Five great ways to meet other travellers in hostels....

Five great ways to meet other travellers in hostels

Recently on a trip to Bangkok I asked many like-minded travellers what was their favourite thing about staying in hostels. Time and time again the answer was ‘meeting new people’. So while many people know hostels are a great way to strike up new acquaintances, there are certain ways that will get you connected from people all over the world. Here are five...


1. Cook for yourself in the kitchen

'Sorry, would you pass over that pot please?'; 'Excuse me, are you finished with this knife?' It's questions like these that have kicked off a bit of banter between backpackers all over the world for years. 'Ooooh...that looks nice - what are you cooking?!' From here the famous 'So where are you from? / How long you on the road for?' conversation ensues and new friends are made. So while you may be tempted to nip out to the nearest burger joint, put the effort in to cook in the hostel kitchen and it's more than your dinner you'll be making.


2. Stay in hostels with bars

As we all know, once we've consumed a beer or four we become more talkative. So stay in a hostel that has its own bar you're bound to strike up a conversation with somebody over the space of the evening. What's more, many of these hostel bars have themed nights. Tuesday may be karaoke night, Thursday could be quiz night...Saturday might be singles night! Either way, hostel bars are the perfect place to be bowled over by new buddies.



3. Sign up for organised tours

These days more and more hostels around the world are organising their own tours direct from the hostel. This could be a tapas bar tour in Seville, a trip to Runyon Canyon in Los Angeles, or a walking tour of the old town in Edinburgh. More often than not they are walking tours lasting two to three hours giving you lots of time to talk to your new hostel buddies between stops, finding out where they're from, what their favourite sport is and more.



4. Stay in dormitories

This might seem an obvious way to meet people, but not everybody who stays in hostels these days stays in dormitories. Instead many stay in private rooms as most hostels offer them. But where's the fun in that! How will you meet people getting ready for a night out, or others in the common room the day after the night before for conversations that begin with 'You were late last night?!' This is the beauty of dormitories. So people - if you want to meet people when staying in hostels make sure to stay in dorms.


5. Be forthcoming!

Hostels are all about being social, but they won't be social if you don't approach people and say hi. The best-known way to strike up a conversation are the reliable 'So where have you been before here?' or 'How long are you here for?' questions. From here there'll be no looking back.

What do you think is the best way to meet people in hostels? Tell us by commentin

A BUCKET LIST FOR YOUR 30s...

All the hype is on 30, which means you should squeeze as much adventure as possible into your 20s before not-so-gracefully bowing out of the years of which you're still expected to brush off your mother's advice. Here are 30 things every person with a bit of wanderlust must see and do before they're 30.

1. Jump off something.
Whether it be a tree by the river next to your childhood home or bungee jumping from the Victoria Falls Bridge in Zimbabwe. Take the leap.

2. See one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
This is a tough one, because at 30, well, you still have the bank account of a 29-year-old. The good news here is that it doesn't necessarily have to be one of the originals -- go for the Golden Gate Bridge (modern world), the Grand Canyon (natural wonder), or the Mayan ruins in the Yucatán Peninsula (USA Today new wonder), an affordable flight from most U.S. cities.

3. Party in Las Vegas.
No person should exit their 20s without doing something they regret in Sin City. The place was basically built for us.

4. Take a vacation that isn't Spring Break.
You had your opportunity to drink beer upside down and insist you don't need sunscreen while in college. Besides, you don't remember anything from those trips anyway.

5. Attend at least one large celebration.
Mardi Gras, Full Moon Party, Easter Mass -- I don't care, as long as you have to throw elbows to get to the bar, or the alter.

6. Hit up a nude beach.
If for no other reason, use the time to look around and remind yourself of how young you actually are.

7. Spend several days with only what will fit in a backpack.
If you can brush your teeth with river water and comb your hair with a tree branch, you can most certainly figure out how to stop turning all of your white clothes pink.

8. Swim in the ocean.
This is a must.

9. Sleep somewhere where you have to light a fire to stay warm.
Kudos if you can do so without matches.

10. Do some sort of adrenaline sport.
Raft a Class five rapid; mountain bike Whistler in the summer; surf a wave larger than your torso -- meaning: do something that scares you.

11. Hit up one of the Caribbean islands.
There are thousands to choose from. You'll most likely visit more than one in your lifetime, get a good jump on it in your 20s.

12. Take one ultimate road trip.
It can be with buddies, it can be camping, it can be on Route 66, Route 1, or the Blue Ridge Parkway. Double points if you have a reliable car to get there.

13. Go somewhere alone.
At 30 you should be confident and worldly enough to wake up in a foreign country and know how to get yourself home.

14. Take a train somewhere.
There are no hidden innuendos here. It's just nice to have the patience

SATURDAY NIGHT - 23.03.2013

    20.00h: Obračun u ringu @Dvorana KK Split
    20.00h: Spring weekend @Caffe bar Paradiso
    20.00h: Volim Njofru @Dom HV, Lora
    20.30h: Triple trouble party @Centar plesa
    21.00h: Daff & Feta @Negro bar
    21.00h: Noa & Funk Blasters @Lobby bar
    22.00h: City tulum @Music Club Pino
    22.00h: Karantena pres. Echo Festival @Kocka
    22.00h: Clostrofobia @Clo Bar
    22.00h: My Buddy Moose @Quasimodo
    22.00h: Ho Roock @Captain's Club
    22.00h: Recesija Party @Egoist
    22.00h: Zdenka Kovačićek @Mirakul, Makarska
    22.00h: Retro plesnjak @O'Hara
    22.00h: Unplugged night @Caffe bar Albatross
    23.00h: Colonia @Trogir
    23.00h: Bubblegum night @Kameleon, Solin
    23.00h: Disco večer @Vanilla
    23.00h: Kazeta @O'Hara
    23.00h: Omega Ritam meets Decoded Records @Jungla
    23.00h: Saturday Night Fever @Tropic club
    23.00h: Disco night @Hemingway bar
    23.00h: DJ Damir @Plava Kava
    23.00h: Golden Wings party @Caffe bar Bačvice
    23.00h: Promo party @Imperium

FRIDAY NIGHT AND THE FEELING IS RIGHT!! 22.03.2013

    18.00h: J'ai tué ma mère (2009) @Gradska knjižnica Marka Marulića
    18.00h: Tko su rozenkrojceri, put pra-sjećanja @Gradska knjižnica Marka Marulića
    19.30h: Svatko na svojoj strani @Sveučilišna knjižnica
    19.30h: DADAnti - večer experimentalne umjetnosti @Ghetto club
    20.00h: Sjećanje na René Clémenta @Kinoteka Zlatna vrata
    20.00h: Fešta shema @Negro bar
    20.00h: Volim Njofru @Dom HV, Lora
    20.30h: Kreativni nered @Mirakul, Makarska
    20.30h: Angela (1995.) @Kinoklub Split
    21.00h: Jazz večer @Hotel Park
    21.00h: Pričigin @Split
    21.00h: Večer za djecu s Downovim sindromom @Lobby bar
    22.00h: Trash Night @O'Hara
    22.00h: Elektro Fufe @Quasimodo
    22.00h: Pionirska večer @Music Club Pino
    22.00h: Mr.Wolf + Continuum @Kocka
    22.00h: Ivana Kindl @Caffe Split
    22.00h: Gustafi @O'Hara
    22.00h: Zdenka Kovačićek @Jungla
    23.00h: Strast From The Past @Kameleon, Solin
    23.00h: Crvena Jabuka @Hemingway bar
    23.00h: Toni Bliznac @Plava Kava
    23.00h: Ivan Zak @Diskoteka F1
    23.00h: Sandra Afrika @Imperium
    23.00h: Milan Terze @Vanilla
    23.59h: Giuliano & Viva @Tropic club

IT IS SATURDAY - 16.03.2013

17.00h: Škola osnova računalnih mreža @FESB
    18.00h: Francesca Da Rimini @Cineplexx
    18.00h: Bluz Guz @Dom HV, Lora
    19.00h: Koncert Hrvatskog katoličkog radija @Nadbiskupsko sjemenište
    19.30h: Peer Gynt @HNK Split
    20.30h: Bluz Guz @Dom HV, Lora
    21.00h: Krankšvester @Šibenik
    21.00h: DJ Venom @Negro bar
    21.00h: DJ Charlie @Split Circus II (ex Krvavo Kopito)
    21.00h: Twist Off @Lobby bar
    21.30h: Miris Juga @F-caffe
    22.00h: Repetitor @Quasimodo
    22.00h: City tulum @Music Club Pino
    22.00h: Rock Night @Kocka
    22.00h: Baterija @O'Hara
    22.00h: Gruhak @Jungla
    22.00h: Predproljetno HC buđenje @Sinj
    22.00h: Clostrofobia @Clo Bar
    22.00h: Marijan Ban i Diktatori @Mirakul, Makarska
    22.00h: Balkan Night @Plava Kava
    23.00h: Bubblegum night @Kameleon, Solin
    23.00h: Disco večer @Vanilla
    23.00h: Kazeta @O'Hara
    23.00h: Marko Nastić promo party @Vodice
    23.00h: The Famous Party @Imperium
    23.00h: Disco night @Hemingway bar
    23.00h: Saturday Night Fever @Tropic club
    23.00h: Disco večer @Diskoteka F1

TODAY IN SPLIT FRIDAY 15.03.2013

    15.00h: Životinjski bal @Gradsko kazalište mladih
    18.00h: Kiklop @Knjižnica Solin
    18.00h: Kazališni Sat @Gradsko kazalište mladih
    18.00h: Skammen (1968.) @Gradska knjižnica Marka Marulića
    18.00h: Susret s pjesnikom: Luko Paljetak @Gradska knjižnica Marka Marulića
    19.00h: Miljenko i Dobrila, a gdje smo ja i ti? @Gradsko kazalište lutaka
    19.00h: Duša žene @Nova Akropola
    19.30h: DADAnti - večer experimentalne umjetnosti @Ghetto club
    20.00h: Josipa, Nataša & Sanja @Kocka
    20.00h: Habemus Papam (2011.) @Kinoteka Zlatna vrata
    20.00h: Zaleđeni film @HOK
    20.00h: Macbeth @HNK Split
    20.30h: Angyali üdvözlet (1984.) @Kinoklub Split
    21.00h: Karantena warm up party @Negro bar
    21.00h: Ohne Silikone @Split Circus II (ex Krvavo Kopito)
    21.00h: Dudlaši @Metković
    21.30h: Miris Juga @F-caffe
    22.00h: Trash Night @O'Hara
    22.00h: DJ Venom @Quasimodo
    22.00h: Pionirska večer @Music Club Pino
    22.00h: Hardcore for losers IV @Kocka
    22.00h: Jacques Houdek @Caffe Split
    22.00h: Irish party @Jungla
    22.00h: DJ vocal show @Lobby bar
    22.00h: Matko & Brane @Plava Kava
    23.00h: Strast From The Past @Kameleon, Solin
    23.00h: Jovan Perišić @Hemingway bar
    23.00h: Mitar Mirić @Imperium
    23.00h: M.O.R.T. @Sinj
    23.00h: Magazin @Diskoteka F1
    23.00h: Milan Terze @Vanilla
    23.59h: Neda Ukraden @Tropic club

SATURDAY!!!!

    09.00h: Permablitz @Tugare
    12.00h: Škverska proslava @Split
    15.00h: HNL: Split - Zagreb @Park mladeži
    17.00h: Škola osnova računalnih mreža @FESB
    17.45h: Odbojka: Mladost Marina Kaštela - Sisak @Kaštel Stari
    18.00h: Nepoželjna snaha Volume II @Dom mladih
    18.00h: HNL: Hajduk - Istra 1961 @Poljud
    20.00h: Desperado Night @Caffe bar Albatross
    20.00h: Životinjska Farma @Gradsko kazalište mladih
    21.00h: Jazz večer @Hotel Park
    21.00h: DJ Nike @Split Circus II (ex Krvavo Kopito)
    21.30h: Recesija party @Egoist
    22.00h: DJ David Hasselhoff @Quasimodo
    22.00h: City tulum @Music Club Pino
    22.00h: Straight Mickey and the Boyz + PlesnjaQ @Kocka
    22.00h: Noa & Funk Blasters @Lobby bar
    22.00h: Bass Event @Makarska
    22.00h: Balkan Night @Plava Kava
    22.00h: Clostrofobia @Clo Bar
    23.00h: Bubblegum night @Kameleon, Solin
    23.00h: Disco večer @Vanilla
    23.00h: Kazeta @O'Hara
    23.00h: Jungla is back! @Jungla
    23.00h: DJ Petar @Diskoteka F1
    23.00h: Weekend Party @Imperium
    23.00h: Živo Blato @O'Hara
    23.00h: Disco Night @Hemingway bar
    23.00h: Jasmin Stavros @Aurora, Primošten

WHERE TO GO ON FRIDAY NIGHT - 08.03.2013

    11.00h: Velika avantura maloga Miša @Gradsko kazalište lutaka
    17.00h: Iskustvo s Facebook prakse @FESB
    18.00h: Nepoželjna snaha Volume II @Dom mladih
    18.00h: Funny Games (1997.) @Gradska knjižnica Marka Marulića
    17.30h: ST Dokuart 7 @Kinoteka Zlatna vrata
    19.00h: Kobajagi donijela me roda @Dom HV, Lora
    19.00h: Uradi sama @POU Zlatna Vrata
    19.30h: DADAnti - večer experimentalne umjetnosti @Ghetto club
    20.00h: Duo Regina @Kavana / restoran Bajamonti
    20.30h: Životinjska Farma @Gradsko kazalište mladih
    20.30h: Nukitsamees (1981.) @Kinoklub Split
    21.00h: Jazz večer @Hotel Park
    21.00h: Tribute to Bajaga @Ovčice
    21.00h: DJ Mareta @Negro bar
    21.00h: Ohne Silikone @Split Circus II (ex Krvavo Kopito)
    21.30h: Dan žena, majki, kraljica @Jungla
    21.30h: Tribute to Balašević @Caffe bar Kornjača
    22.00h: Trash Night @O'Hara
    22.00h: DJ M.I.L.E. @Quasimodo
    22.00h: Pionirska večer @Music Club Pino
    22.00h: Pullover + Ponte De Carla @Kocka
    22.00h: Tony Cetinski @Diskoteka F1
    22.00h: Tribute to Balašević @Lobby bar
    22.00h: Žanamari Lalić @Caffe Split
    22.00h: Noć studenata FESB-a @Hemingway bar
    22.00h: Straight Mickey and the Boyz @Metković
    22.00h: Matko & Brane @Plava Kava
    23.00h: Strast From The Past @Kameleon, Solin
    23.00h: Sandi @Tropic club
    23.00h: Weekend Party @Imperium
    23.00h: Grupa Viva @Vanilla

SATURDAY IN SPLIT - 02.03.2013

    13.00h: Nevidljivi pejzaži/ Zemlja @Galerija Doma mladih
    17.00h: Škola osnova računalnih mreža @FESB
    17.30h: ST Dokuart 7 @Kinoteka Zlatna vrata
    18.00h: MK Fjaka Bday party @O'Hara
    19.00h: KK Split - Široki WWin @Dvorana KK Split
    19.00h: Koncert gradu @Kaštel Sućurac
    19.30h: Don Quijote @HNK Split
    20.00h: Romski Orkestar @Restoran Rusulica
    20.00h: Yoga Dance Party @Caffe bar Plaža
    21.00h: 80's Fever @Negro bar
    21.00h: DJ Mićo @Split Circus II (ex Krvavo Kopito)
    22.00h: Vojko & Zondo @Quasimodo
    22.00h: City tulum @Music Club Pino
    22.00h: Tip Top @Lobby bar
    22.00h: Atlantida @Mirakul, Makarska
    22.00h: Vuco ft. Pecheno @Makarska
    22.00h: Salsa & Erasmus party @Centar plesa
    22.00h: Taxi bend @Trogir
    23.00h: Paddy's Allstars + Stronghold @Kocka
    23.00h: Bubblegum night @Kameleon, Solin
    23.00h: Disco Night @Hemingway bar
    23.00h: Weekend party @Imperium
    23.00h: Disco večer @Vanilla
    23.00h: Kazeta @O'Hara
    23.00h: Balkan Night @Plava Kava

TODAY IN SPLIT ON FRIDAY :D - 01.03.2013

17.00h: L'albero degli zoccoli (1978.) @Gradska knjižnica Marka Marulića
17.30h: ST Dokuart 7 @Kinoteka Zlatna vrata
18.00h: Predstavljanje knjige: Zlatko Dizdarević @Europski dom Split
19.00h: Porn Star @Dom HV, Lora
19.00h: Don Luka Jelić i Nin @Kaštel Sućurac
19.30h: DADAnti - večer experimentalne umjetnosti @Ghetto club
20.00h: Romski Orkestar @Restoran Rusulica
21.00h: Brazaletes negro session @Negro bar
21.00h: Ohne Silikone @Split Circus II (ex Krvavo Kopito)
21.00h: Jazz večer @Hotel Park
22.00h: Neno Belan @Caffe Split
22.00h: Atlantida @Jungla
22.00h: KEND 2 @Kocka
22.00h: Kid Va & Duda Dudes @Quasimodo
22.00h: Trash Night @O'Hara
22.00h: Pionirska večer @Music Club Pino
22.00h: Domaćica Party @Lobby bar
22.00h: Lady Singers Band @Sinj
22.00h: Take Six @Sinj
23.00h: Noć gimnazijalaca @Hemingway bar
23.00h: Strast From The Past @Kameleon, Solin
23.00h: Weekend party @Imperium
23.00h: Grupa Viva @Vanilla
23.00h: Dejan Matić @Plava Kava