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

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 Reykjavík 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.

👉 Reykjavík Pride info

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 Sebastián 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.

Montréal + Québec’s National Parks: A Choose-Your-Own-Pride Adventure

Here’s the play: head to Montréal just before Fierté Pride (late July–Aug), soak in a bit of city energy, then retreat into the pine forests and lakes of rural Québec.

What to do:

• Spend 1–2 nights in Montréal’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.