Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Greece For The Gay Traveler

By Howie Holben

Greece offers an array of opportunities for a fantastic gay vacation. Gay travel to Greece will naturally include amazing sunrises, relaxing on white, sandy beaches, trekking to historical sites to explore ancient ruins, and ferrying between several of Greeces breathtakingly beautiful islands. Whether you dream of a gay vacation that includes family fun like picking olives and exploring museums, a restful respite in a seaside resort with your partner, or a rowdy week of taking in the Athens nightlife with a group of friends, Greece will undoubtedly prove to be an ideal setting for your gay travel plans.

Athens has a lively gay scene with several clubs and bars, as well as gay-owned and gay-friendly cafs, coffee shops and lodging options. For gay men interested in partaking in a bit of bathhouse culture during their gay vacation to Greece, there are two popular saunas in Athens. Athens Relax caters to a mixed-age clientele and is a large sauna directly across the street from one of Athens popular gay clubs, while the smaller Hera caters to a more mature clientele. There is also an unofficial gay beach area at Limanakia, which is south of Athens and a popular hangout for gay men.

Mykonos is one of the most welcoming Greek islands for gay vacations and has long been a popular gay travel destination. With exquisite beaches, spectacular scenery, a vibrant nightlife, welcoming locals and a cosmopolitan air, Mykonos is a must-see stop on any Greek gay vacation. Gay-friendly lodgings abound on Mykonos, including an adults only lodging option that is gay-owned and caters exclusively to gay travelers. Crete is another vastly popular Greek island for gay travel. While there is no definable gay scene on Crete, there is a bed and breakfast that is gay-owned, a few gay bars and businesses, gay beaches and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, which makes Crete a natural choice for any gay vacation to Greece.

The Island of Lesvos " often referred to as Lesbos " is an obvious choice for lesbian travelers where they can explore Sapphos birthplace, take romantic strolls along pristine beaches, experience a hydrotherapy spa treatment, people watch over ouzo at a sidewalk caf and indulge in the friendly women-centered nightlife. Of historical importance to the lesbian community and always filled with lesbian travelers, Lesvos is a must-see for women on a gay vacation to Greece.

As a country, Greece is rather traditional and religious; however, Greece is a hotspot for gay holiday vacations and travelers will find a warm, welcoming atmosphere in most parts of the country. Visiting Greece as part of an organized gay travel group is a wonderful way to take in all that Greece has to offer and to experience gay life in Greece while on your gay vacation. If traveling separate from a group, it is good idea to enlist the assistance of a travel agency that is well-versed in arranging gay vacations to Greece to help you organize a gay vacation you will never forget.

About the Author:

No comments: