TRANSPORTATION
BEST AIRPORT
 Schiphol, Amsterdam
This gleaming gateway to The Netherlands puts U.S. airports to shame, starting with its impressive art collection. Modern pieces can be found throughout the airport’s public areas while masterpieces from the Dutch golden age are housed here in a branch of Amsterdam’s National Museum. More jet lag relief can be found in giant overstuffed chairs, a meditation room, and even a casino.
https://www.schiphol.nl
 Newark, N.J.
When it’s time to escape New York City, no airport is better suited to get you in and out without giving you a migraine. Just take a 20-minute train ride from Penn Station and fly away.
https://www.newarkairport.com
 Heathrow, London
Despite a strike in August that resulted in the cancellation of 700 flights, the world’s busiest international airport continues to serve over 180 destinations in 90 countries.
https://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk
BEST AIRLINE
American
The gold standard U.S. carrier for hospitality and service, American Airlines was the first in the industry to implement domestic-partner benefits for its employees (though United was the first to announce its decision to do so).
https://www.aa.com
United
The first major U.S. airline to target the gay market with advertising (in June 1997), United is the nation’s second-largest carrier even after suffering huge post-9/11 losses.
https://www.united.com
JetBlue
There are so many things to love about this discount airline, we’ll just name a few: leather seats, more legroom, live satellite television, and those addictive blue potato chips. Oh…and consistently cheap coast-to-coast prices.
https://www.jetblue.com
BEST RENTAL CAR AGENCY
Avis
For no additional fee, Avis includes a domestic partner as second driver as long as both partners have the same address.
https://www.avis.com
Hertz
Second driver added as long as both partners are AAA members.
https://www.hertz.com
Enterprise
Following Avis’s lead, Enterprise has a policy to include domestic partners as second drivers if they show the same address.
https://www.enterprise.com
TOUR OPERATORS
BEST ALL-GAY TOUR OPERATORS
Atlantis
In terms of sheer numbers, no one beats Atlantis. Over 15,000 gay and lesbian travelers hook up with Atlantis annually, and although mostly known for its cruises, Atlantis also offers all-inclusive all-gay resort weeks in Puerto Vallarta and Cancún where parties, sports, room, meals, and drinks are all had for one reasonable package price. It also runs smaller customized tours, such as Kenyan safaris. Call 800-628-5268.
https://www.atlantisevents.com
RSVP
Another gay tour operator famous for its cruises, RSVP also serves up relaxing resort weeks in places like French Polynesia and land-based small-group tours in Ireland, Peru, and Thailand. Call 800-328-7787.
https://www.rsvp.net
Venture Out
Eight years old, Venture Out refers to itself as the “smooth operator,” emphasizing casual cultural and easy adventure tours in France, Italy, Alaska, New Zealand, Bali, and Peru. For independent travelers there are escorted day trips and overnight excursions in the San Francisco Bay area and other parts of Northern California. Call 888-431-6789.
https://www.venture-out.com
BEST LESBIAN TOUR OPERATOR
Olivia
Offering much more than just great lesbian cruises, Olivia also provides fun resort vacations for landlubbers in the Caribbean and Mexico, and in 2006, a dude ranch kids-and-family trip in Montana as well as its first-ever African safari. Call 800-631-6277.
https://www.olivia.com
BEST MAINSTREAM TOUR OPERATOR
Liberty Travel
This mainstream travel agency offers great deals around the world, from tropical resort packages to ski weeks, as well as a smorgasbord of “Rainbow Product”—mainstream hotels that offer gay-friendly packages. Call 888-271-1584.
https://www.libertytravel.com
BEST ADVENTURE TOUR OPERATOR
Alyson Adventures
Now celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Alyson in 2002 merged with the pioneering Hanns Ebensten Travel (founded in 1973). Alyson specializes in European bicycling tours, but it offers the whole gay adventure world, including rafting down the Grand Canyon, hiking the Swiss Alps, snorkeling in Australia, and Antarctic cruises. In 2006 it’s offering new trips that include camel rides in Morocco and hiking glaciers in Alaska. Half the trips are happily mixed men and women. Call 800-825-9766.
https://www.alysonadventures.com
BEST LUXURY TOUR OPERATOR & BEST SAFARI OUTFITTER
Abercrombie & Kent
Winner in both our luxury and safari tour categories, Abercrombie & Kent (not to be confused with Abercrombie & Fitch!) is a la-di-da luxury outfit offering not only upscale tours of the world but private jets, customized escorted tours, five-star ships and trains, and the most exclusive safaris in eastern and southern Africa. Call 800-554-7016.
https://www.abercrombiekent.com
BEST NIGHTCLUBS AND RESTAURANTS
BEST GAY BAR/NIGHTCLUB IN THE WORLD
Heaven, London
Though its celestial sea of gay patrons has been diluted in recent years by slumming straight tourists (much like Paris’s Queen), this three-story labyrinth of dance floors, bars, secret alcoves, and soaring catwalks is still London’s club crown jewel. Call 011-44-20-7930-2020.
https://www.heaven-london.com
BEST GAY BAR/NIGHTCLUB IN THE U.S.
Sidetrack, Chicago & Roxy, New York City (tie)
Either invite 1,200 of your closest friends over for a night of trash TV or meet them all at Sidetrack, Chicago’s sleek, supersize video bar (with 37 television screens). Call 773-477-9189. And for years Roxy has remained Gotham’s hottest spot for shirtless dancing studs. Call 212-645-5157.
https://www.sidetrackchicago.com
https://www.roxynyc.com
BEST LESBIAN BAR/NIGHTCLUB IN THE WORLD
Wild Rose, Seattle & Sue Ellen’s, Dallas (tie)
Women-owned since 1984, Wild Rose is the only lesbian bar in Seattle’s gay Capitol Hill neighborhood. Call 206-324-9210. In Dallas, Sue Ellen’s outdoor patio is the prime place to strut your stuff, big Texan hair or not. Call 214-559-0707.
BEST GAY RESTAURANT CHAIN
Hamburger Mary’s
Billing itself as a “family establishment for a new kind of family,” the original Hamburger Mary’s opened in San Francisco in 1972. Now the low-fat burger chain boasts 14 franchises nationwide. Keep those bottomless mimosas coming!
https://www.hamburgermarys.net
BEST RESTAURANT FOR GREAT-LOOKING WAITSTAFF & CLIENTELE
Food Bar, New York City
The physical ideal of the flawless “Chelsea Boy” reaches its apotheosis at this 15-year-old gay eatery. We promise the eye candy won’t spoil your brunch—so go ahead and gawk while you gobble. Call 212-243-2020. |
