June is a great month for youth hostels. The weather is great, the days are long and can be warm. For many youth hostels it's the busiest time of year, especially for those with school and youth groups staying. It's also an important month for youth hostels. It's the month when they had their official... Continue Reading →
Youth hostel words and how they evolve
I love words. Not surprising. I wouldn't write if I didn't and I love the etymology of words. I love finding out where words come from. The word hostel is an old one. It pops up in a translation of Genesis and Exodus from 1250 and in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in about... Continue Reading →
Should we ban cars?
This week the Guardian ran a piece on the ten best hostels and lodges that can only be reached by foot. Surprisingly to me and another reader they neglected Black Sail hut in the Lake District but included Glen Affric in Scotland. More interesting than that oversight, another reader commented that "the Youth Hostels Association... Continue Reading →
Questions easy, questions hard.
People sometimes ask simple questions about youth hostel history that quickly get complicated. This week someone asked when YHA's Enterprise scheme started. That's easy. YHA launched its current licensing scheme in 2003. Under the scheme YHA licenses individuals and organisations to run youth hostels. If it works well you will never need to know who... Continue Reading →
Live More YHA
Ever wondered how youth hostels have lasted for more than 80 years. The answer just might be in the latest YHA magazine, Live More YHA, which launched in August. Packed with network news, big name interviews and the latest gear reviews, the e-zine went to 350,000 people, members and non-members. Electronic and colourful, it's the latest... Continue Reading →
SIMPLY HOSTELS 