Could I replicate a Brazilian experience with so many GPs working in Southern Europe?

[Canadianbtmguy]

It seems that a trip report of southern Europe is surely misclassified in a Brazil forum. And certainly those looking for specific details on Brazil will find it useless (although with the migration away from the saunas and onto garotocomlocal, I find I have ever more idiosyncratic experiences, with a much greater YMMV factor than years ago) But, since the Europe trip was really a specific substitute for a Brazilian trip (and I was determined to overcome my usual attitude in Europe  “I’m not paying 200 euros for that when I can wait a month and get something better”), I think it is useful to address larger questions of opportunity cost: Is Brazil worth it? At least during this 17 day trip (the usual length of my Brazilian trips) I would have to say, yes it is.

The European “substitute” was in fact the idea of my indulgent saint of a husband. We were due to spend 6 weeks in Europe together (not a sex trip) but he unexpectedly had to go home for a couple of weeks in the middle. I began looking into Brazil flights (much more expensive than last year) and he asked me if I could just try duplicating the experience in Europe, he has trouble sleeping when I’m in Brazil and he promised not to complain about the cost. So, I was game. It’s really beyond debate that Europe is more beautiful and markedly safer than Brazil (I would have once added the food but a side effect of my frequent trip is I have found some—admittedly few and far between—world class food in Brazil). So if the experience with the GPs (who flood into Europe, which has no visa requirement for them) could be duplicated even close, there would be no need to go to Brazil. (Indeed I had assumed it would be the same, basically Brazilian, guys I would be meeting in Europe, just with a higher price and hopefully a bit higher quality, but that assumption was wrong)

I began in Milan (largely because there are these amazing italian grapes in season Sept-Nov , and I wanted to bring a suitcase of them to my Iberian destinations.) Total bust. Of my destinations, Milan had the highest proportion of its own countrymen online (I used rentmen and hunqz) and years ago I had formed the impression from Grindr that Italians were unusually dithery, whereas Spanish were much more likely to come right over. In all cities far less than half of advertisers returned my initial message “Hi, my name is ___, I am here in ___, I have seen your ad and I am interested. Please let me know your rate, as well as your availability today/tomorrow. Thanks!” (In the local language). This was true whether I used my US WhatsApp or my Brazilian one. There was also great attrition after the two questions wherein I describe what I’m looking for (although none of this is too dissimilar from Brazil) What was striking in Milan was that even of the maybe 10% of initial contacts that had made it that far, few were able/willing to come over right away. Despite 5 days in Milan, I did not meet a single paid guy, and resorted to Grindr from where I met a couple of uglies. 

Next was Barcelona, which I had high hopes for: it’s known as a sex capital, it actually has a Brazilian-style sauna with boys, and Spain has much easier availability of PrEP compared to stingy Italy, where at least until recently (and probably still, I just don’t have any recent information) PrEP had to be dispensed at a hospital. I had only 3 days there, tues-thurs and as i approached the sauna late Tuesday afternoon, I noticed on that feature on google maps that it was “much less crowded than usual” Hmm, I don’t know how accurate these assessments are, but knowing google, they probably are. I had some calls to make so I made them outside and indeed, extremely few people came or went (maybe 4 total). Instead I went to workout at the gym across the street (day pass only 6 euros! Little did I know that would be one of the high points of the trip.) Just while we are on topic, I returned there Thursday afternoon, went inside (google still saying it was less crowded than usual, but google’s Thursday’s usual was higher than Tuesday’s) it was ok, kind of like Lagoa on a now-typical lousy night. I only like tall guys and there was a gaggle of short guys with unremarkable bodies and faces. There was a tall hairy guy, who I would at least have liked to screen, but shortly after his arrival, he disappeared into a 3way never to be seen again. Otherwise forgettable. Personable Brit with huge dick but mechanical delivery (straight). A few others I don’t even recall.

Next, Madrid. In planning I had excluded Madrid because I always found it not as beautiful (kind of pleasantly genericly European). I added it when it seemed there were a markedly high number of hot guys on rentmen and Hunq, more so than the other cities. Well, The good news was in Madrid I found my italian grapes in exceptionally high quality. Also I  met the only interesting guy of the trip, the only one whom I still keep in touch with. His rentmen profile pictures were all smiles (I love that, rather than looking serious, or worse, some guys who are giving the middle finger). It also, a bit incongruously with the rather cute, almost innocent pictures, listed “anything goes” under the condoms heading. There’s about a 40-50-10 split between always, ask me (in other words bbk ok) and anything goes. In conversation he seemed friendly I mentioned I was on PreP and he said he wasn’t, but as long as I was it was ok (thus setting up my first flush of paternal concern for him) He came over, fervent kisser but dick just didn’t get very hard. I found him very attractive though, and so earnest and sweet, (his WhatsApp is full of pictures of his baby niece…)we talked more on WhatsApp and arranged to meet again with Viagra. Beautiful thick dick, great kisser, so much potential, but still not hard (reminiscent of a guy in SP I’ve written about before.) I just know what to do with guys in this situation. We ended up kind of cuddling and he told me about his broken heart from a guy who dumped him while I googled getting PrEP in Madrid for him (not nearly as straightforward in Madrid as Barcelona it seems). Met a couple of other guys there, I can’t even remember. I guess not surprisingly, very few Brazilians. (More in Barcelona, even Milan).

Finally, Lisbon—I saved what I thought would be the mother lode of Brazilians at modest prices that the Portuguese (only 2/3 of the EU average income) could afford. The prices were pretty modest, most at 120 or 150, whereas the other cities had many at 200 euro. The first guy I found so sexy in the pictures, very hairy, super masculine face and tall. 20cm so not huge. He was a nice guy, pictures probably pre-pandemic, but he really gave a good fuck but alas, I would say it was 19cm normal thick, and well…I’ve been around the block a few times and there’s only so far that can go😂 I also met a utterly dull guy with no moves at all, but could keep his huge and thick dick remarkably hard throughout all the low friction (and sit on it) positions that I like (that really separate the men from the boys as far as ability to stay hard. He was sort of a human dildo really. It was pretty darn good, really because it just stayed so hard regardless (he disclaimed Viagra). But in the end, you really need a combination of the former guy with the latter.

 

But yeah, in sum, maybe my sample size was too small, but it won’t work as a substitute for Brazil. One thing is that I really prefer Latin-style lovemaking, and whereas I expect the opposite in Germany, I did not in Italy, Spain and Portugal. Yet a remarkable number of profiles had this “Recycling point” cartoon and all kinds of descriptions of fetish, domination, etc. (I wrote before of a GP who had gone to work in Paris and when he came back it was quite a different experience, although the second time after, at my urging, he was able to return to his former style.) otherwise, yeah I’m not really sure what the problem was (maybe the best are in London where the rates are even higher?) but I’ll soon be back in Brazil.

[episevilla]

Thanks for your rapport. Best luck!

[Peter803]

Thanks. How's your experience with garotolocal? Most posts here advise against hiring online. 

[Latbear4blk]

10 minutes ago, Peter803 said:

Thanks. How's your experience with garotolocal? Most posts here advise against hiring online. 

Just a clarification, as I could be counted as one of those posters. It is not that I am advising against hiring online. I am sure you can find amazing providers in garotocom and other outlets. Rather than against hiring online, I am for hiring from saunas. You can see them without filters, you can talk with them, you can touch them, you can smell them, you can taste and try them. But if you want to hire from an online outlet, go ahead! You will have the same hiring experience you would anywhere else, without experiencing the uniqueness offered by Brazilian saunas.

 

[Primeone385]

On 2/26/2025 at 12:13 PM, Latbear4blk said:

Just a clarification, as I could be counted as one of those posters. It is not that I am advising against hiring online. I am sure you can find amazing providers in garotocom and other outlets. Rather than against hiring online, I am for hiring from saunas. You can see them without filters, you can talk with them, you can touch them, you can smell them, you can taste and try them. But if you want to hire from an online outlet, go ahead! You will have the same hiring experience you would anywhere else, without experiencing the uniqueness offered by Brazilian saunas.

 

I agree with @Latbear4blk. I was able to play with multiple dicks and grab asses while talking to the guy I wanted to fuck. Plus if you cant agree on terms you basically got a chance to fondle a hot guy that you like. Free of charge. But the experience is undeniable. I will say that for my up coming trip I will be hiring one guy from online. That looks super innocent but like a fresh and sexy senior in high school or a freshmen in college. But I will be sticking to in live and in person in saunas and on the street.  

[young11]

online hiring is not bad if you are willing to go through the whole list because there are so many and you don't know the quality until you meet because some might use their best or modified photos. So it is easier with sauna boys but i think right now it is only thermas in Spain that offers the in-person experience. I had a few really nice experiences from online hiring in Spain but most of them were part-time guys who stopped immediately. I think some people use this when they need some urgent cash, especially the latinos traveling to Spain for tourism or visiting expensive cities for fun. Everyone wants to post their fancy story in Barcelona but it is not cheap, so there they get a bit creative lol 

Overall, thermas is not good on weekdays, except maybe Wednesday because it is a client day? I forgot, I haven't visited Thermas on weekdays so long but usually weekends have better options. Still 50e since forever, even after war inflation years. The entrance fee has increased a bit but overall the rooms got better, often cleaned well, free condoms and lube, free rooms. After my recent trip to Brazil, I find Thermas offers a better value because my flight is really cheap compared to flying into Brazil, and most best looking guys do not come to saunas anymore in Brazil. The only problem with Thermas is the hotel cost. Barcelona hotels became insanely expensive these days. So the OP might have tried the worst days in Thermas but if the OP is in Canada, going to Brazil might still make more sense. Even 117 is worse now compared to the past, it still has slightly more options than Thermas. But Brazil seems to be evolving and I really enjoyed those parties with boys available... 

[Primeone385]

I think this is why I am trying to learn Portuguese before going. If you read @Novarunner @BlkSuperman @Latbear4blk stories of past trips they have had. They have met some really hot guys at random stops. Who may not go to the saunas and may not post online. I just point this out that many times a hot and willing guy who is need for some extra cash. Can be found in some of the oddest of places. That you may never expect to find them. So one should be open to experiencing the countries they are visiting. Walking around in shops and neighbor hoods. Seeing the sights and museums. Unexpected encounters some times reap the best benefits. 

[davet]

I spent a Saturday night in BCN late last year. It was like the good old times. Brazilians, other S. Americans, Greeks, a horse-hung Moroccan. The partying goes late into the week hours, so not like Brazil where it winds up at 11 pm. The following day was completely dead but I did find a friendly, strapping Venezuelan.

I wouldn't give up on BCN. It's sometimes hit or miss but I've never completely missed. The hottest guy I did in Brazil turned up in BCN a few years later. He is the epitome of mind-blowing (and other things blowing) Brazilian client service, and he's not the only one in BCN.

[and maybe add Zurich to your next tour]

[floridarob]

5 hours ago, davet said:

[and maybe add Zurich to your next tour]

and more money 🥺

[Canadianbtmguy]

I did have a few days in Barcelona before heading to Buenos Aires to wait for my Brazil visa approval, (and wait and wait....)

it's a gorgeous city, to be sure. The comparison to Buenos AIres is painful (since I'm in BA). Lacking airbnbs, the hotel rates are high.

Despite its beauty bcn still not the place for guys. Those in the sauna still not handsome (one charmer who was fairly handsome was so busy that I never had a chance)

The guys online seem better, but the response rate is so low, the responses are so slow in coming, if at all, (a return message at 3am?) Was it my Brazilian whatsapp that they thought I didn't have the money or wasn't really in spain? But I met only one guy (who grossly exaggerated his height and dick size and I think wouldve been much happier as a bottom). Lasted about 15 minutes, he did breed. Totally boring 150 euro. And that was the only sex I had in about a 4 days stay, despite there being at least 10 others I wouldve like to have met had only they responded in appropriate time frames.

[travguy]

Oh Canada ..... 

I have had great fun at Boyberry in bcn and mad. Also a late night cruise bar ? Berlin dark ? I might be just young enough, semi gym body and well enough endowed to be a popular enough top under such a setting. Mind you I am very far from a hunk. Very very far ... Lol. Somehow I managed to luck out and got a nice date on my peri covid trip to bcn in Oct 22. Yeah, just 1 date but he was young and cute. So I have no issues with mad or bcn but yes, the postings about no pay to play sauna in mad and sounds like quality down at termas bcn too. There was also a play for play meet up bar in Sevilla about 5 to 10 years ago but no current info. Just for tourist stuff Spain is amazing. For rough trade Athens has been good over the years. Paid guys are hot enough but not like 117 or 202 in rio. Grindr has been helpful. The cosmopolite cinema in omonia Athens closed during covid and I don't know where such action occurs though it might be at a much smaller gay porn cinema near Athens city hall and a 5 minute walk from Cosmo. At Boyberry don't expect to score a Brazilian muscle god Adonis type unless you are one as well as it is not a pay for play space. Just normal guys wanting to get off. Don't doubt there are a few guys for hire even at a regular gay sauna in Spain. And yes Europe is much more expensive than Argentina, Columbia or Brazil. I have not tried to order in from hunqs etc. in Europe.

Leather4black has some great postings about BA. Did you like it? I liked Argentina years ago, but for me the cost of getting there now also seems much higher than Brazil and my Spanish is very poor whereas I know some PT. In Spain I speak FR EN and PT. Mostly get along ok. If anyone speaks SP quickly I cannot understand it.

Was the lack of Airbnb and high hotel rates in bcn or b a?

[travguy]

Added warning for any dark bar in any city:  be very careful not to get a spiked / roofied drink !!!

If anyone serves you a plastic water bottle refuse it unless you open it yourself and also put the cap back on after taking a drink. I don't mind sneers from the bartenders. Best to be safe !!!

[12is12]

Travguy, excuse the ignorance: what r these "boyberries"?

[floridarob]

4 hours ago, 12is12 said:

Travguy, excuse the ignorance: what r these "boyberries"?

Cruising sex clubs

https://www.instagram.com/boyberry.bcn/?hl=en

[12is12]

Thx

It led me to BCN, about 3 minutes from thermas.

How come no one reports anything about it?

[Riobard]

Happy now? Will 257 be the magic quantity per chance?

One fundamental rule of thumb for me is that the most optimal way to extract anything realistically meaningful from any chat forum is the caveat that it will not be without its limits, the majority of input will derive from a miniscule fraction of overall readership with whom a small proportion of that offers true sympatico, and the whole enterprise can only be as useful as the small slice of content that remains following a deep vacuuming for bias.  

https://www.google.com/search?q=boyberry+barcelona+reviews&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-ca&client=safari#:~:text=Reviews

[Canadianbtmguy]

On 5/24/2025 at 4:31 PM, travguy said:

 

Was the lack of Airbnb and high hotel rates in bcn or b a?

In BCN...I think airbnbs are close to illegal. Hotels, other than mom and pop running a floor in a building (which I thought could be difficult to receive guests, who, in this case never came to exist, haha), could not be found under 100 euro and on many nights 150.

BA, does have reasonable airbnbs, one of the few things I found to be reasonably priced (the boys in some cases are asking more than in BCN!)

[Keithambrose]

On 2/26/2025 at 8:13 PM, Latbear4blk said:

Just a clarification, as I could be counted as one of those posters. It is not that I am advising against hiring online. I am sure you can find amazing providers in garotocom and other outlets. Rather than against hiring online, I am for hiring from saunas. You can see them without filters, you can talk with them, you can touch them, you can smell them, you can taste and try them. But if you want to hire from an online outlet, go ahead! You will have the same hiring experience you would anywhere else, without experiencing the uniqueness offered by Brazilian saunas.

 

Pretty good recommendation for the saunas!

[Xclay]

On 4/9/2025 at 2:31 AM, davet said:

and maybe add Zurich to your next tour

Here is my price comparison of Zurich vs. Sao Paulo.

• Zurich's Paragonya: Entry (CHF 44), room (free), "service" (CHF 100) = US $175 total
• SP's Lagoa: Entry (R$75); room (R$50); "service" (R$200) = US $57 total

So, a session at Zurich's Paragonya costs roughly three times as much as I'd usually pay at Lagoa.

For two sessions each visit, the ratio does not change much, but is slightly even more favorable in Lagoa.

[Xclay]

I posted a bit more about the Paragonya experiences at the Zurich thread:

 

[forrestreid]

On 5/26/2025 at 3:49 PM, Canadianbtmguy said:

In BCN...I think airbnbs are close to illegal. Hotels, other than mom and pop running a floor in a building (which I thought could be difficult to receive guests, who, in this case never came to exist, haha), could not be found under 100 euro and on many nights 150.

If you are travelling out of season, one solution might be to stay in one of the beach towns outside of Barcelona with good rail connections to the city. Outside of the summer beach season, you can get good bargains there. For instance, Badalona on the northside is just 24 minutes by train to Barcelona Sants, and Sitges in the south is only 41 minutes by train to Barcelona Sants. In each case, there’s a train every 15 minutes.

I just looked on Booking.com, and for the last week in October there are several good hotels between €70 and €90 per night within 5-10 minutes walk of the train station available in both towns

Might be a good option if you are thinking of just hiring guys in Thermas sauna, rather than planning to have a guy come to your room.

Both towns will be dearer during the summer  season, as they are beach towns, but outside of high summer both would be worth checking out.  A factor for Sitges though, is that the gay businesses there organise events like “Bear Week” and suchlike during the shoulder season, which extends the more expensive period for hotels.

Edited May 31 by forrestreid
clarity

[forrestreid]

I must say though, I preferred staying in Sitges rather than Barcelona city anyway.

The first time I went to Barcelona, I stayed in the city. I found that after a tiring afternoon of debauchery in the sauna, the fact that the nightlife got going extremely late didn’t really suit me.  The next time I went to Catalonia I stayed in Sitges. I found the gay bars there got going a bit earlier in the evening. Also, the gay bars in Sitges are all close together, which makes it bit easier hit a few in the one night, which you might be want to do if you’re a tourist.

My understanding is that gay Sitges is open for business and is busy every night from June to September, but that the gay bars then often close up on weekdays in the off-season, and only open Friday and Saturday night.

So if you’re thinking of going to Sitges in the off season, it’s probably best if you could stay on a Friday or Saturday night.

Of course, if you’re only going to Barcelona for the escorts in the sauna, a cheap hotel deal in Sitges on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday could be ideal.

I’m aware of the irony of posting this “off-season” advice on the day before the 1st of June!

I might bump this post next October.

[Riobard]

I think it may have been mentioned previously but Airbnb and other equivalent tourist home platforms are license-regulated in Barcelona but by the end of 2028 totally banned unless that information has been altered since last media-released last year.

There are also a few economical hotel options towards the end of the northwest tram extension connected to the Metro subway. No need for separate regional train fares. 

[davet]

Zurich would not be a bargain for anything. But "services" in Zurich are still less than in most of the West. I mention Zurich for the slightly different selection you get there: More E. Europeans, if that's your thing, than S. Europeans or Latin Americans. Much more white, though not exclusively so, than BCN or Brazil. Again, if that's your thing.

[Xclay]

On 6/12/2025 at 11:44 AM, davet said:

. . . . I mention Zurich for the slightly different selection you get there: More E. Europeans, if that's your thing, than S. Europeans or Latin Americans. . . . 

That is what I was hoping, but that was not my experience the first week of June in Zurich. A large majority of the guys were Brazilians, with only a couple of Romanians (surprisingly blond and handsome), plus a Thai, a Kurd, and one day a couple of Africans. 

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