World AIDS Day Turns 20: NYC and UK Ceremonies

Rainbow Tourism will send a representative to two events in New York city. Can't find my red ribbons, but will buy a new one.


Ooh that we could clone ourselves and also be in the UK for their Awareness Days. If anyone attends the England functions, please let us know if you were traveling and took in the event or live there and went because of the 20th anniversary. Thanks.

Winter Party Festival February 25 - March 2, 2009

Miami’s Fun in the Sun LGBT Destination Event Turns Sweet Sixteen

The beaches, clubs, bars, shops, restaurants and museums of Miami will come alive at the sixteenth annual Winter Party Festival, February 25 through March 2, 2009.  From family picnics to fashion shows, cocktail receptions, interfaith services, and pool parties to dancing on the beach, the Festival delivers something for everyone.  The week-long celebration produced by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force features parties at some of the most popular nightclubs in South Beach and Miami, as well as an expanding line-up of cultural events and programming for specific segments of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. This year’s dance events will feature a roster of the world’s best DJs, including Roland Belmares at the Under One Sun Pool Party on February 28th and Tracy Young spinning at the main event, the Beach Party on March 1st.  

As well as a host of dance events, the festival program will include events specifically for LGBT families, youth and women as well as fashion and cultural activities.  The climax of the Festival is the famous Winter Party Beach Party, which attracts more than 6,000 attendees to North America’s largest outdoor dance celebration.  During the week more than 10,000 people from across the country and around the globe are expected to attend at least one Winter Party Festival event. Prices range from $10 for a single event to $500 for a pass that allows entry to most of the approximately two dozen events.  For information, tickets and a complete list of events, visit www.winterparty.com.

"The combination of a world-famous beach resort, warm winter weather and a week-long program of events make the festival an ideal vacation choice whether for a day, the weekend or the whole week," said Chad Richter, Festival Chair. "And, visitors and locals alike get to enjoy all this while supporting the vital grassroots activities of the Task Force," he added.

Since 1994 the Festival and its sister event, the Miami Recognition Dinner, have raised more than $2 million for organizations serving the South Florida LGBT community.  Two-thirds of the net proceeds from Winter Party Festival will be distributed to the Miami-Dade LGBT community through a granting program administered by the Dade Community Foundation, while the remaining one-third of the proceeds will benefit the Task Force.

Website: www.winterparty.com

Rainbow Tourism: Florida Information

For travel assistance contact the Rainbow Tourism Concierge

Stop imagining it. Start experiencing it. Joie de Vivre!

The vacation you've been dreaming about in Gay San Francisco @ a joie de vivre hotel.

Aussies Welcome at Americana Hotel. The staff want your stay to be memorable. Mine was! They won me over by serving Yarra Valley wines, Custom burgers and Good pizza! - Deetouring Dee 

When you make a long-haul flight to North America from the Southern Hemisphere, having a home away from home during your visit in San Francisco is just the ticket. Rainbow Tourism's Concierge, Dee Farrell, highly recommends the Best Western Americana for good value. It's like having five-star amenities in a gay all-star location for just peanuts. There's plenty to do, from bridge to games, from volunteering to working out. Great gym equipment and large space looking to fountain and courtyard. Not tiny hole in wall with one piece of old equipment. First class at budget price. It's a classic return to mid-century fun and games with sorta deco decor.

What is the most interesting Gay activity in SOMA? ...Castro for history, but now all over the city, with SOMA being newest development within walking distance of the famed cable cars... Where's the swanky bar? Punk?  Across the street is the Carriage Inn, a literary themed small hotel with rooms dedicated to San Freancisco notables, including Armisted Maupin. Apparently he never stayed there, but the antique typewriter on the desk gives the impression he might have banged away on at least one newspaper column pre Tales of the City chapters. 

Is Green your favorite color? Very appealing and clever is the remake of two motels across the parking lot and cojoining them into the Good Hotel, a philanthropic and "green" approach to affordable lodging and voluntourism meant to inspire the good in all of us. The recyable materials and items throughout the hotel are unique, for sure, and the writings on the walls will make you want to help out with One Brick. 

The Good Hotel has joined the grass roots organization to make volunteering easy. You can contribute half a day of your holiday to work on gay projects or other community events that suit your interests. Two things I liked about staying at these joie de vivre hotels is that the staff go the extra smile - even to the point of matching your personality with a hotel that is a reflection of who you are...Go to www.JDVHotels.com and see how the online matchmaker works for you. By looking at their travel portal, you can create a custom itinerary of things to see and do during your stay. JDV has hotels in all the major cities, from Sacramento to the Silicon Valley.

Summer Gay Day - 1 December 2008

The second Summer Gay day is happening in Sydney, Australia on 29th November.

Last year saw the inaugural Summer Gay Day with a great outdoor party enjoyed by all those who attended.

This year it is happening again as gay Sydney welcomes in the start of the summer season.

This is the start of the summer season which culminates with the annual Mardi Gras Parade and Party.

Review: Same Same

Website: www.SummerGayDay.com.au and Facebook

When: 29th November 2008

Accommodation: Rainbow Tourism

Whistler Gay Ski Week - Feb 1 to 8, 2009

More info at Whistler Gay Ski Week

Baystay B&B - Paihia, Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Rob and Niek operate the Baystay Bed & Breakfast which overlooks the Waitangi River in Haruru Falls, Paihia, Bay of Islands, New Zealand

With a choice of two quiet rooms you will sleep soundly. In the morning  breakfast in the morning and optional dinner

Soak in a spa pool after a day of visiting the local attractions.

Swimming with dolphins your fantasy? Can do just 5 minutes away. 

Take a bus trip to Cape Reinga - the top of the North Island and the meeting of the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman sea. Enjoy the drive along 90 mile beach.

You will enjoy your stay with Rob & Niek and won't want to leave.

Website: Baystay B&B - you can book Baystay B&B securely with Rainbow Tourism at no additional cost.

If you need any more assistance feel free to contact the Rainbow Tourism concierge.

New Gay Operator Steps Out With Gay, Green And Affordable International Tours

Canadian based OUT Adventures today announced the global launch of operations and website www.out-adventures.com.  Business and personal partners Robert Sharp and Steven Larkin have created eco-friendly OUT Adventures in order to  address a current gap in the gay and lesbian travel segment that limits adventure travel to a handful of luxury operators. 

"As avid gay travelers, Steven and I felt we could leverage our knowledge of the LGBT market and also the mainstream travel industry in order to provide a much more affordable, culturally enriching experience to gay men, lesbians, their friends and families," says Robert.

Larkin adds "Gays and lesbians are looking for their next big travel experience, but amidst economic uncertainty they also don't want to break the bank.  We now offer this traveller a truly engaging, comfortable (average 3-3.5 star) experience that leaves them with plenty of spending money."

OUT Adventures will operate closed groups with a maximum of 12 passengers and has over 80 global departures planned in its first year.  Trips are tailored to meet the needs of gay and lesbian travellers and begin at $875 CAD for an 8 day trip to Peru including a 3 day hike to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail.  All trips will have a strong focus on responsible travel by using locally owned hotels, restaurants and also interaction with local communities, both LGBT and mainstream.

The company is also leading this niche market by operating in a manner that contributes to the well being of the planet - from using green power in the OUT Adventures head office to including carbon emission off-setting in the cost of approximately 15% of its trips in its first year and in all trips by 2010.

In order to provide the best itineraries at the most affordable prices, OUT Adventures has partnered with one of the world's leading adventure tour operators, Intrepid Travel which will allow OUT to contract with a global network of destination management companies under the Intrepid brand.

Travellers can choose from Active, Comfort, In Style , Independent and also Family trips for same sex couples with children over the age of 6. Trips are available directly through the OUT Adventures website at www.out-adventures.com and on Rainbow Tourism

About OUT Adventures Inc.

Toronto, Canada based OUT Adventures was founded by partners Steven Larkin and Robert Sharp and provides affordable and eco-friendly small group adventures to the LGBT community with over 35 worldwide destinations. OUT Adventures is a proud member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association and the Travel Industry Council of Ontario.   Visit www.out-adventures.com for more information and a complete product offering or join the OUT Adventures Facebook group

Intrepid Travel Pty Ltd.

With over 19 years of experience, Intrepid Travel is one of the world's leading small group adventure tour operators. Intrepid offers over 450 itineraries in more than 90 destinations worldwide. Intrepid trips are designed to go off the beaten track, meet the locals and travel in an unconventional way, joining locals on their transport, in their markets and even in their homes.   Visit www.intrepidtravel.com for more information.

We will shortly have these tours on Rainbow Tourism - so if you looking for a new gay tour at a great price then contact the Rainbow Tourism Concierge.