Mint Male Magazine

Montreal: It doesn't get any better than queer Quebec

Written by: Jon Fairbanks, gaytravel.com

Originally named"Ville-Marie" or"City of Mary" (for you Anglophone people), Montreal is a chic, sophisticated gay destination. It is the second-largest French speaking city in the world (after Paris). That said, most residents also speak English and getting around is pretty manageable. With triple-peaked Mount Royal in the background, the view of downtown Montreal is a beautiful sight to behold.

CANCUN: SAFE, sexy, sporty, and so gay-friendly!
By: Charlie Reeves, Gaytravel.com

There are many concerns about safety and Swine Flu throughout Mexico.? I just returned from a week in Cancun and can tell you from first-hand experience if those worries are holding you back from visiting this amazing destination ? you are missing out!

I met up with Ron Kuijpers for a quick interview, owner of GayToursMexico, a division of Maya Moon Tours SA de CV, who answered many of my questions and cleared up a great deal of misconceptions.

Charlie:? How long have you lived here and what can you tell me about serious violence in Cancun?

Ron:? I have lived here for 18 years and I can tell you the drug cartel related violence is much further north of Cancun near the borders.? There are no major ports in Cancun so you will not find that kind of activity here.? Cancun government and locals are dedicated to tourism and safety.

Charlie: From what I have seen so far I have to concur.? I was walking on the beach late at night and felt very safe.

Ron: Like any destination, visitors always need to use caution to prevent minor theft and such but as far as kidnappings and even worse crimes, like I said; Cancun isn

Puerta Vallarta – Gay paradise on a budget by Joey Grant

Puerta Vallarta is one of my favorite spots to experience a fantastic vacation on a relatively modest budget. Their dollar is worth nearly double that of the US, and the cost of living is considerably lower. Airfare may be pricey, but hotels, such as Blue Chairs have insanely good deals to balance out your basic travel expenditure. Puerta Vallarta is rich in colors, nightlife, and culture. The high travel season in Puerto Vallarta runs from late November through March.

Puerta Vallarta sits off of the Banderas Bay, snuggled into what is called Zona Romantica. Modern Vallarta has become a sea of vacationing gay men, along with many gay residents, all eager to meet and mingle. It's easy to fall into the habit of spending your days at the two most popular spots (Blue Chairs and their neighbor, Green Chairs) on the Pacific Ocean front.

You may feel bombarded with the roving vendors selling everything under the sun. Sporting, beautiful, warm colors, are a variety of jewelry, clothing and trinkets, and even temporary tattoos. The merchandise can be dazzling, and sometimes there are some spectacular deals. To avoid constantly pestering, you can nod the vendors away or just ignore them. It sounds rude, but there are over hundred people working the beaches at any given time, and sometimes that can disrupt your nap time, or worse, day drinking! My boyfriend hails from the south, and his southern hospitality translated into seven necklaces, two wind chimes, three rings, and some kind of dolphin family. He couldn't resist acknowledging the vendors, but beware: Browsing quickly turns into buying. I'm just glad I never found a temporary tattoo on him! On the upside, bartering and negotiating are not only more than welcome in Puerta Vallarta, but expected. We always started at a minimum 50% of the asking price and wound up getting some great deals.

Nightly events at Blue Chairs can blossom into stellar evenings (more info is available at www.HotelBlueChairs.com). The high energy bar scene doesn't end until the sun comes up. While in Vallarta, it's easy to meet people from all over the world, including a constant stream of hot, scantily clothed men. Couples, too, can enjoy a romantic getaway in a city that is accepting to gay relationships. I was never afraid to hold hands or kiss on the beach without worrying about receiving a disapproving glance. As for single men, just brace yourself. What goes down in Vallarta stays in Vallarta, so get ready for a slew of good times. I've keep in touch with most of the people I've met in PVR and even still see some of them in hometown Chicago.

There are dozens of restaurants with a broad range of cuisine, and the bill for two in US dollars never topped $80. Our favorite hangout is Banana Catina on Amapas 147, at Pulpito. Whenever you go to the bars or leave the beach, you pretty much pass it. Banana Cantina is known for their frozen chocolate bananas and delectable dinners, but even more so for the owner, Debbi Egan, a native Chicagoan. Her charisma, energy, and charm can at times, overwhelm your heart. Debbi is an absolute delight, and I cherish every moment we spent sitting outside late at night laughing it up and chatting the night away. We picked Debbi's brain for her favorites stores restraunts and places around town. Her favorite website for the area is gayguidevallarta.com and you can use this to find maps, locations and reviews.

Debbi's Favorites.

Trattoria Michel Olas Altas 507

Apache's Martini and Cocktail Bar Olas Altas 439

Apaches Bistro. Olas Altas 433

Garbo's Piano Bar at Pulpito 142

Cassandra Shaw Jewelry, Basilio Badillo 276

Barcelona Tapas, Matamoros & de Octubre

Los Muertos beach,

Life Styles Magazine

We also found a hidden treasure, Frida. This bar is tucked away and the crowd is a bit older. What makes it a treasure is their homemade tequila. Its allegedly a secret, but I bet the owner would share it with you. Honestly, its the smoothest and most delicious tequila I've ever had (and I've had plenty of tequila). Cafe de Olla, located off of the main drag on Basilo Badillo was another favorite dinner spot. The tortilla soup and the seafood platter are two must eats before you die.

Puerta Vallarta became popular four decades ago after John Huston's 1963 filming of Tennessee Williams' The Night of the Iguana starring Richard Burton, Ava Gardner and Deborah Kerr. It was the international fame of Burton and Elizabeth Taylor that prompted the tourism boom to this quaint tropical destination. Another tourist surge followed the August, 1970 summit between President Nixon and Mexican President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz. These events made American and international travelers feel safe in PVR. You still need to keep in mind that you are in a foreign country with different laws and regulations. It can be easy to get into trouble or be scammed for some extra cash. As long as you watch yourself and keep this in mind, you should be safe. I also never drank the water or ate anything that absorbs water during washing.

Puerta Vallarta can be as relaxing or as wild as you make it, and we chose the combination. There are lots of physical activities like para sailing, zip lining and many others (which are for sure at your own risk). I don't know if there is a such thing as gay golfers but I've heard the links are beautiful.? Use your resources wisely and check into everything before you go (www.gayguidevallarta.com). Also I would recommend a daytime cruise on Diana's Tours (www.dianastours.com). There are also great deals on condo rentals at (www.PPRPV.com).

By: Coleman Vander Meer Balogh

Sydney, Australia, is certainly one of the most gay friendly cities in the world, and not only does it stand as a stylish city, rich with culture, but also a hub for all the exciting and adventurous activities that Australia has to offer. It has been hailed as the gay Mecca of Oceania, and for good reason. With a plethora of beaches, parks, museums and nightlife, Syndey stands out as our real world version of the Emerald City in "Oz".

Emerging from Western society's colonization in the 18th century, Australia, by nature, is a culture not too different from our own. Sort of a mirror version of our own, similar but slightly unusual. Affectionately referred to as "Oz" today, Australia as a generalized people are very welcoming, humble and to the point. They enjoy a good laugh over a good drink, and perhaps that's what lends to the friendly environment of Sydney's gay scene. Gay Sydney is full of men and women that genuinely seem interested in the American visitor, and all greet you with that sexy accent. If there are any unfriendly Aussies out there, you probably won't even notice, as the others will be sure to give you plenty of attention.

Sydney's different neighborhoods are as diverse as its people, so naturally the gay traveler has a variety of options depending on what exactly you're looking for. Oxford Street in Darlinghurst is host to the gay district and so it is your typical first choice. Its gay friendly store fronts are close to the harbor either by foot or by taxi, and this area hosts all the worthwhile bars that usually are on the agenda, as well as laying claim to the world famous Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Accommodations in this area will be moderately budgeted and usually housed in smaller establishments.? Your gay aficionado might want to book a fancier room closer to the inner harbor, while the budget conscious traveler might consider King's Cross, which is a stones throw away from Oxford Street. King's Cross, the typical young back-packer's first choice, offers a much wider selection of affordable rooms (that's if you don't mind the occasional strip club and sex shop on your daily walkabout). ?It is certainly the most exciting neighborhood around town as there always seems to be something happening, but you might want to keep an extra eye out for your well being.? Either way, I suggest checking online to get a confirmation of room rates and bookings via email before arriving in Sydney.

Once you have your home base, you get to choose from the plethora of activities Sydney has to offer. I enjoy both culturally inspired and outdoor based activities, so I recommend that you mix it up. If you're dying to scope some of that world famous Aussie bum, head right to Bondi Beach, 10 minutes directly east of Sydney. You're guaranteed to see plenty of sights.? However, I highly recommend a walkabout the Sydney Opera House and the Royal Botanical Gardens, situated right next to the scenic Sydney Harbor. For art aficionados, don't miss the Art Gallery of New South Whales which has an amazing (free!) collection of contemporary Australian art.? Downtown, visit the beautiful Hyde Park and the best shopping in the city.? Or you could crash Chinatown and ponder the Chinese Friendship Garden while enjoying a cup of tea at the traditional tea house. Basically, all of these sights are within two miles of each other.? You could easily spend a couple of days enjoying all that downtown Sydney has to offer.? For food, you're selection reflects the diversity of cultures located in Sydney. There's Asian, Middle Eastern, European and classic fare all for a variety of budgets. Take your pick!

This leads us to nightlife. The gay night scene really depends on your preference. If you're looking for some heavy clubbing, stop by Arq and Phoenix. For a still very much upbeat, but less of a club atmosphere, try the Stonewall Hotel or The Colombian, and for the low key folks, try some of the late hour cafes that line Oxford street. You could always spend a night at the humongous Blue Star Casino or one of the other thousands of downtown bars located in Sydney. If you're looking for a party, there's always one burning, which is one of the best things about Sydney.

For the more adventurous, Sydney stands as a platform for a plethora of outdoor activities. Whether your looking to spend just the day out of the city or an entire week, there are sailing trips directly out of the harbor, bush walking in the nearby blue mountains and excursions to the not too far beaches along Australia's beautiful eastern coast.? Simply ask your hotel or one of the nearby booking agencies to find the tour right for you. Another recommendation would be visiting some other major gay ports of call around Australia. Melbourne stands as a major cultural hub to the south for music, film and the arts, and the Gold Coast and Cairns stand as the gateways to the Great Barrier Reef to the North. Whether Sydney is just a point along the way, or the only destination of your Aussie experience, the gay American is sure to find plenty to enjoy down under.