Michael and Matt’s
Gay Travel Blog
Recent Posts
3 Days in Helsinki: The Perfect Helsinki Itinerary for First Time Visitors
So you’re looking to visit Helsinki, and possibly Finland for the very first time. Where do we start!? For a country with only 5.5 million people, Finland surely packs in a ton of culture. Helsinki is located at the edge of the Baltic Sea, with its vast archipelago stretching nearly to the shores of Sweden. Whether you’re visiting during the warm and humid summer where it stays light until the wee hours of the morning, of you’re heading there to see the snow and Northern Lights, Helsinki has something to offer for everyone.
The Ultimate Gay Guide to Key West Pride — Top LGBTQ+ Bars, Restaurants & Tours in the Florida Keys
Key West is a vibrant, fierce, and welcoming city full of pride! We’ve fallen in love with The Florida Keys and this community.
Pride is a time where the community comes together, celebrates our individuality & beauty, and remembers all those who’ve stood up for our rights before us. 🌈 Celebrating pride is a movement towards greater equality. Celebrating pride makes communities feel safe, seen, and understood. Celebrating pride is a message to others who can’t come out or do not feel safe to do so, that there are welcoming and loving communities beyond their current circumstance. That there is hope. No matter where or how you’re celebrating #pride today, we hope you feel this love and unity. ❤️
We went to Key West for Pride and there’s so much to do that we decided to pick out the top places and put them in this guide:
Ultimate 5-Day Florida Keys Roadtrip from Key Largo to Key West
Visiting the Florida Keys is like visiting the Caribbean, but without needing a passport! We spent 5 days doing a roadtrip through the Florida Keys. Here is the full 5-day itinerary to Key Largo, Key West and the Florida Keys.
Top 6 Things to Do in Bend Oregon — Outdoor Adventures and Tours
As one of the top travel destinations in Oregon, it can be easy to get overwhelmed with the number of options of things to do in and around Bend. One of the best aspects of Bend is it’s geographic location and the diversity in landscape this lends. As the Cascade Mountains meet the High Desert in Central Oregon, a diverse and dramatic landscape beckons to be explored. From hiking, rock-climbing, skiing and snowboarding, camping and whitewater rafting, there are tons of tour options to explore for the adventurous soul.
Here are the top things to do in Bend from a local:
Winter PrideFest in Bend Oregon — Complete Gay Travel Guide
Winter Pride is coming back next year in Bend Oregon and Mt. Bachelor with Winter PrideFest! The Pride Party consists of multiple events and group activities throughout the weekend and is quickly becoming one of the largest Winter Pride celebrations in the USA. Here’s everything you need to know about attending Winter PrideFest.
Choosing Between Playa del Carmen vs. Cancun
You might be asking yourself, should I stay in Playa del Carmen or Cancun? To many, the Yucatan peninsula is most well known for “Cancun”, however, what’s important to know is that when travelers refer to Cancun, they may be generally referring to the entire region of Quintana Roo. There is so much beyond Cancun, and many of the most popular spots are outside of Hotel Zone and either in Playa del Carmen, or even further south in Tulum. Choosing between Playa del Carmen and Cancun largely depends on personal preferences and what you're looking for in a vacation.
Top 8 Things to Do in Playa del Carmen
My first time visiting Playa del Carmen, I wasn’t sure what activities and excursions I should book. There is so much to do in Playa del Carmen, and even more in the jungles beyond, so as a first time visitor, I was surprised to find that Playa del Carmen is not only full of great bars, restaurants, beaches, and nightlife, but there are countless tours and excursions to experience.
Top 9 Solo Travel Destinations for Gay Men in 2024
Is there any better way to see the world than through your own eyes and yours alone? In a world that's becoming increasingly interconnected and accepting, solo travel has emerged as a liberating experience for many. For gay men seeking adventure, culture, and community, there are tons of destinations around the world that provide unforgettable experiences tailored to your specific interests. The problem? Figuring out where in the world to go and what you’ll enjoy the most!
From lively gay districts partying to the wee-hours of the morning, to sprawling landscapes with beautiful sights and people, here are some of the best places for gay men to travel to solo in 2024.
3 Days in Sonoma: How to Spend the Weekend and Where to Stay
As summer began to wind down and we witnessed the temperature drop, it was enough of a sign for my husband and I to seek a peaceful escape to California’s wine country. While Sonoma is sometimes overlooked from the nearby Napa Valley, we were not only curious to see what the other side of the hills may look like but we were also drawn by its distinct reputation as the perfect home-base to exploring California wine country.
Cruise Down the Douro River Valley with this Full Itinerary (Top Sights and Wineries)
Our river cruise on the Douro River spanned 6 days throughout the valley and reached as far as Salamanca, Spain. Understandably, I held the most excitement to see Salamanca again since I once spent a summer there studying Spanish. I haven’t been back to the region since 2012, so navigating down the Douro River felt like a homecoming of sorts.
Our Itinerary:
Exploring the Baixa district of Porto, Portugal
Touring Casa de Mateus via Cais da Régua
Visiting Salamanca via Cais de Barca de Alva
Exploring picturesque São João da Pesqueira
Régua, Pinhão, and Lamego
8 Things to Do in Osaka Japan for First Time Visitors
As we drifted through Southern Japan’s countryside towards Osaka, I couldn’t help but get excited thinking about the street-food I’ve heard so much about. Pulling into Osaka station, I noticed our host, Eriko, ecstatically holding a handmade sign with prominent letters, “Welcome to Osaka!” Visiting Japan in 2017, we were already well acquainted with the incredible hospitality that’s ingrained in Japanese culture, but I couldn’t help but crack a grin as we were greeted with hugs and excitement to show us her beautiful city.
Top 10 Things to Do In Honolulu Hawaii
Visiting Honolulu is much more than visiting a big city. Before I stepped off the plane onto the island, I thought the tropical paradise would be limited to me experiencing just Waikiki, but I quickly learned that I had access to much, much more—I could see the entire island! What I didn’t know is that when people say they are going to visit Honolulu, they can easily get from place to place all around Oahu. From one side of the island to the other, it may only take only a couple hours drive.
This is my photoblog of my first trip to Honolulu — for more info on what to see in Hawaii, check out our guides!
12 Best Things to Do in Copenhagen Denmark
Few places have as special a place in my heart than Copenhagen, Denmark. It's the city where I tried smørrebrød for the first time, drank my entire bodyweight in beer, and got engaged. So, I may be a bit biased, but I do believe Copenhagen should be very close to the top of the list when thinking about making the trek to Europe.
This is my complete photo journal on my first visit to Copenhagen. For more on visiting Denmark, check out our guides!
How to Spend a Weekend in Cedar Rapids Iowa: What to Do, Where to Eat, Where to Stay
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a hidden gem nestled in the breadbasket of the Midwest. The city boasts a rich cultural scene with numerous art galleries, museums, and theaters. The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art houses an impressive collection of works by renowned American artist Grant Wood, including his iconic painting, "American Gothic." Additionally, the Paramount Theatre showcases a variety of live performances, ranging from Broadway shows to local productions, providing entertainment for all tastes.
5 Reasons Why Key West is One of the Top Gay Travel Destinations for 2024
Key West, located at the southernmost point of the Florida Keys, is a vibrant and welcoming destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. With its laid-back atmosphere, stunning beaches, and rich history, Key West has something to offer for everyone.
Catching a redeye flight from the west coast, the trip was long but totally worth it as we descended into the aquamarine paradise. The first thing we noticed driving through the historical district was the colorful and quintessentially Caribbean architecture. Tropical pastel colors of lime and rose mixed with wooden lacework patios and awnings that sat behind charming white picket fences adorned with palm trees and heaps of bougainvillea.
Where to Stay in Bermuda for First Time Visitors
If it is your first time planning a trip to Bermuda and you are looking for the perfect place to stay, look no further. The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club is Fairmont’s luxury premier hotel in Bermuda, and it will make you want to never leave…
8 Things You Must See in Edinburgh & the Scottish Highlands
A land of rolling hills, brisk air, and plenty of scotch. Though the weather may be a bit unpredictable, you are sure to have an enchanting visit in the land of the Scots.
We began our adventure in the capital city of Edinburgh. Arguably the historic center of Scotland the city boasts breathtaking architecture, a bustling food scene, a history of paranormal activity, and of course, the birthplace of the world’s most famous wizard. Edinburgh is an incredibly walkable city with many of its main attractions located in the central part of the city known as Old town.
How to Spend a Weekend in Berkeley
We got to get away for the weekend with our friends to Berkeley. Each time we come to Berkeley, we are continually reminded of why it’s an artist’s paradise. The city and surrounding communities are welcoming microcosms fit for families and lowkey getaways. The food and drinks are hard to beat anywhere else in the Golden State. This trip we focused on exploring local vendors and finding the best local eateries around.
Top 7 Restaurants in Los Cabos & Cabo San Lucas
Flying to Cabo for the first time, we had no idea there would be such great food options. From delectable brunches, street tacos, and fine dining, Los Cabos and Cabos San Lucas have incredible restaurants to choose from. Here is our list of the top 7 recommended restaurants to try in Cabo. We are so excited to bring you this list of extraordinary bites and flavors. Our week spent in Cabo was made even better by our tour guides at OutBound Travel, a new LGBTQ+ travel company that specializes in transforming traditional trips into unique and exciting LGBTQ+ adventures. From the destinations to the entertainment, every part of the experience is custom designed by the OutBound experts. Truly, this experience provided a place where our entire group could be themselves and celebrate as one family. We cannot wait to get back to Cabo again, and we’ll be sure to return to the best restaurants around in Los Cabos.
Bermuda Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors
Honestly we never really considered making the trip out to Bermuda until recently, but we are so glad we made the spontaneous decision to go. The archipelago has more to offer than we could’ve ever imagined. We cannot believe it’s taken us this long to get to this gem in the middle of the Atlantic.
Bermuda is unexpected, underrated, and extraordinary. Once we had spent just 24 hours there, Bermuda already had our hearts! We were amazed at the crystal blue water and pink sand beaches scattered all over the island. We loved learning about the island's architecture, culture, and history. It was incredibly interesting to be in such a tropical place with a tradition of afternoon tea and pictures of Queen Elizabeth everywhere. We only wish we had more time to take it all in, but of course, we cannot wait to get back to Bermuda one day and again cheers with a Dark and Stormy in hand.
Conveniently located in the mid-Atlantic, Bermuda is less than a two-hour flight from most east coast gateways, Bermuda is perfect for getaways year-round.
Visiting Bermuda for the first time, the cost can be intimidating. As an isolated set of islets, Bermuda boasts itself as a luxury tourist destination. Where it asks for high dollars, it does not fall short of delivering a quality vacation you’ll never forget. This is a destination you’ll want to pull all the stops for, which is why we recommend planning your trip well in advance and opting to stay at a hotel or resort that will have everything you need to make it the trip of your dreams.