| Hostels have gotten a bad rap over the past few | | | | staying in a prison turned art museum in Slovenia. |
| years thanks to slasher flicks like Hostel. In reality, | | | | Most hostels are locally owned and staying in them not |
| almost all hostels are safe, clean places, many with | | | | only promotes local businesses but also can provide a |
| private rooms and amenities. Hostels can be a great | | | | chance to interact with the host family. I once stayed |
| alternative to staying in a hotel because they provide a | | | | at a hostel in Bosnia that also housed the manager's |
| more authentic experience at a low price. | | | | 81-year-old grandmother. She spoke nothing but |
| Hostels are so cheap because they are a no frills | | | | Bosnian but provided many cups of tea and even |
| enterprise. You will need to bring your own towels, | | | | nursed my friend who had the flu! |
| soap and shampoo. All hostels will provide bedding (or | | | | A good hostel will offer activities or tours to its tenants. |
| at worst let you rent some), although they may ask | | | | These could range from pub-crawls to cliff hikes to |
| you to strip your bed at the end of your stay. Many | | | | cooking classes. Even if they don't run any activities of |
| hostels now offer Wi-Fi in the common areas. | | | | their own, local hostel owners are great resources for |
| While many hostels are dormitory style, it is usually | | | | stories, advice and restaurant recommendations. |
| possible to reserve a private room at a price that is still | | | | Staying in upscale hotels may be more comfortable, |
| less than that of a hotel. There has also been a rise in | | | | but they establish a barrier between you and the world |
| "designer" hostels over the past few years. These are | | | | outside. What you give u in terms of comfort you will |
| hostels with odd concepts and interesting design. They | | | | make up for not only in price but also in experiences. |
| range from camping in a tree house in turkey to | | | | |