Posted: 5/23/2020 | May 23rd, 2020

Toronto is Canada’s version of New York City. It’s a diverse, multicultural city with a vibrant nightlife, amazing food scene, and tons of fun things to see and do — no matter what season you visit in.

While it may lack the historic charm of Montreal or the natural beauty of Vancouver, Toronto is a massive metropolis that will easily keep you entertained.

However, it can also be an expensive city to visit.

Budget hotels are inconveniently located and Airbnb prices rise every year. Fortunately, the city has a few budget-friendly hostels that will help you save money — money you can spend enjoying the city and all it has to offer!

That said, there are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel. The top four when picking the best hostel in Toronto are:

1. Location – Toronto is huge and it can take some time to get around. Pick a place that is central to the sites and nightlife you want to see. All the hostels listed here are in central locations.
2. Price – In Toronto, you really get what you pay for, so if you go with a really cheap one, you’re probably going to get a hostel that is small, cramped, and doesn’t offer great service.
3. Amenities – Every hostel in the city offers free Wi-Fi, and most have a free breakfast, but if you want more than that, be sure to do your research to find the hostel that best meets your needs!
4. Staff – All the hostels listed here have amazing staff! They are super friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you don’t end up staying at one of the places listed below, be sure to look up reviews to ensure you end up somewhere where the staff is helpful and friendly! They can make or break a hostel!

Price Legend (per night)

• $ = Under $40 CAD
• $$ = $40-50 CAD
• $$$ = Over $50 CAD

1. HI Hostel Toronto

HI Hostels are always some of my favorite to stay at because they really get what we travelers need. HI Toronto is in a convenient central location close to everything you need (nightlife, shopping, restaurants, the CN tower, the waterfront, and more). Free breakfast is included, there are private safes for every guest, and they host lots of regular events. It’s a fun hostel and very easy to meet people here as there is a bar on-site that regularly hosts live music.

HI Hostel Toronto at a glance:

• $$
• Hosts lots of events
• Easy to meet people
• Great central location

Beds from $45 CAD per night, privates from $133 CAD per night.

—> Book your stay at HI Hostel Toronto!
 

2. Two Peas Pod Hostel

This hostel has a lot going on for it. On top of hosting events, they also run a store and cafe, providing travelers with a full spectrum of services to ensure their stay is not only fun but convenient. They have a super chill rooftop common area (you can see the CN Tower from it) and they also have a mini movie theater that hosts regular screenings. Their pod beds are super cool too!

Two Peas Pod Hostel at a glance:

• $$$
• Hosts lots of events
• Awesome common areas
• Super comfy beds

Beds from $59 CAD per night, privates from $159 CAD per night.

—> Book your stay at Two Peas Pod Hostel!
 

3. The Only Backpacker’s Inn

This is your standard chill backpacker hostel. They have a bar (with over 200 beers), a cafe, lot of common areas (including an outdoor patio), and free breakfast. The staff are super friendly and it’s located near the subway so you can easily get around the city and explore. It’s also one of the cheapest hostels in the city.

The Only Backpacker’s Inn at a glance:

• $
• Lively social atmosphere makes it easy to meet people
• Helpful staff
• Chill outdoor patio

Beds from $37 CAD per night, privates from $95 CAD per night.

—> Book your stay at The Only Backpacker’s Inn!
 

4. The Parkdale Hostellerie

This is the most affordable hostel in the city. There’s no free breakfast (but the money you save makes up for that). There’s a lot of common space as well as a communal kitchen. It’s not that central as the other hostels. It’s also near Vegandale, an up-and-coming vegan area of the city.

The Parkdale Hostellerie at a glance:

• $
• Super affordable
• Social atmosphere
• Near lots of great restaurants

Beds from $26 CAD per night, privates from $78 CAD per night.

—> Book your stay at The Parkdale Hostellerie!

***

Toronto is a world-class city. The hostels here are especially social and fun, making it easy to meet people and have fun with other travelers. Just make sure you book your stay in advance as there are not many hostels here – and they fill up fast (especially in the busy summer months)!
 

Photo credit: 2, 3, 4, 5

The post My 4 Favorite Hostels in Toronto appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

I hope you all are celebrating this Memorial Day weekend and what it truly means to all of us, celebrating the military men and women who have served our country and given their lives. It’s definitely time to get outside and enjoy the weather we’ve been having and here’s to sunshine and good food! Enjoy these decorating tips and tricks from me and my friends today. There’s always something good to share! 

The post Home Style Saturday 191 appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

This is a repeat from Summer 2016, but worth sharing again! Enjoy this beautiful Georgia Hydrangea tour and Ryan Gainey’s garden that Mark and I toured. 

**********

A couple of weekends ago, Mark and I went on the annual Georgia Hydrangea tour, which has been going on for many years. This is the first year I’ve actually remembered it was happening so made a point to get tickets for the tour.  I LOVE hydrangeas and since my front garden hydrangeas did so well this year, it made me even more eager to see all the beauty happening in the Atlanta area this year.  This was a really good year for hydrangeas apparently.  I want to fill my yard with lots more varieties of blooming hydrangeas, because you just can’t have too many!

The post Hydrangea Garden Tour: Ryan Gainey’s Home appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Even though Memorial Day might not look the same this year, we can still celebrate our patriotic holidays with a little planning on our decorating choices. Enjoy these patriotic decor ideas from my friends and I as we head into the Memorial Day weekend! Here’s to the red, white and blue! 

The post Patriotic Decorating Ideas appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Throwback to last summer when things it was just a regular hot summer and we didn’t have all this mess going on. Today’s post is all about pretty and feminine summer dresses, hats, and shoes. I love summer fashion and I’m seeing the prettiest dresses out there this year, with florals and flounces and ruffles, very feminine feeling. I don’t always see a lot of dresses that I like and would wear, but these all caught my eye and I would definitely look at them for any special occasions I had this summer. 

I’m looking forward to getting out this summer and putting on some pretty outfits and sandals. So I hope you enjoy all of these and check out the sales. Belk and Nordstrom both have some great sales going on for Memorial Day and you can snag them now! 

The post Fashion over 50: Summer Dresses Hats & Shoes appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Hi, friends, I hope you’re having a good week so far. Georgia is opening up more and we are starting to get out a little more now, which I’m glad about. We’ve had some stellar spring weather and I’ve been planting some new plants and spending a LOT of time on the new screen porch. Summer is right here on the brink and the temps will be heating up soon, so it’s nice to have a shady cool spot to relax.

Today’s Style Showcase has lots of inspiration from my friends and I as always, so I hope you’ll click around and enjoy all the posts.

The post Style Showcase 30 appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Updated: 05/18/20 | May 18th, 2020 (Original post 3/9/15)

Years ago, the website Earth Porm reposted my article “The Ultimate Guide to Traveling When You’re Broke.”

Not long after, social media maven and actor George Takei shared the post with his millions of Facebook fans (as a huge Star Trek geek and sci-fi nerd, I did jump up and down a bit with joy).

As I went through the comments on George’s Facebook post, I was dismayed bt the mean and dismissive comments people shared as well their misconceptions about travel.

These comments made me realize that, despite all the detailed websites and books on how to make travel affordable and accessible, too many people still believe the notion that travel is expensive, unsafe, and impossible unless you are rich.

Too many say, “I can’t. It’s impossible” and become cynical about travel.

The notion that travel is expensive couldn’t be further from the truth (I wrote an entire book proving that very point)

In fact, it’s never been easier or cheaper to travel on a budget.

Yet people still have all kinds of misconceptions about budget travel and staying safe abroad.

To help combat the misinformation out there, I want to debunk 7 of the most common travel myths I’ve encountered over the years.
 

Myth #1: Travel is Expensive

Everything costs some money — and that includes travel. But the idea that travel is only about fancy tours, beach-side resorts, and luxurious villas is outdated. Traditionally, subtle marketing language made everyone believe that “a fun vacation is an expensive vacation.”

After decades of being bombarded by those insidious ad campaigns, our collective consciousness still equates travel with luxury. Heck, I used to believe this too.

But he fact of the matter is you don’t need a trust fund or a high-paying job to have an amazing trip.

You’ll need to learn how to plan a trip.

You’ll need to save money.

But you don’t need to be rich to travel. You just need to be creative and have the right priorities.

And it can even be done on minimum wage. Sure, it may take longer to save for your trip, and you may need to make sacrifices, but if you want to travel — whether for two weeks or two years — you can find a way to make it happen.

Here are some starting points that can help you lower your costs and travel on a budget:

• How to Use the Sharing Economy
• 61 Travel Tips to Make You the World’s Savviest Traveler
• How to Find Cheap Flights
• How to Change the “I’m Too Poor to Travel” Mindset
• How to Find Cheap Accommodation

Myth #2: Travel Credit Cards Will Ruin Your Credit Score

I can’t count the number of free flights and hotel stays I’ve had over the years. By collecting points and miles, I’ve been able to travel for a fraction of the price it would have cost otherwise, opening up tons of possibilities for budget travel.

You can do this too.

Travel hacking is the art of using travel credit cards to collect points and miles that can be then turned into free travel — all by using your regular spending. No extra purchases. No jumping through loopholes. Just earning free travel by putting your date nights, groceries, gas, and other regular expenses on a travel card.

While applying for credit cards will cause a temporary dip in your credit score, that dip gets corrected within two months if you keep paying off your bills. Unless you’re looking to make a huge purchase (like buying a house) in the near future, that minor dip will not affect you. Just space out the applications (if you’re applying for multiple cards) and you won’t see a sustained negative impact on your credit score.

I have over a dozen credit cards (though I only actively use three) and a credit score of 797 out of 850. As long as you pay your card off each month, you don’t need to worry.

I mean what’s the point of building up a credit score if you don’t use it?

Here are some additional resources on credit cards and ravel hacking to help you get started:

• How I Earn 1 Million Frequent Flier Miles Each Year
• Is Travel Hacking Really a Scam?
• How to Pick the Right Credit Card
• The Ultimate Guide to Travel Hacking

Myth #3: Couchsurfing is Unsafe

Couchsurfing is a sharing economy app that facilitates cultural exchange. Locals offer a free space in their home (sometimes just a couch) which travelers can use to then visit the city and learn about about the destination.

While staying in a stranger’s house might not be for everyone, it’s nevertheless a safe and fun way to travel (not to mention an affordable one). Much like Airbnb, Couchsurfing hosts have reviews and profiles you can read to make sure you’re staying with someone you feel you’d get along with. It’s really not much different than Airbnb (except it’s free!).

Of course, if you’re not ready to stay with a stranger you can also use to app to meet people for activities instead, such as a meal, coffee, or a museum visit. It’s a great way to benefit from the app without having to stay with someone.

As long as you use common sense, read reviews, and trust your gut, you’ll be able to use the app safely while saving money and having fun. There are families who host people, solo female hosts who only host women, as well as expats looking to connect with fellow foreigners.

Both the team and I have used the site dozens and dozens of times. It’s a vibrant community and one that’s completely safe. Because, contrary to what the news and media like to report, not everyone out there is a secret murderer looking for their next victim. Most people are good, kind people just looking to make friends and learn new things. Don’t let fear limit your opportunities.
 

Myth #4: Hitchhiking Will Get You Killed

Hitchhiking is a relatively common way to travel in many countries around the world. It was also a common (and safe) way to travel the US and Canada for a long while too.

The idea that hitchhiking is dangerous dates back to the 1950s when the FBI lead a scare campaign to get people to stop the practice, in part because civil rights activists were hitchhiking to rallies. The FBI’s campaign permanently embedded in the mind of people that hitchhiking is dangerous by claiming that most hitchhikers were murderers.

Combined with a narrative pushed by the media that the world is unsafe, hitchhiking continues to be perceived as a dangerous activity — even if it’s not.

My friend hitchhiked solo around the US.

Kristin from Be My Travel Muse hitchhiked around China

I’ve hitchhiked in Europe, the Caribbean, and Central America and met wonderful, interesting people in the process.

Hitchhiking, like Couchsurfing, is about using common sense. Make a note of license plates, have a phone in case of an emergency, and travel with a friend if you’re not comfortable going solo. And remember, you don’t have to get into any car that stops. Use your judgment and follow your instincts and you’ll be able to meet lots of interesting people while still staying safe.
 

Myth #5: Travel is Dangerous for Women

While both men and women face risks on the road, women often encounter additional hazards that require caution and awareness. But that doesn’t mean women need to stay home or only go to super-safe destinations.

The “if it bleeds, it leads” approach to reporting over the years has highlighted only the negative stories of female travelers. This style of reporting bolsters the perceptions that the world is so scary that solo female travel is very, very unsafe and should be avoided.

Fortunately, that’s not true at all. You have a higher chance of getting hit by a bus than you do of ending up like in the movie Taken.

But don’t just take my word for it. Here’s an excerpt from a post on women’s safety:

If I look back on the times when people have told me “Don’t go there!” or “You might die!” it’s mostly advice from people who have never been to those places and have never done any research on them. The press is hugely influential. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read international press coverage that is flat-out wrong. You need to find trustworthy sources and advice from people who know what they’re talking about. I once mentioned to my parents that I had plans to go to Rwanda. My concerned father told me, “You’re not going.” He was obviously worried about Rwanda’s tumultuous past. Had he done his research, he would have known that Rwanda is the safest country in East Africa. Once he researched it, I never heard another word about it. The crime rates in your backyard can be just as bad as the destination you’re headed to, if not worse.

These days, there are tons of powerful, independent female creators traveling to all corners of the world — including off-the-beaten-path countries. Heck, many of them are more adventurous than I am!

You can check out their blogs for inspiration and proof women can travel alone:

• The Blonde Abroad
• Onieka the Traveller
• Never Ending Footsteps
• Be My Travel Muse
• Somto Seeks

Myth 6: Budget Travel is Only Possible If You are Young and Single

Too many people believe travel is something you can do only if you’re young or single. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

I understand that when you are older, you may want more luxury than a budget backpacker. And I know that family travel requires more planning than solo travel. But travel is not solely the purview of the young.

At the end of the day, age doesn’t matter. I’ve seen families and seniors backpacking around the world, staying in hostels, or driving RVs.

You don’t need to be limited by age or your relationship status. Here are some articles that prove both families and seniors can travel on a budget:

• Why Don and Allison Gave Up a Normal Retirement
• This 72-Year-Old is Backpacking the World
• How a Family of 4 Traveled the World on $130 a Day
• How Amanda Educates Her Kids from the Road

Myth #7: You Can’t Work Overseas.

We often think of working abroad as an challenging process not worth the effort. It’s something that requires interviews, visas, and a polished résumé.

For the kind of jobs that you’ll get as a traveler, that’s not true.

If you want to work and are flexible about what you’re willing to do, you can find employment almost anywhere. You can get a working holiday in countries like Australia or New Zealand, become an au pair, teach English, or even volunteer in exchange for room and board.

Sure, you might not get a fancy or well-paying job. But if your priority is travel then what does that matter?

Farms, schools, bars, restaurants, cafes, and the tourism industry are almost always looking for staff — especially in areas with a seasonal influx of tourists. You won’t get rich, but you will get to see the world.

If you want to learn more about your options, here are some blog posts to get you started:

• 15 Ways to Work Overseas
• The 9 Best Places to Teach English Overseas
• How to Travel and Work Around the World with WWOOF

***

These travel myths come from years of being indoctrinated with the belief that travel has to be expensive and the world is scary.

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

With a little research, you’ll discover that traveling the world is much safer — and much more affordable — than most people think.

The post 7 Common Travel Myths That are WRONG appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Show producer Craig Elenor (pictured) uses a simple leading exercise for preparing a horse for in-hand showing by improving the walk and encouraging self-carriage

Aim

The walk is the most important gait for me and it’s vital that you have it in place before you start to trot. I like to see a horse with a nice swinging, relaxed walk. One of my pet hates is seeing a horse curled around the handler and not working straight.

If the horse is going on to a ridden career, it’s important the correct groundwork is put in place while they’re young. Straightness is vital for them to carry themselves correctly.

The walk is often overlooked in training — but it’s the first and last pace a judge sees. I use the following in-hand exercise on our long driveway, but a quiet road or forest track is also a good option.

The exercise

1. Find a suitable place to lead (as mentioned above). I tend to do this on a hard surface, not a manège, as it teaches the horse to walk properly. They are also less likely to bounce about on the hard, too. I start all my youngsters in a Parelli halter, with a bridle underneath. Once they have mastered the exercise and are walking correctly, I use a coupling straight to the bit but not before, as you don’t want to be pulling on their mouths — they need to be soft to your hand.

2. I position myself next to the horse’s shoulder on the nearside and use a fence or hedge to keep him straight. I hold the lead eight to 10 inches from the clip, loose with an open hand. I encourage the horse to walk at his natural pace, not hanging behind or too fast on his forehand — I want him to walk in natural self-carriage, not overbending, and I don’t like to do this exercise in side reins. The horse needs to learn to stretch and walk naturally. I ask him to walk in his own space, not pushing on to me, but if he does, I correct him instantly by nudging him on the shoulder to ask him to move back into his own space.

3. I walk to the end of the drive then ask the horse to turn, making sure he’s still in his relaxed walk — I ensure he keeps stepping under and tracking up. His head must stay straight and round so he is soft through his back with his hindleg engaged, so when you ask for trot the power is there.

4. The first few times I do this exercise I walk back. Once the horse has mastered this, I ask him to trot back once he has turned and walked a couple of straight, relaxed strides. The trot needs to follow all the rules of the walk, but I would hold them closer to the bit and steer with a finger on the coupling as you would with a rein. The trot shouldn’t be attempted until the walk is correct.

Continued below…

#SundaySchool: the showjumping ‘gym’ with Holly Smith

The international showjumper talks us through this multi-fence

#SundaySchool: how to improve control with Blyth Tait

The event rider’s exercise hones jumping with contained

6 issues of Horse & Hound delivered to your door for £6

If you want to keep up with the

Tips and pitfalls

• Make sure you alternate walking and trotting back after the turn, so that the horse doesn’t anticipate and shorten his walk.
• Try to apply this exercise in everyday life, such as when you are walking the horse to the paddock.
• Don’t over-practise. It’s important to keep the horse fresh and enjoying work.
• Handlers interfering with the horse’s mouth too much or being heavy with their hands can ruin a youngster’s walk. Ensure you are being soft.
• If you have a horse who curls round in front of you, I would do this exercise leading from the offside.

We continue to publish Horse & Hound magazine weekly during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as keeping horseandhound.co.uk up to date with all the breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions (six issues for £6) and access to our premium H&H Plus content online.

It was such a pleasure to share our new outdoor spaces with you all and you definitely had great things to say. Mark and I have really enjoyed fixing up our house in the last 3 years and making it the best it can be. Finishing up this screened room was the last thing to complete our patio living space and closing up this wall was the final project to do that. So today I’m going to share how we built a shutter wall from old shutters and a salvaged old window.

You can see what we started with here. This was taken after we put in the stairs our first spring in the house but before doing anything else to the patio or underdeck. It was a green mildewed mess back here and we definitely didn’t enjoy sitting under here. Not inspiring or pretty at all!

The post How To Build a Shutter Wall from Old Shutters & Salvaged Window appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

It’s another Saturday and weekend! They are all becoming a blur right now, aren’t they? We are still enjoying our outdoor space so much. I hope you all will visit all the links below and check out these posts from my friends and me. There’s something for everyone and you’re sure to be inspired! Have a good weekend. 

The post Home Style Saturday 190 appeared first on Southern Hospitality.