Vacation Planning Tips

Gay people who want to have a great vacation in South America now have a lot more destinations to choose from. The continent has a massive variety of places to go and things to do and increasingly vocal gay rights movements have ensured that it is safer than ever. There are lots of companies now offering gay travel to South America.

Brazil is still the top gay destination in South America. Rio has long been popular with gay travelers as has Sao Paulo the two largest cities in the country. Now there are more destinations north of the cities, along the coast from Salvador to Fortaleza so gay travelers can get out of the cities and explore.

Buenos Aires has been an increasingly popular gay destination for some time and no wonder. This most European of South American cities has tons of gay bars, clubs and cafes. Palermo has some very chic gay friendly hotels and a wealth of top quality shopping and eating opportunities. San Telmo, the neighborhood for tango is also a great place to hang out and you can even take a gay tango class. The residents of Buenos Aires like to think of themselves as modern and liberal and it is possible to have a same sex civil union in the city.

Colombians are famous throughout the continent for their hospitality and ability to have a good time. The country is largely safe for travelers these days and people are starting to discover the many joys to be found there. In terms of gay travel things are also looking promising. In recent years there have been a number of new laws which give gay couples the same rights as straight couples. Bogota has a fabulous gay neighborhood called Chapinero Alto with loads of bars, cafes and gay hotels. The city hosts a gay pride event every June and many free cultural events throughout the summer.

Cosmopolitan Santiago, the capital of Chile is another up and coming gay destination. Thanks to an especially active and vocal gay rights movement things are changing rapidly. A new law has just been proposed to legalize same sex partnerships so gay visitors to the city should not have any problems. The second city Valparaiso is a fascinating city with a LGBT movement of its own. When many travelers visit Chile though, it is not for the cities. The country has an incredible variety of natural habitats from the glacier covered south to the northern deserts and incredible landscapes of all kinds in between. These offer countless opportunities for sports and adventure so a trip to Chile could really include a bit of everything.

For the adventure traveler Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador have a huge array of possibilities. While they do not have as much gay friendly infrastructure as other countries they do have growing gay scenes in their capital cities. There are a number of companies who could set up a gay trip to go exploring the jungle, climbing, trekking, exploring ancient ruins and visiting historic cities.

The popularity of South America as a vacation destination is growing. Reflecting this there are many travel agents who specialize in gay trips. The draw of places like Macchu Picchu is now pulling in more and more gay travelers.

If you want a trip full of adventure and variety check out gay tours to South America. You will find places with friendly people and amazing opportunities.

Howie Holben, the author, is the owner of Spirit Journeys, a gay travel deals organization that focuses on spiritual travel. Howie has travelled the world learning from indigenous peoples. You can learn more about Howie, his work and gay travel information with a spiritual concentration at Spirit Journeys website.

As most individuals enjoy going on vacation, so too individuals in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered community. However, going on such a vacation can often be far more challenging for these individuals than it can a family going on regular vacations each year. This is because, while there are places which are more accepting of individuals on gay travel in the USA, there are still a number of areas which such individuals may wish to avoid due to both attitude and hate crime rates in relation to same.

One such place is that of the cape off the coast of Massachusetts, as is reflected in a number of gay related tour guides and other information. In addition, areas such as Key West, FL are also more accepting and tend to host a predominately gay crowd when it comes to an area in which to celebrate marriage or visit while on Spring Break or for a Summer vacation. Therefore, it is possible for such individuals to feel quite at home in these two locations as well as many others which can also be found both online and in a variety of travel guides relating to same.

In addition, there are many other options offered for those in the gay community who wish to go on an extended vacation. These can include, but are not limited to, staying at a bed and breakfast which caters to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexuals and Transgendered individuals, gay cruises, or spending time at a resort designed in a way so that all individuals can have a fun and relaxing time regardless of sexual orientation or other personal information.

Whether one desires to purchase a book or find a local business offering such vacations online, one may want to verify the business is still in operation and contact a local better business bureau to determine if there have been any complaints against such an establishment. This is because sometimes, while one may advertise a business is gay friendly, others have not always found such to be the case. Therefore, if one knows such information in advance, one can prevent a repeat by selecting another more appropriate choice for such a vacation.

Also, if one can prepare accordingly based on fact rather than a listing in a guide or online, one has a better chance of arriving at the location without any surprises in relation to discrimination or other issues. In doing so, one can layout plans according to the information which involve staying and playing at welcoming locations throughout the United States. Thus, creating less stress overall and allowing one to know first hand what one can expect upon arrival at a preferred location.

For, while the gay community has made a great deal of progress when it comes to acceptance overall, there are still areas, especially within the United States, which are still bigoted toward both the gay community and other alternative groups. Therefore, doing research with regards to such locations can also help one avoid staying in areas which may not be as safe as others. This is especially true when it comes to individuals who identify as being part of such a community.

However, if the States were smart, the States would pass laws applying the same equal rights with relation to gay marriage as others have done. For, in doing so, the States can increase their levels of tourism by promoting equality and acceptance for all. Something, States which have passed gay marriage laws have seen through an increase in associated tourism. To this end, many individuals seeking to go on vacation, often focus on the States which now have the option of gay marriage available on a legal basis, regardless as to whether one desires to get married on such a vacation or not.

So, if one is going to be taking gay tours in the USA, one need do their homework with regards to the cities and States which are more accepting and welcoming in order to have a fun, healthy and safer vacation than one might experience in other areas which are not as welcoming. Regardless, when does their research in relation to such vacations, one can generally find a great number of activities, lodging and travel options which cater to the gay community as a whole.

Howie Holben is the force behind Spirit Journeys, a gay travel organization that focuses on spiritual travel. Howie has travelled the world learning from indigenous peoples. You can learn more about Howie, his work and gay retreats with a spiritual focus at Spirit Journeys website.