Florida Agenda

By Paul Rubio Since the birth of the “frequent flyer” in 1981, skepticism has clouded the longevity of airline loyalty programs. Nevertheless, not economic turmoil, terrorism, oil spikes nor bankruptcies have crushed these rewards juggernauts. Frequent flyer programs and their mileage offspring are here to stay. The terms and conditions of earning and using miles, [...]

The Jewel of Scandinavia By Paul Rubio Photo: Take a Liking to a Viking in Stockholm with the M.S. Patricia While Scandinavian rivalries exist mostly in jest these days, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland still relish in a slight superiority complex over one another. Little debate persists, however, when naming the crown jewel of [...]

The Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai, Thailand By PAUL RUBIO According to western history books, northern Thailand’s glory years transpired during 19th century colonialism, when European explorers surmounted the dense jungles and vast rice fields to plant foreign roots of opulence, architecture and ideology. Yet, according to the indigenous Tai Yuan people, northern Thailand’s [...]

The Answer is a Resounding YES!!! By PAUL STALBAUM First, let me state that if you simply want to buy an airline ticket or stay in a gay B&B, you may not need the services of a travel agent. Gay travel agents, however, have been one of the cornerstone small businesses in many gay neighborhoods. [...]

One of my favorite hotels in the world is turning ten, and they’re throwing a month-long throw-down with a twist. Don’t bother bringing a gift to help The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne (www.ritzcarlton.com/keybiscayne), celebrate her birthday in style; she’s inviting guests to this party via dozens of “ten” themed promotions as a generous “thank you” to [...]

I  was completely content to have kept a low profile my first night back in West Hollywood. I definitely wanted to save my “mojo” for the mandatory Abbey weekend marathon (drinks and eye candy Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon), plus I had totally gorged on dinner and could barely move after a five-course [...]

Return to Brokeback Mountain By Paul Rubio Since hitting the big screen that  fateful weekend in 2005, Brokeback Mountain ignited a fiery GLBT love affair (and profound carnal lust) for the cowboys and snow-capped peaks of Wyoming. The romance between Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal and that unforgettable “spit” scene renewed a lost bond between [...]

Out in Los Angeles, Part 1 of 3   At the base of the Hollywood Hills and adjacent to Beverly Hills, West Hollywood  (WeHo) is L.A.’s most progressive enclave and arguably the epicenter of America’s gay universe. On a day-to-day basis, the streets of WeHo teem with gorgeous people and edgy fashions, making the true [...]

Contrary to the intentional ostentation  on neighboring St. Barths, Anguilla is a  refreshing paragon of understated exclusivity. Long known in small circles as the Caribbean’s seductive secret  hideaway, Anguilla showcases the Caribbean’s most crystalline waters and boasts a judicious selection of unpretentious, upscale accommodations. The island’s most recent addition, Ani Villas (+1.264.497.7888, www.anivillas.com), is  redefining [...]

Deep Blue Seas, Turquoise Reefs, White Sandy Beaches and Palm Trees! By Paul Rubio An incomparable showcase of Mother  Nature’s omnipotence, the Maldives merge castaway fantasy with paradisiacal reality. Scattered randomly over the far reaches of the Indian Ocean, the country’s 26 isolated atolls and surrounding waters epitomize raw beauty and simplicity. Azure waters teem [...]