Inside Gay Travel

Vancouver Gears Up for Leather Fetish Ball

09 May 11

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Over the Victoria Day Weekend, HARD 2 Leather Fetish Ball is on for Sunday, 22 May in Vancouver, BC. Time to party, and leave your streetware at home. This is a leather party only.

Men in Leather’s annual HARD – Leather Fetish Ball – is an epic event and party, for just $25 a ticket! Itwill be held at FIVE SIXTY (560 Seymour St.). The former historic A&B Sound store has been transformed into one of Vancouver’s hottest new clubs. With multiple levels and various rooms you can expect many a surprise including a “Dungeon Play Area.”

Special performance by Mantra, on deck DJ Nick Bertossi, Marcus Purnell & Ntectect will have the dance floor pulsing. Dress code enforced: Leather + Fetish only.

Visiting Vancouver for HARD 2 (May 22), the OUTGAMES (25-31 July) or PRIDE Festival (31 July)? Check in at these Rainbow Tourism Accommodations in Vancouver and Whistler.

For more information visit Men In Leather Vancouver.

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Canada

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Couples Retreat at Mt. Tamborine’s Songbirds in the Rainforst

04 Apr 11

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Songbirds Rainforest Retreat offers a serene but purely decadent experience in idyllic surrounds less than an hour’s drive from either Brisbane or the Gold Coast in Australia’s Sunshine State (Queensland).

Songbirds’ boutique accommodation has luxurious views inside and out. There are six spacious and beautifully appointed villas scattered over the 51-acres of pristine rainforest on Mount Tamborine.

Picture you and your partner or group of friends in your own private sanctuary, arrange a massage or beauty treatment, enjoy pre-dinner drinks in the double spa bath, walk through the rainforest property, or simply relax by the gas-ember fire or the rainforest views from the private balcony.

Breathing clean mountain air and awaking to the sound of birds – kookaburras, whipbirds and lorikeets -is as heavenly as ating in the award-winning restaurant. Songbirds in the Forest restaurant has won many awards and has an international reputation for its food, wine and high standard of service as well as its spectacular ambiance.

Visit the Website: www.songbirds.com.au

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Australia

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The Royal Palms Reinvented as Oasis of Style on Fort Lauderdale Beach

04 Apr 11

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The Royal Palms, North America’s Largest Luxury Gay Resort, Opens in Fort Lauderdale

This famous Fort Lauderdale property was recently transformed from award-winning guesthouse into sleek, full-service luxe boutique hotel.

Contemporary Euro style meets tropical splendor at the new Royal Palms, a stunning reinvention that’s poised to change the face of the city’s hotel market. The long-time gay favorite unveils its expansion to 62 rooms April 11 – courtesy of two additional buildings that underwent head-to-toe renovations. The makeover also added two heated swimming pools (one clothing-optional), a bar/grill, spa and fitness center, all just one block from Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Guest rooms vibrate with pops of color against a white backdrop; rain showers spill onto pebbled floors; and original artworks from photographer Dennis Dean hit a sensual note. All rooms come with 42-inch flat-screen TVs, and the signature orchid blossoms still accompany each stay—along with complimentary WiFi throughout the property, and access to iPad 2s, mobile phones, white bicycles and the ultimate guest amenity: a sleek 54-foot private luxury yacht, available for guest excursions, celebrations and commitment ceremonies.

“It was time to take gay accommodations to the next level,” says Richard Gray, who was instrumental in putting Fort Lauderdale on the gay destination map when he opened the Royal Palms in 1991. “While many boutique hotels have begun catering to the gay market, our new hotel uniquely combines world-class luxury with the sexy, social vibe that will never be found at mainstream or ‘straight-friendly’ hotels.

GG’s Bar and Grill is the open-air showpiece of the front building, with ruby-red glass tiles, misters, and a polished concrete bar overlooking one of the pools. Steel, grey and black patio furniture and stylish poolside cabanas add to the scene. A spa with wet room and massage rooms for single or double use and a fitness center ensure guests can get appropriately relaxed or pumped before exploring the city’s gay nightlife.

Rates for standard rooms start at $159, making the hotel an affordable oasis of style.  For more information, visit Royal Palms and Facebook.

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USA

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Wellness & Golf Resort Reached by Helicopter in Beautiful B.C.

30 Mar 11

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The Sonora Resort is Canada's Top Luxury Hotel

Start or end your Canadian odyssey with a few days in Vancouver and in between be whisked by helicopter to the number one luxury hotel in Canada, Sonora Resort.

Sonora Island is just off the coast of Vancouver Island – about an hour by chopper from Vancouver International Airport. It appeals to discerning gay travellers, whether they prefer their golf gtaway to be mixed with luxurious style and spa treatments.

Deluxe lodging, wellness and golf packages have been created by Rainbow Tourism Accredited Wellness Travel Canada for summer 2011 (3 days/2 nights from CAD 2935 per person). The resort features a golf simulator for practice before your flight to Campbell River for an all-inclusive round at Storey Creek Golf Course. Play your heart out, as the next day you’ll have a choice of a stress-release massage or the unique Canadian Balsam Oil Deep Tissue Massage, a restorative therapy that was first used by the indigenous First Nations people to treat ailments.

While in BC, Try This
Vancouver to Whistler by Train Rail Tour

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Canada

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First GaySurfers Trip in Australia 13-15 May on NSW South Coast

16 Mar 11

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The first GaySurfers surf trip in Australia has been set for 13-15 May on the South Coast of NSW, departing from Sydney. Enjoy the natural beauty of New South Wales’ South Coast on uncrowded beaches.

The 2 Day & 2 Night Surf Camp is $249.95 and is hosted by Australian Surf Tours. The package includes transport from the city to the destination, camping style accommodation, all food, surfing equipment, and two learn to surf lessons per day.

You can expect to see dolphins, kangaroos, possums, feed giant sting-rays and enjoy stories around a camp-fire. A truly great experience! To register, click on the event page of GaySurfers.net

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Australia

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Melbourne Visit

28 Feb 11

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Over on the put ‘em all on an island blog Hans recently went to Melbourne, Australia

Check out the interesting posts as they explore

  • Victoria including visiting Hanging Rock and Daylesford
  • Some of the gay bars in Melbourne
  • Melbourne’s gay beach.
  • A look at Melbourne’s public transport
  • Melbourne’s art scene
  • and some Melbourne walks

Check all this out on the blog.

For more on Melbourne visit Rainbow Tourism Melbourne.

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Australia

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Dining Out—-Buzios, Brazil

08 Feb 11

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Estancia Don Juan

By Roy Heale

With over twenty fabulous beaches, great nightlife, and the best gourmet dining in Brazil it is little wonder that Buzios has developed a reputation for fun, relaxing gay vacations. Located only 120 miles north east from Rio de Janeiro, the small peninsula of Armacao de Buzios is becoming renowned as the up and coming gay-friendly resort destination in Brazil. The gay-owned accommodations and resorts of Chez Wadi and Our House provide the perfect gay places to stay and after a hot day on the beaches the nightlife sizzles with gourmet dining plus great nightclubs.

An important part of every vacation is the question of where to dine and this is where Buzios really excels. Throughout the peninsula, in the central town, on the beaches, or amidst the small villages, are great dining options. Whether you enjoy dining right on the beach, or on the boardwalk with a view of the ocean, or a patio table in town for people watching, then Buzios can satisfy your needs. Of course, fresh seafood is a local specialty and readily available on almost every menu is the Catch of the Day.

During my recent visit to Buzios I enjoyed several different restaurants around the peninsula and I have compiled a list of some of my personal favorites, each with different menu offerings. However, the most fun part of your vacation in Buzios will be discovering your own list of special places as you experience for yourself the vast selection of dining spots. Either way you won’t be disappointed by the gourmet dining available here.

Located where all the action is and in the heart of Buzios Centro town are the following suggestions:

Boom Rua Manoel Turibio de Farrias, 110 Tel: 2623 6254

Boom Buffet Restaurant

One of the great dining traditions in Brazil is the “Buffet por Kilo”where you pay for your meal by the weight of the food on your plate. This is an excellent way to satisfy your appetite without ordering too much food and Boom offers an upscale version of this popular concept. The buffet includes hot and cold selections of local specialities, salads, fruits, or vegetables. Plus there is a sushi option, a selection of pizzas, and a parilla for those who would like some grilled meats. Amazingly the hot dishes remain hot and the salads remain fresh—not always true of buffet meals— due to careful planning by the chef and kitchen staff. The atmosphere is cool and relaxed with tables outdoors for those who want enjoy the bustle of the pedestrian street. Highly recommended for lunch or dinner to satisfy any sized appetite or culinary tastes at reasonable prices.

Chez Michou Av. Jose Bento Ribeiro Dantas, 90 Tel: 2623 2169

Chez Michou

Here you will find the best crepes, either sweet or savory, that have been a Buzios success story for over fifteen years. This open air cafe is considered to be the soul of Buzios and is open all day and most of the night in a central location where the night-time party crowd loves to hang out. The menu offers the largest selection of crepes which I have ever seen and the prices are very affordable but the quality is first class. By night the brassy music, the open-air relaxed environment, and great food is conducive to a great party-time. There is always a large crowd here and it is renowned throughout the peninsula for a fun time and great crepes.

Patio Havana Rua das Pedras, 101 Tel: 2623 2169

Patio Havana

Built in 1998 with stunning ocean views, here you will find a taste of Cuba with amazing multi-level architecture and unique design features. With an emphasis on seafood, there is a wide menu selection including prime beef, Italian pastas, snacks, and pizzas. With five different settings, a cigar store, nightly entertainment, a vast wine cellar, and more, Patio Havana is one of the hottest spots in Buzio for dining and entertainment in a unequalled environment. Open every day from Noon until the last client leaves!

Estancia Don Juan Rua das Pedras, 178 Tel: 2623 2169

An outstanding restaurant in a great location, the Estancia Don Juan has been a Buzios tradition since 1994 offering the best imported beef from Argentina and an outstanding wine cellar. With exotic architecture and charming decorations this is one of the coziest places in town for dining. The extensive menu also includes pasta dishes and exotic desserts. On selected nights Tango dancers and musicians will provide entertainment while you dine. Open every day from Noon until the last customer leaves!

Tartaruguina Fish House Avenida Jose Bento Ribeiro Dantas, 440. Tel: 2623 6978

Located on the ocean boulevard with a great view of the bay. The daily feature here is obviously the local fish dishes exquisitely prepared and served with flair and style. It is also popular for Happy Hour drinks, light snacks, and simply relaxing by the ocean. With over twenty years of experience entertaining and satisfying their customers, the owners and staff know how to please. You’re bound to return here.

The Fish Shack Located on the Promenade at Armacao Beach

Fish Shack Seafood Platter

This is a simple outdoor cafe where the BBQ is outside and you can watch your fish dinner being cooked and served directly to you. It is a real local diner where the fish is direct from the ocean, to the BBQ, and to your table. The food is simple—fresh fish, salads, rice, and vegetables—but accompanied by a cold beer or glass of wine, it is an amazing feast of Fruits de Mer which will prove to be unforgettable. No fuss, no fancy place settings, just casual drinks and dining, but the prices are extremely affordable and the location is shaded by large trees with a great view of the sea and fishermen’s boats. This is a must for seafood lovers!

The Aquarium Avenida Jose Bento Ribeiro Dantas

This small, all glass restaurant—hence the name—is perched on the beach with spectacular ocean views. Specializing in seafood, the prices may be slightly higher than most places, but the excellent seafood and views make this a worthwhile investment for a special evening.

For a little sand between your toes and great seafood located right on the popular Ferradura beach are the Sarah Mar and Capricornio outdoor restaurants. The fresh seafood offerings vary daily but sandwiches, salads, and cold drinks are always available. The location is perfect for enjoying the beach and the ocean while dining whenever the appetite demands. At Capricornio I saw the biggest ever mouth-watering lobster tails on the grill! Along the expansive Ferradura beach are numerous options for enjoying a variety of different foods but mostly seafood served in numerous ways to suit every palate.

Dining at Ferradura Beach

So enjoy the amazing beaches and scenery by day and experience the international cuisine and culture at night on your gay-friendly vacation in Buzios. 

For More Information Visit: www.visitebuzios.com

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Brazil

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Mendoza’s Gay Vendimia—Wine Festival in March

28 Jan 11

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Mendoza Winery

By Roy Heale

Located in the Andes mountain range of Argentina, Mendoza is a year-round vacation destination. Renowned globally for being the capital of Argentina’s wine making industry—-especially the renowned Malbecs—Mendoza is also a center for skiing in the higher peaks during July, August, and September. The annual Vendimia wine festival in March is the highlight of the year with festivities for all ages and a special Gay Vendimia Festival.

With a population of approximately one million residents in the metro and surrounding areas, the gay businesses and nightlife are thriving. Mendoza has become the secondary vacation choice for LGBT travellers in Argentina after a visit to Buenos Aires.

The grape harvest is celebrated annually throughout the month of March with the famous Mendoza Wine Festival. Festivities officially commence the first Saturday in March and occur throughout the region at all of the vineyards with special events in the city of Mendoza. But there is also the Fiesta de la Vendimia Gay which is held each year in conjunction with the main Festival. This is perhaps the most significant gay event in Argentina outside of the annual Buenos Aires Pride celebrations. It is supported by many sponsors and the local government making it an official part of the grape harvest festival. The crowning of the “Queen”—drag of course—is a much anticipated local event and a major theatrical production enjoyed by all of Mendoza’s LGBT community and other citizens of this gay-friendly city.

Area Fundacional Mendoza

Mendoza is the perfect place to call home while taking short excursions, day trips, or even overnight journeys to explore the numerous different vacation activities in this diverse region. Filled with tree-lined avenues, beautiful plazas, historic architecture, and artisan markets, Mendoza offers a relaxed pace of life in a bustling urban environment. The heart of the city pulses in the main square called Plaza Independencia, while the Parque San Martin offers a multitude of relaxing outdoor activities in a lush green environment. The Area Fundacional is a trip back in time to the city’s early roots of the settlement days.

In the heart of downtown is the gay-owned and operated DeptosMendoza apartment rentals of Modigliani Art & Design Suites and Dot Suites. Renting an apartment in Mendoza is the best way to enjoy the local scene. Theses suites are perfect for any vacation or business trip to Mendoza with a large variety of sizes and styles available. The English speaking staff are friendly and helpful with any travel needs or excursions. The apartments are large, spacious, luxuriously furnished, with designer appeal. The central location is very convenient for all activities in Mendoza with apartments priced to suit any travel budget.

Modigliani Art & Design Suites, Mendoza

The dry desert-like climate almost guarantees hot sunny days for enjoying outdoor activities  coupled with warm nights where outdoor dining is the perfect end to a high-altitude day. Residents of Mendoza observe the very civilized custom of afternoon siestas and most businesses are closed from 1PM to 4PM with the exception of some restaurants.

After a hot sunny day the gay Alternative Spa can offer relaxation and stress relief. It is open from 3PM to 11PM offering whirlpool, sauna, lockers, solarium, relaxing areas and a bar to unwind and mingle. Situated in the downtown core, this is a very popular place for locals to hang out and mix with out-of- town visitors.

Two gay-friendly Resto-Bars—348 and Casa 3—are located on San Lorenzo Street and very popular with the gay community. But the Aristides Villanueva is the major street for dining out.  Here you will find a festive atmosphere with patios full of  revelers  indulging themselves with every International culinary delight imaginable. Plus, of course, the renowned Argentine Parillas, where beef is a gourmet experience especially when accompanied by a local Mendoza vintage red wine. All at prices lower than almost any other major vacation destination in the world today!

Dining out is a major part of Mendoza’s nightlife and be sure to try something unique in Mendoza and very gay at Los Chocos restaurant. It’s a gay-owned and operated restaurant serving a gourmet six or eight course dinner in a private home, similar to the Paladares in Havana, Cuba. Special local Mendoza meats and produce are complemented with perfect Malbec wines. Dining with wonderful company and amazingly creative gourmet dishes is a holiday treat, and all for only US$60 per person. Incredible! This gourmet restaurant is in the home of Martin the Chef and his partner Martin who assists with the entire dinner. It’s located in the heart of downtown, on the 5th floor of a classic residential apartment building. You can have the whole place to yourself, giving it a familiar and comfortable feel. Reservations are essential as each dinner can only accommodate up to  eight guests.

Mendoza Outdoor Patio Dining

After dinner is the perfect time for  a visit to a local gay bar and conclude a fun-filled day. On Wednesdays La Reserva-Queen pub offers a fun Drag Show. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Estacion Miro is the hot gay nightclub for partying until dawn. Both are located in the heart of downtown Mendoza just waiting to entertain you until dawn, or perhaps even later.

So whether it is during the Vendimia Festival or at any other time of the year, make sure you include gay-friendly Mendoza in your itinerary for a gay vacation in Argentina.

Andes Mountains Hot Springs

For More Information Visit: www.deptosmendoza.com.ar

www.mendoza-gay.com.ar

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Argentina

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Exclusively Gay Our House, Buzios, Brazil

19 Jan 11

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Our House Grounds

By Roy Heale

No visit to Brazil can be considered complete without a visit to Armacao de Buzios which is just a short two hour drive from Rio de Janeiro. This fabulous peninsula was discovered in the 1960s by French supermodel and movie actress Brigitte Bardot when during a vacation she was trying to escape from the paparazzi in Rio. Since that time Buzios has earned a reputation for its beautiful scenery, over twenty beaches, laid-back attitudes, and very gay-friendly welcome towards LGBT tourists. In fact the gay-owned and operated Our House Pousada is the only exclusively gay and lesbian resort in Brazil. Located just a ten minute walk from Ferradura Beach or the center of Buzios downtown, Our House is the perfect place for a very private, relaxing gay-getaway where you are guaranteed to spend your vacation in the company of like-minded travellers.

Our House co-owners Maria and Giselle purchased the property in 2002 and then spent three and a half years in a labour of love renovating and remodelling in order to create the perfect gay home-away-from-home for their future guests. They opened in December 2005 and immediately LGBT vacationers came flocking to their new gay resort paradise which is a hetero-friendly and adult—over 18—only venue.

View From Guest Rooms

Relaxing Areas

Located on a hillside overlooking the ocean, all eight affordable rooms at Our House have an ocean view. Plus the large swimming pool is surrounded by lush tropical gardens, a BBQ where “If you bring it we will cook it”, and a rustic bar where breakfast is served daily from 8:00 to 10:00AM. This simple yet sophisticated gay resort is the perfect place to enjoy everything which Buzios offers to the LGBT tourist.

As members of international groups and movements promoting environmental policies, Our House strives to preserve the fragile Buzios eco-system. Owner Giselle is also a partner in a joint venture for Eco Bike Tours where you can bike and hike around the peninsula enjoying the natural environment, hidden beaches, and beautiful countryside. These eco-tours are offered free to registered guests of Our House with a reduced rental charge for the bikes. Tour groups are from four to twenty participants and the journeys range from easy to difficult terrain varying in length from just over two hours to full day trips. This is an excellent way to experience the diverse landscape of this small peninsula.

If you would like to plan a special holiday dinner at the resort then co-owner Maria is a professionally trained and qualified chef who will plan a gourmet menu for up to sixteen people. Enjoy the relaxing surroundings, a cocktail by the pool, followed by a gourmet dinner in the rustic cafe, and watch the sunset over the ocean from your room. With advance notice Marie can prepare all of this to suit your budget and tastes, but of course seafood is a local speciality!

Our House Grounds

Rustic Bar

The resort also includes a lounge area with comfortable sofas, a television, and computer work station for those who want to stay connected with the outside world.

So if you are planning a trip to Brazil make sure you spend some time at Our House, enjoy a totally gay escape from the world, frolic on the spectacular beaches, and in the warm ocean. It is a paradise which will reward every gay traveller with some great vacation memories.

For More Information Visit:

www.ourhousebrazil.com

www.ecobiketour.com

www.visitebuzios.com

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Brazil

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Puerto Madryn, Argentina Vacation Essentials

11 Jan 11

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Oceanside Dining at Vernardino Club del Mar

By Roy Heale

Located at the heart of one of Argentina’s most popular eco-tourism destinations is the port city of Puerto Madryn. From this central point eco-tours depart daily for whale watching, visits to the sea lion colonies, the penguin settlements, wildlife parks, dolphin watching, and much more of the local wildlife. The region is a popular breeding ground for many species and has been recognized as a World Natural Heritage Site since 1999. The clear blue waters of the Nuevo Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean coupled with numerous sandy beaches has made this an extremely popular summer vacation destination in Argentina. The expert gay and gay-friendly English speaking staff at Flamenco Tour agency have researched the local market to find gay or gay-friendly accommodations and attractions with special rates to suit any travel budget.

Here are some of their hotel recommendations:

View from Balcony at Hotel Piren

Hotel Piren:

Located in the center of town on the main ocean boardwalk many of the rooms have ocean views. The staff are bilingual and a buffet breakfast is included in the room rates. There are standard, junior, premium, and senior rooms to choose from with a total of 91 rooms.

The Rayentray:

This relatively new hotel is located overlooking the waters of the Nuevo Gulf and has 170 rooms plus convention facilities. The facilities include a bar, restaurant, indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, sunbeds, and whirlpool plus a Casino. All rooms have ocean views and choices include junior, superior, suites, and special configurations for family groups.

Territorio Hotel:

This boutique hotel offers 36 ocean view rooms and suites of different sizes with one especially designed for disabled access. The spa and health cub located on the top floor offers massages and special services plus a gymnasium. The main floor lounge, cafe and restaurant also have beautiful ocean views.

Exterior Territorio Hotel

Flamenco Tour agency also offers a luxury two bedroom apartment in a residential neighborhood 100 meters from the ocean and a ten minute walk into town. This is a perfect home base to relax after your outdoor adventures or days spent on the beach and comfortably sleeps four people. It has a well equipped kitchen, WiFi, lounge area, and more. It is ideal for a gay vacation which combines beach days with the city nightlife or day tours of the countryside.

During my five day visit to Puerto Madryn I soon learned that dining out in this town offers a gourmet experience comparable to much larger cities. My personal favorite was dining on the beach at the Vernardino Club del Mar with a spectacular view and a cafe style menu with extensive choices for lunch or dinner. When craving seafood Los Colones or Cantina El Nautico are the best places and both are located in the center of the town and close to the beaches. Cafes like the Lizard Cafe or the Bodegan Bienvenidos offer simple fare at reasonable prices and the Lizard Cafe specializes in pizza for dine-in, takeout, or home delivery. Be sure to visit the Quimey Quipan—meaning “Welcome” in English—-in the town center or when heading to Puerto Piramedes for whale watching and enjoy local Patagonia creations with seafood or meat dishes.

Los Colonos Seafood Restaurant

Whatever you are looking for on your gay vacation be sure to consult with the expert staff at Flamenco Tour agency and they will point you in the right direction to find local gay-friendly businesses. This seaside town and surrounding countryside offers a very unique eco-friendly experience for every outdoor enthusiast or nature lover. Combine mother nature with great gourmet dining, beach relaxation, and first class accommodations for the perfect gay get-away in Argentina’s spectacular Patagonia region.

For More Information Visit: www.flamencotour.com

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Argentina

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