Welcome to the Sixth Annual Gay Travel Awards, presented by GayTravel.com.
Vote for your favorites and you could WIN BIG!
Returning for its sophomore year, the Gay Travel Influencers category is comprised of creators who lead by example with an inclusive spirit, a drive for diversity, and a desire to change the world for the better.
Do you need inspiration for where to vacation next? How about a refresher on which countries are safe for same-sex couples? Maybe you would just like to be kept up-to-date on the newest happenings, hot spots, and hidden gems of the LGBTQ+ community?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, then look no further than our 2021 Gay Travel Influencer Nominees. Read on to learn more about the creators up for a 2021 Gay Travel Award.
On Airplane Mode
@onairplanemode_
Kirstie Pike and Christine Diaz are the content creators behind the LGBTQ+ travel blog, On Airplane Mode, and the 2020 Gay Travel Award Winners in the "Influencer Category" along with Tim Cappelli. Discovering a zest for photography and videography, the couple began their foray into the world of influencing and soon noticed that more and more people, specifically members of the LGBTQ+ community, were coming to them for travel advice. A product of the couple’s brave decision to leave their day jobs in New York to backpack around the world, On Airplane Mode is an excellent resource for Queer travelers.
Born in Tennesee, Kirstie cites her southern roots as a core motivator of her self-described “gypsy soul,” sharing that her personal American Dream has long been to travel and explore the world around her. Inversely, Christine points to her ethnicity when speaking about what inspires her to travel, revealing that her parents’ Asian and South American influence led her to develop a passion for learning about different cultures, trying new foods, and immersing herself in destinations.
TCappelli
@tcappelli
Timothy Capelli is a Pittsburgh-based travel creator and production manager, lover of nature, the gym, and everything in between. Another winner of the 2020 Gay Travel Awards “Influencer” category, Timothy captures his adventurous spirit through his charming content that showcases the countryside in all of its glory. Follow along as he navigates his way through idyllic camping trips, embarks on extraordinary excursions, and even tests out beach workouts so that you don’t have to!”
An outdoorsman, notorious for his shirtless selfies and rustic lifestyle, Timothy’s presence on social media inspires others to get outside and start living.
Couple of Men
@coupleofmen
Visiting more than 50 countries on over 5 continents together, Karl Krause and Daan Colijin are the German-Dutch duo who run Couple of Men, a blog dedicated to collecting genuine, gay-friendly travel info they then convey through written, visual, and social media content.
Based in the Netherlands, the couple blogs about their adventures traveling the world in addition to posting informative content, including gay-friendly hotels, information about pride events, and various destination guides. With content as informative as it is aesthetically pleasing, they believe strongly in the importance of supporting the gay community and bringing content pertaining to gay rights and equality into focus. With their blog endearingly depicting the life of a gay couple traveling the world, Karl and Daan hope to entice you to travel the world as they do: with respect, an open mind, and a happy heart.
Asian Maple Leaf
@asianmapleleaf
Widely known by his handle Asian Maple Leaf, Barry Hoy is a Canadian-born travel blogger living in New York City. Revealing that he fell in love with traveling the first time he flew to Hong Kong as a child, Barry has turned his wanderlust into a bonafide career: exploring new destinations each year.
An enthusiast of photography and partaking in unfamiliar culinary traditions, Barry fuses these interests through his social media, taking his followers along for the ride as he experiences different cultures and navigates his journey in self-discovery.
Michael & Matt
@michael&matt
Describing themselves as “two travel obsessed husbands,” the Portland-based duo Michael & Matt created their eponymous travel blog to deliver the best gay travel tips, guidance on LGBTQ+ travel destinations, and pointers from the local guides they meet along the way.
Originally meeting through their respective coming-out videos on Youtube, these two have built a strong digital community by sharing intimate moments and wild adventures.
Nomadic Boys
@nomadicboys
Centered around gay travel, Nomadic Boys is the brainchild of couple Stefan Arestis and Sebastien Chaneac, a French & Greek duo based in London who has been traveling together for over a decade.
Aiming to feed their thirst for adventure, the couple left behind their life in London to venture out on an 18 month sabbatical in Asia. Allowing them to learn about new cultures and discover local gay scenes, this trip ultimately changed their entire lives and perspectives of the world. By providing a first-hand account of their experiences traveling as a gay couple, Nomadic Boys aims to inspire others to explore the world. Wherever they go, Stefan and Sebastien will detail the local gay scene, which sights are a must-see, and the delicious foods to try. On top of that, Nomadic Boys details where it is safe to stay and go, serving as a one-stop resource for fellow LGBTQ+ travelers.
Once Upon a Journey
@onceuponajourney
In love with each other, the world, and the art of capturing their love of those things through writing and photography, Roxanne and Maartje are the Dutch lesbian couple behind Once Upon a Journey. The couple has visited over 45 countries together, and after spending three years living as Nomads, they now proudly call Amsterdam home.
Upon learning how many people wanted to hear their stories about traveling as a lesbian couple, Roxanne and Maartje realized the importance of visibility. With this in mind, the couple aimed to create content that inspires others by showing how beautiful the world is. Candid and brave, they do not shy away from countries that are not LGBTQ+ friendly but instead celebrate the places that are.
Originally aspiring to write about folk and fairy tales on a global scale, the origins of the name, Once Upon a Journey reflect how traveling is a magical thing, much like a fairy tale, that is always the start to a great story.
Our Taste For Life
@ourtasteforlife
Inspired by the two years they spent traveling together full time, Our Taste For Life was created by Charlotte and Natalie, a lesbian couple originally from the UK. As the name suggests, Our Taste For Life embodies the couple’s combined interests in travel and food through the beautiful and raw content they post on social media that depicts their adventures exploring the world as a lesbian couple.
A mix of story-telling, trustworthy reviews, and tried and true recommendations - Our Taste for Life strives to enhance travel experiences and guide others on the trip of their dreams. With familiarity with traveling as a lesbian couple, Charlotte and Natalie have the insight necessary to effectively help other LGBTQ+ travelers.
Guaranteeing to personally contact all of the hotels they recommend to ensure they accept gay travelers, they pledge to conduct in-depth research on the legal and social concerns so that readers can be fully prepared on their trips. Noting their love of the freedom, wisdom, and excitement travel brings into their lives, Charlotte and Natalie believe that travel has given life a whole new meaning and, in return, use Our Taste for Life to share that meaning with the world.
Ravi Round the World
@raviroundtheworld
Social media maven & LGBTQ+ travel guru Ravi Roth is the host of “multiple adventure series including ‘Ravi Round The World,’ ‘Ravi’s Road to Pride,’ and ‘The Gaycation Travel Show.’
With 34 countries and counting under his belt, Ravi encapsulates authentic experiences and uncovers the best local places to stay, play, eat and explore by emerging himself in Queer cultures around the world. With only a cell phone and selfie stick in hand, Ravi bases his itinerary for each destination off of experiences from the people who actually live there.
An esteemed actor, Ravi was in the closing company of Altar Boyz, the Broadway tours of Seussical and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, and most recently, he appeared in the world premiere of A Letter To Harvey Milk.
27 Travels
@27travels
Born out of the desire for a creative outlet, 27 Travels started out as an Instagram account where Brooklyn-based lesbian couple Gabbi & Shanna would document their trips and adventures. Realizing the lack of information online for LGBTQ+ travelers, the couple set out to change that by spreading the message that travel is inclusive to everyone, no matter their gender or who they love.
With Gabi specializing in photography and Shanna in videography, documenting their travels came easily. Over time, 27 Travels has evolved into an all-encompassing travel resource for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
To Gabi & Shanna, traveling is the best way to develop a sense of compassion for others and become more open-minded about the world around you. With this in mind, the couple hopes that by being forthright on social media about who they are, they will make being a same-sex couple less controversial and normalize it for people all around the world to see.
Lez See the World
@lezseetheworld
Coming together through mutual wanderlust, Steph & Kate are a married lesbian couple from Vancouver, and the creators of Lez See the World. The creation of their gay travel blog has taken them on adventures all across Northern America, throughout Europe, down to Central and South America, around Asia, and to Australia. In due time the couple was able to develop Lez See the World into a long-standing travel and lifestyle community for Queer women across the world. A true partnership, Lez See the World is sustained with Steph covering the photography, videography, and technical side of the blog while Kate handles photo editing and content writing for their blog and social media.
Their adorable pup comes with them everywhere he’s allowed, which makes for heart-warming content, and their “How Lesbian Friendly Is…” guides give readers an in-depth look into what traveling to any given country is like for LGBTQ+ travelers.
VOTING IS NOW CLOSED.
Those who voted and who are eligible will have a chance to win the prizes below (winners will be chosen at random and notified soon).
Andrew Christian®
The Grand Prize is a 2-night stay at an Andrew Christian residence (Value US$800) plus an Andrew Christian Gift Bag (value US$100) including a Trophy Boy VIP Gift Card (value US$100), underwear (value US$25), accessories (value US$20), and stickers (value US$10). There are 24 additional Andrew Christian Gift Bags for runner's up.
MËNAJI® Advanced Men's Skincare
12 eligible voters could win a Winter Giveaway Bag from MËNAJI (Value US$130+) including:
- JAMIE Travel Dopp Bag
- 911 Eye Gel
- Power Hydrator
- LipAgent
- CAMO - Urban Camouflage® Concealer in one of three shades: Light, Medium, or Bronze (MËNAJI experts will consult with you on which shade is best for you).
ROAM Luggage
ROAM Luggage is the first and only brand that allows you to fully color customize your luggage. One lucky voter will have a chance to win a custom "The Jaunt," the ultimate carry-on from ROAM Luggage. (Value US$495). #ROAMinColor and show the world who you are!
Even if you don't win a prize, The Gay Travel Awards has something special for you:
1) Use the exclusive promo code "gaytravel" at check out for 30% off single-use products purchased online at MËNAJI. This is not valid on already reduced gift sets.
2) Use the exclusive promo code "gaytravel" at check out for $60 off your order purchased online at ROAM Luggage. This is only valid on full-priced items.
