Whether traveling to France on a trip across Europe, of visiting this popular country as your vacation destination, travelers will find magnificent beaches, alpine resorts, breathtaking countryside with quaint villages and medieval castles, world-renowned art collections, the glorious French Riviera and the truly unique, exceptional city of Paris.

People often do their gay travel around Paris and its vibrant LGBT community, cultural and historical landmarks and accepting cosmopolitan environment, visitors will find that throughout France there is plenty to do and see, as well as many LGBT establishments and a welcoming atmosphere. Laws outlawing sodomy were abolished over 200 years ago and Frances LGBT community has enjoyed civil unions for the last decade. With legal protections in place and a general laissez-faire attitude that is common among the French, visitors will find that France provides an accepting, and pleasant destination for gay vacation travel.

Numerous community events take place across the country throughout the year, including several pride festivals and a very well-attended pride parade and festival and gay and lesbian film festival in Paris. Some unique establishments to check out while in Paris on a gay vacation include the Marais district LGBT-owned bakery, Legay Choc; the ArtMenParis exhibit of all-male images; and Madame Arthur, LArtishow and Chez Michou, three cabarets with female impersonators and drag shows. Paris nightlife is lively, with bars open from afternoon until 2am and clubs opening at midnight, and often staying open until noon.

For men in search of the bawdier side of gay vacations in Paris, sex clubs, bars with backrooms and popular cruising spots are readily available. There are also plenty of saunas (bathhouses) to choose from; however, French saunas operate differently than what some travelers might be accustomed to in Canada or America. In France, saunas have relaxation cubicles rather than private rooms for rent and visiting saunas is largely an afternoon activity, with Sunday afternoons being the most popular time.

Lesbian travelers often find that gay travel destinations are filled with bars, clubs and saunas for the men, with barely a hint of lesbian presence to be found; however, this is definitely not the case in Paris, where women will find a delightful blend of groups and venues dedicated to lesbians. From walking groups to sex shops that cater solely to women, Paris has much to offer to the womens community. Paris is home to several clubs and bars located in varied neighborhoods, including the Palais Royal, Saint Germain des Pres, Grands Boulevards and Halles-Beaubourg districts, as well as many options in the Marais neighborhood, known as the center of LGBT life in Paris. One of Paris first lesbian bars can be found in the Palais Royal district and the Bastille-Republique neighborhood is home to a community bookshop.

Paris is sure to remain the most popular spot for gay tours to France; however there are several other places to choose from, including Nice and Montpellier on the Mediterranean, Annecy in the Alps, Nantes in Brittany and Avignon in Provence, as well as the well-known LGBT beaches in Camargue, where nudism is the norm. Folks who would like to play among the rich and famous should definitely head to Saint Tropez on the French Riviera, while those in search of a more romantic respite might prefer an LGBT-owned bed and breakfast on the outskirts of Bourdeaux. With so many gay travel options available throughout France, it is clear that this diverse, unique country is the perfect choice for gay tours.

Gay travel article with tips for France by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys presents a different kind of travel. Their spiritual gay vacations are exceptional. Spirit Journeys website, http://www.spiritjourneys.com, has more info about Howie and an extraordinary gay tour.

China is a communist-led nation with an everyday life that is largely influenced by traditions that go back many generations. This may make China appear to be a less than friendly option for gay travel adventures; however tourists might be surprised to find a thriving scene throughout Chinas urban areas including neighborhoods, bars, clubs and pride celebrations, as well as a growing level of acceptance largely due to the visibility of an organized LGBT community. China offers an array of vacation options including unique cultural experiences, breathtaking landscapes, delectable food and fabulous fashion, making China a perfect choice for gay vacations.

Shanghai and Hong Kong are two cities in China that are popular locations for gay tours. Each has a growing, organized LGBT community, as well as many clubs, bars, saunas, restaurants, LGBT community events and annual pride celebrations, making both of these cosmopolitan cities great vacation destinations for LGBT tourists. There are several beaches around Hong Kong Island that have a large male population, as well as neighborhoods such as Lan Kwai Fong and Soho in Hong Kong and Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. The club scene in Shanghai is centered in the French Concession district and is home to an array of LGBT options from darkly lit lounges to thumping dance clubs.

Beijing is another large city that is both a hub for business and a center for world-class shopping, dining and fashion. Although Beijing does not have the vibrant nightlife found in Shanghai or Hong Kong, a number of bars, clubs and restaurants are beginning to appear throughout the city, the most popular of which is a dance club called Destination. Destination has a mostly male clientele, but many women also frequent this LGBT hotspot. Within walking distance are also several friendly eateries including the trendy fusion bistro, Alameda, as well as Mare, a Spanish restaurant with a romantic atmosphere.

Gay travel in China is a life-changing experience unlike any other experience in the world. To make the most of your time in China, and to make sure you have a memorable and safe trip, consider traveling through China as part of a planned trip.

You will make new friends and explore China with a group of people in an environment that allows you to be yourself. If you are not sure you are ready to take on China with a group, working with a travel agency that regularly organizes gay holidays to China to plan your China trip will assist you in planning the vacation of a lifetime.

Written by Howie Holben, this article offers tips for gay travel vacations to China . Having traveled the world for many years, Howie also runs Spirit Journeys, an organization that hosts spiritual gay tours. You can learn more at http://www.SpiritJourneys.com.