hotels articles

Well, the idea is to let you finish this article having in your hand a Top 5 of hotels in London that accomplish the following conditions: they are some of the most cheap hotels in London, and at same time they have positive customer feedback, so that they should be within the ones that have a good quality related to the price. Isn’t it what we are all looking for?

So, here below is the ranking of cheap hotels in London. To take a reference, I have decided that I would consider cheap hotel any establishment where rooms are priced at less than 90 Euros per night.

1. Gatwick Belmont Guest House Hotel London

This is the number one, and that is because it has managed to get a 5 out of 5 in consumer rating reviews and it is considered a 3 stars hotel with prices that start at 67 Euros for the room. The only problem that it may have is that it is not placed in a central location. It is in fact in the area of one of the secondary airports that London has. In any case, as in the criteria for evaluation I don’t take into account the distance to the center, I think it deserves the 1st position.

2. Mehfil Hotel London

This one is a bit closer, just in the middle between Windsor and Heathrow Airport areas. The second position is because it is a 3 stars hotel that has had customer evaluation of 4.5 out of a 5 points system. The prices for rooms begin at 74 Euros.

3. Sara Hotel London

The Sara Hotel has only 1 star and the reason why it is placed here is because guests decided that far from what the stars system says, they felt that staying there was about 4.5 points out of 5. Almost probably this is one of this little cozy hotels where you can stay if you are not looking for any big luxury and where you will receive familiar customer service. Not being centric, it is place within the area that we can consider Greater London.

4. Days Hotel North Gateway London

Even if the price is just reaching the limit, this hotel will surely give you a very pleasant stay. I have chosen this one not only because of the punctuation of 4.5 out of 5, but for the elevate number of votes that it received and the reduced dispersion in the results. It is considered a 3 stars hotel and the price for the rooms start at 87 Euros the night and it is placed in the Luton Area.

5. Holiday Inn Heathrow Ariel Hotel

Finally, closing the top5 classification, I am happy to introduce you to the Holiday Inn Ariel Hotel. This one claims to be in this selection because it is ranked as a 4 stars hotel but room prices start at just 90 Euros the night, which sounds like a great deal. Consumer rating is 4.5 out of 5 points, and as the name suggests, it is placed within the Heathrow airport area.

This is the end of the classification for cheap hotels in London. Still, I always recommend to look at the places that offer travel certificates, as you would almost probably get 4 star hotels at 90% discounted prices in most occasions and you can get this certificate for free simply by downloading them or writing the code in the redemption page.

Doesn’t sound bad, does it? A trip to Paris, probably with your loved ones in the city of love makes quite a good combination. And the only thing that does not fit with all this is the war you need to fight with search engines to find good deals that at same time have a good quality. To help you in your decision, I have built a Top 5 list with some of the most cheap hotels in Paris that offer at same time good customer reviews.

To make the selection of cheap hotels in Paris I have decided to set a maximum price per room per night of 85 Euros, whichever the stars rating of the hotel is. No more words, and let’s get started!

1. Mon Reve Amadeus Hotel Paris

The winner in this Top 5 is this 3 star hotel that has managed to get consumer reviews of 5 out of 5. The location is pretty central, near to Eiffel Tower, and the prices for the rooms start at 70 Euros per night, which makes it an excellent combination, specially considering that in Paris the average price is quite expensive and that this hotel is ranked as 3 stars in the official classification system.

2. Libertel Strasbourg Mulhouse Gare de l’Est Hotel Paris

This one, which nearly took the first position, is a 2 stars hotel which customers have evaluated giving to it a 5 out of 5. Maximum punctuation for nights that cost about 82 Euros. The location is also very centric, with all important touristic hot spots available at short walks or public transport.

3. Comfort Place du Tertre Hotel Paris

The third in our ranking of the cheap hotels in Paris has a customer rating of 4.5 out of 5. With a price per night that starts at 78 Euros, this centric hotel is considered a “3 and a half” stars one.

4. Art Hotel Paris

With a completely different style, the Art Hotel Paris is maybe not that much centric, but being still a very good place where to base your Paris touristic operations I decided to give it the 4th place. The reason is because the customer rating is again a 4.5 out of 5 and the price for the rooms starts at just 73 Euros. Sounds like a good deal for a 3 star hotel in the city of love!

5. Du Parc Hotel Paris

Finally, closing this Top 5 classification of the cheap hotels in Paris, we find the Du Parc Hotel. It is just a 2 stars establishment, but general opinion of guests have placed it at a punctuation of 4.5. Together with a room price per night starting at 58 Euros, I think it definitely deserves to be included in this selection. At same time, even if it is not just in the middle, the communications with the center of the city are very good and at same time you will avoid the stress that being placed right in the middle can cause.

Being Barcelona one of the most touristic places in the world, I think it is good to give you an idea of which hotels could be good in order to spend some quality vacations for a relatively low price. If you are looking for 4 or 5 star accommodation, probably this is not your article, but if you are trying to find out some nice and cozy places to stay, definitely you should take a look at it. Taking as a maximum price 75 Euros per room per night, here it comes the selection of cheap hotels in Barcelona:

1. Canton Hotel Barcelona

This one is placed in Rambla Catalunya, which means that is pretty close to the center and in a touristic street. The star rating for this hotel is only 1 star, but the consumer rating placed it at 4.5 out of a 5 points punctuation system. The price is 46 Euros per night per room.

2. Oasis Hotel Barcelona

It is placed also in a central location, with good communication either with buses and subway. Still, I would always get the subway as the traffic density in Barcelona makes it very difficult to circulate on the centric roads. The hotel is rated with 2 stars, but consumer ratings give to it a punctuation of 4 out of 5. The price is 59 Euros per room.

3. Chic & Basic Gothic Apartments Barcelona

Those apartments have been rated with 3.5 stars, and consumers give to them a 4 out of 5. They are in the Ramblas Area as well, so it is easy to reach all important places in a quick way. The price is just in the limit, being about 73 Euros per room.

4. Antibes Hotel Barcelona

Priced just one Euro under the Chic & Basic, the Antibes has also a punctuation of 4 out of 5, having in this case 2 stars as a hotel rating. The location of that one is a bit different, as it is near to Sagrada Familia, probably the most important building in Barcelona. Take a look at it, and then go with the tube to the center of the city.

5. Feel Good Plaza Real Apartments

Finally, again in the Ramblas Area, we find the last of the winning hotels in this classification. It seems that you will definitely feel good as guests have given to it a punctuation of 4 out of 5. The price is about 65 Euros the night, and it is considered a 3 stars apartment.

I hope to have enlightened a bit your dreams of traveling there with this selection of cheap hotels in Barcelona offering also good customers reviews.

One of the choices that is really doing rounds is that of self catering cottages. A unique holiday destination, they have given vacations a new definition all together. Gone are the days when hotels and rest houses used to be people’s first choice for stay while on vacations. Not anymore though, for that position is taken over by self catering cottages. A nice cozy place, they expose guests to all sorts of comforts that can make their stay comfortable. Not only this, they also allow them the freedom to enjoy their stay in any which way they want. For example, if people want they can avail such facilities like cooking their own food. Such a facility is extremely helpful for families who have kids or for those who have limited budget. They can save lot of money by preparing their own food.

Money however, is slightest of concern here, for self catering cottages can be hired at bare minimum. Indeed, their availability at a meager cost is one feature that has spread their popularity in a big way to all sections of society. Other feature is their setting. Set in the calm locales of countryside, they are just perfect for overworked professionals who can relax their tired minds and body and recharge their batteries for the battles that lie ahead.

Self catering cottages are also a favourite with business units who find them to be just the right place to organise their official get together. The place also provides them with enough opportunities to organise their team building exercises. In addition to it, these cottages also give the business units an option to use a stay here as a reward for the employees who are outstanding performers.

With so many advantages attached to them, it really should not come as a surprise that self catering cottages are gaining in popularity with every passing day. And as more and more people and establishments wake up to their advantages, their popularity is sure to increase more and more.

In this small lagoon town live over 270,000 inhabitants; it is situated in the northeast of Italy and overlooks the Adriatic Sea.

Venice is divided into Sestieri, three of these (Castello, San Marco and Cannaregio) are here to the Grand Canal taking as a point of reference Piazza San Marco; the three at the other hand, are Santa Croce, Dorsoduro and San Polo-Rialto. These six subdivisions of the city are represented in the “Ferro” (front of the gondola-metal boats typical of the city - which has precisely six points / lines). The rear of the craft, however, represents the Giudecca island which is located right in front of Piazza San Marco.

Of course, the capital of Veneto, which is categorized heritage of humanity by UNESCO, is a unique city, where there are no roads but only canals and rivers navigable by small boats (Gondole).

Historically it was called the Dominant or even as the Serenissima, in fact has been for over a millennium, the capital of the Republic of Venice.

The old city lives mainly from the tourism, but also of local manufacture and crafts, just think of the beautiful Murano glass (small island in the lagoon of Venice). Moreover, for the most recent city located inshore, has a flourishing business and point of reference for the economy of the country.

Venice, offers many opportunities within the tourism industry and food for a variety of factors: history, culture, romance, shopping and entertainment; also offers a wide selection of hotels in Venice.

In particular, who wants to visit Venice for a few days should not miss some areas and traditions that make the visit to the city unique and unforgettable

• Piazza San Marco is considered the core of sestriere and the heart of the city (the only open space considered Square), where there are the most important monuments: Palazzo Ducale, the Basilica of San Marco
• Ponte di Rialto: the oldest bridge that crosses the Grand Canal
• Lido di Venice: very characteristic because it is an thin island that extends for more than 10 km in the Venetian lagoon and the Adriatic Sea. In this narrow strip of land there is also the beach of Venice.
• Museo Ca’ D’oro: well known palace situated along the Grand Canal which contains the gallery Giorgio Fianchetti
• Gallerie delll’Accademia: who are in Dorsoduro and retain some beautiful works of Giovanni and Jacopo Bellini, Tiziano and Tintoretto.
• Among a visit and another, take a rest in an inn or in an outdoors bar and enjoy a Recioto di Soave (white wine typical of the Veneto region) with sliced and polenta veneta.

But where to stay in Venice?

In a city that lives on tourism solutions are not lacking, in fact there are many hotels that have rooms to sleep in Venice or in the immediate vicinity also proposing a wide range of hotel in Venice.

Costis Psychas loves digging. It all started some 30 years ago, when his parents began the restoration of several, centuries-old, ruined troglodyte houses and stables, on a plot of land they had bought in the late sixties, on the outskirts of Oia. They opened the tiny Hotel Perivolas, with just four houses, in 1981. When a few years later his father passed away, Costis moved to Santorini and decided to continue the restoration process. Every winter, after the hotel closed, he would work on another house, proving himself a tireless builder, a skilled architect and designer, and most of all, a gifted artist. The original dwellings were tiny inside, but Costis simply dug deeper into the rock wherever he wanted more space, designing on the spot, hand shaping every curve and every bend.

It was a process that took years, and while the digging continued, Perivolas became increasingly famous. It featured in one travel and lifestyle magazine after the other, and got nothing but rave reviews. Every writer passing by was instantly smitten by the supreme elegance of the immaculately minimalist interiors, the exhilarating caldera views, the dramatic infinity-edged pool (the first on the cliff side), the pleasantly informal, but ever so efficient service and the mesmerizing ambience pervading the place. And the thing is, that anyone who has been to Perivolas will confirm every word of praise that has ever been written about it.

It wasn’t, however, a craving for fame that drove Costis, but a deep-rooted urge to create. Cringing over the hap hazardous way the new constructions were developing on the cliff, his yearning for perfection grew only stronger, and each house that was added became even more amazing than the previous. After the 17 h house was completed, there was a pause of a few years and for a moment it looked like Perivolas was ‘finished’, though en passant a little more digging happened, to make some space deep inside the cliff for a large kitchen.

But Costis had yet to produce his masterpiece the Perivolas Suite. At the far end of his property was an old (cave) winery that so far hadn’t been touched at all. Carving by hand, day after day, for an entire winter, he created something that can only be described as a cave palace. Three areas spread over 140 sq m blend into each other, their arched ceilings reaching up to six metres high in places. From one of its highest points, natural light flows in through a shafted skylight. Further inside, at the back of the cave, there is a space centred around a large, sunk Jacuzzi, and tucked in niches are a shower and a hammam. The almost complete absence of straight lines gives an overwhelming sense of spaciousness. There are no corners, no ends, just soft stretches and smooth curves. The feeling of water is omnipresent, with a swimming pool starting in the bedroom and working its way through a tunnel to the end of the private terrace. I have seen quite a few impressive hotel rooms and suites, but believe me, this place is something else…

After the suite was completed, the digging continued. The next winter, a cave gym and spa room, a sauna and a hammam were added to the complex, and the 19″ house was built. It did not turn out as enormous as the Perivolas Suite, but it is also hugely impressive, with a spa-bathroom as large as the bedroom itself. Was this the last one? That is unlikely And while many small hotels lose at least part of their charm when more rooms are added, in Perivolas “more” means more of everything, and you can only hope that Costis will never stop.

Where you’ll sleep: First of all, let’s get something straight: you don’t sleep at Perivolas, you dream. Each house, whether you stay in the smallest studio (which isn’t all that small anyway), or in the enormous Perivolas Suite, is breathtakingly beautiful. The stylishly minimalist interiors are white and bright, with pillows and hand woven bedspreads adding dashes of different shades of lavender, blue, and pink. It creates a calm and peaceful feeling, matching the overall atmosphere at Perivolas. Mod cons like televisions and CD players would be totally out of place in such an environment - a large shower, a kitchen corner and air conditioning is all you get and once you’re there, you’ll realise you wouldn’t want it to be any different.

When you feel hungry: For breakfast you will find a well assorted buffet in the poolside bar (from 8.30 to 11.30). Lunch and dinner are also served here. (The restaurant became fully operational in 2004.) The combination of the stunning setting by the pool and the perfectly executed, sophisticated Mediterranean cuisine is absolutely unbeatable.

Bring the children? Youngsters from 16 years and up are welcome at Perivolas, but chances are that you will enjoy this magical place more if it is just you and your other half…

To see and do: You can’t come to Santorini and not explore the island’s cliff-hanging villages, its amazing volcanic beaches and the archaeological site of Akrotiri. However, you will also find that when you are staying in Perivolas, you won’t feel the urge to go around and do things. The place in itself is so magical, that you might feel like spending all of your time in there. Life is full of hard choices…

Good to know Perivolas is open from early April until the end of October. Guest facilities are the outdoor pool, as well as a hammam, a sauna, an outdoor Jacuzzi and a gym. You can book massage treatments. It is unlikely that anyone has ever thought of checking in with a dog at Perivolas, but just for the record, they are not allowed. Credit cards are not accepted. Getting there Perivolas is situated below the road at the beginning of Oia. Upon arrival guests are met at the airport or in the harbour.

How long does it take to build and equip a not-so-big hotel? Barring unforeseen disasters, if you have a plot of land that is easily accessible, if you don’t expect too much in terms of architecture and design, and if you are willing to cut a few corners, you could possibly get it done within a year But what if you plan to build near the top of a protected village, right below one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites, accessed only through steep, narrow alleyways? What if you intend to strictly follow the local, historical architecture and what if in terms of design, only the finest will do? Moreover, what if you are a perfectionist and cutting corners is not your style? Then, it might take a little longer indeed.

Michalis Melenos can tell you how much longer a little longer can get. Owning a piece of land in his native Lindos, he toyed with the idea of building a small hotel for years. It started as a dream that materialized slowly yet steadily, and was gradually transformed into a vision for a hotel that would not be just an addition to the village, but rather. an integral part of it. He called in the services of Anastasia Papaioannou, a Rhodian architect specialized in the restoration of local, historical houses, to design the Melenos Lindos. The small buildings she created are in absolute harmony with the style of the village, a melange of Byzantine and Ottoman influences. Especially the limestone main building at the top of the property is undistinguishable from the original constructions of that era. Its impeccable state is a give-away, but you could easily be fooled into believing it is historical.

Forget one year - this project took more than 12 years to bring to completion! (And that doesn’t include the time spent for the architectural design, nor the delays due to bureaucratic procedures involving all the necessary permissions; let alone the time spent ‘dreaming’ about it, which was an equally important part of the process). Maybe it could all have been just a hint faster, had Michalis been a bit more willing to make even the smallest compromise in order to gain time. The truth of the matter is that only the end result mattered to him and he spared no effort, expense or time in order to make his dream come true. He was helped a lot by a close friend, the Australian artist Donald H. Green who spent five years in Lindos designing the gardens and the interiors.

Just to give you an idea of what this project involved, imagine the effort that went into the pebble mosaic terraces alone. They are made of white, grey and pinkish pebble stones (so-called hohlakia) that were collected from local beaches. Workers had to carry up more than 3000 large bags filled with pebbles, which were then sorted out by size, shape and colour, and laid out with mind-boggling precision in elegant patterns. When you take in the sheer dimension of the surfaces covered, you won’t be surprised to know that this was a full-time job for ten people, and lasted nearly three years! It was not only landscaping that was handled with such diligence and artistry. Every aspect on the inside, from the wooden lattice work and the fine motives in the hand-painted ceilings, to the colourful embroideries and antique objects adorning the rooms, reflects that same eye for perfection. Numerous trips were made to antique and flea markets in Turkey and Greece in order to collect antiques and old household items. Countless ceramic wall tiles were painted by Donald and Michalis in colourful Iznikstyle motives. Cedarwood furniture was tailor-made by local craftsmen. Everything was thought through up to the tiniest detail, and executed with the greatest care.

Staying in a place that offers such a sequence of visual treats (including the amazing views) is a very special experience. Moreover the impeccable aesthetics are matched by flawless service (friendly, attentive but not overbearing) and great comfort. The Melenos Lindos is one of those rare hotels where you can experience luxury of the highest standards in a pleasantly laid-back atmosphere -a combination that is not easy to find.

Where you’ll sleep: The 12 generously sized rooms offer a remarkable blend of local tradition and luxury. The style may first strike you as heavy but the overall feeling is nevertheless one of freshness. There are no beds, but superbly comfortable mattresses are placed on elevated sleeping platforms, and made with the finest bed linen. Mod-cons (television, CD player, mini-bar, safe) are fitted into elaborately carved closets (still leaving lots of space for your clothes) - only the air conditioners are visible. Excellent bathrooms are stocked with a great range of bath treats, a hairdryer, slippers, robes and enormous towels. The rooms are doubles, but most can sleep one or two children as well. There is one suite with two separate rooms, for four people. All rooms open up directly to the terrace, and each has its own sitting corner outside.

When you feel hungry Breakfast is served from 8.30 to 10.30 and you can have it wherever you like. You will be asked what you are in the mood for, and a little bit of self indulgence will not be frowned upon. For lunch and dinner you can try some fine Mediterranean cuisine on the terrace at the top of the property while also having some of the best views you can imagine: from one side you will look over the sea, and from the other at the Acropolis of Lindos.

Bring the children? The calm and romantic mood of the Melenos Lindos makes it more of an environment for adults, but well-behaved kids of all ages are welcome. (Cots are available.) Teenagers will enjoy the fun atmosphere at the beach of Lindos, in particular on Sundays when swinging beach parties are organised, but if you come with young children the problem is that there is nowhere really for them to play in the hotel.

To see and do: Rhodes is a multi-facetted island that appeals to beach bums and lovers of art and culture alike, to party animals as well as to anyone looking for peace and quiet.The same applies to Lindos itself, with its lively, sandy beach (and many quieter ones a short drive away), the Acropolis that crowns the village, the little shops, bars and restaurants scattered throughout and, in the midst of all that the Melenos Lindos, offering an oasis of tranquility.

Good to know: The Melenos Lindos is open from the beginning of April until the end of October.

Getting there: Rhodes can be reached by ferryboat from Piraeus (overnight ferries take about 12 hours), from other islands (Crete, Kos, Santorini, Paros and others) and also from Marmaras in Turkey (one hour away), while Rhodes airport is served by an array of domestic and international airlines. Lindos is about 50 km from the airport and 45 km from the harbour, and can be reached either by bus (cheap, but time consuming) or taxi. In Lindos, you will be met by the staff at the square at the bottom of the village, so you don’t have to haul your luggage up to the hotel. Upon request, the hotel can also arrange a private car transfer from the airport.

Most people who know Santorini will agree that Oia is the place to stay. The capital, Fira, is just too much of everything (especially in the summer when during the day, cruise-shiploads of tourists cram into the narrow alleyways) and the quieter alternative, Imerovigli, though spectacularly crowning the highest point of the caldera, has basically turned into a jam-packed settlement of hotels. But there is also Firostefani, another village right on the caldera. It is at walking distance from the bustling centre of Fira, but infinitely more quiet, and thus perfect if you want to be near the action, but not in the middle of it. And this must have been exactly what appealed to Dimitris Tsitouras, an Athenian lawyer/art collector/jet setter, when he acquired a late-181h century mansion and turned it into a collection of absolutely exquisite houses.

When the Tsitouras Collection opened in 1988, it instantly became the ultimate glam spot to stay on Santorini and frankly, almost 20 years later, it still is. The houses are fine examples of the island’s historical building style (long and narrow houses partly carved into the cliff side with cathedral ceilings providing an airy ambience). The Tsitouras couple furnished them with carefully chosen antiques and the odd modern, design piece, and then, one by one, turned them into something like a private museum. Every house features precious relics and works of art, ranging from amphora recovered from the depths of the sea and a collection of Tanagra figurines, to original ceramic art work by Picasso.

It may seem a bit unusual to stay in an environment like this. After all, in a museum we tend to whisper rather than talk, and touching anything is totally unheard of but this is not how things operate at the Tsitouras Collection. Dimitris’ young daughter, Eleni, is in charge, and she does everything to make you feel at ease. No one will frown at you if you plummet into the sofa and put your feet up, or if you wander around without shoes. Eleni’s style is easy-going and relaxed, and she’s more likely to sit and have a drink with you, rather than make you feel you have to walk on eggs. But she is also professional and efficient, and you can be assured that her staff will cater to your every whim.

Where you’ll sleep: The Tsitouras collection consists of five houses. The House of Nureyev is for two people, and with its own terrace it offers perfect privacy. The other four houses all open up to a shared veranda, but as there is also the large Maria Callas roof terrace, with plenty of corners to sit, you won’t feel you miss your privacy The House of Porcelain (named after a collection of 19th century Minton and Royal Copenhagen porcelain plates) and the House of the Sea are for up to three persons. The House of Portraits and the House of Winds (which has a piano) both have two bedrooms and can accommodate four and five persons respectively Each house has its own themed art collection, and if you are the ultimate aesthete, the thing to do is to stay at least one night in each. (There is enough staff to move your luggage around!)

The houses are luxuriously equipped with one or two bathrooms (shower), a telephone, a television and a DVD player, a CD player (with a selection of CD’s), an Internet connection, air conditioning, a complementary mini-bar, a hairdryer and a safe.

When you feel hungry breakfast is served as early or as late as you like, and you can pretty much order anything that takes your fancy. For lunch and dinner you can order meals from a light menu (traditional dakos, salads, linguini marina, Italian style chicken, chocolate snuffle…) and for the ultimately chic dining experience, private dining on the Maria Callas terrace can be arranged (a six-course gastronomic dinner). If you go out for the day, you can ask for a picnic basket to be prepared for you.

Bring the children? Most of the fancy hotels on the caldera of Santorini do not accept children (either for safety reasons or for preserving the peace), but at the Tsitouras Collection, the last place where you’d expect children to be allowed, they are more than welcome. The environment is reasonably safe and so far there has never been a problem with children disturbing the quiet though obviously, this is not the kind of place where you’d let your kids play ball in the living room. When parents want a moment off they can rent children’s DVDs (from a selection of almost 200) and babysitting can also be arranged.

To see and do: The Tsitouras Collection is a place where you could easily just sit for hours and marvel at the breathtaking views and the art surrounding you, and simply take in the quiet. But then, it is barely 10-15 minutes’ walk to the lively centre of Fira, and a short drive to the island’s spectacular volcanic beaches and the archaeological site of Akrotiri. And of course, anything else you may be interested in doing (a speedy private cruise in the caldera or a more stylish jaunt on a catamaran, a visit to a winery, horse riding, you just name it), Eleni will happily arrange it for you.

Good to know The Tsitouras Collection is normally open all year round. Prices include breakfast, arrival and departure transfer, mini bar consumptions and a daily sunset cocktail.

Getting there The easiest way to get to Santorini is by plane. Arriving by boat, however, is a wonderful experience and worth the extra hours spent at sea. Guests are met at the airport or in the port upon arrival.

As always, the best way to take a look outside at the world of hostels in Europe is not to listen to what their owners say, and even I would say it is not about looking at the punctuation that they have in travel pages. From my point of view, there is no better source than looking at what users from Interrail or Eurail say after being in some of this hostels. I have done some research on different Interrail local forums and here it comes a selection of the best hostels in Europe.

For Germany, if you are looking to travel to Hamburg, a good recommendation is Auf Dem Stinfang. clean and tidy according to the guests, good atmosphere and the breakfast simply incredible. Going now to the capital, the best pick is the Eastern Hostel, specially because it is further from conventional. It is in fact a docked boat, so the experience of sleeping in a floating hostel seems incredible. Quality on board is very high for being just a hostel and many of the rooms are underwater, which can sound like exciting or scary. It all depends on you.

If you go past the border and enter in Poland, you will need to visit Krakow for sure. The best place where to spend your nights will be in this case the hostel called Giraffe. Clean, brand new, very fashion, and apparently with some very kind and good looking girls at the front desk, make it a combination of factors that makes it to be considered one of the best hostels in Poland.

In Poland also, you will be possibly visiting the capital. There you should take a look to Tamka Hostel, just 15 minutes away from the old center. The Internet connection is free, you get a great breakfast, sweet ladies at the front desk with a good English level… and even a PlayStaion 2 to play with!

Going a bit to the south you could enter Hungary. The best hostels in Hungary can be found in the capital, and the most significant is the Mellow Mod Hostel, probably a bit more expensive than normal providing that Hungary is quite a cheap country, but it definitely is worth the stay. What space can’t do to make the rooms bigger it is done by decoration, which makes it to be a kind of luxury hostel.

There are many more best hostels in Europe that should have been mentioned in this article, but the idea is to make things easy. One place, one hostel. If you are not convince, you always can try to look at the forums and look for something. I could even tell you about a very good forum in Spain but, as many things in this country, it is in Spanish. What about the opportunity to learn Spanish and get free plane tickets to Europe?

Bangalore is one of the most hip and happening cities in India and is also a major center of the I.T. industry. Nicknamed the silicon valley of India Bangalore is the center of the Indian I.T. outsourcing movement, and has offices of many foreign tech companies as well as a number of native Indian tech startups.

Bangalore is an ideal city for meetings, work-shops and seminars as the whole city works round the clock and the environment is totally work oriented plus the weather is great all year round.

Here are a few important facts for the business traveler.

Accommodations

Good hotels in Bangalore can be pretty expensive, but like all cities there is a wide selection from the budget hotels to the mid-range to the five stars.

Budget hotel- Ivory Tower

Mid-Range hotel- Ista Hotel

Five-star- The Taj Residency & Ista Hotel

Transport

Plane-Bangalore Airport (BLR) is a domestic airport that caters to certain international flights too. All major international flights have a stopover here and it is connected all major airports of the world.

Train-The Bangalore City railway station is situated in the centre of the city. All trains, both local and long-distance, arrive and depart from here. Bangalore also has a railway station in the Cantonment Area, called the Cantonment Railway Station this is in a better part of town. Not all trains stop here, however.

Bus-There are both government and private busses that run services to major nearby cities. All intercity buses arrive and depart from Bangalore bus stand, which is located opposite the city railway station called ‘the Majestic Bus Station’. It handles buses that connect Bangalore to all major cities and states in south India.

Inter-City Travel

Bus-The main bus stand which maintains bus services within the city, is located next to the majestic Bus Station. The whole city is well connected through various bus stations. A huge problem is that the display boards in the bus show the destination in Kannada only. But it is the cheapest option available.

Autorickshaw- Theses are yellow three wheeled contraptions seen all over the city, they are a fast way to get around the city. Not exactly the safest way around they are definitely better than busses and less expensive than taxis.

Taxi- taxis are not marked with ‘TAXI’ signs you must call for a taxi which is easily done through the hotel. The taxis in Bangalore are very convenient and comfortable. Though the taxis are not exactly cheap they are safer and less traumatizing than the auto or bus.

Food & Drink

Bangalore has hundreds of fast food joints and restaurants serving south Indian vegetarian and non-veg food plus the regular MNC fast food joints like KFC, Pizza Hut and MacDonald. Day. There are also high end restaurants serving continental food, seafood and fish in Bangalore is also quite popular. Like all big cities Bangalore has from the very cheap to the very expensive food joints. Bangalore is home to numerous pubs and bars earning it the nickname the Pub City of India.

Shopping

Bane of a business traveler’s life but a must, Bangalore provides wide range of options.

M.G Road/ area is the most popular place for tourists, filled with shops of every kind, traditional handicrafts or the latest western wear.

Brigade Road is the centre of yuppie Bangalore, full of MNC stores and eating joints.

Commercial Street a shopping area that sells international along side locally produced items. Commercial Street has more of a bazaar feel than Brigade Road. it is famous for its tattoo and body piercing centers.

Forum Mall you can find anything at the Forum, high international brands. For eating there is Fast food (KFC, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Subway) Cafe Coffee Day and a food court with world cuisines.

Garuda Mall Located on the corner of McGrath and Commissariat Roads is the newest mall in Bangalore. This Mall is definitely catered to the upper class of Indian society.

Bangalore Central is more of a large department store than a mall with separate retailers. It still is must visit for shoppers in Bangalore. It has a huge range of everything clothing electronics, perfumes, accessories as well as a supermarket on the top floor and food court.