hermes gay travel

THE DALMATIAN DREAM 2023

13 day gay cruise – croatia.

The Dalmatian Dream is not your average gay cruise through Croatia. We have created a luxury vacation where our entire gay community (and our friends) can feel comfortable and welcome. Our tour will showcase the true beauty of this stunning holiday destination. From Split, the majestic capital of Dalmatia, to the stunning natural beauty of Krka National Park and the jaw-droppingly beautiful Dalmatian islands – this country has it all.   ‍

We invite you to join us as we cruise the Adriatic on our superyacht – dropping anchor for swim stops in secluded bays, visiting fascinating cities, gorgeous national parks and drinking cocktails at sunset whilst dining on some of Europe’s most exquisite food. This is not your typical gay cruise! ‍ Culminating in a luxurious, chilled, vacation at one of Dubrovnik’s finest hotels. You’ll leave Croatia chilled, bronzed, relaxed and in love with the country and all it has to offer. There will be no better vacation!

Gay charter for our LGBT community and  friends

Unique itinerary taking in 4 UNESCO World Heritage Listed Sites and 2 spectacular National Parks.

2 onboard dance parties: Kaftana and 70’s T-Dance

Entry, sun lounge and umbrella at Coral Beach Club in Dubrovniok

All-inclusive local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks package whilst onboard*

EXCLUSIVE INCLUDED EXCURSIONS:

Zip lining or white water rafting on the Cetina River, Tuk Tuk tour of Zadar with winery visit, tour Krka National Park, military bunker tour of Vis plus wine tasting, visit to the Blue Cave in Biševo, Oyster tasting in Mali Ston, walking tours in Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik.

* Alcohol includes Croatian wines, beers, spirits as well as Aperol Spritz. Does not include cocktails or non-Croatian beer, wine, spirits.

There are nine VIP balcony cabins located on the second deck.  They are 16 sqm and have a small balcony with 2 chairs and a table. Each cabin can be made up as a twin or double. The listed price is per person.

There are two cabins located on the main deck.  They are 20 sqm and have three large windows (no balcony). Each cabin can be made up as a twin or double. The listed price is per person.

There are eight cabins located on the lower deck.  They are 18 sqm and have two portholes and a window in the bathroom.  Each cabin can be made up as a twin or double. These are the coolest and quietest cabins as they are below the water level. The listed price is per person.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Daily cooked breakfast, plus 7 three-course lunches and 2 dinners onboard the ship.

Plus an additional Welcome Reception in Split and Highlight Farewell Dinner in Dubrovnik.

*(All included dinners off the ship also include all drinks)

Onboard drinks package: includes local Croatian beers, local wines, local spirits and soft drinks.

A local gay Travel Director and a Hermes Holidays representative for the duration of the holiday.

All excursions are included – no hidden costs

Wifi included onboard the ship and at each hotel

EXCLUSIVE: 3 Nights at the 5 Star Rixos Premium Resort in Dubrovnik.

* Price is per person, twin share.

* The tour/cruise is subject to 100% surchargefor single occupancy.

* Price includes port taxes but does not include gratuities.

* Please note: Itinerary may be subject to change due to weather.

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We have been creating unique journeys around the world since 1998, driven by the idea that cultural enrichment, inherent in travel, is more fun when shared with like-minded traveling companions.

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CODA - Enriching Global Explorations

Welcome to Coda Tours, your passport to extraordinary journeys designed exclusively for the LGBTQ+ community since 1998. At Coda Tours, we craft immersive travel experiences that are more than just vacations – they're adventures tailored for intrepid explorers, set in captivating, far-flung destinations, and shared with like-minded travelers who celebrate diversity and camaraderie.

When you choose Coda Tours, you're entrusting your travel dreams to a team of seasoned professionals with a passion for curating unforgettable experiences. With a legacy dating back to 1979, our dedicated staff brings decades of expertise to the table. We've ventured into 150 countries and counting, with a commitment to explore every corner of the globe, ensuring that our wealth of knowledge and global connections enrich every trip we plan.

CODA - Enriching Global Explorations --> Exploring the World --> with CODA -->

I know how to recognize quality when I see it & Coda is definitely a quality outfit

I am a CODA customer since 2004. I have made over 10 trips with Jim and his team, visiting 4 continents with them and in excess of 25 countries and destinations. The service is very professional and dedicated, always with the best accommodations available, and an emphasis on the security and well-being of the customers; as in some places of the world, it is not always obvious for gay travelers. The choice of destinations always offers traditional and more unusual selections. My family has spent over 75 years in the tour operating business, and I know how to recognize quality when I see it. Coda is definitely a quality outfit.

10 trips with CODA

I know how to recognize quality when I see it & Coda is definitely a quality outfit.ng

We just returned from Coda's South East Asia tour of Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. We had an amazing trip! The itinerary was a perfect mix of historical & cultural sites with some free time in each city. We had several experimental type activities like the Vespa eating tour of Saigon! All of our guides were excellent. The hotels were exceptional and all first class. We had a great group of people on this tour, the chemistry of the group greatly added to the enjoyment an fun of this tour. This was my 5th trip with Coda and they continue to provide exceptional luxury trips. Highly recommend them for your travel!

We've used Jim Smith and Coda Tours for about 20 years, both for small-group tours as well as international travel arrangements. Highly recommended for imaginative itineraries, decent prices and first-rate service. And if you've ever had to deal with a cruise company's customer-service desk, you already know you need a savvy pro like Jim in your corner.

Great trip, and I would highly recommend CODA! Nicely organized with lots of good activities, plus some down time for recharging your batteries. The tour guides arranged by CODA were all great, and the members of the traveling group also got along well. Would definitely take another trip with them!

The years of combined travel experience between Jim and Duni were evident from the beginning of our Portugal adventure and continued until we parted. Service, food, accommodations, and guides were all excellent. There was a great group of friendly guys on the trip. It was great that there were local guides for each stop on our journey.

Coda's small group luxury tours are a terrific way to visit those parts of the world you might hesitate to travel to, on your own.

I recently returned from my 10th Coda trip and each one has been outstanding in so many ways. I had the pleasure of working with Jim Smith for the first time in 2005 while living overseas and accompanying a Coda tour to Turkey. Since then Jim has planned three solo trips for me to South Africa, Russia and Peru. Jim has lead many other trips I have been on and I was introduced to Agron Zyberaj in China where he and Jim both led our group. Most recently, I met Duni Bauta in Portugal and the trip was a delight and Duni a great addition to the Coda team. Coda has been at the forefront of destinations for gay travelers and I highly recommend his trips and look forward to my next one!

I have taken 9 tours with CODA in 21 years, visiting 15 countries. Every trip was extremely well organized, with fascinating destinations, and wonderful travel companions. I cannot say enough wonderful things about the CODA experience.

Tour the Dalmatian Coast on an Exclusive LGBTQ+ Cruise

• Two nights in Split at the Hotel Cornaro, overlooking Diocletian’s Palace
• Eight days aboard a luxury superyacht ( MV Aurelia )
• Three nights in Dubrovnik at the spectacular 5-star Rixos premium resort – all guests have sea-view rooms
• Daily breakfast plus seven 3-course lunches and two onboard dinners
• Stunning Welcome Rooftop Reception in Split and Farewell Dinner & Party in Dubrovnik overlooking the Adriatic Sea
• Two themed onboard dance parties
• The services of a cruise director and Hermes Holidays representatives ensure everything runs smoothly and to the high standard they expect.

To see the full itinerary and list of inclusions please visit the Hermes Holidays website: https://hermes-holidays.com/dalmatian-dream/about-dalmatian-dream.html .

Living the Croatian Dream

• White water rafting over the Cetina River or zip-lining over the Cetina Valley
• Sunset Tuk-tuk tour of Zadar with a visit to a local winery for tastings
• Visit the Blue Cave in Biševo
• Visit the Krka National Park to see the spectacular waterfalls
• See the military bunkers on Vis, one of which is now a cellar for a local winery where guests will taste locally produced wines
• Enjoy lunch at an oyster farm in Mali Ston
• Go on a day trip to Coral Beach Club in Dubrovnik
• Take walking tours with a local guide in Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik

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Hermes Holidays

Hermes Holidays is an Australian-based LGBTQI+ tour operator providing luxury vacations across the world. We welcome guests from across the globe!

With over 20 years of experience guiding tours through Europe, Australia, and New Zealand you know you're in safe hands. We love nothing more than bringing new friends together from around the world to explore the most incredible destinations. Whether you want to cruise the Dalmatian coast in a superyacht, experience our Indigenous culture and dance in the Outback, or see the sights of Sydney during the world-famous Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, we have something for you.

Are you about to celebrate a special occasion and want to go somewhere amazing with your friends? Then we can create an incredible bespoke experience just for you. Let us create your dream, hassle-free, vacation. Where all you need to do is pack your bags and relax.

Visit Gay Australia subscribers and followers can use promo code GALTA15 to receive 15% off Sydney WorldPride 2023, Sydney and Hunter Valley day tours!

503 Bourke Street, Surry Hills NSW, Australia

Ph 0416 877 388

Email [email protected]

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HE Travel – Gay Travel Tours, Gay Adventure Travel, Active Vacations

As a valued HET Travel client, you automatically receive the Lost Baggage Service operated by Blue Ribbon Bags. Blue Ribbon Bags tracks and expedites the return of baggage lost by the airline.

Reservations 800-825-9766

Adventure, culture, leisure or luxury, HE Travel is the leader in gay travel tours and gay adventure travel today and for the last 40 years. Our Founder Hanns Ebensten ran the first exclusively gay adventure tour down the Grand Canyon in 1973 and we most recently acquired OutQuest Global Adventures, bringing even more gay travel tours to gay men, lesbians & their friends. Our gay vacation group tours are ideal both for single gay men and lesbians to meet new friends, and also for couples to enjoy the camaraderie of exploring new places with other gay and lesbian travelers. Enjoy a small LGBT group tour without the confines of a typical resort vacation.

Our Newsletters are funny, informative, and an absolute joy to read.

Culinary Tours

HE Travel is known for offering the finest gay cultural tours on Earth. These tours range from “relaxing” to “soft adventure.”

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Since 1973 HE Travel has set the standards of Gay Adventure Tours. Theses tours range from “soft-adventure to high-adrenaline.”

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Want something a little more customized for you? Maybe you want a romantic holiday, an extension on a tour, or a holiday with friends?

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Gay guys and lesbians can be pretty tough. From canyoning to bungee jumping, the adrenaline club is for the most adventurous gay travelers.

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Testimonials

“Our Iceland trip was great. What a unique and fascinating place to visit—from the glaciers and the tectonic plates, to the waterfalls, geysers, and lava tubes. Great guides and a great group of guys.”

“Our trip to Machu Picchu was the best adventure that we have experienced. The knowledge of the staff and accommodations were A-1. They made our 20th anniversary trip a memorable one.”

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“Seeing the Taj Mahal and the Mt Everest flight were on my ‘bucket’ list. It was my 16th (I think…) trip with HE travel and my 6th with Andrew as guide. Y’all must be doing something right… :=) Now if my bank account could have some time to catch up! The Kathmandu pre-trip was very good and the Everest flight was a dream come true.”

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Gay Tours and Travel

Detours is a laid-back approach to gay group travel with flexible and fun-filled itineraries in diverse destinations around the world. Our less-structured, small-group trips ensure social opportunities, unique experiences, and unforgettable adventures across each of our 8 to 13-day trips.

Why Detours

Smaller group sizes, most groups have a maximum of 16 people - keeps things intimate and low impact, guaranteed departures, over 60 trips each year - and they're all guaranteed departures with no minimum travelers required, structured spontaneity, flexible, less-structured itineraries leave plenty of room for unique experiences.

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Starting at $3,890 usd, john d - australia, august 7, 2023.

As a solo traveller I was a little worried about going on a group trip.  I saw all the other positive reviews and booked. Well there is a reason why the reviews are all 5 stars, I had the most amazing trip to Greece. I felt so relaxed right from the start after meeting all the other guys and our tour guide Oliver. The next 12 days was like having a holiday with all your friends and as a group we got to see and do so many fabulous things together. Oliver was our guide and how lucky were we to have him. He just did everything for us from booking taxis, restaurants, tours and putting information into our group chat so we always new exactly what was happening. He would even put a link in there to find our way back to our hotel after a couple to many drinks which was needed a few times. Detours is 5 star from the moment you make contact with them and continue even after your tour is finished. I just recommend them so much if you are looking to have that trip of a lifetime that you will never forget. I can’t wait for my next adventure with them.

Sonny C. - USA

March 21, 2024.

The 12-day tour of New Zealand was an absolute adventure from start to finish! Exploring Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, and Queenstown provided a diverse and captivating experience that left us in awe of this beautiful country. Highlights included ascending the Sky Tower in Auckland, where the panoramic views took our breath away. The wine tour on Waiheke Island introduced us to some of the finest local wines in a picturesque setting. Hobbiton was a dream come true for any Lord of the Rings fan, with its charming hobbit holes and lush landscapes. The thrill of Zorbing in Rotorua was unlike anything we've ever experienced, adding an exciting twist to our journey. And who could forget the majestic beauty of Milford Sound? Flying back from Milford Sound to Queenstown on a Cessna plane was an unforgettable highlight, offering unparalleled views of the stunning fjords and rugged landscapes below. Throughout the trip, our tour leader, Chase, went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly. From organizing activities to providing insightful suggestions, Chase's expertise and enthusiasm enhanced our experience tremendously. In conclusion, the journey through New Zealand was nothing short of extraordinary. From its vibrant cities to its breathtaking natural wonders, this tour showcased the best that this remarkable country has to offer. We returned home with memories that will last a lifetime and a deep appreciation for the beauty of New Zealand. Highly recommended for any adventure seeker!

Brooks B. - USA

March 28, 2024.

Just finished up my 9th trip with Detours Travel and it was yet again another incredible trip! My first trip was in Costa Rica in 2015. Since then I have traveled with Detours to Peru, Thailand, South Africa, Croatia, Israel/Jordan, Italy, Scandinavia and New Zealand. If you are looking for a memorable trip with amazing adventures, I highly recommend you book with Detours! I am less than a week from returning from New Zealand and already thinking about my next trip.

Justin P. - USA

September 12, 2023.

Detours Travel gave me the trip of a lifetime and one of the best weeks of my life in a castle in Italy! I booked this trip for the first time a little less than a year ago based on raving reviews from a friend of mine and Detours lived up to the reviews and then some. Every single detail gets thought through meticulously, leaving me to focus on nothing but relaxing and enjoying the sites. Optional lead tours are available at times, if you choose and each day has the perfect balance of planned activities that you can opt in or out of. I was able to pay for my trip in installments which made financial sense, and any time I had any issue or change needed, a quick email did the trick with no work needed on my end. Travel to and from the destinations are all planned ahead, and trip leaders are knowledgeable, friendly and create an inclusive environment to ensure everyone feels welcome and like friends. The masterminds behind the scenes go out of their way to make sure that this trip is unforgettable, I'm already planning my next one. Thanks Detours!

Efren E. - USA

March 11, 2024.

As we wrap up our trip to Egypt, I thank Detours for a second amazing trip, having gone to South Africa last year. Once again, the tour was well-organized from beginning to end. Maurice was fully available in the months leading up to the trip. Once on the ground, Darren was my tour leader for a second year in a row. He is an enthusiastic, organized, kind and true leader. He created a fun and friendly atmosphere while also providing daily guidance and updates on when and where to eat, what to bring, what to wear and great tips based on previous trips. He is always willing to help or trouble-shoot on any questions. He really looks out for his guests. Hend was our local Egyptian content expert and educator and provided tremendous insights on all our sites and Egyptian history. She is a lovely person who was also instrumental in helping the group seamlessly navigate every city we visited, providing best recommendations on where and what to eat, how much to tip, and much more. She is open to sharing what life is like in Egypt and providing insights on topics including Islam. We kept thinking: I would not have wanted to wing this trip on my own. We felt extremely welcome and safe on this trip. The actual experiences and sites are breath-taking. Loved everything about this trip. I would go as far as to say that it was the best trip of my entire life.

T.J. M. - USA

January 29, 2023.

It’s hard to find almost any business that “gets you” these days. Travel has changed so much in the past few years so it’s a big investment of time, money and expectation when you book a trip. I’ve just completed my 5th tour with Detours and I can’t say enough great things about them. This is a business built from the ground up with a passion for fun, adventure, comfort and value foremost in mind. All the tour leaders with Detours are reflections of the qualities the owner envisions. They’re all about YOU! They know what they’re doing and have never let me down or fallen short of providing an unforgettable experience. If you haven’t yet, book a tour with them and be ready to be amazed at what they do.

Stephen A. - USA

May 8, 2024.

I just got home from 12 days in Spain with Brandon (and Clay in training)... this trip was nothing short of amazing. It was my first time to all of the locations on the trip. In real life, I like to be in control of everything... but on this trip, I handed it over to the most unflappable, kind, energetic, creative and outstanding team leader (Brandon) that anyone could wish for. There was not a T uncrossed or an I undotted... in the trip descriptions, it appears that you may have to figure out more than you actually do... if you want a trip where you can leave your brain at home, you can have it... if you want a lot of free time, you can do that too. You always have dinner companions, like minded excursion buddies and photographers if you want them. For purposes of anyone who might think they are too young or old, our age group ranged from 30 to early 60's (I am closer to the older side of that group lol), but it did not make a difference! I would say the trip gave me an opportunity to grow, reflect, energize and enjoy. It was truly one of those trips that make you feel even better about life when it was done. I truly cannot thank Brandon enough for his leadership... Clay for his partnership... and the many friends I made on this trip (you know who your are!)... I haven't laughed as much as I did in this trip in a long time... stop pondering whether you should book it, just do it... you will not regret it!

Victor C. - USA

October 24, 2023.

My husband & I recently returned from the October 2023 Spain trip. We really loved our Detour Tours travel experience. Our trip was made up of 16 fellow travelers - 4 couples & 8 singles who were all personable and easy going. We had a wonderful Tour Leader, Scott, who was very knowledgeable, experienced, approachable and looked out for all of us.  He went out of his way to be inclusive and was a great source of information on the local sites and activities.  Detours arranged the hotel accommodations, the airport transfers, and the travel between the 4 amazing cities of Barcelona, Granada, Seville, and Madrid. The tour included walking tours and a major attraction at the start of each destination city, but the rest of the time we were free to explore, join a group activity, or just chill in our hotel room or a nearby cafe. Our favorite experiences were the walking tours because the local gay tour guides were so knowledgeable, informative and personable. We learned a lot about the rich local history and culture of the Spanish cities we visited.  Our second favorite experiences were the fun group dinners and pre-and post dinner drinks that Scott organized and which most of us joined in. Although there was no pressure to join in other optional activities, we ended up signing up for a number of them such as cooking class, watching a flamenco show, and seeing the Prado Museum. They were all memorable and fun. Thank you Scott & Detours. If you are looking for a well run LGBT group travel experience, we strongly recommend Detours Travel. Victor and Jim from Palm Springs CA.

Patrick N. - USA

February 15, 2024.

Tim and I had an amazing time on our Detours trip to Costa Rica. This was our first time on an all-male trip, so we did not know what to expect. We have already registered for our second trip with Detours, so you know where this review is going. Everything leading up to the trip was handled with professionalism and ease by Detours. That same vibe continued once the trip started. Brandon, our trip leader, was high-energy, fun, kind, inclusive, organized, connected, and on top of his game. He did not miss a beat, all details were attended to, and he made the trip enjoyable for all. Clay was equally kind and fun, and we look forward to one of his guided trips in the future. Costa Rica is a beautiful country. We loved the variety of our locations (the beach, the mountains, the hot springs / Volcano). A little bit of everything was perfect. We participated in so many unforgettable activities (ziplining, Tarzan swing, ATV, white-water rafting, canyoneering, sunset cruises, beaches, waterfalls, pool parties, park tours, . . . ) that filled our days and brought us even closer to the group of guys we traveled with. The beauty is you get to choose your own adventure. Do it all, or do nothing, no pressure. If that is not enough, you get to experience it all with a diverse group of men from across the globe. The friendships and connections we made were easy even for introverts and heightened our positive experiences. We hope to continue these friendships in our future travels. If you are on the fence, get off. A Detours experience is worth it. Enjoy your trip!

Brian K. - USA

June 27, 2023.

We are so grateful that we found Detours online when looking for travel options. We recently took a tour through Italy and it felt like first class all the way but for a very reasonable price. Everyone from the initial communication with Maurice in the office who handled our bookings and questions to our interactions with our tour leaders Scott and Miles was top notch. They even helped arrange a last minute cooking class for us which was above and beyond. We look forward to a future trip with Detours as it was not only the best service ever but felt like it was with family the whole time.

Only the best people to make your trip amazing.

Miles Mitchinson

My job isn't done until my group members are having the time of their lives and return home raving...

Shane Bingham

General Manager

Every day I’m grateful for being able to experience new adventures in this exciting and inspiring world we live in...

• Brandon Folkes

Brand & Marketing Manager, Leader Development & Trip Leader

I want to ensure you get that same feeling of thrill and excitement that I get when I travel.

Maurice Van Veen Vazquez

Guest Experience Manager

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Pete Westergaard

Operations Manager

Whether exploring a new destination or tackling a challenging project, I thrive on new experiences and opportunities to grow.

Trip Leader

Those who know me best will attest that I revel in unconventional exploration...

Casey Miller

When not traveling and leading tours, I managed to (barely) graduate from Harvard with two masters degrees...

Darren Frances

I’m passionate about learning the stories and histories that make up the identity of every new destination I visit...

Oliver Armstrong

My ultimate goal is to inspire others to explore the world with an open mind, curiosity, and making a positive impact.

Thaddeus Eng

I hope whatever Cliff's Notes I accrue on my way will help you on yours!

Chase Bovet

I can't wait to see you out there and look forward to sharing the trip of a lifetime with you.

Clayton Inglis

To be able to share the world I've come to know and love with my fellow LGBTQ+ community members is a dream come true.

Embracing the Aussie Summer: An LGBT Traveler’s Guide to Visiting Australia

• Jul 22, 2024

If thoughts of a sun-soaked Southern Hemishphere summer adventure fill your mind while the cold of our Northern Hemisphere winter knocks at your door, then Australia might be just the escape you'…

Is Japan the next big gay destination?

• Jun 6, 2024

Japan. Known for its mesmerizing blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge modernity, it is also a growing and enticing ‘bucket list’ destination for those in our community. With its warm hospit…

How Gay Travel is Making a Positive Impact on the World

• May 22, 2024

In recent years, the visibility and acceptance of our community has grown significantly around the globe. This is not only reflected in social policies and cultural norms but also in our ever gr…

A Detours Guide to Our 'Must Try' Trip Activities: Part 2

• Oct 12, 2023

A Detours trip wouldn't be complete without a little adventure... And our groups LOVE adventure. While we all like a little poolside relaxation or spa moment, it just feels good to do something a little mo…

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Hermes Mykonos Hotel

8.9   very good.

Hermes Mykonos Hotel benefits from a stunning hillside location – it’s a steep trek to get there, but once you do, you are blessed with some exceptional views of the town and the Aegean sea. Luckily, the way down is easier, meaning you can reach gay hotspots like Jackie O and Babylon within a 15-minute walk.

The resort is stylish and well-appointed, with a large pool terrace overlooking the ocean and classy rooms. These are decorated with natural materials like stone and wood, combined with a monochrome color scheme and traditional Greek motifs. The Deluxe rooms, with their private balconies with sea view, and the Suites, with their gorgeous standalone stone bathtub, are especially worth booking.

There is a bar for your poolside drink needs, and an exceptional breakfast buffet served in the veranda every morning. The hotel also offers a complimentary airport pick-up service upon request.

Why We Love It

♥ Gay hotspots like Jackie O and Babylon within a 15-minute walk ♥ Beautiful hillside location with breathtaking views swimming pool ♥ Stylish, modern decor and excellent breakfast

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Akkadian Gay Only Hotel Mykonos

♥ Officially a gay-only hotel (since 2024) ♥ Luxury 5-star resort with outdoor pool ♥ Less than 20 minutes walk to the beach ♥ Suites with plunge pool are available

Andronikos Hotel

♥ Uniquely stylish rooms with great amenities and Instagram-perfect pool ♥ Rooms come with a sea view and many come with a private jacuzzi ♥ Excellent drinking and dining throughout the resort ♥ The main gay nightlife is about 30 mins walk, which is why you may need to hire a vehicle during your stay

Vencia Boutique Hotel

♥ Excellently located in Mykonos town, all of the town’s gay nightlife is less than 15 mins walk ♥ Showstopping view of Mykonos city from the infinity pool ♥ Delicious Greek dishes served the in-house restaurant, look at that view

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Hermes Inocencio

Book a travel gay approved hotel, guesthouses, dance clubs, parties and events, cruise clubs, gay beaches.

Rua Prudente de Morais 237, Store B , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil

Hermes Inocencio is a gay-friendly and popular men's clothing store in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Offering a wide range of alternative men's fashion such as shirts, tanks, shorts, swimwear, underwear and accessories. Hermes Inocencio manufactures their own products. Visit the store in the upscale area of Ipanema, or order online - Hermes Inocencio also ships internationally.

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Rape and murder of doctor in hospital sparks protests in India

Early on Friday morning, a 31-year-old female trainee doctor retired to sleep in a seminar hall after a gruelling day at one of India’s oldest hospitals.

It was the last time she was seen alive.

The next morning, her colleagues discovered her half-naked body on the podium, bearing extensive injuries. Police later arrested a hospital volunteer worker in connection with what they say is a case of rape and murder at Kolkata’s 138-year-old RG Kar Medical College.

Tens of thousands of women in Kolkata and across West Bengal state are expected to participate in a 'Reclaim the Night' march at midnight on Wednesday, demanding the "independence to live in freedom and without fear". The march takes place just before India's Independence Day on Thursday. Outraged doctors have struck work both in the city and across India, demanding a strict federal law to protect them.

The tragic incident has again cast a spotlight on the violence against doctors and nurses in the country. Reports of doctors, regardless of gender, being assaulted by patients and their relatives have gained widespread attention. Women - who make up nearly 30% of India’s doctors and 80% of the nursing staff - are more vulnerable than their male colleagues.

The crime in the Kolkata hospital last week exposed the alarming security risks faced by the medical staff in many of India's state-run health facilities.

At RG Kar Hospital, which sees over 3,500 patients daily, the overworked trainee doctors - some working up to 36 hours straight - had no designated rest rooms, forcing them to seek rest in a third-floor seminar room.

Reports indicate that the arrested suspect, a volunteer worker with a troubled past, had unrestricted access to the ward and was captured on CCTV. Police allege that no background checks were conducted on the volunteer.

"The hospital has always been our first home; we only go home to rest. We never imagined it could be this unsafe. Now, after this incident, we're terrified," says Madhuparna Nandi, a junior doctor at Kolkata’s 76-year-old National Medical College.

Dr Nandi’s own journey highlights how female doctors in India's government hospitals have become resigned to working in conditions that compromise their security.

At her hospital, where she is a resident in gynaecology and obstetrics, there are no designated rest rooms and separate toilets for female doctors.

“I use the patients’ or the nurses' toilets if they allow me. When I work late, I sometimes sleep in an empty patient bed in the ward or in a cramped waiting room with a bed and basin,” Dr Nandi told me.

She says she feels insecure even in the room where she rests after 24-hour shifts that start with outpatient duty and continue through ward rounds and maternity rooms.

One night in 2021, during the peak of the Covid pandemic, some men barged into her room and woke her by touching her, demanding, “Get up, get up. See our patient.”

“I was completely shaken by the incident. But we never imagined it would come to a point where a doctor could be raped and murdered in the hospital,” Dr Nandi says.

What happened on Friday was not an isolated incident. The most shocking case remains that of Aruna Shanbaug , a nurse at a prominent Mumbai hospital, who was left in a persistent vegetative state after being raped and strangled by a ward attendant in 1973. She died in 2015, after 42 years of severe brain damage and paralysis. More recently, in Kerala, Vandana Das, a 23-year-old medical intern, was fatally stabbed with surgical scissors by a drunken patient last year.

In overcrowded government hospitals with unrestricted access, doctors often face mob fury from patients' relatives after a death or over demands for immediate treatment. Kamna Kakkar, an anaesthetist, remembers a harrowing incident during a night shift in an intensive care unit (ICU) during the pandemic in 2021 at her hospital in Haryana in northern India.

“I was the lone doctor in the ICU when three men, flaunting a politician’s name, forced their way in, demanding a much in-demand controlled drug. I gave in to protect myself, knowing the safety of my patients was at stake," Dr Kakkar told me.

Namrata Mitra, a Kolkata-based pathologist who studied at the RG Kar Medical College, says her doctor father would often accompany her to work because she felt unsafe.

“During my on-call duty, I took my father with me. Everyone laughed, but I had to sleep in a room tucked away in a long, dark corridor with a locked iron gate that only the nurse could open if a patient arrived,” Dr Mitra wrote in a Facebook post over the weekend.

“I’m not ashamed to admit I was scared. What if someone from the ward - an attendant, or even a patient - tried something? I took advantage of the fact that my father was a doctor, but not everyone has that privilege.”

When she was working in a public health centre in a district in West Bengal, Dr Mitra spent nights in a dilapidated one-storey building that served as the doctor’s hostel.

“From dusk, a group of boys would gather around the house, making lewd comments as we went in and out for emergencies. They would ask us to check their blood pressure as an excuse to touch us and they would peek through the broken bathroom windows,” she wrote.

Years later, during an emergency shift at a government hospital, “a group of drunk men passed by me, creating a ruckus, and one of them even groped me”, Dr Mitra said. “When I tried to complain, I found the police officers dozing off with their guns in hand.”

Things have worsened over the years, says Saraswati Datta Bodhak, a pharmacologist at a government hospital in West Bengal's Bankura district. "Both my daughters are young doctors and they tell me that hospital campuses in the state are overrun by anti-social elements, drunks and touts," she says. Dr Bodhak recalls seeing a man with a gun roaming around a top government hospital in Kolkata during a visit.

India lacks a stringent federal law to protect healthcare workers. Although 25 states have some laws to prevent violence against them, convictions are “almost non-existent”, RV Asokan, president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), an organisation of doctors, told me. A 2015 survey by IMA found that 75% of doctors in India have faced some form of violence at work. “Security in hospitals is almost absent,” he says. “One reason is that nobody thinks of hospitals as conflict zones.”

Some states like Haryana have deployed private bouncers to strengthen security at government hospitals. In 2022, the federal government asked the states to deploy trained security forces for sensitive hospitals, install CCTV cameras, set up quick reaction teams, restrict entry to "undesirable individuals" and file complaints against offenders. Nothing much has happened, clearly.

Even the protesting doctors don't seem to be very hopeful. “Nothing will change... The expectation will be that doctors should work round the clock and endure abuse as a norm,” says Dr Mitra. It is a disheartening thought.

Inside India's first heat stroke emergency room

India's covid doctors demand action after attacks.

36 Hours in Provincetown, Mass.

By Brett Sokol Aug. 15, 2024

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By Brett Sokol Photographs by Jesse Burke

Brett Sokol, who writes regularly about art and culture for The New York Times, has visited Provincetown for the past 14 summers.

Located at the tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown has overlapping — and sometimes competing — identities: one of America’s oldest art colonies, nature preserve, thriving L.G.B.T.Q. resort and historic Portuguese fishing village. Among the few points of agreement in P-town, as locals call it, is that soaring housing costs and a creeping sense of Hamptons-style gentrification present an existential threat to this self-styled bohemian idyll that has over the years inspired literati with sensibilities as disparate as as the pugilistic novelist Norman Mailer and the pacifist poet Mary Oliver. Yet while everybody likes to complain about how Provincetown is changing, the filmmaker and summer resident John Waters wrote in his 2019 “Mr. Know-It-All” collection of essays, “I feel that if I dropped a piece of gum on the corner of Bradford and Court in the late ’60s, it would still be there today.”

Recommendations

• Provincetown Art Association and Museum , a local cultural standard-bearer since 1914, is an institution that balances a keen sense of history with an appreciation for today’s avant-garde.
• Commercial Street is chockablock with shops, art galleries, restaurants, bars and prime people-watching.
• Herring Cove Beach can be either meditatively still or sociable, depending on whether you join the crowds near the entrance, head for the areas favored by gay men and lesbians, or stroll to a more deserted stretch along Cape Cod Bay.
• The Dune Shacks Trail leads deep into the strikingly beautiful Cape Cod National Seashore , which many consider the spiritual soul of Provincetown.
• Race Point Beach faces the Atlantic Ocean, and its stunning views help explain why the Outer Cape can transform even the most hardened urbanites into born-again nature buffs.
• The Mary Heaton Vorse House , an 18th-century landmark and the namesake of the muckraking journalist who once owned it, now hosts pop-up art shows and cultural gatherings.
• Bakker Gallery spotlights work from Provincetown’s artistic pioneers.
• Berta Walker Gallery features local artists with an emphasis on Provincetown’s distinctive painters from decades past.
• The Schoolhouse Gallery is focused on emerging talent and steeped in all things Outer Cape.
• William Scott Gallery is home to local contemporary artists, including the painter John Dowd, whose annual summer openings draw enthusiastic throngs.
• Womencrafts is a proudly feminist bookstore that also sells all manner of related goods, including “Keep Ptown Queer” T-shirts and “Shuck the Oysters and the Patriarchy” towels.
• East End Books offers an array of new titles, with particular strength in cultural affairs and literary fiction.
• Tim’s Used Books is stuffed with affordably priced paperbacks and hardcovers, including tough-to-find art catalogs, tomes on queer studies, and fiction that skews high, low and all brows in-between.
• Yesterday’s Treasures sells an array of curios and ephemera, including local art, vintage postcards and old Provincetown publications.
• Mauclère Leather has handcrafted leather goods, including shoulder bags, belts and sandals.
• The Old Baby offers Provincetown-themed clothing with its tongue placed firmly in its cheek.
• Respoke recycles high-end fashion items into homespun footwear and hats.
• Freemans serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine in an upscale, leave-the-children-at-home setting.
• Mac’s Fish House offers half-price happy hour specials on its locally sourced Wellfleet oysters.
• Chach is a beloved brunch spot where tables of last night’s partiers refuel on fluffy French toast.
• Liz’s Cafe, Anybody’s Bar is a breakfast destination whose outdoor patio attracts hungry noshers from around the West End.
• Far Land Provisions has sandwiches and freshly baked goods to eat in or grab en route to the beach.
• Pop+Dutch has a cheeky motto — “Sandwiches. Salad. Lube.” — that tells you both what’s available and the playful spirit in which it’s presented.
• The Squealing Pig pours cold glasses of Guinness to accompany its Irish-pub-styled menu.
• The Canteen has a harborfront backyard whose relaxed vibe perfectly suits its array of New England culinary classics.
• Spiritus is a magnet for late-night revelers seeking pizza slices and ice cream cones, fueling an adjacent social scene sparked by those post-midnight munchies.
• Angel Foods is a small East End market with sandwiches and prepared foods, as well as an outdoor area perfect for planning out the day over coffee.
• The Art House was built in the 1960s as a movie theater and now serves as a performance space favored by drag acts.
• Crown & Anchor is a sprawling entertainment complex with multiple bars and nightclubs catering to the L.G.B.T.Q. community.
• Grotta Bar , an intimate basement space underneath the Local 186 restaurant, is home to the popular Friday-night Scream Along With Billy show.
• The Crowne Pointe is an upscale inn with an on-site spa and restaurant, conveniently in the center of town. Rooms from $339, although rates spike dramatically — here and throughout Provincetown’s hotels — in July and August.
• Gabriel’s Provincetown Hotel offers well-appointed rooms and larger apartments in a relaxed setting, also in the center of town, from $275.
• The Breakwater Hotel , once a modest roadside motel, now has chicly renovated rooms directly across from the bay’s tidal flats on the eastern edge of town, from $159.
• Short-term rentals in Provincetown abound, but they can be pricey in the summer. A more economical option is the Beach Point neighborhood, just southeast of town in North Truro, where waterfront condos and homes line Shore Road. A shuttle runs hourly ($2) into Provincetown through Sept. 2.
• Between the lack of parking and crowds spilling into the streets, driving in the heart of Provincetown can be a nightmare. But Commercial Street, home to most restaurants, shops and cultural attractions, is eminently walkable as well as bike-friendly . (Rentals are available from Arnold’s Bike Shop and Provincetown Bike Rentals .) Avoid the stress and park your car in either the MacMillan Pier lot or the Grace Hall lot, which sits on a hill above the town.

Don’t even bother unpacking. Instead, head straight for Mac’s Fish House to catch its daily 3-to-5 p.m. happy hour with half-price Wellfleet oysters (12 for $18), harvested from Wellfleet’s harbor bed just to the south and prized for their tangy brininess leavened by a hint of sweetness. Equally appealing is Mac’s itself. Though the establishment is part of a Cape-wide group of restaurants and markets, complete with its own fishing fleet, this seafood mini-empire first opened as a single clam shack in 1995 by the then-20-year-old Mac Hay with a $5,000 loan from his friends and an emphasis on all things local. That appealingly modest vibe endures and continues to draw diners seeking shellfish and sushi alike. (The free parking — a rarity among Provincetown eateries — doesn’t hurt either.)

On Friday evenings, many of Provincetown’s nearly three dozen galleries open new shows. Most of the galleries are tucked inside the quaint 19th-century homes sitting cheek-to-jowl along the brick sidewalks of Commercial Street’s East End, making it easy to dip in and out. For impressive dives into Provincetown’s past, head to the Bakker Gallery and the Berta Walker Gallery , where prewar painters like Charles Webster Hawthorne and Blanche Lazzell still reign. The cream of this local scene’s contemporary crop is showcased at the William Scott Gallery , with John Dowd’s noir-infused Cape landscapes, and the Schoolhouse Gallery , with Breon Dunigan’s faux-taxidermied trophy heads and Joel Janowitz’s beguiling beach tableaux. (Full disclosure: Letter16 Press, a nonprofit publisher of photography books co-founded by this reporter, has helped curate shows at Schoolhouse.)

The rows of stately oil-on-canvas portraits silently gazing out from the walls of the intimate dining room at Freemans say it all: Keep it serene. And just in case you missed that message, Freemans refuses to seat parties larger than four or anyone under the age of 21: “We are an Adult Only environment,” warns their website. In spite of those rules — or precisely because of them, for diners exhausted by high-end restaurants acting more like nightclubs — Freemans sees full houses for its inventive takes on Mediterranean cuisine. Start with a bowl of palate-cleansing chilled pea soup ($16), followed by pappardelle in a braised-short-rib ragout ($38) or the roasted branzino with tzatziki and fennel, apple and radish salad ($46).

Many of the singer and pianist Billy Hough ’s evenings revolve around performing jazzy standards and crowd-pleasing torch songs. But Fridays at the basement Grotta Bar (free) are devoted to what Mr. Hough wants to play. That repertoire leans heavily toward the proto-punk pantheon: Imagine the Great American Songbook with Cole Porter and Dorothy Fields swapped out for Lou Reed and Patti Smith. The arrangements are stripped-down, but their furious energy remains intact as Mr. Hough all but assaults his piano keys, often dragged back from the emotional edge (or a spiraling monologue) by his accompanist on bass, Sue Goldberg . Turns out there’s an audience hungry for this edgier take on the classic piano bar setting, and as this weekly event’s name, Scream Along With Billy, suggests, it’s happy to join in the chorus.

MacMillan Pier, where ferries arrive from Boston and where whale-watching — and increasingly, shark-spotting — boats depart.

Liz’s Cafe, Anybody’s Bar

Comfort food is the specialty at Chach , located just northwest of the town’s center. A classic diner vibe is in full effect here, and tables of close friends pick up on the previous day’s conversations without missing a beat. Fuel yourself with vanilla-infused French toast topped with fresh fruit ($15) or eggs Benedict with applewood-smoked bacon, tomato and avocado ($17). You’ll find that same inviting atmosphere — and more brunch favorites — at the West End’s Liz’s Cafe, Anybody’s Bar , which also offers outdoor dining. Go for the chicken and waffles ($15) and order a plate of Portuguese flippers — sugar-dusted hole-less doughnuts ($11) — for the group.

Provincetown’s dunes occupy a prominent position within local lore; as the philosopher Henry David Thoreau wrote of them in 1865, one can look out “and put all America behind him.” Now part of the federally protected Cape Cod National Seashore , the dunes stretch out behind the length of the town like an unspoiled and uninhabited sandy backyard — with the exception of 19 shacks originally built for ocean rescuers that became off-the-grid getaways for writers and artists including Jack Kerouac and Jackson Pollock. The National Park Service provides free ranger-led walks into the dunes. Experienced hikers can explore on their own by following the Dune Shacks Trail for about two miles north from where Snail Road meets Route 6. For a less strenuous hourlong journey, hop into one of Art’s Dune Tours ’ S.U.V.s ($41), driven by guides well versed in the terrain and its tales.

Herring Cove Beach

Since you’re now a bit sweaty, return to the center of town to pick up sandwiches and drinks at Far Land Provisions or Pop+Dutch and then head to one of Provincetown’s two marquee beaches ($15 per entry on foot or bicycle, or $25 per car, during the summer ). Herring Cove Beach is a bit more social, with a snack bar, a summer concert series , and separate areas favored by gay men, lesbians and those who prefer to sunbathe au naturel. Race Point Beach offers bigger waves, as well as more striking visuals with steep dunes behind you and the expanse of the Atlantic stretching out endlessly ahead. It’s also frequently a lounging area for a horde of seals — as well as the great white sharks that cruise the shoreline to feast on them. Keep your distance.

Yesterday’s Treasures

Provincetown’s legal ban on national chain stores isn’t airtight, but it has helped usher in an array of quirky shops that line Commercial Street in the heart of town. Book lovers have several winning options, including Womencrafts ’ unabashedly feminist-themed stock (look for its “48 Years Grateful for My Abortion” street sign), East End Books ’ carefully curated new titles, and Tim’s Used Books ’ selection of Cape authors and out-of-print art catalogs. Yesterday’s Treasures is packed with all manner of town ephemera, vintage postcards and unique gifts (a copy of “ The Ethel Merman Disco Album ,” anyone?). Mauclère Leather features handcrafted belts, bags and sandals; the Old Baby offers locally themed clothing with a wry edge; Respoke repurposes haute couture into no-less-haute hats and footwear (its motto, “I once was an Hermès scarf,” says it all).

The Canteen

Stay on Commercial Street for dinner in an invitingly casual setting at the Irish-pub-style Squealing Pig , where you can order the lightly battered fish and chips ($23) and pair it with a glass of Guinness stout ($9). The Nepali chicken curry ($19) is a less obvious, but no less savory, option (thanks to its Nepal-born chef). Or grab a seat in the Canteen ’s backyard, where the beach party atmosphere draws a lively cross section of Provincetown — townie and tourist, young and old, gay and straight alike. Start with the crispy brussels sprouts ($10) and then settle in for a classic New England lobster roll ($28). The outdoor bar makes it easy to linger over drinks and bask in the harbor view as the sun sets behind you.

Thespians love to cite Provincetown’s role as the birthplace of modern American theater thanks to the playwright Eugene O’Neill’s legendary productions here in 1916. (The cultural buzz from those stagings followed him back to New York, where he soon went from unemployable to Pulitzer Prize winning.) Such emotionally wrenching plays are a bit thin on the ground in Provincetown these days, but drama — at least in the form of over-the-top drag — is alive and well. There are plenty of performers paying dutiful tribute to divas past and present, but more interesting are the drag queens pointedly — and hilariously — taking aim at all manner of sacred cows, both gay and straight, in venues like the Art House and the sprawling Crown & Anchor complex (most tickets $35 to $45). You can’t go wrong with anything featuring Dina Martina, Varla Jean Merman or the Little Rascals-meet-Russ Meyer ensembles directed by Ryan Landry . (Needless to say, don’t bring the kids.)

Once the bars close at 1 a.m., Provincetown quickly goes dark. One of the few exceptions is Spiritus , started in 1971 by two visiting hippie entrepreneurs who were astonished to discover the town was without a single pizzeria. Over five decades later, Spiritus is still owned by the co-founder John Yingling, though you are more likely to find his grandchildren behind the counter, slinging pizza slices ($4) and scoops of locally made Lewis Brothers ice cream ($4.25) to hungry late-night revelers until 2 a.m. A fun crowd tends to gather out front in the wee hours, but the benches facing the street are prime people-watching real estate day or night.

Provincetown’s legal ban on national chain stores isn’t airtight, but it has helped usher in an array of quirky shops that line Commercial Street in the heart of town.

Provincetown Art Association and Museum

Start the day at one of Angel Foods ’ waterfront picnic tables with a cup of coffee ($3) and an egg-and-bacon breakfast sandwich ($7.50). Then head across the street to the Provincetown Art Association and Museum ($15 admission), the town’s cultural flagship since 1914. The days of its members bitterly dividing into aesthetic camps over Abstract Expressionism versus figuration, complete with hurled insults and threats, are long gone, although an intensity of purpose still prevails. Current exhibitions include a selection of maritime-themed works curated by the museum director Christine McCarthy, showcasing both the town’s fishing tradition and its artists’ stylistic breadth. Continue next door to the Mary Heaton Vorse House (free), once owned by its eponymous crusading journalist, now lovingly restored to its original 18th-century glory and playing summertime host to pop-up art shows installed throughout its rooms.

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Lake Como, Italy:  Stars like George Clooney frequent this scenic corner of northern Italy, but you might be surprised by how affordable it can be. Here’s an insider’s guide .

South of France:  Horses, bulls and birds of all types live among the pink marshes of the Camargue, a rugged landscape shaped  by the relentless push and pull of sea and river.

Disney Theme Parks:  As Disney has raised the cost of tickets and hotel rooms at its theme parks, and added pricey, difficult-to-navigate tools, even its most loyal fans are asking themselves  if they should rethink their vacations.

Helsinki, Finland:   Explore the stunning architecture  of the new central library, browse treasure-filled shops in the Design District, sweat in a wood-burning sauna, sip cocktails on a schooner and trek across islands in the surrounding archipelago.

Salzburg, Austria:  The compact Austrian city of medieval alleys, majestic Alpine views and just 150,000 residents bursts to life in the summer .

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