Henry Hudson was a 17th-century English explorer who made several attempts to find a passage through the Americas to China and India. While he didn’t find one (although to be fair to Henry, there wasn’t one to be found), he did return many times to explore the area, discovering the natural harbor that became New York City. His findings encouraged some of the first settlers to head for the New World. Hudson Bay in Canada and the Hudson River in New York are both named after him.

 

“What we love about Henry Hudson is that he was a gentleman driven by a passion for adventure and discovery, a man who inspired thousands of people to follow in his footsteps,” said the publishers at gestalten. “We couldn’t think of any better inspiration for our brand.”

 

LGBTQ people are cultural explorers. Throughout history, it’s been true in art, dance, fashion. No news there. But what about the paths they’ve blazed as travelers? Turns out where they go, the world follows, but this insight has been widely overlooked—until now with the new book, Mr. Hudson Explores: The Gay Man’s Travel Companion from publishers, gestalten.

 

Where LGBTQ travelers in the not-so-distant past were limited to a handful of safe and welcoming destinations, they’re now more adventurous than ever in their travel. The swiftly shifting dynamics of queer travel are on full display in this book’s 300 vibrant pages, highlighting exceptional experiences in 20 international cities, offering curated guides for carefully selected global destinations, backed-up by in-depth features and remarkable photographs.

 

Hot off the press, Mr. Hudson Explores: The Gay Man’s Travel Companion,  highlights the beautiful, authentic, and diverse places LGBTQ travelers seek out. Instead of focusing on saunas, bathhouses, cruising, and bars like most travel content for gay men, pioneering gay men’s travel website MrHudson.com understands not all gay men want a “gay holiday.”

 

Not just for men, Mr. Hudson Explores is the ideal travel companion for the discerning LGBTQ traveler, who’s keen to ensure their trips are full of incredible experiences—especially for those who love to explore in style, offering a collection of places and events that reflect the local perspective and way of life. Organizations, businesses, and initiatives that get it right by being inclusive and relevant. This guide takes you to who crafts the best cocktails, serves the tastiest food, showcases the edgiest, most creative talent, sells the most beautiful souvenirs and gifts, and, of course, throws the best parties.

 

As more and more countries begin to recognize same-sex relationships, travel has become decidedly more accessible for LGBTQ people, and in some places is actively encouraged,” said Mr. Hudson Co-Founder and CEO Bastiaan Ellen. “The LGBTQ community—who hold passports at more than double the rate the rest of the US population—is striking out farther and wider than ever before.”

 

While queer travelers are in no way a homogenous group, many like to explore in style. When we travel, we want to stay somewhere truly different and special. Research requires visiting a lot of different websites. Most gay travel sites are focused on the local gay scene. Generic hotel booking sites don’t necessarily understand LGBTQ requirements (like one bed for couples), or share our sense of style. Mr. Hudson brings these things together in one place. The book and website curate the most alluring destinations for culture and art, the most inspiring museums to visit, traditional and up-and-coming food places, best shopping experiences, hotels, music, and nightlife.

 

Mr. Hudson maps the big-hitters such as Paris, London, and New York City with a different perspective, and samples the way through less-charted territories such as Shanghai, Portland, and Tel Aviv. En route they’ll introduce you to charismatic locals—each with a personal take on their city and a compelling story. They’ve curated the best a destination has to offer—from hotels, culture and shopping, to memorable drinking and dining experiences. “These are destinations for gays, but not necessarily gay destinations,” is how founder Bastiaan Ellen puts it.

 

By the way, Mr. Hudson warmly invites all travelers to visit the destinations they love. Traveling single, as a couple, or with a group, every bon vivant is bound to find a few treasures with Mr. Hudson.

 

About Mr Hudson Co-Founder and CEO

Bastiaan Ellen is a seasoned traveler and e-commerce marketing expert for over two decades, who has held senior international positions at Expedia, Thomas Cook, and eBay. Frustrated with the lack of relevant quality travel content for gay men, he co-founded Mr. Hudson in 2016 with his husband, David. Check out his fascinating interview at BerlinTravelFestival.com

 

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Visit MrHudsonExplores.com for more about the most exciting LGBTQ vacation spots, honeymoon destinations. Check out the more from new book, Mr. Hudson Explores: The Gay Man’s Travel Companion from US.gestalten.com

Available at Amazon.com 312 pages, hardcover, 7” x 9.5” for $26.43. SRP $40.

Check out Instagram: #MrHudsonExplores

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