Toronto, Ontario is a vibrant modern city with a multicultural population and a thriving LGBT community. As the cultural and entertainment capital of Canada, it is a popular destination for tourists from around the globe. Its museums, parks, theatres and festivals offer visitors a wealth of activities to choose from. Below are some suggestions of things to do on your gay vacation to Toronto.

Explore the Village

The Church Wellesley Village is Toronto’s major LGBT neighborhood. It’s the ideal place to go for socialising and people-watching. The village is known worldwide for its shops, bars, restaurants and public events run by and for the local gay community. The Buddies in Bad Times Theater on Alexander Street is dedicated to the promotion of Queer Culture.

Explore the World of ‘Queer as Folk’

The popular American television series was largely filmed in Toronto’s Church Wellesley Village. Fans of the show will recognise many familiar locations. Brian’s loft is located on Church Street. Yonge Street is home to The Ript Gym where the characters worked out, 1,000,000 Comix where Michael bought his Captain Astro paraphernalia, and Yonge Street Tattoos where Justin had his nipple pieced.

Celebrate Gay Pride

Each June Toronto hosts one of the biggest Pride celebrations in the world. The highlight of the ten day event is the hugely attended Toronto Gay Pride Parade. The Trans march and Dyke march also draw large crowds. The Pride Week street festival offers live entertainment on eight stages. The street fair is a showcase for community organizers, artists, retailers and food vendors.

Show off your Tan

The clothing-optional Hanlan’s Point Beach is a ten minute Ferry ride from Queen’s Quay. A popular spot for people-watching, the beach is always a hive of activity on warm, sunny days. Naturists from far and wide congregate here to swim, sunbathe or play volleyball.

Immerse Yourself in a Broadway Musical

Toronto’s theater scene is one of the best in North America, second only to New York’s. With seven theatres staging the best musicals on tour and an abundance of other live-performance venues, the choice can be staggering. Discounted day-of-show tickets are often available.

Tie the Knot

In 2003 an Ontario Court of Appeal decision made same-sex marriages legal and the first fully recognised gay wedding was held in Toronto. Since there are no residency requirements when applying for a wedding licence in Ontario, gay and lesbian couples flock there to tie the knot. The Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, with a largely LGBT congregation, is a popular venue for gay weddings.

If you are gay with a fancy for some exciting gay travels then be sure to check out the different gay travel to Florence opportunities. Florence has always attracted huge numbers of visitors but only since 1974 has it also begun to attract gays. Since that time many tiny gay clubs as well as bars have sprung up in Florence that has attracted gays here even though the rest of Florence continues to be very conservative. Still a few select places in Florence are great for those who are looking for gay adventures.

If you are planning for gay travel to Florence then you must keep in  mind that hotels in this part of Italy are rather high priced and what’s worse  is that these hotels are overpriced which means you will not get value for the  money that you pay.

This is probably the pick of all gay accommodations not only in Florence but  also in the rest of Europe and it definitely means that you won’t need to pay  for costly hotel accommodation.

You’ll also do well to check out another gay accommodation choice which is the  one known as Bears & Breakfast that’s housed in a really attractive building.  From here you can walk for ten or twenty minutes and come across numerous gay  oriented bars and sights.

For those gays who are interested in cruising in Florence there are a number of options available including the few cruising bars and disco bars that on Friday nights provide strip performances and more for gays. On Saturdays and also on Thursdays these same places cater to straights. There are also several gay oriented parties being held in Florence though for more exciting action you may have to leave Florence and travel to its outskirts and a bit beyond.

To cruise the gay bars too as clubs in Florence it is necessary to first obtain  memberships cards (known as Arcigay UNO CLUB) which you can get at the entrance  of gay cruising bars and clubs. This card is valid for ninety days and will  cost foreigners 8 Euros. Nevertheless, you must first show your ID card and  only then can you obtain this card.

Be sure to check out the gay bar known as Fabrik that’s located about fifteen  kilometers outside Florence. It is definitely well loved by gay men and is  probably the most popular gay bar between Pisa and Florence.