I’m Kayla, and I travel a lot. I travel with my wife, and sometimes with friends. We plan around Pride, beaches, food, and safe vibes. I care about simple stuff too—good coffee, clean rooms, and a walkable area. You know what? Those small things matter when you’re far from home. For dream-board inspiration, National Geographic’s photo-heavy list of must-see LGBTQ-friendly destinations never fails to spark new ideas.
If you’re piecing together your own itinerary, you might like my longer diary-style rundown—the brutally honest version of every place I’ve loved and a few I didn’t—so feel free to bookmark that for later.
Before I lock in flights and hotels, I skim the safety guides and coming-out stories on OutProud to make sure the vibe matches my own. I also keep the super-detailed LGBTQ travel safety checklist from TravelGuard open in another tab so I don’t miss anything basic like vaccination advice or insurance fine-print.
Because I’m on the road so often, I rely on a solid chat app to keep group plans and last-minute meetups humming—this roundup of the top three best chat apps on the market breaks down security, data usage, and international calling features so you can pick the ideal tool for staying in touch wherever you roam.
Here’s the thing. A place can be fun and still feel off. Or safe yet bland. So I’ll tell you the good and the not-so-good. First person. No fluff.
Quick Map of Where I Went
- Barcelona + Sitges, Spain
- Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Palm Springs, USA
- Berlin, Germany
- Tel Aviv, Israel
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Montreal, Canada
- Cape Town, South Africa
Barcelona + Sitges: Sun, Style, and a Quick Train Ride
I stayed in Eixample in Barcelona. Locals call it the “Gaixample.” I liked the wide streets and the tiny bakeries. I walked to bars like Arena Madre. Drinks were strong. Music hit late. The crowd was mixed and kind.
The not-great bit? Pickpockets. I kept my phone in a zip pouch, and I was fine. But I saw a guy lose his bag at 2 a.m. It spoiled the mood for a minute.
Sitges is a 40-minute train ride. I went for a weekend. Parrots Pub felt like a silly hug. The beach was easy and warm. I booked a small room near the church and woke up to bells and sea air. Pure joy.
Best time: May, June, or September. July gets hot and packed.
Puerto Vallarta: Beachy and Bold
I stayed in the Zona Romántica. I could walk to Los Muertos Beach. The Blue Chairs area was lively, but Mantamar Beach Club had better chairs and food. Mr. Flamingo kept me dancing on the sidewalk at 1 a.m. No one blinked. It felt free.
I did get sunburned on day one. Rookie move. Use reef-safe sunscreen. Also carry small bills; some spots prefer cash.
It’s one of the easiest, happiest places I’ve been as a gay traveler. Simple as that. I gush even harder in my full Puerto Vallarta breakdown if you want the nitty-gritty on beach clubs and tacos.
Palm Springs: Pool, Palms, and Quiet Nights
Palm Springs is a mood. Clean mid-century lines. Big sky. I stayed at a small gay hotel with a pool. I napped more than I danced, which shocked me. Hunters had a friendly vibe. Oscar’s Sunday show was campy and fun.
Daytime wins here. Indian Canyons gave me views and peace. Bring water. No, bring more water. Heat sneaks up fast. If your idea of daytime bliss is a salted-air breeze that never quits, Aruba dishes out similar pool-to-beach ease without the desert heat.
Downside? Prices jump on long weekends. Plan early. Winter is magic. Summer is oven-hot.
If you’re coupling your Palm Springs downtime with a quick hop toward Los Angeles and want a pulse-check on queer-friendly happenings in the San Gabriel Valley, drop into the Backpage West Covina directory—there you’ll find up-to-date event postings, lounge recommendations, and other local insights that can turn an otherwise sleepy weekday into an unexpected night out.
Berlin: Grit, Pride, and Great Bread
Schöneberg felt like a warm blanket. Cozy bars, rainbow flags, people holding hands without worry. I liked Prinzknecht for a chill beer before dinner. After? I grabbed döner and walked home across quiet streets.
Berlin can go late. Later than late. That’s cool, but I’m a morning person. I learned to pick one late night, not three. Also, some clubs are very niche. Read the door rules, and you’ll be fine.
Bonus: The breakfasts. I still think about that dark bread and cheese plate. Simple and perfect.
Tel Aviv: Beach Energy with Big Heart
I stayed near Gordon Beach. The gay area by the Hilton Beach felt easy. Sun, tennis courts, and a soft breeze at night. Shpagat was my favorite bar. Warm staff. Cute music. No attitude.
Pride week here is huge. The parade crush made my chest buzz. But it can be pricey. Food, drinks, even taxis. I shared a taxi through the Gett app to keep costs sane.
If you love beach days and late dinners, it fits like a glove.
Bangkok: Neon Nights and Sweet Street Food
Bangkok was a rush. I stayed near Silom. Soi 4 had Balcony Bar, and it was friendly and bright. Soi 2 had DJ Station, and it pulsed like a heartbeat. I danced, then ate mango sticky rice near the corner. That snack hit hard.
Taxis can be tricky. I asked for the meter every time. If they said no, I took Grab. Easy fix. Also, pack light linen. The heat clings to you.
The city felt open and kind, even in the chaos.
Lisbon: Hills, Fado, and Good People
I booked a tiny room in Príncipe Real. The hill was steep, so my calves got tough. I loved small wine bars, then late nights at Trumps. Finally Club gave me old-school cabaret joy. Strangers shared lighters and life stories. It felt safe.
Watch for cobblestones when it rains. Slick like glass. And bring layers. Nights get cool.
Food note: Sardines with bread and olives. Sounds plain. Tastes rich and real.
Montreal: Pride with a French Twist
Le Village on Sainte-Catherine felt bright and easy. Rainbow balls overhead in summer made the street glow. SKY had a rooftop I loved for sunset. People switched between French and English mid-sentence. I did too by day two. It made me smile.
Winter is icy. Like, face-sting icy. Summer is perfect. Pride here is joyful and kind, with good transit and fair prices.
I also had poutine at 1 a.m. It saved my feet. Salt and gravy cure many sins.
Cape Town: Mountains, Sea, and a Pink Pocket
De Waterkant was my home base. Cute coffee shops and soft colors. Clifton 3rd Beach had a friendly crowd and clean water. I watched the sun drop behind Lion’s Head and felt small in a good way. If you have time for a side trip north, Namibia surprised me with its raw desert calm and LGBTQ-welcoming pockets. Right next door, Botswana’s safari circuit served queer comfort with lion roars at dawn.
I took Ubers at night and stuck to well-lit streets. That helped me feel safe. Beefcakes had camp shows and burgers. Silly, loud, and good for the soul.
Wind can whip hard in summer. Bring a light jacket even on hot days.
Tiny Things That Saved My Trips
- I save venue names in offline maps.
- I carry a small cross-body bag with a zipper.
- I pack two swimsuits so one is always dry.
- I learn “hello,” “thanks,” and “sorry” in the local language.
- I check Pride dates and book rooms early.
What I Loved vs. What I Didn’t
- Best easy beach vibe: Puerto Vallarta, Sitges, and Costa Rica’s pura vida coastline
- Best city culture with queer