Travel Expert/Consultant

Ed Salvato helps clients establish and reach goals in tourism marketing and social media. An industry leader and noted global gay travel expert, he has worked with a number of mainstream clients targeting the lucrative LGBT travel segment. Read his bio here. Need travel advice? He loves answering your questions. Post a comment below or send an email.

See Armistead Maupin in Provincetown This Summer

Photo courtesy: Flickr.com
flairinnovationmayhem/6790880217/

Fans of Anna Madrigal, Mary Ann Singleton, and Mouse, take note!

Armistead Maupin, author of the beloved Tales of the City series, is scheduled to make his first-ever public appearance in Provincetown at the Crown & Anchor’s Paramount Nightclub on July 9 at 4pm.

Maupin will read from the latest in this long-running tale, The Days of Anna Madrigal, a work in progress. Tickets are available here.

From the organizers:

Ticketholders to TEATIME WITH ARMISTEAD MAUPIN can expect an afternoon of free-wheelinganecdotes and lively conversation with the audience – aswell as a brief reading from Maupin’s current work-in-progress, The Days of Anna Madrigal.

“It’s very useful to me,” says Maupin, “to try out my material on a sympatheticlive audience before it’s set in print.” The author’s books will be available at the event for purchase and signing.

 

Normandy Hotel, Washington D.C. Offers June Pride Special

Normandy Hotel, lobby

In honor of Gay Pride month, this luxurious, boutique property in the gay-popular Dupont Circle area of D.C. is offering a special package starting Thursday, May 30 through June 30, 2012 called “Somewhere Under the Rainbow.”

This two-night package, valid Thursday through Sunday, is $295 and includes the following:

• $295 ++ Two-night Accommodation in Superior Room [double occupancy]
• Gay Traveling Book
• Rainbow Sweatband
• Rainbow Bracelet

The ‘fine print’:

• Make your reservation by calling 1.855.533.6953 and mention code “PRIDE.”  
• Reservations are required and subject to availability and based on double occupancy.
• Package is available Thursdays-Sundays May 31—June 30, 2012.
• This special may not be used with any other discounts or specials. This prepaid nonrefundable rate is includes tax and excludes gratuity.]

Hotel information:

• The Normandy Hotel – 2118 Wyoming Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008
• www.thenormandyhotel.com
• 1.855.533.6953

Couples: Show Some Pride in NYC, Win a $20K Wedding at Pride Toronto

This is from Toronto Pride. How’d you like to have him as your best man?
Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocad123/

How’d you like to get (legally) married in Toronto all expenses paid with about 1,000,000 guests? Did we mention it’s on a float during Toronto’s massive Gay Pride parade?

Just enter this contest during New York City Pride organized by the folks at Tourism Toronto—one of the most lucrative and fun-sounding LGBT-oriented contests we’ve ever heard about—and you and your lucky spouse-to-be may win:

• Executive Class flights from NYC to Toronto on Air Canada
• Wardrobe for the couple
• Car service
• Wedding ceremony on a float in the Toronto Pride Parade
• One day excursion to Niagara Falls and Niagara wine country
• Wedding dinner for up to eight people
• 6-night stay at the Windsor Arms Hotel
• Transportation, accommodation, spa treatment, and a round of golf at Eganride Inn and Spa
• Dedicated wedding specialist  & more
• Total value approx.: $20,000

Contest details:

• The New York City contest will include a cake installation where LGBTQ couples can enter for their chance to win by having their photo taken posing with the cake. Photos with the cake can be snapped from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, June 1 through Sunday, June 3 at 166 8th Avenue (8th Ave. & W. 18th St), New York, NY, 10011 near Room Service restaurant.
• More information about Toronto’s Pride Festival, the cake location, and complete rules & regulations is available at www.OurGayTorontoWedding.com.

The Best Picks Around The World For Celebrating Pride

Floats are true to their name in Amsterdam’s Pride parade

I was quoted in today’s piece on CNN.com’s article “The best picks for around the world for celebrating Pride.“

All that Jazz at the Kitano Hotel, New York

If you enjoy jazz, the Kitano Hotel on Park Ave. has just introduced its JAZZ at KITANO series, with a constantly changing schedule of acts from well known performers to lesser known rising stars.

We recently checked out Barbara Carroll, formerly of the Oak Room who performed a tight, set of standards—fingers flying over keyboard and her sexy, low voice belying her years (probably in her 80s). But just fabulous. There is usually a gay presence:  On our most recent visit, out of about 20 couples 3 were gay male couples and 1 was a lesbian couple.

It’s on the lobby level of the hotel so just enter and proceed directly to the back. Alternatively, there is also a separate main entrance on 38^th St. closer to Park Ave.

Enjoy  small plates or a full meal of contemporary American cuisine with Pan Asian influences and a full bar.

Jazz performances take place every Monday through Saturday as follows:

• Monday:  Open Jam Session from 8:00p.m. to 11:30p.m.
• Tuesday:  Piano Solo Series from 8:00p.m. to 11:00p.m.
• Wednesday to Saturday:  Live Jazz, two shows nightly. 8:00p.m. and 10:00p.m.
• Sunday: Tony Middleton Trio Jazz Brunch, two seatings at 11:00a.m. and 1:00p.m.

$10 cover, $15 minimum drink and food per person, per set on Wednesday and Thursday.
$25 cover, $15 minimum drink and food per person, per set on Friday and Saturday.

Menu:  Sunday Jazz Brunch menu    Lunch menu    Dinner menu
Jazz Reservations:  212-885-7119
Dress:  Casual

What Do You Call A Bear In Turkey? Why Not Find Out?

You probably think bears are a uniquely American phenomenon. You’d be incorrect!

Bears are everywhere. BearArabia.org is organizing a bear cruise around the Turkish islands.

This 7-night tour, organized by IGLTA member LebTour, disembarks September 1.

For more information, click here.

Los Angeles: Mid-Summer Pride Fetish Ball

I haven’t been to the Pride Fetish Ball, but trust me: These are not the most scandalous costumes you’ll see.

We love the new and ever-improving downtown L.A. area. What used to be a gritty, scary, urban wasteland is now transforming into a fabulous, must-go destination in its own right.

And what to the folks at TwistMyNight.com, creators of Unusual Earth Events, do? They decide to turn part of it back into a gritty, scary, event called PRIDE FETISH BALL. Though of course the difference is you’ll really want to check this out. Halloween is one of West Hollywood and L.A.’s most exciting time to visit with folks really dressing up (this is home to Hollywood, for heaven’s sake), especially with slutty, sexy, and fetish-type costumes.

This “scandalous masquerade,” is scheduled for Friday, June 8 from 9pm-2am at Infusion Lounge at Universal City Walk in Los Angeles.

Information:

• Tickets: $20, available in advance at 665 Leather-West Hollywood, Stockroom-Hollywood and Rough Trade-L.A.; online atwww.twistmynight.com or at the door.
• Recommended dress:  Tasteful fantasy/fetish.   Ages 21 & over.  I.D. required.  Infusion Lounge is located at: 1000 Universal Studios Blvd, Ste 208 Universal City, CA  For more information, visit www.twistmynight.com