5 of the best unusual gay getaways…
By Will Stroude
They might not have made it to the top of your bucket list, but these places are packed with plenty to please the gay traveller…
Words Stephen Leng
Belfast
It might still be harbouring the odd homophobic politician, but Belfast is still a fun and exciting city for gay tourists. Titanic Belfast is the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience, and the city’s zoo is a real treat. In the evening, don’t forget to pay a visit to the legendary Kremlin bar, Belfast’s premiere gay destination where you can grab a pint of Guinness and dance to Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry.
Where to stay:
With its striking Italian design and central location, Malmaison Belfast – housed in a building constructed in 1850 – is one of the hottest places to stay in the city.
malmaison.com/locations/belfast
Halkidiki
Sun? Tick. Sea? Tick. Sand? Tick. However, this Greek paradise is a far cry from islands like Mykonos or Kos, but rather a little known mainland area in the north of the country. The crystal blue waters of Kalogria Beach are well worth a visit, as is the nearby city of Thessaloniki, the second largest in the whole of Greece, famous for being the
cultural capital, with theatre and historical sites aplenty.
Where to stay:
The Athena Pallas Village offers a fabulous variety of accommodation, and has its own beach, as well as a beautiful, tranquil spa.
athena-pallas.gr
St Barts
From Simon Cowell to Beyonce, anyone who’s anyone visits this tiny Caribbean island in the winter. It may be for the rich, but the beautiful locale, famed for its turquoise water and striking beaches (as well as a few 100 super-yachts moored in Gustavia harbour) is well worth a trip if you can afford it.
Where to stay
The Hotel Guanahani and Spa is one of the most stunning hotels you are ever likely to visit. An exemplary destination featuring individual villas among the coconut trees and the picture-perfect ocean.
leguanahani.com/en
Riga
The Latvian capital of Riga has fast become a partying destination to rival the known Europian hotspots of Berlin
and Barcelona. Crowned as the continent’s Capital of Culture 2014, the city has everything from stark Soviet architecture to the Kim Contemporary Art Centre, which houses everything from restaurants to concert halls. Check it out.
Where to stay
Centrum is the premiere gay hotel in the city. Exclusively catering to gay visitors, it’s
within close proximity to the city’s best gay club, XXL, just down the road.
gayhotel.lv/eng
Dallas, Texas
If you like food, bright lights and rustic American charm mixed with gleaming modern buildings, the Texan city of Dallas is the place to be. Grab some dinner and watch a joust at the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament and then hit Downtown for vibrant clubs and bars. For gay bars, head to the Oak Lawn neighbourhood.
Where to stay
The Warwick Melrose Hotel is right in the middle of the gay area of the city and features a fabulous bar and restaurant.
warwickhotels.com/dallas
GETA (Gay European Tourism Association) recommends that gay travellers check the legal position of all countries they are planning to visit. Visit the IGLA Rainbow Europe Guide at ilga-europe.org or visit the Foreign Office & Commonwealth website fco.gov.uk before you make any travel plans.
For everything gay travel in 2015, grab a copy of the Attitude Travel Issue – out now! We also delve into the best gay destinations you never thought to explore, the old classics, and examine the recent spate of LGBT people being arrested and imprisoned in countries where being gay is illegal.
The new issue of Attitude in shops now and is available to download to your mobile, iPad or tablet device now at Pocketmags.com/Attitude.
You can also have it delivered directly to your door at newsstand.co.uk.
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