Where to stay: There are a ton of inexpensive and highly rated hostels in Porto, so I really think that’s the way to go in this city. Porto also really lends itself to social life, and staying in a hostel will make it easier for you to meet people to do things with during the day and at night! Staying in the historic center is really important in Porto because it will give you the opportunity to walk almost anywhere you…
I live in Prague, which is a touristy city, but I don’t live in a particularly touristy area. The neighborhood I live in is full of other expats, artists, families, and a truly incredible amount of adorable puppies, and living here affords me the opportunity to pretend that millions of people don’t invade this city every year. Living outside of the tourist center of the city has also caused some…encounters…with Czechs that aren’t particularly thrilled that I don’t speak Czech…
Where to stay: I visited Istanbul while traveling for a weekend with my students, and we stayed in the Zeynep Sultan Hotel, which was absolutely lush and beautiful. I recognize that this wouldn’t exactly fit into my budget had I not been traveling for work, so I will instead recommend that you find a place to stay in the Sultanahmet neighborhood of Istanbul, which is the Old Town. Staying in this neighborhood will put you within walking distance to essentially everything…
Where to stay: I wasn’t particularly thrilled with any of the hostel options in Milan, so I opted to go with Airbnb instead. I found this apartment, which was a short walk away from the city center, and the hosts were really great! The listed host wasn’t there when we were, but his roommate was still really cool to hang out with, and even invited us out with his friend one of the nights we were there. Staying directly in the…
By Katie Ford — As I sit in the Dallas Fort Worth Airport, I find myself surrounded by “American” cultural icons- a cowboy-themed bar, country music, multiple fast-food options, and a steakhouse. But the thing is, I don’t really identify with any of these things in the way that many of the people around me seem to. I actually feel like I often do when I’m traveling in other countries; I recognize the similarities between myself and those around me,…
New Orleans is a cultural center of America. It is a unique blend of Caribbean, Spanish, and French cultures in one incredible resilient city. While the people of New Orleans have had their overwhelming share of catastrophe and challenges, the city and culture remains one of the most interesting places to visit in the US. For a traveling foodie, New Orleans is the place. to. be., but there’s so much for any type of traveler to fully enjoy themselves in…
By Katie Ford — Everyone will make mistakes while they travel, that’s a given. And if I’m being honest, mistakes are often the best way to explore a new city, or even to learn about yourself. With that being said, there are some mistakes that just aren’t worth making, and they’re ones that most beginner travelers end up making most frequently. Here is my list of 5 mistakes to avoid when traveling: 1. Keeping your nose in the guide books. Guide books are…
Where to stay: Tenby is a really small seaside town in a really small country, so finding an inexpensive place to stay is a challenge. There aren’t any hostels listed in Tenby on Hostelworld, and there is only one Airbnb rental listed (which, for $79 per night, actually looks great). Tenby is the town of bed and breakfasts, which is definitely a more expensive route to go. Because of all of this, you might want to consider a day trip to Tenby…
Where to stay: Cardiff is a great city because it isn’t very touristy, but that also brings about its own challenges, as there aren’t a ton of hostels in the city. There are, however, a few decently priced Airbnb options in the city center, so you might be better of sticking to that. If you do choose to go the hostel route, I’ve had friends have good experiences at the Bunkhouse, and this one is in a really great location. No matter…
Where to stay: When I traveled to Barcelona, I stayed in the Alberguinn Youth Hostel, found on Hostelworld.com. The hostel was in a great, fairly quiet location, but really close to the bus stop and a metro, so it was super easy to get around the city from there. It wasn’t particularly close to the centre of the city or the beach, but I wasn’t bothered at all by that, especially since you will pay for the privilege of being in…
