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| Picture: Image Bank |
In a survey conducted by London-based market research
company ID Research in 2002, statistics proved that gays and
lesbians are inclined to take more holidays than your average Brit.
With no children, a higher income and a generally higher standard
of living, the gay community jets away on average five to six times
a year – even during periods of slow growth in the industry.
The gay community loves a good bargain. Whether it’s a
weekend away with a long-term partner or a two-week jolly in search
of an encounter or two, there are a number of getaway suggestions
perfect for the pink traveller, and all within four hours’
flight from the UK.
| Best for culture |
Where? Prague.
Why? ever since the Berlin wall came down, the gay
community of Prague has been unshackling itself from years of
oppression. The Czech government is surprisingly supportive of gay
politics – for Eastern Europe that is. While they may be
light years away from the inclusive policies of Canada and the
Netherlands, their bars aren’t being raided anymore and the
police have a largely ‘live and let live’ policy. In
their opinion, the lager louts transported down for a booze-filled
stag night pose more of a problem than a couple of homosexuals.
Combine this atmosphere with Prague’s staggeringly romantic
architecture, cheap food and beverage costs and friendly locals
– and you have the perfect romantic getaway.
Sample product: Man Around, the UK’s largest
gay and lesbian tour operator, offers three nights from £310
per person twin-share, with three-star accommodation and
breakfast.
See also: Berlin. The German capital is a positive
boomtown when it comes to gay options. This is, after all, the town
that brought us Marlene Dietrich, Liza Minnelli’s Cabaret and
countless other gay icons who have stood the test of time.
| Best for lone travellers |
Where? Sardinia.
Why? Gay travellers are more likely to travel on
their own than your average holidaymaker. A holiday provides a
chance to broaden their circle of friends. Alternative Holidays
offers the perfect suggestion in the form of its annual Summer Fun
in the Sun event. Sold out every year, the festivities are a heady
mix of entertainment, sporting activities, clubbing and relaxation
in a private resort reserved for gays and lesbians. This
year’s resort is located on a private island off the coast of
Sardinia that is also home to a garrison of 5,000 hunky US Marines.
You do the maths.
Sample product: Alternative Holidays offers seven
nights’ accommodation-only from £425 per person
all-inclusive.
See also: the Alternative Holidays Winter Ski
Event. As above but with snow and in an extremely jolly ski resort.
Next year is the 10th anniversary bash, so the itinerary is bound
to be special.
| Best for the total gay experience |
Where? Gran Canaria.
Why? You want some sun, but your partner wants to
go clubbing every night. Meanwhile, your neighbours Joe and Simon
want to be in a completely gay-positive environment at all
times.
The solution? Gran Canaria. Probably
Europe’s largest gay resort, Gran Canaria is the
biggest-selling destination booked by gay British travellers.
In addition to almost guaranteed sun, it’s one of the only
locations that offers hotels big enough to cater to large groups.
There’s even an entire shopping centre (The Yumbo Centre)
dedicated to the world of gay.
Sample product: Sensations offers seven nights
from £321 per person twin-share including flights, transfers
and a welcome reception.
See also: Mykonos. A gay favourite, much to the
pleasure of local business people.
Sensations offers packages to Mykonos from £439 per person
twin-share including breakfast and flights.
| Best for clubbing and wild nights |
Where? Ibiza.
Why? The legendary island clubbing paradise
isn’t just for families and boozy straights; it was also one
of the first European resorts to welcome gay travellers. Gays and
lesbians call the island’s capital, Elvissa, home. The gay
community has a long history on Ibiza dating back to the earliest
days of disco. Dancing until dawn is almost compulsory here.
Sample product: Respect Holidays, ranked by
readers of the Pink Paper as the best holiday company in the UK,
offers seven nights from £199 per person twin-share including
flights, studio-style accommodation and transfers.
See also: Sitges. The Spanish equivalent of
Brighton offers a gay beach in pole position along the seafront
drag. Club nights are legendary. Stay at the Respect Madison
Residence for seven nights from £199 per person twin-share
including flights and transfers with Respect Holidays.
| Best for the great outdoors |
Where? Iceland.
Why? Iceland has been targeting the gay market
with a vengeance – and for good reason. With the Blue Lagoon
perfect for soaking in during the day and hundreds of cute blond
Vikings to ogle by night, the combination is ideal for the gay
traveller looking for more than a beach. Amazing scenery and
spectacular geysers are all fantastic for the nature lover, while
horse trails and jeep excursions cater to the more
adventurous.
Sample product: book a three-night midweek
adventure excursion through Icelandair Holidays. Prices start at
£299 per person for three nights’ accommodation with
flights.
See also: Switzerland. US-based Alyson Adventures
specialises in adventure travel for the gay market. Alyson is
running a seven-night Alpenglow hike through the Zermatt trails
from July 3-10. The cost is $1,195 per person twin-share, excluding
flights.