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The beautiful blue Danube never looks better than when visiting Vienna. This naked traveler remembers seeing lots of hot Austrian guys cruising around the Danube - and they weren't even on the water. Vienna is a city of naked contradictions. Resplendent buildings that will knock your eyes out are a reminder of the staid and stately side of this venerable stadt. But there's also a modern, gay-friendly side filled with enough Gemütlichkeit to curl your toes with happiness. Just look at the baroque Schloss Belvedere, many a gay guy's dream home. This castle, a stunning sight, was the home of Prince Eugene of Savoy, the gay defender of Austria-Hungary. He drove out the Turkish invaders after a series of wars and was duly rewarded for his efforts. Austrians also love another of their gay sons, Franz Schubert, the devilishly good-looking composer. There are many other historical examples, but what you'll be more interested in are the many naked opportunities existing in the here and now. Though there aren't any gay hotels as such, there are gay-friendly places to stay. The Hotel Wild (www.pension-wild.at), the Hotel Urania (www.hotel-urania.at), and the ultra modern Hotel Das Triest (www.dastriest.at) with its fitness center and sauna are three well-located examples. There are a number of other choices. But you won't be staying in your hotel room most of the time, no matter how quaint or up-to-date it is. You've come to Vienna to see the naked sights. The Why Not? (why-not.at) bar is an exclusively gay dance venue that attracts a varied crowd - and there won't be any shortage of hot male shirtless bodies to watch. Lots of events and specials, free vodka shots on some nights and the naked traveler's fav, strippers and go-go boys. Wiener Freiheit (members.chello.at/wiener.freiheit) is a large gathering place with a cozy feel and traditions stretching proudly back a number of years. It's been home for the gay community for a long time. But the longest running bar is the Alte Lampe (altelampe.at). It doesn't show its age and the staff is friendly and cute. Café X bar (rainbow.or.at/xbar) is a modern place where lots of young guys hang out and the whole thing, from staff to the stream of customers, is easy on the eyes. Chamaleon is another beautiful-guy hangout worth visiting. The leather scene in Vienna is big - it's easy to imagine the leatherman of your dreams in this city because they've got plenty. Three bars, The Eagle (eagle-vienna.com), Stiefelknecht (stiefelknecht.maikswebspace.de), and Nightshift are the places to go. Back rooms, dark rooms and slings for your use, as long as you don't mind an audience. And if you're particularly geile (that's horny in German), Nightshift is open until 5am, giving you time to extend your search for the perfect hook-up. Losch (lmc-vienna.at/de/pages/losch_de.html) is a private club where you'll be nakedly delighted at all the sexual hanky panky permitted. Drinks are also available to keep you happy. If that geile feeling just won't quit, there's always the saunas. Vienna has three and you won't want to miss any of them. The Sport Sauna (sportsauna.at), a fitness club as well as a sauna (in the style of so many saunas), attracts a young crowd. The Apollo City Sauna attracts a hot, young and eager crowd and you'll want to indulge. They even feature a Partners Days, if you're traveling with your sweetie. But the most gorgeous and elaborate sauna in the city and maybe in all Western Europe is the Kaiserbründl (kaiserbruendl). This is a not-to-be-missed attraction. It even outdoes my favorite sauna which is in Köln. While the current building dates to the 19th century, the site has been home to a bathhouse for centuries. Rebuilt in the late 1800s and renamed in honor of three royal personages who used the facilities (hence the Kaiser in the name), this is a magnificent facility. And when decorated with naked men, it is unparalleled. Like everything in Vienna from the nineteenth century, this building will make you wish you could live in this old town. Moorish design touches grace the building in archways and tile designs. There are pools, dry saunas, steam, and more than you can imagine. There's a restaurant, quite cozy and welcoming; a bar (both of which have guests from the outside in clothing side-by-side with men in towels); a fitness center, mysterious passages leading from one place to another, and rooms the likes of which you have not seen. For the eighth year in a row, Kaisersbründl is preparing to wow visitors with its Orgia Epikuria. This is an event - one couldn't call it merely a party - that will take you back to the decadence of ancient Rome. Strippers, live porn shows, hundreds of hot men and the luxurious facilities all blend into a naked phenomenon that you will remember and maybe even plan your next trip around. Don't miss an opportunity to visit this sauna. Vienna is one of the gay-friendlier cities. It sponsors city-wide events, offers a queer guide (Austria.info) and generally tries to make the gay visitor's vacation time well spent. So stop thinking Julie Andrews and The Sound of Music when you think about Austria. Think naked guys, hot saunas, and lots and lots of naked fun.  Joe DeMarco's latest projects include The Lavender Raven, an online GLBTQ mystery & more journal, at www.lavenderraven.com, as well as Mysterical-E, www.mystericale.com. Joe's website is www.josephdemarco.com Top |
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