CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Where We Go After a Gondola Ride
Corte Gherardi Bed & Breakfast
Venice, Italy
If you ask to see a map at most hotels and inns, the concierge will whip out a dumbed-down brochure. Ask for a map at the Corte Gherardi and you'll be pointed toward a detailed 9-by-4-and-a-half-foot 16th century De Barbari map of Venice. "It's amazing to see how little that Venice has changed over the past 500 years," says owner Sosthen Hennekam, who lived in this 13th century palace with his boyfriend for 12 years before converting it into one of Venice's grandest B&Bs. Built in 1260, the roof, wooden beam ceilings, and early Gothic windows are all original. Inside, the vibe is more contemporary, with free wi-fi, modern furnishings, and a Mac Mini computer in the hallway for making Skype calls or downloading your photos onto a CD. Breakfast is served in your room or on the wooden roof terrace that overlooks the famously sinking fairy-tale city. "Giving special attention to our gay and lesbian clientele was only natural," Hennekam says. "Venice hasn't got much gay life going on, and it's about time that changed. We have only three rooms, but there are other gay couples who offer spare bedrooms." He didn't name names. As for gay nightlife, take a 10-minute stroll to St. Mark's Square for Aurora, a cute little bar with a gay night every Wednesday. Of course, true romantics will just keep walking, getting lost in the magical maze that is Venice. 011-41-523-7376
Where We Go for Tea in the Sahara
Adrere Amellal
Siwa, Egypt
Fancy a trip to a far-off land where one can wear robes in public without a second glance from the locals? Head to Egypt, across the Sahara, and into the dreamy oasis of Siwa. It's here that Alexander the Great consulted his oracle and where Cleopatra once bathed in a now-famous spring. Adrere Amellal is built into the side of a majestic white mountain. Run by local Berbers in flowing white robes and turbans, the hotel is actually an eco-lodge, which means no electricity, all organic food, and buildings built out of mud and salt brick. But don't think you'll be roughing it. The quiet and cool Berbers take care of your every need, providing sumptuous meals from their Parisian trained chef and lighting your lanterns every evening. For those who don't mind a bit of sand where the sun don't shine, ask local tribesman Abdallah, the Julie McCoy of Siwa, for a death-defying drive into the desert for sand surfing, tea service, and a sizzling sunset. Guests who prefer a more low-key day can simply bob about in the oasis's saline waters or take a trip into town to see Cleopatra's bath, the Temple of Amun, or stock up on local figs, olives, and those traditional robes (the galabia is similar to a caftan). Buy one and throw Western wear, along with all your cares, to the wind. 011-20-20738-1327. --Cator Sparks
Where We Go For Absolute Privacy
Moog Hotel
Sydney
Set in Sydney's fashionable Surrey Hills, Moog feels more like a lavish split-level apartment than a hotel. This may have something to do with the curious absence of additional guests--there's only one room. This single room is subdivided into multiple mod living spaces, including a well-stocked library with a black pool table. The his-and-his shower cubicles, diamond-resin bath, and private gym are all quite lovely, but the centerpiece is the pool, complete with underwater speakers and a waterfall bathed in chill-out light projections. Since there are no neighbors to upset, you can crank up the party. If you start to get lonely, go next door to Moog's public cocktail bar. --Paul Clements
Where We Go For Hot Concierge Service
Opus Hotel
Vancouver, Canada
As glitteringly beautiful as Vancouver itself, gay-friendly celebrity haunt Opus Hotel offers understated comfort with modern furniture and sophisticated color palettes. Its bustling Yaletown location is mere steps from downtown shopping, the thriving waterfront, and the gay West End. Its "see and be seen" Opus Bar lures the hip and the beautiful in droves. It's so hot that even its bathroom floors are heated. These are ample reasons to book at the Opus, but what we really love about this boutique getaway is Mike, their gay virtual Lifestyle Concierge. This "style-conscious city boy," a doctor, "works hard but plays harder" and recommends restaurants, nightlife, and other activities for gay visitors. (Room decor matches eMike: handsome, masculine, minimalist, and modern.) His recommendations include Odyssey nightclub for "Shower Power Night," Bruce for designer menswear, and Skoah for spa services. The Opus's flesh-and-blood staff members (including the hunky drivers of their luxury car service) are just as accommodating. 866-642-6787. --Ed Salvato
Where We Go For a Roll in the Hay
Farmer's Daughter
Los Angeles
Some of L.A.'s more hipster-ridden boutique hotels take themselves too seriously--with burned-out models masquerading as hotel staff members. We love the country-themed Farmer's Daughter, not only for its fabulous new restaurant, Tart, but for its tongue-in-cheek blend of hip and wholesome, catering to a healthy mix of gays, straights, and wannabe Price Is Right contestants (located across from CBS Studios, the hotel lobby features a Polaroid shrine to contestant guests of yore). A face-lift in 2000 took the 40-year-old property from a run-down whore of a motel to her current incarnation as sassy blue-ribbon beauty queen. The No-tell Room--with its mirrored ceiling and full wet bar--is a nod to her sordid past. (Psst…the busiest bars in West Hollywood are just a mile away.) 800-334-1658 --Darren Frei
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Ron Amato Retrospective: 75 Gorgeous Images of Queer Men
March 07 2021 12:00 AM
Just in Time for Pride – The 15 Gayest Cities in the World in 2023
April 12 2023 6:47 PM
Turkish Oil Wrestling: Male Bonding at the Kirkpinar Festival
December 20 2022 2:20 PM
The 13 Least Visited National Parks
January 07 2023 5:00 AM
Here are the Best Gay Sex and Male Nudity Scenes in 2022
April 19 2023 5:23 PM
OnlyFans Star Reno Gold on His New Boyfriend and Travel Show
December 16 2022 3:10 PM
Get Soaked! with These 35+ Steamy Pool Pics From This Year’s White Party
May 25 2023 9:29 AM
Slovakian Jocks With Nothing to Hide
September 28 2021 3:00 PM
12 Years of Intimate Photos of Same Man - Taken by His Partner
August 29 2022 4:00 AM
20 Thirsty Pics of #SniffiesRush Campaign Celebrating Frat Life
December 16 2022 3:19 PM
Outtraveler: Featured Video
Latest Stories
Experience romance in the clouds at this elevated rainforest resort
October 23 2024 5:00 AM
Troye Sivan & Charli xcx's 'Sweat Tour' is the must-see show of 2024
October 16 2024 2:52 PM
NewFest returns to NYC on Thursday with over 140 queer titles for its 36th film festival
October 07 2024 5:39 PM
Asheville heartbreak: Will LGBTQ+ cocktail bar rise from the ruins?
October 04 2024 10:12 AM
Out and About with Sasheer Zamata
October 03 2024 3:08 PM
equalpride CEO Mark Berryhill on LGBTQ+ History
October 01 2024 12:52 PM
Ashland and its Oregon Shakespeare Festival is the Pacific Northwest’s hidden gem
September 27 2024 3:30 PM
Thai king signs marriage equality law
September 26 2024 3:15 PM
Top 15 LGBTQ+ safe spots for travel this fall
September 16 2024 10:53 AM
'Drag Race' star Genie opens up on a spicy bar experience in Thailand that'll leave you INTRIGUED
September 14 2024 6:00 AM
55+ photos of hidden gems at Gay Wine Weekend
September 13 2024 12:41 PM
Pangina Heals wants you to unleash your freak at her BDSM club in Thailand
September 12 2024 2:29 PM
'Drag Race's Laganja Estranja lets us visually eat her new cake after gender-affirming surgery
September 11 2024 12:23 PM
Deep dishin' with Ashlee Marie Preston: touring Echo Park with the acclaimed trans activist
September 10 2024 12:30 PM
15 sensual male portraits from Luke Austin
September 09 2024 1:26 PM
The lineup for Insomniac's Forever Midnight festival is here & your NYE plans are now finalized
September 06 2024 8:06 PM
Sun, surf, culture: discover San Diego
September 06 2024 5:00 AM
The Runway of Dreams Foundation to revolutionize fashion with accessible design at NYFW
September 05 2024 5:48 PM
Cirque du Soleil debuts a dazzling new VIP experience at Mad Apple Las Vegas
September 05 2024 5:00 AM
Explore these solo-friendly resorts and destinations
September 04 2024 11:17 AM