Gay Holidays 4u CALL FREE 0800 75 66 22 1

Gay Holidays 4u are pleased to announce that they are able to offer Gay Holidays with Thomson Freedom.

Since the Civil Partnership Act came into force three-and-a-half years ago, only a handful of UK tour operators have added same-sex weddings to their programmes, although the majority of gay and lesbian couples tend to book with a specialist.

The main difference between a civil partnership and a commitment ceremony are:

• A Civil partnership is a legal marriage between couples that are gay or lesbian.  They will receive similar treatment and benefits as that of any married couple.
• A commitment ceremony does not have any legal implications and does not provide couples with any legal rights or responsibilites.
• UK-recognised civil partnerships can take place in Belgium, Canada (Quebec and Nova Scotia), Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the US (Vermont)

Owing to the legal hurdles, most same-sex couples choose to have their civil ceremony in the UK and a celebration of commitment overseas – often taking family and friends.

The ceremony can be personalised to include readings, and exchange of rings and personal vows of commitment to each other.

There are lots of ‘gay’ resorts around the world which are popular for both commitment ceremonies as well as honetmoons.  These include Gran Canaria, Prague, Mykonos, Key West and San Francisco.  Up and coming destinations include Tel Aviv, South Africa, Cape Town and Thailand.

Although homosexuality is illegal in the Caribbean, the non-discriminatory Sandals resorts of Jamaica, St Lucia and Bahamas and Antigua have a more open policy.

To enquire about booking your Gay Wedding abroad, or Gay Honeymoon Abroad, call the Gay Holiday Experts now on 0800 75 66 22 1

Mykonos Grand is a unique five star luxury hotel & resort in Mykonos Greece. Member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Stylish accommodations, luxurious surroundings, and excellent service makes this the ideal place to holiday in Mykonos.

To book your holiday at the Mykonos Grand – Call Gay Holidays 4u FREE on 0800 75 66 22 1

Known for its vibrant culture, style, and food, Italy is a favorite with all travelers.  Although the gay scene in Italy is small compared to other European destinations, it is growing. Several cities boast gay-friendly accommodations, restaurants and businesses. 

Venice, the historic Italian city on the water, stretches across several small islands along the Adriatic Sea in the northeast quadrant of the country. While much more subdued in terms of noise and chaos that other Italian cities such as Rome, Venice is still bustling and alive, everything you could ask for on an Italian getaway!

A trip to Venice is a trip into history. While there, you can visit numerous Gothic and Renaissance-style basilicas and palazzos, all adorned with stunning architectural decorations and artistic works by master artists like Titian and Tintoretto. There are many spectacular art galleries filled with paintings and sculptures. But art is not the only thing to appreciate in Venice.

Venice boasts an abundance of fine dining and shopping, and first-class accommodations, although you might be a bit shocked by the high prices (sometimes twice as much as other Italian cities). There are some budget options for amenities and hotels, so never fear!

Venice is a very gay-friendly destination, and there should be no worries regarding safety. While there are no gay bars or restaurants per se in Venice (though they are all pretty much gay-friendly), a quick trip to nearby Padua should satisfy any desire to partake in gay-friendly nightlife.

Venice is accessible by air to the Marco Polo Airport, from which public motorboat (vaporetto) service is the cheapest transportation across the canal to your hotel. For a steeper fee, you can always take a gondola! The Trenitalia (train) can also take you into and out of Venice. For getting around Venice, prepare to walk and take many boat rides.

Venice, Italy is filled with history, culture, and exhilaration. The gay traveler will enjoy a first-rate vacation there, where it is urbane yet friendly and chic yet down to earth.

While on Venice you should consider taking a day trip to the nearby Island of Lido. The island of Lido has historically been a retreat for poets and writers including Lord Byron. The island is a wonderful break from the crowds in Venice – a bit of serenity to return to after a day of slogging through the sensory overload of Venetian streets. Lido offers open space, fresh air and a relaxing change of scenery. With its 12km beach extending along the length of the island’s seashore, Lido is a gay-friendly destination that offers some of the least crowded coastline in the Adriatic.

How do you get there? If you are traveling by car, you’ll be taking the ferry to Lido. At the end of the bridge that leads to Venice look for this road sign: “Tronchetto ferry-boat per il Lido”. The ferry leaves every 50 minutes. The trip takes about 35 minutes. You can travel by rail and get to Lido in about 30 minutes. If you prefer a more leisurely ride, take the fascinating Grand Canal route. If you are flying, consider arriving at Venice’s Marco Polo Airport. A boat, in connection with the flights, takes 40 minutes.