecreek.org

BLUE SPRING HERITAGE CENTER
www.bluespringheritage.com

Out in Eureka Springs
www.outineureka.com

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