The Independent Traveler’s Resource Page
The HOSTELLER Newsletter Archive
Please click here to see our complete Hosteller Archives from 2003 to current.
Travelers Circle + Program Handouts
Excellent Resources For Travelers from our monthly Travelers Circle presenters – right click to download these PDF documents
2010 Travel Resources
- World Travel 101 Handout by HI-MN
- World Travel 101 Documents (assorted) by HI-MN
- Woman’s Travel Handout by HI-MN
- Brazil Travel Tips by Edwin Hong
- Brazil Travel Resources by Edwin Hong
2009 Travel Resources
- Morocco by Edwin Hong
- India Travel Preparation by Rudrava Roy
- Women Traveling Solo by HI-MN
2008 Travel Resources
- Useful Articles on ITALY by Edwin Hong
- Useful Web Sites on ITALY by Edwin Hong
- Useful Books on ITALY by Edwin Hong
- France on a Budget by Edwin Hong
- Tips on Berlin Steven Tetrick
- Exploring China by Daniel Konald
- Exploring Cuba by Alexandra Smith
- Trinidad & Tobago by Mary Adams
- Guide to a Lifetime of Travel by Bill & Marlene Klett
Internet Travel Resources
Frequently updated internet travel resources for all sorts of travelers. Have a few good sites you want to share? Let us know about it!
Accommodations
- Hostelling International
Large network dedicated to travelers of all ages. Its Youth Hostels offer good quality budget accommodation. - European Hostels
Search Youth Hostels in Europe. With Advice, FAQ etc. - VIP Backpackers Resorts International
The largest chain of independent backpackers hostels in the world. Currently has over 1200 hostels in more than 60 countries. - Plain Vanilla
Magazine dedicated to freestyle travel. You can book your bed online in Europe. - Venere.com
Hotels, apartments and b&b accommodation worldwide. With reviews by travelers. - Hostel Central
Online bookings for hostels and budget hotels. - Travel Europe
Search and book over 3500 available hotels in Europe.
Fare Finders For Flights, Accommodations, Car Rentals
- kayak.com | Fare finder search engine
Travel Information
- www.lonelyplanet.com Lonely Planet travel center: excellent information country profiles, maps, health information, a travelers forum and more
- http://wikitravel.org/en/Main_Page | Wikipedia’s Travel specific web site
- www.roughguides.com Rough Guides travel resources
- www.letsgo.com Let’s Go travel guides
- www.frommers.com Frommers travel books resource center
- www.ricksteves.com Europe Through the Back Door
- www.ciee.org Council on International Student Educational Exchange
- www.visiteurope.com European Travel Commission
- www.travel-library.com Round the World Travel Guide
- www.hasbrouck.org The Practical Nomad author
- http://www.worldhum.com/weblog/ Great travel blog
- http://triporama.com/app Check this interesting group trip planning site
- http://www.vagablogging.net/ Rolf Potts travel blog
- http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/ Worldwide bicycle trip journals
- www.timeout.com City guides, event listings, tickets, etc
- www.eurotrip.com Eurotrip: Backpacking, student & independent European travel, facts, reviews, articles discussion, travel advice
Transportation
- www.raileurope.com European rail pass products, fares and schedules
- www.statravel.com Student Travel Association: International ID, travel info.
- www.travelocity.com Good starting point for airfare and travel planning
- www.kayak.com User-friendly search engine for cheap airfares and more
- www.worryfreevacations.com Local travel company MLT Vacations
- www.tgvacations.com Local travel company Trans Global Vacations
- http://airtreks.com Around the world flights
- www.2afrika.com Specializes in flights to Africa
- www.ryanair.com Low-cost European airline
- www.easyjet.com Incredibly cheap flights within Europe
- http://www.seat61.com All about rail and ship
Useful Information For Planning Your Trip To Europe
- Mappy
Map / Route planner - Google Maps
Free web mapping service that offers street maps and a route planner - Europe airport guides
Overview of European airports - XE.net
Currency Converter - Travlang
Online translator - Current local times in Europe
Check the time in various countries - Yahoo! Europe Weather
How’s the weather at your destination? - Netcafeguide
Directory of internet cafes in Europe - World Travel Watch – Europe
Informs about safety issues for travelers - Packed Magazine
Backpackers magazine - Order national printed timetables
Train Timetables - Wikitravel
Open source travel guide featuring up-to-date information on attractions, hotels, restaurants, travel tips and more. - Europe for Visitors
Articles and links that provide you with general and detailed information about Europe. Also Europe trips, travel maps and ‘The Best of Europe’. - Europe for Tourism
Offers information about tourism throughout Europe: history, articles, links, tickets, advices, accommodation, booking, deals and maps. - Travel by Train – Europe
Comprehensive guide for railers planning to travel throughout parts of Europe. Information on 600 cities. - The Festival Zone
Online festival guide for Europe. You can search for festivals on film, theatre, culture, music and dance. - Things to do in Europe
Trip advisor lists the most popular attractions in places all over Europe. With descriptions and rating system. - The Indie Travel Podcast:
Listen to ’sweet travel advice for independent travellers’
European Tourist offices
A national Tourist office is a good starting point to inform you about a country. They can advise you about accommodation, transport, sightseeing, events, etc. Below you will find links to the tourist offices in all countries.
- Austria – austria.info
- Belgium – visitbelgium.com
- Bulgaria – bulgariatravel.org
- Croatia – croatia.hr
- Czech Republic – czechtourism.com
- Denmark – visitdenmark.com
- Finland – visitfinland.com
- France – franceguide.com
- Germany – germany-tourism.de
- Greece – visitgreece.gr
- Hungary – hungarytourism.hu
- Italy – italiantourism.com
- Luxembourg – ont.lu
- Montenegro – visit-montenegro.com
- Netherlands – holland.com
- Norway – visitnorway.com
- Poland – polandtour.org
- Portugal – portugal.org
- Republic of Ireland – ireland.ie
- Romania – romaniatourism.com
- Serbia – serbia-tourism.org
- Slovenia – slovenia.info
- Spain – okspain.org
- Sweden – visitsweden.com
- Switzerland – myswitzerland.com
Packing Checklist
- Eurail Pass
- Pass protection cover (if applicable)
- Passport
- Visa documents (if applicable)
- (International) driving license
- Travel Insurance
- Health Insurance
Useful Documentation
- Eurail Traveler’s Guide
- Map of Europe
- Eurail Timetable
- Travel guides
- Language guides
Money
- Bank / credit card(s)
- Foreign currency
- Travelers checks
Medical
- First aid kit
- Prescription medicines
- (Spare) glasses / contact lenses
- Medical documentation (if applicable)
Personal hygiene
- Wash kit, incl. soap, toothbrush etc.
- Shaving products
- Feminine hygiene products
- Diapers, baby wipes etc.
Clothing
- Underwear
- Socks
- Footwear
- Trousers / skirts / dresses
- T-shirts / shirts / blouses
- Sweaters
- Sports clothes
- Swimwear
- Rain coat / jacket
Miscellaneous
- Camera / video camera (+ batteries, memory cards, films etc.)
- Cell phone / PDA (and chargers)
- Audio player
- Sunglasses
- Umbrella
- Books, magazines
- Playing cards, games
- European adaptor plug
- Bottle opener, other handy tools
- Pen (to fill in the dates on your Eurail Pass!)
- Adresses of family, friends
