The Intentional Tourist
Your mode travel influences your odds of unexpected encounters. In France, bikes are not only a great way to see the countryside, but also break the ice with a population that grew up on bikes, loves cyclists - and still has those bikes they grew up with!
Other gay travel sites of interest:
Venturing Out, a gay travel column, offers advice on getting the most from your vacation time.
The Gay Hiking site provides advice about hiking and rock climbing with other gay men and lesbians.
Whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon, with a friendly gay group, gives you a unique perspective on one of America's natural wonders.
Lesbian Adventure Travel leads to trips for adventurous women.
Hanns Ebensten Travel specializes in historical, cultural and in-depth explorations of far-away places, with opportunities to meet and interact with the local people.
We all know (or assume) that more money will buy you a better vacation. But you can improve the quality of your travel without spending extra cash.
Get below the surface.
Presumably you're visiting another country because it's different from your own. Yet many travelers insulate themselves from those differences. If you show respect for your host culture and its people, you'll find them eager to share their way of life. But you may have to take the first step.
Make a native friend before you go. Have the name of someone you can look up when you arrive. Traveling to Thailand? Tell the waitress at your favorite Thai restaurant. She may have a brother in Bangkok. Australia? Many gay organizations there host a website. France? Surely you know someone who spent a year in Paris. Once you have a few names, and assuming you have a common language, phone or email them. Let them know when you'll be in town, and make a courteous request. Could you take them out for coffee for an hour? Most people will say yes. If you know of shared interests, mention them. Then see what happens.
Break the ice. You're waiting at the airport, a restaurant, or a castle. If you greet both locals and other travelers, you might make a new friend. Learning just a dozen words of the native language will smooth your journey: Hello, Good-bye. Thank you. Please. Sir, Ma'am. And, finally, learn to ask, Do you speak English? If they do, they probably want to practice. If they do not, then you've avoided the obnoxious travel sin of assuming that they should.
Learn basic local customs. Tipping is the first one to learn about. Even the small Berlitz guides provide enough guidance on this to prevent major embarrassments. An action you take for granted may deeply offend someone in your host country. Don't make the O.K. sign in Italy; it's like flipping your middle finger at someone in the States. Tipping is not expected in Japan. Pointing your feet at someone (when you sit on a temple floor, for example) is highly insulting to Thais. Do yourself a big favor and read those few pages once before you depart -- and again after you've been in a new country for a day or two.
Frequently hand your camera to other people, so that you'll be in some photos. This can also be an ice-breaker.
Take time to browse. Browse in a variety of shops, even some that you think won't interest you. Bookstores, local food markets, and used clothing shops each offer a new perspective on a society. Enjoy your position as an outsider to make observations about the local culture.
Ask for information. Most people want to help visitors to their country. You'll occasionally find that a simple request generates more help than expected: Ask for directions to a cafe, and you just might be invited into someone's home for coffee instead! However, the instinct to be helpful is sometimes too strong. A local who is uncertain of the right way to the train station may point down the wrong road, only because they are so eager to assist you. If in doubt, ask again (after your first advisor is out of sight!)
Read a local newspaper. It will not only keep you updated on major U.S. news, but will also offer insights into the country you're visiting.
Future cyclists, too, are easy to befriend in France. This friendly lad struck up a conversation on our Mistral trip in Provence.
Travel with us!
Alyson Adventures specializes in active vacations for gay men, lesbians, and friends. Join us to:
Take care of yourself
Guard your health. It's bad enough to be ill at home -- it's worse in a new country. Yet travel puts new strains on your system. You'll stay healthier if you drink lots of water (most easily done by carrying a water bottle with you during the day) and get plenty of sleep, regardless of the temptations around you. Apply sunscreen frequently when appropriate. Vitamins will help fill any gaps that may be created by an unusual diet.
Prepare for the unexpected. Murphy's Law is international, and things can go wrong on a trip. Carry several credit cards, and keep them in different places: One in your wallet in your back pocket, one in your fanny pack, a third in your suitcase. For a critical item such as your passport or plane ticket, designate a secure place. After use, always return it to that spot as soon as possible.
One common cause of travel headaches has become so expected, that we've devoted a full page to it: Flight delays.
A great vacation doesn't happen because you picked the perfect destination. It happens because of your attitude! Wherever you travel, keep an open mind and smile.