This post, Top LGBTQ+ Caribbean Destinations, was originally published on The Travel Trio, two moms and a boy.

The Caribbean’s sun-drenched islands and clear turquoise waters have long drawn travelers seeking paradise, but beyond the beauty, it’s becoming an increasingly welcoming haven for LGBTQ travelers. As more Caribbean destinations embrace inclusivity, LGBTQ-friendly spaces are blossoming—from the vibrant streets of San Juan to the luxury resorts of St. Barts.

Many islands, including Puerto Rico, Curacao, and Aruba, stand out for their progressive attitudes and offer more than just beautiful landscapes: they provide safe spaces, LGBTQ-focused events, and annual Pride celebrations where everyone can feel celebrated. Whether you’re here to unwind, explore, or dance the night away, these Caribbean destinations are ready to welcome you with open arms.

In this guide, discover the top LGBTQ+ Caribbean destinations, welcoming hotels, and annual events that make for an unforgettable getaway.

1. Puerto Rico

With a progressive stance and a lively LGBTQ scene, Puerto Rico is one of the most inclusive Caribbean destinations. San Juan’s vibrant nightlife, Condado Beach, and annual San Juan Pride make it a welcoming paradise for LGBTQ travelers.

2. Curacao

Curacao is known for its “Live and Let Live” mentality, where diversity is embraced. The island’s LGBTQ-friendly beaches, welcoming bars, and popular Curacao Pride each September showcase its commitment to inclusivity.

3. St. Martin/Sint Maarten

This island’s dual culture offers a unique LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere with European influences. Known for its friendly locals and LGBTQ-welcoming beaches like Orient Bay, St. Martin is a mix of natural beauty and open-minded charm.

4. Aruba

Aruba, or “One Happy Island,” lives up to its name with LGBTQ-friendly beaches and accommodations. With Eagle Beach and Palm Beach popular among LGBTQ visitors, Aruba offers a warm, inclusive, and laid-back vibe.

5. The Bahamas

While traditionally conservative, Nassau and Paradise Island are increasingly offering LGBTQ-safe spaces. High-end resorts and beach clubs provide a more private, welcoming experience for LGBTQ travelers.

6. Dominican Republic

Known for its rich culture and lively Colonial Zone, the Dominican Republic offers a growing LGBTQ scene, especially in Santo Domingo. The country’s Pride events and welcoming spaces make it a great option for LGBTQ travelers.

7. St. Barts

Upscale and sophisticated, St. Barts embraces diversity, especially among luxury travelers. From its secluded beaches to chic clubs, this island offers privacy and style for LGBTQ visitors seeking a high-end Caribbean escape.

8. Bermuda

Bermuda’s picturesque landscapes are complemented by its friendly attitude toward LGBTQ travelers. With events like Bermuda Pride and its welcoming hotels, Bermuda is a destination blending beauty and inclusivity.

9. Cuba

Havana’s LGBTQ-friendly clubs and annual Conga Cubana pride parade highlight Cuba’s welcoming vibe. Its rich culture, along with LGBTQ-friendly spaces in Vedado, makes Cuba an exciting and inclusive destination.

10. US Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John)

Known for its diversity, St. Croix in particular offers an LGBTQ-friendly environment with plenty of beach bars and vibrant Pride events. The USVI combines natural beauty with a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere perfect for unwinding.

Bonus: Turks and Caicos

The love of our travels, Turks and Caicos! While the islands are traditionally more reserved, it’s a beautiful and safe destination that has become more welcoming for LGBTQ travelers over the years, particularly at upscale resorts. Providenciales (Provo) is the best spot to stay, with its world-renowned Grace Bay Beach and exclusive resorts that offer a private, inclusive atmosphere. The island doesn’t host major Pride events, but LGBTQ travelers will find a warm, discreet welcome at many luxury properties and an LGBTQ-friendly ambiance in bars and restaurants. Turks and Caicos is ideal for LGBTQ travelers seeking a serene escape surrounded by natural beauty, providing an atmosphere of luxury and privacy to fully unwind.

Conclusion:

These top LGBTQ+ Caribbean destinations offer warm hospitality, incredible culture, and a sense of safety for LGBTQ travelers. Each provides a unique vibe, from vibrant nightlife to laid-back beaches, making the Caribbean one of the best regions for an LGBTQ-friendly getaway.

Whether you’re looking for romantic seclusion, exhilarating adventure, or colorful festivals, these destinations have it all. Don’t forget to pack your pride and prepare for an unforgettable vacation! For other cities around the world, check out the Top LGBTQ+ Friendly Cities Around The World.

The post Top LGBTQ+ Caribbean Destinations first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Transgender Vacation Founder, Stephanie Land

BY NATASIA LANGFELDER
Lesbian.com

Mixer alert! San Fransisco and Bay Area trans guys and girls, there’s an awesome mixer coming up on January 21st that revolves around travel. Transgender Vacations founder, Stephanie Land, is hosting the mixer for transpeople and their friends in order to get the word out about her company. Transgender Vacations is trans-owned and operated.

“San Francisco has a big trans community that I want to be a part of. I also want to people know that transgender people do travel and that Transgender Vacations is for trans travelers,” said Land, who is excited about introducing Transgender Vacations to San Francisco. “It’s time for Transgender Travel.”

“We all want to enjoy life,” adds Land. “Why not do it traveling together to wonderful places?”

“We are excited to open our first Go Roam event of the New Year with Stephanie of Transgender Vacations. The transgender community is hitting a tipping point in terms of acceptance and visibility, but there is still a need for culturally sensitive travel opportunities that put the community first. Transgender Vacations is trans-owned and -operated by Stephanie who has exciting plans for travel for transgender and other gender variant travel.”

The post Meet Transgender Vacations Founder Stephanie Land at Girls That Roam Mixer first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Nancy Blaine, Founder, Local Expeditions

The sharing economy has given rise to a new generation of start-ups. Joining the fray is Nancy Blaine, a Brooklynite with a love of travel. Blaine is the founder of Local Expeditions- an “anti tour” company that will take you on tours of Brooklyn and Manhattan that will provide an authentic NYC experience. I spoke with Blaine about how she launched Local Expeditions, her vision for the future and how to turn an idea into a business.

What do you do and why?

I just started my own business after many years in publishing. It’s called Local Expeditions and is housed in the sharing economy.  The business incorporates two things I am passionate about:

1. The sharing economy which I think has great potential to be a new economic system based on fair wages for work well done. I know the economic model really comes out of the tech industry, but I also feel like it resonates from Occupy Wall Street. It’s a model that puts the lion’s share of wages directly into the hands of the—you name it—the driver, the homeowner and in the case of Local Expeditions, the local guide.  My website offers a model for a ‘local expedition,’ but people sign up to create their own adventures based on who they are and what they know.  Reviews of guides and reviews of customers regulate the business.  I feel like it is an economic model that celebrates the best in us, instead of the worst. Capitalism is essentially based on profit. Any profit-based system will lend itself to greed. Certainly this can happen in the sharing economy too—we’ve seen it already—but the model I want to emulate is one where a job well done is rewarded by good reviews and most of the income for the expedition. That is how I envision the sharing economy and how I am modeling my business.
2. Travel!  I love to travel. One of the highlights of my publishing career was consistent travel and when I am in a city that I don’t know, I am not the kind of person who wants to go where the concierge tells me to go. I always try to find someone who grew up there or has lived there for a long time to tell me where to go. On the flip side, I am just passionate about New York and especially Brooklyn.  I have been here for 32 years—20 in NYC and 12 in Brooklyn (what took me so long?). I am the kind of person who, when I see an out-of-towner, I ask them what they are up to and I offer as many suggestions as possible that are outside of Rockefeller Center, Times Square, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty. Don’t get me wrong.  Everyone should see those places once – I have.  But anyone who has lived here for a long time avoids those areas like the plague.  My new favorite passion is taking the East River Ferry from 34^th street to Dumbo and back.  $4.00 plus $1.00 for a bike and the BEST vistas of the east side skyline and Brooklyn you can imagine.  A great deal and an utterly pleasant ride.

The Manhattan Bridge

What did you do before you started your company?

I was in college publishing for 26 years. It was a wonderful career. I was an acquisitions editor in many different disciplines over that time—anthropology, social work, criminal justice, history, English and engineering.  I feel like I’ve had a lifetime of learning and that is one of the things I really love about my new business. Every day I am reading up on areas of the city, the origins of neighborhoods, their art, their architecture. It’s my own continuing education program.
What’s the single most important piece of advice you received when first starting your company? What would you tell a young entrepreneur in turn?

There were two pieces of advice that really pushed me to make the move. The first was from my accountant who encouraged me to talk to my boss about my idea and see if I could work part time while I launched the business. For some reason, I just assumed I would be told to leave automatically. In truth, since I was going into a different industry, my boss was incredibly supportive and also appreciated the overlap while he searched for a new editor. This gave me financial confidence and also allowed me to begin working on the launch instead of just trying to squeeze it into weekends when I was already exhausted from my job.

The second piece of advice was from a wise friend who knew me really, really well and asked “what is it that is stopping you from moving forward?  What is your greatest fear?”  When I described the 3:00 a.m. terror of walking away from a perfectly good career to start a business that no one is interested in and falling into a deep depression and then drinking all day and then losing my partner and sitting on my dog and killing her in a drunken stupor and losing my apartment and ending up in a refrigerator box in the park, she said to me, “I know you and that is not going to happen.”

I am a daily bicycle commuter. The advice I would give to a young entrepreneur is akin to the advice I would give to a city cyclist.  You must be confident to proceed, but you cannot be over confident. If you are not confident you will falter and the faltering will cause you risk. If you are over confident, you are at an equal or perhaps greater risk of crashing. Be confident, but be aware of your own limitations and the outright randomness of life and others. The most intelligently cautious cyclist can still have a car door opened in their path. Deep breaths. Do the next right thing. Keep on keeping on. Assume the best in people. The car door would not have opened had they known you were there. And if they are in the 1% of people who actually opened that door on purpose—ride on past. Their own karma will catch up to them.

What aspect of business ownership came as the biggest surprise to you?

So far, how much fun it is!  It is so creative in a way I never imagined. It started with a simple vision, and then I had to spin out the vision into the practical, and then I had to look at the financial possibilities and then I had to consider the risks, the regulations, the barriers, and then I had to talk to others to get feedback, and then I had to decide which advice to take and which not to take. It is all-consuming in a way that I find really interesting.

DUMBO

What do you find most rewarding about owning your own business?

I confess–I like calling the shots. As an Acquisitions Editor I called a lot of shots, but there were some that I had to “check in” on. The “checking in” usually had to do with some kind of higher corporate goal—or worse yet—higher corporate fear—legal concerns, etc. My new business has a lot of legal and insurance concerns but I like weighing the risks and employing my own values to arrive at the ultimate decision.
Where do you see yourself / your company in five years? Hopes / dreams / plans?

I would like to see Local Expeditions grow nationally and internationally for these 3 reasons:  1) It offers something that people want; 2) It is reasonably priced and; 3) It has great customer service. I have heard many, many business theorems in my years in the corporate world, but these are the three simple features that strike me as a winning business plan.

For the customer:

1. All expeditions are 2-3 hours long and led by a local who designed the jaunt
2. All expeditions are $40
3. All expeditions are 10 people maximum (to keep the experience intimate)

I also believe that it has a fair and sustainable business model for the guide:

1. Local Expeditions website gets 15% of every tour ($6.00 per person)
2. The guide offers customers a local libation of his or her choice in the amount of 10% ($4.00 per person)
3. 5% of each expedition ($2.00 person) goes to a local non-profit of the guide’s choice (10 from which they can choose)
4. The guide receives 70% of the proceeds ($28 per person x 10 = $280 per expedition)

Also, the guide gets to choose his or her own schedule on a weekly basis. This is a great opportunity for extra income or full-time income depending on how often the tour runs and fills up. I really hope to attract artists, actors, grad students, local historians, etc.  as guides. I think it is a better way to make money than waiting tables and these people are natural storytellers!

What resources would you recommend to someone who is contemplating starting her own business?

So far, I have been able to fund this business on my own via a loan. I am really only launching now, so I have no idea whether I will need to seek further financial resources but I personally don’t like to be beholden to anyone. Banks, I don’t mind. Eventually I will seek a Board for advice but not for fundraising.  I want the business to gain a profit from its own worth.

Let a Local Expeditions tour guide take you on a ferry ride!

What would you say is the single most important key to sustaining a business long term? 

This is a two pronged business:  1) Guides 2) Customers

In order to sustain a long term business we will need to be absolutely attentive to and respectful of both.  Happy guides and happy customers = success.

Also, I want to keep it simple.  I want to manage people’s expectations. They should always know what they will get from Local Expeditions and it should always be fun and simple—clear website navigation is critical.  I am not a huge fan of offering a million different things.  I want to do one thing well for a very long time. No upselling.

What obstacles did you face in establishing your company and how did you overcome them?

The biggest obstacles in any sharing economy business are municipal rules and regulations. New York City, in particular, is a highly regulated city and I am of the belief that it needs to update its Byzantine systems to meet the new economy. So far the biggest barriers I have come up against are maneuvering around and within the test for tour guides (i.e., what subway takes you from the Cloisters to the Rockaways?—who cares? Anyone can look at a map and this will never be part of a Local Expedition).  Not all cities require this and it makes my model much more complicated than it needs to be.  Also, receiving my PO Box key from the USPS was a nightmare. I am a fairly intelligent person and I had to return no fewer than three times to get my PO Box key. Why?  Every time I needed a new piece of paper that had my address on it (apparently a passport and a NYC driver’s license was not sufficient). Come on people! I don’t believe this level of absurd regulation is either necessary or sustainable and I do believe that as younger generations come up and technology improves (does the USPS know about the world wide web?) these kinds of regulations will not be tolerated.

Persistence. Especially in this town of all towns. One must be persistent.

Want to take a tour? Visit the Local Expeditions website!

The post Enterprising Women: Nancy Blaine, Local Expeditions first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Lancaster County in Pennsylvania is home to a large Amish population. My sister and I recently visited the area and were intrigued by the number of horse drawn buggies sharing the road with modern cars. It seemed a fun idea to take a buggy ride, during which we were encouraged to ask our driver everything we wanted to know about Amish culture.

Prior research gave us background into the history and differences between the Amish and Mennonites, who also populate the area, and variances in how strictly they adhere to the old, “plain” ways. Amish men, women, and children wear traditional modest clothing, mostly in blue, black and white (no prints), and farm the land much as their ancestors have done for centuries. Homes can use propane, but no electricity. Residents can be driven in cars, but do not own cars. The bicycles I saw did not have chains, but instead were more like scooters that needed a push. I wished I had asked why this was, as geared chains did not seem to be outside traditional bounds.

It’s not unusual for women to find employment in the many antique and tourist shops that dot the surrounding towns, while in addition to farming corn, tobacco and soy beans, men tend to have home-based businesses like building cabinets. The children are schooled in one-room schoolhouses to the age of 15. Then they return to the farm to support traditional Amish living.

When asked about marriage, our driver and guide, Elizabeth, age 58, told us that she married late (at 31) to a widower with three children. They had two more kids and now have twenty grandchildren. She said the Amish are encouraged to marry between the ages of 20 and 25. However, some men and women do not marry and that is acceptable.

Knowing this, I inferred how gays integrate into their social order. They can adopt the Amish lifestyle or leave their group and join another that is less strict. They can also leave Amish living altogether and join the practices of the world at large. Without having to reveal their sexual preference, I understood that gays have choices within their community. Elizabeth assured us that those who leave to do their own thing are not shunned and that visits and letters are common.

She also pointedly informed us that contrary to a popularly viewed TV program, Amish teens do not have a year off to go crazy. Given her emphatic denial, I decided not to ask her about gays in the community. Another reason I didn’t ask was I had a better resource. I returned to my Airbnb rented room where I had become friendly with the two gay men who owned the charming stone house built in 1752. One of them claimed half Mennonite heritage and had left the fold years ago before he came out to his family. At first, he said, they were open and accepting, but later some members expressed discomfort with his lifestyle.

That evening, as we relaxed in the yard overlooking Pequea Creek, I learned that Amish gays were living nearby and secretly seeing one another. One fellow they described as “a flamer” had made it a bit harder for the less obvious to pay him visits. In any case, as I surmised, gays may choose celibacy or quietly see other gays using an underground gay network.

As we know, couples from all corners of the earth give birth to gay women and men, and nothing changes that fact—not their gods, ethnicities, socio-economic status, politics, legalities, or other factors. The Pennsylvania Amish are surrounded by modern American society and their children see for themselves how other lifestyles exist beyond their own. When we asked Elizabeth if she ever longed for or was curious to experience modern ways, she assured us she was happy with her chosen life. Though it may be difficult for a gay child of any religious order to leave their familial traditions, here in the United States possibilities exist for a full life, which is not always the case in other countries.

Zoe Amos brings her lesbian point of view to articles and stories on diverse topics. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter. Read her stories on Kindle and Nook. Check out her other life at www.janetfwilliams.com

The post From A to Zoe: Amish and gay first appeared on Lesbian.com.

BY FRANCESCA LEWIS

We’ve all been there – stranded in an unfamiliar city with no idea how to get the most out of it. We end up sticking to what’s familiar – Starbucks, McDonalds – when what we really want to be doing is exploring the community, experiencing local color, soaking up the culture. That’s if we can even find somewhere familiar – I hear there are entire stretches of this planet without a coffee shop or burger joint on every corner. Finding your way in an unfamiliar city can be daunting, even with Google Maps, and even with technological innovations the experience is impersonal and prone to hilarious mix-ups. If only there was a friendly human tour guide to show you where the action is. With new travel video platform, Vidpal, that guide may be only a click away.

Vidpal, which is still in beta, hosts video tour guides. You can find videos about all sorts of places – neighborhoods, districts, cities, events – all over the world. The scope of this is still becoming established but already this is being used not only for simple A-B directions but for cultural guides on local customs and tips on getting the most out of events such as NYC Pride. You can request videos, state what you’re willing to pay, and if someone can provide what you’re looking for, you’ll get the video you need. This is especially useful for gay travellers, who can enlist a local person to clue them in on the hot spots or help them find queer-friendly businesses. And, of course, if you’re a person who lives in an often visited place, you stand to make some easy money.

To encourage people to upload videos and infuse the fledgling site with content, Vidpal are running a contest this month, aimed squarely at the queer community. “We’re focusing on targeting the queer community” says their press release, “because inclusivity, diversity, community, and safety while traveling are important to the spirit of what Vidpal represents.” The contest, which began last week and ends June 30th, The Ultimate NYC Video Contest by Vidpal. The competition is open to anyone, but aimed at queer women, who are asked to “submit a video tour guide, giving a tour of their favorite thing to do or their favorite queer place to visit”. The prizes include two nights at the Adirondacks bed & breakfast, two USA Discovery Passes to Niagara Falls, or one ticket to a broadway show.

So if you’re dying to share your knowledge of the local lesbian scene, or you just really like the sound of those prizes, head on over to vidpalcontest.com/lgbt/

The full contest rules are here.

Francesca Lewis is a queer feminist writer from Yorkshire, UK. She writes for Curve Magazine and The Human Experience as well as writing short fiction and working on a novel. Her ardent love of American pop culture is matched only by her passion for analyzing it completely to death.

The post The Ultimate NYC Video Contest: Travel Video Platform Vidpal Wants Your Tour Guides first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Remember that episode of I Love Lucy where our favorite redhead tries her hand—well, feet—at grape stomping? Lucy is at first perplexed and disgusted, then she begins to enjoy herself, and then hilarity ensues.

It’s a classic bit from what seems like a completely bygone black-and-white era, but here I am reliving much of it, including the barefoot stomping and hijinks, in fabulous living color at the annual Great Gay Grape Stomp, hosted this year at Peju Vineyard (8466 St. Helena Highway; 800-446-7358; Peju.com) in Rutherford, California.

This was the second annual grape stomping event produced by Out in the Vinyard, an LGBT wine event and travel company.

More >

The post Grape expectation at the Big Gay Grape Stomp first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Patio view at Sand Castle on the Beach

BY CANDY PARKER
Lesbian.com

Think about the last time you vacationed at the beach — the warm weather, the soothing sound of waves lapping against the sand, a frothy frozen drink in your hand and a relaxed smile on your face as you and your girlfriend watched the Technicolor sunset.

Chances are at some point during that idyllic existence the two of you entertained the fantasy of leaving the daily grind in the dust, buying a business at the beach and living the lesbian dream full-time. More than likely, that fantasy was shattered as you reluctantly packed your bags at the end of the week and hopped a flight back home.

Well, meet Sheryl Smith and Simone Palmer — the women who made that universal fantasy their personal reality. The couple turned a St. Croix vacation into their very own lifelong Caribbean adventure when they purchased Sand Castle on The Beach, one of the first LGBT-owned beachfront properties in the Caribbean.

The venture began in 1999 when the couple escaped the harsh northeast winter to the tropical beauty of St. Croix. Enchanted by the incredible natural beauty of the island and charmed by the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, Smith and Palmer let their imaginations soar when they saw a real estate broker showing Sand Castle on the Beach, a late 1960s property renowned for both its title as the original Caribbean gay resort and its design by noted U.S. architect Richard Macdonald. The entrepreneurial seed was planted as the couple toured the gorgeous beachfront oasis and dreamed of owning and operating the resort full-time.

Dreams — especially those that involve uprooting one’s life, purchasing a resort and moving thousands of miles — aren’t realized overnight, but after substantial deliberation and negotiation the couple signed on in 2001 to purchase Sand Castle on the Beach. The resort opened under its new, hands-on ownership in January 2002 and one year later the complementary Beach Side Café began serving its award-winning fare.

Lesbian.com talked with Smith and Palmer about their stunning St. Croix property.

Congratulations on a successful 12 years with Sand Castle on the Beach! Please tell us about the accommodations at your resplendent resort.

Sand Castle on the Beach can accommodate over 40 guests in our 21 individual accommodations. Dolphin Villa is an exquisite 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom beachfront villa. We also have two 1-bedroom villas, five sea view suites, two garden view suites, three garden studios with balconies and eight economy “no frills” rooms for the more frugal traveler. Several of the economy rooms can be opened to include a full kitchen and living room space, as well.

What types of activities are available on-site at the resort?

We have something for every activity level. For the more adventurous types we offer kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving. For those looking to relax, we offer yoga, Ai Chi and, of course, the classic vacation favorites floating in the pool and reading in a hammock.

We also offer massage therapy for those seeking instant stress reduction and a fitness center with one-on-one personal wellness training.

The beach is replete with sea glass and seashells for those who enjoy collecting the treasures as they stroll the seemingly endless miles of beach. And diving, paddle boarding, jet skiing, hiking trails and horseback riding are all within a half-mile of the resort.

The Beach Side Café also offers live music every Saturday night, wine tastings with small plates on the second Friday of each month and imported beer tastings with food pairings on the last Friday of the month. The Iguana Lounge features a refreshing selection of frozen tropical refreshments, a wide array of world-class beers and an affordable wine list honored with the 2012 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.

Finally, of course, a romantic dinner on the beach is a favorite for many of our guests.

For those who have not previously visited St. Croix, what time of year would you recommend making the trip?

Any time of year is wonderful with the possible exception of mid-September through October when the Café and many of the island’s attractions are closed for the annual vacation. And for those looking for seclusion, Easter week might be a bit much, though those who enjoy a Mardis Gras atmosphere with camping on the beaches would love it.

What would you say makes your location unique?

The intimacy of the venue and the relaxed atmosphere provide the time and space to unwind without pretense. The island is amazingly welcoming – people congregate on the beach in the evening to watch the spectacular sunsets, providing an environment to make new friends or foster lasting friendships. Many of our guests return year after year to rekindle these friendships in the serene Sand Castle on the Beach environment.

Are you running any 2014 specials you’d like our readers to know about?

Yes! We’re very excited to introduce Lesbian.com’s readers to our little piece of paradise in the Caribbean so for those who book directly with Sand Castle on the Beach, we’ll apply a 15% discount off the room rates for 2014. Just use code Lesbian.com2014 at booking to get the discount.

For more information on Sand Castle on the Beach, visit www.sandcastleonthebeach.com or call 1-800-524-2018. And be sure to check out their beach cam, too.

The post Sand Castle on the Beach: A lesbian vacation dream come true first appeared on Lesbian.com.

One of the many things my breakup left me was the choice of what to do with our beautiful vacation to Tulum, Mexico. My ex and I went back and forth, deciding whether we’d refund the trip, keep the tickets and try to reunite our love in Tulum or bring a friend in one of our places.

Eventually, our trip was cancelled. However, my inner voice urged me not to refund my plane ticket, to take this opportunity and go solo. So, in a week, refunded our beautiful and romantic all-inclusive hotel room at the swanky Dreams Resort for a cheap (and very different) alternative, camping in the Tulum jungle for $40 a night.

Once I arrive in warm Cancun, Mexico, I get on a shuttle to take me along the two-hour journey along the Mexican coast to Tulum. A mother and daughter from Canada ride with me. The daughter is going to be the maid of honor at her friend’s wedding in Playa del Carmen. After talking to them for a bit, they discover I am traveling alone. They seem uncomfortable at the thought of a woman doing it solo in foreign country. I didn’t tell them my story — what had brought me here and what I would gain here.

After dropping off the Canadian ladies to their mega resort, I hop in the front seat next to the shuttle driver, Johnny. For an hour, we talk about his children, working at Buffalo Wild Wings (which we both had done), and his stressful job as a shuttle driver. I had met a friend, someone I would have never known if I wasn’t traveling on my own.

I say goodbye to Johnny as I check into my campsite, Turquesa Jungle Camping. The friendly and fabulous host walks down a winding tree-lined path to show me to my orange tent, surrounded by thick palm trees. I tell him “gracias” and sit in my tent, suddenly immersed in unfamiliar silence. I wonder how I’m here, in the jungle, in one of the most beautiful places on earth, alone.

I walk to the beach, look into its clear waters, search for some inner peace. I don’t find it so I find dinner instead at an amazing seafood restaurant called Simple Tulum. The bartender and staff make me feel warm and welcome. Through a few cervezas and amazing grilled mahi, I realize my experiences on this trip will be just what I need. That night, I walk the dark tree-lined road back to my tent.

The next day, I rent a bike to take a 10-mile ride to the mystical Mayan ruins. Unfortunately, I’m not thrilled by history or monuments. However, people-watching (especially tourists), I am a huge fan of, so the ruins made an excellent place for one of my favorite activities. Tulum is a place for any kind of person — families, newlyweds, gays, and plenty of sexy Europeans. It’s one of those place where no labels exist. Everyone seems to be enjoying just being free.

Hell, this is the kind of place where you can avoid “boob jail” and go bra-less all week, hold hands with your lady without a stare, go topless on the beach, or let your kids play naked in the ocean. This is why I adore Tulum.

Enough of the emotion of why this place is spectacular. Let’s get to the activities.

THE CENOTES
Beautiful and dream-like, these underground cave-like bodies of water (around five in Tulum) are filled with crystal clear water. They’re not to be missed. Not all of them are under the earth’s surface, like my favorite one, Casa Cenote. Take a paddleboard and snorkel trip through this one and it might become one of your favorite vacation memories.

THE FOOD
I can’t stress enough how delicious the food is here if you eat at the right places. Hartwood, Casa Jaguar and Gitano are all sexy places (think candlelight outdoor dining, fresh farm to table food and drinks, with a dash of hot hipsters), but they’ll cost you a pretty penny. Stray from the hotel zone to downtown Tulum for great and cheap food that’ll knock your socks off. My favorites are Taqueria Honorio (only open during the day) and Antojitos Mexicanos for tacos, El Camello for seafood, and the famous Flor de Michoacan for popsicles, juices and other sweet treats.

Passionfruit growing

Vegan or health nut? I stumbled upon a hidden gem after yoga. A raw food stand nestled in a pink hut on the property of the Ahau Hotel. Adan, who owns it concocts a smoothie of passionfruit, pineapple, ginger and other good stuff I can’t remember. He tells me about their new dairy-free coconut yogurt he makes along with their handmade chocolates and pizza. He even shows me to the garden where I find myself under a structure that holds beautiful passionfruit vines.

THE ZEN
Tulum is home to yogis, shamans and free spirits. Many hotels and spas offer yoga in the mornings for around $12 to $20 per class. The class I took at Ahau Hotel was mind blowing (the gorgeous instructor had something to do with this, I’m sure). Actually, it was the best yoga experience I’ve had so far. There’s also a chocolate, wine and yoga event at Ahau on Wednesday nights at 6pm. Don’t say no.

Mayan clay

I recommend pampering yourself with a Mayan clay massage. Both times I’ve been to Tulum, I’ve gone to Mayan Clay Spa. Mayan clay, indigenous to the region is used as a detoxifier, regenerator and healer of the skin. It might feel a little weird to have someone slap and massage clay over your body and hair, let it harden and wash it off, but I promise it feels amazing. Not only will it make your skin soft, it heals acne, diminishes wrinkles, helps sunburns and conditions the hair.

THE BEACHES
Crystal clear waters? Soft white beaches? Tropical flowers and palms? Check. Many people walk or run the stretch of beach, some let their dogs play in the salty waters, others frolic with their lovers in the waves, while many women shed their tops and let it all hang out. However you do it, the beaches and scenery here is lovely. If you’re staying at a hotel on the beach side (unlike my tent resort on the jungle side), you’ve got it made with lounge chairs, beds and food and drink service.

If you’re not staying at a beachfront hotel, Aura Beach (around five miles down the main hotel road) lets you rent chairs and umbrellas all day under $15. They also serve booze and food, so you’re good to go!

My own trip to Tulum was quite an experience.

Most people I met on my journey told me how admirable it is that I’m traveling on my own. Women with their significant others exclaimed they would be doing the same if they were single. I don’t want to toot my own horn but, looking back I can’t believe I did what I did, from experiencing raw moments in the hot jungle, finding happiness in conversations with wonderful people and facing post-breakup pain on a vacation intended for a completely different purpose.

This wasn’t my first time in Tulum. I went last September with friends, this time alone, and am already planning for another adventure later this year. One day, I’ll have the amazing experience to bring my future partner and family here.

I could go on forever. Tulum is this good. For me, it was healing and everything I needed to take a nice time out.

It’s an uncomplicated place, full of positive energy, beautiful people, and simplistic grace. Can you tell I highly recommend it?

If you’re going to Tulum, here are a few travel suggestions:

1. Get pesos or pay with your card. Paying in American dollars lands you a crappy exchange rate and incorrect change back. You can do this at the two ATMs on Tulum Avenue (Scotiabank or HSBC). Also, the ATMs along the hotel zone are not safe and charge you an arm and leg in fees.
2. Rent a bike or a car. Taxi fare will add up, if you’re getting out of the hotel area on the regular. Biking will make you look cute anyways. Plus, it’s a great workout.
3. Sunscreen (lots of it). It’s easy for your pasty American ass to get caught up in the Mexican sun, but the next day it’ll hurt like hell.
4. Don’t drink the water. Enough said.

Born a true Texas girl, Bethany U-Hauled to the beautiful, history-drenched city of Richmond, Virginia, for long distance love that eventually ended. In addition to obsessing and writing about Richmond’s food scene (restaurants, festivals, and trends), she’s a connoisseur of painting, aromatherapy, indie music and English accents. Find her stuff at Grub Like A Girl and One Check Or Two.

The post A couple’s vacation transforms into a solo odyssey first appeared on Lesbian.com.

BY NATASIA LANGFELDER

The way I see it, the honeymoon was invented so that couples could have a sanity check after all the chaos of wedding planning. There’s nothing better after months of sweating the details together than to get away with your new spouse and laugh over all the highs and the lows. After all, when you are lying on a beach with a margarita even that moment when your Uncle Pete spilled his red wine on your wedding dress will seem funny.

Obviously, your honeymoon should be fun, stress-free and safe. That’s why it’s important to select an LGBT friendly destination in which to engage in your standard newlywed PDA. It’s also great to “vote with your wallet” and spend your dollars in places that support the LGBT community.

We’ve put together this list of six fun and LGBT-friendly destinations perfect for your dream post-wedding getaway.

Hawaii

Hawaii is awesome because they are proponents of marriage equality and it’s part of the United States so you don’t need a passport to get there. Also, it’s absolutely gorgeous. If you want to kick back and have a no-fuss, beach-filled vacation this is the place for you. You can also tap into your adventurous side with a surfing lesson or by visiting a volcano.

Canada

Remember Canada? It was where gay people use to go to get legally married before we finally started to win the fight for equality here at home. If you’re into winter sports, check out one of the many beautiful resorts that offer skiing and snowboarding.

Spain

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Spain since 2005. There are numerous bars and restaurants that cater to the gay clientele all over Madrid, Barcelona, Sitges and Ibiza. Spain offers a good mix of relaxation and adventure. Couples can spend a few days at the beach and also travel between cities easily by rail to do some hardcore sightseeing.

Brazil

Sao Paola, Brazil is famous for throwing the largest pride parade in the world, the “Parada de Orgulho GLBT de Sao Paulo.” The week before the parade itself, which is held on a Sunday, is chock-full of pride parties and events. If you and your love are party people, this is your scene.

France

Paris is the city of love, so of course they have marriage equality laws in place. While France is a little bit of a cliche for honeymooning couples, some things are cliche for a reason. Divide your time up and spend half of it touring the city of Paris and then head down south to experience the beautiful countryside and vineyards. This is also a great pick for wine lovers.

Iceland

Iceland quietly started recognizing same-sex marriage in 2010. Lately, Iceland is working on getting the word out about their tourism business. If adventure is your bag, go to Iceland with your beloved and climb a glacier, bathe in the romantic glow of the Northern Lights and then soak up some culture by visiting a museum or two.

The post Lesbian-friendly honeymoon spots first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Vacation is the time to let go, relax and eat whatever you want, right? Yes and no. More and more gluttony is getting a beat down by us girls who want to treat our bodies like the temple it is, even while we are gallivanting around the world.

So, how do we strike the balance where we are putting good things into our bodies and still enjoying the tastes of life wherever our wandering feet take us as we spring into action for bikini-ready bodies and summer vacations?

To get to the bottom of the bowl or glass, Girls That Roam recently sat down with three nutrition experts to help us navigate getting our bodies ready for traveling without leaving our taste buds at home, embracing the adventure and staying healthy without skipping a beat.

People often go into one of two modes when they go on vacation: “fuck it” or “control it.” Both modes are extreme and not healthy.

Really, you don’t want to “Poopoopski,” like Charlotte did on the Big honeymoon rescue in Mexico when the girls carried Carrie getaway after she was jilted in her Vera Wang in the first “Sex and the City: The Movie” movie. Rather than indulging in healthy food and eating right, Charlotte attempted to control her food out of fear of being in a foreign country pulling one Poughkeepsie pudding after another out of her Prada for breakfast, lunch and dinner until she “Poopoopskied.” That’s a bad side effect of controlling it.

Concerned about catching something or eating bad food? The best way to get your body vacation ready, especially if you are traveling to countries in Asia and Latin America, is to take digestive enzymes, says Srinika Narayan, MS, Lac., a San Francisco-based nutritionist and owner of Srinika Healing & Nutrition.

“Just being safe in terms of not catching things, especially in other countries … I take digestive enzymes,” says Srinika, pointing out that amoeba or little parasites are food for the enzymes. “They break down the foods for me so it takes some stress off the digestive organs, especially since when eating out you tend to eat richer food than what you do at home.”

Srinika also suggests getting travel ready eating probiotics, such as sauerkraut or yogurt, basically fermented food that will help the “gut good bacteria” and “kind of keep the stomach happy.”

Srinika adds to be aware of any water-based food, such as chutney or sauces and of course ice, that’s where “dangerous water” sometimes slips into food.

If bacteria and bugs don’t worry us then gaining weight from indulging does.

“We go into a vacation worried about gaining weight so then we get really controlling and rigid with our food; that’s not healthy either,” says nutritionist Jamie Greenwood, of JamieLiving.com based in Albany, Calif.

“Fuck it! I’m on vacation”

On the other side of the plate there are the people who simply get that autopilot glaze over their eyes and let go when they are traveling or on vacation.

“We get a case of ‘fuck it.’ It’s like, ‘fuck it. I’m on vacation and I’m going to taste everything,’ and that is actually not listening to our body,” says Jamie, who blogs about feeding your body and soul at Body OnBoard.

Yeah, “I’m going to go to town,” chimes in Dana Kofsky, a nutrition stylist at Nutrition Styles in Los Angeles, Calif.

“People say ‘I’m on vacation, so I will eat what I want,’ versus staying present to their body and listening to their body,” says Dana, who encourages people to stop and listen to their body about what it really wants and how much it wants.

Stopping and listening is what Jamie calls honoring what you want versus what you think you want simply because you are on vacation, she says.

Picky, Picky

Sally in “When Harry Met Sally” wasn’t wrong when she was so precise while ordering her food. The waitress and Harry may have looked at her like she was crazy, but perhaps she was onto something and being her body’s advocate.

“You have to remember you are your body’s advocate, no one else is going to stand for your body unless you do,” says Jamie.

Vegetables are a hot commodity on the road. It can sometimes seem like restaurants are rationing the veggies; for what, we don’t know.

“When it comes to traveling it’s really hard to get vegetables,” says Jamie. “I try to bump up whatever I order. I make sure I get double vegetables.”

Srinika agrees, “You have to make an effort to include vegetables when you go out to eat” as a lot of times the vegetables served up are in very small portions. Protein is just as important she adds “make sure you are getting protein at every meal.”

What does it come down to? Be Sally.

It comes down to “owning your voice and not being afraid of putting your needs out [there],” continues Jamie, about asking for substitutions or requesting a side order. “You are not demanding anything. You are just simply asking is it possible to get this.”

“You can actually maneuver around a menu,” says Jamie, pointing out that it’s very important to become conscious of this fact rather than settling for what is on the menu. “Sometimes if we don’t see something that we like we just order whatever instead of actually realizing that I have a choice here.”

It never hurts to ask. See if you can pair a different side that you want from another menu item with the dish you are planning to order or to ask for that item as a side, without altering the chef’s creation.

Dana agrees adding that more restaurants nowadays are “extremely thoughtful and make it easy to request because there are so many allergies and food sensitivities” in addition to peoples’ rising health consciousness.

“Our bodies are basically like our inner-GPS system,” says Dana. “It tells us how to get to point A to point B. We just don’t listen to it.”

“When you listen to your body she will move you in the direction of the food she wants, which is usually the food that is going to feed you back,” agrees Jamie.

We don’t feel good when we don’t listen. Least case scenario we get an upset stomach. Worst case scenario we get sick or break out.

Dana’s “rule of thumb” is if you are reviewing the menu and are considering a selection, she says, “If you have to eliminate more than three items, you probably should be ordering something else.”

Savoring Life

At the same time, they aren’t about not embracing the adventure, including the wonderful gastronomic world out there. From their perspective, every state, city and country has different food choices that are meant to be explored.

“Let yourself enjoy,” says Jamie. “You are on vacation. Not only that, you are having a new adventure. Part of the new adventure is experiencing the food of the culture.”

“You can have a bite of something and participate without eating all of it,” continues Jamie. “If you are in France and you want to indulge in all of the desserts, because that’s really what you want, do it, but you don’t have to sit down and eat the entire thing. You can have one bite and let the rest go.”

The same with street food, particularly in some countries where you have to be aware of how the street food is prepared, just “make sure you have some digestive enzymes if you have a sensitive tummy and make sure that you are drinking lots of water,” continues Jamie.

“Having enzymes is really a lifesaver,” agrees Srinika, pointing out that they are easily available at any health food store and should be packed for any journey. “So have some of those on hand.”

Some of the ways to savor the adventure is to “choose the healthiest option,” says Dana, but do it in a way where you are able to “feel like you are able to enjoy the food without going into over indulging, but still being able to indulge.”

“Life is to be enjoyed,” says Dana, but there are some sure signs when you have over indulged, particularly with food. “You know when you have over eaten if you can’t comfortably have sex after you’ve eaten.”

“You want to be eating until you are satisfied, because the last thing you want to do is have sex when you’ve eaten too much,” she says.

This article originally appeared on GirlsThatRoam.com

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