Gay & Lesbian

This year will be my fifth Alternative Summer Event. The first was six years ago; my boyfriend, Andy, had been before with his previous boyfriend. I wasn’t keen at first. To be honest, I thought it would be really tacky, full of male prostitutes running around in hotpants and shagging in bushes. My boyfriend literally had to force me to go. Then my friends said, ‘Why do you want to go there? It’ll be the end of your relationship!’ By the time the event came around, I was seriously wondering why I’d allowed myself to be talked into it.

But from the moment we arrived, I realised how wrong I was. It was completely relaxed. It was full of people I knew from London, whether to say hello to or just faces you recognise from the scene. In London you see the same faces week after week and yet you never really talk to them. But take them out of London and pretty soon you’ll be talking to each other like old friends. That’s the great thing about Alternative events: everyone leaves the attitude at home. It’s like taking all the best elements of the London scene and literally depositing them in Italy.
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The sexy guys in the adverts attract some people but might put others off. The reality is that it’s not all Abercrombie and Fitch! There are guys in their twenties chatting with men in their fifties. There’s even a guy in his sixties who returns year after year and always appears to be having the time of his life. It’s refreshing to see such a mix of people; the gay scene in general is very geared towards the body beautiful and the young. And, in London, gay people tend to stick to their own tribe, their own age group, their own little clique; they don’t really mix. But put them round the pool, add some music, alcohol and sunshine and the barriers break down within a day or two.

The other great thing about Alternative events is the entertainment. There really is something for everyone, whether you want to just lie by the pool all day, play bingo with Timberlina, go diving or take advantage of the day excursions. There’s also something different every night, including cabaret from Caroline Nin and Kandi Kane and club nights hosted by the likes of Crash, Juicy and Orange for those who prefer to party until late. The foam parties are the best I’ve ever been to, far better than any you’ll find in London. And everything is included in the price, so there’s no huge bar bill at the end.

It’s not just gay Londoners who go. The event attracts people from all over the country, from other parts of Europe and even further afield. But the two biggest groups are the Londoners and the local Italians. They’re the ones who stand out, especially when it comes to the fancy dress night. The Italians are so competitive. They can’t stand losing, which guarantees an extremely heated final each year.

I didn’t go last year. I’d been every year for four years and I wanted a break. And in all honesty, after the event had happened I really felt like I’d missed out on something. The last event I went to was the best week away I’ve ever had in my life. I remember being on someone’s terrace at 6am one morning as the sun came up, watching everyone in the remnants of the previous night’s fancy dress costumes and thinking: ‘I couldn’t be having much more fun than this’.

Alternative Otranto, Sept 24-Oct 1 ( 020 8902 7177/info@alternative-holidays.com). Book now quoting Time Out and receive a 15 per cent discount

Top Five tips for enjoying Italy
1 Leave your preconceptions at home Don’t worry about bringing your partner. If they’re going to shag around, they’ll do it in the UK.
2 Pace yourself If you start larging it at the beginning of the week, you’ll be a mess by the end.
3 Drop the London attitude Make the effort to meet to new people.
4 …but don’t fall in love on the first night You’ll regret it by day three.
5 Pack a fancy dress costume However much hassle it seems beforehand, you’ll regret not doing it when the competition starts. We can’t let the Italians win!