I've now been backpacking around the world and staying in hostels since I was 19. They've come in all varieties from luxe ones with fast WiFi and a coffee shop to run-down and inhabited by thrifty locals. They've been in big cities like London and Sydney as well as remote villages. I've been … [Read more...] about My Craziest Hostel Stories
hostels
Where I Slept in South Africa and Swaziland
I had no idea what to expect in terms of where I was going to stay on my South Africa and Swaziland trip. I wasn't sure if luxury hostels had caught on (hint: they have!) and how much I should expect to spend. I did a bit of research in advance, but mostly booked a day or so ahead by calling. I … [Read more...] about Where I Slept in South Africa and Swaziland
Why Tiny Sleeps are Best in NYC
Let's face it: accommodations in big cities eat up most of your travel budget. And in New York City, your money doesn't get you quite as much as it does elsewhere. Similar to apartments, hotel rooms are generally smaller. But for me, that's just fine. When I visit the city, I am happy to sacrifice … [Read more...] about Why Tiny Sleeps are Best in NYC
Where I Slept in Peru
I had a few places mapped out before going to Peru, but otherwise played it entirely by ear. The only place booked in advance was my first few nights in Cusco, just to be on the safe side. I ended up staying mostly in hostels because they were the drop off points for the Peru Hop buses and … [Read more...] about Where I Slept in Peru
Where I Slept in Central America
I didn't plan on spending two weeks each in Guatemala and Nicaragua this year, but things fell into place nicely. Because I'm such a short flight away, these short jaunts were the perfect way to experience the places and the relatively small sizes made it possible to see a lot in a short amount of … [Read more...] about Where I Slept in Central America