September 2015 Issue 19
GaycationNYC Fall Fashion
Week 2015Kilkenny, Ireland’sBallybur Castle
Europe’s Next Gay Gem: Antwerp
+ Brooklyn Style Guide, Joshua Tree & More
2 | Gaycation Magazine www.gaycationmagazine.com Gaycation Magazine | 3www.gaycationmagazine.com
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CONTENTS
11 The Wire
LGBTQ travel news and information, ranging from new hotel/resort openings to cruise itineraries and travel planning tips and products.
70 gaycationers
Meet some of the incredible people that have become a part of our family of Gaycationers.
34 Postcards
Show off your Gaycation with photos of places you have visited so everyone can be envious of the great time you had (as well as having proof)!
78 Found It!
Must have travel items for everyone from the novice weekender to the seasoned globetrotter.
72 Explicit guide to Gaycationing
How To’s and Tips on what to do and where to do it from your favorite travel writers and bloggers.
58 ThreadsFall Styles: Inside New York’s Fashion Week
18 Ballybur
Whisked away to Kilkenny, Ireland’s Ballybur Castle
52 Brooklyn, NYThe quick style guide to Brooklyn, America’s capital of cool.
38 Look Out Amsterdam
Antwerp is gunning for the gay crown
26 FeastDiscovering Catalan Culture and Local Cuisine
48 there’s this place
Joshua Tree National Park, California
66 Book it!
Madrid’s Óscar Hotel in the heart of Chueca
Sept
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15 Is
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About the Cover Photo Founder/Editor-in-ChiefDJ Doran
Executive EditorAaron Drake @theaarondrake
Feast EditorJoe Morales
Advertising [email protected]
National Advertising RepresentativeRivendell Media212-242-6863
Subscription [email protected]
Article + Photo [email protected]
General [email protected]
ISSN 2378-7279 (PRINT)ISSN 2378-7287 (ONLINE)
Model René Grincourt gives us a smoldering look backstage at the debut of the Banana Republic Fall 2015 line at New York’s Fall Fashion Week. Photo courtesy of Andrew Villagomez.
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David BrownZack Cahill
Kelsy ChauvinMichelle McCarthy
David PerryAndrew Villagomez
Contributors
Send address changes and subscription info to:
Gaycation Magazine
PO Box 2972
Indianapolis, IN 46206
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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m a g a z i n eGaycation
Dear Gaycationers,
As summer finally burns off its last few weeks—of what turned out to be one of the hottest summers on the books around the globe—it’s a relief to look forward to the next best time of year in my humble opinion: fall. I’m usually a summertime kind of guy, but even I’ll admit this year was a steamy one. I was only mildly unprepared for the summer weather in my new home state of Florida (although I was repeatedly warned that the humidity was something to be wary of. I did sense some seriousness behind the weary and half-joking smiles).
We at Gaycation are more than ready to don a cozy (yet fashionable) sweater, breathe in the crisp air and surround ourselves with the turning leaves. This issue we celebrate the change in seasons by traveling across the Atlantic—eating our way through Spain’s Catalan region, roaming the streets of Europe’s off-the-beaten-path gay gem Antwerp and spending the night in a castle in Ireland. And the best way to experience it all? One half of Two Bad Tourists, contributor David Brown, gives us tips on navigating Eurail to plan the best route across Europe while still traveling in style.
Back in the U.S., the best is yet to come as we make a stop at one of the most beautiful destinations this time of year as well as the fashion and style capital of the world—New York City. Travel and fashion blogger Andrew Villagomez takes us along to scope out the behind-the-
scenes of Fashion Week and catches the looks of some ridiculously gorgeous models showing off fall’s latest fashions on the runways and in the streets. Then, Kelsy Chauvin takes us on a tailored tour of LGBT Brooklyn: Far be it from just a hipster haven, it’s quickly become a destination completely separate from the city that never sleeps. We share where to shop, where to dine and where to play in the city’s burgeoning neighborhoods.
As we let fall cool us down, take some time to look back on your summer travels and feel free to share photos from your adventures with us by sending them to [email protected]. But certainly don’t let that slow you down as you make plans to pack your bags and gear up for the end of 2015. Next month, we’ll be pigging out as we venture to the American Southwest, Midwest and Northeast for our annual Food & Spirits issue. Sit back, relax and enjoy. And as always, thanks for joining us! We look forward to seeing you back here again soon.
Have safe (and stylish) travels,
Aaron Drake