Italy is a country well-known for its history, art, architecture and romance. With its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant history and rich culture, Italy is a popular destination for gay travel, as well as being home to many settings for movies, plays and books. Friends, partners and families travel to Italy at all times of the year for the food and the fashion, and to see many of the most famous examples of architecture and art in the world. Whether your idea of a perfect gay travel vacation is strolling through the narrow streets of Venice, cruising through the countryside with the top down in search of historical sites and quaint wineries, spending a day at a Florence museum or partaking in Milans exuberant nightlife, you are sure to find Italy an ideal location for gay vacations.

While Rome and Milan have the widest selection of gay bars and clubs, gay travel participants will find that Geneva, Florence, Bologna, Venice, Padua and many other tourist hotspots also have gay-owned and gay-friendly establishments offering a welcoming atmosphere for a night on the town during your gay vacation to Italy. Gay-owned and gay-friendly hotels can be found throughout Italy, such as the Hotel Porta Rossa ” which is the second oldest hotel in Italy and just a short walk from numerous world-famous attractions, such as Michelangelos David in the Galleria dellAccademia ” or the gay-owned La Quircia Rosa and Villa le Masse in Tuscany.

Italys larger cities have established gay and lesbian communities, providing many options for your Italian gay vacation. Milan is often thought of as the most accepting city in Italy, with Florence, Rome and Bologna also topping this list with larger gay and lesbian populations, which make each of these popular choices for gay vacations. There are gay pride celebrations in many cities and three lesbian and gay film festivals, including Milans Festival del Cinema Gay Lesbico e della Cultura Queer, the Turin International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and the Florence Queer Festival.

Enlisting the assistance of a travel agency that regularly arranges gay tours to Italy or offers organized gay vacations to Italy is a good way to ensure that you will be working with someone who understands your particular needs and can guide you towards a safe, fulfilling gay vacation.

Whether you go to Italy for the food, the art, the wine, the history or the legends, there is bound to be a tour related to your interests and this really is the best way to take in all that Italy has to offer. Another tip for utilizing your time in Italy well is to book museum reservations ahead of time whenever possible. Italy is well-known for its remarkable museums and this will save you from standing in some very long lines.

Howie Holben, the author of this article about gay travel tours to Italy has traveled fro many years. His organzation, Spirit Journeys, operates spiritually oriented gay vacation travel all over the the world. Learn more about Howie, his work and Spirit Journeys at www.spiritjourneys.com.

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