5. Bangkok, Thailand 🇹🇭

Thailand’s capital has been one of Asia’s most LGBTQ-accepting cities for more than twenty years. Recently Thailand increased the legal rights for people in same-sex partnerships and opened its first hospital dedicated to gender reassignment surgeries. 

Bangkok’s Silom district is considered the largest gay entertainment area in Asia, and an area that’s open all hours. With a bustle of bars, nightclubs and esoteric entertainment venues, there’s plenty to keep you busy. 

Besides nightlife, Bangkok offers plenty of temples and architectural wonders. It’s easy to get around, with tuk tuks or taxis easy enough to flag down. And with shopping malls, street food stands and a range of markets, shops and sites to discover, no two days will be the same.

One thing to know about Thailand is public displays of affection and expressions of strong emotion are not common sights. It’s best to keep anything beyond hugging or hand-holding to more private spaces.

While Thailand has embraced digital payments, many smaller businesses still prefer cash. With your Zing card, it’s easy to withdraw money internationally. Your first withdrawal per month is Zing fee-free!

4. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 🇲🇽 

Puerto Vallarta is a paradise for LGBTQ travellers. It’s a resort town and favourite among US tourists for its beautiful beaches, lively nightlife and welcoming community.

Check out the centre of all the LGBTQ+ action at Zona Romántica – where charming cafes and cobblestone streets live side by side with overflowing gay bars and clubs. There’s also Los Muertos beach, a popular hotspot where you'll find outlets for watersports and plenty of restaurants. If you go in summer, grab a Purple Hand beer and join the Pride parade held every year in Puerto Vallarta.

Overall Mexico is one of the more accepting countries for LGBTQ+ individuals and rights, having legalised LGBTQ+ sexuality and identities since 1871. Mexico’s indigenous Zapotec people recognise a third gender – the muxe. They’re people who are respected for expressing both masculine and feminine traits, so much so that they are celebrated with a three-day festival – Vela de las Intrepidas.

But while generally a safe haven for the LGBTQ, it pays to reserve some discretion in public spaces around Mexico, particularly at religious sites and in more rural areas (the latter of which protective policies and accepting attitudes can be inconsistent).

Nevertheless if you wish to tick Mexico off your list, pocket your Zing card to make holding and spending pesos a breeze.

3. Sitges, Spain 🇪🇸

Sitges is one of the gay holiday capitals of the world (up there with Ibiza and Gran Canaria, both also in Spain). It’s a coastal town that’s a short drive from Barcelona, boasting sunny beaches, the liveliest nightlife around, and a rich cultural heritage.

Unlike other sites that sometimes seem to only celebrate LGBTQ culture in the backstreets, you’ll find that Sitges is loud and proud. Many of its clubs, bars and sex shops are unafraid to take up space on the main strip. 

Besides living the laid back life, the big difference between Sitges and the rest of Spain (and other places for that matter) is the openness towards public displays of affection and being able to express yourself. It’s why thousands of LGBTQ+ visit – some go back every year. 

With a local pride parade every year, and Barcelona a short drive away to scratch that cultural itch, Sitges is a no-brainer for travellers looking to make friends, find love and celebrate being themselves.

Just top up your Euro wallet and you’re good to go.

2. Berlin, Germany 🇩🇪 

History buffs will love exploring Berlin’s museums, streets, parks and more. Yet Berlin also offers a thriving LGBTQ scene beyond the usual holiday fare as one of Europe’s most progressive countries. 

Berlin’s nightclubs are recognised globally as legendary, no matter your identity or sexuality. SchwuZ and Berghain are the two most popular but there are plenty to fit any kind of niche and interest. 

There’s obviously a Pride parade every summer but also Christopher Street Day held near the end of July – a day Berliners take to the streets to celebrate and advocate equal rights. There are plenty of LGBTQ events all year round such as dedicated Christmas markets, film festivals, and seasonal drag shows.

It doesn’t get more welcoming than Berlin. According to Gay Travel, 1 in 10 Berlin residents is gay or bisexual. While no city is perfect, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more tolerant place to have your holiday.

All you need from Zing is your Euro wallet topped up and ready to spend. With conversion fees from 0.2%, a great tip is to make one big top-up and spend locally out of your Euro wallet. It means no international fees every time you use your multi-currency card locally.

1. Mykonos, Greece 🇬🇷

The Greek Island of Mykonos is an LGBTQ paradise. Beyond blue ocean, sizzling beaches and whitewashed buildings, it is well known for being a luxurious yet inclusive holiday experience. 

Where other islands may feel more conservative owing to their Orthodox Christian roots, Mykonos is definitely the most accepting, with most accommodation being LGBTQ friendly. Many of its beaches have a de facto LGBTQ side to them, while the centre of town, known as Chora, boasts some of the most popular gay nightclubs.

But here's the big thing about Mykonos – more than 30,000 LGBTQ travellers attend XLSIOR every year, a long-running international LGBTQ festival featuring world-class music, dance and partying. It’s probably the biggest, gayest holiday pilgrimage out there.

And it’d be rude to party without your Zing card to make cash withdrawals, local spending and moving your money around easy and worry-free.

The international travel card for LGBTQ holidays

Whoever you love, whatever your truth, wherever you go, do your Zing. 

Inspired to travel to any of these destinations? Download the Zing app as the worry-free way to hold, send and spend international currencies abroad.