Gay Life in Ukraine 2008

Introduction From the far reaches on the steppes of Eurasia, a American gay couple residing in Ukraine write about their experience in this difficult new nation: “For the gay male tourist, you are truly in the land of beautiful boys (no attitude and no body fascism).  Of course, we are not as exciting as Berlin

England’s Crystal Mile

Intro: One of the most glittering sights in England is not the ‘crown jewels’ exhibit in the Tower of London. Rather, ninety miles north in the city of Stourbridge thousands of crystalline products dazzle the eye and impress the visitor inside numerous glass factories-all open to the public.

UK – Stratford-on-Avon

From a humble Stratford-on-Avon village emerged one of the world’s greatest writers, William Shakespeare (about whom very little is actuallyknown). He was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England’s national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or

UK – London

London is one of the oldest and most important commercial and cultural cities in the world. It is the most populous municipality in the European Union. In the past twenty years, starting in the 1980’s, London–and the United Kingdom–has become a leading proponent for gay human rights. The landmark Civil Partnership Act 2004 created a

Gay Belarus 2006

Intro: Belarus still staggers under post Soviet repressive government policies. Although homosexuality has been decriminalized it remains a shadow lifestyle and there is little breathing room or freedom for LGBT people. Below are stories and reports that offer an overview and introduction to gay Belarus.

Bulgaria – Black Sea Coast: Varna to Nesebar

After World War II, Bulgaria became a communist state and part of the Eastern Bloc. In 1990, after the Revolutions of 1989, the Communist party gave up its monopoly on power and Bulgaria transitioned to democracy and free-market capitalism. Currently Bulgaria functions as a parliamentary democracy under a unitary constitutional republic. A member of the

Croatia: A Natural and Naturist Wonder

Croatia: a Natural and Naturist Wonder Croatia, in the opinion of many, Europe’s most beautiful garden has been an attractive naturist destination for five decades. Naturism from its first beginnings in 1936 on the island of Rab, naturally with the permission of the town authorities, was begun by respectable guests Edward VIII and his beloved

Croatia – Zagreb: City (1)

Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of Croatia. The city is the cultural, scientific, economic and governmental center of the Republic. The city’s population in 2006 was about 784,900. In 1991, it became the capital of the country following secession from Yugoslavia. During the 1991-1995 Croatian War of Independence, it was a scene

Croatia – Zagreb: City (2)

Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of Croatia. The city is the cultural, scientific, economic and governmental center of the Republic. The city’s population in 2006 was about 784,900. In 1991, it became the capital of the country following secession from Yugoslavia. During the 1991-1995 Croatian War of Independence, it was a scene

Croatia – Zagreb: City (3)

Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of Croatia. The city is the cultural, scientific, economic and governmental center of the Republic. The city’s population in 2006 was about 784,900. In 1991, it became the capital of the country following secession from Yugoslavia. During the 1991-1995 Croatian War of Independence, it was a scene

Croatia – Adriatic Islands

The Croatian Dalmation coast with its thousand islands is a very picturesque and appealing corner of Europe. It has drawn tourists for thousands of years and a drive along the coast and across some of the islands immediately reveals why. Good ferry service connects most of the larger islands. The largest island is Cres –

Croatia – Istria Peninsula

The Istrian peninsula, part of the scenic Dalmatian Coast, has been settled for hundreds of thousands of years and has seen empires come and go. Beautiful vistas, rocky shores, fertile farms and a magnificent intact Roman amphitheatre in Pula attacts visitors worldwide. Pula is the largest city in Istria County, Croatia, situated at the southern

Croatia – Plitvice Lake

In Plitvice Lakes Park sixteen lakes at descending elevations tumble into one another via countless waterfalls creating a scenic wonder.A wooden nature trail follows the course of the lakes.The sixteen lakes are separated into an upper and lower cluster formed by runoff from the mountains, descending from an altitude of 636 m to 503 m

Croatia – Bosnia (Bihac City)

Bosnia is not far from any border crossing with Croatia. This one, near the Plitvice Lakes Park, led to a short visit to the Bosnian provincial capitol of Bihac. It’s a university city with many students and a somewhat lively downtown. But the feeling of recovery is still present especially with many bullet holes in

Croatia – Central Highlands

The rugged highlands contain Croatia’s wartime ghosts. During the Balkan Wars in the 1990’sCroats, Muslim Bosnians and Serbs attacked one another in a bizarre checkboard holocaust as the federation of Yugoslavia fell bloodily apart. In Croatia, the so-called Croatian War of Independence  was first waged between Croatian police forces and the Serbs living in the

Gibraltar – City and Rock Tour

Gibraltar has changed hands with nearly every major invasion since the ancients Greeks claimed it as the end of the known world. In more recent times it has been ruled by Muslims, Dutch, Spanish and now England, since 1713. Only 27,000 citizens call it home. Instead of going to war to get it back, Spain

Czech Republic – Jicin Town

Jicin is a pleasant picturesque town northeast of Prague in the Czech Republic. In 1710 the town became a property of the House of Trauttmansdorff, which meant the arrival of the period of High Baroque, during which many constructions were completed.  The historical center has been declared a Municipal Reserve because of its big well-preserved

Gay Mykonos

By Stuart Haggas Passport Magazine July 2009 Said to be named after Mykons, the grandson of the god Apollo, the Greek island of Mykonos is a legend in its own right. The ancient Greek celebration of homosexuality and male beauty, and their penchant for decadence and debauchery, still flourish here during the midsummer heat. Famous