Our plane touches down in the 72-degree warmth of inviting Tunisia, which while not necessarily a gay and lesbian travel destination is still worth the trip. As the jet comes to stop, the five of us let out a collective cheer. We’re no longer in Dubai. We are a rag-tag bunch of foreigners, united in crisis and excited by adventure. We’re like the A-team.

First there is Adam (nickname: Andy because that’s what I called him the first day we were slobbing around the hotel). He’s a son of Oz living in London and working as a Sports Coordinator for nearly twenty schools. Built like a nuclear bomb shelter, he has taken the role of quiet enforcer.

Second, we’ve got Charlie (nickname: Squirrel because she forages for food at every opportunity, constantly offering us suckers, candy, and Frosted Flakes). Living in South Africa but headed home to England for a wedding, her laugh is contagious and she keeps the energy levels up.

Next we have Emma (nickname: Laura because that’s what Charlie thought her name was for several days). From London and living in London, she takes on 26 three and four-year-olds every day of the week, prompting her to label this trek “a piece of cake.” She’s got a sharp wit, and she was the first to frolic in the Tunis fountain. Good on ya!

Then there’s Dave (nickname: Snap, Crackle, and Pop to identify his three distinct anger levels, which elevate without warning). Our resident Kiwi, he lives in London and works as a digital strategy consultant. He’s an absolute character, and you can’t help but wait with bated breath to hear the next great line.

Finally, me – I’m Kyle (nickname: Plow because that’s what Dave actively believed my name to be since, “you know, Americans name their kids really weird things like Stephanie”). I’m just happy to be getting to Europe and I’m willing to fill the role of typical American.

We managed to get Adam into the country despite VISA requirements, grabbed our bags, and got in a cab to see the city before moving onward to Spain. Our driver managed to get us to agree to some astronomical price before we could figure out the exchange rate, then proceeded to offer us a “very nice three hours driving tour around Tunis for a very good deal.” We managed to resist so unfortunately I didn’t have time to compile one of my classic gay and lesbian travel guides.

Bags dropped, it was into the city to explore the Mosques, squares, and markets of this not-quite Cairo, more than Marrakech city. We wandered stalls, ran through fountains, and even managed to meet the real-life, self-proclaimed Tunisian “Tom” Cruise, who only works the market on the weekends since he is a college professor of Political Economics during the week.

Some lamb kebob, kitschy souvenirs, and public arguments later, we were whisked away by the same driver to get a move on back to Europe. No worse for wear. Somehow, our flight even manages to depart 20 minutes early. With things looking up, we can’t help but wonder what might go wrong next.

The really wild part is how well we were getting along. Remember, we only met a few days ago and only banded together because of a volcano called Eyjafjallajökull and a desperate desire to travel to the gay destination that is London. Charlie noted that, “anyone who met us would just think we’re a group of old friends on holiday” and I couldn’t agree more. It really is true that times of crisis bring people who were total strangers just 48 hours earlier so close together. Our personalities mesh, the inside jokes roll, and we each fill a unique roll that has transformed us from five travelers into a genuine team of rag-tag go-getters. These will be friendships for life. At the moment, however, we’re all just over the moon about the free coca-cola we’re getting on the plane. Maybe, just maybe, travelling to the gay and lesbian travel hotspot that is London won’t be so bad.

Options are limited for the GLBT travel aficionado looking for an exclusively gay or lesbian bar in this gay destination. The best and closest option is Roosterfish in nearby Venice. As the name suggests, this venue caters to both men and women. Affectionately known as a “dive bar,” Roosterfish is located on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, a trendy thoroughfare in Venice. The scene for this gay destination varies depending on what night you go. On Thursday you’ll find a predominantly local crowd and on Fridays, you’ll find a lot of WeHo guys and girls.

One of the biggest draws for visitors to Santa Monica is of course, the beach. All the best gay and lesbian travel guides should mention a section of Will Rogers Beach is a well-known gay destination for glbt travel aficionado who want to admire the bronzed bodies of the community. Off of the Pacific Coast Highway, this is a great spot to cruise, play volleyball and relax.

You’ll find that Santa Monica is, like most cities in SoCal, a total gay destination. There are several great properties in the city that gladly welcome the LGBT community.

If you’re looking to stay close to the shoreline, the Sheraton Santa Monica is an ideal location. The hotel offers more than 300 renovated guestrooms and suites and a state-of-the art fitness center, perfect for fine-tuning your physique for the beach.

The newly renovated Shangri-La Hotel is another great option. Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Shangri-La offers lavish rooms and suites, beautiful views and an elevated pool complete with cabanas. You’ll find some of Southern California’s best restaurants in Santa Monica, but if you don’t feel like venturing out to the rest of the this gay destination, head to The Dining Room for a exquisite meal followed by a night-cap at their posh rooftop bar.

Always a hit with straight and LGBT travelers alike is the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. Beautiful accommodations, a well-equipped health club and crystal clear swimming pool, you’ll find it all here. No stay at the Fairmont Miramar would be complete without a meal at the fabulous FIG Restaurant, a scrumptious gay destination headed by Chef Ray Gracia.

It would be such a shame to vacation in Santa Monica and not check out Third Street Promenade or Main Street. The city is populated with talented artists, musicians and chefs, and this is the area where you find great shopping, restaurants and entertainment in this gay destination.

Whether you’re planning to spend your entire trip in Santa Monica or just a daylong excursion, this is a destination that cannot be missed. Great beaches and beautiful weather have made Santa Monica a major gay destination and there’s never been a better time for LGBT visitors to come for a holiday. Thriving skateboarding and surfing communities have contributed to the intoxicating laid back atmosphere that is a rarity in today's world. One thing is certain, you’ll be thrilled you came and hating that you have to leave such a wonderful gay destination.