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Booking a Hostel? Use These Packing Tips
A cheap and easy way to travel is to use hostels in different cities. Practically every city has at least one hostel, from Dubai to Dublin. You can find super cheap ones where you share a room with up to 24 people, or more luxurious hostels with rooms for less people and facilities like a pool and onsite restaurant. Essentially, you are just renting a bed, but it’s a great place to meet new people and travel on a budget.
It must be said that hostels are not for everyone. If you expect someone to take your bags when doing check-in and you need several suitcases wherever you go, then you likely won’t like it. However, if you’re someone that likes to get out, explore and only bring what you need, then you will love hostels. There’s a sense of adventure and camaraderie at most of them, and if you’re happy with no frills then you’ll be delighted.
Of course, some people want to travel on a budget and use hostels but struggle with their packing. Here’s some tips on what to pack for an easy experience.
First up, your toilet bag. Many hostels don’t provide toiletries (although some do) so it is best to have your own. You can buy cheaply in cities, but it’s best to have a carry-on toothpaste, shampoo, and deodorant, plus a razor or conditioner if you want. For one, make sure you have all of your toiletries. Ladies should bring sanitary goods as they might be hard to find.
Onto your clothes, if you’re going for two weeks, bring at least eight pairs of underwear. You can usually find laundry at a hostel or nearby, so you can wash your clothes once a week. Pack two pairs of trousers that are comfortable, but one pair that you can dress up if needed. Four tops are necessary, but five is preferable. Don’t forget something to sleep in, and that you’ll be sharing a room.
A coat or light jacket is a good to have, get something that is easy to pack. If you ensure you have plenty of neutral colors, you can mix and match as you go. Happy hostel-hopping.
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Have a Look at This Hotel’s Crazy Design
The Crazy Design of Hotel Marqués de Riscal
If you have ever admired architect Frank Gehry’s work, then you’ll probably want to stay at the Hotel Marqués de Riscal. This stunning property sits on the famous wine estate in Elciego and boasts gorgeous views over the nearby town. When the vineyard owners wished to reinvent the area and invite more tourism, they called in Frank Gehry to design something even more astounding than his Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. It was opened in 2006, and the colorful panels and dramatic style reflect the designer’s whims beautifully. The pink-tinted titanium was used to reflect the hues of Rioja wine that comes from the vineyards that surround the property, while the silver is meant to be the foil around the cork, and the gold is similar to the mesh that covers every bottle of Marqués de Riscal, the most popular wine that comes from here. Gehry himself describes his creation as "a marvelous creature, with its hair flying in all directions."
The winery is the oldest in the region of La Rioja, but this bold, modern hotel is striking against the medieval surroundings. The interiors also showcase Gehry’s touch, with zigzagging windows and ceilings that reach great heights, along with a raised walkway that links the two buildings, providing guests spectacular vistas as they move from one part to another. Every single one of the 61 rooms and suites is different in its form so that you could stay every night for more than a month and always find a different design. Even the little details and asymmetrical walls and tiles make people feel like they’ve woken up in a post-modern wonderland. Guests can indulge in wine therapy at the spa, and dine at the Michelin-starred restaurant headed up by renowned chef, Francis Paniego.
