TUI's top priority is making sure you have an amazing holiday. Whether you're dreaming of relaxing on the beaches of the Krabi province of Thailand or exploring the Ancient wonders of Athens, TUI has got you covered.
They have a huge selection of great-value getaways, including romantic wedding spots for you and your Queerly Beloved to gather in matrimony, iconic city breaks for you to live your best party life in, adventure filled tours to satisfy your more cultured self, or cruises to the Mediterranean, Europe and beyond - you're spoilt for choice!
With a tonne of sights and a beach under its belt, Barcelona scores highly when it comes to holiday credentials.
The likes of La Sagrada Familia and Gaudi’s Casa Batllo don’t even scratch the surface of the must-see line-up in this Spanish city. Things are well geared up on its LGBTQ+ scene, too, with the neighbourhood of Eixample offering plenty of queer bars, restaurants, and nightclubs and the city's best lesbian bar La Rosa.
You’ll need to head to Eixample if you’re in the city for Pride, too, which usually takes place in June. Festivities are often spread across 10 days, with the main event – a huge Pride procession through the city centre – slotted in the middle. The city is also home to the Circuit festival which is regarded as Europe's best LGBTQ+ festival, and is complimented by the Girlie Circuit Festival in August which is the equivalent event targeted specifically at queer women.
Barcelona's LGBTQ+ scene is known for standing against homophobia and transphobia as well as misogyny; Brot Bord are an active group that organise lectures, workshops and documentary screenings every Sunday afternoon in Casal Independentista de Sants.
Cape Town is overwhelmingly LGBTQ+ friendly – in fact, the community refer to it as the Pink City. South Africa was the first country in Africa to legalise same sex marriage, and Cape Town hosted its first Pride event back in 1993. In 2010, the city also launched South Africa’s own Pride flag combining the country’s flag with the rainbow colours.
You'll feel extremely welcome in what is generally known as the queer capital of Africa, among a strong and increasing community – as well as enjoying gorgeous beaches, culture, mountains and an incredible city vibe.
There’s so much to do in Cape Town and the surrounding areas. We’re talking whale watching, wineries, hiking, historical sights and lots more. If you only do one thing, it has to be Table Mountain. The panoramic views are just incredible. Hop on a cable car, or hike it if you’re feeling brave.
Reward yourself after your mountain ascent with a trip to the De Waterkant area. While LGBTQ+ venues can be found all over the city, this is the quintessentially gay area with fun, friendly venues from coffee shops to drag bars.
Take a look at tours in South Africa with TUI.
When it comes to the best far-flung LGBTQ+-friendly destinations, Puerto Vallarta’s earnt itself a podium position. It’s mainly thanks to its old town – AKA Zona Romantico – an area focused on LGBTQ+ tourism which plays host to a collection of more than 40 LGBTQ+ friendly bars, restaurants, and clubs.
They’re all pitched a stone’s throw from Los Muertos Beach – the city’s gay-friendly swathe which stretches for more than a kilometre. Its crystal-clear waters are ripe for snorkelling, or for something a little more chilled you can opt for an all-day tanning session in a stylish sea-view beach club. Picture white sandy beaches where you're free to be yourself and vacation in style.
In terms of legislation, LGBTQ+ rights aren't consistent in Mexico, whilst general discrimination against all LGBTQ+ people is illegal, there is still catching up to do as employment, housing and military discrimination towards Trans people is not yet illegal. It's important to be aware of, but it shouldn't affect tourists, and the community in Mexico is widely accepted so it will still be a great destination for you to kick back and relax or party the night away.
The German capital offers up some of Europe’s best nightlife spots from the famously exclusive Berghain to the legendary LGBTQ+ karaoke bar that even features a stripper pole on stage.
The neighbourhood of Schoenberg heads the scene up here, but the neighbourhoods of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain should be listed on your after-dark agenda, too. Berlin's official Pride celebration is the Christopher Street Day, CSD for short. It is held each year in in July in memory of the Stonewall Riots. Hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets to fight for the rights of LGBTQ people with a spectacular parade and a two-week-long celebrations kicking off towards the end of July where you expect a summer cinema and rainbow-olympics as well as much more.
Whilst you're there, you can check out the Gay Museum, founded in 1985 it is one of the world’s biggest institutions for researching, preserving and communicating the history and culture of queer communities.
This city on the Bay has a long history of embracing and supporting the LGBTQ+ community. In 1970, the ‘Gay Freedom March’ that took place here is widely believed to be one of the very first – if not ‘the’ first – Pride marches. And it’s not the only trailblazing the city can lay claim to. San Francisco had the first openly gay person to run for public office, the first openly gay person to be elected to office, the first transgender police commissioner and the first openly lesbian judge to be appointed in the US.
So, it goes without saying, any LGBTQ+ traveller will feel beyond welcome here. Immerse yourself in history at the GBLT Historical Society Museum, pay respects at the National AIDS Memorial Grove, or catch a show by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, who’ve been performing for more than 40 years.
When it comes to nightlife, you’ll be spoiled for choice. The Castro is a great area to start (the rainbow crosswalks are the giveaway), with a huge host of venues – some of which have been there for 50 years. Go as you are, find your scene, and have a ball.
Thailand, known as 'The Land of Smiles' is one of the most-gay friendly countries in Asia. The country welcomes all travelers, regardless of background, race, or who you love. Homosexuality and same-sex relationships are legal in Thailand, and whilst not all the other laws are as equal for LGBTQ+ people compared to heterosexual and cisgender people, locals are friendly and generally happy to see people immersing themselves in their culture and chat with tourists about their own backgrounds. It is also seen as one of the biggest communities of Transgender people in the world, where Trans people are much more accepted, and a lot of Trans people from across Asia will travel to Thailand
Phuket is an island off the coast of the mainland and has plenty to offer. Easily the most popular Thailand beach resort island, the queer nightlife is centered here around the Paradise Complex in Patong Beach, where anything goes – but there is plenty more on Phuket Island to satisfy you. There are loads of bars and clubs to hit up with plenty of drag cabarets, dancers, and dance halls to check out. It is also lined with sandy beaches surrounded by rainforest-covered mountains making for a picturesque stay for you to live your best queer life.
Pride is something everyone feels proud of and can see a little bit of themselves in.
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