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Gay Tour Packages In Hawaii

Howie Holben — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 11:00:17 +0000

Hawaii provides a pristine paradise that attracts travelers from across the globe to its many-colored picturesque beaches. Because of a welcoming, warm population and a blend of Polynesian, Asian and white European cultures, this island paradise has long been a popular travel destination for both straight and gay vacations. The LGBT community in Hawaii is relatively low-key and not entirely outwardly visible, but those that are on gay vacations will find a welcoming level of acceptance that has come about, in part, from many generations of varied cultures living together with no specific dominant religious or cultural influence as an overriding factor.

Oahu is home to the state capitol, Honolulu, the popular tourist destination, Waikiki, and 70% of Hawaii’s population. If you plan to visit Oahu on your gay holidays, you will not want to miss La Cucaracha, an LGBT-friendly Mexican caf with authentic Mexican cuisine, margaritas and great music, or the LGBT novelty, book and clothing store, 80% Straight Inc., located in the Waikiki Grand. There are also a few bars and clubs for those interested in the scene, including Hula’s Bar & Lei Stand, Fusion Waikiki, In-Between and Angles Waikiki. If heading to the beach is more your style, Queen’s Surf and the area below the lighthouse at Diamond Head are the two spots where the community can be found any day of the year.

Those who make their way to Maui will not find much of a scene other than an area of Little Beach in Makena, but watching the sunrise from the top of Mount Haleakala, exploring waterfalls and shopping in quaint villages make Maui one of the great gay tours destinations. If you wish to explore what most consider the most scenic and tropical island in the chain, Kauai is a must-see stop. With a few LGBT-friendly places, including a clothing optional bed and breakfast and an LGBT-owned Japanese-style villa with a clothing optional lagoon pool, Kauai is the island for exploring waterfalls, canyons and imposing cliffs.

The Big Island is also a welcoming vacation option and offers several LGBT-friendly accommodations, restaurants and business, as well as one bar. Gay vacations to the Big Island provide opportunities to visit an active volcano, black sand beaches, a rain forest or the snow-capped Mauna Kea.

There are many reasons to travel to Hawaii, which is the most remote island chain in the world and a must-see paradise. In a single trip to the islands you can scuba dive or snorkel among coral reefs, explore a volcano, visit a pineapple farm, ride horses on black sand beaches, learn the hula and attend an authentic luau. To make sure you do not miss anything that Hawaii has to offer, use a gay holidays tour, or enlist the assistance of a travel agency well-versed in planning gay vacation tours.

Howie Holben gay tours to Hawaii clues post. He is the facilitator of Spirit Journeys, a gay egypt tour organization. Spirit Journeys presents spiritual gay workshops all over the planet.

Ireland And Gay Tour Deals

Howie Holben — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:47:39 +0000

The intriguing country of Ireland has been a popular gay vacations since the days when Oscar Wilde called this nation home. Of course, during his time Ireland was not as welcoming and accepting of LGBT folks and many, including Wilde, were jailed or sent off to hard labor camps for what was then termed “indecency.” Sadly, up until 1861, death was considered an acceptable punishment for acts of sodomy, but today Ireland has moved well beyond these dark days and has recently bested the U.S. when it comes to LGBT rights by legalizing same-sex civil unions in 2009, after decriminalizing same-sex behaviors in 1993.

While this may not necessarily mean that every rural village – or even every metropolitan area – in this largely Catholic country now fully embraces same-sex relationships, Ireland has become a much more accepting, welcoming country as a whole and is a truly remarkable choice for gay travel. Most of Ireland’s larger cities, including Cork, Dublin, Galway and Waterford, now have a thriving community, establishments that are LGBT-friendly or LGBT-owned, annual community celebrations and a plethora of attractions that could easily fill your whole vacation; however, you also will not want to miss visiting the Irish countryside and exploring quaint villages sitting at the top of breathtaking cliffs along the coast.

There are now many Irish cities that have LGBT organizations, popular hangouts, annual celebrations and a thriving community, but Dublin remains the unquestionable center of Irish LGBT life, making it an absolute must-see during gay travel to Ireland. The nightlife in Dublin is an interesting blend of upscale clubs with dress codes and a casual LGBT pub scene, which allows those on gay vacations to Ireland to experience different aspects of LGBT life in Dublin. Depending on when you arrive, you may also have the opportunity to take part in one of Dublin’s annual community events, including the Dublin Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in July, Dublin International LGBTQ Pride in June, and the popular Dublin Gay Theatre Festival, which takes place each May.

Other happenings throughout the year are listed in Ireland’s most popular community magazine, GCN, so those who want to experience the scene during Dublin gay vacations will want to grab a copy when they get to town. Aside from community activities, there are many attractions you will likely want to visit while in Dublin, including the Oscar Wilde House Museum, the Hugh Lane Gallery, the Old Jameson Distillery, the Guinness Storehouse, the Book of Kells and The George, which is Dublin’s most famous LGBT bar.

Folks planning gay tours should consider partaking in group gay tours to ensure that they do not miss out on the plethora of historical, cultural and natural attractions that this intriguing, romantic nation has to offer.

Column about Ireland created by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys has great gay romantic travel and gay travel packages.