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Archive of "Travel" Category
Hostels
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Hostels have gotten something of a bad rap ever since the release of the horror film “Hostel” and several subsequent sequels and related films. Unfortunately, these movies have portrayed hostels as unfriendly, hostile, and absurdly dangerous places run by sketchy characters and mass murderers. Like most other creations of Hollywood, this portrayal is the direct opposite of the truth. In reality, hostels are a great option for students and other cost-conscious individuals looking for accommodations almost anywhere in the world. Most hostels are maintained by organizations and non-profits such as Hostellers International, which acts as an umbrella group for literally thousands of hostels worldwide. Admittedly, hostels do not offer the same services or luxuries as hotels, motels, or timeshares, but this is just a consequence of keeping the price of the hostel low and affordable. Generally, hostels offer weary travellers a bed, dormitory, or private room in addition to a shared common area, kitchen, and bathroom for a negligible fee. Hostels depend much more on a system of bartering as opposed to the simple currency exchange model of hotels and motels, as long-term residents of hostels often exchange services such as room cleaning and desk work for accommodations.
There are hostels dedicated to general audiences, in addition to those operated on behalf of specific demographics and occupations. More charity-based hostels such as those dedicated to the rehabilitation of drug addicts or impoverished individuals are generally restricted to those particular groups, as are hostels intended solely for students, medical professionals, or educators, for example. There is also a difference between hostels intended for long-term residence, as an alternative to a rental or apartment, and hostels targeted towards short term residents such as travellers or backpackers. There are some similarities between the two – both emphasize communal living over privacy, are focused on being budget friendly, and resemble dormitories. The primary manner in which the two differ is duration of visit, and consequently level of familiarity with your co-residents.
The idea of a hostel was first materialized in the year nineteen twelve, when the Altena Castle in Germany was transformed into a youth hostel. The idea was successful because students were willing to engage in a certain degree of self-sufficiency that eliminated the need for professional upkeep, maintenance, and cooking services. After a period of rapid expansion, there are currently more than four thousand five hundred hostels in the world, stretching over ninety youth hostel organizations and eighty different countries. In recent years, there has been something of a departure from the traditional concept of a hostel, especially in upscale destinations such as Honolulu, Hawaii. Essentially, hostels in Honolulu and similar locations make more of a profit than upscale hotels because hostels charge somewhat steep rates while keeping overhead drastically low. This has the effect of making hostels less accessible to students, but increasing the profits of the parent corporation. For most of the world and especially in Europe, however, the traditional ideal of cheap housing for young persons on gap years and trips remains strong.
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Traveling with your pet
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For the millions of Americans who own pets, the question of what to do with the four legged members of the family while on vacation is a very serious dilemma. While the issue may not be particularly profound for owners of fish or rodents, when the pet in question is a beloved dog or cat, there is generally an increased desire to take especially good care of the family’s furry friend. Sometimes there is an opportunity to leave the animal with a trusted friend or relative, but this is contingent upon having such an individual within close proximity of the family. Another more expensive option involves leaving the dog or cat at a so-called pet hotel, where specially trained individuals essentially pamper pets for a highly inflated fee. This leads a large percentage of Americans to bring their pets with them on vacation, and in turn creates the need for a special breed of hotels, pet friendly hotels, to host their furry friends.
Pet friendly hotels are spread across all types of establishments, ranging from large chains such as Best Western and Days Inn to local inns and even bed and breakfasts. They represent the best option for concerned and frugal pet owners, since they allow for both cost effectiveness and individualized care. Although some people are quick to assume that pet friendly hotels are more messy than regular hotels, they are subject to the same cleaning and in many cases stricter regulations than conventional lodgings. In other words, pet friendly hotels are just as well maintained as regular hotels, but allow guests to take much better care of their charges. For example, pet friendly hotels allow pet owners the opportunity to choose their pets’ food, bedding, and in some cases even clothing. There are a number of things that you should take into consideration when you are looking for a pet friendly motel. Obviously cost should be a primary concern; just remember that there is no such thing as a monopoly on the pet friendly hotel market. While it seem like a niche market, in reality there are literally thousands of hotels and motels that allow and even welcome pets.
There are several web pages that are great guides for those interested in pet friendly hotels, allowing individuals to not only browse and book hotels but also to explore different options, specify preferences, and learn more about the industry in general. Pet friendly hotels are much less trouble than one might initially assume – many Internet and personalized resources are available to ensure that travelling, taking care of, and above all housing travelling pets is a breeze. Finding the right pet friendly hotel involves a bit of research; some hotels and motels charge additional fees for pets, while in certain cases of international travel vaccinations and additional documentation must be provided. Regardless of which hotel or accommodation you choose, you will not regret the decision to bring your furry friend along for your vacation. By bringing the four legged member of your family along for the ride, you are not just saving money, you are giving yourself flexibility and peace of mind.
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