If you’re a long-time blog reader, you’ll know by now that I regularly stay in hostels when I travel. I also put together hostel reviews, to recommend some of the great places I’ve stayed in! During my recent trip to the Balkans, I stayed for several nights in Tirana, the capital of Albania. I loved… Read More Hostel Review: Tirana Backpacker Hostel, Tirana
After so many years of traveling, I have found that staying in hostels is one of the best ways to cut costs on a trip. You save loads of money on accommodation, and it’s a great way to meet other people as you travel! I visited Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, on my most recent… Read More Hostel Review: Oda Hostel, Pristina
The Balkans is a fantastic region to visit if you’re traveling on a budget. North Macedonia is no exception! Cutting costs on accommodation is one of the best ways to stay on budget for a trip, which is why I generally stay in hostels. For my two nights in Skopje, I stayed at Shanti Hostel.… Read More Hostel Review: Shanti Hostel, Skopje
If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know that I absolutely love staying in hostels. They’re generally always my first choice for accommodation on a big trip! On my big trip to the Caucasus this summer, I stayed at Feel Inn Hostel for 5 nights in Yerevan, Armenia. This hostel was really special… Read More Hostel Review: Feel Inn Hostel, Yerevan
I’m a huge advocate of budget travel here on the blog. One of the best ways to save money on the road is by cutting accommodation costs. And staying in hostels is one of the best ways to do that! You can read all about how much this trip to the Caucasus cost here. I’ve… Read More Hostel Review: Fabrika Hostel, Tbilisi
Since I started traveling internationally and independently nearly 7 years ago now, my preferred accommodation has always been hostels. They’re much cheaper than hotels, have a better social atmosphere, and are a great way to meet people on the road. I have stayed in countless hostels around the world and while I know they’re not… Read More What To Pack For Hostels
I first started traveling in hostels when I was 18, all the way back in 2011. Since that first trip, I’ve been a convert to hostel travel and have nearly always chosen hostels as my accommodation when traveling. There are so many great things about staying in hostels—they’re cheaper, it’s a much more social atmosphere,… Read More 10 Tips For Staying In Hostels
Without a doubt, Podstel in Bucharest is one of the better places I’ve stayed throughout my travels. Why? It’s a hostel run by travelers, for other travelers. These people know what backpackers want, they know what makes a good hostel, and they deliver. The hostel actually has quite a cool story of its founding—described on… Read More Hostel Review: Podstel Hostel, Bucharest
During my time in Romania this summer, I was based in Brasov for half of it. I stayed at Kismet Dao Hostel, which I really enjoyed! Here’s my full review of the hostel: Location: Kismet Dao Hostel is in an excellent location for exploring Brasov. It’s a 10-minute walk to the Old Town, a 30-minute… Read More Hostel Review: Kismet Dao Hostel, Brasov
Every once in a while, I stay at a hostel that is done right. There’s no other way to say it—it’s just good. Dream House Hostel in Kiev, Ukraine, is like that. You can clearly tell this is a professionally-run hostel, and it definitely made my stay easy. Here’s my full review! Location: Dream House… Read More Hostel Review: Dream House Hostel, Kiev
Another hostel review! One of my goals is to start creating a resource of accommodation reviews here on Away With Maja. I love hostels and always prefer to stay in them during trips. Here’s my review of Revolucion Hostel in Minsk, Belarus! Location: Revolucion Hostel has a great location right in Minsk’s city center. It… Read More Hostel Review: Revolucion Hostel, Minsk
I’ve stayed at a lot of hostels during my travels over the years. Every once in a while, one comes along that you just absolutely love. A hostel so great you just want to keep it to yourself, and you find yourself planning trips just to stay there again. Naughty Squirrel Backpackers Hostel in Riga… Read More Hostel Review: Naughty Squirrel Backpackers Hostel, Riga
As part of my goal to review more accommodation and hostels on the blog, I thought I’d do one on the hostel I stayed at in St. Petersburg. This location, Friends on Dostoevskogo, was part of a popular chain called Friends Hostels—while the hostel I stayed at had a fair few downsides, I think the… Read More Hostel Review: Friends on Dostoevskogo, St. Petersburg
Making the decision to travel solo can be daunting. Will I have fun? Will I get lonely? What am I going to do by myself? I LOVE traveling solo, and have felt that the experience has fundamentally shaped who I am as a person today. People tend to think that when you travel solo, you’re… Read More How To Make Friends When You Travel Solo
Accommodation is one of the things that can make or break a trip. For me, staying at Jollyboys in Livingstone made a fantastic trip even better! If you’re looking for accommodation in Livingstone, this hostel has it all. Here is my full review! Location: The location was ideal for exploring both Livingstone and Victoria Falls.… Read More Hostel Review: Jollyboys Backpackers Lodge and Camp, Livingstone
Every once in a while, I stay somewhere that’s so nice I feel like I discovered some secret place that (for some reason) isn’t shouted from the rooftops. Hostel Bongo is one of those places. If you are looking for accommodation in Belgrade, STAY HERE! This is one of the nicest hostels I’ve ever stayed… Read More Hostel Review: Hostel Bongo, Belgrade
I’m (finally) starting to get my head around packing for my trip, so I thought I’d share the few things that are simply a “must” for any trip I take! Regardless of where I’m headed, I always have the unspoken things I absolutely have to bring with me. There are so many things to bring… Read More Top 10 Travel Essentials: What I Never Leave Home Without