Gay Getaways

[Will]

It's the beginning of summer; I've been working hard; I'm tired; I need to get away for a few days -- only 3 or 4 -- but I don't want to make a big deal of it. Ideally, I would check into a B&B at a quiet gay-friendly resort town, perhaps on one of the Great Lakes. I've heard people say that Saugatuck, Michigan is a Midwest Provincetown, although somehow I think that's an oxymoron. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm going to post the same query in the Ask an Escort forum, too, as the working boys may have more resort experience than the rest of us do. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Boston Guy]

Good morning, Will!

 

Happy Memorial Day... and, by the way, the answer to the question you posed before the system went down (I did not have a chance to answer it) is that Miss Manners is still Miss and not Ms., to the best of my knowledge. After all these years, I just automatically reach for Ms. now.

 

Regarding a gay getaway, I do have a suggestion. At the risk of sounding like a member of the choir here, I'd recommend you hop a plane to Montreal for a few days. I just looked up the flight schedules and there's a non-stop you could get on Continental, with the flights in each direction taking roughly 90 minutes.

 

If you go over a weekend, the r/t fare is less than $400. Once in Montreal, most things cost one-third less than their equivalent in the US, including hotel stays and good meals. The total cost of a trip to Montreal could easily end up being less than an equivalent trip in the US.

 

But you find yourself in a very vibrant city, with far more to offer than just a great gay scene. I don't know if you've spent much time there, but it's wonderfully cosmopolitan, with a North American sensibility and a European flair.

 

Some guys like to stay in the hotels and B&B's in the gay village. I tend to stay elsewhere and head down to the village whenever I want to be there. Both seem like good options.

 

There are terrific restaurants there, offering almost anything you'd like. And, of course, the gay bars are terrfic, including the bars with dancers.

 

Finally, Montreal takes the summer very seriously. There are festivals and fireworks scheduled for pretty much every weekend and, when the weather is nice, the whole city is out on the streets. It's very dynamic, yet you can while away hours in a cafe if you want, just watching the street scene go by.

 

Here are some links that might be of interest to you.

 

http://www.escapeartist.com/international/montreal.htm

http://www.festivalmontreal.org/festival/

http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/B2C/00/default.asp

http://www.montreal.com/tourism/fests.html

 

Regards,

BG

[Guest Tristan]

I just looked up the exchange rate as of May 30.

 

One US Dollar = $1.418 Canadian

 

Where else can you get a deal like this in such a great place?

[marc anthony]

>

>Regarding a gay getaway, I do have a suggestion. At the risk

>of sounding like a member of the choir here, I'd recommend you

>hop a plane to Montreal for a few days.

 

 

Hey BG! And what is wrong with being a member of the choir???

 

After all, it's a good song that we sing!

 

I second the notion of going to Montreal. And I am doing it in the key of C.

 

:7 :7

[Paul Revere]

BG, Montreal is great idea for a getaway in the summer, especially for those of us who aren't beach people.

 

I clicked on your links, and I think that taking in some of the Just for Laughs festival in July sounds like a great summer vacation.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Canada is nice, but some in-states suggestions include...

 

Palm Springs, Key West and South Padre Island: All of these destinations have several friendly gay B&B's and can be as low-key or party charged as you make them. All also feature great eye-candy wearing very little clothing.

 

I was just recently in Palm Springs and can highly recommend staying at The Viceroy (aka, The Estrella). It's not specifically gay, but it's definitely 'family friendly' with a very large gay clientel and features expansive, well-done rooms.

 

In South Padre Island (TX), the main gay B&B is The New Upper Deck. If you've ever been to The Parliment House in Orlando, it's much like that but on a smaller basis. Same idea. Good crowd and TONS of shirtless young fratboys cavorting on the beach during the summer. There's also a gay beach directly in-front of the Upper Deck property as well.

 

Key West also has TONS of places for gay travelers, some of which are very ligitimate and then some that resemble bathhouses. Either way, a goodtime will probably be had by all...

 

*evil grin*

 

My favorite spot in EYW actually isn't a gay B&B, but a really kitschy redone hole-in-the-wall called The Key Motel, right on the main drag Duvall. The rooms feature Murphy beds (very shagadelic) and have quite a bit more character than the humdrum Marriott or Hyatt.

 

In whatever you choose to do, have a blast, have a ball (or three) and enjoy yourself.

 

 

Warmest Always,

 

 

 

Benjamin Nicholas

[Chuck50]

Ben might not say this cause it is his home and he doesn't want to sound like he is pushing it. But I am going to San Antonio and yes to be with him for my Birthday. Can't think of another guy or place I would rather be with or at right now and yes I have been to Montreal and will go there again but have also been to a lot of places as well. HUGS Chuck50 :P :P

[Boston Guy]

All good suggestions and all fun places. Key West, especially, is a place I like very much (although some of my dearest, brightest gay friends think it's dull).

 

But Will said he was looking for someplace to go for just a few days. I assume that under those circumstances he'd like to minimize travel time and maximize his time at wherever he ends up going.

 

I suggested Montreal not just because it's a world-class city with a great gay life but also because it's only a 90-minute hop for him to get there.

 

Cheers,

BG

[Rick Munroe]

>it's only a 90-minute

>hop for him to get there.

 

Montreal is only 90 minutes from Ohio? I never did pay attention in geography class, because the teacher, Mr. Jensen, was a major hunk who wore flannel shirts (top 3 buttons undone to reveal tufts of thick black chest hair) and snug Lee jeans with a major bulge in the front. I knew what was going on south of Mr. Jensen's monogrammed belt buckle but I never did learn where Ohio was.

[Chuck50]

and after all that you still met derek???? hugs chuck

[+ deej]

>>it's only a 90-minute

>>hop for him to get there.

>

>Montreal is only 90 minutes from Ohio?

 

Honey, pretty much everything in North America is 90 minutes from Ohio. The flip side of that, of course, is that EVERYTHING is at least 90 minutes from Ohio.

 

It's probably quicker to fly to LA than to Chicago from many places in Ohio.

 

I do offer geography tutoring. It works best nose-down. Really.

[FrancoDiSantisxxx]

Saugatuck

 

No one answered your specific question. I am making several assumptions: you want an inexpensive vacation and you want someplace which is more rest and recreation in a gay-friendly environment than recreation and rest. Given that you are in Ohio, Michigan does make sense with the exception of how you would get to Saugatuck. If you are going to fly, you might need to make several transfers, in which case, some of the suggestions you received, such as Palm Springs, might also make sense.

 

Palm Springs is a great place to visit but I would not recommend being there in the summer unless you like heat. It often gets well above 95-100 degrees and while most of the resorts offer free nights with the purchase of one or two during the "off" summer season, you are still looking at room rates in the $100 per night range.

 

In this regard, New Orleans away from the French Quarter might be an inexpensive bargain. The airfare from any city in Ohio should be incredible inexpensive and there are sufficient cultural and gastronomic pleasures. There are also some good bargains to be had away from the quarter, albeit not in specific gay friendly or gay owned establishments.

 

As for Canada, I think Toronto would be both closer, less expensive as far as air fare as well as equally friendly and gay. I like Montreal but I am looking forward the what will be a more compact Gay Village in Toronto. You might look at the gay travel section of either Planet Out or Gay.com, both are essentially if not actually identical.

 

I have not been to Saugatuck but a client in Chicago stayed at the Dunes and enjoyed it. You might look into this web site: http://www.lambdaresorts.com/

 

Enjoy!

[FrancoDiSantisxxx]

Saugatuck

 

No one answered your specific question. I am making several assumptions: you want an inexpensive vacation and you want someplace which is more rest and recreation in a gay-friendly environment than recreation and rest. Given that you are in Ohio, Michigan does make sense with the exception of how you would get to Saugatuck. If you are going to fly, you might need to make several transfers, in which case, some of the suggestions you received, such as Palm Springs, might also make sense.

 

Palm Springs is a great place to visit but I would not recommend being there in the summer unless you like heat. It often gets well above 95-100 degrees and while most of the resorts offer free nights with the purchase of one or two during the "off" summer season, you are still looking at room rates in the $100 per night range.

 

In this regard, New Orleans away from the French Quarter might be an inexpensive bargain. The airfare from any city in Ohio should be incredible inexpensive and there are sufficient cultural and gastronomic pleasures. There are also some good bargains to be had away from the quarter, albeit not in specific gay friendly or gay owned establishments.

 

As for Canada, I think Toronto would be both closer, less expensive as far as air fare as well as equally friendly and gay. I like Montreal but I am looking forward the what will be a more compact Gay Village in Toronto. You might look at the gay travel section of either Planet Out or Gay.com, both are essentially if not actually identical.

 

I have not been to Saugatuck but a client in Chicago stayed at the Dunes and enjoyed it. You might look into this web site: http://www.lambdaresorts.com/

 

Enjoy!

[+ Hoover42]

>Honey, pretty much everything in North America is 90 minutes

>from Ohio.

 

Deej, did you mean to east coast instead of North America?

 

Everything west of Missouri is at least two hours away, and anything on the west coast is at least four hours away.

 

...Hoover (don't hit me!)

[+ Hoover42]

>Honey, pretty much everything in North America is 90 minutes

>from Ohio.

 

Deej, did you mean to east coast instead of North America?

 

Everything west of Missouri is at least two hours away, and anything on the west coast is at least four hours away.

 

...Hoover (don't hit me!)

[bigguyinpasadena]

RE: Saugatuck

 

I was in Palm springs yesterday-pretty crowded and pretty warm(105!!!)went to two different drag shows.First was at a bar called the Barracks,the drag there was leather/levi/military.The fun one was at a bar called Toucans,lots of cute guys of all types,reall fun show.

Will,there is a gay resort in Tennesee,very rustic,more Russian River than Montreal.

I will find the link.

But I put in a vote for Montreal-But I would suggest staying in a nice place in old Montreal-that way you will not be to "gayed out"

Russian River is another option.

Here is a link for the place in Tenn.

http://www.timberfell.com/

Here is a very helpfull guides to "outdoorsey"(rather than city)resorts and activities for gay men.

http://www.gayoutdoors.org

[bigguyinpasadena]

RE: Saugatuck

 

I was in Palm springs yesterday-pretty crowded and pretty warm(105!!!)went to two different drag shows.First was at a bar called the Barracks,the drag there was leather/levi/military.The fun one was at a bar called Toucans,lots of cute guys of all types,reall fun show.

Will,there is a gay resort in Tennesee,very rustic,more Russian River than Montreal.

I will find the link.

But I put in a vote for Montreal-But I would suggest staying in a nice place in old Montreal-that way you will not be to "gayed out"

Russian River is another option.

Here is a link for the place in Tenn.

http://www.timberfell.com/

Here is a very helpfull guides to "outdoorsey"(rather than city)resorts and activities for gay men.

http://www.gayoutdoors.org

[Boston Guy]

RE: Saugatuck

 

>No one answered your specific question. I am making several

>assumptions: you want an inexpensive vacation and you want

>someplace which is more rest and recreation in a gay-friendly

>environment than recreation and rest.

 

I'm curious why you felt that I was not trying to answer Will's specific question, given that that was, in fact, my goal. I made pretty much the same assumptions you have made and looked about for someplace he could (a) get to quickly; (b) spend a few days in without breaking the bank; and © enjoy a gay-friendly environment that was varied and offered relaxing alternatives. I also assumed that Will, given his background and character, would welcome the presence of a variety of cultural institutions and activities.

 

>As for Canada, I think Toronto would be both closer, less

>expensive as far as air fare as well as equally friendly and

>gay. I like Montreal but I am looking forward the what will be

>a more compact Gay Village in Toronto. You might look at the

>gay travel section of either Planet Out or Gay.com, both are

>essentially if not actually identical.

>

 

Checking Orbitz, Toronto is closer to Will than Montreal: by 15 minutes in each direction and about $20 in r/t airfare. However, it's been my experience that the gay life in Toronto is qualitatively different than what is found in Montreal, especially in terms of what is presented to the traveler.

 

I like Toronto very much but I find that Montreal can be both more fun and more relaxing than Toronto, at least from the point of view of being a gay traveler. There is more to the gay village in Montreal than in Toronto, or at least it feels that way. In Toronto, once you've wandered down Church Street, what more is there? I'm sure there's an answer to that question, but it's not obvious.

 

I think there are simply more gay venues -- restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels and B&B's -- in Montreal than in Toronto. That might be wildly inaccurate, but it feels that way to me when I visit. And certainly in the summer, when Montreal just bursts with life, there are more gay people wandering the streets of Montreal's gay Village than are to be found around Church and Yonge streets in Toronto.

 

I'm not implying that Toronto is not a bad suggestion or a bad suggestion; it's a city I've happily visited many times. But it's definitely not a place I'd head to for some "gay R&R".

 

On the other hand, Montreal in the summer offers a kind of experience that's hard to beat. At times, the whole of Montreal feels gay and the city's annual gay festival is billed as prominently throughout the city as any of the other festivals, like the jazz or comedy festivals. Finally, to me, Toronto feels a lot like a somewhat smaller version of Chicago (another city I like very much). Montreal in the summer feels a lot like a somewhat smaller version of Paris -- an atmosphere that I would think Will would like very much.

 

BG

[Will]

As I'm the only one who might actually know what he's talking about when it comes to How-Far-Am-I-From-Anywhere-If-I'm-in-Ohio?, I might remind you that Ohio is a huge state and that it has three major cities, all of which begin with "C". Cincinnati is in the southwest corner, on the Ohio River; Columbus is in the middle of the state; and Cleveland is in the northeast corner, on Lake Erie, about three hours' drive northwest of Pittsburgh. From the Cleveland airport it is a 50-minute non-stop flight to Newark or LaGuardia (distance from New York is my gold standard) and about the same to O'Hare.

 

BG is right, though: I want to go where it's quiet, where I don't have to travel much to get there, and where I can rest and work. It would be a welcome change to be in a gay community; but for reading and writing, it really doesn't matter all that much.

 

Thanks for all the tips thus far!

[Will]

RE: Saugatuck

 

Thanks, Big Guy. That place in the Smokey Mountains (Timberfell) looks great, and it's close enough. I'd never have come across it without the link, so I'm very grateful.

[FrancoDiSantisxxx]

RE: Saugatuck

 

>>No one answered your specific question. I am making several

>>assumptions: you want an inexpensive vacation and you want

>>someplace which is more rest and recreation in a

>gay-friendly

>>environment than recreation and rest.

>

>I'm curious why you felt that I was not trying to answer

>Will's specific question, given that that was, in fact, my

>goal. I made pretty much the same assumptions you have made

>and looked about for someplace he could (a) get to quickly;

>(b) spend a few days in without breaking the bank; and ©

>enjoy a gay-friendly environment that was varied and offered

>relaxing alternatives. I also assumed that Will, given his

>background and character, would welcome the presence of a

>variety of cultural institutions and activities.

 

I also assumed that Will would have considered and discarded potentially cultural significant vacations, or that would have been an aspect of his question.

 

I also assumed Will might potentially be considering someplace within driving range.

 

Finally, he specifically asked about Saugatuck and no one specifically responded. In that regard, I thought some of the specific responses made no sense either in comparison to what (and, obviously, again these are assumptions) Will might be seeking and geography. Given all this criteria, I think neither Montreal nor Toronto would have been good answers. However, based on recently pricing travel to both cities from the east coast (as well as from the west coast), including hotels, I think Toronto is the current greater bargain. Toronto also boasts the larger gay pride celebration and the larger gay population.

[Boston Guy]

RE: Saugatuck

 

>However, based on recently pricing travel to both cities from

>the east coast (as well as from the west coast), including

>hotels, I think Toronto is the current greater bargain.

>Toronto also boasts the larger gay pride celebration and the

>larger gay population.

 

After you have spent time in Toronto (assuming you have already spent time in Montreal), I would be interested in knowing if you still felt the same. Having spent significant amounts of time in both cities, I doubt it.

 

BG

[Guest rohale]

I was in Palm Springs for two days last week. I think it's great place to relax. The heat only adds to the atmosphere and that's the main reason why Palm Springs is so fantastic. Along with the shopping centers and casinos. Montreal is another city mentioned frequently, I can't really add anymore to what has already been mentioned. I do think there is one town that might be of interest and that is Santa Cruz, it's a really cool town and it's totally relaxing. They have some great resorts and great food. There's always lots to see. There is never a dull moment. Santa Cruz is a place that I would highly recommend to anyone. It's just my opinion.

 

Rohale

[Bilbo]

Are you still going to Easton Mountain? If so, will you be doing that soon? Aside from the fact that you probably won't have as much time as you sound like you want to do your own reading and working, being in the class and all, it sounds like the kind of quiet, outdoorsy place you seem to be looking for. And it's certainly gay owned, run and inhabited.

[+ Axiom2001]

Santa Cruz, CA is a fine, "laid back" beach town which is politically astute and a fun place to be, but gay life there is rather staid and indeed quite limited. But it is one or two steps above beautiful Monterey, CA. Will could rest and relax in both places, but if he's coming from the Middle West, then I'd choose Montreal where he would get what he's after!