VisitBritain Reaches OUT to the LGBT Traveler

VisitBritain, which markets Britain as a tourist destination to the rest of the world, knows that LGBT travelers come in every color of the rainbow. Some visit new places to taste exotic local cuisines. Others go for the culture, and spend hours exploring museums and galleries. And some do their sightseeing at night, searching for the best dance club. Whatever their motivation, not all travelers are after the same thing in a destination, which is why VisitBritain, the national tourist office for England, Scotland and Wales, is launching its new campaign partnered with Visit Manchester, the tourist board for greater Manchester. According to a recent news release, visitors to visitbritain.com/rainbow can now pick the persona they most identify with and plan a whole trip on their particular interest, allowing for maximum fun in fabulous Britain.

The Foodie
The Foodie is out for gourmet, and luckily for them, Britain has an abundance of restaurants offering the very best in global cuisine at every budget. Try locally sourced meat and seafood (along with a gorgeous view overlooking Cardiff Bay) at the Bayside Brasserie in Wales or go vegetarian with Thai tofu fritters in Edinburgh at David Bann. For those who like the feel of a restaurant as much as the taste, there are no better places than Vermilion and Cinnabar in Manchester. After feasting on Asian fusion at Vermilion, go upstairs to Cinnabar, where you can recline in one of its ‘cocoon beds’ while sipping a classic cocktail.

The Culture Vulture
For the Culture Vulture, Britain has a wealth of museums promising intellectual stimulation, whether the viewer is into traditional portraiture or funky modern sculpture. The Manchester Art Gallery is full of famous works from Picasso to Bacon. The Design Museum in London displays creative takes on fashion and architecture. For live performances, visitors can go to The Wales Millennium Centre, which houses two theatres as well as gallery space, featuring everything from the National Opera to world-renowned hip-hop act Boy Blue. And theatre buffs will be dazzled by the magic of the West End in London, such as the new Priscilla Queen of the Desert musical, balanced with the drama of Shakespeare performed at his home of Stratford-upon-Avon.

The Nightowl
Of course, Britain is famous for its nightlife, and there is no shortage of dance floor for the Nightowls. Clubs stay open until all hours of the morning, promising a constant party from dusk till dawn. Party animals know to start the night at a bar, such as Delmonicas in Glasgow, with its infamous karaoke night. Then the scene moves to the clubs. Manchester is home to some of the best clubs around, including Essential, a massive, multi-storied dancing paradise and Vanilla, crowning itself as “the lesbian Mecca of the north.” Of course, London is no slouch on the club scene. Step back in time at Horsemeat Disco, with a fun crowd grooving to a Studio 54-inspired soundtrack. For the adventurous, there’s Hard On at Hidden. Held on the last Saturday of every month, and dressed in leather gear and uniforms, this party night requires booking 24 hours in advance.

The Chiller
When the club lights come on, the Chiller knows where to go for some R&R in a luxury boutique hotel followed by some world-class spa service. The Lowry Hotel in Manchester promises the best in luxury, with a full menu of treatments and a state-of-the art gym. Chillers might also head to St. David’s Hotel and Spa in Cardiff for a full range of massages, hot stone treatments and salt scrubs. Chillers also know the best places to rest, whether it’s at London’s Soho Hotel, a favorite with celebs, or Scotland’s Brunswick, where Kylie has been said to have slept.

The Shopper
Every trip needs souvenirs, and Britain is an ideal place to bring home some memorable mementos. The Shopper knows where to go to bag a deal, whether he or she is out for music, fashion or something a little more specialty. For the best in vintage vinyl, music lovers know to go to Spillers Records in Wales. An institution, Spillers has been around since the late 19th century and is still drawing special musical appearances today. Manchester, long a home of popular music, is home to Vinyl Exchange, two floors of music paradise.

For the more fashion-minded visitor, one can’t beat luxury Harvey Nichols department stores in Manchester, London and Scotland, stocked with threads from Matthew Williamson, Alexander McQueen and Paul Smith. And those looking for something a little saucier will be right at home in London’s Prowler, in the heart of Soho, with an adult section in the back, which leaves nothing to the imagination.

The Groupie
Though Britain has plenty of niche experiences to entice LGBT travelers, it is not without huge, all-encompassing celebrations, and the Groupie knows where to find them. With London winning the right to host World Pride in 2012, Britain has cemented its place as a gay and lesbian-friendly culture epicenter of the world. And there are more annual festivals throughout the year, including Manchester Pride in August and Pride London in July. Join the fun in Wales with its annual Mardi Gras in Cardiff in August or cuddle up to Bear Pride 2009, taking place in London in May.

Information on all of the above attractions and festivals can be found on VisitBritain’s Web site at visitbritain.com/rainbow.