TL;DR
- Booking.com offers over 125,000 LGBTQ+ friendly properties.
- Travel Proud programme ensures genuine welcome for queer travelers.
- Lille provides a cozy getaway for friends.
- Unplanned moments create lasting memories.
- Discover your friends in unexpected ways.
After a summer filled with non-stop fun, from dancing at Mighty Hoopla to soaking up every rare ray of British sunshine, my social battery was drained. So, when the autumn chill set in, my friends and I craved something different: a trip to Lille, France. A quick hop on the Eurostar and we were off, leaving behind London’s chaos for the charming cobbled streets of Lille in just a couple of hours. Who knew traveling to France could be faster and cheaper than heading back to Yorkshire?
As soon as we stepped off the train, everything felt easy. No stress, no fuss—just a group of friends ready to eat, drink, and enjoy quality time together. And thanks to Booking.com’s Travel Proud programme, finding a place to stay was a breeze. With its focus on LGBTQ+ friendly properties, we could book our accommodations with confidence, knowing we’d be welcomed, not just tolerated.
We chose The People Lille, a perfect spot for our group. Just a short 10-minute walk from the city center and its iconic Christmas markets, it allowed us to explore Lille while having a cozy base to return to. This trip wasn’t about sightseeing; it was about reconnecting before we all scattered back to our families for the holidays. And as it turns out, it’s those unplanned moments that stick with you the most.
On one of our outings, my friend Jack decided he was in the mood for oysters. He casually pointed at me, assuming I wouldn’t want any. I was shocked: “I love oysters!” His reaction was priceless, as if I had just revealed a secret identity. Later, at Brasserie Campion, I ordered escargot, and Jack was baffled. “What impression do I give you?” I asked, only to be met with a brutal response: “Chicken tenders and chips.” I was horrified. After nine months of friendship, I was apparently giving off strong children’s menu energy!
After a night of feasting and laughter, we returned to The People Lille, where the hilarity continued. We splurged on endless photo strips in the resident photo booth, while Luka, our fluent French friend, had to endure our terrible attempts at the language. Let’s just say, my Yorkshire accent does not do French justice.
In those ridiculous moments, I realized I had found my people—my shady little chosen family. So, if you’re considering a queer group getaway, Booking.com’s Travel Proud programme makes it ridiculously easy to do it right. With over 125,000 LGBTQ+ friendly properties, you can book with confidence and focus on what really matters: enjoying yourself. Because trips like this aren’t just about where you go; they’re about what you discover along the way—like your friends’ unexpected love for oysters.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ro5GAgHUjLA?feature=oembed
For more information about Booking.com’s Travel Proud programme, visit its website.