The Ultimate Guide to Gay Travel Gay Resources Online is your ultimate guide to travel destinations, the latest deals, gay hotspots and gay friendly travel info.

It wasn’t very long ago when gay travelers were not welcome in many parts of the world. Gay travel was non-existent except for very niche and expensive gay getaways provided by a handful of gay travel agencies. However, because of the recent liberalization of many governments and countries around the globe, gay travelers now have the world at their fingertips.

Gay Travel is Hot
Gay travel is one of the hottest areas of growth for world travel and who can complain? Gay men and women have on average the highest disposable income due to the fact that many gay couples do not have dependents to support. With these latest statistics, many developed countries have setup gay travel programs to promote to the gay population and to make sure that gay travel is safe within their borders. Many large travel agencies have setup branches catered towards gay travel with many knowledgeable and helpful.

Gay Travel is Unique
Many gay men often wonder why they should chose a gay travel oriented holiday. The reason not as straight forward as some people may think. Why should travel to segregated into gay travel versus straight travel? Well, there are many reasons why gay travel works. Firstly, you will be traveling with other gay men and women who share common interests and have similar lifestyles. Gay travel allows gay men and women to feel more like home and accepted. There is no fear that something lifestyle oriented happen to a gay man during a gay travel holiday. Gay travel is fun and exciting as you will be able to enjoy your holiday with your gay friends, partner or family. In addition, gay travel is specifically catered to the likes and dislikes of the community coupled with the latest trends in food, entertainment and gay lifestyle.

Types of Gay Travel
There are many types of gay travel available to men and women around the world. These include gay cruises, budget travel, gay luxury escapes, outdoor adventures, ski vacations, gay travel resorts and tours to name a few.

Whether your traveling by yourself or with a group of friends, gay-friendly hotels have sprung up all over the world. Gay travel accommodation is excellent. Ranging from gay-friendly hotels to hostels to gay bed and breakfasts (b&bs) and motels, you won’t be disappointed with the types of gay travel accommodation available to you.

The most important thing to check-out prior to booking your gay travel vacation are gay-friendly hotel ratings and customer feedback. This often tells you whether or not previous gay travelers had a good or bad experience at the hotel you are looking into.

Gay Travel … but Where?
There are numerous world destinations suitable for gay travel, but where are the best places for gay men and women to explore for their next gay vacation? Many areas promote themselves as ‘gay friendly’ and often, they boast a large gay population with a wide range of gay travel resources and attractions. The most common cities for gay travel are the usual San Francisco, Sydney and Buenos Aires, but here are some more cities of note.

Gay Friendly Amsterdam, Netherlands
Gay Amsterdam has always been at the top of the gay travel list since hosting the 1998 Gay Games. It was even termed the ‘gay way to Europe’ which is quite appropriate as the Netherlands was the first nation to offer full gay marriage rights in the world in 2000. This gay travel city offers four main ‘gay areas’ and the government printed walking-tour map even highlights them for you. Amsterdam should definitely be one of your top gay travel destinations.

Gay Friendly Berlin, Germany
In the 1920s, Germany’s capital city also became the countries gay travel and gay-friendly city. With gay clubs, bars and the Institute of Sexology, Gay Berlin now has the third largest gay population in Europe (after London and Amsterdam). With the voting of a gay mayor in 2001, Berlin became known as a gay friendly travel city.

Gay Friendly Bangkok, Thailand
With the great local gay nightlife, the after-hours gay scene in Bangkok is definitely hot. It is a gay traveler’s paradise for mostly gay men with Silom Sois 2 & 4. Surprisingly, Gay Bangkok is home to many transsexuals and serves an enormous November Pride event.

Gay Friendly Buenos Aires, Argentina
Gay Buenos Aires is definitely on the rise as one of the most favourite gay travel destinations in the world. The latest statistics have up to 20% of all visitors to the city are gay. Come join the fun at this growing gay travel destination.

Gay Friendly Chicago, United States
Chicago’s Midwest is one of the most gay tolerant areas in the United States. With swanky dining districts, drag shows and after-hours partying, Chicago is definitely for the gay traveler. BoysTown Chicago was recently named after the popular gay area and Gay Chicago Magazine keeps a tab on what’s happening in the gay travel scene. Chicago is hosting the 2006 Gay Games.

Gay Friendly Honolulu, United States
Yes, another American city made the list because of it’s sun, hot men and melting-pot mentality. It is notoriously friendly for gay travelers interested in low-key and relaxed holidays.

Gay Friendly Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
No doubt that Rio is included in this list of gay travel destinations with it’s Carnival and awesome nightlife. The Rio Gay Guide is outstanding for clickable maps of up and coming gay spots and established gay favourites. Although Buenos Aires attracts more gay travelers, Rio is very close behind as a gay travel destination in South America.

Gay Friendly San Francisco, United States
Earning it’s reputation as one of the top gay travel destinations in the 1960s when flower-power was in and intolerance was out, San Francisco has continued to wow gay travelers with it’s natural beauty and acceptance. Hosts to the 1982 Gay Games (first ever), this gay travel destination is the perfect balance of outlandish parties and relaxed, intimate gay travel opportunities.

Gay Friendly Sydney, Australia
Life in Oz is great if you are a gay traveler. With Oxford Street, the club quarter packs all gay travelers into a night and day party. Being the hosts of the 2002 Gay Games, Sydney has become one of the hottest gay travel destinations in the world because of it’s people, climate and culture.

Gay Travelers Top Picks
San Francisco was name the top gay travel destination for gay men during 2005 earning the distinction of World’s Most Gay-Friendly City. However, the Emerald City of Seattle emerged as the World’s Most Lesbian-Friendly City for a second year in a row. It was the first time that two cities in the United States took the top two gay travel city honours in the same year.

How to Get Started
Truly, the easiest way to get started is to select a gay travel destination first. Check the temperatures and weather for the gay travel cities prior to booking your holidays. Also, read up on hotel ratings from gay travelers before selecting an accommodation. For cruises, just select the gay cruise with the destinations and schedule that fit you.

Searching on the Internet for gay travel lodging deals or packages is a great way to save time and money as well. Gay travel is so easy these days especially with travel agents and gay tour operators who cater to the gay market.

Once you have your gay travel vacation booked, remember to confirm a few days before you leave. You would be surprised how many times something is missed during the booking process. Although gay travel is fun and relaxing, be sure to arrive at the airport or cruise port early to check-in. This will save you a lot of headaches and waiting time prior to your gay travel experience.

Lastly, have fun, meet people and party! Gay travel is something to experience with all of your senses, so lap it up and enjoy it with your gay friends, partner and family.

Gay Resources Online (www.gay-resources-online.com) is portal website containing information about gay travel, cruises, personals and dating, chat systems, magazines, books, health and fitness, videos, models and actors, shopping online, clothes, style, brands and other internet special offers for gay men. Gay Resources Online headquarters are located in historic Gastown, Vancouver, Canada and beautiful Seattle, Washington, US.