Backpacker Buzz

We've Moved!

Backpacker Buzz — 2010-02-13 18:42:00

If you're wondering why it's so quiet around here, well, we've moved! You can still find us at backpackerbuzz.ca but you'll find a new blog there with all the action. Hop over there now to see our Blog the Games contest winner, Dan HB, as he scopes out Vancouver during the Winter Olympics. His videos are up now.

If you're subscribed to the Backpacker Buzz RSS feed, you'll have to re-subscribe to the feed from the new blog. It's quick and easy, just click the orange RSS button towards the top right of the new blog.

Now scram! We'll meet up with you at the new place with lots of new stuff.

Thanks for reading!

Hostel Beds Still Available During the Olympics

Backpacker Buzz — 2010-01-29 17:48:00

If you're making last minute plans to visit Vancouver during the Olympics, you're not out of luck.�A large block of beds has just been released at HI-Vancouver Jericho Beach. It won't hurt your wallet either, with dorms starting at just $31.50. There's still�space before and after the Games at all three Vancouver hostels.

HI-Vancouver Jericho Beach
HI-Vancouver Central
HI-Vancouver Downtown

To book space between February�12 and 27, special booking policies apply and space can only be booked by calling Central Reservations at 1.866.762.4122.

New HI-Whistler Opening July 1

Backpacker Buzz — 2010-01-13 12:00:00

The long-awaited new HI-Whistler will officially open its doors on July 1, 2010. Read on for full details.

2010 Preview: Hostels in Western Canada

Backpacker Buzz — 2010-01-13 08:00:00

Hostelling International has a lot to look forward to this year - from the Winter Olympics in Vancouver to a brand new hostel opening in Whistler, not to mention improved hostels across the region and exciting events. Get a sneak peek at what's coming up in 2010 at HI. But rest assured, there's plenty more where this came from.

HI-Canada Memberships Now Valid 'til 2012

Backpacker Buzz — 2010-01-12 16:16:00

The newest batch of HI membership cards have just�been released. Get your adult card now and you get over two years of life out of it, which means discounts at hostels around the world and on other fun stuff from now until March 31, 2012. Read on to�learn about the benefits of being an HI member and how to get your membership.

Dan HB Gearing Up for Games: What Should He Do in Vancouver?

Backpacker Buzz — 2010-01-12 15:43:00

HI's Blog the Games winner, Dan HB, is currently skiing his days away in the French Alps but soon enough he'll be Canada-bound for the Vancouver Olympics as HI's Olympic video-blogger. Have a look at his gracious acceptance speech above.

For the first week of the Olympics, Dan will be in the streets of Vancouver, filming the fan action and all the stuff you won't see on T.V. Do you have ideas about how Dan should spend his time in Vancouver? Particular spots he should hit-up or people he should try to talk to? Have your say in the comments.

Win a Trip to Whistler

Backpacker Buzz — 2010-01-08 14:53:00

�

Enter to win two-day ski package from Greyhound including lift tickets valid at Whistler and Blackcomb as well as return transportation between Vancouver and Whistler. One package will be given away every month until April.

All entries will then to go into a draw for a one-night stay for two at the new HI-Whistler opening in summer 2010. That gives you two chances to win!

ENTER NOW

Get Out of Vancouver in February

Backpacker Buzz — 2010-01-08 14:24:00

Lots of people are excited for the upcoming Winter Games in Vancouver, and rightly so. But if you're like some and you just want to steer clear of the hype, check out a few hostel deals outside of Vancouver that'll ensure you're well away from the face-painted, cheering crowds.

Blog the Games Winner Announced

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-12-18 14:43:00

Congratulations to Dan Habershon-Butcher from Bristol, England who has been selected as the winner in Hostelling International's Blog the Games contest!

The competition was tight and the final two came down to a final three at the last second when two videos had identical vote counts at the contest's cut-off on Wednesday.

Christmas Gifts for Travellers

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-12-08 16:12:00

Tis the season, once again. We've gathered up some of the best gift ideas for the travellers on your list, including deals you can only get with your HI membership card.

Help Pick HI's Olympic Video-Blogger

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-12-01 18:01:00

Ten finalists have been selected from the entries into HI's Blog the Games contest. Vote now for your favourite at www.hihostelspm.ca/blogthegames. The two with the highest number of votes will go before HI judges and the winner gets a return flight to Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympics, five nights' accommodation in Vancouver, a new camera, $500 spending money and a ski trip to Banff at the end of it.

The competition is tight! Voting closes December 16 and you can vote once per day and leave as many comments as you like.

VOTE NOW

HI Wins Big in the Southern Hemisphere

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-11-25 16:52:00

A pair of YHA/HI hostels down south have picked up some prestigious awards this fall (well, spring for them), proving again that New Zealand and Australia are powerhouses in the hostelling world. Australia's YHA Sydney Central picked up an award for Best Backpacker Accommodation in New South Wales this month. Meanwhile over in New Zealand, Wellington City YHA was named Best Large Hotel/Accommodation at the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2009, held in London this month.

Find out more about these award winners after the jump.

Stay 3 for 2 at Scottish Hostels This Winter

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-11-25 16:33:00

The Scottish Youth Hostelling Association is giving you the chance to see a little more Scotland for less this winter. Stay for two nights and get your third free at hostels across the country. There are about 60 HI hostels in Scotland, some of them in pretty unique locations.

Contest Deadline Extended - See Some of Our Faves So Far

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-11-23 13:59:00

We're extending the deadline for our Blog the Games contest. There's one more week to go to get your video submissions in to be HI's video-blogger on the streets of Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympics. Submit your videos at http://www.hihostelspm.ca/blogthegames.

If you want some inspiration, check out some of our favourite entries so far on our Blog the Games YouTube Group.

ENTER NOW

Win an Olympic Trip to Vancouver - Six Days Left!

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-11-16 15:34:00

There are only six days left to enter HI's Blog the Games contest. Show us why you think you'd be the best video-blogger to bring the stories from the streets of Vancouver during the 2010 Olympics and you could win return airfare, hostel accommodation, a new camera, $500 and a ski trip to Banff.

ENTER NOW

Open Season at Western Canada's Ski Resorts

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-11-09 14:50:00

Western Canada's�mountains are loading up with snow and some resorts are already open for the 09-10 season. Within the next month, the rest should be in full operation. Get the low down on open dates, snow reports and HI's ski pacakges right here.

WIN an Olympic Trip to Vancouver as Our Video-Blogger

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-11-02 16:00:00

One lucky person is about to win the trip of a lifetime to Vancouver to scout out the fun in the Olympic City during the 2010 Winter Games this February. Submit a one-minute video that explains why you think you're the best person for the job and you could be in to win a round-trip flight to Vancouver, five nights at HI-Vancouver Central, a new video camera, $500 spending money PLUS a 5-day skip trip to Banff.

It might sound like a pretty sweet deal... Probably because it is.

New HI-Whistler Opens Next Summer

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-11-01 19:16:00

The new HI-Whistler hostel is just about finished and the building will soon be home to athletes during the Olympics. The hostel will open next summer but you can get a sneak peek at what's in store at Whistler's finest budget accommodation right now.

Win Tickets to a William Jans Show

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-10-31 15:54:00

�

The travelling man with the camera is back. William Jans will be presenting his latest show, Tales from Tanzania, in Courtenay and Vancouver this month and you can win tickets to one of his shows!

William will show off his amazing photos, share videos and tell you unbelievable stories from his cultural immersion in this beautiful East African country. Full details about the shows and how to enter after the jump.

RTW: The Logistics

Heather — 2009-10-28 19:22:00

A year and a half ago, I decided that I needed to go travel, and I needed to go for a long time. I spent eight-and-a-half months on the road and have been back in Canada for a few weeks. After the obligatory questions of "How was your trip?" and "What was your favourite place?" a lot of people want to know just how I pulled a stunt like this off.

Get the low down after the jump.

Sydney�s Sails

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-10-13 19:00:00

Nothing says �Cheese. Wish you were here!� quite like a postcard of the pearly-white sails of Sydney�s Opera House. But what makes the Opera House so spectacular is not so much its curving sails, but its backdrop of Sydney Harbour. Sydney Harbour, that dazzling stretch of blue dotted with ferries, is Sydney�s pulse, and makes Sydney one of the most beautiful cities in the world.� It is in this area, in the historic harbour foreshore suburb of The Rocks that there is a new YHA hostel, and appropriately named, Sydney Harbour YHA.

WIN 3 free nights for Canadian Thanksgiving!

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-10-09 16:47:00

Canadian Thanksgiving is just around the corner.� What are YOU thankful for? Best tweet at hostelscanada wins 3 free nights at an HI hostel in Western Canada!�

RTW: Coming Home

Heather — 2009-10-03 09:52:00

Well, that's a wrap. After eight-and-a-half months of travel, I'm back on Canadian soil, trying to digest just what exactly this incredible year has been all about.

Insider Tips on the Music Industry

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-10-01 14:14:00

Walking the same streets as the counter-culture generation reminds me that once upon a time,�people had the power to protest without Facebook.��Sex, drugs and rock n' roll went hand-in-skipping-hand with sit-ins; rock n' roll was prefixed by the word pyschedelic�yet had�political,�social and cultural statements;�and a grass-roots�movement (using music as a powerful means of communication) started, which would influence generations to come.�

From October 16-18, 2009, San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Hostel hosts the first�San Francisco Music Intensive - a weekend of inspiration and intensive study with some of the Bay Area�s most seasoned professional musicians.

Do you Believe in Hostelling?

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-09-24 22:01:00

Our Believe in Hostelling Engagement Continues�.

Do you have ideas to share with your Board that extend beyond those of a user of hostels? Do you want to make a contribution to the organization at a governance level? Are you interested in providing face-to-face feedback to your Board on the issues we are dealing with today? Do you believe that HI is more than just a �cheap sleep�?

If you said YES to any of the above then we want to engage you in our ongoing Believe in Hostelling initiative. Whether you participated in our engagement last year or are new to the process we ask you to join members of your Board of Directors in an informal dialogue over snacks and refreshments.

Get Natural. Get Going.

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-09-24 09:00:00

Their tourism board has a Get Natural campaign which pictures a half-naked bronzed Adonis, standing next to his skis at the top of a mountain, with the sun bouncing off pecks, peaks and pure white powder. This lone skier staunchly stands, seemingly to contemplate his naked navel and the untouched, heavenly surrounds.

I know. I thought chocolate, cheese and yodeling were the dream trifecta for Swiss marketing. Turns out, it�s the Alps.

Ten of the Top Winter Resorts in Canada

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-09-23 19:47:00

Canada�s position as one of the northernmost countries in the world has one inevitable consequence: winter. This, coupled with Western Canada's magnificent mountain ranges, produces some of the world's best winter resorts. If you're thinking about relocating here to spend a winter working on a mountain, we've got some great winter deals and Job Seeker Packages to get you started.� We've put together a list of 10 of the Top Winter Resorts (published in Outpost issue #71) with dates to buy early-bird (cheap) season's passes.� Better be quick!

RTW: OK, I Get It. It's a Small World

Heather — 2009-09-22 14:15:00

Backpacking, like life, is filled with many random encounters. But when you open your life up to the entire world, and these random encounters still happen, it's enough to make you want to build an amusement park ride with animatronic children singing about it.�

I checked into a small hostel in a tiny village between Lagos and Sagres in Portugal yesterday. I was in the kitchen having a chat with a guy who'd been there a few days - covering all the basics - when his friend came in. I said hi. She said, "Hiiii..." in a tone that made me feel like she knew something about me that I didn't.�

"Were you in South Africa?"

The friend that I'd been talking to obviously thought it was a weird question. But he thought my answer was weirder.�

"Yeah... I was... yeaaaah.... you look familiar..."

RTW: Princess of a Portuguese Palace

Heather — 2009-09-18 16:06:00

I think I spoke too soon last week when I ran through the tips for splurging on a private room. By this point, I thought I'd seen it all but this is a new one. Little did I know that a stroke of luck would land me in my own private Portuguese villa overlooking the ocean for 14? a night.

RTW: Two Weeks Left

Heather — 2009-09-16 15:31:00

What started as a 260-day journey 'round the world is now down to just 15. Yesterday, I flew from Stuttgart, Germany to Lisbon, Portugal because I wanted to go to the beach. I guess you could say it's going to be difficult to shake this lifestyle.

It feels like when someone close to you is about to go away for a long time, and you know the goodbye is coming and you know it's going to hurt so you try not to think about it too much. Instead you book a last minute flight across a continent and consider kite surfing lessons.

RTW: Do You Know Europe's Best Beach Town?

Heather — 2009-09-15 11:45:00

In a month, I'll be back in Canada, and winter will probably be taking the next flight over. So with eight and a half months of travel wrapping up, the prospect of a return to life and work and winter, I'm on the look out for the ideal beach holiday locale in Europe to wrap up this trip on a high note, or at least with a few beachside cocktails/bottles of wine. I'm looking at you to spill the beans on beach hotspots you've discovered in Europe.�

While I'd love to visit Greece, I've got to be making my way back west to fly out of London so France, Spain and Portugal get first dibs but Italy could swing either way. Leave your suggestions, with vivid descriptions, in the comments.

RTW: Berlin and Dresden

Heather — 2009-09-13 15:17:00

As much as backpacking is about the people you meet and the fun times you have, you'd be a fool to ignore all the things you can learn first hand about the histories of the world. Europe is teeming with the stuff and in many parts, WWII seems to be one of the relatively recent events that really left no part untouched. I spent the better part of this week in Berlin and Dresden, reminding myself once again that what you read in books can never measure up to what you see in person.�

RTW: When to Splurge for a Private Room

Heather — 2009-09-09 07:45:00

It's hard to find a hostel without private rooms these days, with hotel-quality accommodation at a fraction of the price. But as a solo traveller, private rooms sometimes seem like the realm of couples and friends alone. But after weeks and weeks of dorms, a private room is a nice, worthwhile splurge. Here are a few tips for figuring out the time and place for a sweet, glorious upgrade.

RTW: Worthwhile Paris

Heather — 2009-09-06 05:23:00

There is no other city like Paris. It has starred in movies and books since it was born, and its hype is only rivaled by its history. Some people love it, others hate it. And on my flight there from Glasgow, I still wasn't sure where I'd fall.�

Top 10 Fall Activities in Vancouver

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-09-04 12:00:00

If you're living in Vancouver there's a noticable change in the air.� Summer is�taking a�slow bow and the curtain is coming down after a couple of good heatwave acts.�� Instead of standing in the wings, waiting for winter to make a set change, enjoy Falls intermission.��Catch the last weekend of the�Comedy Fest this weekend, plan a ride of a ghost train or�take a hike - there are�plenty of activities to get out and appreciate vibrant leaves and cultural events this Fall.�

RTW: Sleep in a Scottish Castle? Well, Okay.

Heather — 2009-09-01 04:59:00

While I travelled with my parents in Scotland, they were eager to stay in some hostels for the first time, I think in an attempt to see what all the fuss was about and to see what kind of life I've been living for the past seven months. Needless to say, I was a bit nervous about bringing them in. But with brand new HI membership cards in their wallets, they joined me in two of Scotland's bests.

RTW: Driving Round Scotland

Heather — 2009-08-30 06:34:00

When I asked you guys two months ago about where I should go in Europe, Scotland got some high praise. I figured HI's resident Scot had a hand in that but regardless, it was luckily already on my list. I met my parents there for a bit of travel off the backpacker trail and all the praise it got was well-deserved. Even after nearly two weeks of rain.

$10 Tickets Available for the Hockey Canada Cup

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-08-28 19:00:00

VANOC issues a press release today which states:�The top-ranked female hockey players in the world will face off this week in downtown Vancouver on the same ice where gold will be decided at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games in less than six months time. This is the first women�s competition of the 2009-2010 International Ice Hockey Federation�s (IIHF) season and one of the last competitions before the Games. For information on tickets, which start at $10, www.hockeycanada.ca. Fans can also take advantage of a full-tournament package for $120.�

Click here for the full press release.

Jung Sun's Travel Highlights for Western Canada

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-08-27 16:40:00

I�ve been in Vancouver for 2 month for an internship offered through my university in South Korea. I love travelling around, and I�ve been trying to visit and see as much as I can while I stay here. With work and school, there was not enough time to see and experience Vancouver and B.C., though I�ve been to quite a few places.

Jung Sun's Tips for Visiting South Korea

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-08-27 16:00:00

I find it�s quite pleasant to meet somebody who�s been to my country while I�m traveling outside South Korea. I met a guy on the ferry from Vancouver Island who has been to Korea twice already. He told me about his experiences while he traveled there and how the services in Korea were nice. And I talked with another Canadian guy while I was walking around the seawall in Stanley Park. He actually lived in Korea for 8 years teaching English and was enjoying a 3 week-holiday in Canada. Not many people have been to South Korea, so here are some tips for places to go when visiting.

RTW: Festive Edinburgh

Heather — 2009-08-24 16:10:00

It's the wee Scottish city that is spelled with only nine letters but pronounced with about fourteen syllables, six of which are variations on the rrrrolled rrrrr. It's got more pubs than you can dream of crawling 'round (indeed many Scots do dream about exactly this), a pretty little castle perched atop a rock and a year's worth of events stuffed into one month. From the home of haggis and heilan' coos, I give you my take on Edinburgh.

RTW: To Flag or Not to Flag

Heather — 2009-08-20 13:30:00

It's hard to go anywhere on the backpacker trail without seeing a Canadian flag. Sure, Canadians like to travel, and you'll run into us all over the place but we tend to be heavily outnumbered by Brits, Germans, Dutchies and Aussies. But I have to say Canadian flags on backpacks far outnumber any other nation's flag.�

Are we just proud? Are we trying to distinguish ourselves from our neighbours to the south? Are we trying to identify ourselves to others of our ilk? I can't tell you, I'm not a flagger.

Bungee Jumping 'Feels Like Death'

Andrea Bang — 2009-08-19 13:00:00

Add some excitement to your day and feel the thrill of flying...

Whistler offers whack loads of outdoor activities, including the adrenaline-pumping bungee jumping hosted by Whistler Bungee! Now, not everyone does the Charlie Brown dance when bungee jumping is mentioned but for 3 friends and me, we were cha cha cha-ing all the way to Whistler.

HI Still a Great Deal During 2010 Olympics

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-08-17 11:45:00

Check out this�Global News Story�on staying with HI during next years Olympics: With just six months to go before the 2010 games two of the largest hostels in downtown Vancouver are nearly booked up.�

HI will continue to offer members great, affordable accommodation during the Games, and staying at a hostel with other travellers�during this time will be an unforgetable experience.� If you're planning on visiting Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics, we strongly recommend booking now so you don't miss out - www.hihostels.ca/2010�.�

RTW: The Prodigies of Salzburg

Heather — 2009-08-16 14:59:00

If you've seen The Sound of Music, you know all about Salzburg, Austria. If you're like me and you haven't seen it, then come to Salzburg and you'll feel like you have. The small city breeds child talent - with both the von Trapp kids and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart among its former residents. Whichever genre tickles your fancy more, there's plenty to see on the matter in Salzburg.�

Translink Canada Line to Open August 17, 2009

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-08-14 12:18:00

Opening in time for the 2010 Olympics, Translinks new Canada Line is ready to start running on August 17th, over 3 months ahead of schedule.� This new skytrain route will run from Vancouver International Airport (YVR)�to the downtown core, taking a mere 25 minutes end to end and stopping at 16 locations.� The route will connect with�the Expo Line, the King George�Line, the Seabus and the West Coast Express, at the Waterfront Station, providing an�invaluable�asset to Vancouvers transit infrastructure.�

Check out the Canada Line video, route map and Translink's Tips for Opening Day after the jump.

RTW: Riding the Euro Rails

Heather — 2009-08-13 10:25:00

It's a bit of a contentious issue but I don't think there's a better way to get around than by train. All things considered - price, convenience, comfort and time - the train wins. Canada doesn't come close to doing the train justice. Compare a rail map of Canada with a rail map of Europe and it's like comparing a single strand of spaghetti with a massive bowl of spag bol. Europe knows trains and if you're heading here any time soon, I suggest you get acquainted.�

RTW: Slow Down in Slovenia

Heather — 2009-08-10 09:55:00

It's hard not to hop from city to city in Europe. It seems like that's what most backpackers do. So after a stream of Eastern European cities, I was happy to get to Slovenia, where even the capital seems like a glorified town and just outside there's a national park bursting at the seams with outdoor activities.

RTW: Salsa With the Sarajevans

Heather — 2009-08-06 11:10:00

Sarajevo has only been on my radar for a short time. One day a few years ago, at an old, very boring job (not with HI!), I had a habit of Wikipedia-ing random cities around the world that I knew little about. When I searched for Sarajevo, two bits of new information stuck in my head.�

1) They hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics (I was one-and-a-half when this happened), and�

2) The city is dotted with small memorials to the victims of the 1992-1995 military seige, called Sarajevo Roses, imprints of mortar shell explosions that look strangely rose-like. Many of them have been filled with red cement to denote the site of an attack that left more than one person dead.�

It's that kind of subtle recognition of the past that put Sarajevo towards the top of my favourite cities list.

A Letter from HI-C-PMR Members

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-08-06 01:00:00

HI-C-PMR members Gerald and Alison Hankins recently attended the 100th Anniversary event at Bragg Creek.� Read their letter�about�the event and about their personal connection with beginning of hostelling in Canada after the jump.

Swiss Youth Hostel Camps at a Music Festival!

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-08-05 14:24:00

For the 5th year in a row, Swiss Youth Hostels sponsored a camp site at the Gurten Music Festival, one of the largest music festivals in Switzerland which�lasts�for 4 days.� Festival-goers can laze on large pillows in the lounge, meet people, play games or get in on the action with activities organised by Swiss Youth Hostels.

HI-Memory Lane: Celebrating 100 Years

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-07-31 18:26:00

�

Over the years, many relationships have�started at hostels and they cover the connection spectrum.� From�a fleeting 24 hour companion to a friend for life;�from a comrade in different time zones�or a romance that ends happily ever after,�hostelling relationships and stories are made to grow and develop over�generations.� HI-C-PMR member Peter Spear met his wife through hostelling back in 1961, and his mother and sister were influential figures in the Canadian hostelling movement. He recently attended the successful 100th anniversary celebration at Bragg Creek � a commemorative journey to mark the beginnings hostelling in Canada.

RTW: Flying Solo by Night

Heather — 2009-07-29 18:03:00

We humans are social creatures, so the prospect of doing typically social things alone is a bit of a daunting one. While it's pretty darn easy to find people to dabble in the nightlife with when you travel solo, it's not always a guarantee, especially when you feel the need to hit the town. You can either hunker down in your bunk bed and wait for more favourable conditions, or you can pull yourself up by your dancin'-shoe straps and go it alone.

New HI-Seattle Hostel to Open July 31st

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-07-27 15:21:00

When I was planning a trip to Seattle, I did a quick search on hiusa.org�to find the local HI hostel. I was surprised when nothing came up. How could this be when Seattle was just over the border from Vancouver, where there are three HI hostels in the city? Sure, HI-Vashon Island�and HI-Olympic Hostel, Port Townsend were near Seattle, but a quick google search suggested these were beyond walking distance and public transport didn�t offer a convenient solution. On July 31st, this is all set to change when HI-Seattle�opens.

RTW: Because Your Drama is My Drama

Heather — 2009-07-26 14:58:00

When you spend every night in a dorm, you become part of a little family. You don't have to like your family, but they're there and they hear about you as much as you hear about them. Their problems become your problems and their joys are your joys. I've been involved in the arguments and celebrations of travel mates and I know that the best stuff happens when they think you're asleep.�

A few nights ago in Bratislava, Slovakia, I was forced to eavesdrop on one of the more touching family breakdowns - a Bratislavian Bromance Break-Up.

Get To Know Program - Awards Event

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-07-24 14:25:00

Previously in Backpacker Buzz, we mentioned our new partnership with the The Robert Bateman's Get To Know Program.� The program is based on the philosophy that �caring begins with knowing our neighbours of other species��and every year,�a�contest is held to promote learning about�plants and wildlife though writing, photgraphy or art.� Lisa Grey-Dreaper,�Manager for HI-Penticton went to the awards.� This is the lo-down from the day.

RTW: A Visit to Auschwitz

Heather — 2009-07-21 14:06:00

If travel is all about getting to know the people, culture and history of a place, then you're bound to run into the more gloomy side of things every now and then. Unfortunately, humanity has a dark side. Something I got very close to when I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau yesterday from my base in Krakow, Poland.�

It's not the kind of place you go to have a good time. But I think it's an important kind of activity to mix into your travel plans, especially to this part of the world. The quote on the wall at the entrance of the first section of the exhibit at Auschwitz I drives this idea home -�

"The one who does not remember history is bound to live through it again."�

- George Santayana

New Member Deal: Free Airport Transfers in Buenos Aires

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-07-21 12:00:00

If you book one or more nights at any of the Buenos Aires hostels Suites Florida, Suites Obelisco, Suites Palermo�or Tango Backpackers you can enjoy a free transfer from Eleiza International Airport to your hostel until the end of 2009.

A taxi from the airport would normally set you back USD30 so this new deal offers great saving when you first touch down in a new city, giving you more to explore with.� For more information on this new deal, click here.

Check out this short video of�the modern HI Buenos Aires Hostel Suites Florida for some inspiration to start searching flights!

London in 24 Hours

Andrea Bang — 2009-07-20 09:00:00

If you had 2 weeks off, where would you go? That was my dilemma. All I knew was that I wanted to go somewhere sunny, not too touristy and where I�d have to be on a plane for 8+ hours. After googling �best place to travel in June� and perusing 'inspire me' on www.hihostels.com , I chose Croatia. The best decision I ever made. Traveling with a friend, London was our first stop.

RTW: Flying By the Seat of Your Pants

Heather — 2009-07-19 13:22:00

I am a planner. This trait doesn't go well with my indecisiveness. I research relentlessly, because I don't want to make the wrong decision. I want to know each and every one of my options and assess them thoroughly before deciding on one so I can know that I'm setting myself up for the best experience ever.�

Unfortunately this often means I miss out on the experience of right now, because I'm too busy planning for later. Unfortunately this also reaches a saturation point - a point I got to a couple of days ago when I was in not-so-budget-friendly Oslo, Norway with little more than an inclination to head east. I was so sick of planning, I decided I just wouldn't.

RTW: Iceland's Little Homes for Migrating Birds

Heather — 2009-07-16 13:00:00

I already gave you the run down about my week driving around Iceland. The folks at Hostelling International Iceland have a super car rental package on offer that's well worth taking up if you plan to spend some time in the little country. It gets you a rental car that you can pick up at the airport upon your arrival and keep for the duration of your stay, as well as vouchers for HI hostel accommodation around the country. I stayed at four out of their 26 hostels on the way.

Member Deal! Hike Natures Evolutionary Path

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-07-16 09:00:00

To celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of Hostelling and the discovery of 505million year old Burgess Shale fossils in Yoho National Park, Hostelling International and Parks Canada have partnered to bring you two unique guided interpretive hikes in the Rockies - Finding Fossils the�Walcott Quarry and Mount Stephen Hikes.

Is Cubed Dutch Design Double-Dutch?

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-07-15 15:30:00

The newest HI affiliated hostel in the Netherlands was designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom and it�s not your average straight-walled establishment. Built in Rotterdam (Amsterdam�s working class rival), the Kubuswoningen, or cube houses, were designed to represent abstract trees complete with a supporting concrete trunk.� The concept was that�a mini-village of these cubes would create a �forest� of urban housing - the design equivalent of double Dutch translated into�an architectural icon.

HI-Canada Recognition Awards

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-07-15 14:40:00

Here at HI-C-PMR we're celebrating 3 wins at the recent HI-Canada Recognition�Awards:

Dorothy Allen Simonetti Award - Robb Cryder
Chuck & Marjorie Harris Award - Quality Assurance Strategy Work Group

The Ivy Devereux Award Hostel (under 10,000 overnights) - HI-Rampart Creek

HI's Annual Salmon BBQ & Town Hall Meeting

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-07-13 13:09:00

This Wednesday 15 July, it's time once again�for the infamous Annual Salmon BBQ at HI-Vancouver Jericho Beach, alongside the Vancouver Town Hall Meeting.� Read�more for the event poster.

RTW: The Flying Flame Has Faded

Heather — 2009-07-12 11:15:00

Well, the romance is gone. After riding in 20 airplanes in six months, I've lost that loving feeling for air travel. My patience has worn thin, the take-off doesn't give me butterflies anymore, I don't really care if I get a window seat and I absolutely cannot stand the waiting followed by waiting and topped off with more waiting. I want that flame back and I hope it's not gone for good.�

RTW: The Drive Around Iceland

Heather — 2009-07-11 12:00:00

I had my socks knocked off in Iceland. It was one of the many places on my itinerary, but one of the few that was given particular priority. I really wanted to go to Iceland. Yes, it's a very affordable destination right now, due to their economic troubles, but more importantly it is an impressive little nation - with landscapes you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else.

My brother and his fianc�e met me in Reykjav�k and we took advantage of Hostelling International-Iceland's car rental package to do a whirlwind tour of the island nation. I'll tell you about the highlights of our trip after the jump, and fill you in on the hostels of Iceland in another post to come.�

RTW: Speaking the Language

Heather — 2009-07-11 08:10:00

If there was one super power I could have, it would be the ability to immediately pick up on foreign languages the second I step foot on their soil. To my ears, Swedes speaking Swedish sound like they're making fun of their own accent. And the written words look like they're making fun of me. Like the second I dare to give the language a go, a hidden camera will be revealed, Swedes will laugh and someone will say in perfect English, "Do you realize that you just used the word 'infart' to mean entrance?"

RTW: Hostelling in Sweden

Heather — 2009-07-09 07:59:00

If you've ever wondered what would happen if Ikea designed a hostel, come to Sweden to get a good idea. The homeland of the furniture megaforce is home to some showroom-worthy hostels where simplicity rules, so long as it's got a bit of style.

In Sweden, Svenska Turistf�reningen (a.k.a. STF) is a member of Hostelling International so your membership card gets you a discount at over 300 STF hostels around the country. For an area that could fit well inside Alberta, that's a lot of hostels. I visited three and give you the low down after the jump.�

RTW: Birthdays Abroad

Heather — 2009-07-09 07:55:00

I spent my 27th birthday in two countries. My birthday on June 29th had been looming ever since I started my trip. I could spend it anywhere in the world - where would it be? For awhile it looked like it might be Africa but a change of plans landed me in Malm�, Sweden on the big day. Ever indecisive, I decided to hop on a train and spend the afternoon in Copenhagen, Denmark.

RTW Photo Exhibit: Crooked Horizons of the World

Heather — 2009-06-29 06:34:00

I've spent the past five months giving you an awful lot of words about my travels. To give you a bit of a visual representation of where I've been, I give you a slice of my photo album, which illustrates my inability to keep the horizon straight, especially when photographing oceans, sunsets or sunsets over oceans. Feast your eyes after the jump.

RTW: And Now... Europe

Heather — 2009-06-25 15:00:00

I said my goodbyes to Africa on Sunday night and got myself flown to Stockholm for the beginning of the last leg of my trip - Europe. It was one of the more bizarre transitions so far, from traffic-clogged, reputation-bogged Nairobi to a small Scandinavian city where my biggest worries were not tripping over the narrow cobblestone streets as I admire the quaint buildings of Old Town. Well that, and figuring out how to finance a cup of coffee.

Hostelling Turns 100 - You Get to Celebrate!

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-06-25 13:30:00

Hostelling turns 100 this year and you get the prizes!� Back in 1909, German school teacher Richard Schirmann started the hostelling movement, which then came to Canada in 1933.� For the Centennial Celebration, International Youth Hostel Federation hostels (IYHF) around the globe are marking the occasion with giveaways.

Summer Festival Flings

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-06-25 12:00:00

"With the�arrival of long, hot days and lazy warm evenings, it�s time to celebrate the mercury finally rising with festival fever. Experience a week in the desert at Burning Man, participate in Europe�s Sziget Festival, dance on the beach in Barcelona, rock out in an 18th-century fortress in Serbia...

People, Places, Culture; Our World - An Exhibit @ HI-Shuswap Lake

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-06-24 13:30:00

In conjunction with the HI-Shuswap Lake�Open House, the Traveling Photo Exhibition "PEOPLE, PLACES, CULTURE - OUR WORLD, AN EXHIBIT" by Keith Levit with be displayed at the hostel from July 4 to 12 daily from 10 am to 3 pm.�

Be a part of Canadian Hostelling History

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-06-24 10:00:00

To mark the 100th Anniversary of Hostelling, HI-Canada-Pacific Mountain Region is going back to our hostelling roots.� In 1933, Mary Belle Barclay and her sister Catherine started the first hostel in Canada, in the foothills west of Calgary, Alberta.�

RTW: How the Other Half Lives

Heather — 2009-06-24 03:45:00

I've turned my back on hostels. After three weeks of camping in Tanzania and Kenya and with a few days to spare before my flight to Europe, I decided I'd splash out a little bit on the Kenyan coast. My bank account strongly disagrees but I've decided I'll think about money when it all runs out so off to Mombasa I went.

AUD$19m Redevelopment of Brisbane City YHA

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-06-23 15:25:00

YHA Australia has just completed renovations of the Brisbane City YHA and the result a�stunning�hostel which�offers the full "Australian experience" and amenities�for the 21st Century backpacker (hostels have come a long way in 100 years)!�

RTW: Highlights of Overlanding

Heather — 2009-06-21 03:42:00

As promised, there are tales to tell after three weeks of overlanding through Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya. It's not right for everyone but here are a few highlights of what went down on the road.

RTW: Full-Blown Travel Bug

Heather — 2009-06-20 03:37:00

The pesky travel bug - it's an infectious one, one a lot of people talk about having been struck with. It's one of the reasons I'm where I am right now but I think for a long time it was a pretty mild case. I think there comes a point in the middle of a travel bug episode when the affliction advances to such a level that you are entirely and completely infected by the pursuit of places and the lifestyle it demands. It happened to me on Tuesday.

Downloadable Country Guides now on hihostels.com

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-06-18 14:33:00

www.hihostels.com has recently added downloadable PDF* Country�Guides�to the website.� These convenient guides are�FREE and include information on all hostels within the�IYHF network - that's over�4000 hostels in 80 countries!��

Vancouver Art Gallery: Current Exhibitions

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-06-16 09:00:00

If you�re�a fan of photography then�head to the Vancouver Art Gallery�to check out two awesome exhibitions on�right now,�which�showcase works by�Anthony Hernandez and Andreas Gursky.

The�first exhibition showcases 70 photographs by celebrated photographer Anthony Hernandez, depicting�images of everyday life in LA between 1970 and 1984.�

High on Folk: Edmonton & Vancouver Folk Festivals

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-06-11 18:38:00

One of the best music events held in BC,�the Vancouver Folk Music Festival is held over 3 days (July 17-19) in a stunning environment right next Jericho Beach.�� Then in the second weekend in August, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival,�takes�place�in Edmonton, Alberta, in beautiful downtown Gallagher Park.

Where the Wilderness Things Are

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-06-10 17:01:00

Nestled throughout The Icefields Parkway are HI�s nine unique Wilderness hostels, each offering a perfect escape for outdoor lovers, nature enthusiasts, keen adventurists and anyone wanting to discover the world renowned Canadian Rockies...�or needing a summer break from�the concrete jungle.

These Wilderness hostels offer a quintessential Canadian mountain experience and a true opportunity to get back to nature and the basics of life. Some have lights powered by propane, some have rustic wood-burning saunas, at some you'll get electricity and hot running water, and at others you'll get to pump your own water. This summer, take a road trip through the Icefields Parkway�and explore this vast playground unique to the Rockies.

RTW: Overlanding in Africa

Heather — 2009-06-05 12:48:00

One thing travel has taught me so far is how wildly indecisive I am. I've known this for awhile but the fact has really been driven home, especially now in Africa where I've got seven weeks in the south and east and a bottomless pool of options. I've made a decision, and after the long hours of pondering, comparing and calculating exchange rates, here are a few tips for those who will come after me.

RTW: Kruger National Park

Heather — 2009-06-02 14:04:00

After my lost wallet debacle, I decided I needed to get out of the city. I hadn't planned on going to Kruger, since I figured I'd take care of the wildlife sighting in Kenya and Tanzania. But tales of animal sightings in one of the most easily accessed and chock-full national parks in South Africa forced a change of heart and I booked a trip with Livingstone Trails out of Johannesburg.

RTW: When the Wallet Goes

Heather — 2009-05-29 12:33:00

Before I left, I figured I'd lose my wallet at some point. It seems like an inevitable part of long-term travel. So when I reached into my daypack to grab my wallet one morning a couple of weeks ago and came up shorthanded, I still felt a deflating sense of "Crap..."

RTW: The Half-Way Point

Heather — 2009-05-26 08:15:00

Well it's May 26th - officially the half way point of my 8.5 month trip, a date I marked down in my calendar months ago not knowing where I'd be or what I'd be doing when it came. As it turns out, I've just crossed the border from Zambia to Malawi. Four and a quarter months down, four and a quarter to go. It doesn't really feel like it's been that long, but when I think back to my arrival in Auckland in mid-January, it feels like that was years ago, and like another trip altogether.

Win the Ultimate Backpacking Adventure with YHA AU

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-05-20 10:20:00

Crocodile Dundee's "essentials" list for what to take on holiday would have earned him major hassles with today's post 9-11 airport security measures.� So in 2009, what would you pack for 100 Days Downunder?� YHA Australia is giving away the Ultimate Backpacking Adventure to celebrate 100 Years of Hostelling and all you have to do�submit a 60-second video on what you'd�take with�you.��

Here's what you can win!

RTW: The Downsides of Solo Travel

Heather — 2009-05-19 06:59:00

After nearly four months of solo travel, I've come to learn a lot about what it really involves. The upsides to solo travel keep getting better and better but the few downsides just seem to repeat themselves. So if you're thinking about heading out on the road alone, consider these important, though surmountable, bummers.�

RTW: An Open Letter to My Earplugs

Heather — 2009-05-15 07:03:00

Dear glorious green ear rockets,�

I�ve had many earplugs over the years � most of them were squishy cylinders of foam, but none of them have impacted my life (or ear wax) like you have. Your job is a thankless one and it�s high time you got some recognition.�

Member Spotlight: Ed Hemmings

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-05-14 13:25:00

Calgarian Ed Hemmings has been involved in hostelling for most of his life, according to a recent article on youngretired.ca.� A proud hosteller, he recounts his experiences at HI hostels in Canada and the Pacific�Mountain Region.��Ed's favourite Wilderness Hostels is HI-Mosquito Creek�(pictured above) and�HI-Qu�bec�is his stand-out urban hostel, located just within the walls of the old city.�

What's your favourite HI hostel?�

RTW: Backpacking South Africa

Heather — 2009-05-13 06:51:00

I arrived in South Africa almost a week ago with little in the way of expectations simply because I didn't know what to expect. After a few days in Cape Town I headed east into a world of awesome hostels, friendly locals, excited backpackers, easy transportation all at an affordable price. If you've always wanted to come to South Africa, and even if you didn't, you should come. The ins and outs of backpacking South Africa after the jump.

The Dirtiest Cities in Europe

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-05-12 12:51:00

Dear Banksy.� London is doing a pretty good job of sweeping ill-repute behind�the manufactured social�curtain according to a recent survey by TripAdvisor,�where London didn't even rank in the Top 5 of Europe's dirtiest cities - the honour was�shared between Athens and Rome.� So far, London, travellers�are�distracted by your free attractions.� On the flipside,�Zurich (Switzerland),�was voted the cleanest city in Europe.�

The�survey was completed largely by American travellers, with only 7% of TripAdvisor users being between 18-24,�a fact which could have influenced the top 2 spots for Most Unfriendly Hosts going to France and Russia, while the friendliest folk can be found in Dublin.� The Most Attractive Locals can be found in Paris, but your chances of running into a bunch of trapped tourists also increases in the city of love, so perhaps best to avoid the Eiffel Tower on Valentines Day and instead head to a local cafe to people-watch.�

These are the survey results - do you agree or disagree?

RTW: Exploring Cape Town

Heather — 2009-05-10 06:42:00

Cape Town is a pretty little city by the sea. But its monster of a mountain �backdrop, sweeping beaches around its edges and laid-back, good looking people also come with an emotional history and wild contrasts of wealth and poverty.

RTW: Big City Confessions

Heather — 2009-05-01 04:40:00

What is it about travelling to big cities that makes me want to go home, buy a car and a condo, a $60 haircut and an entirely new wardrobe?

Travel, especially the backpacking variety, is supposed to prove that material goods are frivolous, that life can be lived with a limited wardrobe, that home is where and how you make it and that spending your money on experiences will make you infinitely happier than spending it on stuff.

I get that, and I agree with it. The $10,000+ I've already spent on this trip has been the best buy of my life. But right now I'm in London and I spent much of yesterday wandering around the trendy neighbourhood of Shoreditch, peering in windows along Brick Lane, sipping a latte in a cafe overrun with Macbooks. Then through the banking district where suited-up men and women would walk purposefully down the sidewalks, swing briefcases, yammer on Blackberries or slap me across the face with giant foam hands that read "I have an income, sucker" in big block letters followed by "and it's in British pounds" in smaller block letters (some of this may have been imagined).�

RTW: Lovely Laos

Heather — 2009-05-01 02:39:00

When I stepped out of the Luang Prabang airport to an audience of waiting tuk tuk and taxi drivers, I thought my hearing must have gone because not one of them approached me, a welcome change from the bustle and persistence of Bangkok. Over the next few days as I wandered around the streets of this UNESCO World Heritage City, tuk tuk drivers would ask if I needed a tuk tuk, usually a simple "Miss? Tuk tuk? Waterfall?", sometimes almost too quiet to hear, and I'd say "No thank you", they'd leave it at that and smile.�

Laotians are a friendly bunch. At my guesthouse run by an aging couple that go by Mama and Papa, I was offered a glass of water and shown a possible room. When I told Mama and Papa's daughter that I didn't have enough kip to cover the cost ($8) right away, she just told me I could pay when I wanted to and that I should "take it easy". Will do.

Good Times!

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-04-29 00:47:00

Summer is the ultimate "feel-good" time.� Leave us your funniest, strangest or most random (but still amusing)�travel story in the comments section below and be in to WIN a Lonely Planet Australia Guide Book!

Vancouver Art Gallery: How Soon Is Now?

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-04-28 20:04:00

The Vancouver Art Gallery wants�us to further explore this philosophical musing during their excellent, current exhibition, How Soon Is Now? (until May 3, 2009).��

Curated by Kathleen Ritter, How Soon Is Now? is a mix of various mediums, including sculpture, painting, video, audio works, architectural interventions, site-specific projects and events, which �evoke one characteristic�a sense of immediacy that speaks to the present moment.�� All the installations feel raw and direct. Some are purely interactive; others (as it is with art/life) comment on a particular social, political or historical situation. My tour guide, Josh the VAG Marketing Man, loved asking, �So, what do you think this piece is about?� and in this excellent living, breathing exhibition, it�s great to dig deeper than a token �nice brush stroke� to understand the pieces by over 20 local artist which make up How Soon Is Now?.

RTW: More Bang for Your Baht

Heather — 2009-04-26 13:44:00

Why is the internal gauge of good value so closely tied to the currency in your wallet? Thailand is a relatively inexpensive country to visit. Relative to say, Sweden, or even Australia. Accommodation can easily be covered for a few dollars a night, food, again, a few dollars a day. Depending on your bargaining skills, souvenirs can be a steal.�

So why is it that within the span of a week I went from spending $30 a night on a dorm that I shared with three perma-drunk 19-year-olds to being downright irked that someone actually expected me to pay $15 for a private island bungalow?

RTW: Thai Islands - Same Same But Different

Heather — 2009-04-23 13:29:00

I came to Thailand with one goal in mind - to find me an island. And now, my whizzbangin'-quick tour of Thailand has come to an end. Trying to rank Thailand's islands is a futile exercise, unless you have dreadlocks and fisherman pants on, in which case it's a sport.�

I won't try to dress this up like a wild stray from the backpacker trail. Ko Phangan and Ko Phi Phi are some of the most visited Thai islands out there. Ko Phangan is home of the notorious Full Moon Parties. Ko Phi Phi is made up of equal parts Swedes and dive shops. But both have one thing in common - Leonardo DiCaprio.

Robert Bateman's Get to Know Contest Launches.

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-04-23 10:13:00

Robert Bateman is a highly successful wildlife artist, conservationalist and environmental advocate who has been leading the Get To Know contest for nearly a decade.� The contest is about getting people back outside to learn the names of plants and wildlife, forming an appreciation and understanding of nature. Writers, photographers and artists (19 and under) are to create a piece that represents this years theme, Biodiversity.� Click here for more information on entries and prizes.�

BC-raised athlete Steve Nash says, "Being outside is our best connection to each other � we�re all on the same earth, regardless of circumstance, position or chance. By getting outdoors and learning firsthand about the environment we can grow an understanding of what the planet needs to be healthy, and start to care about it enough to make a better, more sustainable future for all of us. Now quit reading and take a hike!"

RTW: Friends in Thai Places

Heather — 2009-04-17 09:45:00

While Thailand is a major backpacking destination, and for good reason, it's a bit of a shock to the system after breezy Australia. So when I started to make my way towards customs in Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport and my old roommate Gabe wheeled his luggage cart up beside me and asked if I wanted a ride, the familiar face was extremely welcome.

What I've found about telling people about my travel plans, especially those with a bit of the travel bug themselves, is that they immediately try to figure out how they can fit themselves into my world tour.

RTW: States of Emergency

Heather — 2009-04-15 06:41:00

From early on in my trip's planning stages, my mom would always ask if I'd been keeping up to date on various countries' travel advisories. Over the past few months, she's politely asked again if I'm keeping on top of these things and I assure her that yes, I am and I in no way intend to put myself in harm's way while I'm on the road.

So when I found out that the Thai government had declared a state of emergency in Bangkok less than 12 hours after I landed there, my first thought was about my mom, picturing her glued to the voyage.gc.ca website with CBC Radio playing in the background, obsessively checking her email.

RTW: Australia Round-Up

Heather — 2009-04-10 19:00:00

Well two months in Australia has come and gone in a flash. It seems like eons ago that I was in soggy jeans and a hoodie in Sydney but now I'm back in the sunshine near Bondi Beach about to head off to Bangkok in less than 24 hours. Here's my Aussie Round-Up with the bests and worsts of two months around Australia.

RTW: The Soundtrack to Travelling - My Playlist

Heather — 2009-04-10 01:22:00

Music is one of the best travel companions. I know I can't go too far without it. Not only does it keep your brain occupied on the road, it very quickly attaches itself to the memories you're creating whether you like it or not. Weeks, months, years later one little song, even one you may not have even noticed at the time, can trigger the feelings of a particular time and place with an intensity that puts your entire photo album to shame.

RTW: Do It Backwards and Save Money

Heather — 2009-04-07 07:24:00

There are some well-worn backpacker paths in Australia and New Zealand like Sydney to Cairns or Auckland to Christchurch. These popular one-directional routes are popular for a reason, but if you're willing to do them backwards, you can save some money.�

Right now I'm in a campervan somewhere between Cairns and Brisbane and I'm paying a dollar a day to do it.�

RTW: Cape Tribulation and the Daintree

Heather — 2009-04-04 07:13:00

I admit, I didn't come to Australia thinking I'd be wowed by scenery. Minus the amazing beaches, I always thought Australia was a pretty boring looking country - hot, dry, and most of it's desert anyway. Then came Queensland's Far North. Dear Australia, I'm sorry I said those things about you.

RTW: Port Douglas and the Great Barrier Reef

Heather — 2009-04-02 07:07:00

If you're coming to Australia and fancy a trip to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns - think again. While Cairns is the Reef's tour operator hub, just up the highway lies little Port Douglas, which is closer to the Reef, not to mention closer to Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation. It's also a very pretty spot.

RTW Next Destination - Thailand.

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-04-01 22:22:00

Heather�will take on Thailand�during April�and we�want your input!� Have you been backpacking in�Southern Thailand,�spent a few days in Bangkok or are you�thinking about going?��Leave us your�comments�about�places to see, things to do, islands to visit, random things to eat, or things you'd like info on before you�go�- RTW will try�to cover it!�

Renew Now & Be In To WIN Over $1000 in Prizes!

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-03-30 09:00:00

Did your membership expire on March 31, 2009? Renew now and you could win over $1000 worth of prizes from Lonely Planet, Greyhound and HI. Even better, take advantage of our renewal and upgrade deals to save even more money!

NHL Legends to Play (& Party) in Jasper!

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-03-27 13:36:00

Vancouver might have the 2010 Olympics, but Jasper has managed to score getting up close n' personal with some NHL Legends.� There are three main events taking place April 3-5th.�

RTW: Broometime

Heather — 2009-03-27

Broome is the kind of place you could easily get stuck in. Fortunately I had a flight out of the town already booked so I couldn't stay more than four days, but if I hadn't had onward plans, I'd still be there.�

It's on the slanty north coast of Western Australia, about half way between Darwin and Exmouth. This means that in March, it's hot and humid. Luckily there's a pretty awesome YHA in town that makes a good home base for exploring the gateway to the Kimberleys, and an even better home base for lounging by the pool.

I got to Broome after a 20-hour bus ride from Exmouth, and even at 7 pm, the humid 10-minute walk to the hostel left me dripping and eying up the pool from the front desk.

HI-Vancouver Central FREE Night EXTENDED!

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-03-25 14:29:00

HI-Vancouver Central's pay for 6 nights and get the 7th FREE�has just been extended until April 30th!� There is also a FREE all-you-can-eat continental breakfast served daily before 10am.� If your thinking about coming to Vancouver, take advantage of HI-Vancouver Central's great deals until April 30th.

RTW: Long-Distance Bussing

Heather — 2009-03-24 21:00:00

Europeans never cease to be amazed by the vast distances in Australia. The idea that an eight-hour bus journey will take them a few millimetres on a map baffles the kind of person who can drive across their own country and into another one in the same amount of time.

As a Canadian who's no stranger to road trips, who's done the Vancouver-Banff drive in a day and ridden a train from Toronto to Vancouver, I've surprised myself with how often I've sided with the Europeans. Twenty hours is far too long to spend on a bus without getting somewhere closer to Mars.

RTW: Poisonous Australia

Heather — 2009-03-21 16:00:00

I think I'm being followed by sharks.�

A few days after I went snorkelling off Rottnest Island, someone was bitten by a shark there. The day before I went for a swim at Scarborough Beach in Perth, the shark alarm went off, triggering a beach evacuation (helicopters patrol a stretch of the coast and if they spot a shark, the relevant alarm sounds). The day I left Coral Bay, a rumour floated around about a girl getting bitten by an otherwise docile reef shark. The newspaper in Exmouth this week reports a surfer getting bitten at a local beach. Luckily no one's been devoured, just nipped at. But Australia's reputation of having an endless supply of plants and animals that can seriously hurt you is being pretty well upheld.�

RTW: Bump in the Road

Heather — 2009-03-18 22:56:00

So far, I've been pretty impressed by everywhere I've visited. Some were definitely better than others (I still have love dreams about Melbourne), but all have had some form of redeeming quality, whether it's a nice beach, nice locals, a good museum or just a good vibe. Then I got to Exmouth.

New YHA Hostel in Melbourne's CBD

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-03-16 12:38:00

After three years of meticulous renovating and restoring, Melbourne Central YHA is ready to�open�it's newly restored doors in April 2009.� This 208-bed hostel is now a modern, environmentally-friendly hub for travellers - the perfect launching pad for people�who like being in the middle of urban action.

RTW: When Procrastination Goes Right

Heather — 2009-03-16 01:45:00

When I booked my flight from Adelaide to Perth, I figured I'd just stay at the Perth City YHA. I called them the day before to find out they had no space. So I did what any responsible backpacker would do - left it and figured I'd sort it out after my plane landed.�

Turns out that didn't magically make space for me at the hostel, so I consulted my guidebook while my backpack made a few rounds on the baggage carousel. Perth, apparently, is a busy spot. You'd think after two years of telling travellers that it's a good idea to book ahead in the summer months I'd have avoided a situation like this.�

RTW: Kangaroo Island

Heather — 2009-03-13 08:00:00

Once I hit Australia's south coast, I kept hearing about Kangaroo Island. Tourists and locals would both rave about the place, even those who hadn't yet been there. It didn't take much to convince me, since any island with an animal in its name will get a visit from me.�

It's not a budget destination by any stretch. Just getting to and from the island, via bus and ferry, from Adelaide will put you out close to $100. One of the most affordable ways to do it is with a tour so I joined up with Surf 'n Sun Tours to see KI.

RTW: Citizens Bank Does the Unthinkable

Heather — 2009-03-10 23:32:00

It's much easier to spend money than to save it while you're travelling but the new Citizens Bank of Canada seems to have pulled off the unthinkable - doing away with the international withdrawal fee.�

When I read about this a couple of months before I left on my travels, I figured there must be a catch. I read their website front to back, talked to two different customer service reps on the phone, and emailed others a couple of times. I couldn't figure it out - if all other major banks in Canada are charging about $5 every time you withdraw money from an international ATM, how could this new, little bank pull off something so impressive?�I even called my regular bank to see if they knew what the catch was, and the customer service rep hadn't heard of it, so she read the website to herself while I was on the phone with her. Her conclusion? "Sounds pretty good."

I thought I'd test it out overseas before I started singing its praises. So after two months of international ATM use, cue the piano.�

FREE Travel Expo's for Savvy Travellers

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-03-09 13:43:00

Daydreaming about a vacation is the elixir�of the working class and�an antidote to Monday-itis.��With uncertainty prevailing over�the�economy,�it's not about giving up�the coveted vacation but learning how to be smarter in�getting�more travel bang for your hard-working buck.��

On Saturday�14 March and�21 March, the Calgary Public Library will host�two travel expo's focussing on the savvy traveller, including tips on budgeting and affordable travel.��What's even better is that it's free to attend and there will be prizes to win - an ideal start to becoming an astute adventurer.

RTW: The Great Ocean Road

Heather — 2009-03-06 13:45:00

Touted as one of the best drives in the world, the Great Ocean Road stretches west of Melbourne towards Adelaide. It's the home of the 12 Apostles, the once-standing London Bridge, world-famous surf beaches, Apollo Bay, Great Otway National Park, koalas and barf-inducing stretches of bendy road. Aw yeah.

RTW: Melbourne in the Summer

Heather — 2009-03-04 21:00:00

I've fallen in love with Melbourne. I didn't know too much about the city before I arrived over a week ago. I added it to my itinerary partly because I'd never been and partly because I have a friend living there who would let me sleep on his floor. I figured I'd spend a few days in the city, check it out and move on. Over a week later, I'm forcing myself to get out and see other things.

I stayed with an old friend from university who's been living in the city for three years - a move he made after backpacking around the country on a working holiday visa. Having an insider as a tour guide was a huge bonus and I barely had any downtime.�

A Map for Saturday - FREE SCREENING (Calgary)

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-03-04 13:11:00

Join us for the screening of the ground breaking documentary 'A Map for Saturday'�by Emmy Award Winning producer, Brook Silva-Braga.� It tells the story of how a young HBO executive leaves his job to go backpacking and live a fullers life while meeting cultures of the world.�

Wednesday, March 18th @ 5:30 - 7:30PM

Central Library
2nd Floor, John Dutton Theatre
616 Macleod Trail SE

No registration required.

RTW: Australia - Backpacker Capital of the World?

Heather — 2009-03-03 05:00:00

I'll say it: Australia is the most backpacker-friendly country in the world. Of course this depends on your definition of friendly, and your definition of backpacker but as far as life-simplifying backpacker infrastructure goes, Australia is a force to be reckoned with.�

Some people say Australia is backpacking for beginners. It's true, it is insanely easy to backpack here, more so for English speakers. Aussies are a friendly lot, hostels are everywhere, backpacker deals are everywhere, backpackers are everywhere, transportation is relatively affordable, working holiday programs are accessible and affordable, the weather is usually amazing and the scenery is unlike anywhere else. The only downside is that it can be one of the most expensive destinations to get to. Once you're here though, smooth sailin'.�

Hey Edmonton! We have a Winner!

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-02-25 14:05:00

�

There was a great response to the William Jans Competition for the shows in Edmonton.

Congratulations to Nancy Colpitts!� You've�won�two tickets to see�TALES FROM TANZANIA.�

RTW: Wildlife Hotspots from Sydney to Melbourne

Heather — 2009-02-23 18:15:00

Australia's got a well-known collection of unique wildlife but they aren't always easy to spot. I just spent the week travelling from Sydney to Melbourne by campervan and managed to hit two wildlife jackpots en route, meaning my camera is now full of kangaroo and koala pictures. Juicy deets for those heading down under after the jump.

RTW: Staying Up to Date on the Road

Heather — 2009-02-22 18:00:00

It's easy to become completely oblivious to world events when you're travelling. When major events do happen, and you learn about them well after the rest of the world did, you feel out of the loop.

Sometimes my trip feels like a bit of a fantasy life - I've spent a month doing as I please because I feel like it. So sometimes I need to remind myself that real life continues to plod along around me, but when it came to the Australian bushfires, real life barged in and reminded me of its existence itself.

I first learned about the fires when I was on a bus from Dunedin to Queenstown in New Zealand. The bus driver asked if anyone was wondering why the sky had taken on a yellow-pink hue all afternoon. "Well, Australia's on fire right now," the driver said like this is a normal occurance, which, unfortunately, it sort of is. The smoke from the fires had drifted overtop of New Zealand. That's all the information she passed on - no indication of where the fires were, how serious they were or what the background story was.�

William Jans: WIN TICKETS!

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-02-19 13:00:00

William Jans delivers high-energy, high-entertainment one-man travel shows which have been sell out successes. 2009 will premiere "Tales from Tanzania" in addition to crowd favourites, "Trekking in Tibet" and "Solo in South America".�

Culture Shock! One Year Countdown to the 2010 Olympic Games

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-02-18 13:00:00

For anyone not up to speed, the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games will be underway in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, a year from now.

The motto to the Games? With Glowing Hearts.�However, the lead up to the Games has so far been marred by a myriad of economic and social issues.

Yet here we are... one year out from the start of the 2010 Olympics. In a year's time, the world will focus on Vancouver, transfixed by events such as curling and snowboarding. In the meantime, it's getting easier to be swept along with an increasing avalanche of events organised by VANOC and aimed at building anticipation and excitement for the 2010 Olympics.�

First up, The Cultural Olympiad 2009 (February 1 to March 21, 2009).��With a mix of free and ticketed events, the program showcases�performances and exhibitions spanning music, dance, theatre, visual arts and film.� Here's a few this weekend which you might want to check out.

RTW: Bottom 3 Top Bunker Habits

Heather — 2009-02-13 00:27:00

I am a devout bottom bunker. I haven�t always been this way. When I was a kid, with two siblings, it was a mad dash to the top bunk whenever we were presented with a bunk bed. Being on the top bunk gave you instant king of the castle status, but as a nervous kid I was more concerned about coming out unsquashed in the event of faulty bunk bed engineering.�

Not anymore.�If I have a choice, I�ll take the bottom bunk. There are obvious reasons � it means I don�t have to endure the discomfort of climbing pencil-thin ladder rungs; it means I don�t have to be worried about falling very far should I suddenly become a mobile sleeper; it means making my bed doesn�t require extraordinary balance and flexibility.�

The downside of being a bottom bunker is putting up with the king of the castle, because really, when it comes to sleeping as a bottom bunker, the top bunker calls the shots. Here are a few signature bad moves made by top bunkers.��

Get Tested

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-02-12 14:16:00

From February to September 2009, VANOC will perform operational testing at various event locations, examining field of play, workforce, Games-time operations and Games-time volunteers.�This�is a good�way to see some Olympic�action, without breaking�the bank.� Or you could use this as a pre-Olympic warmup for the�hurdles you'll have to jump once the�real Olympics arrive in Vancouver in 2010.�

VANOC urges National Cacophony at 6pm, February 12th 2009

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-02-11 14:21:00

"With Glowing Hearts"... and screaming lungs, honking horns and excitable rowdiness, 6:00 p.m tomorrow (February 12th) is a chance to make some noise, to mark the one year countdown to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony.

YHA New Zealand - South Island Round-Up

Heather — 2009-02-10 21:00:00

I spent two weeks on the South Island - from the top, down the east east cost and down to the bottom. I hit up five YHAs en route and here's the inside scoop.

RTW: Holidays With the Locals

Heather — 2009-02-09 17:09:00

I spent Waitangi Day - a New Zealand holiday recognizing the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between Maori and Europeans - on Stewart Island. This is New Zealand's third largest island, after the North and the South Islands, located at the southern tip of the country. As part of a trip I took with backpacker bus, Stray, I spent one night on the Island, which just so happened to fall on February 6, Waitangi Day.�

What happens at HI-Las Vegas...

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-02-05 15:02:00

HI-Las Vegas gets in on the action and provides a budget, hostel accommodation option for travellers in the heart of Sin City.� Finally!�

William Jans - E-News Competition Winner!

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-02-05 15:01:00

The winner of tickets to Solo in South America - a William Jans Live show�is... Pauline McGuigan!�

Thanks to everyone who entered the January BackpackerBuzz E-news competition.�� For those of you who were unlucky this time, you can still catch one of the upcoming shows.

RTW: Kayaking in Kaikoura

Heather — 2009-02-02 14:22:00

I spent the past few days in Kaikoura, a little town on the northeast coast of New Zealand's South Island. It's a neat spot, with mountains on one side, a cliffy peninsula that juts into the Pacific, meanwhile the ocean floor drops 1,000 metres just a kilometre from shore which means the unique ecosystem that attracts whales and dolphins is easily accessible from Kaikoura. I decided to head out in a kayak to visit one of the fur seal colonies that calls Kaikoura home.�

People, Places, Culture; Our World - An Exhibit

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-01-28 13:15:00

To celebrate 100 years of hostelling, HI-Winnipeg and local photographer Keith�Levit have produced a photo exhibition titled: People, Places, Culture: Our World - An Exhibit.�

Feathers & Masks & Fetes, Oh My! It's the Rio Carnaval!

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-01-27 15:42:00

February is synonymous with unabashed hedonism in Brazil.� Today, the annual Carnaval has an ever growing number of converters (approximately 300,000 tourists swarm to Rio�annually).� It�breaks bread with�everyone, ranging from the hardcore hedonist to the conservative tradtionalist...and it's�one of the biggest parties in the world.��

Tips for a Cheaper Canadian Group Getaway.

Backpacker Buzz — 2009-01-27 11:00:00

Renting a house for a getaway can be expensive, especially in a high demand location and during peak season.� Yet amid this�current economic�downturn trends show that we all still want holiday breaks, just without breaking another bank or our own budget.�� Global trends show an increase in hostel awareness and an increase in hostel stays.�� Rent-a-Hostel is an economical way to get accommodation for a social getaway, a special event or workplace retreat for unbeatable value.�

YHA New Zealand - North Island at a Glance

Heather — 2009-01-27 05:00:00

I spent 10 days on New Zealand's North Island, sampling a few of the YHAs as I went. I've already covered Auckland, but here's an overview of a couple of the gems I got acquainted with in the past week.�

RTW: Driving the Coromandel

Heather — 2009-01-24

In an effort to zip through the North Island en route to the South, while taking in a few spots I haven't seen before, I'm spending a lot of time on the road. From Auckland I took a ferry to the Coromandel Peninsula. From there, I caught a Go Kiwi shuttle to Whitianga, a beach town on the eastern side of the peninsula. It's a hilly little peninsula but regardless of the terrain, New Zealand's roads have three things in common, it seems - they're windy, they don't have shoulders and the Kiwis that use them like to go fast.

YHA Auckland International

Heather — 2009-01-19 15:18:00

YHA Auckland International

5 Turner Street, Auckland

One of two YHAs in Auckland, International is about a block away from YHA Auckland City on a street off Auckland�s main drag � Queen Street. It�s January, and a day after Big Day Out, so the place is packed but it doesn�t feel overrun. Common space is plentiful � with two lounges and separate TV and entertainment rooms. There are two internet lounges and wifi hotspots (though you have to pay for these). The kitchen is spacious and impressively well supplied with stacks of pots and pans, multiple sinks and cooktops and either the staff do a good job of cleaning up after people or guests here actually pay attention to the signs � the place is spotless.

RTW: The First 24 Hours

Heather — 2009-01-17 14:55:00

After nine months of planning, two weeks of worrying and 21 hours of flying, I�ve made it to the first stop of my round the world trip � Auckland. The excitement that dictated the planning stages gave way to nervousness and uncertainties in the past couple of weeks. As my plane burst through the low clouds in Vancouver, giving me a sunlit view of the North Shore mountains, I said hello to them in my head, like I always do, but this time we banked sharply to the left and headed south. My excitement expressed itself as a sharp inhalation and I did what I always do when I�m about to start something new � threw on my MP3 player and turned up Here I Go Again by Whitesnake.

RTW: Pack It Up, Pack It In

Heather — 2009-01-03 23:03:00

With 11 days until my departure, I'm thinking about what I should bring along. Long-term travel packing tips stick to one simple theory: minimalism. Based on this expert knowledge, and a bit I've picked up on my own, I've developed a few of my own theories.

Add Flickr Photo's by Feb 6th to WIN!

Backpacker Buzz — 2008-12-24 13:02:00

Been backpacking in Oz?� Partied at an awesome festival in Europe?� Visited a mosque in Timbuktu?� Backpacker Buzz has a new Flickr group where you can share inspiring and awesome travel photo's with other Backpacker Buzz peeps.��

Sign up by February 6th, submit your photo's and be in to WIN a Lonely Planet Pacific Northwest guide book.

Pacific Northwest Paradise

Backpacker Buzz — 2008-12-24 13:00:00

2009 is set to be an historical year for change. Travel trends are showing that people want to holiday closer to home and an increasingly diverse mix of travellers are smartly choosing to stay in hostels. So, when you're done decking the halls and making resolutions, why not escape the hustle and bustle and head to a Pacific Northwest Paradise.

HI-Olympic, Port Townsend is situated on the picturesque Olympic Peninsula, 100km northwest of Seattle in Washington State. Consistently ranked among the top hostels in the HI-USA network, HI-Olympic is located in the historic Fort Worden State Park which boasts the perfect getaway environment - a mix of tranquility, history, outdoor activities and small town comforts with urban appeal.

RTW: One Month til Go Time

Heather — 2008-12-14 18:45:00

I've left my job to travel the world.�

I'd like to say this is something I've always wanted to do. But it's not. For the past year or so it's been something I've wanted to do. Before that? In my mind, solo round the world travels were reserved for the incredibly gutsy - adventurers who care not for piddling material goods and who are most comfortable when carrying a canoe on their head while trekking up a mountainside. I've never carried a canoe on my head but I can imagine such an endeavour would leave me incredibly uncomfortable, not to mention a bit confused.

Iceland's Silver Lining

Backpacker Buzz — 2008-11-19 14:54:00

The world's financial woes have unfortunately hit the isolated island nation of Iceland a little harder than most. Fortunately, a silver lining emerged as Iceland's currency, the krona, dropped and the once too-expensive destination is now much more backpacker-friendly.

These days, HI members can stay at HI-Iceland hostels for about 2100 kronur per night, which is about $18 Canadian. This time last year, that would have been about $34 Canadian and ten years ago it was around $46.

The Slopes are Open and the Deals are Back

Backpacker Buzz — 2008-11-19 14:42:00

Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Mount Norquay are already open for the 2008-2009 season. That means HI's ski and stay packages are ready and waiting for you in Alberta.

Winter in the Wilderness

Backpacker Buzz — 2008-10-22 10:00:00

The wilderness hostels of the Rockies adjust their hours in the winter to accommodate road conditions and seasonal demand. Take note of the adjusted hours and openings for 2008-2009 and see what new opportunities winter brings to each hostel!

Watching Rugby with the World

Backpacker Buzz — 2008-10-22 10:00:00

An All Blacks Experience in Auckland
by Jon Azpiri

"Smash him! Smash him up! Knock his head off!"

This is what the crazed All Blacks supporter behind us shouted whenever Australia had possession during their Bledisloe Cup test match at Eden Park. At first, my girlfriend and I thought he was kind of annoying, but ultimately found him quite useful. We were relatively new to the game and his booming voice acted as something of a tour guide--if something we didn't understand happened and he cheered, that meant it was good for the All Blacks. If he started screaming blue bloody murder, then the Wallabies had the upper hand. Our loud-mouthed friend helped us get a feel for the ebb and flow of the action.

Book Your Stay in 2010

Backpacker Buzz — 2008-09-17 12:30:00

HI Hostel Reservations open October 1

Pretty soon, the world will descend on Vancouver and Whistler for the 2010 Winter Olympics. While you�could�rent a home in Vancouver's False Creek for�$25,000 for the month of February, only HI members have access to the three HI hostels in Vancouver and HI-Whistler during the Games. Dorm beds start at $31.50 and private rooms start at $90.�

Full details after the jump

Spotlight: Australia

Backpacker Buzz — 2008-09-17 12:00:00

Oh, Australia. It's a major backpacker destination with one of the world's best budget travel infrastructure's that draws in thousands of pack-toting travellers every year. Not only is it affordable, warm and easy to navigate, the country is fun as heck.

YHA Australia runs a network of over 160 hostels around the country, the size of which you should never underestimate. Check out a couple of YHA's latest claims to fame after the jump.

All in the Name of Fun

Backpacker Buzz — 2008-08-20 16:13:00

While the Summer Olympics are underway in Beijing, the world is atwitter with news from some of the world's most tried and true summer sports. Meanwhile, around the globe, athletes are taking part in some of their favourite sports that you may never have heard of. Allow us to pique your interest - you just might want to catch a game the next time you find yourself in a foreign land.

Member Profile: Nicky Renault

Backpacker Buzz — 2008-08-13 14:11:00

Hometown: Calgary, AB
Age: 24
Member Since: March 08

Describe your most memorable travel moment.
I took a D-Day Juno Beach tour and didn't have enough time to track down the location of my family member in the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian D-Day cemetery. The group was given 10 minutes to explore, as time ticked down I wandered down my last row and came face to face with the stone of my great uncle. It was a piece of serendipity in the middle of one of the most rewarding stops on the trip, Bayeux (France).

Beachside Hostels: The View from Above

Backpacker Buzz — 2008-07-16 20:29:00

Check out these beachside hostels from Google Earth to get a real view of these amazing locations. You need Google Earth to view the links (it's free, and really cool!).

Summertime Adrenaline in B.C.

Backpacker Buzz — 2008-07-15 16:44:00

You don't have to go too far to get a rush of adrenaline. Here are just a couple of ways to get some excitement flowing on the West Coast. Check out the member deals at the bottom to see how being an HI member can get you a bigger rush for less.

Western Europe's City Hostels

Backpacker Buzz — 2008-07-15 13:05:00

Over half of Hostelling International's hostels can be found in Europe and in the past 99 years of European hostelling, they've mastered budget accommodation in some of the world's most expensive destinations. Check out a few of the continent's urban flagships.

Contest: Ultimate Travel Playlist - Winner!

Backpacker Buzz — 2008-07-14 20:39:00

Thanks to everyone who submitted their suggestions for the Ultimate Travel Playlist.

Congrats to Neil Gordon from Edmonton for his winning choice of UFO by Sneaky Sound System. Find out the story behind his choice and the runners-up after the jump.

Hostelling International Canada Turns 75!

Backpacker Buzz — 2008-04-15 15:48:00

This year is the 75th anniversary of Hostelling International Canada. Two sisters established the first hostel in Alberta in 1933. Check out the full story in the March/April 2008 edition of Outpost magazine, on stands now, or in your mailbox if you're a subscriber. Here are a few things you may not know about HI-Canada.

Spotlight: San Francisco

Backpacker Buzz — 2008-03-18 15:44:00

San Francisco, the funky and vibrant city in�Northern California, is easy and quick to get to from Western Canada, making it an ideal weekend or week-long travel destination. The arts scene and nightlife are alive and well and compliment the picturesque oceanside city perfectly.

There are three HI hostels in San Francisco, and if you're only going for the weekend, you may want to spend a night in each! They've all got something different to say, but they all offer the same great amenities and activities - like thrift store crawls, a Bike the Bay tour and day trips to Yosemite and Napa Valley.