With fights for gay rights and marriage equality happening all across the globe, LGBT travellers have more reason than ever to pack their bags.

Denmark became the first country to grant legal recognition to same-sex unions back in 1989. A little over a decade later, the Netherlands became the first to legalise same-sex marriage. Countless nations have followed in the years since, and though there are many battles still to be won, the world is an increasingly open, rainbow-coloured oyster for LGBT travellers.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam‘s notoriously anything-goes approach to life makes it a welcoming place for travellers of all stripes. The city’s gay nightlife is largely focused on a single street in the city centre, Reguliersdwarsstraat, with a few other establishments on Warmoesstraat in the red light district. Be sure to pay your respects at Cafe t’Mandje, Amsterdam’s oldest gay bar, and to make at least one pilgrimage to Amsterdam Pride, which takes place on the canals.

Barcelona, Spain

It’s a toss-up between Barcelona and Madrid for LGBT travel in Spain. Both have thriving gay communities. Both have gay-friendly hotels, restaurants, clubs, and shops. Both host huge gay festivals. They’re each worth a visit, but for now we’re giving the crown to Barcelona. The Catalonian capital is home to the Circuit Festival, which claims to be the biggest international gay festival in the world. It’s also just 45 minutes away from the world-renowned gay beaches of Sitges.

Berlin, Germany

Once a deeply restricted city, Berlin has broken out of its shell and then some. Historically the streets around Nollendorfplatz in Schöneberg were the centre of gay life in Berlin (British novelist Christopher Isherwood was one of the district’s more famous residents). Today the trendier set have moved to Neukölln and Kreuzberg, but LGBT establishments can be found throughout the city. Berlin’s annual pride is called CSD – ‘Christopher Street Day’ – but you’ll have no trouble finding a raucous and raunchy party any time of year.

Copenhagen, Denmark

What does the first country to recognise registered same-sex partnerships have to offer gay travellers today? Art museums, design shops, Michelin-starred restaurants, and edgy fashion abound, but it’s the tolerant, open-minded spirit of Copenhagen really makes Denmark a prime LGBT destination. Copenhagen is beautiful and laid-back, with one of the oldest LGBT film festivals in the world and one of the oldest openly gay bars in Europe. The former is MIX Copenhagen, the latter is Centralhjørnet.

London, England, United Kingdom

London recently announced that it would make LGBT traffic crossing lights – which display a range of gay and transgender symbols in lieu of the traditional green figure – a permanent feature on its streets. It’s a move that proves London takes diversity seriously, and just one of many reasons the English capital is a top choice for many gay travellers. Drop by Heaven if you’re up for a night out – it’s the largest gay nightclub in Europe and has been open since 1979.

San Francisco, California, USA

Some will complain that San Francisco is played out, but there’s no denying its status as one of the world’s most gay-friendly cities. The Castro district has long been the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant LGBT culture. It was one of the first gay neighbourhoods in the United States and, thanks to local artist Gilbert Baker, is the birthplace of the iconic rainbow flag. The Castro remains a globally prominent symbol of LGBT activism, putting San Francisco at the top of the list for many gay tourists.

São Paulo, Brazil

São Paulo is often overshadowed by its flashier sibling, Rio de Janeiro. While Rio’s hedonistic gay scene has indeed attracted plenty of attention over the years, São Paulo’s is larger and more eclectic. It’s not just home to one of the planet’s biggest and most festive Pride parades – it’s home to the biggest. São Paulo was immortalised in the Guinness Book in 2006 as the world’s biggest Pride celebration and has maintained its #1 position ever since.

The post The Most Gay Friendly Cities In The World appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The Vision Next 100 program has already forecasted the next 100 years of brands such as Rolls-Royce. Today that design program is taking its scalpel to the Bavarian badge on two wheels.

Say hello to the BMW Motorrad, a self-balancing, zero emissions motorcycle destined for riders of the future. The conceptual motorcycle looks like something straight out of TRON and bears similar design cues to the futuristic Lotus cafe racer. Of course being backed by an innovative carmaker like BMW also helps the Motorrad achieve the impossible, with an active self-balancing system making it impossible for the bike to tip over.

It works by utilising a pivoting V-styled frame which bends accordingly to steering inputs and cornering loads to provide the most ideal entry/exit corner speed. As such, the wheels can also act as the suspension to offer an seamless riding experience.

Given these new safety measures alongside the self-balancing system, the bike theoretically won’t require riders to wear a helmet. They do however get a cool suit and goggles which can regulate body temperatures and determine the fastest line to take via computer wizardry.

It’s just a pipe dream for now but at least it’s a pretty damn good looking one which sets the precedence for tomorrow’s riders.

The post BMW's Motorrad Vision Next 100 Concept Could Change The Motorcycle Game appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Face it. Not everybody on this planet is wired to regurgitate rainbows and sunshine for the amusement of others.

More specifically, if your idea of a good day at work is hanging out with the pot plants whilst you trawl through memes in peace, then congratulations – you’re officially a people hater. Finding a career that benefits this lone wolf work life is often harder than it seems, especially if you have the tenacity to call out potential clients for being fat.

Thankfully those “people skills” that most jobs harp on about are overrated, according to new data from the Occupational Information Network.

The firm which forms part of a US Department of Labour database recently completed an analysis on 947 occupations, rating a list of jobs which scale from 0 to 100 based on human contact and pleasantry with others. These jobs were then averaged out to determine which were the highest paid roles (in Australian dollars).

It’s probably fair to note that not all of these people in these jobs are assholes; they’re simply the highest paid in their industry which requires the least amount of social engagement.

A word from the Editor-in-Chief: “It’s nice to finally see people who hate people given the right kind of career path. Had I not started D’Marge, I would definitely be working as a poet with a penchant for drinking Gin in the mornings under a tree.”

Geological Sample-test Technician

Average salary: $73,682

Required sociability score: 56

Geological sample-test technicians have the fun job of testing and analysing geological samples, crude oils and minerals for traces of petroleum, gas, or mineral deposits.

Aircraft Mechanic/Service Technician

Average salary: $77,339

Required sociability score: 64

These people are charged with diagnosing, adjusting, repairing, or overhauling aircraft engines and components. They are also considered helicopter and aircraft-engine specialists.

Judicial Law Clerks

Average salary: $79,380

Required sociability score: 65.5

Not to be confused with prosecutors and standard lawyers, these highly paid minions assist judges in court by conducting research or preparing legal documents for cases.

Poet, Lyricist & Creative writer

Average salary: $79,830

Required sociability score: 52

Pretty straight forward but these people put word to paper in the form of scripts, essays, poetry, or song lyrics.

Photonics Technician

Average salary: $81,168

Required sociability score: 64

These lucky folk build, install, test, or maintain fibre-optic equipment. This includes lasers, lenses and mirrors used in spectrometers or interferometers.

Sociologist

Average salary: $97,730

Required sociability score: 65

Believe it. Studying human society can be a much rewarded job. These workers examine the groups and social institutions that people form. This includes social, religious, political, and business groups.

Statistician

Average salary: $106,144

Required sociability score: 64

These workers are natural born numbers people and are responsible for designing and applying mathematical or statistical theory in order to collect, organise and evaluate numerical data for use in practical information.

Biochemists & Biophysicists

Average salary: $108,847

Required sociability score: 65.5

These smart cookies conduct research on chemical and physical principles of living organisms. This includes biological processes such as cell development, growth, heredity, and disease.

Web administrator

Average salary: $112,941

Required sociability score: 64.5

They manage web environment design, deployment, development, and maintenance activities and perform testing and quality assurance of websites and web applications.

Geoscientists

Average salary: $118,850

Required sociability score: 64.5

Not to be confused with hydrologists or geographers, these workers study the physical aspects of the Earth including composition and structure.

Remote Sensing Scientist/Technologist

Average salary: $128,695

Required sociability score: 62

These workers apply remote sensing principles and methods to analyse data in order to resolve issues in natural resource management, urban planning and homeland security.

Environmental Economist

Average salary: $131,411

Required sociability score: 58.5

Merging both the environment and business ethics, these workers conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and the sound use of the natural environment. This includes water, air, land, and renewable-energy resources.

Political Scientist

Average salary: $132,140

Required sociability score: 64

Science and politics? Indeed. It’s not surprising that two of the most intensive and boring professions appear on this list. these guys study the origin, development and operation of political systems. Did someone say ‘party’?

Astronomer

Average salary: $137,930

Required sociability score: 60.5

It’d appear that looking at stars can score you a good penny. Astronomers track, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to find solutions to Earthly practical problems.

Economist

Average salary: $144,727

Required sociability score: 57.5

These office dwellers can often be found conducting research, preparing reports and making plans to alleviate economic problems which arise in the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy.

Computer Hardware Engineer

Average salary: $147,563

Required sociability score: 64.5

Sorry, but this doesn’t mean a cool hacker. These intelligent people conduct research, design and develop computer equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.

Mathematician

Average salary: $149,139

Required sociability score: 58

Think Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting or Russell Crowe in A Beautiful Mind but more serious and less cool. These guys research fundamental mathematics and the application of mathematical models to science, management, and other high intensity fields require problem solving.

The post These Are The Highest Paid Jobs For People Who Hate People appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Let’s not kid ourselves. Rarely is the modern day vacation a real holiday when most are bound to that dreaded little thing called Wi-Fi.

Californian photographer Gray Malin realised this but decided to take the aesthetics a step further in his latest photographic series entitled ‘Art of Living’. The beautifully captured project takes some of the most iconic furniture designs of contemporary times with names such as Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, and Knoll before dropping them onto a 4.5-metre reflective platform.

RELATED: See Images Of The World’s Largest Cities From Space

That’s not all though. The platform is set on the blue crystal waters of French Polynesia which provides the perfect juxtaposition of work and play in the ultimate summer location. Sitting pretty in the background is Mount Otemanu which makes for a truly unique photo series which gives nod to interior design in the most original way possible.

The post Artist Gray Malin Showcases The Realities Of A Modern Day Vacation appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

There’s something to be said for minimalism. After a long day at the office, you may want nothing more than to unwind on a simple sofa, surrounded by clean lines and a soothing colour palette. We’ve lusted after plenty of Scandinavian homes that fit the bill.

On the other hand, embracing clean lines and neutral colours doesn’t have to mean letting your minimalist flag fly. Khalkedon House, a recently refurbished Istanbul penthouse, starts with the trademark stamps of minimalism, then throws caution to the wind and convention out the door.

The striking, two-floor space modernises mid-century style and tops it off with a contemporary approach to comfort and elegance. Multi-disciplinary design studio Escapefromsofa gave the interior a toned-down palette of whites and greys for the walls, carpets, and fabrics. Iroko hardwood floors provide contrast to ensure the space doesn’t feel cold or unwelcoming. Italian marble and polished brass details add subtle luxury without overwhelming the senses.

Your senses are on their own, however, when it comes to the wallpaper in the living room. It’s custom-made, boasts a design of tropical foliage and flowers, and is unapologetically loud. There’s no missing a statement this big, particularly when juxtaposed against sumptuous details like patterned throw pillows and a metal shelving unit. The desaturated colour scheme is its saving grace (although the room still wouldn’t be a go-to venue for meditation).

The post Mid-Century Goes Modern In Daring Istanbul Penthouse appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Our love affair with London is well documented. We love its hip hotels. We love its slick apartments. We love its world-class tailors and its destination shopping. London is a city that never goes out of style.

An unforgettable adventure in the English capital begins with booking memorable digs. Airbnb offers a unique, and often more affordable, alternative to the traditional hotel check-in. While they may lack the luxury perks of 5-star hotels, Airbnb stays set you right in the centre of the action and let you feel like a local – and there’s no better way to experience a city than that.

The best Airbnbs in London come in many guises. There are the multi-storey penthouses, with floor-to-ceiling windows and stunning skyline views. There are the artsy Shoreditch lofts, perfect for creatives and bohemians of all stripes. There are the super swish townhouses, with multiple bedrooms and coveted outdoor space (keep an eye out for the sunken trampoline in the garden). There’s even a yurt, for travellers who want to pretend they’re at Burning Man without the desert heat and dust.

The post 12 Coolest Airbnbs In London appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Anyone who’s spent time on a college campus or toiled through the entry-level job grind has more than a passing familiarity with cheap vodka. We’re not proud of it, but we’ve done it. With any luck, you’ve moved beyond that phase of your life – but if you ever need to imbibe on a budget, Playboy spirits columnist Jason Horn is here to help you select the best bottom shelf vodka.

Horn bravely accepted the challenge of blind taste testing several cut-rate vodkas on camera for Indulgence, home of Playboy‘s food, drink, and nightlife coverage.

“What you’re looking for in a good vodka is something that’s basically inoffensive,” he says in the video. “You don’t want any off flavors, off smells, never anything bitter, never anything harsh, and it really shouldn’t burn going down.”

The taste test includes five different vodkas – Smirnoff, Svedka, UV, Popov, and Pinnacle – that are all available for under US$12, so if you do need to achieve maximum intoxication for minimum spend, they’re pretty solid bets. In fact, there’s an argument to be made that price has very little correlation with quality when it comes to spirits. Marketing may play a much bigger role than taste where vodka is concerned, and the same is true for tequila, gin, and rum.

The post What Happens When A Vodka Expert Taste Tests Bottom Shelf Vodka? appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The following article has been sponsored by Tudor

Divers watches have been a part of every watch enthusiast’s stable and arguably the most iconic of those are from the company with the Crown as its logo.

In 1946 the founder, Hans Wilsdorf, embarked on a timekeeper’s journey to “attain the same dependability for which Rolex is famous”, albeit, at a lower price point. Henceforth, Montres Tudor S.A. was created, echoing its “big brother” in many ways by creating highly dependable and functional watches whilst remaining affordable.

Like Rolex, Tudor was amongst the first to create dedicated diving watches, releasing their first model back in 1954. Today the heritage of this groundbreaking model is re-interpreted and reborn in the Tudor Heritage Black Bay collection, a line which showcased its latest models at Baselworld 2016 and gave us the stunning Black Bay Bronze.

Inside The Black Bay Bronze

Receiving a refresh this year, the Tudor Black Bay receives new manufacture movements in the MT5601. It is built from the ground-up by Tudor and incorporates their latest movement designs and technology.

Inside the new movement is a silicon balance spring, chosen for it’s anti-magnetic properties and its consistent shape to guarantee superior timekeeping performance. This movement resides in the the Black Bay Bronze, a faithful timepiece which honours its maritime traditions with a bronze case.

Behind The Design

The Tudor Black Bay Bronze is slightly larger than its brothers, measuring in at 43mm in case diameter. The brown dial of the watch is done in “Explorer” style with Arabic numerals at 3, 6 and 9 alongside markers for the rest of the hour indications.

The hands are typical of the Black Bay series bearing the snowflake hands and taking inspiration from Tudor watches issued to personnel of the French Marine Nationale for military applications. Tying it all together is the brown bezel which frames the historically inspired dial with vintage masculinity.

The most notable thing about this version of the Black Bay is the warm tones of the bronze case. Appearing initially as a pale gold colour, the case gradually darkens with wear. This is due to the copper in the case reacting with the air to create a layer of oxidation that further protects the case material underneath.

The Black Bay Bronze uses a bronze that is very similar to that used in marine applications to provide the physical link between the watch and the sea. Over time, the watch gains a character all of its own, with no two watches ageing quite the same way.

Final Thoughts

In a sense, this is a watch that takes on the personality of the wearer as it reflects the way the Black Bay Bronze is worn.

The watch is delivered on a brown aged leather strap whilst inside the box is an extra fabric strap which takes inspiration from a French Marine Nationale Tudor watch that sported a strap made from parachute elastic.

The Tudor Black Bay Bronze’s warm tones and vintage vibes is a perfect match for the smart casual man. Pairing this with a Barbour jacket or with a smart polo and chino shorts seems to be the perfect style for this watch.

The post On the Wrist: A Closer Look At The Tudor Heritage Black Bay Bronze appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Sweden is a country with no shortage of drool-worthy living quarters fit for a design-loving king and his squad of attack daschunds.

Taking that very mantle for this week is one of Stockholm’s most beautifully appointed apartments set inside a humble attic. Designed and complete by the talented Scandinavian Homes studio this year, the space boasts a tasteful balance of fine art and masculine lines blended with the mandatory minimalist colours of white and industrial tones.

The living room is where the home really presents itself as a stand out space. It features a fully integrated fireplace with exposed firewood, floor art, indoor plants and organic furniture pieces which clash with modern steel, leather and fabric appointments.

The raw cross beams also add a degree of depth and volume to the space which would otherwise be limited. A wooden step ladder gives access to an extra storage room whilst the bedrooms are also meticulously appointed with intriguing wallpaper, art and greenery.

The post Scandinavian Homes Build The Perfect Artist's Attic Apartment appeared first on DMARGE Australia.