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Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands and, during the summer, it’s a Mecca for those who enjoy the beaches, the sun and outdoor activities. During the low season, Mallorca might seem like the deserted paradise. However, it is an excellent place to visit if you plan to spend a cheap vacation in a warm area but without expecting too much.

It is definitely worth it to spend time checking out the island’s capital: Palma de Mallorca. The city is very old and the architecture will charm you in a second. Several other towns and villages are also very picturesque and filled with history. Some of them are located in the mountains.

Planning the budget

Mallorca is served by an airport located in the island’s capital, Palma de Mallorca. Cheap flights to Mallorca are abundant during the high season, but during the low season there aren’t that many connections available, especially from low cost carriers. It is, however, the third largest airport in the country, so finding a flight is possible.

Many hotels in Mallorca often close down during the winter and only some of them remain open. So it is important to do the research ahead of time. But, the good news is that the prices are at their lowest and the crowds non-existent.

When it comes to considering European vacation packages for your Mallorca holiday during winter, it’s hardly like to find anything. The tour operators focus on this island only during the high season. However, by early March there are more and more packages available.

Things to do

Unfortunately, there aren’t many festivals taking place at this time of the year on the island. November 24th marks the Birthday of Junipero Serra, a Franciscan Monk who is celebrated in the region. Noche Buena (December 24) marks the Christmas Eve celebrations, including midnight masses and nativity scenes in the towns, as well as on all Balearic islands.

On December 28, Santos Inocentes takes place, which is the Spanish equivalent of April’s fool day. And on December 31, Festa de l’Estandard commemorates the town’s conquest in 1229. The festivities take place in Palma.

Where to stay

Make sure to search ahead of time and choose a hotel which is open for the season. If you plan to do some traveling on the island, between the islands or to the mainland, it’s a good idea to stay in the capital.

Augusta Apartments is located along the south coast of Mallorca in the historic City of Palma. It offers 59 guest rooms and 49 studios. Rooms have AC and heating, bathroom and kitchenette, phone, TV and balcony. Room rates (internet only) start at €58 per night per double room.

Hesperia Ciutat de Mallorca is located in the residential area of Palma among beautiful gardens. The rooms have TV, AC and free wi-fi. Room rates start at €48.15 per night.

Hotel Continental is located right in the heart of Palma. The hotel offers gym, sauna, wi-fi zone , bar and restaurant. Room rate is €195 per night (2 guests, breakfast included).

Hotel Sabina is located in the north-eastern region on Mallorca, just meters from Cala Millor beach. It offers a bar (with a terrace overlooking the sea), pool, garden, gym and sauna. The hotel is closed during the winter.

Estrella – Coral De Mar Resort Spa and Wellness is located on the northern coast and is a 4-star hotel. It offers bar, gardens, pools, wellness center, gym and wi-fi within the property. The hotel is closed during the winter.

It’s never too early to start planning your next spring vacation, especially when you can get a good deal out of it. Greece (and the entire Mediterranean & Aegean Seas area) starts to enjoy excellent weather by mid-April. And since we are talking about the shoulder season, the deals are usually made to attract tourists. 8 days departing from US. Your companion flies for free if you book the Athens & Aegean 2010 vacation by Dec 30, 2009.

The package (land price: $1,249 per person for the Apr 19, 2010 departure) comprises 4 buffet breakfasts in Athens, onboard dining (all means) and entertainment on board. You’ll be sailing to Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Heraklion (Crete), Santorini and back to Athens. Also, you’ll be touring Athens on your second day.

Creating your own vacation package

It is possible to create your own vacation package and explore Greece and its islands at your pace. Depending on when you plan to visit, you can choose the ferries to go between the islands so you’ll experience both the sea travel and mingling with the locals (if you ask me that surely beats an organized tour).

First of all you need to book a flight to Athens . Nonstop return flights start around $1100 per person (if you book now for the same period as mentioned above, departing from New York). If you are willing to make a stop over along the way, there are cheaper flights available ($850 per person, round trip).

Then, you should look into the possibility to travel by ferry to the islands. Ferries from Athens to Mykonos start working by April and last year the ticket price ranged between €31 and €43 per person, one way. From here you can travel to Crete (Heraklio), also by ferry. Expect to pay at least €70 per person. Santorini is a short ferry ride from Crete and you will pay about €42 per person, for a ticket. When you plan the ferry rides, it’s always important to double check the schedule before departure and always make sure you’ve got accommodation book if you happen to miss a departure. Until the high season kicks in, there aren’t always daily departures between the islands, so you need quite a bit of time to plan properly.

Accommodation wise, finding cheap hotels in Greece is not very hard , especially during the shoulder season. But pay attention to when Orthodox Easter falls (April 4, 2010). Many travelers choose to spend their vacation in Greece during Easter and the accommodation prices are typically higher during that period. You can easily find hotel rooms for just €43 per night, in mid-April 2010, in Athens. If you plan to visit the sites, stay close to the city center (Omonia Sq, Syntagma Sq., near the Acropolis).

Ultimately, it’s your choice

Choosing between a tour and planning your vacation with your own resources does depend on the type of traveler you are and the activities you plan to do during your vacation. If don’t mind being rushed from place to place and sticking to a set schedule then tours are for you. However, if you like to take your time and usually you don’t do during the day when you planned before exiting the hotel room, then tours will be annoying and you won’t enjoy them much (if at all).

Photo by WhyGoGreece and may not be used without permission.

Magaluf was built on purpose to serve as a resort. It is very popular among Brits looking for sun, sea, drinking, dancing and other fun things to do. Although particularly a package-holiday destination, it is possible to find cheap hotels in Magaluf without booking a package deal.

Magaluf caters particularly for the party goers under the age of 30 but families can also find interesting things to do here. There are two water parks to choose from: Western Water Park and Aqualand. The first is open between May and October, while the second opens in June and closes by the end of August. Marine Land is a place where you can have fun watching animals do tricks. It is open from February to end of November.

Planning the budget

The high season runs in Magaluf between April and October. The prices are at their highest and you will bump into tourists. Outside the high season, prices are cheaper but not everything is open. So the activities are limited.

Europe vacation packages are a good choice if you travel with the family and during the high season. Otherwise, there’s not much point in booking a deal if your plans are to sleep during the day and party all night.

The biggest airport on Mallorca – where Magaluf is located- is in the island’s capital, Palma. Both those booking packages and those traveling independently will land here. During summer, cheap flights to Mallorca are very easy to find and there are plenty of carriers to choose from. Keep in mind that if you come from outside Europe, it’s better to fly into London (or other British airport first) and then look for cheap flights to the island. Outside summer, the flights tend not to be so abundant and therefore a bit expensive sometimes. Do plan in advance.

As said, although it’s easier to find hotels in the resort as part of vacation deals, there are enough cheap hotels in Magaluf to choose from. After all, there isn’t much point in paying a lot on a hotel room where you’ll crash only to rest for the next party, right?

Things to do in Magaluf

During November (until 25th) you can still visit Marine Land. You can see dolphins and sea lions doing tricks for the tourists. And there are also some parrots. It is open from Feb 4 until Nov 25; Mon to Fri from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and during the weekend until 5:30 p.m. Entrance is €21 for adults and €15 for children.

Other than that, all you are left with is spending time in the clubs and bar…or going on the mainland to explore the cities (Madrid and Barcelona in particular).

Where to stay

It is possible to find affordable hotels in Magaluf which are not part of package deals. Outside the high season, the prices are lower than during the high season, and you don’t need to book too far in advance either. However, please pay attention that some hotels are closed during the low season.

Vista Sol Apartamentos are located about 350 m from the beach, on the hill in the heart of the resort. It offers 176 one bedroom apartments, equipped with AC, bathroom, kitchenette, dining room, phone, TV and balcony / terrace. During the off-season, the price per night starts at €46 for an apartment capable of housing 1-4 persons.

Sol Guadalupe is located 100 m from the beach and 26 km from Palma’s airport. It offers 493 double rooms with balcony, bathroom, AC, kitchenette, TV and phone. The hotel is closed during the low season.

Marina Pax Hotel is located 300 m from the beach in the cosmopolitan area of the resort. The rooms are equipped with phone and central heating. The hotel also features a restaurant, bar, swimming pool and AC in public areas. The hotel is closed during the low season.

Sol Antillas Barbados is located along the beach, overlooking Magaluf Bay. The Poniete golf course is just 2 km away. There are 428 rooms available for the guests, all with AC, bathroom, TV and phone. The hotel is closed during the low season (reopens on March 11).

Sol Magalluf Park is located 150 m from the beach, just 2 km from Aquapark and 2 km from Poinete golf course. There are 422 rooms for the guests to use, all with terrace, bathroom, AC, TV and phone. The hotel closes on Dec 1 and reopens on Feb 1 (2010). Room rates start at €38.50 per night (bed & breakfast) for a standard room.

The majority of European capital cities are known for their tourist attractions and Madrid makes no exception. Along with the numerous places to visit, Madrid is also a city of arts. And the club goers also recommend Madrid as one of the best places in Europe to dance the night away.

Madrid has a temperate climate, quite extreme at times. The majority of rainfall occurs during fall and winter. It is fairly cold during winter but snowfall is not common. By far the best season to visit Madrid is spring, but during late fall you can find numerous affordable places to say and, in general, a vacation in late November costs less than if you were to travel during mid-summer.

Planning your budget: packages or booking independently

If you do plan to travel right smack in the middle of the summer, Europe is quite expensive and , typically, European vacation packages allow you to save quite a lot of money by bundling things together. They come in many forms and if you can get your hands on a flight-hotel deal, you are assured some good discounts.

When traveling outside the peak season, packages are harder to find and typically come in simpler forms: hotel-only or flight-only. In most cases, you’ll end up booking either the hotel or the flight on your own anyway.

Madrid is served by the fifth busiest airport in Europe so you shouldn’t be surprised to easily find cheap flights to Madrid . Keep in mind that it’s the primary hub for Iberia Airlines, so start your search by looking at their offers.

Finding hotels in Madrid is just as easy. You’ll even find affordable places to stay right in the city center, so you’ll be close to absolutely everything. Even if you decided to stay in a quieter area, the public transport is excellent so you really don’t need to worry about renting a car.

Festivals in Madrid in November

There are several festivals taking place in Madrid in November.

Festival de Otoño runs from Nov 4 to Nov 29 and comprises theater, dance, music and even circus performances. All plays are in Spanish and the style is experimental and modern. If you don’t speak Spanish, you can surely watch the dance shows though.

The second major festival is XXVI Festival de Jazz de Madrid, which takes place from Nov 4 to Nov 28 at different venues around the city.

Feriarte, an art and antiques fair, takes place between Nov 21 and Nov 29. If you collect art or you are passionate about interior designs, this is definitely the place to visit.

Places to stay

During the low season it’s easy to find cheap places to stay in Madrid but if you plan to visit the city during an important festival, it’s wise to book at least couple of weeks in advance.

University Club is located in the Centro district and offers both private and shared rooms. The bathrooms are either ensuite or shared. There’s a TV room and Internet available (bring your own laptop). The bed linen is included in the bed price. Room rates start at €21 per night per bed in a 2-bed room.

Pop Hostel is located in the Malasana area, a well-known area for partying. It is just 10 min away from the popular sites of Madrid, in an area teaming with bars and clubs. The hostel offers a kitchen, TV room, dining room and internet room (2 computers with free internet access). Bed linen and towels can be rented. Room rates start at €19 per night per bed in a twin private room.

International Hostel Posada de Huerta is located right in the city center, just a short walk from every interesting site of Madrid. All rooms come with linen and AC included. There’s a kitchen the guests can use and you can socialize and relax in the living room. Room rates start at €37 per night per bed in a twin room, bathroom ensuite.

Students Hostel Luis Velez is located in the city center, between the Atocha Railway Station and Puerta del Sol. There’s a kitchen the guests can use. All rooms have free wi-fi, heating and TV. Room rates start at €19 per night per bed in a twin room, shared bathroom.

Mad Hostel is located within a short walk from all the museums and other interesting sights of Madrid. Breakfast is included in the room price. There’s free wi-fi within the property. Guests can use the kitchen and the roof top gym. Room rates start at €18 per night per bed in a 4-bed mixed dorm, bathroom ensuite.

A direct result of the economic crisis was the fall of hotel prices all over the world. What does that mean for the travelers? Simply put, hotels which once were too expensive to consider are now very interesting options for your vacation.

According to this article published by Mail Online , Britons can now enjoy luxury hotel prices for prices starting at £100.

Where are we heading to?

Prague, Lisbon, Warsaw and Pisa are among the cities where £100 is enough to get excellent rooms. This is not a surprise at all considering that August 2009 was weak for all hotel chains in Europe and Prague took the hardest hit as the revenue per available room dropped by 25% compared to August 2008. It’s the perfect opportunity to plan a short shopping spree during the Christmas Market in Prague.

In the UK, Edinburgh tops the list of cities where little money will get you excellent rooms. A year ago, £100 in Edinburgh was enough to get a room in a 3 star hotel. This year, the same money buys a room in a 4 star hotel.

How about other continents?

It seems that no matter what continent you have in mind, £100 will get you excellent rooms. In Melbourne (Australia), Mexico City (Mexico) and Sao Paulo (Brazil) the hotel room prices are at their lowest for the past five years, making these cities very affordable. Since the weather in UK is starting to turn sour, now you have a good reason to go to warmer places and Mexico City might just be your perfect choice.

Is this good news for the travelers?

Sure! The hotel room prices are back to the levels they were in 2004. Now is a great time to look for some luxury vacations at low prices, whether you always wanted that second honeymoon or you plan to indulge in a bit of relaxation.

According to Hotel.com, £100 will secure five-star hotel rooms in the following cities (including but not limited to): Lisbon, Marrakech, Toronto, Pisa and Prague.

Lucerne is a charming city in the heart of Switzerland, famous for the medieval squares, frescoed houses and excellent views of the mountains. Lucerne is also linked to the legend of William Tell.

The Chapel Bridge is definitely the landmark of the city. It is said to be the oldest wood bridge in Europe. The remarkably preserved Old Town is another important place to visit. The mazes of streets, charming squares and interesting murals painted on the houses make for a very interesting walk.

For the best views of the city, take the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to the top of Mount Pilatus. You can also choose to hike to the top but it will take at least 4 hours.

Planning your budget: are vacation packages are good idea when visiting Lucerne?

The best time to travel to Lucerne is between April and October. During late autumn, there aren’t many tourists in the city and, as a result, you won’t find many European vacation packages to include Lucerne. It is possible, though, to find Lucerne as part of a Europe cruise .

The largest airport close to Lucerne is Zurich. Once you land in Zurich, either rent a car or take a train to Lucerne. Flights to Zurich are not hard to find, as the airport is served by plenty of airlines offering links to cities all over the world. It is a good idea, though, to also look into flying to London first and then catching a low-cost flight to Zurich.

When it comes to finding hotels in Lucerne , it’s probably best to stay a bit further from the city center if you plan to save on accommodation. The hotels in the city center tend to be quite expensive.

Things to do in Lucerne in late autumn

Late autumn is not a very busy period when it comes to festivals and events in Lucerne. But you won’t get bored either if you decide to visit the city now.

Lucerne Festival at the Piano takes place between Nov 23 and Nov 29 and is a festival dedicated to the art of playing the piano. The concerts and recitals take place in Lucerne’s KKL Luzern Concert Hall. You can listen to classical jazz and piano artists.

Where to stay in Lucerne

It’s always best to book accommodation in advance if you plan to travel to Lucerne during important festivals (or during the high season). Look for places which are located further from the city center.

Hotel-Restaurant Felmis is located close to the mountains. Lucerne city center is just 4 km away and can be easily reached by bus. There’s free wi-fi within the hotel. All rooms have bathroom ensuite, phone and TV. In winter, the room rates start at 160 CHF per night.

Hotel Alpha is located in the center of the city, just 5 min from the old town. It offers private rooms with both ensuite and shared facilities. All rooms have wi-fi access (for a fee). During winter, room rates start at 125 CHF (€86.20) per night for a twin room with bathroom ensuite.

Hotel Balm Meggen offers a relaxing atmosphere and great views of the area. Breakfast is included in the room rates. All rooms have TV, phone, wi-fi and a pull-out sofa. During winter, room rates start at 180 CHF per night for a double room standard.

Romantik Hotel Wilden Mann offers a very romantic setting for a vacation. All rooms have bathroom ensuite, minibar, radio, phone, TV, safe and wi-fi. Room rates range from 270 CHF (€169) to 360 CHF (€225) per night for a standard twin room. The rates include breakfast and taxes.

Continental Park Hotel is located in the city center. All rooms have AC, bathroom ensuite, minibar, safe, TV and wi-fi (for a fee). Breakfast is included in the room rates. Room rates range from 270 CHF to 380 CHF per night for a twin room.

With the nasty weather – cold, damn, gloomy – already present in the Northern Hemisphere, the idea of spending a week (or two) in a warm destination makes us day-dream. But what if you can actually afford to spend several days in a 3-star motel in Australia? A night in 3-star motel in Byron Bay starts at AUD$115 for two persons.

Flights to Australia are cheap as well

When it comes to finding flights to Australia , first you need to decide which airport you’ll be flying into: the closest to the destination or the biggest in the country. Flying into Sydney –the biggest airport in Australia- typically means you’ll find more deals to choose from but sometimes flying into a smaller airport will get you cheaper rates.

Late Deals start at €1,014 for a round trip to Sydney (from London). If you fly into Brisbane, for example, the rates start at €986.50 for a round trip flight (from London).

Accommodation is very cheap in hostels

Staying in hostels in Australia is an excellent choice for many travelers. You don’t need to be the “hostel-type” but you do need to do quite a bit of research before choosing the right hostel for you. There are excellent hostels for families and couples, where you can stay in a private room. But there are also huge, party hostels, where youngsters love to share everything – from the bed to the lounge and … many more.

Hostel rates in Byron Bay start at AUD$35 per night per person in a private room and AUD$25 per night per bed in dorms. In large cities, such as Sydney or Brisbane, you can find dorm beds starting at as little as AUD$19.

Things to remember

November in Sydney is the last month of spring, so the weather will be excellent and the tourists all over the place. The prices for both accommodation and flight tend to increase as the summer season approaches. So if you dream of waiting for Santa in bikini (you, not Santa in bikini!) you should book the flight and accommodation the soonest possible.

Last minute Australia vacation packages might be quite good choices as well, but it’s always risky to rely on such offers. Unless you’ve got a back-up plan.

Los Angeles is a very large city and it often seems like you are looking for the needle in the haystack when you want to find a cheap hotel. Autumn in Los Angeles brings some of the best weather and beautiful days.

Los Angeles is typically a vacation destination for those hooked on the music and film scene and also those who enjoy shopping. Anaheim is close by and we all know that’s the home of the famous Disneyland resort. Whether you are in LA for a longer period of time or just passing by, you can take some time to check out Hollywood Boulevard.

You should also visit Olvera Street, the historic center of LA. You’ll find the oldest building in the city here (Avila Adobe, built in 1818) and it can be visited. You can also enjoy a day in nature or a picnic in Griffith Park, the second largest park within a city in the US. If you travel with the kids, don’t miss visiting LA zoo, located within the park.

Planning your budget: package vs booking the hotel and flight separately

If your plans include spending time at Disneyland resort, then it’s worth it to look for Disneyland vacation packages . They often include only the accommodation, meals and some tickets to theme parks. But in some cases they might include the airfare too.

It is wiser though to book the hotel and flight separately, especially if you have no desire to spend time around Mickey Mouse. Flights to Los Angeles are cheap and easy to find. But make sure to avoid the period when families take their kids to the above mentioned resort (in short: try not to plan your flight when kids are on vacation or during public holidays). And to get even better rates, fly on Wednesday or Thursday.

As for accommodation, if you look for cheap hotels in Los Angeles , the areas of Glendale or Pasadena are good choices, but they are located away from downtown (so you should consider renting a car as the public transportation is quite challenging here). Hollywood is also a good choice for travelers, especially those looking to spot celebrities.

Things to do in LA in late autumn

One thing is for sure: no matter when you visit the City of Angeles you won’t get bored. There’s always something to do and some events to attend, whether you want to attend a concert, watch a show or check out a festival.

If you like shows, then you should check out Cirque du Soleil: Kooza . The show takes place at Grand Chapiteau at Santa Monica Pier on Nov 13, 14 and 15. The show tells the story of a melancholy loner who searches for its place in the world. It combines acrobatic dancing with the art of clowning and offers excellent entertainment.

Or you can see a circus show at UniverSoul Circus (Hollywood Park) from Nov 11 to Nov 22. It is a show for all ages and a great choice if you haven’t been to the circus lately. The plot is engaging, the costumes are superb and the kids will love it!

The 4th Annual Winter Fresh Festival takes place on Dec 5 and features artists such as Andy Moor, The Toxic Avenger, DJ Isaac, Scotty Boy and Caffine.

The Red Rabbit Arts & Crafts Market takes place on Dec 6 at the Descanso Gardens. It features Southern California Artists, Craftsmen and Crafters selling different items, ranging from jewelry, clothing to upcycled art and more.

The 6th Annual Chopper Fest takes place on Dec 13 at Ventura Fairgrounds. The day will be filled with good music, good food, custom bikes and riding demonstrations.

Places to stay in LA

Since Los Angeles is a popular travel destination year round, it’s a good idea to book the accommodation ahead of time, especially if you are after popular cheap places to stay. The private rooms in hostels tend to book up quite quickly but dorm beds are easy to find pretty much any time of the year.

Venice Beach Hostel is located right at the beach. There’s free wi-fi available and the breakfast is included in the room price. All rooms have bathroom ensuite. The currently run some special offers (last night free and 10% discount if you renew your stay while you are in the hostel). In November, room rates start at $75.00 per night (twin room).

USA Hostels Hollywood offers free airport transport for free (if you stay for at least two nights), free all-you-can-make pancakes every day, free comedy nights, free tea and coffee daily and free wi-fi. There’s a kitchen on site as well as a laundry facility. Bed prices start at $33.00 per night (6 bed dorms).

Surf City Hostel is located in Hermosa Beach, about 20 minutes drive south of LAX. It offers both private rooms and dorms. They provide free coffee and tea all day, free maps and free wi-fi. Bed prices start at $25.00 per night (4 bed dorms).

H.I. Los Angeles / Santa Monica is located close to the beach and close to LAX. They offer a common area, free wi-fi and TV room. Guests who are not members of H.I. are required to pay a temporary $3 fee per night. Bed prices start at $30.00 per night (6 bed dorms).

Orange Drive Manor Hostel is located in Hollywood, close to all the attractions. It offers guest kitchen, TV room and wi-fi. Room rates start at $68.88 per night for a double room (bathroom ensuite).

For the travelers who speak English, London is a great travel destination. There aren’t any language barriers and you don’t risk having a cultural shock either. London is noisy, busy, and vibrant city that has a reputation of being an expensive place to visit. While it is true that hotels in London are more expensive than in other large European capitals, there are always tricks to save on accommodation – whether you stay further from the city center or you choose a private room in a hostel.

Despite its reputation, London is not a rainy and gloomy city. The average low temperature in November is 3C, while the average high is 10C. However, the average precipitation is only 7 cm. So, really, don’t worry about spending your vacation in a wet place.

Budgeting: flights and accommodation

Thanks to being a huge travel destination, finding a flight to London is easy as pie. The city is served by several airports but if you are flying from anywhere but Europe, you’ll be landing on Heathrow. Since London is a popular destination year round, try booking in advance if you plan to save money. Typically though, November is a cheap month to fly into London.

Since the city is not the cheapest place to visit, finding a cheap hotel in London might require a bit of search. The good news though is that the city is huge and the public transport excellent, so you can stay in cheaper neighborhoods and be able to travel easily to whatever attraction you plan to visit.

When it comes to look for packages, it’s wise to see if there are any interesting offers. European vacation packages come in many forms and you might be able to find hotel-only or flight-only packages suitable for your budget and/or your free days.

What to do in London in November

On Nov 14, you can attend the Lord Mayor’s Show . The procession starts in the City of London from Mansion House and goes to the Royal Court of Justice. The fireworks display takes place at 5 p.m., between Waterloo and Blackfriars Bridge

London Jazz Festival takes place between Nov 13 and Nov 22. The highlights include: Amit Chaudhuri, Gretchen Parlato, Miguel Zenon and Marcus Roberts Trio. It takes place at various venues in the city, including 606 Club, Artsdepot and BBC Radio Theatre.

Places to stay

Finding a place to stay in London is not very hard, particularly because the city is so big. Do make sure to read all the reviews and try to find a place to stay close to the places you plan to visit (although the public transport is excellent).

Torquay Hostel is located near the Bayswater/Paddington areas of London and offers both private rooms and dorms. They offer a dining room, a TV area and an Internet café. There’s also a kitchen available (but you need to ask at the reception to provide the pots). Room rates start at £19 per night (twin private room).

Journeys Greenwich is surrounded by street markets and colleges and is an excellent base for exploring the city. The hotel offers a kitchen, common room and free wi-fi. There’s a pool table guests can use and Thursday Nights are dedicated to Karaoke. Room rates start at £22 per night (1 double bed private room, shared bathroom).

The Royal Bayswater Hostel is located in the Bayswater area, overlooking Hyde Park. They offer both private rooms and dorms. Please note that kids under 16 are not allowed to stay in dorms or shared rooms. Also, the dorms aren’t suitable for guests over 50. Room rates start at £32 per night (1 double bed, private bathroom).

The Green Man, Bestplace Inn, Paddington is located right in the middle of London. It’s the perfect base for the shopper, party-people and those who like to explore the city. The room rates include the continental breakfast. And by the way: there’s a pub within the hostel. Wi-fi is available but make sure to bring your laptop (or hire one at the bar). All guests must be at least 18. Room rates start at £48 per night (twin room, shared bathroom).

New Cross Inn Hostel is located in South East London. They offer both private rooms and dorms. It has a common room and two kitchens for the guests to use. There’s free wi-fi within the hostel. Guests must be between 18 and 40 years old. Bed rates start at £16 in a 4-bed dorm. Make sure book in advance even during the off-season, as the hostel is quite popular and fills up quickly.

For the past two months, there have been signs that the hotel industry is starting to see some better days. The latest hotel industry data for the United States reveal the hotels across the country continue to struggle but in some areas, including Southern California, there are signs of improvement.

According to this article published by Los Angeles Times the hotel occupancy rate in the USA dropped by 5.4% in the first week of October compared to the same period last year. At the same time, the revenue per available room dropped by 12%, reaching $59.28.

The hardest hit was taken by business travel and, as a result, more than 300 hotels in California are in foreclosure. However, the report shows that business travel is starting to improve in some cities, including Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New Orleans.

In Anaheim, the occupancy rate rose by 2.3% in the first two weeks of October and even the number of group bookings saw an increase. Also, in Los Angeles the number of group bookings rose by 18.1% in the first two weeks of October.

New Orleans reported increases in the three key indicators: occupancy rate, revenue per available room and average daily room rate.

Several months of good news

This data isn’t the first showing signs of improvement in the hotel industry world wide. Although during August only the hotels in Italy performed well in Europe, they were quickly followed by the Dubai hotels, which reported a 40% increase in occupancy rate in September.

And in the States, the good news started in September as well when six of the top 25 travel markets reported an increase in occupancy rate.

A conclusion

Although the data shows some improvements, the hotel experts don’t expect the hotel industry to rebound until 2011 or even 2012. However, travel managers forecast an increase in business travel next year.