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Lesbos, Greece
The grandmommy of women’s summer pilgrimages, a trip to Lesbos, a Greek island in the northeastern Aegean Sea, puts women in touch with Sappho. The poet wrote erotic lines directed toward other women as early as the 6th and 7th century B.C., making her homeland a perennially popular lesbian destination. So popular, in fact, that a group of outraged locals went to court in 2009 seeking the exclusive right to use the name “lesbians.” Not surprisingly, they lost the case. Women travelers flock to Sappho’s birth city of Eresos to meet like-minded pilgrims, but the petrified forest, a marvel of fossilized plants on the island, offers a mind-blowing excursion into pre-historic times. Lesbos, sometimes known as Mytilini, is the third largest of the Greek islands, and with Turkey nearby, options for adventure abound.
New York City
The concrete jungle may seem an unlikely summer destination, but remember, Manhattan is actually an island, albeit one of the world’s most densely populated ones. Still, many locals clear out during the sticky summer months while others lay low, creating a more relaxed vibe and leaving the world-class attractions and activities to visitors unafraid to break a sweat. One of the country’s largest Pride celebrations takes place in the last week of June, surrounded by the history of Stonewall and a downtown skyline that’s brimming with future possibilities in the decade of rebuilding since 9/11. This year, the state will be celebrating the first anniversary of the marriage equality law, so what better way to recognize the anniversary than to take the plunge yourself? An unrivalled number of summer festivals serve up arts and entertainment offerings of all kinds, many of them free, while the beaches are never too far away. Try the endearing weirdness of Coney Island for an afternoon in the far reaches of Brooklyn, or plan a weekend getaway to Cherry Grove, a long-time favorite for women on Fire Island.
Toronto, Ontario
Warm summer months lift the cold burden off Canada’s largest city, and inhabitants flood the streets where festivals and activities occur in abundance. Start things off in late June with one of the world’s largest Pride festivals, which offers a ten-day celebration of the Toronto LGBT community’s famous diversity. Outstanding parks and beaches offer places to soak up the sun when not taking in the vibrant cultural scene. Close to home, but just different enough for many American travelers, this gem of a city has been attracting the gay market for half a decade with the slogan, “Toronto: As Gay As It Gets.”
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