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  • Issue #10: 🌈 Pride Without the Parade: Wild Escapes When You Crave Space

Issue #10: 🌈 Pride Without the Parade: Wild Escapes When You Crave Space

WHAT YOU’LL FIND IN THIS ISSUE:

  • Why skipping the parade doesn't mean skipping Pride

  • 3 destinations that mix LGBTQ+ acceptance with off-grid adventure

  • How to balance celebration with quiet connection

  • Activity ideas for couples and small groups (no matching t-shirts required)

  • Tools, links, and quick planning tips

MAIN FEATURE:

You Can Still Honour Pride, Even If You Hate Confetti

Let’s be clear: I love Pride.


I love the joy, the resistance, the unapologetic queerness.


But not everyone thrives in a packed crowd, wrist-deep in glitter, with thumping music and nowhere to wee.

And that doesn’t mean you don’t care, or aren’t proud enough, or aren’t doing Pride “properly.”

For some of us, whether we’re introverts, neurodivergent, burnt out, or just ageing like fine queer wine (I’ll pick this category, although I’m also burnt out pretty much!), the best way to celebrate Pride is with space, nature, and the freedom to be ourselves.

This issue is for those who want to mark the moment, but differently.

Pride-Adjacent Escapes Worth Planning Now

Iceland: Soak in Queer Freedom + Natural Heat

Yes, Reykjavík Pride isn’t until August, but that gives you time to plan a trip that blends wildness and visibility.

What to do:

  • Plan a south coast road trip: waterfalls, black beaches, glacier lagoons

  • Hike through Reykjadalur Hot Springs Valley — a natural hot river you can bathe in

  • Use ReykjavĂ­k as your base if you want to dip into the Pride programme 

  • Travel with 2–4 people and split car hire + Airbnbs for affordability

Who it’s good for:
Small groups of friends who want to feel free, safe, and held by nature — with the option to party at the end of the trip.

Northern Spain: Forests, Cliffs & a Softer Kind of Celebration

While Madrid Pride (early July) gets the headlines, the north of Spain offers something gentler, LGBTQ-friendly communities, wild beaches, and the kind of freedom that’s quiet, not shouty.

What to do:

  • Hike Camino del Norte segments, such as a short stretch from San SebastiĂĄn to Zumaia

  • Visit Playa de Gulpiyuri or Playa del Silencio for stunning, under-touristed coastlines

  • Pair your escape with a few days in Bilbao or Oviedo, where Pride is more local, less commercial

  • Book group rooms in LGBTQ-owned guesthouses or self-catering villas with shared kitchens

Who it’s good for:
Couples or close-knit friend groups who want nature, wine, walks, and meaningful conversation, without the crowd anxiety.

❝

Plan the vibe, not just the logistics. Make space for introverts, extroverts, and quiet wanderers.

MontrĂ©al + QuĂ©bec’s National Parks: A Choose-Your-Own-Pride Adventure

Here’s the play: head to MontrĂ©al just before FiertĂ© Pride (late July–Aug), soak in a bit of city energy, then retreat into the pine forests and lakes of rural QuĂ©bec.

What to do:

  • Spend 1–2 nights in MontrĂ©al’s gay village, then road trip to Mont-Tremblant

  • Paddle in glacier-fed lakes and hike shaded trails

  • Cook meals together, bring a playlist, and raise a glass to whoever made this possible

  • You can re-enter Pride mode when you’re ready, the city’s only a couple of hours away

Who it’s good for:
Those craving balance loud and soft, city and trees, dancefloor and silence.

Planning Tips for Pride Season Your Way

  • Don’t skip Pride reshape it. A lakeside Pride picnic with friends is still Pride.

  • Think of nature as the recovery space, not the replacement.

  • Build your own group ritual: bring books, wear the rainbow on the trail, raise a toast at sunset.

  • Travel with people who respect how you recharge. Not everyone needs confetti to feel proud.

  • Book now. June–August gets snapped up fast especially gay-friendly Airbnbs and campsites.

💬 OUTRO

There’s no one way to celebrate Pride.


Maybe yours is in a crowd. Maybe it’s on a cliff. Whatever it is, do it on purpose.

Got your own off-the-grid plans for Pride Season? Hit reply, I’d love to feature a few in a future issue.

What’s Inspiring Us This Week:

What I’m bookmarking:
Hinsegin Dagar Pride Iceland’s official programme, if you’re planning a soft Pride add-on.

What I’m trying:
Starting a “Pride journal” one page a day through June about what queerness means to me, this year.

What I’m listening to:
Rigour and Flow — a thoughtful, curious podcast from dear friends about living with both intensity and ease. Feels right for Pride season reflections.

Who I’m inspired by:
The travel energy over at @27travels — joyful, honest, and rooted in queer connection. Worth a scroll if you’re feeling stuck.

That’s a Wrap! Here’s how we help:
  • We plan LGBTQ+ adventure travel for you, saving you the headache

  • Whether you’re hiking near home or planning a big escape, we got tips!

  • Got a favourite city you want us to feature next? Email me— I’m listening

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Until next time,

Go beyond the usual