Hostel city-breaks around the globe
Berlin cathedral and concert Hall, Germany
Sunday, 19, Oct 2008 12:00
For those on a budget hostel city breaks can be an exciting way to explore the globe - reducing the cost or visiting some of the most beautiful locations in the world.
With a bit of research, planning and creativity, holidaymakers can take matters into their own hands and have the perfect holiday. What more, people are also becoming their own travel agents, booking DIY holidays and planning the itinerary.
Here travelbite.co.uk takes a look at some of the finest locations on offer around the world - for a fraction of the cost - and make some suggestions on how to reach, and enjoy, the cities on offer.
Marrakech
Morocco's second largest city, Marrakech is known for its markets, architecture, food and gardens, and due to its location - less than a three-hour flight from the UK - Marrakech can be explored over a long weekend.
Located in the medina the Riad Medina Azahara hostel is just a few minutes walk from the hustle and bustle of Djemaa el Fna and souks.
Designed in the traditional Moroccan style, it is made up of three individual Riads (Moroccan houses) with a mix of double, triple and dorm rooms - catering for all budgets.
All rooms come with ensuite, including a shower and bathtub. The Riads also have a mix of pools, massage rooms, spacious living areas and terraces where a free breakfast is served every morning. Rates start from £11.69 per night.
To view the city, GoMoCo - official tour guides - are experts of the souks and will show travellers the art of bartering and how to snag a bargain.
Guides will also explain the history and culture of the souks and introduce visitors to friendly traders. A three hour tour offers the perfect introduction to the infamous Marrakech souks. The price per person is £18.37.
Ryanair also flies return from London Luton to Marrakech from £125, bringing the total cost of the trip to £166.75.
Berlin
Possessing a long and intriguing past, the German capital offers something for everyone; stunning theatres and museums combined with first rate shopping and a bustling nightlife to produce the ideal short break.
The charming EastSeven Berlin Hostel has consistently been voted into Hostelworld's top ten hostels since opening in April 2005.
Here guests can choose from a range of private rooms or small dorms, enjoy a fresh coffee or German beer with fellow guests, log on to the free wireless internet or relax in the beautiful garden.
Conveniently located between the hustle and bustle of Mitte and charming Prenzlauer Berg, the EastSeven Hostel offers the ideal location for exploring the best of Berlin. Rates start at £15.82 per night.
For those looking to explore the history of the city Sandemans offer a Third Reich tour which seeks to answer many of the questions surrounding the Second World War.
How did it happen? How did a nation of people known for their level-headed thinking allow the greatest tragedy of the 20th century to occur? How could the rest of the world lie sleeping while the Nazis built their war machine and solidified power?
This fascinating three and a half hour walking tour visits all the places where Hitler and his deputies masterminded the Nazi charge on Europe. Price start at £9.99 per person.
Airlines, including Ryanair and easyJet, fly to Berlin for around £40, bringing the total cost of a potential trip to £84.50.
Tuscany
The picturesque city of Florence in the heart of beautiful Tuscany is a one of Italy's favourite destinations and it's easy to see why. The glorious architecture and formidable galleries are only half the story, with so much to see and do, visitors will never be short activities to fill the days.
The discreet, smart new Academy Hostel Florence is housed in a perfect location in central Florence, and offers the ideal base from which to explore this charming city.
The hostel is on the first floor of the 17th Century Palace that was the previous residence of Baron Ricasoli and is just a short walk from all the main tourist attractions - including the Academy Gallery where Michelangelo's David can be found.
For those needing their sleep, the Academy Hostel is blissfully quiet yet is still located within walking distance of several restaurants, bars and clubs for those wanting to sample the Italian nightlife. Rates start at £23.21 per night.
The Best of Tuscany tour shows guests the rich history, art, beautiful landscapes, delicious food and superb wines of the region.
It also affords the opportunity to visit the most attractive places in Tuscany in one day at an affordable price. Following a morning in Sienna?, a place of immediate charm, the tour will move on for a delicious traditional Tuscan lunch at a wine estate. Having taken in the views of the beautiful Chianti countryside, the tour finishes with a visit to the world famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Prices per person start at £62.43.
Ryanair flies from Stansted to Pisa (Florence) from £43.13, allowing a fleeting visit for £151.98.
Salzburg
Finally, Salzburg. Famously alive with the Sound of Music, the city really a feast for all the senses - with Baroque castles, interesting museums and luscious chocolate, this is a city that will leave visitors enthralled.
A renowned location, the Yoho International Youth Hostel is situated in the centre of the city, and offers an excellent place to enjoy all that Salzburg has to offer.
The traditional Austrian bar serves a delicious breakfast and dinner each day. With accommodation ranging from a single room to an eight bed dorm, the hostel ensures every guest is fully catered for throughout their stay here. Rates start from £14.98 per night.
The Most Unique Sound of Music Tour Salzburg, from Salzburg Sightseeing Tours, also allows guests to relive the true story of the von Trapp family and see if the hills are really alive and if there is a lonely goat about.
The tour takes in not only the main film locations of the Sound of Music, but also many other local pieces of history and culture along the way giving a complete insight into this timeless movie, costing around £30.
Ryanair operates a Stansted to Salzburg route from £50.57, bringing the total cost of a trip to £111.33.
Further deals and holiday ideas can be found at Hostelworld.
Chris O'Toole