Newsletter - December 2005
Beautiful Croatia Stripped Bare
Get the low-down on travel destinations from Lisa Davies, this month's guest travel writer extraordinaire.
Croatia's stunning. Whatever your preconceptions, it'll be stunning. Kevin and I had been waiting quite a few months for this, so we were both itching to get there! We took an easy, cheap route in - fly to Bari in Italy for £100 return, and then get a ferry through to Dubrovnik for barely anything at all - just £30 return! Check what time you'll be arriving at all places though. Get into Bari early in the morning and you'll have a day of sitting around till 11pm for the ferry to leave. We happened to arrive on a Sunday no less, so the Italians were in full siesta mode - ALL DAY! There was barely anyone around. Get into Dubrovnik without a hostel or apartment booked, and you'll be waiting till the next ferry at 1pm for a cheap place to stay! We decided we'd move on to the islands but we'd missed the 11am ferry to Hvar by going to the Old Town. Instead, we waited till 1pm and took a bus (100 Kuna which is £10) all the way up the coast to Split (3 hours) - we even had a short drive through Bosnia, so make sure you have your passports with you.
What about other cities where you've enjoyed similar experiences? Send us your travel stories! Each month, the winner gets 2 free nights at St-Christopher's Inns! Send your submissions to submissions@st-christophers.co.uk
Travel Book
This is an exciting feature of the “Live Your Life Newsletter”! Every month we will be featuring an extract of a fantastic new book entitled, “Catalyst for Adventure: The true story of best friends travelling through Europe” by Crystal Stanczak.
Catalyst For Adventure: The True Story of Best Friends Travelling Through Europe
We spent our last days with Elizabeth in Florence, trapped on a tourist highway. Tired students and pickpockets pushed their way around us as a dozen gelato stands shouted for our patronage. Souvenir kiosks spat out Florentine junk of every variety. You could purchase anything with a statue of David on it-with or without a leaf censoring his anatomy. If Michealangelo were alive today I wondered if he would sport his work on a wife-beater tank top. Would the artist, like the midwestern tourists behind me, overlook the fact that the threading in his tank top was coming undone with every twist of his torso? Maybe. Then again, on the tourist highway, when accompanied by white sneakers and fanny packs, such fashion violations seemed minor.
Exclusive Backpacker Parties!
Every Wednesday, Belushi's London Bridge in association with Hostelworld, VIP Backpackers, Haggis Adventures, Busabout and Eastern Trekker present the biggest, wildest and craziest party night exclusively for backpackers! Starting from 8pm going through 'til 2am you can indulge in £1 drinks (including Vodka & Red Bull!) and win fantastic holidays and tours. It's a night not to be missed!
Belushi's London Bridge, 161-165 Borough High Street
Southwark, London, SE1 1HR
Tel: 0207 939 9700
Nearest Tube: London Bridge
What's on in our Beds & Bars
Sport, drinks specials and wicked parties! There are always awesome parties, sport and food and drinks specials at our pubs and bars locates around the UK. We also have the Winston Club at our new hostel in Amsterdam. This club has a great lineup for December. Get the low-down right here!
Hospitality work in Australia
In Australia, before commencing work in the hospitality industry a 'Responsible Service of Alcohol Certificate' is required. We have developed an online training course with the working traveller in mind, to enable you to complete the course at home and get your certificate before you travel. You will arrive in Australia with the knowledge required to work in the industry and having the certificate means you can start work straight away. This will 'Give you the edge' at interviews when looking for work and more money for your adventures. Course cost £55.00.
Go to Quality Hospitality International (Use the code SC1 when Booking)
Hot Hostels - Hostel Reviews
Bright Lights. Ancient City
London is a cosmopolitan city steeped in history and culture. Clubs, pubs, top music venues, theatres, galleries, and some of the world's most well-known tourist attractions all within easy reach of our well-located hostels in London.
Our London Hostels
We have 6 fantastic hostels throughout London, including 3 in Southbank – located in Borough High Street (Just down from London Bridge). In addition, we have excellently located hostels in Camden, Greenwich and Shepherd's Bush. Each hostel provides you with an ideal location to explore all there is to see and do in this ancient and vibrant city.
Exclusive Backpacker Parties!
Every Wednesday, Belushi's London Bridge in association with Hostelworld, VIP Backpackers, Haggis Adventures, Busabout and Eastern Trekker present the biggest, wildest and craziest party night exclusively for backpackers! Starting from 8pm going through 'til 2am you can indulge in £1 drinks (including Vodka & Red Bull!) and win fantastic holidays and tours. It's a night not to be missed!
Belushi's London Bridge, 161-165 Borough High Street
Southwark, London, SE1 1HR
Tel: 0207 939 9700
Nearest Tube: London Bridge
Hostelworld.com helps MTV find travellers for new show
Are you planning your dream vacation? Bring ‘True Life’ along because Hostelworld.com is helping MTV find travellers willing to have their unusual winter vacations documented for their show ‘True Life’. So if you’re going away with your significant other, travelling with your crazy family, venturing to an exotic location to test your limits, or hitting up the ultimate party spot with some friends, MTV wants to know about it.
If you are between the ages of 18 and 28 and both you and your travel companions are willing to let MTV follow you for the entire trip, email mtv@hostelworld.com and tell them your itinerary!
Edinburgh is THE place to be this Christmas!
The city of Edinburgh is used to transforming itself for the hundreds of thousands of visitors it receives each year for its festivals. There is no more beautiful transformation than the dazzling array of lights, wonderful music and incredible atmosphere that visitors to Edinburgh are treated to each December. The two cornerstones of the holiday season are the Christmas transformation of Princess Street Gardens and the ultimate blow-out that is Hogmanay (New Years Eve for the uninitiated).
In the shadow of the historic castle, Edinburgh's Capital Christmas makes the city the place to be. From Thursday 25 November, the city's beautiful Princes Street Gardens become the focus of Edinburgh's enchanting Christmas celebrations and positively sparkle with white lights and traditional festive charm. The striking Edinburgh Ferris wheel, next to the city's famous Scott Monument, will make a welcome return this year and will provide exhilarating views across the city from its 33-metre vantage point. Winter Wonderland, one of the largest open air ice rinks in Europe, is also back as the stunning and vibrant centrepiece to the Gardens. There are plenty of goodies to fill your Christmas stocking at the traditional Christmas Market, where 25 stalls come direct from Germany to provide an authentic continental experience. The variety of products range from authentic Christmas delicacies, to beautiful hand-blown baubles, wooden toys and the very popular traditional German mulled wine.
In the true Scottish spirit of a good party needing more than just one day, Edinburgh hosts not one but four days of festivities (29 December to January 1) including processions, concerts and a world-famous street party. Highlights include the Torch lit Procession and Fire Festival, a magical spectacle of light winding its way through the city, and the Night Afore Fiesta, a vibrant blend of entertainment including the musicians from all over the world (this year’s line up include Scots KT Tunstall, Texas and El Presedente). The focal point of all festivities is of course the Royal Bank Street Party (admission by pass only) on New Year's Eve, one of the biggest such events in Europe, with a unique atmosphere generated by over 100,000 revellers. Celebrate the first day of the new year by taking a traditional dip in the Forth river, with the traditional New Years Day dunk, followed by a little traditional Scottish whiskey.
With this and so much more it’s not hard to imagine Edinburgh lighting up each December and becoming a magical holiday wonderland.
