Vacationers of the Week: Ben and Sion Walton-Guest, The Globetrotter Guys
For our Vacationers of the Week, we crossed the Atlantic to connect with Ben and Sion Walton-Guest in Manchester, England, where just a year ago, they bought their first home conveniently located near the city’s centre and gay village! Before they became The Globetrotter Guys, Sion was living in Wales until he left home to attend University where he met Ben when he was 18. Meanwhile, Ben was born and raised in Yorkshire, but as a teenager, he briefly lived in Spain with his family before returning to the UK where he met the love of his life.
Content creators, influencers, and travel bloggers, Sion and Ben have crossed visiting every continent off their list except Antarctica and a possible move to Madrid may be in their distant future, but we really wanted to find out more about these guys. In this Q&A, we learn about their backpacking journey together through Australia and Southeast Asia; the first place they traveled together, the most surprisingly gay-friendly destination they’d recommend to other travelers, and their top three recommendations for first-time LGBTQ+ visitors in Manchester.
Vacationer Magazine: At what age did you receive your first passport? What was your first trip?
Sion: I was two years old, and we went to Disney World in Florida for my 3rd birthday. Although I was very young, I do remember specific things from the trip and meeting different Disney characters!
Ben: We went on holiday every year as a family from when I was born. The first holiday I believe was to Majorca (Spain) as a baby, but of course, I don’t remember anything!
What trip or travel experience sparked your passion for travel?
Sion: It seems crazy when I look back, but my first trip without my parents (at age 18) was to Sri Lanka with my best friend who had family there. We spent six weeks there in total, traveling all over and making up our plan as we went along. It was an incredible experience and gave me the confidence to just go for it and travel as much as possible.
Ben: In 2011, we gave everything up and flew to Australia on a working holiday visa, we spent five months in Australia and then three months backpacking in Southeast Asia. This was my first long-term backpacking trip and without being too cliché – this trip is what gave me the travel bug for life – package holidays were no longer enough!
What inspires you to travel?
Sion: There are many things that inspire us to travel. There is a sense of freedom when you can get away and immerse yourself in a new destination and experience all it has to offer. Freedom is especially important when traveling as a gay couple and in part, a lot of the destinations we choose are because they give us a safe space to be ourselves.
Ben: Gay travel aside, we are adventure seekers and if a destination has mountains to hike, coral reefs to go scuba diving, or safaris on offer – we will be there!
Please tell us how you identify yourself on the LGBTQIA spectrum. Tell us if how you identify influences the way your travel. If so, how?
Sion: We both identify as gay men, and this does influence the way we travel. We want to be able to be our authentic selves when we travel, and some destinations allow this more than others. We travel to Spain a lot for this very reason, we know that when we visit places like Madrid, all barriers can come down and we can be completely at ease.
You two met each other in University. So, how long have you been a couple?
Sion: We have been together for 14 years and married for 5.
How long have you been traveling together? What was your first trip together? Would you recommend it to other LGBTQ+ travelers?
Ben: We went on our first holiday together six months into our relationship and booked two weeks in Gran Canaria. We had no idea when we booked it back then that Gran Canaria was one of the top hotspots in Europe for LGBTQ travelers! We have been about 10 times since then and we highly recommend it.
Was it naturally easy to start traveling with one another? What are the perks of traveling as a couple?
Sion: It’s always been easy to travel with each other, mainly because we are looking for the same things in a destination and want to do the same activities for the most part. This was put to the test when we went backpacking. Aside from a few stressful moments when we didn’t know where we were going to sleep on certain nights; it has been smooth sailing.
Traveling as a couple has some perks in the sense that you always have someone to share the experience with and reflect on it together. There is also a level of reassurance in having someone by your side when you travel, especially if you find yourself in a tough situation.
Is there a travel destination that most queer travelers would think isn’t safe to visit, but you’ve visited and enjoyed it? If so, where?
Ben: This one is easy to answer: South Africa! A lot of people perceive South Africa to be dangerous (and like anywhere, some parts are) but it is our number one destination without a doubt.
Sion: When it comes to LGBTQ travel, people are often surprised to know that South Africa was the fifth country in the world to have same-sex marriage legalized and they have solid anti-discrimination laws. We lived in South Africa for three months and coincidentally the first weekend we arrived; it was Cape Town Pride! It was incredible to see the city come together and celebrate pride – it was perhaps one of the most diverse and energetic Pride celebrations we had ever experienced.
Ben: Beyond Pride, South Africa has the wow factor on all levels. The experiences available from hiking Table Mountain for spectacular views, to the thrill of shark cage diving and the magic of seeing the Big 5 on safari make this our most memorable trip to date.
What are three things LGBTQ+ travelers should do when visiting your current hometown – Manchester?
Manchester is the gay capital of the North, a must for all LGBTQ+ travelers! Number one would be to visit the Gay Village. This is where you will find all the LGBTQ+ bars, clubs, restaurants, and shops. We love the fact it is all contained in one area instead of being spread out like some other cities we have visited.
Second, on the list, would be to visit Freight Island for dinner and a show. If you can time it correctly, try and see the Black Cat Cabaret – a very queer and hilarious variety show.
Finally, if you are only going to visit once, try and visit during Manchester Pride. It is one of the biggest and best Prides in the UK. It runs from Friday night through Monday night so you might need to pace yourself! See more about our home city here.
How would you describe your travel style in three words?
Ben: Luxurious, adventurous, and immersive!
What are your top three favorite places to visit? Why?
Sion: We have already mentioned a couple of these but in no particular order:
1. South Africa – We were wowed by something every single day during our time in South Africa – the local wildlife, the beautiful landscapes, and the delectable food!
2. Madrid – We simply feel at home here. The city itself is very beautiful and we love the relaxed culture mixed in with the busy city vibes. This was one of the first places we felt that no one even noticed we were a gay couple. Being LGBTQ felt completely normalized and integrated.
3. New York City – New York holds a special place in our hearts. It’s where we got engaged, and each time we revisit, it always has more to offer. It is simply iconic!
What three places are still on your bucket list to visit? Why?
Ben: There is a long list, but if we had to choose:
1. Antarctica –There is simply nothing like it and it is the one continent we have not visited. It would be incredible to see some of the unique wildlife they have there.
2. Bora Bora – This would be for pure luxury and perfect beaches. Bora Bora looks like a picture-perfect postcard destination.
3. Peru – We want to specifically visit Machu Picchu. We would love to hike the Inca Trail and be rewarded with those incredible views at the end.
What’s one thing you never forget to pack in your suitcase?
Sion: It must be my hairdryer! The hair has to be on point!
You’re going on a road trip. What singer or band is always on your playlist?
Ben: Little Mix all the way! Every version including the remixes. They are our all-time favorite!
