It's almost that time of year again, when the LGBT+ community gathers by the hundreds, thousands, and even millions for what is best known as 'Pride' – celebrations, parades, and parties embracing equality, diversity, and the opportunity to let it all hang out! Some celebrations last only a weekend, while others are non-stop parties that go on for weeks! No matter where you are in the world you're bound to find a Pride celebration in a city near you.

To help celebrate its special departure Greek Week Pride trips that visit Athens Pride and Mykonos' XLSIOR festival, youth travel expert for 18-35 year olds Contiki rounds up some of the top Pride festivals in the world that should be on everyone's gaydar…

1. TEL AVIV PRIDE (4-10 JUNE, 2017)

The largest LGBT+ event in the Middle East, Tel Aviv Pride boasts over 50 events during the metropolis' weeklong affair. Expect to encounter music, drag shows and the Tel Aviv Pride Parade. You can watch the Parade, this year themed “Bisexuality”, which begins at Me'ir Park and travels along the beautiful streets of Tel Aviv towards the city's Charles Clore beach. End your Pride week with the festival's famous beach party where thousands of people will enjoy live shows, bars and an amazing view of Tel Aviv's beaches until the sun goes down.

Travel tip: Tel Aviv's burgeoning foodie scene is something not to be missed! If you fancy yourself as something of a brunch aficionado, then dust off the hangover and head to any one of the city's eateries. For Insta-worthy eggs make a beeline to Dr Shakshuka (3 Beit Eshel Street), where pans and kettles line the walls and the café's namesake dish is served in style. 

2. ATHENS PRIDE & XLSIOR FESTIVAL MYKONOS (ATHENS: 10 JUNE, 2017; MYKONOS: 23 AUGUST, 2017)

Beautiful beaches, even more beautiful people and ancient cultures collide in Greece, and there are TWO opportunities to explore the louder and prouder side of the Mediterranean in 2017. For those hoping to soak in more culture than circuit, Athens is your go-to destination boasting iconic monuments, first-rate museums, lively cafés and al fresco dining. Smaller in size and more political in nature than its Mykonos neighbour, Athens Pride has become a force to be reckoned with and is now in its seventh year. Those looking to let loose and party the week away should head to Mykonos, the centre of Greece's gay universe that attracts tens of thousands of LGBT+ visitors every year. The isle has become famous for its wild nightlife, beautiful beaches and idyllic maze of blue-tipped, narrow streets. With the arrival of XLSIOR, one of the top circuit parties in the world, the island gets even hotter! The (in)famous festival hosts some of the best major gay DJ's in the world and brings together the “crème de la crème of the gay world”.

Travel tip: Youth travel expert Contiki has introduced brand new Greek Week Pride trips that cater to all millennials – gay, straight, don't know and don't care. Its 10 day Greek Week, Athens Pride trip (departing 9 June, 2017) features an extra day in Athens so you can kick the trip off with a welcome evening in the uber-cool precinct of Gazi, one of the city's main gay hubs, before diving into the festival to see first-hand how the Greek capital celebrates Pride. The nine day Greek Week, Mykonos Pride trip (departing 24 August, 2017) spends its time in Mykonos during the iconic XLSIOR Mykonos festival where sun, love and glistening bodies await. For more information about the special departures visit www.contiki.com/uk/en/greek-week-pride.

3. SàO PAULO PRIDE (PARADE ON 18 JUNE, 2017)

If you thought Brazil's Rio Carnival was an all-out party, you haven't seen anything yet! Check out São Paulo Pride (Parada do Orgulho Gay GLBT de São Paulo), an annual party that has grown to see over five million party-goers, making it into the Guinness Book of World Records for the world's biggest Pride celebration! The parade route begins at the Museum of Art of São Paulo, right in the Avenida Paulista and is 4.2 km long so you'll know where to camp out to see the Parade, and get ready to shake what your mama gave you!

Travel tip: With over 12 million inhabitants, it's no surprise that São Paulo has several 'gaybourhoods' dotted across the city. Most of the “village life” is concentrated on Avenida de Carvalho in the Largo do Arouche/Centro district (akin to New York's West Village in the 80's) but opt to explore the other neighborhoods such as Frei Caneca/Consolação, Pinheiros and Jardins for a better feel of the metropolis and its Paulistanos.

4. SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE (24-25 JUNE, 2017)

Celebrating its 47th year, San Francisco Pride is a world leader in the Pride movement. It is San Francisco after all, one of the world's original gay meccas, home to the first openly gay man to be elected to public office. This year the theme of the parade is “A Celebration of Diversity” and there are plans to have over 200 parade contingents, 300 exhibitors and more than 20 community-run stages and venues during the celebration. You can watch the Parade from the official Grandstand seating at the United Nations Plaza, or find a spot along Market Street between Beale to 8th Street. Head to the Main Stage at the Civic Centre Plaza next to City Hall to catch the headline acts – past performers at SF Pride have included The Backstreet Boys, Nina Sky, Lady Gaga, and Sandra Bernhard, just to name a few!

Travel tip: After a day-long romp on the parade route, nothing beats the California heat quite like a cup of ice cream, head to the famous Three Twins ice cream shop for a scoop of some aptly named Pride ice cream flavours! Past cheeky names include “Freedom to Marry Cherry”, “Harvey Milk and Honey”, “Matcha Matcha Man” and the zinger (for those in the know), “2 Tops Don't Make a Bottom”.

5. WORLDPRIDE MADRID (23 JUNE – 2 JULY, 2017)

Want to celebrate orgullo (pride en Español) with a Spanish flair? This year Madrid Pride, the largest gay Pride event in Spain, garnering crowds of over two million, will be marking two big fat gay milestones. Not only does 2017 mark the 40th anniversary of the first LGBT+ pride parade in Spain, but Madrid will also play host to this year's WorldPride celebrations – a global Pride event held in a different city around the world. The epicentre of the world's largest Pride event will be in the city's main gay barrio of Chueca boasting open air concerts, different performing stages, parties, art, culture, sport and oh so much more.

Travel tip: For a breather from the noise and craziness of Madrid Pride, try a ride on the teleferico (cable car), which will take you out to the middle of the enormous Casa de Campo park. Buy a single ticket starting at Rosales (€4) and when you reach the top, enjoy the stunning skyline of Europe's highest capital city. Need a cure for that Pride hangover? Take a walk down to Lago, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy tapas by the lake.

6. A LITTLE CLOSER TO HOME AT PRIDE IN LONDON (24 JUNE – 9 JULY, 2017)

This year the capital is welcoming one and all to celebrate their 'Love Happens Here' theme for 2017. The politically-minded messaging of this year's campaign reflects the ongoing battle against discrimination at home and abroad – and London will be sending a 'defiant message' of inclusivity, diversity and acceptance to the LGBT+ community. As the city is adorned with all colours of the rainbow, visitors to London can embrace the city's thriving culture as well as its booming party scene. Fancy getting a little 'cultured' before descending into party mode? The Tate Britain is launching the first exhibition dedicated to queer British art for Pride, Queer and Now. If you're looking to get your voice heard, and questions answered, Pride in London will host a series of Open Meetings to do just that! Of course the glittering cherry on top of the cake, the epic Pride Parade is not to be missed. Join the hundreds of thousands as they descend onto the streets of London for a day of loud and proud Pride partying!

Travel tip: The Montague on the Gardens hotel is situated a short walk from Euston station and minutes away from the tube straight into the heart of London's thriving gay scene in Soho. The Bloomsbury hotel's impeccable service and fantastic locale make it the perfect stop for those heading to London for Pride festivities. Prices start from £222 per room per night for a Classic Double. For more information visit www.montaguehotel.com.  

For more information on Contiki's trips throughout Europe, USA, Canada, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America check out contiki.com.

Life's an adventure – make it count with absolutely #NOREGRETS.

-ENDS-

Images:

• General Contiki Greece images can be downloaded from the Dropbox link here

About Contiki Holidays

Contiki are the world leaders in travel experiences for 18-35 year olds. We're about discovery, once-in-a-lifetime moments, human connections, and making every second of being young count. We run over 300 trips in 50 plus countries, each and every one designed to get to the beating heart of a destination, understanding the local way of life and unearthing #NOREGRETS experiences. A member of the family-owned The Travel Corporation (TTC), we are renowned and trusted for our outstanding quality, service, value, reliability and financial stability. Want to know more? Visit www.contiki.com.