So where do we go for Christmas? Any ideas?

[poshglasgow]

On the basis that many of us like to avoid the cold and 'misery' of a UK Christmas by flying to Thailand for some R&R, I am guessing that there will be some, like me, concerned that Thailand may well be off the menu this Christmas, so, what does that leave us with in terms of an alternative warm, playful, value for money, gay-friendly location? Sibling Christmas is out of the question this year so being relatively free of ties (Thais) I want to try and get away somewhere. No, before someone recommends them, I'm not interested in Korea, Syria, the Gambia, Moscow, Bournemouth...!

Any recommendations/ideas without too many Covid complications (quarantine/ tests etc)? I can't think of any - I'm stuck!! I'm open to PM recommendations too if you want to share your favourite alternative destination privately!!:)

Isn't Covid a bastard? I blame the.........!

[cdnmatt]

I've heard Portugal is nice. Easy to get into as well, and only requires a vaccination cert or PCRE test, that's it. No hoops, quarantine, et al.

One of the most progressive nations in the UE, and quite gay friendly from what I've read / heard. Wouldn't really expect to be able to pickup rent boys ala Thailand, but still, seems like a really nice country.

[poshglasgow]

Many thanks cdnmatt. I've heard that Portugal is definitely worth a visit. The only thing that concerns me is the temperature at Christmas: warm enough? A gay friend of mine is off to Benidorm in the morning and I believe the temperature there is around 23 degrees. Minimum amount of fuss coming and going (unlike Italy at present)! In the SE of England we have enjoyed a lovely day: probably the last for a while?

I wish I had a time machine: I'd switch the date back to 1994 and book into Le Cafe Royale and allow Ian and Robbie to take care of me. Nostalgia ain't what it used to be! Mind you, the first hotel I stayed at on my very first visit in 1993 was the Penthouse in Pattayaland Soi 2. In those days it was VERY gay friendly: I understand it still is in terms of manager's welcome, although in more recent times it has catered for the breeders and their kittens. I wouldn't feel comfortable with that.

[a447]

My last 2 trips to Europe included Portugal.

I was there was in September, just before Covid struck. It wasn't a sex trip so I didn't hook up with anyone; I went solely as a tourist. Plenty of eye-candy, though.

The food was horrible - unless you like cod - but there was plenty of interesting sites to see.

The only problem was the number of very steep stairs that you need to climb to go anywhere. Many places of interest are situated at the top of a hill and unless you are fit and do not suffer from knee or back problems, you may find it hard going. For example, the Alfama district in Lisbon was exhausting but it was so interesting that I just soldiered on. I gave it a miss on my second trip.

The 2 worst places for stairs were Porto and Coimbra. OMG! But both were well worth the effort.

[goji]

the Penthouse in Pattayaland Soi 2.

I think it was closed with a for sale sign in the window.

As for where to go for xmas:
1 Southern Europe: Too cold & very few available boys that interest me
2 Latin America: Crime risk and according to the apps, only a low percentage of boys are likely to be interesting
3 Other ASEAN: Worse travel restrictions than Thailand

So the answer to the question is: Thailand.

[vnman]

I can't recommend Mexico City enough.

Very uncomplicated when it comes to the COVID rules and nightlife is buzzing. I'll be there during Christmas and the new year.

[DoubleDutch]

Marrakech, Morocco, it looks like. I was there for several weeks in October, almost no tourists but everything open, no restrictions. Also Tangier, Morocco, travelling in Morocco is fast and efficient.
Weather is similar to Malaga, Spain, warmest spot on continental Europe during Dec, Jan, and I'll decide on the go if it is warm enough to stay months at the time. I hope it is warm enough, because I have no plan B, Thailand this year is out of the question, with everything closed, I don't want to be there.

vnman brings up Mexico, maybe worth serious consideration, climate during Jan Feb seems perfect, and spending several months, climate becomes very important, no point of going to Spain or Portugal, when sit around hotel most of evening, and at +10C there is not much to do outside. Canary Islands is the only guaranteed warm place near Europe, but deadly boring so no go.

[poshglasgow]

I can't recommend Mexico City enough.

Very uncomplicated when it comes to the COVID rules and nightlife is buzzing. I'll be there during Christmas and the new year.

If you can recommend gay-friendly areas of Mexico city I'd be interested to learn of them. Thank you for responding.
PG

[michaelx1992]

Colombia:

- Medellin: cheap, many things to do, excellent hotels, perfect weather, but you need to make arrangements with guys in advance (and probably stick to a couple instead of trying to be a butterfly). .
- Cartagena: more expensive, beautiful islands to visit, hot weather, excellent restaurants and hotels, same situation with guys as in Medellin.
- Cucuta: dirty cheap, hot, plenty of guys available if you know where to find them, but nothing to do in the city and not a tourist in sight.

If you want to pick up guys in these cities, basic understanding of spanish is almost a requirement. I never felt unsafe, just take the usual precautions.

Forgot to mention that there are no entry requirements regarding covid and everything is open (bars, discos, restaurants, ..).

[poshglasgow]

Marrakech, Morocco, it looks like. I was there for several weeks in October, almost no tourists but everything open, no restrictions. Also Tangier, Morocco, travelling in Morocco is fast and efficient.
Weather is similar to Malaga, Spain, warmest spot on continental Europe during Dec, Jan, and I'll decide on the go if it is warm enough to stay months at the time. I hope it is warm enough, because I have no plan B, Thailand this year is out of the question, with everything closed, I don't want to be there.

vnman brings up Mexico, maybe worth serious consideration, climate during Jan Feb seems perfect, and spending several months, climate becomes very important, no point of going to Spain or Portugal, when sit around hotel most of evening, and at +10C there is not much to do outside. Canary Islands is the only guaranteed warm place near Europe, but deadly boring so no go.

Hi DoubleDutch,

I have always had a soft spot for Morocco: my first trip to Tangier was in 1976, when it was still a city frequented by the literati and artists. It was a great favourite, for example, of Joe Orton and his partner Ken Halliwell, before tragedy overtook them both in Islington, London in 1967!! Kenneth Williams would sunbathe in his suit on the beach to the east of the ferry port and the Kray twins (not literati) would visit too; the town certainly had much to offer Ronnie in those days. I have enjoyed Marrakech and fought off much interest shown in me by certain locals in the Jemma el Fna.

I am aware, however, and heard of an increasing intolerance towards gay tourists. Indeed, if you are spotted in the company of a younger Moroccan man it could elicit official attention. I recall a middle-aged guy from Essex being imprisoned in Marrakech sometime during the past ten years for being openly affectionate with his 20+ years of age boyfriend. On the other hand, I understand that discreet behaviour can produce a pleasurable vacation and that the owners of many riads are often gay couples. Any recommendations re: accommodation/towns that I may not have visited, please PM me. I had a great time in Agadir in 1993 with a lot of interest being shown. Mind you, I was in my early forties then!!

[DoubleDutch]

Colombia:

Cucuta: dirty cheap, hot, plenty of guys available if you know where to find them, but nothing to do in the city and not a tourist in sight.



I like it already!

[michaelx1992]

Let's just say Cucuta is for the more adventurous among us. Someone like ChristianPFC would probably love it, both money-wise and boy-wise, but I would certainly not recommend it to everyone ;-)

[DoubleDutch]

Hi DoubleDutch,


I am aware, however, and heard of an increasing intolerance towards gay tourists. Indeed, if you are spotted in the company of a younger Moroccan man it could elicit official attention!


Main problem, the only problem, really, is where to go, after you have befriended a local guy. Locals are not allowed in hotels, at least not in hotels I stayed. I asked guys, where to guy, where to rent a room, they never had a clue, all agreed that hotels are out of the question.

At night, there is action in parks. There is zero information online, and advise given at gayguides.com (formerly Boytoy.com) Africa section is useless. Gayguides.com is now part of Moses' online empire, sadly this thread at

https://www.gayguides.com/forums/topic/34442-marrakesh-visit/

is fiction.

I know because I was there just now for 3 weeks, looking around day and night. All info on this thread is garbage, fiction, same poster has sevearl threads about Morocco, Egypt, all fiction, I believe. I tried to register at Gayguides but it is simply not humanly possible, so let it be.

You are right about locals watching your every move, if you try and approach a young guys, or they approach you, there will be people observing it, trick is to look like local, or at least some random guy. Unfortunately same problem will always arise - where to bring them. Easier at night - parks. They do expect tip, you can refuse altogether or give little bit, 5 Eur is apricated for blow job, meaning you blow them, you always blow them and never the other way around. Still, I found Marrakech much more simulating than Europe, much much more. Going back next week, will report.

[DoubleDutch]

Let's just say Cucuta is for the more adventurous among us. Someone like ChristianPFC would probably love it, both money-wise and boy-wise, but I would certainly not recommend it to everyone ;-)

Would it be much to ask what are you talking about? More adventurous among us, you don't recommend it to everyone? Could you explain it to me as if I was a Golden Retriever! Dumb it down, if you please!

[michaelx1992]

Would it be much to ask what are you talking about? More adventurous among us, you don't recommend it to everyone? Could you explain it to me as if I was a Golden Retriever! Dumb it down, if you please!

I will see if I find the time to write a trip report, it's a bit much to explain here and I don't want to hijack the topic.

[vnman]

If you can recommend gay-friendly areas of Mexico city I'd be interested to learn of them. Thank you for responding.
PG

Zona Rosa in Mexico City. For example Londres, Hamburgo, Amberes, are excellent streets.

Most of the bars and clubs are within a two-block radius and 5 minutes by foot. The same goes for restaurants. I always feel safe in Zona Rosa and there's no problem with showing public affection, if you were inclined to do so. Grindr is a good way to meet guys, paid or not. There are also MBs walking the street if that is your thing.

Mexico City has Uber and it is a safe way to get around town.

[vnman]

- but you need to make arrangements with guys in advance (and probably stick to a couple instead of trying to be a butterfly).


Why is that?



- Cucuta: dirty cheap, hot, plenty of guys available if you know where to find them, but nothing to do in the city and not a tourist in sight.


Border town with Venezuela...sound dangerous to me.

[michaelx1992]

Why is that?

Border town with Venezuela...sound dangerous to me.

I found it difficult to get into contact on the gay apps in Medellin. They were often not interested or quoted excessive prices. In my experience, not many gays use the apps over there. There is plenty of eye candy in the streets, commercial centers and in the gay discos, but language problems and the fact that they are often in groups make it more difficult to communicate. I eventually sticked to one guy in Medellin and another in Cartagena. Cucuta was a diffferent story, with 7 guys in 4 days.

The city center of Cucuta felt safe, but I wouldn't go near the border at night (or even during daytime). There's plenty of police presence and with normal precautions, I don't think it was any more unsafe than any other city, but it's certainly a destination off the beaten path.

[bucky13]

Brazil (Rio or Salvador) is still the best winter (summer for them) destination for the vaxxed and cautious. The guys are stunning and cheap and the beaches are as well.

[Blacktouch]

I found it difficult to get into contact on the gay apps in Medellin. They were often not interested or quoted excessive prices. In my experience, not many gays use the apps over there. There is plenty of eye candy in the streets, commercial centers and in the gay discos, but language problems and the fact that they are often in groups make it more difficult to communicate. I eventually sticked to one guy in Medellin and another in Cartagena. Cucuta was a diffferent story, with 7 guys in 4 days.

The city center of Cucuta felt safe, but I wouldn't go near the border at night (or even during daytime). There's plenty of police presence and with normal precautions, I don't think it was any more unsafe than any other city, but it's certainly a destination off the beaten path.

Hi,

Is there any gay bars or clubs in Cucuta?

[michaelx1992]

Hi,

Is there any gay bars or clubs in Cucuta?

Here's more info about Cucuta: https://sawatdeenetwork.com/v4/showthread.php?22464-Trip-report-Colombia

[vnman]

Brazil (Rio or Salvador) is still the best winter (summer for them) destination for the vaxxed and cautious. The guys are stunning and cheap and the beaches are as well.

I have the feeling that it is not really twink orientated, is it?

[Oliver2]

Bolsonaro is a homophobe, a racist, a rain-forest destroyer and a Covid-denier. Quite a combination. Wait for Lula's return!