It's 3am and the hostel is still, silent. After an exhausting day of battling foreign public transport in Rome, we were finally sound asleep. But not for long. Chattering voices rise from the stairwell & wake us out of nowhere, drawing closer, and annoyingly, LOUDER. All of a sudden our door is flung open with a bang! Light floods the room as 4 German girls charge in and swing their backpacks onto the ground with a thud, all the while chattering away non-stop. I look at my watch. 3.05am. Are they SERIOUS? After a restless few hours of interrupted sleep, its dawn, and I trudge slowly to the shower, looking forward to the hot steam instantly soothing my nerves...only to find out there isn't any hot water...in fact, the shower doesn't even turn on at all....
* * *
Don't be put off by the above story, it's all part of the fun (believe it or not) of staying in hostels around the world. People have weird and wonderful notions on what to expect from staying in a backpackers, with stories and opinions a mile wide. But most of the time, all you need is a bit of patience and a smile to get you through your travels on a budget! Of course you will be sharing with other people at times; you need to expect this sort of thing. And of course not everything will always work properly or go according to plan. And thank goodness it doesn't! Otherwise what a god-awful, boring, predictable world we would live in! I guarantee you, at the time, although I did want to cheerfully MURDER those inconsiderate German girls, I can now laugh at the memory. Backpacking is all about venturing outside the norm, travelling outside your comfort zone, and trying new things. True, it's not for everyone, but the following "myths" commonly thought to be true should not discourage aspiring young travellers from venturing out into the world. (On the cheap!)

"The newest, most expensive gear will make for a more comfortable trip"

You don't need your sleeping bag, extra doona, oh and that special contour foam pillow mum bought for you last year.....this is TRAVELLING not living at home in the lap of luxury! The whole point is to experience the unusual, the different and yes sometimes the strange. Most will be surprised to find how well equipped hostels are with often extra sheets provided, warm blankets and always a pillow. Some hostels in America I found will even have housekeeping staff come and change the bedding each day for new and fresh linen! And if there is something you need, just try asking the friendly staff - you would probably be surprised at how many items of use they keep behind the counter that you may borrow and purchase for a small charge; Phone chargers, international calling cards, spare batteries, sunscreen etc.

You also do not need the latest $400 backpack -remember, just because its new and slightly improved in some ways, does not make it any less heavy to carry!! Most middle of the range ones, like ‘Cuba' from Black Wolf, retail for around $140-$180, and are more than suitable with easy to adjust straps. They don't look half bad either. The point to remember is, no one cares about the brand on your back, only about the funny jokes and stories you tell at the end of a long day in the pub!

"Hostels aren't safe!"

Some people have this image in their heads that hostels are cheap and nasty alternatives to REAL hotels. Well the first part is true enough, they ARE cheaper, which is a good thing, but the scary/nasty part? Not so true. I'm not going to sit here and say every single one I have ever stayed a night in was tops, but on the whole, they are more than acceptable. And if you do your homework before you go, you will find that the cities you are visiting will often have a top rated hostel voted the best in the business by fellow travellers - these are the ones you need to be checking out, and booking into. One I recently stayed at in Manhattan, New York actually had its own night security guard at the door! How's that for added safety? Its usually not just a case of having he best location, cleanest rooms and top security, but also kick-ass hostel pubs & awesome staff to help you out with city maps, extra pillows, which nights they play trivia on and run the local pub crawl! Not sounding too scary is it? There is a great chance at these kinds of places to meet new people and make life long friends.

"It isn't very glamorous to lug a big ugly sack around on your back..."

First of all, what many people don't realise is that the amount of time you actually spend carrying your pack around is far less than what you might think. As soon as you reach your destination, whether it is your hostel in Greece, your seat on the eurostar to Paris, or crazy taxi ride from JFK to Manhattan -you dump it! Most hostels worldwide now offer locked cages to keep your backpack in under your bunk (just remember to bring your own combination lock - a key padlock will just not do) or if not, they will at least have a safekeeping area in reception that will fit your valuables like passports, wallets and phones. And the rest is really just clothes isn't it? Not really such a big crisis to leave them ‘unguarded' in your shared room! Think about it - would you steal someone else's dirty jeans?? (Ok, well, maybe if they were Sass & Bide!)

No one will think any more or less of you if you arrive with a suitcase or backpack, in this day and age, no one bats an eyelid as it is simply only an indicator of how you are travelling. Not living. One summer I arrived in Florence with my friends to check in to our "hostel", with our ‘ugly' backpacks in tow, only to find that the supposed "hostel" actually translated into gorgeous, 1bedroom Italian pension...which is like an apartment fully furnished! This is the kind of thing you would never find in your Marriott's and Hiltons, a traditional, old Firenze penthouse, in the heart of the city complete with a private balcony and all the creature comforts of home - we even had a washing machine and dryer in our very own laundry! So we suddenly went from being "aussie backpackers" to temporary Italian penthouse owners - not too shabby. In other words, backpacking is not just about the luggage - it is simply a means to and end - a way to discover the little treasures other countries have to offer. Don't worry about looking like a struggling traveller, just because you are out and about without a gold studded suitcase.

Remember WHY you are BACKPACKING - in most cases, you are not heading off on a trip against your will. You are going for fun. So instead of getting worried about it, remember the reasons for why you are going and the goals you want to achieve, such as meeting new and interesting people, which is a big factor into why we choose to travel.

A perfect example of this is when I journeyed to Mykonos in the Greek islands with girlfriends, and was stuck on the ferry for 6 hours from Athens to get there...Not so fun. However, we found others in the same ‘boat' as us (so to speak) who were also bored out of their brains, so we started chatting. By the time we had docked on the picturesque island, none of us wanted to split up, so we decided to all stay on the same part of the island at the same resort. That was 3 years ago - we still keep in touch and I have since visited them during subsequent travels to their own countries where we had a great time once again.

Going beyond your comfort zone is a key motivator for many backpackers. After all, it's easy to sit at your nice, cushy, desk job all your life, -and then take that one plane ride a year to Disneyland where the tourists outnumber the locals and English is the first language spoken. Hardly the real world experience you were hoping for. So forget about all the ‘myths' out there, throw your concerns out the window and go for it. Life's too short not to.

.....And if your head is still full of worries, don't worry, I'll take your trip for you and let you know ‘terrible' backpacking was!

Lauren Baldwin

1. Always try using Youth Hostels, and save money using yha (youth hostel association) organisation (search) as this has been the most cost-effective way of seeing the world.
   
   • Have an idea of how much you should be paying on transport from the airport to your destination, especially when travelling in Asia as the price can vary as they barter their prices. You must haggle when travelling in Asia as you would be surprised how inexpensive it can be.
   • Be aware of your exchange rate when you arrive into a country. This way you have less chance of making a mistake when paying for anything.
   • Be aware of cons and scams, people take advantage of tourists as they are not familiar with how much their money is worth. Some common cons and scams;
2. People who approach you on the street and are pretending to be your friend and trying to get something off you.
3. When travelling by tut-tut (Asian transport) for the day agree on a final price at the start of the day and keep to it.
4. Beware of pickpockets of crowds. Keep all belongings close. However a pickpocket can strike at any time.
5. When buying food and drink try not to go to the tourist areas as they are more expensive than the restaurants just around the corner which are of the same standard.
   
6. Drink local brands rather than imports.
   
7. Buy snacks from local supermarket. For example buying a snack in London from top supermarkets is cheaper than local stores.
   
8. Work out the prices of a direct route to your destination in comparison to splitting the journey. For example a direct route of Liverpool to Newcastle costs about £50. However splitting the journey from Liverpool to York and then to Newcastle is about £22. It takes approximately the same time. It is sometimes a lot cheaper to split the journey.
   
9. Always check the prices on comparison sites as this can save you a lot of money.
   
10. If you are flying to your destination try to make it on a weekday, if possible on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday as this is when it is cheapest.

My Hostel recommendations-These are all of decent standard
The European hostels I have stayed in are of higher standard

England

Ambleside youth hostel in the Lake District.

Australia

Glebe Point Youth Hostel in Sydney
Cairns Youth Hostel in Cairns

New Zealand

Auckland Youth Hostel
Christ-Church Youth Hostel
Queenstown Youth Hostel

China

Hong Kong Youth Hostel
Beijing City Youth Hostel

Denmark

Copenhagen Youth Hostel

Ireland

Dublin City Youth Hostel

Switzerland

(staying in the Swiss youth hostels on a skiing holiday brings down the price of the holiday)
Zermatt Youth Hostel
Davos Youth Hostel
Santa Maritz Youth Hostel

Geneva Youth Hostel

To alleviate stress of the vacation, start planning early in the year if possible. The first thing you will need to do in making your vacation budget is to take a look at the cost of your vacation last year. That would be a starting budget for you. But now you will need to decide if you can afford that much on this years vacation. Now, you will need to make a list of all expenses that are endured during a family vacation. Start looking at the budget to see where you can cut down on the expense. For instance, a way to save on the accommodations is the stay with a friend or family instead of a hotel. Something else to think about if you go to the beach during the peak of summer then everything is so much higher. So it would be good idea to think about going down to the beach a little off season You could really save a bundle on hotel costs. But the downside to that is that some of the attractions may or may not be running. Another way to cut expenses could be to look for discount coupons to amusement parks and attractions. Mom's don't like cooking on vacation but maybe cook one meal in the room and eat out the other two meals. That will save a good bit of money as well.

A little pre-planning and a little sacrificing of some of the extras during our vacation this year can lead to a fun-filled summer despite the status of the country's economy. A well-planned vacation can lead to a happy summer!

So here's my very own version of Boracay Survival Guide:

Transportation

No need to arrange for one. If you are landing in Kalibo, there are a number of vans right outside the airport that will take you directly to the Caticlan Jetty Port. Fare is around P175/pax without boat ride, which I suggest you take because it's a LITTLE cheaper than getting the one that includes the boat ride. And you have to pay some more fees at the port anyway.

I also discourage vacationers from availing of the transfers that most resorts and hotels offer because I think it's unreasonably expensive! If not mistaken, it costs around P650 for a transfer from the Caticlan Jetty Port to hotel when total actual cost is only about P150 or less:

Boat fare = 20.00

Environmental Fees, etc. = 20.00 (or less)

Tricycle Ride from Boracay Is. to hotel = 100.00

There are a lot of tricycles for you to take from the port going to your hotel. There are also multicabs (tiny vans for bigger groups) that go for a higher rate (between P200 and P300).

Do not forget to bring loose change to give to the porters who helped you carry your luggage(s).

Apart from walking, tricycles are the main mode of going around the island, or from one station to the other. Boracay is segmented into three stations:

Station 1 - where most of the bars and clubs are.

Station 2 - the “center” of the island; where most of the restaurants and boutiques are. D'mall is also in Station 2.

Station 3 - where the main market is. D'talipapa (aka flea market) is also in Station 3.

Fare is around P7/pax.

Accommodation

For backpackers or those who are travelling on a budget, Eriko's or Tan's guest house is a good choice. Both guest houses are owned by the same person: Net Sacapaño.

The guest houses are located in station 2, near D'mall. To get there, you may ask the tricycle or multicab driver to drop you off at "Crafts of Boracay", it's a big grocery store that is still part of D'mall. From there, take a one to two minute walk towards the beachfront area. Once you're along the beach walkway…turn left, walk a few steps, and then take another left at Shenna's - there's an alley sandwiched between a small grocery store and a diving shop.

You'll notice a couple of guest houses lining the alley as well, but I've always stayed at Eriko's and Tan's because the price is reasonable - if I remember correctly, I only paid about P1,800/night for an airconditioned unit with kitchen (separated by a sliding glass door). It also comes with cable TV and your own verandah.*

Apart from that, Eriko's/Tan's is very accessible to almost anything. Situated in Station 2, it's in the middle of everything - from flea market to restaurants to bars!

*Note: I was able to negotiate an all-year round 20% discount to readers of this post! Just bring a copy of this article and show it to Net ;-)

Restaurants and Bars

Just some of my recommended establishments:

• Cocomangas - famous for their “still standing after 15” challenge
• Shenna's - cheap tequila shots
• Jonah's - famous for their shakes, located in Station 1
  
• Hey Jude! - best to go here during happy hour as you get a discount on your drinks
  
• Crepes St. Michel's or Crazy Crepes - for dessert
  
• Andok's - known for their roast chicken; cheap but filling meal
  
• Binalot - serves Filipino dishes wrapped in banana leaves; cheap but filling meal
  
• D'Talipapa - you can buy seafood from the wet market and have it cooked in one of the eateries here. Or, simply avail of their meal packages that go for about P100-P150 per head (best for large groups).
  
• Barbecue stands - don't miss the chori (short for chorizo = native sausage) burger!

Water Sports/Activities

Banana boat ride is around P250/pax during peak season. However, you should be able to get it for only P80-P100/pax during low season. Jet Ski rentals are around P2,500 for 30mins during peak and P1,000 during off-peak.

If you want to visit the islets surrounding the island, your best option is to hire a boat. It would set you back by P1,500-P1,800, depending on how many you are. When you do get one, leave early so you have enough time to visit three to four islets. A must-visit is Crystal Cave. It's a huge cave that has a wonderful lagoon inside. It's very hard to get in, as you need to go down some steep slopes and crawl thru a narrow opening. It's slippery and has lots of sharp stones on the ceiling (so watch your head!), but the beauty of the place make it all well worth it! Remember to bring knee pads and helmets if you have any. Otherwise, make sure you have alcohol and band-aid handy…just in case.

As much as I like Puka Beach, because of its very clear and calm water that's best for swimming, I would not recommend for you to include it in this trip. Puka Beach, also a great place to buy pasalubongs from (accessories made out of Puka Shells selling for as low as P10!), is accessible via tricycle. So ask the boatmen to bring you somewhere else instead (e.g. Crocodile Island, Bat Cave, etc.)

Snorkeling is usually included in the itinerary, so bring some biscuits to feed to the fishes. Beware though, boatmen usually charge for the gears separately (around P100 for the goggles and the snorkel). Also, be prepared with some loose change as there's someone going around collecting about P20/pax for “environmental fees”.

Though boatmen usually approach you with flyers (prices included) on hand, always remember to haggle. And make sure that both parties are clear on whatever was agreed upon.

Others

Everything is more expensive in Boracay. If you could, bring staple food like canned goods, instant noodles, and bread. A loaf of Gardenia bread costs around P80 when it's just P35-P40 in Manila.

Toothbrushes are expensive too - I had to learn that the hard way. So do not forget to bring yours (see related article here.)

Anyway, there's a big wet and dry market at D'Talipapa but you would need to catch a tricycle ride going there. So if you don't really need much, you can just walk to the smaller one near Eriko's/Tan's guest house (also one of the reasons why I like to stay here). You can buy staples here like vegetables, meat, poultry and other grocery items. This flea market is in D'mall, near Crafts of Boracay. You would have passed by this one going to Eriko's/Tan's (see item#2 on how to get to the said guest houses).

Water is also very expensive. I suggest you contact Agua Vida (288-3754) to have water delivered to your doorstep. You can use the guest house's landline. What I usually do is rent their 5-gal container with faucet. You pay P500 upfront, but it's actually only P80 per 5-gal water plus P70 for the container rental. So you get P350 back when you return the jug. I really think it's cheaper that way than having to buy a bottle of water (costs P20 minimum) each time.

For pasalubongs (gifts), there are a few establishments in D'Mall where you can get key chains or magnets for P15-P20 a piece. But, I prefer to walk early in the morning along the beach to Station 3. There are a lot of vendors lining up the beach walkway as early as 6AM (i.e. if it's not raining). Women's accessories (earrings, bracelets, etc.) go for as low as P10! Or, you can always take a tricycle ride to D'Talipapa, where you can get native snacks like piyaya or caramelized banana chips with sesame seeds, etc. You can also buy t-shirts here for around P100-P150 a piece.

Just remember to always haggle. If you don't feel that you are getting your money's worth, leave and look in another stall.

If it's not raining, you'll find a barbecue stand right outside Cocomangas. You can buy from there and are allowed to bring the food in. They're not very strict about this. You should definitely try the grilled pork intestines (my favorite!) and their grilled chorizo (native sausage). They are simply delectable and would love to go back to Boracay just for these! ;)

On a tight budget or not, you shouldn't miss their famous "Still Standing After 15"! This is some sort of a drinking challenge where you are served 15 different flavored tequila shots to drink for the night. Not to worry because you are allowed to take your time downing all 15 shots. And when you're done, they'll ring the bell by the bar and give you a shirt that says "still standing after 15". To top that, your name and country will be engraved on their wall of fame ;) This set of drinks will set you back by P1,500. Though I haven't tried it yet myself (I'm a very light drinker…still practicing "til I get my turn hehe) I"d say it's worth the experience ;)

How to get there? You may take a leisurely walk along the beach or take a tricycle from D'mall. Fare is only P7/pax but drivers charge higher going back - about P50/ride, maximum of 4-5 pax. I think it's also because of the time element.

If you are staying in Station 2 and don't feel like going out too far, why don't you try Shenna's? If not wrong, their tequila shot costs P65/order. It is served in a small wine glass (yes you read it right) so it's actually equivalent to two shots! You'll definitely get drunk without putting a dent on your budget! ;)

Just like Cocomangas, you should also find a barbecue stand nearby. Shenna's is also not so strict about buying food from these stands so take advantage.

Sta Travel

On STA Travel you can select the continents your interested in traveling to and create a RSS feed of cheap flights that fly to those continents. This site is geared towards student travelers who don't have rigid schedules to adhere too and is a great opportunity to find good deals. You may not know you wanted to visited Paris, but for $490 round trip, how could you not?

Art of Travel

"How To See The World... On $25 A Day On Less!" This website, written by a veteran traveler, is a great resource for how to save money, how to pack, what not to take, where not to go and how to get by on the cheap, you must see this website.

AirNinja.com

Air Ninja is a great flight finder, the way the engine works is you can input your city, and destination and Air Ninja shows you only discount Airline Carriers who fly to and from these locations. Air Ninja only shows discount carriers, so if you can't find a discount carrier going to where you want, you may be forced to book through Travelocity or other brokers.

OneBag

To quote the website "The art and science of traveling light" This website is a great resource for anyone traveling, no matter where your going or for how long. And not just tips on packing but what to bring, what to wear and how to get around. Even the veteran traveler can learn why not to bring cotton towels and the many uses of a clothesline.

Hostels.com

The ultimate database of hostels worldwide. You can book through their website and read reviews. Nothing beats staying in Tokyo for $13 a night.

Couch Surfing Project

Listings of free places to stay all over the world. FREE. Yes FREE. This is great for travelers looking to cut cost. Don't worry about ending up in a undesirable situation, you can do your research of the places you'll be staying. This is also a great way to see the real hot spots of a country and not just the touristy locales.

Fare Compare

Fare Compare allows you to search numerous air ticket sales websites at once and compare them easier than going to each site and imputing your search in over and over.

My wife and I just recently returned from our vacation in Las Vegas. We stayed at the Golden Nugget in downtown Las Vegas. It was a very enjoyable, and well needed trip. As I stated earlier, unless you are a big gambler, it can be a very rewarding inexpensive trip. Upon checking in at the hotel, we were given a $250.00 coupon book that has everything from 2 for 1 at the buffet to money for the slot machines.

Once we got up the next morning, we were approached by some people to go on a presentation for a timeshare. As you may know, you can receive some cool stuff when you go on these presentations. At first of course, we were apprehensive about going, but they offered us 2 show tickets for $25.00 a piece, which are $60.50 for the seats that we had, $200.00 in slot money at the hotel, and a 3 day/ 2 night cruise to the Bahamas. Well, this was an offer that we couldn't refuse for only 2 hours of our time, which came in handy because we won $300.00 with the slot money. We actually won back plus more than the money we spent on the whole trip.

Vegas is, of course, most known for its gambling, but has some of the most exquisite hotels, restaurants, buffets, and shopping. The sightseeing is amazing with the Rockie Mountains as its backdrop. The "City of Lights" is a must see for everyone. The only bad point of the trip was the heat. It was 105 - 109 degrees during the day, but the hotel pool with the shark tank was enough to keep cool during those times.

To enjoy the fun in Vegas for under $800.00, go to HotWire It's best to book at leat 3 months in advance for the best price. Just click on Flight & Hotel, and get the best prices that Vegas has to offer. Out of all the sight that I have searched, this one has the best prices.

Visitors can swim in the warm tropical sea, go canoeing, boating, parasailing, horseback riding and fishing. Those who prefer a less hectic holiday can just lie beneath a shady tree at the beach and relax your mind. After working up an appetite, head over to Sungai Rengit village to try its fresh, succulent lobsters for lunch. Then you can go to the 100ha Desaru Fruit Farm to sample a luscious spread of local fruits. Golf aficionados will also be able to enjoy their game and tee off at the many golf resorts in the area. At night, enjoy the twinkling lights of the fireflies in mangrove swamp.

On the way to Desaru, you can stop by Kota Tinggi where there are several places of interest. At the Kota Tinggi Waterfalls Resort, you also can enjoy a dip in cool, crystal clear mountain water, said to be able to relax muscle knots caused by stress and tension. Kota Tinggi has recently been caught up in “Bigfoot fever”. A beast is said to be living in the forest near the town and some locals claim to have seen it. Just ask the locals in the area and they will certainly help you find a guide to take you on a day trip to locate the creature's lair.

How to get there :

Johor is located in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia about 300km south of Kuala Lumpur. It is well connected to the rest of the country by expressways and railways as well as air links. The state is also connected to Singapore via the Causeway and the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link.

Big Apple Hostel, New York City, USA

Conveniently located just off Times Square in Manhattan, its location really needs no more explanation. The Big Apple Hostel provides dorm rooms as well as private rooms with shared bathing facilities and is within walking distance of numerous Broadway Theaters, The Empire State Building, Central Park, and The Rockefeller Center. Kitchen facilities, a common room, and backyard barbeque area are provided and laundry services can also be arranged. A wonderful atmosphere is provided from both travelers and the fantastic management which is at your service day and night. Rates are reasonable and start at $39US.

Hostal Miralva, Madrid, Spain

Located in the heart of Madrid on C/ Valverde, a short walk from Gran Via, Hostal Miralva is a quaint little hostel which has recently been refurbished. A choice of shared and private rooms is available with the same choice being available for bathroom amenities. All rooms provide a safe, wash basin, and television. It is within walking distance of most of the important Plazas including Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Cibeles. The hostel is family run and they are extremely welcoming and very helpful. If you are looking for peace and quiet however, this may not be the place for you as restaurants located in the vicinity provide a lot of noise into the wee small hours. Prices for Hostal Miralva start at around 20 Euros for shared rooms and increase to around 30 Euros for a private.

Yellow House, Rome, Italy

Although situated at Via Argonauti 14, a little further out of the center city than other hostels, Yellow House is a 1 minute walk from the Rome underground Metro system and so easy access to all attractions is not hard. On arrival, you may think you are staying in the ghetto for all the graffiti around and it can be very hard to find once off the Metro. But fear not, it is a safe neighborhood and the graffiti is only due to the mass of students living in the area which coincidently provides a pretty good night life. The staff are young, ex-travelers who have stayed on to run the place for the owner and they provide a very real and comprehensive list of things for you to do in Rome. A choice of shared and private rooms is available and shared bathrooms are your only option. Breakfast is provided and a safe is available for important documents. Prices are cheap, starting at around 22 Euros. So if you're looking for something a little different, quirky, and with a great atmosphere, this is the place for you.

Three Little Pigs Hostel, Berlin, Germany

A former hospital building in the heart of Berlin is just the place for a fantastic, pink painted, hostel. Located right beside Potsdamer Platz at Stresemannstraße 66, the Three Little Pigs gives you access to possibly the best area in the German capital, within walking distance of the Holocaust Memorial, The Berlin Wall, and the Brandonburg Gate. As well as its own bar for socializing with other travelers, the Three Little Pigs provides both shared and private rooms, shared bathrooms, kitchen facilities, buffet breakfast, and internet access. Safes are located in most rooms and the staff are busy, but welcoming and helpful. Bike hire and free city tours are also available. Prices range from 13 Euros to around 35 Euros and are worth every cent. So if you're not freaked out by sleeping in an eerie but refurbished old hospital, this is definitely for you.

Hotel Namaskar, Delhi, India

Although not technically speaking a hostel, Hotel Namaskar provides a once in a lifetime experience for all budget travelers. Situated in the heart of Old Delhi and in the chaos of Paharganj, Hotel Namaskar is an experience to savour. Rooms are small, cell like, concrete blocks but offer a character second to none. A number of rooms don't have windows and air conditioning is non-existent. Most rooms have their own bathroom (squatter toilets and a bucket for washing), however some rooms do share and provide a Euro toilet and shower. A safe is located at the hotel foyer along with bottled water, toilet paper, and some food items for sale. The service provided by the staff is very welcoming. They will go out of their way for you. Little, quaint balconies and a wonderful view from the roof are features unique to Hotel Namaskar as is the fantastic, local coffee shop at its front door. Prices start at around a measly 600 rupees.

D & D Inn, Bangkok, Thailand

Right in the budget, young people, tourist mecca, that is Kao San Road, sits the D & D Inn. Not the most budget of the hostels you will find on this chaotic street, it provides more of a hotel feel than a hostel feel with the exception of the steady mass of 20 something's moving through its doors. A multi storied building; you will find shared or private rooms, shared and private bathrooms, as well as a rooftop swimming pool, massage facilities, a/c, and internet access. What more could you ask for? Right downstairs on the street is your link to anywhere in the city but you might spend a couple of days lapping up the shopping on Kao San first. Prices start at around 600 baht and is well worth your dosh.

Backpacker Cozy Corner Guesthouse, Singapore

Right in Singapore's bustling heart at 490 North Bridge Road, and on the second floor, you will find Backpacker Cozy Corner Guesthouse. Giving you shared and private room options, the hostel also provides free internet, laundry services, and a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. As well as great service the Backpacker Cozy Corner Guesthouse is a short distance from some of Singapore's best spots including Orchard Place for your shopping fix, Raffles Hotel for a rather expensive Singapore Sling, and a range of inexpensive street restaurants which are fantastic. Prices start very reasonable at around 28 Singapore Dollars. A great place to stay for its location and affordability.

Bumbles Backpackers, Queenstown, New Zealand

Only a 300m walk from downtown Queenstown on Cnr of Lake Esplanade & Brunswick Sts, Bumbles Backpackers provides travelers with a choice of dorm and private rooms, communal bathrooms, kitchen, and outdoor living areas, and sensational panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range. The managers are very welcoming and helpful and will provide you with information on a mass of tourist adventures including skiing, bungy jumping, jet boating, as well as Queentown's fantastic music and nightlife. Stay at Bumbles for an affordable $28NZ.