Beige Travel Issue 3 - The USA Issue

beige | travel 3

ISSUE 3

The USA From coast to coast Surf Safely Keep your pc free from hackers Websites to Watch Great resources for your travels Travel Essentials The latest in travel gadgetry Diary The best of the USA for 2010

travel

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AmericanAirlines, We know why you fly and AA.com are marks of American Airlines, Inc. oneworld is a mark of the oneworld Alliance, LLC. Front page.indd 2

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With convenient connections from the UK, American Airlines can take you anywhere in America.

American Airlines flies to the U.S. from the UK up to 15 times a day, including up to four flights a day from London Heathrow to New York/JFK. Once you reach America, the entire country and continent are just one flight away. For information and to book your flight, visit AA.com.

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beigetravel3contents 11 Travel News

Keeping you up to date with the world of gay travel.

14 My Travels

54 Miami

Reader photos from far flung corners of the globe.

16 American Airlines Routes

Find a world of opportunities on the American Airlines network.

18 We Mean Business

We get an upgrade and find out what all of the fuss is all about.

22 New York

Sleep is not an option, find out why.

26 Chicago

Gateway to the Mid West and iconic American city.

30 Travel Essentials

Gadgets and gizmos for the traveller of today and tomorrow.

32 Provincetown

New England charm isn’t all that gay tourists can expect to find at the tip of Cape Cod.

36 Boston

Birthplace of a nation and the Athens of America, discover where it all started.

40 Bloomington

This small college town holds some big surprises for gay and lesbian tourists.

42 San Francisco

This is a city with mythical status and a must for any gay globetrotter.

48 Los Angeles

There’s only one LA, but this is a city with innumerable amazing experiences to offer.

48 Los Angeles

52 Dallas

The modern metropolis in the heart of Texas where life is for living.

54 Miami

Sizzling days, steamy nights, we size up the many delights of Miami.

58 Palm Beach County

The upscale resorts of Florida’s sun-drenched coast relinquish their secrets.

62 Philadelphia

The city of brotherly love awaits, find out what’s in store and phil your boots.

67 Diary

Events, parties, parades and celebrations. The top events you don’t want to miss.

77 Visa Requirements for the USA 78 Wi Fi Crime Keep your computer safe whilst you are roaming.

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beigetravel3contents From The Editor

Editor: Darren Cooper darren@beigeuk.com

Planning a long haul holiday can be a lengthy process; researching a suitable destination, finding flights and accommodation and planning what you are going to do can all take precious time, a valuable commodity we are increasingly all in short supply of. This can be especially true in a country as large as the USA. There is of course a whole host of cities, resorts and other destinations vying for the attention of the LGBT market which can be more than a little overwhelming. In this issue we take a look at just some of the destinations that are all extending a warm welcome to us, the LGBT traveller. While this is just a glimpse of what is on offer Stateside in 2010, we hope you’ll find the information and links both inspiring and informative when planning your trip, either for business or leisure the United States of America.

Commercial Manager: CHRIS COLMAN P: 0203 371 1850 E: chris@beigeuk.com

Sales Executive: CRAIG DAVIES P: 020 3371 1425 E: craig@beigeuk.com

Magazine Design: Carl Hobden Design Beige UK ISSN 1756-7211 Published by Next Phase Media Limited Suite 404 Albany House 324- 326 Regent Street London W1B 3HH T: 0207 622 6670 www.beigeuk.com

Regards Darren Cooper Editor

58 Palm Beach County

32 Provincetown

Beige – the official LGBT magazines of Visit Manchester

beige | travel 3

ISSUE 3

The USA

from Coast to Coast

Surf Safely Keep your pc free from hackers Websites to Watch

Great resources for your travels

Travel Essentials The latest in travel gadgetry Diary

The best of the USA for 2010

travel

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All rights reserved throughout the world. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written consent of Beige UK. The views and opinions expressed by contributors to this magazine may not necessarily represent the views of Beige UK. Beige UK takes no responsibility for claims made in advertisements featured in this magazine. Beige UK can take no responsibility for unsolicited material. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy and completeness, and the opinions based thereon are not guaranteed.

Disclaimer: Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organisation, articles or advertising in Beige UK should not be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such person or organisation or advertiser. © 2010 Next Phase Media Limited

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LAX, Los Angeles World Airports

Runway to the red carpet‌

Your LA experience begins upon arrival at LAX with American Airlines.

Find out all the ways to fill your LA vacation with fun and excitement at:

discoverLosAngeles.com

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Your journey starts here.

The best information on destinations and travel needs all for free.

Hotels, Airlines, Travel Agents and More in over 55 countries.

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beigenews

Thomson Launches their first ever gay friendly holidays.

T

he bold stripes of the rainbow flag are brightening up Thomson’s website with the arrival of its new holiday range aimed at the gay market, The Freedom Collection.

Thomson’s all-new Freedom Collection launched on 22nd January with a smart new e-brochure. Designed with gay and lesbian travellers in mind, it’s the only collection of its kind to be offered by a mainstream tour operator.

Needless to say, all Freedom Collection holidays are ATOL protected and come with a full overseas service, but what does that mean? Well a hand picked Holiday Advisor to give you all the inside information on the local area such as best beaches, best nightspots and the local ‘scene’, but also to be there for you should things go wrong. The standout feature of the collection is the fact every single hotel, whether it’s a budget base or a boutique bolthole, will have had the GayComfort seal of approval before customers arrive.

GayComfort is an online accreditation program which means that frontline hotel staff have had special training to help strip out the awkwardness that often creeps into same-sex holidays, such as the moment when a same-sex couple check in and it is assumed that they would want a twin instead of a double. The GayComfort programme has been designed by Out Now, leaders in promoting gay and lesbian travel, and is the only IGLTA recognised endorsement on just how gay friendly a hotel actually is.

Thomson Innovation manager, Philippa Morgan, says: “This is a hugely exciting launch for Thomson. There’s definitely an appetite in the market for gay-friendly holidays that come with the security and peace of mind that only a big tour operator can offer.”

Philippa continues: “The reason we’ve taken this approach is because research has shown that three out of four gay or lesbian holidaymakers actively search out hotels they believe are genuinely welcoming.”

The hotels which include some Gay Exclusive properties are spread

across seven ‘pink’ destinations, all of which have either well-established or blossoming gay scenes.

Plus, couples choosing the Freedom Collection can go one step further and organise their civil partnership through the tour operator. Thomson is offering same-sex ceremonies in Ibiza, with extras ranging from stretch limos to fire-swallowing showmen.

For further information on Freedom Collection holidays or to book, visit a Thomson or First Choice travel shop, call 0871 230 8777 or go online at www.thomson.co.uk/freedom

USA Lifts Ban on HIV+ Travellers.

O

n January 4, 2010, the rule ending the HIV immigration and travel ban into the USA went into effect. After two decades of discrimination and stigma, the HIV ban on travel and immigration is history.

The ban has been in place since 1987, a time of widespread fear and ignorance about HIV. The US Department of Health and Human Services added the disease to the list of communicable diseases that disqualified a person from entering the U.S. Repeal of the ban, which was shepherded through Congress by Senator John Kerry, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and former Senator Gordon Smith, began under the Bush Administration as part of the former president’s PEPFAR legislation to curb and treat HIV/AIDS around the globe.

Kerry, Lee and Smith rightly recognized that, in order to curb the disease, the United States must also lead the way in ending the stigma

and misinformation surrounding the disease too. The first step in doing so was to take the U.S. out of the company of 11 other countries, such as Lybia and Saudia Arabia, who continue to deny entry to HIV-positive people and bring the USA in line with much of the rest of the world.

“If we want to be a global leader in combating HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it,” President Obama said at the White House before signing a bill to extend the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program. Begun in 1990, the program provides medical care, medication and support services to about half a million people, most of them low-income.

Just days after President Obama announced the end of the ban, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton followed with news that, for the first time in decades, the United States would again host the World AIDS Conference, which will be held in Washington, D.C., in 2012. The conference, which brings together the world’s top researchers and experts on HIV and AIDS, had not been held on U.S. soil since 1989.

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beigewebsites

WEBSITEStoWATCH GAY CITIES

The gay Cities website is a great new resource for travellers heading to cities all over the world, from Albuquerque to Zurich and pretty much everywhere in between. This listings site features bars, clubs, restaurants, saunas and gyms located in numerous cities around the world as well as a short introduction to each destination.

So far there are over 140 cities featured on the site with more to follow. Gay cities works pretty much like an online version for printed guides such as Spartacus and Damron. While there is very little information about sites and attractions in each city, if you are looking for a gay or lesbian venue in these cities then this new website offers up to date and comprehensive listings.

There’s also the added benefit of being able to read reviews of venues from other visitors to the site complete with a handy star rating too.

As well as bar listings visitors to the site can also find events taking place around the world.

Gay Cities isn’t a comprehensive guide of the destinations featured but if you are looking for reliable information online of gay venues then this is a useful resource for gay travellers on the move.

www.gaycities.com 60 BY 80

A slightly different approach is taken to the gay city guide by new website 60 by 80. This website delves a little deeper into the featured

destinations and the “60 hours” guides take readers to the best places in each city from mid day on Friday to midnight on Sunday. So far there are only five cities included, but we are assured that there are more to come in the very near future.

Each city features listings on hotels, restaurants, nightlife, shopping and other tourist information.

Aiming to cater to the diverse tastes of gay travellers, the 60 hours guides come in different sizes to allow readers to mix and match at will: Club-sized for the party and scene-oriented traveller, Queen-sized for more alternative or “hip” recommendations, and King-sized for the fabulous, more luxurious side of city life To coincide with the launch, 60by80.com is offering readers who sign up for the free newsletter the chance to win fabulous prizes in some of London’s top venues, including a years membership to premier gay club The Shadow Lounge, a VIP experience at Decadence, the luxury gay night, as well as personal training sessions and spa treatments.

relaxed they will feel during their stay.

Gay travel websites provide a wealth of choice but there is little attempt to distinguish real quality, style and character from the rest, and all too often the term ‘gay friendly’ is meaningless.

A new business launched this month hopes to help. Further Afield hand-picks places to stay for discerning gay travellers. The focus is on independent boutique hotels, guest-houses, and self-catering places to stay in the UK and beyond. Many are gay owned but all are enthusiastically gay and straight welcoming, and all are very high quality.

www.furtherafield.com Amro Worldwide launches US Adventure Holidays

www.60by80.com TRAVELLING FURTHER AFIELD

Further Afield - a unique collection of handpicked places to stay for discerning gay and lesbian travellers who want to travel off the beaten track with the reassurance of quality, style and a warm welcome.

Finding places to stay off the beaten gay track with style, quality and a warm welcome can be hard. Turning up with your partner or friends at the boutique hotel in the Lake District, Bijou B&B farmhouse in Devon or sexy self- catering annex in Andalucia can still be an unknown and anxious moment for many.

Research by Out Now consultants reveals that three in four gay travellers worry about the welcome they will receive and therefore how

Amro Worldwide has launched a new programme of holidays for gay men, lesbians and friends in the United States in conjunction with Alyson Adventures Top holiday is Splash ! - a 7 night rafting trip through the Grand Canyon on a 14 person motorised raft with gourmet style camping on the banks of the Colorado River. Cool-off in cascading waterfalls and see views of the Canyon rarely seen by other visitors. With five departures in July and August, there’s plenty of choice for a holiday that will provide memories for a lifetime and no rowing or specialised skills are required.

Other ideas are playing Brokeback Mountain cowboy in the Grand Tetons where Butch Cassidy holed out or Cycling Arizona’s Mission Trails along the Santa Cruz River visiting Indian Villages and art colonies along the route.

Alyson has chosen to work with Amro Worldwide because it can create your complete holiday package with flights, accommodation and transfers to get you to the start point and home again afterwards – all with ATOL financial protection. Plus they can arrange add-on stays if you wish to extend your holiday and visit other parts of the US.

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HAVE YOU BEEN AN su is xt ne r ou in n io for inclus Send in your photos beigetravel | issue 2 | 15

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Ease to the USA with American Airlines beigeamerican airlines

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beigeamerican airlines

A

merican Airlines success is not built upon the size and breadth of their network, but also on the frequency and number of their flights. Every day American Airlines offers up to 19 flights direct to their 7 US international gateway cities from Heathrow, Manchester and Dublin airports.

These main hub cities include some of the most exciting destinations in North America, especially for gay and lesbian travellers looking to access all that the USA has to offer. The United States deserve their reputation as a tolerant and fun destination for the LGBT traveller.

America’s main cities all have their own gay neighbourhoods, many of them historical landmarks and household names in their own right. Greenwich Village in New York, Boystown in Chicago, West Hollywood in Los Angeles and the Castro in San Francisco are familiar with queer communities all over the world.

While these great cities have gay and lesbian visitors returning again and again, there’s a whole host of destinations offering a wealth of rewarding experiences. College towns, upscale beach resorts and historic cities, all with their own unique characters are increasingly welcoming gay and lesbian tourists looking for new and unique places to relax, unwind and have fun.

Bustling New York and elegant Boston, close by to the laid back New England beach resort of Provincetown are AA’s gateways to the east coast. There’s plenty of Southern hospitality on offer in the heart of the Carolinas at Raleigh/Durham and further south steamy Miami turns up the heat. It is an essential and convenient first port of call for any visitor to the Sunshine State of Florida.

The thriving metropolis of Chicago is the USA’s third largest city and the gateway to the welcoming and friendly Midwest USA. Dallas is a city with an independent spirit and a big personality; both cities have their own unique and distinctive gay scenes to enjoy too.

Fly direct into Los Angeles and you arrive at the very centre of perhaps the largest LGBT population on the planet. The City of Angels itself provides enough attractions for a lifetime of entertainment and also the gay hotspots of Las Vegas, San Francisco, Palm Springs and San Diego are just a short connecting flight from LAX. Enjoy the

beautiful West Coast scenery by car for the quintessential California fly-drive experience. In fact there are connecting flights to nearly 230 cities and destinations throughout the Americas.

Philadelphia, famous as the birthplace of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness still retains the principles of equality and freedom of expression on which it was founded. This city of cobblestone streets and historical landmarks more than lives up to its top billing as a gay friendly destination. Bloomington in Indiana is the quintessential small USA college town with huge queer credentials and the sophisticated resorts of Palm Beach County are perfect for a sundrenched holiday on Florida’s most prestigious coastline.

The fantastic gay friendly resorts of Puerto Vallarta and Cancun in Mexico can easily be reached from several of American Airline’s hub cities, where pristine beaches and a laid back Latin atmosphere await all year round. For those that like to spend their leisure time in tranquil and natural surroundings Costa Rica and the Caribbean are also just as accessible.

There’s the chance of course to easily break your trip, with a few days enjoying city life before heading on for another great destination.

Taking advantage of some of the incomparable nightlife, shopping, arts and culture on offer stateside before heading for a relaxing break is just one of excellent benefits of flying American Airlines.

American Airlines has long been committed to supporting the LGBT community through sponsorship of gay and lesbian events and organisations. More recently American Airlines multimedia advertising campaigns have promoted dedicated LGBT websites that provide flights and holidays specifically with the gay and lesbian market in mind.

For a list of great events taking all over the USA in 2010 just go to the events diary on page 67 or visit American Airlines LGBT events guide @ http://www.aa.com/content/images/ promos/RainbowEvents.pdf

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beigefeature

AmericanAirlines We Mean Business

For the discerning traveller starting a journey on the right foot can make a real difference. We all know that travel can be stressful, but the American Airlines business class experience helps to keep that hassle to an absolute minimum. No matter whether you are travelling for business or pleasure, arriving at your destination relaxed, recharged and ready for your next challenge is the ultimate objective for any transatlantic passenger.

Start from Fresh.

Your Flagship Experience Awaits

For First and Business Class passengers, the premium travel experience to the US begins with exclusive services at London Heathrow. The Admirals Club offers an oasis of calm away from the breakneck speed of the terminal where passengers can relax and unwind and enjoy the range of facilities and services on offer.

These spacious executive clubs are the perfect place to start your journey and have been designed with the utmost convenience in mind for today’s busy traveller.

Free internet access is available for those who wish to catch up on emails and browse the internet. There are also computer terminals provided for those who do not have lap tops with them. Guests can also take advantage of complimentary food and beverages or freshen up before their flights with shower facilities being available in selected locations. www.aa.com/flagship

On a long flight the Flagship experience allows you to slip into your own world whether you want to work, dine, sleep or just relax. The newly designed business class cabins offer plenty of personalised space and all of the amenities to make the flights as enjoyable or productive as you want it to be. You can find the hallmarks of America on your flight to the US: great service, world-class entertainment, a can-do attitude, a place to work non-stop and comfort for everyone.

Settle into your Business Class seat and discover how relaxing long-distance travel can be. With American Airlines Business Class environment, your flight - and your time - is what you make of it.

AA give you the tools you need to work efficiently and privately; to relax, rest and sleep in comfort; and to be entertained.

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beigefeature Relax Slimline profile seats give even more legroom and controls for lumbar support, footrest and an adjustable six way leather headrest so you can mould the seat the way you want. In fact American Airlines new seats can be adjusted to just about any position that you want. Should you feel the need to get up and move around the cabin, the seat will also remember your favourite position just by the touch of a button. The additional legroom and a 6’4” lie flat seat with soft cotton duvet and plush pillows ensure total comfort.

There’s also Bose® QuietComfort® 3 Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headphones on all transatlantic aircraft which almost completely eliminate cabin and engine noise. There are also plenty of little touches too, like the amenity kits featuring Burt’s Bees® natural care products to help you to relax even further.

Sleep The best way to get a good sleep is to get comfortable right? Thanks to an innovative seat design it’s easy to do just that on American Airlines flights. Seats lay flat to form 76 inch bed to stretch out on. Thanks to the soft memory foam cushions you’ll be gently cradled and off to sleep in no time at all. The soft quilted cotton duvets are perfect to cosy into whether you want a quick cat nap or a good night’s sleep, it’s easy to feel completely rested.

Wine and Dine Meal services are all about quality and flexibility.

Internationally renowned chefs Nancy Brussatarocci, Dean Fearing and Stephan Pyles have travelled the world to discover food worthy of an international airline. Relax and enjoy a sumptuous meal, or select to dine on request and receive the same great service and food exactly when it suits you. The menus have been painstakingly prepared to suit discriminating tastes and menus will have you sampling the delights of your chosen destination before you even arrive. Accompany your meal from an award winning portfolio of wine chosen by celebrated wine consultant Ken Chase. Both connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts will find something inspiring for their palates.

Entertainment Non- stop entertainment on demand features more than 30 movies, 50 CDs and 80 hours of television programming. There’s also dozens of games and audio channels that can be accessed by the touch of a button, or a screen. The 10.6” high resolution personal touch screen monitor tilts to accommodate any viewing position as it delivers your personal in flight entertainment choices. The Bose® QuietComfort® Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headphones offer superior sound quality allowing you to immerse yourself completely into the entertainment while also helping to cancel cabin and engine noise.

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White water, red rock, blue sky: Rafting through two billion years of history.

The ultimate Grand Canyon Experience!

Grand Canyon, USA

(30 June - 9 July) (14 - 23 July) (11 - 20 August) (25 August - 3 September) (29 August - 7 September)

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beigenew york

New York is a player, a power destination, global capital for finance, communications, publishing, art, fashion, music, advertising, dining, theatre, birthplace of the modern gay rights movement, New York is all of these things. The Big Apple offers such a great diversity of experiences that it can, in truth, be anything that you want it to be. The dizzying array of cultural institutions, world class attractions and mind blowing entertainment keeps the world coming back again and again. For sheer raw power and excitement this is a city that is very, very hard to beat.

I

n 2009, NYC & Company unveiled its new state-of-the-art Official NYC Information Centre at 810 Seventh Avenue, in Midtown Manhattan, and launched its new website, nycgo.com. Visitors and residents will be better able to manage their trips to—and within—the five boroughs with these two additions to the City’s tourism infrastructure.

Both the centre and website use Google map technology. Staffed with knowledgeable and friendly Information Specialists, the centre features Interactive Map Tables and Touch-Screen Walls with information in English and nine other languages. The website features content partners such as Time Out New York, the New York Observer, Paper magazine and Greenopia, and hotel bookings that are powered by Travelocity.

The Smart way to Sightsee It’s simply not possible to list the sheer number of attractions in New York, there are however some smart ways for tourists to get the most out of their time while they are here. Buying a sightseeing ticket, such as the City Pass or New York Pass will give you access to many of New York’s most famous sites, as well as some more obscure, but no less sensational attractions too. They also have the added benefits of fast track entry to the busiest venues and there are also discounts on restaurants and shopping too.

No first-time visit would be complete of course without seeing the essentials, such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.

Times Square also remains a must do, the new five block pedestrian only zones along Broadway now allows pedestrians to see this awesome square from a totally new perspective. New York’s newest urban park offers more car free space in the Lower West Side of Manhattan. This 1.5 mile long elevated former railway track provides a pedestrian link from the West Side neighbourhoods of the Meatpacking District through West Chelsea to Clinton and Hell’s Kitchen.

For the perfect introduction to New York City, the Museum of the City of New York explores the past, present, and future of New York through some groundbreaking exhibits. Located at 1220 Fifth Avenue

on The Museum Mile which is chock full of museums and other fine arts institutions, this museum explores what gives this unique city its singular character. Equally enlightening the Ellis Island Immigration Museum tells the story of the 17 million immigrants who arrived in the USA over 64 years at the beginning of the 20th century.

New York’s great museums, The Metropolitan, Guggenheim and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) are still an essential part on any New York itinerary, delve a little deeper though for some truly unique experiences.

The New Museum at 235 Bowery houses more contemporary art in a more manageable but no less stunning space in downtown NoLita.

The Bodies Exhibition currently showing at the South Street Seaport Exhibition Centre gives a unique insight into the workings of the human body. The Museum of Sex at 233 Fifth Avenue seeks to preserve and present the history, evolution and cultural significance of human sexuality through its exhibits. Don’t miss the gifts shop on the way out!

Sightseeing cruises by Clipper sailing ship, walking tours of Greenwich Village or Broadway, guided tours of Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden and discovering the genius of visionary Leonardo Da Vinci, just some of the innumerable experiences waiting in New York City. www.newyorkpass.com www.citypass.com

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beigenew york

the Real Deal Arts and Entertainment

Rest a while in the city that never sleeps

New York’s most beloved cultural institution, the Lincoln Centre is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary with a special year-long celebration featuring special performances, commissions and events. The centre is home to some of the most prestigious arts organisations in the USA including the Metropolitan and New York City Operas, the New York City Ballet and the New York Philharmonic. The Lincoln Center presents more than 400 events annually and its programs includes American Songbook, Great Performers, Lincoln Center Festival, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Midsummer Night Swing, the Mostly Mozart Festival, and the Emmy Award-winning Live From Lincoln. The Lincoln Center was expanded in 2004 with the addition of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s newly built facilities which includes three state of the art music performance venues. www.lincolncenter.org www.nycandgo.com

Despite a tough year for the global hotel industry, New York continues to set lofty standards for other cities to follow with a whole raft of stunning new hotels opening in 2009 and planned for 2010. The Standard Hotel (www.standardhotels.com) in the Meatpacking District is at the cutting edge of this hotel renaissance. The effortlessly cool interiors and

Broadway The White Way is positively scorching right now! Following a stellar 2008–09 Broadway season shows grossed record box office returns in which more shows opened than in any other season since 1982–83.

The 2009–10 season kicked off in September with an expected line-up of 20 new shows. Long running shows continuing to wow audiences include Wicked, Billy Elliot, Mamma Mia, The Lion King, Jersey Boys and Chicago.

Some big names are also expected to grace the boards this year with plenty of talent expected for 2010. Among the stars expected in the new productions are Daniel Craig, Alan Cumming, Carrie Fisher, Hugh Jackman, Nathan Lane, Angela Lansbury, Jude Law, Sienna Miller, Bebe Neuwirth, Alicia Silverstone, John Stamos, Evan Rachel Wood and Catherine Zeta-Jones. www.nycgo.com/broadway www.ilovenytheater.com

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beigenew york contemporary architecture are both winning fans with their fresh take on style, which is anything but standard. The Pierre, A Taj Hotel (www.tajhotels.com/pierre) on Central Park has just undergone a 100 million dollar refurbishment, and it shows. Staff outnumber guests 3 to 1 at The Pierre, so service is top notch. Top London restaurant Caprice has just opened in the hotel too.

On the Upper East Side The Mark (www. themarkhotel.com) and The Surrey (www. thesurrey.com) are two new elegant arrivals to New York’s most stylish neighbourhood.

Distinctly more edgy, The MAve Hotel (www. themavehotel.com) offers visitors to Midtown Manhattan a refreshingly relaxed urban retreat right in the middle of the Flatiron District. SoHo’s Crosby Street Hotel (www. firmdale.com) brings London-based Firmdale Hotels’ contemporary British take on style to America with their first property in the USA. Putting the ‘W’ in Wall Street, The W’s (www. starwoodhotels.com) new Downtown property is bringing contemporary urban style to New York’s financial heart.

The new Trump SoHo (www.trumpsohohotel. com) features 391 rooms and suites in a glittering 46 story edition to the New York Skyline. Recalling the glamour of the Art Deco period The Chatwal (www.thechatwalny.com) is just steps from Broadway and with just 88 rooms offers a fresh perspective on the luxury hotel experience.

Other chic urban retreats that have also been making waves in New York this year include the Gansevoort (www.hotelgansevoort.com), another property bringing uptown luxury back to the downtown Meatpacking District.

Kimpton hotels have long been a friend of gay travellers in the US. Their Muse Hotel (www. themusehotel.com) has also been the recipient of a recent multimillion dollar refurbishment and also boasts a great midtown position moments from Times Square. Visionary hotelier Vikram Chatwal’s decadent Dream Hotel (www. dreamny.com) is nothing short of haute couture, 5 star boutique hotel perfection.

Find your perfect hotel at www.nycgo.com/hotels

NYC Gayberhoods From historic beginnings in Greenwich Village New York’s gay scene has spread to virtually all corners of the city. After exploring the wealth of venues and queer culture in the Village head to Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen and the East Village for a variety of exciting scene options. The Upper West Side, Queens and Brooklyn offer even more choice for more adventurous visitors to choose from.

Greenwich Village (or the West Village, as locals know it) is where it all started and the area around Sheridan Square and Christopher Street is the heart of the action. There’s a great selection of bars, shops, cafes and restaurants in and around the area including the legendary Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street itself.

Further north in Chelsea is New York’s visibly gayest neighbourhood which is centred around 18th Street and Eighth Avenue. Sports enthusiasts will find a warm welcome at sport bar Gym, it’s also where you’ll find firm NY favourites such as Barracuda and the legendary Splash bar.

Travel across lower Manhattan to the funkier and more edgy scene of the East Village.

Venues here are a little more spread out, but you’ll have fun discovering some of the most offbeat shopping in the city as you wander between bars such as the Eastern Bloc, B Bar and East Village institution the Boiler Room.

Hell’s Kitchen proximity to the theatre district has always attracted a gay following, more recently several venues are now definitely worth checking out. Head further up the east side of town for laid back loungy spots including the Bar-Tina Ultralounge, Posh and Hell’s Kitchen hotspot Therapy.

Uptown on the East Side upscale cocktail bars and piano lounges dominate. Uncle Charlie’s, Evolve and the Townhouse attract an older professional crowd with their formal yet classy decor.

Pines Party, Fire Island www.pinesparty.com New York Pride www.nycpride.org New York LGBT Film Festival www. newfest.org

American Airlines flies direct to New York’s JFK Airport up to 5 times a day from London Heathrow and once daily from Manchester. www.aa.com For more information on New York visit the official tourism website www.nycgo.com

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beigechicago

ATTRACTIONS

Anish Kapor’s Cloud Gate sculpture, affectionately known as ‘The Bean’.

INFO

Chicago’s Cultural Center was originally the Chicago Public library, this beaux-arts masterpiece now houses one of the city’s visitor information centres and also a comprehensive free arts showcase of performing, visual, and literary arts. Navy Pier on Lake Michigan is the most popular attraction in the city, a kilometre long promenade of entertainment and leisure attractions, it’s also the embarkation point for lake-shore tours of the city. The futuristic 24.5 acre Millennium Park which opened in 2004 features the work of world-renowned architects, planners, artists and designers including Anish Kapor’s Cloud Gate sculpture, affectionately known as ‘The Bean’. State of the art Jay Pritzker Pavilion hosts the Grant Park Music Festival plus numerous free outdoor concerts.

Take a trip up 103 floors up the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) to the Chicago Skydeck and the ‘The Ledge’, glass viewing platforms that extends over 4 feet from the edge of the skyscraper, definitely not for the faint-hearted. Escape outdoors along 29 miles of lakeside paths and cycle routes or enjoy the free zoo in Lincoln Park and the Lincoln Park and Garfield Park conservatories.

The Art Institute of Chicago’s houses a fantastic permanent collection of the largest compilation of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works outside the Louvre. The brand new Modern Wing, designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Renzo Piano provides a new home for the museum’s collection of 20th- and 21st-century art. The Museum of Contemporary Art’s collection is equally impressive spanning the years from 1945 to the present day.

www.chicagoculturalcenter.org www.navypier.com www.millenniumpark.org theskydeck.com www.artic.edu/aic www.mcachicago.org

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beigechicago

The third largest city in the USA, Chicago is amazingly friendly for such a large and lively metropolis. Undoubtedly one of the world’s great cities, Chicago boasts a whole host of world class attractions, entertainment and cultural institutions to match any city in the world. Despite this wealth of modern metropolitan amenities though, Chicago is at the very centre of the warm and welcoming American Midwest and this is a city that positively oozes friendliness and hospitality. Over 45 million domestic and international visitors flock to Chicago each year attracted by the upscale shopping, world class theatre and the arts, elegant architecture, copious dining experiences and the fantastic leisure activities on offer. Music fans are equally well catered for, with copious classical concerts, smoking hot blues and jazz bars and of course this is also the home of house Music too. Gay and lesbian visitors can also experience one of the liveliest and well supported gay communities in the world with a superb calendar of events, festivals and parties taking place all throughout the year.

SHOPPING

ean’.

INFO

Chicago’s very own Director of Fashion has lured the top name brands in fashion and retail to the city’s shopping districts. The Magnificent Mile along Michigan Avenue boasts 460 stores and packs a mighty punch for serious shopaholics.

Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom headline the city’s elegant arcades and impressive malls. Style gurus and fashionistas should head for the designer brands and boutiques on Oak Street, Barney’s New York, Pal Zileri and Prada are just some of the top-end brands on offer. Block 37 is the newest arrival on Chicago’s shopping scene, an elegant 5 story atrium of shopping, dining and entertainment options. Nearby River North Galleries is the place to find the works of emerging artists, clothing, jewellery and stylish home decor. More Individual and unique shops can be found along the tree lined streets of Lincoln Park and Armitage Avenue which are packed with inspirational ideas. Bohemian and buzzing, the Wicker Park-Bucktown shopping district was described as “a square mile pulsing with sassy boutiques” by Vanity Fair, head here for an eclectic mix of Boho chic and an offbeat quirky atmosphere.

www.themagnificentmile.com www.theshopsatnorthbridge.com www.visitmacyschicago.com www.oakstreetchicago.com www.chicagoartdealers.org www.chicagofashionresource.com beigetravel | issue 3 | 27

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INFO

Theatre Chicago is the only U.S. city with 4 Tony Award-winning Theatres so there are no shortage superb productions in Chicago’s exciting theatre district. See excellent local companies and international touring troupes performing mega-hit musicals, drama and dance. Thanks to Broadway In Chicago visitors can see world class productions, often before they even hit Broadway itself. The Goodman theatre in the Loop theatre district continues to set a lofty standard with its productions of the classics and contemporary productions which earned it a Special Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. The Harris Theater for Performance and Dance is the city’s newest entertainment space situated in Millennium Park and home to Chicago Opera Theater, Music of the Baroque and the excellent Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. This state of the art facility is also attracting internationally renowned companies and artists, including San Francisco Ballet and the New York City Ballet. Chicago’s home-grown talent at the Steppenwolf and Drury Lane Theater’s show excellent contemporary productions and tiny storefront theatres such as the Royal George Theater feature everything from off-Broadway to pre Broadway tryouts. Information on all of the goings on in Chicago’s lively dance scene can be found at seechicagodance.com. Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet is now one of the leading companies in the world performing elegant classics as well as groundbreaking contemporary works.

Queer Calendar

As the third largest city in the US and the cultural hub of the America’s Midwest, Chicago is home to a large and extremely active gay and lesbian community.

There are an estimated 800,000 LGBT residents throughout the city, however the 2 most notable districts for gay tourists are Boystown and Andersonville, both located north of downtown about three miles apart. Boystown is the popular name for a district in the neighbourhood of Lakeview which was the first officially recognised gay village in the USA. The community is centred in and around North Halsted street which contains the highest concentration of gay venues in the city. There’s an eclectic mix of bars, clubs, coffee houses, shops and gay owned establishments including the LGBT community centre, Center on Halsted. The area is marked by 11 pairs of Art Deco pylons complete with rainbow decorations that line North Halsted Street itself.

More recently the Swedish neighbourhood of Andersonville further to the north has become increasingly popular with Chicago’s gay men and lesbians.

Andersonville offers a more relaxed and artsy vibe than party central Boystown and a bar scene that caters to both gay men and women. There’s a good selection of venues at night to explore, during the day there are plenty of coffee shops, delis and eateries frequented by the large queer population that calls Andersonville home.

Although Chicago is just about as far from the sea as you can get in North America, there’s still a gay beach on the shores of mighty Lake Michigan. Gay Chicagoans head for Hollywood Beach. (AKA Kathy Osterman Beach) located at the northernmost tip of Lincoln Park.

June is Pride Month in Chicago and for the whole of June Chicago gears up to the spectacular Pride-fest celebrations. With dozens of events organised in the lead up to the Pride-fest weekend there really is something for everyone to enjoy. The month long calendar include social events and get togethers, cultural and artistic shows and exhibitions, debates and political rallies and this being sporty Chicago there’s plenty of athletic events too. The culmination of Pride Month is the annual Gay Pride Parade, which takes place on the last Sunday of the month. The Parade, which attracts more than 400,000 viewers, steps off from the corner of Belmont and Halsted and proceeds through the Boystown neighbourhood.

Pride isn’t the only queer celebration in Chicago each year though, Halsted Street Market Days is a huge mid-summer street festival where everyone is invited. Boystown is the centre of the action every August as Halsted Street is closed to vehicles for the largest street festival in Illinois. Attended by more than 300,000 people each year Market Days is one of the most celebrated dates in Chicago’s calendar. Each May the international leather community also chooses Chicago for the highlight of the leather calendar. The Memorial Day weekend from 28-31 May is when International Mr. Leather will be crowned from contestants from around the world.

Cowboys and cowgirls enjoy their own brand of fun in August each year when Chicago also hosts the Windy City Rodeo. Run by the Illinois Gay Rodeo Association the event is just one of several run by Gay Rodeo Associations from across the United States and Canada.

Queer film buffs can get their fill of international gay and lesbian cinema at the annual gay and lesbian film festival which takes place each November.

INFO

Gay Chicago

www.broadwayinchicago.com www.theatreinchicago.com www.goodmantheatre.org www.harristheaterchicago.org www.steppenwolf.org www.drurylanewatertower.com www.theroyalgeorgetheatre.com www.seechicagodance.com www.hubbardstreetdance.com www.joffrey.com

www.imrl.com www.centeronhalsted.org www.ilgra.com www.reelingfilmfestival.org www.chicagopridecalendar.org

American Airlines flies direct to Chicago O’Hare Airport up to 4 times a day from London Heathrow once daily from Manchester. www.aa.com For more information on Chicago visit the official tourism website www.choosechicago.com More information on gay and lesbian Chicago can be found at www.northalsted.com 28 | beigetravel | issue 3

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eige Magazine - A4 size - Trim: 297mm x 210mm

IN THIS CITY,

THERE’S NO SHORTAGE

OF PRIDE.

The best restaurants in America. Deep passion for the arts. And nightlife that pulses until morning. Chicago is a world-class city with a lot of pride. Each June during Pride Month, the annual Gay Pride Parade welcomes thousands for a nonstop celebration in East Lakeview. And the party continues all year long down North Halsted Street. Plan your trip now at choosechicago.com/glbt.

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beigetravel essentials

>>>travelessentials WiFi Detector £14.99 Don’t waste holiday time trying to find the strongest WiFi signal, use this keyring locator to tell you where the hotspots are.

John Lewis Travel Set 2 Bottles /2 tubs £8.00 Make packing for a trip easier with this travel set. It consists of a clear toilet bag, 2 clear bottles of 50ml each, and 2 jars of 15ml each.

www.gadgetsquick.co.uk

www.johnlewis.com

John Lewis Metal Pop Up Travel Clock £14.50 This stylish chrome-finished clock will wake you up wherever you are. The display pops out of its sleek case, which fits easily into any weekender or overnight bag. www.johnlewis.com

Travel Steam Iron This handy travel iron pops effortlessly into your suitcase or rucksack, keeping your clothes pristine whether you’re on a long haul holiday or a weekend break.

And being multi-voltage you can take it almost anywhere in the world. www.johnlewis.com

Gear 4 WorldTour Dual Charge £24.95 With DualCharge, charge your iPod and other USB charging devices simultaneously. It features 2 USB ports, allowing you to charge more than one device at once and comes with 4 international plug attachments so you can use it in over 150 countries worldwide. www.johnlewis.com

Sony PRS300S eBook Reader Pocket Edition £179.00

Trace Me Luggage Tag £12.99 A unique registration and recovery service provides a strong, durable tag for your luggage with an individual serial number and 2D bar code linked for life to your registration. www.iwantoneofthose.com

Lighter than a typical paperback, weighing just 220g, the new ultra slim Sony Reader Pocket Edition is designed to fit in your bag or pocket take it with you wherever you go.

Think of this clever device as the literary equivalent of an MP3 player.

Slim, lightweight and compact, it lets you store and take stacks of books with you wherever you go - you can download up to 350 books you’ve purchased from the internet to its memory, for reading whenever and wherever the mood takes you. www.johnlewis.com

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beigetravel essentials Seagate® Expansion™ Portable 750B Hard Drive From £74.99 If the miniscule capacity restrictions of a USB Drive are too small for you, you can always opt for the Seagate® Expansion™ Portable 750B Hard Drive. It’s available from 250-750GB capacity and it’s about the size of a deck of cards making it extremely portable. There’s no software to install and it’s automatically recognised by windows. www.direct.tesco.com

QuietComfort® 3 Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headphones £299.00 For those who prefer a compact onear design and a rechargeable battery, QuietComfort® 3 Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headphones offer a proven combination of Bose noise reduction, audio performance and comfortable fit. www.bose.co.uk

Garmin Oregon 200 £195.90 Look a little less like a tourist struggling over a map and more like someone who knows where they’re going with this tiny and easy-to-use GPS gadget. www.amazon.co.uk

Himalaya Messenger Bag £50.00 Stylish messanger bag made from heavyweight canvas with leather trim. www.johnlewis.com

PowerTraveller powermonkey-eXplorer Charger £51.91 Charge your digital camera through an USB port, universal mains charger, or through the solar-slave which will suck in any available sun and convert to electricity. www.digitalcameraworld.co.uk

PowerPlus Piranha Wind-Up Mains/Rechargeable Shaver £19.95

Acqua di Parma Travel Set £250.00 Travel in comfort with the Acqua di Parma Travel Set. This stylish, luxury travel kit contains a leather travel wallet, head pillow and elegant brown satin sleeping mask with yellow trim.

Enjoy a close shave anywhere, without needing a power supply.

The fab PowerPlus Piranha wind up shaver has two flexible shaving heads (replaceable), a trimmer, and is great for travelling, camping, commuting, or just to avoid needing electricity. www.johnlewis.com

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beigeprovincetown

PROVINCETOWN

Situated 120 miles from Boston, along the National Seashore on the outer most tip of Cape Cod, is the quintessential New England resort of Provincetown. Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty this small community packs an enormous punch for LGBT tourists.

Today Provincetown is still the place to be for gay holiday makers and extends an amazingly gay friendly welcome. There are also incredible beaches, boundless natural beauty, an eclectic arts and culture scene and world-class dining and shopping to enjoy too. The state of Massachusetts also legalized gay marriage in 2004 and has issued over 2,000 marriage licenses to date. It’s even possible for foreign couples to tie the knot here too against the breath-taking backdrop of the pristine beaches of Cape Cod.

ACTIVITIES Days in P-Town revolve around relaxation and enjoying the stunning natural environment.

Renting a bicycle is the best way of getting around town and is also the perfect way to tap into the relaxed pace of life. The peninsula is criss-crossed by cycle routes which lead to all of the towns beaches. Race Point beach on the Atlantic coast is the most exposed with wide-

open sandy spaces and the roughest conditions.

Head further around the coast to Long Point, or the “Breakwater” which is graced by Long Point and Woods End lighthouses. The most popular with gay and lesbian tourists though is the usually calmer Herring Cove.

More outdoor activities include taking guided tours of the town and the expansive dunes, followed by a sunset clam bake on the beach.

Taking to the water is another great way to see the areas coastline and sea-life. Renting a Kayak is a great way to find secluded stretches of beach or join a boat charter for dolphin and Whale watching trips into the bay.

ARTS AND CULTURE Provincetown’s well established artist’s community has been responsible for a large number of galleries throughout town, especially along Commercial Street. Provincetown is a great place to browse for inspirational art, gifts and home decor; from the top-notch

galleries that stay open late into the evening to the unique shops and clothing boutiques.

Commercial Street is also where you can find the Provincetown Art Association and Museum.

Carry on through town to the East End where the homes of merchants and ship builders from the 1800’s still stand and perfectly typify this Massachusetts fishing community and its maritime heritage.

Provincetown is also considered the birthplace of modern American theatre and Tennessee Williams’ contribution to local theatre is commemorated in the annual Tennessee Williams Theatre Festival each September.

The Provincetown Art House Theatre, also on Commercial Street is an entertainment complex featuring two state of the art theatres and a cafe and is popular with both gay holiday makers and locals alike. There is also an annual programme of cultural events including the international film, music and jazz festivals too.

For truly amazing views of the peninsula the

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impressive Provincetown Monument is well worth the climb and celebrates the Mayflower Pilgrims arrival in the USA. Over 400 years of the town’s history can also be seen at the Provincetown Museum which charts the history for the town from the arrival of the Mayflower in 1620.

DINING There’s truly is something to suit everyone’s palate in Provincetown, from casual eateries to fine dining extravaganzas. Unsurprisingly there’s a strong emphasis on sea food from simple specialties like clam chowder and crab cakes to lobster cooked just about every way imaginable.

The choice doesn’t just extend to seafood though; inspiration has been taken from just about every corner of the globe and combined with the finest local produce to make this a gourmet’s paradise. Although there is a strong influence on fine dining here there are also plenty of simple, yet elegant places to dine too. Provincetown’s eateries can be found everywhere; from Historic mansion houses, to whitewashed beach shacks, and on beach front terraces throughout the town complete with sea views to die for.

GAY LIFE Provincetown’s diversity can been seen in the variety of gay and lesbian tourists who flock here each year. Every evening Provincetown’s charming, pedestrian-dominated main street is filled with drag queens, gay families pushing baby strollers and lipstick lesbians mingle with the muscle boys and bears. Everyone is out to enjoy the relaxed and friendly scene.

Once the day-trippers leave the island on the last ferries the town is left to the mainly gay majority. The gay scene here is extremely sociable and revolves around the small but well organised gay scene. It’s fair to say that those looking for all night clubs and parties are likely to be disappointed, that’s not to say that there isn’t plenty of scope for fun and entertainment though, especially during the summer months.

The daily T-dance which takes place every afternoon from 3.30 for 6.30 at the Boatslip is a P-town institution and sees the huge waterfront dance floor packed with hotties fresh from the beach. While the party continues at the Pier all evening moving on for pre-dinner cocktails is also popular. The martinis at the Porchside Bar at Gifford House accompany seasonal piano sing-a-longs and the intimate surroundings of the Shipwreck Lounge are just perfect to ponder all of those mouth-watering P-town dining options.

Post dinner, Wave video bar and the Madeira Room/Vixen keep the crowds entertained with live DJs and nightly shows.

The butch crowd head for the Vault, the local cruise/ leather bar which hosts the ever popular ‘best pecs’ and ‘best buns’ competitions. The Atlantic House is the place to head to end your evening, there’s 2 bars and a dance club which is the most popular nightclub in town. While all of the bars close at 1am, those not ready to head home make a beeline for Spiritus Pizza. This small restaurant on Commercial Street fills to bursting on summer evenings with an impromptu party that spills onto the street, it’s the perfect place to make a move on that hottie you’ve had your eye on all evening. beigetravel | issue 3 | 33

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beigeprovincetown Events Provincetown’s high season is undoubtedly during the summer, but there’s a calendar of events that runs year round for just about every sector of the community, from gay families to women of colour. From January to May the town is at its quietist, which attracts couples for romantic weekends walking on the beach and cosying up in front of real log fires. April sees the first major event in town though as Cabaretfest lights up the town.

During May single women and women of colour both have dedicated weekends, and in June the International Film Festival takes centre stage. The July 4th celebrations and parties have become a favourite on the circuit party calendar, later in July the bears and the girls get their turn to shine as Provincetown hosts Bear Week and Girl Splash. The riotous Carnival week in August pulls in large

crowds of holiday makers and day visitors each year with the Thursday parade being the highlight of the week.

September is a fantastic time to visit with great weather but fewer crowds than July and August, there’s also better prices for accommodation and plenty of shopping bargains on offer too. During October there’s also another women’s week and Fantasia Fair which is the longeststanding transgender educational event in the world. October is the Mates Leather Weekend which includes assorted leather themed events.

There’s even more fun planned for both the Halloween and Thanksgiving weekends and Christmas arrives early each year in P-town in the form of Holly Folly. This event is full of Christmas spirit with special shopping offers and festive concerts planned for the first weekend in December.

Getting To P-Town Provincetown is located at the tip of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 116 miles from Boston. It’s about 2 1/2 to 3 hours by car, depending on traffic and there is also a bus service from Boston. By air, it is only 20 minutes but perhaps the best way to reach the island is on one of the ferries that run between Boston and Provincetown in season.

Luxury high speed catamarans take just 90 minutes and operate from May to October.

Accommodation There’s a huge range of gay and gay friendly accommodation in Provincetown, from small intimate guesthouses to suit all budgets, to resorts such as the Boatslip, home of the daily T-dance. Provincetown is well known for its inns and guesthouses which provide excellent amenities and a truly personal service, and there’s a huge selection to choose from. For a complete list of accommodation available in the town visit www.ptown.org/Lodging.asp

EVENTS OF INTEREST: March Out of Hibernation – www.ne-ursamen.org Single Women’s Weekend – www.womeninnkeepers.com April Cabaret Fest – www.ptown.org/Cabaretfest.asp May Single Women’s Weekend - www.womeninnkeepers.com Restaurant Week – www.provincetowntourismoffice.org June Provincetown International Film Festival - www.ptownfilmfest.org Women of Color & Allies Weekend - www.provincetownforwomen.com July Circuit Party Week - various venues and promoters Girl Splash – www.provincetownforwomen.com/girl-splash/ Provincetown Summer Bear Week - www.ptownbears.org Aug Family Pride Coalition’s Family Week - www.familyequality.org/ Provincetown Carnival Week - www.ptown.org/Carnival.asp Sept Tennessee Williams Theater Festival - www.twptown.org Gay Pilots’ Association “Cape Cod Classic” – www.ngpa.org Oct Women’s Week - www.provincetownforwomen.com Mates Leather Weekend – www.matesleatherweeeknd.com/main.html Fantasia Fair - fantasiafair.org Provincetown Round Up – www.provincetownroundup.org Halloween/Spooky Bear Weekend – www.ptown.org/halloween.asp www.ne-ursamen.org Dec Holly Folly Gay & Lesbian Holiday Festival

American Airlines flies direct to Boston Logan Airport up to 3 times a day from London Heathrow. www.aa.com. For more information on Provincetown visit the official tourism website www.ptown.org 34 | beigetravel | issue 3

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BOSTON

S

ince its foundation Boston has always been one of the most forward thinking cities in North America. It was here that the Puritans established their first city after escaping religious persecution in the UK and the Sons of Freedom later roused a nation to fight for independence

from British colonialism. The cities intellectuals and scholars were also the first to champion such progressive causes as abolitionism, feminism and transcendentalism. Big ideas have always come naturally to this mid-sized east coast enclave of liberty and freedom. History aside, Boston still

remains one of the most liberal cities in the US and has been at the forefront of some of the USA’s most politically controversial issues. Most importantly for LGBT tourists the fight for same sex marriage found extremely fertile ground here and Massachusetts remains one of the few states where same sex

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beigeboston marriage is legal, not only for US nationals but foreign nationals who can also tie the knot here.

Unique in the USA Boston & Massachusetts will celebrate legal same sex marriage rights for its 6th year on May 17, 2010.

The city of Boston has been influenced more by its world renowned educational institutions such as Harvard and MIT than any other aspect of the city. Scholars and students from around the world have all contributed to the growth of the city’s cultural mix which includes great sporting events, film festivals, an eclectic music scene, art galleries, coffee shops, hip clubs and Irish pubs.

Boston’s image as an intellectual outpost might be true, but the city is now also emerging as a centre for modern contemporary arts, cutting-edge architecture and innovative urban planning and of course one of the most integrated gay scenes in North America.

The city is magnificent in late spring (May and June) or early fall (September and October), when parks are filled with flowering trees or colorful leaves. In summer, the city goes all out for Independence Day, with a week’s worth of celebrations during Harborfest. Any time of year, the cultural calendar is packed.

What to do Walking Boston’s Freedom Trail is a great way to get orientated with the city and take in some of the city’s most important historical sites. This 2.5 mile walk takes in 16 nationally significant historical sites along the route and passes through some of Boston’s most exciting neighbourhoods.

Beacon Hill’s century-old brick brownstones and village squares, the North End’s winding streets and lively Italian community, and Charlestown and the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill are just some of the highlights. It also passes Paul Revere’s house and America’s most celebrated ship, the USS Constitution which was named by President

George Washington.

The Freedom Trail will also take you past Boston’s No. 1 attraction, Faneuil Hall Marketplace or Quincy Market. This site has been a market since 1742 and has long played an integral role in the lives of Bostonians. The market is now Boston’s most popular attraction and covers 6.5 acres of unique and independent shops, stalls and kiosks selling food, gifts and jewellery, restaurants, cafes and also live entertainers.

Some of the finest museums in the USA can also be found in Boston with exhibits including fine and contemporary arts, science and American history. The Go Boston Card comes loaded with pre-paid admission to over 70 of the Boston area’s top attractions and is available online at www.

GoBostonCard.com or at the Boston Common Visitor Centre.

The Harvard Art Museum is one of the world’s leading arts institutions comprising three museums and four research centres. A major renovation and expansion project is currently underway to house the museums 250,000 artefacts. More modern exhibits can be seen at the Institute of Contemporary Art. Founded in 1936 the Institute is the oldest non-collecting contemporary arts institution in the United States.

A more intimate, but no less impressive collection can be seen at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. This 15th century Venetian palace created at the turn of the century houses more than 2,500 art objects, among them works by Rembrandt, Botticelli, Raphael, Titan, and Matisse.

The museum dedicated to Boston’s most famous son, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum recreates the world of the early 1960s and experiences firsthand the life and legacy of President John F. Kennedy.

The MIT Museum’s cutting-edge exhibitions blend art, technology and innovation in some truly mind-blowing exhibits and The Museum

of African American History is New England’s largest African American history museum with four national historic sites dating back to the early 1800’s. Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts is one of the world’s great art museums including more Monets than any museum outside of Paris, an unrivalled Japanese art collection, treasures from Egypt and the ancient world, and American art from colonial to modern times.

Boston’s cultural calendar is also crammed with mellow jazz clubs, rock concerts, Mozart concertos, , musicals and classic plays which can all be seen and heard here. Perhaps most famously though is the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops Orchestra which is the largest orchestral organization in the world. The BSO performs at Symphony Hall from September to May and takes up summer residence in the beautiful rural west Massachusetts town of Tanglewood.

What to eat Boston is a city with many world-class restaurants and visitors have their choice of popular Boston eateries in all areas of the city. The narrow alleys of the North End and the bustling avenues of the Back Bay are home to a myriad of restaurants, from cheap eats such as Santarpio’s Pizza, Antico Forno, and Pizzeria Regina, to more upscale places such as The Palm, Helmand and the Top of the Hub. New England cuisine is well known for chowders, codfish cakes, apple pie and enough Boston Baked Beans to merit the nickname Beantown. Boston also brims with options for New England clambakes, lobster rolls and other seafood-oriented classics are ever present on menus. The Massachusetts region’s multicultural populace also brings a treasure-trove of international cuisines from Chinese, Japanese, Thai and other Asian delicacies, spicy Moroccan dishes as well as authentic flavours of the Ukraine to French-Cambodian fusion fare. From casual street

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beigeboston food to elegant fine dining there’s a restaurant for everyone in Boston. Boston restaurant week takes place twice each year in March and August.

Where to shop Boston has some excellent shopping districts which offer a stress free, relaxed alternative to other big US shopping destinations. There’s also no sales tax on items of clothing under $175 and only $5 above making this a great value shopping destination too. The biggest shopping areas in the inner Metro are the Back Bay and Downtown Crossing. In addition, there are two large malls in and near the centre of the city.

The Cambridgeside Galleria is a hip urban centre with a beautiful waterfront location and over 120 speciality shops and boutiques including department stores and food court and a Cheesecake Factory restaurant. Also downtown Copley Place and the neighbouring Prudential Center, connected via pedestrian walkway is the place to head for clothing stores, bookstores, upscale shopping, food stores and restaurants.

These centres also have access from several of the larger city centre hotels. Newbury Street in the Back Bay neighbourhood is Boston’s most famous shopping destination; the shops get more upscale and expensive the closer to Boston Common you get. Close by the shopping area of Downtown Crossing offers a great selection of shops, but at more affordable prices.

Across the river in Cambridge is Harvard Square, which is not only a great place to shop but also to soak up Boston’s academic atmosphere. This historic square is always active and attracts many tourists and locals alike. A tour of Harvard University is a highlight of any visit here, or take a short walk down to the scenic Charles River. There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants to relax, soak up the atmosphere and watch the world go by. For some small town charm try the neighbouring town of Brookline . Coolidge Corner and Harvard St. and Beacon St offer the best selection of shops for tourists to enjoy.

Gay Boston Like many cities Boston also has its main gay neighbourhood which is called The South End and lies just to the south of Boston’s Back Bay area. This once dilapidated district was the focus of major renovations and gentrification, especially

by Boston’s gay community during the 1980s after which it became the gay heart of the city. The area is characterised by the ornate mid-nineteenth century red brick bowfront terrace houses, wrought iron railings and the 11 residential parks

throughout the South End. The area is now one of the most desirable residential locations in Boston.

Although there is still a strong gay presence in the area, rising property prices have meant that many gay businesses and locals have moved on to other areas of the city. The South End still makes a great place to start for any gay tourist though, especially along the main commercial routes of Columbus Avenue and Tremont Street. The area is oaded with restaurants and cafes popular with gay locals as well as gay businesses and bars. Travel a little further south around Shawmut Avenue and Washington Street which have become the city’s latest hot spots complete with trendy eateries and cool boutique shopping.

A little further south still the area of Jamaica Plain,

by the University of Massachusetts has become well known for the large lesbian population that now lives here. There’s a handful of colourful and gay popular restaurants and businesses along Centre Street.

Crossing the river the town of Cambridge is often regarded as part of Boston despite being a city in its own right with 100,000 residents. Home to the USA’s first university, Harvard Cambridge is also proving popular with gay and lesbian residents and provides its own alternative scene too. There are some excellent gay-friendly restaurants along one of Cambridge’s main roads, John F. Kennedy St. including some excellent ethnic restaurants.

Paradise is the bar to head for one of the hottest nights in town which includes shows by the well known go-go boys. The Ultra chic Shine Lounge is also on the Cambridge side of the river close to the Charles River near Kendall Square. It has become a favourite of the many gay residents who live in and around this area in the Watertown and Somerville districts.

Boston Pride The highlight of Boston’s queer calendar is the annual gay pride event which takes place in June each year and celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2010. This Incredible, wonderful 9 –day & night event begins with Boston City Hall Flag raising on Friday June 4. There are 20 events throughout week including Fanueil Hall Marketplace Pride Day and the South End Parade to Boston City Hall Plaza. The Parade & Festival are highlights with 127 groups, 10,000+ marchers, 500,000 attendees, 46 floats and 120 motorcycles participating! The packed programme of events also includes the Epic Saturday night party held at the downtown Roxy nightclub. During the last Sunday of pride queer Boston takes to the streets as the Stuart St. and Jamaica Plain block parties draw thousands of party goers for the largest street parties of the year

•••INFO•••

The official tourism site for Boston www.BostonUSA.com Boston Pride - www.bostonpride.org Taste of the South End - www.aac.org Boston 4th July celebrations - www.july4th.org Boston Gay Life - www.edgeboston.com Boston LGBT Film Festival www.bostonlgbtfilmfest.org Boston Gay Men’s Chorus - www.bgmc.org

American Airlines flies direct to Boston Logan Airport up to 3 times a day from London Heathrow. www.aa.com For more information on Boston visit the official tourism website www.bostonusa.com 38 | beigetravel | issue 3

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Boston AMERICA ’ S WALKING CITY

We would like to invite you to join-us-for a weekend getaway.

Come to Boston USA, the city that helped secure the right to life and liberty, and where the pursuit of happiness is always within walking distance.

For events, hotel & visitor information call 1-888-733-2678 or 1-617-536-4100 for international calls.

You can also email us at visitus@BostonUSA.com.

Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau

This year Boston Pride is going to be bigger and better than ever!

Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau

www.BostonPride.org

Proud to be Boston’s Official Hotel and Visitor Information site!

 

BostonUSA.com

 

Bloomington “ “ “

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This forward-thinking college town is a magnet city for gays in the Grain Belt. It’s also home to Indiana University, where Miss Gay IU—said to be the first student-sponsored drag competition held on any campus—is in its 20th year.

The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction is also here, inspiring the entire town to be heteroflexible.

“ “

This accepting, forward-thinking, progressive college-town is home to Indiana University and the famed Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction. Filled with hip cafes and funky stores, Bloomington markets its many merits to lesbian and gay travelers

The verdict: Whether you’re gay, straight, or somewhere in between, Bloomington offers something rarely found in this country: a small town with a bold history of openness and acceptance.

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elcome to Bloomington, Indiana – home to the United States’ fifth largest per capita population of same-sex couples and one of the most progressive cities in the Midwest, both socially and politically. Bloomington is the quintessential college town, nestled in the rolling hills - yes, rolling hills - of south-central Indiana. As a recent travel writer stated, “If you are familiar with the Northeast, think the Berkshires at about half the price and with less than half the people.” In addition, the Indiana University campus has been listed as one of the five most beautiful campuses in the United States in Thomas A. Gaines’ book, The Campus as a Work of Art. As home to Indiana University, Bloomington is shaped by the ever-present influence of the collegiate atmosphere – attracting a population that is bohemian, scholastic, multi-cultural and youthful all at the same time. There is an endless list of things to do, and, according to Out Traveler, “almost everything and everybody in this town says, “Welcome!” These are just some of the many reasons why it’s gay everyday in Bloomington.

A veritable utopia with incredible natural beauty and vast, diverse offerings of art and culture – Bloomington really is someplace special!

On a given night you can hear native bluegrass music, then stroll down the block to take in chamber music or an opera at the IU Jacobs School of Music. Art is everywhere: you can take in the Farmers Market where local artisans sell their craft or visit the many art galleries or antique stores. If you just want to look at interesting visuals, take a stroll on to campus to the Kinsey Institute and view selections from their large collection of erotic art. Right around the corner from the Art Museum is the W.P.A. built IU Auditorium with breathtaking murals by Thomas Hart Benton surrounding the lobby. A few steps from IU Auditorium is the Lilly Library, home to John James Audobon’s “Birds of America”, a Guttenberg Bible, and John Ford’s Oscar for directing “How Green is My Valley”, just to name a few of the extraordinarily diverse pieces in their collection. Or perhaps you want to visit the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center – host to His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet on each of his 5 visits to Bloomington with a sixth visit scheduled for May 2010 – and take in the tranquility of the grounds and beauty of the Interfaith Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple at the only facility of its kind in the United States. When you include cuisine from around the world – from Asianinfusion to Cajun Cosmopolitan to slow-food at its best – you’re likely to exclaim “It’s all here”.

UNIQUELY BLOOMINGTON Bloomington offers an array of activities and events for any traveler to enjoy. You’ll find things in Bloomington that you can’t experience anywhere else in the world!

Like nothing else in the world, the collections of the Kinsey Institute encompass the mundane, the arcane, the exquisite, and the scientific: print, materials, film and video, fine art, artifacts, photography, archives and more. Additionally, there is a unique collection of memorabilia from the 2004 feature film Kinsey. Free and open to the public year-round, please call 812-855-7686 for current hours or to schedule a tour. Learn more at kinseyinstitute.org. An exciting program of the Kinsey Institute is the Juried Art Show exhibit in the School of Fine Arts (SoFA) Gallery. The exhibit will open with a reception on Friday, May 28 and continue, free of charge, through July 30.

Recognized as one of the finest in the country, the Jacobs School of Music provides endless offerings of concerts, operas, ballets, recitals, and special events. Furthermore, the venues match their performers in quality. The Musical Arts Center, a building with equally impressive acoustics and esthetics, accommodates audiences of up to 1,800 for opera, ballet and musical performances. The opera season is said to be the longest continuously running season in the Western Hemisphere.

Faculty members at the Jacobs School of Music include renowned soprano Sylvia McNair, conductor Leonard Slatkin, violin virtuoso and prodigy Joshua Bell, and legendary pianist Menahem Pressler, among others. See the current schedule at music.indiana.edu.

Bloomington is home to the only Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center in the States! Explore the over 100 acres of beautiful grounds, see traditional Tibetan Chortens, a sand mandala, butter sculptures and the one of a kind Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple, dedicated by the Dalai Lama himself to interfaith harmony. In fact, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, has made five official visits to Bloomington, the most recent in the fall of 2007. The Center was founded by the Dalai Lama’s eldest brother, who passed away in 2008, who established the East Asian Studies Department at Indiana University.

The truly amazing combination of multiculturalism, arts, entertainment, and countless other influences make Bloomington an oasis in the Midwest region of the country. Bloomington is located 4 hours southeast of Chicago and 1 hour south of Indianapolis. For more information on this heteroflexible city, log on to www.itsgayeveryday.com and learn much, much more.

American Airlines flies direct to Chicago O’Hare Airport up to 4 times a day from London Heathrow with connecting flight to Indianapolis operated by American Connection. www.aa.com For more information on Bloomington visit the official tourism website www.itsgayeveryday.com beigetravel | issue 3 | 41

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here are very few places in the world that have as much significance for gay and lesbian travellers than San Francisco. This beautiful Californian city was instrumental in the birth of the modern gay rights movement and continues to be one of the most liberal, accepting and tolerant cities in the world. It’s impossible not to get caught up in the care-free spirit which is ingrained in this city. Whether you are strolling down the famous hilly streets lined with brightly painted Victorian houses, or catching one of the iconic trams for some unforgettable views of the bay and bridges, the relaxed charm of San Francisco is impossible to resist.

This laissez-faire atmosphere has long been a draw for gays and lesbians from all over the world. Less frantic than New York and more sociable than Los Angeles, San Francisco’s LGBT residents have created a real community, in every sense of the word.

There’s an excellent scene, plenty of bars and other gay owned venues and businesses in some of arguably the queerest neighbourhoods of any city in the world.

Getting Around San Francisco is a city that is easily manageable for tourists to navigate. The downtown area is built on a peninsula and so the city has not been affected by the urban sprawl common to many American cities. With San Francisco Bay on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, getting around is not only easy, but there are innumerable fantastic views of the bay and her famous bridges at almost every turn too. There’s an excellent public transport system which includes an extensive subway system (BART), MUNI streetcars, buses and of course the famous cable cars which together cover all areas of the city. The city of San Francisco itself is home to around 875,000 inhabitants, although the surrounding Bay Area is home to many millions more. Downtown San Francisco has become a magnet for the arts, culture and gay life in Northern California which means that there is always something to see in such a compact area. There are dozens of neighbourhoods in the city, each one with its’ own unique atmosphere and fascinating attractions.

Neighbourhoods The northern end of the peninsula is the home to several of the city’s upscale neighbourhoods as well as some historic monuments. Pacific Heights is a predominantly residential neighbourhood of beautiful Victorian homes which rises 370 feet above sea level. It is also here where you will find some of the best views of the city. The three blocks on Broadway Street in between Lyon and

Divisadero Streets offer some incredible vistas of the San Francisco Bay and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Nearby Cow Hollow is also home to many beautiful Victorian and Edwardian mansion houses. There’s also an interesting mix of cafes, restaurants and antique shops on Union Street in the heart of the area.

The city’s Marina district is a popular spot for local joggers, picnickers or those just enjoying the waterfront activities on offer. Head to the Marina Green and Chestnut Street for the heart of the action. Fort Mason and the Presidio are now both National Historic Landmarks. Formerly the original Spanish fortification, the Presidio is now one of the city’s best loved and most beautiful parks. Fort Mason is the setting for many special events and exhibition and includes a museum telling the history of the area since Spanish occupation.

Fisherman’s Wharf The historic waterfront district has been providing San Francisco with abundant sea-food for more than a century and is the number one tourist destination in the city. Although the fishing fleet has declined in recent years, the Wharf is still the place to head for some of the best seafood restaurants in the city. There’s also plenty of attractions in the area too. There’s a huge variety of shopping at Pier 39, Hyde St Pier, Anchorage Square, The Cannery at Del Monte Square and Ghirardelli Square. The maritime museum and the Aquarium of the Bay offer an insight into the areas marine heritage. The resident population of sea lions is another popular draw for tourists and the Wharf is also where sightseeing cruises of the bay and to Alcatraz also depart from.

Nob Hill and Russian Hill Nob Hill is where city’s early railroad barons and gold rush millionaires built their homes. The first cable cars scaled these mountains and they still remain the best way reach the summits. The opulent mansions of these early residents can still be seen on Francisco Street and close by Lombard Street winds up the hill in a succession of hairpin turns that typify this undulating area. Another top draw to the area is Grace Cathedral which is a replica of Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral. At the top of Nob Hill is Huntington Park, site of many art shows and a replica of a 16th century Roman fountain.

Northbeach is where you will find Little Italy right next to Chinatown which is one of the largest and oldest in the United States. China Town was first established as early as 1850 and contains a large number of Chinese shops and restaurants

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beigesan francisco as well as an amazing amount of authentic Asian architecture and fantastic markets.

To the south of North Beach are the Civic Centre and Tenderloin districts which are centred on and around Union Square. As well as being a main transport hub Just about every fashion brand also has a presence on Union Square. The Civic Centre Plaza on Van Ness Ave is dominated by the impressive Beaux Arts City Hall and this area also has many cultural institutions too. The Asian Art Museum, San Francisco Performing Arts Library and Museum, and the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery are all to be found here as well as several smaller private galleries and theatres. Low rents and a proximity to downtown has seen a number of art galleries opening in the Tenderloin and there are also some excellent ethnic restaurants, particularly in the Vietnamese area of Little Saigon. Head west into Japan Town and the Fillmore. Once called the Harlem of the east, Fillmore’s jazz scene has been going through a revival in recent years which has inspired the annual open air jazz festival every July.

SOMA/Yerba Buena The area of SOMA (short for south of market) went through some serious regeneration during the 1980s and 90s that saw former warehouses transformed into chic urban apartments and hip hangouts. The area is a popular night spot with locals and there are also some fantastic cultural institutions here too.

The Moscone Center and neighbouring Yerba Buena Center and gardens house several major revolving exhibitions, performance spaces and museums. The excellent San Francisco Museum of Modern Art next door should also not be missed. Museums of Jewish, African and Californian history can also be found here as well as the Metreon, an entertainment and shopping complex sponsored by Sony. ‘Artists Alley’ on Mission Street which exhibits the works of more than 50 artists from the San Francisco and Bay Areas is one of the best places to pick up some local art.

Haight Ashbury In the centre of the city is Haight, birthplace of the psychedelic movements and hippy counterculture.

The area around Haight and Ashbury Streets still retains the hippy vibe that made it so famous.

There’s plenty of vintage clothes, book and record shops to browse while soaking up the atmosphere.

Some of the most photographed streets are also in the area, rows of colourful Victorian terraces with the downtown backdrop of skyscrapers. Head to Alamo Square at Hayes and Steiner streets for some iconic San Francisco photos, Buena Vista Park, Masonic, Piedmont and Delmar Streets also provide excellent photo opportunities.

Gay San Francisco While the neighbouring districts of Castro and Noe Valley continue to be the epicentre of queer culture, San Francisco gay life reaches just about every part of the city. The few blocks surrounding the intersection of Castro and 18th Street has not only the greatest concentration of gay venues but is also steeped in queer history. The LGBT community is thriving here, you’ll see plenty of locals going about their business during the day, shopping for groceries, having a coffee or just meeting friends.

At night the Castro comes alive as the gay bars and clubs in the area open their doors for business.

Martuni’s is a popular piano bar that draws an after work professional crowd for cocktails and live music Bar on Castro and The Cafe are also popular bars with great lively atmospheres. Bringing the best of French Fusion to the Castro Panam’s new chic restaurant bar and lounge attracts a chic upscale crowd, or why not catch one of the fiery drag shows at the Deco Lounge. The Lexington club is the busiest venue for lesbians seven nights a week.

There are a great variety of bars catering for all tastes in the Castro, laid back casual hangouts, lively video spots and more cruisy Levi and leather bars. One thing visitors will also find in abundance is a friendly welcoming atmosphere. One of the best ways to get to the Castro District is to take one of the F-Line streetcars in the direction of the Castro and Upper Market areas or board any Muni Metro line downtown and exit at Castro.

The Castro Theatre nearly fell to ruin before locals turned their energy and ambition into making the landmark attraction it is today. An organist performs before each showing, and the audience often responds with stomping, singing or clapping. The theatre shows first-run art films, camp classics and politically savvy documentaries.

The Castro isn’t the only area with a gay scene. SOMA is where you’ll find the majority of SanFrancisco’s leather bars, particularly on Folsom (home of the famous Folsom Fair) and Harrison Streets. It’s also where you’ll find the End Up, one

of the most popular clubs in the city complete with large outside terrace. Truly intrepid urban explorers should head to Polk Gulch, the lower end of Polk Street from Sacramento toward the Civic Center. The movie ‘Milk’ starring Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, the gay rights activist politician, premiered here in 2008.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) SFO was voted “Best Airport in North America” by travellers in a Skytrax international survey based on such factors as cleanliness, staff courtesy and efficiency, security and facilities. The airport connects nonstop with more than 65 cities in the U.S. on 21 domestic airlines. In addition, SFO offers non-stop flights to more than 30 international destinations on 26 international carriers, making SFO the Bay Area’s airport of choice. The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train will take you to the “City by the Bay” in just about 30 minutes. www.flysfo.com For a comprehensive list of all of the events going on in and around San Francisco see the Official Gay Events Calendar. www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/calendar

info

San Francisco Official Website www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com San Francisco Pride - www.sfpride.org Castro Tales Of The Village: Free Guided Tours, Sundays - www.sfcityguides.com Gay And Lesbian Film Festival: 26-27 June 2010 www.frameline.org San Francisco Pride: 26-27 June 2010 www.sfpride.org Hairrison Street Fair: 31 August 2008 www.harrison.org/prideworks Folsom Street Fair: 26 September 2010 www.folsomstreetevents.org Castro Street Fair: 3 October 2010 www.castrostreetfair.org Folsom Events - www.folsomstreetfair.com Hairrison Street Fair - www.hairrison.org

American Airlines flies direct to Chicago O’Hare Airport up to 4 times a day from London Heathrow and twice daily to Dallas.

Connecting flights to San Francisco operated by American Connection are available from both cities. www.aa.com For more information on San Francisco visit the official tourism website www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com 44 | beigetravel | issue 3

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he coastline between Los Angeles and San Francisco is one of the most beautiful and dramatic in the world. The scenic drive along Highway 1 hugs the Pacific coast of central California as it passes through charming coastal communities and unspoilt state parks with some of the most stunning views imaginable. www.visitcalifornia.co.uk

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Los Angeles

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beigelos angeles Everything about LA is iconic, from the Hollywood Sign to the laid back beach lifestyle, there’s simply no other city like it in the world.

So much more than one single super-sized metropolis LA is in truth a collection of different neighbourhoods and adjoining cities which covers nearly 500 square miles of the LA Basin.

This amazingly diverse city is home not only to the worlds entertainment industry but also has an amazing number of restaurants and cultural institutions, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, incomparable shopping and mile upon mile of pristine Pacific coastline and vibrant beach communities.

There are also world class attractions such as Universal Studios, Disneyland and Sea World within easy reach of the city. West Hollywood, Silverlake and the San Fernando Valley all have their own distinctive gay and lesbian neighbourhoods; Long Beach and Laguna Beach also have their own LGBT communities making this one of the most diverse destinations for queer travellers on the planet. Idiosyncratic and individual, the possibilities for visitors to LA are quite simply, endless.

Active LA The great outdoors is not something that you just enjoy in LA, it’s an essential part of the lifestyle experience. From LA’s beaches to beautiful state parks there’s a healthy outdoor pursuit for just about everyone. Rollerblading or cycling the20 miles of beachfront promenade is the best way to explore LA’s coastline and exciting seaside communities. From the achingly hip southern beach city of Hermosa Beach where the lithe locals battle it out on volleyball and basketball courts to the eclectic entertainment on Santa Monica, Manhattan and Venice beaches, there’s always plenty to see. For a real slice of LA’s surf culture head north to Malibu and Surfrider beach. People come to LA’s beaches not only to soak up the sun, but also the ultra cool atmosphere.

The Hollywood Hills offer another perfect antidote to the busy city. Griffith Park is the largest urban park in the US with plenty of marked trails to follow. Runyon Canyon is one of the most popular routes with some amazing views of million dollar mansions, the Hollywood sign and the entire LA Basin. You’ll probably see some fit sporty gay locals on the three mile circular route out jogging, walking the dog or looking for a date, especially on weekends. The Topanga State Park Trek and the Santa Monica Mountains Waterfall Trek are two other great LA outdoor experiences not to be missed.

Fashion LA Whatever kind of retail experience you are looking for, you’ll find it in LA. Downtown Los Angeles is being revitalized into a major entertainment

and cultural hot spot and it’s here where you’ll find LA’s world famous fashion district. This is shopping on a truly LA scale, more than 1,000 stores covering 90 blocks of original and exciting fashions. You won’t find the big name brands here but it is full of cutting-edge west coast styles and unique bargain priced goods from LA’s up and coming designers. For a true taste of the district’s exciting atmosphere head for the heart of the action at the Santee Alley open air market.

West Hollywood’s Avenue of Arts and Design showcases quality and design like nowhere else in the world. The area is centred on Melrose Avenue, La Cienega and Beverly Boulevards, and North Robertson Boulevard. Explore the area on foot for superb retailers of great fashion, interior design, art, furniture and the decorative arts and design, plus there are plenty of great restaurants and bars in the area too. Also in the affluent Westside of LA you’ll find Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills which has over 100 stores of the top designer and luxury brands.

No shopping trip to LA would be complete without a trip to the mall. Westside shopping institutions include The Beverley Centre, Westfield Century City and The Grove, home to Abercrombie and Fitch’s flag ship west coast store. For sheer size though head out to the San Fernando Valley for the shopping megalopolises such as Westfield Topanga, The Village and Americana at Brand, which should satisfy even the most avid shopaholics. www.fashiondistrict.org

Cultural LA Centrally located in downtown LA along Grand Avenue is the Music Center, home to four internationally acclaimed Resident Companies: LA Philharmonic, Center Theatre Group, LA Opera, and Los Angeles Master Chorale.

The centre is comprised of four venues: Walt Disney Concert Hall, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre and Mark Taper Forum as well as outdoor theatres, plazas and gardens.

The Museum of Contemporary Art’s (MOCA’s) main venue is also located downtown on Grand Avenue but also includes the nearby Geffen Contemporary and also the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. The One Institute National Archives is of particular interest to LGBT visitors being the world’s largest research library on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered heritage and concerns located just north of the University of Southern California’s main campus in downtown LA. For an insight into Hollywood’s heyday the Hollywood Museum has five floors of historical photo archives, and costumes worn by Mae West and Elizabeth Taylor. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and neighbouring newly opened Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM) close to the Beverly Center together house one of the largest art collections in the US. Equally impressive in terms of its art collection and architecture is the Getty Centre in Brentwood, where you can enjoy the world class art collection and beautiful gardens with views of the entire city from downtown to the coast.

In Malibu the exquisite Getty Villa is now an educational centre and art museum dedicated to the study of the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome and Eritrea with 1,200 exhibits as well as numerous temporary exhibitions.

Dine In LA Food lovers will get their fix in any number of incredible restaurants in Westside especially on LA’s most famous culinary street La Cinega Boulevard where you can eat everything from Korean to Brazilian to contemporary modern American cuisine. Excellent eateries include Fogo de Chão, Lawry’s The Prime Rib, Simon LA and the Stinking Rose and it’s also where you will find the sublime Nobu LA. Eating out in Westside needn’t be a formal affair though; West Third Street is the new destination to go for great takeouts and casual, vibey eateries.

A little further to the north Beverly Boulevard, La Brea and Melrose Avenues demand further exploration. Defy convention, ditch the car and explore on foot to find mouth-watering patisseries and chilli dog heaven. The Sunset Strip also has a whole host of great Italian and French restaurants to choose from and be sure not to miss the restaurant which defined Californian cuisine, Wolfgang Puck’s Spago on beigetravel | issue 3 | 49

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North Canyon Drive. Puck’s much anticipated new venture, Cut at the Beverley Wilshire hotel continues to set equally lofty standards. For an unforgettable evening meal book a table at the Mondrian Hotel’s elegant Sky Bar on Sunset, an oasis of calm and style in the city with superb views and elegant patrons.

Gay LA. It’s fair to say that there is a liberal sprinkling of ‘family’ all over Tinsel Town. For most tourists though the heart of the queer action takes place in West Hollywood, or WeHo, located at the foot of the Hollywood hills between Hollywood and up-market Beverly Hills. WeHo’s central location makes a great base to explore the rest of the city. This area has long been known for its alternative atmosphere and over one third of Weho’s residents now identify as being LGBT. It’s here where you find the greatest number of gay and gay friendly businesses, venues, bars, restaurants, shops, gyms and accommodation in Los Angeles. It’s also in WeHo where some of the biggest gay events in California take place such as LA Pride, Outfest queer film festival and the riotous Halloween Carnival.

The centre of the gay action is Santa Monica Boulevard which connects the eastern suburbs of LA with the Pacific Ocean. Don’t forget though to explore the cosy bars restaurants and cafes on Melrose, Robertson and Beverly Boulevards.

During the daytime popular haunts for locals include fitness establishments such as Crunch,

24 Hour Fitness and Gold’s Gym. For some very gay friendly retail fun the nearby Beverly Center is also generally packed with stylish gays and lesbians browsing the many excellent clothes stores.

At night the population of WeHo explodes and crowds bar hop from one of the many bars to another. Perennial favourite Abbey on Robertson Boulevard is a great place to start, serving excellent drinks and food in an elegant outdoor setting. Don’t miss the likes of equally trendy venues such as East West Lounge, Eleven and O-Bar before ending the evening at nightclub Factory.

Travel east along Santa Monica Boulevard to reach the neighbouring districts of Hollywood and Silverlake which offer a smaller scene but with a more local atmosphere. The centre of Silverlake’s scene is at Sunset Junction, where Sunset and Hollywood Boulevards meet Fountain Avenue. Try lunch or dinner at Café Stella brunch at Dusty’s or Cuban pastries at Café Tropical. At night, Akbar is a friendly lounge of low-key cool that’s predominantly gay but straight-friendly with Moroccan-inspired décor. MJ’s is another busy venue or head to The Other Side which is the city’s leading piano bar known for its talented, but camp singers.

For an alternative gay night out Oil Can Harry’s is famous for country and western dancing and ‘80s nights and Club Fuel offers a diverse mix including Hookah on Thursdays, LA’s original gay Middle Eastern club. Both are located in

San Fernando Valley.

20 miles to the south of LA is the city of Long Beach. The virtues of this seaside enclave have not been lost on the gay community and it is home to a handful of gay bars. Gay Pride in Long Beach is one of the highlights of Southern California’s gay calendar. Held each May this event signifies the start of the summer season and attracts visitors not only from all over LA but also from all over the country too.

info www.discoverlosangeles.com www.longbeachpride.com www.gogaywesthollywood.com www.visitwesthollywood.com

Gay-Popular Events and Festivals: late Feb: Oscars Week - www.oscars.org (a great time for celeb-spotting) Early June: Avenues of Art & Design Art Walk www.avenuesartdesign.com (a night to explore WeHo’s design district along Melrose and Beverly) Early to mid-June: Los Angeles Gay Pride. www.lapride.org June 11-13 Mid-July: OutFest - www.outfest.org (SoCal’s Gay and Lesbian Film Festival) Late Oct.: West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval www.westhollywoodhalloween.com (a riotous gathering for the gay community).

Where to stay London Hotel West Hollywood www.thelondonwesthollywood.com Montrose Suites West Hollywood www.lemontrose.com Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites West Hollywood www.ramadaweho.com Grafton on Sunset West Hollywood www.graftononsunset.com W Los Angeles - www.starwoodhotels.com Hotel Palomar West Hollywood www.hotelpalomar-lawestwood.com

American Airlines flies direct to LAX daily from London Heathrow. www.aa.com For more information on Los Angeles visit the official tourism website www.lainc.us

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Dallas D

allas may not be the first destination that springs to mind for gay and lesbian tourists, but there certainly is plenty on offer for LGBT tourists in Texas’ number one leisure destination. Dallas’ gay scene offers an incredibly diverse range of venues and the locals here have fostered a real sense of pride and community in this modern and cosmopolitan city.

Dallas’ motto is ‘Live Large, Think Big’, a sentiment that just as well applies to Dallas LGBT scene as it does the rest of the city. As well as some great southern hospitality tourists to Dallas can also find two thriving LGBT business and entertainment areas just minutes from downtown Dallas. There are friendly cabaret bars and pumping clubbing venues, line dancing cowboys and chic lesbian lounges.

Whatever you’re looking for in a great gay city destination Dallas is sure to surprise with an amazing amount on offer. This is a city that has a heart just about as big as Texas itself.

This unique city is also home to some equally distinctive Texan events too. While the highlight of the gay calendar is the annual pride parade held each September, the Easter and Halloween celebrations are also great cause for celebration for Dallas’ gay community too. The Out Takes and Q Cinema film festivals provide plenty of queer celluloid treats, but the quintessential gay Texan event has to be the Texas Gay Rodeo Association’s annual rodeo. This is one of the largest gay rodeos in the USA and if ever there was reason to mosey on down to Dallas, surely it would have to be to see some real life gay cowboys and cowgirls in action.

As well as offering booming gay community, Dallas is also a thriving metropolis with a wealth of diverse attractions, a thriving culinary scene, countless luxury accommodations, professional sports, trendy entertainment districts and endless shopping opportunities.

Home to exclusive art collections, museums and theatres, Dallas has been recognized by New York Magazine as a city for art lovers.

Here, art is plentiful as Dallas boasts the largest urban contiguous arts district in the United States.

Spotlight on Shopping Shopping is a serious business in Dallas.

There are several knockout malls located in and around the city plus more unique places to splurge on goodies. The downtown flagship store of Neiman Marcus is definitely worth the visit, if only to watch locals in their natural shopping habitat. This luxury retail store was founded in Dallas and supplied dresses and diamonds to debutantes from Texas’ upper echelons. Just 10 minutes away the Bishops Art District has been revitalised over the last two decades and now hosts a collection of 50 local merchants selling funky and fun merchandise, restaurants and wares.

Also downtown the Dallas Farmer’s Market has been where locals go to buy the freshest produce, much of which has been grown right in Texas itself. The market has been located here for over six decades and is not only one of the largest public markets of its type in the country, but a local treasure too. Another downtown institution is Wild Bill’s Western Store. Looking

for an authentic cowboy hat or some custom cowboy boots? The service and quality at this landmark Dallas outfitters is second to none and a true Dallas experience to boot.

In north Dallas, the Galleria shopping centre has been described as ‘One of the top 10 places to spend it all” by USA Today. This huge mall is a total shopping environment, boasting all of the top names in branded fashion, high street favourites and an amazing array of dining opportunities too. NorthPark Center is another upmarket venue with big name flagship stores from Barneys New York and Macy’s. Shoppers can browse amid the modern art sculptures throughout the mall. Right opposite NorthPark, the brand new Park Lane development offers another 700,000 square feet of retail therapy.

The affluent Uptown district of West Village presents itself as an entertainment and shopping district with plenty of retail, dining, bars and theatre options at any time of day or night.

Arts and Culture Dallas has long been recognised as a premier destination for art and culture thanks to the incredible downtown arts district, which is the largest urban arts district in the USA. The Dallas Arts District occupies a unique location of 68 acres that covers 19 blocks in the heart of downtown Dallas. The District is the cultural heart of the city and plays host to a cultural programme of events and exhibits that takes place all throughout the year.

The district is not only renowned for the cultural institutions that are here, but also the magnificent

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award- winning architecture. I.M. Pei, Renzo Piano and Sir Norman Foster have all contributed to the distinctive and exciting skyline of the area.

These venues centre on the spine of the Arts District, Flora Street. From the Dallas Museum of Art on the west end of Flora Street to One Arts Plaza and Dallas Black Dance Theatre on the east, the venues of the Dallas Arts District host widely celebrated performers and house some of the greatest art collections in the world.

The Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) was founded in 1903 and moved to its current location in the 370,000-square-foot Edward Larrabee Barnes–designed building in 1984. Today, the DMA ranks among leading art institutions in the USA and contains over 23,000 works of art spanning 5,000 years of human creativity from ancient Americas, Africa, Indonesia and South Asia. There are also great collections of European and American painting and sculpture, American and international contemporary art.

The Nasher Sculpture Centre houses what is considered one of the foremost collections of modern and contemporary sculpture in the world. The 55,000-square-foot-building and 1.4-acre sculpture garden occupy a city block in the heart of the Arts District. Trammell Crow Center is one of Dallas’ most recognisable sky-scrapers and is located in the heart of the district. It is surrounded by lush sculpture gardens and a low-rise pavilion that houses the Crow Collection of Asian Art.

The district is also home to the AT&T Performing Arts Center , which sits on 10 acres of landscaped parks. The Center has state of the art performance spaces for music, dance, opera and theatre and hosts over 500 performances and events annually. Some of Dallas’ oldest buildings also survive in the district such as the Belo Mansion and the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe built in 1902. www.thedallasartsdistrict.org

Dining Dallas is a city that is passionate about food and has more than a few surprises up its culinary sleeve. First time visitors will find more than Texas steakhouses and barbecue joints from which to choose. Dallas long ago found its way onto America’s culinary map with a whole host of innovative restaurants and talented chefs mining the flavours of American, Italian, Asian and Mexican cuisine.

Downtown restaurant Charlie Palmer at the Joule has a blend of American French fusion food that is ever popular, using exclusively locally farmed and artisan ingredients. Celebrity US chef Tom Colicchio’ s celebrated Craft restaurant also has a branch here. The venue in the W Dallas – Victory hotel serves up his unique take on contemporary American cuisine.

Dakota’s is one of the best known steak and grills in Texas, and for excellent seafood, the

Dallas Fish Market flies in the finest seafood daily for the freshest fare in town. The French Room is located in the posh Adolphus Hotel and serves the finest French inspired cuisine in sumptuous rococo surroundings.

Uptown restaurants in Dallas draw their inspiration from all over the world. Savour the tastes of Asia, Mexico, the Pacific and Europe in an eclectic variety or top class venues.

Arcodoro y Pomodoro offers a relaxed and more formal dining option with a taste of Sardinia. The Dallas’ branch of Nobu blends traditional Japanese cuisine with flavours of the Southwest in a contemporary setting including an onyx sushi bar. Texas de Brazil Churrascaria is a Brazilian take on the traditional Texas steak house.

There’s a huge variety and selection of great restaurants, brassieres, grills, diners and cafes to choose from in Dallas. From opulent and expensive eateries to hearty budget friendly venues serving choice and tempting treats from around the world the choice is endless.

For a full list of culinary experiences visit www.dallas.com/restaurants

Gay Dallas Those who are in any doubt about Dallas’ queer credentials need look no further than the thriving LGBT scene here. Dallas is not only home to a great annual pride celebration (The Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade in

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September) but is also home to the Texas Gay Rodeo Association which regularly holds events all over the state. The centre of Dallas’ gay life is in the Oak Lawn District, just north of Downtown. This area has been home to Dallas’ gay community for more than 25 years and there is a great mix of restaurants, shops and the city’s best queer nightspots. Once here all of the venues are within easy walking distance of each other.

The area is well known for its extremely social scene with several large-scale events taking place throughout the year. Easter in The Park sees the whole community turn out in Lee Park for an annual picnic and free concert by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Oak Lawn is also the centre of the annual pride celebrations including the parade, which runs right through the centre of the neighbourhood on Cedar Springs Road. The Oak Lawn Halloween Street Party has also become an annual institution as the roads in the area close off for a huge and colourful street party.

Start your evening at JR’s Bar & Grill Dallas, where the second floor balcony is a great place to people-watch along bustling Cedar

Springs Road. Just around the corner, you’ll find Sue Ellen’s with a multi-level setting that accommodates a dance floor and plenty of room for live performances. Sue’s was voted “Best Lesbian Bar/Nightclub in the World” by readers of OutTraveler magazine.

Follow the pumping sounds of dance music to the doors of Station 4. S4 features live DJs spinning the latest club music and plenty of flat screen TVs throughout the club. Upstairs, The Rose Room showcases the best in drag entertainment five nights a week. With theaterlike seating, The Rose Room isn’t just a bar, it’s a showroom. For lots of good will and maybe one small thrill, and we mean dancing, two-step over to The Round-Up Saloon, voted “The Best Galdanged Gay Bar in the U.S. of A” by Instinct magazine. Don’t know how to two step? Not a problem. The Round-Up offers dance lessons.

For the sports enthusiast, drop by Woody’s Sports & Video Bar. With two floors, the many flat screen TVs at Woody’s make for a great place to watch sports or view music videos.

When it’s time for some people watching, step out onto Woody’s front patio or balcony.

For some Latin, hip-hop and dance music,

go to Havana. This modern, trendy club draws quite a crowd, so arrive early and enjoy Havana’s delicious Cuban-Latin cuisine. For that neighborhood bar feel, check out The Hidden Door. Nothing fancy, just friendly people and great drink specials; it’s the place to be on Sunday afternoon.

Illusions is a quaint bar where some of the area’s most fabulous title-holding drag queens frequent. If you feel the performer in you trying to get out, stop by for some karaoke. If you prefer to watch, then visit Alexandre’s. This intimate club features musical acts performed by local talent and great drink prices.

info

For more information on GLBT Dallas visit www. glbtdallas.com where you can read the blog on current and future events and attractions, plan and print a personalized itinerary, and get help with all aspects of booking your trip.

American Airlines flies direct to Dallas twice daily from London Heathrow. www.aa.com For more information on Dallas visit the official tourism website www.visitdallas.com beigetravel | issue 3 | 53

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COME FEEL THE VIBE

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S

un kissed, sophisticated and seductive, Miami has always been a destination that has set itself apart from other places. This sexy subtropical city has lured the jet-set for decades with the promise of sensational weather, stunning beaches and an insatiable appetite for fun and entertainment. Of course gay and lesbian visitors have not been immune from this unique city’s many charms and Miami’s scintillating scene lures visitors from all around the globe.

Miami continues to rank as one of the premier LGBT destinations on the planet, and once you experience the exotic pulse of this multicultural metropolis, it’s impossible not to keep coming back for more.

The wealth of attractions that Miami has to offer is not just limited to a dynamic gay scene though.

The whole city goes into overdrive for some of the USA’s biggest queer festivals held throughout the year including Gay Pride and the legendary White Party Week, Winter Party and Aqua Girl events.

Natural wonders also abound in this sundrenched city with miles and miles of golden beaches to discover and the Everglades National Park, the USA’s largest subtropical wilderness right on the city’s doorstop.

As one would expect from a leading tourist destination Miami teems with luxurious hotels and hip boutiques, including some exciting and high profile new arrivals in recent years. An eclectic and exciting restaurant scene draws inspiration from Miami’s diverse cultural mix that is sure to excite both discerning and adventurous palates alike. Miami also boasts a magnificent arts scene with a packed calendar of events, concerts and exhibitions and abundant exhilarating cultural institutions and beautiful art galleries.

Where to Stay.

Luxury lodging and Miami go hand in hand and the city’s hotel scene has really heated up in recent years. From historic Art Deco properties and charming bed and breakfast inns to business hotels and oceanfront resorts, quality choices abound all over Miami. South Beach has long been known as the “Gay Riviera” and has attracted the LGBT crowd with its stunning collection of Art Deco gems and boutique hotels. A hotel stay at one of these pastel-coloured beach-front beauties is a delightful way to get a flavour of South Beach’s rich history, as well as experiencing that authentic Miami vibe too.

Right in the heart of South Beach, Collins Avenue is not only home to excellent dining and nightlife but is also where you will find some of the finest boutique properties in the city. The Setai South Beach offers an intimate ultra hip mood and the legendary Raleigh Hotel’s beachfront location and exquisite swimming pool offers perhaps the consummate South Beach Art Deco atmosphere. This area is home to literally dozens of historic Art Deco hotel properties to suit all budgets and tastes.

The newly opened Cipriani South Beach Ocean Resort maintains Miami’s tradition for elegant and distinguished hotels but brings these concepts bang up to date in this ultra modern resort. The legendary Morris Lapidus-designed Fountainebleau just north of South Beach is another luxury resort hotel that has recently received a multimillion dollar makeover. Next door and overlooking Miami Beach, the legendary Eden Roc, a favoured haunt of the Rat Pack has also been the beneficiary of its own very lavish and stylish revamp.

For pampering and relaxation the beautiful new boutique hotel, The Canyon Ranch Hotel and Spa

not only has an exquisite location, but excellent state of the art spa facilities too. Perhaps the most mouth watering new arrival to Miami Beach though is the W, which brings it’s very own unique vision of style to one of the hottest beach front locations in Miami. Three new Ritz-Carlton Hotels, a Four Seasons, the Mandarin Oriental and The Setai complete the list of illustrious new arrivals that add even more panache to Miami’s hotel scene.

A full listing of accommodation can be seen on the Greater Miami CVB website. www.miamiandbeaches.com

Be Arty Miami’s cultural scene is thriving and 21st-century Miami serves up a veritable kaleidoscope of artistic institutions and events for both visitors and locals alike. Notable cultural institutions based in the city include the Miami City Ballet, Florida Grand Opera and the New World Symphony, which perform locally and also on the international stage. Each autumn the University of Miami’s Festival Miami hosts a five-week calendar of musical premiers, symphony concerts, chamber music and jazz performances throughout the city. The International Ballet Festival of Miami brings an exciting line-up of world-renowned dance companies to Miami in August and September.

Taking place in December each year the Art Basel Miami Beach is the most important art show in the United States. As the sister event of Switzerland’s Art Basel, the most prestigious art show worldwide for the past 40 years, Art Basel Miami Beach combines an international selection of top galleries with an exciting program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design. Exhibition sites are

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located in the city’s beautiful Art Deco District, within walking distance of the beach and many hotels. Also in December Art Miami showcases a variety of art from more than 100 leading national and international contemporary art galleries.

The Art Deco architecture of Miami is the subject of its own festival during January’s Art Deco Weekend. The festival was started in 1976 by the Miami Design Preservation League to attract visitors to Miami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District and to raise awareness and appreciation of the arts and culture of the Art Deco era. Every February, Miami’s first art show – the Coconut Grove Arts Festival – takes centre stage as one of the country’s premier outdoor fine arts fairs, attracting more than a quarter of a million people to view works by more than 330 artists and craftspeople from around the world.

Gallery walks are another great way to explore the vibrant visual arts being created in Miami.

Walks take place one evening each month in several different Miami neighbourhoods including Coral Gables, North Miami, Wynwood, the Design District, Little Havana and historic Espanola Way on Miami Beach.

INFO www.music.miami.edu www.artbaselmiamibeach.com www.mdpl.org www.coconutgroveartsfest.com www.ArtCircuits.com

Travelling Gourmets The restaurant scene in Miami has never been hotter and dining around town is like spinning a globe. Floribbean cuisine is Miami’s signature cuisine featuring dishes with eclectic blends of fresh, local ingredients enhanced by Caribbean spices and seasonings. Seafood specialities include fresh-caught stone crabs, Florida lobsters and red snapper. Exotic tropical fruits like mango, tamarind, sour oranges and sapodilia turn up in desserts, sauces and marinades.

Every August and September the city celebrates Miami Spice showcasing its passion for food

and life by enjoying special menus at reduced rates at many eateries around the city. For more information visit www.ILoveMiamiSpice.com.

Where else but Miami can you frolic on the beach in the winter and taste gourmet food and fine wines? The Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival in February lets you do just that!

Chefs from around the world come to sunny Miami to show off their latest dishes. In the spring Calle Ocho is the huge annual street festival that caps off Carnaval Miami each March.

Hit the Hot Spots Miami nightlife is in a league of its own with a big emphasis on al fresco nightlife, both in bars and clubs thanks to the year round excellent weather.

Miami boasts some of the world’s top international DJs and hottest night clubs, both gay and straight.

This truly is a 24-hour city where you can dance the night away, grab a breakfast, take a nap on the beach and do it all over again the following night. During the day Miami’s gay local talent and assorted visitors can be found at the main gay beach on Ocean Drive at the end of 12th Street.

The beach is easy to find thanks to the rainbow flag that flies above the beach and the abundant muscle bound guys in tight Speedos that frequent it. Across the street cocktail bar Palace is a popular place for sundowners to end a day and perhaps meet a few of those locals too.

Further north the quieter Haulover Beach allows nude sunbathing and is also a popular daytime hangout. Haulover is situated north of Miami Beach and takes approximately half an hour by car to get to but is certainly worth the short journey.

A favourite see-and-be-seen spot in South Beach is Lincoln Road, a lively pedestrian strip full of trendy outdoor cafes and cool boutiques.

People-watching is big here and it’s a great place to launch an evening of South Beach club crawling.

Popular bars on the strip include lively video and dance bar, Score and the mixed but vibey bar 721.

Just around the corner Halo Lounge offers minimal white décor and LED lighting accents scattered throughout a plush interior.

A couple of blocks back from the gay beach is Twist which is actually seven bars in one with each bar having its own unique atmosphere and décor.

You can literally “bar hop” without ever leaving this two story club. Simple Life Thursdays is a weekly gay Thursday night celebration by Edison Farrow’s South Beach Social Club at Buck 15, located right

above Miss Yip restaurant back on Lincoln Road.

South of downtown Miami is Coconut Grove, which was Miami’s original gay enclave in the 60s and 70s, a truly bohemian spirit existed here, where artists, writers and assorted colourful characters created an environment that was unique to South Florida. Today the Grove is a party-all-night spot that – like South Beach – is busy with foot traffic as people make their way along sidewalks lined with restaurants, bars and lounges.

The Miami Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce also sponsors monthly social and professional gatherings and its website (www. gogaymiami.com) is a great resource for up-tothe-minute information about gay happenings.

Likewise, Coral GAYbles (www.coralgaybles. com) sponsors monthly socials at various hotels, restaurants and clubs.

Many visitors plan their trips to coincide with one or more of Miami’s huge annual gay events, White Party Week, Winter Party Festival and Miami Beach Gay Pride,where the emphasis is on plenty of fun and fundraising for a variety of important causes. More than 15,000 party-goers enjoy six days and nights of non-stop entertainment at the White Party Week held in November. February brings the Winter Party Festival that features an extraordinary line-up of celebrity DJs with parties and events which culminates with a huge beach dance party. For the Maimi Beach Gay Pride in April more than 10,000 people celebrate on Ocean Drive. To find out the most up-to-date information on cultural events, visit www.MiamiandBeaches. com and click on Calendar of Events.

INFO Winter Party Festival - www.WinterParty.com Miami Beach Gay Pride, 17 Apr 2010 www.MiamiBeachGayPride.com Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival 23 Apr – 2 May 2010 - www.MGLFF.com Aqua Girl, 12 – 16 May 2010 - www.AquaGirl.org Festival Miami 3 – 3- Oct 2010 www.music.miami.edu/festivalmiami Miami Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce www.gogaymiami.com Coral GAYbles - www.coralgaybles.com

American Airlines flies direct to Miami twice daily from London Heathrow. www.aa.com For more information on Miami visit the official tourism website www.miamiandbeaches.com

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©GREA RE ATER ER MI M AMI AM CO C NVE NVENTI NT ON & VISI ISITOR SITO S BU URE E AU A

E X P R E S S P R I D E.

Every encounter. Every moment. Every escapade. No place stirs passion like Miami.

Explore MiamiLGBT.com or call 020 7978 5233 for a free LGBT Vacation Guide.

Winter Party [Mar] • Miami Beach Gay Pride [April] • Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival [April] • Aqua Girl [May] • White Party [Nov] Front page.indd 1

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The

Palm Beaches

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lorida is the Perfect Holiday Hot Spot for Gay Couples Looking for Glitz, Glamour, Sophistication and Sunshine Palm Beach County is home to many of Florida’s hottest spots such as ritzy glitzy West Palm Beach, laidback and super cool Delray Beach and stylish and sophisticated Boca Raton. It’s also a great gay-friendly destination for discerning gay couples looking for a diverse range of activities, superb culinary venues, fabulous shopping, sumptuous spas and cultural hot spots.

Florida’s most prestigious oceanfront hotels hug the 47 mile long pristine coastline and annual events such as the “Evening on Antique Row” street party along West Palm Beach’s Antique Row shopping district, and PrideFest of the Palm Beaches, one of the largest gay and lesbian festivals in Florida attract thousands of visitors every year.

The Palm Beaches boast some of Florida’s most celebrated oceanfront hotels such as the legendary Breakers, and resorts synonymous with luxury including The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, The Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, and the Boca Raton Resort & Club. Charming B&Bs nestle in historic neighbourhoods and trendy boutique hotels located in affluent areas provide more intimate accommodation options.

Hotels such as The Colony, Palm Beach have been the centre of Palm Beach social life, hosting U.S. Presidents, European Royalty and American “snowbirds” down for the winter season and discriminating travelers from around the world, since 1947.

The Colony’s Royal Room offers cabaret entertainment featuring hot headliners straight from Manhattan’s most sophisticated nightspots and Broadway. On Thursday evenings, The Colony’s Polo Lounge is a traditional spot for pre-dinner cocktails.

Nearby, world-class restaurants such as Café Boulud¸ a second incarnation of Chef Daniel Boulud’s New York City Café Boulud, and Amici Ristorante, offer warm European charm and innovative Italian cuisine.

The city of Palm Beach is known for its unsurpassed beauty, sub-tropical waterfront location, a vibrant downtown and nearby stretch of pristine beaches. It’s home to many of Palm Beach County’s premier attractions including the famous Worth Avenue the Rodeo Drive of the East, featuring legendary international boutiques as well as unique specialty stores.

CityPlace, a premier shopping and dining attraction in Downtown West Palm Beach, offers music concerts, a comedy club, theatre, and a variety of restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and great shopping.

Macys is the anchor department store at City Place.

It is heaven for a discerning shopper- and you can surely bag a bargain!

The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts and the Norton Museum of Art, which is home to a permanent collection consisting of over 5,000 works concentrated in European, American, Chinese,

contemporary art and photography, are a must see for any visitor who enjoys art and culture. The Palm Beach County Convention Center across the street from CityPlace hosts many art shows, including the annual Palmbeach3 in January; a dynamic show presenting over 95 international dealers offering a compelling and sophisticated variety of contemporary art, photography and design.

Amongst the year-long litany of the County’s events and festivals, PrideFest of the Palm Beaches is held each spring in downtown Lake Worth at the waterfront Bryant Park along the scenic Intracoastal Waterway. One of the largest gay and lesbian festivals in Florida, PrideFest features a grand parade, musical entertainment, and showcases everything from jewelry and art to non-profit organizations and drew in 12,000 visitors in 2009. www.compassglcc.com

Lesbian and gay couples will discover an amazing range of quality experiences throughout the Palm Beaches, encountering warm, friendly people, exciting events and festivals, and cultural attractions.

Enriching Experiences Throughout the Palm Beaches, Florida.

Boca Raton: Renowned architect Addison Mizner is best known for the distinctive Boca Raton Resort & Club. His signature mixture of Mediterranean, Moorish and Spanish-influenced architecture can also be seen throughout the city. The resort recently joined the Waldorf Astoria Collection. Originally built in 1926, the property has completed a $220-million renovation.

Masaharu Morimoto of Iron Chef fame opened the first Southeastern outpost of Morimoto sushi bar at the resort. Renovation projects also included the entirely new 212-room Boca Beach Club, located beachfront across the Intracoastal Waterway from the resort. Boca Raton is also home to the Boca Raton Museum of Art, featuring a captivating collection of

paintings, sculptures and photography.

Delray Beach: Here is a beach town with style.

Known as the “village by the sea,” Delray Beach features Atlantic Avenue, a traditional downtown “Main Street.” Gourmet restaurants, cosy bistros and outdoor cafes in addition to boutiques, gift shops, jewellery stores and art galleries are among its attractions. Delray Beach features a variety of accommodations including the beachfront Delray Beach Marriott and scheduled to open Fall/Winter 2009, The Seagate Hotel and Spa, located along Atlantic Avenue, is a chic 162-room hotel featuring an 8,000 sq-ft spa.

Palm Beach Gardens and Singer Island: A golfer’s paradise, the Professional Golfers’ Association of America calls Palm Beach Gardens home. The renowned PGA National Resort & Spa is home to The Honda Classic each spring where golf’s top players compete to win part of the purse played on the challenging PGA National course, The Champion.

PGA National Resort & Spa celebrated the completion of a $65 million facelift with extensive renovations to the resort’s public spaces, including a new lobby and restaurant, and a lush new resort pool. Across the bridge from Palm Beach Gardens is Singer Island, created by sewing machine heir Paris Singer. The island is home to John D. MacArthur State Park, a favourite destination for kayakers to explore the area’s mangrove forest.

Palm Beach and Manalapan: Palm Beach is an Atlantic Coast barrier island separated from mainland Florida by the scenic Intracoastal Waterway. Worldfamous Worth Avenue, known as the “Rodeo Drive of the East Coast,” is the heart of the town. The Colony, The Brazilian Court, and The Chesterfield hotels are all conveniently located near Worth Avenue. Now in its second century, The Breakers resort continues the tradition of excellence begun by its founder Henry Morrison Flagler. Celebrated for its heritage, gracious service, world-class resort amenities and legendary oceanfront Palm Beach location, the property offers eight restaurants, five pools, The Beach Club & Spa, and 36 holes of golf. After a recent completion of a 15-year, $250 million revitalization and expansion, The Breakers continues to make a remarkable investment, averaging $25- million each year in the physical property and its amenities. The resort is located near the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum.

Nestled in the south-end of Palm Beach is the secluded oasis of Four Seasons Resort, an oceanfront property that includes the resort’s newly unveiled 11,000 sq-ft Spa & Salon offering guests a complete sense of luxury and relaxation. Nearby and opened in late summer 2009, The Omphoy Ocean Resort is the only beachfront boutique hotel in Palm Beach. An investment close to $100-million, Leslie Schlesinger, owner and interior designer, created a vision for The Omphoy centred on the luminescence and movement of water paired with modern Asian influences. Celebrity Chef Michelle Bernstein makes her mark on the Palm Beach dining scene with the beigetravel | issue 3 | 59

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opening of her newest restaurant, Michelle Bernstein at the Omphoy.

On the southernmost tip of the island of Palm Beach is the township of Manalapan, an affluent coastal community whose name derives from the Seminole Indian word meaning “good bread” or “good country.”

The town is the site of the magnificent Five-Star RitzCarlton Palm Beach. The Eau Spa, newly opened at The Ritz-Carlton, completes the recent transformations at the resort of more than $130-million.

Wellington: Wellington is located in the heart of the region’s horse country, and is home to the worldrenowned International Polo Club Palm Beach and the Winter Equestrian Festival. Many celebrities and stars have chosen to make Wellington a home away from home.

West Palm Beach: The centre of West Palm Beach is Clematis Street, a thoroughfare of shopping, dining and nightlife with chic eateries. West Palm Beach’s downtown area features a city square, which is the site for outdoor concerts and festival such as SunFest.

Held annually in downtown West Palm Beach the first week in May, SunFest is Florida’s largest waterfront music and art festival with headlining entertainment and attracting more than 275,000 visitors. The city’s waterfront area is undergoing a multi-million dollar restoration and renovation project, turning downtown West Palm Beach into a waterfront entertainment hotspot along the Intracoastal Waterway. Near the Clematis Street district is CityPlace, featuring shops and restaurants. Also downtown, the city’s Kravis

Center for the Performing Arts, and the Norton Museum of Art are significant cultural venues.

Discover why Palm Beach County proves to be a premier dining destination.

Celebrity chefs including Palm Beach-newcomer Chef Michelle Bernstein are bringing their love and expertise for food preparations to new restaurants in the destination. Long-standing restaurants are finding inventive ways to keep things fresh and flavourful, from growing their own vegetables in a garden to allowing guests to select every ingredient in their meal.

With so many diverse areas throughout The Palm Beaches, the options for diners are virtually infinite.

The downtown West Palm Beach area includes Clematis Street and CityPlace, a Mecca for upscale shopping and dining. While the resort restaurants and cafes of the island of Palm Beach have catered to celebrities and royalty for decades. Atlantic Avenue is the trendy main street of Delray Beach, filled with chic restaurants, art galleries, and local watering holes.

Other culinary clusters in the region include Boca Raton and Palm Beach Gardens.

Hotels, Resorts and Bed & Breakfasts Palm Beach County is known throughout the world for its wide array of hotels, resorts and bed & breakfasts. From Boca Raton to Jupiter, Palm Beach County has the perfect accommodations for every personality and price range. With over 200 hotels, resorts and bed & breakfasts, Palm Beach County offers more than 16,000 guest rooms.

info

Boca Raton Resort & Club - www.bocaresort.com Hilton Suites Boca Raton - www.hilton.com The Delray Beach - www.thedelraybeachclub.com The Ritz-Carlton, Palm - www.ritzcarlton.com The Breakers - www.thebreakers.com Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach www.fourseasons.com The Crowne Plaza West Palm Beach Hotel www.ichotelsgroup.com PGA National Resort & Spa - www.pgaresort.com The Jupiter Beach Resort www.jupiterbeachresort.com The Resort at Singer Island - www.marriott.com Grandview Gardens Bed & Breakfast and Vacation Homes - www.grandview-gardens.com Homewood Suites by Hilton www. homewoodsuites1.hilton.com For more information about Florida’s amazing Palm Beaches visit official Visitors Bureau website at palmbeachfl.com

American Airlines flies direct to Palm Beach twice daily from London Heathrow with Connecting flights to West Palm Beach operated by American Airlines. www.aa.com For more information on Palm Beach visit the official tourism website www.palmbeachfl.com

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30/11/2009 12:06:16

beigephiladelphia

Philadelphia Phil Your Boots The city of brotherly love and sisterly affection awaits you

E

nglishman William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania state in the late 1600s, envisaged a land where settlers could enjoy the freedom to live their lives and practice their beliefs as they wished. Liberty and equality has become synonymous with the state and its city of Philadelphia, which is today one of the premier destinations for gay and lesbian travellers.

The second biggest city on the east coast is only seven hours away from the UK, with direct international flights with British Airways and US Airways, or indirect flights with American Airlines and Continental Airlines. Conveniently nestled between New York and Washington cities, Philadelphia is just over an hour away from its cousin New York by Amtrak rail, however has a lot to rave about in its own right!

Philadelphia is truly where history and hip collide as this cosmopolitan city boasts a wealth of art, culture and history, internationally renowned cuisine and vibrant nightlife. As Penn envisaged a ‘greene countrie towne’, he designed Philadelphia using an easy-to-navigate grid system, framed by over two million trees and the nation’s largest urban park – ten times the size of Central Park. With the favourable exchange rate, visitors can enjoy one of the city’s best-kept secrets - tax-free shopping on clothes and shoes!

Recognised for the birthplace of the American independence and democracy, Philadelphia boasts America’s most historic square mile with attractions such as the Liberty Bell and National Constitution Centre. The city is also proud of its long gay civil rights history dating back to the 1960s, and today the community continues to active and influential across business, political and social circles.

The city has its own ‘Gayborhood’, the centre of the GLBT community, which is easy to find with its rainbow street signs between 11th and Broad Street, from Chestnut to Pine Streets. Here you will find a collection of gay-owned and gay-friendly restaurants, coffee shops, bars, clubs and

art galleries. Visit one of the oldest GLBT bookstores in the country at Giovanni’s Room, or enjoy the Gayborhood’s unusually central location from which to explore the rest of the city.

Every year the city hosts the Equality Forum the largest national and international GLBT symposium. The 2010 event, April 26 - May 2, is mainly free of charge as no registration is required. The civil rights forum offers 45 programmes and informative panels discussing issues such as health, religion and politics. This year’s educational focus will be on gay rights in Africa. However it’s not all work - parties and special events are interwoven in the schedule, including Philly’s biggest GLBT street festival – SundayOUT! Another key GLBT event is the annual Pride Parade and Festival, which takes place in August. The parade of floats, community groups and music start in the Gayborhood and travels down to the festival site which hosts entertainment, food and games.

The Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival was dubbed the ‘sexiest film festival in the nation’ by Out Traveler and is the largest event of its kind in the Northeast, screening more than 125 features, documentaries and short films for and about the GLBT community.

However Philadelphia has much more to offer all year round. With more than 10,000 hotel rooms in the city’s centre, there is a diverse range of accommodations available to suit all tastes and budgets including the unique, gay owned and operated B&B, Alexander’s Inn. For the cultured traveller, Philadelphia’s museums offer the finest art collections in the country. The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is the nation’s first art museum and school. Opened in 1876, it houses a collection of American masters spanning four centuries. Philadelphia Museum of Art is home to over 225,000 works of art including paintings, sculptures and decorative art, including Renaissance master paintings from the greats

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beigehiladelphia including Cézanne and Ansel Adams. In addition, the largest collection of Rodin sculptures and drawings outside of Paris can be viewed at the Rodin Museum, including ‘The Thinker’ and the ‘Gates of Hell’.

The Barnes Foundation in nearby Merion houses one of the world’s finest private collections of the early French Modern and Post-Impressionist paintings. The collection boasts paintings from masters including Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, Monet and Picasso. The institute, which currently requires advance reservations, is being relocated in 2011 to the cultural hub of the city’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway, where it will finally be able to display its entire collection.

For those who enjoy the more contemporary art scene, the city is one beautiful palette of colour. Philadelphia’s world-renowned Mural Arts programme decorates the neighbourhoods with over 3,000 colourful murals. Originally launched as part of an anti-graffiti campaign, the Mural Arts program has blossomed throughout the city and demand has gifted travellers with Mural Arts Tour options.

This year, Love Letter Project mural tours are available every Saturday. The public art project, which consists of a series of 50 rooftop expression of various forms of love murals, can be seen from the “El” (Philadelphia’s Market/Frankford elevated train line).

For others, fashion may be their art. Take advantage of the current exchange value, tax-free shopping on clothing and shoes and a wonderful mix of urban shopping districts, designer boutiques, vintage classics, retail outlets available in the city.

A hub for many designers trying to escape the pinch of New York rent costs, many up and coming artists and legends have started their first retail businesses in trend-setting Philly, before being launched onto catwalk fame.

The retail legacy of Urban Outfitters started in the 1970s when the world-famous brand opened its doors to its first store in the city. Today big names such as Diesel, Lacoste, Polo Ralph Lauren all grace the shopping districts.

Those looking for the ultimate bargain should visit Philadelphia Premium Outlets with 200 brand name discount stores, Franklin Mills Mall, or VF Outlet Village in Reading or Lancaster. Thirty minutes outside the city in Valley Forge lies the nation’s largest retail space – The King Of Prussia Mall. Don’t forget to bring an empty suitcase for your return – you’ll need it!

After exploring the city and its delights, enjoy the party scene as dusk falls across the impressive metropolitan skyline. Enjoy alfresco dining at one of the city’s 200 outdoor cafes and

restaurants on Walnut Street or Chestnut Street or enjoy the Parisian style city parks, like at the elegant restaurants lining the Rittenhouse Park.

Internationally acclaimed French cuisine can be found at Le Bec Fin on Walnut Street, whereas the stunning pearl-draped chandelier in Nineteen (XIX) in the Park Hyatt Philadelphia, adds to the sophisticated ambience of this American brasserie.

Old City and the Waterfront offer trendy bistros to savour, or enjoy the stylish Pan Asian menu at Buddakan on Chestnut Street, complete with a golden 10ft Buddha. However no trip to Philadelphia is complete without its signature dish – the Philly Cheesesteak! The shaved steak and onion sandwich served in an Italian roll is doused in cheese for the calori-fic treat.

After hours, the city has something for everyone.

Relax in Old City’s trendy lounges and bars or revel in South Street’s contagious ‘street party’ atmosphere. On 12th street you’ll find ‘The Air Command Headquarters for Men’ which is a male gay favourite. The three-floor complex includes a lounge, café, pool tables, disco and outdoor rooftop bar from which to enjoy the city views.

Even with all of this excitement, don’t forget there is plenty more to enjoy in Philadelphia’s Countryside! Just outside the city (45 mins away) the charming and hospitable town of New Hope is home to numerous galleries and GLBT owned hotels and adorable B&Bs. The former artists’ colony has served as a gay-friendly retreat for decades with many gay-owned and gay-friendly stores and restaurants located on Main Street. It offers one of the best people-watching spots with a relaxed mixed of art lovers to weekend bikers!

Alternatively visit Brandywine Valley approximately 30 minutes from Philadelphia International Airport for the Brandywine River Museum and legacy of N.C, Andrew and Jamie Wyeth. Amidst the gourmet restaurants and cosy boutiques, enjoy the spectacular horticultural delight of Longwood Gardens and its 1050 acres of pristine displays and greenhouses. The Simon Pearce Gallery provides stunning gifts from its glass blowing studios and retail shop or enjoy a kitsch studio tour of the original QVC shopping channel.

However there is even more to discover across the state. Transport yourself to another world with the humbling lifestyle of the Amish in nearby Lancaster, only one and half hours away. For historians, immerse yourselves with the legends from the American Civil War at Gettysburg. Only two hours away you can follow the Civil War trails or learn about America’s quest for freedom at the state of the art visitor centre.

info For more information on Mural Arts Tours, visit www.muralarts.org.

Full details on the Equality Forum are available on www.equalityforum.com For Pride Day visit www.phillypride.org For further information on the city visit www.philadelphiaUSA.travel or contact 0844 8806853 for a Navigaytour brochure.

American Airlines flies direct to New York’s JFK Airport up to 5 times a day from London Heathrow with Connecting flights to Philadelphia operated by American Airlines. www.aa.com For more information on New York visit the official tourism website www.philadelphiausa.travel

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events

Gay

USA April

2010•••

Miami Beach Gay Pride, Miami, USA, 17 Apr 2010.

Miami Beach Gay Pride brings together members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, their friends, allies, and supporters in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of the LGBT community by producing free, safe, quality mass-appeal events that are open to all, such as the Parade, Festival and adjunct Miami Beach Pride sanctioned events. After a highly successful event in 2009 that attracted more than 20,000 people, the City of Miami Beach is gearing up for another historic Gay Pride Parade Festival and Expo set for Saturday, April 17, 2010 on Ocean Drive. Immediately following the parade on Ocean Drive, the Expo in Lummus Park will feature booths, food kiosks and exhibits, creating a massive Gay Pride exhibition area for businesses, community organizations and entertainers to showcase their pride and support of LGBT equality. Miami Beach Gay Pride Festival and Expo 2010 will culminate with entertainment by local, national and international recording artists and music sets by international DJs. www.miamibeachgaypride.com

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May

2010•••

International Mr. Leather, Chicago, USA. 28-31 May 2010

Equality Forum, Philadelphia, 26 Apr – 2 May 2010 Equality Forum 2010, the Global GLBT Summit will be held on 26 April 2 May in Philadelphia, USA. This weekly annual event has a programme of over 45 programs, parties and special events. The annual Equality Forum attracts over 50,000 visitors from across North America.

Two special events are the International Equality Dinner at the National Constitution Center and SundayOUT! at The Piazza. Equality Forum coordinates GLBT History Month, produces documentary films, undertakes high-impact initiatives and presents the largest annual national and international GLBT civil rights forum. Equality Forum produces these innovative events in collaboration with learning institutions, professional associations, research centres, for profit companies and non-profit organizations. www.equalityforum.com.

Once again the world’s hottest leather men will descend on Chicago to see who will be crowned International Mr. Leather 2009. This is the 31st time the coveted trophy has been competed for from regional Mr. Leather winners from all over the globe and has become one of the largest leather events in the world. As well as the chance to cast a discerning eye over the competitors, visitors can indulge their love of hide with other likeminded leather aficionados. As well as shopping opportunities galore the weekend ends with the traditional final party, the Black and Blue Ball. www.imrl.com

Long Beach Pride, 15-16 May 2010 The much vaunted Long Beach pride is one of the most anticipated events in California’s queer calendar. This South Californian city just outside Los Angeles has been producing its pride event since 1983, which in recent years has become the third biggest pride event in the USA. The main events taking place each year at Long Beach Pride are the parade and festival which attracts people from across the USA who come to dust off their dancing shoes and start the summer pride season in style. Up to 80,000 people attend this annual event, the main focus of which is the festival in the city’s Rainbow Lagoon Park. The Festival Celebration includes seven large dance areas including a main stage which has featured some impressive musical artists, such as Grammy Award Winner Jennifer Hudson. www.longbeachpride.com

June

2010•••

Gay Days at Walt Disney World, 1-7 June 2010 Gay Days started out in 1991 as Gay Day in the Magic Kingdom, a single designated day when the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and supportive community was encouraged to “Wear Red and Be Seen” while visiting the world’s most popular theme park. 19 years on and Gaydays has a packed programme of events that takes place all over Orlando for a full week each June. There’s a whole host of fantastic parties during the week including some wild pool parties taking place at the host hotels for the event. There’s also loads of live entertainment including music and some great comedy talent to see and the massive expo to attend that takes place for the middle 3 days of the event. The main attractions though are the 3 Gay Days themselves that take place in 3 of the largest and most famous amusement parks in the world, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Magic Kingdom and The Epcot Centre. www.gaydays.com

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beigediary Museum Mile Festival NY, June 8 2010

Los Angeles Pride Festival, 11-13 June 2010

One day a year, for the past 32 years, nine of the country’s finest museums, all ones that call Fifth Avenue home, collectively open their doors from 6pm - 9pm for free to New Yorkers and visitors for a milelong block party and visual art celebration. This traffic-free, music- and art-filled celebration fills the street and sidewalks of Fifth Avenue from 82nd to 105th street, the mile now officially designated as Museum Mile.

Over 50,000 visitors attend the festival annually. Participating museums include the El Museo del Barrio, Museum of the City of New York, The Jewish Museum, Cooper Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution, National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Neue Galerie New York, Goethe-Institut/ German Cultural Center, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

LA’s annual pride celebration takes place over 3 days in June each year in and around the most gay identified district of the city, West Hollywood. 2010 will mark the 40th anniversary of LA Pride which has now grown into the city’s largest annual gay celebration. Traditionally the event kicks off with the Dyke March on Friday evening which takes place along San Vincente Boulevard just south of Santa Monica Boulevard and the following rally. The following Saturday and Sunday is when the Pride Festival takes over West Hollywood Park for 2 days of festive fun. The park hosts a diverse spectrum of entertainment including the main stage where’s the complete line up of entertainment. There’s also plenty of food, drink, socialisation, community programming and unique exhibitors to be enjoyed and the ubiquitous dance tents. During the evenings of Gay Pride, a much sexier event called Erotic City, takes place in the same venue from 8 pm until midnight.

www.museummilefestival.org www.lapride.org

Boston Pride, 4-13 Jun 2010

New York City Pride, 19-27 Jun 2010

This year Boston Gay Pride Parade & Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary. The 9 days & nights of celebration begins with Boston City Hall Flag raising with events throughout week including Fanueil Hall Marketplace Pride Day : June 5; South End Parade to Boston City Hall Plaza Saturday, June 12, 2010 and concludes on Sunday 13 June. The Parade & Festival include 127 groups on the march for a total of 10,000+ marchers , 500,000 attend, 46 floats and 120 motorcycles participate.

The theme for 2010 is “Riots to Rights - Celebrating 40 Years of Progress” which honours the 1969 Stonewall Riots that commenced the modern Gay Rights movement and commemorates the progress of the LGBT community since those early days of the battle for equal rights.

New York’s LGBT pride event is not only a massive celebration of the city’s diversity it also has a sense of history like no other pride event in the world; this is after all where it all started back in 1969 with the Stonewall riots which gave birth to the modern gay rights movement. Greenwich Village hosts numerous events over the Pridefest week including art shows, shopping events, debates, concerts and if none of that tickles your fancy then there’s always porno bingo. The main highlights of the event are the rally in Bryant park and the enormous parade down 5th Avenue which attracts half a million people. There also the chance to dance yourself silly under the stars at the landmark parties on Pier 54, one for the guys and one for the gals. www.nycpride.org

www.bostonpride.org

Chicago Pride Parade, 27 Jun 2010 Every year in Chicago, June Pride Month features dozens of social, cultural, athletic and political events which take place in different areas of the metro Chicago area and are organised by various community organizations and individuals. The culmination of the pride celebrations is of course the parade of 250 floats which makes its way through the city centre from the corner of Halsted Street and Belmont avenue, onto Broadway and ends in Lincoln Park. The largest pride event in the Midwest naturally attracts visitors from far and wide with up to 300,000 visitors making the annual pilgrimage to the city for the event. www.chicagopridecalendar.org

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beigediary San Francisco Pride, 26 - 27 Jun 2010 2010 marks the 40th anniversary of the San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade. The theme is “Forty and Fabulous,” and the event will be held over the weekend of June 26 and 27, 2010. San Francisco Pride has been said to be “one of the last remaining pride events that can truly be called a rite of passage.” With over 200 parade contingents, 300 exhibitors, and 19 stages and venues, the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration and Parade is the largest LGBT gathering in the nation.

The San Francisco Pride Celebration is packed with a wide variety of exhibitors, a film festival, artists, music of all kinds, performers, dance stages and venues, and fun. There really is something here for everyone. www.sfpride.org

July

2010•••

Independence Day, USA, 4 July 2010

Provincetown Summer Bear Week. 10-18 July 2010

The Fourth of July is the single most important date in the American calendar and the birthday of the nation. There are celebrations, parties and events taking place all over the country and it’s a fantastic time to visit the USA. The 4th of July week is one of the busiest in Provincetown with amazing parties and huge crowds in town to celebrate America’s birthday. The culmination of the Boston’s Harborfest also coincides with the national holiday celebrations. The main festivities occur in the evening, when more than 300,000 people gather on the banks of the Charles River for a performance by the famous Boston Pops Orchestra and a thunderous firework display above the river. New York’s own pyrotechnic extravaganza is released from six barges in the Hudson River against the backdrop of the Statue of Liberty.

Head to Miami and America’s Birthday Bash at Bayfront Park. Enjoy live multicultural music while eating delicious food from one of the many booths. Stay until dark for the fireworks, the highlight of the celebration. In Chicago Navy Pier is the focal point for the city’s celebrations. More spectacular fireworks and live music and entertainment are also laid on for free throughout the city.

Not to be outdone Las Vegas’ sets off their fireworks display simultaneously from 9 hotel properties along the strip and in Dallas, Fair Park, site of the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition is the centre of more high-octane celebrations. In Los Angeles one of the largest fireworks displays in the country can be seen at the city’s Rose Bowl in Pasadena along with all American marching bands.

Head to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco where the day long celebrations also end with another spectacular fireworks finale and in Bloomington Indiana the 4th July Festival takes place in downtown Miller Park.

Provincetown Bears will celebrate its 10th year of welcoming Bears to one of North America’s most famous gay resort towns in 2010. Working with local venues, bars, hotels and clubs the Bear Week program offers loads of different music and a great atmosphere for a week of parties.

There’s also plenty of time to relax and have a true New England holiday too as the schedule includes plenty of free time to enjoy the town, restaurants, cabaret shows, National Seashore park, beaches, and the daily gatherings at hotel pool decks. All Provincetown bars and clubs are involved with the event, including the two hotel pools used for Bear Week gatherings and parties. Traditional highlights of this Provincetown celebration of the hirsute man include the daily T-Dance and nightly 1am pizza and cruising at Spiritus. The hotels, pools and clubs are mostly within a short walk, and Commercial Street becomes one of the primary venues as a place to see and meet friends from all over the world. www.ptownbears.org

LA Outfest - LA Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, 8-18 Jul 2010 Outfest is the leading organization showcasing, nurturing and preserving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film images and artistry. For 27 years Outfest has led the charge, spotlighting emerging talent, creating community between filmmakers and audiences and offering a world-class forum for stories that reflect and often transform LGBT lives. Since its founding in 1982, Outfest has showcased over 4,200 films for audiences well over half a million people. The festivals, year round screening series and special events bring together film lovers, innovative artists, celebrities, entertainment industry professionals … and some of the hottest parties around! www.outfest.org

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beigediary Pines Party, Fire Island, USA. 31 Jul 2010

Up Your Alley Fair, Dore Alley, San Francisco, USA, 25 Jul 2010

The most glamorous event in Fire Island’s social calendar is without doubt the annual fundraising party held each year on the last weekend in July. Since 1999 the Pines Party has been holding sensational events of entertainment, music, dancing and gambling to raise money for the fight against HIV and AIDS and has become one of the social events of the year attracting the who’s who of gay New York society. Every year the party takes on a different theme, last year being Circus complete with big top, acrobats and circus performers. Details for 2010 will be released shortly. www.pinesparty.com

Produced annually by Folsom Street Events the Up Your Alley Fair draws leather enthusiasts from all over the world for an entire day and night of full on leather revellery. By day, Dore Alley in San Francisco’s South Market District hosts the famed street party and leather fair which pulls in the crowds to flaunt their stuff and take advantage of the stalls and entertainment. By night the party moves on to the official Saturday night party, the Bay of Pigs, one of the hottest fetish parties of the year with top name DJs, dancers, S&M demos and play spaces for everyone to enjoy. www.folsomstreetevents.org/alley

August

2010•••

Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, Michigan, USA. 3-8 Aug 2010 Since the early 1980s the Michigan Womyn’s Music festival has been held every year on 650 acres of pristine woodland bought by the festival organisers through donations and fundraising. Run, staffed and attended solely by women the festival was started with the aim of giving more visibility to female artists in the male dominated festival scene. MWMF has now grown into a week-long event with over 40 performances, entertainment, workshops and a film festival. Included in the festival ticket price are all performances and activities and on-site services including hot showers and three vegetarian meals each day. www.michfest.com

Northalsted Market Days. Halsted Street, Chicago, USA, 7-8 Aug 2010 From humble and small beginnings 28 years ago the Northalsted Market festival has now grown into one of the Windy City’s largest music festivals and spans over 6 of Chicago’s downtown city blocks.

Over the course of the weekend over 40 music acts will perform on 3 stages spread throughout the festival which has seen some impressive headline acts in the past that help to attract up to 300,000 visitors. As well as music, food and lifestyle are high on the agenda too, with hundreds of stalls selling tasty treats and unique arts and crafts to the discerning crowds. www.northalsted.com beigetravel | issue 3 | 73

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beigediary Provincetown Carnival Week, 15-21 August 2010 Jungle Fantasy is the theme for Carnival in Provincetown for 2010, which is sure to bring out the wild side in everyone involved. As usual there is a whole host of events with a Jungly theme planned for the week and thousands of revellers expected for this annual event which has been running for over 30 years. The week kicks off with the masked ball at the Boatslip, where the King and Queen of Carnival will be crowned and set forth to reign over Provincetown for the week. In the tradition of Carnivals past local celebrity Lea Delaria will host a show featuring performers from around Provincetown. The real star of the week though is the carnival parade which involves businesses and locals from all over Provincetown and a whole series of floats and marchers who make their way through town and down Commercial St. Expect plenty of other parties and events at this lavish event in the height of Provincetown’s summer season. www.ptown.org/Carnival.asp

Aug,Sept & Nov

2010•••

Gay Rodeo, Chicago 20-22 Aug and Dallas, 10-12 Sep 2010 The gay rodeo circuit in the USA might seem like the stuff of fantasy, it is in fact very real and the International Gay Rodeo Association organises a number of very popular events throughout the USA. The gay rodeo circuit now organises 18 events annually which have become the places for gay cowboys and girls to meet, socialise and enter various rodeo competitions, the IGRA also raises money for various local and national charities. Events usually start with a mixer generally on the first Friday of the rodeo weekend. There’s also plenty to see and do during the days with rodeo events generally starting about midday. As well as drinks, vendors, food and sometimes entertainment visitors can also see rodeo skills in the form of competitions. Social events include karaoke, twostepping and line-dancing so there’s also plenty of chances to shake yer booty too.

Dallas Pride Parade and Festival, 17 September 2010 Dallas Pride Festival, held at Lee Park every year is the perfect place to spend Pride Weekend Sunday. This pride festival offers a wide array of activities for its guests including great live bands, music and performances, VIP guest passes, trophies, awards and great food! The Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade is always a colourful and exuberant display, this parade is both a great celebration of gay, lesbian and transgender pride. Celebrating at the end of the summer Dallas pride is a fantastic culmination to the US’s pride season and one of the highlights of the year for this very gay friendly city. www.dallasprideparade.com

www.ilgra.com

Folsom Street Fair, San Francisco, USA. 26 Sep 2010 The planet’s longest running leather fair is back and this year, the daddy of all leather events celebrates 27 years of kinky fetish fun. Held in San Francisco’s legendary Castro District on the first Sunday in October this is the most famous gathering in the leather calendar which attracts thousands of visitors from all over the USA and the world. As well as the fair itself, where the leather community come out in full force and in full regalia the weekend also hosts a number of complimentary events including the infamous Magnitude party, for those who enjoy their fun dark and dirty. www.folsomstreetfair.org

White Party, Miami, 24-29 November 2010 Held each November, this week of fundraising parties and events culminates with the legendary White Party. More than 15,000 party-goers enjoy six days and nights of nonstop entertainment in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The week includes a packed programme of events, parties, soirées and entertainment in what has become the Jewell in the social calendar for Southern Florida. The venue for the White party itself is the beautiful Vizcaya Villa which overlooks Biscayne Bay. Each year the cream Miami’s social set come to party courtesy of top clubs and hottest DJs from North America. Miami’s best restaurants and hottest bars also set up in the grounds of the Vila to provide sumptuous dining opportunities and elegant watering holes too.

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Liberty & Justice For All

2010

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THE RALLY

PRIDE STARTS HERE! SATURDAY, JUNE 19TH, 4PM – 8PM

RAPTURE ON THE RIVER

THE OFFICIAL DANCE ON THE PIER FOR WOMEN SATURDAY, JUNE 26TH, 6PM – 11PM PIER 54 AT 13TH ST.

PRIDEFEST

SUNDAY, JUNE 27TH, 11 AM – 7PM

HUDSON ST. BTWN ABINGTON SQ. PARK & 13TH ST.

THE MARCH

SUNDAY, JUNE 27TH STEPS OFF AT NOON 52ND ST. AND 5TH AVENUE

DANCE ON THE PIER

SUNDAY, JUNE 27TH, 4PM – 10:30PM PIER 54 @ 13TH ST., FIREWORKS AT 10PM

FOR MORE INFO VISIT WWW.NYCPRIDE.ORG

FOLLOW US ON: www.twitter.com/NYC_PRIDE www.facebook.com/NYCPRIDE

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beigeinformation

VISAREQUIREMENTS FOR VISITORS TO THE USA

F

rom 20 January 2010 it became mandatory for all airline passengers from the UK travelling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) 72 hours prior to departure.

British travellers to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), which allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit for up to 90 days without a visa, must get an authorisation via the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) prior to their journey. Visitors should register through the ESTA website at esta.cbp.dhs.gov and are advised to do so at least 72 hours prior to travel. If you do not have an ESTA you will be refused travel to the USA. Travellers can log on to the website and register now. They do not need to wait for flight bookings to be confirmed. For UK passport holders your passport must be valid for the duration of your visit to the United States.

An approved ESTA is NOT an American tourist visa. While it provides travellers from Visa Waiver Program countries with an authorization to enter the United States on a short-stay visit for the purposes of business or tourism, it does not meet the legal or regulatory requirements to serve in lieu of a USA visa.

If you are not from a Visa Waiver Program country, or if you wish to stay in the United States for more

than 3 months, you must apply for a Tourist Visa (B2), or a Business Visitor Visa (B1).

When travelling to the US, you must also either have the correct passport to travel on the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), or have obtained the correct visa valid for your stay. You must also provide Advance Passenger Information for the US government prior to travel.

The application process may take up to 15-20 minutes and authorisation is normally granted immediately, but may take up to 72 hours. Once granted, Travel Authorisation is valid for multiple entries to the US for two years, unless any answers to the YES/NO questions on the form change or a new passport is required. You are also required to provide Advance Passenger Information to the US government each time you travel to the US. If you have a resident permit ‘green card’, or are travelling on a visa, you will not need to apply for authorisation as you are not travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme.

The Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) allows the citizens of certain countries (including the UK) to travel to the US without having to obtain a visa prior to travel.

To qualify for the VWP, each person wishing to visit the US must have either: An e-passport: If your passport was issued after 26 October 2006, you must have an e-passport to travel to the US on the VWP. e-passports

are easily identified by a symbol on the front cover indicating that the document contains an integrated computer chip, for storing data. OR: A Machine Readable Passport. Passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 26 October 2006 to passengers wishing to use the VWP must contain a digitally printed photograph. A photograph which is glued or laminated will not be acceptable for travel.

Passports issued before the 26 October 2005 are exempt from this requirement. A Visa Waiver Form, which can be obtained at the airport on departure or onboard the aircraft is also required.

Passengers who require a visa will need to apply before travelling to the United States and are not required to obtain and ESTA. Travellers requiring a US visa are advised to contact the US Embassy in their home country. If you are intending to travel to the US and require a US visa, you must make an interview appointment directly with the Embassy.

Applying for a US visa can be a lengthy process which can take several weeks.

All visitors to the United States, except for Canadian and Mexican passport holders, require either a travel authorization or a visa to enter the country.

beigetravel | issue 3 | 77

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beige feature

Wi-Fi Security Protect Your Laptop From Hackers

U

sing WiFi has become something that many of us take for granted nowadays, especially when waiting around at an airport for example. One of the best ways that we can use this downtime productively is to log on to a WiFi connection and check emails, browse the web or catch up on work. One thing you should consider when logging on to any wireless environment is just how secure it really is. As the number of available WiFi spots proliferates, so does the number of hackers who are ready to take advantage of unsuspecting travellers and it’s no longer just long check in queues and lengthy security checks that travellers need to be worried about.

There’s a huge number of locations offering free WiFi nowadays; airports, coffee shops, hotels, bookstores and other locations where hundreds or thousands of people pass through every day. While many of these are legitimate and have adequate security, logging on to an unsecure network can leave a user vulnerable to attacks from hackers.

Setting up an unauthorised access point offering free connection to the internet is not only alarmingly easy to do, the instructions on how are also readily available on the internet. Once an unsuspecting user logs on to one of these fake connections the hacker can then potentially steal sensitive personal data, such as online banking passwords or personal and work information details and use them for identity fraud, not the best start to your holiday or business trip.

Using a free network stumbler is the best way to see just how many free public WiFi networks are available in an area and the amount of tenants, usually consumers trying to connect to them. More often than not there will be far more available than are actually sanctioned for that particular location. For most users connecting to a counterfeit network is easier than it sounds. Most software will automatically look for a connection and when one is found prompt the user to accept or decline connections to available wireless networks.

Most of us would, without much thought naturally choose to connect to the ‘Free WiFi’ access point, which may not be as authentic as it seems. Many laptops will also save SSID’s (network names) of wireless networks you have accessed before and will automatically log on to any network with that saved name.

By connecting to these ‘free’ networks users are at great risk of experiencing a channelling attack. Channelling is a common practice amongst hackers and identity thieves and a disturbingly easy way of stealing user

names, passwords, and other sensitive data transmitted by the user. With the number of Wifi hotspots increasing this type of fraud is only set to increase. So just how do hackers grab your personal data?

So just do hackers grab your personal data? One of the most common types of attack can occur when a hacker sets up a fake but legitimate-looking Wi-Fi network with a strong signal in a strategic hot spot. Once this is done any hacker then just has to wait for unsuspecting users to connect to it. Once this is done not only can a hacker access all your sensitive information, including user ID, passwords and credit card numbers, they can also direct you to phony web pages that look like ones you frequent, and record your every keystroke.

It isn’t just losing your data that you have to worry about though. Any hacker that is able to connect to your computer is not only able to steal data from you, they may also be downloading viruses, worms, and other malware on to your system.

There are some basics steps that you can take though to protect yourself from an unwanted hacker accessing your system.

Before connecting to a network, look around and locate a sign that advertises the network you are connecting to and verify that the network name (SSID) you are connecting to is a legitimate service.

Shut off your wireless card if you’re not planning to connect to the Web or another machine. It will protect you from intrusion and also save your battery life.

Beware of the information you share in public locations. Even seemingly innocuous logins to Webmail accounts could give hackers access to get into your more important data, since most people utilize the same password with a few variants for almost all online activities.

Utilize a VPN whenever possible to encrypt your data, and stronger tools if you need to conduct secure transactions.

Turn off shared folders. If you join a malicious network, a hacker could easily load a malicious spyware agent to follow you even after you leave the public location.

Keep Your Operating System Up to Date: Computer operating systems are periodically updated to stay in tune with technology requirements and to fix security holes. Be sure to install the updates to ensure your computer has the latest protection.

Keep Your Firewall Turned On: A firewall helps protect your computer from hackers who might try to gain access to crash it, delete information, or even steal passwords or other sensitive information.

Install or Update Your Antivirus Software: Antivirus software is designed to prevent malicious software programs from embedding on your computer. If it detects malicious code, like a virus or a worm, it works to disarm or remove it.

Install or Update Your Antispyware Technology: Spyware is just what it sounds like—software that is surreptitiously installed on your computer to let others peer into your activities on the computer. Some spyware collects information about you without your consent or produces unwanted pop-up ads on your web browser.

Be Careful What You Download: Carelessly downloading e-mail attachments can circumvent even the most vigilant anti-virus software. Never open an e-mail attachment from someone you don’t know, and be wary of forwarded attachments from people you do know.

For Windows users: In the Advanced settings of Wireless Network Connection properties (“Advanced” button on “Wireless Networks” tab), choose “Access Point (infrastructure) networks only”. The default is “Any available network” and this is not safe.

Turn off “Automatic Connection” to preferred networks in the Wireless Network Connection properties so your network reads “On Demand”. This will prevent your computer connecting to unsafe networks that have the same name as your home or office network.

For Mac users: In Network Preferences, choose By Default, join “Preferred Networks” and edit your preferred network SSID’s to include only trusted sources.

Click “Options,” and ensure “Ask before joining an open network” is selected. Check the “Require Administrator Password to change networks” box, and deselect the option to automatically add new networks to the preferred list.

78 | beigetravel | issue 3

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beigetravel | issue3 | 81

30/11/2009 13:50:24

30/11/2009 13:50:24 15/2/10 18:03:36

beige interview

Freedom from Thomson What has prompted Thomson to come into the LGBT travel market?

Well, this isn’t really that new, we’ve always been in this market. We know we’ve been carrying gay and lesbian customers since the dawn on time! What we wanted to do was to set aside a range of hotel product for our gay & lesbian customers which was hand selected for its appeal in terms of location, assurance of a warm welcome and value. One of our company values is about being Customer Obsessed and the LGBT travel market is just one example of a customer group that we want to serve better.

How long has the project taken to get to this point?

We’ve watched on with interest for quite some time, in both legacy businesses (Thomson & First Choice), the LGBT audience was identified as a group that we didn’t offer enough specific product for. The collapse of XL and other smaller operators over the last 12months encouraged us to put our foot down on this as we wanted to offer the same security and peace of mind that we offer our ‘heterosexual’ customers - our gay & lesbian customers should be no different. In answer to your question, we’ve actively been doing work on this for the last 12-18months with the help of a specialist Gay Consultant, Ian Johnson from Out Now. What were your concerns about entering this market and what did you do to address them?

Travel giant Thomson has just launched their brand new Freedom Collection in the UK. We decided to speak to Innovation Manager Paul about what this means for gay and lesbian tourists.

Press in January in Soho and the event was well subscribed, achieving much interest. In terms of bookings, numbers are pleasing. We’ve got around 800 High Street Travel Shops in the UK (Thomson & First Choice), their response so far has been really positive with many customers walking in and asking for the product by name. It’s worth mentioning how engaged our Frontline staff (e.g. Travel Agents, Holiday Reps and Cabin Crew) are with this market – I think our number of staff bookings will be significant!

“

Thomson is such a large company, how can this benefit gay and lesbian travellers?

I think one of the most exciting things for us is where next? We’ve gone with a rather traditional range of gay & lesbian focussed resorts and hotels at the moment, but of course we have some great holiday options within our wider product range. The existing Freedom Collection gives us a platform to expand. Our Cities range, Cruises and Longhaul/ tour program provokes interesting thoughts.

What do you see as the emerging trends in the gay travel market?

I think what we’ve learnt and are still learning is that actually the ‘gay’ market is made up of many individuals with many different tastes and wants/ desires from a holiday. The product range we (Thomson) offer is really broad.

Freedom shouldn’t be any different and I think the opportunity we have is to diversify the range and appeal to the many subsets of the gay/ lesbian community with options further a field, destinations rich in culture, fly and flop luxury hotels and also budget bases. What is critical is the welcome our gay & lesbian customers receive at the hotel. In fact research has shown that 3 out of 4 people consider this as the most important facet of their holiday.

What else can we expect from Thomson in the future, are there any plans to expand what is on offer?

Absolutely, watch this space.

Where do you like to go on holiday yourself, any top tips for up and coming destinations to look out for?

I’m really lucky with my job and travel probably about once a month. Last year I visited Dom Rep, Sri Lanka, Mykonos, Egypt, Mallorca, Tenerife, Cyprus, Madeira, Barcelona, Turkey, Crete, Rhodes, Athens, Marrakech amongst others although I’m struggling a bit to remember anymore now. It was the first time I’d been to Mykonos and I can honestly say it was the most enjoyable holiday I’ve ever had. I visited with my other half and it really made an impression on us. So much so – we’re back again in May. We’re also doing a road trip later in the year, Thelma & Louise style with a convertible to Florida. It covers South Beach, the Keys, Clearwater, Naples and other designer bolt holes! Can’t wait….I was amazed at what good value it was (sorry to plug but see Thomson Florida for further info!).

Costa Rica is on my hitlist, the zip lines, Arenal volcano and bubbling mud puts look like a holiday full of adventure….

We wanted to offer the same security and peace of mind that we offer our ‘heterosexual’ customers - our gay & lesbian customers should be no different

We were concerned that people would presume we were doing this owing to recession and that this was a ‘tokenistic’ effort to ‘turn the heat up’ on our gay & lesbian customer base in the hope that they are more recession proof. This isn’t the case. We wanted to put genuine validity around our product and with that in mind, ready for the Summer 10 season all of our properties will be Gay Comfort accredited. This is an accreditation program targeted towards frontline staff which means that there are ‘no awkward moments’ when two guys or girls check in and ask for a double bed, or hold hands around the pool or whatever it may be.

We wanted to offer the community reassurances, that their holiday choices would suit their needs. I’m also keen that we give something back and as an initial effort we’re starting to enter conversations with various Pride organisers to see if we can help out.

How are things going so far?

It’s early days, we only ‘came out’ a couple of weeks ago….but yes we’re pleased. We’ve got a Facebook group which is growing in size, we launched to the

What do you think you can offer that you can offer that is different to what already exists at the moment?

Firstly, we can offer customers the choice to book their holiday (with live availability) across any channel they so wish, at any of our High Street Shops, online (www.thomson.co.uk/freedom) or using our dedicated call centre. Needless to say we are completely ATOL bonded, which unlike some of our low-cost friends means that our customer’s holidays are financially safe.

Also all of the Freedom Collection will have a dedicated Holiday Advisor at the other end of the phone 24 hours a day or actually visiting the accommodation. Plus as I mentioned earlier all of our hotels will be Gay Comfort accredited. .

”

82 | beigetravel | issue 3

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