I’m trying something new with LesbianTravel.net. I would like to get as much info as I can for my visitors, and have real women comment, rate, ask questions, and chat about the various locations. So, feel free to add your 2 cents to any of the info you read about lesbian destinations. Thanks!

By Catherine Potter, Co-owner, Bambú Lesbian Country House ApartHotel, Andalucia, Spain

00 44 (0)7840 895116 for reservations
Visit the Bambu Resort website
Rooms: 7 (double and twin suites), kitchens, outside seating areas
Amenities: Pool, weekly welcome reception
Prices: ₡55 and up
Women only

Where do lesbian families go on holiday?

The simple answer is they go to the same places as straight families. Which is nice. After all, straight, gay, what does it matter?

But wouldn’t it be nice if mum and mum could enjoy some frolicking in the pool, without shocked or overly-intrigued onlookers? Wouldn’t it be nice if the kids didn’t have to be shy about explaining why their dad isn’t on holiday with them or who the other woman is? And wouldn’t it be nice if starlit evenings could be spent exchanging anecdotes and stories with other lesbian parents and their children.

Unfortunately, and we all understand why, most lesbian hotels are adult-only environments. And what self-respecting 12 year old wants to spend their entire holiday with a bunch of ‘boring old’ women?

Indeed, when my partner Susanne and I first conceived Bambú, our Spanish lesbian holiday destination, we also presumed that it would be adult-only. Yet we have brought up two daughters of our own, so no reason for us to be prejudiced against families. Our daughters are 18 and 19 now and starting the process of moving on to new chapters in their lives. May I point out at this juncture that we were very young mothers and that we are still in the prime of our lives despite our chicks having (almost) flown the nest!

2010 is the inaugural year of Bambú. We have both given up our jobs in the rat race and are thoroughly enjoying this new challenge. It is lovely working in a women-only environment and it is lovely living and working under the Spanish sun. Everything is a little more laid back over here, a little less materialistic than Britain. It feels like a new lease of life.

But when we first started promoting our lovely lesbian paradise we very quickly hit a particularly perplexing challenge. We kept encountering requests from lesbian parents as to whether they and their children could stay. I initially fumbled around for some evasive and feeble answer, not wanting to say either no or yes. But one parent, a little more intelligent than me, suggested designating certain weeks for the exclusive enjoyment of lesbian families.

Yes, here was a solution. We don’t need to worry about lesbian couples who understandably don’t want to take their holidays in a family resort and never be able to spend a few moments on a lilo without being splashed by some underage dive-bomber. And similarly we don’t need to worry about bored children with no company of their own age, with only that bunch of ‘boring old women’ to terrorise!

So, that is what we have done. For starters, we are designating 4 weeks per year for lesbian families – the last week of May (2011 onwards), the last two weeks of August and the last week of October. School holiday dates vary across Europe but there appears to be a certain pattern whereby these weeks should suit most European nationalities. We will gauge demand but it may be the case that we add other weeks to these four.

And lo and behold, after barely a few days of promoting our lesbian family weeks, we have three bookings. So, fingers crossed, it is looking like we have hit upon a gap in the market. So it is true that lesbian parents and their children wish to holiday in an environment of people with lives and experiences similar to their own.

So, a little about Bambú before I sign off. We are a country house apart-hotel in Spain’s beautiful southern province of Andalucia, with 7 self-catering suites, which share extensive terraces and a stunning pool. The majority of the year, it will be lesbian couples or groups of friends sunning themselves by the pool but for these 4 weeks only Bambú will erupt into a lesbian family fiesta. Decibel levels will be higher, pool turbulence will be unprecedented, and tears and laughter will suffuse the air. Bambú is a great place for a holiday for adults and children alike. We are located in a stunning position – the views really take your breath away.

We are in a completely peaceful, safe and secluded rural location. However we are very close to civilisation and lots of things to see and do. Bambú is 1km from the nearest village of Benamocarra, 5km from the small historic city of Velez-Malaga and, most importantly, about 8km to the lovely and lively seaside town of Torre del Mar.

The promenade at Torre is beautiful and a pleasure all year round but in the summer months it transforms itself into a thriving Spanish holiday destination with great restaurants, fabulous markets and an electric atmosphere. We are also just 30 minutes from the lovely city of Malaga and encourage all of our guests to visit the city at least once during their stay.

Bambú is the perfect place for a lesbian holiday, whether you are a couple, a group of friends or a lesbian family!

Vertical Garden in Madrid

Spain is really progressive in terms of gay marriage and anti-discrimination laws, and it hosted EuroPride in 2007 – the biggest and baddest gay pride parade Europe had ever seen. This also means that gay Madrid is a welcoming, friendly place to be out and proud.

Where to go in Gay Madrid:

The Cheuca district (pronounced Choo-aye-kais), is the gay centre of Madrid, and most of the gay bars, shops and cafes are located here. Also, a lot of the city’s gay population lives in the neighbourhood. In recent years Madrid has earned quite the reputation as a wild party scene, so if you want to hit the town you’ve come to the right place. There are several sex bars and there is an “anything goes” vibe to many of them. Most clubs close at 4 am or so.

Pubs/Bars
Acuarela Cafe
Calle de Cravina 10
Quiet and artsy, it’s the perfect place place for a pre-party cocktail.

Cafe Stromboli
Calle de Hortaleza 96
Decor is very 1970’s, but music and crowd is current. You can get great coffee here during the day, or a drink at night.

Mama Ines
Calle de Hortaleza 22
Depending on your mood, hit the stylish Mama Ines for brunch, a light snack or a dance party depending on the time of day.

Truco
Next door to the Acuarela Cafe
This bar attracts predominantly women, but many straight people come to drink here, too.

Clubs
Cool Ballroom
Calle de Isabel la Catolica 6
Hopping gay club that occasionally hosts large gay bashes.

New Leather
Calle de Pelayo 42
The name says it all, one of the numerous gay clubs in the area.

Ohm Dance Club
Plaza del Callao 4
Word has it that lots and lots of staight guys and girls are here on the weekends. Check what night it is, as theme parties are a frequent occurrence here.

Pasapoga
Gran Via 37
Pasapoga is in an old music hall, and is home to a variety of functions in the early evenings. But come late night, it’s a gay dancing hotspot.

Queen Madrid
Calle de Barbieri 7
Queen Madrid is a classic Madrid dance club, but isn’t as packed as it used to be.

Rick’s
Calle de Clavel 8
This bar draws a crowd, and it’s a favourite among locals and visitors. Doors don’t open till 11 pm most nights.

Strong Center
Calle de Trujillo 7
Mostly for the men, this is one of those “anything goes” clubs, with a dark room for playing. This sex club slash disco draws a large crowd.

Sweet
Calle del Doctor Cortezo 1
Glam look , pretty popular gay dance club most nights.

Truck
Calle de la Libertad 28
The energy here is fun and lighthearted, and you’ll hear a mix of tunes from the 1960s.

Why Not?
Calle de San Bartolome 7
This one’s been around for a long time, and it draws a gay and straight crowd who want to dance, dance, dance.