Beyond the Expected: A Concierge Invitation to Namibia

Namibia is quietly emerging as one of Africa’s most compelling destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers seeking privacy, beauty, and ease. A landmark Supreme Court ruling recognizing foreign same-sex marriages has made the country more accessible and reassuring for LGBT visitors, without altering its calm, understated character.

Defined by space and stillness, Namibia offers ancient deserts rolling into apricot dunes, uncrowded wildlife encounters, and a fog-softened Atlantic coastline. Luxury here is unshowy and personal — private lodges, expansive landscapes, and hospitality rooted in respect rather than spectacle. For LGBT travelers, that means being welcomed as guests, not singled out.

As more sophisticated travelers seek destinations that feel rare and emotionally rewarding, Namibia stands out. It offers confidence, freedom, and a sense of ease that lingers long after the journey ends. It’s not a place to rush through, but one to truly arrive in.

Two Bad Tourists is proud to partner with OUT Namibia – LGBT Travel, the country’s only dedicated LGBT concierge service, to challenge outdated perceptions and open up a beautiful, safe new avenue of travel. You can also read Heiko’s guest piece on our blog here.

Travelers can connect directly with founder Heiko to explore Namibia and its experiences. 

SPONSORED BY OUT NAMIBIA

This newsletter was written in collaboration with one or more travel brands or businesses. We may receive compensation when you click the links and make a purchase. Read our full advertising policy here.

Escape to Costa Rica’s Premier Gay Men’s Playground

Welcome to Royal Grand Resorts—where the rainforest is lush, the nights are warm, and the men are even hotter. Designed exclusively for gay men, this is a place where connection comes naturally and community is part of the experience. Mornings begin with breathtaking views… and who knows how your nights might end.

Sip cocktails at the swim-up bar where conversations flow easily, melt into the jacuzzis alongside new friends, or retreat into your private room for a little one-on-one. When adventure calls, kayak the coastline or wander Manuel Antonio National Park—keep an eye out, the sloths aren’t the only ones who like to hang around.

End your day with a romantic dinner under the stars, surrounded by good company, before slipping back into ocean-view luxury designed for comfort, connection, and whatever sparks in between.

Book your getaway with promo code ‘TBT025’ for an exclusive 5% Two Bad Tourists’ discount.

SPONSORED BY OUT ROYAL GRAND RESORTS

Perceptions and Experiences of LGBTQ+ Travelers

In cooperation with their partners A3M Global Monitoring and Diversity Tourism, ITB Berlin cordially invites you to participate in this survey. The assessments from the survey will be used by A3M Global Monitoring to adjust the categorization of the annual LGBTQ+ Risk Map, which is currently primarily based on a country's legal conditions. Your feedback would be a very valuable supplementary source for this. Completing the survey will take 5-15 minutes of your time, depending on how extensively you use the open comment fields. Participation in our surveys is voluntary, and your data will be analyzed only anonymously.

Announcing Our Barcelona & Sitges Trip in May 2026 + No Single Supplements!

Join us on our 5th annual gay group trip to Barcelona & Sitges next May. Spain is one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly countries in the world and we’re proud to call it our home. There’s nothing we love more than sharing our passion for the country with our guests and so, once more in 2026, we’re pleased to announce the dates for our 7 Days in Spain group trip to Barcelona and Sitges. Join us from May 13-19, 2026, as we spend four nights of sightseeing, tapas and nightlife in Barcelona - everyone’s favorite European city. You’ll take tours through the city center, Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell. We’ll take you to all the best restaurants and introduce you to the city’s lively LGBTQ+ nightlife, visiting gay bars, enjoying drag shows and a Eurovision viewing party. Then we’ll head down the coast for three days to Sitges, a gaytopian coastal town, where the gays go to for a little TLC. Together we’ll explore its cobblestone streets and get some quality beach time under the Spanish sun.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR SOLO TRAVELERS: Book by January 31 & get a private room with just a $100 single supplement!

Gay Travel Guide to Seattle

Seattle is a city of innovation and creation, thanks to a combination of the city’s development as a tech hub in the eighties, an influx of immigrants bringing different perspectives over the last century, and of course, the counterculture and grunge music scene of the nineties. It  has the fifth-largest gay scene in the States, with a plethora of gay bars, clubs, cafes, queer-centered galleries, and LGBTQ+ events centered around the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Seattle is eco-friendly, tech-savvy, and diverse. In short, it's a bit hipster, in all the right ways.

Vote for Our 2027 European Summer Cruise!

2027 may feel a long way off, but our Virgin Voyages cruises are filling up fast—so we’re excited to add a brand-new European summer adventure to our annual calendar. We narrowed it down to two incredible itineraries, but couldn’t choose just one. Since both visit Athens (the birthplace of democracy), we’re putting the decision to you for a vote.

Option 1: Starry Nights in Greece & Croatia

July 11-21, 2027 | 10 nights | Round-trip from Athens

This mammoth circular voyage begins in ancient Athens. From there, sail to the famously romantic island of Santorini, followed by Bodrum, Turkey, a chic seaside town blending turquoise waters, ancient ruins, and lively bazaars. Next comes a guaranteed-to-be-eventful overnight stay in Mykonos, Greece’s iconic gay hotspot, before heading to the stunning walled city of Dubrovnik, Croatia. Continue on to Kotor, Montenegro, a dramatic city reached by sailing through fjord-like bays, and finish with relaxed island charm in Corfu.

Solo insider cabins are going at just $3,150. Whereas, a double occupancy sea terrace cabin at $6,510.

Option 2: Western Med: Barcelona to Athens

June 6-16, 2027 | 10 nights

This ten-night, sun-soaked Western Mediterranean journey begins in Barcelona, bursting with art, architecture, and energy. Along the way, explore glamorous Cannes, famous for golden beaches and luxury boutiques. Civitavecchia serves as the port closest to Rome, followed by Salerno, perfectly positioned for cruising the jaw-dropping Amalfi Coast.

Next is Valletta, Malta, an underrated UNESCO-listed city rich in history and grand harbors, then Chania, Crete, surrounded by beautiful beaches and mountains. The voyage ends with a beach-party finale in Mykonos, where iconic windmills overlook nonstop fun.

Solo insider cabins are going at just $2,874. Whereas, a double occupancy sea terrace cabin at only $6,034.