For many of us the epitome of a great vacation is to be able to head somewhere warm, sit on the beach and watch the waves roll in.

There’s something incredibly soothing and relaxing about having the sand between your toes, the sun on your skin, and the water close by.

Here’s a quick guide to seven of the best destinations for a bit of gay beach time:

1. Mykonos, Greece

The Greek islands are a bit of a mixed bag – some are super quiet and romantic, some are over-developed and touristy. The island of Mykonos somehow strikes just the right balance.

This is one of the most popular Greek islands, and it has the reputation of being a bit of a party island. It’s a reputation that’s well deserved, but there’s a lot more to this sunny destination than just drinking and dancing.

The most famous beaches on Mykonos are probably Paradise Beach and Super Paradise Beach, but my favourite is Elia Beach. It’s a long beach lined with sun lounges, where you can base yourself for the day and the local waiters keep you plied with food and drink. The swimming here is perfect - deep clear water in which you can float and paddle and socialise.

Plus the old town is a lot of fun jut to wander through, deciding where to eat or where to get a drink. Mykonos is a total Mediterranean dream.

2. Biarritz, France

On the Atlantic coast of France, Biarritz is old school seaside glamour.

The surfing is good here and there is a loveable French-ness about the whole place.

Easy to get to on the train from Paris or you can fly. Hire a car to explore the region, or just spend your days enjoying the waves and learning how to surf.

3. Turtle Cove, Australia

Just near Port Douglas, up in the tropical far north of the state of Queensland in Australia, Turtle Cove is an idyllic tropical beach paradise.

Access to the beach is through the Turtle Cove resort, but it is a public beach so you don’t need to be staying at the resort to access it.

Lined with palm trees, and awash with warm golden sand, this is a clothing-optional beach where you can work on your all-over tan while admiring the dazzling blue water that stretches out to the Great Barrier Reef.

The downside of this part of the coast is that you have to watch out for crocodiles and stinging jellyfish, but somehow that doesn’t spoil the appeal of this beautiful destination.

4. Smith’s Beach, Australia

It is quite a journey to get to Smith’s Beach - it’s just near Margaret River which is a good three-hour drive south of Perth in the west of Australia.

Not only is the Margaret River area one of the world’s best wine regions in the world, but Smith’s Beach gives you great surfing and swimming.

The sun is usually baking so you can’t really do too much tanning here, and there have been a few shark attacks in this area so watch out for Great Whites and don’t go too far from the shore.

Europe has a history of attracting people whose identities were degraded or flat-out denied by other Western countries. As early as the 19th century, cities like Paris and Berlin became sanctuaries for free-spirited women, African-Americans seeking better treatment, and LGBTQ communities looking for a place to express themselves without fear.

Despite the unifying laws of the European Union - an intergovernmental organization that includes 28 countries - European nations vary greatly when it comes to protecting the rights of LGBTQ people.

The Netherlands has blazed the trail for gay rights worldwide, becoming the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001. Meanwhile, Italy had no form of civil union for LGBTQ people until 2016.

The country in Europe that offers the best legal and political protections for LGBTQ people is Malta, according to a report by human rights group International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), and co-sponsored by the European Union.

Situated in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and North Africa, Malta is perhaps best known for its bright blue waters, ancient architecture, and a natural stone arch that recently crumbled into the sea.

ILGA used six metrics to determine their rating: legal gender recognition, protections against hate crimes and hate speech, equality and non-discrimination, family laws, safe civil society space, and the right to asylum.

From Spain to Germany to the USA – which Pride around the world have you always wanted to try?

Sponsored: Pride season is officially upon us – and while it’s always great to join the celebration in your own country, it’s also amazing to see how it’s done overseas!

In fact, it can be quite a show of solidarity to stand up for LGBTI rights abroad. Trust us, you never forget your first time…

If combining Pride with a spot of international travel is firing up your wanderlust, now’s the time to get planning.

Head to the Go-Heathrow search portal to hunt for the best flight deals to your destination of choice. But first, here are the deets on four of the biggest worldwide. Get those diaries cleared!

1. NYC Pride – 23-25 June 2017

Parade day: Saturday 24 June

Last year, a record 30,000 people marched in the Big Apple. The total number of attendees, including those cheering from the sidelines, was estimated at a mind-boggling 2-2.5 million. This year’s festival will be more protest-focused, with everyday people who’ve made a difference to the queer community picked as Grand Marshals over the usual celebrity choices.

These include Geng Le, Blued creator and leader of LGBTI equality in China, the trans activist and firefighter Brooke Guinan, director of Community Relations at Gay Men’s Health Crisis Krishna Stone, and The American Civil Liberties Union team.

Meanwhile, bringing the glamor is How Do I Live? singer LeAnn Rimes, one of this year’s headliners. The Grammy Award-winning country music star will take to the stage at the free PrideFest party on Hudson Street on Sunday 25 June.

Meanwhile Years & Years plus Tegan and Sara will be performing at the Pride Island music festival.

2. Madrid WorldPride – 23 June-2 July 2017

Parade day: Saturday 1 July

It’s been voted the world’s most gay-friendly country. And this year marks marks 40 years since the LGBTI demo in Spain. Fitting, then, that given the growth of the Pride movement in the country, this year its capital plays host to the roving WorldPride festival.

Based in and around Madrid’s thriving Chueca neighborhood, organizers are expecting up to 3 million people to flock to the world’s most epic LGBTI party of the year. The event will also have a serious side, beginning with the Madrid Summit: A World Conference on Human Rights to be held at the Cantoblanco campus of the Autonomous University of Madrid.

Looking for a holiday destination for 2017 and not sure where to go? We’ve rounded up some of our favorite gay friendly destinations around the world. From Europe to Asia to North America, these gay hotspots won’t disappoint. So without further ado, here’s Our Top 10 Gay Friendly Picks for 2017 – perfectly designed for the discerning gay traveler, the partier, history buff, the cultural fanatic and the beachgoer – there’s sure to be something for everyone.

1. Barcelona

Barcelona needs little introduction and it’s one of the most popular destinations in all of Europe. With year around mild temperatures, a sea side location and a welcoming atmosphere for LGBT people, it’s no wonder that gay travelers from around the world come here to indulge in the culture, nightlife and vibrant atmosphere. Barcelona is one of those cities that has so much to offer, you can never see it all. However, there are some must see sights that will make you actually want to be a tourist. Don’t forget the lively gay neighborhood called Eixample (its nickname is “Gaixample”) which is centrally located in the city. One of the most famous gay accommodations is the Axel Hotel with their amazing rooftop terrace with a pool and bar. The Sagrada Familia is without a doubt the most famous landmark of the city, designed yet never finished by Antonio Gaudi. Park Güell is another one of Gaudi’s creations and is definitely worth a visit. After a long day of sightseeing, wander the narrow cobblestone streets of the Gothic Quarter and don’t forget the beach – there are even two gay ones!

2. Berlin

It’s hip, artistic, international and Gay! Berlin is easily one of the most gay-friendly cities in Europe with a huge offering to LGBT travelers. Popular neighborhoods like Schönenberg (the most well-known gay neighborhood) as well as Neukölln, Kreuzberg, Prenzlauer Berg and Freidrichshain all have a strong LGBT population living in the communities as well as many gay oriented businesses, cafes, bars and clubs. Yes, not only is Berlin gay-friendly, the number of gay businesses in the city is in the hundreds including popular places like the Axel Hotel or Schwuz and Berghain nightclubs. The city has a rocky, yet unique and inspiring history that is one-of-a-kind even for those not so into history. If you haven’t been to Berlin, you’re truly missing out. What are you waiting for?

3. Tel Aviv

Hands down, one of our favorite gay-friendly destinations has to be Tel Aviv. From the old city of Jaffa to the best bars, clubs, restaurants, beaches and parties – Tel Aviv has something to offer for any LGBT traveler. Israel is on the leading edge of LGBT rights and Tel Aviv is the progressive center where everything happens. In fact, winter is even a great time to visit with the average high temperature around 20˚C (~70˚F). Though it’s not quite beach and swimming weather, it’s a great alternative escape from the cold, grey and gloomy winter months in most other parts of the world. If you’ve never considered a visit to Tel Aviv, you might want to think again.

Few cities make being hip, cool, fresh and inclusive look effortless. But Chicago is one of them.

The beautiful world class city of Illinois, which sits proudly on the blue shores of Lake Michigan, is home to 2.7 million people.

A gay cultural capital, at least 114,449 of them are LGBTQ.

Indeed, the Windy City’s reputation for being progressive is reflected by some of the famous names it’s produced.

Gay writer and queer rights campaigner Dan Savage was born here, as well as former POTUS Barack Obama.

The city is also known for its remarkable culinary scene – be sure to try the traditional deep dish pizza, like at Lou Malnati’s– and its long list of iconic attractions.

The Bean [pictured above] in Millennium Park and the 442m-tall Willis Tower, the second tallest in the States are just two of them.

Here are seven more reasons you need to visit the US’s coolest city, and the state it calls home, ASAP…

1. It’s genuinely one of the US’s gay-friendliest cities

It’s no wonder LGBTQ travelers feel so comfortable in Chicago, and more and more choose to visit over established gay capitals like San Francisco and New York City.

Chicago scored a perfect 100 in the the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI) last year. And in 2014, it was also voted the fifth gay-friendliest city in America in Vocativ’s Queer Index.

2. It’s home to the world’s greatest gayborhood, Boystown

Most gay ‘villages’ are really comprised of just a clutch of queer spaces in a tucked-away corner. Boystown, meanwhile, is an actual district. And its big.

The officially-recognized east Lakeview neighborhood is home to over 35 queer bars across Halsted St and Broadway. Places favoured by locals include Roscoe’s Tavern and Progress Bar. For more information, visit Boystown’s informative dedicated section on Enjoy Illinois’ official website.

Suited and booted by day, working in the financial capital of Frankfurt, locals like to let off steam at night in the gay clubs and bars in the city. Compact and friendly, there is something for all tastes.

Our guide to gay bars in Cape Town.

Frankfurt’s gay district is known as the “Bermuda Triangle”, an areal around Alte Gasse, north of Konstablerwache train station and at the crossing of Zeil, the shopping street and Konrad Adenauer Strasse.

Here you will find the city’s most popular gay cafes, night clubs and bars. The Mahnmal Homosexuellenverfolgung” memorial to gay and lesbian victims of the Nazi years is in nearby Klaus-Mann Square.

Unlike many cities, there is no specific time for bars to close in Frankfurt. Many are open all night on weekends. On weekdays bars typically close at around 1am, however if there are people in the bar, the barman will generally keep serving until everyone has left the bar.

A relationship survival guide with holiday tips for gay couples, and the hottest hotels and hotspots

Your vacation, that beloved time of the year which can become a real issue for all couples - gay included.

It’s a time when you could find yourself falling in love with your other half all over again. Or, find a million reasons to break up, before even getting off the plane…

Spending so much time with your boyfriend can help you discover hidden aspects of his character, good and bad.

To help you survive, we, the gay travel experts Travel by Interest (ex Destsetters), bring you this guide to navigating the minefield that can be a romantic holiday. If you don’t want to spend yours sleeping in separate beds, pay attention to these top tips…

Find the destination: a strategic procedure

The first and most important step of the vacation process is deciding what destination to visit. Be careful, however. It’s not the final decision that matters most, but the whole deciding procedure.

Proceeds go to the Rainbow Fund and the Pride Social Impact fund

Brighton Pride has exceeded its fundraising target for 2016 – just like last year.

In fact, this year’s LGBTI festival raised £100,000 [$131,808, €117,192 ] for local causes. What’s more, this equates to a total of £300k over the last three years, say organizers.

In a statement, Brighton Pride director Paul Kemp said he’s thrilled with the result. Additionally, he said:

Grindr, Blued and BoyAhoy are among the many apps to be blocked in the country

Indonesia has decided to ban Grindr, Blued, BoyAhoy and dozens other LGBT websites and apps.

As reported previously, the Indonesian government started looking into banning gay dating appsin the country after exposing an alleged ‘gay prostitution ring.’

The decision for the ban was made clear last week during a closed-door meeting among government officials, according to BuzzFeed.

Handsome boyfriends Karl and Daan, known for their fun blog karlisworld, in 12 adorable pics.

They describe it as love at first sight.

And three-and-a-half years after meeting at a Berlin nightclub, German-born Karl and ginger-haired Dutchman Daan are still going strong.

What’s more, together, they’re achieving one of their mutual dreams: seeing the world. 

Now living in their dream home in Amsterdam, the boyfriends are known for their popular gay travel blog karlisworld.com.

Gay London - London is groovy man, and not just because of the mod ‘70s! London abides even after more than two millennia, maintaining its international importance as a commercial and cultural center. Gay London has also quietly developed a robust and visible LGBT community centered around the busy SoHo District. At one time the center of queer partying and clubbing, this London locality has bloomed into a gentler, more balanced alternative to the overindulgences of other hardcore gay party areas like the Vauxhall Gay Village. The historical perviness of Soho has also been toned down in recent times with the closing of the Soho Revue bar, making it the end of night terminus of Central London pets after a difficult day on the job.

You can’t get any more international than London. Over 300 languages are spoken locally, and more visitors pop through London than any other city in the world, visiting Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and all the royal in-betweens. There are more theaters than New York, and many of the world-class museums – such as the wonderful Tate Modern – are free.

Spain-A monumental 34km bike ride across this vibrant Spanish region throws up several surprises.

We all know that Ibiza, Gran Canaria and Sitges are the holy trinity of Spain’s LGBTI holiday destinations.

Look at what most gay tour operators offer and you’d be forgiven for thinking this was all Spain consisted of. Bustling beaches, a club on every corner and mornings spent nursing a hangover. And then there’s Barcelona…

We’ve all been there…and loved every minute. But what if you want a break from the bars – a real getaway? Is there an alternative? We packed our bags and cycled across Spain to find out. 

New York - The modern gay rights movement got its start in Manhattan's West Village in 1969, at the mafia-owned dive the Stonewall Inn. Today, the Stonewall is still standing (and wasrecently made an NYC landmark) and is just one of many LGBT watering holes still dotting the historic neighborhood. (In fact, Stonewall isn't even the neighborhood's oldest gay haunt; that honor goes to Julius's.) Gay bars here tend to veer toward the divey side, and that's just fine by us. There's a timeless and thoroughly accessible vibe here that just can't be replicated at the sleek drinkeries uptown in Hell's Kitchen.

Germany - a country that is welcoming for all, and also has something for everyone to enjoy too. Germany’s gay scene is of course legendary - some may say second-to-none - with a huge variety of events, venues, prides, parties, festivals and communities in cities and towns the length and breadth of the country.
Gay life can be experienced in every region of our country. Gay communities all over Germany are well integrated into the societies that they are part of - and gay celebrations will often attract the widespread support and participation of everybody - regardless of their age, gender or sexuality - but that’s just the start of the adventure for LGBT visitors.

A rich history and colorful traditions mix with a contemporary culture and truly progressive thinking, to make Germany one of the most dynamic and exciting countries to visit in the world. These pages show just some of the highlights - but there’s much, much more. Our cuisine, art, architecture, society, values and technology all push the boundaries - and re-define the norm. In Germany, we like to believe that anything is possible - and we aren’t afraid to think big.

We hope you enjoy what you see and read here, and that you’ll be inspired to come and see for yourself. The invitation is open - and you’ll also be very, very welcome.

Gay Culture

Germany is a collection of 16 regions or Länder, which each has its own distinctive and unique character. Together they collectively offer a diverse range of cultural attractions - with everything from classic to contemporary.

Germany has been called Das Land der Dichter und Denker "the country of poets and philosophers", and has been central to the development of Western thinking and culture for many centuries. This progressive tradition continues to this day - and Germany is proud of the pivotal role that we play globally in shaping the modern world. Great pride is taken in how Germans are early adopters of new technology, and champions of liberal attitudes including social justice issues.

The arts, culture and science are highly-prized in Germany too. Cultural institutions enjoy significant support from the government, and participation, interest, attendance and engagement by the general public remains consistently high. You will also find that modern technology is embraced in Germany too. Sustainability and innovative thinking are a way of life here - just as they have always been.

We are sure that you will enjoy the diversity of our cultural heritage - and be inspired, stimulated and maybe more than a little surprised too at what you find when you next visit.

GERMANY'S GAY AND LESBIAN CULTURE

Germany’s LGBT culture and communities are thriving, and are now an intrinsic part of the lively and friendly atmosphere you can find in many of Germany’s towns and cities. Thanks to progressive legislation and an atmosphere of mutual respect for everyone, Germany is now one of the most progressive countries in Europe for LGBT people to live, work and of course visit too.

There are active gay communities in all of the major cities, and LGBT organisations and groups have also sprung up in smaller towns all across the country.

This of course means that there is a great wealth of activities for LGBT people to enjoy when they come to visit. The variety on offer has something to suit everyone - a wide range of cultural attractions, breathtaking scenic beauty, and the highly organised gay communities enable you to feel right at home, and experience a truly memorable trip - or the most relaxing vacation!

GAY GERMANY - FROM PAST TO PRESENT

The road to equality for German LGBT people is a long one, that started as far back as the end of the 19th century. As early as 1895, Karl Heinrich Ulrichs (the first-known gay activist) supported homosexual rights in his speech on Lawyer's Day in Munich. Magnus Hirschfeld established the first Scientific Institute for Research on Homosexuality in Berlin in 1897; furthermore, the city of Berlin also lays claim to the world's first Gay Museum, which opened in 1985.

In the 1960s huge strides forward were also achieved for the rights of gay and lesbian people in Germany. Homosexuality became no longer punishable by law in East Germany in 1968 and in West Germany in 1969.

More recently, in 2001, a "Life Partnership Law" was introduced by the Federal Government allowing 'registered partnerships' for same-sex couples and giving LGBT people rights and obligations in areas such as inheritance, alimony, health insurance, immigration and name change. Since January 2005 registered same-sex couples are allowed to adopt (stepchild adoption only), and procedures with regard to division of property and alimony have been improved. The debate about same-sex marriage is still on the agenda in the German parliament.

In May 2008, the Memorial to Gays persecuted by the Nazis was opened in Berlin. A concrete slab reminds of the prosecuted gays and lesbians in the Third Reich with a film projection of a never ending scene of a same-sex couple kissing - every two years it will change from men to women or vice versa.

How to get there?

Germany's transport infrastructure is among the best in Europe. As well as the extent of the network, the excellent links between different modes of transport enable everyone to travel between places quickly and easily.

The country is criss-crossed by 12,700 kilometres of autobahn and a rail network of nearly 35,000 kilometres with around 5,400 stations, while air passengers have more than 40 airports to choose from. If you prefer to explore at a more relaxed pace, make for a minor road – one of the country's 150 or so scenic routes perhaps – or why not take a branch line train into the countryside?

Whether you're dashing to a business meeting or taking a laid-back tour, Germany has the means of transport to suit.

Hotels

Germany’s hotel industry offers something for every style, taste and budget - from large top-end luxury hotels to small design-lead boutique properties, quirky and arty urban bolt-holes, or a quiet traditional retreat tucked away in the country. No matter where you decide to stay, the choice is practically endless - and we hope that you will be inspired by the choice and variety of accommodation that is looking to welcome you on your next visit to Germany.

Search best gay friendly hotel in here:

Booking.com

Gay travel in Vietnam-Foreign tourists to Vietnam could soon have their visas emailed.
Vietnam is working on a scheme to grant electronic visas for foreign visitors in a bid to attract more tourists to the country and boost the domestic tourism industry.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told tourism development conference on Tuesday that the government has allocated VND200 billion ($8.8 million) to speed up the project so that the e-visa system can be launched on January 1, 2017.
Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked the ministries of finance, public security and foreign affairs to determine e-visa fees and ensure foreign tourists are warmly welcomed upon arrival.

The e-visas will be issued to applicants in a printer-friendly email after they fill out an online application form. This system is believed to greatly speed up the entire visa process, according to Kenneth Atkinson, chairman of the Tourism Working Group under the Vietnam Business Forum, a consortium of international and local business associations and chambers of commerce.

2016 marked a huge milestone for the new gay beach festival called TropOut, which debuted on the island of Phuket is southern Thailand. The event was masterminded by founder Aaron Zoanetti after finding a lack of diverse travel experiences designed with LGBT people in mind.
Feeling comfortable in a new destination as an LGBT traveler is always an issue particularly for gay friends or couples traveling together. So with that goal in mind, Thailand was not surprisingly selected as the location for the first event. I attended the festival from April 3rd through 9th and was amazed by what came together.

This wasn’t my first trip to Thailand but it was certainty my favourite. Having not been in Asia for nearly four years I had almost forgotten the attention to service and detail that one experiences and Thailand is no exception. I flew from London Heathrow via Bangkok to Phuket and was lucky enough to get an upgrade to business class.

Gay Tokyo: City of dichotomies
From ganguro girls with painted faces to stern businessmen clad in suits - their days spent behind a desk and nights behind a bar, Sapporo in hand - to young men celebrating with style a new spirit of gay liberation beginning to emerge in this conservative culture, this is a place of vast contradictions. There are mammoth towers that paint the skyline with splashes of neon, and there are quaint, tree-lined streets where passersby glimpse into Tokyo's past and away from the chaos automatically associated with this metropolis. There are temples surrounded by blooming sakura blossoms and secluded udon shops, filled with bowls of brothy noodles served by waitresses in kimonos.
The gay scene is much like these dueling ideas of calm and chaos. Ambiguity and identity haziness are the stereotypical theories of being gay in Tokyo, but behind the blurred lines there is a thriving nightlife and gay community, all housed within the confines of their friendly neighborhood of Ni-Chome.

Though there are a few gay bars or gay nights spread throughout the city, the heart of gay Tokyo lies in Shinjuku and Ni-Chome. Tokyo is separated into different wards, with Shinjuku being the most well known and the most crowded. Ni-Chome is known to have the highest concentration of gay bars of anywhere in the world, likely because of its small, densely packed area - just a few small blocks, intertwined into Shinjuku's busy business, shopping, and nightlife center.

Malaysia will no doubt surprise you. This multi-cultural nation, largely populated by moderate Muslims and fiercely intolerant of being bullied by western powers, is filled with charm, nature, culture, and warm hospitality. Remarkably, it also has a thriving gay scene (perhaps Southeast Asia’s most exciting) which, while still mostly underground, is basically tolerated by the live-and-let-live attitude of its people.Yes, the country was once lead by a cranky homophobe, Mahathir Mohamad, who infamously ousted his one-time protégé, Anwar Ibrahim, on trumped-up sodomy charges, despicably wielding antique colonial buggery laws to do so.
Times change. Homohaters and dictators are relegated to the dust bin these days. Anwar’s groundless conviction was overturned by Malaysia’s high court in 2004. Mahatir’s daughter, Marina, works tirelessly behind the scenes to support AIDS/HIV education, including championing efforts by Malaysian GLBT health worker heroes.

Malaysia is thriving under the fresh air of tolerance and democracy. Straight-owned venues openly cultivate custom from the gay community, while homosexual entrepreneurs launch trendy businesses and mini-utopias of their own.
Conversations with locals are delightfully candid.

Italy - So you're finally moving to Italy and are ready to throw yourself headlong into la dolce vita?
Congratulations. However, moving to Italy (or any other country for that matter) is often fraught with difficulty. Here are a few common mistakes foreigners make when living in Italy. 

1. Kissing or not kissing

Kissing rules are a nightmare for foreigners in Italy, as there is no blanket rule that tells you how to behave: what is culturally normal in one part of the country is less normal in another area.

Generally, men and women can (but don't always) give each other a kiss on each cheek for hello and goodbye in most areas of the country. Women and Women can also do this....but in the centre-north men don't kiss men.

Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam, called Saigon by the locals, is broad and breezy, tropical and easy-going, with just the right balance of urbanity and grittiness. The city center is filled with trees, parks and boulevards lined by heritage buildings. The European-flavored heart of Saigon stretches from the river to the Opera House along Dong Khoi St, and is lined with 5-star hotels, trendy coffee shops and fine dining. The city spreads out from there in all directions and keeps going - an interlocking puzzle of French colonial architecture, art deco streamline, mid-century googie, and geometric Colorforms tacked on everywhere. It's a café society, balancing hard work at multiple jobs with recliner chair-lined, al fresco drip coffee shops and alcohol-fueled eateries that are open and patronized round the clock.

Dining delights are plentiful and cheap. Shopping opportunities abound. Costs are very low and vacation budgets go a long, long way here. The best way to see the city is on the back of a motorcycle, but high quality taxi services are plentiful (ask your hotel which ones are reliable).