Backpacker Buzz

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 »

Banff National Park, Canada's first national park, turns 125 years old this year. If you've ever struggled trying to figure out what to get someone for his or her birthday, try doing it for a 125-year-old.

But we're thinking something a little more personal and since experience is the best gift you can give, here are our top five places to enjoy a piece of birthday cake and some quality time with Banff National Park. So grab a slice, put on some comfortable shoes and celebrate. Read more »

Are you looking for something fun to fill those lazy summer days? Or maybe you just want to remember what it was like to have time for lazy summer days. Either way, your Hostelling International membership card can get you some sweet discounts for summery activities. Read more »

It's no tropical cabana but HI-Vancouver Jericho Beach is one of the best places to stay in Vancouver during the summer. Summer's short and sweet here but the folks over there fill the calendar with activities and events all summer long. Parties, kayaking, a little environmental help and BBQs are all on order. Read more »

Penticton loves summer. And it had better, being situated in semi-arid desert conditions in British Columbia's Okanagan. They've already hit 27 degrees this month, which is undoubtedly a sign of things to come over the next few months.

Oh but there's more. Penticton is rife with festivals over the summer months, and homey HI-Penticton has an excellent multi-day deal on offer all season long. Does anybody smell a long-weekend road trip? Read more »