Above Image: Still from the film Cthulu (courtesy Verzaubert)

L.A.'s OutFest, New York's NewFest and San Francisco's FrameLine are usually considered the top three of big U.S. international gay and lesbian film festivals, but they're certainly not the only ones. Especially, that is, if you'd like to plan a trip around some more daring queer art and film -- or festival parties!

Starting today in New York, for example, is the CineKink Film Festival, which is exactly what it sounds like. Many have bemoaned the Big Apple's apparent erasure of seediness by former Mayor Giuliani's 1990s clean-up campaigns, but CineKink might prove otherwise. Now in it's sixth year, it runs through March 1st at Anthology Film Archives on the Lower East Side and covers "from documentary to drama, camp comedy to hot porn - and everything in between."

If you miss it, check out MIXNYC next fall when this experimental LGBT film festival returns, showcasing not only outside submissions but some of the films that comes out of the youth workshops it supports.

San Francisco, too, is getting another alternative LGBT arts and film festival late this summer. Relocating its 'Queer Music and Arts Revolution' from Olympia, WA, the Homo-A-GoGo Festival will invade the bay area's SOMArts Cultural Center from August 13-16th (hear about said revolution below).

While in San Francisco, also check out the Harvey Milk tour of the city to round out the man Sean Penn represented and try one of our favorite hotels, the Parker Guest House.

Not to be outdone for risqué queer culture by upstart American festivals, Berlin's Teddy Awards (awarded to the best LGBT films in the Berniale film festival) may have just finished up for the year, but is followed immediately by the Verzaubert international LGBT film festival from March 18-25th, which awards the coveted "Rosebud Award"at the venerable Kino Theater.

Photos courtesy of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company
Story by Olga Bas

f you've got your eye on the "Island of Enchantment," aka Puerto Rico, these packages will help you on your way:

• Amigos Tours gay package: Located in the Porta del Sol area on Puerto Rico's west coast, Amigos Tours and Travel offers five-day excursions each month that combine nature and beaches with culture and history. Activities include bird watching in the Cabo Rojo Natural Wildlife Refuge and snorkeling the warm waters of a bioluminescent bay as the sun sets. $1,250 per person

• Gran Melia gay package: The Gran Melia hotel on the east side of the island in Coco Beach offers boundless luxury "with an avant-garde flair." Nestled in the tropics of the El Yunque rainforest, it has 486 suites scattered among 20 two-story bungalows, the world-renowned YHI Spa, and two 18-hole championship golf courses designed by PGA pro Tom Kite. Book at least a three-night stay in the Royal Service Jr. Suite and use the promotional code GLBTPROMO to get the special rate of $399 per night until May 30 and $299 from May 31-Dec. 23.

• Miramar Hotel package: A bit more laid-back than the Gran Melia, the Miramar Hotel in San Juan offers intimate, European-style accommodations at a low price. The $75 nightly rate (fifth night is free) includes a studio room, free parking, complimentary breakfast, the use of a mini gym and solarium, and a Bacardi Rum Factory tour.

Images Courtesy Miami Winter Party by MRNY

As we reported last month, the annual Miami Winter Party is now in full swing!

So, if you're feeling a little bit blue, head on over now while you still can and experience one of the greatest queer events in Florida! The website has a full spread of the previous years photos to get you pumped, and a full list of activities for this fantastic week.

Get your tan before everyone else in the Northeast! There's still time.

Story by LoAnn Halden

You can take the girl out of Missouri, but you can't take the Midwest out of the girl. Where I come from, fried is a food group; as much as I love champagne and caviar, there's also something to be said for a heapin' helping of comfort food. So, when I find a place that allows Highbrow and Lowbrow to collide on a plate, well that's my idea of heaven.

At Karu & Y (71 N.W. 14th St.; 305-403-7850), the recently re-opened Miami megaclub, Chihuly's Blue Icicle chandelier greets guests of the on-site restaurant, a Murano glass wall provides a photographer's dream backdrop in the private dining room, a waterfall spills over the bar in the Y Garden, and the back courtyard would be at home in any upscale South Pacific resort.

All told, it's 55,000-square-feet of nightlife bacchanalia that draws a well-heeled, age-spanning group -- including LGBT types who prefer scene to strength in numbers. And when those late-leaning downtown denizens get the munchies, divine intervention comes via the lounge menu: smoked mac & cheese "lollipops," lobster corn dogs with Creole remoulade, buffalo chicken with Maytag blue cheese, Kobe beef sliders.

Let's pause and reflect a moment on those first two items: macaroni and cheese, quite possibly the perfect comfort food, served fried on a stick, and lobster, tucked into a cozy battered coat. High meets low, opposites attract, and the result -- though eyebrow raising in description -- is sublime.

When after-cocktail cravings strike, what restaurants best satisfy your urges? Post here or share at loann@outtraveler.com.

LoAnn Halden is a contributing editor to OutTraveler.com. Check back often for more dispatches on her travel "loves."