Photos: Courtesy Companies
With the first Gay Circus wrapping up -- yes, Gay Circus and yes, it was rather queer and sensual -- Barcelona is forging full-steam ahead with a massive string of LGBT parties that will run from August 4th to 11th.
Circuit Festival, which expects 30,000 enthusiasts, is doing its best to become the top of the international circuit, taking advantage of top gay party promoters from around Europe to draw DJs and crowds to its 11 revels.
But Circuit Festival is also taking advantage of Barcelona itself, encouraging guests to take over the water park for a poolside party with live music; to check out the ongoing queer film screenings; and to participate in a slew of roundtable discussions.
In a thoughtful touch, festival organizers not only arranged a deal with the Catalonia Plaza Hotel, but also with Rent City Apartments, for those who prefer a less tourist vacation-type experience.
On the other side of Spain -- just north of Malaga and nearer to Moroccan culture -- life partners Alan Seviour and David Maguire have recently finished extensive renovations to a 200 year-old country mansion in the secluded Spanish countryside. Perfect for recovering from Circuit Festival madness, or skipping out on it entirely.
Fully luxury, El Cortijo La Prensa boasts two bars, a restaurant and lounge, 13 suites, a swimming pool and jacuzzi, sauna, gym, mountain bikes, massage and therapeutic body treatments. Whew.
And it's absolutely gorgeous: surrounded by a lake, an on-site Roman temple, 10 acres of olive groves, Andalusian mountains, and the Sierras Subbeticas National Park. Check out the photos here if you don’t believe us!
