Michael and Matt’s
Gay Travel Blog
Recent Posts
Bermuda Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors
Honestly we never really considered making the trip out to Bermuda until recently, but we are so glad we made the spontaneous decision to go. The archipelago has more to offer than we could’ve ever imagined. We cannot believe it’s taken us this long to get to this gem in the middle of the Atlantic.
Bermuda is unexpected, underrated, and extraordinary. Once we had spent just 24 hours there, Bermuda already had our hearts! We were amazed at the crystal blue water and pink sand beaches scattered all over the island. We loved learning about the island's architecture, culture, and history. It was incredibly interesting to be in such a tropical place with a tradition of afternoon tea and pictures of Queen Elizabeth everywhere. We only wish we had more time to take it all in, but of course, we cannot wait to get back to Bermuda one day and again cheers with a Dark and Stormy in hand.
Conveniently located in the mid-Atlantic, Bermuda is less than a two-hour flight from most east coast gateways, Bermuda is perfect for getaways year-round.
Visiting Bermuda for the first time, the cost can be intimidating. As an isolated set of islets, Bermuda boasts itself as a luxury tourist destination. Where it asks for high dollars, it does not fall short of delivering a quality vacation you’ll never forget. This is a destination you’ll want to pull all the stops for, which is why we recommend planning your trip well in advance and opting to stay at a hotel or resort that will have everything you need to make it the trip of your dreams.
How to Make a Dark and Stormy | Bermuda's Signature Cocktail Recipe
What is a Dark and Stormy?
Simply put, a Dark and Stormy (otherwise known as Dark ‘N’ Stormy) is a cocktail served on the rocks in a highball glass with dark rum and ginger beer and garnished with a fresh slice of lime.
We first got tried the Dark and Stormy at its classic home—in Hamilton, Bermuda. Crisp turquoise waters surrounding, we checked into the Hamilton Princess to find the supplies to make a Dark and Stormy there waiting for us on the balcony. The humidity hit us like an ocean wave, but looking out to the paradise beyond was enough inspiration to take a seat in the sun and enjoy a taste of Bermuda’s most coveted beverage.
A Weekend in Nashville | What to do, Where to Eat and Where to Stay
Nashville is known for several things but most notably, Nashville is known for its country music scene and is the definition of what a music scene should offer. There are dive bars, open mic nights and honky tonks lined along Broadway - the main music strip in Nashville.
Top 10 Best Restaurants San Diego
If you have never been to San Diego, there are so many things to do and places to see and food to eat. You have to experience some of San Diego’s amazing culinary options and indulge yourself in the Global food scene that is offered. These are the top 10 restaurants in San Diego that you must try if you are visiting or if you live there.
Juneau Alaska Travel Guide | Best Things to Do & Where to Eat
We never thought much about making the trek up to Juneau, Alaska, but when the opportunity presented itself and we felt a touch of spontaneity, we hopped on a short flight schedule from Portland, and we are so glad we did. Juneau Alaska is surrounded by beauty—mountains, rivers, ocean, and ice collide in a beautiful and wild way. Though Juneau is located on a peninsula, it feels very much like an island, as it’s only accessible by plane or boat. You can only drive about an hour in any one direction into the wilderness before you can’t drive any further. It is so isolated and yet so full of culture, great food, and spirit! Juneau is one of the most underrated places we’ve ever had the pleasure to visit.
There’s so much to do and see in the area, we wanted to create a short guide of some of our favorite things. For those planning to venture to Juneau, make sure to also hit some of the other great spots in South East Alaska, such as Haines, Sitka, and Skagway.
Bay Area Travel Guide | What to Do & Where to Eat in Berkeley, Livermore & Tiburon
Until recently, we had yet to venture outside of San Francisco to see what else the Bay Area has to offer. We were pleasantly surprised to find that renting a car, and driving just beyond the big city, there were plenty of opportunities to explore and discover more California personality than we could have imagined. We spent a couple of days in the Livermore Tri-Valley area, then ventured to Berkeley for an immersive experience of wine tasting throughout their active industrial district, and ended the trip treating ourselves to a couple of nights in Tiburon. The trip was surprisingly charming, elegant, and full of great food and wine.
8 Must-See Beaches in Puerto Vallarta
The top 8 must-see beaches in Puerto Vallarta when you’re on vacation. These are the best beaches to visit with friends and family. Many coastal Mexican cities like Puerto Vallarta have gorgeous beaches that are blue flag certified. Visit these beaches if you’re in a hurry.
Hyatt Teams Up with Local Businesses in the Hyatt Loves Local Campaign
If you follow us on social media, you’ll already know that we recently teamed up with Hyatt to shine a light on their Hyatt Loves Local campaign. If this is the first time you’re hearing of it, stay tuned for some background on the initiative - and how we experienced it first hand through two weekend getaways over the summer!
48 Hours in San Diego | Where to Go, What to Do, and Where to Eat and Drink
Are you in San Diego for a short amount of time and want to make the most of your trip? Here are food and drink and activity options that will be fun and exciting for you, your partner and your friends.
Top 12 Beaches to Visit on Oahu
Pineapples, Jurassic Park, beaches. That’s basically all we needed to hear to know that we wanted to vacation in Hawaii. Little did we know that the sights that we would see as we traveled across the island of Oahu would be so incredibly awe-inspiring.
How to Recycle Your Dental Products
With a dentist in the house, we have plenty of dental products, many of which contain plastic. Until recently, we had no idea that we can recycle our dental products through Crest and Oral B. As we celebrate Global Recycling Day on March 18th, we wanted to show you how we are reducing our impact on the environment with this simple new tip!
Buying Our First Home as a Gay Couple | First Time Home-Owners and What to Expect
Buying a home can be a daunting task. It’s the average human’s largest purchase they will make in their life and there are a lot of unknowns; especially when it’s your first time going through the process. We wanted to share our home buying experience to outline what we experienced and help you know what to expect.
When we moved to Oregon, we set a goal: To be done renting in two years. It was a number we had discussed with financial advisors regarding home purchase vs. renting when coming out of school. They explained two to three years as a sweet spot to rent and build up some savings for a down payment. If you felt ready in two to three years, start looking! We found an amazing rental house when we first moved and were very comfortable with two years in the space as we saved for our down payment and got a few years of work under our belts.
Exploring the Beauty of Ecuador
If you ever get the chance to visit Ecuador, grab the opportunity with both hands, and don’t ever let it go! Ecuador is an extremely diverse country, with landscapes that flow from beaches to mountains to jungle. The culture and people are absolutely unique to anywhere else on earth. With tourism booming around the world and humanity having a disastrous impact on the globe’s climate, there’s no time like the present to book your trip and see the beauty of this country before it’s too late!
Six of the Best Things to do in The Netherlands
5 Great Water Activities for Your Next Vacation
It’s no secret that Michael and I sometimes disagree on what activities we want to do while traveling. when we hit the lake or go to the ocean, we may go our separate ways for a few hours to do our own water activities. While you might automatically think of lounging on the beach while on vacation, you might also want to check out some exciting activities. The ideas below are ones for those who enjoy the water and want to have some fun in the sun while on their next getaway. Hopefully, this will help narrow down your options!
A Camping Adventure in the Appalachians
Top 10 Things to Do in The Scottish Highlands
There’s no place more magical to visit than the Scottish Highlands. There is plenty to see, most notably the Isle of Skye — However, the adventures don’t stop there. There are tons of places off-the-beaten-path, and countless adventure activities that are hardly heard about outside of The Highlands. Here are just 10 of the top things to see and do in the Scottish Highlands! We hope this list helps you to plan your trip and add a few activities that will make your journey one you’ll never forget!
The 16 Best Things to Do in Portland Oregon - From a Local
Portland Oregon is a quirky, eclectic mix of crazy personalities and stunning natural beauty. Every time we fly back into Portland, we’re stunned by the view of Mount Hood overlooking the emerald green forests surrounding the city. There’s no place like it, and it continues to surprise us. The city is filled to the brim with evergreens, top-tier restaurants, green spaces, bike lanes, and unique neighborhoods. Just an hour from the coast or the mountains, the options for hiking and outdoor activities are limitless.
Hike from Boca de Tomatlan to Playa Las Animas - Puerto Vallarta
The Beginner’s Guide to Hike from Boca de Tomatlan to Playa Las Animas in Puerto Vallarta
If you’re visiting Puerto Vallarta for the first time, you can’t miss this hike! Get out of the city for the day and explore some of the most beautiful beaches the west coast of Mexico has to offer. You’ll walk by stunning vistas, expansive and empty beaches as far as your eyes can see, crystal clear turquoise water, and quite a bit of wildlife throughout the jungle. Grab your pack, head to a bus or boat and get to Boca de Tomatlan for a hike that will make you want to return to Puerto Vallarta as soon as possible!
The hike from Boca de Tomatlan takes 2 hours if you don’t make any stops. Most people plan for 4 to 6 hours on this hike.
10 Places to Eat in Puerto Vallarta - Zona Romantica
Puerto Vallarta is filled with great eating options. You just need to know where to go and what to try. This top 10 guide of places you need to eat in Puerto Vallarta will start your trip off right with some of the best eats in the city!
1. Panchos Takos — The Best Tacos al Carbon in Puerto Vallarta!
Panchos Takos was the only place our cab driver mentioned when we asked where to eat on the day we arrived and he was not wrong. Panchos opens in the evening and specializes in tacos al pastor. There is usually a line along the sidewalk waiting to be seated in their indoor/outdoor seating area. While you wait, grab a Corona or Pacifico and take a peek at the menu and mark your selections. We suggest 80% of your picks include Al Pastor ;) and don’t forget the guac!