Author: Peter Minkoff

Peter Minkoff is a gay travel and lifestyle writer. Besides writing, he worked as a travel journalist for many publications in Australia and the UK. Follow Peter on Facebook and Twitter for more tips. Peter Minkoff ist ein schwuler Reise- und Lifestyle-Autor. Er arbeitete als Reisejournalist für viele Publikationen in Australien und Großbritannien. Folge Peter auf Facebook und Twitter für weitere Tipps.

How to Keep Your Focus When Traveling

If you’re traveling, no matter if for work or pleasure, it’s easy to get distracted and neglect your daily tasks and obligations. Your brain is in vacation mode, plus you have limited resources, irregular schedules, different diet, jet lag, little exercise and a little bit of nostalgia. However, it’s possible to stay focused and productive with these pro-traveler tips: 

Do your research

If you don’t want to waste any time on your trip, make sure to do your research and find all things necessary for a smooth trip in your vicinity. For instance, locate in advance grocery stores, conference halls, cafés, client’s offices and other things you will need to visit. This move saves you time and allows you to hit the ground running when you arrive. 

Plan ahead

You probably know you’ll be hungry on the plane or right when you arrive. Instead of wasting time and money on airport cinnamon buns and sketchy sandwiches, you can stay on track with a healthy trail mix, string cheese and some fresh fruit. Or make sure to pack a travel charger or a power bank so you can do some work at the airport or on the plane. 

Take advantage of your resources

You might not have your regular gym at your disposal or your company’s conference hall, but check if your hotel has a fitness center or meeting rooms you can use. If you’re having an outdoor adventure with camping, find a branch to do pull-ups, a bench for push-ups and some rocks to use as weights. Be creative and use whatever you have at hand. 

Stay hydrated

Make sure to always have a bottle of some sort of liquid (non-alcoholic) at hand when traveling. Staying hydrated will keep you focused, strong, sharp and healthy. When you’re traveling, you’re usually walking and talking more than usual, so you will need to replenish your lost water. If you need an extra push, you can grab a can of nootropic drink that will additionally boost your focus and alertness, improve memory, enhance learning and support mental energy—all you need for a busy day of business travel or exploration. Stay hydrated to maintain sharpness, but also prevent headaches, haziness and other health issues. 

Take it easy with alcohol

If you’re traveling for fun, you will probably grab a few cocktails at the beach to relax, but make sure to keep it moderate to prevent feeling useless the next day (you don’t want to waste precious vacation time on hangovers). If you’re traveling for work, you will probably do some business over dinner and drinks, but make sure to be responsible and professional. A drunken tweet just takes a moment, but remember that they last forever and everyone present at the bar will have a camera to record your irresponsible and disrespectable behavior. 

Maintain daily routines

How do you usually start your day? Is it with a light jog, meditation or shower and skincare regimen? Try your best to maintain these practices when you travel as well. You might not want to introduce new habits to your routine while you’re traveling, but make sure to keep up with the practices you’re used to. Maintaining your daily routines will put you in the right mind-frame. 

Think about all the things you do that make you feel stable, productive and focused like reading, good diet, meditation, working out and other smaller rituals. Allow these habits to ground you no matter where you are, and you will get to enjoy clarity and comfort without getting distracted by a new pace of life. And expect to achieve all the travel goals you set before you. 

Employ technology

Today, technology is small enough to follow you wherever you go. You can do a lot of work tasks on your smartphone or tablet while traveling or relaxing in your hotel room. Just make sure to always pack the right chargers and consider investing in a power bank. This way, you will have the technology to rely on and save yourself a lot of time. 

Being on the road brings a change of pace for all travelers, but it’s not impossible to stay focused and productive. Make sure to follow your daily routines, practise healthy habits and rely on preparation and technology to keep you on track. You will come home fresh, fit, healthy and with a planner full of finished tasks. 

Easy Tips for Getting in Shape for a Summer Gaycation

We’ve all let ourselves go a bit in quarantine, but since the situation with the pandemic is getting better all over the world, we might be looking at a summer of our lives. But what can you do about that winter belly? Now is the right time to start your journey towards getting in shape for your summer gaycation and being the top attraction at any beach. 

Make a plan

If you’re serious about getting your body back in shape, make sure to be organized. A clear plan of everything you want to achieve and everything you need to give up will put you one step closer to your perfect summer body. However, don’t set goals that are too high—not seeing the results you set for yourself will just ruin your motivation. Also, make a schedule of your workouts and rest days that will help you stay organized and focused. 

Find a personal trainer

First of all, make sure to pick a good trainer, but not something that will be too distracting if you know what we mean. The key to progress is staying focused, so don’t mix work and pleasure. Anyway, make sure the gym you pick and the trainer has the necessary equipment and knowledge to show you what you need to do, when and how much. With a bit of mentoring, you will only make gains and stay on your path for much longer. 

Start with your diet

Any person with abs will tell you that a flat belly is made in the kitchen, not at the gym, so you will need to leave your quarantine diet behind you and start focusing on healthy and nutritious food. If you want to put on some muscle, don’t restrict your calories too much, just load your body with good foods like proteins, good fats and good carbs. If you hate to cook or don’t have time for those extensive meal preps, you can sign up for a meal plan delivery service and get fresh and nutritious food every week. The best thing about this program is that you can opt for a weight loss plan, sculpt plan, performance plan or gain plan, depending on your goals, which greatly simplifies your eating schedule. 

Ditch sugars 

No matter how much you try to kill every workout at the gym, sugary drinks and other sweets can ruin your progress completely. So make sure to ditch all those carbonated drinks and replace them with natural hydration. If you miss sweet foods, you can look up easy and zero-sugar treats you can make at home. 

Stay hydrated

Staying hydrated is key to a healthy and sexy body, so make sure to always have a bottle of water or a cup of green tea with you. We know it’s hard to survive without iced coffee from Starbucks, but these are full of calories. On the other hand, water and green tea have zero calories, yet they support metabolic rate, cause your body to burn more calories and make a huge change to your mood and energy levels.

Don’t run from supplementation

Supplements get a bad reputation, but if taken responsibly, they can boost your productivity and performance and allow you to reach your goals faster. A quality protein powder can be your best friend while you’re working out. Drink it every time after a workout and you’ll replenish your energy, feed your muscles and boost recovery. However, make sure to choose a protein powder that matches your weight goals. When it comes to other supplements, it’s best to consult a personal trainer or a workout specialist who will tell you what and how to take for the best results. 

There you have it, a simple plan on how you can get that Greek god body (or at least something that won’t embarrass you at the beach). No one will be able to resist your sun-kissed guns as you stroll the beach! It all sounds a bit harsh, but pretty hurts! If you stay consistent, you will have your sexy body ready for a gaycation of a lifetime. 

5 Best LGBTQ Honeymoon Destinations in 2021

The concept of traveling and enjoying your honeymoon has changed drastically in 2020, and it’s safe to say that 2021 won’t be too different. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great time on your honeymoon. On the contrary, if you find the perfect LGBTQ-friendly destination, you’ll surely end up having the time of your life. So, here are five places you should definitely consider when planning your honeymoon.

Italy

It doesn’t matter if you’ve already been to Italy before or not – visiting this amazing place is one of the best things you’ll ever do in life! Planning a great LGBT honeymoon in Italy sounds like a lot of work, but it’s actually easier than you can imagine, as long as you know what to do and what to expect.

Start by booking your plane tickets and finding accommodation a few months in advance – this will help you save some money and make your life a lot easier. Also, make sure you’ve packed everything you’ll need when traveling around Italy and try to remain as stylish as possible. Finally, invest some time into learning more about Italy and making a list of places you’re going to visit while you’re there, and you’ll surely have a wonderful time!

Malta

This might seem like a surprising destination at first, but Malta will give you everything you’re going to need on your honeymoon. It’s a rather secluded place that isn’t popular with all tourists, which means you’re going to have all the privacy you’re looking for. All newlyweds are going to appreciate that, especially when we’re talking about LGBTQ couples who like to keep things simple and easy.

On the other hand, Malta is famous for its amazing scenery and some of the best beaches in the world. You just need to spend some time looking for the most secluded spots, but once you find them, you’ll be surprised how amazing and picturesque Malta really is.

Dubrovnik

Every coastal destination in Croatia will give you a chance to feel like a member of the royal family while vacationing there, but Dubrovnik is the prime jewel in this offer. This amazing place has been around for centuries and has always attracted people from all over the world, giving them precisely what they need – even if they don’t know what exactly they’re looking for!

For example, spending your time in the open sea might not seem like the best way to spend your honeymoon, but it’s an exciting idea you simply have to explore. If you like it, you could even think about researching those powerful motor yachts for sale that will take you wherever you need to go and make sure you’re safe and protected at all times!

New York 

This is one of the most exciting places in the entire world, and we all deserve to visit New York at least once in our lives. But, if you’re looking for the best LGBTQ honeymoon destinations out there, you need to keep in mind that New York is better than it sounds.

With so many things to do here, you won’t have a problem finding ways to spend your time. From taking a walk in the park to visiting Broadway – literally whatever you do in New York will be memorable and epic. So, start planning and saving money for your unique NYC honeymoon you’re never going to forget!

Sydney

Here’s another great place to visit, and you’ll be amazed to notice how welcoming and LGBTQ-friendly people in Sydney are. They’ll be happy you’ve chosen their city for your honeymoon and won’t have a problem helping you around and making sure you’re having a great time – and that’s something all newlyweds are going to appreciate!

People who have already visited Sydney claim it’s the perfect honeymoon destination for everyone who’s looking to have a great time and enjoy their trip. There are lots of reasons why that’s the case – wonderful scenery, thrilling attractions, and cool activities – so don’t hesitate any longer and start planning an Aussie honeymoon right now!

Planning an LGBTQ honeymoon is never easy, but if you start on time and respect your spouse’s wishes as well, you’ll surely have a great honeymoon after all!

LGBT Guide: How to Travel Safely in 2020

Visibility and acceptance of the LGBT people grows every day, so travelers have a wider range of options when it comes to exploring the world. Still, being a gay traveler has its dangers, especially if you choose to travel freely out of the closet. Additionally, 2020 surprised us all and made our travel plans even more complicated. All in all, if you’re planning a trip this year and want to ensure you’re safe on all fronts, here’s what to pay attention to. 

See your doctor

Before you even start planning your trip, make sure to see your doctor (about 6 weeks before your trip). Aside from confirming that you’re healthy enough to travel, this will ensure you receive all necessary vaccinations and refill your prescriptions. It’s also a great idea to ask your health practitioner for hygiene trips and the best ways to avoid COVID-19. Just be ready to stock up on masks, wet wipes and hand sanitizer. 

Grab a local SIM card

Sure, you might want to have a small digital detox while on vacation, but staying connected is very important for your personal safety. Once you get to your destination, grab a local SIM card so you can freely use travel apps, contact your family, update your itinerary and call emergency services. It can also be useful for checking articles on your destination’s  LGBT-friendliness. 

Get good insurance

Having good travel insurance is the key to a safe trip. No matter what befalls you—a sprained ankle, stolen possessions or a canceled flight, you will be protected by your travel insurance so you can sleep peacefully. Additionally, if you’re planning a road trip for your next travel adventure, don’t forget to check a few attractive insurance offers that include vehicles. Keeping your car insured will help you stay safe on the road, especially if you grab a deal that includes roadside assistance. Don’t even start your road trip without having a plan on what to do in case your car refuses to cooperate. 

Get an Uber

If you’re not taking your own car, you’ll probably need to catch some sort of transportation, usually a taxi. However, make sure to always choose a licensed taxi, especially at airports since they are notorious for taking advantage of tourists. For instance, an illegal taxi driver might deliberately deceive you and take you somewhere else if you’re not careful. One of the best ways to remove a lot of stress out of your trip is to download Uber where everything is done via an app, from taking care of payments to checking out the route. Also, the fair is calculated per distance, so you’ll always get a good price. 

Download Google Maps

Another great app that can ensure you’re safe while traveling is Google Maps. It’s one of the best ways to ensure you get from point A to point B safely and efficiently. You can use it to calculate the distance between places, help you plan your trip better, find the nearest bank, ATM, supermarket and such. Also, it contains a lot of useful public transport information that will ensure you take the right route and stay safe. 

Don’t flaunt what you have

If you love your lux Rolex or your diamond engagement rings, it’s best to leave them safely locked away in your hotel room. Having valuables with you will not only boost the chance of getting them accidentally lost, but also make you a target for muggers. 

Prepare for safe sex

You’re probably going to have a lot of sexy fun on your vacation, so make sure to bring plenty of protection. Depending on where you’re going, you might find it hard to acquire condoms or lube, especially the quality kind, so come prepared.

Avoid excess alcohol and drug use

When you’re away from home on your fun vacation, you might be more inclined to drink or take drugs. While there’s nothing wrong with going a little wild in coffeeshops in Amsterdam or ordering special 2for1 deals in Sydney, you need to understand how these substances will affect your body and your mind. Also, when heading out, always stay with a trusted travel buddy so you can keep each other safe. Plus, partying with a friend or SO is always more fun! 

If you plan your trip well and follow these safety tips, every LGBT traveler can have a blast and come back home full of nothing but positive vibes and good memories. 

Improving Your Diet on Vacation

Are you tired of COVID-19 and quarantine and just want to take a fun and relaxing vacation? Don’t worry, going away for a while doesn’t mean you’ll ruin your hard work when it comes to dieting and exercise. While it might be tricky, you can stay on your healthy eating and workout habits. Here are some tricks that will help you improve your diet on vacation. 

Stick to your exercise regime

Set a goal when it comes to running, lifting or doing HIIT and stick to it. Don’t go overboard (you need to have enough energy to enjoy your vacation) and aim for two or three workouts per week. If you need help with staying accountable, track your vacation workouts and post on social media. You can’t lift or run? Walking is a great vacation activity, so try to do all your exploring on foot. To make it fun, track your daily steps and see how much you walked when you come home. 

Use the kitchen

If you have a room with a kitchen, stock up on your favorite healthy food options and try cooking at least once a day. This trick will save you money and allow you to control your calorie intake. When cooking, try to experiment with healthy recipes with your travel buddies and prepare something local and full of nutrients. It’s a great way to experience your destination and fill your plate with healthy and filling foods. 

Focus on protein

If you’re looking for a way to fill up your stomach, stay away from heavy carbs and opt for protein instead. These macromolecules are great energy sources that also build and repair muscles, so they are essential for fitness. If you can’t find the time to eat a lot of protein, you can pack your favorite protein powder. Pick out the best whey protein for daily protein intake necessary for building, rebuilding and maintaining lean muscle. These protein powders produce delicious drinks that will also satisfy your sweet tooth so it’s a win-win situation. 

Eat more fruits and veggies

Adding veggies and fruits to your vacation meals is easy. You can introduce them to your snacks, put them in your morning sandwich or omelet or choose a healthy smoothie. When hitting the beach, pack an assortment of fruits and veggies to have as a healthy and delicious snack. 

Fill up on water

You might be indulging in a little bit more alcohol when on vacation and that’s totally understandable. However, all alcoholic drinks, especially cocktails, have high-calorie content, so make sure to limit your intake if you want to stay healthy. Alcohol even triggers some people to eat more and make bad food choices! So, strive to drink more water, especially if you spend a lot of time in the sun, and use alcohol as a treat. 

Set limits

While you want to enjoy your vacation and all the amazing foods you can find at your destination, try to resist some things and set reasonable limits. For instance, set a limit of one restaurant meal a day, two ice creams per week and one fast-food cheat meal per vacation. When eating out, examine the menu and decide between a dessert and cocktails. 

Use a food tracker

This can be a great way to stay accountable and conscious of your vacation eating habits. Letting go of your food journal completely is a slippery slope and going back to your regular eating habits when you come back might be extra hard. So, don’t hesitate to track your food—even partial food tracking will allow you to maintain your weight and form. For instance, you can just track your water intake, your workouts or your dinner. 

Sleep in

Sleep is very important for fitness, just as much as diet and exercise. Researchers realized that sleep deprivation makes the brain more sensitive to taste and the pleasure food brings which can lead to cravings and binge eating. So, unless you want to stop for ice cream at every parlor you pass, make sure to get a good eight hours of sleep every night. Sleep is also great for muscle recovery, so your workouts will be more powerful and effective. 

You don’t have to come back from your vacation with extra weight and muscle loss. These diet and workout tips will help you stay on track with your fitness schedule while you enjoy your time off. 

Best Tips for an LGBT Road Trip

Going on a road trip is one of the most adventurous things in the world, especially if you’re doing it with your close friends. Still, getting in a car and hitting the road is simply impossible to do unless you plan everything first. Investing your time and energy into details such as your destination, accommodation, food, budget, and activities might take a while, but this is ultimately going to take your road trip from average to amazing. If you too are planning a road trip adventure as well, here are a few gay-friendly road trip tips that might end up going a really long way.

Choose your destination

This is probably the most important decision you’re going to make during this entire process, but there’s a problem when you’re choosing a destination for an LGBT road trip – not all destinations are as LGBT-friendly as you may expect. Even though we’re living in the 21st century and consider people to act friendly towards tourists, you’d be surprised to hear about the problems LGBT tourists are facing when they’re on vacation.

Therefore, picking a destination is something you need to do very carefully. Take your time, look into some of the most LGBT-friendly places in the world, and pick a spot where you’ll feel welcomed, safe, and good. Also, be sure to talk to your travel companions and hear them out – they might recommend a destination you didn’t think of or vice versa, so take their wishes into consideration too.

Pick your companions

Speaking of your travel companions, this is another issue you need to address carefully. While most people think that who you’re traveling with isn’t as important as where you’re going, that’s actually not the case. Just imagine being stuck in a car with three or four people you hate for a week or two – yes, not going in the first place is much better than that!

Your companions should be the people you know for a while and who you’re comfortable around. These people will share every waking moment of your time with you, so you need to feel relaxed enough to behave naturally instead of having to pretend you’re someone else. It’s not about your sex or sexuality – after all, your companions don’t necessarily have to belong to the LGBT community at all – but about spending time with someone you generally love spending time with.

Fix your car

Just because you’re going on a road trip doesn’t mean you should be left stranded in the middle of the road. Still, this definitely happens more often than you can imagine, and it will certainly happen to you as well unless you’re traveling in a car that’s properly maintained and ready for such a journey. Doing these things isn’t easy, but it’s just something you have to do if you want to be able to get home from your road trip.

Maintaining your car regularly means checking the engine, inspecting the fluids, changing the oil, and replacing the tyres. The latter might easily be the most important thing of them all, so looking into those reliable 4wd tyres could end up saving your life. Having the wrong tyres might ruin your trip quite easily, so replacing them before hitting the road is definitely a great idea. 

Pack your essentials

One of the benefits of traveling by car is being able to bring as much luggage with you as you want. Unlike airplanes, cars give you an option to pack literally all your essentials, so make sure you’ve packed everything you’re going to need on your road trip. This might not be easy, but dedicating some time to this issue is way better than realizing you don’t have some of your stuff while you’re in the middle of nowhere.

Packing for your perfect LGBT summer road trip means packing a number of crucial items – from your documents and your clothes to your formal wear and your skin products. In the end, you need to pack your less formal clothes as well – after all, finding a lover is just the thing all single young people are hoping for on their road trip.

Going on a road trip is always fun and exciting, but if you’re going on an LGBT road trip this summer, you can be sure you’re going to have the time of your life! Being surrounded by others who are just as fun and wild and free as yourself will make this road trip an occasion you’re going to remember forever.

How to Plan a Perfect Summer Adventure

Planning a trip is one of those things that we all enjoy, but it can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’re planning a trip with someone and you cannot come to an agreement. To make matters worse, 2020 has got us by the neck, so we cannot really go for just any type of trip. Regardless, this is the time to start thinking about summer, for two reasons. One – it will be useful to know where you will spend your summer days and two – it seems that more than half the year has passed without us doing anything worth remembering. So, it’s our job to make the most out of this summer. In order to have the best trip, you don’t have to go big or break the bank. There are so many different options that you can go with, so take a look at a couple of our ideas:

Travel locally

They say that the grass is always greener on the other side, which is very visible in the industry of travel. All of us, you and I included, love to go someplace abroad, discovering a new LGBT-friendly destination, forgetting that we have so many beautiful places in our own country. So this summer might be the one for you to travel locally and explore amazing and not so distant places. Being a tourist in your own country might just be what you need, so use this opportunity to do it in 2020, because – if not now, then when?

Embrace nature

Another way to play this summer trip game is to not spend it on a beach, but rather in nature. Summer is not for sea only; you can also have a memorable and relaxing time generally in nature. Try to find different camps, cottages, mountains or even national parks where you will spend a couple of days during the summer. Yes, this type of holiday might be completely different than the summer holidays you’re used to, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try it out. Make sure to have high-quality equipment, which means that you can always go with Tekto Gear, bring some warm clothes and your camera because you will need it. Spending your summer in nature is an entirely different experience that you should try out.

Why not a road trip?

Then again, why not organize a good road trip? Road trips are always very popular, but this year it seems that they will be more popular than ever. If you want to, you can even travel to a different country, rent a car, or simply take your car and just drive. You need to worry about several things when it comes to a road trip, so it would be very good if you planned everything in advance – the stops, the number of days you will be spending there, check the weather. Make sure to know what to pack, as packing for a trip is never an easy endeavor.

No matter where you go – choose authentic

If 2020 taught us something, it’s that we can never be sure what life has in store for us. Because of that particular fact, it is our job to enjoy our trips as much as possible and try to understand life on Earth as much as we can. That is precisely why authentic trips will be huge this, and in the years to come. See what other cultures are doing, try to understand how different people live by emerging into their world. You do not have to go to Asia or Africa to do this – there are people living a very different life in your vicinity. Visit cottages and live in the woods for seven days. Try to see what life on a farm feels like for a week. All of these things will not only bring you relaxation and distance you from your daily hustle and bustle, but they will also provide you with a new experience that you will definitely remember in years to come.

2020 might not have been the best year so far, and that’s why we need to redeem it with a powerful summer. Your summer trip must be unique and unforgettable – that should be your goal. 

10 Summer Activities for Gay Couples

It is always difficult to find new activities that will not bore you immediately. Because of that, it is always a good idea to think of new things that you will do with your partner, as you really do not want to end up in a rut and live the same day over and over again. Some interesting and new activities require traveling, others not, but we present you 10 summer activities that you can do with your boyfriend, and that both of you will like:

1. Surfing’s always fun

One of the most original things that you can do with your partner is surfing. This is not an activity that is popular in every country in the world but it is definitely an activity that plenty of people would like to try out. Even if they are clumsy, they love seeing other guys getting their surf equipment on and showing what they have. So, get your tickets, fly somewhere where surfing’s always cool such as Australia, and hit the beach!

2. Why not try hunting?

Hunting is somewhat a taboo topic right now because some people oppose it on moral or other grounds. However, you can easily live out a fantasy of being a hunter even without harming any animals. If that sounds appealing, then you can always check out TheBowGuy, pick the equipment that you need and hit the road. Of course, just put on your equipment and get in tune with your inner hunter by shooting archery targets.

3. Skydiving for the brave

5% of people all around the world are scared of heights, which means that this 5% of people will definitely not take this suggestion into consideration. However, if you are among the other 95%, then skydiving should be one of the top things to try out. This is not something that you will be trying out more than once, so it would be really magical if you did this with your partner for the first time.

4. Bungee jumping’s also an option

Even though skydiving is booked for the brave, if you’re not scared of heights but still do not want to jump out of a plane, you can try bungee jumping with your partner. If you choose a great destination (one that is not only popular for bungee jumping, but rather for both bungee jumping and its beauty), why not try it out? This is also an activity that can be paired with a trip as there are amazing bungee jumping destinations all over the world. Imagine jumping from the Navajo Bridge in Arizona!

5. Time travel

We still haven’t invented time travel (or we have but we don’t know about it, perhaps Keanu Reeves knows?) but time traveling is one of the options that sound very interesting. Even though it is physically impossible to time travel, you can always opt to go to a cafe or a place that is rather retro. For the full experience, dress appropriately and behave in the manner people behaved back then. If you want to travel physically but also in time, take a look at the following tip.

6. San Francisco realness

Traveling to San Francisco perhaps equals time travel, but in gay language. This city has been the cradle of gay culture as we know it today, and being such, it is a place where every single gay bar is important for some reason. Opting to go on a gay and cultural trip and actually seeing how the LGBTQ rights came to be is an amazing and a very adventurous idea.

7. Opt for gay dance parties

There is nothing more adventurous than sitting in your car or buying a plane ticket and heading to some of the best gay parties in the world. Of course, you will be able to find these on every single continent, you just need to do a bit of research. So, find the one that is closest to you, and go there to party the whole night away with your loved one.

8. Organize a picnic

If nothing else, we can find beautiful landscapes anywhere we turn. Just take a look outside of the city and you will find dozens of pretty villages, forests, river banks and other places where you can host the most romantic picnic ever. See the sunset and then start your car and head home. It is a day well-spent in nature, so it’s not only romantic, it’s healthy as well! You can also complete your picnic with a game of cards. The classic Solitaire FreeCell will fit perfectly into your leisure time. 

9. Catch an open-air cinema

If you want to be old-school, put on your roller skates (just to be in the ‘80s fashion) and find an open-air cinema where you can go to. If you can find a drive-in cinema, even better. These are not only good because you get to watch a movie in a new and unusual way under the stars, but it’s also great because it can be rather private as there’s only to be two of you in the car.

10. Treasure hunt

This might not be the most “adventurous” activity of them all, but it’s one that is going to boggle your mind and infuse it with mystery! Treasure hunts and similar room escape games (there are some that are organized in open space) are not only interesting, but can also serve as great team-building activities. You can take another couple or your best friends and make a team! The choice is yours.

There are so many different activities that you can opt for only if you open your mind just a bit. The final piece of advice – do something that you will never do again! Try something for the first time with your partner, and make your relationship even stronger!

5 Honeymoon Packing Mistakes no LGBT Couple Should Make

Packing is always a daunting process. Even though it is regarded as fun as you are packing for a nice trip that you probably cannot wait for, there is that thing about packing that makes us just a bit nervous. This is especially important if we tend to forget things at home or make packing mistakes that we realize once we arrive at a certain destination. When it comes to honeymoon packing, though, we have to bring our best game. This trip is probably one of the most important trips that we will ever make, so in order not to forget anything and make the most out of this trip, you need to have a certain checklist that you will make several days (or even weeks) before your trip. Take a look at the five biggest honeymoon (packing) mistakes that LGBT couples make, so that you don’t:

Finding a bad destination

This might not have anything to do with packing whatsoever, but it is definitely one of the biggest LGBT honeymoon mistakes there are. LGBT couples can travel most of the world, yes, but they can certainly find themselves in a country that is not entirely LGBT-friendly. For example, if you want to celebrate your LGBT honeymoon and you want to do it with style, make sure to stay away from countries such as Russia (which banned Pride Parade for the next 100 years and where violence towards homosexuals is not frowned upon), or certain African countries such as Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda or Ghana. You can travel there if you want to, of course, but you will have to go back in the closet for the duration of your honeymoon, which might not be exactly what you want out of this trip. This is why you should always go for safe options, such as Sydney, for example, which is a great LGBT honeymoon destination, Europe or New York City.

Not packing all the queer essentials

However, if you opt for a good destination, then you might want to pack all the queerest things that you want. Since you are married, you will probably want to leave your latex pants at home (unless that is what you and your spouse really want). But, one of the most common essentials for queer people that is slowly and slowly becoming a bigger part of their routine is the makeup. This, however, does not only include the foundation or the concealer that many use, but mascara, eye shadow, eyeliner, or any other products that many LGBT people use nowadays. For each of these, you probably have your favorite brand, and it might be a bit difficult or perhaps even expensive to buy at your new location. Opting to buy mascara online or finding an eyeliner that is very similar to the one that you use and having it delivered to your hotel is a great ideal. This is how you will save time on going shopping and you will get everything that you need. And we all know how good-looking we want to be on our honeymoon.

Forgetting the documents

This is not only important for the LGBT honeymoons, but for all of them – and it is so important that we simply have to include it in this list. You cannot forget important documents such as the passports, the IDs, the accommodation confirmation and the plane tickets. These are the documents that you should prepare beforehand – put them on your desk or your table just to make sure you do not forget them. Also, do not forget to bring your money and your card.

Not planning the activities

Even though it is your honeymoon and you will probably be doing whatever you want to do, you should have at least a plan of what you want to visit and see. The destination that you choose for your honeymoon will probably be decided for a reason, and that reason is most commonly the things that the newlywed couple wants to see there. If you want to go to a popular touristic destination such as Paris, for example, or any other major city in Europe, and you want to visit some of its most iconic landmarks and museums, you will probably have to book your tickets in advance (such as for Anne Frank’s House in Amsterdam, for instance). Do not make this mistake and plan everything in advance. It is better to be safe than sorry. This is also important so as not to forget an important piece of equipment that you might need for your destination there. 

5. Leaving the day after the wedding

Contrary to popular belief, it is not the best idea to leave for your honeymoon the day of your wedding or the day after. You will need at least several days to relax after the big celebration, and secondly – why the rush? Take your time, see how the wedding went, have those memories and experiences settle down just a bit, and then opt to travel with your spouse. This is how you will manage to enjoy both of these events – as both are equally important. Also, this might result in forgetting something very crucial.

Your honeymoon is sacred and you need to plan it very carefully if you want to experience it in the best possible way. Make a checklist and also think about the mistakes other couples made – this is how you will ensure the perfect packing. Have a great one!

How to Pack for a European Fall City Break

Touring through European cities means seeing many exciting places, learning a lot of history, swimming, and of course, taking a lot of pictures. If this is your first time traveling there, here is a helpful guide of the essential things you will need.

Shoes

First, let’s talk about shoes since they take up so much space. You have probably made different outfits in your head and can’t wait to wear them, but if they include more than two pairs of shoes, forget about it. All you need are versatile shoes like, white sneakers that will go with any outfit and occasion, or a trendy pair of loafers, and some stylish sandals or slides, which are a better option. If you absolutely have to pack another pair, make sure those are comfortable sports sneakers you can travel in, and then wear them for walking or when you go sightseeing.

Clothes

Regardless of the type of vacation you are having, make sure you pack some extra shirts, in case you get wet or dirty. Pieces that can be both casual and formal are men’s polo shirts, which are a classic you can’t go wrong with. Wear it with shorts, pants, or jeans, and it will look stylish, plus they are very comfortable. Pack some basic monochrome t-shirts, a long-sleeved shirt for a night out, and for a crazy night out, take out your favorite print or trendy t-shirt which you didn’t have the chance to wear.

Pack two pairs of jeans, one pair of pants, and just in case, at least one shorts, because it can get hot. Don’t forget sweaters and a light fall jacket. Denim or leather are perfect because they will keep you warm, they go with everything, and they are super trendy. And, of course, don’t forget your favorite bathing suit because you never know where you will have a chance for a quick dip at least. 

Cosmetics

Keeping your skin protected when traveling is pretty hard, which is why you need to have at least some basic skincare products in your cosmetics bag. A face wash, a moisturizer, some wet wipes, sunblock, a deodorant, razors, and at least a concealer will be enough, although you can pack some other go-to products. Make sure to pack travel sizes, and for the purpose of traveling light, you can get all your bath essentials once you get there. And since your cosmetics bag will probably hold these items, condoms, band-aids, and a basic meds kit should be there as well. 

Accessories

The first and most important thing is a bag or a backpack, whichever you like better. It’s convenient because you can carry it wherever you go, pack all your personal belongings, and even pack something you bought there. 

A wristwatch is the main jewelry piece you need, but if you are a fan of bracelets or necklaces, do pack them, just don’t wear them while you get through airport control. A cool cap can complete your style, so if you like wearing them, pick your favorite and pack it. Sunglasses and a belt should also be on your list. 

Fun and games

In the fun and games section, we will include all the technology since that’s where a lot of the fun is. Your phone, charger, a speaker, headphones, power bank, and a camera are some of the essentials. You can take photos, record, listen to music, talk to people, and get maps and directions when you need it. If you know you will be attending a crazy party, do pack something fun like a wig, glitter, funny clothes, or even just socks or underwear that is at least silly. If your type of fun is a bit calmer atmosphere, a kindle or a book are a good choice.