May 23, 2015
LGBT Adventure Travel :: Let's Get Out There!
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 8 MIN.
When was the last time you took a vacation? Better yet, when was the last time you took a vacation... whitewater rafting on a river, hiking the Alpine peaks of Switzerland, cycling along the Adriatic coast or scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands? Even better yet, when was the last time you did so, with a group of LGBT compatriots, in a completely safe, secure and pre-arranged environment?
There are so many things in this world to see and do. The only challenge? How to effectively make it all go down without a hitch. I for one, have always been a seat-of-my-pants kind of traveller, which has its merits and has offered me many a great adventure. But, when traveling outside of your time and comfort zones, continentally or intercontinentally, it's truly a wonderful thing to have someone do the work arranging the experience for you - long before venturing out the door.
Finding the best mode of travel or a safe, secure place to stay, whether camping by a languorous river, or lounging lavishly in a four or five star hotel, is a massive challenge. On top of that, figuring out dining and nighttime entertainment, or tours, tickets and travel visas - all the what, who, why and how of it - is positively breath-taking. And, I don't mean that, in an "I'm-looking-at-Machu-Picchu-in-the-Andes" kind of way.
LGBT travel has more than hit its stride and there are a multitude of companies out there that specialize in destination adventures, be they "roughing it," or be they "luxuriating in it." Here are a few of the top tour groups to check out for your next adventure.
Zoom Vacations
Their mission statement, "Zoom Vacations creates global vacations that feed the hearts, souls and minds of our travelers." They have been at it for ten years and let me tell you, they have honed their craft. Organizers take care of everything, every hotel, meal, excursion and tour you take is vetted for you, the LGBT traveller. Be you a seasoned world traveler, or newbie to the worldly ways, Zoom's adventures are unique in every way, best described by them thus: "Whether it's cooking in the private home of a famous Brazilian chef, getting blessed by a real Inca shaman in a temple of Machu Picchu, or entering a private African Party on the banks of the Zambezi River by elephant back, Zoom Vacations brings unmatched experiences, showing our travelers more than just a good time."
Here's A Sampling of What Zoom Has to Offer:
Their 2015 seven-day Argentinian adventure this November or January 2016, are fully escorted by their "on-tour-with-you" concierge. They feature stops in uber gay-friendly, Buenos Aires (November trip bonus - Buenos Aires Gay Pride) and then on to world famous Igua�u Falls. Trips include everything from five-star accommodations in both locations, to welcome cocktail parties with dinner, tango shows, guided city tours; with a stop at the San Telmo Sunday Flea Market and gay nightlife adventures. Airport transfers for Igua�u Falls are also included, as well as a high-speed boat that takes you to the base of the tempest and separate walking tour, buffet breakfasts every day and many of your other meals.
Other featured locations for 2015 include: China in May, Israel in June (right in the middle of Tel Aviv Gay Pride), Bhutan, Nepal or India in October, Peru in November, or how about New Year's in Cuba or Rio de Janeiro? Trips run from $1,295 to $8,995 (airfare not included) and offer access to much of the cultural treasures and local gay life in each of the featured areas - and it's all done for you - everything.
Don't see a destination you like? They will happily use their expertise and connections to organize a "value-engineered package" based on your specific needs, interests, budget, hotel preferences etc. So, you can sit back, relax and enjoy.
HeTravel
The motto at He Travel is"Where Gay Travel is King"and they have been polishing that crown for a very long time. Founder Hanns Ebensten ran the first exclusively gay adventure tour down the Grand Canyon in 1973 and their most recent acquisition of OutQuest Global Adventures has broadened their reach even more. As they like to say, "Our gay vacation group tours are ideal both for single gay men and lesbians to meet new friends and also for couples to enjoy the camaraderie of exploring new places with other gay and lesbian travelers."
They have four basic categories to choose from: Cultural, Adventure, Custom Tours and for the more adventurous LGBT, the Adrenaline Club.
Here Are Some of HeTravel's Gay Adventures:
Always wanted to go to Machu Picchu? They offer a "luxury tour," with a stop in architecturally significant Lima, a scenic ride over the Pampa de Anta to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a train ride through the Urubama Gorge and two nights to explore Machu Picchu at the Orient Express Sanctuary Lodge overlooking the beautiful ruins - with a visit to Cusco, the ancient Incan capitol city.
Desire more of a physical adventure? How about their Publia Villa Bike Tour through Italy? Spend a full week in the authentic 14th Century Villa Cappelli, perched along the fabled Appian Way. Cycle through ancient Roman lanes, coastal drives and mountain paths along the Adriatic.
Feeling even more adventurous? Their gay Grand Canyon Rafting and Glacier National Park Adventures take place on individual dates from July through September and include gourmet meals, a motorized craft (no paddling for you), hiking, horseback riding and some of the most intense white water rapids in the world. Journeys run from $2,495 to $4,995 (airfare not included).
OutQuest Global Adventures
This expert LGBT travel organization also specializes in adventure travel
and has been at it, in one form or another, since 1995. Their motto is "Get Out And Play," and the description they offer is this: "We have welcomed thousands of guests from all around the world, creating adventurous and unique experiences and by doing so, bringing together gays, lesbians and straight allies from all walks of life. Our unique adventures are second to none, with a wide range of unforgettable activities, including wilderness hiking, white water rafting, horse riding, photography, mountain biking and so much more." Pretty much sums up a perfect vacation. Enticing, isn't it?
A Few of OutQuest's Upcoming Adventures:
"Istanbul was Constantinople, Now it's Istanbul not Constantinople..."
Visions of Turkey is what this trip is all about, as you tour the historic cities of Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus and the Aegean Coast. It's an area steeped in history with over 10,000 years of mixed culture from ancient Hellenic to Persian and Ottoman. Riding the border between eastern and western culture, it sits at the crossroads of European, Middle East and Africa. Three nights in Istanbul, two nights in Cappadocia and three in Izmir at exclusive four-star hotels, including all ground transportation, three internal flights, a cruise on Bosphorus Straighta and a tour of Ephesus. Local guides, as well as all breakfast and dinners are included.
Other highlighted adventures include a stunning trip to Iceland, the magnificent geological hotbed that features hot springs, lava deserts, waterfalls, geysers, glaciers and icecaps. The Montana Ranch Adventure, which befits the LGBT who is more of a genteel"cowpoke" (just don't go there, okay?). It features, you guessed it, horseback riding, whitewater rafting and the stunning scenery of the Beartooth Mountains. Dreaming of Africa? Try Their Classic Tanzanian Safari! Trips range in price from $2,995 to $4,995.
Coda International Tours
This group might be a little "adventurous," but they certainly get around the globe and have been doing so since 1998. Considered one of the leaders in small escorted group tours, Coda says this: "Our escorted small group trips are created for gay travelers who seek an all-inclusive gay travel experience where everything is carefully planned and executed, where as much ground is covered as is comfortably feasible, at a reasonable pace and in relative comfort, and where your traveling companions will be individuals who share your sense of wonder at the world."
They offer pre-packaged tours or you can book individualized custom trips will all of your friends!
Some of Coda's Escorted Packages:
How about spending some time in a piece of the "cradle of civilization?" Iran has three millennia of recorded history and features some of the most unique architecture in the world. Spend twelve days touring Tehran's museums and bazaars, the city of Shiraz and Darius the Great's Persepolis. How about the ancient necropolis Naqshi-I-Rustam, or Pasargad, capital of the Achaemenid Empire built by Cyrus the Great? Maybe Yazd, the center of Iran's Zoroastrian community, or stops in other cities, such as Ishfan, Nain, Quom, and Kashan?
Other "flights of fancy" include a castle tour through England, Northern India's Kashmir Valley, or Germany, from Bavaria to Berlin. Perhaps you prefer Madrid and Andalusia, the "Undiscovered" Balkan Islands, Morocco or Japan, Vietnam and Cambodia? Their all-inclusive prices vary from $2,799 to $6,595.
All in all, there are too many offerings to list for each of these seasoned companies. Though the tours might seem "pricey" to some, when you add up the cost (food, inter-country travel, museum and tour fees, hotels, food, guides, currency conversions, the hassle of what hotel and what restaurant, or where to get your "gay" on), it is so worth the added expense. That, along with the comfort of a "pre-arranged everything" tour, a seasoned guide and the unmitigated value of the comforts of safe passage - plus, losing all the pain and suffering of organizing the whole thing on your own - you are saving yourself a bundle.
Take a chance on some pre-arranged globetrotting and if you prefer your "own backyard," there are certainly plenty of places in the good old U.S. of A.
Bon Voyage!
Gotta Have It Travel Gadgets
Nokia Treasure Tag
For anyone who has ever lost luggage, a laptop, your keys, or any other important travel possession, this little gadget is indispensable. Attach the Treasure Tag to your valuables and it will signal with a warning noise when you are too far apart. Ignore the alarm, and an app provides tracking information on last known location of the Tag via the linked smartphone.
$30 at amazon.com
TYLT Energi 2K Charger
Back-up batteries are bulky, heavy and add a cable to your bag's tangle. The Energi 2K Smart Travel Charger combines a USB wall charger and battery pack, with USB, compact fold-out wall prongs and a small LED power/battery life indicator. Enough juice to double your phone's capacity.
$40 at tylt.com.
HooToo HT-TM04 TripMate Elite Versatile Wireless Travel Router
What to do when your hotel won't let you hook up more than one device? Carry this multi-purpose gadget. HooToo is a portable Wi-Fi router that connects using Ethernet, allowing you to connect multiple gadgets. It's also a charger and with your thumb drive, it's a mini-network too.
$47 at amazon.com.
Plastic Card
Too many cards in your wallet? This little do-dad changes all of that, by
allowing you to combine up to 20 cards. The touch screen lets you scroll and choose which card to use for payment. Swipe it just like a regular credit card and voil�. It also allows for a secure PIN code, an integrated photo ID and proximity alerts if you get too far from it. Lose it? Wipe it remotely from your
smart phone.
$155 at plastc.com.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
