GAY & LESBIAN TRAVEL STORIES

Where to Hide Away Right Now!

This past winter, you may have traveled to a popular destination (Hawaii, Cancun, Phuket, even) for a relaxing escape, only to find out you weren't the only one with that oh-so original idea. Don't worry, we've all been guilty and we'll never

forget the crowded hotel lobbies and hours spent searching for a spot on the beach. Since it's now shoulder season (you know, pre-summer), shy away from mainstream tourist-driven vacation spots (Caribbean, Greece, South Africa) and shake off the rainy spring doldrums with these gorgeous, quiet gems.

In each locale we've recommended a local resort where you can bunk in style, but wherever you crash, these are up-and-coming destinations where you'll be visiting ahead of the curve. We can practically guarantee you won't have to fight for a lounge chair by the pool.

Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico Sure, Puerto Vallarta is the hot spot in Mexico's Bay of Banderas, but in the sublime district of Vallarta Nayarit (which comprises tourist points under one umbrella), Nuevo Vallarta is a burgeoning resort destination just a twenty-minute drive north of Puerto Vallarta. Travelers who truly want to escape from Mexico's hustle favor this area. Locals claim the beaches here are whiter, wider and less rocky along the coast, and nearby village Bucerias is a terrific excursion for some Mexican authenticity (and Puerto Vallarta's thriving gay clubs and beach are just a cab ride away). Villa del Palmar Flamingos is the newest resort to set up camp, featuring high-quality service, a quiet beach and 275 ocean-view suites. Rooms from $175.

Evian-les-Bains, France Deep in the French Alps is this ultra-quaint, picturesque city called Evian-Les-Bains, known mostly for pretty tasty spring water you may have tried at some point in your life. The water in Evian is in fact so pure a spout straight from the earth pours freely, and locals and tourists alike tilt their heads to imbibe some pure liquid bliss. Don't expect to party too hardy (no gay bars), but do as the gay Europeans who come here for a ritualistic detox weekend. A true visit wouldn't be complete without a stay at the Royal Parc Evian, a five-star pad catering to the Evian Masters Golf Course. Rooms are equipped with luxurious Hermes amenities, large bathtubs and verandas that overlook the park or Lake Geneva, with a gorgeous spa to boot. Rooms from $163.

Palau, Micronesia The reality show Survivor may have put it on the map, but Palau still only gets approximately 60,000 visitors per year, which-if you think about it-makes the island all yours. Boasting a year-round tropical climate hovering around 87 degrees, this island is Micronesia's gem, offering crystal-clear water, white beaches, lakes full of stingless jellyfish (of which you can swim with), WW2 artifacts and every watersport under the sun. Stay at the Palau Pacific Resort, the only beachside resort, and be spellbound by the sublime sunsets. Ocean-view rooms from $350.