Egypt hosts a wide variety of historical, cultural and religious sites, which makes the entire country fascinating. Egypt gay travel can include anything from taking a cruise on the Nile, crossing the desert on a camel, shopping in open-air souks, and taking in the awe-inspiring Great Pyramids of Giza, to shopping and dining in modern cities and relaxing on the pristine white sands of world-famous beaches. From the Temple of Edfu and the burial tombs in the Valley of Kings, to browsing through the Khan al Khalili Bazaar or visiting King Tutankhamun’s treasures in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt truly has endless offerings. Folks planning a gay vacation to Africa will not want to pass up the mystique and allure of Egypt, which is an excellent choice for gay travel.

When planning a gay vacation to Egypt, there is some information that is helpful to know. While there are no specific laws outlawing same-sex sexual behavior between consenting adults in private, over the last several years, the government has stepped up its efforts to arrest and imprison gay men by using laws against debauchery and contempt of religion to imprison men arrested through raids at known gathering spots, undercover operations in online chat rooms and other underhanded methods.

While Egyptian men are usually the focus of these raids and online undercover operations, local women and male and female tourists have also been arrested. There are no laws that specifically ban same-sex sexual activity conducted in private between consenting adults; however, laws against debauchery, contempt for religion and other similar behaviors have been used in recent years to persecute members of the LGBT community in Egypt.

With that said, this is not to imply that Egypt should be avoided during gay travel, or that travelers will feel unwelcome amongst the locals. Most visitors find locals throughout the country to be very warm and welcoming and have reported no problems with the government or police during gay vacations. Of course, this ongoing persecution does mean that it is difficult, if not impossible to find any visible LGBT communities; however, there are popular gathering spots in Cairo, Aswan, Dahab, Alexandria, Luxor and other metropolitan areas. It is important to note that while these hangouts do exist, discretion should be used, because the police are also well aware of locations frequented by the LGBT community.

Egypt is an amazing country with a vast array of must-see attractions of both cultural and historical value. Folks who are interested in visiting Egypt on gay vacations may want to consider a gay travel tour, which will help to ensure that you do not miss Egypt’s best offerings and that the journey will be a safe one. If you prefer solo gay vacations, it is still advisable to at least go through a travel agent that is aware of the concerns and needs of members of the LGBT community when planning gay vacations to ensure a trip full of lasting memories and great experiences.

Howie Holben is the author of this article about travel. Spirit Journeys is a conscious gay tours company and has hosted wonderful gay holidays for over 17 years. You can find out much more about a spiritual gay vacation or gay travel at www.SpiritJourneys.com.

With LGBT communities in every large city, Germany is a well-known LGBT haven in Europe. This, of course, is why that gay vacations to Germany’s LGBT hotspots, such as Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Munich and Frankfurt, are so incredibly popular with visitors from all around the world. Germany is also home to several large Pride festivals, with the best-known being the world-famous festivals in Cologne and Berlin, and is a great for gay travel tours anytime of the year. Travelers will likely find that city dwellers are more welcoming than rural residents; however, all across the country travelers will find a welcoming environment in this popular gay vacation destination.

Cologne is often referred to as Germany’s LGBT capital and is a wonderful choice as a gay travel destination. Perfectly poised on the shores of the Rhine River, Germany’s oldest large city draws eager visitors from every corner of the globe to experience this beautiful citys rich history and culture, commune with its friendly, jovial inhabitants and take part in its thriving arts and culture scene. Cologne is home to the world-renowned Cologne Cathedral, Kolsch beer and more LGBT restaurants, clubs, cafs, bars and establishments than anyone could visit in just one gay vacation.

This welcoming community has no problem with couples of all sorts showing affection in public and has a well-established, highly visible LGBT population. Cologne is proud to be the host of the 2010 Gay Games and home to more LGBT bars, clubs, restaurants, cafs and other establishments than any visitor could experience in a single gay vacation. To display how LGBT-friendly this city truly is, the KolnTourismus Service Centre even offers a Pink WelcomeCard, which provides discounts on LGBT clubs, bars, saunas and shops, as well as free public transportation and discounts for local attractions, such as river cruises, opera, theater and museums.

Berlin also has a well-established LGBT community and a wide variety of bars, clubs and establishments. Prospective visitors considering gay tours in Berlin might want to consider traveling during Pride season to enjoy Europes largest Gay and Lesbian City Festival, Lesbisch-Schwules Stadtfest, which is hosted in Berlin the weekend before the huge Berlin Gay Pride Parade and Christopher Street Day Festival, attended by hundreds of thousands of LGBT folks, and friends and supporters of the community, making this a perfect time for gay vacations to Germany.

No matter how you travel to Germany, alone or in a group, your Germany gay vacation will undoubtedly be full of many wonderful experiences. In order to make the most of your Germany vacation, consider exploring this intriguing country as part of a professionally arranged gay travel tour or planning your trip through a travel agency well-versed in gay holidays to Germany.

This article about gay tours for Germany was written by Howie Holben. Howie’s company, Spirit Journeys, has offered spiritual gay travel since 1992. You can learn more at www.spiritjourneys.com

Who wouldn’t like Cancun’s lovely white beaches, historical sites, and a nightlife that can’t be beat? This is a great city for gays to visit and provides a lot of places for a gay tourist to go that are in operation solely to entertain gay visitors. No one should go to Cancun without sampling a bit of everything from the rich tradition of the Mayans.

Cancun offers both modern day fun in the busy city and historical, educational benefits in the ancient ruins nearby. Make sure you plan for at least a day to tour the Temple of Kukulcan. The place of prayer is worth seeing, however there is a valid excuse to come soon when one travels when it is Spring or Autumn Equinox.

While the sun moves slowly across the sky, the corner of the pyramid casts a shadow of the great plumed serpent Kukulcan. As day wears on and the sun moves, the shadow does also and the serpent begins to slither slowly down the pyramid side.

This beautiful city on the Yucatan Peninsula in an area referred to as the Mexican Caribbean, had only three residents, caretakers for a coconut plantation, until the building of the city in 1970. Until then, it contained the remnants of the Mayans, natural beauty and of course, coconut trees. Today, you’ll find the magic of the ancient mixed with a modern city whose oldest building came after 1970.

Cancun is appropiate place for those who like water and sun. While all the beaches in Cancun are beautiful, the white sand beaches across from Ruinas del Rey is a mainstay for the gay scene. A gay friendly location, Cancun offers fantastic places to meet a special someone, especially on the sandy, sunny beaches.

If you want to do more than bake under the rays or walk along the shoreline, there are plenty of more physical activities available. You want something different to do at night, enjoy you supper on the bow of a boat.

With all the activities of the day, take a nap after dinner to prepare for the nightlife. Nightlife doesn’t begin until 10:30 and then goes through the night to 5:00 in the morning.

There is a large diversity in the bar scene, but if you are looking to mesh with the gay scene, Karamba is the place to go. There’s entertainment to suite every taste in popular music. Get a seat early, because after midnight, the joint fills up with locals, but the place only holds 450 people.

Picante a gay bar in Cancun, and it is the oldest one in the city. Every night there’s a party here, but on special occasions, such as holidays, fantastic performances and fun costumes spice them up. Go on Thursday for Tequila night and free shots.

You can find a lot of gay friendly hotels and resorts like Hyatt Regency Cancun, Gran Melia Cancun, Presidente InterContinental and The Ritz-Carlton.

In ancient years, it was Xel-Ha that was quite important to all the Mayan people. It was where they would all come in order to offer respect to their various Mayan gods by doing rituals and many dances. Of course much has changed since those days.

These days, Xel-Ha is one of the biggest aquariums around and a marvelous snorkeling spot. Most people come here to snorkel because it offers such an amazing experience.

The popular Xel-Ha is a site that is archaeological and you’ll find it in Mexico, located on the Yucatan Peninsula. The area is extremely beautiful in a manner that is just about tropical paradise.

The sea has a lovely color of blue and green, enticing you to dive on in to the beautiful waters. Everyone would want a swim if all of the seas out there had this great look to them.

The city of Cancun is only about seventy five miles away to the south of Xel-Ha. If you want to go to Cancun, you can get there by car, you can take a taxi, or rid the bus. If you are going to take public transportation, the ride to the park is available for free. This way you don’t have to worry about trying to get the park on your own.

Some great water activities are available in Xel-Ha for kids and adults. These seas allow you to have a great time kayaking, or you can try out snorkeling, Sea Trek, Aquaventura, or even Snuba. Of course you don’t just have to stay in the water. A variety of great land activities exist too. Enjoy exploring caves, checking out coves, enjoying lagoons, and many other great land based activities too.

If you enjoy taking a walk, there are many paths and exciting bridges that will taken you around. Of course if you enjoy sitting back and relaxing, you can also go on the train ride that will ride you around so you can enjoy all the beautiful sights as well.

You’ll definitely be glad you came to visit as you get around to seeing all the city sites. You’ll enjoy the step back into long ago history when you are visiting Xel-Ha on vacation.

Interested in knowing a bit more about Xel-Ha and it’s past? Well, according to legend the city was first started at a time when the Mayan gods brought together shrewdness, love, and fantasies in order to make this place to bring together the beauty and greatness of nature. Supposedly this is the reason that the entire area is so amazingly beautiful, since it is thousands of years old. While some only think this is a myth, there are others that truly believe that this is true.

To get into this park, you will have to pay some kind of fee. The fees will differ depending on what you do, but they are not too pricey. Kids are cheaper than adults are. It’s definitely worth the price to enjoy the lovely park. With all the great sites available, you’ll be happy to pay to get in.

If you enjoy beauty and you love history, then you definitely will want to take the time to visit Xel-Ha. Make sure you have your camera too. You’ll want to take plenty of pictures to remember the beautiful area by.

Latin Hot Party is the very first great event dedicated to all GLBT in the world. Unlike many others meetings, this event has the enormous advantage of being perfectly organized and structured in order to make you have the best fun ever. The most beautiful beaches and the best gay hotels in Cancun.

These are very stressful times for all of us. Most of us have never experienced anything in our lives that even comes close to the fear and uncertainty that surrounds us these days. We are worried if we will have a job next week; if we will be able to keep a roof over our heads and put food on the table. All we hear from the media is how bad things are and that its likely to get worse. Who wouldnt be stressed?

Stress feels uncomfortable and is painful. Our natural instinct is to avoid anything that is painful. We run away from the pain as fast as we can. In the case of stress, we frequently turn to drugs or alcohol for relief. Escape also comes in the form of a vacation.

Yes, a vacation… thats what I need; a chance to get away from lifes stresses; to escape. We think, That way I can come home refreshed and ready to deal with lifes stresses with renewed vigor. A typical vacation can be a big help in dealing with stress. We get a chance to leave the worries behind us for a week or two, but do we really?

Unfortunately, a lot of our “vacation time” is wasted. The beginning of the vacation is spent “getting into vacation” mode. The end of the vacation is spent worrying about going home and all the stuff that is waiting for us to do when we get home. In the middle of the vacation, we do get a chance to relax a little.

When the vacation is over, we have to go back to all the stresses we left at home. We likely did not learn anything while on vacation to help us deal with the stresses of daily life. A typical gay vacation is only a quick and very temporary fix, like a drug. This is why Spirit Journeys is more important now in these stressful times.

Our personal experience has shown us that conscious gay travel with Spirit Journeys can be a life changing event. The introduction to new ways of thinking, the learning and practicing of techniques to handle stress or the building of a support network of friends, can all help us be less affected by lifes ups and downs; to be more confident as we move through our lives.

Also, at a Spirit Journeys event we get to meet and connect with people at a level simply not possible on an ordinary gay vacation. We are given the chance to learn new things and hear new ideas from the others in the group. The connections made on a Spirit Journey add immensely to the enjoyment of our time away. To be able to sit and have a real conversation with someone; for us to be listened to with genuine interest; for us to listen to others with our heart; the importance of these things cannot be measured and bring a deep sense of fulfillment. Yes, there is effort involved. We can’t just hide in our rooms. We will want to be “present”; we will want to be willing; we will want to be as open and honest as we can be.

But the effort we put out has unimaginable rewards. We know in our hearts that this kind of effort has the power to change us, and change us deeply. These kind of changes to our “way of being” in the world, can make everday feel like we’re on a vacation.

Written by Howie Holben, this is an article about the importance of spiritual gay travel in times of stress. You can learn more about gay vacations with purpose at www.SpiritJourneys.com.

Now that the spring season is in full swing and the sizzling summer sun is right around the corner, you are probably anxious to start planning your next vacation getaway.

One gay travel destination that is quickly gaining in popularity and will have you excited to explore for yourself is Puerto Vallarta. What makes Puerto Vallarta so special? To begin with, the place is incredible. Because of a perfect climate, a tropical jungle, a stunning ocean bay, beautiful beaches and mountains, Puerto Vallarta is the perfect place for weekend getaway.

Puerto Vallarta is a small city. But don’t be quick to judge it by its size. Despite its small size, the city is truly a delightful city devoted to serve its visitors. This small city boasts of infrastructures of a modern resort while still retaining its old school Mexican charm.

The city also is home to charming restaurants, excellent airports, up-to-date medical services, reliable drinking water supply, and of course, a safe environment to make the place perfect to be a paradise. So if you are the type who are looking for quaintness without sacrificing modern conveniences, then this is your place.

If the benefits mentioned about Puerto Vallarta havent gotten your attention, then perhaps Acapulco is a better choice for you. Acapulco is about clear waters, sunny beaches as well as rugged mountains. It is a scheduled stop for cruise ships, a spring break destination and the perfect destination for gay couples or singles.

Opposite to Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco is famous for its flamboyant gay bars and clubs. Its gay bars may not be that refined or upscale as most big city clubs, but that is what makes Acapulco a unique experience.

Last, but definitely not least, you may want to take a look at the terrific gay vacation destination of Cancun. There are many gay travelers that believe that there is no better vacation destination, which explains its popularity. Cancun is a haven for all tourists, especially the gay traveler.

The main attraction to Cancun is definitely the nightlife. The funky and upbeat gay clubs like the Picante bar and the Karamba will definitely light up the nights in Cancun.

Karamba bar is the largest gay disco in Cancun while Picante bar is their oldest gay club. Party under the night sky in Karamba’s open air disco to the tunes of both local and international djs. There are also nightly stage performances with drag queens lip-synching to Broadway tunes and impersonators dancing to the latest tunes. Parties start at the stroke of 10:30 pm and stretches well out into the wee hours of the morning.

Picante is a hot spot that has been cooking for 14 years. When you go to Picante you will see their Vegas showgirl style strippers, dancers, singers as well as the bar owner and emcee Mother Picante. If youre really lucky you might be able to catch the once a year beauty pageant that takes place during Carnival and be able to witness the crowning of The Queen.

Cancun is one place where you’ll never grow hungry. The city is teeming with restaurants of local and international flavors.

And top it all, to make your gay vacation totally unforgettable, Cancun offers its gay friendly hotels. The places to stay in would the luscious Hyatt Cancun Caribe. There is also the Melia Cancun, the Presidente Intercontinental and the Villas Tacul Boutique Hotel. Any way you want it, these hotels are perfect for you.

So pack those bags and get yourself a ticket to paradise. Whether the destination is Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, or Cancun, you’re sure to have a grand, gay time! Bon Voyage!

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While there are more and more hotels and travel destinations that make it easy to plan and enjoy gay travel, the services of an agency can make planning easier. There are a number of groups and agencies that bring likeminded people together in order to provide travel with the best experience possible.

By planning a gay travel vacations or a shorter retreat to one of the many sacred sites that still remain, a person can experience personal insight, personal growth, self-awareness, spirituality and healing. There are many places that have a mysterious attraction to people all over the world and visiting these destinations can uplift the soul and rejuvenate the spirit.

Weekend retreats and getaways are popular destinations for people planning the perfect gay travel experience. There are retreats that are designed to rejuvenate both the body and the spirit. Workshops are available that will help to increase personal growth, self-awareness and spirituality. These workshops are available for couples to attend or can be attended by individuals. They are led by counselors that are experienced in many different areas.

There are a number of trips that provide an abundance of fun activities along with the spiritual aspect. One such gay travel trip that has been a long time favorite of travelers of all ages and genders is the Grand Canyon rafting trip. These trips usually last around seven days and include all the meals and camping gear that will be needed. There is plenty of time for hiking and relaxing. Most people that have had the pleasure of taking this journey describe the trip as being one of the most spiritual experiences of their life.

Another spectacular destination that fits well into gay travel planning that is both spiritually fulfilling and fun is a trip to Egypt. Just imagine being able to view the ancient Pyramids or cruise down the Nile River. A person could have the opportunity to view King Tut’s burial mask at the Cairo Egyptian Museum or stand in front of the ancient Sphinx. Travelers that have visited these ancient sites have reported life changing spiritual experiences.

Many people really enjoy taking gay travel trips as part of a group of likeminded people. They are able to share common interests and often form lifelong friendships as a result of one of these journeys. Don’t delay, make travel plans today.

Some gay travel experiences involve exploring ancient cultures. A pilgrimage is often the name given to this kind of travel. On a pilgrimage, the traveler learns the old traditions from the people and places visited. But it is not all serious, there is lots of time to relax and just sightsee.

Sacred places have held an attraction for millions of people since the dawn of time. This attraction is because these places are known for the healing of mind and body. They will continue to be honored and visited because they provide a way to learn about the old ways and can lead to personal healing and growth.

Howie Holben owns Spirit Journeys, a spiritual gay travel organization. His goal is to help others set themselves free. Learn more about gay travel with a purpose at www.SpiritJourneys.com.

Italy is a country well-known for its history, art, architecture and romance. With its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant history and rich culture, Italy is a popular destination for gay travel, as well as being home to many settings for movies, plays and books. Friends, partners and families travel to Italy at all times of the year for the food and the fashion, and to see many of the most famous examples of architecture and art in the world. Whether your idea of a perfect gay vacation is strolling through the narrow streets of Venice, cruising through the countryside with the top down in search of historical sites and quaint wineries, spending a day at a Florence museum or partaking in Milans exuberant nightlife, you are sure to find Italy an ideal location for gay vacations.

Folks looking for gay travel experiences in Italy will find the largest selection of gay clubs and bars in Milan and Rome; however, Florence, Venice, Bologna, Geneva and Padua, as well as other cities and towns frequented by tourists, also have gay-friendly and gay-owned bars and businesses that provide a welcoming environment for visitors on an Italian gay vacation. Travelers will find gay-friendly and gay-owned hotels throughout the country, including Tuscanys gay-owned La Quircia Rosa and Villa le Masse, and gay-friendly Hotel Porta Rossa, which is only a short stroll from the Galleria dellAccademia, which houses Michelangelos David and is the one of the oldest hotels in Italy.

The lesbian and gay community has a presence in most of Italys more populous urban areas, which allows for many options for a gay vacation to Italy. Florence, Bologna, Rome and Milan all have a gay and lesbian presence, with Milan generally considered as the most accepting city in Italy for gay vacations. There are a number of gay pride events throughout Italy and large lesbian and gay film festivals that draw in visitors from around the world, including the Florence Queer Festival, Turin International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and Milans Festival del Cinema Gay Lesbico e della Cultura Queer.

If one of the goals of your gay holiday to Italy is to experience as much of the history, art and culture as possible during your stay, tours are an absolute necessity. Participating in organized gay vacations or working with a travel agency to schedule tours for your private travel group will help you make the most out of your time in Italy.

Also shorter waits in line and an organized itinerary will assist you in making the most of your Italian travel experience. Planning your gay vacation through a travel agency that is accustomed to organizing gay vacations or arranging gay travel in Italy is the best way to ensure that you have the information you need and the assistance of a travel agent that understands your needs.

So enough of the congratulations because, with the spring season on the rise and the summer sun just around the corner, I know you are dying to know where you will be going for your next vacation.

One gay travel destination that is quickly gaining in popularity and will have you excited to explore for yourself is Puerto Vallarta. What makes Puerto Vallarta so special? To begin with, the place is incredible. Because of a perfect climate, a tropical jungle, a stunning ocean bay, beautiful beaches and mountains, Puerto Vallarta is the perfect place for weekend getaway.

Puerto Vallarta is a small city. But don’t be quick to judge it by its size. Despite its small size, the city is truly a delightful city devoted to serve its visitors. This small city boasts of infrastructures of a modern resort while still retaining its old school Mexican charm.

This little city is home to excellent airports, charming restaurants, modern medical facilities, a supply of good drinking water, and a very safe environment, which makes this vacation destination seem like paradise. If you are a traveler that enjoys quaintness, but cant live without modern conveniences, then you have found your place.

If the benefits mentioned about Puerto Vallarta havent gotten your attention, then perhaps Acapulco is a better choice for you. Acapulco is about clear waters, sunny beaches as well as rugged mountains. It is a scheduled stop for cruise ships, a spring break destination and the perfect destination for gay couples or singles.

Acapulco has become famous for its flamboyant gay clubs and bars and is the exact opposite of Puerto Vallarta. While its gay clubs might not be as refined as those in big cities, they are part of what contributes to the unique experience that Acapulco provides.

And the last, but certainly not the least, gay destination on the list is Cancun. I think nothing beats Cancun with regards to being the most popular gay destination ever. The place is the haven for tourists, especially the gay crowd.

The prime feature of this island is the nightlife. Upbeat and funky gay bars such as Karamba and Picante bar will light your nights up in Cancun.

Karamba bar is the largest gay disco in Cancun while Picante bar is their oldest gay club. Party under the night sky in Karamba’s open air disco to the tunes of both local and international djs. There are also nightly stage performances with drag queens lip-synching to Broadway tunes and impersonators dancing to the latest tunes. Parties start at the stroke of 10:30 pm and stretches well out into the wee hours of the morning.

Picante, on the other hand, is still bumping and grinding after 14 years in the business. Visit Picante for their Vegas showgirls-style dances, strippers, singers, and the bar’s owner and resident emcee Mother Picante. And if you’re lucky, you might catch the annual beauty pageant during the Carnival and get to see who gets crowned as “The Queen.”

Cancun is one place where you’ll never grow hungry. The city is teeming with restaurants of local and international flavors.

And top it all, to make your gay vacation totally unforgettable, Cancun offers its gay friendly hotels. The places to stay in would the luscious Hyatt Cancun Caribe. There is also the Melia Cancun, the Presidente Intercontinental and the Villas Tacul Boutique Hotel. Any way you want it, these hotels are perfect for you.

So pack those bags and get yourself a ticket to paradise. Whether the destination is Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, or Cancun, you’re sure to have a grand, gay time! Bon Voyage!