Daniel Craig takes on Vancouver

Story and photos by Aefa Mulholland. 

A well-written book can conjure up a place so irresistibly that it transports the reader there, immerses them in another culture, climate, country. Reading of your destination in advance can add immeasurably to the anticipation of a trip. But if you really want to up the suspense, opt for a murder mystery.

Last month in Vancouver, I was lucky enough to run into the gorgeous Daniel Edward Craig, author of three gripping murder mystery novels set in the hotel world and get a copy of his latest compelling creation. Following hot on the heels of Murder at the Universe and Murder at Hotel Cinema, both offering behind-the-scenes views of the five star hotel world, the final piece of the dashing, gay author’s Five-Star Mystery Series, Murder at Graverly Manor, is set in an eerie inn in Vancouver’s residential West End. It paints an atmospheric picture of Vancouver’s leafy streets and the lonely trails around Lost Lagoon, and is a perfect companion for any trips to the City of Glass.

You couldn’t find a better guide to Vancouver than hometown boy Daniel, former general manager of the uber-hip Opus Hotels in Vancouver and Montreal -- two of my absolute favourite hotels in North America.

After finishing Daniel’s three-part opus, you’ll definitely be delighted you booked to stay at the Opus, not at Graverly Manor.

For some more recommended reading, check out Literary Traveler with authors from Louisa May Alcott to W.B. Yeats.

For more on Daniel and his Five-Star Mystery Series, check out DanielEdwardCraig.com.

New Gay and Lesbian Archive and Library

Photos by Steve Shirer; Above: displays at the new museum
Story by Don Weise

The grand opening of the new home of Stonewall Library & Archives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida was celebrated April 24 and 25 with their first annual Gay and Lesbian Literary Arts Festival. As publisher of Alyson Books, I was invited along with writers Andrew Holleran, Karin Kallmaker, Felice Picano, Linda  Villarosa, Paul Lisicky, among others, to speak at free workshops, seminars, panels, and presentations. (Right: Don Weise)

Although this stellar line up of authors is impressive enough, the real star of the event was the new building. Formerly housed in a modest storefront since its founding in 1973, Stonewall now resides in a bright, beautiful space next to the public library and a large park, making it an ideal and accessible destination for LGBT book lovers. Staffed by a two-person team (the warm and welcoming executive director Jack Rutland and development director Chad Thilborger), Stonewall is remarkable for the breadth of its collection -- more than 18,000 books and audio visual materials -- but also for its hospitality.

Upon arrival I was ushered into the immaculate lobby by Stonewall supporter Chuck Ross, who toured me through the archives, where 5,000 professionally cataloged items -- including an extensive pulp fiction collection, unpublished manuscripts and first editions by some of our most noted authors, as well as the original picket signs from the landmark 1965 protest in Philadelphia (see photo above) -- reside and can be viewed by appointment.

Clearly Stonewall holds special meaning for the people of South Florida. For three days I met countless admirers and well-wishers who expressed great pride in having this prestigious organization in their community. And why not? I haven’t seen a better collection of LGBT literature outside of New York. To visit Stonewall in person or online or to make a donation go to www.stonewall-library.org

 

Among the authors and editors who attended the festival were, left to right, John Cloud, Don Weise, Karin Kallmaker, Andrew Holleran, Jeffrey Beam, Felice Picano, K.G. MacGregor, E. Robert Dunn, Keith Hoffman, Linda Villarosa, and Paul Lisicky.

How to Say Fabulous in 8 Different Languages

By Joseph Alexiou

Every so often when perusing the travel section of a bookstore, I come across a book I know I must have. While I may not be so sure when I'll get to use it, I know it will one day serve me well.

How to Say "Fabulous" in 8 Different Languages by Gerard Mryglot (a staff translator at Berlitz) and Ted Marks (Quirk Books, 2006) is exactly one of those books. A travel phrasebook for gay men, Fabulous offers some extremely important phrases translated from English into French, German,  Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

Not only are some of these phrases things we would actually say while on vacation ("Are there any gay bars around here?"), a lot of them are just hilarious and a great way to get excited for your next European (or Japanese) adventure. After all, where else can you learn how to say "I feel like Shelley Winters in the Poseidon Adventure" in all the languages listed above?" All of the phrases are translated uniformly so if you see one phrase in French, it will definitely appear in German, Russian, and so forth.

(In Italian it's especially nice: Mi par d'essere la Shelley Winters nell'Avventura del Poseidon).

The phrases are broken into sections:

Honey, Let's Go gets you pumped up for the ride ("All I need on vacation is a bikini and an evening gown;" in French, Tout ce dont j'ai besoin en vacances, c'est d'un bikini et d'une robe de bal) and other levels of silliness.

Basics gives you the normally important phrases ("I am American/British") either with flair or a sense of importance (We want one double bed, please, not two single beds; Wir möchten ein Doppelbett, bitte, keine Einzelbetten in German). Shopping is also self-explanatory.

Night Life provides bar vocabulary and any reference to cruising, both good and bad; while Dining and Politics each allow one to add spice to brunch conversations; Hair, Make-Up, and Glamour can help you say "I need an emergency facial" in Portuguese (Eu preciso de uma limpez de pele urgente); and Opening Lines, Parting Glances and Sex include phrases on all manners of flirtation, interaction, and the ever-important terms for insisting on safe sex.

However the real crowning glory and uniqueness of this book shine through in the Idle Chatter and When Tempers Flair sections, or, as I would call them, Drag Queen Neccessities. Here you can learn "What a trashy look!" in Spanish (Qué vestida tan vulgar!) or the correct pronounciation of "Радуешься? Значит ты и дурак." or Enjoying yourself? Then you're an idiot in Russian, pronounced RAH-doo-yesh-sa? ZNAH-cheet tih ee doo-RAHK.

I can't stress enough the neccessity of this book for gay travelers. So, bon voyage, cherie and pick up this book on your way to the Air France terminal! Ciao!

Adventure: Ireland!

 
Story and photos by Aefa Mulholland

Follow Out Traveler Aefa Mulholland as she explores Ireland's culture, cuisine and quirks! Part one of four.

By the time I flew over Newfoundland, I had mastered both phrases deemed crucial enough to grace the first page of my Irish phrase book. I was now equipped with the winning conversational duo of “I have money” and “Will you have a drink?”

Having mastered the basics, I turned to page two. One lone word waited; Beidh, the Irish for “Yes.” No directional enquiries, lost passport reports, or emergency requests. It seems the book agrees with Oscar Wilde’s outlook that “Life is too important to be taken seriously.” Especially when there’s a cocktail to be ordered.

Rush hour traffic ebbed along green hems of the Grand Canal when my traveling companion Jen and I checked into hidden boutique gem, Number 31. Hidden behind a high wall, just ten minutes walk from Stephen’s Green, Grafton Street and the heart of Dublin, Number 31 is housed in a modernist gem of two converted coach houses and a gracious four-story Georgian townhouse.

We sauntered into the fantastically 1960s living room with its sunken conversation pit, mirror mosaic-tiled bar, and contemporary art.

Noel, the affable host rushed over to hug me with a cry of “You’re here and you’re very welcome!” He proceeded to inform me, “You’re a great girl.”

I wasn’t sure how he assessed this in the time it took to set down my Samsonite, but I took the compliment anyway. He asked us if we’d like a drink. What a shame I didn’t get as far as learning how to say “No.”

Trippy: Lonely Planet's On the Road Travels

Story by Joseph Alexiou
Photos in Order: Courtesy Lonely Planet, Courtesy David Ozanich (2)

We're eager to be among the first to announce a whole new series of U.S.-based travel guides from one of the most popular publisher's of travel and language guides, Lonely Planet.

Geared towards weekend excursions, the new series Trips consists of six books representing six regions across the country: New England; the Carolinas, Georgia, & the South; New York, Washington D.C., & the Atlantic Coast; the Pacific Northwest; Arizona, New Mexico, & the Grand Canyon; and California. Each of these guides offers over 50 different regional outings, which includes a slew of day trips departing from each region's major cities. The series will be in bookstores March 2009.

We had the chance to speak with one of the contributing authors, David Ozanich, who talked to us about the books and his own experiences traveling to Virginia.

"Trips is organized more like a magazine or newspaper," Ozanich explains. "The travel info is written essay-style to more effectively evoke a theme and mood for the curious traveler." Lonely Planet's guides always have a well-reported gay and lesbian travel section.

"As a gay tourist," Ozanich continues, "I know what it's like to land in a town and be like 'I know there's gotta be a gay bar around here somewhere…' The Lonely Planet reader tends to be reasonably upscale, educated and urban and pretty comfortable with suggestions like drag shows or lesbian-leaning dance clubs." In other words, you can depend on Trips to cater to all kinds of travelers.

Ozanich's coverage of Virginia appears in the New York, Washington DC, and Mid-Atlantic Trips guide. He recommends visiting the city of Lexington for its beauty, and suggests Richmond as the most gay-oriented destination after Washington D.C. But for the more offbeat gay interest, he mentioned staying a night at the Martha Washington Inn in Abingdon and checking out the town's top-notch repertory theater.

But our author's highest recommendation is the Inn at Little Washington. "An amazing restaurant about an hour and a half outside DC nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains," Ozanich gushes. "The restaurant was created by a gay couple, and one of them, the chef, is still there after 30 years.  A must for any gourmand or fan of luxury, the Inn was named by the International Herald Tribune as one of the ten best restaurants in the world."

With its impeccable service, interesting and delicious menu, this romantic and sumptuous inn is a perfect weekend getaway for any couple.

Out Traveler Guidebooks!

Photos: Courtesy Alyson Books

No longer do we have to print out OutTraveler.com articles and cart them around with us on vacation!
Available now, printed Out Traveler travel guides from two of The Out Traveler's finest LGBT travel experts!

Matt Link, who is one of The Out Traveler's MVP editorial players and who knows Hawai'i like it was his own back yard, has authored the Out Traveler: Hawai'i guide. Dan Allen, a long-time contributor to The Out Traveler and active gay traveler, compiles his extensive knowledge of New York City into the Out Traveler: New York City guide.

Both guides are loaded with far more than just essential LGBT accommodations listings, including great activity suggestions and some incredible queer historical information about tourist sites -- information no other guide provides. How much could they squeeze into those little "Gay and Lesbian Travel" boxes anyway?

Published by Alyson Books as part of an Out Traveler travel guide series, also keep an eye out for more forthcoming titles!