Did you know … even if you’re traveling to a European country that doesn’t require fully vaccinated travellers to take a COVID test, if you’re flying through the UK you do need a test – even if you’re not leaving the airport? It’s an illustration of how challenging and complicated it is to travel in…
Category: hotels and hostels
Family-Friendly Resorts for Summer and Fall
It’s about that time of year to start thinking about summer and fall family vacations. And while I remain optimistic about more countries opening up, there are plenty of incredible family-friendly resorts right here in the US. These coast-to-coast options have plenty of activities to keep kids of all ages occupied and entertained. They’re some…
Summer in New England
It might be a bit different this year, but it’s still summer in New England. That means beach bonfires after a day on the water watching for whales. It means lobster rolls, clam chowder, and ice cream. Classic hikes and bike rides through scenic trails and charming towns. It means blueberry picking and blueberry pies…
is this the coolest hostel in keflavik?
A hostel with funky seating in the lobby, plush bedding you sink into at night, a cheap lobby bar and freshly roasted coffee in the morning. Is this the coolest hostel in Keflavik? The Base Hotel Hostel, in Keflavik, Iceland, is made up of two buildings in the former US Navy/Air Force Base. They’re instantly…
lodge review: the townsville rambutan hostel
A couple of weeks ago, I stayed at the Townsville Rambutan Hostel for one night. I’d been really curious about it because when I was searching for a place to stay, it consistently came up as the best hostel in town. It is also a YHA hostel, which in general are nice, clean, spacious places…
lodge review: altamont lodge
I had the very fortunate opportunity to go back to Wanaka two weekends ago. After being slightly unsure if my car would make the drive, (!!) I got the okay from the mechanic and headed out of Dunedin on a post-rainy sunny morning. I was headed for Wanaka to explore the town and find out…
lodge review: kinloch lodge
The road to paradise begins, quite literally, at the junction of Paradise and Glenorchy. Here, you have two options: keep going down a gravelly road toward Paradise and Rees Valley, or turn left and circle the top of Lake Wakatipu toward Kinloch.Personally, I’ll always go for Kinloch. I arrived at Kinloch Lodge late in the…
tastebuds: kinloch lodge
Back over my birthday weekend, when I was drifting aimlessly through Central Otago with nothing concrete planned, I ended up at Kinloch Lodge, out on the edges of Lake Wakatipu, an hour and a half from Queenstown, down a gravel road near Paradise. I spent a few days here, hiking, enjoying the spa, chatting with…
the hostel story: a battle with trip advisor
update 11 May 2016: We have a winner! My review rewrite was published. No word yet as to whether “Stu” will reply. update 12 April 2016: I received an email from Trip Advisor telling me that my review violated their “family friendly” guidelines (probably because I mentioned the dry-humping and the obscene drinking)… so I…
five reasons you are an inconsiderate traveller
I wrote a while back about being a considerate traveller, and while I maintain that those are all good things for any traveller, I’m directing this post at hostelers in particular. I’ve spent the last two and a half months living in hostels and after dealing with people literally 24/7 for nine weeks, I feel…