I am a gay Jewish man looking to go to Israel. I would like to meet other gay men there. Do you know how I can find this?
Avrel, via e-mail

MATT SAYS: Tel Aviv is by far the gayest city in the Middle East, with late-night clubs, bars, saunas, and weekly parties; its hopping scene is centered mainly around the Nahlat Benyamin district south of Allenby Street. The modern, busy city has a surprising Miami-like vibe with a sexy beach scene and even surfers! Hilton Beach is the gay area under Independence Park. The rest of Israelcan be a bit religious and orthodox, although Israeli politics on the whole are very liberal by American standards. For gay tours, check out the local tour operators HoliGays (HoliGays.biz) and Pride Tours, (PrideTours.co.il), which has been in the gay travel business since 1975. For American-based gay-tour operators who organize full trips to Israel, try Hermes Tours (HermesTours.com) or Hanns Ebensten Travel (HETravel.com).

Links:
HoliGays
Pride Tours
Hermes Tours
Hanns Ebensten Travel

We are considering eventual retirement, and one of the up-and-coming areas for retirees is Panama. Our concern as a gay couple is what the attitudes are in Panama towards gay folks. Have you heard anything about this? We wouldn't want to eventually buy real estate there only to find out we're not welcome or run into some real hostilities.
Ronald, via e-mail

LOANN SAYS: According to The Panama News, "Tolerance may be the cultural norm, but it's by no means the universal rule. There is still a lot of bias against homosexuals throughout Panamanian society. [A lot] of disparagement comes from the churches, and there is a fair amount in the mass media. There are no laws preventing people from being fired from their jobs if their bosses find out their sexual preferences are for their own gender." However, there are indications that the situation is slowly improving: Panama's annual Gay Pride march began in 2005, and gay nightclubs are becoming more visible in Panama City. For the best insider information, you should contact Queer Expats in Panama (QPP@yahoogroups.com). They are sure to give you valuable advice on attitudes you are likely to encounter if you decide to go ahead with the move."

Got a great travel question for Matt or LoAnn? Send to Letters@OutTraveler.com

Your e-mails

Manuel Munoz's essay, "Wish You Were Here" (Fall issue), is exactly the kind of piece that distinguishes your magazine from all other travel magazines a ruminative, thoughtful, resonant look at the meaning of travel. I was so impressed by Munoz's ability to convey a kind of narrative story about how he travels and how he responds to destinations, while also writing what is really a public love letter to "Angel." As a regular reader of your fine magazine, his essay feels like a personal letter to me.

David Masello
New York City

Love the new issue and improved layout. It's a great read. Even the Islamic countries article was interesting. I still will never go (with the exception of Bali) unless gay rights improve, but I learned a lot about the region.

Frank Ruiz
San Francisco

I wanted to thank you for your piece on what to do and see while visiting Seattle. Factually, it was much more correct than the recent New York Times piece, "36 Hours in Seattle." I do want to mention that because Seattle is in the top three of the nation's most liberal cities (a Republican hasn't held office here in over 60 years) and because of its Scandinavian roots, every neighborhood in the city is gay-friendly, not just the few that were mentioned. There is not a place in Seattle where gay people are not welcomed to live and enjoy their lives. That's why I have chosen to live here for over 20 years. Thanks once again for your article.

Michael Reed
Seattle

What a pleasure it was to read the article about Greenlandand what a contrast it provided with the articles about other featured vacation destinations! I felt an immediate interest in Greenland, but the emphasis on shopping in Londonor Milan, for example, was a complete turnoff. How many tourists, gay or nongay, are looking to buy a Versace-designed sofa while on vacation in Italy? Please instruct all your writers to get real! From my own extensive experience, I know that, for the vast majority of travelers, an overseas vacation offers the chance to see new places, meet new people, and do things which they can't or don't do at home. Expensive shopping is the last item on their list of priorities.

John Welch
Los Angeles

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Your Tips

Rossland is a quaint town in southern British Columbia, 2 1/2 hours north of Spokane, Wash. Home to Red Mountain, it has been recognized as having the best off-piste tree-skiing in North America. The first Rossland Gay Ski Festival is set for March 5 9, 2008 (GaySkiFest.com).

Paula Gaul
Rossland, Canada

Links:
Rossland Gay Ski Festival

Gran Canaria, Spainis a great destination for gays! The Maspalomas dunes are great for nude sunbathing (the IFA Catarina is the closest: IFAHotels.com). The Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort Spa & Casino (LopesanHotels.com) is the nearest to the beach, and it has a nude sunbathing section on the fifth-floor rooftop that's good for the early mornings and late afternoons before you go to the beach or when you come back. This island has the best gay scene of Spain sun, sea, beach, and great nightlife.

Lothar Vandenberghe
Brussels

Links:
The IFA Catarina
The Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort Spa and Casino

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