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- Issue #10: đ Pride Without the Parade: Wild Escapes When You Crave Space
Issue #10: đ Pride Without the Parade: Wild Escapes When You Crave Space
WHAT YOUâLL 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
Letâs 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 doesnât mean you donât care, or arenât proud enough, or arenât doing Pride âproperly.â
For some of us, whether weâre introverts, neurodivergent, burnt out, or just ageing like fine queer wine (Iâll pick this category, although Iâm 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, ReykjavĂk Pride isnât 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 â a natural hot river you can bathe in
Use ReykjavĂk as your base if you want to dip into the Pride programme
Travel with 2â4 people and split car hire + Airbnbs for affordability
Who itâs good for:
Small groups of friends who want to feel free, safe, and held by nature â 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 thatâs 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 itâs 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©becâs National Parks: A Choose-Your-Own-Pride Adventure
Hereâs the play: head to MontrĂ©al just before FiertĂ© Pride (late JulyâAug), soak in a bit of city energy, then retreat into the pine forests and lakes of rural QuĂ©bec.
What to do:
Spend 1â2 nights in MontrĂ©alâs 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 youâre ready, the cityâs only a couple of hours away
Who itâs good for:
Those craving balance loud and soft, city and trees, dancefloor and silence.

Planning Tips for Pride Season Your Way
Donât 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. JuneâAugust gets snapped up fast especially gay-friendly Airbnbs and campsites.
đŹ OUTRO
Thereâs no one way to celebrate Pride.
Maybe yours is in a crowd. Maybe itâs on a cliff. Whatever it is, do it on purpose.
Got your own off-the-grid plans for Pride Season? Hit reply, Iâd love to feature a few in a future issue.
Whatâs Inspiring Us This Week:
What Iâm bookmarking:
Hinsegin Dagar Pride Icelandâs official programme, if youâre planning a soft Pride add-on.
What Iâm trying:
Starting a âPride journalâ one page a day through June about what queerness means to me, this year.
What Iâm listening to:
Rigour and Flow â a thoughtful, curious podcast from dear friends about living with both intensity and ease. Feels right for Pride season reflections.
Who Iâm inspired by:
The travel energy over at @27travels â joyful, honest, and rooted in queer connection. Worth a scroll if youâre feeling stuck.
Thatâs a Wrap! Hereâs how we help:
We plan LGBTQ+ adventure travel for you, saving you the headache
Whether youâre hiking near home or planning a big escape, we got tips!
Got a favourite city you want us to feature next? Email meâ Iâm listening
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Until next time,
Go beyond the usual