Quick (New) Hotel Getaways in PA and MD

He tried (and loved) the 4 Seasons spa, but this is not our writer.

By ManAboutWorld Global Correspondent Jeff Guaracino

Do you need to getaway quick? Does room service and a maid sound just fabulous?  Travel doesn’t always have to be far away from home (just far enough!). Could it be as easy as checking into a local luxury hotel that is part treat and part escape. When you travel as much as I do, sometimes a hotel can be just another hotel. There are two close-by hotels that surprised me both by their incredible views, luxurious but affordable prices, and staff who make everyone feel VIP. And guess what? They are both in two cities that are worth spending more time in — Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Here’s a Trip: “Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same”

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Baltimore is an oft-overlooked and worthy destination for LGBT visitors. The town’s nickname is Charm City and it hosts an eponymous annual gay movie extravaganza, Charm City LGBT Film Festival, unspooling this weekend January 20-21.

Show organizers Creative Alliance will offer films representing a variety of cutting-edge work from around the world including the well-reviewed “Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same” (above) and more.

If you got the budget, check out the brand-spanking new Four Seasons Baltimore.

Lots more fun Bal’more events here: http://baltimore.org/events.

Baltimore Certainly is Queer

A queer circus is in town

There is lots going on in Baltimore for all visitors, including LGBT travelers. This underrated Mid-Atlantic cultural capital birthed John Waters and his many zany movies. There’s a definite queer sensibility. Here’s a fun-sounding event. We haven’t been but if you are in town, it sounds like a crazy, “Baltimore” way to spend time with the local LGBT community.

Eggplant Faerie Players present: Homo Hollow: A Queer Country Circus!

August 27, 2011 at 8 p.m.
This is an extravaganza of unbelievable and true stories of 17 years of life in Ida, a queer commune in rural Tennessee. Juggling, satire, unicycling, mandolin music, outrageous costumes, and stilt-walking! Consider drag queens with chainsaws, nuclear madness (both the radioactive kind and the family kind), animal husbandry, and how unique communities become sources of strength. Q&A follows. $15

Info: Creative Alliance