In Review: 2015 the Gayest Year

2015 was a historic year for the LGBTQ Community in the US and around the world. Here is a sample of some of the places that moved forward with equal rights:
Luxembourg - 1 January
Pitcairn Islands - 14 May
Guam - 9 June
Chihuahua - 12 June
United States - 26 June
Ireland - 16 November
Nayarit - 30 December
And many more members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual community continue to struggle around the world. Members of the Transgender community saw an increase in visibility and acknowledgment via celebrities who came out either as members of the Trans community, as allies and also due to some very awful murders or suicides, but hopefully the lives lost were not in vain.


2015 also saw the birth of Connextions Magazine en Español with our first issue appropriately titled: ORGULLO, which means PRIDE. We also sponsored some great events worldwide, such as: The 40 Years of Pride in Israel, The HRC Gala in New York City,The Handsome Father organization, Amsterdam’sGay Pride Parade Pridestream, The Torino Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in Italy, The New York Travel Festival, the LGBT Expo and so much more! 2015 was also the year that Connextions Magazine won 2 media awards. In both cases, we were the only gay travel magazine to have won these awards and we were thrilled to end the year with a big bang!

Read the full article here.

The Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden

The Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden

Inspired by an 1888 visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens in England, Nathaniel Lord Britton and his wife, Elizabeth, both botanists, spearheaded a public campaign to establish, with New York City and State, a new botanical garden in 1891, which would become the home of The New York Botanical Garden.

Calvert Vaux, co-designer of another New York landmark, Central Park, was among one of the designers and architects who contributed to the creation of the iconic National Historic Landmark. To this day, the New York Botanical Garden maintains one of the world’s greatest collections of plant life. Its 250 acres include dramatic rock formations, rolling hills, waterfalls and some of the most beautiful natural terrain of any botanical garden in the world, in addition to the ponds, the Bronx River, and a 50-acre remnant of the forest that once covered New York City.

50 gardens and plant collections house over 1 million plants and breathtaking displays such as the Arthur and Janet Ross Conifer Arboretum; the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden; the Jane Watson Irwin Perennial Garden and Ladies’ Border; about 30,000 distinguished trees, some over 200 years old. In addition to the most sophisticated behind-the-scenes greenhouses in the United States, the Nolen Greenhouses for Living Collections, which opened in 2005 and houses an exquisite orchid collection of over 8,000 plants.

The New York Botanical Garden’s Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, which opened in 1902, was named a New York City Landmark in 1973, and it is the nation’s largest Victorian-era glasshouse. It is home to A World of Plants, a permanent ecotour of the world, including tropical rain forests, deserts, carnivorous and aquatic plants, and the world’s most comprehensive collection of palm trees under glass. The Conservatory also houses the Garden’s seasonal flower shows, including the popular Orchid Show and Holiday Train Show.

The Holiday Train Show®
A city in miniature featuring more than 150 iconic buildings, all re-created with bark, leaves, twigs, stems, fruits, seeds, pine cones other natural materials. Iconic and architectural landmarks such as: the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, the original Pennsylvania Station, Yankee Stadium, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Radio City Music Hall are among the must-see and must-attend New York tradition where the magic and innocence of model trains zip past all of these popular landmarks!

Visitors of all ages will enjoy every turn and every image of this work of art, which is open for the season though January 18, 2016. Now in its 24th annual exhibition, the New York Botanical Garden presents New York’s Favorite Train Show, which takes place within America’s premier Victorian-style glasshouse. With activities for everyone, there are plenty of things to see and do including children’s activities, poetry, classical music, cocktail evenings, and more.

Directions & Contact Info:
The New York Botanical Garden is a museum of plants located at Bronx River Parkway (Exit 7W) and Fordham Road. It is easy to reach by Metro-North Railroad, bus, or subway.

For more information, please visit nybg.org or call 718.817.8700.
​
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Connextions Magazine - Award Winning Gay Magazine

On November 13, 2015, the Fourth Annual DANDI Awards heralded individuals and organizations for demonstrating outstanding commitment to creating a more diverse and inclusive world. This year’s ceremony honored Diversity and Inclusion in diverse fields, such as Consumer Goods, Fashion/Retail, Environmental/Sustainability, Communications, Non-profit Sector and Social Responsibility among others. This special night is set aside to recognize and celebrate the contribution of any individual, group or organization that is truly making a difference towards creating a more diverse and inclusive world.

Connextions Magazine, the Travel and Lifestyle Magazine for LGBTQ Travelers was honored with the DANDI for Media and Communications. Connextions Magazine was the only gay media to be nominated this year and was in a really tough category with television network: Univision and multi-platform publisher: US News World Report. Past winners have included: Showtime Networks, MSNBC network, and Bloomberg Media.  

2015 DANDI Awards winners

Please see below the listing of the winners. All of the nominees and honorees have been contacted and made aware of their status.

Winners:

• Arts and Culture: Brooklyn Museum of Art
• Communications and Media: Connextions Magazine
• Consumer Goods: Carol’s Daughter
• Education: Out & Equal
• Entertainment: Discovery Communications
• Entrepreneurship: Springboard Consulting
• Environmental and Sustainability: Leapfrog Project
• Health Care: First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama’s program “Let’s Move”
• Hospitality: Sodexo USA
• International: Aspen Institute Diaspora
• Non- Profit: Dignity and Respect Campaign
• Social Responsibility: National Urban League
• Sports: Institute for Diversity & Ethics in Sports
• STEM: Great Minds in Stem

Special Honorees:

• Legacy: Geoffrey Holder
• Lifetime Achievement: XG Samper Arquitectos

Connextions Magazine was also chosen as The 2015 Best of Calverton Award in the Magazine Publishers category by the Calverton Award Program. 

Each year, the Calverton Award Program identifies companies that have achieved exceptional marketing success in their community and business category. The companies honored enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and the community, and make their communities a great place to live, work and play. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.


The 2015 Calverton Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Calverton Award Program and data provided by third parties. The mission of the Calverton Award Program is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.

Orgullo Hispano y Orgullo LGBTQ

Connextions Magazine, la revista de viajes y vida para el viajero de la comunidad LGBTQ, es su recurso de confianza para las personas lesbianas, gays, bisexuales, transgénero, destinos de viajes, ideas para sus vacaciones, vídeos divertidos, guías de viajes LGBTQ y las últimas noticias relevantes a toda nuestra comunidad gay.

Connextions Magazine en Español Edición #1: “Orgullo” En esta edición llevamos a nuestros lectores a través de un viaje culinario en el Perú, y una luna de miel en México. Además, visitamos un hotel en Brasil que es solo para hombres gay, nuestra Familia Moderna visita Puerto Rico por primera vez y nos tomamos un paseo por Santo Domingo en la República Dominicana y encontramos maneras de cómo combatir la homofobia allí. Para la sección CONECTATE, conversamos con el actor, productor, y escritor de origen Colombiano Michael Billy, y Dalton Maldonado, un jugador de baloncesto de la escuela secundaria de Kentucky que se vio obligado a enfrentar su realidad se sienta con nosotros en Nueva York para una entrevista profunda y una sesión de fotos – este muchacho se ha convertido en un hombre que pierde el miedo. Finalmente, Carlos y Anderson nos llevan por su sesión de fotos en Miami, y discuten el secreto de su éxito y su historia de amor.

Lee ORGULLO aqui

Connextions Magazine - Only LGBTQ Travel Magazine Nominated for DANDI Award 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Diversity and Inclusion (DANDI) Awards Honors Organizations Outstanding
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion at the Awards Ceremony on
Friday, November 13, 2015

CONNEXTIONS MAGAZINE, THE LGBTQ TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE IS NOMINATED FOR A
2015 DANDI AWARD!!!

New York, NY  - Connextions Magazine is nominated in the MEDIA CATEGORY for demonstrating an outstanding commitment towards creating a more diverse and inclusive world. Celebrated for their contributions in diversity and inclusion across all industries, 40 companies will be nominated in 14 categories at the annual DANDI Awards. Connextions Magazine is the only LGBTQ Travel Magazine nominated in this category.

The Awards ceremony is being held on Friday, November 13, 2015 at 8:30PM at the New York Times Center, located at 242 West 41st Street New York, NY. Hosting the event is
Lifestyle Expert Tai Beauchamp.

ABOUT CONNEXTIONS MAGAZINE
Connextions Magazine, the Travel & Lifestyle Magazine for the LGBTQ Traveler, is your trusted resource for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer travel destinations, vacation ideas, fun travel videos, LGBTQ travel guides and the latest news relevant to our entire rainbow community. Connextions Magazine focuses on celebrating the LGBTQ Traveler providing information on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer travel, our LGBTQ culture, the diverse style of our rainbow community, adventures, gay romance, tips for Lesbian Moms, Gay Dads, Bisexual, Transgender Parents and families. With 345,000+ readers in 135 Countries and ranked in Top 5% of Social Media users with over 20,000 followers, Connextions Magazine is a trendsetter in gay media.

ABOUT THE DANDI AWARDS
The DANDI Awards heralds individuals and organizations for demonstrating outstanding commitment to creating a more diverse and inclusive world! In 2012, with the birth of the DANDI Awards, this annual celebration recognizes and honors those who represent exemplary commitment and focus on diversity and inclusion. The mission of the DANDI is to celebrate the contributions of any individual, group or organization that is truly making a difference towards creating a diverse and inclusive world.

To learn more about the DANDI Executive Forum and Awards Ceremony, visit
www.dandiawards.com.

LGBT Friendly Travel to Boston - Freedom Begins Here

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With almost 400 years of history, Boston is considered one of the most historic, wealthy and influential cities in the US, making it into the top ten most popular tourist locations in the Country. There’s a lot to see and do in Boston, so first and foremost… bring comfortable shoes since its known as ‘the walking city!’

Highlights include accommodations at Swank Properties and Revere Hotel Boston Common; Boston Pride 2013; Boston Harbor activities; Quincy Market excitement; and tours such as The Freedom Trail and Ghost Hunting!

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CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OR GRAB YOUR PRINT COPY

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Connextions Magazine, the Travel & Lifestyle Magazine for the LGBTQ Traveler, is your trusted resource for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer travel destinations, vacation ideas, fun travel videos, LGBTQ travel guides and the latest news relevant to our entire rainbow community. Connextions Magazine focuses on celebrating the LGBTQ Traveler providing information on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer travel, our LGBTQ culture, the diverse style of our rainbow community, adventures, gay romance, tips for Lesbian Moms, Gay Dads, Bisexual, Transgender Parents and families. 

Ithaca, NY One of the Most Liberal Places in America

Ithaca, NY One of the Most Liberal Places in America

By: Shelly Straub

Enjoy culture, diversity, and spectacular views in ITHACA, NY! 

As a child, I can recall camping trips to Ithaca, visiting Buttermilk Falls and Robert H. Treman State Park.  Riding bikes and swimming during the day, then eating smores while laying flat on the picnic table staring at the blanket of stars that glisten in the clear night sky.  It wasn’t until much later in life when I was able to appreciate the fascinating culture and delectable diversity offered in a community as gorgeous as Ithaca.

It is no surprise to me that Ithaca made the list as “Most Liberal Places in America” by www.epodunk.com, or that The Utne Reader named the city “America’s most enlightened Town.”  Home to the prestigious Ivy League Cornell University, it would not be unusual to see a local walking through the infamous Ithaca Commons with dreadlocks, a backpack, and no shoes in this college town.

Ithaca may not be a place where ’everybody knows your name’… but the LGBT community certainly feels welcomed, rather than just accepted.  Partners walking hand-in-hand don’t get the‘double take’ from passers by.   

Statistics from city-data.com show lesbian couples account for 0.8% of all households and gay men account for 0.5% of all households.  This may seem like a small percentage but compared to a larger city such as Rochester, NY, where the population difference is over 203,000 more residents, their statistics show only 0.4% for lesbian households and 0.5% for gay men.

You ask:  "What is there to do in Ithaca?"  I say: "What ISN’T there to do in Ithaca?  

Set on the southern shore of Cayuga Lake, sailboats, fishing, and tours on the water are pristine when weather permits.   Imagine a 220 acre wildlife sanctuary with more than four miles of walking trails, found at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology/Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary.   Take a scenic hike through a one mile long gorge at Fall Creek with waterfalls, cascades and rapids!  When seeking shelter from the temperamental weather in Central New York, visit several art galleries, find plenty of unique gifts in ‘the commons’ shopping strip, or maybe a wine tour is just up your alley!  For a great history lesson, the Museum of the Earth at the Paleontological Research Institution, as well as the Earth Science Center are great ways to practice reverse psychology on the kids!

Did you know?

- The Tompkins County Public Library in Ithaca hosts a used book sale twice a year and it is claimed to be the 3rd largest used book sale in the United States.

- In June of 2008, 6,000 Ithaca residents set the unofficial world record for the largest human peace sign at Stewart Park.

- In 2006, VegNews Magazine listed this unique town as one of the “12 Hippest Hometowns for Vegetarians.”

- According to a poll taken by www.city-data.com, East Ithaca is #49 on the list of “Top 101 zip codes with the most full service restaurants in 2005.”

So whether a camping trip with the young ones is on the agenda, or a romantic getaway at a quaint B&B would better suit your needs, consider the breath-taking views, liberal attitudes, and unique atmosphere in Ithaca, for your next trip.  As the locals would say, “Ithaca is gorges!”

Connextions Magazine, the Travel and Lifestyle Magazine for LGBT Traveler is pleased to announce a whole new look, including logo, website and branding, to commemorate 5 years of being the trusted source for the LGBT traveler. The magazine, with over 350,000 readers in 135 countries including: USA, Canada, Brazil, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan & Austria, 

The LGBT travel and lifestyle publication, which caters to the entire gay and gay friendly community, is now available on their website (ConnextionsMagazine.com), and can also be read via the Connextions Magazine’s Apple and Droid apps, which can be downloaded for free. Editor-In-Chief, Manny Velasquez-Paredes (MVP), says about the magazine, “We cater to the entire scope of our community. We have articles that are specifically related to gay or lesbian travel, bisexual news, transgender resources, and we even feature LGBT Family Travel, which is a section that is very dear to me, because it is the one I am in charge of writing.” As a Gay Dad, MVP knows what is like to travel with kids and knows that some of the issues LGBT parents face are far different than their hetero counterparts.


In the last five years, Connextions Magazine has celebrated dramatic success . With over 350,000 readers in 135 countries, it is ranked among the Top 5% of all social media users and has almost 20,000 followers on different social media channels. Set in a friendly format and featuring images for readers of any age , Connextions Magazine celebrates the life and styles of the lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender (LGBT) community and can be read by anyone regardless of gender orientation. With travels throughout America and beyond, the publication, full of stunning photography, brings personal experiences from gay-friendly destinations and lifestyle interests to readers from around the globe.


Publication highlights include:

– Issues and concerns our LGBT community faces

– Local professionals making a difference

– Celebrations of culture and integrity

– Businesses that make a profound impact on our daily lives

– The best of restaurants, travel destinations, and nightlife for the LGBT community

– Gay-friendly family travel

– Upcoming events, fashion, music and product reviews

Connextions Magazine is available in digital format, targeting readership to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities and their allies. We offer a unique design, fabulous layouts, and show-stopping photography, along with editorial content to enlighten, inspire, educate and inform. This latest issue is free and can be read on ConnextionsMagazine.com.

LGBT New York - Let's Connext!

The History of the LGBTQ Rainbow Flag

The rainbow flag has become one of the most widely used and recognized symbols of the gay pride movement.  The concept of the rainbow is hardly a new one.  Rainbows have been used since ancient times in all kinds of cultures, including Greek, African, Native American, and Celtic, to name only a few.  Even Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow Coalition has made use of the rainbow as a freedom symbol.
The rainbow flag as we know it today was developed by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker in 1978.

At the time, there was need for a gay symbol which could be used year after year for the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade.  Baker took inspiration from many sources, the hippies movement to the black civil rights movement, and came up with a flag using eight stripes.  Color has always played an important role in the gay rights movement – Victorian England symbolized homosexuality with the color green, lavender became popular in the 1960’s, and pink used inside the triangle has caught on as well.  The colors of the gay flag were no different.  Baker explained that his colors each stood for a different aspect of gay and lesbian life:


HOT PINK for sexuality

RED for life

ORANGE for healing

YELLOW for the sun

GREEN for nature

BLUE for art

INDIGO for harmony

VIOLET for spirit


Baker and thirty other volunteers hand-stitched and hand-dyed two large prototype flags for the 1978 parade.  It was an immediate hit.  However, when Baker took his design to the San Francisco Flag Co. to have it mass-produced for the 1979 parade, he had to remove the hot pink stripe.  Baker had hand-dyed the color, and unfortunately pink was not commercially available.

Later that year, when the city’s first openly gay supervisor, Harvey Milk, was assassinated, the 1979 Pride Parade Committee found in Baker’s flag, the perfect symbol for the entire gay community to unite in protest of this tragedy.  The committee got rid of the indigo stripe to make the colors evenly divisible along the parade route; red, orange, and yellow on one side of the street; green, blue, and purple on the other.  (This version also conforms to traditional color theory – the three primary colors and three secondary colors in art – rather than the spectrum of light colors of ROYGBIV.)  Thus, today’s six color flag was born!

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Connextions Magazine, the Travel & Lifestyle Magazine for the LGBTQ Traveler, is your trusted resource for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer travel destinations, vacation ideas, fun travel videos, LGBTQ travel guides and the latest news relevant to our entire rainbow community. Connextions Magazine focuses on celebrating the LGBTQ Traveler providing information on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer travel, our LGBTQ culture, the diverse style of our rainbow community, adventures, gay romance, tips for Lesbian Moms, Gay Dads, Bisexual, Transgender Parents and families.

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Scent of a Man

Scent of a Man 
By Manny Velasquez-Paredes

If you are anything like me, then you like to smell good and you like to smell different daily. I blame my grandmother, she loved perfumes and would wear different kinds everyday. I do the same thing, I even mix and match scents sometimes to create my own unique daily scent!

So when I heard about Scentbird Men, I was in heaven. Scentbird is offering a fragrance subscription service, which makes colognes available online that are sent directly to your front door.

Think about it, no stores, pushy sales people, just choose your favorite scents and get your choice of a deluxe mini cologne spray delivered to your door. You don’t have to spend tons of money to purchase a full bottle, you purchase a refillable mini spray, which you can throw in your pocket, suitcase, briefcase or gym bag, making the cologne both portable and unobtrusive. With the portability of Scentbird Men, you can apply your cologne throughout the day.

You have the option to experiment with new scents and to mix up your routine without having to spend hundreds of dollars or committing to one single bottle for years making it easier than ever to finally find that fragrance that feels just right for you. For just $14.95 a month, you can select from hundreds of designer colognes, including: Giorgio Armani, Burberry, Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, and more delivered in a sleek spray right to your door.

And now our friends at Scentbird Men would like to provide one of our lucky readers with a free 3 month subscription! This is a total value of $44.85. A winner will be chosen at random from all entries received between October 15, 2015 and November 15, 2015 at 11:59 pm EST.

TO WIN CLICK HERE

Budget-Friendly Barcelona

A BUDGET-FRIENDLY VACATION IN BEAUTIFUL BARCELONA By: Ross Christianson

Originally published in Connextions Magazine Issue 19: Travel Lite

Beautiful Barcelona is a European city that combines the old with the new in a stunning array of architecture, museums, parks, markets, beaches, and more. Visiting this city should be on everyone’s bucket lists who wish to see the greatest cities of the world. Whether you want to experience the art, enjoy the food and drinks, soak up the sun, or witness the majestic spirituality the city has to offer, you will leave as a satisfied traveler.

BUT WAIT? How can you afford such a trip?

This is the question that resounds in the minds of many people of various backgrounds with big dreams. The stigma is that any European excursion has to cost thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars. This can be true, but it is not the rule. There are afew factors you must keep in mind when trying to save money on a fabulous world vacation.

First, you must ask yourself when you will experience your next adventure. Time of the year really makes a difference in many ways, and you must ask yourself what your budget is and what you are looking to get out of yourtrip. Finding the right-priced flight is another way to either save hundreds or break the bank, and we provide you with different venues to stretch your dollar, along with other great ideas or what to do and where to go in Barcelona!

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE – CONNEXTIONS MAGAZINE
ISSUE 19: TRAVEL LITE

Follow our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Travel Stories!

Connextions Magazine, the Travel & Lifestyle Magazine for the LGBTQ Traveler, is your trusted resource for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer travel destinations, vacation ideas, fun travel videos, LGBTQ travel guides and the latest news relevant to our entire rainbow community. Connextions Magazine focuses on celebrating the LGBTQ Traveler providing information on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer travel, our LGBTQ culture, the diverse style of our rainbow community, adventures, gay romance, tips for Lesbian Moms, Gay Dads, Bisexual, Transgender Parents and families.

– See more at: http://www.connextionsmagazine.com

Plug Into the Poconos – LGBT Family Travel

PLUG INTO THE POCONOS By: Manny Velasquez-Paredes

Originally published in Connextions Magazine Issue 19: Travel Lite

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to simply unplug – unplug from the everyday, from work, from technology, from – dare I mention it – Facebook! But as a working parent, it is extremely important to disconnect from the world and simply enjoy your family.

For the past three years, my husband and I have taken our kids on mini-vacations to the Poconos at least twice per year. It is just under five hours drive for us, so we leave the house early so we can beat traffic and (hint) the kids are usually still sleepy, which means they’ll probably fall asleep after 45 minutes into the trip for at least another hour or so, which makes for a calmer ride.

As a same-sex couple with kids, we have stayed at different hotels in the area, some more expensive than others, and have never encountered any issues because of our sexual identity. There are some budget hotels/motels where you can stay, just remember that the quality of place is directly proportional to the cost of the rooms. We stayed at this place once where we asked the front desk to change our room because the original room was simply unacceptable – stains, dirty walls, and a toilet seat that didn’t fit properly. Eventually, we settled on another room. Just remember if you are not satisfied with the room or any of the amenities at the hotel – speak up and let them know right away, most places will try to help you. Mentioning things like “are you on Facebook, TripAdvisor or Yelp?” might help you with your request. The first thing I do after checking-in to our hotel, is to turn off my cell phone – which trust me it is probably the hardest thing for me to do – but it is a conscious decision I made so I could enjoy my time with the family.

The Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania

The best way to unplug is to plug into nature and if you don’t mind hiking and climbing, then Bushkill Falls, which is known as the Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania, is really the place to visit! Opened to the public since 1904, Bushkill Falls is located on about 300 acres of land in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The falls are 1200 feet above sea level, and include 8 waterfalls and over 2 miles of hiking trails, bridges and walkways. The drop from the top of the Main Falls to the bottom of the Lower Gorge is about 300 feet and it’s an absolutely breathtaking view and cell phone signal is extremely spotty – so leave them in the car or your room’s safe. But, please bring a camera – preferably a waterproof one so you don’t need to worry about it getting wet.

To read the entire article, please visit Connextions Magazine Issue 19: Travel Lite

Follow our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Travel Stories!

Connextions Magazine, the Travel & Lifestyle Magazine for the LGBTQ Traveler, is your trusted resource for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer travel destinations, vacation ideas, fun travel videos, LGBTQ travel guides and the latest news relevant to our entire rainbow community. Connextions Magazine focuses on celebrating the LGBTQ Traveler providing information on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer travel, our LGBTQ culture, the diverse style of our rainbow community, adventures, gay romance, tips for Lesbian Moms, Gay Dads, Bisexual, Transgender Parents and families.

– See more at: http://www.connextionsmagazine.com

Money Saving Tips in Las Vegas – Have a Gay Old Time

LAS VEGAS MONEY SAVING TIPS FOR THE BUDGET-CONSCIOUS TRAVELER! By: H. Luiz Martinez

Originally published in Connextions Magazine Issue 19: Travel Lite

“All-inclusive” facilities are NOT necessarily the best deals. The so-called “savings” may very well be a few bucksas opposed to buying your own meals when tallied at the end of your vacation. In fact, it may even cost you more for that all-inclusive deal. These days at “all-inclusive” hotels, alcohol may or may not be included. If it is, it’s not top shelf and for some reason, all of those alcohol based drinks taste weaker or watered-down. Sometimes, there may be an additional charge for alcoholic beverages or top-shelf beverages. I’ve even seen “additional charges” for better grades of beef and even seafood like shrimp. You’re there thinking, “This is all-inclusive?”

Stop buying souvenirs for Joe, Moe, and dear Aunt Flo! Nobody wears those awful 4 for $10 T-shirts anyway, so save your money and come back with a great story of your travels instead. Souvenir plates, shot glasses, key-chains, little glass vials with corks on top filled with sand and shells – please, please, please no! Do not waste your time, money, and valuable baggage space to carry these items back from your vacations.

Facial scrubs can be made with fresh-squeezed orange juice mixed with a few packets of sugar for a great citrus scrub, makes a good astringent too. Coffee grounds (usually complimentary in the room) taste terrible, but when moistened, make a terrific exfoliate. There are spasthat add warm milk to this and charge about $100 for a “latte scrub.” Make your own spa treatments, right in the room and save, save, save!

TO READ ENTIRE ARTICLE, PLEASE VISIT: CONNEXTIONS MAGAZINE ISSUE 19 TRAVEL LITE

Follow our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Travel Stories!

Connextions Magazine, the Travel & Lifestyle Magazine for the LGBTQ Traveler, is your trusted resource for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer travel destinations, vacation ideas, fun travel videos, LGBTQ travel guides and the latest news relevant to our entire rainbow community. Connextions Magazine focuses on celebrating the LGBTQ Traveler providing information on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer travel, our LGBTQ culture, the diverse style of our rainbow community, adventures, gay romance, tips for Lesbian Moms, Gay Dads, Bisexual, Transgender Parents and families.

– See more at: http://www.connextionsmagazine.com