Conference noted::bicycle

I have stayed in hostels in the Netherlands and in Belgium.

In general they are nicer than in the US:

Often serve decent dinner at reasonable price, even beer may be 
available.  Continental European breakfast may be included (bread, 
cheese, cold cuts, chocolate spread (really learned to like that!).

Rural hostels can be beautiful, ie converted farm houses, etc.
Hostel in (I think) Salzburg is in a castle.

I would do it again.  Only problem was that one night the 
hostel was full of hyperactive local kids.

	~Mike

    Hostels,  I stayed in Brugge, Belgium, someplace in So. Germany
    (forgot where), and Copenhagen, Denmark.
    Sometimes they are a little removed from the main route, but with
    a bicycle still easy to reach.
    The one in Germany had a whole group of late elementary age kids
    pull in.  Very noisy, REAL COLD showers.
    In general, beds(bunkbeds) were kind of saggy and narrow.  Sexes
    were seperate unless the hostel was extremely uncrowded.  Great
    places to meet fellow travelers and exchange info on routes, etc...
    Cheap.  Good meals.  Expected to help out with cleaning dishes.
    
    Would I do it again??  Yes.
    
    I also camped out quite a bit.  Found the campgrounds to be very
    centrally located for visiting cities.  Innsbruck and Salzburg's
    are spartan but great location.  Brussel's is quite a ways out
    of town and a little hard to find.
    
    Have fun...
    Tom
    

    Hosteling is definilty the way to go.  I back-packed a couple summers
    ago all around Europe,... Belgium, France, Germany(west and East),
    Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Norway and
    Ireland.  
    
    There were ups and downs with hostels, but it is really the way
    to meet people from many different places. 
    
    The places that stand out as nice places were: Switzerland, Stockholm,
    Berlin(pension).  
    
    Feel free to send mail if you have any questions.
    
    The only book that I used was 'Let's go Europe'.
    
    	John

    The hostels in Ireland are quite spartan, but it's the way to meet
    people. Recommended hostel, not to be missed, Foulksrath Castle
    , Kilkenny , Ireland. It's a converted Norman castle dating from
    the 13th centuty.
    
    Favourite hostel on the continent: Namur (Belgium)
    
    Worst  Hostel on the continent  :  Fecamp (near Le Harve, France)
    
    John

    John,
    
    Thanks for the info!  Why is Namur your favorite hostel?  Is is
    essential for a single traveler to make reservations at most hostels?
    That would be very difficult for someone like myself without a definite
    itinerary.
    
    Jan

    RE. 677.5
    
    No it's not necessary to make reservations. In fact the times I
    have bothered to try I have usually received more than half my
    pre-booking vouchers back with the comment that they were not
    necessary. Only once did I arrive at a hostel that was full; can't
    complain about that really.
    
    Why is Namur my favourite.
    
    It is a lovely town (city), situated on the confluence of two rivers.
    The hostel fronts on to one of these rivers, and is a delightful
    old house with circular towers and large murals covering the wall.
    All the rooms have different names. I stayed in "The Pitts", which
    wasn't reall the pitts. The hostel had it's own bar and the wardens
    were really friendly. 
    
    I will never forget the day I arrived at Namur hostel. My wife and
    I were cycling to Germany and set out to cover 80 miles this day
    (fully laden). It rained all day . My wife came off on gravel and
    ripped her arm. She broke a spoke in the rear wheel, block side.
    We got lost looking for the hostel, having followed the wrong river
    (not realising that there were in fact two !). We were exhausted
    when we reached the hostel. I went in to register . The girl on
    duty immediatly made us a cup of tea , sent us to change , and said
    we could worry about the paperwork when we were dry. There were
    about 20 different nationalities there that night, and I was sorry
    to be leaving the next day. 
    
    So given what a nice hostel it was, and the day that we had , it's
    not difficult to see why I think it's the best.
    
    John                           

    I will definitely try to get to Namur!...I don't know much Belgium,
    can you fill me in?

    I mean...I don't know much ABOUT Belgium!  I don't expect a lesson
    in the language. (sorry)
    

    RE.677.8
    
    I'm no expert on Belgium. Perhaps there is a Belgian noter out there
    ??
    
    Belgium is almost two countries in one. The Northern part of the
    country is Flemish (and they speak Flemish). The southern part is
    Wallonie, (they speak French). The Northern part is the prosperous
    area. The southern part is economically depressed. 
    
    Both parts are very different, and interesting in themselves. The
    northern part is quite flat and easy for cycling. There are quite
    a lot of cycle lanes. One day I cycled for 40 miles on the same
    one. The southern part is more scenic , but more difficult for cycling,
    especially in the foothills of the Ardennes. Namur is right in the
    heart of Wallonie. There is a spectacular castle and battlements
    there, and I found the area very scenic. In the north you might
    try Brugge and Ghent, the latter seemingly populated with cycling
    fanatics.
    
    I used the Michelin maps for all my touring on the continent. I
    cannot exactly remember the scale but it was roughly 3km to 2cm.
    
    Belgium is a small country. We cycled across it from France to Germany
    in two days comfortably.
    
    Hope this helps,
    
    John

    Not knowing a whole lot about hostels, these questions may seem
    simple, but...
    
    How are hostels towards families (My wife and I, two children
    ages 3 and 5)?
    
    Is there an age limit?
    
    I've ridden by the hostel in Westford.  Its an old farmhouse, and
    rather nice looking, should I stop in to get information or is
    it better to write to the main organization.  [Having written
    this I probably will stop in on my next daytime ride by there ;-)]
    
    Where is the main organization?
    
        For the US,  Canada,  Europe?
    
    How much do they charge?
    
    Do you use your sleeping bags?
    
    Can you pitch a tent?  [or would a campground be better?]
    
    Dave
    

    Hi,
    
    There is no age limit in most U.S. hostels however in Europe and
    Canada this is different.  The main organization for youth hostels
    is the IYHF (International Youth Hosteling Federation), the U.S.
    branch is called the AYH.  There is an office in Boston but I don't
    have newsletter with me right now.  The membership fees are below
    $20 a year, a family membership would seem to best in your case.
    Most hostels do NOT allow the use of sleeping bags but instead require
    a sheet sleeping sack and they will supply the blankets.  Most hostels
    also have a kitchen for doing cooking.  Most hostels do NOT allow
    pitching tents on the grounds, but I have stayed at a hostel where
    the accomodation was basically a huge (circus-like) tent.  I will
    try to post specific prices and the location of GBC AYH soon
    
    Joe

	Greater Boston Council
	American Youth Hostels
	1020 Commonwealth Ave
	Boston Ma, 02215

		on Comm Ave. Green line, across for EMS

	Phone (617) 731-5430

	Hours:	12-6 pm Mon-Fri
		12-8 pm Thurs

	Some prices:

	$11.00 - Youth pass, individual 17 years & under
	$21.00 - Adult pass, individual 18-54 years old
	$11.00 - Senior Citizen pass, indiv 55 & over
	$31.00 - Family pass, incl children 17 and under

	Sleeping sacks go for $12.24