Most travelers book their European trips in the summer butif you want to save a few bucks and avoid the crowds, fall is a great time tocheck out these 10 cities.
BARCELONA, Spain
The capital city of Catalunya, a region of Northern Spain, hasamazing traditions and cuisine very distinct from the rest of mainland Spain.This blending of cultures makes the city of Barcelona a truly fascinating placeto visit. At the end of October, the InternationalBarcelona Gay & Lesbian Film Festival is a must-attend event.
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SITGES, Spain
The jewel of the Mediterranean is a party town, plain andsimple! Sitges, a beach resort haven, has been attracting a gay clientelesince at least the 1960s. Located just a 40-minute drive down the coast fromBarcelona in the province of Catalonia, Sitges, a former fishing village,offers more than 300 days of sunshine a year and unlike some summer hotspotsthat close down in autumn, Sitges is jumping 12 months a year.
MYKONOS, Greece
Mykonos has reached iconic status as a LGBT destination. Itis the place to go gay in the Mediterranean, with gay travelers flocking fromall corners of the earth to shake loose and let go in a comfortable andwelcoming environment. The island ofMykonos is a part of the Cyclades chain, smack dab in the middle of the AegeanSea. Despite development to cater to international tourists, the island hasretained its Cycladian charm. The cosmopolitan Mykonos Town still haswhitewashed walls that create a labyrinth of narrow alleys, with colorful paintaccenting each building.
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BEAUJOLAIS REGION, France
Each third Thursday in November, the Sarmentelles Festival isthe place to be in France’s wine country. The celebration honors the uncorking of the Beaujolais Nouveau wine. Beaujolais Nouveau, which isa young wine (only 6 weeks old) comes from a region south of Burgundy in France.
AMALFI COAST, Italy
Weather-wise, fall and spring are the ideal times to visitthe Amalfi Coast. The color of the lemonand olive trees provide an amazing setting for visitors. The area is like an Italian postcard, famedfor towns like Positano, filled with charming multicolor houses. Pour yourself a glass of vino bianco andenjoy.
PRAGUE, Czech Republic
Prague is extremely easy to visit. It’s safe, most placesare walkable and there is a cheap and reliable local transport network if youprefer to rest your legs. With the Czech crown now much stronger than it was,prices are not the bargain they once were, but you can still get some greatvalue in local restaurants and pubs; beer for example is not much more than 1euro for a half liter in many places.
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AMSTERDAM, Netherlands
If you want it, Gay Amsterdam’s got it. From dozens ofpicturesque, historic canals to a host of first-class museums to a thumping gaynightlife and a gay-friendly culture, the Netherland’s’ capital and Europe’ssixth-largest metropolitan area is a hot spot for the ultimate “gaycation.”Settled as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam developedas a port city and has become an international hub for business and pleasure.An estimated five million visitors trek to the city annually.
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IBIZA, Spain
Sassy, cosmopolitan, Gay Ibiza is one of the wildest, mostscenic ports in the entire Mediterranean. The floodlighted battlements andcolossal walls of the old town (Dalt Vila) provide a startlingly evocative andhistoric backdrop to the dynamic bar and club scene, with venues spread arounda breathtaking bay. There can be fewother places in the world where locals, gay and lesbian travelers, holidayingfamilies and party freaks congregate so amiably, simply reinforcing Ibiza’s uniquelytolerant character as a permissive paradise where the routine is derided andthe excessive celebrated.
MUNICH, Germany
Oktoberfest is almost here! It’s a huge draw for straight and LGBT travelers alike. The main event starts on Saturday, September17 and finishes on Monday, October 3. There’sa costume parade and a gay party on the first Sunday. Most of Munich’s gay cafes, bars and shopsare located in the city center in the area Glockenbachviertel close to thesubway station Sendlinger Tor.
NICE, France
Essentially the hub city of the French Riviera, Nice is acharming port town that offers picturesque ocean views, fine dining, and easyaccess to the entire Riviera, from Cannes to Monaco. With a feeling uniquely its own, the city hasbeen a popular destination for vacationers for more than 100 years. The climate is of course the primary reasonthat Nice has become the second most visited city in France after Paris. Thesummer bliss lasts for more than 6 months, from May to October, with some daysin April and November also rising above 68 º F.