Gay and Lesbian Sunset Strip: Distinctive Destination

After the commotion of the awards season, delegates from the city of West Hollywood are down under this week and spoke to a small group of media delegates about their little corner of the world.

West Hollywood is so much more than just ‘West of Hollywood’, a municipality in its own right, the little 1.9 square-mile city packs a mighty wallop, from trend-setting glamour to the non-so-kitsch Halloween parade, there’s always something going on.

Geographically small, and with a permanent population of 39,000 full-time residents, it’s night-time and weekend ‘population’ sees the little city nearly triple in population. Its little wonder that the city is one of the United States’ most densely populated areas.

No discussion about West Hollywood is complete without a quick spiel about the gay and lesbian community. There’s a reason that the area’s called WeHo, besides the obvious acronym, 1/3 of the city’s residents are of gay or lesbian orientation, and the city is obviously not ashamed to wear its colours with pride.

The one place that you’ll hear of commonly that’s in West Hollywood, that is iconic in terms of its recognition worldwide, is the Sunset Strip. West Hollywood is also known for its Santa Monica Boulevard, which is the city’s main street. And also a design district, which called the ‘Avenues of Art & Design’, which is cutting edge craft – not just for interior design, but for fashion, retail products and restaurants.

And of course there’s the celebrity factor. Celebrities are seen day in and day out, and it’s an environment that is safe for them. You could be sitting at a restaurant next to Sean Connery or Brad Pitt, and people leave them alone, and that’s what makes West Hollywood kind of special because they can be real people in that community.

** The gay population has always been strong there, making it a great place for holiday or longer visit when on the West Coast of America. My Rainbow Recommendation is GoGayWestHollywood.com!
--RainbowTourism.com Concierge

PS
The City of West Hollywood has been named to the 2007 list of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. West Hollywood is the only city in California to receive this prestigious designation this year. The Dozen Distinctive Destinations is an annual list of unique and lovingly preserved communities.

Kicking Back in the Wilderness

Ever been to Tasmania? Did you know you can be there in under an hour flying from Melb ourne, just over an hour from Sydney, or sail into Tassie's northern shore on one of the Great Aussie Adventures, the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne to Devonport.

What can you do with a long weekend or short break to experience the unspoilt wilderness areas at the edge of the island's west coast?

The Rainbow Concierge has put together an exclusive Rainbow Special for Strahan, inlcuding a scenic drive along one of the Top 10 Drives in Australia, and a Deluxe River Cruise into the World Heritage Area, and plenty of time for relaxing at sunset with Tasmania's fine wine and fresh seafood.

You'll stay at the luxurious Ormiston House at a very attractive rate when you book online at

RainbowTourism.com. Carolyn & Mike weclome gay and lesbian visitors and have had many international travellers encourage them to put together romantic getaways to Strahan.

From my experience, it's well worth the effort to drive across Tassie to the ocean in front of the Ormiston House, where the next landmass across the big pond is Argentina. The Indian Ocean is not my favorite, but it also not the only reason to go to Strahan. I can think of no better place to kick back and experience the wilderness and ponder all that has transpired in this little place at the edge of the map.

Travelers Can Help Keep NZ Green

A new Eco-Wise Travel Guide has been launched to help travellers protect New Zealand’s environment for future generations.

This guide has been developed by the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Tourism, in partnership with TIA, Tourism New Zealand and others.

The guide is available as a print-friendly PDF for distribution by travel agents, tourism operators and accommodation providers to their customers.

Ask for yours when staying at a RainbowTourism.com accommodation or from the eco-friendly tour operators in NZ.

Click here for more details.

Destination Yackandandah & Spring Migration 07

Please come along to one of the friendliest parties outside of Melbourne, in a gorgeous historic country town. Enjoy the drive, the mountains and the fresh air - in “The Man from Snowy River Country.

This festival has been one of the highlights of our lives. Come along, support our sponsors, and have the time of yours.

See you here the first weekend in spring.

--Gaz and Andy

A Gay & Lesbian
Festival for All

The 3^rd annual Spring Migration beckons you to find out where gays and lesbians are gathering this September to dance away the winter blues over a weekend of fun and frivolity.

The festival is in beautiful Yackandandah, North East Victoria (just south of Albury/Wodonga along the ever-interesting Hume Highway). That’s halfway between Sydney and Melbourne for the geographically challenged. You can drive, take a bus or train, fly and hire a car – but just get there, and you won’t regret it.

Rainbow Recommendation:

She Oak Cottage, a self-contained, private cottage on a 1.5 acre property named Time After Time B&B.

3 nights + 2 festival tickets + 1 bottle of local Rutherglen wine = $450 per couple

Or 2 nights + 2 breakfasts + 2 festival tickets = $325 per couple

Red Spot Car Hire Option: 4 days for $285 (inclusive for compact car with unlimited mileage. Same price ex Melbourne or ex Sydney.)

The view from She Oak Cottage, where pets can enjoy it with you!

Spring Migration

Kiwis Court Aussies

A cheeky television advertisement telling Australians that New Zealanders are sporting their national colours of green and gold launched in Australia last night.

The ‘Green and Gold’ TV and print advertisements showcase spectacular imagery and the vibrant green and gold colours that blanket the country during the autumn months.
Tourism New Zealand says the campaign sets about showcasing the beauty of the country in autumn and highlights the long established relationship between New Zealand and Australia.

They bloody well want Aussies to spend money over there - and pink dollars work, too.
Autumn is an active time for events in New Zealand, with cultural, musical and sporting events taking place such as the Taranaki Wine and Food Festival, the Montana National Jazz Festival, and the Oyster Bay Bluff Oyster and Southland Seafood Festival.

If any of these interest you, let RainbowTourism.com help you make rainbow reservations at local GOO (gay owned and operated) or RTA (gay friendly approved) accommodation.

Rainbow Colours of Mardi Gras

If you were one of th lucky ones to pre-order a streaming video of yesterday's Mardi Gras Parade, you got to watch it in the comfort of your home or a friends. I was unable to attend Gary's gathering, or to be in SYD this year, so I relied on digital images the next morning from friends who attend a rooftop party sponsored by ACON (AIDS Council of New South Wales). Looks like they had fun before the parade with a barbie and displaying their parade attire.

Auckland Festival AK07 - Free Fireworks 10 March

Auckland Festival, AK07 looks to build upon the successes of its predecessors, to incorporate more work from New Zealand and the Pacific region, support world premieres of new works and bring international performing arts events to Auckland that have never been seen in Australasia. It will host an exciting visual arts programme and an exhilarating contemporary music programme.

If visiting Auckland check out the free fireworks event in the Domain.

More information at Auckland Festival, AK07, and for accommodation click here.

New Zeland's G Spots

Jet boating, whale watching, sailing, fishing, fabulous food and wonderful wine, are just some of the great reasons to treat yourself to a break in New Zealand.

Some others are men-only and women-only retreats, guided tours for walkers and self-guided adventures for paddlers, and an incredible number of interesting accommodation from gay-owned farm stays to home stays with gay and lesbian hosts, to gay friendly hotels in New Zealand’s hot spots, to luxury, award-winning houses with unforgettable views of stunning coastline, mountains and national parks.

RainbowTourism.com has lots of exciting stay/play holiday deals at great prices which you can now book online. New Zealand simply takes your breath away and our gay and lesbian tour operators would like to show you around the gay and gay-friendly G-spots on the North Island and the South Island. Plan a week in each, to be safe.