Gypsy Camp Blog

Although a small country, Ecuador boasts a wide array of geographic and cultural diversity, including a variety of indigenous groups with distinctive cultures and languages. From snow-capped volcanoes and rainforests to tropical shorelines, Ecuador has varying landscapes and climates, making it wonderful for gay tours or exciting adventures a great idea any time of the year.

While the Galapagos Islands are perhaps the most frequently visited attraction in Ecuador, the mainland is also filled with numerous activities and sightseeing opportunities that ensure gay tours to Ecuador will be exciting, fulfilling and memorable. Whether you seek an outdoor adventure, a spiritual journey or gay travel that consists of exploring the LGBT community in Quito, trekking through the rainforest and spending lazy afternoons on the beach, you will surely see why so many travelers return to this popular tourist destination year after year.

Travelers will find that Quito is largely the center of LGBT life and has the most visible community. This is particularly true in the La Mariscal neighborhood, which is the location of the Quito Pride celebration each year in June, as well as the district where LGBT-friendly clubs, bars, cafs and other establishments can be found. This bohemian neighborhood is a popular afternoon hangout and is the place to go for a night on the town on Fridays and Saturdays.

Aside from La Mariscal, this city that sits at 9,200 feet above sea level, yet still lower than the nearby Pichincha volcano that rises to 13,000 feet, has much to offer, including streets lined with cafs, art galleries and shops, and a historic district that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Local attractions include the Capilla del Hombre Guayasamin, the Museo de la Ciudad, the Centro de Arte Contemporaneo and the many stalls of handicrafts in the Parque el Ejido.

Since the late 1990s, legal rights have expanded in Ecuador with protections that make gay vacations to this beautiful country safer and more enjoyable. However, discretion in public is still a good idea in many places, particularly due to the high level of machismo the still permeates the culture. Those who are considering gay vacations to Ecuador may want to take advantage of pre-arranged gay tours, which allow for a higher level of security and a focus on fun, while travel professionals manage logistical aspects of the voyage and ensure that you will not miss out on some of the most appealing cultural, historic and natural attractions that Ecuador has to offer.

This will allow you to focus on enjoying your Ecuador trip, while professionals manage the logistics of the journey and make sure you do not miss out on the most enticing natural, cultural and historic attractions.

Thoughts about Ecuador written by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys list of gay guides is amazing. Their gay travel in 2010 is well rounded.

Ireland has been good for gay vacations at least since the time of Oscar Wilde, although in those days it was not necessarily a friendly country for the LGBT community. Like Wilde, many people were jailed or sent away for hard labor for what was legally termed “indecency” and, until 1861, acts of sodomy were even punishable by death, but Ireland has come a long way since these dark days, decriminalizing same-sex sexual behavior in 1993 and legalizing civil unions in 2009.

While this does not mean that this largely Catholic country is ready to embrace same-sex relationships in every village – or even every city – Ireland is now far more welcoming and can safely be considered a great place for gay travel. Several larger cities, including Dublin, Galway, Cork and Waterford, have visible, active communities, community celebrations, numerous establishments catering or welcoming to the community and plenty of attractions to fill an entire vacation; however, whether travelers choose to participate in solo travel or gay tours, one should not miss the Irish countryside and quaint, traditional villages that dot the verdant landscape or sit atop breathtaking coastal cliffs during their vacation to Ireland as well.

Although many cities in Ireland now have community hangouts, organizations, annual community celebrations and an active LGBT community, Dublin reigns supreme as the center of Ireland’s LGBT scene, making it a must-do for anyone planning gay travel here. Dublin’s nightlife is a blend of both casual pubs and high-class clubs – some even with dress codes – which offers folks on gay vacations the opportunity to experience vastly different aspects of the local community. Dublin is also well known for a variety of community festivals held throughout the year, which include the Dublin Gay Theatre Festival in May, Dublin International LGBTQ Pride in June, and the Dublin Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in July.

Other happenings throughout the year are listed in Ireland’s most popular community magazine, GCN, so those who want to experience the scene during Dublin gay vacations will want to grab a copy when they get to town. Aside from community activities, there are many attractions you will likely want to visit while in Dublin, including the Oscar Wilde House Museum, the Hugh Lane Gallery, the Old Jameson Distillery, the Guinness Storehouse, the Book of Kells and The George, which is Dublin’s most famous LGBT bar.

Those planning gay travel tours may want to consider participating in a group gay tour. This is a great way to make sure you are able to enjoy many of the most intriguing natural, cultural and historical attractions this romantic country has to offer.

Info post about Ireland originated by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys suggests gay vacation spots and is a place for gay spiritual singles.

So you want to get the most out of a gay romantic getaways destination and you’re stuck between booking through an agency and going independently. There are benefits to either side of the coin, but deciding your sweet spot might come down to what you want to get from the time away.

A gay romance vacation is often the result of one or two different desires. You either wish to spend some time together or you wish to go to a certain destination. When you want to end up at a specified destination you might not be able to find a structured vacation planned for the area. If it becomes important to get to the vacation spot then you’ll probably end up taking that option. If all you want is some special time together then you have more options.

If you’re inspired by the desire to fulfill a wish, you have to put a lot more research into your destination. There are still countries that mandate the arrest of anyone expressing gay behavior. Unless you’re sure of your destination’s laws you would do yourself a good deed by checking everything thoroughly before booking an independent trip.

What are you hoping to gain from booking this particular vacation? When you think of romance what are you thinking of and what does your partner think of? There can be plenty of romance in fun and adventure just as there is romance in sweet and subdued. Sometimes staying in your hotel room for the entire vacation can be very romantic, provided that it is your choice.

While booking through a structured vacation package gives you access to all kinds of great destinations and fun things to do, the more important point for many is that you suddenly will have all kinds of real freedom. Your hometown might not react well to hand holding but when it comes to gay romantic trips you get to finally let your hair down and stop the self editing. You are allowed to be who you are without the scowls, the threats, the name calling, and all that other junk in their trunk. You’re just you being you.

Naturally when you think of a romantic gay trip you think of a gay cruise. They are becoming tremendously popular. While not your only choice, these are trips that are seriously fun and cool and should be experienced by all of us at least once in our lives. If you haven’t been on one yet, add it to your list of things to do.

You can take a safari or you can end up on a romantic island. You can go off exploring other countries and you can find themed vacation for your and your partner. Sometimes making a gay romantic getaway turns into nothing more than the ability to be romantic. Yet you have to admit the scenery can add quite a bit to the romantic ambiance.

In today’s world it is hard enough to plan a gay romantic travel that gives you the privacy and the freedom you’re going to want. Sometimes you want to actually take the romance outside of the hotel room and into the world. Structured gay vacations give you that very simple but extremely valuable option.

Pointers conceived by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys has gay guides and gay romance travel.