Newsletter - June 2006
Top Features
Top 10: Unusual European Destinations
Ancient Roman baths, haunted Transylvanian forests and a church of bones. These are just some of the unusual destinations St. Christopher's is looking to add to your travel itinerary this summer. Our aim is to make your European travels unlike any that have come before. Come with us as we go down the road less travelled.
Traveller's Tips: Choosing The Top Tour To Suit You
Don't know the difference between Contiki and Busabout? Scared to spend money on a tour operator who knows less than your handy Lonely Planet guide? Don't want a bus full of screaming 18-year old but still want to make a heap of new friends? This months Travel Tips dissects the top tour operators to help find what works for you.
Backpacker's Q & A Forum:
Another month, another new feature. We've been getting bombarded by questions from travellers around the globe, both at our hostel reception and at in our inboxes. So this month we're launching our official Backpacker Q&A. For anything you've got on your mind.
Edition: May 2006 | Newsletter Archives
From the Editor
The sun! Beautiful sun!
The fine weather is finally here, and when you live in London you learn really quick to get out there and enjoy it. Sometimes this means taking a trip to Austria''s adventure capital in Bad Gastein, for some canyoning, hiking, biking or paragliding.
Get all the World Cup preview action here, then head out to our Belushi's bars for all the biggest screen coverage, cheap drinks and hot eats to enjoy the thrilling spectacle. Celebrate your teams win or nurse your loss with a little luxury with a night in St Christopher's Deluxe accommodations in Brighton. These revamped rooms will rejuvenate your backpacking spirit.
Everyone's favourite fitness guru, James, has even more tips for staying fit while on the move. This months tips are so much fun you won't even realize you're exercising. For those with a taste for adventure check out our Top 10 Unusual European destinations. If you're tired of the same old churches and cheap souvenirs, try out our suggested itinerary. Another option is to follow the trail of mystery with our new Da Vinci Code package. You get a bed in London, a bed in Edinburgh and all the hints you need to follow in the footsteps of Robert Langdon in the search for the Holy Grail.
Monthly Features
Write Around The World:
As a traveller you're always looking for that next great trip, the next top spot. That's why St. Christopher's has brought you some of the best travel stories from around the world, to give you an insiders glimpse of your next adventure. This month travel along with our globetrotting friend Miles as we explore the madness that is Barcelona.
Catalyst For Adventure:
Just because the Czech Republic is no longer a communist state, doesn't mean it has entered the 21st century. When Summer and Crystal visit the colourful capital of Prague they're astounded to find themselves surrounded by neon tops, jeans trimmed with white lace and the appreciation of songs like 'Return of the Mack.' Oh the horror. All this and more in the latest instalment of Catalyst for Adventure.
Europe's Famous Hostels:
An adventure town worth talking about. Bad Gastein in the Austrian Alps has paragliding, canyoning, biking, hiking, stunning scenery, cheap rates and heeps of fun. Who can resist? Remember that this hostel also has excellent skiing in the winter.
Sport Report:
World Cup fever has ignited throughout the sports world. Those in the know are already squared away with all the action about to commence. For anyone who isn't glued to the sports pages, we're going to give you the goods. Wouldn't want you looking the fool with your mates at the local.
Music Mix:
Glastonbury is gone and Isle of Wight is sold out, whatever are you to do with your summer months? There's still plenty of great line up that are just waiting for you to check them out. All the latest news on the festival season in this month's Music Mix.
Hot Hostels:
Tired of living stacked one on top of the other, no space, no privacy all for the sake of pursuing your travelling dreams? Well, those spacious rooms of the rich and famous are no longer out of your price range. Welcome to the dawning of the St Christopher's Deluxe era.
Beds & Bars News:
Bath in the South-West of England and the ever exciting Bruges in the heart of Belgium are the places to be this month. With St. Christopher's Inns and Belushi's bars you're guaranteed a good time. And the icing on your cake is some of the great events going on in these fantastic cities. Read on.
Backpacker Bites:
This month's Backpacker's Bites is a common sense guide to staying healthy while travelling through the UK and Europe. With so many tempting new foods everywhere you go, your diet is going to be seriously compromised. Never fear, our fitness-guru James then you'll be able to have your cake and eat it too.
Events Calendar:
There's never a dull moment on a European adventure. No matter what your tastes you're bound to find more than enough to do. To help you catch the best of the best we've set up a calendar of the best sports, music, fashion, exhibitions, parties and oddities we could find.
Write around the world: Travel story
Welcome To Europe's Ultimate Destination, Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona, the famed city of Gaudi, is arguable the best European destination. Despite the jam-packed peak season, if you're looking for the ultimate summer holiday, Barcelona is it. No matter what you're interested in, this city has it all. Beaches, bars, shopping, architecture, history, churches, museums . . . you name it! Even the bothersome tourist masses just add to the charm of this phenomenal city.
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Try your hand at travel writing, send us your submission and if we publish it you get two free nights in a St. Christopher's hostel. E-mail submissions@st-christophers.co.uk
Backpacking Travel Tips
Choosing The Best Tour Operator
There's a trick to travelling, you can pave your own course and hope you hit all the highlights along the way, or you can take the slightly less adventurous route and book a tour package to ensure you see exactly what you came for. Choosing the latter can be tricky again, because you want to find the best package, for the best price that suits your travel style and preferences. Fully independent hop-on/hop-off; an itinerary for every minute; no under 21's; big groups for bigger parties? It's all up to you. To help you find the right fit, we've got the low-down on the top tour operators in Europe and the UK.
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Got a travelling query? Want us to help plan your trip? Want to know the best tours, countries, pubs, restaurants, hide-away gems? Just ask: submissions@st-christophers.co.uk
Win An Ipod With My Life Of Travel
My Life of Travel is giving an iPod away to the St. Christophers member who creates the most informative journal entry about any city you have visited. Simply register on the site and create a journal entry describing one place you have been.
The competition runs for the month of June with the winner being announced in the July newsletter. The winner is the person who's entry would be most useful to someone who has never visited the location and is looking for useful travel information.
Have a travel resource which has been indispensable to you? Why not share it with us so we can pass it on to others like you. Send it along to submissions@st-christophers.co.uk
Backpacker's Q & A Forum
Got a question about travelling? Wondering how many countries you can feasibly squeeze into 8 days? Got a budget but you're not sure how realistic it is? That's what we're here for. We've spent hours grilling the most seasoned backpackers for their tips, tricks and advice to your most pressing inquiries.
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Got a question? We've got the answer and if not, we'll certainly find it. Send all nagging queries to submissions@st-christophers.co.uk
Backpacker Bites
Staying Healthy While On The Road
Backpacking is often about excess, trying to see, do and experience as much as possible in as little time as you can manage. Because of this we're often grabbing what we can while on the go, this translates into too much junk and not enough of the good stuff. This month's Backpacker's Bites looks to re-establish the balance.
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If there are any topics on nutrition and fitness you'd like to see addressed in this column then please let us know. James McDonald is a St. Christopher's Manager and fully certified personal trainer, he can be reached at healthy.living@st-christophers.co.uk for any questions on Health and Fitness.
Plan on travelling farther afield this year? If your plans are taking you out of Europe and into Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Morocco, Greece or Syria then we've got the perfect tour operator for you. Cheap, friendly, reliable, fun and backed by St. Christopher's - what else do you need? Check out Travel Talk.
Travel Talk is the leading Anzac and Mediterranean tour operator specializing in adventure and discovery tours to Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, Greece, Syria and Jordan. When exploring these countries with Travel Talk, you'll be provided with the knowledge and expertise to get the very best from your discovery!
Some of the highlights include accommodation in quality hotels, airport transfers, experienced tour leaders, Egyptologists, all breakfasts included and a great atmosphere loaded with fun, discovery, new friends, adventure and relaxation. All these included in the tour price. To see more visit www.traveltalktours.com.
Da Vinci Code Tour
Follow in the footsteps of Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu as they criss-crossed Europe on their very own Grail Quest. Dan Brown's internationally acclaimed, blockbuster of a novel is now an internationally acclaimed blockbuster of a film. Starring Tom Hanks as the capital code breaker, Robert Langdon You can now see on the big screen the potent mix of historical fact, Christian theory and at every turn - controversy. You've read, the book, you've seen the movie - why not relive the whirlwind adventure for yourself?!
St. Christopher's is offering you the chance to do just that. Start the trip with 3 nights in London and a walking tour through many of the plotlines key locations, including the Westminster Abbey and the Temple Church. Once you've cracked the code you'll be heading up north for 2 nights in Edinburgh where Original Bus Tours will be whisking you off to Rosslyn Chapel, the culmination of Brown's story and according to the great quest, the most likely location for the Holy Grail to be found. Walk in the footsteps of this year's greatest cinematic adventure all for only £87. Book now to avoid disappointment.
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St Christopher's Top 10:
Unusual European Destinations
When you're travelling in Europe there's the major hot spots that you have to see. You're not going to travel all this way and not see the Mona Lisa or London's Tower Bridge or a Spanish beach. But while you're at is why not break free from the herd and try something a little different. Or even a lot different. I've heard it before that it's easier said than done, how do we find these hidden gems, without wasting our time or energy? Simple - ask your friends at St. Christopher's and you shall receive. Read on for this summer's Top 10 Unusual European Destinations.
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If you've got a Top 10 to fill us in on, pass it our way, the world is full of travellers looking for the next big adventure. Send your submissions to submissions@st-christophers.co.uk
Beds & Bars News
Medieval jousting, free museums, live music this are just a few highlights on the St. Christopher's calendar this month. Check out our Beds n' Bar news for unbeatable specials and not to be missed events every month. We're right where you want to be.
Music Mix
The festival schedule is old news, we've seen the top summer music mash-ups, we've dreamed of being at them all. Somehow we still haven't gotten ourselves in gear and bought those tickets. With some of the must-see gigs almost upon us, we've laid out the up-to-date details on which festivals are where and who still has tickets left.
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Got a question, comment or smart remark? We're here to listen, so send us an email
Events Calendar
What are you up for this month? Weekend music festivals with either Coldplay or Tool? Some of the best yodelling Switzerland has to offer? A parade for the unmarried? Some motor-cross? Well, so long as you're visiting Europe, you're in luck. With tourists filling our streets, we've got to give them a good show and so here are some of the best events the UK and Europe have to offer this June.
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In association with BritBound, St Christopher's has an awesome deal for those wanting to live and work in London! Our hostels are notorious for wicked parties, awesome atmosphere, and great prices - especially our Village and Shepherd's Bush hostels where you will be staying!
National Insurance Numbers and bank accounts are just a plain pain to get on your own. We will help you get all this boring, grownup stuff out the way as quickly and painlessly as possible.
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Sport Report
World Cup! Tai the Sports Guy assures me that is all that needs to be said. This months sports report is dedicated solely to the 2006 FIFA World Championship about to kick off in Germany. However, when your boss is a hockey obsessed Canuck, you can't get away without mentioning the final round of the NHL playoffs.
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Got a sports tip? Interested in something a little more off beat? Lacrosse? Field Hockey? Net Ball? You share with us and we'll share with thousands. submissions@st-christophers.co.uk
World Cup Bookings
Don't forget, all our Belushi's bars are equipped with big screens to help showcase the action. Check-in with your local Belushi's about booking a table for the World Cup. We'd hate for you to have to watch this mammoth event in anything but the best environment.
Catalyst for adventure:
The true story of best friends travelling through Europe
The crazy characters that you meet while on the road are almost as memorable as the places you see. When travelling through the Czech Republic, Crystal and Summer find themselves dancing the night away with some dry-witted Brits and some testosterone overloaded Aussies. This is Catalyst for Adventure: The True Story of Best Friends Travelling Through Europe.
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You can order this book at Amazon.com
The adventures of Summer and Crystal are almost over and we're looking for a new travel book. Got any suggestions? Send them our way: submissions@st-christophers.co.uk
Europe's Famous Hostels
Euro Youth Hostel in Bad Gastein, Austria
Launch yourself off the side of a mountain, raft the river Salzach, swing through Alpine canyons and race your mtb through beautifully rugged terrain. For a weekend break or a breath of fresh air between cities on a long euro-tour Bad Gastein cannot be beaten.
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Hot Hostels
Brighton In The South Of England
The south coast of England is home to one of the ultimate summer day-tripper locations, the lovely and enigmatic Brighton. This is also the home to St. Christopher's first Hostel Deluxe accommodations. St. Christopher's Deluxe is a new way to backpack, gone are the juvenile bunks and cramped quarters. Here to stay are spacious rooms, single beds and ensuite TV sets. Because sometimes on the road you need to indulge without breaking the bank.
Had a great time at one of our hostel? We want to hear about it. Write to submissions@st-christiphers.co.uk to tell us all about your experience with St. Christopher's.
Sneak Peek at Next Month
My Life of Travel will be back with the best web entry of the month as well as a great way for you to start earning money from your travel blog. We'll also be bringing you the full line up for the infamous Edinburgh Festival. You'll get a sneak peak at the best place to stay during the Berlin Love Parade; and you'll discover the Top 10 City Beaches - these are big cities with some of the best beaches built right in. Not forgetting all your favourite feature for keeping healthy, fit, entertained, well read and always travelling.
Robert Frost
