Foreign Hostels

[scottdav]

I've not had a holiday for 7 years now and don't want to go away with mates. I'm 21 and don't drink so that means we want different things in a holiday. I want to explore learning about other countries, environments and cultures whereas they want to get drunk, sleep, get drunk etc.

Would be booking cheap flights at the last minute for friday night-sunday weekends every 6-8 weeks but cant afford anything fancy so thinking about hostels. I know nothing about them other than a guy i used to work with went across America with mates when younger staying in them but that was 20 years ago now so it seems irrelevant.

The plan would be to get there and wonder round all weekend instead of doing the same old same old. Willing to go pretty much anywhere to see pretty much anything to be honest. Would also enjoy meeting loads of new people knowing I'd only see them for a few days.

So is there anything to look out for, anywhere to avoid, or is it just a bad idea? I was once told to say I'm from the UK to anyone foreign as the English aren't too well liked..

[v15ben]

www.hostelworld.com - I usually book hostels on here, they have a good review system, decent prices and lots of choice. You can also just turn up and see if anywhere has a bed, but probably better to book in advance as European weekenders are pretty popular

I'd definitely recommend hostels having stayed in them all over the world from Barcelona to Beijing.

Just check the reviews first and try and get into one which is clean. The communal showers, kitchen, social area etc will usually be a bit of a mess, but nothing too major.

You'll meet plenty of people in most hostels unless you hide in the corner, so go for it and have fun

Also what you said about saying you are from the UK instead of England... what a load of old wives tale! I've never had any issue saying I'm English anywhere in the world, hell most of the people in the hostels around Europe are probably Brits anyway

Edited by v15ben on Tuesday 21st June 02:53

[Jackleman]

As above, I can recommend HostelWorld and also HostelBookers.

In the last two years I have stayed in hostels on my own in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Australia. I can thoroughly recommend it as a great way to meet people from all walks of life and nationality. It is normally a very cheap way to live. It is well worth reading the reviews on each hostel, I have stayed in some amazing places and one or two bad ones. Beware of some hostels which are party hostels, these can be great fun but not after a very long flight as I found out to my expense in Melbourne!

[v15ben]

Party hostels are great fun if that is what you want, but easy enough to avoid them or simply move to another place after the first night.

I've stayed in hostels all over the world and never had too many issues. Got bedbugs once in Laos and also had someone in the next bed getting a tattoo done while they were pissed at 1am!