Wednesday, August 26, 2009

An Overview of Gay Tours to England

By Howie Holben

England always has been and always will be a gay vacation destination and offers a wide variety of options for gay travel. With a thriving, very visible gay and lesbian community and far more rights than those given to the LGBT community in the United States, England is an ideal location for gay vacations. From lively London nightspots to the relaxing beaches of Brighton and all the bucolic countryside and urban adventures that can be found throughout the country, England offers something for every kind of gay travel tourist.

Old Compton Street and the Soho district of London is the center of gay and lesbian life and is a must-see for any gay or lesbian traveler on a gay vacation to England. With a multitude of gay bars, businesses, restaurants and clubs, Soho has the most active, visible gay community in England. Soho is also centrally located near many of Londons landmarks and world-famous neighborhoods, such as Chelsea, Kensington, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Covent Garden. Plus, thanks to an expansive public transportation system, all of Londons offerings are easily accessible from this gay neighborhood. For travelers heading north, Manchester has another large gay and lesbian community, including a gay village around Canal Street that offers numerous gay bars, pubs and clubs.

If you prefer a gay vacation by the sea, Brighton " which is also known as Soho by the Sea - has the second largest lesbian and gay community in England, including the popular Kempton neighborhood, which is home to gay bars, clubs, restaurants and bed and breakfasts. Walk along the pier or pebble beach, or explore quaint shops and boutiques located throughout Brighton for a relaxing gay vacation. Another gay-friendly city that welcomes gay men and lesbians on gay vacations is Newcastle Gateshead, which is home to a sophisticated, trendy gay village with a lively gay scene including cafs, pubs, bars and clubs.

Gay travelers will find gay-owned and gay-friendly accommodations in all of Englands regions, including establishments that exclusively serve the gay travel community or specifically gay men. Gay and lesbian travelers who choose to work with a travel agency well-versed in planning gay vacations in England will benefit from working with a travel agent who can suggest the gay-friendly or gay-owned hotel, bed and breakfast or other lodgings option that will best meet your needs. If camping is on the agenda for your England gay vacation, gay-owned and gay-friendly campgrounds are available, including Out in the Open, a gay-owned campsite in Cornwall, and Brighthouse Farm, offering a six-acre campground, bed and breakfast and self-catering lodgings in Suffolk.

Planning gay vacations with the help of a travel agency that provides professional gay travel planning services will help to ensure that your gay vacation to England is a memorable, fun-filled experience.

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