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where.ca > hostels

hostels

Cailin O’Neil, Maker and Hostess of the “Travel Yourself” Video Series

Cailin O’Neil has been away from her Nova Scotia home for 13 weeks so far this year—and she has about eight weeks of travel planned for the remaining months of 2012. That kind of schedule is just par for the course for the travel blogger, who has been sharing her adventures since 2009 through the writing at her three websites (The Taste of Travel, Travel Yourself, Cailin Travels) and through her web video series, Travel Yourself.

Her business is growing—she’s recently joined forces with Ocean Entertainment to bring her talents to television—so this was the perfect time to sit down with O’Neil and ask her about where she likes to go, how she got into video-making and what gear she recommends to take on the road. (more…)

12 of Canada’s Most Unusual Hotels

By MIMI SZETO

Soule Creek Lodge in Port Renfrew, BC (Photo: TJ Watt)

These twelve unique hotels, from icy igloos to luxury yurts, range from the strange and adventurous to the fabulously one-of-a-kind and luxurious. For travellers seeking fun, nontraditional romance, the most remote of nature retreats or get-away-from-it-all relaxation, any of these hotels will earn ultimate bragging rights back home. (more…)

Hot Attraction: One of the Top 10 Spookiest Buildings in the World

Who goes there? The Ottawa Jail Hostel is both a place to rent a room, and a former jail.

If you visit Ottawa on a budget, you just might find yourself spending a night in jail — by choice. The Ottawa Jail Hostel was once a working jail (and is a good choice for those who want a cheaper stay and an experience to write home about). Guests have their choice of a solitary or double jail cell, and Haunted Walks holds a one-hour “Crime and Punishment” tour for the public that includes the old death row. No wonder travel experts at Lonely Planet named this spot one of the top 10 spookiest buildings in the world.

Better Budget Travel: Compare Hostels with New Web Site Hostelzoo

By SHANNON KELLY

Hostelzoo search results in grid layout (Screenshot: Hostelzoo.com)

Considering a hostel but not sure where to start? New Web site Hostelzoo is an excellent tool for comparing hostels, with lots of images and information about each property—all laid out in easy-to-read grids. More than 40,000 hostels around the world are indexed (direct quote: “Every hostel in the world that is available to book online is listed on our site.”), with more than 400 in Canada. (more…)

Comfort on the Cheap: 6 Hostels for Grown-Ups

HI-Lake Louise Alpine Centre hostel in Banff National Park. Photo by Simon Starr.

By Candice Walsh

The hostel scene in Canada has been growing these past few years and with all the added competition hostels have had to step up their game. In the process, they’ve realized that a good bargain doesn’t only appeal to university students on spring break or summer vacation. (more…)