Hostels

There are various stories regarding the first hostels, but the generally accepted one is that a German named Richard Schirrmann founded them around 1909. Schirrmann was a German teacher who organized trips and visits with his students. It was during one of these trips that a sudden rainstorm forced his group to seek shelter in an empty school. It was then that he had the idea of using schools that were empty during holidays as guesthouses for young people that were travelling in groups in the countryside. The idea caught on very quickly, and hostels were born. By the 1930s there were more than two thousand hostels in Germany. The idea quickly spread all around Europe, then to the States, and today most countries in the world have hostels.

Today hostels provide budget oriented, sociable accommodation where guests can rent a bed, occasionally a bunk bed, in a dormitory. They share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can either be mixed or single-sex, although in many modern hostels private rooms may also be available. Hostels are by and large cheaper than hotels for both the operator and the occupants. Many of them employ their longer-term residents as desk clerks or housekeeping staff in exchange for free accommodation. Today it is possible to find this type of accommodation in most countries around the world. The advantages are that it is cheap, you get to meet other young people from different countries and cultures, and many a new and lasting friendship has originated in hostels. You can enquire and book hotels and hostels through our web pages.

Click here to book online or call 0860 400 700 and a consultant will book the tour for you.

Note: A credit card is required to book hostels

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