A small group trip for gay guys who want real friends, not more contacts.
A small group trip for gay guys who want real friends, not more contacts.
Eight people. Five days in Portugal. A deliberately small, deliberately real experience. If it sounds like what you’ve been looking for — it probably is.
June · Lisbon + Algarve · 8 spots
Eight people. Six days in Portugal. A deliberately small, deliberately real experience. If it sounds like what you’ve been looking for — it probably is.
June · Lisbon + Algarve · 8 spots
HONESTLY
Most gay social spaces are built around bars, apps, or events. Nothing wrong with that. But it’s not the same as actually knowing people. I have a good life. Great friends, a full social life, nothing to complain about. But there was always something quietly missing — just the awareness that I didn’t have many people around me who fully got me. As a gay guy. That specific kind of understanding.
So I went and found them. Started messaging people individually, one by one. Created shared experiences, let it grow naturally. Those friendships are still going nearly a decade later. What I realised is that it wasn’t luck. It was the right people, the right environment, and a bit of intention. That’s replicable. Gates is that — on an international scale.
WHAT THIS IS
Not a party trip. Not a retreat. Just the right people, in a good place, doing real things together. Beach days. Morning runs on the coast. Shared meals — some cooked together, some at good restaurants. A day out on the water. A cooking class and something hands on. Exploring the city, finding a good bar, seeing where the night goes.
Everything is planned — you’ll always know what’s happening. But some of the best moments on a trip like this come from nowhere, and we leave room for that.
A small group trip for gay guys who want real friends, not more contacts.
Gates.
Most gay social spaces are built around bars, apps, or events. Nothing wrong with that. But it’s not the same as actually knowing people. I have a good life. Great friends, a full social life, nothing to complain about. But there was always something quietly missing — just the awareness that I didn’t have many people around me who fully got me. As a gay guy. That specific kind of understanding.
Not a party trip. Not a retreat. Just the right people, in a good place, doing real things together. Beach days. Morning runs on the coast. Shared meals — some cooked together, some at good restaurants. A day out on the water. A cooking class and something hands on. Exploring the city, finding a good bar, seeing where the night goes.
Everything is planned — you’ll always know what’s happening. But some of the best moments on a trip like this come from nowhere, and we leave room for that.
So I went and found them. Started messaging people individually, one by one. Created shared experiences, let it grow naturally. Those friendships are still going nearly a decade later. What I realised is that it wasn’t luck. It was the right people, the right environment, and a bit of intention. That’s replicable. Gates is that — on an international scale.
WHO IT’S FOR
This isn’t for everyone — and that’s the point. We’re keeping it small on purpose. Eight people means everyone matters and everyone’s been chosen carefully.– You’re somewhere between 20 and 30 – You’re active, curious, and up for giving things a go– You bring good energy and you know how to include people – You’re at a point in life where real connection actually matters to you
If that’s not you, no hard feelings. If it is — keep reading.
THE TRIP
Portugal. June. Eight spots. Lisbon and Algarve. Six days, five nights. €1200 all in. A small deposit to confirm your place. We read every expression of interest personally and we’ll be in touch.
Whats included ?
— All accommodation
— Boutique hotel in Lisbon and a private villa in the Algarve with a pool
— All breakfasts
— Two group dinners cooked together at the villa
— All planned activities — a day on the water, a coastal hike, horse riding and more
— A private minivan for the whole trip — no taxis, no logistics, just pile in and go
— A curated group of 8 guys who get it. Chosen carefully. That's the whole point.
Whats not included ?
— Flights into Lisbon
— Lunches — Portugal is cheap and finding your own lunch is half the fun
— Dinners out
Portugal. June. Eight spots. Lisbon and Algarve. Six days, five nights. €1200 all in. A small deposit to confirm your place. We read every expression of interest personally and we’ll be in touch.
Whats included ?
— All accommodation
— Boutique hotel in Lisbon and a private villa in the Algarve with a pool
— All breakfasts
— Two group dinners cooked together at the villa
— All planned activities — a day on the water, a coastal hike, horse riding and more
— A private minivan for the whole trip — no taxis, no logistics, just pile in and go
— A curated group of 8 guys who get it. Chosen carefully. That's the whole point.
Whats not included ?
— Flights into Lisbon
— Lunches — Portugal is cheap and finding your own lunch is half the fun
— Dinners out
Portugal. June. Eight spots. Lisbon and Algarve. Six days, five nights. €1200 all in. A small deposit to confirm your place. We read every expression of interest personally and we’ll be in touch.
Whats included ?
— All accommodation
— Boutique hotel in Lisbon and a private villa in the Algarve with a pool
— All breakfasts
— Two group dinners cooked together at the villa
— All planned activities — a day on the water, a coastal hike, horse riding and more
— A private minivan for the whole trip — no taxis, no logistics, just pile in and go
— A curated group of 8 guys who get it. Chosen carefully. That's the whole point.
Whats not included ?
— Flights into Lisbon
— Lunches — Portugal is cheap and finding your own lunch is half the fun
— Dinners out
WHO’S BEHIND THIS
I’m Jack. 25, Australian, about to move to Berlin on my own — because I know the feeling of being out of your comfort zone. Every inch of your body and every cell reinforces your soul to not stop and keep living this adventure. That’s why I’m moving overseas and that’s why I’m creating this.
I’m someone who gets up early, exercises to stay sane, and can’t do the 9–5 thing — not yet anyway. I crave adventure and I need to feel like I’m actually living. I study psychology because the most interesting conversations are the ones about what actually keeps people up at night — the real stuff, not the surface stuff. I’m not into drama or fake people. But I have so much love for anyone who is authentically themselves, even if that’s messy.
And more than almost anything — I care about friendship. Real friendship. The kind where people fly across the world for your wedding without it ever being up for discussion. I want friends like that. And when this trip ends I want to feel like I’ve just found seven of them — already rebooking before it’s even finished. I know at the end of the trip I am going to feel gratitude that this thing happened — I know I need to do this. This trip is where it all begins. This is why I’m building Gates. Not a business. Not a travel company. Just the conditions for something real to happen between people who are ready for it. I want this just as badly as you do. I’m not standing outside this organising it — I’m in it. I’m moving to a new city, craving my people, and I know that if nothing changes, nothing changes. So I decided to change something. If this is landing for you — I can’t wait to meet you.
— Jack
Gates.
