Humen Travel Magazine 2019

TRAVEL

CENTRAL EUROPEAN LGBTQ TRAVEL MAGAZINE 2019 | FREE

BUDAPEST LOVES YOU

pinkbudapest.com pinkbudapest #pinkbudapest #budapestlovesyou

LIVE FREELY – BE FREE! Traveling equals freedom. It takes off the burdens from your shoulders. It makes you happy. What is even more important, traveling breaks down boundaries between people and cultures, and always gives us something new.

Due to my job, I am able to travel a lot, and I am lucky to get acquainted with a bunch of new people everywhere I go. These new acquaintances often turn into good friendships, through which I am not only getting to know a certain person and his life, but also gain insight into the culture of his country and, in many cases, the local LGBTQ scene. In return, I am also able to share some bits about my home country.

Getting to know each other’s culture is a great opportunity to broaden our view of the world and become more receptive and understanding towards the customs of other nations or peoples which may seem strange at first.

Besides friendships, romantic relationships can also come from these international adventures. I would suggest to be careful with long-distance relationships because of the obvious downsides, but, on the other hand, I would say: why not jump right into it? I myself have moved to a different country to be closer to my partner, and I have not come to regret that decision one bit, even though we are not together anymore. Distance does not need to be an obstacle. You just have to learn to deal with it.

My travels do not only recharge and energize me, but I also learn a lot from them. For me, discovering new places, learning about culture, gastronomy and people always gives something new that I can learn from and develop myself further.

It makes me really happy to know that by now I practically have friends all around the world. I can go almost anywhere and there will be a familiar face which instantly makes me feel like home.

As I have mentioned before, traveling also increases acceptance and tolerance. The more visible LGBTQ people are in a certain country, the more “natural” their presence becomes for the majority of society, making them more open and encouraging them to support the LGBTQ community.

So, my advice would be to travel as much and as often as you can, get to know different cultures and people, learn from them, be free and enjoy life!

No one can take away the memorable moments you experience during your travels.

I wish everyone a great journey and amazing adventures!

ZSOLT ERDEI CEO of the Humen Media Group President of the Humen Travel Tourism Association

ABOUT PUBLISHER: Humen Media Hungary Kft. (Member of Humen Media Group), H-1132 Budapest, Kresz Géza u. 16. fszt. 1/A, +36 70 234 5507, hungary@humenmedia.com MANAGING DIRECTOR: Zsolt Erdei zsolt.erdei@humenmedia.com EDITORIAL TEAM: Patrik Zsebedits, Barbara Szij, Milán Krajczár, János G. Kocsis, Zsolt Erdei GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Zsuzsanna Gere PRINTED BY: Keskeny és Társai Nyomdaipari Kft., H-1158 Budapest, Rákospalotai határút 6.

HUMEN TRAVEL 1

4 BRUSSELS

8 VIENNA

11 NEW YORK

14 ISRAEL

18 PRAGUE

21 COLOMBIA

24 JAPAN

28 USEFUL TIPS TO PLAN YOUR TRIP

30 HOW TO PACK YOUR SUITCASE 2

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32 IBIZA

36 BERLIN

40 SUMMER CITIES

42 CYCLING INTO THE SUNSET

44 SOPRON

48 MALTA

51 TAIPEI

54 THAILAND

58 BUDAPEST HUMEN TRAVEL 3

BRUSSELS

Party, sightseeing, party – come to

BRUSSELS! 4

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BRUSSELS

Is it possible that Brussels is not only the capital of Europe, but the capital of gays, too? Besides the usual pride, there will be a La Démence party and a Bearpride as well. However, in addition to partying endlessly, you should definitely spend some of your time sightseeing, since you can never know where you meet the next cute guy – perhaps at the European Parliament, the Atomium or the Laeken Palace.

Since Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium, but Europe as well, this city is a true melting pot of various nations and congregations. Many of the central governing bodies of the European Union operates from here, resulting in a high fluctuation of residents. But some of its notable elements are more constant: the Manneken Pis, the Grand Place, the Atomium, the Royal Palace as well as the Palace of Justice awaits visitors all year round.

After you have visited all the beautiful sights, you are free to immerse yourself in the numerous parties dedicated to the LGBTQ community and their friends. The La Démence party series kicks off spring with a three-day event on Easter weekend.

At the main party on 20 April, sixty dancers, go-go dancers and acrobats are going to dazzle audiences at Palais 12, a 115,000 m2 exhibition and entertainment center. Such a huge area should suffice for everyone young and old, from gym bunnies to bears and leather fetishists as well as transvestites to dance away the night – or, perhaps, to conduct other pleasurable acts...

If you simply can’t wait for the summer pride season, we have good news for you: Brussels holds its pride in the middle of May. The two-week event series begins on 3 May, while the parade itself takes place on 18 May. The colourful march goes right through the centre of Brussels.

For the preceding two weeks, organizers prepared a bunch of astonishing performances, amazing concerts and culinary events so you can never get bored. You can also get to know various LGBTQ organizations.

If you would like to see Brussels in the fall, too, you can come back in October for the 9th Bearpride where the bears of Brussels welcome their bearded fellows and their friends for a four-day celebration. Besides the parties, you can also enjoy a number of cultural events both at historical and bear-related locations. The main attraction will be the finals of the Mr. Bear contest where visitors can also vote for the sexiest bear while enjoying the stunning interiors and the outstanding DJ sets. Do not miss it – unless you are repulsed by body hair.

Discovering Brussels includes some fascinating sights, too. Did you know that the Manneken Pis, the little peeing boy

HUMEN TRAVEL 5

Brussels

COUNTRY:

Belgium LGBT RIGHTS:

marriage equality since 1 June 2003 AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE:

23°C AIRPORT TRANSFER:

direct bus or train service TIME ZONE:

CET

EVENTS PRIDE WEEK 3–19 May

PRIDE MARCH 18 May

BEARPRIDE 3–6 October

LA DÉMENCE 30TH ANNIVERSARY 31 October - 3 November

OUR SUGGESTIONS LE BOYS BOUDOIR

bar with various programs (karaoke, parties) leboysboudoir

LE FONTAINAS

café with DJs playing on Sunday afternoons Le-Fontainas

NATION CLUB

party6 place HUMEN TRAVEL NationClubBrussels

statue has a huge wardrobe? The residents of the city can choose from 900 different outfits – not even his sister (a less famous, but similarly adorable little peeing girl) has this variety.

The Atomium, which was originally built for the 1958 World Fair, became a symbol of the city over the decades. While from the topmost of the nine spheres there is a stunning view, at the foot of the giant monument you can “walk around” almost all of Europe among the miniature models of famous buildings in Mini Europe. The park houses around 350 buildings from 80 cities as well as a model of Mount Vesuvius.

Although Brussels has an amazing Royal Palace, the Queen and King of Belgium primarily uses it as their office, while their actual living place is the Laeken Palace. Both places are well worth a visit, especially in the

summer, since certain rooms are open to the public (admission is free, of course), and the botanical gardens of the Laeken Palace are sure to take your breath away.

Let’s go from riches to rags now! You can find amazing treasures at the flea markets of Brussels – we suggest visiting the Jeu-deBalle. The most special pieces can be found on Sundays, but it is open every day, and you never know when you find something interesting.

Oh, and we have almost forgotten about the two things that pop into everyone’s mind when you mention Belgium: chocolate and beer. Or beer and chocolate, depending on which one you like more. If you are more of a gourmet, definitely give a go to chocolate bonbons filled with beer, or one of the many chocolate-flavoured beers

be yourself be .brussels

Come as you are! www.visit.brussels/lgbt

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VIENNA

Proud

VIENNA

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VIENNA

The World’s Most Liveable City As noted by the title, Vienna is the most liveable city on the planet, hosting a nearly endless number of cultural events, concerts and shopping facilities.

I tried to summarize the essence of Vienna into a single sentence, a vain idea I admit.

Instead, I came up with a detailed description (without losing face).

Again, Vienna was voted as the most liveable city in the world in 10 consecutive years, thanks to its commitment to development, its excellent infrastructure, social services and cultural scene. Metro, bus and tram networks cover the whole city and the fares are reasonable. The city council is paying close attention to the environment-friendly and sustainable nature of the operation, thus the air is fairly clean compared to other European metropolises.

In spite of the countless innovations, the city retains its historic charm. The St. Stephen’s Cathedral regained its former glory, old school café houses are serving the same melange as they did in the age of Sigmund Freud, and the destruction of WWII were successfully fixed.

Fashionwise, Vienna never fails to impress.

The approximately 350 shops in Mariahilfer Strasse (the German word for street) and the posh boutiques at Kärntner Strasse leave even the pickiest of us satisfied. Take a break in the midst of “hunting” and enjoy a Sacher cake in one of the confectioneries.

The city is a haven for gay couples, you can walk down the street hand-in-hand without fear. Conchita Wurst, the winner of the Eurovision 2014 never encountered rejection or came across rude people, wherever she went in town. The testament of the blooming LGBTQ+ community in the city is the bookshop Löwenherz, selling gay and lesbian fiction exclusively.

After 18 years, Europride is returning to Vienna between 1-16 June, expecting more

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Vienna

COUNTRY:

Austria LGBT RIGHTS: same-sex marriage legal since 1 January 2019 AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE:

25°C AIRPORT TRANSFER: by bus or by train, both have stops in the center TIME ZONE: CET

EVENTS DIVERSITY BALL 4 May

VIENNA BOYLESQUE FESTIVAL 23–24 May

VIENNA FETISH SPRING 29 May – 2 June

EUROPRIDE 2019 1–16 June

LIFE BALL 8 June

VIENNA FETISH WEEK, VIENNA IN BLACK 31 October – 3 November

OUR SUGGESTIONS MAREA ALTA

karaoke and drag queen bar marea.alta.at

SLING BAR

pre-drinks bar with various programs BarVienna

CAFÉ SAVOY

traditional Viennese coffee house CafeSavoyVienna

VILLAGE BAR

bar and dance club 10 HUMEN TRAVEL VillageBarVienna

than a million visitors from all over the world.

There is no shortage of annual LGBTQ+ events, as well: in the name of charity the Rainbow Ball, hosted in Schönbrunn Palace, opens with polonez, followed up by Vienna Waltz, foxtrot and samba. The Life Ball, the largest anti-AIDS event in the world is the next in line. Leather and rubber come out to play during the Viennese Fetish Spring, a large thematic event at end of the polonaise season.

In the MuseumsQuartier the Leopold Museum boasts pieces of art ranging from the Vienna Secession, through modernism to Austrian Expressionism. In front of it, you can find the basalt-lava stone facade of the Modern Art Museum, boasting works of Pablo Picasso and Francis Bacon. In the Architekturzentrum Wien, you can familiarize yourself with the quirks of Austrian architecture history. In the historical center of the city lies the Albertina Museum, housing works of Monet and Picasso, among others.

Among stars touring around in Europe, Vienna is a common stop. Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Lana Del Rey and Rihanna all performed here. Keep your eyes open if you don’t want to miss the show: tickets for the concerts by popular musicians are sold out overnight. Getting a ticket for this year’s Cher concert, for example, would come with a heavily inflated price from second-hand dealers. Apart from her, Bon Jovi, Dido,

Metallica, Michael Bublé and Elton John are also putting on a concert in 2019.

If visiting museums, concerts, going on a shopping spree, or having a snack on terraces of café houses are not satisfying your thirst for adventure, then go the Prater, the famous amusement park of Vienna, which includes the Wiener Riesenrad Ferris wheel: at the top of it, 65 meters above the ground you can enjoy the amazing cityscape. Moreover, packed with turbulent roller coasters, spooky ghost trains and attractions of all sorts – there is hardly any other place in the world to challenge your senses in such an intoxicating way. Time flies here while spending a few pleasurable hours with your family, enjoying the Prater highlights or just having dinner with friends.

As the icing on the cake, there is even a Madame Tussauds here.

Vienna is teeming with landmarks of all sorts: the Schönbrunn Palace; the Belvedere Museum and Palace; the Hofburg, former seat of the Habsburg Monarchy, the Spanish Riding School, the Vienna City Hall, the Hundertwasserhaus and the Austrian Parliament Building are just a few to mention.

All in all, Vienna is always a good choice to visit.

NE W YORK

NEW YORK City under the rainbow - WorldPride 2019

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New York

COUNTRY:

United States of America LGBT RIGHTS:

© NYC & WALTER WLODARCZYK

same-sex marriage and adoption are legal since 2015 AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE:

25°C

AIRPORT TRANSFER:

JFK and Newark: by train or by bus LaGuardia: by bus TIME ZONE:

CET -06:00

EVENTS

WORLDPRIDE MONTH 1–30 June

WORLDPRIDE NYC MARCH 30 June

OUR SUGGESTIONS CLUB CUMMING

cabaret, comedy and parties clubcumming

METROPOLITAN

drinks bar with drag queen shows metrobarbk

BARRACUDA LOUNGE drinks bar BarracudaLounge

THE STONEWALL INN

drinks bar and dance club, the iconic starting point for gay rights movements TheStonewallInn

Where else could be this year’s WorldPride organized than in New York City? 50 years ago, the fight for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community began here at the Stonewall Inn, so focusing on this chain of events was only obvious this year. Don’t be scared, the organizers are also throwing huge parties besides the commemoration. Anyway, traveling to NYC is always a good idea, and bear in mind that the next similar anniversary will be in 50 years, so don’t miss out on this one.

More than 3 million people are expected to arrive for this year’s WorldPride event in NYC, the largest city in the United States of America. No better place or time could be imagined for socializing and expanding your network. New York has long been famous for its nightlife, and especially its thriving gay scene, but it had not always been the case. Let’s see how it all began!

On 28 June 1969, the Stonewall riots heralded the birth of the gay liberation movement in America. From today’s perspective it is hard to imagine, especially in the case of America that gay people could not lead a contempt-free life back then. There were only a few openly gay places. The Stonewall Inn was in the clutches of the Mafia and was frequented by the poorest, most excluded members of the LGBTQ+ community: drag queens, transgenders, fems, butch lesbians, hustlers and the homeless youth. The police often raided these places. On June 28, 1969, however, visitors of the bar rebelled against the harrassment. Over the next few days, more spontaneous, violent demonstrations were held all over the city: gays and lesbians wanted to have spaces where they can express their sexual orientation without fear of being arrested. After the events, LGBTQ+ rights organizations were formed, and on June 28, 1970, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago remembered the events of the previous year by organizing marches. This year New York is celebrating the 50th anniversary with the largest ever WorldPride event. And there is something to celebrate, as today all states in the US grant equal rights to marry and to adopt for gay couples, conforming to the trend spreading worldwide.

LGBTQ+ movies, family cinema evenings, cosplay events, Human Rights Conference, roof parties, garden parties, NYC Pride Ride, running races, pool parties - It’s almost impossible to list the number of programs starting on the 1 June, and ending with the grand finale, the parade on Sunday, 30 June.

Of course, NYC is a perfect destination all year round. The city never sleeps,

KAI

© NYC & WALTER WLODARCZYK

What do you like about New York City? Why do you live here?

I love the vibes and the energy of the city. It feels like you are placed in the centre of the universe. There is so much to do and see in the

almost all the nations of the world are represented here, there is no end to the cool, chic, classy, historic, or brand new restaurants, cafes, and entertainment venues. Turkish, Lebanese, Hungarian, Venezuelan, Argentinian, Japanese - no matter what kind of food you dig or wanna try, you will find it here.

According to two young gay New Yorker guys, the city’s level of energy is fascinating, as if this metropolis would be the center of the universe. Opt for a walk if you’re here – taking the taxi or the subway means you would miss the beauty of the city.

Theater means Broadway – people queuing in lines are waiting for any remaining tickets to buy last minute.

No matter what you are watching, you will definitely have fun. Besides being a major commercial intersection of Midtown Manhattan at the junction of Broadway and the Seventh Avenue, Times Square is one of the most popular tourist spots along with the 46-meter-high and 204-ton Statue of Liberty, a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. Central Park is the best choice for a relaxing picnic or active recreation: running, baseball, basketball, roller skating – almost any sport can be played in the park.

The walls of the World Trade Center Ground Zero memorial bear the names of the 3000 victims who died in the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. The former twin towers of the World Trade Center, with their 411 meters height, were the tallest buildings in the city. If you are on Wall

Street, one of the most important financial centers in the world, don’t miss the Charging Bull, the iconic symbol of the stock market. A global power city, New York City has been described as the cultural, financial, and media capital of the world, and exerts a significant impact upon commerce, entertainment, research, technology, education, politics, tourism, art, fashion, and sports. The museum scene alone is worth a visit. The Museum of Modern Art offers a great selection of works by Matisse, Picasso, Warhol and Kiki Smith. The Guggenheim Museum, dubbed as the „temple of the soul”, was featured in several films due to its cylindrical shape. Its exhibitions boast artworks by Chagall and Kandinsky among others. Built from the donations of poor Irish immigrants, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is adjacent to Rockefeller Center, standing as a symbol of religious freedom and tolerance. After a visit to the NeoGothic cathedral, you can enjoy a tasty lunch at one of Rockefeller Center’s restaurants or you can go for a shopping trip.

Gay life is just as vibrant as the rest of the city. You will find the hottest spots in the Hell’s Kitchen area. Therapy opens every day at five p.m. and five times a week the best drag queens – for example, Bianca Del Rio, Bob the Drag Queen or Monet X Change – are performing. The Industry Bar, Hardware Bar, Posh, Rise or Barrage could be a good choice, too.

city.

What’s your favorite place in NYC? Dumbo is my favorite area. Walking along the East River and watching the Manhattan skyline is one of my favorite things to do on weekends.

Which is your favorite gay bar or gay party in NYC? The Stonewall Inn, which has become a national monument of gay history over the decades, is definitely an iconic bar of the city. Hell’s Kitchen is nowadays a hub of gay culture.

Why should we go to NYC for World Pride this summer?

This will be the largest pride celebration in the world this summer, marking the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots and the birth of modern LGBTQ rights. You shouldn’t miss it!

NOEL What do you like about the city?

New York is immensely international. When you land at one of the airports of New York, you might catch a poster saying there is a good three digit number of languages spoken in this city.

What’s your favorite spot in New York that you’d recommend?

My absolute favorite part of the city is West Village, you’ll pass by a few boutique stores housed in brick townhouses, walk under shadowy green trees. It’s good for a change once you’re tired of the crowds.

Why should we visit New York and the World Pride this year?

It was 50 years ago that the LGBTQ movement started with the Stonewall uprising in New York. It’s only spring but you can already see a number of campaigns and exhibitions commemorating the 50th anniversary of this movement. If you planned to visit New York for Pride, possibly this year is the right time, otherwise you have to wait another 50 years for the 100th anniversary.

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ISR AEL

The country with a thousand faces

ISRAEL

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Various sacred locations of different religions; natural wonders; unforgettable culinary delights; one of the most popular Pride festivals in the world – Israel offers all of this and more.

ISR AEL Israel’s most popular tourist spots – Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, Eilat and Haifa – all have something special for visitors – you only have to choose the destination that best suits your needs. If you really want to immerse yourself in the “rainbow spirit”, we would suggest participating in Tel Aviv Pride – with 250,000 other people. Yes, you heard it right. “The gay capital of the Middle East” is a true melting pot of multicultural heritage where Jews, Muslims, Christians and those still finding their path live together in peace and prosperity. Naturally, the annual Pride March attracts a similarly diverse crowd.

This year, the main event will be held on 14 June at 2pm in the Charles Clore Park.

Visitors at this time of year can expect masses of men with perfectly toned abs roaming the streets – without their shirts, of course.

In addition to amazing parties and goodlooking men, the city offers tons of exciting activities. The mixture of the European atmosphere, the Middle-Eastern cuisine, the Mediterranean climate and a wide range of cultural programs make Tel Aviv a perfect destination. Although the city of Tel Aviv was only founded in 1880, the adjoining Jaffa has been inhabited since 7500 BC. Narrow alleys, ancient stone buildings, museums, churches and mosques await believers and curious tourists alike.

Tel Aviv’s Neve Tzedek district is a true gem for history geeks, since one of the oldest dwelling houses, the Rokach House can be found here. Those more interested in modern times will be happy to hear that Tel Aviv also has amazing Bauhaus buildings, while theater lovers shall always find something interesting at the Suzanne Dellal Center for Dance and Theater.

Besides its ancient history and architecture, Tel Aviv offers world-class restaurants as well. If you are more into home cooking, you can find everything from fish to fresh produce and amazing spices at the local markets. Signature dishes that you simply cannot miss are kubbe, hummus and falafel, with a beigel or baklava as a dessert. When you are full to the brim with delicacies, walk down to one of the beaches and enjoy the sunshine on the white sands.

Israel’s capital and one of the most ancient cities in the world, Jerusalem is considered a sacred place for those of Jewish, Christian and Muslim faith alike. Surrounded by a wall, the Old City can be entered through eight gates: the Zion Gate, the Dung Gate,

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COUNTRY:

Israel LGBT RIGHTS: same-sex marriage legal since 2010, adoption is legal since 2005 AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE: around 35°C, humid but largely devoid of rain TIME ZONE: CET +01:00

EVENTS PRIDE WEEK 13–16 June

PRIDE MARCH 14 June

OUR SUGGESTIONS SHPAGAT

café during the day, club at night shpagatlv

AMAZONA BAR party place amazonab

HILTON BEACH beach

APOLO CLUB

dance club 16 HUMEN TRAVEL apolo.telaviv

the Gate of Mercy, the Lion’s Gate, Herod’s Gate, the Damascus Gate, the New Gate and the Jaffa Gate. The Via Dolorosa, the way of the cross leads from the Lion’s Gate to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Another notable church is the Dome of the Rock, the most beautiful building of Jerusalem. At its middle, you can find the Foundation Stone which is the holiest site in Judaism. Though Muslims now pray towards the Kaaba at Mecca, they once faced the Temple Mount as the Jews do. The Wailing (or Western) Wall was originally erected as part of the expansion of the Second Jewish Temple. Its name refers to the practice of Jews weeping at the site over the destruction of the Temples.

One of the most popular holiday destinations of Israel, Eilat is located in the Negev Desert in the south corner of the country. Its main selling point is that the Red Sea’s temperatures do not go below 20°C even in the winter. Besides frolicking in the water, you can also take tours in boats made of transparent material which allow for visitors to marvel at the beautiful coral reefs underwater. You can also have some fun

with dolphins, and the botanical garden in the northern part of the city is sure to dazzle you.

Swimming in the sea is always a special experience, but the Dead Sea is something more. Its salt levels are at around 25-30% (810 times more than the average) which makes for a pretty harsh environment in which plants and animals cannot flourish, hence its name.

Because of its density, it makes swimming similar to floating. The high salinity is also great for various skin diseases, and it can have a great effect on muscle and joint problems.

Dead Sea salts and mud are used in many skin care products for their beneficial effects.

For a quick trip outside Tel Aviv, Haifa is a great choice. In this northern Israeli port city you can dip your toe in the Mediterranean Sea, and discover the Stella Maris Monastery on Mount Carmel and, nestled below it, the Cave of Elijah. At “the eighth miracle of the world”, the Bahá’í gardens you can feel the ancient royal atmosphere of the Middle East and have a marvelous view of the city and the port.

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PR AGUE

PRAGUE - Love at first sight

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PR AGUE I am pretty sure that when people are asked what pops into their mind when thinking about Prague, they probably say the Charles Bridge and delicious Czech beers.

However, one of the most beautiful European capitals offers so much more besides these masterpieces.

The Dancing House, the first cappuccino of my life, the very handsome half Czech, half Spanish barista boy (on whom I am still crushing nowadays), and the huge, alien – like baby sculptures of David Cerny – these are my most prominent memories of Prague. Then comes the rest: the Petřín Lookout Tower, the Golden Lane, the Saint Vitus Cathedral, the Kampa Museum and the Mucha Museum, and last but not least, a mind-blowing Bastille concert. Although I had my fair share of travels around Europe since my trip to Prague many years ago, I am contemplating going back to the Golden City again and again. The elegant and proud charm of Prague has not got lost on me, and I believe that anybody who has ever visited the city shares this opinion.

When it comes to accommodation, you have practically endless choices from cheap hostels to luxury hotels, and even floating boat hotels on the Vltava. You can easily get around the city with the countless trams as well as the metro, but, in case you choose to book a room in the inner city, you can reach all of the notable sights by walking. I loved wandering around the beautiful buildings richly decorated with sculptures, paintings and ornamental stucco. These historical houses are in remarkable condition - the city obviously pays a lot of attention to dutiful renovation.

The Charles Bridge is probably the most photographed sight of Prague. Connecting the Old Town and the Lesser Town, the bridge is lined with 30 Baroque sculptures of various religious and historical figures. It is worth checking out at different times of the day since it evokes a different sensation every single time you visit it. You can take

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Prague

COUNTRY:

Czech Republic LGBT RIGHTS: registered partnerships are legal since 2006, vote on same-sex marriage bill is expected to take place in 2019 AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE:

23°C AIRPORT TRANSFER:

by bus numbered 100, 119, 191 from the airport

EVENTS RAINBOW SPRING 3–5 May

PRIDE WEEK 5–11 August

BEAR SUMMER 7–11 August

PRIDE MARCH 10 August

OUR SUGGESTIONS DANDY

café, drinks bar, with some music in the evening dandyprague

THE SAINTS BAR drinks bar TheSaintsBar

CLUB TERMIX

party place club.termix 20 HUMEN TRAVEL

the most mysterious pictures of it in the evening or at dawn when the mists emerge from the river below.

Surrounded with Roman, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo buildings, the Old Town Square is a popular meeting place for tourists and locals alike. In the middle of the square you can find the statue of Jan Hus, a martyr and a key predecessor to Protestantism.

It may be obvious, but you should definitely check out the Castle of Prague with the Gothic Saint Vitus Cathedral. Walk through the Powder Tower Gate to the New Town where you can find the majestic Wenceslas Square, then discover the Spanish Synagogue as well as the Municipal House, a breathtaking Art Nouveau building hosting a variety of cultural events including exhibitions and concerts.

However, Prague is not only famous for its incredible architecture - it also offers unforgettable views from various lookout points. One of these is the 216-meterhigh Žižkov Television Tower. As I have mentioned before, I was fascinated by the giant baby sculptures of David Cerny which climb up on the sides of this tower. A pretty memorable sight indeed. Another popular spot is the Petřín Lookout Tower a.k.a. “the Eiffel Tower of Prague”. In case you are not in the mood to climb the 327-meter-high Petřín Hill, you can take the funicular. This convenient solution is going to seem even more enticing when you consider that the top of the 60-meter-high tower can be reached by climbing 299 steps. However, the 360° panorama will surely compensate you for the

effort. As an added bonus you can also take a cool selfie up there.

Culture junkies can find excellent spots around the city, too. Located near the Charles Bridge, one of the best museums I have ever visited was the Kampa Museum on Kampa Island, a modern art gallery showing Central European, and in particular Czech works. Fans of contemporary art and literature will be delighted to hear that Franz Kafka’s memory is not only preserved in the Kafka Museum by an exhibition displaying the writer’s original manuscripts and first editions, but an 11-meter-high stainless steel sculpture of his head by the aforementioned David Cerny, too. In case you are into more traditional art, the Mucha Museum will dazzle you with the works of the most prominent member of Czech Art Nouveau, Alphonse Mucha In recent years, the Pride Festival in Prague has grown to be the largest in Eastern Europe. Last year, almost 100,000 people were registered at the various programs, with about 40,000 marching. This year it will be held from 5 to 11 August, with the parade taking place on 10 August on Saturday.

The march starts at noon on Prague’s main square, Wenceslas Square, and moves through an avenue lined with palaces, international boutiques, and trees to the so-called ‘Pride Park’ on the other side of the Vltava. In the evening, dirty dancing awaits at the official after party where you can get acquainted with both Czech and international guests.

COLOMBIA

A FIERY FIESTA –

COLOMBIA WELCOMES YOU WITH OPEN ARMS

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COUNTRY:

Colombia LGBT RIGHTS:

equal marriage since 28 April 2016 AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE:

depends on altitude, between 15 and 30°C TIME ZONE:

CET -06:00

EVENTS CARTAGENA PRIDE WEEK 7–11 AUGUST

CARTAGENA PRIDE MARCH 10 AUGUST

OUR SUGGESTIONS THEATRON, BOGOTÁ party place theatron.co

CLUB PUNTO 59, BOGOTÁ dance club puntobar.crossover

BAR LE PETIT, CARTAGENA

restaurant during the day, club at night BARLEPETITSTUDIO54

LA PLANCHA, CARTAGENA club

LAPLANCHAGAYCARTAGENA

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“The only risk is wanting to stay”, says the new country slogan of Colombia. It’s definitely easy to fall in love with the South American country: its people’s endless joie de vivre, the amazing carnivals, the delicious coffee, the hospitality, the stunning landscapes and rich wildlife will surely dazzle you. And we haven’t even mentioned the historical treasures.

Discover Colombia!

An unlimited joie de vivre is characteristic of Latin nations, and Colombian people are no exception from this rule. No matter how poor they are, they never complain, rather they find things that life is worth living for: for music, for dancing, for the smell of the sea, or for fine rum.

They love not only life with a great ferocity, but also their home country. They can talk about anything Colombian with such enthusiasm that can easily grip you. And if they grow to like you, you’ll find a real friend in them.

Weather also contributes greatly to the mental balance of locals. There are no seasons, the weather is determined by the altitude. On the seaside, the constant temperature is about 30 degrees; in Medellín at 1500 meters, it is usually around 20-25 degrees, while in Bogotá, at 2500 meters, it is between 10-20 degrees.

Colombia is synonymous with carnivals, fiestas and celebration. In Medellín, the center of orchid cultivation, a flower festival is held each year, while Barranquilla on the Caribbean coast celebrates with noisy parades during which

COLOMBIA

neighbors often compete with each other by trying to outdo each other’s loudspeakers.

People are dancing in the streets, in nightclubs and at home, which is typical for the country anyways – everyone is dancing here. Even if it’s just a regular Sunday afternoon, when lunch is finished, the tables are pushed to the wall, and grandchildren dance with their grandparents.

As for LGBTQ entertainment, you can mostly find bars and parties in the capital, Bogotá, and on the seaside in Cartagena.

Bogotá has such a thriving gay scene that even a gay quarter, Chapinero has formed over the years. Here you can find El Recreo de Adan whose popularity soared so high that another venue had to be opened in another district. They offer more than 40 different kinds of cocktails, and, in addition to listening to English and Spanish pop hits, you also have the chance to sing. The Cavu Bar is open only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but on those days you can dance well into the morning hours after a drag show. Disco Jaguar has two dance floors and even a “built-in” sex shop.

The Le Petit in Cartagena is a restaurant during the day which turns into a gay club at night playing tunes by Shakira, Maluma and other Latinx artists. The coolest place is the Roma Club, popular among tourists and locals alike.

Colombia’s nature attractions are pretty impressive. “The five-colored river” named Caño Cristales boasts waterfalls, natural pools and, as its nickname suggests, a beautiful swirl of colors. Part of the Amazon rainforest is located in the country, which is inhabited by native people who are still living their lives without basically any modern amenities. The Tayrona National Park is located on the Caribbean coast and boasts

breathtaking beaches, while the jungle and the snow-capped peaks of Sierra Nevada provide a perfect background. Right next to Bogotá you can also pray in a salt cathedral.

After discovering these natural wonders, let’s have some urban adventures! Bogotá is a true metropolis with its 10 million inhabitants. The city is characterized by colonial style as well as the clashing of old and new. Spanish, French, Argentinian and Peruvian influences can all be recognized in the local cuisine. The second largest city of the country, Medellín has a fantastic museum dedicated to the oeuvre of Fernando Botero. Another must-see attraction is the 198-meter-high rock at Guatapé which you can climb up to on 700 steps – from the top, you can supposedly see the most beautiful panorama view in the world. Salento is worth a visit for discovering the secrets behind the best Colombian coffee. You will also have the chance to try some local home-made dishes. The old town of Cartagena is like a history book come to life. Get on a horse-drawn carriage, ride around the colorful streets, and taste the wide range of tropical fruits. Now let’s get back to dancing – to Cali, the capital of salsa. Between two dance moves, visit the breathtaking Gothic building of the Iglesia la Ermita church, or climb up the Cerro de los Cristales (Hill of the Crystals) to the 26-meter-high statue of Christ the King. And if you get thirsty, definitely try the refreshing lulo juice – this Latin American fruit looks like an orange from the outside and unripe green tomato from the inside. If you are more adventurous, you can also have some lulada, which also has lime juice, water, and sugar beside the lulo juice. It often has the texture and consistency of a smoothie and is sometimes served with a shot of vodka.

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JAPAN

THE MYSTERIOUS EAST

– the secrets of

JAPAN Over the last few years, Japan became one of the hottest destinations in the world. Futuristic skyscrapers, flashing arcades, serene bamboo forests and graceful temples are waiting for you.

People are generally nice, the food is spectacular, and the public transport is almost infamously dedicated to punctuality. Nature, history and technology all combined will make your trip unforgettable.

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JAPAN Japan consists of four main islands. Each of them is a hidden world on its own, yet if you can only visit one then the best choice would be the island of Honshu. In Kyoto, Old-World Japan comes alive – geishas clad in colorful kimonos are stepping out from wooden tea houses, bamboo forests are inviting you for a stroll, gleaming silver, red, gold temples and shrines are commanding respect, and the markets are teeming with exotic ingredients unknown to European travelers.

To escape from the concrete jungle of the inner city, head towards the mountains.

Narrow streets, ancient wooden houses, monks in flowing robes and the sound of the gongs are living testaments of ages past. Enjoy an authentic tea ceremony with “cha-kaiseki” (dinner served before the tea), spend a night in a ryokan, where you can sleep on tatami mats, a flooring unique to Japan. In the communal bath men and women are separated; you can shower while sitting on a small chair followed by a dip in the hot pool.

If you are opting for something less traditional, go to The Thousand Kyoto.

This brand-new hotel proudly displays the belief that love is universal. Although Japan officially does not recognize samesex marriage, the hotel has something in store for willing same-sex couples: they offer you a two days-one night deal, while organizing a beautiful ceremony in the garden’s wedding chapel, dressing you in an authentic kimono, serving an awesome dinner and tending to your every whim thanks to your own dedicated receptionist.

Can you imagine anything better?

As the capital of Japan, Tokyo has an abundance of sights and attractions.

The ultra-modern metropolis is filled with themed cafes: cats, owls, robots, goats, anything you wish for. If it’s not enough, then go to a go-kart track around town, where you can race around cosplaying Mario. The locals’ sense of fashion, especially the younger generations, and the large mass of people crossing the road when the lights are changing to green might shock you. Of course, Tokyo is not just about concrete, steel and glass: countless parks are the dotting the city. They are at their most beautiful during spring, when cherry trees are blossoming and during autumn, when the leaves are turning.

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COUNTRY:

Japan LGBT RIGHTS:

partnership certificates are issued in certain towns to samesex couples AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE:

25°C TIME ZONE:

CET +08:00

EVENTS TOKYO PRIDE 28–29 April

OUR SUGGESTIONS ARTY FARTY, TOKYO drinks bar www.arty-farty.net

THE ANNEX, TOKYO party place artyfarty_annex

DRAGON MEN, TOKYO dance club DRAGONMEN69

LEO LOUNGE, TOKYO drinks bar with karaoke leoloungetokyo 26 HUMEN TRAVEL

Among the attractions, the Imperial Palace, standing in the park called Higashi-Gyoen, is definitely a must. This is the last place on Earth hosting a monarch titled emperor. Sensō-ji is an ancient Buddhist temple founded in 645 AD, which makes it the oldest temple in Tokyo. At the temple’s entrance, the imposing Kaminarimon Gate’s centerpiece, a magnificent red and black lantern measuring 3.9-meters high, 3.3-meters wide and weighing roughly 700 kilograms is said to be guarding Sensoji from storm, flood and fire. Tokyo Tower is an Eiffel Tower-inspired lattice structure offering a great view of almost the whole buzzing town. It is nearly 333 meters high, and it houses several tourist attractions, including the Guinness World Records Museum Tokyo and a hologram gallery named Gallery DeLux. More than 2,000 tons of fish is handled daily at Tsukiji market, but you can find here different sorts of meats, flowers, vegetables and fruits, too. Maybe one of the most interesting parts is Akihabara, the Electric Town. You will encounter the latest gadgets here; most of them are free to try. You can even save some money in the duty free shops. If this part of Tokyo is not

amazing enough for you, then you can visit the Tokyo Disneyland and the DisneySea. Prepare yourself for a breakneck roller coaster and Minnie Mouse wearing a kimono.

The snow-capped peak of Japan’s highest mountain, the Fuji shall not be missing from the background of any postcard. The 3776 meters high volcano has a symmetrical cone and it’s a real tourist trap; approximately 2000 people are climbing it per year, taking 3 to 8 hours to reach the summit. The descent could be done in 2 to 4 hours.

Takachiho Gorge, located on Kyushu Island is a true beauty. Turquoise rivers, waterfalls, basalt columns and lush greenery as far as the eye can see. The gorge was carved out by the Gokase river and you can explore it on foot or by boat. In northern Kyushu, Kawachi Fuji Garden’s most prominent features are two, roughly 100 meter long tunnels of wisteria trees of differing varieties and colors, ranging from white to dark purple. It seems that Japanese people are all about wisteria and cherry blossom. Finally, the baby blue flowers blooming every year around mid-April in Hitachi Seaside park will blow your socks off.

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USEFUL TIPS TO PLAN YOUR TRIP Our aim is to make your travels around the world as easy and as enjoyable as possible. Besides packing trips (turn to the next page for those!) we would also like to help in choosing your destination. As an LGBTQ+ person, there are still a few places which are quite risky to travel to, and it can be quite hard to find businesses catering to the needs of our community. Either traveling alone, with your partner or with a larger group, it’s important to check in advance what accommodation you’re booking, and how trustworthy is your host if you’re opting for something other than a hotel. Keep these in mind in order to make the most out of your dream holiday. Nightmares are anything but beautiful, sorry Beyoncé.

CURRENT SITUATION OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY Gay relationships are still criminalized in some African countries, and a very severe punishment can be imposed on someone who engages in sexual relationship with the same sex. Of course, if you are staying in Europe or traveling to America, there is little chance of a hostile encounter, but it is worth ‘mapping out’ how the members of the LGBTQ community are treated in the destination country.

Nowadays, many countries in Europe grant equal marriage and the right to adoption for same-sex couples. These laws indicate how advanced the legal system is (and the society itself) and to what degree they accept gays as citizens of equal value. If you visit such a place, you can be almost certain to relax in an environment free of atrocities – however, unless you are in an actual gay bar, you better take a look around just in case. For destinations where LGBTQ+ people do not enjoy the same rights as their straight counterparts, you may want to look up blogs of gay travelers to see how safe they felt and where they went to have some fun.

ACCOMMODATION There are several options for finding accommodation. In larger cities, you will see more and more gay or gay-friendly hotels, where nobody gives a damn about you and your partner walking hand-in-hand to the pool.

Being single and surrounded by LGBT folks makes it easier to open up. Make sure you check the prices on the hotel website and read the comments on their social media pages before making a reservation.

Another option is to rent an apartment instead. There’s Airbnb and misterb&b. The latter offers accommodation for gays by gays. The evaluation system works well on each site, and you can read the stories of previous guests before booking: what they were the most satisfied with and what they had to deal with. Of course, you can come across a cool and welcoming, or even a gay host on Airbnb, too, but if you want to play safe, stick to misterb&b.

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TRANSPORT In large cities, the public transport system usually works well, it is easy to get from one place to another. However, if you travel to a smaller town, or perhaps you visit an island, not to mention a secluded place, it might be a better idea to rent a car or a motorbike to drive around.

It is important to check in advance, how to get into the city from the airport, or how to reach another distant city. Choosing from several methods of travel (bus, train, subway) is not always an option, and public transport vehicles are not necessarily running very early/late.

Furthermore, taxi or Uber can be very pricy. All in all, before you book your flight ticket, especially if you are not arriving or departing during the day, look around what options you have. Be prepared, otherwise don’t be surprised on the spot that getting to your hotel takes hours or costs a small fortune.

THE GAY SCENE Gay villages dot the cityscape in many towns around Europe, but also in Thailand or in Colombia. Here you can choose from several bars, parties and nightclubs, and you can feel safe and secure in the surrounding streets. If you are craving a good drag queen show, these places are the best ones to get started. Naturally, you can find information about local hot spots and parties on the internet. If you are looking for a crazy night out before traveling, be sure to check out when the biggest gay event of the year is happening at that destination. You can’t go wrong with it.

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HOW TO PACK YOUR SUITCASE – LET US HELP YOU Ticket, passport, debit card - the three most important things to pack.

Also don’t leave your cell phone, charger, sunglasses, earphones and your latest favorite book at home.

Unless you are going on a shopping trip, don’t forget to put in the necessary clothes, too. Razor, hand steamer, toiletries. Off you go!

I don’t know about you, dear reader, but I’m not fond of packing before traveling, I usually leave it to the last minute. Instead, I should make up my mind and cheer for the next opportunity to travel again. Of course, a lot depends on the season and on the length of your travel. For a weekend getaway, stuff could be thrown together fairly quick; even if something is missing, ‘survival’ is much easier, compared to a longer trip with multiple locations. Some of us believe in the power of to-do lists, we prepare everything, then put ticks to squares as things are landing in our suitcase. It is quite a reasonable strategy, to be honest: if you start writing the list in advance, then you will give yourself the time necessary to think it over a few times, and you will less likely forget anything at home.

Let’s see some essentials.

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THE BASICS Underwear, socks, trousers, t-shirts – clothes are must-haves, although if you visit the beach and have no plans to go hiking in the area, your luggage can be much lighter. Two or three pairs of swimwear, a few t-shirts or shirts, and you’re ready. For longer trips, or if you’re not going to the sea, it’s worth checking out what kind of weather you should expect and be prepared so. Even if you go to a major European city and leave something at home, you will have at least one excuse to discover the range of local clothing stores.

I was flying to Thessaloniki last year without shorts – in mid-July…

USEFUL AND PRACTICAL TIPS

Your favorite shirt is in, so far so good.

Alas, you can be almost certain that it will come out of your bag as if someone was playing origami with it for more than an hour just to make your life a little less perfect. Therefore, if you still have some space in your suitcase, bring the Philips Steam & GO Plus compact hand-held steamer with you. It will get rid of the wrinkles in an instant. The same goes for the Philips OneBlade Face + Body razor that trims, molds and shaves. Speaking from experience you’ll need it the most when your body hair starts to go wild. Being clean-cut is always on trend.

JUST CHILLIN’ Everyone has their own recipe for chilling and it can change from time to time. If you go hiking to leave all the stress behind, make sure your hiking boots are not left at home. If you are more into reading or sipping a fine cocktail/coffee, prepare a reading list – in case you are an ebook user, all you need to remember is throwing one device into your bag. If you like to listen to music while on a sightseeing stroll, your best earpods should definitely have their place in your luggage. Finally, if parties turn you on, then pack your sexiest, but most comfortable clothes and shoes so you can dance the night away in style.

SAFETY COMES FIRST!

Under the influence of freedom and one or two cocktails, it is easier to act carelessly. Prepare condoms at home to avoid searching for them in unfamiliar places, and in absence of them try to resist temptation. You will never regret doing the right thing. Moreover, if you need a larger size, you don’t get it everywhere.

In addition, you should be on friendly terms with lubricants, unless you’re into painful experiences.

SKIN CARE & COSMETICS In case of a sunny day, sun lotion is mandatory. If you have a lighter complexion, 15 minutes might be enough for you to burn to a crisp.

Nevertheless, if your skin becomes very dry, the Clinique for Men Maximum Hydrator will help. We also recommend their deodorant to prevent body odor. Although you can get shower gel and shampoo anywhere, if you insist on the quality you are used to at home, then Beardburys’s 3 in 1 should land in your baggage. And so should the wax if you want your hair to look fab. I almost forgot: toothpaste, toothbrush. Nothing is more unpleasant than bad breath.

Visit www.marionnaud.com for more products

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IBIZ A

AN IMMENSELY PRETTY PARTY ISLAND

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IBIZ A Ibiza is a true gay paradise: the whole island is peppered with gay bars and gayfriendly places. When you are too tired to party any more, you can go and relax at one of the beautiful beaches. If you are more into active leisure, you can also do some sightseeing. Let’s go to Ibiza!

When you think of Ibiza, the first things that pop into your mind are probably the endless and limitless parties. I can even hear the evergreen tunes of Vengaboys which goes something likes this: ‘Fly away on Venga airways, fly me high, Ibiza sky…’ Although most people visit this member of the Balearic Islands for the ripped boys (and girls), Ibiza offers so much more.

But let’s get the parties and entertainment possibilities out of the way. Gay people are welcome at any place on the island; Ibiza Town and Figueretas are both packed with gay bars and clubs. San Antonio even has a gay-friendly hotel called The Purple.

The waiters at the Sod (Soap at Dome) Bar look like supermodels from glossy magazines, and they are also very friendly, making Sod the perfect place for a few drinks before the party begins. The Mona Lisa next-door also boasts a number of handsome waiters as well as great cocktails.

If your are into drag shows, we would definitely suggest visiting Bar 22. The MAD Bar Ibiza is famous for its special Mojito, the best way to kick off a crazy night. If you are not afraid of spilling your drink, try the Sunrise where you can sit in swings – you will probably be greeted by the owner, Peter, instantly making you feel like home.

After a little foreplay at one of the aforementioned places, let’s party! There is only one specifically gay club called Lola’s which is quite small, but it is open until the early morning hours. But no worries – there are plenty of larger famously gay-friendly clubs. The TANGA! Party series on Sundays offers the latest hits as well as the best tunes of the 90s and a bunch of r’n’b and latin classics. Sometimes they have themed

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Ibiza

COUNTRY:

Spain LGBT RIGHTS: marriage equality since 3 July 2005 AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE: 25°C TIME ZONE: CET

EVENTS IBIZA GAY PRIDE 12–15 June

MAGICO IBIZA GAY FESTIVAL 19–23 August

OUR SUGGESTIONS SOD - SOAP @ DÔME pre-drinks bar soap.ibiza

PURPLE HOTEL

hotel, restaurant and bar thepurplehotel

ANFORA

party place Anfora

DADO BAR

Matinée parties DADOBARIBIZA

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parties, usually featuring pop icons like Madonna and Britney Spears, but the Tangavision and the Tanga! de Janeiro nights are also unmissable.

Another crowd favorite is the SupermartXé, pegged as “the best party in the world” which is held at the largest club of the world, the Privilege. This is a place where dreams come true. Although the club Pacha does not have a specific gay party, the brand may be familiar from Sitges. Their Ibiza club was the one that made Pacha famous with their VIP service, fireworks and themed nights. Remind us why you are not there yet?

Although gay people are frequent visitors of the island all year round, between 12 and 15 June this year their numbers will only increase due to Ibiza Pride. Can you imagine how crazy it will be?

Now close your eyes and also imagine waking up to the sounds of the sea after a night of dancing and having so much fun.

Ibiza is full of breathtaking beaches, and every one of them is special for one reason or another. Benirrás is for those looking for some spiritual adventures. Those interested gather here on Sundays for a sunset séance accompanied by drums. Cala Carbó, the favorite of the locals, is perfect for lazy days.

You only need to take a good book; you can buy some paella and a glass of cold rosé on the spot. When you start craving some alone time, choose the emerald beach of Cala Olivera, then

sunbathe without anyone bothering you. For the lovers of frutti di mare, we would suggest Cala Mastella where you can find the restaurant El Bigotes – rumour has it that they even refused the King of Spain when he wanted to dine here without a reservation. Do not make this mistake!

Last, but not least, Sol D’en Serra is one of those beaches that look good even in the pale moonlight: enjoy the silver shimmer of the water and the sand while having a (skinny) dip in the water.

In addition to partying and enjoying the beaches, Ibiza also has some pretty sights. Dalt Villa, Ibiza’s old town was built on the side of a hill, surrounded by ancient walls. On the top of the hill you can find two reasons to take the climb for: a beautiful cathedral and the amazing view.

This part of the city is mostly inhabited by locals, but it has a bunch of shops, museums and restaurants catering to tourists.

When you are in San Antonio, you simply cannot miss the Café del Mar which has been open since 1980. Can you imagine anything more beautiful than a perfect sunset above the sea with the most relaxing music in the background?

Finally we have to mention the first theater of Ibiza, the Teatro Pereyra. The interiors are rather old-fashioned with the usual red velvet, crystal chandelier and dark corners, but it is open until 4am, and offers (somewhat pricy, but) great cocktails.

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BERLIN

The thousand colors of

BERLIN

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BERLIN Introducing Berlin in a short article is practically impossible.

Offering an array of different programs, amazing sights, cool cafés and restaurants, the German capital is one of the most diverse and historically complicated cities – a true metropolis attracting everyone from artists to business innovators and, of course, members of the gay community.

Although Christopher Isherwood says Goodbye to Berlin in the title of his novel, it is not so easy to leave this place behind.

Can you imagine that a mere 40 years ago only 400 people marched at Berlin Pride?

The city has changed a lot since then: the Wall was demolished, and Berlin became one of the most liberal and open cities in the world. However, exactly because of its history, Berlin Pride still has a significant political side: it promotes diversity, solidarity and human dignity. It provides space for discussing the problems of the LGBTQ community, while also fighting for equal civil rights. In the name of equality, besides many other initiatives, deaf people are helped by sign language interpreters at events.

The march starts at Kurfürstendamm (colloquially known as Ku’Damm) and ends at the famous Brandenburg Gate.

A symbol of both Berlin and Germany, this Neoclassicist monument has seen many a historical event, among them the parades of the Nazi Army and the victorious cheers of the Red Army as well

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BERLIN

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as the joyful celebrations of Germany’s reunification. Starting at the gate, a grand avenue called Unter den Linden (its name literally meaning ‘under the linden trees’) leads you to the Museum Island. Besides the amazing buildings, a row of currywurst shops await hungry walkers. However, rumour has it that the best currywurst – a sausage drenched in tomato sauce with curry and onions – can be found at Curry36 in the Kreuzberg district.

Berlin hasn’t really got one city centre, rather its districts seem like individual little towns, each with their own centre and unique atmosphere. Most of the famous sights are in the Mitte district – in addition to the Brandenburg Gate and Unter den Linden, you should definitely visit the Cathedral of Berlin as well as the unmissable 250-meter-high TV Tower at Alexanderplatz from which you can see a 360° view of the city. If you are into some light fun, go to Friedrichstrasse which has been full of theaters, cabarets and bars since the 1920s. Since the street was cut in two by the Berlin Wall from 1961, one

of its main attractions today is Checkpoint Charlie, a former border patrol point right in the middle of it.

Even when you’re on vacation, you don’t have to give up your usual training schedule: the Tiergarten Park is ideal for a quick jog and, if you have a little more time on your hands, you can do some running while also sightseeing, including Potsdamer Platz, the embassy district, the Holocaust Memorial and even the Reichstag, the German parliament. If you stop for a moment in front of the latter one, you can see the dedication on its frieze which reads ‘To the German people’.

In the Friedrichshain district you can find the largest open-air gallery of the world: the East Side Gallery is a 1316-meterlong part of the former Berlin Wall which was preserved for artists to paint different pictures on it. One of the most famous images is the one on which the two leaders of the Communist party, Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker kiss each other.

Berlin

COUNTRY:

Germany LGBT RIGHTS: marriage equality since 1 October 2017 AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE:

23°C AIRPORT TRANSFER: bus or S-Bahn (suburban metro) TIME ZONE: CET

EVENTS BERLIN LEATHER AND FETISH WEEK 17–23 APRIL

STADTFEST BERLIN 20–21 JULY Berlin is also the heaven of coffee lovers.

Specialty coffee shops usually have their own roasting plant, so you can have the freshest and tastiest coffee.

Enjoy the rustic charm of THE BARN, browse among the different roasts of Tres Cabezas, or pair the unique beans of Five Elephant with their amazing cakes. In addition to cafés, Berlin has outstanding restaurants, too. The city has something for everyone: Vöner is the spot for vegans, while Grill Royal awaits meat-lovers; from fine-dining (Horváth) to Turkish kebabs (Imren Grill) and a great wiener schnitzel with beer (Prater Garten) to a New York-style dinner (The Bird), you can find the place you are looking for.

So what’s left to do? To party, of course!

The buzzing nightlife of Berlin can be characterized as cool, laid-back, open and progressive. From cruising bars and reggaeton parties as well as crazy techno gigs you can choose your scene.

You can even dance the night away completely naked at the Pornceptual

party which is organized every two months. Although most of Berlin’s clubs does not have a strict dress code, it’s quite difficult to get into the most famous – or rather, the most notorious – club named Berghain. Transformed from a former power plant, the best-known and most esteemed techno and house DJs play here, in a cathedral of concrete and steel. You have the best chance to get in if you silently stand in line with a smaller group, preferably wearing all black, say, at around 4am on a Saturday since the best DJ sets are said to take place around that time. If instead of queuing you would rather spend your time looking at the beautiful panorama while dancing, choose Weekend which is on the 12th and 13th floor of one of the Soviet buildings on Alexanderplatz.

Naturally, Berlin also has specific gay clubs like Connection or SchwuZ.

PRIDE MARCH 27 JULY

FOLSOM EUROPE 11–15 SEPTEMBER

HUSTLABALL

18–20 OCTOBER

OUR SUGGESTIONS MÖBEL OLFE

bar with themed music nights Möbel-Olfe

SCHWUZ

club with three dance floors schwuz

BLOND

bar with karaoke and a restaurant blondbln

PANORAMA

party place BerghainPanoramaBarOfficial HUMEN TRAVEL 39

SUMMER CITIES Adventures from the Cologne Rainbow Parade to the Atlantis of the North Sea

Holidays are so much fun! Everyone means something different by a welldeserved rest: there are those who swear by the bustling city, others enjoy a waterfront holiday. Many seek out notable sights, while others are driven by culture and the arts; sentimental souls swear by romantic atmosphere.

But why should you need to choose? If you want to enjoy all five of the options listed above at the same time, let‘s head to Germany! All you have to do is to immerse yourself in the offers of German Summer Cities. Let’s take a look at what we can do this year! Out of the almost endless possibilities, you can choose a music festival, or the most authentic German pride, or even the largest lakeside festival in the country.

DARMSTADT AND THE SCHLOSSGRABENFEST Beautiful German name for a festival, isn’t it? From 30 May to 2 June, one of the largest German music festivals is held for the 21st time, where you can find almost all musical genres. More than 100 performers on stage, 12 DJs at the parties, 160 hours of music – oh, and it’s 100% free.

COLOGNE AND CHRISTOPHER STREET DAY The Pride of the coolest German city is simply incomparable. One-tenth of Cologne residents belong to the LGBTQ community – after Berlin, it is clearly one of the rainbow capitals of the region. The pride march attracting seven hundred thousand people is a must-see experience here.

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NAUMBURG – SUNSHINE, WINE AND HISTORY

Where the number of sunshine hours per year reaches one thousand and the soil composition is perfect, wine lovers cannot be far away. The 760-hectare SaaleUnstrut wine region is like a picture book: centuries-old stone walls, romantic press houses, and small villages with narrow roads await visitors. During the local summer festivals, the winemakers proudly present their products. Speaking of treasures, Naumburg’s princely cathedral is well worth a mass. Not only because it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, rather because of its outstanding works of art which make it one of the most important cathedrals of the late Middle Ages.

HANNOVER AND THE MASCHSEE FESTIVAL – IN THE SHADOWS OF PALM TREES The blue heart of the city of Lower Saxony turns into a real Mediterranean coastline between 31 July and 18 August, with all the requisite amenities: promenades lined with palm trees, live music, and culinary delights create the perfect atmosphere, and when the lights are turn on, the huge lake reflects the thousand colors of the shore. The cherry on top is one of the largest outdoor parties in the area – no wonder the festival attracts two million visitors each year.

HUSUM - THE GRAY CITY BY THE SEA The name of Husum is probably unknown to most people; however, if you are a sea-lover, here the water literally comes to you. The town is ‘washed’ twice a day by the North Sea, and water tends to get in between the houses right up to the market square. Let’s sit down on the terrace of a café in front of a former merchant’s house, enjoy the historic atmosphere, and just watch the flowing waves. If you are one of those people who cannot be entertained simply by this calming phenomenon, you can get to know the local history of Rungholt in the local museum – the legendary city that was lost to the sea.

The doom of the “Atlantis of the North Sea” in January 1362 was an icy flood caused by a huge storm, which claimed ten thousand lives, and destroyed thirty or more settlements. But we should move on to more peaceful and quieter waters, since Husum’s shores are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Wadden Sea provides a beautiful backdrop for both swimming and long beach walks – it is certainly hard to get away from this unique landscape.

Of course, every season has its own charm in Germany, but when the summer comes, everything becomes a bit more special. Like everywhere else in the world, restaurants and cafes move their tables outdoors, and people fill the terraces.

Picnics are held in the parks, and bars open on rooftops and riverbanks. It becomes almost impossible to choose from the many festivals organized by museums and clubs, or from the parties, and the night programs dedicated to the arts. Everywhere you go, people are celebrating life – German summers are not only wonderfully warm, but also exceptionally diverse. And if you want to cool yourselves down a little, a little ice cream or waterfront will always be nearby.

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CYCLING INTO THE SUNSET Adventures on two wheels on the German seashore

Fresh air, picturesque landscapes, and a thousand possibilities to have an active holiday – a trip to Germany doesn’t have to be only about walking around museums and consuming your weight in beer and sausages. You can try riding, rowing, and rock-climbing – or you can take long walking tours. Instead of what you can do with your two feet, let’s focus on what you can achieve on two wheels!

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Anybody who is looking for an active holiday is going to have a grand time in Germany, since it is one of the most biker-friendly countries in the world. Why not enjoy this eco-friendly way of travelling that gives you the chance to discover beautiful landscapes while moving your body? Germany has the most extensive bicycle route network in Europe. More than 70,000 kilometers of carefully maintained bike roads cross the country, 220 of them specially designed for longer distances.

You simply need to follow the signs to find the route between two larger cities. Should you choose to rest for a while during your trip, or should the weather turn bad, you can continue your trip on bicycle-friendly trains and buses as well as local public transport services. It became a common option over the years, but we still feel obligated to mention that bike rental is also a possibility, be it for a short distance around a city or for longer trips. More than 6,000 so-called Bett & Bike (bed and bicycle) hotels and hostels await visitors, where our loyal two-wheeled companion is offered a full service, too.

Now that we have laid down some foundations, we have mention that the bicycle itself is a German invention.

Baron Karl Drais hopped on the first bike in 1817, more than 200 years ago.

The so-called Laufmaschine (‘running machine’) quickly became a popular means of transport instead of riding horses and walking.

When deciding where the road will take you, you can choose routes depending on your fitness levels – wherever you decide to go, you will find something exciting. Whether you like challenging

mountain terrain, comfortable pedaling on flatter surfaces, or visiting cultural attractions, the enviable bike infrastructure will be a memorable experience.

For example, in the north you can find a route running through the towns on the shore like a string of pearls. The Baltic Sea Cycle Route is part of the international bicycle route EuroVelo10 which connects nine countries in total.

The Baltic Route is actually the first circle route of this European network: you could actually bike around the Baltic Sea right next to the shore – and we only use the conditional tense, because the Baltic Sea is pretty huge to just go around it. The German section of itself is more than 1,000 kilometers – and it’s one of the shorter ones. The primarily flat terrain is rarely interrupted by hilly parts, so it is easily manageable for beginners, or even for kids. Running from Flensburg to the island of Usedom, the road meanders next to the sea all the way; sandy beaches and gaunt cliffs will alternate with the bustle of coastal towns.

Departing from Flensburg, you will find several former resort towns in the Gulf of Lübeck that have been completely restored to their former glory in the past years. In Travemünde, the hustle of boats sailing swiftly to and from the sea will definitely catch your attention as well as the Hanseatic towns on they way.

Parts of UNESCO World Heritage, both Wismar and Stralsund (which is a bit further down the way) are characterized by their beautiful Gothic brick buildings.

It will be a delight to wander around their old town districts. The elegant resort town, Heiligendamm is known for its immaculate white buildings directly facing the sea. Then the route passes through Rügen, the largest island in Germany, whose fabulous chalk cliffs have been even immortalized in fine art.

This bicycle route is only one of the 220 long-distance routes around Germany, but it is probably the best choice for the summer: just imagine the cool sea breeze caressing your face, taking a dip in the water on the way anytime you want, and when reaching the end of the road, just relaxing and cycling into the sunset.

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SOPRON

SOPRON The most loyal festival city

Do you want to party hard for days at concerts of Hungarian and international stars? Come to Sopron! Are you into discovering a charming town surrounded by beautiful hills? Come to Sopron! Do you want to have good food, good drinks and just relax? Come to Sopron! The city of loyalty welcomes you with countless possibilities.

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SOPRON

‘When we are up there, I am going to count to zero and when I say ‘now’, you just simply lean forward.’ Yeah, of course - I thought with my legs trembling. Below me there was a sea of people having fun at the festival, and I could see miles and miles of land in the beautifully clear weather. When he said ‘now’, I did what I was told. My first (and, so far, only) bungee jumping experience

has happened at VOLT Festival. It was unforgettable.

One of the most popular festivals among Hungarians and attracting an increasing number of foreigners every year, VOLT is being held for the 27th time in 2019.

This year’s performers include Slipknot, The Black Eyed Peas, Parov Stelar, Robin Schulz, Martin Solveig and LP as well as

Hungarian favorites Magdi Rúzsa, Majka, 30Y, Halott Pénz, and legendary rock band Tankcsapda, celebrating their 30th anniversary. Between 26 and 29 June, come to Sopron!

Since the festival is held at the Lővér campsite, you should either camp there, or find some kind of accommodation somewhere in the Lővérek Hills. It can be quite exhausting to find your way down the hill after the party ends, and let’s not even talk about the way up the next day when you are still kind of under the influence.

However, my experience is that locals are actually very friendly with festival guests, and they gladly help hitchhikers reach their destination in exchange for a polite smile.

But Sopron is not only worth a visit because of VOLT Festival. The view from the Fire Tower is breathtaking, and walking around the charming little streets of the downtown area you can find an array of historical buildings with Baroque balconies, romantic doorways and richly carved doors with ancient iron knockers. All of the buildings on the Main Square are under cultural heritage protection, including the beautiful Storno House where King Matthias, a notable ruler of Hungary has lived for a while, and internationally renowned composer and pianist Ferenc Liszt has given performances a number of times. The square is also home to the so-called Goat Church, the traditional burial place of the Széchenyi and Esterházy families, two outstanding noble families of Hungary.

Besides the Main Square, Széchenyi Square is also worth discovering. Originally, a double lake was situated at this area until it was drained upon the orders of the Széchenyi family, and Duke István Széchenyi donated trees to the city for the landscaping. Landscaped in a similar fashion, Petőfi Square (named after renowned Hungarian poet Sándor Petőfi) is home to the Petőfi Theater and the Old Casino building. When Ferenc Liszt gave a concert in 1840, Sándor Petőfi, then a soldier in Sopron, escaped from the barracks to listen to him playing. Deák Square served as a cemetery in ancient Roman times, while today it is the second longest square in Europe, lined with excellent restaurants, cafés and pubs.

An excellent hiking destination, the Lővérek is also worth a visit if you are not in town specifically for the VOLT Festival. This magical forest area has gotten its name

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SOPRON

from its former inhabitants who were shooters (lövész or lőver in Hungarian). The panoramic views of Sopron, Fertőrákos and the Fertő Lake from the Károly Lookout Tower are fit for postcards. In clear weather, you can even see the snow-capped peeks of Schneeberg in Austria.

Those interested in history should definitely visit the Pan-European Picnic Memorial Site.

The purpose of the Pan-European Picnic on 19 August 1989 was to promote the idea of a Europe without frontiers and to break down the Iron Curtain. The event eventually led to the fall of the Berlin Wall and then to the reunification of Germany.

If you are only staying for one or two days, these are the main sights that could be fit into that time. However, if you stay for a bit longer, you can discover even more. The Saint George Church is very easy to miss since it is wedged between residential houses however, both its exterior and its interior is a beautiful tribute to Italian Baroque. Another hidden spot to discover is the Festőköz (Dyer’s Alley), a narrow pathway through which the local blue-dye workers took their textiles to the municipal dying house to dry. If you are a beer person, definitely pay a visit to the Sopron Brewery. Wine lovers should try the local wine made of the grape Kékfrankos which has a pleasant aroma and it is rich in acids.

In case you are not really into either city sightseeing or nature adventures, this area also offers a number of spa and wellness hotels. Sauna, jacuzzi and all-inclusive accommodation - your only ‘task’ in these places is to relax.

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Love is love…

At Hotel Sopron people can be able to do what makes them happy.

HUMEN TRAVEL 47 www.hotelsopron.hu • www.facebook.com/hotelsopron

Sopron, Fövényverem 7. • Tel.: +36 99/512 261 • info@hotelsopron.hu

MALTA

MALTA THE SERENE PARTY ISLAND

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MALTA

Amazing natural wonders, the smallest capital city in the world, UNESCO World Heritage Sites popping up in every corner and relaxed gay parties. Malta is a true gem in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, worthwhile to visit all year round.

In Malta, where the sunlit days are over 300 per year, the main reasons to visit are twofold: if you wish to relax in a breathtaking atmosphere, or if you want to go crazy. You might call it a contradiction, yet this microstate with its central location in the Mediterranean Basin and with its 360k inhabitants is a great choice for whichever reason you have in mind. Let’s jump right into the natural wonders and the party scene offered by this island.

Of course, there is no Malta without a true Pride. Prepare yourself for a real sense of community experienced in Valletta, the capital city with a population of 6000.

Every year is organized around a different topic, this year the slogan is: “from riots to rainbows”. The organizers decided to commemorate the Stonewall riots 50 years ago. In 1969, the clientele of the New York gay bar Stonewall Inn stood up against the harassment of the police.

In the upcoming days, the uprising was followed by demonstrations for the rights of the LGBT community in the area. The rioters made an essential contribution to the current situation of growing acceptance for Prides all around the world, thus it’s a beautiful idea to honor these heroes.

If you would rather visit the island before summer crowds arrive, then the Olympus World Tour’s Maltese event on April 20 is waiting for you with international DJs, go-go dancers, drag queens and crowds of party-crazed men. You can also discover the heart of the local gay scene, the Michelangelo Club Lounge. According to the owners, the name of Michelangelo conveys the meaning that we’re all equal in God’s eyes. The staff is friendly, the design is great, and two different levels of party space are all there to put you at ease and help you loosen up. Lollipop parties couldn’t be absent from Malta either. Nobody gives a second thought about shirts and glitter seems unable to run out on these Saturday nights. Pop trash parties are attracting a colorful bunch, so they are definitely worth a shot, be it bears, twinks or gym bunnies that are catching your eyes.

If you have something more peaceful in mind, then Gozo, the second largest island of Malta and the Mediterranea Festival is your place to be. This mid-autumn festival has an island-wide aspect, with a wide variety of indoor and outdoor events. Opera and other music concerts dominate the celebrations, but there are also international conferences, walks and talks in ancient and

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COUNTRY:

Malta LGBT RIGHTS:

same-sex marriage legal since 2017 AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE:

27°C AIRPORT TRANSFER:

from the airport you can reach everything by bus, the ferry is commuting to Gozora TIME ZONE:

CET

EVENTS

MEDITERRANEA 18-21 July

PRIDE WEEK

6–15 September

PRIDE MARCH 14 September

OUR SUGGESTIONS AXM CLUB

party place dandyprague

LOLLIPOP

party series 50 HUMEN TRAVEL lollipopnight

historic places, field trips, culinary events and art exhibitions.

After partying shall come the well-deserved rest. Malta is truly scenic – gorgeous colors are mixing and matching to represent the greens and blues of the sea, the different shades of the fading rocks and the vibrancy of the lush greenery. Taking a stroll on the rocky coast and listening to the churning waves helps you relieve anxiety through the calming presence of nature. Or just lay down on the beach – the prettiest ones can be found on the north-west part of the island.

If you want a bit more activity, explore the island and its towns. Valletta, the smallest capital city in the world is packed with beautiful baroque buildings and theaters. Due to the sheer density of historical sites, the island earned its place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The trendy reputation of the island Comino stems from its blue lagoon, and if you have time to spare, follow the 7 kilometers long pilgrims’ way. Blue seems to be omnipresent on the island, and the Blue Grotto or blue cave is a sight to behold: either from the surface sitting in a boat or from above while resting on the rocks.

The megalithic temples of Malta, originating

from between 3600 BC and 2500 BC, are also listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The oldest one from Ġgantija Gozo was built even before the Egyptian pyramids. Also a Heritage Site, the Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni is a Neolithic subterranean structure dating to the Saflieni phase (3300 – 3000 BC) located in Paola, Malta. The Hypogeum is thought to have been a sanctuary and necropolis, with the remains of more than 8,000 individuals.

Mdina, a fortified city in the Northern Region of Malta, which served as the island’s capital from antiquity to the medieval period, is bringing back the glories of the past with its narrow streets and stone buildings. The adjacent Rabat is home to numerous important Christian sites: the famous Catacombs of St. Paul and of St. Agatha. Marsaxlokk, a small fishing village is known for the largest fish market on the island, taking place on Sundays. Be prepared for the occasional sight of baby sharks amidst of oysters and tunas.

TAIPEI

TAIPEI THE GAY CAPITAL OF ASIA

Which Asian country is the most tolerant and gay-friendly? Almost everyone thinks of Bangkok or Phuket and Thailand in general. However, most of us have no idea how open and accepting Taiwan is with the LGBTQ+ community, and how Taiwan Pride attracts more and more people from all over the world year after year.

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TAIPEI

This Asian island has attracted the attention of the whole world when it announced that same-sex marriage would be legalized from the summer of 2019.

Taiwanese boys traveling around the world proudly tell everyone that they have the biggest pride festival on the continent.

The easiest way to reach Taipei International Airport from Europe is to transfer in Paris or in Amsterdam, but there are also many flights departing from Vienna, Frankfurt or Istanbul. After the mandatory procedures (passport check-in and security check), with only a few minutes’ walk within the terminal you reach the train station and it takes approx.

35 minutes for the train to reach the city’s central station (Taipei Main Station).

When you reach the Ximen Quarter – the gay village is also located here – it may be strange that almost everything is closed at 10 am. The city’s most popular shopping

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district wakes up late, but also stays up late: most shops are open till 11 pm.

My sightseeing tour was assisted by a high-spirited local guide, Bendrick Chen, who recently launched the Taipei Local Gay Tour and the passion in his voice about the city literally made my day.

Our first trip led to Elephant Mountain, and after a short walk, we reached the steepest staircase ever: cardio was done, for the whole week. Pretty tough but worth every drop of sweat, as it offers a wonderful view from the mountain of the city and the skyscraper Taipei 101, which was our next program. The well-known skyscraper was the tallest building in the world when it was finished in 2004, but today its 509 meters is only enough for the tenth place.

We took the high-speed lift (entry is 600 TWD) to reach the 89th floor of the building that houses a multi-storey

shopping mall and an office building, so we could admire the city of Taipei from a height of more than 400 meters. If you want to send a postcard to one of your relatives or friends, you can do it from the top of the country’s tallest building.

You can reach the 91st floor by foot and admire the city from the outdoor lookout.

There are two things I do admire, especially if they are combined: to travel and eat my way around the world. Thus, local cuisine is always a highlight during my trips, and as for Asian countries, tastes and meals are notably different than what we are normally used to.

That’s why it wasn’t a question for me to visit night markets, of which Shilin Night Market is the most famous and most visited by tourists. What you really need to try and buy, available at basically every corner of the street is bubble tea.

I don’t think I have seen a single person

Taipei

COUNTRY:

Taiwan

LGBT RIGHTS:

marriage equality since 24 May 2019 AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE:

30°C Airport Transfer:

by train or by bus TIME ZONE:

CET +07:00

EVENTS in the city with empty hands, sipping the traditional drink of Taiwan all day.

Year after year, Taiwan Pride wins the title of being the biggest pride on the Asian continent. Last year, over 130,000 people marched and celebrated on the streets of the capital. Taiwanese people are actually very proud of this fact. Moreover, a central topic of last year’s conversations was of course the news that same-sex couples will be able to get married from the summer of 2019, resulting in the greatest pride so far. In addition to members of the LGBTQ community, straight people also celebrated this joyful development. A lot of heterosexual couples with small children were marching in the crowd. In a separate section, only dads and mothers pushing their strollers walked, some of them wrapping rainbow colored shawls around their children. Besides the actual

location of the parade, people standing by or taking pictures were absolutely cool with the whole thing, and we didn’t see any protesters on our two-hour journey.

Weather-wise, Taiwan Pride is also an excellent choice, because at the end of October the temperature in Europe drops quite significantly, yet here you can still have a pleasant summer time, and meet exotic Taiwan boys to turn the heat up even more. During the pride, visitors come from many countries of the Asian continent, and from Australia as well.

My trip to Taiwan has brought me a lot of surprises, new acquaintances, and the chance to rekindle old friendships, but perhaps one of the most important things is that I’ve never seen such helpful and nice people in my entire life. With genuine happiness on their faces they showered me with love and kindness.

TAIPEI MEGA DRAGON BOAT CIRCUIT FESTIVAL 7–9 June

FORMOSA PRIDE PARTIES 24-28 October

GAY PRIDE TAIPEI 26–27 October

OUR SUGGESTIONS: COMMANDER D

gay bar dedicated to BDSM lovers commander.tw

ABRAZO BISTRO

restaurant and bar Abrazobistro

G*STAR CLUB party place gstarclub

HUMEN TRAVEL 53

THAIL AND

A state of freedom

THAILAND

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THAIL AND

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: MARTIN PERRY / (C) TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND

Hedonists, lovers of the sun, those obsessed with history, gourmets, party people and fans of nature will all meet their expectations.

Where? In Thailand, of course. The Asian country welcomes the members of the LGBTQ+ community with open arms, making sure that everyone will find something among the range of luxury hotels, parties, festivals and adventures to their taste. Go to Thailand and be free!

Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and for a good reason. Fairytale islands, lush vegetation, delicious food, nice people and vibrant nightlife await tourists. Even gay life is booming, the locals are relaxed and open-minded.

A lot can happen in a single night in Bangkok, as Murray Head sang in his hit song. And how much more could happen if you stay longer. Let us help you create your itinerary. Three storeys, the best drag queens, cheap alcohol, great music selections and the most beautiful male dancers – DJ Station is a must if you’re in Bangkok. As is the Silom Soi 4 Quarter, which is a collection of tiny but chic restaurants, bars and karaoke places.

Babylon is a paradise for men: wet and dry saunas, gym, pool, restaurant, retreat cabins and hotel rooms. Everything you need in one place. If you are lucky, you will travel to Bangkok when the next Trasher party is about to be thrown. These themed events are organized on a quarterly basis, and their location is always changing: there have been Romeo and Juliet parties, the pop stars of the 80s have been revived and the superstars of the ghettos have been partying with Trasher’s lovers. You can expect a crazy party anytime, no matter

when and where. If you don’t feel the burn in your feet and back, then clearly you haven’t partied hard enough. However, if you do have these symptoms, head to the Adonis Massage Salon. With the various treatments and different type of massages, a refreshing experience is guaranteed. Also, the Chakran Sauna is worth a visit based on its Mediterranean-style furnishings alone.

Having a hard time figuring out where to spend the next New Year’s Eve? We’ll help you without asking: this year, give it a go for Bangkok and the several-days White Party, the world’s largest New Year’s Eve party for gays. Dozens of dance floors, popular DJs and men from all over the world. The dress code is obvious: white.

While travelling in Thailand, you must visit at least one island where you can live your pristine paradise fantasy. Most people choose Koh Samui, Koh Phangan (famous Full Moon Party location), Phuket, or Koh Phi Phi (King of Beaches). However, if you would get out of the crowd a little bit, then Koh Lipe is waiting for you with its white-sand beaches and diverse coral reefs that are perfect for diving. The island is only 3.5 km long and 2.5 km wide, so it can be quickly roamed.

Koh Phi Phi’s white sandy beaches littered with caves and circled by limestone rocks

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY: MARTIN PERRY / (C) TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND

COUNTRY:

Thailand LGBT RIGHTS: the bill of registered partnerships will be introduced in the parliement

TIME ZONE: CET +05:00

EVENTS

SONGKRAN THAI NEW YEAR GCIRCUIT, BANGKOK 12–14 April 2020

CIRCUIT ASIA WEEKEND, PATTAYA 7-9 June

OUR SUGGESTIONS TELEPHONE PUB pre-drinks bar telephonebkk

DJ STATION

entertainment center djstationbangkok

G’S BANGKOK

after party gterminalafterparty

MAGGIE’S CHOOS

drag queen bar 56 HUMEN TRAVEL maggiechoos

are remarkable sights. Tonsai Bay is the main port so after a quick look around you might consider wandering further inland. On Monkey Beach, members of the native monkey colony climb up on the feet of tourists without giving a second thought, looking for bananas. Loh Dalum Bay is one of the hottest and most beautiful beaches with emerald green waters and limestone cliffs.

Thailand’s historical heritage is also quite rich.

Prasat Hin Phimai’s stunning church ruins were built during the reign of the Khmer Empire, around the 11th and 12th centuries, originally as a Mahayana-Buddhist temple. The ruins of 26 churches and a royal palace wait for visitors at the Sukhothai Historical Park. The capital of the kingdom of the same name was built in the 13-14th century. The translation of Sukhothai is something like “the dawn of happiness”.

In Bangkok’s Yai district, ”The Temple of Dawn”, Wat Arun awaits. Raised in the honor of the Hindu god Aruna, its tower was decorated with colorful seashells and porcelain patterns.

Phanom Rung is also a Hindu temple at the top of an extinct volcano. The people of the Khmer Empire built it from sandstone and red clay between the 10th and 13th century.

In the past few years, Thai cuisine has conquered the entire world. You can expect plenty of spices, vegetables, rice, seafood and meat. Their kitchen is diverse and filled with love. Their national food is Pad Thai: rice noodles, fried eggs, tofu, tamarind paste, fish sauce, dried shrimps, garlic, palm-sugar and red chilli peppers are constant ingredients. The added lime cloves must be squeezed on it to really bring out the flavors. They are often served with bamboo butter, raw banana blossom and peanuts. Yummy.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: MARTIN PERRY / (C) TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND

AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE: 30°C

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE AWAY! 1092 Budapest, Erkel utca 13.

Opening hours: Monday - Friday 9-18

+36 1 299 0404 office@statravel.hu

statravel.hu

STAtravelHUNGARY

HUMEN TRAVEL 57

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ONCE UPON A JOURNEY ONCEUPONAJRNY.COM INSTAGRAM @ONCEUPONAJRNY

BUDAPEST

A GEM IN THE HEART OF EUROPE

BUDAPEST

BUDAPEST

Amazing historical buildings, cool ruin pubs, thermal baths, and a beautiful river right in the middle of it – all this you can find in Budapest, one of the most popular travel destinations of Europe in the past few years. Party hostels and outstanding restaurants, culture and history, as well as endless possibilities of recreation and entertainment await you in the middle of Europe at affordable prices.

Budapest has almost two million residents; however, its most significant and most interesting parts can be reached simply by walking. Although the city is divided by the Danube, the seven bridges that were built in the past 150 years have long since solved the problem of passing from one side to the other. To be exact, the city was named Budapest in as recently as 1873 when three individual towns – Buda, Pest and Óbuda – were finally merged into one. Both sides have their different characteristics and atmosphere – you could almost say that you are visiting two cities at once.

The Buda Castle District is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage. It includes Buda Castle, the former royal palace, and the Sándor Palace, which currently houses the offices of the President of Hungary. One of its most popular sights is the Neo-Roman Fisherman’s Bastion, which is essentially a very fancy lookout point providing a beautiful panorama of Pest. Right beside it, you

can find the Matthias Church where the coronation of Franz Joseph and Elisabeth of the House of Habsburg were held.

Another great lookout spot is the Citadel with the Hungarian Statue of Liberty on top of Gellért Hill. The Liberty Bridge, located right at the foot of the hill, is closed off from traffic on certain summer weekends, so you can have a nice picnic, bask in the sun, or even do a yoga class right on the river. Speaking of outdoor activities, Margit (or Margaret) Island has all that you might want from green meadows to a running track, an outdoor theater, a small zoo and a wellness hotel.

It can be reached both from Árpád Bridge and Margit Bridge – the latter is conveniently close to the Grand Boulevard and the Parliament.

Now that we mentioned the Grand Boulevard, you should definitely walk at least part of it to discover the numerous little shops, restaurants, pubs and theaters directly on it or not far from it. At the

Oktogon, it is crossed by Andrássy Avenue, the ‘Champs-Élysées of Budapest’ which runs from the youth hub Deák Ferenc Square to the historic Heroes’ Square.

Lined with lush green trees, Andrássy Avenue is home to luxury designer shops, the Hungarian State Opera House, various outstanding restaurants and cafés as well as old villas mostly housing embassies and other public institutions nowadays.

Right next to Heroes’ Square you will find the City Park (Városliget), one of the largest parks of Budapest. Its sights include the Vajdahunyad Castle which was built for the Millennium Celebrations of the Hungarian State in 1896, as well as the Budapest Zoo and the Széchenyi Spa. Széchenyi is one of the largest and most popular thermal baths of Budapest where you can sometimes even bath at night – furthermore, you can have a beer bath, too.

The other thermal baths of Budapest all have their unique character and special feature.

HUMEN TRAVEL 59

Budapest

COUNTRY:

Hungary LGBT RIGHTS: registered partnerships are legal since 2009

ONCE UPON A JOURNEY ONCEUPONAJRNY.COM INSTAGRAM @ONCEUPONAJRNY

AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE: 24°C AIRPORT TRANSFER: by bus numbered 100E TIME ZONE: CET

EVENTS PRIDE MONTH 8 June - 6 July

PRIDE PARADE 6 July

OUR SUGGESTIONS ALTEREGO

party place AlterEgoBudapest

WHY NOT BUDAPEST drinks bar whynotbudapest

TÜTÜ

bar 60 HUMEN TRAVEL tutubudapest

The Rudas has a beautiful panoramic view of the city; the Gellért’s intricate art nouveau building is sure to dazzle everyone, plus you can book a room in the adjoining hotel; the Király and the Dandár are a bit more secluded, so for those looking for a little privacy, but the same highquality service as the larger spas, these are the best options.

In place of the former Jewish quarter, a fullblown party district has developed over the past few years on the Pest side, inhabited by countless ruin pubs (pubs that are usually located in buildings that were practically ruins before they were repurposed and decorated with second-hand furniture and other unique, colorful items), restaurants, pizzerias, street food bistros, wine bars and dance clubs. In the area around Király Street, the Gozsdu Courtyard, Kazinczy Street and Akácfa Street you can be sure to find a place to your liking. In the neighboring district, in the vicinity of Saint Stephen’s Cathedral you can also find a number of great restaurants and clubs.

As for LGBTQ-friendly entertainment, the city offers something for everyone. Besides the oldest gay club named AlterEgo there is a number of party series around town: Vibe and Garçons attract a trendy crowd, while OMOH at the club LÄRM offers more alternative, electronic

music. Anker’t hosts a pop music party every Friday, while the club Tütü describes themselves as gay-friendly.

For culture vultures, we would definitely suggest visiting at least one of the many museums. The recently renovated Roman Hall of the Museum of Fine Arts is a breathtaking site; at the Capa Center you can get a taste of contemporary Hungarian photography; the Ludwig Museum offers exciting contemporary art exhibitions; the Hungarian National Museum – its building a distant cousin of the British Museum – provides you with a concise insight into the history of Hungary. The repertoire of Müpa ranges from pop to classical music and even contemporary dance performances – you do not need to speak a word of Hungarian to understand the marvelous show of the Compagnie Pál Frenák. The company usually performs at Trafó alongside a number of other foreign dance companies.

There are a few Budapest essentials that you simply have to try: goulash soup, pálinka, and Hungarian wines. More fatty, heavier dishes are characteristic of Hungarian cuisine, so the strong spirits help digesting them. Hungarian wines have always had a good reputation around the world; among the countless wineries, everyone can find one catering to their taste.

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