Winter Party Pics

(Image courtesy of Thompson Doyle)

Things have definitely been getting hot at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's 2009 Winter Party Festival.   More than 10,000 gay and lesbian partiers have swarmed upon the sandy beaches of Fort Lauderdale and Miami to participate in one of the hottest parties of the year.

Volunteer Vacations?

You could pay a lot of money for the privilege of donating your labor to a worthy cause somewhere around the world on a volunteer vacation. Or you could just throw your sleeping bag in the car, drive to a nearby park, and for as little as $150, spend a week in the wilderness rebuilding trails with other nature-lovers.

There's lots of options, and here are some starting-point tips on how to find a volunteer vacation on a budget -- along with some sample trips.

Sweetbriar 5: We Oughta Be Startin’ Somethin’

Boy, the first couple of months of 2009 have definitely been a bang, and this week we continue with somethings new, renewed, and rejuvenating.

From new clubs opening in the Castro to the up rise of gay nightlife in Union Square, we have definitely started something worth talking about. And I sure love to talk. Here are my top 5 picks for San Francisco!

Lonely Planet "Trips" Series

Lonely Planet is launching a new series of guidebooks in March called "Trips."

The first six titles in the series are "California," ''Pacific Northwest," ''Arizona, New Mexico & the Grand Canyon," ''New York, Washington DC & the Mid-Atlantic," ''The Carolinas, Georgia & the South," and "New England."

Each $20 paperback offers 50 to 68 itineraries and more than 1,000 places to see, organized by themes like "Food & Drink," ''Outdoors," ''History & Culture," ''Offbeat" and "City."

Girl Bar Dinah Shore Week

There’s a reason why Girl Bar Dinah Shore Week is known as the "Greatest Women’s Week on Earth". It’s all about the girls -- and this year they promise a larger, wilder and sexier event.

This isn’t just any vacation; it’s the unforgettable experience that inspired the international hit series "The L Word" and no one does it better than Girl Bar. That’s why this year, all Girl Bar Dinah Shore Week main events, including Girl Bar’s gigantic world-famous pool parties, are centrally located at the Wyndham (the main host hotel) and the Hotel Zoso. Additional room accommodations are also available at the Courtyard by Marriott.

And this year the Wyndham is all Girl Bar, all the time.

Spring Parties Turn Up The Heat

Shake off the winter blues and bound into spring's sizzling hot social schedule. There is a thrilling slew of parties about to perk up gay and lesbian calendars, from ostentatious oceanside options to decadent desert diversions. Check the dates, check your luggage and come out to play.

Saint-at-Large Black Party: March 21, 2009 New York City (www.saintatlarge.com)

The Black Party throbs through the New York night from Saturday night till 3 p.m. Sunday -- a seething sea of leather and bare flesh packed onto a dance floor meant to hold half that number of bodies. Brilliant, brutal and bizarre stage shows, featuring some of the best porn names, turn tricks and treats that would warrant infinite XXX ratings. (Gay men)

Travel + Leisure's '09 Design Awards

When you travel, do you seek out unique eye-catching architecture and design? For some, destinations with pleasing aesthetics can be a pretty important aspect of your trip. If so, this list is definitely for you.

From super stylish hotels to travel accessories that have great form and function, here are the winners of Travel + Leisure's 2009 Design Awards ...

Ride 'em Cowboy: Keith's Guide to Dallas

My name: Keith
My age: 29      
My profession: Accounts Manager
City/town: Dallas, TX
Relationship status:  Single, but looking
Sexuality: Gay and out
Member name: Keithataglance

What was the last vacation you took? Where did you go? Where do you most want to go?

It’s been a few years, but Las Vegas was the last NON-work vacation. I travel some for work, and go all over, but if I could go ANYWHERE for Vacation, it would probably be New York City, I have NEVER been, and would love to spend a week there, to check out the city I have always heard of!

Lost Your Job? Here's Your Refund!

Did you book a leisure trip while still employed, but then got laid off before you could go? Well, how about a full refund? That appears to be no problem for some businesses in the current dismal travel industry.

Take for instance JetBlue ... The airline said this week that it will issue full refunds to eligible customers who lose their jobs after purchasing tickets.

William's Pittsburgh

My name: William
My age: 45
My profession: Admin. Asst.
City/town: Pittsburgh, PA
Relationship status: Single
Sexuality: Homo

What was the last vacation you took? Where did you go and where do you most want to go?

The last vacation I took was three years ago to North Carolina, but I wanted to go to New York City. I still want to go to NYC.

Are any famous people from Pittsburgh?

Gene Kelly, Jeff Goldblum, Shirley Jones, Perry Como, and the Stillers.

What are some of the things you love most about Pittsburgh?

Decent infrastructure, great old architecture, affordability.