Rainbow pride can be fun for everyone!! And these festivals below are definitely unforgettable events!

1. Rome – Gay Village 2010 – June 17- September 12

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2. London – Pride London Festival Fortnight – June 19th – July 3rd

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3. San Francisco – San Francisco Pride – June 26th and 27th

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4. New York City – PrideFest New York – June 27th

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5. Amsterdam – Amsterdam Gay Pride – August 5th -8th

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Enjoy!!

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.

Jeju Island

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.

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 (9^th c AD to 15^th 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 (4^th c BC to 10^th 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!”

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!

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€!

Book a bed in Venice

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!

Book your hostel in Paris

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!

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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.

Book your room in Vienna

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.

Book hostels in Istanbul

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!

Book your room in Las Vegas

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!

Book a hostel in Prague

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!

Book a room in Lisbon

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!

Book your room in Miami

While the world is becoming smaller and smaller and traveling has become as easy as a few clicks, outer space is getting larger and larger. NASA is always a step ahead with the latest technologies and in July 2009 one of the world’s most powerful telescopes was launched to explore faint light from distant parts of the universe from a volcano top in Las Palmas of the Canary Islands. This took twelve years from the planning phase to the launch and involved a thousand people and 100 companies. Now there is a new larger, more potent one being planned for launch in 2014 called the James Webb Space Telescope which will be able to connect the Milky Way to our own solar system visually.

Insider’s Tips for an Itinerary at Las Palmas:

The highest mountain is the Roque Nublo. A jeep-travel by rental car into the mountains is very nice. You will pass the brewery to Tafira Alta. On the left you must visit the Caldera Bandama. This is the world’s largest erosion crater with a finca inside. From the Pico Bandama you will have a nice panoramic view. Then move forward to Santa Brigida and Tejeda. There are a lot of rest areas with grilling places. Here you can make a quick meal break. Then go up to the mountain Roque Nublo. Park the car and walk to this big vertical stone at an altitutude of 2000m. You will need 15 minutes to go one way. Another absolutely hidden lovely place is “El Carrizal” (27° 58`48 N, 15° 40`50 W). It is a very small village with friendly people. It can seem like a real life “Garden of Eden”. Ask for Pepita and she will give you fresh home-made sheep’s cheese and ice-cold spring water from the mountain. If you go forward to San Nicolás, so you must hit a great off-road trail for those of you who like off-roading. This is an unforgettable adventure beetween the cliffy rocks and the encircling rainbows. Down below you will see a dammed lake with a windmill.

To stay on top of all the latest happenings there are many blogs and sites which can keep you informed such as:

• NASA’s Image of the Day

• NASA TV

• NASA’s Space Shuttle Missions (blog) and NASA’s Official Space Shuttle Missions

• News on Spaceflight : NASA

Now you ask what does that have to do with hostels?

Well, there is a Space Hostel – SEI located in Leipzip, Germany which is actually a Space Education Institute where international students, backpackers and aerospace specialists can all gather together to share different views and discuss the latest on space travel. This guest house has private single, twin, and double rooms as well as dorm rooms which can fit from two to seven guests. You can also choose to use their tent for outdoor camping or take advantage of their many amenities such as the space travel workshops, internet access, the beer garden or the lawn for barbecuing. The gracious owner, Ralf Heckel, is well versed in space travel and actively participates in moon car tournaments,so he can serve as a great reference point if you are interested in learning more. There are so many things to learn and do, so book your room at Space Hostel Leipzig today!

Interested in the Moonbuggy Race?

The Space Hostel is currently welcoming space student groups at a low rate of 43€ per person (groups more than 20 persons) including breakfast and the NASA-workshop.

If you are not sure where Leipzig is or what else it has to offer, find out more with articles such as “Top Ten Reasons to Visit Leipzig” or why Leipzig is considered the new Berlin. It was also voted #10 by New York Time’s Top 31 Places to Go in 2010. While we may not be able to get you to outer space in this lifetime, HostelsClub is proud to offer the possibility of getting you as close as possible and Space Hostel Leipzig is a great start!

Ready for Blastoff!!

Check out how they celebrate NYE in the city of Love! Every year Vetenitian celebrate New Year’s Eve in a celebration of love, peace and brotherhood to the world!

The New Year’s Eve party in Venice will be the place to be to usher in 2010 with music, toasts and fireworks, the party culminates with a ‘communal kiss’ inviting lovers, strangers and friends alike to all kiss in the name of Love.

Come on down to the party that aims to become a worldwide symbol of goodwill! Venetians will be celebrating Love on New Year’s Eve 2010 at St Marco Square. Check out our full article on New Year’s Eve 2010.

Book a Venice Hostel here!

Finished the book -but want more?

Visit the center of the mystery, Stockholm this summer and take a Stieg Larsson Tour to see ‘what happened where’ in one of Europe´s most beautiful cities.

Stieg Larsson´s Crime Novels have been an instant success where ever published.

The Trilogy is called Millennium and the books  are titled “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, “The Girl who Played with Fire” and “Castles in the Sky”/ “The Girl who kicked the Hornet´s Nest” (still unpublished in English). Most of the story takes place on the island Södermalm, in Stockholm, where the main characters live and work. Södermalm is known as not only the hippest neighborhood in Stockholm but also the most genuine, with a good mix of the old and new.  And all you true fans of Stieg Larssson´s novels know that all the Good guys live on Södermalm and all the Bad guys live on the other side of the Lake Malaren surrounding Stockholm like the posh neighborhood Vasastan.

Start your first morning in Stockholm at Stieg Larsson´s and his alter ego Mikael Blomqvist´s favorite café Mellqvist Kaffebar -just be aware that there has been a change of owner since Stieg Larsson´s days.

The Stockholm City Museum arranges a very popular Stieg Larson Millienium Tour around Södermalm by foot so you can see where the events in the books take places, for example the crossing where the murder attempt of Mikael Blomqvist was made… The tour is in English every Saturday at 11 am during June-September. It costs 100 SEK (about 10 Euro) and you can buy tickets in advance at Ticnet or go to Ryssgarden in Stockholm by subway station Slussen.

Of course the best place to stay in Stockholm is also on Södermalm and Hostelsclub has several good hostels to choose from:  Zinkensdanm vandrarhem, Pensionat Oden, Rygerfjord Hotel and Hostel, Skanstulls vandrahem, and Acco hostel.

So keep up the suspense this summer and go to Stockholm.

If you’ve ever had a craving for yummy seafood, you’ll want to holiday in Nova Scotia this summer! Just as the crab season ends, the world-renowned lobsters come on the table, which means it’s the perfect time to get the best of both and scallops are just behind, beginning of August! Overawed by the quantity of fresh seafood available? That’ll be just the first of many extraordinary sights you’ll get in Nova Scotia!

From July 16^th, the Halifax harbour will be asieged by some 50 tall ships, creating a view like none since the pirate days! The splendid forest of masts and sails will anchor there as the Tall Ships festival culminates on the 20^th when the vessels unfurl their sails and move to other ports in the province. Book your hostel in Halifax with HostelsClub.com!
Surfing and scuba diving are more likely to bring up thoughts of California beaches or Australian reefs than the eastern shores of Canada. And yet these sports are two of the many reasons the south coast of Nova Scotia has become famous for!

The waves in East Lawrencetown become near legendary and the water’s temperature can average 20°C some years! To devotees of the surf, the high waves and tricky currents make for some of the best and least crowded surfing available in the world!

Shipwrecks in the clear waters around Nova Scotia are a-plenty. There are more than 50 wrecks around south Nova Scotia alone and even submarines! Some near Lunenburg are still in such good condition that you can explore the inside too. Feel like treasure hunting?

There’s no lack of exotic animals either as finback whales, minke whales and Atlantic white-sided dolphins breach and play in the fantastical Bay of Fundy, an ecological treasure! The rich feeding grounds around the Bay make it one of the world’s most accessible sites for viewing these gigantic creatures. The outer bay is home to up to 15 species of toothed and baleen whales of all sizes! It is one of the marine wonders of the world. You can watch pods of humpback whales and even the endangered North Atlantic right whales in the beautiful region the great tides have created between Digby and Brier Island.

Feel like dipping in history? Annapolis Royal, the oldest permanent European settlement in Canada has a graveyard tour that gives a first-hand witness take on history! They start usually around dusk and last for about an hour. The Digby Hostel offers this tour for the coming year. Book your Digby hostel with HostelsClub.com and take advantage of their winery tour every Wednesday and Thursday too!

Cultural events abound as this corner of the world still has strong ties with its Acadien heritage. Come hear the music that plays from Nova Scotia to Louisiana at one of the many festivals held in Yarmouth and the Acadian Shores this summer! See here for more info. Book your Yarmouth hostel here!

There’s a little saying that goes: “You can’t get to where you’re going unless you know where you’ve been.” In the same light, you can’t really appreciate a youth hostel unless you know all about the youth hostel’s history. In knowing its origins, its goals, and the services it offers, you can judge for yourself just how essential these hostels are for backpackers.

Whether you’re backpacking solo, or with friends, you’re (obviously) going to need accommodation on your trip. The thing is funds are not always easy to come by, especially if you’re all on your lonesome. What you need is a place that’s easily accessible, very comfortable, and most of all, easy on the pocket – exactly what youth hostels offer!

History tells us that a teacher named Richard Schirmann founded the very first youth hostel around 1909. On a field trip, Schirmann and his students were stranded in a storm and found refuge in a deserted school. This gave Schirmann the idea of using empty schools as a place to stay for travelers looking for a guest house to spend the night. The idea was so popular that, by the 1930’s, there were more than two thousand hostels in Germany alone. Truly, youth hostels history is a colorful and inspired one!

According to youth hostels history, a hostel is a place that it’s intended for people who share a common interest – in this case, traveling – to be able to socialize and share stories. Today, youth hostels are generally regarded as place where, after a day of seeing the sights and enjoying the culture of a new city, you can retire and socialize with others who are enjoying the place as much as you are. This way, you get to shoot the breeze, share information, and even give – and take! – advice.

And although in youth hostels history, it was originally used by – who else? – the youth, it’s a common sight these days to see whole families and the “young-at-heart” enjoying the cozy and comfortable accommodation of any youth hostel. Many are designed for the whole family in mind, offering cable TV for kids, game rooms for young adults, and reading rooms and lounges for the not-so-young adults, so don’t worry about having your parents, kids, or friends underfoot when you’re getting your groove on.

Because of the youth hostels history, there are certain traditional rules that are still in effect. For example, some hostels, especially those around Germany, still keep strict curfews, so better keep that in mind when planning your daily itinerary. There are also those that have a mandatory check-in and check-out time. You should also ask the management whether they have a reservation rule and a minimum or maximum duration of stay policy, as well as what the rules are when it comes to having members of the opposite sex stay in the same room. It is, therefore, good practice to call in advance to know what the rules and regulations are of the hostel you are planning to stay in.

However, not all hostels conform to the youth hostels history rules, and some are more lenient, so to speak. There are those that accept walk-ins – meaning, you don’t need to have a reservation to stay there. As long as they have an empty room, you’ll have a place for the night. There are also those that don’t have curfews, so if you’re nocturnal, better go for one of these. There are many hostels out there, so you can virtually mix and match the services that you need and pick one that offers the most attractive and convenient environment for you.

Now that you know your youth hostels history, you’ll have a better idea of why and how these homey places came to be. You’ll have a better appreciation for them as they make your backpacking experience all the more enjoyable and comfortable!