Introduction From the far reaches on the steppes of Eurasia, a American gay couple residing in Ukraine write about their experience in this difficult new nation: “For the gay male tourist, you are truly in the land of beautiful boys (no attitude and no body fascism). Of course, we are not as exciting as Berlin
Albania
All Europe News & Reports
Andorra
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Gibraltar
England’s Crystal Mile
Intro: One of the most glittering sights in England is not the ‘crown jewels’ exhibit in the Tower of London. Rather, ninety miles north in the city of Stourbridge thousands of crystalline products dazzle the eye and impress the visitor inside numerous glass factories-all open to the public.
Gay England: London’s Gay Energy
Intro: A visit with a Brit friend to London’s gay downtown reveals many positive changes in the past generation. The gay community is very alive and very well.
Stratford-on-Avon and the Eternal Bard
Intro: This ‘quaint’ city in the heart of England is home to the world’s most famous writer, Shakespeare. I studied here, went to the theatre here, lived with a local family, visited all the Shakespeare properties and was forever spoiled by the charm, intellect and history of this ‘shrine’.
UK – Stratford-on-Avon
From a humble Stratford-on-Avon village emerged one of the world’s greatest writers, William Shakespeare (about whom very little is actuallyknown). He was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England’s national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or
UK – London
London is one of the oldest and most important commercial and cultural cities in the world. It is the most populous municipality in the European Union. In the past twenty years, starting in the 1980’s, London–and the United Kingdom–has become a leading proponent for gay human rights. The landmark Civil Partnership Act 2004 created a
UK – Bourton-on-the-Water, Costwolds, Gloucestershire
Bourton-on-the-Water is a village in Gloucestershire, England in the Cotswolds area. It is known as the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’ because the River Windrush runs quietly through the center of the village and is spanned by several attractive stone bridges.
Gay Belarus 2006
Intro: Belarus still staggers under post Soviet repressive government policies. Although homosexuality has been decriminalized it remains a shadow lifestyle and there is little breathing room or freedom for LGBT people. Below are stories and reports that offer an overview and introduction to gay Belarus.
Gay Belgium: A Leading Nation for Gay Respect and Rights
A leading nation for gay respect and rights There’s a good reason for the International Lesbian and Gay Association to be based in Brussels in Belgium: the country is one of the most progressive societies in the world in recognizing LGBT citizens as fully equal to everyone else. Belgium is a small country of 11,730
Bulgaria – Black Sea Coast: Varna to Nesebar
After World War II, Bulgaria became a communist state and part of the Eastern Bloc. In 1990, after the Revolutions of 1989, the Communist party gave up its monopoly on power and Bulgaria transitioned to democracy and free-market capitalism. Currently Bulgaria functions as a parliamentary democracy under a unitary constitutional republic. A member of the
Bulgaria – Central Area: Veliko, Shipka, Plovdiv
After World War II, Bulgaria became a communist state and part of the Eastern Bloc. In 1990, after the Revolutions of 1989, the Communist party gave up its monopoly on power and Bulgaria transitioned to democracy and free-market capitalism. Currently Bulgaria functions as a parliamentary democracy under a unitary constitutional republic. A member of the
Bulgaria – Sofia City
Bulgaria – Sofia City
Croatia: A Natural and Naturist Wonder
Croatia: a Natural and Naturist Wonder Croatia, in the opinion of many, Europe’s most beautiful garden has been an attractive naturist destination for five decades. Naturism from its first beginnings in 1936 on the island of Rab, naturally with the permission of the town authorities, was begun by respectable guests Edward VIII and his beloved
Croatia – Zagreb: City (1)
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of Croatia. The city is the cultural, scientific, economic and governmental center of the Republic. The city’s population in 2006 was about 784,900. In 1991, it became the capital of the country following secession from Yugoslavia. During the 1991-1995 Croatian War of Independence, it was a scene
Croatia – Zagreb: City (2)
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of Croatia. The city is the cultural, scientific, economic and governmental center of the Republic. The city’s population in 2006 was about 784,900. In 1991, it became the capital of the country following secession from Yugoslavia. During the 1991-1995 Croatian War of Independence, it was a scene
Croatia – Zagreb: City (3)
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of Croatia. The city is the cultural, scientific, economic and governmental center of the Republic. The city’s population in 2006 was about 784,900. In 1991, it became the capital of the country following secession from Yugoslavia. During the 1991-1995 Croatian War of Independence, it was a scene
Croatia – Adriatic Islands
The Croatian Dalmation coast with its thousand islands is a very picturesque and appealing corner of Europe. It has drawn tourists for thousands of years and a drive along the coast and across some of the islands immediately reveals why. Good ferry service connects most of the larger islands. The largest island is Cres –
Croatia – Istria Peninsula
The Istrian peninsula, part of the scenic Dalmatian Coast, has been settled for hundreds of thousands of years and has seen empires come and go. Beautiful vistas, rocky shores, fertile farms and a magnificent intact Roman amphitheatre in Pula attacts visitors worldwide. Pula is the largest city in Istria County, Croatia, situated at the southern
Croatia – Plitvice Lake
In Plitvice Lakes Park sixteen lakes at descending elevations tumble into one another via countless waterfalls creating a scenic wonder.A wooden nature trail follows the course of the lakes.The sixteen lakes are separated into an upper and lower cluster formed by runoff from the mountains, descending from an altitude of 636 m to 503 m
Croatia – Bosnia (Bihac City)
Bosnia is not far from any border crossing with Croatia. This one, near the Plitvice Lakes Park, led to a short visit to the Bosnian provincial capitol of Bihac. It’s a university city with many students and a somewhat lively downtown. But the feeling of recovery is still present especially with many bullet holes in
Croatia – Central Highlands
The rugged highlands contain Croatia’s wartime ghosts. During the Balkan Wars in the 1990’sCroats, Muslim Bosnians and Serbs attacked one another in a bizarre checkboard holocaust as the federation of Yugoslavia fell bloodily apart. In Croatia, the so-called Croatian War of Independence was first waged between Croatian police forces and the Serbs living in the
Gibraltar – City and Rock Tour
Gibraltar has changed hands with nearly every major invasion since the ancients Greeks claimed it as the end of the known world. In more recent times it has been ruled by Muslims, Dutch, Spanish and now England, since 1713. Only 27,000 citizens call it home. Instead of going to war to get it back, Spain
Czech Republic – Jicin Town
Jicin is a pleasant picturesque town northeast of Prague in the Czech Republic. In 1710 the town became a property of the House of Trauttmansdorff, which meant the arrival of the period of High Baroque, during which many constructions were completed. The historical center has been declared a Municipal Reserve because of its big well-preserved
Gay Mykonos
By Stuart Haggas Passport Magazine July 2009 Said to be named after Mykons, the grandson of the god Apollo, the Greek island of Mykonos is a legend in its own right. The ancient Greek celebration of homosexuality and male beauty, and their penchant for decadence and debauchery, still flourish here during the midsummer heat. Famous