Gays Reading SPILL THE TEA on LGBTQ+ Travel with Alicia Valenski
May 15, 2025
Alicia Valenski, a travel writer and author of Lonely Planet’s LGBTQ+ Travel Guide, shares her journey in crafting a comprehensive guide for queer travelers. She emphasizes blending practical safety tips with joyful stories from LGBTQ+ insiders. Alicia discusses how personal connections shaped the book’s unique format, highlighting unexpected destinations and local queer-friendly gems. She reflects on the importance of representation in travel and shares her thoughts on safety, making this guide a vital resource for adventure-seeking queer individuals.
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Community-First Travel Narrative
- Alicia made the book community-driven by centering queer insiders rather than a single author's list.
- This approach blends practical travel tips with personal stories to reflect lived queer experiences.
Balance Safety With Celebration
- Provide concise practical safety info alongside celebratory queer content.
- Include emergency numbers and clear planning details while keeping tone joyful.
Guest-Book Origins In Amsterdam
- Alicia started by compiling visitor notes for friends in Amsterdam and realized her guest-book format worked for many travelers.
- Her ADHD-style mix of context, bolded points, maps, links, and photos became the book's structure.
