Voyages LGBTQ+ friendly : nos aventures avec HomeExchange

At HomeExchange, we like to give a voice to those who can speak best: our members. This story was written by HomeExchange members Steph and Katie, who share their travel adventures as an LGBTQ+ couple.

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Ten years of global adventure

After we got married in 2015, we promised each other that our life as a couple would be full of adventures and not static. We have always liked to take the unusual path, so our marriage is about taking big risks, creating unforgettable memories, and experiencing unique experience We may remember it later.

Ten years later, we used these ten years to travel around the world. travel as LGBTQ+ Couple There were some considerations involved, but we found ways to feel safe and accepted while exploring. Being queer doesn’t prevent us from seeing the world: on the contrary, it gives us a unique perspective that enriches every adventure we take.

Why we love traveling with HomeExchange

We’ve always loved the idea of ​​community-focused travel. We were some of the first users of Airbnb and just needed an extra space in our home to make some money. We discovered this conceptHome exchange Through an LGBTQ+ travel platform, we discover home exchangeit has quickly become our favorite travel planning tool.

We love being connected to local hosts who can give us personalized accommodation recommendations and the added security of knowing someone lives locally. This is the best advice we can give to those who want to travel more or have a better experience. Over the years this has given us some Best travel memory and changed the way we travel.

Learn more about LGBTQ+ friendly groups

Tips for LGBTQ+ couples planning HomeExchange accommodations

Everyone has a different level of comfort when traveling. We personally enjoy visiting more queer-friendly destinations where we feel safe as a female couple while traveling. Whatever your own standards are, keep these top tips in mind:

• Do some basic research to understand LGBTQ+ laws The image of a country and the prevailing attitudes of its inhabitants. Some destinations don’t have very progressive laws but are socially welcoming to queer people, while other destinations have very progressive laws but public opinion has yet to follow suit.
• Read other travelers’ experiences Through travel blogs or community forums. Often the best way to gain a clear understanding of a destination and what it’s like to be a queer traveler is to read the stories of those who have been there.
• After selecting your destination, you can Search for the type of exchange you want on HomeExchangethen filter the results to show LGBTQ+ friendly hosts. This gives us more peace of mind knowing we are interacting with someone who is part of the queer community or who clearly identifies as queer. queer friendly.

Our favorite queer-friendly destinations

After visiting More than 40 countries Of course we have our list Favorite LGBTQ+ Friendly Destinations. There are famous cities like New York, San Francisco, Amsterdam or Berlin, but we love sharing lesser-known places! Some of our best trips have been to destinations that were more inclusive than we thought, or to places that were famous for other reasons but were actually true queer havens. Here are some of our favorites that you may not have thought of:

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Iceland

Most people want to visit Iceland because of its stunning scenery and Nordic culture, but did you know that it is also considered one of the most beautiful countries? queer friendly In the world? The capital has very progressive laws, a welcoming population and an active LGBTQ+ scene ReykjavikIceland is a must-visit destination for queer travelers.

Aruba

Unfortunately, many Caribbean destinations are not very LGBTQ+ friendly due to outdated laws and more conservative attitudes, but Aruba (one of the “ABC” islands) is an exception. As a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it is a very popular destination For queer travelers, this is our #1 recommendation for an extraordinary beach trip.

Japan

Japan is a country on many people’s bucket list and is a great choice for queer travelers. As LGBTQ+ awareness continues to grow, the country is consideredOne of the most queer-friendly places in Asia. Tokyo’s queer nightlife is booming and general support for the community continues to rise. After two trips it became one of our favorite destinations.

costa rica

Known for its welcoming “pure life” attitude, Costa Rica is one of the most welcoming countries in Central America for queer travelers. Several popular tourist areas have LGBTQ+ scenes, and queer people are increasingly accepted across the country. We spent a month there and with its stunning beaches and extraordinary wildlife, it’s a destination definitely worth a visit.

Uruguay

Uruguay has a strict separation of church and state. LGBTQ+ Inclusive Leadersnot just in Latin America, but around the world. This small country is less popular than its neighbors Argentina and Brazil, but it offers rich cultural riches and a superb coastline. If you’re looking for more “off the beaten track” queer-friendly destinations, Uruguay should be on your list.

The future of LGBTQ+ travel

As the world becomes more welcoming to queer people, we hope to see growing global acceptance of queer people, which will make travel safer and easier for LGBTQ+ people. The choice of destinations will increase, as will the quality of travel experiences, ideally making travel opportunities available to more people in the queer community.

We hope to see more LGBTQ+ people gain the confidence to explore the world, and we hope to see more people embrace the concept of community tourism through platforms like this home exchange.