From the category archives:
Rainbow pride can be fun for everyone!! And these festivals below are definitely unforgettable events!
1. Rome – Gay Village 2010 – June 17- September 12
2. London – Pride London Festival Fortnight – June 19th – July 3rd
3. San Francisco – San Francisco Pride – June 26th and 27th
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4. New York City – PrideFest New York – June 27th
5. Amsterdam – Amsterdam Gay Pride – August 5th -8th
Enjoy!!
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Most Korean food is made of all-natural ingredients, such as soya beans, Korean chili powder and Kimchi. Many areas in Korea have been praised for their healthy foods such as Kimchi, Gochujang, Doenjang, which are rich in vitamins and may even help prevent some forms of cancer.
Koreans believe that preparing a truly delicious meal requires a great deal of care and dedication. The cuisine from each province is very diverse. Travel now to Korea and experience their fantastic cuisine!
Here are some examples of typical Korean dishes:
Gyeongggi-do
The province that surrounds Seoul, the capital of South Korea, for over 500 years. During the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty, all the people from different provinces brought their ingredients to the capital, which resulted in an eclectic and elaborate array of food.
Seolleongtang: was traditionally prepared by the Joseon Dynasty kings in hope of an abundant harvest season. Beef bones are boiled in a stone pot for a one day. The only seasoning typically used for this mineral rich broth is salt.
Japchae: is made with clear noodles stir-fried with vegetables. Vegetables and beef are then mixed with noodles. The colors are brilliant and the noodles are mouth-watering.
Chungcheong-do
The meals in Chungcheong-do are simple compared to other provinces. Seasonings and sauces are hardly used in order to enhance the natural taste of the ingredients. Daejeon, a main city in this region is known for these dishes.
Olgaengiguk: is made from boiled, small freshwater snails. The taste is slightly bitter yet savory. This is ideal for breakfast.
Gulbap (steamed rice with oyster): is originally from the Yellow sea area of Chungcheong-do. It is prepared by adding live oysters while the rice is boiling, and then adding some soy sauce.
Gyeongsang-do
Gyeongsang-do is situated between the Southern and Eastern Sea. Their cuisine mainly consists of fresh seafood. Andong city is the birthplace of the Joseon Dynasty’s aristocratic culture.
Andong Jjimdak: is prepared by adding soy sauce over chicken before steaming it. The salty and spicy seasoning goes well with the tenderness of the chicken. After eating the chicken, it is customary to mix rice in the leftover seasoning.
Book a hostel in Andong or Busan from this region to try these dishes today!
Jeolla-do
The agricultural region of Jeolla-do is well known for their highly developed food culture in Korea. The cuisine combines seafood and grains, which are locally grown. Dishes in Jeolla-do consist of a variety of seasonings, such as garlic, Korean chili paste and sugar. One of the cities to try these dishes is Gwangju.
Jeonju Bibimbap: consists of steamed rice mixed with fresh vegetables and herbs, fried egg, a touch of sesame oil, beef, and Korean chili paste. This dish even made it as far as becoming popular in the US.
Daenamu Tongbap: is rice cooked in hollowed out bamboo rather then a pan. Gingko nuts and chestnuts are added to the rice, making this dish nutritious and savory.
Jejudo is a peninsula south of Korea. Most of the food that people eat there consists of seafood that is quite salty. People add little seasonings to their food in order to enjoy the natural flavor of the ingredients.
Okdomgui: is a pink Snapper (type of fish) found only in the ocean around the island. The fish is seasoned with salt, then roasted, and served with several side dishes.
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Many backpackers dream of trekking in new and exciting places – places where few have gone before – but this is a difficult goal with tourism opening all over the globe. No less exciting is the prospect of going where many have gone before. A long, long time before.
Angkor, Cambodia (9th c AD to 15th c AD)
From your hostel in Siem Reap, central Cambodia, you can access about 40 ancient Khmer temples and monuments over 200 square km. Angkor itself was an ancient political city modeled on the temples and monuments of India, but the beautiful Cambodian landscape – including the impressive Mekong river, abundant jungle foliage, northern Kulen hills and Tonle Sap (Great Lake), a UNESCO biosphere reserve – give Angkor its own distinct majesty. Make sure to take a river tour!
Baalbek, Lebanon (30th c BC to 15th c AD
With levels dating back to the early Bronze Age, the temple complex of Baalbek holds more history than some geological formations. Set on a high point in the lush Bekaa Valley between the rolling, snow-capped Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountain ranges, these ruins shed light on 5000 years of Prehistoric, Phoenecian, Seleucin, Roman and Islamic dynasties. Once thought of as “The City of the Sun” this former site of the Roman temple of Jupiter is only an hour out of Beirut – an awesome day trip for the adventurous.
Tikal, Guatemala (4th c BC to 10th c AD)
Not only is Tikal a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest excavated ruins of the Mayan civilization, it is also part of the Maya Biosphere Reserve. Hear the wild wails of howler monkeys, watch spider monkeys swing by overhead or catch glimpses of any of over 330 bird species as you explore this vast national park, part of the Peten Jungle. The ruins themselves are breathtaking but be sure to splurge on a walking tour – the mysteries behind the monuments are worth delving into.
Newgrange, Ireland (33rd c BC)
Newgrange is one of a number of passage tombs, or chambered cairns, to be found in Ireland’s County Meath. It is technically stone-aged, built in the Neolithic era, so its wide range of non-local building materials, startling preservation and architectural and cosmological sophistication (the central chamber receives natural light only at sunrise on solstice days) might surprise you. Newgrange is a great pit-stop while exploring castles, monasteries and gorgeous green countryside from your hostel in Drogheda (only a fifteen minute drive away).
There you have it – four exciting ancient destinations free from the crowds, expense and been-done aspect of the Pyramids, Parthenon and Machu Picchu. As the saying goes, “Everything old is new again!”
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The concentration and extermination camp in Auschwitz is the most famous symbol of the Holocaust and Nazi cruelty in the world. It’s located in the town of O?wi?cim near Krakow in Poland. Those territories were under the German control during World War II. This place shows us the amount of Nazi war crimes and made us find out the borders of humanity. Visiting Auschwitz is something that you’ll never forget.
The concentration camp in Auschwitz came into being in 1940. It was the first and the biggest Nazi camp in Poland. The camp was divided in a few parts, the main one was Auschwitz I – the camp of compulsory work and the administration centre, and Auschwitz II – Birkenau – the extermination camp, where people were kept in inhuman conditions and murdered in gas chambers. It’s very hard to estimate the real number of victims killed in Auschwitz. Different sources estimate that it was from 1,1 million to even 4 million people.
Two years after the end of the war, a part of camp was renovated and turned into a museum. Nowadays the Auschwitz extermination camp is almost completely reconstructed and changed into the most important exhibition regarding the Holocaust in the world. The camp is inscribed under the UNESCO list of global heritage.
The image leaving you with the greatest impression is by the Wall of Executions with exhibitions featuring clothes, shoes and even hair of prisoners, information about cruel, pseudo-medical experiments pursued on humans and the former cell of Maksymilian Kolbe, a Polish priest who sacrificed his life for another prisoner and finally starved to death. Also very touching, is the exhibition about the cultural life in the camp, which describes how prisoners were preserving their culture. They were composing music, writing poems and preparing performances to forget about sorrow and keep their humanity.
Visiting Auschwitz is very instructive, incredible and a touching experience. Sightseeing in the camp in respectful silence is a way to reflect on tolerance, human rights and the need to care about global peace. Visit the Memorial like thousands of people who visit this place every year along with Tour Operator Escape2Poland, to know the truth these days and the history of the Holocaust. Auschwitz is an obligatory part of every visit to Poland, so book your Auschwitz Tour today. There are also plenty of other tours in Poland which you can choose from to broaden your Polish experience! Luckily, Poland also has many beautiful sites to visit and learn about which are quite uplifting!
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The HostelsClub philosophy this Valentine’s Day is that a romantic weekend does not have to be expensive or about how much you spend, but who and where you spend it at. Check out the Top 10 list:
1. Venice – No other city has more beautiful alleyways, foot bridges and scenery for couples in love. Picture this: narrow streets, small cafes and restaurants galore, canals and gondoliers singing just for you. The Venice Gondola Tour is the most romantic way to make declaration of love. Then in the evening you can go in the middle of St. Mark’s square and soak up the live classical concerts and the atmosphere of the city. While many consider Venice to be expensive, there are beds in Venice as low as 25€!
2. Paris – Also nearly tied with Venice, but in at number two, is this historic city of romance. It is a mecca for love and passion. Nice romantic ambience in every café, amazing architecture and sweet smells of croissaints and pastries filling the air. How about that for a nice backdrop for a romantic weekend? Spend a weekend in Paris and visit Montmartre Sacre Coeur, the Gardens of Luxembourg, dine in the Marais district and finally stroll along the Seine. You can find cheap hostels from as low as 20€ per person for a double room!
3. Buenos Aires – The city where life and love are inseparable, much like the tango dancing which was born in the suburbs of Buenos Aires. It is known as the ‘Paris of the South’. Just go to the first bar in Buenos Aires and feel the passion in every corner of the city. With a great steak dinner and a bottle of Malbec, you’ll be tango dancing in no time! A double room in Buenos Aires costs as low as € 15 per person!
Book your hostel in Buenos Aires
4. Vienna – Because of the famous Austrian romantic waltz dance, we have chosen Vienna to be our fourth most romantic city. With its lovely cafes, avenues and parks, Vienna has become a favorite of all lovers. Have some hot chocolate at a cozy cafe on the corner, go on horse-drawn carriage rides, and walk through their beautiful green parks to set the mood. The distinctive ambience of the capital of Austria makes this city so special for a romantic trip. A double room can be booked from as low as 22 € per person.
5. Istanbul – It may be a surprise to you, but Istanbul, with its oriental atmosphere, where everything is mysterious and passionate, is full of romance and love! The narrow streets of Istanbul, oriental spices and hot drinks for both day and night time makes Istanbul is perfect city for a getaway with your loved one! With just 13€ each a double room here is perfect for a budget-friendly couple.
6. Las Vegas – The city of sin is where your love can reach all levels. Everyone knows it’s a great place to get married on the run, but it is also one of the most enchanting and fascinating places in the world, a sparkling jewel in the desert – literally. Not to mention you can always pretend you are traveling while visiting casino’s like the Venetian which also has romantic gondola rides you can partake in or go to the casino where you can feel like you’re in the Wild West at one point and Egypt the next. Las Vegas is the perfect place for a vacation and honeymoon. There are private rooms from 23€ per person!
7. St. Petersburg – The most romantic city in Russia is without a doubt, Saint Petersburg, with all their stories of dramatic love. Not for nothing this city is called ‘Venice of the North’. There are small canals and waterways, romantic white nights, and dinners with caviar and vodka which is a great cocktail for love. One of the favorite places for lovers is the Potseluev Bridge (the Kissing Bridge) where legend says that everybody who kisses on that bridge will be together forever! Private rooms in St. Petersburg from 19€ per person.
Book your hostel in St. Petersburg
8. Prague – The pearl of the East, is a magical place, perfect for romantics and lovers and is eighth on our list! Enjoy every romantic minute in the evening, under the light of gas lamps in the narrow streets and the romantic flair of the city. Many couples choose romantic castles of Prague to get married, so why not start your romantic holiday there? You can stay in Prague for just 10€ each!
9. Lisbon - The city of broken hearts and breathtaking passion. Lisbon has become more and more popular for lovers, and it owes this reputation to their traditional music – fado – played with a classical guitar usually with lyrics about missing a loved one. Plus with its historical palaces, colorful houses, the shimmering river and warm light reflecting in the windows, it is the city of romance. For Valentine’s Day Lisbon offers rooms from 15€ each!
10. Miami - The American caribbean city streamed with palm trees and the blue ocean of South Beach. Walk along the promenade of Collins Avenue where you have a tons of restaurants of all cuisines to choose to dine in. Enjoy of nice Cuban mojito on an outside terrace or poolside followed with a walk down the sandy beach with sounds of the caribbean music in the background. Private rooms for 35€ each including your own kitchen if you want to cook up your own meal!
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