Archive for November, 2008
Vibrant, cosmopolitan London is packed with culture, nightclubs and crowds. But while few metropolises can top it for buzz, it’s also one of the most expensive cities in the world.
To kick start a new series of posts on filling 48 hours (and an instant weekend) in top destinations around the world with thrifty entertainment, we’re going to show you how to spend two nights in the cherished home of HostelBloggers (and HostelBookers) on a budget of less than £50… Sound impossible? Well, keep reading…
Day One
Art, culture, architecture and more… The city may be pricey as a rule but many of its world-class attractions are free. From the extensive comtemporary art collections at the Tate Modern to electic exhibitions from the worlds of fashion and music at The Victoria and Albert Museum, there’s more than enough free culture to keep budget travelers entertained.
For a taste of very British architecture, stroll along The Strand to Trafalgar Square, then head up The Mall to admire the views of Buckingham Palace. From here, cut across to Horse Guards Road and walk down Downing Street towards Westminster; all the quintessential London sights, from the Parliament buildings to the Queens’ Guards and the palace, and all without spending a single pound….
Party on Brick Lane. After a long day of sightseeing, London’s famous clubbing scene awaits. The trendy East End is fast becoming the city’s most popular nightspot, with revelers crowding onto Brick Lane most nights of the week. Grab a £5 curry (look out for restaurants that have a BYOB policy - Bring Your Own Booze - for extra value on eating out) then head to one of the many bars and pubs which line the street. Cafe 1001 and 93 Feet East begin to fill up when the pubs quieten down, thanks to free entry and reasonable drinks (around £3 a beer). The latter is a hotspot for up-and-coming bands whilst Cafe 1001 pumps out dirty techno all day, every day to East London’s fashionable raving set.
Rest Your Weary Head… In the north of the city, London Backpackers offers dorm beds for the seriously attractive price of £9.50 a night. The underground closes around midnight but the city is still very well connected with regular nightbuses transporting weary revelers back to their London hostels all through the night for just 90p (on an Oyster Card).
Day Two
Camden Passage. After brunch (£6.95 for hearty sausages and mash) at the retro 1940s ‘S&M Cafe’ on Essex Road (something of an Islington institution), it’s a short hop to quaint Camden Passage which runs parallel to the busy Essex Road. Filled with small vintage and antique shops, the street is also lined with stalls selling everything from jewelry to junk - perfect for a morning of browsing with a hangover.
Camden Town. There’s more market action to be had in nearby bohemian Camden Town. Here the city’s young and trendy crowds gather among vintage clothes stalls and music stands, with electronic beats blaring out of every corner. The market is now so popular that bargains are on the rare side, but the food is universally good and cheap. Down by the lock, try the Argentinian steaks for £4.50 to refuel after a day of window shopping.
Sink a Pint or Four. The streets of Soho are bustling day and night - the pefect spot to enjoy a few (less hedonistic?) drinks on your second night. For fantastic value in this central part of the city, head to the Cittie of Yorke on High Holborn for dark beams, heaps of old-fashioned English pub charm and (most importantly) £2 pints.
This pub is in fact part of a chain owned by the Samuel Smith’s brewery (although far removed from the typical characterless ‘chains’ which abound in city centers) of which there are a grand total of 32 scattered across London….perfect for a bar crawl that will stretch out the last of that budget!
AW
For those about to eat turkey… we salute you.
American ex-pats away from home don’t need to miss out on the delights of a traditional Thanksgiving either. Visit EarthCam’s coverage of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York for a taste of home, or follow football scores with American news network, CNN.
Those traversing accross America this week couldn’t have picked a better time to visit, food-wise. Keep your eyes peeled at local restaurants, cafes and bars for turkey-related specials for the rest of the weekend. Additionally, restaurants across the country are also serving up traditional-style Thanksgiving dinners all day today. Have a look at some top picks in New York, Chicago and L.A, or visit MetroMix for cities across the country.
KW
All of us here at HostelBookers were proud to be presented with Best Youth Product 2008 at this year’s British Youth Travel Awards, hosted by the British Educational Travel Association.
HostelBookers saw off stiff competition from Anglophiles Academic, David Beckham Football Academy and the Educational Cultural Exchange’s Medieval Encampment Experience to win the category. Our fearless leader and CEO David Smith said, “This is a fantastic accolade and one we have worked very hard for.”
But there’s more to it than just the motley crew pictured above - a million thanks go not only to everyone in the industry who voted, but also the hostels who work along side us. And, most of all, to you guys; the travelers and the backpackers! Its your ratings and reviews that allow us to offer such an effective travel service, and ultimately be the best at what we do…
KW
For some, being away from home over the Christmas period can be a tough time. Yuletide merriment is all about getting together with your loved ones and sharing some festive cheer (along with a fair bit of booze and pudding, of course). So for backpackers on the road, Christmas and New Year can be, well, a bit of a lonely experience.
But all is not lost! Across the world, there are great hostels that allow their guests to enjoy the spirit of Christmas and the hedonism of New Year to the full. The beauty of these joints is that they create a family out of like-minded travelers. Oh, and they also create huge, all-encompassing Christmas knees ups too!
The Flying Pig Hostels, Amsterdam
The three Flying Pig Hostels in Amsterdam are wonderfully cozy and sociable all year round. Come Christmas, however, they take on a whole new level of appeal… The offer is simple: ‘Free Beds and Free Bubbles’. And it’s as attractive as it sounds. Simply book a two nights stay at one of the hostels over Christmas, and you get a third night free. You also get a free turkey dinner, a free champagne breakfast, and, as the Flying Pig puts it, “no annoying aunts and uncles”!
Nathans Villa, Krakow
Nathans Villa is well known on the backpacking trail as a place where just about anything goes. This is party central, and the traveler looking for a New Year’s mash-up could do much worse than head to this excellent hostel in the middle of Krakow. From the private bar (that’s right – no riff raff) to the beer garden and the outdoor terrace, Nathan’s Villa practically lives for nights like New Year’s. And the travelers who experience it practically live for next year’s installment once the night finally comes to an end…
Sir Toby’s Hostel, Prague
As its motto (“a stranger is just a friend we haven’t met yet”) testifies, Sir Toby’s is a home from home as soon as you walk through the door. Don’t expect the most raucous party of your life, but do expect some genuine warmth, a free Christmas dinner, and the opportunity to learn how to bake traditional Czech Christmas cookies.
Hostel of the Sun, Naples
As with Sir Toby’s, Hostel of the Sun has that little something special that makes you think you’re at home. Perhaps it’s the incredibly cozy TV room, or the helpful receptionists who banter day-long with the guests. Whatever the reason, Hostel of the Sun is a safe bet for a memorable Christmas - this year, they’re planning to do food-based hospitality like only the Italians can by offering a free Christmas and New Year’s dinner.
Be Hostels, Barcelona
Christmas and New Year in Barcelona are always jubilant occasions, with the locals doing their best to drink and dance as much as humanly possible. In preparation for the activities, the two Be Hostels in Barcelona are offering free dinner on both nights. Read between the lines and you realize happy immobility is guaranteed – either through food, or drink, or a combination of the two!
Loki Hostels, Peru
Christmas celebrations in Peru focus around the night of the 24th, or Noche Buena as it’s known. This makes a stay in one of the four Loki Hostels a must, as they plan to go all out on the 25th as well. In fact, these hostels aren’t going to let up all week long, with food and parties carrying guests in a whirlwind from the 24th to the dawn of the New Year.
Soi 1 Guesthouse – Backpackers Hostel, Bangkok
Xmas at Soi 1 promises to be X rated. Things start at 6pm on the 25th, with pub games and alcoholic lollypops, before the entire hostel hits the streets for a pub-crawl of monumental proportions. And, for those who make it through the evening, the hostel picks itself up again for New Year’s, with gallons of ‘Soi 1 Hunch Punch’ (it’s vodka, basically), fireworks on the river, and late night clubbing, all on the menu.
Home Made Hostel, Budapest
Known for its stylish, old-fashioned décor and friendly, welcoming atmosphere, Home Made Hostel is primed for an evening of eating, drinking and chatting come the 25th. This is definitely a hostel in which to kick back and enjoy the finer points of life.
Sevilla Urbany Hostel, Seville
Friendly Urbany Hostel in Seville hosts a truly Spanish Christmas and New Years (including cakes, anisette and 12 grapes…). You can read about it here.
Urban Central, Melbourne
Swish and swanky, Urban Central is simply the place to be if you’re looking to party it up over Christmas in Australia. If Christmas Day, with free dinner and punch, sounds like wholesome – if boozy – fun, then New Year’s Eve, with free champagne, a DJ, and a rooftop viewing of fireworks sounds positively raucous.
In case you were wondering, there’s a dress code for these nights. On the 25th it’s festive attire, and on the 31st it’s ‘dress to impress’. Nothing too controversial, then…
Athens Backpackers, Athens
Athens Backpackers are serving up a three day sucker-punch over Xmas. Things get going on the 24th with cocktails, mulled wine and a carol service, while the 25th is all about heaps of turkey, mince pies and red wine. If you’re able to get out of bed on Boxing Day, there’s a short outing to Lycabbetus followed by films all evening. Lovely!
Meininger, Berlin
If all the above sounds a little heady, then the Meininger chain of hostels in Berlin have come up with a solution. It’s a simple philosophy really: Do whatever you like on New Year’s Eve, and then recover with their free hang-over breakfast the next morning! Who needs Alka Seltzer when you can have a full German Frühstück?
JC
First off, a massive thanks to everyone who entered our recent compeition to win a weekend in Amsterdam - you certainly kept us entertained!
In fact, there were so many excellent itineraries posted that we had difficulty picking a winner… and we’ve decided to give away two copies of The Rough Guide to Amsterdam for the runners-up.
The prize of two night’s accommodation at The Flying Pig, though, goes to Angie and Rox - partly for the time and effort they put in to creating this poem, but mainly for attempting to rhyme “Rembrant” with “plant”! Congratulations, girls - have a fantastic time! And here’s their entry, in all it’s glory…
With Rizlas in hand,
We leave British sand,
And set sail for our prized destination.
Escaping the rain,
And the daily mundane
We succumb to the ‘city of temptation’.
By bike or by boat,
Though the sights we shall float,
Van Gough, Vermeer and Rembrandt.
The evening grows near,
We head for some beer,
And the lure of that sacred green plant.
No time to sit back,
Hangover sidetracked,
So much in tomorrow to cram.
A weekend away,
We wish we could stay,
Sweet times we had in ‘the Dam’!
Special mentions (and those Rough Guides) go to Brother Kaif for pure entertainment value (Anne Frank in burlesque gear? Genius) and Aled for his romantic vision of proposing in the Ice Bar - and then heading off to a sex show, of course. Email your address to editor@hostelbookers.com and we’ll send on the guide!
Remember to keep your eye out for more great competitions here, and over at HostelBookers…
Here at HostelBloggers, we always have our eye on a budget deal. Craig Martin shares information and advice with HostelBloggers’ readers on the great value train pass…
Want to see more, but don’t want to pay the earth? Getting around Europe can be made much more manageable with a Eurail Pass. They’re great for people looking for a hop-on, hop-off train experience and don’t want the hassle - or expensive - of buying tickets each time.
Eurail Passes come in many shapes and sizes, but by far the most popular is the Eurail Global Pass, which offers unlimited train travel through 20 European countries. If you’re under 26 or travelling in a group you can also get discounts; a youth pass starts at US$474 for 15 days. This might seem pricey if you’re simply hopping around a little bit, but once you cover long distances by train, you start to see a decent saving.
After the pass is validated, you need to keep it on you and, because it’s linked to you personally, you should also keep your passport handy to show your identity to any roaming conductors.
Trains are an easy and exciting way to travel in Europe: the rail networks are plentiful and generally run on time. A Eurail pass is undoubtedly an easier way to travel than buying individual tickets, but it’s not all plain sailing. Some journeys, especially international or night journeys, require seat reservations to be made and so you need to visit the station early enough to book a seat at the counter and exchange of a few euros. From you to them, unfortunately.
If you are travelling within a smaller region, cheaper, country or region-specific Eurail Passes are also available. They operate on a slightly different system than the general pass, with a fixed number of travel days allocated within a wider time frame.
Eurail passes are only available in the US, though - if you’re a European resident or have lived there for six months or more, you can investigate the InterRail ticket which works on a very similar basis. It’s also worth noting that it’s up to 20% more expensive to buy a Eurail pass from within Europe so you’re much better off ordering it online during the planning stages.
And for even cheaper deals, check out the Spring sales which are currently on for next year at Railpass.com and other outlets…. Time to hit the rails!
Guest poster Craig Martin is the author of the Travelling Europe ebook and runs Eurail Stories. If you have a story to share with the world, get in touch…
Every backpacker has a tale about that local ‘delicacy’ which made them gasp/gag in horror. From monkey brains in Indiana Jones to snake blood in The Beach, gross foods are the stuff of traveling legend.
And then on the other hand, budget guidebooks all scream ‘eat what the locals do, it’s cheaper!’ and so once again we backpacking types find ourselves with a very suspicious-looking specialty halfway to our mouths.
There are some things, though, that we really can’t face the thought of - even if it means missing out on an amazing cultural experience, or maybe going hungry… So here it is, our top ten inedible dishes from around the world!
1. Balut. The number one spot has to go to this stomach-churning snack popular in the Philippines. Basically, it’s an egg with a dead chick inside. Enough said.
2. Natto. Almost famous amongst backpackers in Japan for its gross-out cheesy smell and stringy appearance, Natto is a traditional dish that’s often eaten at breakfast for its nutritious qualities. Made from fermented soybeans, it’s not one for the uninitiated.
3. Casu Marzu. A traditional Sardinian cheese made from sheep milk, Casu Marzu is fermented to the stage of decomposition. Anything that comes with a warning to wear eye-protection when eating for fear of larvae launching themselves at your face really shouldn’t be touched in our book. But it’s considered such a delicacy by some that it sells for around $100 per lb - luckily out of reach of the budget traveler, then!
4. Hakarl. Shark meat may be eaten across the world but over in Iceland they ferment it first for five months or so until it has an ‘ammonia-rich’ taste and smell, kind of like a cleaning product. Although it’s available all year round, Hakarl is notably part of the traditional national dish Thorramatur which is served at midwinter festivals.
5. Starfish on a Stick. It’s hard to pick a favorite from the legendary Beijing night markets as they’re stuffed so full of ‘unusual’ delicacies. But amongst the goat testicles, grasshoppers, seahorses and silk-worms, something stands out - it’s a fried starfish on a stick, like a lollipop. Surely that’s not right?
6. Ambuyat. Unique to Brunei, ambuyat is a glue-like substance that’s made from the Sago palm tree. The trunk is planed into sawdust, boiled and then eaten like spaghetti and dipped into peanut sauce as it’s completely tasteless on its own. Be sure to eat it hot, though - before it dries into something resembling rubber cement.
7. The Pie Floater. Sounding like something very dodgy indeed and looking possibly worse, this combination of a meat pie and thick pea soup has rather randomly been recognized by the National Trust of Australia as an official ‘heritage icon’ from Adelaide.
8. Nyotaimori. We like sushi as much as the next gourmet, but eating raw fish off a naked model really just sounds wrong… Originally a Japanese custom, it’s a craze that has also begun to sweep through America, Germany and the UK. Apparently, the benefit is that the sushi warms up to body temperature, allowing the diner to concentrate fully on its taste and texture.
9. Spotted Dick. No, this isn’t made of genitalia. It’s actually a traditional English suet pudding with raisins. Not the greatest tasting dessert in the world (this is British food, after all) but made far worse by the inexplicable name. Can you imagine asking for “spotted dick, please” in a restaurant?
10. Scrapple. America’s contibution to our inedible foods list is this mush of fried hog offal cooled into a gel. It’s pretty much just the waste products of other meats. When it gets to this point, maybe it’s best to throw those left-overs away…
Dinner, anyone?
AW
Just a quick heads up as our friends over at Rough Guides have a new series of their ‘The Rough Guide to…’ TV show returning to British screens this coming Monday (it’ll be on Channel 5 at 19:30).
The series offers an insider’s take on travel destinations, eschewing the traditional ‘wish-you-were-here, god-how-I-love-the-Maldives/Marbella/Madagascar/wherever-it-is-that-I’ve-been-sent-to-by-my-production-team’ format, for a more sincere look at genuine backpacking destinations (like Koh Phi Phi, Berlin, Reykjavik and Fez).
It’s probably not all for backpackers, mind, but it’s just about as close as you’ll get at the mo to a serious travel show in tune with backpacking sentiments (we’re still waiting for the first made-for-backpackers TV show in the UK).
Clips from the last series can be found here.
JC
Friday 14th November – Sunday 23rd November
Hepcats and jazz fans in London will be spoiled for choice later this week, as the London Jazz Festival 2008 rolls out across the city. A tradition in the Big Smoke since the early 1970’s, the London Jazz Festival showcases a broad range of jazz music, as well as classes ranging from vocal labs to jazz journalism. There’s also an excellent array of free events – music to both your ears and pocket.
For more information, schedule and event prices, visit the London Jazz Festival’s website. Keep the weekend cheap and easy by using Transport for London to get from gig to gig, and rest your weary, be-bopped-filled head in a clean and comfy London hostel at the end of the night.
KW
On 23 to 27 November, the liberal city of Amsterdam will host this year’s Cannabis Cup. And, in honor of this extravagant celebration of Holland’s famous (and perennially popular) travel attraction, The Flying Pig - one of the most popular hostels in Amsterdam - is giving away two nights accommodation for two people, anytime in December, absolutely free!
To enter, just let us know what your ideal itinerary for a weekend in the city would be. The competition will close on the 17th of November, and itineraries are to be written in the comments box below. A small tip: They should include more than just ‘get baked’!
Here’s a quick lowdown on the Cup itself, for those interested…
Cannabis Cup Background
The festival was first started back in 1987, and today it’s just about the biggest stoner’s event going, with weed being sold, smoked and evaluated everywhere you look.
This year’s Cup will mark a point of departure from those before, however, with Amsterdam now enveloped in a tobacco ban. The law banning tobacco smoke indoors was introduced a few months back - as a result, coffeeshop smokers can either roll with a herbal substitute, or enjoy a more traditional joint outside on the cold pavement.
While many thought the ban would adversely affect Amsterdam coffeeshops’ trade, few have reported a downturn in business. It’s still uncharted territory for the Cup, however, and only the judges will be able to say whether those prized strains of marijuana entered into the competition are affected by this new substitute and law.
All in all, there’s normally around ten different categories, including Best Hash and Best Overall Strain (to which the Cannabis Cup is awarded). There’s also a prize for the Top Coffeeshop - a category that’s been through the travel blogosphere washer recently, after Matt of Matador Nights bravely nominated his favorites with, let’s say, a teeny bit of a backlash.
Well, never one to shirk a challenge (or a whack of vitriol), I thought I’d put my cards on the table. So here are my top five coffeeshops in Amsterdam:
1. Katsu, Eerste van der Helstraat. In a city packed with coffeeshops, it may be tempting to head to the nearest one to your hostel, but Katsu is definitely worth heading south (and off the beaten track) for. Winner of the Highlife Cup in 2008, they mix award-winning strains with a great buzz.
2. Abraxas, Jonge Roelensteeg. With its mosaics, sofas and chessboard tables, Abraxas is the ultimate place to head in Amsterdam for a relaxing vibe and a friendly welcome. This doesn’t mean a compromise in quality, though - from the hash milkshakes to the classic rollies, Abraxas is top-notch all the way.
3. Resin, Hekeveld. Resin (formerly known as The Pool Dog) has a deservedly good reputation among both the local and backpacking crowds. Unlike many shops this close to the center, the weed is consistently good quality and value, plus the pumping sound system and friendly staff, all add up to a great atmosphere.
4. Grey Area, Oude Leliestraat. Down in the Jordaan, the tiny (and always packed) Grey Area may be a little more on the pricey side but it’s actually famous around the world as the original home of Double Bubble Gum, Wobbler and more. Its reputation for these specialties puts it firmly on the Cannabis Cup map - as well as making it popular with bands and celebs passing through town.
5. Barneys Coffeeshop, Haarlemmerstraat. Barneys has been recognized at the Cannabis Cup multiple times, although it’s about more than just smoking here. Get one of their awesome breakfasts from 7am and settle into the slightly surreal interior for a long day, and let the good times roll (yes, pun intended).
AW
