Gaycation Magazine Issue 20 October 2015

Gaycation October 2015 Issue 20

Wine Around the World

Haunted Provincetown

and...

Istria: The Land of Truffles

Dining in the Big D: Chef Stephan Pyles Serves Up Texas Comfort End of the Earth: El Calafate, Argentina

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CONTENTS

18 Haunted Provincetown

Find several B&Bs all believed to be haunted by ghosts

26 Feast Istria: The Land of Truffles

The Wire

11LGBTQ travel news and information, ranging from new hotel/resort openings to cruise itineraries and travel planning tips and products.

Postcards

gaycationers

34Show off your Gaycation with photos of 64Meet some of the incredible places you have visited so everyone can be envious of the great time you had (as well as having proof)!

people that have become a part of our family of Gaycationers.

38 Fried Chicken and Biscuits Everything is bigger in Texas— especially the portion sizes.

48 there’s this place

El Calafate

Explicit guide to

66Gaycationing

How-to’s and tips on what to do and where to do it from your favorite travel writers and bloggers.

66 Book it!

Rivera del Rio, Puerto Vallarta

Found It!

72Must have travel items for everyone

from the novice weekender to the seasoned globetrotter.

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Gaycation m a g a z i n e

About the Cover Photo

Founder/Editor-in-Chief DJ Doran dj@gaycationmagazine.com

Executive Editor Aaron Drake @theaarondrake aaron@gaycationmagazine.com

Feast Editor Joe Morales joe@gaycationmagazine.com

Advertising Department sales@gaycationmagazine.com National Advertising Representative Rivendell Media 212-242-6863

Subscription Department subscriptions@gaycationmagazine.com

About the Cover Image: Liquid nitrogen Jalapeño Margarita served table side at Stampede 66 in Dallas, Texas.

Contributors Aaron Drake Auston Matta Jeff Nisbet David Perry Eric Rosen Send address changes and subscription info to: Gaycation Magazine PO Box 2972 Indianapolis, IN 46206

Article + Photo Submission editor@gaycationmagazine.com

General Info travel@gaycationmagazine.com

www.gaycationmagazine.com GaycationMagazine GaycationMag +GaycationMagazine1 GaycationMag GaycationMagazine GaycationMagazine ISSN 2378-7279 (PRINT) ISSN 2378-7287 (ONLINE)

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

October 2015 Issue 20

Dear Gaycationers,

>

It’s one of my favorite times of year.

While many of us travelers are making plans for any last-minute trips we want to make before the end of the year (and possibly even dreaded holiday travel), now is as good a time as any to enjoy the best of the season and two of the things that never fail to capture my attention— comfort foods and the paranormal!

I’d be lying if I said I’ve dressed up for Halloween the last few years, but I never fail to make sure the actual date—OK, maybe two weeks before and after—is reserved for horror movie-athons. So what’s even better during the scariest season of the year? A trip to an actual (reportedly) haunted location.

This year we forego the haunted house routine and visited a particularly chilling destination absolutely packed with things that go bump in the night: Provincetown, Massachusetts—also known as one of the happiest, most LGBT-friendly towns in the U.S. (if not planet Earth). What many don’t realize is that P-Town has its own share of mysterious happenings, sightings and legends. Author Jeff Nisbet takes us along on a haunted tour that will fill your craving for the frightening.

At last, it’s finally time to bring out the heavier items on the menu—comfort foods and all things fried (yes, I said it!).

On my recent visit to Dallas, Texas, I got the chance to eat at one of the city’s newest restaurants and chat with one of the biggest movers-and-shakers when it

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comes to Texan cuisine, gay Chef Stephan Pyles. I thoroughly enjoyed eating my way through his down-home menu and hearing insight about his creative influences made it even more enjoyable.

If that’s not enough to eat, travel writer David Perry heads to Istria to explore everything truffle related and tried-andtrue foodie Eric Rosen takes us along for a wine tasting around the globe.

As 2015 rolls ahead, we are finding ourselves more and more ready for the coming holiday season. Whether it be some much-needed family time, winding down what has been a crazy year or just getting excited about travel plans for the year ahead (those white sandy beaches will be calling our name in January), we’re feeling it this year. Where will the holiday season find you? Feel free to send us a message on facebook.com/ GaycationMagazine or send us an email at editor@gaycationmagazine.com. We’d love to hear from you!

As always, thank you for reading and for all your support this year. It’s been quite a ride and there’s plenty more to come, so stay tuned!

Safe travels,

Aaron Drake

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THE MIDWEST’S LARGEST LGBTQ NEW SOURCE SINCE 1991!

PROVINCETOWN your vacation just got sexier

PTOWN.ORG

Cuba a ‘paradise for gay tourism’, says travel organization

CHANGING TIDES ON THE CARIBBEAN ISLAND

by Jamie Tabberer

The Wire

TRAVEL NEWS YOU CAN USE

JetBlue to Take Off for Sunny and Stylish Palm Springs, California

NEWEST TRANSCONTINENTAL ROUTE OFFERS SEASONAL ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK WINTERS

Cuba is becoming a hotspot for gay tourism since the easing of travel restrictions earlier this year – according to a gay travel organization, at least.

Mi Cayito Cuba, a web-based intermediary between ‘gay-friendly Cuban private initiative and clients around the world’ called the island ‘the new gay paradise’ in a recent social media post, reports Yahoo! Finance.

The website quotes Alain Castillo, director of Mi Cayito Cuba, as saying: ‘The island has great potential as a space for coexistence. We are open to everyone, we believe in a free and tolerant environment where respect is valued.’

He continues: ‘Changes in Cuba have become an incentive and have increased demand.’

The company is named after Mi Cayito, Cuba’s only gay beach, which can be found in the east of Havana.

Earlier this year, 20 members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington headed to Havana for a series of performances, following an invitation from Mariela Castro Espin, daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro and one of the Cuba’s most prominent gay rights activists.

Original article appeared at http://www.gaystarnews. com/article/cuba-a-paradise-for-gay-tourism-says-travelorganization/

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NEW YORK, NY, Aug 31, 2015 (Marketwired via COMTEX) -- JetBlue Airways JBLU, -3.56% today announced it will begin seasonal non-stop service between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) in Southern California this winter, subject to government approval. Palm Springs will be JetBlue's ninth destination in the Golden State.

The new flights will operate five times per week, Thursday through Monday, between January 14, 2016 and May 1, 2016. Seats are on sale beginning today with introductory fares starting at $99 one way between New York and Palm Springs (a).

The desert oasis has recently experienced a comeback by blending its nostalgic past as a playground for Hollywood with hip new development attracting a new generation of trendy travelers. Palm Springs was a favorite venue for The Rat Pack, and stars such as Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and Lucille Ball all built homes in Palm Springs. Today, Palm Springs has become a gathering spot for architecture aficionados, musicians, artists, and trendy weekenders seeking a warm, retro-chic getaway with great hotels, restaurants and outdoor activities.

"With direct service to Palm Springs five days a week, winter-weary East Coasters can escape to this desert getaway with 350 days of sunshine easier than ever before," said Dave Clark, vice president of network planning at JetBlue. "Palm Springs' re-emergence as a destination and the area's nationally recognized events like Coachella make it the perfect addition to our transcontinental route map."

The Greater Palm Springs area's abundant outdoor adventure offerings including the Joshua Tree National Park and the San Jacinto Mountains, as well as world-class events and festivals, including Coachella, Stagecoach and BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

"The City of Palm Springs continues to experience a tremendous renaissance and we are delighted to welcome JetBlue to Palm Springs International Airport," Gaycation Magazine

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said Mayor Steve Pougnet. "Their arrival is just more proof that Palm Springs is the premiere resort destination in Southern California and beyond."

Palm Springs International Airport, located less than two miles from downtown, welcomes more than 1.5 million passengers annually from the U.S. and Canada.

The airport is known for its shorter lines, friendly staff, stunning desert vistas and airport amenities including an outdoor courtyard, dining and retail. The airport services Greater Palm Springs, which includes the resort cities of Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and Coachella.

"We are excited about being a JetBlue destination," said Scott White, CEO & President of the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau. "JetBlue's arrival means easy, nonstop access for our East Coast travelers. The personalized amenities that define the airline complement the lifestyle and visitor experience in Greater Palm Springs perfectly, promising to deliver travelers to our oasis feeling relaxed and ready to experience all we have to offer."

l Like It? If you see something you like, share it and tell them you found it on Gaycation

Magazine

j Your News If you have a piece of news you would love to share, send it our way and we’ll get it posted here.

Original article appeared at http://www.marketwatch. com/story/jetblue-to-take-off-for-sunny-and-stylish-palmsprings-california-2015-08-31-91735839

Read the Monaco Tourist Office’s romantic message to LGBTI travelers

MICROSTATE RECENTLY JOINED THE INTERNATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TRAVEL ASSN

by Jamie Tabberer

The Monaco Government Tourist Office has issued a statement calling on LGBTI travelers to consider the glamorous country for a romantic holiday – or an equally romantic marriage proposal.

The comment follows the world’s second smallest country becoming a member of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association.

A representative for the Tourist Office told Gay Star Travel: ‘Monaco has always been a progressive destination and has welcomed new ideas, art forms.

It was in Monte Carlo that the Ballet Russe made their home and presented avant garde works choreographed 12

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and performed by Leonide Massine and other renowned dancers.’

The representative added: ‘The Principality has also been and continues to be a place to celebrate life and special occasions. With the recognition of gay marriage in the United States, the Monaco Government Tourist Office wishes to communicate that now is the ideal time to visit the Principality whether it be to propose to somebody special, celebrate an anniversary or to spend a romantic holiday.’

Original article appeared at http://www.gaystarnews.com/ article/read-the-monaco-tourist-offices-romantic-messageto-lgbti-travelers/

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Austin catches Gay Softball World Series for 2016 by Colin Pope

About 5,000 more visitors are expected in Austin next year when the Gay Softball World Series debuts.

More than 2,000 players and coaches will face off on fields throughout Austin, but the attendees — from across the U.S. and Canada — are being booked mostly downtown at the JW Marriott, Hilton Hotel, Radisson and other hotels in that area, said Rick McLinden, executive director of the annual event that was held in Columbus, Ohio, last year. Austin will host the 2016 world series from Aug. 15-20.

Members of the LGBT community tend to spend more while traveling, according to several sources.

The economic impact of the event should exceed $5 milllion for the host city, McLinden said, and Austin isn’t expected to be an exception. In fact, McLinden hopes Austin’s gay-friendly attitude will fill his organization’s coffers like never before — and those of the businesses involved.

McLinden said he’s received significant financial pledges from Oilcan Harry’s and other gay night clubs downtown, plus banks and traditional businesses are talking to him about how they can support the event.

While 5,000 visitors is a significant showing for the local hospitality scene, it doesn’t qualify as one of Austin’s largest events. The capital city is now a hotbed of major festivals and events, as evidenced by our most recent list of the 25 largest festivals and events in Austin, which points out happenings that attract between 12,000 and 400,000 attendees.

Original article appeared at http://www.bizjournals.com/ austin/news/2015/09/01/austin-catches-gay-softball-worldseries-for-2016.html

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LGBT tourists contribute $6.8 billion to Spanish economy

LGBT Capital – an investment firm that focuses on “gay-themed assets” – says that Spain has now claimed the crown from France, which receives a slightly more modest $6.6 billion from LGBT tourists.

Gay people apparently spend around 30% more on average than straight tourists, according to government estimates.

It’s perhaps not too surprising that so many are visiting Spain, as it was one of the first countries in the European Union to legalise same-sex marriage way back in 2005.

Barcelona hosts Europe’s largest gay festival every August – The Circuit Festival – which attracted 71,000 people alone this year. Organisers say that the two week event brought 150 million euros into the local economy.

It’s so successful, organisers are now looking to expand to Ibiza and the Canaries.

Carlos Kyta, executive director at the Gay European Tourism Association, which works with hotels in Europe, explained: “This is a high-income travel market that is not tied down by school holidays and is generally more adventurous.”

Even the country’s right wing politicians are getting in on the action.

President of Madrid, Cristina Cifuentes, symbolised her support for gay people during this year’s Pride celebrations by flying the Rainbow Flag from the city’s parliamentary buildings for the very first time.

It’s staggering when you consider her colleagues from the People’s Party – led by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy – led 100,000 protesters in a march against samesex marriage back in 2005.

But it’s less surprising when you know that Madrid’s Pride events generated around 120 million euros this year.

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ainbowTourism.com

Destinations, Accommodations, Tours, Events & Services

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Un rendez-vous élégant L’escale française par excellence, que ce soit pour des vacances ou un voyage d’affaires. Dans le confort luxueux d’une demeure historique située en plein centre-ville de Saint-Pierre, à 200 mètres du traversier. Une expérience exquise vous attend.

For a holiday, getaway or business trip... NSP is the quintessential French experience. Indulge yourself in modern luxuries. In the centre of town and a mere 200 meters from the ferry terminal our heritage building is a haven of elegance. An exquisite experience awaits you.

À Nuits Saint-Pierre le petit déjeûner est inclus At Nuits Saint-Pierre, breakfast is included

orial du To rrit

isme ur

Prix Te

Une petite faim? Besoin d’un cadeau ou d’un souvenir?

A tad hungry? Need a gift or a souvenir?

Rendez-vous au rez-de-chaussée de l’hôtel aux Délices de Joséphine Visit Les Délices de Joséphine on the main floor of the hotel

10 rue du Général Leclerc, BP 4445, 97500 Saint-Pierre et Miquelon 011 508 41 20 27 | 011 508 55 59 82 (cell)

nuitssaintpierre.com info@nuitssaintpierre.com

vos hôtes

Haunted Provincetown

by Jeff Nisbet

P

rovincetown hugs a threemile strip of shore near the tip of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and holds an important place in the very early history of the United States. It was here that the Mayflower Pilgrims first set foot in the new world, signing the Mayflower Compact in 1620, before sailing to their permanent settlement in Plymouth, 35 miles to the northwest across Cape Cod Bay. With only 3,000 year-round residents, 18

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P’town’s population multiplies twentyfold during the summer months. From its humble beginnings as a fishing village, the town has come to be known for its beaches, its bars and restaurants, its arts and its popularity as a holiday destination for LGBT visitors from near and far.

It may also have more reputedly haunted sites for its size than any other town in the nation.

Sea captains, pirates, serial killers, smallpox victims, innkeepers and just plain folks—all are said to still walk the town’s streets, B&Bs, lonely graveyards and nearby sand dunes. Most of the town’s haunted sites can be visited in the www.gaycationmagazine.com

course of a leisurely morning stroll—just in time for lunch at one of the town’s many fine eateries.

Within just a few blocks east of P’town’s famed Lobster Pot restaurant, you will find several B&Bs all believed to be haunted by ghosts of the dear departed.

In the Black Pearl Inn, for example, you may encounter the shy spirit of Zeke Cabal, a 1920s-era town drunk, crouching quietly behind the living room desk.

The Carpe Diem Guesthouse, with its rooms named after dead writers, was once the town’s funeral parlor, and spectral figures and disembodied voices have been seen and heard in the basement, which served as the embalming room.

According to Mark Jasper’s 2002 paranormal classic, Haunted Cape Cod & the Islands, the Carpe Diem’s manager once saw the imprint of a body on the freshly made bed in the Eugene O’Neill room, and claimed that the room’s sink, after being cleaned, would suddenly appear dirty again, as though someone had just washed.

Just around the corner on the town’s main thoroughfare, Commercial Street, stands the recently restored Provincetown Library with its half-scale replica of the Rose Dorothea, the schooner that won the 1907 Lipton Racing Cup for Captain Marion Perry, thought to be the library’s resident ghost. It is he, staffers claim, who periodically tips over the library’s clocks during the night.

But Captain Perry is not the only nautical ghost in P’town. The 140-yearold Crown Pointe Inn’s website describes, among other specters, the ghost of the original inn’s sea captain owner, pacing the hallways at night. “Don’t worry,” the website continues, “All of our ‘extra’ visitors are friendly—so far!”

The town’s third ghostly captain is of an altogether different stripe. Pirate “Black Sam” Bellamy’s treasure-laden ship, the Whydah, went down in a terrible storm off the coast of nearby Wellfleet in 1717, www.gaycationmagazine.com

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and was thought lost until underwater explorer Barry Clifford found it in 1984.

Clifford’s Pirate Museum, on Macmillan Wharf, displays some of the treasure and other artifacts recovered from the wreck, and is thought to be haunted by Black Sam’s ghost.

Back on Commercial Street you’ll find, in quick succession: Whaler’s Wharf, where the footsteps of a running child have been heard; the recently restored Town Hall, a former jail with haunted downstairs offices; and the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House, with its spectral population of 19th-century smallpox victims.

Also on Commercial Street is the Lancy Mansion, built by wealthy merchant Benjamin Lancy for his mother, Nabby, in 1874. When Nabby died, in February 1896, the ground was too cold to dig a grave, so Benjamin and his sister seated Nabby’s corpse in the top-floor cupola,

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returning to comb her hair and trim her nails when necessary. There she sat for three months until, at the insistence of the neighbors, Nabby was finally buried.

It comes as no surprise that a “lady in black” has been seen from the street, peeking out of the cupola window, and one former resident claimed to have been woken up in the middle of the night by the feeling that someone was combing his hair.

Just one block west of the Lancy Mansion you will come to the King Hiram Masonic Lodge. Turn right and walk up to numbers 4-6. This is the Atlantic House, a.k.a. the A-House, the town’s most popular and only year-round LGBT dance club. Built in 1798 as a stagecoach stop, the A-House later became a hotel and was the P’town hangout of authors Eugene O’Neill and Tennessee Williams, whose nude photo still hangs in the bar. Now used as storage space, the old

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upstairs hotel rooms are considered paranormal hotspots.

Further to the west along Commercial Street is Martin House. Now a private residence, this former restaurant is reputed to be the haunt of yet another local mariner, Captain Tracy, and his wife.

Once a stop on the Underground Railway, the house has a secret passage between two chimneys known as “snug harbor,” reputed to be haunted by the ghosts of an entire family of runaway slaves.

What would a tour of P’town’s haunted sites be without visiting a cemetery or two? The town’s largest burial ground is located immediately to the north of the 22

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252-foot Pilgrim Monument, dedicated in 1910 to commemorate the Pilgrims’ 1620 landing, and is the final resting place of such town luminaries as novelist Norman Mailer, painter Robert Motherwell and U.S. Poet Laureate Stanley Kunitz. It is here you may meet the ghost of P’town’s very own serial killer, Antone (Tony Chop Chop) Costa, convicted in 1970 of murdering and dismembering the bodies of two girls in the woods of nearby Truro, although suspected of killing seven. Sentenced to life in prison, Costa hanged himself in his jail cell four years later and is buried in an unmarked grave, near the grave of his mother, in the cemetery’s Catholic section. One rookie cop sent to patrol that section as a Police Department hazing prank claimed to have felt Tony Chop Chop’s breath on www.gaycationmagazine.com

settles down into the cold months of winter, and the Provincetown dead, once again, outnumber the living.

But no matter what time of the year you visit, the ghosts of P’town will be waiting for you, and are not going anywhere anytime soon.

Pray for an evening when the fog creeps in and the three lights on Long Point fade from view. Here at the world’s end, when darkness falls and the tide is slack, your thoughts might turn to such tales as these and, for a little while at least, you can believe they all are true.

the back of his neck and vowed never to go there again.

The town’s second haunted burial ground, the little-known smallpox cemetery, is hidden deep within the scrub oak and pine forest to the north of Route 6. Here you will find a few curious headstones, marked only by numbers, of victims of the smallpox plagues that struck the town during the 19th century.

If you are brave enough to seek out this sad and lonely spot, do not go alone, and if you seek it in the summer, don’t forget the bug spray!

It should go without saying that the perfect time to visit the town’s haunted sites is the end of October, culminating in Jeff Nisbet is a the great Halloween parade—a costumerich and hedonistic “last hurrah” before graphic artist and the clubs and B&Bs close, the town frequent P’town visitor.

The e-book version of his Creepy Crawly Provincetown: A Grave Distractions Walking Tour gives you clickable GPS coordinates of the haunted sites mentioned above and more. For your own safety, he cautions you to be afraid—be VERY afraid! www.gaycationmagazine.com

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EVENTS

Here are some events and shows Gaycation Magazine will be attending or will have a presence. We’re always adding more and looking for that special event for us to be at. If you would like us to attend your event, please let us know at travel@gaycationmagazine.com

October 27, 2015 Key West Headdress Ball

www.headdressballkeywest.com

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An exploration of a traditional local dish and how it connects to the culture, with recipes and recommendations where to eat

Feast

Istria: The Land of Truffles If you thought France had the monopoly on truffles, think again

By David Perry When you go to Istria and they say “locally sourced,” do not be surprised if you see the chef picking your salad in the yard.

If Croatia were a boomerang (and it looks a lot like one), Istria would be the “point” between the “wings” of Slavonia, the part of the country buried deep in the Balkan Peninsula, with the realm of Beaux Arts elegance on one side and the island-studded coast of Dalmatia— for 500 years under the Romanesque sway of the Republic of Venice—on the other.

In case you haven’t heard the buzz, missed the magazine or skipped the podcast, Istria is in that magical “next big thing” Goldilocks zone.

Developed enough to be a beckoning star of the jet set, but not so developed as to explode in a supernova of kitsch, this knob of land jutting into the Adriatic Sea first drew me in for the glam: Just try not feeling like the hoi polloi while tipping back a hugo—sparkling wine, crushed lime and mint—at the seaside Café Vitriol (I swear that’s the name) in Novigrad, the azure Adriatic before you.

Along with the hugos, I had some good food in Novigrad. And then I had some more good food in Rovinj. And then I had some more good food in Buje.

Wow, I thought—the food is really good here!

But while Istria may be rocketing at light speed onto every traveler’s wish list, its fabled culinary traditions are in no rush to go anywhere, thankyouverymuch. In fact, 26

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it is practically a backslide; contrary to what you might think, hunting and gathering is alive and well in this corner of Europe. At the San Tommaso winery, when it was suggested a salad of wild asparagus would be the perfect compliment to the whites, little did I know that I would be going with the chef into the backyard to find the ingredients. Did you know asparagus is a bush? With thorns?

Asparagus-related injuries aside, “Slow Food” is the name of the game in Istria, although the term is ironic here since it was never really all that fast to begin with. The fish is caught that day; the greens are picked that hour.

But the food of Istria isn’t caught or even picked— it’s dug. Istria is a veritable truffle goldmine.

Co n s i d e r i n g how rare truffles are, it is amazing how much they saturate the cooking, sometimes literally: along with using them directly, you can pick up truffle-infused honey, olive oil, even cheese. There is even a festival for the fungus in early September, and truffle-hunting is practically an Istrian pastime. Most of the population lives on the coast, making much of the interior an undeclared national park covered in the oak forests, the perfect habitat for those little nuggets of black gold. But unlike their French counterparts, Istrians use dogs (only mixedbreed females, they have better noses) rather than pigs and, in this neck of the woods, there are more dogs than people. Almost all of them work. www.gaycationmagazine.com

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Prodding his pups with “Shu! Shu! Shu!” (Go! Go! Go!), Ivan Karlić, the searingly blue-eyed scion of the venerable Karlić Tartufi “plantation” near Buzet, took me over the river and through the woods for a luxury food item so unappealing-looking I wondered how bad the famine was for people to figure out a truffle was edible—or even there in the first place.

“They can be one meter down,” he tells me. That’s more than three feet. No wonder the dogs are trained for over a year.

Black truffles are a year-round delicacy (peaking in the summer), while their finicky white cousins make a show September through December. Ironically, Ivan and I did very little “hunting”—that’s the dogs’ job. And sometimes they do it too well; Ivan ruefully admits each pooch probably pounds down a kilo of truffles every year. Both of us scrambled after a hungry hound more than once. Truffle-hunting is not so much skill as it is speed.

But alas! We all came back empty-handed, but the fuži (the Croatian take on fusi) with a rich truffle sauce and grated truffle flakes waiting for us back at the Karlić Tartufi villa did take the edge off. I later swept through the gift shop and picked up some truffle honey. PB & J 28

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will never be the same!

That night, I experienced just how far Istria has come—in the city of Umag, the Kempinski Hotel Adriatic affords a vista of three countries: Croatia, Slovenia and far in the distance, the city of Trieste in Italy. It is the peninsula’s prestige address, and of course truffles find their way onto the menu.

“I love reinterpreting local, traditional ingredients with modern culinary techniques in order to be able to keep and emphasize their original quality and taste. It is all about flavor,” says Zoran Čobanov, Istrian master chef at the hotel’s Kanova restaurant and one of the most prominent young chefs in Croatia. “As cooks, what we do is unique in that the fruits of our work actually become you, and in that intensely intimate exchange both enormous satisfaction and serious responsibility can and should be found.”

Cherry-picking through an embarrassment of Istria’s top-shelf seafood, local meats, cheese, delectable olive oils and wine, mushrooms and wild asparagus (why not?), Čobanov taps the rich, earthy tastes of truffles to make his food an all-out stage show. Some of his biggest hits are familiar staples—sorta. At its foundation, fritaja is scrambled eggs. But after Čobanov throws in cuttlefish www.gaycationmagazine.com

ink, caviar, prosciutto and white truffles, a whole new evolutionary stage of the dish is reached. It was like comparing a mouse to a whale: both are mammals, but…

So not only is Istria the next big thing to visit, it is also the next big thing on the menu. Get there before the tourists do because they will graze the place down to the nubs. But then, who could blame them?

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Karlić Tartufi Fuži 500 g dried fusi pasta 100 g butter 50 g truffle butter 200 ml cooking cream 50 g truffle pate 70 g fresh white truffle (or frozen) 200 g grated parmesan cheese salt two drops of white truffle-flavored olive oil Preparation: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Melt butter in a frying pan.

Add white truffle pate, cream, oil and cheese.

Cook on low heat for one minute.

When the sauce is ready add white truffles chopped into tiny bits.

5. Cook fuži in salted water, drain them and pour the sauce over.

Istrian New Fritaja Kempinski (serves 2) 2 eggs (yolk) 200 g red potatoes 40 g butter with truffles 8 g of first-class Istrian white truffle “tuber magnatum pico” 8 g Istrian prosciutto ham 10 g cuttlefish ink 60 g bread crumbs Istrian extra virgin olive oil Fleur de Sel sea salt 4 g of quality caviar 2 dcl vegetable broth Preparation: 1. Separate egg yolk from egg white.

2. Roll the egg yolk gently in a mixture made from bread crumbs and cuttlefish ink and put it in the fridge to chill.

3. Cook the potatoes and mash them in a liquid purè, similar to a pancake mixture, by adding vegetable broth and butter truffles.

4. Put the purè in a siphon, add two bomblets (bombettes) and turn it upside down in order to obtain a proper foamy volume.

5. Take carefully the pre-breaded yolk and immerse it for a few seconds in hot oil and then remove it quickly and place it on a paper towel to absorb the excess oil.

6. Squeeze out the foamy potato purè cream from the siphon into a deep soup plate.

7. Place the yolk in the middle, surrounded by 5-6 small, very thin prosciutto cubes.

8. Grate truffle on top and garnish the plate with caviar.

9. Add some Fleur de Sel on top of the yolk and enrich the dish with some extra virgin olive oil.

David Perry danced with the dead in Japan, raced on horseback across the Western Desert to Saqqara, and kayak-surfed the Irish Sea in galeforce winds. Called “one of the most recognized and well-respected travel writers for the North American LGBT market,” with work appearing in Instinct Magazine, Out.com, Connextions Magazine, and the EDGE Media Network, he is a firm believer that fabulousness can be found anywhere. Even in gale-force winds.

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2014

www.casacupula.com

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MIAMI’S LGBT VOICE

We warmly welcome you to the LGBT Visitor Center, the proud voice of all things gay in Miami and the Beaches.

We’re located in Old City Hall in the heart of South Beach at 1130 Washington Ave., Suite 100, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

To plan your next vacation in fabulous Miami Beach, go to GoGayMiami.com or call us at 305/397-8914.

MAR Winter Party

APR Miami Beach Gay Pride Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

MAY Aqua Girl Sizzle Miami

JUN Out in the Tropics

JUL Miami Beach Bruthaz Conference

OCT Orgullo

LGBT VISITOR CENTER •1130 WASHINGTON AVENUE, 1ST FLOOR, MIAMI BEACH • GoGayMiami.com This ad made possible through the support of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

For a complete listing of events, please visit GoGayMiami.com Additional support generously provided by:

NOV White Party

Postcards SHOW OFF YOUR GAYCATION! SEND IN YOUR VACATION PHOTOS (WITH CAPTIONS) AND WE’LL PUT ‘EM HERE AND BE ENVIOUS OF THE GREAT TIME YOU HAD!

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Fried Chicken & Biscuits: Chef Stephan Pyles Takes Us into the Kitchen

by Aaron Drake

Everything

is bigger in Texas— especially the portion sizes. On my recent visit to Dallas, I nearly overdosed on Texas-sized plates of food as I ate my way around the city. But one thing is for sure, each meal was delicious and reminiscent of down-home, lovingly cooked meals that are satisfying for more reasons than because they fill your stomach.

Aside from a goosebump-inducing mole sauce at the Mexican joint Mesa Maya and authentic, mouth-watering barbecue from Lockhart Smokehouse, I found my way to one of the city’s newest and most noteworthy spots for modern Texan cuisine—out Dallas chef Stephan Pyles’ Stampede 66. It hit precisely on all points of what I think any traveler craves—and expects—when traveling to the heart of Texas. As soon as you step foot in the restaurant, you’re overtaken by aromas of homestyle cookin’ that will quickly have your stomach rumbling in appreciation.

What else is evident from Chef Pyles’ award-winning, created-from-scratch restaurants—and even from the use of his talents in the kitchen to combat hunger in the community at large—is that the chef who has been dubbed one of the founding fathers of Southwestern cuisine has a deep passion for his home state. Among dishes like honey-fried chicken and biscuits, Freeto-chili pie and butterscotch pudding, it’s clear that the cookbook author-world traveler-celebrity chef’s latest recipe for success puts the Lonestar State center stage. As he proudly states on the menu: “When I was growing up in West Texas, my uncle had a sticker on the back window of his Ford pick-up truck that read ‘Made in Texas by Texans.’ While I came to believe that was probably not true, I have made every effort to make that slogan a reality through the procurement of ingredients on this menu.”

Between bites we got the chance to chat with the acclaimed tried-and-true Texan chef, who’s been doing incredible and scrumptious things for Dallas’ food scene since 1983, about Stampede 66 and where exactly he gets the inspiration for his culinary creations. So just go ahead and make plans now to loosen that oversized belt buckle you’ll inevitably end up purchasing when you get there.

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I definitely enjoyed the comfort foods at Stampede 66. Is there something you set out to accomplish with the down-home feel of the restaurant and menu?

The restaurant and the food are really inspirations from my childhood experiences both at the Phillips 66 Truck Stop Café and at-home environment with my extended family. Stampede 66 is what my truck stop café would have looked and felt like had I had taste, control and money at the age of 10. I think I am giving Dallas the food they really want to eat.

We noticed the interior of Stampede blends perfectly with the menu choices. (We especially love the wall of actual Texas city names.) Where in the process of creating a new restaurant concept does the layout of the restaurant factor into your planning—does it factor into the menu or come to you afterwards?

For me, the creative process starts with an idea then radiates out to all the components inherent in restaurant conceptualization and execution. The functional space—the architecturals, the interiors, the lighting—as well as the graphics, the music, the tabletops, menu and beverage lists are all developed with the central theme clearly in mind. In this case it was a “bigger than life” Texas experience featuring comfort food, Southern hospitality and a wine list that categorizes wine from anywhere other than Texas as imports (including California). I have a saying that hospitality was created in the South and perfected in Texas.

I did feel right at home. So where do you find you get the inspiration for your dishes?

Each restaurant is different. My travels often inspire my menus, but at Stampede 66 the inspiration really was the food of my childhood and the foods of Texas.

There are as many as 25 ethnic and cultural influences that have molded Texas cuisine, so there’s a lot to be inspired by. Classic Southern, Mexican and cowboy, or range cooking, are the most predominant styles of cooking here.

Which dish do you recommend that diners absolutely must try at Stampede 66?

When asked what my last supper meal would be, I quickly answer honey-fried chicken with buttermilk biscuits.

That was what I ordered off the menu! Any surprising or interesting stories behind how any of the current dishes made its way onto the menu?

I wanted to do a classic barbecued brisket but also wanted to modernize it, so I kept the traditional methods of dry marinating for 24 hours but then cold-smoking it over hickory for 24 hours. Then I cook the brisket in sous-vide for 72 hours at 141 degrees, which makes an incredible tender product but keeps a bit of rosy color in the center.

Delicious. Tell us, do you have a personal favorite restaurant in Dallas or even a guilty pleasure that you’re willing to share?

I have to promote my protégés: FT33 by Matt McCallister and Smoke by Tim Byers.

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You mentioned your travels—we know you’ve been around the world tasting cuisine. Are there any countries or particular foods that you just can’t seem to forget?

You’ll find us two-stepping the night away!

Stampede66.com

I go to Peru and Spain at least once a year. I’ve been to Spain twice already this year. I was blown away last month by the food in Shanghai.

Do you have anything up your sleeve that you can share with us, whether it be a new dish you’re working on or upcoming restaurant changes?

I’m moving my flagship [restaurant Stephan Pyles in the Dallas Arts District] to a dynamic location across from the Symphony Hall and Opera House later this year when my 10-year lease is up at the current location. I think of it as my “swan song” for luxury restaurants.

Sounds incredible and reason enough to make a trip back soon. Lastly, what would you share with LGBT travelers who come to Dallas to make the most of their visit?

After eating at my restaurants, of course, they must go to the “Crossroads” on Cedar Springs where Dallas’ gay culture began. In particular, they need to visit The Roundup. It’s almost surreal to see hundreds of decked out cowboys two-stepping and doing the Cotton-Eyed Joe in tandem.

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Aaron Drake is Executive Editor of Gaycation Magazine.

He has contributed to The Advocate, Out Traveler, Man About World and Amtrak Ride With Pride. When he’s not writing and traveling the globe, you can find him remodeling his house with his hubby or playing with his two mischievous dogs. Follow his travels and travails on Twitter and Instagram at @theaarondrake. Share your travels with us at editor@gaycationmagazine.com.

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Gaycation Gaycation Magazine brings the world of gay travel to your fingertips. Explore new and familiar gay destinations. Learn what to do, what to eat, and what to wear. All this information wrapped up into a magazine which brings the culture of gay travel to life.

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Submission Guidelines Editorial Features What was I thinking?: Stories submitted by Gaycationers about crazy experiences that left them scratching their heads and opining, “What was I thinking?”

Cruising Corner: Tips and insights from cruising experts and short stories from our readers about their cruising experiences.

Book It!: Recommendations of LGBTQ friendly hotels and resorts that help you engage with the identity of a destination.

Feast: An in-depth exploration of a traditional local dish and how it connects tot he culture, with recipes and recommendations where to eat.

There’s This Place: Where to go next?

Gaycation Magazine’s recommendations of unusual LGBTQ destinations off the beaten path.

Threads: The latest style trends, insights and tips from our fashion experts for the world traveler in all of us.

Postcards (Photo Section): Photos of Experiential LGBTQ travel moments captured by Gaycationers worldwide.

The Wire: Brief LGBTQ travel news and information about new hotel/resort openings, cruise itineraries, travel planning tips, and products and services.

Gaycationers: Photos of real LGBTQ travelers and explorers who have gone before you providing insights and resources which inspire you to pursue your personal travel passion.

Found It!: Short description of “must have” travel items for everyone from the novice weekender to the seasoned globetrotter.

Any articles, photos or information submitted to Gaycation Magazine become the sole property of Gaycation Magazine.

The views and opinions stated throughout the magazine are not necessarily the view and opinion of Gaycation Magazine.

Gaycation Magazine and its affiliates will not knowingly publish or advertise information, which is fraudulent or misleading. The Publisher reserves the right to edit, limit, revise, or reject any submission without cause.

Gaycation and its affiliates assume no finanical responsibility for typographical errors. If any errors are found, please notify Gaycation Magazine immediately. Materials in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the Publisher.

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There’s This Place EL CALAFATE, ARGENTINA

El Calafate is a small town located in Patagonia, within the most southern region of Argentina. Given its location, it’s not exactly the type of place you go for a last-minute weekend trip. A flight to Argentina from the U.S. will take you at least eight to 10 hours or more, and going all the way south to El Calafate requires a layover in Buenos Aires and another three-hour flight with Aerolineas Argentinas.

The airport is tiny and modern, but the main draw is the scenery, as this airport easily has the most scenic view I’ve ever encountered from a runway. The airport is on the banks of Lake Argentino, a glacier-fed lake with stunning mountains surrounding its edge.

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By Auston Matta

El Calafate is a tourist town with a local population of just 22,000 people. I arrived with my tour group at the Xelena Hotel & Suites to find spacious and comfortable rooms right on the edge of the lake. With floor-to-ceiling windows, I couldn’t help but just stare off into the distance admiring the view. As the clock struck 6 p.m. I witnessed what was easily the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen—every color of the rainbow came out across the lake, sky and mountains over the massive lake. It’s one of those phenomena that I tried to capture on camera but no photographic shot can compare to what I witnessed with my own eyes. www.gaycationmagazine.com

On our first night in El Calafate, we went to dinner at Hummus Restaurant, located at the Posada Los Alamos Hotel. Our three nights in El Calafate were certainly not lacking in wine and our first dinner introduced us to some fantastic Argentine reds, which of course included malbec and an amazing pinot noir. After some tasty appetizers, my main course was served—a massive piece of cordero (Spanish for lamb) atop a pile of mashed potatoes. It was slowly roasted, tender and delicious. While Argentina is famous for beef, the region of Patagonia in Southern Argentina is also well known for lamb.

Our first activity the following day was making a day www.gaycationmagazine.com

trip to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier located 48 miles from El Calafate in Los Glaciares National Park. The drive started barren and dry, but the landscape slowly changed into dense forest as we made our way into the park to explore the massive ice sheet reaching 200 feet high and three miles long. The Perito Moreno Glacier is not Argentina’s biggest glacier but it is one of the most beautiful and majestic. We spent an hour walking along the catwalk at the southern face of the glacier, one of the most extraordinary natural sites I’ve ever seen. Our guide told us that the glacier calves and breaks off at least once a day and there was a good chance we might even see it. As Gaycation Magazine

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it turned out, about halfway into our visit, what sounded like a massive boom of thunder was in fact a giant sheet of ice breaking off from the glacier face and crashing down some 100 feet below into the water.

After exploring the southern side, we drove down to the water to board a boat to get up close and personal with the northern face. The boat came as close as possible to the towering face of the glacier and the views from below were remarkable. After exploring the glacier all morning and early afternoon, we finally headed back into town for a quick rest before heading out to dinner at what was my favorite restaurant on the trip.

That night we dined at Casimiro Restaurant and had amazing food, fantastic wines and great service.

The friendly staff (and obviously gay waiter) made for an enjoyable experience, and we left the restaurant after sampling some of the best Argentine beef, lamb, empanadas and wines from around the country. We returned to the hotel that night—but not before ordering a round of delicious gin and tonics made from top quality Argentine gin topped with locally produced tonic. A simple, yet tasty cocktail thanks to the hotel bartender who loved fashioning cocktails for our group of rambunctious and thirsty gay travelers.

My visit to El Calafate was in June, which is the middle of winter in Argentina. The weather in El Calafate itself was chilly but manageable, but I wasn’t prepared for the subzero temperatures and loads of snow that we had in store for us later that day. After a hearty breakfast, we took a bus transfer up the road to board what can only be described as a massive off-road bus capable of climbing 52

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the snow-covered Mount Huyliche, just on the edge of El Calafate. The bus carried about 30 people to the top of the 3,440-foot mountain, making several stops along the way so we could admire the viewpoints while the drivers added chains to the tires to make sure we could climb the last few hundred feet of the snow-covered road. As we reached the top, we found a lodge and a huge space for snow activities including skiing, tubing and snowmobiling.

Sadly, our timing was poor as the snow activities at Calafate Mountain Park weren’t prepared to open until the following week. But even so, we made a stop at the lodge for lunch to enjoy a savory steak sandwich and a couple glasses of wine yet again before making our way down the mountain.

Before returning to our hotel for a rest before dinner, we stopped by the Alto Calafate Hotel, another beautiful property in town, which is coincidentally owned in part by the president of Argentina. Complete with a bar, restaurant, gym and several pools, it’s another great luxurious option. Our final meal in town that night was at La Tablita Restaurant, a place well known for traditional Argentine barbecue. The entrée for that evening was a massive platter of meats grilled to perfection, including chicken, lamb and of course some of the finest Argentine beef, which paired amazingly with another crisp glass of pinot noir.

El Calafate certainly didn’t disappoint and it truly lived up to all the hype I’ve always heard about Patagonia.

Sure, it’s a place that takes a little extra time to plan and visit, but the journey is worth the effort. You’ll see unimaginable landscapes of desert and forest, stunning www.gaycationmagazine.com

Gay Travel Planner Alto Calafate Hotel Ruta Provincial n§ 11 n§ 123 Z9405DBC +54 1152 54-2000 www.hotelaltocalafate.com.ar/en/index.php Calafate Mountain Park +54 29 0249-1034 www.calafatemountainpark.com/en/ Casimiro Restaurant Av. del Libertador Gral. San Martín 963 9405 +54 2902 49-2590 www.casimirobigua.com

sunsets over Lake Argentino and experience one of the most beautiful natural wonders as you gaze upon the vast glacier at the national park. Visiting Patagonia is a lifechanging experience and El Calafate is perfectly situated to ease you into the wonder of Southern Argentina.

Hummus Restaurant in Posada Los Alamos Hotel Ing. Héctor Mario Guatti, 1135 Z9405CBC +54 9 2966 62-5005 www.posadalosalamos.com La Tablita Restaurant Cnel. Rosales 26 +54 2902 49-1065 www.la-tablita.com.ar Los Glaciares National Park www.losglaciares.com/en/index.html Nautical Safari of the Perito Moreno Glacier w w w. a r g e n t i n a . t r a v e l /e n / x p /s a i l i n g - a m o n g glaciers/4326#.VYmFGRuqqkp Perito Moreno Glacier www.argentina.travel/en/xp/perito-moreno-glacierthe-ice-thunder/4324#.VYmE-Buqqkp

Auston Matta is a blogger and freelance writer and has contributed to Edge Travel, Man About World and GayTravel.com. He grew up in Phoenix, later moved to Chicago and in 2012 sold his belongings and embarked on a round-the-world trip. After traveling nonstop for a year, he finally settled in Spain with his husband. When he’s not traveling or writing about events, festivals or the best LGBT destinations, he enjoys the long sunny days and nightlife of Madrid.

www.gaycationmagazine.com

Xelena Hotel & Suites Rene Favaloro, 3548 +54 11 4328-1340 www.hotelxelena.com

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WANT A LITTLE HELP WITH THAT MARKETING CHAOS? SOLUTIONS INCLUDING: Content Marketing Social Media Website Design / SEO CRM System Integration Print Advertising & more GREGORYKIEP.COM

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Book it!

RECOMMENDATIONS OF LGBTQ-FRIENDLY HOTELS AND RESORTS THAT HELP YOU ENGAGE WITH THE IDENTITY OF A DESTINATION.

BOOK IT: RIVERA DEL RIO IN PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO

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By Aaron Drake

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RIVERA DEL RIO IN PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO

By Aaron Drake

It’s no secret Puerto Vallarta is one of the world’s top gay destinations. The bigger secret is how to unwind and experience the city away from the throngs of international tourists. I visited earlier this year for Puerto Vallarta Pride—which was surprisingly a very familyfriendly affair—and stopped at many of my favorite haunts throughout the city: I tipped the strippers at Blue Chairs, soaked up the rays on Playa Los Muertos and gorged on Mexican cuisine around town. But the unexpected highlight of my trip was my visit to the boutique hotel Rivera del Rio. Just a few minutes stroll from the Zona Romantica, which is Puerto Valllarta’s gayborhood if you’ve never been, Rivera del Rio is perched on the side of the Rio Cuale on the last remaining dirt road in Old Town.

You might even pass by it if you’re not looking for the address. Once you climb the hotel’s main steps to a lobby decorated with an array of eclectic antiques, you will probably begin scratching your head as to whether you’re still in Mexico or if you’ve stepped foot into some cozy hotel in a faraway land.

I was greeted with a margarita, tortilla chips and guacamole by the hotel’s owner, Alexander Andriadis (which quickly reminded me I was indeed still in Mexico). He ushered me on a quick tour of a handful of the hotel’s eight guest rooms before each was to be occupied by incoming guests for the night: Four rooms, one honeymoon suite, along with one larger suite and a penthouse suite (named for the master of the house), the last two being large enough for groups of friends traveling together. Each room possesses its own personality and unique layout, but all include the necessary basic comforts—lavish king or queen-sized bed, private patio, air-conditioning, complimentary wifi and toiletries, full kitchen or kitchenette and room service. Yet each was made more stunning than the last with accents like marbled fireplaces, clawfoot tubs, panoramic views of Puerto Vallarta’s colorful houses and distant mountain jungles, and a rooftop terrace with an inviting pool and spa.

Andriadis shared how he inherited the hotel from his grandmother, “Silver” Maria Cortez, who originally designed the hotel as the family’s private residence when she first came to Puerto Vallarta. When Alexander took over, he spent three years turning it into the intimate boutique property with added guest amenities that www.gaycationmagazine.com

visitors will get to experience when they arrive. “We are in the heart of Puerto Vallarta and people who stay with us, stay with us to have luxury but also to get to know the real Puerto Vallarta and see how the real people live, while staying in a small fairytale castle,” Andriadis muses.

Rivera del Rio has been digs for Hollywood royalty vacationing in Mexico in the past, such as Raquel Welch and Liza Minelli, and as a backdrop for a Vogue photo shoot. The hotel lends itself enough anonymity for guests to enjoy some peace and relaxation yet still be within walking distance of the city’s main attractions, beaches and the best dining and bar crawling options available for those who might fancy a night of drinking or dancing. The hotel’s concierge can suggest and help you arrange any activities, from zip lining to parasailing, or you can simply choose to beat the heat poolside with a book, opt for an in-room massage or even go shopping with a chef at the nearby local market for the ingredients you’ll need to cook up your own Mexican treat. This is certainly an ideal spot for a Mexican honeymoon or Gaycation Magazine

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weekend getaway, as the hotel will work with you to tailor your stay to whatever your special occasion or interest is in experiencing while you’re in Puerto Vallarta.

Owner Andriadis also shared that the hotel’s upcoming third anniversary on Oct. 30 will double as the opening of a second property in Puerto Vallarta, tentatively called Garlands del Rio. “We have two guest musicians performing, Marta Woodhull will be debuting songs from her new album release and John Philip Shenale will perform a solo set of his new music for acoustic piano and electronic instruments,” he says.

Marta Woodhull is a Grammy-nominated vocal arranger (We Are the World TV Soundtrack}, singer-songwriter (Melrose Place) and most recently directed Benicio Del Toro singing in his new film, Escobar: Paradise Lost. John Philip Shenale is a critically acclaimed string arranger (Tori Amos), orchestrator (Royal National Theatre), keyboardist (Carlos Santana) and film and TV soundtrack composer (Sons Of Anarchy).

After the quick tour, myself and my fellow travelers took to the sidewalk outside the hotel for a light dinner overlooking Rio Cuale. Locals walked by with their dogs, a father waded the waters with his son while enjoying the setting sun and welcoming what was the beginning of another warm night; it was enough to get your blood pumping for a night out on the town. For me, enjoying a glass of wine and company of other visitors was enough for the moment. It was very easy at Rivera del Rio to be made to feel like a local, yet with just the right amount of individual pampering to feel like an honored guest.

Isn’t that how you want to feel every time you go on gaycation?

Rivera del Rio, 104 Rivera del Rio, Puerto Vallarta, 48380, Mexico, +1 480 233 1420, info@riveradelrio.com, RiveradelRio.com

Aaron Drake is Executive Editor of Gaycation Magazine. He has contributed to The Advocate, Out Traveler, Man About World and Amtrak Ride With Pride. When he’s not writing and traveling the globe, you can find him remodeling his house with his hubby or playing with his two mischievous dogs. Follow his travels and travails on Twitter and Instagram at @theaarondrake.

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Gaycationers Meet some of the incredible people that have become part of our family of gaycationers.

They can usually be spotted pretty easily by their warm smiles and willing-to-help attitude when you arrive in their towns or cities. Here are just a few that we’ve seen.

Have you seen any lately? If so, send a photo to editor@gaycationmagazine.com

Executive Editor Aaron Drake hanging out in Puerto Vallarta Mexico with a couple dolphins and Pepe, the sea lion.

Tell us, did the whiskers tickle? Inquiring minds want to know... Looks like you were having a great time!

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Publisher/Founder DJ Doran with the host volunteers and a few performers during the Indy Pride 20th Anniversary Soiree.

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An Explicit Guide to Gaycationing

WINE NOT? YOUR GUIDE TO EXCITING NEW WINES TO TRY (AND WHERE TO TRY THEM)

By Eric Rosen

Syrah and Carmenère, so you can ease into the new variety. The Carmenère lends the blend both an earthy freshness and vibrant fruit notes. Even better, you can stay at the recently opened luxury lodge on the property, Viña Vik, which has quickly become one of Chile’s hottest design hotels.

When it comes to wine, and most things, it can be easy to get stuck in your ways. You find a wine you like, and you just keep ordering it. But novelty is a delicious thing, especially in the world of wine. With more countries, regions and producers all over the globe making better wines than ever, here a few you should try and where you can travel to do it.

If you like Sauvignon Blanc, try…

Grüner Veltliner from Austria.

Like Sauvignon Blanc, the best Grüner Veltliner often exhibits a mouthwatering freshness, balanced acidity that makes it mouthwateringly crisp, and both tropical and citrus notes for the perfect drink to start off with on a warm evening. You can sample it in its homeland, Austria’s scenic Danube Valley, where producers like F.X. Pichler, Knoll and Nikolaihof make some of the best versions. While you are there, visit the picture-perfect town of Düernstein and hike up the hill to the famous castle ruins, or head farther upriver to the imposing Baroque Melk Abbey.

For a touch of the contemporary, though, book a stay at the chic Loisium hotel and wine spa in the nearby town of Langenlois.

If you like Cabernet Sauvignon, try…

Carmenère from Chile. This originally French grape is little known outside South America, and was only recently rediscovered in Chile, where folks mistook it for Merlot until the 1990s. Today, Chilean winemakers are making phenomenal wines from it, including a premium red wine called VIK. Produced from over 60 planted parcels spread out across an 11,000-acre property, VIK is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc,

If you like Pinot Noir, try…

South Africa’s signature grape variety, Pinotage. It’s actually a hybrid developed back in 1925 by a scientist who blended Pinot Noir and another French grape called Cinsault. The result was a new variety that makes wines with juicy red and black-fruit notes but leathery and smoky undertones—perfect for barbecue. Try it yourself on your next jaunt to South Africa with a stop at Kanonkop in Stellenbosch. The Cape Winelands are just

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an hour outside Cape Town. Splurge on a stay either at the gorgeously restored and decorated Babylonstoren, a sprawling working farm with acres of gardens and interesting onsite crafts shops, or the palatial Delaire Graff estate set in a mountain pass overlooking Stellenbosch.

If you like Chardonnay, try…

Semillon from Australia. This grape is used in the famous white blends of Bordeaux (along with Sauvignon Blanc) and produces some fantastic, full-bodied but still fresh wines in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley, two hours from Sydney. But the Semillons (and Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc blends) from Western Australia’s Margaret River region, such as Moss Wood’s, balance a crisp acidity, rich but not cloying honeyed notes and tantalizing strains of citrus and garden herbs. Drive the three hours from Perth to Margaret River and be sure to stay and have a multi-course gourmet dinner at Cape Lodge.

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Eric Rosen lives in Los Angeles and writes about wine, food, travel and adventure…usually in some combination of the four. When he is not exploring the Los Angeles dining scene, Eric is on assignment discovering new culinary trends and far-flung wineries from Argentina to Australia, and everywhere in between. You can read about his most recent wine-related travels on his new site, Cluster Crush (clustercrush. com), dedicated to making wine fun by “stomping out the pretension and getting to the good juice.”

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Crossword

Crossword Courtesy of freedailycrosswords.com

Solution can be found on page 76

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The Viking Magni Godmother

SAIL WITH

Vicky Garcia

Join Magni Godmother and Cruise Planners’ COO, Vicky Garcia on a Grand European River Cruise August 23, 2015 – 15 days, Amsterdam to Budapest Kinderkijk, the Netherlands ∙ Cologne, Koblenz, Miltenberg, Würzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg & Passau, Germany ∙ Melk, Krems & Vienna, Austria ∙ Bratislava, Slovakia

CONTACT YOUR CRUISE PLANNERS ADVISOR TODAY!

888.535.4074 MYCPVACATIONS.COM

Love to Travel?

Start your own home-based travel franchise!

• Part time/Full time — No experience necessary • #1 in franchise category 11 consecutive years

by Entrepreneur magazine • Award-winning training, marketing and cutting edge technology • Isn’t it time to invest in your passion for travel?

CRUISEPLANNERSFRANCHISE.COM SCAN FOR MORE INFO

Cruise fares listed are for cruise and cruisetour only in U.S. dollars, per person and fares/discount offers are based on double occupancy. Fares are subject to availability and are part of Cruise Planners Group Pricing. Viking reserves the right to correct errors and to change any and all fares, fees and surcharges at any time. Additional terms and conditions apply; see Passenger Ticket Contract. CST#2052644-40.

Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, is merely a selling agent for the cruise line and makes no warranty expressed or implied. We are not responsible for errors and omissions. CST #2034468-50. FST #ST39068.

Found it!

MUST-HAVE TRAVEL ITEMS FOR EVERYONE FROM THE NOVICE WEEKENDER TO THE SEASONED GLOBETROTTER.

BLUETOOTH WIRELESS FREEDOM Beolit 15 applies the latest in Bluetooth technology, the Bluetooth 4.0 supporting the aptX codec. This gives you high quality audio streaming performance, without the need for wifi. Beolit 15 remembers up to 8 users and can have 2 devices connected at a time – so you can take turns DJ’ing with your friends. $599 http://www.beoplay.com/products/beolit15

BLUFFWORKS From your bike to the board room. Straight from a cramped airline seat to a luxurious dinner out. For when you're caught in the rain or miles down a trail - a pair of Bluffs is designed to take you far.

We make the ultimate wrinkle-free pants for work, play and travel that perform like a technical garment, but don't look like one.

They are designed to be worn multiple times without care in-between. No dry cleaning. They never need an iron. And they relish being the one pair of pants you take on a long journey.

Cool, light, and breathable.

100% unconditionally guaranteed. passionate guys all over the world.

Proven

by

$93 http://shop.bluffworks.com/collections/featured/ products/wrinkle-free-pants-charcoal

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HI-TEC TRANSLATORS This gadget makes travel in a foreign country easier by making sure that you and your host speak the same language. The gadgets come in different forms including portable handheld gizmos and wrist band straps. It's ideal for any traveler on the not-so-popular trip to a foreign language territory, although it won't hurt to "always be prepared." http://eaofficial.blogspot.com/2015/08/8-tech-musthave-hotlist-for-every.html

YOUR PORTABLE FITNESS SOLUTION 10" x 3" x 4" and only 2 lbs!

FitKit has all the tools for a total body workout and comes in a sleek, portable case. Access the online exercise library for over 250 moves that Amie Hoff developed just for you! It's like having Amie as your very own personal trainer! FitKit is your anytime, anywhere fitness solution without the costly gym fees.

Strength, flexibility and cardio moves are all included in the exercises library. You also receive a Get Started Guide with easy to follow moves and a workout plan to get you started on reaching all your goals. $34.99 http://fitkit.com/collections/fitkits/products/fit-kit

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BENGA Highly technical designs that deliver a new vision of functional suitcases for everyone that loves to live a timeless traveling experience with a strong, safe and innovative feeling.

5 Years Guarantee: We give the support you deserve. If something happens to your suitcase within this period, take for granted that we will help you to solve your need.

100% Polycarbonate : The best material in the worldwide market to develop our unique and strong suitcase shape to keep your belongings safe with an innovative design that fits your lifestyle.

360º Smooth & Silent Wheels: Feel the pleasure of moving the way you want with our delightful and quiet spinning wheels system. You will love to walk with it!

Cordura™ Fabric: New finest materials are always part of our developed products. The trendy patterns and colors makes of this fabric the most loved of all.

Pre-orders Only http://benga.eu/

PANASONIC A500: POINT-OF-VIEW WEARABLE 4K ACTION CAMERA Waterproof and Dustproof 4K video resolution at 30p Level shot image stabilizer keep videos level on the go Built-in LCD to see what you are recording Includes VW-HMA100 head mount and SFC0147 armband case $399.99 h t t p : // s h o p . p a n a s o n i c . c o m / c a m e r a s - a n d camcorders/camcorders/HX-A500H.html

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KENSINGTON COMBOSAVER PORTABLE NOTEBOOK LOCK A notebook computer is stolen every 53 seconds in the U.S. It says so right on the box this lock comes in, citing 2005 FBI statistics. So imagine how fast your laptop — and the precious data it contains — might fly out the door if you left it unattended in a Starbucks in London or Paris? Kensington has been making notebook security systems for years now, and theirs is the brand you see most often in college dorm rooms and other areas where laptops are easily swiped. This lightweight model, with its 3-inch-to-6-feet self-coiling cable, slips easily into a computer bag. But don't leave your latte for long. The cable is no match for a pair of wire cutters. $24.99 http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/ article/0,28804,1827576_1827591_1828001,00.html

GOPAX SOLAR PANEL BACKPACK Solar Panel Specs: Battery Specs: With 8800MAH & 2.1A output This water resistant, solar battery is among the strongest backpack solar batteries available today, and can hold about 4-full charges on a smartphone!

Bladder: 2 Liter capacity water bladder, with an easy fill lid & neoprene insulated hose to defend against extreme temperatures! Bag Material: Ballistic Grade Nylon w/ Kevlar Stitching $169.99 http://www.solar-gear.com/store/p2/GoPax_Solar_ Panel_Backpack.html

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Advertising Index Here’s a list of FABULOUS people that want you to visit. So much so, they wanted to be in Gaycation Magazine! if you’re interested in reaching a fiercely loyal audience, then contact us at sales@gaycationmagazine.com.

Atlantic Escapes 14 Blue Chairs 32 Casa Cupula 32 Cruise Planners 71 Equator 32 Evolve 80 Floris Suite Hotel 77 Gay Key West 2, 3 Gay Tours Ibiza 9 Gregory Kiep Marketing Solutions 56 IGLTA 15 Island House Resort 44 Maui Sunseeker Resort 79 Mayan Explorer 70 Miami LGBT Center 33 Moose Meadow Lodge 14 Nuits St. Pierre 17 OutClique 16 Outings and Adventures 78 Pride Flight 2018 31

Pink Banana Media 24 Provincetown 10 Purple roofs 9 Rainbow Tourism 16 The Word 10 Zenbiz Travel 57

Solution to Crossword on page 69

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UP NEXT November/December 2015

The Holiday Issue VIEWS OF VIETNAM ANDERSEN HOTEL MEXICO CITY www.gaycationmagazine.com

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Caribbean Windjammer

Cruise with pride INTIMATE Our private charter is host to just 30 guests and our crew is always at your service.

RELAXING Kick off your shoes and enjoy the warm Caribbean sea breezes.

INCLUSIVE Surrounded by like-minded gay men, your sense of adventure will emerge with breathtaking hikes, fantastic snorkeling or just floating on a noodle in the shadows of our ship. And everything is included in the price, from meals and snacks to beverages and gear, even the guided hikes and port charges are covered.

OutingsAndAdventures.com or call 727.776.5213 for more information

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