Italy – Rome: Walk (5)

A walk from the Sant’Angelo Castle, across the river over the beautiful Sant’Angelo Bridge with its decorative statuary to the Parliament building and on to the stunning Pantheon, an ancient place of worship to all the gods and burial place of Italian kings. Read the stories about gay Italy

Italy – Ruins of Pompeii

The ancient city of Pompeii was very impressive and beautiful before it was smothered by the dust and mud of Mt.Vesuvius in 79 AD. Today, even in ruin, the beauty of the city is still visible in the many mosaics, frescoes, architectural varieties, gardens, fountains, temples and a huge colosseum. Read the stories about gay

Gay Macedonia

There are homosexuals in Macedonia, although no one wants to speak about them since they are stigmatized because they’re different. In Macedonia, if you say you’re homosexual, you could get insulted in public, laid off from work or beaten in the streets. (this is rare). The laws allow you to legally be homosexual, but in reality there’s no way for LGBT people to celebrate in public or expect protection from discrimination.

Ireland – Belfast

Belfast is the seat of government in Northern Ireland. It is the largest urban area in Northern Ireland and the province of Ulster and the second-largest city in Ireland after Dublin. The city suffered disruption, conflict, and destruction during ‘The Troubles’, but since has undergone a period of calmness and growth. The Troubles was a

Norway – Countrywide Drive

Norway was the first European nation to declare independence in the 20th century. Since World War II the country has experienced rapid economic growth, and is now among the wealthiest countries in the world. Norway is the world’s third largest oil exporter. It was ranked highest of all countries in human development from 2001 to

A Brief History of Gay Poland

A scholar who specializes in Polish history offers a convenient summary of Poland, Warsaw and the erratic history of homosexual life in this often-invaded and defiant country. Also see: Gay Poland Stories Gay Poland News & Reports 2001 to present Gay Poland Photo Galleries This report is taken mostly from: An Encyclopedia of Gay, Lesbian,

Poland – Auschwitz

Auschwitz was the largest of Nazi Germany’s concentration camps. Its remains are located in Poland approximately 50 kilometers west of Kraków and 286 kilometers south from Warsaw. The camp took its name from the nearby town of Oswiecim (Auschwitz in German). Birkenau, the German translation of Brzezinka, refers to the many birch trees surrounding the

Poland – Birkenau

Auschwitz-Birkenau was the largest of Nazi Germany’s concentration camps. The camp took its name from the nearby town of Oswiecim (Auschwitz in German). Birkenau, the German translation of Brzezinka, refers to the many birch trees surrounding the complex. The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum estimates the death toll at 1.1 million, about 90 percent of whom were

Poland – Treblinka

Treblinka II was a German extermination camp in occupied Poland during World War II. Around 850,000 people – more than 99.5 percent of them Jews, but also other victims (among them 2,000 Romani people) – were killed there between July 1942 and October 1943; the camp was closed after a revolt during which a few

Poland – Warsaw City (1)

Warsaw’s population as of 2007 was estimated at 1,706,624, with a metropolitan area of approximately 3,350,000. It is the capital of Poland. Warsaw’s mixture of architectural styles reflects the turbulent history of the city and country. During World War II, Warsaw was razed to the ground by bombing raids and Nazi destruction. After liberation mass

Poland – Warsaw City (2)

Warsaw’s population as of 2007 was estimated at 1,706,624, with a metropolitan area of approximately 3,350,000. It is the capital of Poland. Warsaw’s mixture of architectural styles reflects the turbulent history of the city and country. During World War II, Warsaw was razed to the ground by bombing raids and Nazi destruction. After liberation mass

Poland – Warsaw Gay Venues

A drive around this beautiful friendly country reveals fertile farms, soaring cathedrals and castles, a tormented past and a boisterous and fairly prosperous present. Scattered pockets of gay culture and life, in the big cities, are energetic but still muted and surrounded by much homophobia. Recent political leaders have opposed gay festivals and parades but

Poland – Ciechanow/Torun

Ciechanow is a town in north-central Poland with 47,900 inhabitants (2002). Before World War II, it was home to a large Jewish community. During the war many Polish Jews and resistance fighters were executed by the Germans in the castle. Torun is a city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River, with population over 207,190

Poland – Gdansk

Gdansk – is the city at the center of the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Poland. It is Poland’s principal seaport as well as the capital of the Pomeranian Voivodeship. Historically an important seaport and shipbuilding center, Gdansk was a member of the historic Hanseatic League. The city was the birthplace of the Solidarity movement which,

Poland – Kalisz: City (1)

Kalisz is a city in central Poland with about 120,000 inhabitants. The city is an important regional industrial and commercial centre, with many notable factories, the Calisia piano factory among them. The city is also a centre for traditional folk art. Kalisz is now considered to be the oldest town of Poland, because it was

Poland – Kalisz: City (2)

Kalisz is a city in central Poland with about 120,000 inhabitants. The city is an important regional industrial and commercial centre, with many notable factories, the Calisia piano factory among them. The city is also a centre for traditional folk art. Kalisz is now considered to be the oldest town of Poland, because it was

Poland – Kazmierz Dolny

(City in photos 1-13?) (Photos 14-30 in the environs of Kazimierz Dolny) Kazimierz Dolny (photos 31-50) is a small town in eastern Poland, on the eastern bank of the Vistula River in Pulawy County, Lublin Province. It is a considerable tourist attraction as one of the most beautifully situated little towns in Poland. It enjoyed

Poland – Kolobrzeg

Kolobrzeg is a city in Middle Pomerania in north-western Poland with some 55,000 inhabitants. The city was founded in the 9th century and was pounded in World War II and has been fully restored. Today it’s a popular tourist destination for both Poles and the Germans. It provides a unique combination of a seaside resort,

Poland – Krakow: Gay Venues

There is no central LGBT organization or venue, no publication, no gay café or restaurant in Krakow. There’s not much of a ‘community’ here. “There is not even a cruising area now–it was busted by the police last year,” my host lamented. But scattered around town are low-key watering holes where like-minded folks gather for

Poland – Krakow City (1)

Kraków is one of the largest and oldest cities in Poland, with a population of 756,336 in 2007. It has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish scientific, cultural and artistic life. As the former national capital with a history encompassing more than a thousand years, the city remains the spiritual heart of

Poland – Krakow City (2)

Kraków is one of the largest and oldest cities in Poland, with a population of 756,336 in 2007. It has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish scientific, cultural and artistic life. As the former national capital with a history encompassing more than a thousand years, the city remains the spiritual heart of

Poland – Lancut Castle / Zamosc Town

Lancut Castle in the town of Lancut. The town in south-eastern Poland, with about 20,000 inhabitants. In the middle of the town is Lancut Castle, a grand aristocratic palace residence, last owned until 1944 by the Potocki family. It was first built in the years 1629-1641 and reconstructed many times since. The palace is currently