Newsletter - July 2005
Travelogue: Exciting Morocco
Get the low-down on travel destinations from our backpacking, party-going, travel-writing gurus.
After a spending a week in Portugal, I decided I wanted to go to Morocco. I have no idea why, but I had a strange desire to ride a camel across the desert and to buy my mom a rug (She gave me life, so it was the least I could do, really). I sometimes get fixated on something and think, "Why not? Let's go". I postponed my trip to Prague, hopped on a bus to Spain, and then on a ferry to Tangiers.
I had heard many things about how tourists are treated, and thought I was prepared. Boy was I wrong! I got off the ramp of the ferryboat, and was immediately surround by loads of people, all shouting at me, trying to get me to buy things or to be my guide. It was a bit overwhelming and I started having doubts about my decision.
I was really tired, it was late, and locals were harassing me. Not an ideal situation. A young boy called, Abdul, came up to me and asked me if I needed some help. Abdul was an "unofficial" guide, and if he got caught showing me around, he would have be arrested on the spot and thrown in jail! What a country! I thought the poor kid must need the money, so we settled on the price of 10 Dollars for 2 days - I had just hired my Moroccan Guide...
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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
London Dungeon Promotion
The Dungeons invite you to a unique feast of fun with history's horrible bits. Live actors, rides, shows, and special effects transports you back to those black, bleak times. Are you brave enough?
As a St Christopher's customer in London or Edinburgh, you can now get 2 for 1 entry to The Dungeons. Download and print this voucher.
Recommended European Hostels
Nothing can make or break your trip to any city like a hostel can. More than just a place to lay your head - a hostel can be as memorable as your first visit to the Coliseum or as disappointing as the inflated drink prices in Venice. Any self-respecting traveller knows to go to the experts - other travellers - to avoid a hostel disaster!
About EFH
15 of Europe's best independent hostels have now been chosen as Europe's Famous Hostels by backpackers and budget travellers as their favourite and most memorable stays on their journeys. Each hostel has been highlighted repeatedly on websites, guidebooks and through word of mouth as must see destinations - as important as the cities themselves!
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The Circus - Berlin, Germany
The Circus welcomes you to 2 Hostels, both located in the district of Mitte; the most central, and definitely the most interesting. Wherever you want to stay: we will do our very best to make your stay comfortable, fun and, perhaps most of all, good value.
Kabul Youth Hostel - Barcelona, Spain
It's hard to believe that summer's here again… But seeing everyone walking around the hostel every day, sporting their newest bikini or board shorts and a beach towel is a constant reminder. Barcelona is coming alive again! We here at Kabul are waiting for you!
Kabul has seen some major changes in the past few years. And one thing is for sure, it's looking great!!! Even if we do say so ourselves… Some of the main changes have to be…
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Competition
The Best Travel Job In The World: Crewing A Luxury Yacht
Would you like to travel the globe on the world's most luxurious yachts and get paid for it? Luxury yachting is booming, creating a huge demand for crew with thousands of jobs available in 2005/06. Positions are available for men and women as deckhands, stewardesses, chefs, mates and engineers.
Find out how to win this book
Where Can You… Enjoy A Coca Cola Sponsored Haircut?
This is a series about the few places in this planet where you can do something unique that you will never do anywhere else.
Just when we thought Coca Cola had branded every event possible, we came across this...
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Have you been to an other "unique" place on this planet? Send us a good quality pic and your description of the place, and win free accommodation in any St-Christopher's Inn! Submit your article
Hot Deals This Month
The great beds, great bars and great deals continue this month at St Christopher's...
Few Newquay Summer Surf Packages Left!
We have set up a great £145/week package for you. This includes 7 nights in any dorm, with linen, continental breakfast and bathroom facilities. these packages run Saturday to Saturdays in July and August; and can be booked online. Alternatively, just book our regular offers directly on our website. Don't forget that beds fill up quickly! Those who stayed in our Newquay Hostel before know why!
With a great choice of 5 different beaches and great parties, Newquay is the most popular surf destination in the UK. The season is from early June to the end of September. St Christopher's in Newquay is the accommodation and bar of choice for surfers, with 80 beds and a great Belushi's Bar overlooking Towan Beach. Most rooms overlook the beach which is only a few steps away. We can also recommend you the best surf schools in town, and the world famous Eden Project is only a short ride away.
Go Wild At The Rainforest Cafe
In partnership with the Rainforest Cafe, those of you staying with us in London can get 15% discount off your bill!
Find out more
Learn To Surf In Newquay
The Escape Surf School, teaches total beginners through to advanced surfers looking to progress to a higher level. They also cater for large groups including stag and hen parties.
Find out more
Wicked Events This Month!
Well the summer is finally here and there is so much to do across Europe and the UK that you'll be hard pressed to fit it all in one month. With adventure sports, more festivals and concerts and a few weird events the month of July will be a memorable one.
Two of the scariest events of the year happen every July, the Schlagermove (July 1-2 in Hamburg, Germany) is a festival of 70's pop music that draws over 700,000 people each year. Of course what would July be without Pamplona and the Running of the Bulls (6-14 July Pamplona, Spain)? Compared to those events, the rest of the month's calendar seems a bit tame but there is still a bunch of less scary events to look forward to in July.
This month has some seriously weird events going on across Europe. From Wife Carrying Championships in Finland, to Mobile Phone Throwing Competition and The World Toe Wresting Chamionships, there is plenty to see an do. Other events include Prune Spitters Festival, Pipe-smoking Championships, Running of the Nudes and The Godiva Festival. Check out the full list of bizarre events on the go.
Find out more about Events in the UK and Events in Europe
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?
Orient Espresso - Southbank, London
The Orient Espresso is quiet, clean, and provides a nice environment to read, check emails, talk with fellow travellers or update that journal of yours.
We have some great food and drink specials at the moment, the most popular being the packed lunch deal. This lunch includes sandwich, drink, and crisps for £3.50 - perfect for a walk around Central London where prices sky rocket. We have also started a Smoothie Menu which includes a Bumpin' Berry Blast (a blend of mixed berry's) and a Funky Fruit Flurry (which includes a variety of tropical fruits and more). Our new shake menu allows you to customise your shake, with cookies (American-style), Chocolate bars, and a wide choice of flavoured syrups. Make use of our Internet Access and get a 10% discount.
The Village - Southbank, London
Belushi's at The Village is all about parties!
- Monday night is Latino Heaven, with free salsa lessons downstairs in the club. Karaoke in the bar.
- Tuesday is Comedy Night. Edinburgh Preview Festival on all through this month!
- Awesome backpacker's party every Wednesday. Loads of prizes up for grabs!
- Quiz Night on Sunday with the weird and wonderful, Canada.
- Tons of Sport. We are open for all the major games this month
- New, bigger and waaaay better hot tub coming soon - with webcam!
- Sunday afternoon BBQ's
Shepherd's Bush - London
Belushi's in Shepherd's Bush is all about sport and barbies this month!
- Enjoy Live sport on the big screen during July - 3rd State of Origin NSW vs Queensland, The lions vs NZ, all the action from the cricket plus tennis from Wimbledon.
- Soak up the afternoon sun on the new sundeck with a true Aussie BBQ
- Take advantage of our 50% discount on all food Monday to Thursday from noon to 4pm
- Open Mic Night still rocking on Tuesday nights with chances of winning free drinks
Camden - London
Camden Rocks! Literally!
Belushi's, Camden in association with Dissident Promotions is proud to announce the launch of their Saturday Rock Night. They have an awesome line up, so go check it out.
Edinburgh
- It's Cheesy, Greasy and So Bad for You. They call it Poutine. It's the traditional French Canadian delicacy made with French Fries, smothered in gravy and cheese and Belushi's is giving it away at our bi-monthly celebration of all things Quebecois and French. With music direct from France and Le Belle Province, Mondays rock at Belushi's - DJ Guy "The French Connection" spinning tunes and dancing the night away behind the decks. With free poutine samples for early arrivals and drink specials all night, if you want it bad on a Monday night, we'll give it to you.
- With our recent St. Jean Batiste day celebrations a massive success, our next events will be on July 1st Celebrating Canada Day with French and English music from across Canada and then back to strictly French tunes on July 11th and 25th.
- Bleeker Rocks at the Beach. Belushi's Edinburgh's very own house band will be playing this year's K Festival in Newquay, headlined by the Happy Mondays. No strangers to festival shows after their massive set on the second stage at last years T in the Park, Bleeker will be ready and willing to rock Newquay right before this year's headliners bring it all home. Just having finished the recording to their debut album Space and Time, Bleeker will be mixing their older classic tunes with the material for their forthcoming disc and quite possibly a cover song or two. Take this chance to see one of the UK's potential next big things in a unique environment, right along the beach in on a hot summer night.
NASN & Belushi’s August Highlights
The All-Stars Come Out To Shine On Nasn
It's All-Star time for the baseball boys and this year the big spectacle will be held at Comerica Park in Detroit, getting underway on July 11th. With home field advantage for the winning team, it's not just an exhibition anymore and you can expect a few fireworks this year. NASN will once again have extensive coverage of the event with live and exclusive coverage of everyone's favourite, the Home Run Derby, The All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Games and the original broadcast of the All-Star Game the next day in primetime. They'll be plenty of other great baseball throughout the month, with some of the highlights including the NY Yankees vs Boston on July 16th, San Diego vs NY Mets on July 21st and St. Louis vs LA Dodgers on July 30th.
NASCAR coverage continues this week with the Nextel Cup drivers returning to Daytona for the Pepsi 400 on July 2nd and you can watch it live and exclusive on NASN. There will be a further 3 live races from the Nextel cup on NASN this July.
The CFL kicks off for a new season in July and NASN is the only place to watch live and exclusive coverage. NASN will have up to 2 live games a week including coverage from the Playoffs and the Grey Cup.
For further scheduling information just head over to www.nasn.com.
Feeling Warm And Fuzzy All Over
In conjunction with the University of Bath's Student Association, St Christopher's in Bath sponsored a charity event at the University's Amphitheatre. The purpose of the event was to raise money and awareness for two charities. The first was Wateraid , a registered charity that is committed to providing services and education to areas of the world which do not have a steady supply of safe clean drinking water. The second charity was the Make Poverty History Campaign, which is ongoing campaign (white wrist bands) to eradicate third world debt. We were the only major sponsor and sponsored them with thirty cases of beer and Alco pops to be given away as raffle prises. 100% of the proceeds went to the charities - a total of £1000!
Nobody Likes A Whiner
Those of you who have stayed with us before will have received one of our Pillow Talk Newsletters, where we ask for feedback on your time with us. We take your comments very seriously, but occasionally, we receive an absolute gem! Over the next few months, we will be posting some of the weirdest and funniest comments we have received. This month's winner is undoubtedly the most bizarre comment ever!
"A small pair of pliers at reception in case guest's guitar needs re-stringing... apart from that I had a great time. Thanks!"
