TRAVEL - tours and operators - Brief Article

Custom travel packages for you to give--or share with--that special someone

Whether it's to thank that special someone for 12 months of love and devotion or to send someone off to scour strange lands for Mr./Ms. Right, sometimes the best gift of all is simply getting away from it all. The following trekking ideas for 2001 are a sure cure for your holiday hangover.

For strictly five-star treatment, look no further than [1] DAVID TOURS, based in Corona del Mar, Calif. Established by former lawyer David M. Rubin in 1996, the company has become the premier provider of luxury vacations to the gay community--it was awarded the Editor's Choice Award from travel newsletter "Out & About" in 1998, 1999, and 2000.

While oriented primarily toward gay men, Rubin says, most tours do include a few lesbian couples. Interestingly, some young hetero couples also tag along, feeling more at ease with hip same-sexers than with the seniors who frequent more mainstream sightseeing companies.

Upcoming explorations in 2001 include India (February 3-18), Puerto Vallarta (February 15-19), South Africa and Botswana (February 24-March 11), Morocco (March 3-11), Italy (April 21-May 6), Quebec City (June 7-11), and Budapest-Vienna-Marien-bad-Prague (August 4-19), at prices ranging from $265 to $2,500 per person.

One unique aspect of Rubin's operation is its popular dinner parties, where visitors socialize with gay locals such as actors, artists, lawyers, doctors, diplomats, politicians, students, pilots, and business executives.

Over at San Francisco's CLUB SKIRTS, owner Mariah Hanson specializes in women's-event vacations such as the internationally renowned Dinah Shore Weekend in Palm Springs, Calif. (March 22-25) or the Monterey [Calif.] Women's Weekend (August 31-September 2). Transforming bland hotel ballrooms into pulsating, sexy nightclubs teeming with thousands of women, Club Skirts' weekend packages combine the amenities of a resort town with worldclass parties.

For gals with more traditional vacations in mind, Hanson has recently added such on-land retreats for next year as Women's Week in Puerto Vallarta (October 21-27). "Women liked the personal attention we give at our event vacations," says Hanson, "but didn't always want the crowds or the party aspect." Last year's Mexican extravaganza sold out, so hurry to book your spot now.

Other hot themed getaways for the new year include Altitude 2001, a gay and lesbian ski week in Whistler, British Columbia (February 4-11); Club Atlantis 2001, off Mexico's Gold Coast (April 28-May 5); and Polynesian Mystique: Women's Xmas in Tahiti (December 2001).

Available rely time of year is a Hawaiian commitment ceremony arranged through [2] ALOHA MAUI WEDDINGS. Simple services start at $325; the most popular package, the Maui Sunset, includes a minister, on-site coordinator, two tropical floral leis, a commemorative certificate of commitment, champagne toast for two, and a small album of photos, for $625. Available extras include professional videotaping ($350), musical accompaniment ($150-$175), and our favorite: a pair of white doves for release ($110). Although Aloha Maui Weddings does not cater specifically to gays and lesbians, it welcomes couples of all persuasions. "Anybody who's in love and wants to create a commitment ceremony to honor their relationship, we support that," says owner Chanti Mullen. "We're open."

Vaillancourt also writes for CBSHealthwatch.com and GayHealth.com.

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