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lgbtq

Tours for Every Taste

The New Year brings a lineup of diverse LGBTQ
excursions. BY MARK CHESNUT

TODAY’S LGBTQ TOUR and vacation packages are as diverse as the people
they’re designed to satisfy. Indeed, whether travelers prefer culture, adventure
or natural beauty — and whether they’re looking for a package that includes
LGBTQ-specific activities like gay nightlife and pride outings or just a comfort-
able and welcoming atmosphere — there’s likely a tour that fits the bill.
For 2018 the offerings are especially diverse. HE Travel, one of the
longest-running brands in the LGBTQ tour market, offers a Greek Clas-
sics: Gay Travel Greece Cultural Tour in September. It includes visits to
landmarks in Athens, Sparta, Olympia and Delphi
and guided tours of the Byzantine churches and
monuments of Thessaloníki.
HE Travel also offers a New Orleans holiday
getaway, slated March 30–April 3 and December
13–17, with accommodations in the French Quarter,
a jazz brunch and visits to a Southern sugar planta-
tion and Mardi Gras float preparations. Participants
in the spring tour can also attend the Easter Parade
and the Gay Easter Parade.
Another well-established name in LGBTQ tours,
Zoom Vacations, offers an Israel tour timed to co-
incide with Tel Aviv’s gay pride celebration in June.
The nine-day itinerary includes accommodations in
Jerusalem, Galilee and Tel Aviv; gay nightlife outings
in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem; and a visit to the fortress
of Masada, among other sites.
For travelers with South Asia on their minds,
Minneapolis-based Brand g Vacations put together
a 15-day tour, with multiple departure dates through
November, called Splendors of India and the Ganges
River. Participants start in New Delhi and then fly
to West Bengal for a cruise along the lower Ganges THE GREAT
River before continuing to Rajasthan and India’s Golden Triangle. OUTDOORS:
Wildlife is a big draw for Ntaba African Safaris. In April it will Out Adventures'
stage a Rainbow Safari to South Africa with a stop in Cape Town and Big Gay Canadian
Cottage Getaway
the opportunity to search for the Big Five, as well as optional exten- (top), Patagonia
sions to Botswana and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. tour (middle), and
For relaxation and low-key excitement in North America, Out Canadian tour
(bottom)
Adventures offers a Big Gay Canadian Cottage Getaway, June 30–July PHOTOS: © OUT
6. It begins with a weekend in Toronto and continues to a gay-owned ADVENTURES
resort in Muskoka, where guests can choose from romantic rooms,
glamping tents and entire chalets. Daily yoga, water sports and
Lumberjack Day — featuring archery, axe throwing and a sawing
competition — are all included.

78 globaltravelerusa.com FEBRUARY 2018