New Zealand: Photo Gallery

Captions and photos by Jeffrey James

Above: I took this shot on Mt. Coronet during this year's Gay Ski Week NZ in Queenstown.  Mike Sanford and Craig Lawson host the biggest gay and lesbian alpine party in the southern hemisphere, and queer ski bunnies take over the town and mountains all week. When sun sets, the party moves to the newly renovated Novotel Queenstown Lakeside Hotel for happy hour "Fag Tag" cocktails and warm spirits. 

I took a week touring New Zealand before hitting the slopes.  My first big stop was in Wellington, New Zealand's capital city.  I took this shot down by the Wellington Waterfront on my way to the famous Te Papa Tongarewa Museum.  

My next stop was in Nelson, down on the south island.  I met up with artist Anna Leary on a wine and art tour and she and Noel Kennedy gave me the grand tour of her artwork, the countryside, and a taste of Patrick Stowe's unbelievable Pinot Noir at Rimu Grove Winery.

I woke up my second morning in Nelson at couple Richard Hewetson and James Taylor's Te Puna Wai bed and breakfast with the best view in town.  James and Richard are my favorite couple in New Zealand, so sweet and welcoming, their Te Puna Wai is the perfect place to stay. I didn't know much about Nelson prior to my arrival and was delighted to find it the perfect place to relax, visit artist's homes and enjoy great local wine. 

I couldn't have had a better host with Wilsons while exploring the Abel Tasman National Park.  Craig Wilson is a local celebrity and former chef of Pavarotti and Paul McCartney.  Craig and I took the Vista to the middle of the park and hiked for a few hours before enjoying an amazing homemade lunch on the cruise back .

I met up with Sofia Minson on a private tour with Melissa Crockett with Potiki Adventures in Auckland.  Sofia is an incredible painter celebrating people, culture, and nature.  She made me some banana bread and we hung out for an afternoon as she showed me some of her new work and shared stories of her Maori heritage.  

I have to admit, I'm a big Lord of the Rings nerd.  Every place you go in New Zealand will boast their connection to Peter Jackson's infamous trilogy.  I opted for the ultimate chance to experience the films first hand on the Flat Earth New Zealand Experiences Tour in Wellington.  This picture was taken in the Shire, just down from the summit of Mount Victoria where Jackson filmed scenes of Buckland Forest.  I didn't run into any hobbits, but got my Lord of the Rings fix and plenty of pictures to bring home. 

On my last night in Queenstown  I had an amazing dinner at Fishbone Bar & Grill with owners Mark Godden and Darren Lovell and was able to catch the sunset over Lake Wakatipu.  With the Remarkables on the left and the TSS Earnslaw ship on the right, the view from town is the best spot to watch night fall on New Zealand.  New Zealand is a magical country full of adventure, breathtaking views and friendly people. 

Head west to see the Sistine Chapel

Story by Aefa Mulholland, photo by Berglind Hafsteinsdottir

Don’t have the time or the budget to get to Rome? Head west instead. This week Seattle Art Museum opens a Michelangelo exhibit, Drawings from the Sistine Chapel -- the only place it’s showing in the U.S.

The nearby Alexis Hotel is offering an Art of Michelangelo package including deluxe accommodations, two VIP tickets to the Michelangelo Exhibit: Public & Private-Drawings for the Sistine Chapel and other Treasures from the Casa Buonarroti, a $10 gift certificate to the Seattle Art Museum Gift Shop, two Painters Delight cocktails at the Bookstore Bar, and Complimentary Valet Parking.

The package is available from October 15, 2009 through February 1, 2010, with rates starting at $219 a night. For a few dollars more guests can request to stay in the Seattle Art Museum suite.

For more information, see www.alexishotel.com and seattleartmuseum.org.

Stockholm, Sweden: Photo Gallery

Story and photos by Jeffrey James Keyes

Above: Hey Mr. DJ StockholmThere's a reason Stockholm's Group F12 was awarded a Michelin-Star with flying colors. You can sit outside and listen to your favorite Scandinavian DJs, take in the full gastronomic experience of celebrity chef duo Danyel Couet and Paul Svensson, or head up to the terrace club and feel the body and soul of the Viking next to you.  This is Stockholm at its best. 

Stockholm 3AM
Head to the Patricia on Sunday night for the best gay club in Stockholm.  Head to the roof for the best crowd and a gorgeous view.  I stepped off the ship around 3AM and started to head back to the Hilton Stockholm Slussen and was surprised the sun was already rising.  By the time I reached the Hilton I was surprised with what I saw: the lobby had turned into yet another club.  Paris would be happy to know this was the place to be.  I had a nightcap and momentarily had a flashback to New York's Body and Soul in the late 90's.  

Millesgården
A visit to the Millesgården is an experience like no other.  Walk through the terraces, fountains, columns, and sculptures created by the master himself.  Carl Milles had the most spectacular view of the Värtan waters, and you can catch a RIB boat to explore the archipelago just steps away from the artist's house.  The staff at the Millesgården is extremely accommodating and hysterically funny.  I could have spent the whole day trading stories and enjoying the landscape and artwork. 

Drottningholm Palace 
I took a the steamer boat out to the Swedish Royal Family's summer residence.  On my arrival, I got a first-rate view of the Drottningholm Palace and spent the day exploring the baroque park surrounding this stunning masterpiece.  From the chinese Pavilion to the world-famous theater, it's obvious why this palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Eat your heart out, Versailles! 

Libra
It doesn't get much gayer then Stockholm on a Saturday night.  You can hop from bar to bar and the night (and music) gets better the later you stay out.  Libra is a good place to go when you just need to dance. Take a liking to a Viking, on the dance floor. 

Copenhagen, Denmark: Photo Gallery

Photos and story by Jeffrey James Keyes

Above: Rosenborg Soldier - Copenhagen, Denmark
What's better than day dreaming about the Crown Jewels at the Rosenborg Castle? Day dreaming about the sexy men who guard them, of course!  Denmark has some of the most attractive soldiers in the world.  I caught this one "off guard" by snapping a few pictures of him.  He tried to hide behind his gun but I still found him.

Tivoli at Dusk - Copenhagen, Denmark: 
Copenhagen's pristine Tivoli Gardens opened in 1843 and is the best place in town to kick back and relax. The park is fun by day, everything becomes magical at dusk when the sky gets dark and festive lights illuminate the rides and games.  I had a lovely dinner with some friends at the Divan 2 Restaurant in the park and they all went off to the Oscar Bar for drinks but I stayed in the park snapping pictures of everything at night.  

Kings Square - Copenhagen, Denmark: 
The luxurious Hotel D'Angleterre overlooks the bustling King's Square in the middle of Copenhagen.  Just around the corner you will find some of the best shopping in Europe.  Shops like Magasin du Nord and Illums Bolighus will give you a crash course in Danish design and nudge you to come back with a new sense of style.  

Copenhagen View - Copenhagen, Denmark: 
Views are easy to come by in Copenhagen with it's red rooftops and canals reaching out into the Øresund.  If you have some extra time, be sure to take a Canal Tour so you can see the city from every angle. Or, just sit back in a cafe with a Carlsberg and watch the city unfold before you.  

  Øresund Bridge - Malmö, Sweden: 
I took this picture just over the  Øresund Bridge  in  Malmö, Sweden.  You can sit outside in front of the healthy Salt & Brygga restaurant and watch modern-day Vikings park their bikes and watch the sunset over the Bridge. 

Bali, Indonesia: Photo gallery

Photos and captions by correspondent Sydney Pfaff.

Above: On the western side of the Bukit Peninsula, Balangan Beach sits quietly surrounded by cliffs with just a few bungalows, a couple of small restaurants, and a handful of warungs.

Loud and crowded with tourists (specifically loads of Aussies), Kuta Beach is a very active surf spot. One of the most famous spots in Bali, this alley separates some of the most dense streets in Kuta, not far from the popular gay clubs and nightlife haunts of Seminyak.  

Away from the coast and surrounded by rice paddies, Ubud is a peaceful area of Bali once you leave the town center. There are a handful of bungalows situated right in the middle of some of the paddies, just like this one here. 

With some of the most gorgeous (and green) pathways in Bali, Ubud is known for its traditional Balinese culture -- and known to many as "the real Bali" due to the strong presence of ancient arts and religious temples.

On the southern most tip of the Bukit, between the cliffs of Uluwatu, surfers flawk here for one of the most popular surfbreaks in Bali. Home to the one of the most spectacular temples in Bali, Uluwatu is home to many high-end villas and beautiful cliffside views (and sneaky monkey thieves ready to pick your pockets).

Value Watch: Stonehurst Place, Atlanta

Photos courtesy of Stonehurst Place and Allison Shirreffs
Story by Olga Bas

When looking for a gay-, eco- and/or pet-friendly stay in Atlanta, consider the small but luxurious Stonehurst Place. The bed and breakfast is running a Three Nights for the Price of Two promotion on all stays at least three days through December 22, 2009. Book your stay directly with Stonehurst Place; rates vary based on room choice and period of booking ($139-429). The offer may not be combined with any other offer.

The B&B, located in a mansion originally built in 1896, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was renovated last year to include many green additions. Without sacrificing style and its period appeal, the hotel has been outfitted with solar panels to heat water and harvests and purifies rainwater for the house.

Besides the eco-friendliness of the hotel, each room guarantees luxury 1000 thread count Egyptian cotton bed linens, natural hygiene products and museum-quality art. Some of the larger suites, such as the Hinman and Gables, also offer marble vanities and floors, spa tubs and heated bathroom floors.

Upon arrival to Stonehurst, expect a welcome beverage as well as complimentary refreshments and gourmet breakfast throughout the length of your stay. In-room massage service is also available to guest with 24-hour notice.

Ed Salvato on Sirius/XM Radio

 

Photo: courtesy Derek and Romaine, Sirius/XM OutQ

Our editor, Ed Salvato (below right), was a guest of Derek and Romaine on their eponymous show on Sirius OutQ (Sirius 109; XM 98).

It was a lively 45 minutes with lots of calls from listeners. They discussed a wide range of travel topics from an assortment of Sirius OutQ listeners: gay men, lesbians, singles and couples  Here are a few topics they touched upon:

• Travel to India and Sri Lanka
• Washington, D.C. hotels
• San Juan, Puerto Rico gay scene
• Gay-friendly Istanbul
• Punta del Este, Uruguay for an older lesbian
• Best getaway for New Year's, where to go for Thanksgiving and much more!

Click here to listen to the show. (It's in four parts)

Download 01 Track 01

Download 02 Track 02

Download 03 Track 03

Download 04 Track 04

Aman, amen! India made easy

Story by Ed Salvato; photos by Ed Salvato except bottom courtesy of Aman.

India is a country renowned for its sights, sounds, colors and aromas. It's also known to be challenging and difficult -- a chaotic environment with snarled traffic jams, endless noise, dust and smog, impossibly crowded trains, cows wondering the roads and many more obstacles to an easy vacation.

But these difficulties shouldn't prevent you from exploring this amazing country, where almost all visitors come away a different, more aware person than when they arrived. It's worth pausing and considering this phenomenon. How many vacations actually help you become more self aware? How many trips have you taken that challenge or reaffirm your innermost beliefs?

It's a special place that can accomplish that. India should be a must on your list of dream trips. Here's one way to discover the best of India in a way that minimizes the stresses of journeying here. First, book your air on Jet Airways, which offers an economical business class option Called Premiere Class, with private sleeping pods at surprisingly low prices. This class of service includes delicious meals (frequently with both Indian and Western-style options) and, when available, an attendant who meets you at the plane door, whisks you through customs and immigration and onto your transfer or awaiting transportation. Jet Airways works with Jet Lite for domestic connections. Jet Lite is incredibly inexpensive.

Aman Resorts, which boasts three stunning hotel properties in varied locales in India, offers a specially  priced deal which is a perfect way to discover India in pampered style with all transfers included. Dubbed, Aman India Journey, the special ($3,650 double occupancy through April 30, 2010; $3,840 Oct 1, 2010 through April 30, 2011) includes a minimum of two nights in each of the following properties. Also included is breakfast and transfers between the properties and one activity per stay. And let's not forget the addictive lemon-scented cold towel compress that meets you at every juncture both cooling and sweetening your stay.

Aman New Delhi is Aman's newest property. It's also it's first true urban hotel and the largest in terms of number of rooms. The sleek, modern lines, masculine subdued palette and abundant green spots are a truly welcome oasis of peace in the heart of India's bustling capital city. Each spacious unit comes with its own butler and a plunge pool. The gym is gigantic and modern and is maintained by fitness trainers who are happy to help you burn off the calories you'll acquire at the hotel's fine restaurants.

Amanbagh is one of Aman's true jewels. Located in a remote valley in Rajasthan surrounded by palm trees and lost-in-time villages and monumental ruins, the property is almost entirely self sufficient with its own water treatment facility, organic garden, restaurant and bakery. It also boasts a 150-foot long pool as its dramatic centerpiece. Surrounding it are the accommodations which are huge and private and elegantly appointed with locally-quarried marble as well as a small but serviceable gym and a spa.

Aman-i-Khas is Aman's tented resort, also located in the state of Rajasthan but in an even more remote location along side the Ranthambore National Park. This is where you'll enjoy open-top vehicle safaris in search of India's elusive tigers and other wildlife by day and luxurious tented accommodations at night.

Value Watch: May Fair Hotel, London

Story by Olga Bas
Photos courtesy of The May Fair Hotel

The May Fair Hotel located in the heart of London's luxurious West End neighborhood has launched the Pay, Save and Stay promotion: a one-month sale for the holiday season. When you book your room by October 18 for stays between December 14, 2009 and January 10, 2010, you will receive 25% savings off the best available rate with rates starting from $225. The promotion also includes two-for one dining at each of the hotel's restaurants.

The 406-room May Fair -- the official hotel for London Fashion Week -- features a private theater, spa, two restaurants, and bar on the premises. In addition to 12 hotel suites, the May Fair also boasts a rooftop penthouse with a 360 degree view of London. Each room comes equipped with Catalan-designed furniture and a Sicilian marble bathroom complete with power shower, and Bang & Olufsen digital systems. Special Breatheasy rooms are also available for travelers who suffer from allergies; only hypoallergenic bedding and sensitive non-perfumed environmentally friendly cleaning products are used in the rooms, which have been treated to protect against pollutants.

A range of women's and men's spa treatments are available in the comfort of your room as well as several other services, such as professional make-up and hair styling. Fine British dining can be had at the hotel's Amba Bar & Restaurant, after which you may wish to visit Bond Street for some shopping or the hotel's gym facilities for a session with a personal trainer. Both offer some aerobic activity, the latter's just cheaper.

Golly! Cliff Divers of Galle, Sri Lanke

Photos and video by Ed Salvato

Just a quick update from the road. Sri Lanka's an amazingly beautiful tropical island paradise, shaped like a tear drop, located to the south of India. Very close to the equator it has a tropical climate with palm trees, dramatic beaches and vivid sunsets most everyday. It's primarily a Buddhist nation so though it feels like a Caribbean island it really is different from any other island I've been to.

More later but for now enjoy the image above, which is of three members of a four-member team of cliff divers who jump off the cliff where they are posing here into the water at least 30 feet below. You get three jumps for 500 Sri Lankan rupees, which is just over $4.00.

The video below shows one of the cliff divers running and jumping into the water.