GLBT Travelers - Ultimate Gay Destination?

I'm making some travel plans for this year and I think like most people in this forum, whenever I make travel plans, I always do a search through this forum to see if there are any experiences from gay travelers on my destination. This may or may not influence my trip, depending on the purpose. But I was wondering what gay FTers think as the ultimate gay destination and why? For instance Berlin seems to me as one of the top 10, not just because of the nightlife, but because it's so gay friendly and their are tons of museums and culture etc.

The WHY is important to me, because our definitions of "ultimate gay" may be different. Anyone care to chime in?

Thanks

Can you please elaborate a little more on your definition of "gay destination" and what it is that you want to accomplish? Are you just looking for a gay-friendly place with lots of things to do? I wouldn't call Berlin a gay destination since the overwhelming percentage of tourists who visit there are not gay. However, it is one of my favorite places to do "gay things". I was just there, and left very happy ;).

Advocate.com had a write up Mar 2011 that was actually decent to give you an idea (with reasons).

Per their article:
1) Stockholm
2) Toronto
3) Madrid

More in the article if you read. Not sure where you're wanting to go (Europe, Asia, South Pacific).

My next big trip is Stockholm (before I read that article :) ) and nothing I have read has been anything but outstanding. That being said, it's not the Ladyboys and clubs of BKK or the scene of ATL/NYC. I'm not sure what you're looking for exactly, so that's hard to give more.

Frankfurt was excellent and tons of fun. Reykjavik was outstanding and very fun for us, but we like to explore outside the city and the lava fields and caves were out of this world. Sydney was amazing and a huge mix of everything.

While there are no doubt some always good gay destinations, like Berlin, when you go can make a big difference in the experience. Gay Pride, or any other major event, can transform any city into a gay Mecca for a few days.

For the sheer quality of the overall experience, I'd rank the major European cities at the top of my list, but it all depends what you in a trip. Plenty of people love Sitges, Ibiza, and other sunny locales, but I'm just too pale to be happy at the beach for long. Then again, the milder seaside weather at Provincetown has always appealed to me.

Can you please elaborate a little more on your definition of "gay destination" and what it is that you want to accomplish? Are you just looking for a gay-friendly place with lots of things to do?

Well, I wasn't really looking for a standard definition. I was just looking to find out what others thought of as their favorite gay destination. It could be because of a combination of culture and nightlife or could be just a gay friendly environment that has lots of gay clubs

For instance, OnTheSlopes listed a few of his favorite cities and the reasons he thinks they are the best gay destinations. That's kind of what I was looking for.

Sorry if this is muddled!

Well, for my travel style I can expand just a bit more with your perspective...

To me, it's important to be comfortable and welcomed culturally. I won't name countries to avoid offending anyone, but there are places I will simply not go for various reasons (culturally homophobia, "death laws", high crime rates, etc).

I thought Iceland was very accepting/welcoming and has an excellent and safe reputation. We had a wonderful time and while the "gay bars" are essentially coffee houses, they were very nice and had an awesome crowd of everyone there. But, we weren't there for the bars. We explored and spent time at the Blue Lagoon and the Lava fields/caves. Food was amazing and prices (except liquor) were quite low. The nightlife and dancing was an amazing mix of cultural experiences. One song would be Taio Cruz and the next a Bollywood number that I did not know, then an asian techno song.

We didn't get out of "Sydney" (beyond the city zone I mean) and explore the outback, but we had a total blast with amazing fine dining, the zoo was outstanding, shopping expensive, and very safe overall. We stayed in King's Cross, which was an interesting experience by itself, but amazingly fun!

I'm a big history buff, so I love going to museums and historic areas/places (palaces, churches, memorials). The ANZAC memorial in SYD was so neat. My family is from TLL, so scandinavia and eastern europe are my personal meccas. I cannot wait for ARN. Culturally could care less about anyone gay, but there is a real "scene" there if one wanted bars and clubs. Amazing history, excellent dining, and gorgeous countryside if you escape on a day hike.

My dream destinations currently (that are not booked) are JNB with a luxury safari and BKK...but those are VERY different ends of the spectrum as you can tell. I want to (as best as possible) blend in with the locals and enjoy the city and the vibe; however, I won't "hide" or put myself in an unsafe situation.

EDIT: Should add - another thread referred to it as well, but the rent boys in many of the Balkans are numerous if that's what your ideal might be.

I should have also added, TLL is an AMAZING city with TONS of history and has really exploded since the occupation ended. Can be expensive to get there, but you can always combine it with a Baltic tour/boat (HEL, ARN) easily. I was single at the time, but culturally had zero problems. There wasn't much of a "scene" but the city is awesome and very safe and accepting.

Well, I wasn't really looking for a standard definition. I was just looking to find out what others thought of as their favorite gay destination. It could be because of a combination of culture and nightlife or could be just a gay friendly environment that has lots of gay clubs

For instance, OnTheSlopes listed a few of his favorite cities and the reasons he thinks they are the best gay destinations. That's kind of what I was looking for.

Sorry if this is muddled!

OK. My favorite "must do at least once a year" destinations in Europe (and this is more of a gay-centric/hook-up with the locals kind of list) but with other interesting things to do:

Berlin, Vienna, Breslau, Bratislava, and Prague.

Runner-ups would be Paris and Stockholm. But what makes them runner-ups is that they are somewhat expensive cities all around. Public transport in Stockholm is very expensive (more than Paris) as is food.

Barcelona during the annual Circuit Party week is apprently the bees knees - though, if you aren't into dance parties, pool parties and a collection of the worlds most stunning looking guys, it might not be for you :p

I think it's in August every year? I'm at work so can't really provide more information from the website, but google it and perhaps look at the photos from previous years. Stunning.

Your ultimate destination will likely depend on your likes and dislikes. Just look at the recent thread of opinions on Rio de Janerio. My personal favorites in order are Sydney, Rio, Barcelona, Miami, Buenos Aires, London, Maui, San Diego, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, and San Juan.

All a matter of taste. I dislike mob type crowds and overly loud music and circuit parties are my idea of hell (right up there with Disneyworld at Spring Break). I don't care if I ever go back to Palm Springs.
I did enjoy Sitges (shoulder season) when it wasn't so crowded. Many big European cities can provide you with a gay holiday. Madrid, Amsterdam and Rome are on my list. I'm anxious to get back to Berlin.

...I dislike mob type crowds and overly loud music and circuit parties are my idea of hell (right up there with Disneyworld at Spring Break)...

+1 (personal opinion) Those that do, have fun!! :D

Gents,

trust me... as a native Baltimorean, who has travelled extensively throughout many gay "Meccas" (SFO, NYC, PAR, BCN, MAD, BER, SYD, BUE etc...), there is nowhere like Rio de Janeiro. The city, the weather, the people and the MEN....

Just returned from it, and I am already looking forward to going back... I left my heart in the sands of Copacabana.....;)

Barcelona during the annual Circuit Party week is apprently the bees knees - though, if you aren't into dance parties, pool parties and a collection of the worlds most stunning looking guys, it might not be for you :p

I think it's in August every year? I'm at work so can't really provide more information from the website, but google it and perhaps look at the photos from previous years. Stunning.

In 2012 it will be from August 2nd to August 12th.
In my experience BArcelona is the 'gayest' city of Europe. Beach, lots of things to see and do, beautiful city with high cultural potential.

Probably SFO.

In 2012 it will be from August 2nd to August 12th. In my experience BArcelona is the 'gayest' city of Europe. Beach, lots of things to see and do, beautiful city with high cultural potential. That week is like a time warp back to NYC of a few years ago. There's a fun spirit and buzz to everything even if you don't go out at night. (As a tourist it's a very walkable city and there are enough sites, shopping, restaurants and excursions you can try.)

Well, I wasn't really looking for a standard definition. I was just looking to find out what others thought of as their favorite gay destination. It could be because of a combination of culture and nightlife or could be just a gay friendly environment that has lots of gay clubs

A favorite gay destination would be a place with a substantial number of gay men. Part of a favorite destination is time of year. I would not want to be in Berlin in February. A summer favorite destination in the US would be Provincetown; in Europe, Sitges. Both are places to relax, but with some nightlife. Provincetown, at the end of a peninsula and on the edge of a National seashore, is quiet, a traditional old town, about one half gay, with great gay beaches. Also has art galleries and many attractions within a short driving distance on the cape. If one wants a much more high energy seaside experience, there is Fire Island. Sitges is a great gay beach town, within a half hour of Barcelona. Another great place to relax. Not a lot of high end lodging at either place, however, if that should be a requirement on a gay vacation.

I'm making some travel plans for this year and I think like most people in this forum, whenever I make travel plans, I always do a search through this forum to see if there are any experiences from gay travelers on my destination. This may or may not influence my trip, depending on the purpose. But I was wondering what gay FTers think as the ultimate gay destination and why? For instance Berlin seems to me as one of the top 10, not just because of the nightlife, but because it's so gay friendly and their are tons of museums and culture etc.

The WHY is important to me, because our definitions of "ultimate gay" may be different. Anyone care to chime in?

Thanks

For "G-A-Y" in the literal gay sense, Key West is my favorite place in the world, from all the B&Bs to Duval St.

But, for me, my favorite place, AS A GAY, is Lana'i. Paradise on earth, if you stay at Manel'e Bay Four Seasons. Or The Lodge Four Seasons in the mountains. Split your stay between the two and you'll have died and gone to heaven.

My Top Gay Cities
1)Barcelona - stayed at Axel Gay Hotel in the gay district Amazing(heaven)
2)Rome - In & Around the Coloseum is the places we enjoyed
3)London -We had fun prob the biggest gay scene in the world.

My Worst Cities:
1)Montevideo Uruguay
2)Dublin Ireleand
3)Singapore