Many gay travelers from around the world choose Italy as the best vacation destination with its rich culture and history and a plethora of Italian landmarks designed for representatives of the gay and lesbian communities.
Italy, with its acceptance and tolerance of sexual minorities dating back centuries, plays a huge role in establishing a variety of popular gay friendly hotels, bars and hangouts. Rome, Milan, Florence and Venice have recently become unofficial centers of gay tourism with a wide variety of fantastic entertainment options such as hotels, bars, nightclubs and many more gay-oriented events.
Listed below are the top 5 sights in Italy worth seeing for gay travelers.
1. Gay friendly bars and clubs are important reference points in Italy for gay travelers arriving from all over the world. Here you can relax in a friendly atmosphere, or perhaps make new friends. Café Chopin in Bologna, YAG in Florence, Argos and American Disaster in Milan are just a few of the gay-oriented hot spots that will offer great entertainment with an Italian twist.
2. Landmarks of the art of Italy. Homosexual relationships are openly portrayed in the famous works of Italian artists throughout history. The most famous Italian artists such as Caravaggio, Botticelli, Da Vinci and Michelangelo were homosexual by nature, so their creations have a special aura of homosexuality embedded in their work. Witness one of the best works of art in famous places in Italy, such as Michelangelo’s statue of David in Piazza della Signoria in Florence, to admire the grandeur of manly proportions created by a famous gay artist. Visit the caves of the Val Camonica region and experience the earliest drawings of gay culture dating back over 8,000 years.
3. Friendly Versilia in Tuscany is a special event tailored specifically to the interests of gay travelers in Italy. This area is in full bloom from April to September. Here you can find a wide network of gay friendly bars, restaurants and nightclubs along with the spectacular Laguna de Torre del Lago. Come and visit this region in August to participate in Friendly Versilia Mardi Gras, a great cultural event that brings together many famous artists. Here you will also find gay owned and operated hotels that are impeccably maintained to make your stay in Italy an unforgettable one.
4. The Gay Film Festivals in Turin, Florence and Milan are one of the most important landmarks in Italy attracting gays and lesbians from all over the world every year. The Turin International Gay Film Festival takes place every April, while the Milan Gay Film Festival opens its doors in May. The Florence Queer Film Festival is held every June of the year to welcome new film releases.
5. Venice Italy deserves a special mention among all the important places of interest frequented by homosexuals from all over the world due to its magnificent beauty, variety of gay friendly hotels, bars and entertainment options. Porto de Mar Bar is a worth seeing Italian gay landmark, centrally located and offering great entertainment for gay men. Visit Metro Sauna after a particularly busy day of sightseeing and enjoy a Turkish sauna, tanning stations or relaxing Jacuzzi baths in a comfortable central setting. Venice Italy tourism offers unique experiences for gay or straight travelers.
These iconic places in Italy are sure to enrich your next vacation and create some of the most unforgettable memories for gay travelers.
