Gay Soccer invades Latin America

by Martha Edwards on

This week, Buenos Aires is hosting a unique and no doubt fun event — the gay ‘World Cup’ of soccer. Nine teams from the US will compete against five teams from the UK, four from Argentina and one each from Chile, Uruguay and Mexico. There are also a number of city squads teams from around the world — The New York Ramblers, Vancouver’s Out for Kicks and the Sydney Rangers for instance.

Even though Buenos Aires is considered one of the most ‘Gay-Friendly’ cities in the world, it’s the first time a city in South American has hosted the International Gay and Lesbian Football Association World Soccer Championships — past host cities include London, Copenhagen, Chicago, San Francisco and Sydney. The event has been going strong since 1991.

The final game is happening this Saturday, September 29th, so if you’re lucky enough to be in Buenos Aires, be prepared for a party!

Gay.com’s Travel Gaydar: Top 10 Destinations

by Iva Skoch on

Apparently, San Francisco, Key West and New Orleans’ glory has long passed. Now, if you are a) gay and b) hip, you head over to Buenos Aires to party.

“Fed up with following the well-trod lavender road to the end of that boring old rainbow?” Gay.com asks. Here is a list of Top 10 destinations:

  1. Buenos Aires, Argentina
  2. Melbourne, Australia
  3. Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA
  4. Hong Kong, China
  5. Cape Town, South Africa
  6. New York, NY, USA
  7. Berlin, Germany
  8. San Diego, CA, USA
  9. Philadelphia, PA, USA
  10. Toronto, Canada

And a few extra on their “gaydar”: Toronto, Rio de Janeiro, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Lisbon.

If travel is anything like real estate, I say follow the gays!

Rafting “the Fu” (in the Andes)

by Iva Skoch on

Apparently, if you’re a kayak-maniac (you know who you are), you’ve heard of “the Fu,” aka the Futaleufu River, spilling down out of the Andes from Patagonia, through Chile, into the Pacific.

Some of the river’s rapids are so technically demanding that they weren’t ridden until 1985 (by a U.S. Olympic kayaker, nonetheless). Well, now that he’s blazed the trail, he’s set up Expediciones Chile, an outfitter designed to help you accomplish the same feat.

An FT reporter did just that, with a little help, and lived to write about it. You can sample the 40+ miles of whitewater and breath-taking scenery that the river offers, including Class V’s spilling right down from the mountains. Tours start from $1,600 USD for an 8-day trip (travel there not included). He recommends using the service and the trip, but recommends leaving your ego behind.