Travel and tips

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Hostels are a cheap travel secret of budget travelers. They have been around in one form or another for a long time, and are oriented towards young travelers and anyone else seeking inexpensive accommodations. The U.S. version used to be more complicated, with guests helping with chores. They are simpler now. You rent a bed instead of a room, sharing the bathroom, living room and kitchen. Less privacy, but cheaper accommodations, and you get to socialize.
My first time in Quito, Ecuador I stayed at Centro Del Mundo, a hostel near the center of the area they call “Gringolandia.” $4 per night included breakfast. I shared a room and bathroom with 4 others, and a T.V. room with guests from 14 countries, and channels in three languages. It was clean and comfortable, with a locking trunk next to each bed for valuables.
For 80 cents I could have a rum-and-coke brought to me while I played chess with a flower-buyer from Holland. The manager could arrange anything from $15-tours of the snow-covered volcano Cotapaxi, to $2-per-hour Spanish lessons. Friday nights the rum was bought by the manager, and there was a party out in the patio.
Is A Hostel For You?Not all hostels are as much fun as the one I stayed at in Quito, nor would all travelers want that kind of place. I happen to love hostels, but most travelers won’t. I like mingling with travelers from around the world. “Mingling,” of course, could mean sleeping next to a snorer.
In a hotel you are more isolated than in a hostel, but a private room has its advantages. I’m sure the idea of sharing a room is too much for some people, as is waiting to use the shower. A hostel is definitely a different experience from staying in a hotel.
Even if they were the same price, I’d prefer a hostel to a hotel, but one of the biggest reasons people stay in hostels is to save money. For this, they’re a good option when you’re traveling alone. Since my wife and I travel together now, we don’t stay in hostels often. You pay for two beds, after all, which makes hotels more competitive.
Some hostels do have private rooms. If you are not sure you like the idea of sharing a room, but you like the idea of a more social environment, ask about this. Sometimes you can even get a private room with a bathroom.
Hostels are not as common in the U.S. as in other countries, unless you include “bed-and-breakfast” places. These are somewhat like high-priced hostels, but with private rooms. Fortunately, there are still a few regular hostels in almost every state, and they are still a great alternative when you want alternative (and cheap) travel.

Budget travel would not be complete without the budget accommodation that we require to keep us in the lifestyle to which we have become accustomed. The places we either love or hate, where we meet our new travelling mates, old friends from back home, clubbing buddies, future partners, flatmates and in some cases our future spouse. By spending less on our beds we hope to spend more on experiencing the local culture. In the following paragraphs there are a few suggestions to make that budget bed all the more bearable.
The quality of a youth hostel is not necessarily measured by the creature comforts it provides, such as high pressure hot showers or cable TV, but more by the people, the staff and fellow travellers that make your time there, however short, more memorable. Anyone who has spent an extended amount of time living in close quarters with other human beings will understand the physical and mental adjustments that come with it. You find out just how tolerant you really are and work out new ways to make it survivable.
You may have shared a bedroom with a sibling as a child but that does not really compare to sharing with possibly, for the first time, the opposite sex and from two or three people up to 20 or more. Most travellers just beginning their travels would be shocked and horrified at the thought of dressing and undressing in front of an audience let alone putting up with all the assorted habits of a diverse range of roommates. But after a few months on the road however it all becomes second nature.
Now, there has been a real renaissance in the European hostel industry recently with owners realising there is no longer a benefit in providing substandard type accommodation. The backpackers will vote with their feet and now thanks to the internet with their fingers to inform the rest of the world to avoid the place like the plague. Occasionally though you will find a bunch of individuals willing to tough it out in cramped rooms, less than sanitary bathrooms, and downright scary kitchens purely for the social atmosphere. They like who they are sharing with.
A single sex dorm is usually the first choice for many first timers, but don’t be fooled. Even those you would consider to maintain a reasonable standard of communal etiquette can turn out practically feral, girls included.
Tip one, keep an open mind on sharing. Small dorms are preferable over large ones even if they are more expensive. You get to know who you are sharing with pretty quickly and roommates are potential gold mines for additional travel information. Sharing with guys can also be a bonus. They usually know where all the fun is going on.
Here’s tip two. For those trying to maintain any kind of privacy hanging a sarong or large towel from the bunk above as a curtain is one option, provided you are on the bottom. The sarong is definitely preferable as it is light to carry. And if you only take a tiny travel towel that sprint to the bathroom for a shower is made a little easier if you can wear the sarong as a wraparound. It also doubles as shower curtain in some places. It is a very versatile piece of material.
Wearing flip-flops in the shower is another prime tip. Most places will ensure the showers are cleaned at least once a day but when you consider the high numbers of people using them as well coming from all over the world there is a risk eventually of coming into contact with a foot fungus. Not particularly fun nor easy to get rid of. The flip-flops keep your feet off the floor and hopefully further away from any risk of catching some fungal nasty.
Tip four is for those who are light sleepers or become homicidal axe wielding maniacs at the sound of ear drum splitting snorers- ear plugs. Brilliant on long haul flights as well these things may just save your sanity if the guy in the bunk above sounds like a chainsaw on full throttle at 4 in the morning.
Tip five is to carry some kind of a pocket knife. In this age of tightened airport security this may sound like the wrong advice but if it stored in your pack that is checked into the hold it should be ok. Some hostels have kitchen facilities but may lack in some vital utensils. Tin openers invariably never work, sharp knives aren’t, and sometimes even something as simple as a teaspoon may be non existent. A pocket knife with a decent blade length and can opener is invaluable.
Tip six is to make use of the safety deposit boxes where you are staying. Ok, not every roommate is a thief. We would like to believe all our fellow travellers are just like us, out to see the world, make new friends, experience new cultures and customs, find new horizons and for the majority that is correct. Nearly everyone you will come into contact with will have a similar attitude to travel as you and would never cheat a fellow backpacker. However there is a minority out there that can make it unpleasant for the rest of us. If you are staying somewhere with a pretty transient clientele, people arriving and leaving every five minutes put all the important stuff behind reception for peace of mind. It also makes sense when going out. Only take what you’re going to spend. Most places have safety boxes for free or a small fee.
Tip seven is to take your own padlock. Some places have lockers but rent out the padlocks. You may also want to consider some kind of backpack chain to secure the pack to the bunk if there is no locker and you don’t trust where you are staying. There are some fishing-net like chains specifically designed for packs available, fairly lightweight and they fit over your entire pack or case. Just don’t lose the keys.
Tip eight sounds strange but take a bungee cord. This is an elastic rope that can extend out to make a clothesline or curtain rail. Great if you have to do hand washing and can’t get to a dryer. It only needs to be about 1 metre long and preferably with clips or hooks at either end.
Tip nine is to take a sleep sheet and a pillow case. Most places provide linen now for an additional charge or even included in the price but where this isn’t available it is handy to have a sleep sheet. Some stores sell sleep sheets already made that are treated to prevent bed bugs or you can easily make your own by stitching a double sheet down one side. Smaller and lighter than carrying a sleeping bag and easier to wash, it is ideal for travel in the summer through hot destinations. A pillow case can be useful for making a pillow by stuffing it with clothes if there isn’t one and can even make do as an emergency towel.
Tip ten is to accept those differences. Hostels come in all shapes, sizes and styles. There can be good and bad hostels in large and small destinations. A large and popular hostel in the city may have less atmosphere than a tiny pension in a remote village. You may find the bar, party crowd and DJ downstairs impossible to leave after a week. You could also discover the cool Aussie, South African and Canadian guys you’ve been sharing a room with for a month want to go see the pyramids in September when you want to go and they have transport. You may even learn your roommate has more questionable personal habits than your own. All of these experience serve to teach us more about ourselves.
My last point is not a tip but the eleventh commandment, thou shalt not have any noisy plastic shopping bag of any sort in your backpack. Even the most mild mannered, easy going and placid individual will be itching to heave a meat cleaver between the ears of someone rummaging inside their plastic bags, especially if it is at 5am in the morning and all they can hear is the demented rustling of the plastic. If you must insist on having the wretched thing at least drag the pack into the hallway to find what you are looking for and leave your roommates to sleep in peace. They will thank you for it.
Keep these in mind and whatever you discover through your hostelling experiences, about yourself and the rest of your fellow travellers, the good and the not so good, they will all remain an unforgettable part of your travelling adventures.

You might think of hostelling as something that college students do while traveling through Europe for the summer. However, hostelling is not just for the college crowd anymore, and now includes people of all ages and backgrounds. If you are a traveler on a budget, staying at a hostel can be an adventure that will add to your travel experience.
Staying in a hostel will not be everyone’s cup of tea, and many travelers would prefer to spend the money on a traditional hotel. Hostel traveling is best suited to those traveling alone, or to young people traveling in groups. Hostels are not really recommended for families traveling with young children. In fact, many hostels do not accept children under a certain age.
Most hostels are set up like dormitory rooms, with several bunk beds arranged in the room, with anywhere from four to ten bunks per room. Each traveler is assigned a specific bed upon check-in.
Nearly all of the hostels in the United States group their accommodations according to gender, with the female guests in one section of rooms and the male guests in another. In multi-level hostels, males and females are often separated by floor.
It is not uncommon, however for European hostels (and those elsewhere around the world) to allow mixed genders to share a room. Make sure to ask about the policy of the hostel before you check in. I, as a woman traveling solo, have never encountered a problem with these arrangements, and I have stayed in hostels throughout Europe, including Rome, London and Amsterdam. Some visitors might be surprised or offended by these sleeping arrangements.
The bathroom accommodations at hostels differ also, with some rooms containing a shared bathroom and shower, while other hostels will have shower and bathroom facilities located in the hallway. If you would prefer not to share a bathroom with strangers, make sure you ask about the hostel’s policy ahead of time.
More often now, reservations are becoming increasingly vital at hostels, especially during the summer months in popular cities. It is now not at all unusual for hostels in popular tourist cities to be booked solid for months, where once it was common for travelers to be able drop by the hostel and expect to get a bed.
Price is by far the biggest appeal of staying at hostels. The nightly rate for a hostel is usually no higher than $25 or $30 per night, with most costing even less. With the average hotel room cost somewhere around $100 to $150 in many cities, it is easy to see why hostels are becoming such a popular alternative.
Another benefit of staying in a hostel is that the staff is extremely accommodating and knowledgeable about the local area. Unlike many staff members of some luxury hotels, who travel in from the outlying areas and rarely see the city in which they work, hostel staff tend to live in the city, and have an personal knowledge of the local sites, including which attractions are can’t miss and which ones aren’t worth the trip.
Hostels also usually have access to discounts and coupons for local area attractions and restaurants, and they can provide information on the best restaurants and hangouts around.
While not everyone will find a hostel appealing, and the accommodation of a local hostel are simple at best, they can be wonderful options for lodging for the budget minded traveler. After all, the goal of travel is to get out and see the world, and hostel travel lets you save money on lodging so that you can do just that.

* Notify your family and local law enforcement agency of your departure and return dates but don’t otherwise publicize your travel or vacation plans. Leave contact numbers with appropriate mission personnel. * Arrange to have a friend or colleague pick up your newspapers, mail, or other deliveries daily.
* Secure your home. Close and lock all windows and doors. Don’t forget to lock garage or gate doors. * Consider purchasing timers to turn on outside and inside lights automatically at various times throughout the night. * Check outside lighting and replace older light bulbs. You don’t want a light burning out while you are away. * Ask a friend or colleague to check your residence periodically, ensuring your furnace or air conditioning is functioning and that timers and lights are working. * The decision to set the automated alarm system may vary from region to region. Power outages and brownouts may trip alarm systems. Check with your security officer for advice on setting alarm systems when you are away for long periods of time. * Unplug all unnecessary appliances such as televisions, stereos, and personal computers. * Mow your lawn just before leaving; make arrangements to have someone mow it again if you will be gone for an extended period of time. Also arrange for watering, if that is likely to be needed. * In the winter, make arrangements to have someone shovel walkways if it snows. At a minimum, have a neighbor walk from the street to your door several times. * If possible, ask a neighbor to park a car in your driveway (if you are taking yours). * If you use a telephone answering machine, turn off the ringer on the telephone. If you don’t have an answering machine, unplug or turn off ringers on all telephones.
* Lock all jewelry, important papers, currency, and other valuable portables in a safe place such as a safe deposit box or home safe.
* Ensure all personal and home insurance policies are up-to-date and that your coverage is adequate.
Preparing your home before you head out on vacation will minimize the chances of a theft while you are gone. A little bit of common sense to secure your home and valuables will give you peace of mind while you are traveling overseas.
Nothing will ruin a vacation like finding out your house got broken in to while you were away. Follow these common sense tips to ensure better security during your travels. An ounce of security prevention is worth a pound of cure. Be safe and have a great vacation.

While there is no foolproof method of eluding thieves, the information below may help reduce the possibility of your becoming a victim: 1. Before leaving the house, think about ways to protect yourself. Think about where you want to carry your money, credit cards and identification. Don’t take valuable jewelry and watches with you. Separate valuables - don’t put all your money in one place. 2. Reduce the possibility of becoming a victim by securing valuables in a waist belt or pouch covered by a shirt sweater or coat. NEVER FLASH MONEY AROUND. 3. Don’t make it easy for the thief - don’t carry large amounts of money in easily accessible jacket pockets or purses. Don’t use a wallet. Use your front pants pockets and inside shirt pockets for your money and other valuables. Placing valuables in a purse around your neck or shoulder and secured inside a shirt sweater or jacket is a useful habit to get into. Waist packs are better than purses or handbags, but they should also be hidden under a shirt or coat.
4. Never advertise your intention to spend a large amount of money. 5. Avoid shopping alone. Awareness of your surroundings and advanced planning are your best weapons for defending against thieves. 6. Always be aware of your surroundings. Look at people near you and watch for “accidental” nudging and touching. 7. Do not carry anything in your wallet or purse that you are not willing to lose. Most shopping in Asia is done on a cash and carry basis; leave unneeded credit cards and your passport in a safe place. Carry a photocopy of the ID portion of your passport. Your ID card and drivers license is replaceable; family photographs and other personal items may not be as easy to replace. Remember, carry only what you are going to need for your outing. The precautions listed above can help make you a harder target. Terrorists and criminals look for the easy target - the path of least resistance. By making yourself a difficult target you can help ensure your own safety and that of your family. Please remember that thinking about what to do in an emergency is not as frightening as not knowing what to do when faced with an actual emergency.

The island of Elba in the Tuscan Archipelago is one of the most popular tourist spots in Italy. The island is a unique combination of history and nature and you can find quaint old villages mingling with modern resorts and hotels on this island. The 225 square kilometer island has more than fifty picturesque beaches and you can take your pick from hard rock and fine sand beaches. Elba is an extremely popular tourist spot and while it has all the amenities to cater to the vast hordes of people visiting it, at times accommodation runs short. Therefore, if you are planning to visit Elba anytime during the peak season of May to September, then it is advised that you definitely get your hotel reservations done before setting foot on the island. Hotel reservations for your stay in Elba can be made either online or by calling up hotels directly. All you need to do is log on to a site that provides you with a list of places to stay in Elba. These websites will also give you a description about the kind of accommodation and amenities that will be provided and the contact details of different hotels. Many sites will list budget hotels separately. The best way of getting your hotel reservations done is by calling up the hotel yourself and then making a booking. You can also book directly through a website if you are tech savvy enough to believe in everything virtual or if the hotel you are booking with is ready to send you an email or call up to confirm your booking.
If you really do not want to stay in a hotel but would prefer to spend your stay in Elba at places that are cheaper than hotels, then you can book your stay with a Bed and Breakfast. However, you might be surprised to know that a B&B in Italy does not necessarily mean Budget, and you can find Bed and Breakfast establishments featuring all kind of luxuries and amenities. At the same time, budget B&Bs are also quite common and you can book yourself with one if you are a budget traveler. Once again, the internet is the best option for searching and finding out about the best and the most suitable B&Bs in Elba. Then again, there are a number of people who find hotels too impersonal and would rather stay at places that offer a more homely atmosphere. If you are one of these people, then you can choose to look for one of the numerous family homes, villas and estates that let themselves out to tourists in part. Nothing beats staying with a local family if you really want to get a taste Italy first hand. Those with money and a spirit of adventure can also book themselves into one of the many agri-tourist resorts in Elba. These are generally olive and wine estates that have the amenities for lodging and feeding tourists. In most cases, these are luxury estates that might offer you individual cottages and wine and olive grove tours and activities along with all the modern amenities that you will find in a hotel. Whatever type of accommodation you wish to have, just make sure to book in advance if you do not want to find yourself shelter less on the island of Elba.

Been hearing your neighbors brag about their trip to Italy and Tuscany and are dying of envy? Why not plan a trip and take off to explore the mountains to see what they were raving about? The place is as picturesque as it sounds, and the people there are extremely friendly, which makes the trip worth the effort. While planning your holiday to Europe, remember the weather conditions there are quite low, and so pack enough woolen wear, else you might freeze in the chill. Talk to a travel agent who can get you a package deal where your travel and accommodation is taken care of. Tuscany, the town famous for wine, has many wine yards that you can visit while you are there. You might even get an opportunity to take part in the wine making process, so dress accordingly. Nobile di Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino, and of course, the famous and breathtakingly sensational Chianti and Chianti wine are found right here in Tuscany. Sample a few of the finest wine, learn how to judge wine and watch the connoisseurs use their expertise and teach you the art. Before leaving for your trip, do a bit of research on the net to make a list of places that you wish to visit, shopping arena and other entertainment. There are shows and performances that take place in the country side, so gear up for those as well, if that is your cup of tea. If you are keen on staying at one of the villas or the country homes, you could even earn a chance to learn some of the local cuisines. Cook with the locals, or try your hand at baking a traditional Italian pizza or stir up a storm with a bowl of pasta. Experience the life of Tuscany like one of the Tuscans. Get lost in their culture, and savor what the town has to offer right from your doorstep. They even organize for pick ups and drops to destination of your choice. There are many villas you can reserve for your Tuscany holidays, and many of them are medieval structures, fully restored and located in Tuscany typical countryside, ma just a few minutes by cat from the main cities, like Firenze, Siena, Pisa, end so on… Since these villas are now B&B accommodation structures, the most part of them are equipped with a swimming pool for you to laze around in, and a serviced kitchen that offers complimentary breakfast on demand. Ideal for a family or group of 3-4members, there are enough rooms and some more. You can do your laundry, iron your clothes, and make use of all the latest appliances as you would back home. Watch your lives change as you enjoy the palatial apartments and villas in the tower, where your heart loses itself and doesn’t want to go back.
About transportation… Since these villas are country located, don’t worry if you don’t have a car: you can hop on a bus and get in the city very quick to do more sight seeing, while feasting your eyes on some of the local wares on display.

The one thing everyone looks forward to is their annual holiday. Normally, they plan a trip to the country side or the hills, for change in weather and to explore unknown territory. But the dream that most of us have is to visit Italy and Tuscany at least once in our lifetime. These places are known for their natural beauty and the lovely architecture that sets them apart from the rest of the world. The place where Pizza originated, designers create clothes that one would die for, these towns have carved a niche for themselves on the world map.
When you decide the dates for your trip and are looking forward to holidaying in Tuscany, you should also plan out other details related to the vacation. Accommodation being the key element, you need to figure out where you will be staying during your trip. There are several hotels and cottages available for the tourists to relax in. But the quaint villas are what make the town so special and surreal. Most of them are old barns converted to villas, fitted with all modern appliances and fittings. The outdoors is as much a part of the villa, which you feel as if you are one with nature. Home to many of the European cultures, in Tuscany and around it, you can witness culture from other parts of Europe. Since it is one of the twenty regions of Italy, you find a lot of similarities between the towns. You can also visit Florence, the capital city, where flowers, food and people will attract you.
If you would rather stay at a holiday home, why not choose from the wide range available. There are some for small families and others that are multi level, and ideal for families with children. Plenty of space to move around, a fully furnished home, the people who stay there can cook their meals and enjoy the comforts of being at home. In Tuscany countryside, there are luxurious farm houses and villas catering to the crowd who love to open doors to the mountains. Wake up and watch the sun rise behind the mountains, sip your coffee in the patio that has a country feel to it.
Villas situated a couple of kilometers from the Cathedral of Florence are quite popular and comfortable as well. So, if you would like to stay somewhere with little noise around, these Villa Florence are just what you need. They all have about 8-9 beds that you can reserve for your family, or share with other families as well. If you are going on a week long holiday, and look forward to exploring towns around Tuscany, you could park your bags here, and move around. It would work out cheaper that way, instead of staying at different hotels, and lugging your bags around. Some of these farmhouses even have swimming pool and a gym, which would come in handy if you are looking to unwind after a day of sight seeing or shopping.

There are different modes of enjoying your vacation such as by air, by cruise or to various places for camping. The cruise ships however becoming popular day by day for holiday goers. This is because of the entertainment offered by cruise trips as well as due to their novelty. It is always remains a myth among people that it would cost them dearly when it comes to holidays in a cruise ship but the prices are quite reasonable. You have the option to choose different places for cruise along with various amenities that the cruise ship will offer you. It would be a great family entertainment for you and you can share every moment of it as you don’t have other responsibilities like planning activities, cooking food and others generally you have to do in a camping.
However, to really enjoy such things you have to book your holiday cruise as early as possible. A last moment booking might not be fruitful for you as they sell out fast. An early booking also ensure you that no one from the family being left out due to unavailability of tickets. You can also get the best prices for the cruise and has the option to choose the cabin size. While booking you also have to take care that you are responsible for your own transportation to the port and you have to consider that in booking price. Holiday cruises are theme based and everything in the deck is decorated according to the theme. Like, if you are going for a holiday cruise for Christmas, you will find the decoration match with it. You may also able to find Santa Claus to greet children on the cruise. There are some other holiday cruises such as trip to Disneyworld or Disneyland. You can choose your own theme, like if you want to share the experience of white Christmas, you can go for Alaska or Antarctica. Otherwise you can travel to Caribbean for a warmer Christmas.
Try to find out various activities in a cruise ship to enjoy the trip very well. You also have to take care that for each of your family member there is something to participate. You could find cruise ships that offer activities that are compatible with your hobbies than a cruise with various activities none matching to your lifestyle.
For a proper cruise ship you have to browse the internet as this is the right place to know about them where you can also view the pictures of that place. Another option for you is to go for a local travel agent from whom you can pick up brochures of the travel details. So decide and collect where you want to go in your next vacation.