Lonely Planet the LGBTQ+ Travel Guide: Interviews, Itineraries, & Inspiration from Insiders in 50 Proud Places

Journalist Valenski spotlights 20 of the world’s “most dynamic queer-travel destinations” in this vibrant and visually appealing debut. Aiming to highlight cites where LGBTQ+ people can be “unapologetically themselves,” she visits “eclectic” Johannesburg, South Africa, where travelers can attend events held by queer-led and woman-focused groups, among them Same Sex Saturday and Rainbow Social; Bangkok, Thailand, where RuPaul’s Drag Queen judge Pangina Heals—a native to the city—suggests a host of queer-friendly nightlife spots (including House of Heals, her own “jungle-inspired drag club”); and Valletta, Malta, which boasts numerous queer-owned art galleries and music bars, as well as Rosa Kwir, the country’s first LGBTQ+ archive. Testimonials from frequent travelers and locals on what it means to be queer in each city lend authenticity, and the author provides useful resources to help readers understand their rights in each country. Enlivened with lush, full-color photos, this will give queer travelers a serious case of wanderlust. (Mar.)