Gay Travel to Egypt and New Zealand

Egypt hosts a wide variety of historical, cultural and religious sites, which makes the entire country fascinating. Egypt gay vacations can include anything from taking a cruise on the Nile, crossing the desert on a camel, shopping in open-air souks, and taking in the awe-inspiring Great Pyramids of Giza, to shopping and dining in modern cities and relaxing on the pristine white sands of world-famous beaches. From the Temple of Edfu and the burial tombs in the Valley of Kings, to browsing through the Khan al Khalili Bazaar or visiting King Tutankhamun's treasures in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt truly has endless offerings. Folks planning a gay vacation to Africa will not want to pass up the mystique and allure of Egypt, which is an excellent choice for gay travel.

When planning a gay vacation to Egypt, there is some information that is helpful to know. While there are no specific laws outlawing same-sex sexual behavior between consenting adults in private, over the last several years, the government has stepped up its efforts to arrest and imprison gay men by using laws against debauchery and contempt of religion to imprison men arrested through raids at known gathering spots, undercover operations in online chat rooms and other underhanded methods.

Most of these efforts have been aimed at arresting Egyptian men; however, in some instances women and tourists have also been included. One of the most publicized cases of a sting operation that led to numerous arrests and imprisonment was the 2001 raid of the Queen Boat, which resulted in the arrest of over 50 men.

With that said, this is not to imply that Egypt should be avoided during gay travel, or that travelers will feel unwelcome amongst the locals. Most visitors find locals throughout the country to be very warm and welcoming and have reported no problems with the government or police during gay vacations. Of course, this ongoing persecution does mean that it is difficult, if not impossible to find any visible LGBT communities; however, there are popular gathering spots in Cairo, Aswan, Dahab, Alexandria, Luxor and other metropolitan areas. It is important to note that while these hangouts do exist, discretion should be used, because the police are also well aware of locations frequented by the LGBT community.

Egypt is an amazing country with a vast array of must-see attractions of both cultural and historical value. Folks who are interested in visiting Egypt on a gay vacation may want to consider a gay travel tour, which will help to ensure that you do not miss Egypt's best offerings and that the journey will be a safe one. If you prefer solo gay vacations, it is still advisable to at least go through a travel agent that is aware of the concerns and needs of members of the LGBT community when planning gay vacations to ensure a trip full of lasting memories and great experiences.

New Zealand offers an environmental and cultural diversity that has long been appealing to those looking for an exciting spot for a gay vacation. There is little doubt that the appeal of New Zealand comes, in part, from laws that protect the LGBT community from discrimination and the warm, accepting attitudes of the populace, as well as the various adventures that New Zealand offers and its pristine natural beauty.

LGBT folks looking for gay vacations to New Zealand will find a wide variety of choices, including opting for a relaxing beachside respite, hiking through breathtaking wilderness, snowboarding and snow skiing at popular resorts or indulging in the exciting nightlife of New Zealand's cosmopolitan towns and cities. Whether you are looking for a family-friendly vacation at the beach, or a raucous week of Pride events, New Zealand has much to offer for gay vacations of all sorts.

Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and Hamilton are just a few of the cities of New Zealand where you will find visible, large LGBT communities, Pride celebrations and a wide variety of clubs, businesses, pubs and restaurants all catering to the community. Those interested in a city gay vacation will find that these metro areas provide numerous options that are sure to please travelers interested in a lively nightlife and a plethora of entertainment, dining and shopping options from which to choose. If you want to include skiing or snowboarding into your gay travel plans, you will be pleased to know that there are various ski resorts on South Island and North Island, which makes it easy to take a day trip to the mountains between sightseeing tours, cultural events or visiting New Zealand's smaller islands.

Gay vacations in New Zealand can focus on lounging on perfect, clean beaches, snowboarding, skiing, partaking in exciting outdoor adventures for couples, families or friends, or taking the opportunity to awaken or renew your spirit in this beautifully spiritual land. New Zealand certainly offers too many sights, activities and experiences to squeeze into just one vacation; however traveling with a tour group on a well-organized gay vacation is one option that will ensure that you have an amazing experience and that you do not miss out on some of New Zealand's best offerings.

For travelers who would rather go it alone, working with a gay travel agency to plan your excursion is an ideal option, which allows you to get the latest information that might be of interest to LGBT travelers and to find out about current hotspots and destinations that are popular with the community.

Howie Holben has traveled throughout the world for more than 30 years. He owns and runs Spirit Journeys, a spiritual gay travel organization. Spirit Journeys has offered unique gay holidays or gay tours since 1992. You can learn more about a spiritual gay tour or gay vacation at www.SpiritJourneys.com.