Pride Azores to celebrate 2nd Gay Pride event

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A post by Joe Mendonca

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A second Azores Pride Festival will be held from 25 to 31 August 2013 in Ponta Delgada, after having a successful first gay pride event on the island in 2012, and what is hoped to become an annual event.

More than 2000 people participated in the first-ever Pride Azores event on September 1, 2012, a success considering the islands isolation and hidden attitudes towards LGBT, which are more open on the content of Portugal, the event highlights the Azores are not exempt from having gay residents too.

This years theme is titled "Do not blend into the landscape", encouraging the 20,000 inhabitants to come out and celebrate who they are and stop hiding.

The highlight of the event, the LGBT Pride Parade is scheduled for Saturday, August 31, at 18h, taking the route between the City Gates and the Gates of Sea of Ponta Delgada, the largest city of the Azores  A fairly new area that is used to dock some of the worlds major cruise ships that pass by the picturesque island of São Miguel on cross Atlantic routes.

The Festival, organized by the LGBT Pride Azores, is open to anyone and not limited to individuals of LGBT but also with the participation and collaboration of heterosexual supporters. Details of the week long program are found on the Pride Azores website, with events and schedules throughout the week.

The organization Pride Azores will now continue it´s work on all 9 islands of the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, with workshops in schools, libraries, and other special events throughout the year supporting the over 20,000 citizens that are mostly in the closet. The Azores has a population of approximately 250,000, but there are many more Azoreans living in the areas of Toronto, Canada and California, USA, amongst other parts of the world.

The Association aims to support and social integration of the population lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and their families in the Azores, through educational programs, social and cultural. The motto of the Association is to educate, liberate and celebrate.

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Pride Azores
Gay Travel: First Pride Azores

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Hetero Friendly Axel Hotel Berlin Review

After the success of Barcelona and Buenos Aires, Axel Hotel, the world's first heterofriendly hotel chain opened the third location in the heart of the gay district of Berlin, a niche upmarket intimate hotel serving mostly gay clientele, and definitely one of the most unique hotel experiences I've had.

Dark and stylish, floor to ceiling mirrors, black painted walls in corridors, bedrooms balanced by white cotton and red accents with upward lighting. The real difference is discovering the room layout has an open plan bathroom where shower and sink area are exposed (except toilet). Immediately when you walk in to your room a red tinted glass reveals the jacuzzi tub and shower behind it, opposite a wall with floor to ceiling mirror, means all is visible to watch whoever may be in the shower or bath. If your traveling with someone you have to be comfortable in your own skin, and not afraid for others to watch.

The spa area on the 6th floor had fitness equipment as well as a wet and dry sauna, with a jacuzzi outside overlooking the city. The whole spa area is glass windows to watch the world outside. The spa is open till 2am.

Rooms have a luxurious and sexy appeal, but there are some things that score low to make this a repeat experience. The wifi signal and network was difficult and unreliable, connecting on a mobile practically impossible, and the iPad struggled to stay connected. Not included in the room rate is standard TV channels, instead of opting to pay for selected movies Axel Hotel Berlin charges extra to activate even common TV, which in my book should be standard.

Axel Hotel Berlin is in a class of its own and very different from conventional hotels. It is an experience and a destination in itself. This is not a place for the conservative individual but rather one who is willing to be more exhibitionist for a change. It is sexy with upmarket appeal, cosmopolitan design with high standards and specs. No sleaze here, rather sophisticated kink.

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Axel Hotel Berlin - Booking.com
Axel Hotel Berlin - Tripadvisor
Axel Hotel Berlin

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Skiathos G-Festival

The less known island of Skiathos in Greece, as featured in the Mamma Mia film, is to host the Skiathos Gay Culture Festival in July 2012, in what could become an annual event of art exhibitions, beach parties, V.I.P. parties, beach wrestling and beauty competitions. The festival intends to promote gay culture and involves art events and exhibitions as well as themed parties and other events. Organised sailing cruises on yachts as well as private flights are available for the ones who wish to enjoy a more private holiday.

Skiathos is one of the greenest islands in Greece and has been nominated the most popular Greek destination in 2010. The island has a lot to offer in terms of sightseeing and culture. Its beautiful beaches such as the so called "Small Banana" are some of the most popular beaches in Greece, and according to Tripadvisor the best Greek beach 2012.

Ideal for visiting close by islands such as Skopelos and Alonissos, where holiday makers might also have the chance to see the seals that live in the caves of the island. Skiathos enjoys a number of visitors during summer not only because of its natural beauties and crystal waters, but also because of the excellent nightlife that it has to offer. 

The area of Skiathos Town which is the center of the island is characterized by stone paths, traditional taverns and restaurants and affordable bars and nightclubs. Taking into account that Mykonos is one place that it has been extensively visited, Skiathos is hoping it will stand as an alternative potential destination not only for the gay society, but for every holiday maker. 

For more about the event visit Skiathos Gay Culture Festival.