We at Holidayshed the travel website, are pleased to be your guide to all of the hottest gay destinations that Europe has to offer, including the 'big four' gay and lesbian destinations of Gran Canaria, Stiges, Mykonos and Ibiza, plus other resorts with a gay following including Torremolinos, Benidorm and Tenerife Canaries.

Ibiza in Balearic Islands is famous for its image - loud, brash, outrageous and undeniably fun. Whatever you would like from a summer holiday, Ibiza is one destination which is more than likely to offer all that you could want - and plenty more besides. Most tourists looking for a gay holiday stay in the suburb of Figuerertas, which is a 10 - 15 minute walk away from Ibiza Town. Figueretas has a pleasant bay with a couple of small beaches, and a handful of gay bars. Stay in Figueretas and you get all the benefits of a quiet suburb with the choice to head into the neighbouring Ibiza Town with trendy gay bars, clubs, restaurants and loads of charm. During the day the beaches of Es Cavallet and neighbouring Las Salinas, which are just a few kilometres from Ibiza Town, are the perfect place to chill out, tan all over, cruise - or simply do all of them!

If you’re looking for gay or lesbian holidays you'll be pleasantly surprised to find that the gay and lesbian destination of Palma de Mallorca, the Balearic Island of Majorca’s capital town, is rapidly becoming one of Europe's trendiest places. Palma boasts many outstanding historic buildings, including the dramatic Cathedral and the gorgeous Almudaina Palace, excellent restaurants and some great shopping opportunities. Venture out from Palma and you'll find secluded sandy coves, fantastic beaches, cosmopolitan towns and remote villages where life proceeds at a leisurely pace. Majorca is a great place for bargain holidays

The Costa del Sol Spain, comprises several resort towns; most popular for gay holidays is Torremolinos. With a well established gay scene in the La Nogalera area of the town and several gay sections on its long and sandy beaches, Torremolinos remains a favourite gay travel destination all year long. The neighbouring towns of Fuengirola, upmarket Marbella and the famous port of Puerto Banus are all just a bus or taxi ride away. For culture seekers, the CostadelSol has some of the Spain's most magnificent towns and cities, including the Picasso museum in Malaga, Gibraltar and the Alhambra in Granada, all within easy reach.

Mykonos is the classic gay Greek holiday tourist chill-out hotspot: by day relax by the pool or make a trip to one of the islands gay nudist beaches, Elia beach – a popular gay hang out. In the evening the picture perfect white-washed Mykonos Town (Chora) is host to fantastic choice of restaurants and bars including several welcoming gay bars the gay scene here is much more relaxed than other gay resorts - you won't find wild clubs or backrooms hidden among a maze of paved alleyways winding through the old town areas and harbour side.

Lesbos is a still-beautiful, unspoilt and undeveloped large island but we recommend this lesbian holiday destination from May through to October for holidays abroad as it is much quieter during the winter months. This is a fabulous lesbian destination which provides the answer for people who want to find a a href="http://www.holidayshed.com">holiday resort of their own that isn't dominated by either overt heterosexuals or by the commercial gay male scene of most gay destinations.

Gay holidays include an extensive selection of specialised activities, whether gay adventure holidays, gay prides, city breaks or gay skiing there really is no limit to the imagination when planning gay holidays worldwide.