I very clearly remember my first holiday with a boyfriend. It was to Cannes, in France, nearly 25 years ago, and the hotel receptionist looked aghast. “Mais monsieur!” she cried when we tried to check in. “Il y a un grand lit!”
Though we laughed it off (and still use “monsieur!” as a comical catchphrase), not everyone would have found it funny to be told, rather loudly, that the room had just one bed.
Although such incidents are rare today in most of Europe, LGBT+ travellers are still not always as warmly welcomed as our binary counterparts.
As Pride month kicks off a party-packed season, it’s worth remembering that “out and proud” elements aren’t holiday prerequisites. LGBT+ people like sunshine, skiing, culture and the great outdoors just as much as straight people. What matters is the ability to holiday in safe and inclusive environments where anyone can be themselves without having an uncomfortable “monsieur!” moment. After all, isn’t LGBT+ travel just “travel“?
These are the destinations where you’ll feel most comfortable.
UK and Europe
Best for: party people
There’s no need to travel far when there’s so much LGBT+ appeal close to home. Brighton and Manchester host the UK’s most credible Pride celebrations (both in August). Along with Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, Brighton also has one of the UK’s densest LGBT+ populations.
Read more on Europe travel:
On the continent, Denmark has a long history of acceptance (its first gay bar opened in 1955). Estonia came in from the cold more recently by legalising same-sex marriage (its second city, Tartu, is also one of this year’s European Capitals of Culture). But perhaps the most fun destination for LGBT+ travellers is Spain. Madrid Pride is Europe’s biggest (over two million people attend); Barcelona and Sitges are summertime favourites; and Gran Canaria loves Pride so much that it hosts two per year, in May and November.
Travel Supermarket has a six-night stay over Winter Pride in Gran Canaria at a well-located, three-star all-inclusive from £980pp, including flights and transfers.
USA
Best for: colourful LGBT+ communities
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