20 Best Gay Travel Destinations, 2017

Pack your snorkel. And your skis. And your stock whip. And your cock ring! There’s so much on the gay calendar for 2017 you’ll hardly be home at all. Feature by Xax Judd.

London

In the ’60s it was swinging. In the ’70s it was spitting with punk fury. The ’80s was the time of the New Romantics and the decade of the House music explosion. London has always had its finger on the style pulse and still does. Its thriving gay scene is centred in the West End’s Soho around Old Compton Street, but there are small hubs such as Vauxhall and ultra-trendy Dalston. Of the dozens of shops and venues some of the most interesting are the over-fifty-year-old LGBT pub, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern; the hedonistic nightclub Heaven; and alternative hangout, The Retro Bar.

London Pride, June 24–July 9.

The First Canada Pride, Montreal, August 10–20

Summer is always a great time to be in Montréal but this summer, instead of their usual Pride event, they’re hosting the first Canada Pride – combining the Prides of Montréal, Vancouver and Toronto. It will be epic and will last for 11 days. 2017 also marks the 150th anniversary of Canadian Independence and the 375th commemoration of the forming of Montréal. Montréal’s gay village (around Rue Saint-Catherine) will become an eclectic mix of cafés, bars, clubs and specialty parties. And, yes, there will be a massive Parade and, yes, it’s highly like that dreamy PM Justin Trudeau himself will be somewhere among it.

www.fiertemontrealpride.com

RSVP’s Six-Day Caribbean Cruise, February 5-12

You’re standing on the deck of a ship, looking out across the wide blue yonder with the warm glow of the sun on your back and a bunch of besties sharing a bevy. Setting sail from Key West, this oceanic excursion on Holland America’s new vessel, Koningsdam, has ports of call including George Town (Grand Cayman), Roatán (Honduras) and Cozumel (Mexico). There’s no chance to get bored on-board. Your luxurious cruise liner boasts the World Stage, a theatre configured to surround the audience with a 270-degree LED screen; a two-tiered nightclub where there’s a riotous cabaret; various pools; a casino; a fitness centre and a spa. A limited number of Oceanview Staterooms are available.