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LGBTQ may as well stand for “let’s go book travel quickly” because some days it seems like that’s all we’re ever doing and 2020 shows no reason to call it quits. From fab festivals that will bring tens of thousands together to seaside retreats that are oh so sweet, here are 10 places you should—make that must—visit in 2020.

RELATED: Visit our LGBTQIA travel hub for welcoming hotels, the ultimate queer events calendar, inspiration, and more!

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Photo: Courtesy of Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB

The Sunshine State’s reigning gay mecca has a big year ahead. In January, Olivia  Cruises, the only company in the world offering cruise vacations just for women, will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a Caribbean itinerary departing from Fort Lauderdale and headlined by the Indigo Girls. In April, the city will host Pride of the Americas, a first of its kind celebration recognizing South Florida’s status as the gateway to Latin America; it’s expected to draw upwards of 350,000 visitors for a week of revelry.

London

LGBTQ, London

We can think of a million reasons to visit the U.K.’s out and proud capital, including a pound that continues to fall against the dollar (hello, cheap Europe!), but 2020 boasts another great reason—the first ever Muslim Pride. As of October, a £10,000, or $13,000, fundraiser goal had been reached for a first-of-its-kind event to be held in spring recognizing the ongoing struggle of Muslim LGBTQIA+ people. Beyond the fest, this city has always been fit for a queen and by that we mean afternoon tea in neighborhoods that are twee, tasty suds in charming pubs and queer London nights that feel so right!

Taiwan
 

Homosexuality has never been illegal in Taiwan, a small, but densely packed island nation which did the unheard of in May 2019 when it legalized gay marriage—a first for Asia. Months later, its October Gay Pride in capital city Taipei shattered attendance records making 2020 the time to visit this fascinating country. Taipei arguably boasts the largest gay nightlife scene in Asia. Drink and be a Mary at the Red House Complex (a building housing lots of gay bars), but save time for island attractions like mega-skyscraper Taipei 101, Taroko National Park, Sun Moon Lake, Rainbow Village and more.

Provincetown, MA

Provincetown, P-Town

New England’s super gay hamlet should make this list every year, right? Yeah, probably. But recent Orbitz data revealed P-Town boasted more hotel bookings for its 2019 Pride than any other U.S. city (including NYC which was celebrating Stonewall 50!). The reason? In all its decades as a reigning gay mecca, Provincetown never had a Pride Week—until 2018.  Celebrating its third year in June 2020, P-Town Pride is a chance to ditch congested legacy events like Bear Week, Girl Splash and Carnival and instead hoist the rainbow flag high at an (almost) brand new tradition.

ALSO: Earn travel rewards at tall these LGBTQ and millions more with Orbitz Rewards—it’s free to join!

Costa Rica

surfers, lgbtq

Dreamy sunsets, mischievous howler monkeys and a pura vida mentality. Seriously, what’s not to love about Central America’s most sought after destination? How about marriage equality, which washes up on the country’s rainbow shores beginning May 26, 2020? Picture an oceanfront wedding in gay-friendly Manuel Antonio followed by a hot springs soak at Arenal Volcano, hanging with humpback whales off the Pacific coast, queer bar hopping in San Jose and, of course, making whoopie in a honeymoon suite at an eco-friendly, luxury tree house.

Long Beach, CA

long beach, california

Why Long Beach? Because this overlooked harbor town of a half million people just 30 minutes south of downtown Los Angeles has emerged into a full-fledged gay mecca—and it’s time you visited. Zip around the city via electric scooter to take in sights like Harvey Milk Promenade Park, gay bar strip Rainbow Row (the city boasts almost a dozen queer bars/clubs), funky food hall the Hangar and ‘hoods like Belmont Shore and Naples—an island within an island within a city. The mayor is queer, so is native daughter Billie Jean King, plus the gayest named ship in the world—the Queen Mary—retired here.

Colombia

Hear that sound? It’s the shattering of a glass ceiling. In October, Bogota elected its first openly lesbian mayor of a capital city in Latin America. Additionally, LGBTQ rights are among the most progressive in South America (same-sex marriage was legalized in 2016) and the country offers a treasure trove of attractions like Cartagena‘s colorful Spanish colonial buildings, the Coffee Triangle and the super tall palm trees of the Cocora Valley, the Rainbow River and Bogota nightlife, including queer mega club Theatron.

Indiana

gay, LGBTQIA

Because Mayor Pete, that’s why. Admit it, ever since the South Bend native announced his candidacy for President, you’ve been a little Hoosier curious. In Indianapolis, there’s a bumping gay scene plus happening ‘hoods like Fountain Square and Mass Ave; cutesy and progressive college town Bloomington boasts excellent queer bar the Back Door; and the beaches at Indiana Dunes National Park are sublime. As for South Bend, there are a few gay bars, plus you can see St. Joseph High School where Buttiegeg graduated as class valedictorian and Cathedral of St. James where he is a congregant.

Zipolite, Mexico

zipolite, mexico

The secret about this breezy, Oaxacan beach town and boho gay paradise is nearly out, so don’t blame us when it becomes overrun. In case you’re still in the dark, Zipolite is home to Mexico’s only legal nude beach, a two-kilometer stretch of Pacific Ocean-facing sand that’s lined with shops, restaurants and hotels (many of which are gay owned and operated). The gayest sections of the beach are near LGBTQ-frequented hotels like El Alquimista and Heven, and on the opposite end at Playa del Amor (where there’s plenty of open displays of same-sex amor, wink wink). Enjoy your moment in the sun before the town gets too popular—which might be soon.

Greece

gay, lgbt, pool

Greece is the word. And not because gay men will rush to Mykonos in summer to catch rays in their bikinis or that cultured queers will rush to Athens to explore the Acropolis and Parthenon. But rather 2020 is a spotlight year because second city Thessaloníki will host EuroPride the last week of June. which means thousands of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender folks from across the globe will descend upon this sunny port city for 8 days of revelry and reflection. Of course, you’d be a fool to travel all this way and not explore the rest of the country. Hint: Book your Mykonos hotel now!

Orbitz, app, iPhone, travel, deals

Tagged: Asia, California, Costa Rica, Europe, Florida, Fort Lauderdale, Greece, Latin America, London, Los Angeles, Mexico, Top 10 Lists

Note: Orbitz compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site.

Jason Heidemann

Jason Heidemann

Jason is a Lead Content Specialist for Expedia Group, and manages content initiatives across numerous Expedia-owned brands. His work has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Time Out, the Huffington Post, Chicago Magazine, Passport and many others.

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