partner

When considering the experience itself, by far one of the best ways to travel is by train. Hands down. Ask any well-seasoned traveler. There’s no hassle of having to arrive hours early to an airport far out of the city center to spend hours in lines. There’s no squeezing into a small car stopping every so often for food or a bathroom break. Train travel is easy. It takes you from the center of one city to the center of another in comfort and with little hassle. Of course not all train systems are created equally, but Europe has it more figured out than most. If train travel intrigues you, then here’s why you should consider joining the LGBT train journey from Venice to Paris.

Luxury

Travel destinations are usually the best part of the trip but the journey can be just as amazing if you do it right. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is how you do luxury train travel. The experience is also a time portal with the train’s glamorous 1920s style and decor. The relaxing cabins turn into comforting bedrooms for an enjoyable, cozy experience. The round-the-clock steward is also available to be sure you have everything you need. This trip also includes an amazing stay at the stunning Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice.

Gastronomy

Experience fine dining at its best with a three course lunch and a four course dinner to satiate your appetite. A set menu is included and created with local and fresh produce by Executive Chef Christian Bodiguel. Sip fine champagne in the exclusive champagne bar also decorated to take you back to the Roaring Twenties. Don’t bother leaving your private cabin to enjoy a contintinental breakfast served directly to you. 

History & Culture

The train itself is an experience with its historic carriages which have been restored with cars from well known vintage trains like Le Train Bleu and the Rome Express. The train has been escorting guests since 1982 with three elegant dining carriages and the Bar Car in addition to the cabins. Travelling by rail allows you to take in the beautiful views of rural French farmlands as you journey from Venice and Paris, two culturally abundant cities that must be explored. 

Community

This special itinerary is specifically designed for LGBT travelers so you can have a sense of community with your fellow passengers that you wouldn’t normally get during a standard train journey. The social aspect can be an important part of the experience while you dine, drink, and gaze out the window as the train speeds along the tracks. It’s an opportunity to meet new people, make connections, and just have fun.

Originality 

Group trips for LGBT travelers are nothing new, with a plethora of options offered by many LGBT-centered travel companies and agencies. However, this trip is quite original and stands out from the standard gay cruises, resorts, and festivals that are typical of gay group travel in general. Traveling in a classic, restored train is a unique experience in itself and even more so while getting to travel with other LGBT guests. 

Want to join this trip? Belmond is hosting a special departure for LGBT guests and friends from November 7-9, 2020. Click here to find out more details.

Special Offer – book your spot by December 31st, 2019 and get a $100 gift card from AirBnB to use on a future travel purchase.

We’re excited to announce that we’re hosting another sailing trip along the coast of Croatia, from August 15^th to 22^nd, 2020! Our most recent sailing trip of the Greek Islands this past summer and of Croatia the summer before were such great successes (and loads of fun!) that we’ve decided to do it again! Want to come? Here are the details….

You can enjoy an island-hopping vacation around the beautiful Croatian coastline with gay guests from around the world. We’ll stop at the best gay-friendly locations in the area for you to explore, as well as great beaches for an afternoon dip. You will arrive in port with enough time to explore the island, relax on our private yacht or find a nice cocktail sunset bar. ​

Read more…

Social, sensual, clothing-optional sailing …Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? Ok, I suppose we have a biased opinion – we’ve already earned our sea legs before on our gay sailing trip in Croatia. We love sailing trips which is why we’re doing our next one to Greece this summer and why we’re encouraging you to embark at your earliest leisure. The experience is both vast and unforgettable, yet intimate and tantalizing. Everything to Sea is a new sailing company offering relaxing trips across the Indonesian seas, visiting exotic islands while enjoying a care-free and naked experience… if you desire. That’s right, a clothing-optional cruise through uninhabited islands…  you can’t tell me that doesn’t sound appealing.

Read more…

Spain has incredible annual events that draw many visitors to places all over the peninsular country and its islands. Of course being one of the most gay-friendly nations in Europe and the world, it’s no surprise that the country has plenty of year round events to offer the LGBT community. With plenty of warm and sunny days you could spend months exploring the big cities and Spanish countryside, but given you probably have just a short time to visit you’ve got to pick the best and most exciting. If you’re looking to join a gay group trip or event, our friends at Spain 7 Degrees will take you effortlessly to these destinations showing the best they have to offer. Here are 3 new LGBT events this year not to be missed!

Read more…

Arguably two of the best European Prides hail from the Iberian Peninsula. Madrid and Barcelona are two incredible destinations for queer travelers any time of year with Spain’s long reputation for being LGBT friendly. While both have much in common as Spain’s two largest cities, they offer two very unique experiences and our friends at Rainbow Gay Tours can show you both. But which Spanish pride is for you? Let’s compare…

Read more…

The ‘Sharing Economy’ has made a big impact on the travel industry in the past decade with major leaders like AirBnB and Uber to the hundreds of other home and ride sharing businesses available. Today’s travelers are often choosing home rentals over hotels and it’s no wonder why. They can get a more comfortable, cost-effective stay and personal attention from their host instead of the sometimes impersonal offerings of an outdated or overpriced hotel room. Nowadays travelers even have a large selection of home sharing sites to choose from. If you’re a gay traveler, the top choice for renting a room or home while traveling is misterb&b. While other sites may claim to be LGBT-friendly, misterb&b is specifically tailored to the travel needs of the gay community. With the popularity of these sites continuing to rise, now’s the time to consider listing your spare room or space on misterb&b and here’s why.

Read more…

Traveling abroad can be one of the most rewarding and memorable adventures but leaving your home country presents additional challenges and risks. In many cases you’re immersing yourself in a new culture and perhaps a language you don’t know. Some destinations require you to secure a visa in advance, you might need vaccinations and change of currency is another consideration when planning your trip.

Read more…

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.

Read more…

Iceland is easily one of the most gay-friendly destinations worldwide. With progressive leaning views, inclusive LGBT laws and a tolerant population, it’s a great destination for gay travelers. It’s also one of the safest countries to travel to having an incredibly low crime rate compared to other western nations. Add beautiful landscapes, waterfalls, glaciers and puffins and you’ve really got no excuse not to go.  We’ve teamed up with Out Adventures to share some amazing (and gay!) experiences in this tiny island nation just south of the Arctic Circle.

Read more…

If you are planning to be one of the estimated three million people taking part in this year’s WorldPride Madrid 2017, you probably have a plan for making the most of your time in the Spanish Capital. Parades, parties, clubs, restaurants, tapas bars, parks and museums… Madrid has it all no matter your travel style or budget.

But one of the best things to do in Madrid during Pride is try authentic local Spanish food. Madrid is one of Spain’s most exciting cities for cuisine, and is chock full with incredible markets, tapas bars, wine bars and restaurants. Our friends from Devour Madrid Food Tours offer great tours and they know all the city’s foodie secrets. To make sure you get a true taste of the city, a food or tapas tour in Madrid is definitely the way to go. Here’s why!

Read more…