Inspiration

Head about 300km north of London and you’ll find the UK’s third largest city, a place that has had a tremendous impact on England’s history. Manchester has always been known as a working-class city ever since the start of the industrial revolution. While it certainly has its fair share of landmarks and sites of interest, the city doesn’t have the grandeur of London to the south nor the famous reputation as a tourist destination. Though this contrast doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not worthy of a trip and in fact, many argue the gay scene in Manchester is the best you’ll find in the all the UK. From gin bars and art galleries to history museums and gay bars galore, Manchester is a great weekend getaway with a character all on its own.

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There are two kinds of vacations that attract two kinds of people. First, there’s the the “lay on the beach and tan while sipping a cocktail” vacationer. Then there’s the active “grab a backpack and climb a mountain” type of traveler. Relaxing vacations are nice, but the great thing about an active adventure is that it’s good for the mind, body and soul. Aside from the obvious benefits of exercise, the ascent up a mountain is a rewarding experience. Getting drunk on the beach is fun, but it really can’t compare to testing the limits of your body and to the comradery of hiking with a group up a difficult path. There are many group tours you can join to do various hikes around the world, and for the LGBT traveler there are some great gay group tours. Here are three incredible options for gay adventure seekers.

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Key West is a popular, year-round destination for LGBT travelers looking to relax in the warm Florida sun, but is its small island neighbor just a hundred miles to the south a hot spot for gay travelers too? With the new travel laws allowing more Americans to visit Cuba, that looks to be the case. Both islands enjoy warm waters and a tropical climate with little difference between the coldest and warmest months so it’s not hard to understand their appeal. Though they may be close in proximity, they offer unique and contrasting experiences for LGBT visitors.

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What comes to mind when you think of a gay destination? Some might think of gay hotspots like Palm Springs or Fire Island which for decades have been havens for LGBT people looking to escape and take a vacation with their friends or significant other. Others might imagine the places that host major circuit parties like Barcelona, Mykonos or Miami. But as the landscape of both tourist destinations and LGBT rights have changed over the past decades, so too have the opportunities and desires for those looking for something new.

If you’ve never considered a visit to Colombia, now just might be the right time. We’ve teamed up with our friends at Out in Colombia Travel to share both some cool new and old things about this amazing country. Based in Medellin, this LGBT-focused tour operator can help you plan an awesome trip. It’s run by our longtime friend Sam, who several years ago moved from the US to Colombia and now is an expert in everything gay travel Colombia has to offer.

Special Offer – you can save $50 on all tours by Out in Colombia. Click here to request your exclusive discount.

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Well-established on the LGBT travel map, it’s likely either you or someone you know has raved about this sea-side Mediterranean city. And for good reason – Barcelona boasts a cosmopolitan and welcoming environment for all types of travelers from every corner of the globe. Barcelona is one of those cities that has so much to offer, you can never see it all.

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Europe is easily the most tolerant and accepting region in the world and there are many cities across the continent where you can let your true colors shine without fear of judgement or harassment. Places like Amsterdam, Berlin or Barcelona are well known for being gay friendly, tolerant and having a large community of LGBT residents. Still, we think Madrid is perhaps the contender for the number one spot on our list of the best gay destinations in Europe. Certainly, there are a handful of cities that compete for this title, but with the mix of its size, gay scene, events and overall vibe, we’d ague to say that Madrid takes the crown. Here are 10 reasons why we think you should visit Madrid and see why we think it’s the best gay destination in Europe.

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A gay group tour is a great option for an amazing travel experience that’s already pre-planned and purchased as a package. It’s particularly useful if you’re too busy to plan your own trip or if you’re a solo traveler because you’ll quickly make new friends in your group as you travel together. Of course you can also travel with a friend, significant other or even a family member on one of these awesome adventures. We recommend a few different tour operators that do gay group trips and they all offer great itineraries and experiences that you’ll surely love and won’t forget. You can even save up to $200 with some of the companies by using our special offer for Two Bad Tourists’ readers only.

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Gran Canaria is a unique, gay-friendly and an adventurous place to visit. It’s a hot gay destination year round due to the warm climate and Maspalomas is its gay capital.

Drag shows in Gran Canaria are like the residency shows of Las Vegas, with a slightly smaller budget and a lack of celebrity status. Still, they’re a hit and they’re a must. The Yumbo Centre in Maspalomas is the center of the gay nightlife with gay bars, clubs, restaurants and cafes.

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Europe is without a doubt one of the most amazing, dynamic and gay-friendly places in the world to visit. You could spend years or decades traveling across Europe and still not see it all. From the Circuit parties and beaches in Barcelona to the history and art of Rome, there’s so much to see, yet so little time.

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During the last week in January the Swiss Alps heated up as 500+ LGBTA people came together to celebrate Arosa Gay Ski Week. Now in its 13^th year, the event creates a welcoming atmosphere for all LGBT people and allies in the gay friendly village of Arosa, Switzerland. The skiing and snowboarding might be the main draw for most attendees but second to that (or perhaps better) are the lineup of events and activities throughout the week. From the White Party at the top of the mountain to evening classical music concerts, the week-long event has something for just about everyone and every taste.

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