Forget the lonely road trips and sterile hotel rooms of the past – the future of travel is hostel hopping! Hostel hopping is a fun and revolutionary way to explore the world: not only do you get a great night’s rest, but you can also connect with people from all walks of life and save money in the process. Join us as we take an in-depth look at hostel hopping and all the benefits that come from it!
1. Exploring the World through Hostel Hopping
The appeal of hostels requires no explanation. Meeting colorful, like-minded individuals, having extensively equipped common rooms and facilities, and the luxuriousness of nothingness that comes with hostel hopping—it’s an addictive experience. Pulling up your wagon to a hostel is exhilarating. Beyond the conversations on the wall and the local tips offered at the reception desk, a hostel is an adventurous journey in itself.
A Home Away From Home– Not a Material Comfort Zone
Checking in to hostels, you don’t expect the coziness of a hotel room. What you gain instead is a whole spectrum of intangibles – motivations, friends, and a snapshot of the culture of your destination. The best hostels have this ability to blur all boundaries between their guests. A shared social space that can easily inspire others to share their stories and their relevant wisdom from their travels.
Yielding to Local Experiences
- Having native suggestions of great places to explore
- Eating food that is authentically local
- Understanding the pulse of the city
These valuable personal encounters draw people from all over the world to take a break in hostels. Sure, there’s the sense of certainty in a hotel room, but why not have a taste of a local life, every once in a while?
A Life-Changing Moment – Living Like a Local
Hostels are where you gain glimpses of life as the locals live it – a chance to spend some time away from the glittering streets, and to bask in the spirit of every new city. And while delving into its culture, you might come across some unexpected wisdom, encouraging you to keep bumping into more journeys.
2. The Benefits of Community and Savings
Being part of a community can have a tremendous amount of advantages, specifically when it comes to saving money. Understanding what those benefits are can help you to make the best decisions for your finances.
Group Discounts
Organizations like churches, professional clubs, or even recreational soccer teams may be able to access better deals on products and services through group discounts if the organization membership is large enough. This means that the people in the community can pool their resources and get substantial discounts on items that they need, or even on activities that benefit the whole community.
Carpooling
Sharing rides is one of the best ways to save money while doing something good for the environment. Carpooling with people in your community not only helps to reduce the amount of cars on the road, but it also splits the cost of gas. This is especially beneficial to those who must travel further distances for their daily activities.
Financial Education
Many communities hold events or seminars centered around personal finance or give access to resources that could help people in the community make better financial decisions. Learning how to properly budget and save can have a huge impact on a person’s financial health, and a sense of community support can provide the encouragement they need to stick to their goals.
Cooperative Purchasing Programs
Many communities offer their members access to cooperative purchasing programs. This means that members can pool their resources together to purchase products and services at a lower price than they would be able to achieve on their own. Community members are also able to leverage their collective buying power to finance large, expensive projects that they would not be able to fund individually.
Having the benefit of a community around you can be a huge money saver. It is important to take advantage of the discounts and resources available, and educate yourself in financial matters in order to ensure that you are making the smartest decisions with your money.
3. How to Get Started with Hostel Hopping
1. Pick a Destination
Booking a hostel is the first step to get your hostel hopping adventure started. First, decide on a destination that you want to visit – this could either be a place you’ve been before or something new to explore. When you have a destination in mind, begin to research different hostels you can stay in for your trip.
2. Compare Prices & Amenities
Once you have a list of potential hostels for your destination, compare the amenities that are included in your stay. Take a close look at the cost versus the amenities of each hostel – decide which amenities are important to you and prioritize them when considering what hostel to stay with.
3. Check Reviews
For a comprehensive look at a hostel, it is always helpful to read online reviews from past travelers. Here, you can see what people had to say about their experiences at the hostel, both the good and the bad. This can help you to make a more informed decision on the hostel that you want to book for your trip.
4. Decide on a Length for your Stay
When making a reservation at a hostel, you can usually pick the length of your stay. If you are planning on staying for a few days in the same place, you can book your stay right away. For a longer stay, it may be better to book the initial stay and then book another stay as you go.
5. Choose a Place to Stay
When you have narrowed down the options and have selected the best hostel for your needs, it is time to make a reservation. With the help of online booking sites, it is easy to book the perfect hostel quickly and conveniently. Additionally, many hostels also allow for walk-in stays if you find yourself traveling more spontaneously.
6. Start Exploring!
Once you have secured your place to stay, it’s time to go hostel hopping! Visiting different hostels and cities is the best way to maximize your travel experience and get the most out of each place. So, get out and explore, and get your hostel hopping journey started!
4. Experiencing the Joys of Cultural Immersion
The best way to intimately learn about a new culture is to experience it in full force. Attempting to take in the history, customs, language, cuisine and daily rhythms through books and videos is a great primer, but in order to gain a deeper understanding of a culture, nothing beats a stay in the land itself.
The joys of cultural immersion are many. Simple things oftentimes provide the most insight. From how traffic is directed to common groceries scooped from market shelves, the day-to-day delicacies of a culture can lull travelers into even greater understanding of the region.
- Interacting with Locals – As travelers take in the sights of a new atmosphere, locals are often the best teachers. Whether curious tourists stumble upon a friendly shopkeeper or get invited to a traditional dinner, the connection of one-on-one conversations can offer crucially different perspectives.
- Innovating Customs – Where culture lines end and the human experience begins, the answers can be uncovered by joining in. Even participating in some of the region’s customs can open a new understanding that accentuates commonalities and breaks down cross-cultural barriers.
The joys of cultural immersion are sometimes even evident in the tiniest details. From standing in a crowded marketplace and trying to understand the clamor of a dozen languages to noticing the subtle nuances of customs, travelers can find a sense of joy is being immersed in another culture.
Cultural immersion is also a two-way street. Though the traveler is learning, they can also contribute and leave an impression on the people that they meet. Through conversations, physical participation in activities, and demonstrating skills, travelers can unlock the mysteries of a new culture.
Ready to bid adios to the out-dated hostel stigma? Hostel hopping is the future of travel, and all you need is a sense of community and some smart packing skills to enjoy the adventure. So go forth and explore, discover new cultural connections, and relish abundant savings!
