South Beach Goes Hollywood, Budget Hollywood

Where: 334 Arizona Street [map], Hollywood, FL, United States, 33019

No, no, the SoFla folks aren’t coming west, just heading north. The self-described “hip hotel group” The South Beach Group has just announced a new property in Hollywood Beach, Florida. But don’t look to their Miami Beach boutique hotels—Catalina, Riveria South Beach, Whitelaw, et. al—for clues to the new digs: this baby is a two-in-one, the Hollywood Beach Hotel + Hostel.

For those who haven’t stayed in a hostel since that time they hooked up with the cute Dutch backpacker, we turn to South Beach Group honcho Alan Lieberman for illumination: “The difference between a hostel and a hotel is about a community,” he says. “It’s easy to get to know other people in a safe environment. It’s not uncommon for guests to meet and make plans to experience the city together.”

In other words: bunks. Some of the “Key West styled units” at The Hollywood Beach Hotel + Hostel will have queen beds and private bathrooms, but for the most part we can expect the typical hostel set-up, complete with security lockers and a shared kitchen and living room. Since this is SoFla, there’s also an outdoor lounge and deck area.


“We are taking the hostel concept to the next level,” says Nathan Lieberman. How so? Well, they’re offering free WiFi, Cable TV, beach access, pool tables, and the use of surfboards and bicycles.

Then there’s their sunny spin on sharing a room with strangers: “The idea was a simple one; stay with your best friends who you haven’t met yet and share the cost of the room.”

Ready to meet your BFF? Head over to the hotel + hostel’s website. Beds start at $19.95 a night (in the “Single and ready to mingle” category). If you want to stay in a female-only (“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”) or male-only (“Mancation”) room, it’s an extra two bucks. by MsRebecca - HotelChatter

Related Links: Hotel Deals in Hollywood Fl., South Beach Hotels, Hostels

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The Tao Philosophy of Independent Travel

Photo: Flashpacking The World - SocialiteTravel.com

What is an Independent Traveler?

There is a certain philosophy that the independent traveler adheres to. While the tourist looks for comfort, convenience and a home away from home, the independent traveler prefers to become part of the culture as much as possible. The independent traveler likes to leave home behind.

There are many different terms in use to describe independent travelers. A hobo, in this sense, is someone without a home, spends very little or no money, and travels to work. A backpacker is a traveler on a budget who's luggage is usually a single backpack. A flashpacker has more money to spend than the hobo or backpacker, but still prefers the lifestyle of independent travel.

Regardless of the term used, independent travelers share a common philosophy.

The Independent Traveler:

1) Does Not Like to be Pampered

Independent travelers have a distaste for typical, over-priced packaged tours. They avoid rigid itineraries, instead preferring to plan their own trips. Rather than being pampered during their travels, independents feel more comfortable on their own. When one is told when to eat, where to go and how long to stay, it is like putting a noose on experience. Independents rely on their own judgment, they do not let others think for them or tell them what to do.

2) Spends Less Money to Enjoy More

The less money an independent traveler spends, the more he or she enjoys the trip. Big spending tends to isolate the traveler from new, vibrant experience. Rather than getting caught up in the consumer trap of buying expensive souvenirs, paying for useless accessories and the "convenience" of doing what you are told to do on a tour, independents do more of the things they enjoy doing, rather than buying things that distracts one from the experience of the trip.

3) Travels Light

Traveling with lots of luggage is a huge inconvenience that costs the traveler time, money and worry. All those things that tourists take with them on vacation actually impedes the trip, rather than enhance it. One of the purposes of travel is to enjoy what is there, not what is at home. Traveling light provides more freedom for the traveler and instead of baby-sitting all those "important" material possessions one can focus on experiencing life.

4) Becomes Immersed in the Culture

It is very difficult, even impossible, to experience a new place or culture when you are sheltered in a tour bus, or in a fancy hotel. The only way to maximize the experience of new things is to step into them and participate with an open mind. One travels to a foreign place to experience the foreign. Yet, too often the tourist erects shields to become isolated from the foreign experiences sought. The independent traveler does not fear what is foreign, but seeks it out and slowly, courteously, attempts to let it become a part of his or her life.

5) Goes with the Flow

Worry kills enjoyment. Time schedules, tasks and material things contribute to worry. When worry pounds away in your head you cannot truly experience what is there. It is easy to see with the eyes, it is an art to understand with the mind. The independent traveler knows that not everything always goes to plan; a flight might be cancelled, a bus could be delayed, the weather may not be ideal. With a tight schedule these things could ruin a trip. With flexibility one can actually learn to enjoy them. Sometimes things happen for a reason. Sometimes you can find without seeking.

6) Believes that a Vacation is an Education

When one continues to do the same things one has always done, he or she will continue to receive the same results. Travel to the independent is more than a vacation, it is an education. Independent travel allows the individual to try new things, to see beyond one's mental and cultural background, to experience, to learn and to grow. When one travels with an open mind learning becomes a delightful activity. Acquaintances learn from the traveler, the traveler learns from them, and therefore learns more about his or her person than otherwise would be possible. Learning extends beyond the four walls of a classroom to include the world.

7) Enjoys Freedom

To achieve freedom one does not need more. One needs less. The independent traveler has very few time constraints, material possessions, itineraries and lists of things to do. The independent is free to take advantage of any opportunity that comes along. The independent may stay up late to watch the sun set, wander into an isolated village, discover healing rituals of a disappearing culture, enjoy extra time with old friends and accept the gracious hospitality of new ones. The independent traveler understands that baggage should be left at home.

Leave things behind to take the world with you. Via: Thomas Carroll

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How to Travel on a Budget - Hostels and Backpackers

Are you on a shoestring budget but still have the travel bug? Or would you really want to experience the day-to-day life of a community, its people and the sights of a certain country that you feel you might not see with a guide. Then, you could enjoy travelling and staying at a backpacker. These are also known as hostels, and are reasonably priced and efficient accommodations that are available worldwide, allowing backpackers a chance to experience the world on a tight budget.

If so, you might enjoy traveling and staying at a backpacker. Also called a hostel, these low-cost and efficient accommodations are available all over the world, giving backpackers a way to see experience the world on a tight budget.

1) Expect To Save Money!

The greatest advantage to staying at a backpackers is the price. These little gems offer clean, safe accommodations at a fraction of the price of a hotel, allowing you to do more or stay longer in the country you wish to visit. If you are going on an extended trip around Europe, or visiting a part of Australia you've always wanted to visit, there is a hostel waiting for you.

For example, if you've always wanted to see Venice, Italy, you can stay at a hostel for as little as $21 per person for a shared room, or $46 for a private room.

Want to see Paris? You can, for as little as $26 for a shared room or $55 for a private.

Want to bask on a Brazilian beach in Rio de Janeiro? You can, for the cheap rate of $14 for a shared room!

When you consider that the cheapest hotel rate for a single person for Venice runs around $91, Paris at $126, and Rio de Janeiro at $80, you can get a sense of the savings you'll reap by going the backpackers route.

2) Be Prepared To Be Friendly.

Besides being low cost, backpackers tend to be a great place to meet other travelers. In fact the layout of the hostel encourages getting to know other visitors more so than a hotel or motel. Unless you request a private room you'll stay in a dormitory-style bedroom, often co-ed. Most have a common area to gather and socialize, as well as a kitchen and an area to do laundry. It's a great way to get to know people, but if you're shy or value your privacy, you might want to think twice about staying at a hostel.

3) Carry Proper ID.

If you're traveling in your own country, you'll still want to carry proper identification, such as a photo driver's license, passport or state/country ID. Most backpackers ask for more information than a hotel or motel would when staying with them because they want to ensure the safety of their guests.

Also, because of their cheap prices, hostels want to make sure that locals aren't taking advantage of their hospitality, thus taking space away from an international traveler who really needs the cheaper accommodations. If you don't have a passport, you might want to invest the time to get one, even while traveling your own country, just to give yourself one more ID choice.

4) Pack Lightly!

If you're a true backpacker, you're going to travel from hostel to hostel with your clothes on your back. You're probably going to use local transportation, such as the bus or subway system, or your own two feet. Even if you're not packing your way from hostel to hostel, keep in mind you're not going to have a ton of space to toss open countless pieces of luggage. In either case, you don't want to carry a ton of clothing and valuables to weigh you down and keep you from enjoying your trip.

What will you need?

- A sleep sheet: two sheets sewn together to put on your mattress so you can sleep in your own, clean bed. Some hostels rent them. Most hostels don't allow sleeping bags because they offer ample places for bedbugs, fleas and ticks to hide in. Most hostels offer clean blankets.

- Toiletries, such as soap, shampoo and toothbrush

- Your own towel

5) Lock Up Valuables.

Although backpackers offer a secure and safe environment, you don't want to take a chance of losing your more expensive personal goods by leaving them about. Just as you would in a hotel, you want to keep your valuables safe when staying in a backpacker. Most hostels offer a locker or safe of some sort to store valuable items while you're out. You could also invest in a lock and key before starting your trip to keep handy in case it's needed.

6) Check for bedbugs!

Unfortunately, bedbugs happen everywhere, be it a five-star hotel or a backpacker. These little pests do suck blood but don't transmit any diseases, and aren't any more pesky than a flea bite in most cases.

However, they do carry the stigma of a place being 'dirty' if you discover them. This just isn't so. The cleanest, most expensive accommodations can have them. It's important to know what they look like so you can tell the backpacker host/hostess. They will take the proper steps to clean the room and get rid of the little pests, since no one wants bedbugs around.

Bedbug signs:

- Most people think they're so tiny you can't see them, but this isn't so. Bedbugs are about 5mm long, oval in shape and brown in colour.

- Check for flecks of blood on the sheets, mattress seams and bed slats

- A large bedbug infestation has an almond-like smell that's very unpleasant

Bedbugs like to sneak into clothing and gear to travel to the next location with you, so if you think you've been infested with bedbugs, you should:

- Wash everything you own in the hottest washer setting and then dry on hot for at least 20 minutes-this includes your backpack!

- Wash yourself in a hot shower

- If something can't be washed, check it carefully for signs of bedbugs

- Tell the backpacker hostess/host or staff so they can clean the room thoroughly

7) Learn the Etiquette.

When traveling in a different country or even in your own it's important to know the proper etiquette and rules for that area to enjoy your backpacker stay. For example, some countries don't allow smoking in public areas and others may have stipulations about drinking alcohol, such as age. You don't want to end up breaking the rules and find yourself without a place to stay, or worse, locked up in a foreign jail cell.

You'll also want to check if your backpacker observes a curfew or lockout times. A curfew means that unless you want to find yourself sleeping outside, you'll be in the hostel at that time. You'll also want to learn if there's a lockout time, meaning the backpackers is closed for cleaning or to give the hosts time to run errands, so you can plan accordingly.

8) Book Online.

To ensure you have someplace to stay when traveling, you'll want to book your stay in advance. The easiest way is to book your backpacker stay online. SocialiteTravel.com offers accommodations worldwide as well as online booking. You can also see how others rated their stay and compare between other backpacker locations in the same city.

In Conclusion:

Going round the world or even travelling through your own country can be exciting and fun when staying at backpackers hostels. Providing you don't forget to take proper ID, stick to the rules, check for bedbugs and pack suitably, you will be able to mix with the locals and save money while you travel. You may make a few new friends along the way!

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Hotels in Delhi - Cheap and Cheerful Hotels in the Lap of Luxury

In the midst of forming a leading world traveler hub, India hands round the most excellent hotels to welcome their guests with pride and joy. Yet, each day-tripper in India, neighboring or overseas, would thrive to sketch his expedition much earlier to pick out the most fitting hotel. Delhi is the best place to search for the kind of hotel you are looking for. Hotels in Delhi, are countless and variable to match the wishes and requirements of an individual.

The choices are plenty, as you start searching for the best hotels in Delhi. The city itself embraces myriad cultures and great enthusiasm from traditional fervor to the rocking night life. Each hotel is ever ready to endow their guests with meticulous and stylistic reception in the form of cuisines, clean rooms, fresh air and greenery all over.

By and large, tourists who land here, revolutionize the idea of residing in five star hotels as they perceive the thatched-roofed cottages, located ideally allowing its guests to witness some of the most beautiful views of the city. There are resorts that bestow a whole lot from body relaxation to its guests through massages and spas and thereby amend the stereotypic hotel image that involved just a comfortable room to stay and restaurant to eat.

A major factor or key element to be taken into consideration is the hotel budget. Reserve or book the hotels in Delhi over the Internet. You may get some good discount packages and moreover, you will have an idea of the hotel you are going to stay. Like, if you aim at five star hotels, Taj and Oberoi are the ultimate choice. No other hotels in Delhi are standing by to battle with the tune-up and placates they bequeath.

Heritage Hotels in Delhi, which were initially past palaces or manors fitting in to India’s one-time princes or landed gentry, is at present renewed into hotels. To have the glimpse of the past royalty, you need to spend bucks. On the other hand, Eco friendly hotels in Delhi put forward a secured spiritual union in the midst of nature.

A good number of them are positioned in picturesque spots, in the region of woodland treasury, hill stations or cost-effectively perceptive neighborhood. At the same time, countless hotels in Delhi are steadfast to the perpetuation of natural wherewithal, among others; it is over and over again a sales attention-grabber.

Wellness Centers or Spas in Delhi is the prosperity of Ayurveda. These hotels gratify detoxification and strength schedules to make your body and psyche feel younger. Delhi hotels with royal comforts are the ideal places to enjoy the essence of a majestic treat. It is an extravagance of nature and an unusual way of refreshing with the backing of experts in Ayurveda and Spa massages. Moreover, the greenery and backwaters in these hotels enhances their beauty even more.

Budget Hotels in Delhi do propose well-mannered lodging and first-rate chow; the matching cannot be expected for each and every one. All over again, despite the fact that a number of them have pleasurable backdrop engraved in impressive locales others possibly will be not better than overcrowded hotels. Well, finding a hotel in Delhi is not a big deal, as there are many options to explore that suits the requirement of different kinds of travelers.

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Santorini - Everything You Ever Wanted on a Holiday - SocialiteTravel.com

What are you looking for from a holiday? Do you want sun and lazy days on the beach? Do you want history and the chance to explore ancient ruins? Do you want to unwind and relax with a leisurely meal while watching the sunset? Personally, I want all three. I have found just the place – Santorini.

Rising steeply from the Aegean Sea, Santorini is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Greece. Don’t let that put you off. Santorini’s hotels cover the full spectrum from budget accommodation for backpackers to sumptuous elegance for those who enjoy life’s finer things.
It was here, 3,600 years ago, that one of the biggest eruptions in history occurred. The result, then, was devastating. The result, now, is spectacular. A giant central lagoon, actually a submerged caldera, is surrounded on three sides by the high cliffs of Santorini. Hotels and towns perched at the top of those steep cliffs offer you a view of the sunset perhaps unmatched anywhere else on earth. The traditional whitewashed buildings look out over the lagoon to the small island of Therasia and the Aegean Sea beyond. As the sun sets and the sky turns orange the panorama can be breathtaking.

At the time of the eruption there was a thriving Minoan outpost at Akrotiri. The city was buried under volcanic ash but excavations, which began in 1967, have gradually unveiled some of the splendour of the site. There are streets, squares and the remains of houses three stories high. The people of Akrotiri had hot and cold running water at a time when most Europeans were living in huts. The main treasures of Akrotiri are kept at the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in the town of Fira. Most Santorini hotels have ample information on getting to, and around, both the museum and the archaeological site.

The island enjoys long, hot summers and mild winters making it an ideal place for a beach holiday. Whatever type of beach you like, chances are you can find it on Santorini. From the commercialisation of Perivolos, where you can enjoy scuba diving, jet skiing and windsurfing, to the solitude of Cape Colombo, Santorini has the beach for you.

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