Metro Weekly

Take a spring fling: 5 LGBT travel picks for 2015

Atlantis Events Cruise
Credit: Atlantis Events Cruise

Spring brings more than flowers and warm weather, it also provides plenty of opportunities to shake off winter hibernation and take a vacation. This year’s spring travel season offers great domestic escapes to Dallas, Sin City and into the hands of some Carolina comfort. And on the international front you can sail the Orient and explore one of Europe’s rising stars. Here are our 5 top picks.

Singapore to Hong Kong

Atlantis Event’s Singapore to Hong Kong cruise highlights the region’s culturally rich and diverse destinations, including Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Halong Bay, and Hanoi. Departing Singapore via the Celebrity Millennium, on Sunday, March 29, the cruise will provide 11 nights of Asian adventure before concluding in Hong Kong on Thursday, April 9. Pricing for this four-country excursion starts at $1,199 based on double occupancy for an interior stateroom. Check out atlantisevents.com.

Las Vegas

Dinah_Vegas
Photo by Faye Sadou

Since launching in 2012, Dinah Vegas has become one of the top events for lesbians worldwide. Sponsored by Girl Bar, in association with Total Rewards by Caesars Entertainment, tens of thousands of women are expected to gather for this year’s event, Thursday, April 23, to Sunday, April 26. The extended weekend will offer a series of parties and entertainers such as Anita Antoinette, finalist from The Voice-season seven, Billboard electro pop sensation STASH, and an international DJ roster including Germany’s Sara Moshiri.  For more information on visiting Las Vegas, check out lasvegas.com.

Raleigh

OutRaleigh2012-132
Photo courtesy of Out! Raleigh

In 2012, when a majority of North Carolinians approved an amendment to their state’s constitution to prohibit the recognition or performance of same-sex marriages or civil unions, Raleigh was one of only a handful of cities where its citizens overwhelmingly opposed the amendment.  That is, in part, due to the city’s large and visible LGBT community. Out! Raleigh is the area’s annual, family-friendly street festival that celebrates the LGBT community and its allies. Organized annually by the LGBT Center of Raleigh, the festival’s speakers, performers and vendors (and a Kids Zone) bring eight hours of fun and family to downtown Raleigh’s Fayetteville St. district. Last year, the event broke attendance records with more than 25,000 people. This year’s Out! Raleigh will be held on Saturday, May 2, and include a special performance by The Kinsey Sicks. For more information on visiting Raleigh, check out visitraleigh.com.

Dallas

Dallas’s Purple Party Weekend is not just one of the best circuit parties in the U.S., it’s also an important fundraiser for the city’s HIV/AIDS service organizations, having raised more than $600,000 since it began in 2001. Marking its 15th anniversary, this year’s event, Friday, May 8, to Monday, May 11, promises to be its best yet. Two dance parties are planned for each night with DJs including Barcelona’s Ivan Gomez, London’s Wayne G and Milan’s Danny Verde. For more information on visiting Dallas, check out visitdallas.com.

Slovenia

Slovenia will hold its second Pink Week, a luxury tour package for LGBT travelers designed by Imperial Luxury Travel Solutions, Thursday, May 28 to Sunday, May 31. Participants will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful countryside city of Dolenjska and the country’s capital and largest city, Ljubljana. The schedule will include tours, some meals and specially themed parties. The event comes on the heels of the country’s recent legislative approval of same-sex marriage and same-sex parent adoptions. For more information on visiting Slovenia, check out slovenia.info.

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