I’m Mentioned in Gay Key West Blog

That's me, left, and friend Michael in Key West

I’m famous! I am mentioned in this week Gay Key West blog update: http://www.keysvoices.com/lgbt/

A Shiny New(ish) Hotel Graces Boston’s Waterfront

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

InterContinental Boston has been open since late 2006 and is popular with the business crowd during the week. As a former Bostonian, I don’t think this fabulous hotel has gotten its due.

Most new buildings are like most old buildings in the city: staid and made of brick. Right away The InterCon Boston explodes that old-fashion notion with its curving glass façade. The lobby is grand and airy and begs you to walk from busy Atlantic Avenue entrance to right out to the back patio and walkway facing Fort Point Channel and the old converted factories of South Boston. (In fact this area is considered the ‘New Boston’ and features hot restaurants, stores, condos and lofts.)

This is so not your grandma’s Boston!There are three terrific dining options. Miel Brasserie Provencale is their fine dining choice with crisp attentive service in a relaxed atmosphere. It’s priced incredibly reasonably, especially during lunch. The RumBa is a Caribbean-infused bar/lounge with lots of rum drinks and great nibblies and a strong raw bar selection. Boston is known for its seafood, of course.

My favorite choice is Sushi-Teq and the more intuitive of you may have guessed correctly that that refers to its rather unique sushi-tequila pairings. There’s a diverse menu of a la carte items but for $65 you’ll get a multi-course meal of delicious sushi choices paired with a wide arrange of skillfully curated tequilas, which contrary to popular belief are not meant as a shot drink. There’s a lot of complexity in some of the higher-end tequilas you will try.

The rooms are light filled and airy. One of the nicest lines in the building is the “02″ line. I was in room 802, a corner suite with an angular bedroom with two entire walls floor-to-ceiling glass offering stunning views of South Boston. The fitness center is much larger and better equipped than most and boasts a pool and a steam room.

To get to Boston from New York, I took LimoLiner, which is a luxurious alternative to some of the cheap but cramped bus lines offered these days. It’s not that much more expensive than MegaBus or Bolt but you also get free WiFi, much more space per passenger and the attentions of a bus attendant as well as lunch and unlimited beverages.

Planting a Giant Rainbow Flag in PEI

This past weekend, gay travel expert Jeff Guaracino (right) and I (left) were the keynote speakers at TIAPEI’s (Prince Edward Island’s tourism association) annual travel conference. Check out the ‘Press‘ section of of this site to see the stir we caused (front page headline news!).

Above in the photo is PEI’s minister of tourism, Robert Vessey (center).

Gaga Spices Up Airline Safety Routine

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

Story by Phillip B. Crook

Gaga-mania knows no bounds — even airlines aren’t immune. Or maybe Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ largest airline, is just obsessed with Britney Spears’ video for “Toxic.” Either inspiration might explain why the airline choreographed its in-flight safety demonstration to pop hits by Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. A video of the dance exploded on YouTube after showing up just a week ago, with nearly eight million views to date. Check out the shaky footage captured by a passenger via the YouTube link below.

Gaga-mania knows no bounds — even airlines aren’t immune. Or maybe Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ largest airline, is just obsessed with Britney Spears’ video for “Toxic.” Either inspiration might explain why the airline choreographed its in-flight safety demonstration to pop hits by Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. A video of the dance exploded on YouTube after showing up just a week ago, with nearly eight million views to date. Check out the shaky footage captured by a passenger after the jump.

CNN spoke with Cebu Pacific’s Vice President for Marketing, Candice Lyog, who said that the choreography was part of a test flight and has not yet been implemented. But with the dance gaining support thanks to the viral video, it might not be too long until all of Cebu Pacific’s flight attendants will be hip-thrusting and shoulder-popping up the aisles. To us, that sounds like an improvement on the boring ol’ safety demo no one pays attention to anyway.

But what about you? Do you want a little Gaga blasting from the speakers next time you fly? Or maybe you’d prefer Air New Zealand’s approach to spicing up air travel: naked flight attendants!

http://www.youtube.com/v/Lqh8e2KYIrU?fs=1&hl=en_US

JetPride: JetBlue Launches First-Ever Gay Flight

Arrive in grand gay style for Long Beach Pride aboard JetBlue‘s JetPride flight #1969 departing San Francisco International Airport on May 14, 2010 at 12:30PM and arriving at Long Beach Airport at 2PM. This rainbow-powered flight features ribald and hilarious comedian, Pam Ann, serving as the flight’s honorary purser. She’s a straight woman female impersonator à la Dame Edna, who is a straight, married female impersonator. Go figure. The flight features pink cocktails, gift bags, and other goodies, natch.

JetPride’s flight is priced at the incredibly low price of $79 per one-way ticket plus taxes and fees. To purchase, you must contact the ‘JetPride desk’ at 888-538-2583 option 4. It is not available online since it’s an exclusive offer. (See below for the ‘fine print.’) Passengers have a wide range of options to return to San Francisco or Oakland (with five and four daily flights, respectively).

Win a Trip to Gay Days

Esurance is giving away a trip for two to Orlando Gay Days 2010, happening June 1-7th.

According to the PR representative at Esurance, the winner of their free trip will receive:

• A 3-night stay for two at the Doubletree Resort Orlando
• $2,000 travel money
• 9 one-day or single-event tickets to any Gay Days Orlando event, party, or theme park
• 2 VIP passes to the Gay Days Film Festival

Enter by getting a quote form Esurance, or filling out their survey at www.esurance.com/gaydays. The entry period ends April 30, 2010.

LGBT Travel Expo May 12

Fresh off my NY Times Travel Show panel, I’ve learned about a new LGBT-oriented Travel Expo to be held in New York’s LGBT Center on May 12. This expo hopes to attract 500 to 1,000 consumers as well as airlines, hotels, destinations and service providers targeting the gay and lesbian travel consumer.

Sponsors include:

• American Airlines
• Greater Miami CVB
• Florida Keys and Key West
• Columbia FunMaps
• Next Magazine
• IGLTA
• And others

a portion of the proceeds benefit the Center.

For more information, click on the Travel Expo website: www.glbttravelexpo.com.

Correspondent Update: Shanghai Surprise

Shanghai (Indiana University)

By Michael Sieber

Xie  Xie means “Thank You” in Mandarin.  Xie Xie Shanghai for another intriguing visit.  This town is NYC on steroids and stores to prove it.  While not a big fan of BARBIE, Shanghai has the first and only global Barbie Store on Huahai Road.  It is worth a look to see all the unique Barbie’s made by local designers and the well-known Robert Best designs.  There is even a bar and restaurant on the top level and you can also design your own Barbie from four templates and one goes by the name Lin.

The Bund is a popular stop for most tourist but there really is not much to see – except for the incredible night time skyline.  Furthermore – at the moment there is so much construction – in anticipation of the World Expo 2010 that is difficult to walk around.  The Blue Ocean Baby – the mascot for the World Expo 2010 is all over town and hard to miss.  Five on the Bund is a restaurant with amazing views – make sure to have a reservation.  Afterward venture down to Glamour Bar for a cocktail and if you forget to make a reservation upstairs there are food options at Glamour Bar and your wallet will thank you.  Five on the Bund is rather expensive for Shanghai.

As for a place to relax after all your daytime running – it is suggested to stay in PUXI and avoid all the chaos of The Bund – but only 10-minutes away from the action.  PUXI is centrally located and one will have the opportunity to stay in China first and only carbon-neutral hotel – UrbnHotel. Upon entering the room at Urbrn Hotels in Puxi area of Shanghai – a bottle of organic wine was waiting to be corked and a personalized note welcoming one to the hotel.  Love this place already.  Not only is the service 5-Star the hotel  – the hotel has implemented sustainable practices and techniques in the design and construction of the hotel.  A favorite is the wall of suitcases that is located in the hotel lobby.  If you foolishly stay somewhere else – make it a point to swing by the bar for a drink to take in the cozy atmosphere.

Another major attraction, Yu Yuan Garden, is a famous Ming Dynasty Garden but it simply feels like the “China Town” of China.  This is a good stop to make if you are looking to purchase souvenirs  for friends or family.

Shanghai is a bigger than big city – and it would take one years to see everything – even so – consider a trip outside the city to see how the rural residents live wonderful thriving happy lives.

I had the unique opportunity to visit a very tradition Chinese village in the mountains via a 4.5 hour fast train ride to JinZhai, where it is possible to witness locals making tofu and be invited to share tea with a local villager.  Be careful of the tofu that “smells bad, but taste good”  – this is not true.  After a few chews on this chicken-strip-looking tofu you will feel like your have just visited  a Dalhart, Texas cattle ranch and there is no oxygen tank in sight.

It was learned that Jinzhai has produced more generals for the Chinese army than any other area.  In addition one will learn how hospitable the Chinese are with their rice wine offerings and welcoming ceremonies.  The rice became too much that  it was necessary to order some green to have a vessel for spitting the rice wine back into otherwise I was destined for a huge hangover and a guaranteed “Asian Flush.”

For a short 2-hour excursion, Xitang, where parts of Mission Impossible III was filmed, is city with waterways – similar to Zhujiajiao but with less people pestering one to purchase their wares.  One can freely walk about this beautiful city and it is recommended to stay for one night at any of multiple hotels so that one can experience this town after dark.

Ed Answers your Travel Questions on Derek & Romaine

Photo courtesy of Derek and Romaine

Travel editor, writer, and expert Ed Salvato was on Derek & Romaine on Sirius/XM OutQ answering listener questions. Callers threw all sorts of questions on the gay-friendliness of Cozumel, to the beauty and aloha spirit of Hawaii (and the new outreach by Marriott Resorts Hawaii to the gay and lesbian community), to planning a trip to New York for a weekend of theater…and much more.

His interview lasted almost 45 minutes and is available below by clicking on each of the three links below.

Click below to listen to part 1 of 3 of Ed on Sirius OutQ Dec 21, 2009

Click below to listen to part 2 of 3.

Click below to listen to part 3 of 3.

Ed Salvato has over a dozen years of experience in the world of travel, with a special focus on the needs and interests of gay and lesbian travelers.

Hunky President. George Washington Like You’ve Never Seen Him

Image courtesy of NCC.

This image of a handsome, bare-chested George Washington is part of a new exhibit coming to the National Constitution Center (NCC) called, Ancient Rome and America (Februar 10-August 1, 2010).

The statue in the photo is by Horatio Greenough, 1840. It’s paired with a similar, bear-chested, seated image of the Emperor Augustus from the 1st century BCE. I’ll update this post later when that image is available.