Article by Maya Vukovska
Raise your hand if you want to travel your ass off this summer, but not spend a fortune. Just what I thought - a sea of hands. Well, I have a solution for you, so get ready to crack open Тripadvisor and book your next gay-friendly, low-cost hotspot in Europe.
Prague
The Czech Republic is probably the most liberal and progressive of all the former Eastern Block countries in regard to LGBTQ rights. It was the first post-communist country to legalize same-sex partnerships - even before the UK! The bottom line is that you are going to feel completely safe in Prague.
Now, after clarifying this important aspect, let’s move to the budget part. Prices of the basic products in Prague are much lower than in the US. If you are staying in a hostel, it will be $30/night, a 3-star hotel costs approximately a hundred dollars, and a room at a luxury hotel is… hold on to your hat!… only $145!
With the great beer they sell literally around every corner, it is impossible to stay sober (a bottle of well-known brand costs less than two bucks!), you’d better forget about renting a car, and use public transport instead. Or take a cab - for a 1 km ride you pay $1.14. All in all, for a cheap one-week stay in Prague you won’t need more than $500!
NB! Be extra careful with the local currency - Koruna (CZK). There are 6 banknotes with the following values: 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, and 5000. The currency exchange rate is $1 USD = 22 CZK.
Zagreb
Seriously, your eyes will just sparkle at the sight of Croatia’s crystal blue waters and the town of Zagreb is the absolute winner of the astounding Croatian coast. Some travelers even call it “the next Prague,” and not without a reason: we are talking vibrant food markets, superb greenery, lots of street festivals, and last but not least, a great gay scene. This should be your next summer destination if you are dreaming of traveling without to-do lists and getting around in a laid-back style. Now, if I have succeeded in capturing your attention, here’s some practical information about the prices. The currency in Croatia is Euro, so it won’t be a problem for you to do the math. In Zagreb, a typical fast food meal costs $7, but if you prefer to dine with more style, a 3-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant will be $50. A bottle of wine bought from a supermarket is $6.50, and half a liter of domestic beer is $1.50. A night in a hostel is $26. FYI, it’s $143 in a 5-star hotel.
If you opt for the cheapest version, your trip to Croatia will cost you only $400 per person for one week.
Corfu
The Greek island of Mykonos is among the top five most popular gay destinations in Europe. And precisely that’s why, it is also among the most expensive ones. As your Good Godmother, I cannot promise to turn you into a princess, but I surely can offer you a backup plan for your Greek vacation this year - it won’t cost a fortune, but it will be equally pleasurable.
The island of Corfu is nested in the heart of the Ionian Sea, just off the Albanian-Greek border. It is home to historic places, fantastic beaches (some of which are highly preferred by homosexual couples, singles, and nudists!), and few, but really top-rated gay-friendly bars and clubs, where night hawkers can engage in midnight activities to their liking.
My number one advice for those who want to save money eating out in Corfu is this: Stay away from restaurants in the main tourist area. And number 2 will be: Instead of ordering a three-course meal, opt for the Greek tradition of meze - small dishes of appetizers and snacks which are much cheaper than a full meal, but equally satisfying. The currency is Euro. The cheapest possible 7-day stay on the island comes up to only $550.
Sunny Beach
This resort on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast appeals mostly to young and low-income travelers, and it is not exactly for its waterfronts and sand dunes, but for its thrumming nightlife. Rumour has it that some of the tourists party so hard that upon their arrival home, they can hardly remember which country they have just been to. I have to be honest, though, and say that there is a downside to this particular choice of travel destination. Bulgaria’s level of homophobia is not as high as in Russia, and still, the attitude is far from accepting. BUT! The good news is that Sunny Beach is not really Bulgaria, and the locals are used to literally everything.
The currency is Bulgarian Lev (BGN), and 1 USD =1.80 BGN. A McMeal or similar combo mean is $7, and an espresso is $1.30. If you are a smoker, a pack of local cigarettes is $2.53. A night at a 3-star hotel costs $47, but staying at in 5-stаr hotel won’t hit you big in the pocket - only $88/night. So, depending on your budget, you may spend from 430 to 1,380 USD for seven days in Sunny Beach.
