If you are gay or lesbian and looking for a vacation hot spot, Cape Town, South Africa, might be the place for you.
The town made it onto two gay-friendly destination lists put together by Out & About, a monthly newsletter that provides gay travel information and resources. The lists–called Top 10 Up-and-Coming Gay Destinations and Top 10 Romantic Destinations for Gay and Lesbian Couples–put Cape Town at No. 6 and No. 9, respectively.
Top five up-and-coming destinations
– Buenos Aires: “South America is just super hot this year” because of the city’s progressive gay-rights laws and active gay and lesbian movement, said Ed Salvato, the editor of Out & About magazine.
– Melbourne, Australia: Stay in the state of Queensland and enjoy a relaxed, gay-friendly atmosphere.
– Ft. Lauderdale.: Enjoy the warmth and sun of the South in a city that has become a gay haven with gay accommodations and exciting nightlife.
– Vancouver: The top 10 list calls it “welcoming and wooing more and more discerning gay visitors.” With same-sex marriage now legal here, many gays put it among their top vacation spots.
– Hong Kong: Men here get together and socialize in saunas and even perform karaoke.
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Top five romantic destinations for gay and lesbian couples
– Paris: The home of the Eiffel Tower has universal romantic appeal, so it’s no surprise it topped this list.
– Hawaii: Have you dreamed of marrying your partner on a beach? More than a dozen companies offer gay and lesbian wedding ceremonies here.
– Vermont: Same-sex partners wanting to make their union official flock to the state, the first to legalize civil unions.
– St. Barts, French West Indies: The top 10 list calls it “one of the best-kept gay-friendly secrets on Earth.” Enjoy the beaches, shopping and dining, but don’t expect a huge gay nightlife.
– Santa Fe, N.M.: “One of the most lesbian-popular spots in North America,” according to the top 10 list, though men and women alike come here to take in history and relax.
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Edited by Cara DiPasquale ([email protected]) and Kris Karnopp ([email protected])