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Free Things to Do in Asia and the Pacific: The Backpacker’s Guide
Asia and the Pacific might be the only part of the world where doing nothing expensive still feels like doing everything. The temples are open. The markets are loud and free to wander. The beaches don't charge admission. And the street food culture means your biggest daily expense is usually a bowl of noodles that...
Free Things To Do In Europe’s Best Backpacker Cities
Europe has a reputation problem. Somewhere along the way, the continent got branded as the expensive one, the place you save up for, the trip you do properly once you've got a real salary. It's the biggest myth in backpacking, and it falls apart the moment you actually land somewhere. Because here's the thing about...
Free Things To Do In Venice
Venice has a reputation as the city that empties your wallet before you have even crossed your first bridge. Gondolas at €90. Coffee at €7 if you sit down in the wrong square. A single water bus ride that costs more than a hostel breakfast. Here is the good news: the version of Venice that...
Free Things To Do In Warsaw
Warsaw is one of the last European capitals where a great day out can genuinely cost nothing. The Old Town is a UNESCO site you can walk into for free, the biggest museums in the city waive their entry fees once a week, and the parks are the kind that other capitals would charge for....
Free Things To Do In Vancouver
Vancouver has a reputation, and it is not an unfair one. This is Canada's most expensive city, where a flat white costs what a full meal does elsewhere. But here is what nobody tells you before you arrive: the best parts of this city are the parts that cost nothing at all. The mountains are...
Free Things To Do In Toronto
Toronto has a reputation for being expensive, and to be fair, it earns it in places. Climb the CN Tower, catch a Leafs game and eat dinner on King West, and you can burn through a week's budget in an afternoon. But here is the thing most first-timers miss: the version of Toronto that locals...
Explore how sustainability is shaping the future of travel. Our monthly Sustainability Stories series highlights real-world examples of conscious travel in action, from preserving local culture and supporting communities to the everyday choices that create lasting meaningful impact for both travellers and destinations.
Sustainability Stories: From Police Station to Plastic-Free Hostel – How Madama Hostel & Bistrot Reduced Plastic, Reused Space and Built a Community in Milan
“Sounds like home.” Policing plastic waste, but make it art Would you stay in a former police station turned design-led, eco-friendly hostel? Located inside a former police station in Milan, Italy, Madama Hostel & Bistrot has built its sustainability journey around giving things a second life – from the building itself and reclaimed furnishings to the everyday...
Sustainability Stories: The Green Rainbow – How Eco-Pride is redefining travel in Cape Town
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when environmental sustainability, inclusive tourism, and Pride collide – meet Rayan. Traveller. Volunteer. Pride advocate. After winning Hostelworld’s ESG World Tourism Day competition, Rayan travelled to Cape Town, South Africa. Not just to explore and celebrate Pride, but to help build something new. Having previously heard Soul Fam...
Sustainability Stories: Pride, Place & Purpose – How The Cool Hostel built a queer-friendly space rooted in community
“The Cool Hostel, where you can show up exactly as you are.” Pride Month is a time to celebrate LGBTQ+ visibility, inclusivity and diversity. But in Coquimbo, Northern Chile, one hostel is building that – not just for a moment, but every single day. We met Cris Sankari, co-founder of The Cool Hostel, the...
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