Ready to get out of town?
Whether you prefer beach or mountains, cruising or camping, check out these big LGBT events to get you on the road this summer.
Ready to get out of town?
Whether you prefer beach or mountains, cruising or camping, check out these big LGBT events to get you on the road this summer.
The GA Voice caught up with five six gay former Atlantans who now live in other cities to find out what they are up to now and to get their tips for visitors to their new cities.
Happy traveling.
For those looking to escape the grind, smog and congestion of the city in summer, a number of gay-owned Georgia campgrounds offer peaceful, often clothing optional, retreats from the summer heat.
But running a campground isn’t easy. Once located near Valdosta, Bobcat Resort Campground closed last year. Another casualty of 2011 was Lumberjacks Camping Resort, in Unadilla, near Macon, but the property has been reborn as Oz Campground, with its grand opening slated for Memorial Day weekend.
Rich McTague is one of the new owners. Two gay couples bought Lumberjacks and have set upon improving the campground.
If anyone is an expert in road traveling, it’s Doris Muramatsu.
On the road for two weeks at the time with her band Girlyman since early 2001, Muramatsu has seen hundred of thousands of miles of America’s asphalt maze — with bandmates Ty Greenstein, Nate Borofsky and newest member JJ Jones in tow.
“We certainly know how to find the best route, how to find good food, and how to Priceline 3.5- to 4-star hotels for $35,” Muramatsu says. “When you travel as much as we do, you learn how to make the road work for you in a more streamlined fashion.”
The city of Atlanta's first official LGBT travel guide, “Destination: Gay Atlanta,” debuts today in distribution locations across the city and online at www.gay-atlanta.com. The guide is a joint partnership of GA Voice and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.
LGBT visitors to Atlanta now have a complete travel resource featuring neighborhood descriptions, major LGBT events, nightlife and bar listings, and friendly hotels, shops and restaurants to plan their vacations and trips to our city. “Destination: Gay Atlanta” will be published annually.
Also included in the guide are welcome letters from Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and William Pete, president and CEO of the ACVB.The ACVB is in the process of revamping the city's gay travel website, www.gay-atlanta.com, which will soon feature entertainment, nightlife and community content provided by GA Voice. The digital version of “Destination: Gay Atlanta” resides on the site now in flip-book form and can be downloaded (or you can view it below).
GA Voice and Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau debut travel guide
From gay Memorial Day to Gay Days in Orlando, our new print edition helps you plan your summer vacation
The start of the summer season means an annual tradition for many LGBT people around Georgia and the South – making a road trip to Florida for a weekend (or longer) full of sun, beaches and parties.
While Pensacola remains the unofficial gay Memorial Day mecca, in recent years the LGBT celebrations have spread throughout Florida to include Miami and Orlando as well, with Gay Days beginning just after the holiday weekend. These days, events are geared strategically for both men and women and days and nights are loaded with activities.
Owners of My Sister’s Room, the Atlanta lesbian bar, are involved in Pensacola events again this year. According to Patryce Yeiser, co-owner of the bar, last year was their maiden year sponsoring Memorial Day weekend events. She had been going to Florida on and off for the last 15 years and realized that there was only one big women’s event.
Ready to get out of town?
Whether you prefer beach or mountains, cruising or camping, check out these big LGBT events to get you on the road this summer.
Head south for hot LGBT fun this summer. More Florida events listed under other specific categories.
COMPARE FARES
Buy your air tickets on Tuesday afternoons. Fly during the middle of the week. Sign up for airfare alerts at FareCompare.com. In the current world travel climate ticket prices are going up daily. Do not wait for a sale. There will be none.
BE PRO-CHOICE
Pick what view you want from your seat on the plane; it could be left side land or right side water. And choose port or starboard for your ship cabin. A cabin facing west in the afternoon will be warmer due to all day sun, but it might be the land view.
HOTEL HAPPINESS
When you enter your hotel room, walk around each room and look at the view. If everything is not just as you want it, go back to the front desk and politely request a different room to make your stay more enjoyable. It is your right, your money, and even your obligation to get exactly what you expected when you made your reservation. Hotels are eager to make you happy; upgrades are often given as an apology for your initial dissatisfaction.
From Memorial Day Weekend in Pensacola to Gay Days in Orlando, Florida offers plenty of options this summer for LGBT vacationers