Put a Rainbow Stamp in Your Passport with ToursByLocals

Paul Melhus started ToursByLocals in 2008 with his husband, Dave Vincent, after the couple enjoyed an impromptu tour of the Great Wall of China by a pair of local women. The experience sparked an idea: Why not create a service that brings travelers together with knowledgeable residents – people who don't just know historical dates but who can speak to the character of a place from their own experience?

Since the founding of the Vancouver-based company, ToursByLocals has grown to have a presence in more than 1,500 cities worldwide. LGTBQ-themed tours emerged as a subset of services due to the guides' interests, Melhus told EDGE.

"It's not like we've specifically sought out LGBTQ-friendly tours," Melhus said. "It's just a natural evolution" of the company's mission to bring travelers a more authentic experience. Although, he added, "We do have quite a few guides on the website who are gay. And we certainly encourage them to show off the gay side of the place where they live."

That means that the company can connect knowledgeable guides with travelers curious about the LGBTQ history or culture of a gay hub, Melhus said, like "Stonewall in New York, or the Castro in San Francisco. But there's quite a number of international destinations as well," he added.

Gay tourism is a growth industry, though there are exceptions: The company used to offer LGBTQ-themed tours of St. Petersburg and Moscow, for instance, but "those have all disappeared," Melhus told EDGE. (Though, he added, "I know who to talk to in St. Petersburg if you want a gay-friendly tour, " and even travelers without a knowledgeable connection in the travel industry "could probably figure it out - it's not that hard.")

"We're all about inclusion," Melhus told EDGE. "And you know, where we really made a difference is to provide a platform for people to tell these stories."

As COVID-19 restricts lift, travel destinations in Europe and around the globe begin to open up again, and pandemic-weary travelers emerge once more, travel is expected to boom. LGBTQ travel companies are ready to meet the demand.

Melhus was optimistic about the prospects of both ToursByLocals and the hard-hit travel industry as a whole. Though he noted that early signs point to an "American-centric" travel rebound.

"Boston is actually our number one destination," said Melhus with an eye on international travel. "Europe is opening up to Americans," he pointed out; "you can go to Greece quite easily," and "Iceland is another place where fully-vaccinated Americans are very welcome."

Well-known destinations are a draw, but that can also be a drawback, with overtourism a real risk. Melhus told EDGE that ToursByLocals is working on expanding into lesser-known locales.

"Our mission at ToursByLocals is private tours everywhere people travel," he said. Based on research, he added, "There are around 3,500 locations where we could have tour guides. We are currently only in about 1600, so we're just barely halfway there."

Below are a few options for LGBTQ tours in the U.S. and abroad that provide a sense of queer history and culture in some of the world's most beautiful and iconic cities.

PARIS, FRANCE
What could be more cosmopolitan than LGBTQ Paris? Your guide David assembles tours according to your interests. He includes a wealth of must-see destinations on this full-day outing, such as the Arc de Triomphe, Opera Garnier, Place des Vosges, Moulin Rouge, Notre Dame, and - mais oui! - Le Marais, the famed gay Parisian neighborhood where "gay bars, shops, and nightlife tips" await. (7 hours / $499 per tour; eight people max. Bring extra cash: Approximately 30 euros is recommended for the bus/metro day pass and lunch. An orientation map is included. Tours can also be conducted in Spanish.)

FLORENCE, ITALY
Imagine strolling through the streets of Florence with Mila, from Republic Square to Pitti Palace, to the Old Bridge and Ancient Gay District, taking in the city's beauty and culture along with tales of "how the daily life for gay people was here, during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance era" – not to mention learning about how, despite the anti-LGBTQ laws and attitudes of those times, "many famous artists and aristocrats had 'secret' and forbidden relationships." (2 hours 30 minutes / $221 per tour; six people max. Please note: COVID-19 safety precautions required - face masks, social distancing. Headsets are provided.)

ZAGREB, CROATIA
Zana escorts her guests to Zagreb's highlights, including the famed neo-Gothic cathedral with its two great spires and the Dolac Market. But Zana, who grew up in the city, will also guide you through the neighborhoods of her youth. Another unique perspective is available for an additional fee: Coffee with a writer friend of Zana's who shares "stories and history of a gay scene in Croatia." (2 hours / $131 per tour; 10 people max. Bring extra cash: Approximately 150 kuna [about 20 euros] for food, extra costs for special guests, and the entrance fee to the Zagreb Eye.)

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
Your guide Emil charts a course through gay Stockholm that begins in the Östermalm District with a route and itinerary tailored to your interests and the season. Emil writes in his tour description: "On the way, you will learn queer rumors and scandals about the Swedish royal history, about the park where soldiers sold their bodies to other men, and where to meet queer people today." (6 hours / $400 per tour; eight people max. Bring extra cash: Approximately 1,000 krona [about 100 euros] is recommended for public transportation, snacks and a meal at the tour's end.)

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
Closer to home – and yet still a fabled place - is San Francisco, where Roberto – a native of Italy, but also a world traveler – reveals the sweet spots of the Mission District and the Castro, one of the world capitals of the LGBTQ community and home to "stunning Victorian architecture and a trendy yet relaxed atmosphere." (3 hours, 30 minutes / $295 per tour; eight people max. Bring extra cash: Approximately $20 is recommended for food, drinks, and souvenirs. A bottle of water, masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer are included.)