Hey Let's Go fans! We're in the business of connecting travelers to all the information they could possibly need to enjoy themselves while abroad. To that end, we've partnered with with our fellow travel bloggers at Pause the Moment.

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I stumbled upon the annual Bruxelles Les Bains festival today completely by accident.  Wanting to procrastinate on writing my copy for as long as humanly possible, I took a walk down the street from the hostel and found Brussel's main canal (which is also pretty much its only canal... Amsterdam puts you to shame here, Belgium). Each summer, the canal-front gets gets turned into a mini-beach resort, complete with fine sand, volleyball, music, and tons of mojito stands. Best of all: it's free!

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In recent decades, many parts of the world have become more accommodating to GLBT travel. In the Western Hemisphere, Canada, Mexico, and Argentina now all permit gay unions and host flourishing GLBT communities. Larger cities in these countries, like Buenos Aires and Montreal, often have GLBT-client based hotels, nightlife scenes, special events, and trips. Similarly in the Eastern Hemisphere, many Western European countries, including Sweden, Spain, and Iceland, have legalized gay unions. In fact despite varying statuses on the legalization of same-sex unions, many Western European countries have worked to develop GLBT resources, venues, and events. Madrid, Spain hosts an annual gay pride parade to raise awareness of gay rights and pride. Several cities, like Antwerp, Belgium, have annual GLBT sports tournaments, and Zurich, Switzerland hosts ski weeks for GLBT travelers. Many of these cities, like Paris and its fourth Arrondissement Marais, have GLBT-centered neighborhoods that are home to GLBT communities, bars, cafes, and shops.

Although Central and Eastern Europe lag behind Western Europe overall, select cities do much to accommodate GLBT travelers. Berlin, Germany is home to a vibrant GLBT community and provides an inviting space both as a home and as a travel venue. With GLBT-specific hostels and hotels and events like parades and party weeks, Berlin has become a hotspot for GLBT travel. Berlin publicizes many of its events with GLBT-specific newspapers with events and happenings in the city, and provides support hotlines in case of emergency. Prague, Czech Republic, allows same-sex partnerships and has many of the same kind of GLBT-based events and venues as Berlin other European cities. Budapest, Hungary is also known for being relatively GLBT friendly with gay bars and other venues.

Despite the increasing acceptance of GLBT travelers and members of the community, caution should still be taken when traveling. Even in the most accepting cities, some neighborhoods are not as welcoming as others. Also, many countries have yet to readily accept GLBT life and culture into their communities. In contrast to Europe, Middle Eastern countries like Morocco lack GLBT-specific clubs or venues despite increases in modernism and tourism. Many cities in the United States and Latin American countries also lack public GLBT events and meeting places. Some Asian countries, like Thailand and Japan, work with their GLBT communities without actively accepting them, while other countries have more underground GLBT scenes due to lack of government and community support. However, many of these places are still quite safe to travel in. Even with ranging support for the GLBT community across the globe, acceptance and the rise of GLBT travel opportunities is generally upward.

Le Tour de France is overdone nowadays, and what’s more the race is really quite…French (make of that what you will)! But just across the border in the Flanders region of Belgium the “Tour of Flanders”, known as Flander’s Finest by the locals, offers a thrilling alternative to the oh-so-typical annual bike race in France.

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Well, this is it. My last weekend on the road. In 3 days time I'll be boarding a plane and waving goodbye to France and the continent to return home to England. And tomorrow I turn 19; what a way to spend it in the boiling hot south of France. As with any good blog post at the end of an era (cos that's what the past 2 months feels like), I'm going to do my 'highlights', like a clip show they throw into a television series every now and again.

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Bastille Day was a crazy one; The French know how to have a public holiday! Much like 4th July celebrations in the USA, July 14th sees the locals take to the streets and celebrate the great history of France and it's Revoultion. Even better, Iggy Pop was playing in Lyon's Roman Amphitheater ; the old dilapidated sight was very impressive, and the Amphitheater was pretty sweet!

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