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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 9, 2011)
------ • voices > ------ DECEMBER 9, 2011 Q Roam If You Want To M y partner and I arc getting ready ■ to plan our first vacation together. times it doesn’t snow at a ski resort. Sometimes BY K RISTIN F L I C K I N G E R holidays, w ere heading out for a holiday o f our own. We both love travel, hut we’ve never where to look for LG B T -firien d ly hotels, re sorts, etc. And we can always use advice about how to make sure we travel well together. A Be flexible: Sometimes it rains on a tropical island. Sometimes it rains for a week. Som e Instead o f going to one o f our fam ilies’ for the traveled together. VVe’d love some advice about W W W .JU STO U T.C O M a flight is canceled or a room reservation is lost. But those unexpected setbacks can lead to ing o f queer-friendly bed and breakfasts. Still other websites provide a place for queer travelers to talk about their experiences. O rgan ization s: In addition, there are a every day together with no conflict at all, will great experiences. You might spend an extra buckle under the stress o f trying to catch a night in a new city, or end up in a different cab or shove carry-on luggage into the over room than you expected. I f you can keep your head bin. Just watch The Am azing Race. cool and go with the flow, you will be more number o f organizations that certify travel But I think there are a few things you can . First, there are a lot o f places you can companies, hotels, airlines and the like as do to relieve some o f the stress o f travel, be ■ go to find L G IFF-friendly vacations. queer-friendly. The International G ay and fore it rears its ugly head. likely to get along with your partner— and more likely to enjoy the experience. Do your homework: Some people can fly Vacation com panies: There are numerous Lesbian Travel Association and T A G can help Com municate: It really is the solution to by the seat o f their pants. Until you know how companies out there specializing in L G B T you find out if the places you’re planning to most o f the world’s problems. Communicate you travel together, make sure you have things excursions. C heck out Sweet and O livia for visit are friendly. before you plan your trip. Talk about what it is like confirmation numbers and itineraries lesbian excursions and Atlantis and R S V P M ainstream : M any mainstream properties that you both are hoping to get out o f the trip. printed out. Double- and triple-check pass Vacations for gay cruise and vacation options. and travel websites have pages dedicated to Is it relaxing time on the beach, or adventure in port requirements, and make sure you have These companies do everything from charter gay travel. O rbitz and Travelocity both have the jungle? Is it a shopping excursion to a big your identification with you. Have a plan for ing entire cruise ships to buying out full re information for gay travelers. city, or a meditation retreat at a spa? Knowing withdrawing foreign currency if you’re travel ing outside the country. sorts in order to give guests all-gay vacations. Websites like airbnb.com offer rooms for where each person is before the trip will allow Com panies like Spirit Journeys offer vacation rent by the night or week in people's homes. you to plan together and avoid some (maybe Be kind: Be kind to the people you meet. workshops and retreats. Check the listings for queer-friendly lodging. not all) o f the potential conflicts that can arise. You never know how long you’ll be sitting Q u eer m agazines: C urve and Out have Also, a lot o f individual properties and And when issues do arise on the trip, com next to someone. O r whether that airline travel sections, and online reviews o f proper companies now have information for gay municate then, as well. M aybe one o f you worker will upgrade you. Be kind to your ties as well as locations, if you’re looking for a travelers. Take a moment when you’re book wants to spend the day by the pool, while the partner. And be kind to yourself. Being kind thorough exploration o f possible destinations ing tickets or rooms to search the site for a other wants to hit the sand. Talk it out. I’m will make your trip more enjoyable for every from the L G B T perspective. gay travel page. not kidding. This kind o f thing can seem like one. And, even if everything falls apart, you’ll still enjoy each other. J# ] L istin g websites: There are websites out A s for how to travel well together, I wish a major issue in the moment, but if you just there that serve as clearing houses for queer- there were a formula I could give you. Some discuss it, you can probably find easy compro friendly lodging. Global G ay Lodging has a people travel very well together. O ther cou mise. It takes both people talking about their K listing o f hotels, and Purple Roofs has a list- ples, who are able to spend every second o f wants, and both people being flexible. about her travels at midleap.com. i-------------------------------------------------------------- 3) boisterous I holiday affairs. r is t in loves traveling gaily. You can read ------------------------------------------------------------- 1 — ONBROAOVW ti M .ij. Happy Hour Book your unforgettable holiday event at Brasserie Montmartre. BRASSERIE MONTMARTRE 626 SW Park Avenue • Portland. 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