Vacation with Pride
By Lola Méndez
Vacation with Pride
By Lola Méndez
Delta Vacations offers getaways to places that celebrate diversity and embrace acceptance.
While many queer travelers visit some of the biggest gay hubs in the world such as Sydney, New York, and Madrid—intrepid gay travelers know there are many other welcoming cities around the world. These are some of the best unexpected destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers that you can reach with Delta Vacations, who makes it easier than ever to “Vacation with Pride” with routes to many LGBTQ+ friendly destinations around the world and special getaway packages that include flights and hotels for top LGBTQ+ global events.
Time to Tango
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Argentina was the first country in South America to legalize same-sex marriage in 2010. The capital city is home to many gayborhoods, queer-friendly tango halls (milongas), and the annual Buenos Aires Pride in November. Seeing Tango in Buenos Aires is a must, so go to La Marshàll on Monday nights for the LGBTQ+ milonga. Sitges Cafe in San Telmo is one of the oldest gay bars in Buenos Aires. San Telmo and Palermo are the gayborhoods of Buenos Aires. The latter is where Peuteo Gay Bar, one of Buenos Aires’ most popular LGBTQ+ clubs, is located. Don’t miss their drag shows!
Time to Tango
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Argentina was the first country in South America to legalize same-sex marriage in 2010. The capital city is home to many gayborhoods, queer-friendly tango halls (milongas), and the annual Buenos Aires Pride in November. Seeing Tango in Buenos Aires is a must, so go to La Marshàll on Monday nights for the LGBTQ+ milonga. Sitges Cafe in San Telmo is one of the oldest gay bars in Buenos Aires. San Telmo and Palermo are the gayborhoods of Buenos Aires. The latter is where Peuteo Gay Bar, one of Buenos Aires’ most popular LGBTQ+ clubs, is located. Don’t miss their drag shows!
Midwest Charm
Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Midwest’s most gay-friendly city is Minneapolis, MN. Twin Cities Pride in June has been held for over 50 years and is free to enter. Go to an all-ages drag show or queer circus at Can Can Wonderland in St. Paul. Grab a drink at 19 Bar, one of the oldest gay bars in Minneapolis. Nearby is Rainbow Road, a gay apparel and novelty shop. Have a coffee and breakfast at the queer-owned Muffin Top Cafe or the city’s queer-owned Nicollet Diner.
Midwest Charm
Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Midwest’s most gay-friendly city is Minneapolis, MN. Twin Cities Pride in June has been held for over 50 years and is free to enter. Go to an all-ages drag show or queer circus at Can Can Wonderland in St. Paul. Grab a drink at 19 Bar, one of the oldest gay bars in Minneapolis. Nearby is Rainbow Road, a gay apparel and novelty shop. Have a coffee and breakfast at the queer-owned Muffin Top Cafe or the city’s queer-owned Nicollet Diner.
The Emerald City
Seattle, Washington
Home to one of the largest LGBTQ+ populations in the U.S., Seattle is a great destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. Catch a show by Seattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus—the largest LGBTQ-identified men’s and women’s choruses in the world. The Capitol Hill neighborhood is the city’s gayborhood with rainbow crosswalks and many gar bars including Queer/Bar and Wildrose. PrideFest is held every June.
The Emerald City
Seattle, Washington
Home to one of the largest LGBTQ+ populations in the U.S., Seattle is a great destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. Catch a show by Seattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus—the largest LGBTQ-identified men’s and women’s choruses in the world. The Capitol Hill neighborhood is the city’s gayborhood with rainbow crosswalks and many gar bars including Queer/Bar and Wildrose. PrideFest is held every June.
Venice of the North
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001. There are over 100 gay places in Amsterdam from gay bars, discos, bookshops, and restaurants. You’ll find some of the best queer bars in Amsterdam along Reguliersdwarsstraat Street and Kerkstraat Street. There are also plenty of LGBTQ+ landmarks such as the Homomonument which honors LBGTQ+ members who’ve faced sexuality-based persecution. Pride Week is held in August with an epic boat parade on a canal.
Venice of the North
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001. There are over 100 gay places in Amsterdam from gay bars, discos, bookshops, and restaurants. You’ll find some of the best queer bars in Amsterdam along Reguliersdwarsstraat Street and Kerkstraat Street. There are also plenty of LGBTQ+ landmarks such as the Homomonument which honors LBGTQ+ members who’ve faced sexuality-based persecution. Pride Week is held in August with an epic boat parade on a canal.
Rainbow Nation
Cape Town, South Africa
South Africa is known as the Rainbow Nation. It was the first country in the world to include a sexual orientation protection clause in its Constitution and the fifth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2006. It’s the safest destination for LGBTQ+ travelers in Africa. Cape Town Pride is held in February or March and there’s always fun to be had at the city’s gay bars including Beefcakes, Crew, and Pink Panther Nightclub. Spend the day at the third beach at Clifton as it’s the designated gay beach.
Rainbow Nation
Cape Town, South Africa
South Africa is known as the Rainbow Nation. It was the first country in the world to include a sexual orientation protection clause in its Constitution and the fifth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2006. It’s the safest destination for LGBTQ+ travelers in Africa. Cape Town Pride is held in February or March and there’s always fun to be had at the city’s gay bars including Beefcakes, Crew, and Pink Panther Nightclub. Spend the day at the third beach at Clifton as it’s the designated gay beach.
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I have always been a Geography and Map Fanatic. I own a very large and well-utilized National Geographic Atlas in which I have recorded many notes and personal trips and routed out my journeys by ships, planes, trains, and cycling. I refer to it frequently in putting together my clients' trips and itineraries, as well as my own.
Going back to the time when I was a little girl, I have either lived just a few yards from the ocean or relatively close to it. I liked watching ships and wanted to know what life was like on the other side of the ocean. I was fascinated that my Grandmother came to the US on a ship as a teenage girl together with her sister from Ireland. Before my grandparents met in the US, my Grandfather from Ireland worked as a cowboy and copper miner in Montana at the turn of the 20th Century. They had many National Geographic issues at their home which I loved looking at. These impressions, plus taking my first cruise, all eventually led me to the cruise and travel ...