Posted: 1/5/2020 | January 5th, 2020

Melbourne is the backpacker hub of Australia. It’s laid-back vibe, awesome live music scene, and rowdy nightlife make it a favorite for backpackers and budget travelers alike.

Whereas many cities Down Under are worth visiting for a few days, you could easily spend weeks here without getting bored.

Since it’s a popular spot for budget travelers, the city boasts dozens of hostels to cater to the growing tourist numbers. In my decade-plus of visiting Melbourne, the hostel scene here has changed drastically. There are tons more hostels here than there used to be — and there are lots of upscale and boutique options too. These days, you have so many choices it can be overwhelming.

To help save you time, here are my top five hostels in Melbourne. If you stay at any of these, you’re guaranteed to have an amazing experience!
 

1. United Backpackers

United Backpackers has everything I Iike in a hostel: it’s affordable, has comfortable dorms and private rooms, is secured by key-card entry, has a kitchen and dining room, includes free breakfast (with pancakes), and has tons of places to relax and hang out.

Its basement bar hosts events throughout the week and there’s also a TV room and a common area with a pool table. The hostel also offers a free walking tour of the Central Business District (CBD) which is packed with street art, restaurants, bars and clubs.

This hostel is large so it’s easy to meet people as well. However, since it’s so large there are occasional lines for the bathroom and the hot water can run out in the morning (so wake up early or shower at night). If you’re staying in a dorm, choose one of the smaller ones — the 12-bed dorm can get crowded.

Located across from Flinders Street Station, it’s easy to get anywhere in the city. It’s also just a seven-minute walk to Eureka Skydeck which provides amazing views of the city.

Beds from $35 USD, rooms from $126 USD a night.

—> Book your stay at United Backpackers!
 

2. Flinders Backpackers

Another hostel next to Flinders Street Station, Flinders Backpackers offers massive 16-bed dorms — a popular choice for budget backpackers traveling on a shoestring. For those looking for privacy, there are also private rooms here but they are rather small.

Free breakfast, which includes a make-your-own pancake station, is included. The hostel also has a large common room, TV room with movie nights and free popcorn, and a kitchen for cooking your own food. Every week, they make a family-style dinner for the guests to enjoy (a nice way to save some money if you’re on a budget).

If you’re staying in the dorms, bring earplugs (especially if you are on the lower floors) as there is a club nearby that can be loud.

They also have a bar and restaurant on-site which has events almost every night. On Fridays, they make a huge batch of Goon Punch, an Aussie cocktail, so things get lively. Not surprisingly, this hostel is quite social so if you’re looking for peace and quiet, you probably won’t find it here.

Beds from $25 USD, rooms from $81 USD a night.

—> Book your stay at Flinders Backpackers!
 

3. Base St Kilda

THE ABOVE PHOTO WAS TAKEN FROM ANOTHER POST BUT IS TECHNICALLY NOT LEGAL TO USE
Base St Kilda is far from the center of Melbourne, but it’s in a perfect location if you want to stay near the water. Like most hostels in the city, it has a free pancake breakfast, a free walking tour, and is own bar. The hostel is definitely a party hostel so don’t stay here if you’re looking for quiet.

They host regular activities like karaoke and foam parties and the huge common room here has pool, foosball, and board games. As for the rooms, they’re a bit cramped but still comfortable enough. Every dorm has en-suite bathrooms and the private rooms here all have their own balcony.

There is also a kitchen but it isn’t huge (there are no ovens so you just have basic options when it comes to cooking your own meals). The Wi-Fi works best in the common room, but it’s not great in the dorms. If you need decent Wi-Fi, head out to one of the cafes to use theirs instead.

This hostel is great if you want to hang out and party by the beach. You can take public transit into the CBD, which is easy to do and takes around 30 minutes.

Beds from $26 USD, rooms from $79 USD a night.

—> Book your stay at Base St Kilda!
 

4. Tramstop 14 Backpackers

If you want a chill place to stay that caters to long-term stays, Tramstop 14 is the place for you (they even offer discounts for guests staying longer than a week). If you’re passing through, it may feel a little bit like you’re crashing someone’s house because so many people are staying long term — but don’t let that deter you! With dorms that sleep up to 10, as well as single and double rooms, it’s quite affordable and a lot smaller than most of the other hostels on this list.

As with many hostels in the city, there aren’t enough bathroom facilities so plan on a wait in the morning if you’re not up early.

The hostel has a small kitchen and a comfy lounge with Netflix and is much calmer and quieter than most other hostels in the city. It’s a good choice for anyone looking to relax and get a decent sleep.

The hostel is close to the Rod Laver Arena and Melbourne Cricket Ground, as well as the Melbourne Museum. It’s also a short tram ride to the CBD. Located in the more bohemian Fitzroy neighborhood, there’s plenty to do nearby, such as checking out the art and live music scene or relaxing at one of the local cafes.

Beds from $27 USD, privates from $68 USD a night.

—> Book your stay at Tram Stop 14 Backpackers!
 

5. fa

The history of The Nunnery is one of the things that makes this Melbourne hostel so interesting. Built in the late 1880s, it was an actual nunnery for over six decades. The hostel has both dorms and private rooms, and also offers some extras like hair dryers and hair straighteners if you ask for them. They also offer free bike rentals too.

The rooms aren’t always super clean and depending on what you book, they vary from spacious and nice to basic and cramped. They have a small kitchen so if you want to cook make sure you get there early or there won’t be any space. There’s also a lounge, balcony, and courtyard for hanging out with other travelers.

They host free events every day, such as pub crawls and movie nights so there is always something to do. Free breakfast is included too.

It’s Fitzroy location is close to Brunswick Street, the Melbourne Museum and Carlton Gardens, and it’s only a 10-minute walk to the city center.

Beds from $28 USD, rooms from $89 USD a night.

—> Book your stay at The Nunnery!

***
While there are now over 30 hostels in Melbourne, these hostels are the best the city has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a long-term stay as you sort out a working holiday or just visiting for a few nights, a stay at these hostels will ensure you have a fun, safe, and social experience.

After ten years of traveling the world, I still love to stay in hostels. They add character to your experience and make it easy to meet other travelers. If you want to make the most out of your time in Melbourne, be sure to stay at any of the hostels above. You won’t be disappointed.

Photo credit 2 – Ashton 29, 4,

The post My 5 Favorite Hostels in Melbourne appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Happy Saturday! I hope you are all breathing again with the start to the New Year. It’s started off fast paced for me with two back to back trips, but I think I’m settled back in now and looking forward to a brand new year of promise and energy. 

Our first project will be kicking off very soon with the master bathroom renovation and I’m so excited to get going on that. The mess is going to be awful, but I know it will be worth it when it’s all done. Today my friends and I are sharing some good inspiration with you so hopefully this brightens your day! 

The post Home Style Saturday 173 appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Spanning over 21,000km long, and with an intriguing history full of labour, battles and trade, the Great Wall of China is a must-see attraction when visiting Beijing. You can’t see it from space, but there is plenty of wall to see when you’re on the ground, so you need to plan your trip wisely! Before …

Read morePlanning a Trip to the Great Wall Of China

The post Planning a Trip to the Great Wall Of China appeared first on Everything Everywhere Travel Blog.

Banff National Park is the oldest and most popular national park in Canada. Located in the province of Alberta in the Canadian Rockies, it attracts millions of visitors every year due to its mountainous landscape, turquoise lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, and wildlife. Whether you are an adventure seeker looking for hikes or you love road trips …

Read more15 Best Things to Do in Banff National Park

The post 15 Best Things to Do in Banff National Park appeared first on Everything Everywhere Travel Blog.

Happy Friday! Today’s Feature Friday is blogger Angela, who blogs at Blue i Style. She’s been documenting her home journey since 2013, but is an attorney by profession and her blog allows her to be creative with her home, sharing ideas on organizing and modern home decor. 

You’ll see that she and her family, her husband and 2 boys live in a modern style home in Colorado. She says that they got the opportunity to move into their favorite Denver neighborhood a few years ago and jumped at the chance. It’s a very modern new build in an older historic neighborhood, which has lots of different architectural styles represented. 

The post Feature Friday: Blue I Style appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Banff National Park is the oldest and most popular national park in Canada. Located in the province of Alberta in the Canadian Rockies, it attracts millions of visitors every year due to its mountainous landscape, turquoise lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, and wildlife. Whether you are an adventure seeker looking for hikes or you love road trips …

Read more15 Best Things to Do in Banff National Park

The post 15 Best Things to Do in Banff National Park appeared first on Everything Everywhere Travel Blog.

Posted: 1/9/20202 | January 9th, 2020

As travelers of the world, we have a unique opportunity to break down barriers, foster cultural exchange, and create a positive impact on communities around the world. We can banish stereotypes of our own cultures, stimulate the local economy, and bring fresh ideas and perspective to places.

Travel can be a life-changing experience — not only for the destination you are visiting but also for yourself. We walk away a better version of ourselves and with a better understanding of the world.

Yet, too often, travelers become the worst of themselves — throwing up on streets, being obnoxious to locals, demanding places conform to their needs, contributing to waste and overtourism, and ignoring local customs.

Too many travelers treat destinations as their personal hedonistic plaything.

Therefore, in order to foster positive social exchange, get the most out of travel, and be awesome, I say, as we begin this new year, we take the following pledge so we can be the people other travelers want to know and locals don’t hate:

1. I will read about where I’m going before I get there.

2. I will be respectful of local cultures and customs.

3. I will learn some phrases in the local language.

4. I will try one thing I’m afraid of.

5. I will not turn cheapness into a competition since travel is not a race to the bottom.

6. I will eat the local food.

7. I will not haggle over less than a dollar.

8. I will not be a loud, obnoxious traveler that demands that locals conform to my values.

9. I will have patience.

10. I will be humble.

11. I will have no regrets about partying until dawn but I will be respectful of my hostel dorm mates and their sleep.

12. I will learn to hold my liquor. If not, I will limit my intake.

13. I will understand traveling is not an excuse to give up on personal hygiene.

14. I will not ask fellow travelers the same questions over and over again and, instead, will get to know them beyond where they are going, where they’ve been, and how long they are traveling for.

15. I will not turn travel into a competition, since it is a personal experience.

16. I will not tell people how many places I’ve been, because no one cares except me.

17. I will not whine about how a destination was so much better ten years ago nor will I listen to those who do.

18. I will not judge people on how often they return to a destination.

19. I will not be a smugly superior backpacker and judge others for how they travel.

20. I will not judge people for not packing light or eating comfort food when they feel homesick.

21. I will remember to get off Facebook, put my camera down, and enjoy the moment.

22. I will travel slow.

23. I will have no regrets about changing plans at the last minute.

24. I will go in any direction my heart desires and follow my wanderlust.

25. I will remember this is a privilege.

26. I will not decide if I love or hate an entire country within a few hours of being there and interacting with a handful of people.

27. I will not drink and drive. Even on a motorbike. Even in Southeast Asia. Even if everyone else is doing it. Because I value my life and the lives of others

28. I will be respectful of the environment and limit my plastic consumption.

29. I will not ride any animals nor visit an animal experience that involves petting or touching.

30. I will be grateful for every stupid, amazing, unexpected, breathtaking moment on the road and all the wonderful people who enrich my life.

***

We all have our own interests, preferences, and desires. But, as we start the new year, let’s all make a commitment to be better travelers. Let’s be respectful, curious, and supportive. Let’s be the best versions of ourselves as we hit the road and experience everything this world has to offer.

The post A Traveler’s Manifesto: 30 Travel Rules to Live By appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Posted: 1/8/2020 | January 8th, 2020

As I scrolled through my social feeds recently, I noticed, set against desert backgrounds, a number travel “influencers” extolling the beauty and virtue of Saudi Arabia.¹

But the majority weren’t there to take advantage of the new tourist visa and explore on their own. No, they weren’t there to see what this new openly country was really about. They were there on paid press trips, funded by a company called Gateway KSA, an NGO designed to promote the country. (Note: The organization says it’s independent of the government, but it has Saudi royal family members on its board and, given the complete control the family has over the country, I doubt they bring in influential Westerners without Royal approval.)

Now, let me be clear: I don’t think there’s anything wrong with visiting Saudi Arabia. I have a few friends who just did. If you want to travel somewhere, you should. People are not their governments and I’m not one for travel boycotts.

But taking money from a government is a lot different than paying your own way. As Rick Steves has said, travel is a political act, and taking government money can create the impression of tacit approval of it. So when a government offers to sponsor a trip, I think the question that needs to be asked is “Is this a government I want to appear to support?”

The government of Saudi Arabia oppresses its people and promotes extremism abroad. It jails activists (including bloggers), has a horrible record on women’s and LGBT rights, kills journalists (Khashoggi is just the most famous example), and suppresses dissent, tortures detainees, uses flogging and amputation as punishments, and is among the world’s leading executioners.

Those involved in these paid trips say they were simply showing off the destination and the people. “It’s not about the government,” they said. “Saudi Arabia is a beautiful place, and there are lots of interesting things to see there.”

No doubt there is beauty in that country and no doubt there are incredibly warm and wonderful people there too.

Yet I believe that taking money from government-funded organizations creates a moral hazard when you consider that the government jails its own bloggers and “disappears” LGBTQ and women’s rights advocates.

Psychology has shown time and time again everyone tries to reduce dissonance to justify their actions.² In this case, I think those taking these trips were either just clueless about issues with the countries or created rationalizations when a giant check was waved in front of them. Both reasons are disheartening and are morally shallow.

That’s not saying that I always bring up politics or societal conditions in my posts. Or that it’s necessarily the job of a travel writer to always discuss local politics.

After all, no government is perfect. They all have their faults. You can find terrible things committed by governments around the world.

But I think some destinations require more detailed and deeper coverage. How can one go to the Amazon without commenting on policies that lead to its destruction? How can one go on safari without talking about wildlife issues? There are aspects of travel that require more insightful reporting.

Places like Saudi Arabia, Syria, Nicaragua, Chile, and North Korea, for example, are among many places that require more rounded reporting given their political situations (and the fact that one is in the middle of a civil war).

Not bringing up the elephant in the room (the government’s actions) also does readers a disservice, because but it may put them at risk when they visit since they might believe they can travel like the influencer did or how they do in the West.

Press trips are not like regular trips. They come with handlers, special access, drivers, guides, and a host of other benefits a regular traveler will never get.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s one way industry insiders find out what’s new.

But washing one’s hands of the political realities of sponsored travel is the problem, especially with influencers and bloggers who lack the editorial firewall traditional publications have. It’s why, when I asked on a recent survey if people trust bloggers who take a lot of paid trips, 85% said no. In another recent study, only 4% said they trust online influencers.

So prevalent are the hashtags #ad and #sponsored that people tune them out.

Sure, there have always been paid trips, but I feel there’s less of a sense of ethics among modern travel influencers. Looking back on the early days of blogging, I feel there were lines we wouldn’t cross — mostly because we were travelers too, and we had an idea about the context of the trips we were on. But now is way more money floating around as millions of dollars per year are thrown at influencers. I’ve been offered huge sums to promote products (I once got offered $15,000 for a single blog post). It’s hard to turn that down if you don’t have another source of income.

Moreover, social media didn’t exist when most bloggers started and we had to rely solely on our blogs and in-person relationships. Now, with so many platforms, so many people competing for gigs, so much money out there, and the feedback loop social media provides, I think people are justifying morally dubious activities in a way that didn’t happen in the past.

Yes, traditional writers bemoaned us the same way I’m bemoaning “influencers” now, but I don’t remember standing en masse on people’s rooftops in Greece, going off trail to take pictures of flowers, or hanging off ledges for the perfect shot the way I see people doing those things now. Too much of today’s content is “look at me,” not “learn from me.”

So what can be done?

My advice for people who consume travel content is to avoid people who do things that aren’t legal or ethical and don’t paint a full picture of what’s happening in a country. By glossing over thorny issues, they make it more likely you’ll think everything is fine and increase the risk of something going wrong.

Look for those who are sharing more than pretty photos. Look for those doing things you, the consumer, can also do (not just on a paid promotional trip), because those are the ones who are going to be able to help you how to travel better in real life.

And, my fellow creatives, I urge you to consider the ethics of who sponsors your trip and to give your readers the most complete and accurate information. Don’t just feature glossy pictures. We get it: every place has wonderful people, every place has beauty.

Some places require more in-depth context. Some paid trips shouldn’t be taken.

Because, while special access and paid trips are fun, they bring less joy when the money received drips in the blood of the citizens you are trying to highlight.

Footnotes
1. I’m not here to call anyone specifically out but there’s an article that goes down that highlights some people.

2. The best book on this subject is Mistakes Were Made (but Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts.

The post Ethics in Writing: The Case of Saudi Arabia appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

You all are very encouraging with me sharing personal family trips, so today I’m sharing our trip to Durant, FL where my mom grew up and where 2 of her brothers still live. The year is starting out with lots of family sharing. I’m not doing Fashion over 50 this week, it’s just one of those weeks where I can’t catch up, so I hope to be back next week with a fashion post. 

In mom’s family, there are 4 siblings left of the original 7 and mom is the only girl left, with 3 brothers. It’s so hard watching them decline in health and her younger brother, Uncle Eugene is declining pretty fast with lung and heart problems. We decided that we better take mom to see him while we can and so we planned a last minute trip with just the girls and Renee and I drove mom down and Lauren and Parker flew in from New Orleans to meet us and we stayed 3 nights near them in Brandon, FL. 

It was a fast, but good trip and we are glad we took the time to do it. I’m worn out, but life goes on and I’ll catch up with sleep later as well as get the rest of my Christmas decor down when I get around to it. Sometimes life gets in the way and we have to go with the flow. Family comes first no matter what and we are all glad we went. 

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