Over the past few years, Sitges has been gaining notoriety as a gay and lesbian town. First came gay and lesbian travelers from Great Britain and Germany in the 1960s. Now, gay men and lesbians from the United States have caught on, too, eager for a respite from the hustle-bustle nearby Barcelona. By some estimates, up to 70 percent of the town's businesses are gay and lesbian owned. These businesses owners are not just Spaniards, but German, French and English as well. Vivianne Schael, owner of the upscale gay and lesbian Da/Si Tours (which specializes in trips to Spain and the Iberian Peninsula), attributes the popularity of this very old, historic village to the mix of its progressive attitudes, arts community and retention of Spanish flair.

Schael organized her first gay and lesbian tours of Sitges over five years ago. "Mind you, I wasn't too sure how we were going to be received," she recalls. Historically, gay and lesbian travelers stick to the "safer" option afforded by big cities. Happily, the gamble paid off and Schael has been bringing gay and lesbian travelers to Sitges ever since. "It was so pleasantly comfortable and everybody enjoyed it so much, " she says. "We know where to go now." Like many American queer destinations, the boys are in full force in Sitges. Nontheless, the bars and clubs there are mixed and welcoming to lesbians. Beachside, lesbian couples spread suntan lotion on one another, walk hand in hand along the surf and play in the clear water along the sea.

Spain has been a major vacation destination with the gay and lesbian traveling community, especially from northern Europe, for a very long time. More recently, our community from further afield has discovered centers such as Madrid and Barcelona plus resort communities including Marbella, Sitges and the Canary Islands. And today, first time and returning vacationers are fanning out from the major cities and beach resorts to visit the alluring countryside and host of historic areas.

We are excited to introduce our readership to a company that is completely devoted to serving gay and lesbian travelers, who are knowledgeable on every corner of Spain and all the country's gay events, and are staffed entirely by committed gay men and lesbians with a Spanish background. The company is named Dasi Tours.

Specialists in gay and lesbian Spain, Dasi was started to meet the growing demands of the professional and independent gay and lesbian traveler, whether the individual chooses to join one of Dasi's extensive group tours, or prefers to travel on their own to enjoy their own particular interests. The fun loving staff personally introduces visitors to the gay and lesbian districts found in all metropolitan areas, and they look at all of their clients as friends and special guests. Dasi staff also works very closely with professional local gay and gay-friendly guides, who share not only the usual information on each specific destination, but also their unique personal perspective as a native.

These guides will not only take you to favorite sights in the Iberian Peninsula, but will also expose you to fascinating places off-the-beaten path. Learn about the distinct Spanish regions where the musical and artistic folk traditions are as unique as their wines and cuisine.

Spain offers some of the world's most impressive lodgings, both grand and intimate. Accommodations utilized by Dasi include not only some of Spain's finest world-class hotels and inns, but also historic castles or manors, where you will be treated like aristocrats. In southern Spain, experience the haciendas and cortijos, favored for many years by international jet-setters.

Dasi features a wealth of extraordinary escorted tour programs including their romantic honeymoon packages, the Wine and Champagne of Kings and Emperors Culinary Tours, and fantastic Gay Pride Packages. Art & Culture trips are always exciting, where clients have access to the country's great museums and galleries, as well as interesting visits to the private studios of upcoming artists. The popular Barcelona International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival during the last week in October, assures that each Dasi client will have the privilege of being treated as a VIP guest.

In 2003, Dasi is inviting the traveler to attend special events taking place on the amazing Island of Ibiza, a "paradise of pleasure," in particular the Gay Fun Ibiza celebrations during the last week of June. If you have never been to Ibiza, off Spain's east coast, this would be a great time to sample the hedonistic island's gay scene with its "party 'til you drop" attitude.

And, exciting off-shore excursions for visitors stopping in Spain for a day or two when sailing aboard a cruise ship through the Mediterranean is another unique feature offering of Dasi Tours.

An example of one of Dasi's specialized packages is the popular Wine Lover's Tour. Travel across Northern Spain along the famed Santiago de Compostela trail, the very same route followed by pilgrims for over a thousand years.

Yet another important service, when a traveler books his or her travel arrangements with Dasi Tours, they receive the DA/SI Pass, allowing the bearer free entries and complimentary drinks at selected gay and lesbian nightclubs and bars during their evenings out in Spain's cosmopolitan cities. This is a real money saver!

Dasi Tours has offices in Los Angeles, USA, and Barcelona and Madrid, Spain, and are proud to be the official US. Representatives and Sponsors of the fabulous Barcelona International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in which last year they played a pivotal role in paving the way for the evolving cooperation between Los Angeles OutFest and the Barcelona Film Festival. Additionally, Dasi is the U.S. Representative of the unique "Gay Fun Ibiza" event that attracts masses of crowds from the mainland.

Dasi Tours also features exciting packages to Portugal and exotic Morocco. With Dasi you are able to discover and appreciate much more than the standard package tour will offer. The company's gay and lesbian professionals will assist in planning your trip to include what you are most interested in while showing you a side of Spain few tourists ever get to experience!