The Better You Blog

Here are some of the things that I had learned whilst doing a gay Grand Canyon rafting trip. There is very knowledgeable staff that toured us down the river, but by some of the pictures and tid-bits I read a lot while staying for three days. The Canyon was formed by the Colorado River. It took nearly 17 million years to get the shape it has today.

By the time we reached our first destination, the Grand Canyon, our butts were sore and our eyes burned from being awake for so long in one day. We stopped off in Page, Arizona for a slight breather before continuing on to the Canyon. Let me be the one to say, it was a breath taking sight to see.

Kali Gandaki in Nepal is deeper, while Capertu Valley in Australia is about 1 km. Longer. Nearly 5 million people go to visit the canyon per year which is why they now have enforced a law that requires anyone who has traveled down the river within a single year may only do it once. If you wish to go again, the traveler must wait an entire year before going again.

When the morning came we had decided to take a raft ride down the Colorado river, which was the fastest way for us to see as much of the canyon as we could while still staying on schedule. It was beautiful. I don’t think I have ever seen a more wondrous sight than going through the canyon by boat. The ride was peaceful and serene. But freezing.

I can’t remember being so cold out in the sunlight. We drifted lazily down the river watching the wildlife passing by. To our amazement we had caught a glimpse of a Bald Eagle which according to our guide was a rare sight to see.

There was not only the breathtaking view as you looked up the steep shear cliffs of the canyon face but the ancient cave drawings that sporadically shown up around each river bend. The rafting experience was awesome. It was slow going without and harsh waters and it amazed me to see the small resting areas that looked like beaches along the bank of the river.

In all my years of traveling, the Grand Canyon is definitely a place I recommend everyone to see. When our gay rafting was over we hiked back up to stay at the lodge there. However it was not what we had expected. The rooms were small with only a single toilet and sink. The shower was in a different place and the whole thing seemed more like a hostel than a cabin as described in the brochure. So once again we found ourselves going to a hotel just 5 miles away from the canyon.

If I had the money I would do the full adventure down the Colorado River. I would experience first hand the rapids and absorb all that nature throws at me. Even though the Grand Canyon is a national park it has had problems with air pollution the problem has been partly resolved. But the effects of man’s presence in the canyon makes me wonder just what it looked like so long ago and what it will look like should man continue to be destructive. This is one sight I would hate to see blocked because of pollution factors. So lets keep it clean. Try to respect the land. After all it took mother nature 17 million years to create it.

Facts for a gay whitewater rafting trip. Spirit Journeys also has gay rafting. Composed by Howie Holben.

Italy is a land of art, history, architecture, romance and Vespas. Italy\’s exceptional scenery, rich history and deeply entrenched culture have made this enticing country a popular for those who are gay vacations, as well as a popular setting for books, movies and plays. Singles, couples, families and groups of friends flock to Italy throughout the year for the fashion, the food and some of the most famous art and architecture in the world. Whether your ideal experience includes meandering narrow, ancient roads in Rome or Venice, languid drives through the countryside searching for lesser known historical sites and visiting wineries, wiling away an afternoon in a museum in Florence or experiencing Milans enticing nightlife, Italy is an ideal destination for gay vacations.

Those on a gay travel adventure to Italy will find that the greatest selection of gay clubs and bars is in Rome and Milan; however, many towns and cities throughout Italy have gay-owned and gay-friendly bars, clubs and other establishments that will be happy to welcome you during your gay vacation, particularly in Bologna, Venice, Geneva, Florence and Padua. Hotels that are gay-owned or gay-friendly are also available throughout Italy, such as Tuscany\’s La Quircia Rosa or Villa le Masse, which are both gay-owned, or the Hotel Porta Rossa, a gay-friendly hotel that is also the second oldest hotel in the country and an easy walk to several popular attractions, such as the Galleria dellAccademia, which is home to Michelangelo\’s David.

There is a large gay and lesbian presence in each of Italy\’s larger urban areas providing many options for your gay vacation to Italy, particularly Rome, Florence, Bologna and Milan, with Milan being generally accepted as the most gay-friendly Italian City and among the most popular destinations for gay vacations. Gay pride events take place throughout the country and there are a few large gay and lesbian film festivals, including the Turin International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, the Festival del Cinema Gay Lesbico e della Cultura Queer in Milan and the Florence Queer Festival.

Enlisting the assistance of a travel agency that regularly arranges gay tours to Italy or offers organized gay vacations to Italy is a good way to ensure that you will be working with someone who understands your particular needs and can guide you towards a safe, fulfilling gay vacation.

Also shorter waits in line and an organized itinerary will assist you in making the most of your Italian travel experience. Planning your gay vacation through a travel agency that is accustomed to organizing gay vacations or arranging gay travel in Italy is the best way to ensure that you have the information you need and the assistance of a travel agent that understands your needs.

Commentary about Italy created by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys presents gay travel ideas and has a gay travel guide.

England always has been and always will be a gay vacation destination and offers a wide variety of options for gay tours in 2010. With a thriving, very visible gay and lesbian community and far more rights than those given to the LGBT community in the United States, England is an ideal location for gay vacations. From lively London nightspots to the relaxing beaches of Brighton and all the bucolic countryside and urban adventures that can be found throughout the country, England offers something for every kind of gay travel tourist.

Gay men and lesbians visiting London will certainly want to head to Old Compton Street and the Soho neighborhood where they will find a lively gay vacation and numerous gay clubs, bars, businesses and restaurants. Soho is the center of gay life in London and is in close proximity to some of Londons famous tourist attractions, such as Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Chelsea, Piccadilly Circus and Kensington. Also, London has a wonderful public transportation system, making all that London has to offer within reach. Further north, Manchester also offers a thriving gay culture with an exciting gay scene including many gay pubs, clubs and bars. Visitors will want to be sure to check out Canal Street in Manchesters gay village.

For seaside gay holidays, Brighton, aka Soho by the Sea, is home to the countrys second largest gay and lesbian community. Stroll along the pier, spend an afternoon on the famous pebble beach and explore the many unique boutiques and shops before heading to Kempton for dinner and a night on the town in this popular gay neighborhood in Brighton. Newcastle Gateshead is yet another gay-friendly option for a gay vacation in England and offers a bit of style and sophistication with a thriving gay scene complete with a gay village full of bars, clubs, cafs and pubs.

Gay men and lesbians will find gay-friendly lodgings in every region of England, including some options that are exclusively for the gay travel community or only gay men. If you are working with a travel agency that is accustomed to organizing gay vacations in England, your travel agent will be able to guide you to the gay-friendly hotel, bed and breakfast or other lodging option that best suits your needs. If you are interesting in roughing it during your gay vacation to England, there are also gay-owned and gay-friendly campsites available, such as the gay-owned Out in the Open campground in Cornwall and Brighthouse Farm in Suffolk, which has six acres of farmland for camping, as well as self-catering accommodations and a bed and breakfast.

Make your England gay travel tours all that they can be by planning your gay travel with the assistance of a travel agency that is well-versed in organizing gay vacations.

Spread about England composed by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys produces gay getaways for gay travel groups and singles.