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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.

Because of Chile’s unique blend of historic, natural and cultural attractions, visitors have many options for planning gay trips, including skiing or snowboarding trips to Andes resorts, Vina del Mar family beach vacations, wine tasting tours, pilgrimages to important Catholic sites and churches, exploring the wilds of Patagonia and learning of ancient island cultures, or urban adventures in Chile’s capital, 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.

The fact that Santiago is the most accepting city in Chile for a gay vacation, coupled with its central location for ease of exploring all that Chile offers, this capital city is one of the most popular Chilean locales for gay vacations. Whether you are planning Chilean gay tours for you and your partner, your family, or a group of single friends, working with a travel agency that is accustomed to organizing gay holidays in Chile is your best bet for ensuring a safe, fun trip that you will always remember.

Howie Holben gay travel to Chile advice. He is the dreamer behind Spirit Journeys, a gay egypt firm. Spirit Journeys proposes spiritual gay yoga all over the planet.

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South Africa has had a tumultuous human rights history, but even before reversing course with the elimination of apartheid, penning the worlds first constitution to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and being among the first nations to legalize same-sex marriage, South Africa was popular for gay travel. Since these history-making events, South Africa has become even more popular with both straight and gay travelers. As Africa’s most gay-friendly country, South Africa enjoys a thriving gay culture that spans the country from Gauteng with its exhilarating nightlife to the exquisite beaches of Western Cape and continues to grow as an enticing gay vacation destination.

Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town are must-see stops on gay vacations to South Africa and offer a variety of establishments, events and activities that are gay-centered or gay-friendly. Gay men will find a plethora of establishments that cater exclusively to them from lodging options that include gay-owned exclusively male guest houses, Pretoria’s Camp David, which is a private nude bar exclusively for gay men, and Cape Towns bathhouses, which are generally referred to as steam saunas or steam baths. While South Africa’s gay scene is mostly geared towards men, lesbians and families will also find plenty of activities to enjoy on gay vacations in this historically- and culturally-rich country, including many tour options offered by gay-friendly tour companies committed to providing a great gay vacation for gay travelers.

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.

Working with a travel agency that is accustomed to planning gay tours to South Africa will help ensure that you get the most from your gay travel experience and that you have the information you need regarding where to go, what to see and which areas may have certain safety concerns for gay travelers.

Spirit Journeys’ author Howie Holben, runs a gay travel destinations organization that focuses on spiritual travel. Howie has travelled the world learning from indigenous peoples. You can learn more about Howie, his work and a gay travel guide with a spiritual emphasis at Spirit Journeys website.

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As a communist-led country steeped in old-world traditions that influence even the most modern, advanced cities in the nation, China may not seem like the ideal location for gay vacations; however, travelers will find that there is a vibrant scene in China, including pride celebrations, clubs, bars, neighborhoods and a level of acceptance that is on the rise as the visible, well-organized LGBT community grows. From exceptional food and fashion to beautiful landscapes and rich cultural experiences, China offers a wide variety of options and is an ideal location for gay vacations.

Shanghai and Hong Kong are two cities in China that are popular locations for gay tours. Each has a growing, organized LGBT community, as well as many clubs, bars, saunas, restaurants, LGBT community events and annual pride celebrations, making both of these cosmopolitan cities great vacation destinations for LGBT tourists. There are several beaches around Hong Kong Island that have a large male population, as well as neighborhoods such as Lan Kwai Fong and Soho in Hong Kong and Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. The club scene in Shanghai is centered in the French Concession district and is home to an array of LGBT options from darkly lit lounges to thumping dance clubs.

Another larger metropolitan area offering both an international business hub and exceptional fashion, shopping and dining is the city of Beijing. While Beijing may not have the thriving nightlife expected in Hong Kong or Shanghai, there are several clubs, bars and restaurants throughout the area. Destination is the most popular LGBT nightspot in Beijing and caters to a primarily male audience, but is also frequented by women. There are also a number of eateries within walking distance, including a romantic Spanish tapas restaurant called Mare and Alameda, a trendy fusion bistro.

Travel to China is a unique opportunity. To get the best on your gay vacation trip in China, you might want to going on a professionally organized tour.

This way you can see China with a group that allows you comfort. If you don’t like group travel, using professionals that know China well to plan your gay tours is the only way to go.

Tours to China suggestions penned by Howie Holben. His company, Spirit Journeys, is a gay spiritual retreat enterprise. Spirit Journeys advances spiritual gay tantra workshops all over the planet.

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If you are looking for gay vacations you’ve made a great choice. Bali is a destination that offers numerous cultural, historical and spiritual sites, welcoming locals and plenty to see and do.

Whether opting for solo gay vacations or gay tours, LGBT travelers will find that Bali has much to offer, including wonderful beaches, delicious cuisine, beautiful temples, volcanoes, terraced rice fields, exceptional shopping and even LGBT scenes in some of its major cities. From countryside villages offering handmade crafts, to fashionable boutiques and elegant hotels, Bali is a diverse, intriguing island country that is simply waiting to be explored.

Kuta, Seminyak and Legian each has an array of clubs, spas, restaurants and bars from which to choose, providing a variety of nighttime entertainment opportunities for LGBT travelers looking for a night out on the town. Drag shows are very popular in Bali and there are several clubs that offer shows throughout the week. The most popular of these is Hulu Caf, which is well-known for being Bali’s original drag club and hosts performers six nights each week, often with internationally-known drag performers.

Travelers on gay vacations to Bali may also want to check out some of Bali’s beachfront and garden restaurant and spa establishments, which offer food, drinks, massage and other spa services in a natural setting. Bonita’s and Callego Caf & Spa, located in Seminyak, are the most popular. The Callego Caf & Spa is a very popular community hangout located on Petitenget Beach.

While there are no exclusively LGBT beaches, Petitenegret is frequented by travelers on vacation and is very popular with the community, particularly the area around Callego Caf & Spa. Cruising occurs in the nearby wooded area, and Callego is a very popular hangout. Other popular beaches include Ganesha in Seminyak and Blue Ocean Beach in Kata.

Whether you wish to partake in gay travel to Bali to experience the community there, or for an excursion based on spiritual growth and renewal, you are sure to find just what you are looking for in this beautiful country that has much to offer.

When traveling as part of organized gay tours, you will have the opportunity to meet new people, take in significant cultural and historical sites and focus on enjoying your vacation, while avoiding having to manage the more mundane logistics of planning your trip. Allowing travel professionals who are well-versed in arranging a gay vacation to handle the trip planning for you allows you to simply relax and enjoy your journey, while making lifelong memories and new friends.

Howie Holben wrote this article. He operates Spirit Journeys, a spiritually based gay travel company. Spirit Journeys has offered gay travel to Bali and gay tours in Bali beginning in 1992.

Greece offers a wide variety of options for a memorable gay vacation. Naturally, gay tours to Greece is usually full of spectacular sunrises, romantic strolls along pristine beaches, exploring ancient architecture and traveling by boat between some of the many Greek islands. Whether your vacation plans include a fun-filled family holiday exploring museums, learning how to make olive oil and traveling to see historic landmarks, a romantic beachside retreat with your partner, or a week of partying and taking in the lively Athens nightlife with friends, Greece is sure to deliver and provides a perfect setting for gay travel.

Athens has several gay bars and clubs, as well as coffee shops and cafes that are gay-owned or gay-friendly. And, of course, there are saunas for gay men interested in the bathhouse scene during their gay vacation to Greece. Athens Relax is right across the street from a gay club and is a large sauna with mixed-age clientele, while Hera is a smaller sauna with more mature patrons. Limanakia beach, just south of Athens is a popular beach area for gay men that offers a rocky shore, underwater rock formations and swimming.

No gay vacations to Greece would be complete without visiting Mykonos, one of the Greek Islands where folks on a gay vacation tour will find a warm, welcoming environment. Mykonos offers breathtaking scenery, exceptional beaches, a pulsating nightlife, a cosmopolitan atmosphere and friendly locals, making this a must-see spot for any Greek gay vacation. There are plenty of gay-friendly accommodations on Mykonos, including a gay-owned lodging that caters solely to gay travelers and is adults only. Another popular Greek island for gay travel is the Island of Crete. While you will not find a highly visible gay scene on Crete, you will find a few gay bars and establishments, gay beaches, a gay-owned bed and breakfast and a welcoming environment, making Crete a great choice for a gay vacation in Greece.

Lesbian tourists visiting Greece must, of course, venture to the Island of Lesvos where they can explore Eressos, the birthplace of Sappho, take romantic walks on breathtaking beaches, indulge in luxury spa treatments, relax over an ouzo in one of many cafes and partake in a lively women-focused nightlife. This beautiful island is constantly awash with lesbian travelers and is an ideal spot for a gay vacation.

As a country, Greece is rather traditional and religious; however, Greece is a hotspot for gay vacations and travelers will find a warm, welcoming atmosphere in most parts of the country. Visiting Greece as part of an organized gay travel group is a wonderful way to take in all that Greece has to offer and to experience gay life in Greece while on your gay vacation. If traveling separate from a group, it is good idea to enlist the assistance of a travel agency that is well-versed in arranging gay vacations to Greece to help you organize a gay vacation you will never forget.

Pointers about Greece conceived by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys has gay tantra retreats that blend well as romantic gay getaways.

While there are more and more hotels and travel destinations that make it easy to plan and enjoy gay travel packages, the services of an agency can make planning easier. There are a number of groups and agencies that bring likeminded people together in order to provide travel with the best experience possible.

There are a wide variety of gay travel plans to choose from. A person can choose trips that are designed to fulfill areas of interest such as scuba diving, bird watching, whale watching, skiing, sailing and more. The types of trips available are as varied as a person’s interests are. You can try a gay tantra workshop or maybe a gay couples retreat.

Many people that are planning gay travel enjoy taking trips with likeminded people. There are a huge number of destination journeys available that can allow you to explore many unique destinations throughout the world. Tours are available that can allow you to view a beautiful sunset at Lovina Beach on the north shore of Bali.

Perhaps a longer journey would be in order. One of the top gay vacation destinations is the popular Grand Canyon white water rafting trip. This trip is very spiritual and relaxing and also offers the more adventurous travelers many opportunities for hiking and swimming. The trip is guided by canyon experts and all meals and camping gear is provided. Most people that have enjoyed this trip describe this as one of the most spiritual experiences they have ever had.

Planning gay travel does not need to be difficult. A person can plan a trip that meets all of their needs but if they use the skills of experts they will likely experience a journey that will not only meet expectations but will likely exceed them as well. These agencies and organizations have years of experience in travel planning and have access to tools that the everyday travel planner does not even know about. In addition, the rates for a trip that is taken as part of an organized group will likely cost much less than one planned by an individual. The agencies are able to take advantage of discounts that are given for large groups.

While it would be possible to plan a wonderful vacation on your own it may be a good idea to consider booking gay tours with a company that specializes in gay travel. You can enjoy the luxury of visiting poplar vacation destinations or a spiritual retreat while making lifelong friends of likeminded individuals.

The mystery of the natural world and ancient civilizations can also be a focus of gay adventure travel. Often called pilgrimages, this type of travel includes visiting the local people and learning their traditions and philosophies. There is also ample time for typical travel activities like sightseeing, shopping and just relaxing.

People have traveled to power places for thousands of years. They are drawn to these places because of the healing power associated with the location. These places will always be respected for their ability to teach us about ourselves.

Tips turned out by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys makes available fantastic gay retreats and others kinds of out travel.

There is the perception that gay spirituality travel is not fun. When we take a vacation we want to have fun and relax. A vacation is supposed to be a time away from the responsibilities of life. We think of spiritual travel as something we should do because it is good for us. With this idea as a back drop, of course we will think that this kind of travel is not fun. When we vacation, we wish to leave behind this kind of responsibility. What would happen if we didn’t think like this?

My personal experience has shown me that the “work” done during spiritual gay travel is not “work” at all; it is a joy. You meet and connect with people at a level simply not possible on a typical vacation. The connections you make with others on such an event adds immensely to the enjoyment of your time away. To be able to sit and have a real conversation with someone; for you to be listened to with genuine interest; for you to listen to others with your heart; the importance of these things cannot be measured and bring a deep sense of fulfillment.

Also, we have learned being “spiritual” requires acting seriously or even solemn. We seem to think that laughter is the antithesis of being spiritual. This couldn’t be further from the truth. We connect more deeply to spirit when we laugh. After all, it is said that laughter is the best medicine.

When we connect spiritually with others and the world, our vacation is greatly enhanced. Conscious awareness of our surroundings makes a gay vacation more exciting and we can get more out of our travel experience. We become very aware of everything we experience while travelling and as such, we are more fulfilled.

Children are a great example. The world is their playground and everything is a wonder. Joy is found in everything for a child because it is all new and everything is to be played with. To see as though you were a child is a great gift.

Finally, there is the experience of being awestruck. While spiritual traveling, we may be deeply touched by something; a sunrise or perhaps a smile. Although an intense experience, being awestruck is not a solemn experience. It just holds a deep meaning for the individual.

Ideas by Howie Holben for gay retreats. Spirit Journeys will also assist with gay single travel ideas.

The country of Bhutan is a remote Himalayan kingdom nestled between Tibet and India, where travelers will find a way of life that is largely untouched by Western culture and modern mindsets. Every aspect of the Bhutanese culture is steeped in tradition and is based on age-old Buddhist practices and beliefs. In an effort to allow the inclusion of modern technology, conveniences and ideas, while retaining the pristine natural beauty and cultural heritage of Bhutan, growth and tourism is carefully monitored by the government, which allows only a limited number of tourists and tour groups to visit each year.

Although Bhutan is a conservative, traditional country in most ways, folks on gay tours are welcomed by the warm Bhutanese people and the tariffs paid by visitors on both straight and gay vacations are used to improve life in Bhutan through education, public services and economic growth and stability. Because tourism is limited, travelers who have the opportunity to explore this mystical Buddhist kingdom should take advantage of the chance to experience the rich Bhutanese culture to its fullest.

Bhutan has no LGBT scene to speak of; therefore, a gay vacation planned to this magnificent mountain kingdom would certainly not be planned with the intent of experiencing a distinct LGBT community or visiting LGBT establishments. Of course, this is not to say that same-gender behaviors and relationships do not occur. These activities are actually common and accepted and there is a significant amount of bisexual sexual behavior practiced among Bhutanese men.

There is a noted level of bisexual behavior among men, most of who are either married to women or monastic monks, and this is not considered taboo. There is technically a very old law on the books in Bhutan that states that homosexual activity is punishable by imprisonment with the possibility of a life sentence; however, most residents are not even aware of this law and there are no records of it ever being enforced.

Gay vacations to Bhutan allows an opportunity to experience a culture that is largely untouched by the outside world and is the ideal setting for a spiritual journey or renewal. From hiking to visiting monasteries and exploring ancient villages, Bhutan gay vacations are unlike anything you will experience anywhere else in the world.

To fully enjoy all that Bhutan offers, it is recommended that you plan your gay vacations to Bhutan very well. This will help to ensure that you are given the opportunity to discover the beauty and spirituality of this magnificent country, while respecting Bhutan’s natural and cultural richness.

Spread about Bhutan composed by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys produces gay getaways for gay travel groups and singles.

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