Comments on: Travel Austerity: hostels and hanging out with the cool kids http://www.501places.com/2012/05/travel-austerity-hostels-and-hanging-out-with-the-cool-kids/ Sharing the world with you Thu, 17 May 2012 00:02:10 +0000 hourly 1 By: Andy Jarosz http://www.501places.com/2012/05/travel-austerity-hostels-and-hanging-out-with-the-cool-kids/#comment-69867 Andy Jarosz Tue, 15 May 2012 17:35:14 +0000 http://www.501places.com/?p=8389#comment-69867 Thanks for sharing your experiences Jaynesue - your enthusiasm is highly infectious! I'm looking forward to having the same great experiences that you're enjoying :-) Thanks for sharing your experiences Jaynesue – your enthusiasm is highly infectious! I’m looking forward to having the same great experiences that you’re enjoying :-)

]]> By: Andy Jarosz http://www.501places.com/2012/05/travel-austerity-hostels-and-hanging-out-with-the-cool-kids/#comment-69866 Andy Jarosz Tue, 15 May 2012 17:34:16 +0000 http://www.501places.com/?p=8389#comment-69866 Good tips Steve - thanks. Agree that some of the hostels look a lot better than cheap hotels and provide a nicer environment. Good tips Steve – thanks. Agree that some of the hostels look a lot better than cheap hotels and provide a nicer environment.

]]> By: Andy Jarosz http://www.501places.com/2012/05/travel-austerity-hostels-and-hanging-out-with-the-cool-kids/#comment-69865 Andy Jarosz Tue, 15 May 2012 17:31:33 +0000 http://www.501places.com/?p=8389#comment-69865 There are few things better at driving you up the wall in frustration than being kept awake by a loud snorer. I have it on good authority that I don't snore so I'm hoping your scenario never happens, or I'd end up with no hope of ever sleeping in a dorm. There are few things better at driving you up the wall in frustration than being kept awake by a loud snorer.

I have it on good authority that I don’t snore so I’m hoping your scenario never happens, or I’d end up with no hope of ever sleeping in a dorm.

]]> By: Ben Colclough http://www.501places.com/2012/05/travel-austerity-hostels-and-hanging-out-with-the-cool-kids/#comment-69864 Ben Colclough Tue, 15 May 2012 16:59:43 +0000 http://www.501places.com/?p=8389#comment-69864 Don't want to be age-ist, but how long before the youth of today is calling for single age-group dorms. Snoring is an age related problem... Don’t want to be age-ist, but how long before the youth of today is calling for single age-group dorms. Snoring is an age related problem…

]]> By: Jaynesue http://www.501places.com/2012/05/travel-austerity-hostels-and-hanging-out-with-the-cool-kids/#comment-69863 Jaynesue Tue, 15 May 2012 15:51:58 +0000 http://www.501places.com/?p=8389#comment-69863 Hola from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Andy! I just returned from a journey to Turkey...six weeks, four hotel nights stay, 14 Couchsurfing, and the remainder in dormitory hostels - at the ripe age of 53 traveling sola (woman). Money had nothing to do with my self imposed austerity, but rather, my desire to experience my trip. So I spent it with Turks, fellow travelers who could've been my children (no mom comments allowed, but they were allowed to call me Auntie if I couldn't keep up - never happened :)) and alone. I was open to all opportunities. I have traveled many ways. Bicycling throughout Europe, staying in chambres and zimmers to luxury hotels. But the combination of alone, connecting with locals and fellow travelers expanded my travel experience. It's not about age! Like all journeys, this one changed me. Enjoy! Experience! Engage! Hola from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Andy!

I just returned from a journey to Turkey…six weeks, four hotel nights stay, 14 Couchsurfing, and the remainder in dormitory hostels – at the ripe age of 53 traveling sola (woman). Money had nothing to do with my self imposed austerity, but rather, my desire to experience my trip. So I spent it with Turks, fellow travelers who could’ve been my children (no mom comments allowed, but they were allowed to call me Auntie if I couldn’t keep up – never happened :) ) and alone. I was open to all opportunities.

I have traveled many ways. Bicycling throughout Europe, staying in chambres and zimmers to luxury hotels. But the combination of alone, connecting with locals and fellow travelers expanded my travel experience. It’s not about age!

Like all journeys, this one changed me.

Enjoy! Experience! Engage!

]]> By: Steve McKenna http://www.501places.com/2012/05/travel-austerity-hostels-and-hanging-out-with-the-cool-kids/#comment-69861 Steve McKenna Tue, 15 May 2012 14:27:59 +0000 http://www.501places.com/?p=8389#comment-69861 I'm 34 and still stay in hostels on a regular basis (again, because it's ideal for keeping costs down and making trips profitable). It's just about picking the right one. I always scour the net for reviews and if I see any mention of 'party hostels' or 'crazy late-night hostel bar' I'll usually steer well clear. There are some superb hostels out there (many are new and squeaky clean, and have free wi-fi!). In the more chilled ones, you tend to meet 30 and 40-somethings, who are on a budget, want a good night's sleep and have no desire to be boozing til 6am. I prefer hostels to cheap hotels for many reasons. One is social/background noise - well a little, at least. I prefer the sound of people chatting (quietly) to a cheap, depressing, silent, lonely hotel room. Most of the time anyway. Good luck! I’m 34 and still stay in hostels on a regular basis (again, because it’s ideal for keeping costs down and making trips profitable). It’s just about picking the right one. I always scour the net for reviews and if I see any mention of ‘party hostels’ or ‘crazy late-night hostel bar’ I’ll usually steer well clear. There are some superb hostels out there (many are new and squeaky clean, and have free wi-fi!). In the more chilled ones, you tend to meet 30 and 40-somethings, who are on a budget, want a good night’s sleep and have no desire to be boozing til 6am. I prefer hostels to cheap hotels for many reasons. One is social/background noise – well a little, at least. I prefer the sound of people chatting (quietly) to a cheap, depressing, silent, lonely hotel room. Most of the time anyway. Good luck!

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