Facil

ManAboutWorld Global Correspondents Niazi Rubez and Marcio Chapman ate and sipped their way across Berlin. Here are their favorite restaurants.

Gustav heuriger

A typical grastropub: cozy, the atmosphere is relaxed. Patrons greet the waitress by her name. The menu is based on Austrian food. The wine selection is small, focused in Austria and Germany. Wines by the glass are a good and reliable option.

Motzstrasse 10-10777 – Schöneberg

Tel 030/21280140

Facebook.com/Gustav.Heuriger

Café des Artistes

Restaurant, winebar and art gallery. As the name suggests the focus is French cuisine. Tasteful decor, silverware, linen table ware give a certain air of refinement. The service is very friendly. The Wine Bar is perfect.

Fuggerstrasse 35-10777 – Schöneberg

Tel 030/23635249

www.artistico-Berlin.com

Monsieur Vuong

One of the pioneers of Vietnamese restaurants Berlin. With success came the hordes of tourists. But still cheap and with a beautiful and young crowd. The menu changes every day. The wine selection is compact but efficient.

Alte Schonhauser Strasse 46 – Mitte

Tel 99296924

www.monsieurvuong.de

Wurst Works

A friendly neighborhood restaurant in Schöneberg to eat the most traditional dish from Germany without falling into the chain stores that are all over the city. Good price, clean, and easy access. Great for lunch after shopping. Fast food socially responsible.

Maassenstrasse 2-10777 – Schöneberg

www.wurst-werk.de

Hartmanns

The chef Stefan Hartmann’s restaurant is sober and elegant, where he creates a fusion of French and German cuisines. The result is quite satisfactory. Good service. A pleasant surprise. Great wine list. Highlight for Austrian wines.

Fichtestrasse 31-10967 – Kreuzberg

Tel 030 61201003

www.hartmanns-restaurant.de

Easy

One of the most beautiful restaurants in town.  The decor is impressive. The French-inspired cuisine is also good. Ideal for a romantic dinner.

Potsdamer Strasse 3-10785 – Potsdamer Platz

Tel 030 590052222

www.facil.de

We are sending a writer to Pride so we’ll have our own Tel Aviv guide soon. For now, download F.O.D.’s guide for a round up of Pride activities as well as recommendations for where to stay, eat, play/meet and more.

Additionally blessed with a terrific beach, really nice weather, great food and proximity to popular Middle East attractions from religious sites in Jerusalem and the Dead Sea to Petra and more, Tel Aviv is well worth a visit. We love it during Gay Pride when all the boys come out to play from throughout the region. Tel Aviv Gay Pride is Friday June 7 but there are events throughout the week leading up to June 8.

The fabulous Cosmopolitan Hotel

By ManAboutWorld Global Correspondent Jeff Guaracino

Great trip ideas can come from travel columns like this one, from your favorite travel magazine or recommendations from friends and family. Business travel — if planned correctly — can be a perfect time to research your next pleasure trip. Yes, I know we are always in a rush to get to that next meeting, answer that pesky text or resolve the work emergency, but hey it’s travel. Don’t forget to stop and smell the fun!

Viva Las Vegas—midweek

I was invited to speak at the Las Vegas International Tourism Safety and Security Conference. I hadn’t been to Las Vegas since 2007, so I was excited to see what had changed along the famed Las Vegas Strip. A midweek trip proved to be an exceptional option to avoid the crowds but still enjoy all of the amenities that Vegas has to offer.

With 150,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas, there are plenty of options to suit every taste and budget. Among the true standouts is The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, which opened in 2010. Among the most notable differences are sexy vibe created with impressive use of video throughout the hotel and the spacious rooms with balconies overlooking the Strip. With spectacular views of the Bellagio Fountains, you are actually encouraged to stay in the room, relax, and soak in a deep tub and chill. The emphasis on this hotel is the non-gaming amenities from the rooftop pool, to a well-appointed gym (which was crowded every morning with fellow business travelers), the not-to-miss spa and designer shops.

Krave, billed by promoters as the “World’s Largest Gay Club,” is opening in a new location on June 15. Once on the Las Vegas strip, Krave relocated to the famed Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. The opening of Krave and Drink & Drag, both in the same complex, is a good reason to discover the original Las Vegas. The Fremont Street experience offers live music, a state-of-the-art light show and the fun people watching. You will also take lots of pictures of the kitschy old-time Las Vegas neon signs. Insider’s tip is to check out the Golden Nugget Las Vegas. The hotel is walking distance from the gay nightlife and a great pool where you can swim with the sharks (seriously) and have a wide range of casual or gourmet foods.

Chicago—navigate it smartly

As vice chair of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), we hosted the organization’s 30^th Anniversary convention in the awesome city of Chicago. The host hotel was the Hyatt Regency Chicago (www.hyattregencychicago.com), which underwent an impressive renovation. The hotel has a central location and very business friendly (but lacks a suitable gym). Chicago is a city for architecture, so I was in search of a hotel with a bit more character. Viola. The Renaissance Blackstone located on South Michigan Avenue across from Millennium and Grant Parks. Opened in 1910, this historic hotel has been the accommodations of choice for 12 U.S. presidents and celebrities. Here is the insider’s tip: in a city this big, it is best to find a centrally located hotel like this one to enjoy between meetings Chicago’s fine art museums, outdoor performance spaces and, of course, the famous reflective “Cloud Gate” sculpture, informally known as the Bean.

Our newest Global Correspondent Cristian Flores is a passionate traveler, photographer and master of Photoshop. He added our ManAboutWorld logo to this photo he took in Patagonia. We feel like we were there in spirit!

It’s steps from Millennium and Grant Parks, home to art museums, fountains, lush lawns, outdoor performance spaces and, of course, the famous reflective “Cloud Gate” sculpture, informally known as the Bean. It’s near the financial and theater district, the Loop (and the “El,” what we know of as the subway in New York). Downtown is where most major hotels are located in Chicago. Boystown is a good $20 cab ride away but you can hop on the Red Line which goes right to the heart of Boystown in about 20 minutes for a lot less. (Take the El at Harrison and get off at Belmont.) There’s shopping and a Starbucks on the Concourse level below the lobby.

Photo credit: www.flickr.comphotos22746515@N024865734246.jpg

The hotel has friendly, responsive service and an incredibly good gym for a hotel. The cardio machines all have views of the park. There are weight machines, cables, and free weights and even space for stretching and that all important abs work.

Opened in 1910 (then shuttered in 1999 and reopened in 2008 following a $123 million top-to-bottom renovation) the hotel boasts a proud history (lots of presidents stayed here) and architectural heritage as an importan Beaux-Arts landmark. It has 332 rooms and suites, among them the famous Presidential Suite with the original “smoke filled” room where the presidential nomination of Warren G. Harding during the 1920 convention was brokered.

For more Chicago information, download the ManAboutWorld app and purchase our September 2012 issue.

Full disclosure: This is Sydney but it’s a hot pic

ManAboutWorld Global Correspondent Paul Teixeira and his partner Jose are in the midst of an 87-day global gay adventure. He agreed to document his trip here with highlights from many destinations around the world. In his own words:

Cocktails in Melbourne

To add some more fun to the ManAboutWorld Novermber 2012 Melbourne long weekend suggestions, we sampled a bunch of gay operated and friendly high end cocktail bars in the central business district. These will wet your palette and are a brilliant place to meet someone. There is a large amount of these themed prohibition style bars and lounges in the area and they all have a different ambiance and cocktail assortment to offer. They are open late on most nights and they make quality carefully mixed and innovative cocktails you’ll want to sip all night long while socializing. Some offer small bites as well in case you need something sweet or salty to go along with your drink.

Lily Black’s – They claim to have the largest working bitters collection in the world and thus offer up some very unique and well balanced cocktails.  The dim lit classic style venue is large and has couches, high tables, and bar seating.

Madame Brussels – A retro style tennis club theme with heated a roof top bar and servers wearing short tennis shorts and polo shirts. Their drink menu offers Jugs of cocktails that are twists on classics for 1,2 or 3 people. They also have wine, beer, and bites to eat.

Bar Ampere – Designed with and old school electric house factory theme, this inviting venue offers inside and outside seating as well as savory and sweet drinks.

Self Preservation – The most food available in the bunch, this place has a super friendly gay staff with a high quality wine list as well as coffee available. It’s a social but quiet atmosphere. Something saved best for the early evening before dinner.

Who would have expected it from “stodgy” old Vienna? Well, actually we would have. Vienna’s is not just the capital of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. It’s also a center for innovation, exciting modern art and lots of cool and cutting-edge events. Including these balls, or dances.

Below and on the next page are some of the events we think will most appeal to LGBT travelers sent by our friends in the tourism office who were the ones who gleefully tee’d them up as a city with balls. If you decide to head to Vienna, be sure to download our free app and subscribe or purchase our January/February 2013 issue.

The Life Ball (May 25, 2013) is Europe’s wildest – and highest grossing – AIDS/HIV charity event. Everyone from the Federal Chancellor to Hollywood A-listers makes their way to Rathausplatz for the fashion show, before letting their hair down for a night of hard partying. Life Ball tickets are a seriously hot commodity, but everyone can enjoy the spectacular opening ceremony and fashion show free of charge.

In spring, the festivities of Vienna Fetish Spring festival (May 29–June 2, 2013) include the presentation of the Mr. Leather Austria award. In summer, the identities queer film festival (Jun 6-14, 2013) is a major cultural high point and the Austrian capital’s second largest international film event. Leading queer film productions from across the globe will be screened at some of Vienna’s most attractive art-house cinemas. A packed program of fringe events, and no end of parties and club nights promise an exciting week. identities also runs various gay and lesbian film screenings in the city between installments of the biennial get together.

Vienna Pride and the Rainbow Parade are the absolute highlights of the gay and lesbian year in Vienna. The city of tents making up the Pride Village (Jun 11-16, 2013 on Heldenplatz) offers a mix of cultural activities, stage shows, fine food, information and parties. Meanwhile, the Rainbow Parade on June 15, 2013 will take to the Ringstrasse boulevard once again this year, issuing a renewed call for tolerance and equal opportunities. After the post-parade demonstration, Vienna’s clubs will open their doors for a party night lasting until the sun comes up. There is more to the international Wien in Schwarz leather and fetish meeting (Oct 24–27 2013) than the obligatory parties; it also features a side program packed with tons of attractions including wellcum, hart6 and brunch.

• Life Ball, May 25, 2013, Rathaus, Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz 1, 1010 Vienna, www.lifeball.org
• Vienna Fetish Spring, May 29-Jun 2, 2013, www.lmc-vienna.at
• identities queer film festival, Jun 6-14, 2013,www.identities.at
• Vienna Pride, Jun 11-16, 2013, Heldenplatz, 1010 Vienna,www.viennapride.at
• Regenbogenparade, Jun 15, 2013, Ringstrasse, 1010 Vienna, www.regenbogenparade.at
• Wien in Schwarz, Oct 24-27, 2013, www.lmc-vienna.at

Looking into 2014 – and balls:

Anyone who still believes that Viennese waltzing is the exclusive preserve of the straight crowd has got another think coming! The Rainbow Ball at the Parkhotel Schönbrunn has reclaimed the classic Viennese ball for the gay and lesbian community. Formal evening wear is de rigeur at this popular event. The Kreativball has come on leaps and bounds since its modest beginnings: these days this alternative event for gays, lesbians and their friends is usually sold out long before the big night. The only thing the Rosenball has in common with the classic Viennese ball format is the opening with a traditional Polonaise. This outlandish disco is an alternative to the Opera Ball, which takes place on the same night at the State Opera House.

Rainbow Ball, Feb 22, 2014, Parkhotel Schönbrunn, Hietzinger Hauptstrasse 10-14, 1130 Vienna, www.regenbogenball.at

Kreativball, Jan 31 and Feb 1, 2014, Hans-Mandl-Berufsschule, Längenfeldgasse 13-15, 1120 Vienna, www.clubkreativ.at

Rosenball, no date announced yet for 2014, Palais Auersperg, Auerspergstrasse 1, 1080 Vienna, www.rosenball.eu

Their social media channels for the community:

www.facebook.com/GayfriendlyVienna (English)
www.facebook.com/GayCityWien (German)

The new king and queen

Today is Queen’s Day in Amsterdam, held annually on April 30.

But today is a special celebration as it marked the abdication of the popular monarch of The Netherlands, Queen, now Princess Beatrix in favor of his son, Prince, now King Willem-Alexandre and his fabulous new wife, Queen Maxima, the first-ever queen from Argentina.

Always a popular holiday Queen’s Day 2013 is even bigger because of this milestone event, marking the first time there has been a king of Holland in 120 years. (Hat tip David Mixner.)

Our kind of queen

Things are looking up in Ptown.

Provincetown has announced its upcoming schedule of events. ManAboutWorld’s Provincetown article is scheduled for the June issue. Stay tuned for that. Meantime, start thinking about when you might want to go to coincide with some of these fun activities.

Run to the Top! Take a walk or run to the top of the 252-foot Pilgrim Monument to raise money for the Cape Cod Firefighter/EMS Cancer Relief Fund. This afternoon event on May 4 lets everyone take a journey up the tallest all-granite structure in the United States.

Cape Cod Women’s Music Festival. This event on May 11, in its second year, celebrates and honors women in music. Funds raised will be used to fight ovarian cancer. Performers include Nicole Nelson, who appeared on NBC’s “The Voice.”

Sisters in the Name of Love. For 20 years, this show has raised funds for AIDS Support Group and Helping Our Women. This year’s event takes place May 11.

Outer Cape Choral. Boasting 140 singers, this group will perform May 17-19, featuring the works of Eric Whitacre, Morten Lauridsen, Ola Gjeilo and others.

Monumental Yard Sale. This popular event takes place May 17-19 throughout the town, and will feature a production of “Let’s Make a Diva!” The show is a tribute to TV, with “Drag Queens on one channel, great dancers and amazing live singers on the other stations.”

Restaurant Week and Gallery Stroll. Local restaurants will be offering succulent prix fixe meals while Provincetown galleries provide special viewings.

Memorial Day Weekend. From barbeques to ocean activities to a celebration ofWomen of Color, Provincetown offers a bit of everything for everyone, including great shopping, and incredible choices in food, entertainment, relaxation and fun.  Be sure not to miss the lineup of events hosted by ProvincetownForWomen and LesbianNightLife.

June

Race Point Light Free Tours. Race Point Light Station will be open for anyone to tour the lighthouse on the first and third Saturdays from June until October.

Worldfest. This international cultural festival is designed to welcome, support, celebrate, integrate, and enhance the visibility of Provincetown’s international seasonal and year-round student/worker population. The event, which features a concert and art display, takes place June 10-11.

International Film Festival. The 15th annual festival showcases achievements in independent film and celebrates the work of acclaimed and emerging directors, actors and producers. Alum Chris Terrio recently won an academy award for his “Argo” screenplay.

Portuguese Festival. The June 27-30 experience celebrates the town’s Portuguese heritage. With special food and entertainment, it’s a summer Ptown highlight.

Too sexy for my keffiyeh

Global Correspondent Ivan Quintanilla is an actor, traveler and blogger extraordinaire. Once a week he provides a re-cap of noteworthy travel stories. We pilfer his round-up (with his permission) so you don’t have to. Follow his travels at TravelingIQ.

*The price of beauty is deportation.   Or so discovered Omar Borkan Al Gala (pictured above) and two other men, deported from Saudi Arabia for being… wait for it… wait for it… too handsome (via Asiantown.net).

*Time to expand your destination wedding options.  On Tuesday, France became the 14th country to allow same-sex marriage (Yahoo).  The next day, the Rhode Island Senate approved legislation to make the “Hope” state the 10th in the U.S., in addition to Washington D.C., to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples (via The Advocate).

*In other sweet news, earlier this month two men married in Africa’s first traditional gay wedding (via Daily Mail).

* In the Navy, yes, you can sail the seven seas, but apparently cannot afford to dock in New York City.  This year, Congress has sequestered the sailors.  Because of federal budget cuts, the Navy’s annual Fleet Week is cancelled (via AMNY).

*More than ever, support Boston with your travel dollars… here are ten reasons why (via PeterGreenberg.com).

*Go big or stay home!  Splurge at a hotel worthy of your holiday (via Conde Nast Traveler).

What did I miss?  Share your favorite travel news in the comments below or by posting on the Traveling IQ Facebook page.