Brit by blood, traveller by spirit, Laura is a creative writer, currently living in Taipei, Taiwan, in a bid to avoid student loans repayment and drizzle. As well as specialising in travel and culture, she also struggles with comic fiction and scripts.
A small city with an outsized reputation for multiculturalism and hedonism, where centuries of heritage fuse with breath-taking natural landscapes and the odd stag do, Dublin is bound to leave an impression. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Visitors have no end of opportunities to enjoy Edinburgh’s amazing pub scene, bustling bistros and specialist delis, as well as a vibrant gay scene centred on a place known as ‘the Pink Triangle’. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Florence is an urban dream best savoured slowly, teeming as it is with the world’s best museums, iconic medieval architecture and sigh-worthy shopping. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
The heady collision point of continents and cultures, Istanbul is where Europe meets the Middle East, bringing diverse people, religions and philosophies together in a frenetic fusion of mysticism and modernity. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Las Vegas’ desert setting, on the doorstep of The Grand Canyon, allows visitors to balance debauchery with an appreciation of its unrivalled natural wonders. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
A cultural melting pot since the turn of the 17th Century, modern-day Madrid is a formidable European capital playing host to rich history, pioneering fashions and social progress. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Málaga is much more than sun, sea and sand – here you’ll find authentic Spanish traditions, remnants from both the Roman and Islamic empires, as well as classic tapas and local wines at beachside chiringuitos. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
The warm, quirky personalities in Osaka will have you spellbound, particularly behind the Kabuki Theatre in Namba and within the niche nightlife offerings of Doyama. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
As the birthplace of some of the world’s greatest literature, music and visual art, and host to world-class opera and ballet productions, Saint Petersburg may be Russia’s second city but it is by no means an underdog. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
A sprawling hub of contrasts, Seoul is where sleek skyscrapers and 5G WIFI rise high over serene palace compounds flanked by ramshackle hanok villages. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
The cosmopolitan capital of Taipei is the best jumping off point; a chaotic yet slow-moving city, modern yet deeply authentic with proximity to awesome hiking trails, natural hot springs and off-track waterfalls. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Recognisable by conical red rooftops that rise up from between medieval builds and verdant splashes of green, Tallinn is a veritable nugget of beauty within the post-Soviet bloc. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Perched on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, within an otherwise conservative Middle Eastern region and at the heart of a tiny yet highly religious nation, is the desert mirage known as Tel Aviv – an unexpected gay haven and the capital city of Israel. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Japan is one of the leaders of gay rights in Asia. Tokyo, as its global representative, offers a thriving LGBT community which locals accept with characteristic humility. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription.
Across over 1,000 islands you’ll find many versions of paradise, with hundreds of exclusive luxury resorts to choose from along the way.
Whether it’s happening city nightlife you’re looking for or something a little more downbeat amidst famed Canadian wilderness, the ‘Great White North’ can provide it all in style.
Sharing a lengthy border with the Adriatic Sea, Croatia is Eastern Europe’s answer to the Mediterranean, with a wide choice of calm island getaways just off its main coast.
Heading south through France will first reveal medieval old towns packed with castles, then Roman cities and then alpine regions, all of it linked by way of lavender fields and vineyards. Then, you’ve reached the azure Mediterranean coast with its yacht-filled marinas.
From the Sahara to the Atlas mountains, the nation unfolds in legendary style, showcasing imperial history in the gateway cities of Casablanca or Marrakech where ornate Riad hotels, once home to Morocco’s wealthiest, now serve you.
The dusky set of an Italic melodrama, Tuscany wows even the most stoic of travellers with its artistic legacy and historic charms on a dramatic landscape of Chianti vineyards and indigo seas.
After landing on urban treasures in Nairobi, take a Jeep ride across the savannah in the company of Kenya’s unrivalled wildlife. From there, go coastal in the nation’s underrated beach towns and outlying islands for a taste of Swahili culture amidst ancient UNESCO-listed settlements.
Discover the wonders of New York State in its entirety, from the Hudson Valley to Long Island, getting your fill of pool-side pampering, riverside dining and rural wine tasting. Here’s our selection of the top 10 day trips from NYC, curated just for you.
A nation of smiling faces ready to host beach bums, jungle trekkers and temple hunters alike, Malaysia comes top on our post-COVID travel list for its sheer diversity of options and relaxed attitude.
Whether you want adventure or a relaxing city break or something in between, our Australia 2 weeks itinerary has something to please everyone.
Mexico always has a world of adventures awaiting, including a diverse combo of blissful beach retreats, archaeological expeditions, jungle trekking and spontaneous lagoon diving, all in reach of the hotspots of Tulum, Cancún and Cozumel.
This idyllic honeymoon vision can become reality at any of the paradise islands within French Polynesia, a cluster of islands known as ‘the Pearl of the Pacific’ watched over by the lofty peak of Mount Otemanu on Bora Bora and grounded by the capital city of Pape’ete in Tahiti.
Whether you want to whale-watch in the shallows around the San Juan islands or hike rainforests within Olympic National Park, Seattle weekend getaways will surely exceed your expectations.
For when whizzing around those dusty savannahs in search of zebras and/or top quality wine gets a little too much, Africa’s beaches await with serene sands to lie upon and azure waters to dunk into.
A land of epic proportions, dominated by vast icy vistas torn apart by jutting mountains and ferocious waterfalls, Alaska is a US state like no other. Our Alaska road trip itinerary spans ten days covering some of the region’s most coveted sights.
A great American getaway in pieces, we journey from the urban hubs towards maritime outposts on the eastern shores. Discover the best weekend getaways from DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia, with Mr Hudson’s curated guide…
The gayest continent on earth with a wildly liberal streak through its western and northern nations, Europe is always a good call. Prepare yourself for a memorable ride with the 10 best gay European cities.
A mythical nation telling of ancient Dacian sorcerers and blood-sucking princes brooding from Gothic castle turrets, Romania is one fairy-tale vacation not to be missed. Its famed Danube River winds along the nation’s southern border before forking into the north, slaking national parks and medieval towns on its path to the Black Sea.
Discover the best coffee in the world with our rundown of the best coffee countries from South America to Asia, with a brief sip stop in the Caribbean.
Besides the fast-tempo financial centre of Shanghai and the cultural heart of Beijing however, China is a nation of rural delights, best discovered by hopping between its 225 national parks, where towering karsts, epic lakes and wild pandas await.
Live out your childhood fantasies with all the grown-up comforts you could need, our treehouse tour of the US covers some of the nation’s most luscious lodgings within the beating heart of the Great American Wilderness.
Europe and its biggest cities are firmly on the international radar, though much more lies beyond the beaten path. Have you seen Portugal’s dolphins or the secret nation of San Merino hidden in Italy? Have you gone east to taste Slavic cuisine and Ottoman influence?
A true diamond in the rough, the nation presents edgy modernity and well-preserved cultural history. The country’s major cities are where you’ll find sumptuous colonial plazas just moments from bustling commercial districts flanked by futuristic skyscrapers.
What’s better than an afternoon spent on America’s sunniest shores, cooling off with a skinny dip in well-oiled gay company? Not much, we say.
Learn about the queer activism that helped forge LGBTQ+ rights across the nation and the grit and solidarity of the wider local community.
We hold a lot of love for the Waldorfs and the Four Seasons of the world, but it’s the weird and wonderful lodgings we’ve stayed at that wind their way into our most perfect memories.
We level up our lenses, layer on the khaki and settle in for a bumpy ride as we travel across the savannah in search of the best African photo safari tours.
The stuff of desert island dreams, the Caribbean is where you go to forget all your worldly worries. Served by reggae beats and bottomless rum cocktails in the Antilles with added carnival vibes found on the Venezuelan coast, a visit to the Caribbean is never twice the same.
Through a haze of shisha smoke and somewhat stifling sexual stigma, the Arab world unveils an unexpected realm of possibilities for intrepid gay travellers.
A rambling nation where frenetic city breaks and blissful island getaways merge in perfect harmony, Thailand is the fever dream you won’t want to wake up from. Here’s our rundown of the best destinations in Thailand for gay travellers.
While the Californian coast and the Big Sur towards the north hold their own vacation-making intrigue, quick getaways from Los Angeles can put you in touch with the tranquil ski regions of Big Bear, the Hispanic influenced county of Ventura and the exotic poolside retreat of Palm Springs.
Though the size of wild Europe is in decline, contemporary attitudes towards animal welfare are helping to conserve and protect what is left, with beaver and boar once again thriving in the Danube Delta.
Whatever you’re looking for, Argentina will take you there via the scenic route, surprising you along the way with flavoursome cuisine, immense natural wonders and modern culture mingled with unique European and indigenous heritage.
Around Brazil’s best cities lie large swaths of rainforest that safeguard incredible biodiversity and indigenous life, all awaiting your visit. Discover both metropolis and mangrove within our rundown of gay Brazil and our 10 favourite Brazilian wonders.
Enter these story-book mountain villages where medieval castles sit elevated above fields of white horses and vast forests as far as the eye can see.
An almond-shaped island dropping south of the subcontinent and into the Indian Ocean is the independent nation of Sri Lanka. A dream destination for anyone searching for something different.
To discover Turkey, one must journey to far-flung ancient ports on the Aegean Sea, floating through the fairy-tale world of Cappadocia and beyond.
A paradise lost upon the beautiful southern coast of Sardinia, Italy, Forte Village Resort deserves very much to be found. Named among the world’s leading resorts for 23 consecutive years, Forte Village has a number of five-star selling points.
Combining the fitness expertise of California’s legendary wellness program The Ranch Malibu with the medical services at Palazzo Fiuggi wellness medical spa, The Ranch’s new European offering will lead guests in pursuit of body and mind rejuvenation.
Vibrant and soulful with a storied past, Mexican cuisine mimics the nation in which it was born. And where better to discover the tortilla-wrapped gift of Mexican food than Mexico City, a place 21 million people call home.
Road trip across two vastly distinct nations, stopping at four separate cities that each serve up their own brand of an unforgettable city break. From NYC to Montreal, this itinerary takes us to cross border and cross-culture to enjoy one of North America’s best trips.
While the capital’s surf-ready beaches are no joke, it’s Cairns that holds the most notable of Australia’s natural attractions; the famed Great Barrier Reef. Whatever the pace, your Sydney to Cairns Great Barrier Reef trip is set to be a joy.
Loop around the peninsula to get a full picture of Florida, stopping for a party weekend in Tampa or an island-hopping tour of the Florida Keys, before refining your wine-tasting skills in the Colonial city of Sarasota.
Oft overlooked in favour of the flanking nations of Vietnam and Thailand, Laos benefits from relatively few tourists to maintain a certain rustic magic. Our itinerary starts in the wealthy northern capital of Luang Prabang, pausing at hidden waterfalls, caves and river settlements en route to a series of thousands of tiny islands right on the Mekong.
Melding all the sweaty carnival vibes of Latin America with the no-fuss serenity of the Caribbean, Nicaragua is a true all-rounder, complete with mountainous jungle landscapes, liberal cities and pre-Colombian intrigue.
In Vietnam, craziness is interwoven with natural beauty like nowhere else on earth. Walk blindly into moving traffic and experience the biblical happen, or, embrace a different kind of spirituality while exploring Vietnam’s most rural shrines and temples.
HANSEN Garments embraces Nordic values and aesthetic traditions to design casual collections of the highest quality, combining the easy functionality of workwear with relaxed tailoring.
Take the high-speed train to Busan, stopping off at Joseon Dynasty kingdoms, Hanok villages and grand national parks before resting up along the laidback southern coast for top seafood, spotless beaches and UNESCO-listed volcanic isles.
Picture a table at any authentic Spanish restaurant and you’ll likely see it laid out large with shared centrepieces of seafood paella and smoked meats, accompanied by paprika-infused small plates and the obligatory sangria jug flowing freely off to the side.
Calming yet chaotic, embracing both its spiritual side and its freaky alternative one, Tokyo takes the biscuit as one of the world’s most intriguing capital cities.
Houston is slap-bang between Texas Hill country and the Gulf Coast, making it primed for some legendary day trips towards rolling countryside and coastline, passing by countless towns and cities along the way for real-life rodeos, larger-than-life wineries and craft beer galore.
The lifelong love affair with North America’s natural world starts and ends with water, from the crashing waves of California’s coast to the tranquil pools of the Great Lakes region.
Where better to begin the seasonal festivities than in Europe at a heritage Christmas market, steaming cup of mulled wine in hand.
You can’t go wrong with a city break exploring the religious architecture of Rome or the classy art galleries of Milan but venture outside your comfort zone to see what surprises Italy has in store. From the sizzling beach hangouts of Puglia to the colourful cliff towns of Tuscany, these are our seven favourite places to experience gay Italy.
France is much more than the sum of its capital. Venture south for a richer taste of rural France, where coastal cities bear both exclusive extravagance and sun-worn legacy. Traverse world-famous vineyards and medieval castles before finding tranquillity in Mediterranean waters and white sand dreams.
Let us show you the best Palm springs boutique hotels and resorts, a luscious bunch boasting desert views, clothing-optional spas and Hollywood-esque glamour.
A sun-blanched string of over 7,000 islands clustered near the equator on the Pacific Ocean, the Philippines is an island destination served with a smile. Lose yourself in the feverish chaos of the city and its nightlife before moving to remote islands for more relaxing endeavours.
For a blissful retreat like no other, consider staying at Pädaste Manor on Muhu Island, Estonia’s leading boutique hotel resort and spa.
We’ve compiled a list of the best rooftop restaurants in NYC that offer a brunch menu, for days when a Dunkin’ Donuts’ Americano on the sidewalk just doesn’t cut it.
Saunter your way down the Southern Italy coast for an authentic break flanked by both sea and verdant countryside, stopping at historic wineries and medieval towns en route to vibrant second cities surely worth a second day.
Whether by the beach or deep in downtown, there are a bunch of independent bookstores in Los Angeles, offering Angelinos a multitude of literary choices, from coffee-table centrepieces to broad contemporary fiction.
Kick through rust-covered leaves along seasonal Acadia National Park fall trails or hide away in Ozark National Forest cabins among rustic lake landscapes that’ll have you gagging for some kind of mulled beverage.
As well as all the powdered snow sports you could dream of, gay snow vacations also encompass wilderness adventure, wild parties and plenty of après ski.
There are countless gay-friendly things to do in Los Angeles, across the hip Silver Lake area, the hilly enclaves of Los Feliz, and the urban valley communities.
With the right to be as outlandish as possible granted to all, a visit to San Francisco is sure to be a truly memorable experience: Top gay things to do.
As creatures of habit, wrapped up in our Instagram-fuelled lives, spending days glued to a screen, it’s important to escape and be reminded of the connection between mind, body and soul.
Biodiverse Costa Rica grows green with possibilities, bedded by rainforest reserve and nourished by rushing rivers on journeys towards the Pacific. What’s more is Costa Rica’s harmonious relationship with nature, allowing for eco retreats to compete for the title of most sustainable, all while providing state-of-the-art luxury on a shoestring.
We’ve put together a list of the top 10 LGBTQ museums in the world offering up gay culture and insight into all things queer, wherever you are in the world.
As LGBTQ issues rise in prominence, the world’s art museums are doing more to analyse depictions of LGBTQ identity and homoeroticism in their collections.
To ensure your comfort and convenience while searching for the best red wine in Australia, check-in at one of the nation’s leading winery hotels, to discover Aussie R&R at its very best.
Avoid the stress and the CO2 emissions of a domestic flight and instead opt for rail, allowing several days to leisurely wend your way from packed cities and over epic landscapes before arriving at your endpoint with a new perspective.
South Africa is a top choice for wine tourists keen on sampling the crisp chardonnay of Stellenbosch and the dark-toned shiraz of Paarl first-hand. Today we sip our way slowly through the best white and red wine from South Africa on a hotel-hopping tour of the Cape Winelands, covering Stellenbosch, Constantia, the Western Cape and beyond.
Armed with our recommendations of the best day tours from London – from a leisurely swim at Bath Spa, to fish ‘n’ chips on the queer coast of Brighton Town – England and all its dapper gentlemen are sure to have you chuffed as anything.
Phoenix is a dream base for travellers looking to make dusty inroads towards the Grand Canyon in the north or the Joshua Tree National Park in the west. With our ChapStick in hand and our sun visors up, we head off to explore the best of the Valley of the Sun.
There’s the Smoky Mountains to the North, the Atlantic Ocean to the South and lakes all around, making Atlanta a fine jumping-off point for adventurers and nature lovers alike. If you just want to get away, the Highlands or the shores of Lake Oconee provide luxury relief overlooking mountains and forest.
Whether you want bronzed and beautiful company or a hidden cove all to yourself, South America can provide you with beachside cabanas, cocktails and unbeatable diving sites often thrown in.
Foregoing the well-trodden paths of the southern coast in favour of new routes up north, Spain delights in a whole new way with rolling hills, expansive wineries and a whole host of quaint towns and villages not to mention historic cities.
To best experience the colours, sights, smells and textures of Crete, it’s to the beach we head, from Chania in the west to the Lybian coast in the south.
An untamed Caribbean island where volcanic action and indigenous Kalinago heritage bubbles enticingly from its depths, Dominica is a nation that’ll keep you guessing.
Free from the crowds and the hiked-up prices of some of the more popular attractions, here is our rundown of the best hidden vacation spots in the US, from the remote reservations of Arizona to the glittering glaciers of Alaska.
We’re lifting our eyes to the skies to discover the best places for stargazing across the US, where there’s nothing manmade to ruin our view of Mercury in retrograde.
Introducing nature at its most extreme yet also most alluring is the vibrant archipelago of Indonesia. The country presents a unique topography that climbs hot-headed volcanic peaks before falling sharply off the coast into vibrant aquatic worlds that surround some 17,000 other paradisiacal islands.
This Northern European nation is both in touch with nature and entirely modern, even in the remotest wilderness, where state-of-the-art architecture and eco principles make for some fantastic Iceland resorts.
Instead of hibernating through December, get your vacation cap on and jet off somewhere. Switch hemispheres for a little winter sun, move south to America’s more tropical climes or keep your gloves on and head to Europe’s top cities for new takes on festivities.
Melding Caribbean shores with rainforest landscapes and Latin flavours, Puerto Rico is the tropical hideaway you’ve been searching for. Discover the best Puerto Rico beaches and where to stay…
Barcelona’s year-round sunshine & vibrant spirit lays the perfect foundation for a great rooftop culture, peaking just before sunset each night of the week.
Pastel villages inlaid among fortified hills bordered on all sides by the Mediterranean Sea, Sardinia is certainly one of Italy’s most charming island offerings. Follow us as we uncover the best beaches in Sardinia and the top hotels lining the way.
While Tanzania lures millions through the gates of its world-famous Serengeti National Park, Zanzibar island offers a worthy break from wildlife watching as the perfect addition to your Tanzania vacation.
Beyond the obligatory island-hopping boat trip, visitors to the islands can enjoy spectacular diving and snorkelling adventures at thousands of beaches across the territory.
As captivating as coastal California can be, it isn’t your only option for weekend getaways from San Francisco. Discover the best way to spend a weekend around gay California, including Sonoma wine tastings, Lake Tahoe trails and Yosemite views along the way.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite Indonesia beaches – black, pink and turtle filled – all tropical and dreamy as heck. Read on for our choice of the best Indonesian beaches from bustling Bali to off-track Komodo.
From a vineyard estate in the foothills of the Andes to a temperate island retreat off the coast of Brazil, South America’s best wine hotels are bound to give you the relaxing time you’re looking for, complemented by the very best local wines.
The natural world is always ready to make you go ‘ooh’ at a moment’s notice, with everything from purple sunsets to rainbow-hued lakes, but, in this case, we will discover the most gorgeous pink sand beaches in the world.
Who needs a room in view of the Eiffel when America has its own world-class selection of romantic hotels, backdropped by countryside, crashing ocean and beyond.
A glittering land of opportunity with a mythical Merlion as its mascot, Singapore proudly guards the gateway between East and West, connecting more cultures, peoples and trade routes like no other place on earth.
Snorkel in the Caribbean sea off endless stretches of coastline, moving inland to wonder at Mayan architecture and gorge on spicy corn-wrapped treats in quaint colonial towns. But it is the modernity and liberalism in more developed areas that helps to make Mexico a queer paradise, particularly in its biggest cities and coastal party towns.
If you want it all wrapped up in a neat all-inclusive package without the worries of a daily budget or where to find the closest ATM, then these all-inclusive Mexico resorts are for you.
For flirtatious tanning sessions, sundown volleyball romps and skinny dipping in good company, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better place than a gay beach. Like international waters, the best gay beaches are all about inclusion and socialising in idyllic surrounds.
The US is on board with the wellness trend, offering a combination of new and long-standing retreat resorts focused on re-energising mind, body and spirit in utmost luxury.
Even the shortest East Coast driving trips allow for diverse perspectives on culture, history and climate, starting in balmy New England and moving down south towards the sun-soaked beaches of the Florida Keys.
From the stark salt flats of Uyuni to the lesser-travelled ancient Inca trails of Cordillera Apolobamba, Bolivia unravels an endless stream of colour and intrigue, leaving you reluctant to ever leave.
Road trip your way through forested towns and over mystic mountains laying a few breadcrumbs along the way so as not to get lost in the Grimm fairy tale magic of it all.
Travellers who stay at one of the best New Zealand wine hotels get easy access to the world’s most southerly vineyards among spectacular natural landscapes, filled with hiking, biking and adventure opportunities.
Off-roading in Madagascar will lead you by dusty routes into the unknown, from Afrotropic rainforest to desert in just 300 kilometres, passing limestone karsts, yawning canyons, and tiered hills, all packaged perfectly within 5,000 kilometers of coastline.
Travel through ancient towns that inspired Shakespeare, lake resorts that intrigue Clooney and mountain ranges celebrated by UNESCO, pausing beside any expanse of water to sip espresso or a glass of locally produced red.
Northern Spain is a sight to behold. Explore quaint coastal villages by car, driving through rolling hills scattered with vineyards, lake scenery, hiking trails and more.
A precious drop in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka glimmers as India’s less-visited island neighbour, heaving under the weight of national parks and UNESCO-approved treasures.
Enjoy the creative hubbub and storybook aesthetic of Switzerland’s capital or rise to quaint alpine villages where first-rate ski resorts thrill just moments from azure lakes and lofty waterfalls that’ll hold you spellbound.
Come to rest in the open arms of Key West’s inviting turquoise waters, revel amid eclectic LGBTQ pool parties and join an accepting family of locals who pride themselves on inclusion.
Spain’s third-largest city bordering the Mediterranean sea 350 kilometres south of Barcelona is the city of passion and paella, Valencia.
Something of a sand-buried secret in North Africa is the nation of Tunisia, benefitting from both Mediterranean beaches and Saharan dunes that enclose much in the way of unique national culture.
Holding both troubles and treasures, the formidable nation of Venezuela (at present) favours only the more courageous of travellers. For gay visitors, Venezuela opens its fronded arms with an inclusive culture melded from mixed European and Indian ancestry.
Foregoing unethical tourist traps in favour of more animal-friendly practices, we tour the very best wildlife sanctuaries in India, China, Malaysia and Asia at large to put our travel dollars towards conservation efforts and support the recovery of endemic species.
Across its spectacular national parks, ranges and reserves, North America holds 457 species of mammal, 914 birds, 662 reptiles and 300 amphibians.
Where you choose will determine which animals you encounter, from the penguin colonies of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego to the capybara and jaguars of the Brazilian Pantanal, all edged by shores visited by whale families and their sea turtle brethren.
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