Since being named a runner-up in National Geographic Traveller (UK)'s travel writing competition in 2013 Ian has contributed to two Bradt travel anthologies, and a range of major websites, newspapers, and magazines including Adventure Travel. He has discussed his life in adventure to a wide range of enthusiastic audiences, from schools and travel groups to the Royal Geographical Society's London headquarters.
As New Zealand’s largest metropolis and the world’s largest Polynesian city, Auckland has long been proud of the diversity of its 1.4 million residents. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Budapest, UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts more than 100 museums and galleries, as well as a nightlife scene regarded as one of the continent’s finest, whether you’re straight or gay. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Despite occupying a stunning location on the Gulf of Finland, Helsinki is often overlooked in favour of better-known Baltic capitals such as Stockholm and Tallinn. But short of being the dull capital Helsinki is actually one of Europe’s hottest destinations. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Conservative and orthodox Jerusalem may be, but it’s also vibrant and liberal, with democracy and civil rights as important as the souqs and coffee houses. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Marseille is a port city with a sublime location on the Mediterranean Provencal coast, an abundance of natural wonders, a plethora of new museums, and a history that stretches back to ancient Greece. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Between the glitzy bay-side skyscrapers and the kaleidoscope of neighbourhoods brimming with street art and busy cafes, there are always a huge number of things to do in Melbourne. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Moscow isn’t particularly LGBTQ-friendly but the vast majority of visits remain trouble-free, even for visitors who frequent the city’s less-than-secret gay bar and club scene. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Munich is replete with Lederhosen, oompah bands, and the giant Bierhallen of the annual Oktoberfest celebrations—the world’s largest folk festival—aplenty. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Welcome to Mykonos, where every summer, sculpted bronze bodies contrast with the dazzling whitewashed buildings that house chic café-bars. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Naples has it all – layer upon layer of history, dedicated fashionistas cruising on Vespas through sun-drenched piazzas, simple but sublime cuisine, and, of course, UNESCO certification as the birthplace of pizza. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Beyond its museums and parkland, Oslo is the capital of one of the world’s most liberal nations, this scene is so accepting that gay and straight party together without the need for an explicit gaybourhood. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
One of the oldest cities in the United States – founded in 1682 by William Penn – Philadelphia marries a rich history with a charm usually reserved for small towns. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Prague’s Old Town is a beguiling mix of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture located in one of central Europe’s most liberal nations. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Sydney has come a long way from the mass arrests at the first annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade a generation ago, which has since become a world-famous event attracting hundreds of thousands of participants, To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
While there’s no defined gay quarter, its famed month-long carnival is surely one of the campest events on the planet, and this ancient trading city has a long tradition of ‘live and let live’. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Warsaw displays unexpected joie de vivre best represented by its stunningly beautiful and entirely reconstructed Old Town, the heart of the city’s tourist attractions. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
There’s a reason a vacation in Italy is a bucket list experience. Nowhere else do world-renowned ancient structures sit among stunning landscapes of mountains and seas, the cities ooze romance and interest, and the warm climate provides the perfect excuse for yet another scoop of creamy gelato.
Japan is a nation of contrasts – where thousand-year-old temples stand in the shadow of twenty-first-century towers, and where natural beauty garners deep respect from old and young alike. Sophisticated, authentically traditional, and yet also somehow futuristic, there’s nowhere quite like the land of the rising sun.
The beaches of the Algarve may be well known – and still must-visit places to see in Portugal – but beyond their sands, you’ll also find picturesque villages, scintillating cities, and a rich cultural life that’s also shockingly good value for money.
The 200 inhabited (and 1,700 uninhabited) Indian Ocean islands which comprise the Maldives are well-known tropical paradises, where pristine beaches sweep into warm, shallow seas teeming with reef life.
Greece has a lot going for it: spectacular ruins, warm sunny skies, beach-clad islands speckled in turquoise shallows, and elaborate meze platters served in small tavernas smelling of ouzo and retsina.
The evocative street life and grand architecture of Morocco’s imperial cities are magnificent destinations, but nothing can quite compete with the natural spectacle of towering sand dunes sweeping across the Sahara.
Boasting dramatic scenery, incredible gastronomy, and an incredible history, Provence is a jewel in Europe’s crown, as our carefully curated Provence itinerary 5 days will soon testify.
Beguiling, evocative Spain. Where tables spill out onto ageless village squares from tiny bodegas, snow-capped mountains soar in echo of the grandest works of architecture, and the city streets positively fizz with energy. Rugged yet charming – just like its men – a tour of Spain will have all your senses set to maximum in no time!
The smiling heart of South East Asia, Thailand is a fantastic destination whether you’re a hardened traveller or nervous first-timer. The warm air wraps around you like a hug, while a diverse array of attractions are easily accessible even during a 10 day trip.
Offering top-notch accommodation in some of the world’s most impressive natural locations, you no longer have to forego luxury to do your bit and opt for more sustainable travel options.
A hipster-led renaissance is in full swing along Brooklyn’s rows of historic brownstones, creating a new epicentre for the LGBT+ communities of Williamsburg and beyond.
Invented in 1840 by Anna, Duchess of Bedford, who would get hungry between lunch and supper, afternoon tea is a ritual as British as the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace or rain delays at the Wimbledon tennis championships.
Gay hotspots tend to thrive in the biggest cities of Vietnam where the country’s rich broths and crunchy local vegetable dishes are at their most accessible.
Home to former republican president George W Bush, who was a less than ardent supporter of LGBT+ rights, and located on the edge of America’s Bible Belt, the Texas city of Dallas might not be the first place you think of when it comes to gay bars.
Being generally amicable and laid back come-as-you-are affairs, there’s really very little reason not to check out gay Denver while visiting the Mile High City.
Most of the top gay bars in Mexico City are located in the historic heart of the city or neighbouring Zona Rosa area, meaning bar hopping isn’t the trauma of taxis and metro systems it can be in other big cities.
A historic city, and site of the famed Battle of the Alamo, San Antonio has a thriving gay scene, centred on Main Avenue, known to pretty much everyone as The Strip.
The last decade has seen a huge shift in public opinion to the support of same-sex couples despite ‘The Lou’ sitting within America’s conservative-minded Bible Belt.
Gay Pride is a worldwide phenomenon that sees towns and cities large and small participate in the annual festivities. Here’s Mr Hudson’s selection of the best parades in the world!
Eccentric, multicultural, uninhibited, and oozing southern charm, Florida is also one of the easiest places in the US to flop down beside a resort swimming pool, soak up the sun’s rays, and enjoy the good life.
Puerto Rico is a Caribbean world in miniature. An intriguing Spanish-American colonial heritage meets sparkling seas, secluded beaches, and a forested interior rich in wildlife.
Gay couples are finally able to reap the benefits of marriage equality, including the chance to enjoy a true honeymoon for the first time in history.
Within a hair’s breadth of the iconic Stonewall Inn, Manhattan Island’s West Side district of Chelsea is a prime accommodation spot for any visit to the Big Apple.
As Germany’s financial capital, Frankfurt is widely known for its gleaming banking headquarters. The best hotels in Frankfurt are by no means just for business travellers, however.
Just an hour south of LA, Laguna Beach has been an attractive vacation spot for gay men since the 1920s despite its location in conservative Orange County.
The South Carolina city of Myrtle Beach is a thriving subtropical playground centred on a 60-mile stretch of sand known as the Grand Strand. Every year, 14 million visitors flock here for the promise of sun, sea, sand, and a huge number of golf courses.
Sunsets in Santorini are legendary. Vineyards, beaches and the ruins of Akrotiri are within walking distance of some of the island’s most luxurious stays.
Without a doubt London’s trendiest district, Shoreditch has the hotels to match, besides incredible works of graffiti on the historic brown brick warehouses.
Known for being one of London’s most popular entertainment hotspots, the cobblestones of Covent Garden’s elegant Italianate piazza were saved from demolition and are now the place to be, whether you’re in search of an intoxicating atmosphere, a fine drink, or a wonderful night’s sleep.
Markets have been the lifeblood of the British capital for centuries. Having undergone a spectacular renaissance over recent years, they are once again at the centre of London’s shopping scene.
Forget leaving your pampered pooches in kennels or abandoning your vacation plans entirely – your four-legged family can join you to the British capital thanks to a crop of pet-friendly hotels in London.
London’s evolution into a twenty-four-hour metropolis has resulted in a clutch of rooftop bars which sparkle any day of the week, whatever the weather.
Today, the British capital is one of the easiest cities in the world to get a meat-free feast, with a whole crop of cafes and restaurants singing the praises of wholesome, tasty vegetarian fayre.
The sun-kissed hills of California’s Napa Valley are planted with the neat, trained rows of vines belonging to more than 400 different wineries.
Mexico is making a name for itself as a top-notch yoga vacation destination with an incredible variety of yoga retreats to choose between. Here are those so good they’ve caught Mr Hudson’s discerning eye.
Classic cars set the perfect tone for an unforgettable road trip. There’s certainly no better way to travel from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon.
Lush rainforest runs from central mountains to epic clifftops, fine tropical beaches, and attractive rice paddy. In between, you’ll find ancient temples, luxurious high-end stays, and awesome nightlife.
California road trips are a bucket list experience. The trustworthy weather makes it a joy to explore the state’s cities and national parks. Make the most of your trip to California with this drive from San Diego to San Francisco, that includes Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Big Sur and the National Parks.
Glaciers creep down to the island’s shores from among wondrous peaks, while an industrious population set about challenging all the preconceptions that might crop up around this nature-lovers’ paradise.
What could be better than 7 days in Ireland? That’s 7 days to explore the Irish Republic’s stunning natural landscapes, evocative castles, thriving cities and quaint fishing villages.
The country’s long list of attractions means vacations in Peru are sure to become mainstream any time now. Get there first with our 10 day Peru itinerary.
Its open-minded spirit has attracted a sizable number of artists and hipster entrepreneurs, who have transformed the historic art deco buildings of downtown and the River Arts District of converted factories.
While gay Guadalajara can still be described as centring around Calle Prisciliano Sánchez, a new batch of LGBT+ venues are steadily spreading their rainbow wings right across the ‘San Francisco of Mexico’.
The beaches and natural diversity of the Canary’s island aren’t sole attractions for gay visitors. Gran Canaria is tolerant of all ‘alternative lifestyles’.
First spotted by the sailors of Arab dhows, then explored by the Portuguese and claimed in turn for the Netherlands, France, and Britain, Mauritius celebrates multiculturalism.
Norway can seem like a dream. Fjords carve deeply inland to form the country’s spectacular coastline, which stretches far beyond the Arctic Circle to the distant Russian border, meeting mountains, glaciers, and fairy-tale forests along the way.
Just half an hour along the coast from Barcelona, the Mediterranean beaches of Sitges are one of Spain’s most gay-friendly vacation destinations.
A snapshot of this boisterous country might include its famed rice terraces, often described as the Eighth Wonder of the World; the thrust of life in the capital, Manila; sparkling, secluded lagoons; or misty mountains just waiting to be explored.
The Amalfi Coast’s colourful towns, secluded beaches, sheer cliffs, and fine landscapes have been a top gay travel destination for several years.
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