Even though it seems like the summer travel season is flying by, those still looking to book a European getaway have some cheap options for a last-minute trip, according to a new report.
21.07.2023 - 07:28 / roughguides.com
Our new guidebook, the Rough Guide to the Top LGBTQ+ Friendly Places in Europe is out in the world and selling fast. At a time when it’s arguably more important than ever to be loudly and proudly queer, there and everywhere, the book’s editor, Annie Warren, spills the beans on her five favourite European destinations for getaways with an inclusive vibe.
It’s the queer siren song of the summer: “Who’s booking the masseria?”. Thanks to Netflix’s I Kissed A Boy hosted by none other than HRH Danielle Jane Minogue, a word that nobody in the UK had heard before is now at the forefront of our minds.
For the uninitiated, a masseria is a type of eighteenth-century rural Italian farmhouse, mostly used these days as holiday homes. One in the Italian region of Puglia plays host to a compendium of queer culture and world-class electronic music called Masseria Wave.
The festival itself is difficult to define, but suffice to say that it hosts a multidisciplinary array of inclusive projects from June through September; these include drag performances, DJ sets, live music and many other artistic endeavours that refuse categorisation. The masseria itself is also open as a queer-run hotel called La Restuccia throughout the year.
In fact, Puglia as a whole promises a stunningly laidback and rugged getaway. If you’re up for an idyllic cycle through Valle d’Itria, full of olive groves and first-class eateries (naturally), Puglia has you covered.
Or if you’d prefer to get your vitamin D fix by snoozing in the Italian sunshine, Puglia delivers in spectacular fashion. With mainland Italy’s longest coastline, there are more white-sand beaches than you can shake a stick at. Che meraviglia!
Panoramic view of Ostuni. Puglia. Italy © Shutterstock
Madrid’s annual Pride festival truly is something to behold; a week-long party that culminates in a massive carnival-style parade that brings the city centre to a standstill.
Most activities take place in the renowned queer neighbourhood of Chueca, though Pride events are held across the entire city. The most exciting day is that of the Pride Parade itself. A joyful atmosphere is guaranteed as protestors and parade-goers take to the streets to celebrate and embrace the values of diversity and acceptance.
Every year on the first Saturday of July, thousands march from Paseo del Prado to Colón to demand equal rights for the LGBTIQIA+ community. Throughout the day there are various performances and live events, including the ever-camp Mr Gay Pride España contest.
Don’t miss the wildly popular High Heels Race, a true spectacle in which only the most glamourous and hardy competitors don epic high heels to race along Madrid’s cobbled streets. Heels must be at least 15cm high to enter.
Non-competitors
Even though it seems like the summer travel season is flying by, those still looking to book a European getaway have some cheap options for a last-minute trip, according to a new report.
Edinburgh Fringe, one of the world’s largest arts festivals returns this year between in August 2023 - but what LGBTQ talent is on show?
Germany, western Europe’s largest country, is a boundless feast for travelers. Its endless variety of historic cities, dark, romantic forests and contemporary cultural riches can leave visitors bewildered. But, while you can never hope to see all this fascinating country’s highlights, you can cut to the chase with our guide to eight of the very best places to visit in Germany.
If you haven’t heard about the U.K.’s heated debate on cutting ties with the European Union—dubbed a “Brexit”—you certainly will this week. Britons headed to the ballot box on Thursday and made the historic decision to leave the European Union.
North American travelers looking for bargain transatlantic fares will have lots more options this summer, as European-based low-fare lines expand their reach. Three lines have announced aggressive moves:
Looking for a new museum to add to your travel to-do list? TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company) has released the Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Museums of 2018, including the top 10 worldwide and the top 10 in the United States, with some surprising frontrunners. The findings also highlight bookable ways to see each winner—think VIP tours and scavenger hunts—with some offering the added perk of allowing you to skip the lines to get in.
AirHelp, the online service that files complaints against airlines on behalf of passengers entitled to compensation for air delays or cancellations, knows a thing or two about air travel. Because it’s hard for the average person to understand air passenger rights and pursue a legal claim when they’ve been wronged, AirHelp is always going toe-to-toe with airlines and airports—and reveals once a year which ones that treat their passengers for the better (or worse).
If you want to stay at the best hotel in the United States, head to the French Quarter Inn in Charleston, South Carolina. And if you’re looking for the best bargain hotel stay in the world, it’s in a small town in northern Spain. That’s according to TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, which just shared the best hotel ratings for multiple categories heading into 2019.
Autumn enthusiasts are constantly on the hunt for that first sign of changing leaves. Fall looks a little different in every part of the country and dedicated leaf peepers don’t want to miss a thing. From golden aspens amidst the Rocky Mountains to classic New England foliage along the East Coast, here are seven destinations where leaf peepers can catch the best fall colors.
For Americans traveling abroad, few countries are easier to navigate than Germany. Though not technically an English-speaking nation, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone working in tourism who doesn’t speak English. The country has plenty of amazing places to visit, the cities are clean, and travel within the country is blissfully easy. Much of this is thanks to the system of German trains known as Deutsche Bahn: Germany national railway that connects visitors to pretty much anywhere in the country from anywhere else in the country.
Berlin is surrounded by the forest-filled, lake-spotted state of Brandenburg, which offers year-round respite from the streets of the capital. Forest walks, cycling routes, dips in the lake, historic sites and much more are all within easy reach, sometimes still within the city’s boundaries.
Last summer I cycled 7,600km (4,722 miles) along a route called the European Divide Trail, which runs through nine countries, all the way from Arctic Norway to the Atlantic coast in Portugal, mostly camping out along the way. The idea was sparked by an article I saw on the internet – on a website called bikepacking.com. I slowly went from thinking, “That looks cool,” to, “I’m going to do it.” It seemed a bit crazy, but somehow a few months later, in June 2022, it was happening! I was heading off for three months – and I’d even persuaded my friend Max to come along for the first three weeks.