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Seasonal Hostels Open For Summer! Although summer has not yet officially started, you can probably already smell the salty ocean breeze and feel the sun beating down on your shoulders. And if you're thinking about taking a getaway, now is the perfect time to make your plans. Whether your dream escape is at the beach, in the mountains, or somewhere in between, HI-USA has 12 seasonal hostels, now open or opening soon, in some of the nation's most desired locations. See the full list of hostels here and start making your summer plans!
Hostelling With Southern Hospitality Off the beaten path? Check. Authentically American? Check. The first hostel in Virginia's capital? Y'all better believe it! That's right, pretty soon you'll get a taste of Southern hospitality at HI-Richmond. With many historic sites and museums, Richmond is the perfect place to explore the antebellum and Civil War eras. Located in a National Historic District, hostellers will be able to walk out the front door to the State Capitol, the National Park Service's Civil War Visitor Center, the James River, restaurants, and performance venues. For cyclists, it's a must-stay spot on the East Coast Greenway and a jumping-off point for the new Virginia Capital Trail. A fundraising campaign is currently underway to get the hostel opened in 2015, and we will keep you posted when a specific date is set. For more information, click here.
Travel Journal Two Perfect Days
Along the world-famous Pacific Coast Highway, just 25 miles south of San Francisco sits HI-Point Montara Lighthouse, a hostel that is literally off the beaten path. Although coveted for its secluded location, you might also ask yourself, "What is there to do out there?" We're glad you asked, because Two Perfect Days tells you everything you need to know. A Million Dollar View
Check out what Vanessa from Turnipseed Travel has say about staying at HI-San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf, a hostel whose backyard is the San Francisco Bay and whose neighbor is Ghirardelli Square. Behind the Scenes
Two leading backpacker bloggers sat down with HI-USA and answered a few questions about their travel habits and thoughts about hostelling. Take a look at these rare video appearances: Michael Tieso, The Art of Adventuring
Stephanie Yoder, Twenty-Something Travel
HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL GLOBAL PROMOTION
The Hostel at the Intersection of Switzerland, France, and Germany If Switzerland is in your travel plans, make sure Basel Youth Hostel makes your itinerary. And if Switzerland is not in your plans, this hostel might change your mind. Featuring innovative and modern design by the same architects behind the Swiss Pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai, this hostel has a spacious terrace, tons of common space, and an enticing snack bar. As a guest, you receive free transportation in the city of Basel during your stay. Located where the Swiss, French, and German borders meet, Basel extends into France and Germany as well. As an important cultural center for Switzerland, you'll find a wealth of theaters and museums, including the world's oldest art collection that's open to the public. For more information, visit www.youthhostel.ch/basel.
Photo Contest: Hit Us With Your Best Shot Getting psyched for summer? Tweet, Facebook, or email us your best summer travel photo and have the chance to win a grab bag of fun summer swag! • Tell us where your pic is taken • The nearest hostel (bonus points if it's an HI-USA hostel) • If we have your permission to reuse the photo (if anyone else's face is visible, we'd need their permission too)* • Deadline is May 31 The photos will be reviewed by a team of summer awesomeness gurus at HI-USA and the winner will be announced by June 6. *The submission of a photograph will be deemed to be an authorization for HI-USA to use the photograph in marketing and/or publicity materials. For full contest rules, click here. | 
