June 2012 LGBT Travel Guide by Canadian Traveller

A Canadianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide To

Sitges: Sizzling Beaches Berlin: Naughty Nightlife

Vienna: Creative Culture Plus: Where To Shop, Where To Eat

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OutThere

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North American Festivals & Events

e 2012 New York Pride Festival, June 16-24 Chicago Pride, June 22-24 Toronto Pride, June 22 – July 1 San Francisco Pride, June 23-24 Vancouver Pride Parade & Festival, August 3-5 Celebrations de la Fierte Montreal, August 14-19 Fashion Cares, September 9, Toronto White Party, November 21-26, Miami

Check Out The Hottest LGBT Travel Destinations Who doesn’t want to travel? There are so many great places to go and we’ve covered the best of them on the pages of this Guide. First up is the beach. Sitges, in Spain, is one of the hottest LGBT beach spots in the world. From the main gay beach, La Playa De La Bossa Rodona, to the more secluded nude beach, Playa del Muerto, the sun is always shining and the drinks are always cool. Sitges is also a great party town. There are clubs like Trailer, the first gay disco in Spain (check out the foam parties) and annual events like Sitges Pride and its famous Decadance Party in the Park. On this side of the Atlantic, serious shopaholics head to Chicago for everything from brand name luxury to the most creative fetish wear. And there really is nothing like the Magnificent Mile for the best shopping experience. The city’s LGBT community is centred in Boystown, with the Centre on Halsted, one of the best gay community centres in the world. Back in Europe, we take a look at the cultural wonders of Vienna. Baroque architecture, classical music (Mozart, Strauss) and amazing art (it’s the 150th anniversary of Gustav Klimt) are just a stroll down the street. And of course there is Life Ball, one of the most elaborate and

e 2013 Whistler Pride, February Gay Days & Pride Festival Orlando, May, Orlando

For more festivals and events around North America, visit www.canadiantraveller.net

Ar ro w St ud

io /Shu tt er

stoc k

profitable AIDS charity events in the world. And no trip to Vienna would be complete without a lazy afternoon spent in one of the city’s cafes. Get your groove on in Berlin, an unbelievable party town. Wild, sexy and open 24 hours, you really can find any action you are looking for. Need a break? There is nude sunbathing in all public parks and green spaces. Gay Stadtfest is Europe’s largest annual queer outdoor event, while the Christopher Street Day parade attracts half a million people every year. Finally, you have to eat, right? Montreal is foodie heaven, boasting more than 5,000 cafes. The city’s gay village is

one of the largest in North America and in summer, the streets are closed to traffic, creating a festival atmosphere. Food is a big part of the experience and is centre stage at the Happening Gourmand event in January. Check it out!

Inside Sun, Sand & Sitges Chicago Shopping Spree Culturally Speaking A Night On The Town Bon Appetit Mes Amies

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Sun, Sand &Sitges Spain’s Sizzling Coastal Town Is The Place For Hot Beach Action

For many travellers, the epitome of a vacation is hours upon hours soaking up the sun and sights at the beach. Over the past several years, Sitges has secured a spot on the list of many in-the-know LGBT travellers. It’s proximity to Barcelona makes it a great city/beach destination, as the frequent daily train service allows visitors to choose between a resort town and cosmopolitan city.

Although architectural highlights and museums are of significance, most gays and lesbians come to Sitges for beach holidays, with the main boulevard Mont Roig packed with cafes, bars, clubs, restaurants, and shops.

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The resort’s population swells from 30,000 locals to over 250,000 during peak season of May to September, yet Sitges has retained its small town appeal with narrow cobbled streets, beautiful Spanish architecture and unspoiled scenic views. Although these architectural highlights and museums are of significance, most gays and lesbians come to Sitges for beach holidays, with the main boulevard Mont Roig packed with cafes, bars, clubs, restaurants, and shops selling local fare and beach gear. During the 1960s Sitges became a centre for the counterculture in Spain, and by the 1990s it had already gained a reputation of being the gay hotspot it remains today. The laissez-faire European attitude means that most everything goes, including your clothes if you choose to hit up one of the nudist beaches just off the main drag.

of June, and is one of the prettiest events to happen here. Intricate templates are drawn on the road and residents gather up Carnation flower petals that are then placed on the patterns on the road, creating a floral mosaic that has to be seen to be believed. Sitges Pride takes place the first week of July with local and international stage acts, DJ’s, pool parties, drag shows, and the famous Decadance Party in the Park. Parc Terramar transforms into a huge dance floor complete with a performance stage and a wraparound bar in the centre all surrounded by trees. Fiesta Mayor happens toward the end of August with colourful floats, live music and spectacular fireworks over

Tourism Australia

More Hot Spots Beach hotspots in Sydney include the Bondi to Cronulla Beach and the Bondi to Bronte stretch of coastline.

With great beaches, fabulous parties and an indulgent tolerance, Sitges has secured a spot on the list of many in-the-know LGBT travellers.

the sea, all in celebration of the patron Sant Bartolomeu. The weather may not be as warm in the off season, but the events are just as hot. Sitges Carnival, in February, is by far the most popular event of the year, attracting around 300,000 revellers to the streets over the week. The Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia is the number one fantasy film festival in the world, happening in October. Thousands of film fans flock here to catch exclusive and world premiere screenings, many of which are attended by Hollywood heavyweights as well.

ArrowStudio/Shutterstock

The main Gay Beach is La Playa De La Bossa Rodona, directly below the Picnic Restaurant and opposite the Hotel Calipolis. This is the easiest one to reach, right in the centre of town, which means it’s always the busiest as well. It’s advised to get there early in the morning to secure your perfect beach spot. For the more adventurous, Playa De Las Balmins is a gay friendly clothing optional beach about a 10-minute walk from town The Platja Sant Sebastia and Platja d’Aiguadolc are also nearby and quite popular for those seeking an all-over tan. Further outside of town, Playa del Muerto is another nude beach located near the Terramar Hotel and L’Atlantida disco, about an hour’s walk, 20-minute bike ride, or 10-minute taxi fare. For those that do make the trek, there’s a beach bar serving a wide range of snacks and drinks. The second beach, Playa Del Muerto, is exclusively gay with a small bar, however there’s not much sand here. If you do end up staying later than expected, L’Atlantida hosts some of the best gay beach parties in the area at their beautiful outdoor nightclub with stunning views of the sea. When the sun goes down Trailer lights up. This was the first gay disco in Spain, opened 30 years ago, and remains as popular today as it did then, especially with their infamous foam parties. Parrots Pub has also been around about the same length of time and can be a nice stop on your way to or from the beach. Summer time also means party time. Corpus Christi takes place the first week

More information www.gaysitgesguide. com, www.gayinsitges.com r

e Puerto Vallarta: Playa de los Muertos is located near the Blue Chairs gay resort and is

most popular with tourists. More recently the green chairs at the nearby Ritmos Beach Café, and the section by Lido Beach Club have gained popularity. As well, the Beach House/El Dorado area tends to be less busy. e Mykonos: This clothing optional paradise appeals to most everyone. There are three main gay beaches: Elia with nearby Watermania theme park; Paradise with a mixed younger set; and the most popular, Super Paradise, where anything goes. e Rio de Janeiro: Ipanema is in the southern region of the city adjacent to the Copacabana Beach, and Posto 10 is where the gays tend to congregate. Farme is the most well-know n gay beach and Coqueirão is the other gay-friendly mixed hangout near Posto 9. e Sydney: The Eastern suburbs starting at Bondi Beach and stretching to Cronulla Beach are the most popular, and the Bondi to Bronte stretch along the coastline is also a popular trail. You can leave your swimsuit behind at Birdie Beach and Lady Jane Beach. e Tel Aviv: With a 20-kilometre stretch of shoreline, Hilton Beach is the unofficial gay beach area, while a bit outside of the city Ga’ash is where those seeking full body tans head. The adjacent promenade is always busy with a slew of drinking, dining and shopping options.

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Chicago Shopping

Spree

Retail Therapy Here Includes Luxe, Fetish & Everything Inbetween

Chicago, the third largest city in the United States, has been called “Paris on the Prairie” in reference to its wide boulevards, abundance of green space, and proximity to water. Lakeview, the area referred to as Boystown has been the heart of Chicago’s thriving LGBT community since the 1970s, and is contained within a triangle created by Broadway and Belmont Avenues, and Halsted Street. The Center on Halsted is one of the world’s best gay community centres with a wealth of information accessible to all. A second more subdued gay area is located a few miles from downtown in Andersonville, a district that stretches into Edgewater and includes many gay bars, restaurants, and funky shops.

Shopaholics should make note of Fashion Focus Chicago, a city-sponsored fashion week held in October that showcases more than 100 local designers.

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The city has long been a premier shopping and fashion destination, with major department stores and chic designer boutiques. And, no trip to Chicago would not be complete without a stroll along the Magnificent Mile, the main shopping thoroughfare on Michigan Avenue between the Chicago River and Lake Shore Drive. Here is where you find all the big name department stores like Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, as well as specialty shops, designer boutiques, and one-of-a-kind finds. On nearby Oak Street in the Gold Coast neighbourhood, luxurious apparel from the fashion capitals of Paris, Milan, Chicago and NewYork, offer high quality names like Prada, Tory Burch, Kate Spade and Nicole Miller. State Street in the heart of the Loop is where Marshall Field’s began business more than 150 years ago, and this iconic National Historic Landmark building is now home to Macy’s, the second largest department store in the world with 12 floors of finds. The Bucktown and Wicker Park neighbourhoods, both off North Milwaukee Avenue, also have a pocket of exquisite boutiques. Division Street and the Southport/Lakeview Corridor along Clark Street, Belmont Avenue and Broadway are home to specialty shops that carry the work of independent and Chicago-based designers. Lincoln Park is a contemporary urban neighbourhood with both local boutiques and well-known retailers. Most Canadian Traveller 28

e New York: Designer and exclusive

finds are found on 5th Ave and Madison Ave, while trendier and one-of-a-kind finds are throughout neighbourhoods like Soho, Chelsea, The Village and Hell’s Kitchen. e Bangkok: It’s all about the outdoor markets, unless you make your way to one of the mor e Western shopping malls like MBK, Central World, or The Emporium. Silks are always a worthy purchase. e Toronto: Yorkville is where designe r labels and name-brand fashions can be found, Queen Wes t is the home of hipsters, and unique cultural shopping can be found in Little India or Greektown. e London: Each neighbourhood offers a smorgasbord of delights, found along such world-k nown names as Oxford, Regent and Carnaby Streets. As well, Piccadilly, Camden Town, King’s Road and Covent Garden offer truly alternative attire. e Paris: The Champs Elysees is admired for its beauty and haute-couture at luxury specialty shops, with designers like Cartier and Vuitton. In Bangkok, silks are always a worthy purchase.

clothing and accessories for guys who want to impress. Leather 6410 or Mephisto Leathers is where you can grab your leather and fetish gear while in the area. Broadway also has a few gems worth exploring, such as CRAM Fashion, with a large selection of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories from American and European designers. Universal Gear brings out the inner jock with a sleek selection of outdoor accessories, swimsuits and stylish active wear. Music lovers should plug into Borderline Music for all the latest dance remixes and indie rock tracks. Book aficionados can’t miss the gayowned and operated Unabridged Books, where the extensive collection of popular and hard to find gay reads can be found. Shopaholics should make note of Fashion Focus Chicago, a city-sponsored fashion week held in October that showcases more than 100 local designers through runway shows, shopping experiences and various public and industry-only events. r

From Boystown to the Magnificent Mile, you can find absolutely anything you want to buy in Chicago.

Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

More Hot Spots

TAT

More info – www.bestgaychicago.com, www.choosechicago.com

shops are located along Lincoln Avenue, Clark Street, Armitage Avenue and Halsted Street. In recent years, cutting-edge national stores like Anthropologie, Marc Jacobs and Cynthia Rowley have opened shops in these neighbourhoods. Beyond the mainstream and designer name shopping opportunities that exist, there’s also more affordable alternative type shops scattered throughout the city as well. With an exemplary array of collections from around the world, the Avalon Park boutique Essential Elements-Chicago, offers comfortable and hip accessories and clothing. They are passionate about fashion, and pride themselves on finding ways to make their items affordable for all. The very gay Halsted Street area has its own unique collection of shopping haunts for those seeking anything from elaborate costumes or club clothes, to sex toys and leather gear. Beatnix carries a wide selection of leather chaps, wigs, masks, feather boas, body-length rhinestone accessories, and much more. Cupid’s is a sex-friendly boutique with a wide selection of leather, rubber, sex toys and love potions, while Egoist Underwear keeps things sexy down below. The cleverly named Gay Mart is a series of rooms offering all things pink and glittery, including rainbow gifts, cards, jewelry, t-shirts, calendars, music, comic book action figures and fun toys. For those needing an even greater leather fix, Leather Sport is an erotic treasure chest of bondage gear, fetish devices, kinky videos and enough accessories to stimulate more than your mind. Further uptown on Clark Street is where Brown Elephant Resale can be found, providing second-hand bargain hunters a treasure chest of goodies, with proceeds benefiting AIDS/ HIV support organizations. As well Brownstone Antiques and Collectibles is another great shop for finding that one-of-a-kind item that completes your household requirements. His Stuff has a location on Clark as well as Broadway, with stylishly distinctive

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A Canadian’s Guide To

Wien Tourismus/Peter Rigaud

LGBT Travel

Culturally

Speaking A Look At Vienna’s Vibrant LGBT

Vienna, the capital of Austria, is well known for its grandiose architecture, cultural events and creative masterminds. It also boasts one of the most vibrant LGBT scenes in all of Europe, despite the fact it doesn’t define one particular area as the “gay village”. Here’s a brief overview of some of the cultural highlights: It’s not uncommon to spend hours just wandering around admiring the Baroque, Biedermeier and Art Nouveau influences seen throughout the city. As with many European destinations, visitors arrive to delve into the past, while discovering the new. This year Vienna celebrates the 150th anniversary of the birth of Gustav Klimt, a pioneer of the Modernist painting style. He was one of the most prominent members of the Vienna Secession movement, and his major works include paintings, murals, sketches and other art objects. Klimt’s primary subject was the female body and his works are marked by a frank eroticism, with his infamous The Kiss recognized worldwide. As part of this anniversary presentation, the world’s largest collection of paintings by Klimt is on display in their Baroque-palace home, with almost 200 of his drawings on exhibit at the Albertina Museum. Vienna’s LGBT history spans many centuries, with such notable figures as Prince Eugene of Savoy, who was known for his flamboyant style, affection for younger males, and his public display of gender-bending styles. The Baroque-styled Schloss Belvedere Palace was built as a summer residence for Eugene, and is now home to the Austrian Gallery with paintings by Klimt, Schiele, and Kokoschka.Vienna’s famous Staatsoper (State Opera House)

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was built by architects Eduard van der Nüll and August Sicard von Sicardsburg, who were partners in life as well as in business. Today, the city remains a hot bed of all things pink. A must see is the Ringstrasse, a circular road surrounding the city’s Old Town that was constructed along the route of the former city walls built in the 13th century. Much of the current gay scene of clubs, bars and restaurants is clustered just southwest of the Ringstrasse, around Pilgramgasse, Neubaugasse, Museumsquartier and Karlsplatz. The cultural scene is comprised of magnificent churches, museums, performance venues, and parliamentary buildings that showcase this city and its history as the centre of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. While embracing their past, the Viennese take pride in their alluring modern architecture, thriving design scene and modern innovations that create a harmonious atmosphere of classic and nouveau. Often referred to as the“City of Waltzes”, it is with this historical past and modern sensibility that the city has gained a reputation of acceptance and tolerance. Life Ball has become one of the most elaborate and profitable AIDS charity events in the world. This glamorous and star-studded annual affair has been happening since 1993, and has achieved international recognition as the biggest charity event in

Canadian Traveller 30

The best way to enjoy Vienna is to walk around, see the sights and enjoy the renowned Viennese café culture.

Europe supporting people with HIV and AIDS. Each year nearly 4,000 attendees get the opportunity to walk down the red carpet, which leads from Ringstrasse Boulevard across City Hall Square to the main stage in front of Vienna’s City Hall. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the Life Ball, which happens annually in the month of May. Other events of note include the annual Vienna Pride and Rainbow Parade (Regenbodenparade) at the beginning of June, which winds its way along the historic Ringstrasse. As well,Vienna is Queer The glamorous and star-studded annual Life Ball is just one of many gay events in Vienna. Others include Vienna Pride and Rainbow Parade, Vienna is Queer, the Rainbow Ball and the Rose Ball.

(Wien ist Andersrum) is an arts festival that incorporates a collection of off-beat cultural performances and exhibitions during the first part of June. The Rainbow Ball (Regenbodenballis) happens every February and is modeled after the traditional formal attire Viennese balls of the past, while the Rose Ball (Rosenball) is a more flamboyant alternative to the traditional Opera Ball happening the same month. Art and culture have long traditions in Vienna, including theatre, opera, classical music and fine arts. Today much of this can be explored within the numerous museums and galleries found within the city. The Museumsquartier (or MQ) is a cultural hub, home to the Leopold Museum, the Museum of Modern Art and Kunsthalle Wien, which often showcases major gaythemed exhibits and queer artists. Kunst Historisches Museum is the stately fine arts museum with its unmatched collection of pieces by Breughel, Titian, Rembrandt, Rubens and others. Theatre buffs should check out what’s happening at the Burgtheater, one of the most important German language theatres in the world and the second oldest in Europe. The Volkstheater Wien is the place to go for more contemporary avant-garde productions, and the Theater in der Josefstadt with its

rotating repertoire of classic and original productions. Classic Vienna opera houses include the Theater an der Wien, the Staatsoper, and the Volksoper, all with featured traditional Viennese operettas. From the late 18th to the mid-20th century,Vienna’s musical culture flourished and became known worldwide with such famous composers as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms taking up residence here, and Johann Strauss, Arnold Schoenberg and Franz Schubert being native Viennese. The Wiener Musikverein is home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Wiener Konzerthaus presents concerts of classical music. The works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Strauss can be heard at various venues around town including the Liechtenstein Museum. From the historic Hofburg Imperial Palace where you can learn about the controversial Emperor Ludwig Viktor, to the famous State Opera House that was designed and built by gay lovers, this is just a sampling of what this historic city has to offer for LGBT travellers. The best way to enjoy Vienna is to walk around, see the sights and enjoy the renowned Viennese café culture. r More Information www.vienna.info, www.austria.info/us

More Hot Spots

e Paris: Visit famous galleries such as The Louvre,

mingle with local artists in Parisian cafes, marvel at the L’Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower, and admire the quirkiness of the Centre Pompidou Museum. Don’t miss the magnificent churches and wonderful cemeteries. e Italy: There’s so much to discover in Rome with the Sistine Chapel and Vatican, or the beautiful canal city of Venice, the amazing architecture of Florence, or the high fashion of Milan. Be sure to take time for multiple Espressos with the locals. e Prague: Discover a city built in many art styles, including gothic, baroque, neo-classic, and renaissance. Walk the cobblestone streets that Kafka once did, drink local Czech beer and Jägermeister, and don’t miss the famous Charles Bridge. e Mexico City: Frida Kahlo de Rivera has had significant influence in gay culture with her native Neomexicanismo artistic style, as well as such openly gay luminaries as singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel, artist Juan Soriano and essayist Carlos Monsivais. e Buenos Aires: Take in queer tango lessons, gay milongas (or dance halls), or the gay tango festival held annually in November. Ponder the movements of Eva Peron (Evita) and visit the Recoletta neighbourhood for great history and architecture.

Visit famous galleries in Paris, mingle with local artists in cafes, and don’t miss the magnificent churches and wonderful cemeteries.

Paris Tourist Office/Stephanie Rivoal

: Lif e Ba ll

n e i W , e r e d e vl e B

This year Vienna celebrates the 150th anniversary of the birth of Gustav Klimt a pioneer of the Modernist painting style. His infamous work The Kiss hangs in the Belvedere.

Nearly 4,000 attendees get the opportunity to walk down the red carpet, across City Hall Square to the main stage at Life Ball, one of the most elaborate and profitable AIDS charity events in the world.

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Night Town On The

Berlin’s Nightlife Is Wild, Sexy & Offers Something For Everyone

Berlin Tourism

Berlin is one of those European cities filled with history, culture and parties. It has also had a thriving gay scene for nearly a century, with the notorious Eldorado club attracting gay icons like Marlene Dietrich and Christopher Isherwood back in the 1920s. The nightlife in Berlin is notoriously famous for its 24-hour action, with clubs to suit every fashion, fantasy and fetish. From regular happenings in the trendiest of clubs, to private warehouse type parties and speak-easy haunts, this is the city to head to if your passion is clubbing. There are quite a few sections that have a more predominately gay presence, most notably Schoneberg around

The Christopher Street Day parade also attracts upwards of half a million people to watch the procession from the Kurfurstendamm to the Siegessaeule.

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Nollendorfplatz, where much of the club nightlife is clustered along Motzstrasse. Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte are more where the edgier one-off parties tend to take place, while Kreuzberg attracts the more bohemian hipster crowds, and Friedrichshain is where students and the younger set migrate. Many night crawlers begin or end the night by grabbing a bite in one of the city’s 12,000 pubs, restaurants, and cafes. In Mitte there are plenty of cafes worth visiting, such as Orange, Zapata, Ici or Hackbarths. The edgier Kreuzberg area is quickly gaining a selection of chic eat spots as well, such as Riehmers Hofgarten, Altes Zollhaus and Medici. Also Berliners and tourists alike congregate in the cafes alongside the banks of Paul-LinkeUfer canal. Friedrichshain is where true night owls head to party the night away before grabbing breakfast at Leander or Apotheke on their way home. Prenzlauer Berg is more touristy and has a variety of international cuisine offerings from fine dining to quick snacks.

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Finally, the Schoneberg district get your German food fix, at places like Bamberger Reiter or Fischers Restaurant. While it’s impossible to list every one of the bars and clubs in the city, here’s an overview of some of the more popular wellknown venues located in various parts of the city, along with a brief description of each one. Motzstrasse is the city’s main gay hub, with legendary bars such as Omnes and Hafen drawing locals and visitors to the dance floor. Cruise in the footsteps of the legendary Marlene Dietrich over to the majestic Viktoria-Luise-Platz, popping your head into an array of bars to suit all types. The nearby Fuggerstrasse is also worth checking out for a more subdued sampling of bars. The area around Schonhauser Alle metro station has its own scene with Pick Ab and Greif Bar being two hotspots. As well, on and around Schonhauser Allee, the main drag through Prenzlauer Berg, you’ll find plenty of shops, cafes and pubs all catering to gays and lesbians. It’s also worth walking along KarlMarx-Allee, lined with imposing Stalinist architecture, and making a stop at Klub International, a retro-fabulous cinema that occasionally morphs into a gay disco. Another great spot to check out is Connection, featuring a shop, a disco, and a huge multi-level cruising area. Oranienstrasse in Kreuzberg is another of the city’s main gay ways, and is home to Roses, a distinctively kitsch pub with faux fur-lined walls that attracts a mixed gender bending crowd most nights of the week. Just a few doors down is SO36, a dance bar famous for its gay Turkish dance nights and belly dancers. Lesbians tend to gravitate to Pour Elle or Begine. Berlin is also known for its freedom of expression and carefree attitude. Nude sunbathing is permitted in all public parks and green spaces, and sex clubs are as popular as the mainstream dance bars. Some of these places operate as a regular bar during the day then do a naughty turnaround as the night gets later. The biggest sex parties are held at Snax Club and Lab.oratory, while Jaxx is a membership sex party club associated with Tom’s Bar. Stage Club is another men’s sex-party club in nearby Wilmersdorf, and in Kreuzberg, Club Culture Houze and Triebwerk are erotic

Berlin Tourism

Berlin is also known for its freedom of expression and carefree attitude, from 24-hour bars to clothing optional beaches.

NBTC

playgrounds for just about any taste or gender. In Prenzlauer Berg there’s the popular Stahlrohr 2.0, and only a few streets away is the appropriately named Darkroom. Over in Schoneberg the Ajpnia will satisfy your urges. Fetish bars and parties are also quite common, and are classified separately from the sex clubs and parties, as quite often sexual acts are not part of this scene. Clubs such as New Action and Bose Buben in Neukolln offer regular S&M action, while nearby Bull is a men-only late-night fetish space. The fetish crowd also meets at regular reoccurring events such as Perverts and Pig, two semiannual anything-goes fetish fun playhouses that happen at different locations with dates listed on each of their respective websites. HustlaBall celebrates its 10th anniversary in October, and spotlights everything to do

with porn, prostitution, and public displays of nudity. Leather guys and fetish lovers also gather at the annual Folsom Europe Berlin, with the next one happening in September. Other more mainstream LGBT events include Gay Stadtfest, Europe’s largest annual queer outdoor event celebrating its 20th anniversary this month. The following weekend the Christopher Street Day parade also attracts upwards of half a million people to watch the procession from the Kurfurstendamm to the Siegessaeule. Wigstockel is a unique event that unites all sorts of trans- and non-gender conforming individuals every September. Over around Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, gays gather for Parkfest Friedrichshain, which takes place in Volkspark in August. r More information: www.visitberlin.de/en; www.gayberlin4u.com

More Hot Spots

e Amsterdam: While the red-light district attracts the tourists, gays

Gays flock to the Amsterdam’s Reguliersdwarsstraat and Amstel districts, as well as Kerkstraat, an area on the rise.

flock to the popular Reguliersdwarsstraat and Amstel sections. Kerkstraat is an area on the rise, and Warmoesstraat is where the kink and fetish crowd migrate. e New York: Gays are everywhere from the Stonewall perimeters of Greenwich Village, to the upscale Chelsea dance clubs, and the more recent Hell’s Kitchen mix of pubs and bars. Fringe events also happen in the Meatpacking District. e London: Soho is where clubbers head, with Old Compton Street being the hub with the likes of G-A-Y Bar, Rupert Street and Village Soho. Bigger venues with extended hours can be found in the Vauxhall area, such as Fire, Union and The Hoist. Keep your eyes and ears open for one-off parties as well. e Paris: Le Marais is the most happening section for nightlife, with bars such as Open Café, RAIDD, Amnesia, Mixer, Bar Central, Cox and Carré Bar. A second area near Les Halles has the popular Le Depot and Banana Café. Queen Dance Club on Champs Elysees also shouldn’t be missed. e Miami: Head to South Beach where the gay and famous hang out at the legendary Palace on Ocean Drive and multi-level Twist on Washington Ave. There are also newer haunts such as Mova, Vault, and Vlada that attract the more sophisticated cocktail crowds.

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Over 90 Convenient Locations Across Canada

00 33 Canadian Traveller JUNE 2012 I LGBT Travel 13 318_CDN_Traveller_LGBT_SpecialEdition.indd 3 5/14/12 2:54:16 PM

A Canadian’s Guide To

Tourisme Montreal/Stephan Poulin

LGBT Travel

Bon Appetit

Mes Amis!

Montreal boasts one of the largest gay villages in North America along with a buzzing restaurant scene and festivaltype atmosphere.

In Montreal Dining Is A Requirement, Not An Option Montreal, where there are 5,000 cafes, and dining is a requirement not an option, has one of the biggest gay village areas in North America, stretching out along Ste Catherine Street East between Rue Berri and Papineau. During the summer months the roadway is closed to traffic creating a pedestrian friendly festival type of atmosphere. The apportez-votre-vin (bring your own wine) option adds to the joie-de-vivre of dining, and there are five such restaurants within The Village that have embraced this culture. O’Thym offers classic French cuisine, while Mozza is a cozy date spot with wood

oven baked pizzas, fresh pastas and a large selection of homemade sauces. Uchi serves up mouth-watering sushi and Szechuan dishes, and for a unique and entertaining experience check out Couscoussiere Ali Baba for delectable Moroccan and Tunisian dishes accompanied by a live belly dancing showcase on weekends. As well, Steak Frites is a Montreal chain that serves up awesome steak and fries as the name implies. The lively and boisterous DJ thumping confines of Saloon offer an amazing recovery brunch for those who may have indulged a bit too much the night before. The Nuvu Bistro Experiences will leave your taste buds dancing with freshly created nouveau cuisine selections, while Chez Ma Grosse Truie Cherie serves up traditional Quebec favourites at communal tables that are perfect for dining with friends or making new ones. Night owls flock to Resto du Village and the multi-level Le Club Sandwich, both open 24 hours, while strictly

e New York: Some of the best Mexican dishes

More Hot Spots

north of the border can be found at Hell’s Kitchen, Aurora Soho serves up Italian with freshly made pastas, bread and desserts. For something different stop by the Loeb Boathouse Restaurant in Central Park. e Los Angeles: West Hollywood is LA’s most diverse culinary destination with nearly 150 dining options. This is where celebrities hang, eat and cook. Be sure to hit up Spago, Ago and Cecconi’s. Pull up a chair on one of the many patios and enjoy the view. e Paris: Known for wonderful wines and fine cuisine. Stroll the Champs Elysee, the heart of

LGBT Travel I

june 2012

Canadian Traveller 34

morning buffs get their fix at Chez Cora. International options include Bato Thai with a large selection of reasonably priced authentic dishes. Le Planéte offers an eclectic global cuisine that seeks inspiration from the four corners of the world, and L’Amalfitana brings you the best of traditional southern Italian cuisine. For those daring enough to visit Montreal in the depths of winter, January is when the Happening Gourmand event takes place offering a wide selection of affordable prixfixe menus at many top end restaurants. As well, summertime brings not one, but two separate Pride celebrations: Divers/Cité happens July 30 to August 5 and is focused on entertainment and circuit-type party events, while Fierté/Montreal Pride takes place August 13 to 19 with a parade and community engagement type events. r More info: www.queermontreal.info, www.tourisme-montreal.org, www.go-montreal.com, www.montreal.com

dining in central Paris, then head to Montmartre and dine at the artist cafes. Splurge and enjoy dinner high atop the Eiffel Tower. e Lisbon: Head to Les Mauvais Garcons, a Paris-inspired café for daytime dining, or Mar Adentro Café where you can sit, sip and watch the world go by. Bairro Alto, Chiado and Principe Real are the hubs of gay culture, with restaurants, bars, bookstores, antique shops and clubs. e Istanbul: Cheap eats can be found from street vendors who happily prepare delicious local specialties like Shish kebab; pide (Turkish pizza); kofte (spice lamb meatballs) and dolma.

2nd Annual

Pride Travel Marketplace June 30th & July 1st 2012 - Toronto, Ontario

Join Us Celebrate Diversity Win a Vacation

Come join us in Toronto to celebrate Pride and Diversity at the 2nd Annual Pride Travel Marketplace taking place June 30 & July 1 2012 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one of the largest Pride festivals in the world. Pride Toronto festivities include a street marketplace in the heart of Torontoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gay village and surrounding area. A dedicated area in the Church/Wellesley area with Exhibitor booths lining the streets selling and promoting various businesses. Drop by Pride Travel Marketplace and visit with some of the best destinations and travel companies supporting the LGBT community.

For full details on Toronto Pride please visit: www.pridetoronto.com

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