A fun difference to this guide compared with other travel guides I’ve read is the way that the guide recommends each of its 50+ locations through a resident queer person, interviews which combine personal anecdotes with practical tips and broad-ranging recommendations. It has more of a friendly feel, and as a hopeless romantic I also was an absolute sucker for the chapters written by a couple or pair of friends who wrote about the experience of first travelling or living in the place together (I literally cried at the story of a couple just talking about how accepted they are in their neighbourhood).
The introduction to this travel guide talks about the importance of ‘word of mouth’ in travel tips for queer community folk travelling internationally and exploring different places. Prioritising giving recommendations of particularly queer friendly destinations, yet also giving helpful warnings. It balances optimism with reality checks for readers that their queerness can have a huge impact on their experience of being a tourist and being treated differently in even nearby neighbourhoods. Reading this gave me lots of recommendations and got me even more excited about my next holiday to Porto!
Also given that many hardback fiction novels currently cost £20 or £25 I think it’s pretty surprising that this sumptuous, nicely designed, full-colour guide is £22.99*.
*Content Manager note: Less with LoveReading's 10% discount.
Discover more than 50 queer-friendly places guided by the communities that live there.
Packed with insights, itineraries, and inspiration, this panoramic compendium will introduce you to LGBTQ+ locals who share, in their own words, the things that make their destination sparkle - with lesser-known attractions and off-the-beaten-path destinations that are inclusive and welcoming to LGBTQ+ travellers.
Inside The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide:
50+ LGBTQ+ travel destinations around the world where the queer community can thrive outside of just Pride parades, including: The USA, South America, Europe, South Africa, Asia, Canada, and Australia
Insider recommendations and travel tips from LGBTQ+ locals and tastemakers highlighting queer-owned businesses and queer-friendly experiences
Intimate interviews bring you into LGBTQ+ communities with honest, helpful insights for queer travellers planning to visit their hometowns
Handy 'Know Before You Go' boxes for each destination share details on the local languages, currency, Pride celebrations, and information on when to go
Stunning photography and beautifully illustrated maps featuring colour-coded points of interest
Additional LGBTQ+ travel hit list for travellers with specific interests that include adventure; art; family-friendly festivities; island escapes; trailblazing experiences
Essential travel information for first-time and seasoned travellers covering rights, practical safety tips, advice for emergencies, and more
Author Alicia Valenski is a queer, neurodivergent travel writer paving the way for more inclusive, diverse, accessible travel information and inspiration to be available to the global LGBTQ+ community and beyond
Discover personal portraits of what it means to be a queer person around the world with The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide. Packed with unique and surprising travel experiences, this book makes the perfect self purchase treat or thoughtful gift for the queer traveller in your life.
Alicia Valenski, a Queer, neurodivergent travel writer, brings her own journey to these pages, with a touch of cheek and lots of heart. From discovering hidden safe spaces to navigating the challenges of Queer travel, Alicia’s firsthand experiences offer a safe space for readers to connect, dream, and feel seen. She reminds us that exploring the world should feel like stepping into a friend’s arms—and that LGBTQ+ travellers, of all identities, deserve nothing less.
