Nestled in a cove along the Pacific coast of the Jalisco state, Puerto Vallarta has all the trappings of a romantic getaway: balmy beaches, quaint cobblestone streets … and a thriving gay scene. The majority of the city’s gay bars and nightclubs can be found along the charming cobblestone streets of the Zona Romántica Old Town, which also serves as the nexus of Puerto Vallarta Pride. For the last week of May, the city transforms into one massive, nonstop celebration, chock full of cultural events, concerts, movie screenings and parties on the beach and streets. The go-to gay hotels fill up quickly, so it’s best to plan your travel well in advance!
Brazil’s most populous city might just be its most lively — especially in the case of LGBTQ+ celebrations. São Paulo’s Pride parade is the largest in the world, garnering some 3 million LGBTQ+ supporters and celebrants annually. The official Pride event lasts for five days (though the partying often starts three weeks before day one), with the parade being the highlight on the Sunday after Corpus Christi. Revelers arrive early, even though the parade doesn’t start to move till 2 or 3 p.m., for a prime place to watch the 25 or so themed floats glide along Rua da Consolacao before arriving at Praça Roosevelt, where the party continues late into the night. Whether you’re planning to visit specifically for the parade, or primarily to explore the many vibrant LGBTQ+ bars, clubs, hotels and neighborhoods, this will be a trip you return to in memory (and possibly in person) for years to come.
We couldn’t write an article celebrating love and not include the City of Love itself. Watching the Eiffel Tower twinkle at midnight is but just one bucket list endeavor to seek out — cruising along the Seine at sunset, enjoying a picnic at the Luxembourg Palace and Gardens and strolling hand in hand with your longtime love or fresh fling along the streets of Montmartre are all moments seemingly pulled from a romance novel. Paris’ romantic draw is not without representation: the heart of the city’s gay scene is Le Marais, home to a bevy of cute cafes and buzzing bars.
The charm of Cape Town is, at first glance, similar to California. Award-winning beaches, picture-perfect winelands and immense mountains on the horizon combine to sound like something you’d find on America’s West Coast. But that’s only the broad-strokes picture; the true draw of this destination is much more nuanced. Imagine you and your better half, enjoying sunset-bathed views over the cityscape as you ride the cable car from the top of Table Mountain back down to the base. You just spent the morning sunbathing with penguins at Boulders Beach, the afternoon wine-tasting any of the many vineyards in the rolling hills of the Cape winelands, and you’re getting ready to spend the evening exploring De Waterkant — the heart of the rainbow district, home to well over 100 LGBTQ+ venues. Like loving your partner, the charm isn’t in what makes them similar, but what makes them unique.
An ideal way to visit any of the above romantic destinations is with the bespoke offerings of Delta Vacations. Not only will you have plenty of time to experience the sights and flavors listed above, but you’ll also enjoy all the perks of working with a dedicated provider of all-in-one vacation experiences — top destinations, expertly curated hotels, activities and more. Our agents know Delta Vacations well, so we can help you choose, plan and book your Pride getaway to perfection.