German Info: A Rainbow of Options

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A Rainbow of Options

Lesbian and gay travelers will find many open-minded cities in Germany, and two of the country's largest cities, Hamburg and Berlin, also happen to have large gay communities and a full slate of activities to offer tourists, including lively Christopher Street Day events celebrating gay pride.

Hamburg, known for its bustling harbor and graceful cityscape of parks, waterways and bridges, is a great destination for lesbian and gay travelers. It offers an internationally diverse population and varied entertainment options - from the elegant shopping and dining in the Hanse Viertel to the racy St. Pauli district. Those with enough energy left after a Saturday night on the town often stay up long enough to hit the Sunday morning Fischmarkt at the harbor. There, one can get a breakfast of fresh seafood and stroll through the stands with their dazzling array of products.

Hamburg was the first city in Germany to allow registered civil unions. The city's gay scene is centered in the area known as St. Georg near the city center. Hamburg will celebrate Christopher Street Day, featuring a parade and festival, June 7-9, 2002.

Berlin offered a welcoming home to the gay community before the last turn of the century, long before it was hip. During the "Golden Twenties", the city was famous for its lively club scene, until things changed for the worse after 1933. Today the city is home to a large and active gay community, concentrated in three parts of the city - Schöneberg, Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg - each with its own flair.

Tourists can choose to time their visit to one of several gay and lesbian events. The Gay and Lesbian Street Festival, June 15-16, is held at Nollendorfplatz in the traditional gay center of Schöneberg. The Christopher Street Day parade, June 22, winds through an extensive downtown route with music floats and costumed performers. And the Love Parade, which has a considerable gay following, is held in July 13 and manages to turn the city upside down for a long weekend of revelry. And don't miss Berlin's Gay Museum for a wide spectrum of exhibits.

Besides Berlin and Hamburg, you may also want to check out Munich and Cologne. Also, the website of Travel Alternatives Group is a great resource for gay and lesbian travelers.