A warm welcome from a green building

Stepping into the downstairs lobby, it feels as if I’ve traveled to the future. A future inspired by the aesthetic design of Apple Inc, with all of the added benefits of sustainable living. In this future, staff wear cool t-shirts, buildings have awesome modern Canadian art on the walls, and travelers try to leave as little impact on the world as possible. It takes me a second to realize that this is real. Why aren’t more places like this? My curiosity was getting the best of me as performed an ocular pat-down of the hostel commons area.

One of the friendly staff members, (also sporting a cool t-shirt) showed me around this modern building. He covered the rules of the hostel, and explained the kitchen etiquette, and then gets into what separates Planet Traveler from the rest of the gang. He explained there is free wifi throughout the entire hostel & several iMac’s situated in the lobby (free to use), should you not be a laptop traveler. A commons area on the main floor allows guests from all over the world to socialize, and another on the 5th floor patio, which offers the best view of downtown Toronto that I’ve ever seen. (See last photo in this blog post! Yea, that good!)

I was then taken to the beating heart of the hostel. I looked through the glass door as the staff member informed me what steps are being taken by the hostel to ensure the smallest ecological footprint is made. The solar panels located on the roof aide in the electrical consumption of the building and also heat the water throughout the hostel.

Photo by Natalie Taylor

After pulling my jaw off the floor, I’m told that the entire building is outfitted with LED lights, which allows the entire hostel to be lit by the same amount of power that a typical household toaster would use. A smile creeps across his face as I’m visibly blown away by this information. Clearly the staff is proud to work here. Why wouldn’t they! This place is awesome!

Friendly & Happy Hostel Staff

While making my way to my room, I bumped into another staff member. She was on cleaning duty, but I managed to pull her away from work long enough to chat. She was from Germany and had been working at Planet Traveler for almost a month. I asked how she enjoyed working at this eco friendly hostel. She warmly smiled and told me how much she loved it. She explained that the entire staff are able to switch jobs whenever they want. If she wants to be at the Front of House checking guests in, she can, if she’d rather keep to herself that day, she can do room cleaning.

Photo by Natalie Taylor

Having worked at several hostels before, I know how nice it is to get out of doing the same job over and over again. This community mentality really seemed to help. Staff & guests are warm and inviting and generally seem to have the same mentality towards this movement. “These places are great for everyone, hopefully someday all hostels & buildings will be built this way” explained one of my fellow guests.

This hostel takes green to a new level!

I checked into my room expecting the same modern and eco-friendly treatment. I wasn’t disappointed. Clean white walls, fresh linens, and a duvet that was practically begging me to sleep with it. A calming green warmth surrounded the room, allowing me to feel like I’m both in luxury, and in nature. I looked around for the source of this feeling, and spot the upper window pane. A lime green piece of glass tweaks the harsh sunlight, cooling off the room and putting me into a happy state of mind.

Photo by Planet Traveler

Planet Traveler has done everything in its power to promote these feelings of quality, security, and clean ecological living. You don’t have to sacrifice electricity, hot water, or the comforts of home in order to be “Green”. Technology exists to make the impact of our own existence a small afterthought, but it requires clever designers, smart people, and eco conscious members of the community to make this type of living happen.

Photo taken from Planet Traveler Rooftop Patio!

Travelers are beginning to realize that they have an impact on the places they visit, something that’s easily visible at the Planet Traveler. If you’re in Toronto, and care about the world at all, be sure to book a reservation.

Planet Traveler

(647) 352-8747

@planet_traveler

Special thanks to the folks at Planet Traveler for assisting Natalie Taylor & Myself during our recent adventure in Toronto. All opinions expressed herein are my own. Disclosure Boom! 

Get Eco-Friendly at The Planet Traveler – North America’s Greenest Hostel is a post from: I Backpack Canada

I honestly lucked out with this whole Wolf Den Hostel encounter. Natalie Taylor (of Near Afar) and I had spoke about it but knew we were short on nights in Algonquin Park, so we weren’t able to book an evening there. Bummer! Fortunately, after an amazing 5 hour guided canoe tour with Jamie Honderich, care of Algonquin Outfitters, we had the chance to explore this unique & inviting Ontario marvel. It wasn’t planned by all means. As luck would have it our canoe guide, who’s also a teacher, just so happened to be the original owner. This man literally built the Wolf Den from the ground up! Timbre by timbre.

Jamie wanted us to meet the new owner Ben Teskey, unfortunately he was out running errands that particular day. We came across one of the staff members, who after hearing our little story was happy to let us tour the grounds snapping photos. Jamie was pulling double duty, not only had he shared his knowledge of the history and culture behind Canoe Lake & Algonquin Park, he was also telling us about how the Wolf Den came to be.

As with most savvy business owners, Jamie saw a niche that nobody else had filled. The closest hostel to Algonquin Park at the time was the HI Maynooth. It wasn’t long before work got started on building a bunkhouse where international & domestic travellers could meet and congregate, winter or summer, and experience as much of Algonquin park as possible.

Jamie took us through step by step what was built first, even going so far as to include where some of the wood came from. Turns out a lot of the wood came from his family farm, while some of the guard rails inside were just lucky finds during long hikes.

We wandered around each building. Stepping on freshly fallen leaves, the smell of autumn surrounded this place. I watched as Jamie touched each building. He happily explained details about the building process of each log cabin. It was easy to see that he’d put a lot of heart and soul into this project.

When I asked “Why did you sell it?“, he warmly replied “Running this place was a full time job, and ultimately family always comes first for me. It was time, and I still feel it was the right decision.”

As we entered the Bunkhouse, Jamie told stories of parties & musical gatherings that he used to throw on the upper level of the Wolf Den Bunkhouse. The walls of this bunkhouse oozed Ontario. Snowshoes & cross country skis hung from the walls, and an old wooden canoe was propped above the rafters. A pile of instruments were setup in the corner of the room. Cozy doesn’t begin to describe this room.

We climbed down the sturdy wooden stairs, through the large open kitchen, and found our shoes at the door. Jamie Honderich told us that if we ever make it back to Algonquin Park to be sure to stay a night at the Wolf Den. “You’ll have to meet Ben! Out of all the people that were interested in buying Wolf Den, he was the only one I could let myself sell to. He had a similar vision of what the Wolf Den is and what it can become; a safe, home away from home in one of nature’s most beautiful playgrounds.”

The Wolf Den Bunkhouse & Hostel is open year round for people of all age.

Jamie Honderich now operates his own B&B with his partner Pam, check them out at Morgan House, just outside of Algonquin Park. Huge thanks goes out to Jamie for being the friendliest and most knowledgable guide I’ve ever had!

Experience Algonquin Park At The Wolf Den Hostel & Bunkhouse [Photo Essay] is a post from: I Backpack Canada

The Historical Arlington Hotel

HI Maynooth is located in a century old frontier hotel that was once and technically still is ”The Arlington”. The layout for the most part remains unchanged. Creeks in the floors and doors greet you all over the hotel while the warm smiles from fellow travellers make this place feel as if you truly belong. 

South Algonquin Hostel Features

The hostel has a shared kitchen and a few bathrooms & showers (some on the 2nd floor, more on the 3rd). A commons area with comfy couches and plenty of stretching room provides a great end to a long day on the road or in Algonquin Park. The hostel is old, but despite its years remains well kept and clean.

HI Maynooth can be reached easily by car or by Greyhound Bus. Once you’re settled in Tom, the hostel owner & manager will gladly help set you up for any type of adventure. Whether you’re after horseback riding in the Algonquin Highlands, or Canoeing & Kayaking in the hundreds of lakes in Algonquin Park, the folks at HI Maynooth will ensure you’re geared up with all the tools and knowledge you’ll need.

My Advice

Algonquin Park is incredibly massive. People tend to assume its something you pop in and out and say you’ve “done that”. Let me assure you that you couldn’t be more wrong. Algonquin Park is not a day trip. You literally need an entire season to even put a dent in it. If your dent is going to be the southern part of Algonquin Park, setting up shop in HI Maynooth for a while might be your best bet.

Be sure check HI Maynooth out online and pop in for a visit.

HI South Algonquin

Box 233, Algonquin, ON, M5E 1B4

HI South Algonquin – A Gateway to Algonquin Park is a post from: I Backpack Canada

1. Easy to get to!

Whether by plane, train, or automobile, HI Toronto is incredibly easy to find.

If you’re flying from Eastern Canada with Porter Airlines, you can land like a rockstar in downtown Toronto at the Island Airport. A free ferry, and free Porter shuttle will get you as far as the Fairmont Royal York. From there you can easily hoof it for 10 minutes or grab a cab or street car and find yourself on the front steps of the HI Toronto Hostel.

If you’re coming from the Pearson International Airport you can hop on the Airport Express and get to the Fairmont Royal York as well. From there walk (10 minutes) or cab up to HI Toronto.

If you want to get your train on, you can take subway from Union Station to King. From there its an easy walk east to Church St. Turn left and walk up a bit and the bright orange building will be in sight.

2. Awesome Sauce Staff

Rumour has it the staff of HI Toronto takes a shot of awesome sauce every morning to maintain peak performance. Whether its booking tours, answering questions, giving high fives, or locking up your luggage, the friendly staff go out of their way to make your stay in Toronto as pleasant as possible.

Question about the nearby food? Boom! They’ll answer that. Question about nearby pubs? Double boom! They’re all over that. Most of the staff have been in Toronto long enough to be able to share their vast knowledge of the city and its people. This is super valuable if you’re intimidated at all by getting around Toronto.

3. Hostel Activities

If you’re flying solo on your Canadian adventure, chances are you’ll be keen on meeting new people. HI Toronto makes every effort to ensure you’re not the anti social leper you know you sometimes can be. Weekly pubcrawls & BBQ’s are a great way to meet new people and get a better understanding of the layout of Toronto.

If you’d rather hustle than bustle, there’s a free billiards table in the commons room where you can show off your pool prowess. The commons area also has several computers to get your Facebook on; however, I should note those aren’t free. Wifi is free though, so as long as you have a phone that isn’t from the stone age you’ll remain connected should you desire.

Boardgames & drinking games are a great way to save money and meet new people. During my most recent stay Beer Pong was on the agenda for the evening, however they also have Quiz Nights, Beach Trips, and Movie nights. If crowds aren’t your thing, head up to the 5th floor rooftop patio. While not technically an activity, it’s a great spot to hang out and take in some fresh air.

4. Great Deals & Savings

We’re all cheap. Let’s face it. Thankfully HI Toronto puts in their best effort to keep that hole in your pocket from burning too much. You can save a bit of cash by just carrying your HI Card on you, but they don’t stop there. If you know you’ll be in Toronto for more than a couple nights, you can save some extra Sir Wilfred Laurier’s (5$ bills) and earn a good meal by booking for multiple nights. Their 3 night and 5 night pass earn you a bunch of savings, including some free sights and attractions within Toronto.

5. The Cavern Cafe

Walking down to the Cavern Cafe may feel like you’re entering a bit of a dungeon. But as soon as the warm red glow of the cafe envelopes you, there’s no turning back. This cafe is neat! The Cavern Cafe serves up a warm breakfast and dinner to travellers from all over the world. While the shared kitchen is only a short walk down the hall, I assure you that it will be tough to walk by without ordering something.

Meals from the Cavern Cafe are offered with several of the discounts and packages or can be purchased separately. Be sure to ask their Awesome Sauce Staff.

In summary, HI Toronto is full of everything you’ll need to get started on some serious Cross Canada action. Meet some people, drink some beer, share some stories, shoot some pool, and figure out Toronto like a local. Can’t get a whole lot better than that.

HI-TORONTO YOUTH HOSTEL

76 Church Street, Toronto, ON M5C 2G1

(416) 971-4440 ‎

5 Reasons You Should Start Your Canadian Journey at HI Toronto Hostel is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Friendly Staff with smiles to boot!

Entering the HI – Banff Alpine Centre with the rest of my Moose Network group; everyone was aching for a shower and a stretch. It had been a long few days and any bed would have done. The friendly staff checked us in with their familiar Aussie accents; Banff is funny that way. It’s totally normal to be greeted by a Kiwi one minute then a Brit the next.

Sleep in your own Wooden Cabin

I hauled my backpack in the directions I was given by the desk staff. Outside the doors and along a paved path, a small wooden cabin greeted me. As I opened the door, I dropped my bag with a loud thud. A smile wider than the prairies stretched across my face as I scanned the private room. My smile evolved into a dropped jaw as I closed the door and proceeded to dance better than Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, and Justin Timberlake combined. It was a shame I didn’t have a single audience member to witness it.

Big Comfy Beds

Two queen sized beds, a small flat screen tv, a leather couch, hardwood floors, and a private bathroom. The quiet of the room made me start talking to myself. “Corbin, you are one lucky s.o.b!” It was hard not to jump into bed right then and there; but I had plenty to do that evening. Instead, I opted to test out the shower; which rocked. I spruced up a bit, and ran to meet up with the rest of the group.

A Pub, Restaurante and Cafe all under one awesome name

As I walked to Cougar Petes (the Hostel Restaurante), I couldn’t help but think about how incredible this hostel is. Amazing views, awesome private rooms with all the amenities you’d expect to find in a hotel (at a fraction of the cost), and a downtown-ish location that can’t be beat. As I sat down to eat and took a bite of the Chicken Caesar Salad I ordered, I knew this was going to be a favourite hostel of mine from this point forward.

Luxury Private Rooms are the bee’s knees

This type of room would be perfect for traveling couples of any age, or even if you’re just backpacking with a couple friends and need a break from the dorm rooms. The spacious rooms and comfy beds would please the most spoiled travellers. This hostel is living proof that hostels can’t be painted with the same brush. Luxury does exist in hostel form. Do yourself a favour, and enjoy it when you find it.

Have you ever come across some luxury backpackers or hostels?

Luxury Hostels Exist In Banff – HI Banff Alpine Centre is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Q: How long have you been operating HI-Edmonton?

I have been managing HI-Edmonton for just over 13 months, but before that I was the assistant manager here for about two and a half years.

Q: Tell us about HI-Edmonton

HI-Edmonton was an old convent dating back to 1918. It was converted into a hostel once Hostelling International bought it in 1998.

We have 8-bed dorms, 2-bed dorms, private rooms, one ensuite room and one family room. We have a fully equiped self-serve kitchen with a dining room, a large common room, a TV room, a games room, a library, two laundry rooms, a meeting room, a secure storage room, and a backyard with a BBQ. We have free parking and day storage for luggage, too.

Q: Tell us about the area of town your HI-Edmonton resides in.

HI-Edmonton is in the city’s Old Strathcona neighbourhood – the most popular area for shops, restaurants, clubs, live music, live theatre, indie & foreign movie theatres, live comedy, and more. The city’s beautiful river valley is only a few blocks away with lots of hiking and biking trails to explore (we have bike rentals and trail maps at the hostel). Downtown is nice walk or a short bus ride just across the river. The University of Alberta is nearby and the West Edmonton Mall can be accessed by transit one block away.

Q: Does your HI-Edmonton offer any activities or help book tours for it’s guests?

HI-Edmonton has some hostel activities going on mainly during the spring until fall and our friendly front desk staff will happily book your tours or help you plan other ways to explore.

Q: What is your favourite activity / tour that you guys offer, and why?

The most popular hostel activites over the past few years have been our weekly BBQ in our backyard and our bike rentals. The BBQs bring people together outside to relax and chat in the sunshine and the bikes are a great way to see Edmonton.

Q: How much does it cost for for a dorm room and private room?

Our dorm prices start at $26.00; and our private rooms start at $61.00.

Q: Are there any special promotions you’re currently running or have run in the past?

Our Summer in the City package kicks off on June 1 until September 30. It includes: four nights in a dorm; one West Edmonton Mall choice pass, which gets you into the waterpark or Galaxyland amusement park or two of the smaller mall attractions; two bus tickets to get you to the mall and back; and a full-day bike rental. Packages start at $138.50 (8-bed dorm) and $150.75 (2-bed dorm), tax included.

The rest of the year we have a seven nights for the price of six deal; a four-night deal, where your 4^th consecutive night is 50% off, and a two-week Job Seekers package, which comes with free internet time, resume printing and faxing and a bunch of helpful local information.

HI-Edmonton

10647-81 Ave, Edmonton Alberta

Twitter: @hostelscanada

1.866.762.4122

Thanks Greg for taking the time to answer some questions, and thanks again to HI-Canada for bringing some valuable information to iBackpackCanada.com. Edmonton has got bunch to offer to backpackers, hikers, campers, and travelers. If you’re looking for a well priced bed and some great people, be sure to stop by HI’s Edmonton location.

Interviewing Canadas Hostels: HI Edmonton is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Stay: Most of the city’s hostels are found downtown. Some top rated ones include: Backpackers on Dundas, Clarence Castle and the Canadiana Backpackers Inn.
Visit: Walk to the CN Tower, Hockey Hall of Fame, ROM, AGO, see the Blue Jays, Raptors or the Leafs depending on the season.
Shop: Check out the Eaton Center or if you prefer shopping outside Queen West has many big chains like Club Monaco, Zara and Gap. Chinatown and Kensington Market are great for cheap finds and vintage. Bloor street is for label hounds and designer divas.
Food & Entertainment: The Entertainment district is downtown with the main strip on King West. Check out a musical or grab some dinner all on King or hit a club.  Grab some Indian buffet on Queen Street and stop in at Horseshoe Tavern for a live show. If you want to be seen and spot celebs head up to Yorkville and try Sassafraz, the rooftop patio at Hemmingway’s or the street level patio at One Restaurant.

Toronto West End

Stay: Although there are mixed reviews you can stay in the West end at Marigold International Travellers Hostel
Visit: The Art & Design district is found in West Queen West and there are plenty of galleries including the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art.
Shop: West Queen West is littered with boutiques, keep walking up Ossington to find vintage shops like I Miss You Vintage or keep heading west into Parkdale Village for local jewellery designers at Made You Look.
Food & Entertainment: Get some fish & chips at Chippys across from Trinity Bellwoods Park or head up Ossington for some of the city’s hottest restaurants, and then dance the night away at Sweaty Bettys. Parkdale Village has a few theme bars like Stones Place; get cheap beer at the Rhino.

Toronto East End

Stay: There are a couple of top rated B&Bs just before you cross the Don River, but if you are looking for hostels you can try the Leslieville Home Hostel.
Visit: Once you cross the DVP there are few touristy sights, but you can see the Ashbridges family home and Riverdale farm. Or visit two of Toronto’s multicultural neighbourhoods, Greektown and Little India. Even grab some groceries at East China Town.
Shop: Check out The Danforth for boutiques like Tabula Rasa and Social Butterfly. Or stay along Queen Street for more boutique shopping from Riverside, Leslieville and the Beach. I recommend Studio We in Leslieville there are 2 locations one for women and one for men.
Food & Entertainment: Try Lynn Crawford’s restaurant Ruby Watch Co and live entertainment at the Opera House, both in Riverside. Have an afternoon beer on the Patios in Leslieville and the Beach or ice cream and gelato from Eds Real Scoop.

This guest post was provided by Jane from torontoShopoholic.com. torontoShopoholic.com is one shopoholic’s guide to shopping in Toronto, neighbourhood by neighbourhood. Check out the neighbourhood shopping guides, store reviews, giveaways and style guides.

Backpack Toronto: Things to See and Do is a post from: I Backpack Canada

ISIC Card

The international student identity card is out there for anyone 12 years old and up, in elementary, high school, college, university, or any type of post secondary. If you’re a student somewhere, you’re eligible. This card can be used in over 120 different countries around the world, including Canada. Discounts include anything from restaurants, accommodations, flights, tours, and shopping. The cost of ISIC card varies depending on which country you purchase it in, some schools give them away for free, others charge upwards of $20. Regardless of the cost of the card, the savings can be immense. One of the most popular places to save money with the ISIC Card is Via Rail, they offer some great student discounts for anyone considering traveling Canada by train. Visit ISIC for more information. Not a student? No problem, if you’re 26 years old or under, you’re eligible for the IYTC (International Youth Travel Card), which gives you the same great savings.

HI / YHA Card

The HI / YHA Card can come in handy anywhere there’s a hostel that is part of the HI or YHA Network, which as luck has it, is just about anywhere in the world. In Canada there is over 400 different places that accept the card, including every HI Hostel in Canada. On average you save $4 everytime you book a night in an HI Hostel. You might be thinking, couple toonies saved per night, not bad. But here’s when the big savings come in. When you travel by Greyhound with your HI/YHA card you can save 25% off one way and round trip tickets anywhere in Canada. You can also get 5% off any bookings made with Moose Travel Network. Big savings abound, and with a yearly cost of only $35, the card pays for itself after the first couple weeks. Visit HI-Canada Card for more information.

I’m sure there are a few other cards out there worth trying as well, but these are the only two I’ve ever personally had experience with. They’ve treated me well thus far and saved me a bit of coin on travel and accommodation and such, hopefully they can help you out too.

Two discount cards you should carry when traveling in Canada is a post from: I Backpack Canada

This four storey hostel

The New HI-Whistler Hostel opens July 1st, so book soon to beat the summer rush! Shared rooms start at $30, and private rooms at $99.

Map to the New HI Whistler Hostel

Big win for Backpacking in British Columbia is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Q: How long have you been operating your hostel?

A: I have been running HI-Castle Mountain Wilderness Hostel for eight fabulous years.

Q: Tell us about your hostel?

A: HI-Castle Mountain has two dorms, one for 14 guys and another for 14 gals, both with their own bathrooms .The beds are very wide and comfortable, a bit like Via rail some say, the only difference is ours don’t move.

There is an excellent equipped kitchen for 28 people, 2 fridges, 2 ovens, a microwave, out door barbeque, cozy lounge with a wonderful fireplace, front loading laundry, incredible water that is the equivalent of spring water. Indoor toilets, hot showers, electricity, phones, cell coverage are some of other features we have that folks that travel the chain of hostels down from Jasper look forward to when they arrive at the Castle.

Q: Tell us about the area your hostel resides in?

A: A food store and gasoline bar is available across the road. In the surrounding area, within a short drive of the hostel there are three superb restaurants that all offer something special in Canadian foods.

Our fire pit sits beside Silverton Creek with a stunning view of Castle Mountain in front of you. We are surrounded in a true wilderness setting, with streams, trees, and fields of flowers. There are frequent animal sightings of bears, moose, elk, deer, coyotes, wolves, lynx, and pine martens. The best time to be here for the flowers is from last week in June to the 1st week in August. The bouquet is out of this world.

Castle Mountain is halfway between Banff and Lake Louise, near the intersection of Highway 1A and Highway 93 south.

Q: Does your hostel offer any activities or help book tours for it’s guests?

A: The Castle area offers outdoor enthusiasts a wide range of adventures, from hiking alpine trails to skiing at nearby resorts or right out the door on groomed X-C ski trails. Cycling is some of the best in the world along the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A). Popular Trails in the area are Castle Mountain, Stanley Glacier, Boom Lake, Johnson Canyon, Castle Mountain Lookout.

There is extra room for luggage and bike storage. Plenty of tourism info available for those who want to know what’s going on in the Rockies. Linen is included and of course the parking is free.

Once it’s dark and the skies are clear we offer a wee trip out to look at the stars. I usually track the satellites and the space station and we time the outing with the passing of the space station, which can be quite spectacular considering how bright the station is and how dark it is in our neck of the woods.

If you need a bed anywhere in our hostel network than we will help to book that for you. Or if there is something special in the area that needs doing and you are interested but are not sure what you need, we can help make the right choice to match your sense of adventure.

HI-Castle Mountain is the perfect size to get to know your fellow hosteller. The hostel has musical instruments, a great selection of music, lots of games, a super outdoor library, along with many good reading nooks in our lounge with its huge windows.

Q: How much does it cost for:

A: Dorm prices for members is $20, non-members $24

HI Castle Mountain Wilderness Hostel Website

Despite how hard these rugged hostels can be to get to, if you have the opportunity to stay at the Castle Mountain Hostel be sure to do so. It may involve some serious hiking, some hitching, some cab sharing, or just meeting the write people heading in the same direction. Whatever the case may be, getting out of the city centres and into the Canadian wilderness can be a great reminder of why you’re backpacking in Canada.

Interviewing Canadas Hostels: HI-Castle Mountain Wilderness Hostel is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Q: How long have you been operating your hostel?

A: The Vancouver Central hostel has been open for almost 8 years. It occupies a heritage building on Granville Street in the heart of Vancouver’s entertainment district.

Q: Tell us about your hostel?

A: We have 4- and 2-bed dorms. There is a large locker for every bed, and every dorm room has a sink. We also have private rooms with ensuite or shared washrooms. The hostel has an express kitchen, TV room, lounge, laundry room, internet kiosks, and free Wifi access. We also have free daily luggage storage, as well as long term storage for $3 per week.

Q: Does your hostel offer any activities or help book tours for it’s guests?

A: At HI-Vancouver Central we go out of our way to keep you busy! The hostel organizes daily tours of local attractions such as Granville Island and the Capilano Suspension Bridge. We run nightly activities such as pub crawls, comedy nights, and we also have cheap tickets to hockey and football games. We also sell tickets for public transit, as well as discounted tickets for bike rentals and attractions like the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Vancouver Planetarium.  Our front desk is open 24 hours a day to provide travel information and advice about local attractions. We can also help you book tours and onward accommodation.

Q: What is your favourite activity / tour that your hostel offers, and why?

A: My favorite activity is the Granville Island tour. Micah, our resident tour guide, takes you on a short ferry ride across False Creek to Granville Island. We visit the public market to sample some local treats and explore shops with works by local artists. My favorite part of the tour is the optional visit to the Granville Island Brewery. After a tour of the brewery there are delicious samples of some of Vancouver’s finest micro-brewed beers. Good times!

Q: Tell us about the area your hostel resides in?

A: Our hostel is located on Granville Street, right in the center of Vancouver’s vibrant entertainment district. The hostel is a short walk to most of downtown Vancouver’s tourist attractions, public transit, shopping, beaches, and art galleries.

Q: Do you offer work for backpackers?

A: No, unfortunately the hostel does not provide any work for stay programs.  We will hire backpackers who have a work permit, however.

Q: Are there any special promotions you’re currently running or have run in the past?

A: During the November to March winter season we offer a 7 for 6 deal. The 7th night of your stay is free when you book 6 nights at a time. This deal is currently on hold while the Olympics are in town, but will be back as of Feb 28.

Q: How much does it cost for:

A: Dorms from $27 and private rooms from $75.

HI Vancouver Central Website

HI Vancouver Central Facebook page

Your hostels Twitter page: @hostelscanada

HI-Vancouver Central
1025 Granville Street

Vancouver, BC
1.866.762.4122

There’s been a huge amount of hype behind Vancouver in recent days, what with the success of the 2010 winter Olympics. This is one of the most popular destinations to check out while traveling in Canada, so you’d be crazy not to include this on your itinerary. I guarantee you’ll run out of time before you run out of things to see and do.

Interviewing Canadas Hostels: HI Vancouver Central is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Q: How long have you been operating your hostel?

A: I started working at the front desk in 1995, became Manager in 2004. In my 15th year at HI-Penticton. (wow)

Q: Tell us about your hostel?

A: The hostel sleeps 52 people in total. There are fourteen rooms – three of the rooms are larger dorms and sleep six people, one room, ideal for families, sleeps five, three of the rooms sleep four people, three rooms sleep three people and four of our rooms sleep two. There is a large self-catering kitchen for guests, dining room, coin-operated laundry facilities, a quiet living room and separate TV area. The backyard features a covered patio with a barbecue – a great place to unwind each day. There is also free on-site parking.

Q: Does your hostel offer any activities or help book tours for it’s guests?

A: Yes. We work closely with local tour operators and can book a tour at a moment’s notice for our guests. Most of the time the tour operators will pick up guests at our front door.

Q: What is your favourite activity / tour that your hostel offers, and why?

A: Hard to nail it down to one favourite. Our Hockey Night In Penticton runs October – March and has always been a huge success, despite the fact that is traditionally our off season. The Kettle Valley Railway / Trans Canada Trail clean-ups in the Spring are very successful. Wine tours (April-October) are always a hit; wine, beautiful scenery and sunshine! How can it not be?!

Q: Tell us about the area your hostel resides in?

A: Penticton is located in the heart of the Okanagan Valley in a semi-arid desert setting and is nestled between two lakes. The shores of Okanagan Lake line the north end of the city, while Skaha Lake borders the south end.  One side of the valley is lush and lined with orchards full of fresh fruit during the summer months. The opposite side is dryer and perfect for vineyards that produce the grapes to supply the vast number of wineries in the area with the necessary product needed to produce award-winning and world-renowned wines. We are fortunate to experience all four seasons in Penticton. In the winter Apex Mountain is the place to be. A 30-minute drive west will take you to the mountain with 1112 skiable acres, a high-speed quad chair taking you to 7200ft, and 58 runs to pamper and challenge all levels. Apex is a world class mountain without the pretentious attitude or outrageous costs of most ski areas. In the Spring and Fall the Skaha Climbing Bluffs (this area was recently designated as a Provincial Park) offers world class climbing and breathtaking views. I am only scraping the surface mentioning this stuff; the opportunities, terrain and scenery surrounding Penticton are vast and varied.

Q: Do you offer work for backpackers?

A: No. BUT we can assist those looking for work in orchards and vineyards in connecting with the right people.

Q: Are there any special promotions you’re currently running or have run in the past?

A: We offer multi-day discounted rates year round, free BBQs in the summer and fantastic service all the time!

Q: How much does it cost for:

A: Dorm: from $20.00/night
Double: from $52.50/night
Other: Multi-day discounts are available in shared (dorm) rooms.

Your hostels website: HI-Penticton
Your hostels Twitter page: @hostelscanada

I’ve been to Penticton several times, this part of Canada is one of those unique places where you have to see it to believe it. When most people think of deserts, the last place they think is Canada. Warm weather, wine, and some beautiful beaches and water… can’t get much better than that. Penticton’s a superb place to hangout in the summer, be sure to check out the Penticton River Channel for some serious floating tube action. Big thanks to Lisa for taking the time to tell us about HI-Penticton. Don’t forget to subscribe to i Backpack Canada for more interviews and sneak peaks into life in Canada’s hostels.

Interviewing Canadas Hostels: HI Penticton is a post from: I Backpack Canada

HI Hostels recently announced that they still have rooms! A large block of beds have just been released at HI-Vancouver Jericho Beach. Dorms start at only $31.50. HI also has some room before and after the games at all three Vancouver Locations, Jericho Beach, Vancouver Centrail, and Vancouver Downtown.

So if you’re looking for last minute accommodations for the the Winter Olympics, call HI’s Central Reservations at 1-866-762-4122. Be sure to read their special booking policies -  – which apply for February 12 through to the 27th. So jump on it while it’s still available!

HI still has beds available for Vancouver Olympics! is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Q: How long have you been operating your hostel?

A: I’ve been managing the Hosteling International hostels in Jasper National Park since March 2009, but HI-Jasper has been here since the 1979. The building used to be a ski lodge.

Q: Tell us about your hostel?

A: HI-Jasper is a great place to start your Rocky Mountain adventure.  Our hostel gives our guests every opportunity to meet new people, whether it be in one of our large dormitory rooms or else in our open kitchen and common room.  We have a guest laundry room, a TV room as well as 4 private rooms (if dorms don’t tickle your pickle).

Q: Does your hostel offer any activities or help book tours for it’s guests?

A: We have great deals on year round activities in Jasper National Park.  In the summer months we sell rafting trips at our front desk and in the winter we offer discounted tickets for Marmot Basin as well as Maligne Canyon Ice Walks.  At night, join us by the fire pit for a few drinks and share stories with other travellers.

Q: What is your favourite activity / tour that your hostel offers, and why?

A: I would say the Maligne Canyon Ice Walk.  It is a great deal (about $50) and takes our guests to places not normally seen anywhere else.  Your tour guides take you along the canyon floor where you navigate along a frozen river all the while staring up at some incredible glaciers that line the steep walls.  There is a free pick-up and drop-off service at the hostel as well.  For those of our guests seeking some real adventure, I would suggest hiking the Skyline Trail.  It’s pretty amazing but its 45km route is certainly not for everyone.

Q: Tell us about the area your hostel resides in?

A: You have to see it to believe it!  We are located 7 km outside the town of Jasper on the side of Whistler’s Mountain.  Directly out the back door of the hostel our guests look up at the peak of the mountain (which has a gondola running up to the top during the summer months).  For those people who want a little adventure, the trailhead to the top of Whistler’s mountain is also located in our backyard.  We are also in an area that is home to many wild species so it is not uncommon to see elk, deer, bears, wolves and coyotes roaming our property.

Q: Do you offer work for backpackers?

A: We do offer a “work for stay” to our guests on occasion.  This is done on a first-come, first-served basis and only when we need an extra set of helping hands around the hostel.  We usually ask for a bit of help in the summer months so make sure to keep your eyes peeled to our notice board at the front desk for any opportunities.

Q: Are there any special promotions you’re currently running or have run in the past?

A: We have great deals on our dormitory rooms in the winter months. You can stay three nights for the price of two until the end of March. We also have great packages in the summer so make sure to inquire when you arrive at the hostel. Our ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ packages let you pick and choose to combine any number of overnights with the activities you like for a good deal.

Q: How much does it cost for:

A: Dorm: $20 – $26
Double:  $58 – $63

Your hostels website: www.hihostels.ca/jasper
Your hostels Facebook page:  HI-Jasper
Your hostels Twitter page: @hostelsCanada

HI-Jasper Hostel
1 Skytram Rd, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0
(877) 852-0781‎

Thanks again to Ryan and HI Canada for taking the time to answer some questions. HI-Jasper has all you need to get your Rocky Mountain Adventure started, so be sure to swing by Jasper National Park and stop in for a night or two. Don’t forget to subscribe to i Backpack Canada for more interviews and sneak peaks into life in Canada’s hostels and be sure to check out HI-Jasper on Facebook & Twitter.

Interviewing Canadas Hostels: HI-Jasper Hostel is a post from: I Backpack Canada

HI-Whistler will begin taking online reservations on February 1st. Dorms are starting at $30 for HI members in the low season, which includes taxes. Rates will peak at $35 in the summer and busy winter seasons. And according to Backpacker Buzz, private rooms with ensuites will range from $99 to $150 for HI Members.

Many people have been wondering what will happen to the old HI-Whistler. At the moment it’s still open and taking reservations, but will be closing once the new hostel opens. The Regional Municipality of Whistler purchased the property, however HI hasn’t heard much about what is in its future.

I’m really looking forward to checking out this new Canadian hostel during the summer. I have no doubts that the new HI-Whistler will live up to HI’s reputation as a clean, good quality place to stay for cheap.

Check out the new HI-Whistler website for more information.

If anyone makes it to Whistler for opening day, I would love to hear from you!

New HI Hostel opening in Whistler on July 1st, 2010 is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Q: How long have you been operating your hostel?

A: We’ve been running seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day for 10 amazing years!

Q: Tell us about your hostel?

A: We have a huge spectrum of room choices to suit any budget; from 4 to 6 bed dorms to mini-privates to hotel-style rooms with ensuite bathrooms. We have a large, recently renovated,  communal kitchen and dining area and if you’re feeling too lazy to cook, our licensed Café Lounge is open daily serving Thai and Indian curries, as well as burgers, paninis and fresh salads at backpacker prices. We also offer free wireless, cheap internet access, parking, bike and bag storage and on site laundry facilities. Our staff are on hand 24 hours a day to answer your questions and make sure you’re safe and happy.

Q: Does your hostel offer any activities or help book tours for it’s guests?

A: We have a Games Night, a Quiz Night and a very popular Open Mic Night. We book whale watching trips, Lizard Adventure Travel day trips(www.lizardaventuretravel.com) and sell dicounted tickets for the Royal BC Museum and Imax Theater. We’ve partnered up with lots of local businesses to give our guests amazing discounts for kayak rentals, bike rentals, sailing trips, fishing trips and so much more!

Q: What is your favourite activity / tour that your hostel offers, and why?

A: Open Mic is a lot of fun and it has a strong community following too, so it is a great way for travellers to meet locals. It makes for eclectic music from sitar players to West Coast Blue Grass!

Q: Tell us about the area your hostel resides in?

A: We’re right in Victoria’s downtown core, so guest can walk to Chinatown, access to public transit, theatres, inner harbour, bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants, Beacon Hill Park and the Empress Hotel within 15 minutes.

Q: Do you offer work for backpackers? When is the best time to apply for work at your hostel?

A: We often hire travellers as full time staff. Spring is generally the best time to apply but we welcome resumes all year round.

Q: Are there any special promotions you’re currently running or have run in the past?

A: We offer great discounted 3 day, weekly, biweekly and monthly rates on dorms and private rooms. We also do an amazing $4.75 meal special and our 24 hour $5.00 breakfast special is a hit! Our prices are staying the same during the Olympics too!

Q: How much does it cost for:

A: Dorm: $19-$28
Double:$39-$79
Other: We have a second location in a heritage house in James Bay. Our fully furnished one bedroom suites are available from $ $95-$125

Your hostels website: www.oceanisland.com

Your hostels Facebook page: Ocean Island Backpackers

Your hostels Twitter page (if available): @oibi

A warm and happy thank you goes out to Adam of Ocean Island Backpackers Inn. Be sure to stop by Ocean Island Backpackers Inn when you travel to Vancouver Island. Victoria is a very cool town with lots to see and do and is one of my favourite locations on Vancouver Island. It’s the perfect hub to get started on seeing as much of Vancouver Island as possible. Remember to subscribe to i Backpack Canada for more interviews and sneak peaks into life in Canada’s hostels and be sure to check out Ocean Island Backpackers on Facebook & Twitter.

Interview Questions:

Interviewing Canadas Hostels: Ocean Island Backpackers Inn is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Our Hostel Booking Engine can be a great tool to use for planning out your next backpacking trip around Canada, especially during the peak seasons when hostels can fill up in no time at all. So book ahead or simply use our engine to find out the cost per night at the hostel of your choice, and you should be well on your way to having a great time backpacking across Canada.

Click Here to browse through hostels you can book online

Book Hostels with i Backpack Canada is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Q: How long have you been operating your hostel?

A: 9 years

Q: Tell us about your hostel?

A: 80 dorm beds and 12 private rooms.  Our dorms are 4, 6 and 8 person dorm rooms. We have one 8 person female dorm.  Our private rooms have one double bed in them and share a interlocking washroom with the room beside then. All of them have cable tv and 9 of them have high def flat screens.  We have a massive kitchen open 7am to 10pm it has all the cooking utensils, fridges and stoves you need. We have a coin-operated laundry room, tv room and patio with bbq out back.  Also have a pool table, bubble hockey table, shuffle board table and foosball table and the big attraction is the new ping pong table.

Q: Does your hostel offer any activities or help book tours for it’s guests?

A: We have a activity happening everyday, they range from bbq nights to Kelowna Rockets hockey nights.

Q: What is your favourite activity / tour that your hostel offers, and why?

A: The bbq night or the Thanksgiving & Christmas meal because it is a great dinner and cheap for $10 and $5

Q: Tell us about the area your hostel resides in?

A: Great location right on the main hwy 97 downtown Kelowna. A short 5 min walk to beach and the downtown Bernard street.

Q: Do you offer work for backpackers? When is the best time to apply?

A: We do a work for pay which means we pay our staff and then they pay us rent for the staff room.  Need to apply a good month ahead of time.

Q: Are there any special promotions you’re currently running or have run in the past?

A: We have a pay for two get your third night free if you book on line.  We do a pay for six nights and get your seventh night free right now.

Q: How much does it cost for:

A: Dorm:$24 in a 6 or 8 person dorm and $28 in a 4 person dorm

Double:$49 plus tax in winter

Your hostels website: www.samesun.com

Your hostels Facebook page (if available): samesun nation

Your hostels Twitter page (if available): on the website

A big thanks goes out to Jerel, the Manager of Kelowna’s SameSun Backpacker Lodge. Be sure to browse through the photos and get a behind the scenes look at some of the great times being had there. Kelowna’s a beautiful city, and one of my personal favourites in British Columbia. You should have no trouble finding fun in this hip and happening city. Don’t forget to subscribe to i Backpack Canada for more interviews and sneak peaks into life in Canada’s hostels.

For more information on Vancouver’s SameSun Backpackers Lodge, check out:

• SameSun Backpackers Website
• Become a Facebook Fan of SameSun Backpackers
• SameSun Backpackers Twitter page

Interviewing Canadas Hostels: Kelowna SameSun Backpacker Lodge is a post from: I Backpack Canada

How long have you been operating your hostel?

6 years

Tell us about your hostel?

We can sleep about 270 people. We have 12 private rooms, some with en suite, some doubles and some twins, 15 6 bed dorms and 41 4 bed dorms. We have a laundry room, tv room, shared kitchen, internet facilities, free wi-fi, pool table, foosball table, common room and daily activities.

Does your hostel offer any activities or help book tours for it’s guests?

We offer many activities including poker tournaments, ice skating, open mic night, movie night, trivia night, djs on Saturday night, hockey games, special weekend activities and free walking tours. We book tours of BC and Alberta with Moose Travel and also book hop on/off city tours, walking tours and whale watching.

What is your favourite activity / tour that your hostel offers, and why?

Trivia night. Lots of fun down in the Beaver restaurant. Everyone gets right into it and with 5 different rounds and excellent hosts it is very entertaining. And of course Canucks games.

Tell us about the area your hostel resides in?

We are located on Granville St in downtown Vancouver which is the heart of the cities entertainment district and located a short walk to all the attractions and shopping.

Do you offer work for backpackers in lieu of accommodation? When is the best time to apply for work at your hostel?

We do not offer work for stay as that is against the law in Canada. We hire backpackers all the time though and give a reduced rent fare to them.

Are there any special promotions you’re currently running or have run in the past?

We offer weekly dorm rates where you pay 6 for 7 nights.

How much does it cost for:

Dorm: $26
Double: $70 or 80
Other: weekly dorm is $156, Olympics nightly dorm is $39.50

Judging by all that Vancouver’s SameSun Backpackers Lodge is offering, it looks like you’re destined for a superb time while staying at this beautiful Canadian hostel. A big thank you to Pete for answering all my questions and informing me that it’s actually illegal to work for accommodation in Canada. I’ll be sure to remember that! Be sure to check out all of their pictures and subscribe to I Backpack Canada for more interviews with Canadian hostels.

For more information on Vancouver’s SameSun Backpackers Lodge, check out:

• SameSun Backpackers Website
• Become a Facebook Fan of SameSun Backpackers
• SameSun Backpackers Twitter page

Interviewing Canadas Hostels: Vancouver SameSun Backpackers Lodge is a post from: I Backpack Canada

This series of posts will hopefully be enough to show travelers that Canada is a worthy stop, especially if you own a ‘Round the World’ ticket. I’m confident in saying that hostels not only allow people from all over the world to see this country, they give Canadians the opportunity to see and understand their own home without breaking the bank. Support these hostels and see this country!

If you want your hostel included in these posts, feel free to to Contact Me.

Interviewing Canadas Hostel Owners & Managers is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Each hostel comes with it’s own description (in 5 different languages) as well as photos of the hostel that is currently selected. You can also use the applications built in Google Maps feature which will help plot exactly where the hostel is. Once you’ve gone through the booking process, you also have the ability to save the booking in offline mode, which will allow you to view your bookings should you be somewhere with no cell phone reception or Wifi service.

The Hostel Hero iPhone application is very simple to use, and hostels are continuously being added into the application. Whether you’re backpacking through Asia, or traveling Canada on a budget, this program could very well save you some money as well as headaches.

View a Demo of the program below:

Download Hostel Hero here

Hostel Hero iPhone Application is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Turgeon International Hostel – HI Hostel

This is the only hostel found in Regina, so be sure to book ahead. The hostel is a converted old Victoria House, designated a Municipal Heritage Property, with all the old creaks you would expect to find in a 100 year old home. It is located right downtown, with 2 hour street parking right in front, and parking all night until 10:00am. Free parking can be found a few blocks away as well. Keep in mind, all parking is free in Regina on weekends and after 5:00pm. One block from the Turgeon International Hostel is the picturesque Wascana Park, which I highly recommend.

The hostel offers private rooms, a family room, and the infamous dorimtory style accommodation one can expect in any hostel. The Turgeon has showers, a TV lounge, dining area, laundry facilities, lockers, free internet, library, and a good sized self-catering kitchen which is fully equipped for your cooking needs. The hostel is open from February 1st to December 23rd. Check-in hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., extended hours in July and August.

2310 McIntyre Street
Regina, SK S4P 2S2
(306) 791-8160

Wascana Park

Wascana Park is easily one of the most beautiful parks you’ll find in any city across Canada. Wascana Park was officially established in the early 60′s. The park is 9.3 square kilometres (2300 acres) large. The park has a unique location, in that it brings together buildings owned by the City of Regina, University of Regina, and the Province of Saskatchewan. The park was designed by the Seattle architect Minoru Yamasaki, famous for the design of the original World Trade Center in New York. The name “Wascana” is derived from the Cree word “Oscana”, which translates to “pile of bones”. In reference to the bison bones scattered around Wascana Creek before this area was populated by non-indigenous peoples.

Wascana Park is proud to house many amenities for Park go-ers. A large Waterfowl Park provides refuge for ducks, geese, and many other birds. Take a walk to the North Shore of Wascana Lake, where you’ll find one of a few Speakers Corners in Canada. Surrounded by gas lamps brought in from London, it’s hard to miss. There are a handfuls of museums and art galleries around the park, the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, the Saskatchewan Science Centre, the Norman MacKenzie Art Gallery, the Conexus Arts Centre, the Provincial Legislative Building (known locally as the Ledge), Darke Hall Theatre and Concert venue, as well as many other historic buildings. Canoeing and Kayaking can still be done on Wascana Lake during the summer. Throughout the summer there are several concerts and festivals held within the park. Easily worth a day of checking out.

Casino Regina

Fancy yourself a gambler? Stop by Casino Regina, a converted Union Station, where trains ran up until 1990. The casino houses over 800 slot machines, 35 game tables, 8 table poker room and an 800 seat show lounge. There are also regularly scheduled Union Station historic tours. The building still contains old railway police jail cells within the basement that were used for transporting prisoners, as well as evidence of a tunnel representing a system of underground passages which apparently stretch a handful of blocks east of Casino Regina and south all the way to Hotel Saskatchewan. Many believe they were used for illegal activities years back, likely for rum running during prohibition. Drop some money and check it out, or if gambling isn’t your cup of tea, check out one of the many acts in the Show Lounge. Well worth an evening out.

Ice Skating in Downtown Victoria Park

If you happen to find yourself in Regina during the winter, which many people will tell you is suicide if you’re not acustom to the prairie winters, check out downtowns Victoria Park. The park turns into a massive skating rink, free for public use. The city does an amazing job with Christmas lights, decorations, as well as music. If the cold gets to be too much, take a walk to one of the many coffee shops downtown, and warm up to a hot cup of cider, coffee, or tea. Or head down Scarth Street, a beautiful walking-only street full of shops and pubs. Check out Beer Brothers for a huge selection of Beer, or enjoy a pint while listening to some live music at O’Hanlons.

Local Watering Holes

As with any city, there are handfuls of different establishments where you can drink and dance the night away. For those looking to hit as many bars and clubs as possible in one night, the most sensible place would be to check out Dewdney Avenue in the Warehouse District. This street is literally lined with over 10 pubs, clubs and bars, all over the span of a few blocks. It has something for everyone. From hip-hop joints, to rock clubs, or just a quiet folk music night, you’re sure to find something to spark your eye. A cab ride from the hostel will cost you no more than 10 dollars to get here. Just tell the cab driver you’re heading to the Dewdney Bars.If you’re looking for a true Saskatchewan local bar, full of country music, large patios, karaoke and live music, head to the east end of town to The Pump. Easily one of the most popular bars in Regina. This place is packed from Thursday to Sunday. Stop by on Thirsty Thursdays  if you’re broke, $1 draft beer can keep you going until the end of the night.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Beer, Burgers, and Football. What could be better? If you’re in town during a home game, try your best to get some tickets, and cheer for the Riders. The city shuts down during games, thousands upon thousands of people, dressed from head to toe in green, flock to Mosaic Stadium as if it were Mecca. A unique experience everyone should try. If you have nothing green in your wardrobe, don’t worry about it. Lose the shirt, and find some cheap green body paint, or slap an empty watermelon on your head. You will only blend in more with these rowdy locals. Scream to your hearts content and help make Regina the loudest place to be that night.

RCMP Depot & Heritage Centre

Known all over the world as Mounties, commonly thought to always wear red jackets, black pants, and a wide brimmed hat (which in fact, they only do during Ceremonies). The RCMP Depot Divison (a.k.a The Acadamy) is found in Regina. If you came to Canada hoping you could get a picture with a Mountie, you’ll be happy to hear that this could be the place to snap that million dollar shot. The RCMP Heritage Centre was recently constructed in 2007, and beautifully houses a large number of historical pieces and exhibits which do an amazing job educating people on the history of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Admission will set you back $12.00 for adults, but is worth every penny.

Backpack Regina, Saskatchewan is a post from: I Backpack Canada

First off, find a place to stay. If you’re not camping on the many campgrounds outside of Edmonton, check out the hostels.

The Muttart Conservatory

A unique escape from the West Edmonton Mall is the Muttart Conservatory. It’s a beautiful botanical garden, found in the North Saskatchewan River Valley, just across from downtown Edmonton. What makes this botanical garden unique is that the gardens are inside four glass, pyramid-shaped structures, each displaying plants from tropical, temperate, and arid climates, the final pyramid consists of a theme that change year-round. Each of these pyramids provide the warmth needed to protect the plants from the harsh Edmonton Winters. Entry costs $9.75.

Old Strathcona

Hoping to visit an area of town with that “Vibe” you’ve been craving. Arts, theatre, entertainment, pubs, shopping, and fine dining, all of which can be found in Old Strathcona. Voted one of the ten coolest places in Canada. This majestic part of Edmonton is approximately eight square blocks, largely centered around Whyte Ave and Calgary Trail. There are countless festivals happening in Old Strathcona throughout the year, including Ice on Whyte in January, an ice sculpting festival and outdoor playground. In August, the Edmonton International Fringe Festival welcomes hundreds of thousands of theatregoers and festival patrons. Come Fall, check out the Edmonton International Film Festival. Visit www.OldStrathcona.ca for more information regarding this historical Edmonton Landmark.

Downtown Edmonton

Since the Mid 90′s downtown Edmonton has been growing a good sized club and pub scene. There are countless pub crawls being run through the city each month. The clubs here are definitely worth checking out on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Check out the New City Suburbs, Oil City Roadhouse, The Bank, and Halo, all of which and more can be found along Jasper Avenue, Edmontons main street. If you’re staying at any of the backpackers be sure to ask them if they have any pub crawls going on. If so, suit up and sign up.

Edmonton Oilers

Most large Canadian cities are proud to host it’s own NHL Hockey Team. Edmonton isn’t any different. Home to the Edmonton Oilers (Where Legendary Wayne Gretzky got his start). If you’re around Edmonton during playoffs try your darndest to get to a game. During playoffs the “Blue Mile” takes off. Head down to Old Strathcona after the game to find thousands upon thousands of drunk, partying, hockey fans. It’s not only a great way to party, it’s a great way to meet some locals. Tickets for the Edmonton Oilers can be purshed here.

West Edmonton Mall

A post about Edmonton wouldn’t be complete without The West Edmonton Mall. This mall is the main reason the majority of tourists flock here, with over 800 stores, there’s something for everyone. The Mall is the largest mall in North America, and fourth largest in the world. Inside is Galaxyland, the largest indoor amusement park in the world, featuring over 24 rides. If amusement parks aren’t your thing, check out out The World Waterpark, also the worlds largest indoor waterpark. It’s got a bunch of awesome slides, and a huge wavepool, as well as a bungy jump. Then there’s the Sea Life Cavern, where they have a large amount of aquatic life, including some sea lions, which perform shows throughout the day. You can skate year round in West Edmonton Mall during the public skate at the ice palace. Or just stop by and watch a game of hockey for free. Perhaps golf is more your sport, the Mall has an 18 hole mini golf coarse where you can brush up on your putting skills. I’m sure I’m missing countless other attractions the mall has to offer, there’s plenty to see. West Edmonton Mall is easily worth a full day. Check out the West Edmonton Mall Website for more information.

Backpack Edmonton, Alberta is a post from: I Backpack Canada

The hostel scene in Canada is still in it’s youngest stages. They are spread out few and far between. However, despite lacking a decent hostel in every city, there are a good handful that I would personally recommend as the best hostels in Canada. Bare in mind, these are based on my own personal thoughts, opinions, and experiences.

Shuswap Lake Hostel – Shuswap Lake, BC

Shuswap Lake Hostel is located in a prime location, halfway between Banff & Vancouver. The stop is definitely worth it, as there is quite a bit to do in the area. What’s unique about this hostel is that the dorms are actually inside some old restored train cars. The dorms themselves are a bit squishy, and can get pretty toasty in the summer, but it’s a unique stay, and is in surprisingly good condition, despite being so open to the elements. best hostels canada

The Shuswap Lake hostel also has some great views. With Squilax Mountain to one side, and Shuswap Lake to the other, you’re bound to work-out your neck during the first few minutes of arriving. The hostels right on the water, and has a free canoe to book or borrow. The owners were very informative about the area, and the hostel had a really cool dog which loved to follow people around the yard.

• Each train car has it’s own kitchen and bathroom
• There’s a cool beaver lodge right around the corner from the hostel that’s worth checking out,
• The hostel is right off the Trans-Canada highway – the Greyhound bus stops right in front of the hostel
• The hostel owners are very eco-friendly, they are proud compost owners, and love all things natural

More info on the Shuswap Hostel here

Banff Alpine Centre Hostel – Banff, Alberta

A fantastic hostel right in Banff, with all the luxuries of a hotel. They have several 4 and 6 person dorms, as well as some private rooms with doubles & queen beds. They recently added a few log cabins too, which can sleep up to 5 guests. The cabins looked really cool, they have washrooms, TV, telephone, seating area, and a fireplace. If you don’t have the cash to cough up for a private room, the dorms are just as good. They were in great condition. The hostel itself has plenty to do. They’ve got a couple lounges, and a great lookout deck with some great scenic views of the mountains.

This hostel also offers free wifi, so if you’ve packed your laptop you should have no problem connecting to the internet. They also have several internet kiosk stations for those without. One of my favourite reasons for nominating this hostel as one of the best hostels in Canada is that it’s home to a great backpacker pub called “The Storm Cellar”. There are so few of these in Canada, and this one is definitely one of omy faves. The Storm Cellar has karaoke nights, open mic night, live bands, free pool and darts. If you’re an Aussie or Brit you’re sure to find someone from your corner of the globe.

More info on Banff Alpine Centre Hostel here

Dawson City Hostel – Dawson City, Yukon

Located right on the rivers edge, Dawson City Hostel is quirky to say the least. Despite it’s clashing colours, and the fact that it doesn’t look a thing like any other hostel, this one’s actually not that bad. It truly does give off that rustic feeling you should expect with heading to the Yukon. Plenty of room, great people, great views. The owners are more than happy to tell you about their city, what to do, where to go, how to get there. There are 40 beds in total, several of which in dorm styles. The hostels location is perfecetly situated in the city. Nearby pretty much everything from museums, attractions, nightlife, shopping, hiking, and the river. There is also free parking, which for vehicle owners, rocks. Oh, and did I mention this hostel has a sauna?

The hostel helps plan your own true authentic “Klondike” experience, which is what most people come here to do. Pan for gold, check out a well preserved part of Canadian History, and experience the truest form of North America.

More info on Dawson City Hostel here

Ottawa Jail Hostel – Ottawa, Ontario

Feelin like spendin a night in the slammer without all the nasty paperwork and criminal records. Check out Ottawas Jail hostel, easily one of the best hostels in Canada. The jail you’ll be staying in here was in operation for more than 100 years, and has since turned into a thriving hostel. This hostel is centrally located, all dorms are in renovated jail cells, and are more spacious than you would think. Take a tour of their un-renovated 8th floor, and check out what life was like in the pen.

The hostel is located near many museums, including the War museum. It’s a short walk to Parliament Hill, and several parks as well. Now despite the fact that you’re staying in a hostel, all the ammemnities you’ve grown so comfort of having are here as well. An open kitchen, a lounge with Satellite TV, internet kiosks and wifi, laundry and dining rooms. If you’re going to be in Ontario be sure to check this one out. They have plenty of dorms and several private cells rooms as well. Keep an eye out during the evenings, apparently this place is haunted.

More info on Ottawa Jail Hostel here

Tofino Hostel / Whalers on the Point Guesthouse – Tofino, Vancouver Island, BC

Located on the shores of the Clayoquot Sound is one of western Canada’s hidden gems. Tofino is a small little hippie town with great surf, great people, and lots to see. Tofino Hostel does this town justice. It’s a great place to kick back after a long day on some of Canadas best surf. The hostel is located in downtown Tofino, and is a short walk to just about everything. An open self serve kitchen, which was always surprisingly clean when I visited, is available. The hostel also boasts a TV room, and games room (with pool table and foos ball) and a wet sauna. The staff are extremely helpful, and will do everything in their power to make your stay in Tofino a memorable one. Book early in summer as this one tends to fill up sooner than most Canadian Hostels.

More info on Tofino Hostel here

Auberges Montreal / Montreal Youth Hostel – Montreal, Quebec

Located right in downtown Montreal, this hostel is close to everything you need to experience life in Montreal. The Montreal Youth Hostel is close to some amazing restaurantes, and is right in the heart of Montreal Nightlife. Pick a day and there is something going on in Montreals nightlife, whether its some indie band playing a small show, a theatre production in the park, or a festival right nearby, there’s something for just about everyone. The hostel is in great condition, especially considering the mansion the hostel is in is over 135 years old.

The hostel has a great little bistro right in the hostel, which serves coffee, tea, breakfast, and lunch. It’s also got this beautiful terrace which overlooks the city. It’s a great way to wake up in one of Canada’s most cultural cities. The hostel has free wifi for everyone, so feel free to get your nerd on. Montreal Youth Hostel also has several female only dorms, along with male & mixed dorms. All in fantastic condition with plenty of room to get comfortable.Definitely worth checking out.

More info on Montreal Youth Hostel here

Chateau Bahia – Pointe-à-la-Garde, Gaspésie, Québec

This is another one of those “and you can sleep in it?” moments you might have. This Castle was built over 18 years by Jean and his father. The castle is entirely constructed of wood. It looks like something you would see in a fairy tale, or an MGMT video. The castle has 23 rooms, some even in the towers of the spires. Chateau Bahia has the best views of the Baie-des-Chaleurs and offers plenty to do in the area. The hostel owners offer a pancake and maple syrup breakfast every morning in the massive hall, followed by a candle lit dinner serving some true Quebecois dishes.

The area has many great hiking trails, along with some superb mountain biking trails. Take a stop at the many nearby beaches for a dip or just bask in the sun. Grab a fishing rod and try your luck at wild salmon fishing, or grab a kayak or canoe and paddle your way through the Matapedia River. There is lots to do around here, and with a very intriguing place to come back to, this is definitely one of Canadas Best Hostels.

More info on Chateau Bahia here

Auberge Festive / Sea Shack Hostel – Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, Quebec

Another Quebec hostel, this one just as awesome as the last. The hostel is proud to admit they are a bit of a party hostel. They’ve got a great little bar overlooking the ocean, and live music playing several times a week. The hostel itself is pretty cool too, you can stay in a tipi, a cabin, or camp on the beach.The hostel is located right on the beach, and has terrific views of the area.

Spend the day hiking, kayaking, fishing, or just hanging out at the bar getting your drink on. The Sea Shack also offers tours in the nearby Gaspesie National Park. The hostel owners are more than happy to help you arrange any activities in the nearby area. Keep an eye out on the water views as the whales tend to feed around here as well. I highly recommend this hostel for the young and the young at heart.

More info on Sea Shack hostel here

If you know of any other worthy contenders for the Best Hostels in Canada please feel free to comment. There are new hostels being started each year, and unfortunately I haven’t even come close to seeing them all. I’m sure there are a good couple handfuls of other hidden gems I haven’t even heard of.

Best Hostels in Canada is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Immediately the calm and collective you is in a fit of rage. “Not again!” You think. Immediately you try the pillow ear wrap, no dice. This guy is loud! You grab your sweater from your bag, making extra noise hoping that it will disturb his “precious” sleep. Maybe a sweater-a-la-turban can muffle the noise a bit. You know how ridiculous you look, but all you want is sleep. You don’t care how much you look like a giant slug trying to pull off an impression of Al Qaida. 5 minutes goes by. Then 10. You let out an angry sigh. 20 minutes go by and immediately you start looking for things to throw at this jerk. Shoes. Bag. That souvenir that means nothing to you now that you can’t sleep. 30 Minutes. You switch to that mode where you start wishing him into cardiac arrest. Perhaps an aneurism. Cancer, no, far too slow of a death for this guy. Spontaneous Combustion. “Yes…perfect.”

You wake up in the morning, groggy due to the few hours, and the constant wake-up reminders that you’re sleeping in a room with a lawn mower. As you crawl out of bed, and shed your slug costume, “He” walks in. Smiling. And to make matters worse, he says good morning. “Combust….” you think. He doesn’t.

For those of you who can relate. There are ways around this. Below is a list of solutions to this problem.

1) Ear plugs – You can get a disposable pack of 10 for under $10 dollars. They aren’t the comfiest things to keep in your ears but they sure do help when faced with a situation like this.

2) Sedatives – Although probably not the safest things to dabble in, sometimes a shot or three of Nyquil is all it takes – You can usually find night-time cold medicine for under $10 dollars.

3) Whistling – I’ve seen this work a few times. While backpacking in New Zealand, I was travelling with a German friend who snored like mad. He said he had read somewhere that whistling during snoring sometimes wakes them up, it’s just gentle enough to stop them from snoring. It eventually became part of a routine. The other guy we were travelling with would join in too. We’d hear snoring, soon after we’d start whistling. Sometimes in song. Sometimes like birds. Problem with this one is it sometimes wakes others in the room. But I’m sure they’ll be grateful if it works. Plus its hilarious.

4) Click your tongue – I’m not quite sure how to describe this, try to flick your tongue against the roof of your mouth. It apparently works in the same way as whistling. A gentle wake up that is unobtrusive, but enough to tell them to S.T.F.U (ie. be quiet)

5) Clap your hands – Same idea as the previous two. An audible “nudge” telling them to shut up. Although this can be seen as slightly more rude.

6) Roll Them – If you are comfortable enough touching people you don’t know in their sleep, or perhaps you know the “chainsaw” keeping everyone awake, try rolling them on their side. Apparently snoring is more likely to happen when sleeping on your back.

7) Alcohol – Alcohol apparently causes people to snore. Which is slightly ironic because it also allows one to sleep through it. So if you can prevent a known snorer from drinking, you’re more likely to sleep through the night. If that’s easier said than done, you’ll simply have to get that much more intoxicated. Keep in mind however, waking up to someone puking off the side of their bed (especially when you’re on the bottom bunk) can often be worse than dealing with snorers.

I have always tried to be lenient and understanding with snoring, and advise you to forgive those who suffer from this, it’s not a conscious thing. But if you are a known snorer, I advise you to forgive the rude looks, thrown shoes, and wishes of combustion people will cast upon you. They too aren’t always aware they are doing it. Travelling is tough, but without those sleepless nights caused by snorers, pukers, bangers, and that guy sleeping in those silver metallic rescue blankets that rustle like tin foil, we would have that many fewer stories to tell.

If you have any other methods for sleeping through snoring or waking the culprit up in a polite way, please feel free to post them in the comments section.

7 Tips for Sleeping through Hostel Snoring is a post from: I Backpack Canada