In many ways, Egypt is one big museum featuring numerous sites of religious, cultural and historical importance. Gay travel to Egypt can include everything from browsing open-air souks, cruising down the Nile, visiting old-world temples, exploring ancient cities, trekking across the desert on a camel and standing in awe of the Great Pyramids of Giza, to shopping in modern, cosmopolitan cities and lounging on white sand beaches. From the burial tombs at Valley of Kings or exploring the Temple at Edfu, to shopping for textiles in the Khan al Khalili Bazaar or touring the treasures of King Tutankhamun in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, there is truly no end to all that Egypt has to offer. For those looking for a gay vacation to Africa, Egypt is an excellent choice that is sure to please anyone looking for an exciting destination for gay travel.
While Egypt is a great destination for gay vacations, there are some points of interest to members of the LGBT community. The Egyptian government has become more aggressive in its efforts to arrest and imprison gay men in recent years, including a very public trial of over 50 men arrested on a boat hosting a night club in 2001 and several undercover sting operations in gathering spots, online chat rooms and other venues, which have led to arrests and imprisonment.
Most of these efforts have been aimed at arresting Egyptian men; however, in some instances women and tourists have also been included. One of the most publicized cases of a sting operation that led to numerous arrests and imprisonment was the 2001 raid of the Queen Boat, which resulted in the arrest of over 50 men.
That being said, this does not at all mean that Egypt should be avoided when it comes to gay travel, or that visitors will be confronted with constant homophobia from locals. In contrast, most travelers who have taken Egyptian gay vacations have found the locals to be welcoming and warm, and have reported no issues with the police or government during their stay. While there is no real, visible LGBT community in most parts of the country, there are well-known gathering places in Luxor, Alexandria, Dahab, Aswan, Cairo and other larger cities. Of course, discretion is important when visiting local hotspots, since the police force is also aware of these hangouts.
Egypt is an amazing country with a vast array of must-see attractions of both cultural and historical value. Folks who are interested in visiting Egypt on a gay vacation may want to consider a gay travel tour, which will help to ensure that you do not miss Egypt's best offerings and that the journey will be a safe one. If you prefer solo gay vacations, it is still advisable to at least go through a travel agent that is aware of the concerns and needs of members of the LGBT community when planning gay vacations to ensure a trip full of lasting memories and great experiences.
While Egypt is a great destination for gay vacations, there are some points of interest to members of the LGBT community. The Egyptian government has become more aggressive in its efforts to arrest and imprison gay men in recent years, including a very public trial of over 50 men arrested on a boat hosting a night club in 2001 and several undercover sting operations in gathering spots, online chat rooms and other venues, which have led to arrests and imprisonment.
Most of these efforts have been aimed at arresting Egyptian men; however, in some instances women and tourists have also been included. One of the most publicized cases of a sting operation that led to numerous arrests and imprisonment was the 2001 raid of the Queen Boat, which resulted in the arrest of over 50 men.
That being said, this does not at all mean that Egypt should be avoided when it comes to gay travel, or that visitors will be confronted with constant homophobia from locals. In contrast, most travelers who have taken Egyptian gay vacations have found the locals to be welcoming and warm, and have reported no issues with the police or government during their stay. While there is no real, visible LGBT community in most parts of the country, there are well-known gathering places in Luxor, Alexandria, Dahab, Aswan, Cairo and other larger cities. Of course, discretion is important when visiting local hotspots, since the police force is also aware of these hangouts.
Egypt is an amazing country with a vast array of must-see attractions of both cultural and historical value. Folks who are interested in visiting Egypt on a gay vacation may want to consider a gay travel tour, which will help to ensure that you do not miss Egypt's best offerings and that the journey will be a safe one. If you prefer solo gay vacations, it is still advisable to at least go through a travel agent that is aware of the concerns and needs of members of the LGBT community when planning gay vacations to ensure a trip full of lasting memories and great experiences.
About the Author:
This gay travel article is offered by Howie Holben. Howie and Spirit Journeys present spiritual gay holiday options. You can find out much more about a spiritual gay tour at www.SpiritJourneys.com.
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