Backpacker Buzz

If you’ve visited Japan, then you know that they’re already living in the future. The Japanese have renewable energy, fuel-celled vehicles, ASIMO (the world’s most advanced humanoid robot), and let’s not forget umeboshi, the pickled plums that cure hangovers.

And now, they have virtual reality. Read more »

Backpacker sophistication doesn’t come from knowing your hostel etiquette (don’t snore, don’t borrow other people’s soap, don’t fall asleep on the dorm room floor, ect). It doesn’t even come from chatting with three different people in three different languages at one time. That’s merely child’s play.

Achieving backpacker prominence really comes down to one thing: know your beer. Read more »

Put up your hand if you’re “stuck” in Europe this summer with nothing but your backpack, an iPad (smeared with fingerprints), and a Europass.

Life’s a drag, isn’t it? But don’t worry – you’re not alone out there. Droves of backpackers are hopping trains across Europe in search of the next party.

You see, there’s comfort in numbers. Read more »

Land-based activities are seriously overrated. Ask any seabird: the real fun happens when you're either airborne or afloat. Going beyond just opening a new hostel there, HI is continuing in the spirit of absolutely blowing up in Whistler with even more new discounts that celebrate those who fly and those who float. Read more »

The sun is high. The streets are bustling. Out on the sidewalk you see jugglers juggling and poets spitting rhymes. Just around the corner the scent of brautwerst mingle with the sound of easy blues. And out on the river, you cheer as colourful dragon boats race by.  

No, this isn’t a dream. It’s just a typical summer day in Edmonton, Canada’s own Festival City. Where every day is another celebration.

Suddenly real life isn’t so boring, hey? Read more »

Sorry to break it to you, but summer’s running out of time. As the final days of August roll by like a dog lazing in the sun, don’t forget about all those summertime activities you swore you would do.

Like hike the Grouse Grind. Or rough it out on the West Coast Trail.

Uh, well, maybe not. Read more »

The annual Salmon BBQ at HI-Vancouver Jericho Beach is firin' up the grills again this Thursday evening. Local members get to chow down for free while enjoying some live music and see what Vancouver's first hostel has been up to over the year. All this with a new eco-friendly twist. Read more »

Along with millions of other people, I loved reading Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy. In the third book, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, it's mentioned in passing that a hostel on Långholmen (an island within Stockholm) has been booked for one of the characters. On impulse, I looked it up, and I'm pleased to say that the hostel in question, housed in a former jail, is a Hostelling International hostel. Read more »

The first ever LIVE at Squamish music festival is coming this Labour Day Weekend, September 4-5. The town of Squamish - between Whistler and Vancouver on the Sea to Sky Highway - will play host to a whole slew of musical acts from Matt Good to Devo. You can win one of three weekend packages for two that include two weekend passes to the festival, a night for two at HI-Whistler and two HI memberships.

All you have to do is enter our draw. Winners will be announced on August 20.

ENTER NOW

With the new HI-Whistler up and running, the world of budget travel in Whistler just got bigger and better. Hostelling International has partnered with Moose Travel Network to get you up there and having fun, without a big price tag.

For $99, get the Sea to Sky Adventure package with Moose. It includes hop-on, hop-off transportation between Vancouver and Whistler, one night at HI-Whistler, dinner on your first night, and a whole lot of fun in between. Read more »