FA R AWAY G AY H O L I DAY
THE
ARTS
ISSUE
2021
TRAVEL RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL.
EMBRACEMAGAZINE.US
110
Top Party Playas Whether you prefer speedos, boardshorts, or nothing at all, these top three beaches in North America, South America and Europe have something for every LGBTQ traveler to enjoy. STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIKE FALLON
As
the Coronavirus Pandemic continues to disturb travel plans for many, including yours truly, I’ve spent hours reminiscing about past experiences with family and friends over outdoor dinners and socially distanced drinks. Those conversations led laughs, tears, and chills of excitement about some of my favorite destinations in the world and this edition’s travel write-up. Now, there are few things you need to understand about my personality and preferences to fully understand the list of destinations you are about to peruse. First, as a native Floridian, beaches are in my blood. I need a beach day at least once a month. Secondly, I love a big city with a unique personality and lots of history, art, culture, and architecture. A few years back I spent a weekend thoroughly enjoying over 18 hours of audio walking tours of Rome. Lastly,
I need to socialize with the locals, experience the nightlife, taste the local cuisine flavors, and dance the night away. Simple enough, right? Now that’s out of the way, let us explore my favorite party + city + beach destinations! Number three on my list is Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Yes, it’s cliché, but Rio offers an experience like no other. A massive, diverse city by the sea, Rio has a stunning landscape, fabulous beaches, and is one of the best natural harbors in the world: Botafogo Bay. World-renowned Copacabana and Ipanema beaches are filled with locals and tourists from around the world, and some of the best people watching anywhere. Bikinis, check! Speedos, check! Mankinis, check! A trip to Rio is not complete without enjoying a few Caipirinhas, the national cocktail of Brazil made from sugarcane, lime, and hard liquor, while lounging in the sun at one of Rio’s famous
Beach scene with clouds and mountain: The expansive white sand and tan bodies of Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
