Backpacking_Indian_Mama

HOSTELLING as an older BACKPACKER !!

This post is about a great lifestyle choice I made mostly after I became a mom!

I had never really been exposed to hostels in India, as hostelling was not even a thing here more than a decade ago. Now, you will find so many great chains all over India and one in almost every city.

I have been hostelling extensively wherever I travelled since 2008…across New Zealand, Canada and Europe with family, but the real fun began after I became a mother and hostelled with Arianna in Germany! Yes, I started enjoying it as an older backpacker!

I can vouch for trying out this lifestyle while travelling because not only does it help you save so much money while visiting a foreign locale, but it also exposes you to opportunities, local activities and you end up organically making global friends

I stayed at hostels in Italy last year as an older solo backpacker, and while it was a sudden change for me again to sleep in a dorm after years, I highly recommend it when you are travelling alone.

You will find some of the most uniquely designed hostels at amazing locations when you travel outside India and also within.

A good tip is to get a YHAI (Youth Hostels Association of India) membership that entitles you a discount when you stay at its partner hostels across the World.

If you want to explore it with a child, book a private dorm(like I do) or a private room, both available in many family friendly hostels.

While most hostellers are usually young carefree travellers, you will also find a host of seasoned backpackers much much older and so much fun, staying along with you.

The hostels I show here are in Italy :

✅Ostello Bello, Florence (four bed female dorm)

✅Anda, Venice (six bed female dorm)

Go for well rated hostels, and then pick one located near a train/bus station for easy commutes.

Find out local activities, free cooking classes, game nights, live music and sightseeing tours and join your hostel mates while travelling!

Remember, the World is huge and there’s so much to see and experience. Don’t cut off these opportunities just because you are older now. If you are flexible, you may enjoy life even more!!

😍