Cheap Eat Guides: Discover cheap eats from across the world, every Monday on the BudgetTraveller

Our second serving of awesome cheap eats across the world comes from Cardiff ( if you missed, here is last week’s cheap eats guide to London by Steve Lowy) –  thanks to London based food/travel writer- Sophie Rae.

When not eating she can be found planning her next meal. 

Find her recipes and ramblings at anythingbuthungry.blogspot.co.uk or follow her via twitter @muffintops88

Wales’ capital city Cardiff plays host to some of the most incredible attractions; from the majestic castle and plethora of shops to the historical arcades with their hidden gems.

The heart of the city centre is a bustling hub of welsh life with welcoming faces ready to help make the most of your visit. So tuck in…

Crumbs Kitchen

Crumbs Kitchen, Cardiff

Freshly made in store are the infamous mountainous bowls of colourful salads, as popular today as when it first opened 41 years ago.

Relax upstairs in the ‘quiet room’ with free WiFi while you tuck into tasty handmade deep filled pies, gluten free soups and spicy chilli.

Salads start from £3.70

33 Morgan Arcade, Cardiff, CF10 1AF

10 Feet Tall

10 feet Tall

For the best cocktails and tapas in the city, head to this chilled out 3 storey bar. Nestled amongst the leather sofas and antique furnishings, friendly staff share their knowledge of what treats are on offer.

After dark the basement turns into a nightclub to dance the night away.

Open till 4am.

Top tip: Sign up for an ‘Eat, Beats & Treats’ Loyalty Card for discounts and promotions

2 meals for £10 or 3 tapas for £7.95

11a-12 Church St, Cardiff, CF10 1BG

Giovanni’s

Giovanni’s, Cardiff

Established in 1983, this Italian family run business offers the chance to taste the classics done well.

Tempt your palette with delicate Carpaccio di mazo, insalata caprese andhandmade ravioli.

If the sun’s shining, make the most with the outside courtyard.

Just sit back and relax with a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio. Buon Appetito!

Mains start from £7.95

38, The Hayes, Cardiff, CF10 1AJ

Ashton’s Fishmonger

Ashton’s , Cardiff

Proudly sitting on the edge of the historic Cardiff Central Market, Ashton’s offers the best fresh fish in the City.

Pick up a pot of locally sourced cockles, whelks, muscles or prawns, grab a crusty baguette from a nearby bakery stall and hop on down to Cardiff Bay, to eat your delicious catch while watching the ships come into harbour.

Pots start from £1.79 per 100g

Central Market, Cardiff, CF10 1AU

The New York Deli

New York Deli, Cardiff

Voted ‘Best Sandwich Bar in Cardiff’ for the last 2 year running, this place has it all.

Choose from sandwiches on light rye, bagels, hot grinders and the acclaimed hoagies stuffed to the brim with British sourced ingredients. Students even get 10% discount with a valid NUS card.

Open 7 days a week

Bagels start from £3.20

19 High St Arcade, Cardiff, CF10 1QR

What I’ve been seeing throughout my Luxury Hostels Tour is how hostelling has been evolving into this concept where the whole focus is now on creating experiences, experiences that travellers will cherish and remember for a long time to come.

At Casa Gracia, it’s all about the experience.

As you can tell from the first word ‘Casa’, the concept of this hostel is all about feeling at home , a ‘home in Gracia’ and that’s what they focus on offering.

Welcome:- to your home away from home in Barcelona

The building in itself is not something you would typically associate with a hostel.

It’s more like an apartment building, which actually was the original idea before the idea of the hostel was born in the owners minds.

You feel like you’re stepping into time , the moment you walk in.

Entering through the beautiful wrought iron gate and then stepping into the stylish elevator that seems to be a time capsule from the art-deco era.

Reception staff are cheerful , check-in is bright and breezy.

Either at check-in or later in evening, you’ll soon be acquainted with Alex, who is the Casa’s dedicated guest relations manager.

This is part of the hostel’s efforts to be helping create a home away from home experience for its guests and looking after their needs during their stay.

Alex, guest relations manager ( left, right the cheerful Michaela ) is the star of the show at Casa Gracia. Whether its cooking authentic romanian chicken stew or paella for guests, making the best mojitos or going salsa dancing- he excels

Alex has an impressive resume of organising concerts, opera, ballet shows involving some of the biggest names in the entertainment business back in his home country Romania. So , he clearly knows how to entertain and put on a show for the guests.

Minutes after we meet soon after checking in, he’s offering me tickets to go a beach party with some of the hostel guests- DJ plus drinks and barbeque for just 15 euros. Sounds amazing and I’m half tempted but realise with 3 weeks of hostelling and hardly any sleep, I need to take it easy so I decline.

Not to worry because later in the evening, the game between Spain and France is on the TV within the common room and Alex is cooking an awesome paella for the guests with sangria or beer included.

Cost: Just 5 euros. Paella is delicious and sangria, sweet and very potent.

The next evening, Alex organises a Mojito night and later takes a crowd of 30 of us salsa dancing at a local bar. Was a brilliant night- watching beautiful people dancing salsa and also brushing up on my nascent salsa dancing skills.

Dinner at Casa Gracia- under the starry skies on the open air terrace, candles lit everywhere with a bottle of Rioja: hosteling doesn’t get anymore better than this

The fun doesn’t stop- on the last night of my stay was the Euro 2012 final being shown on the projector in the hostel common room.

Alex and his good friend Mihaela, cooked for the guests a delicious chicken stew that is native to his region in Romania.

When I think of Casa Gracia, first things that pops into my head is all the cool stuff I did and the fun I had hanging out every night with Alex and the fellow guests.

It’s the people that make the experience more than anything.

My double private room at Casa Gracia

I could rave to you about how impossibly cool and chic my room was at Casa Gracia-they are finished to the comfort and standard of a chic, boutique hotel with a stunning ensuite bathroom.

Casa Gracia: Hostelling meets fashion. 11 local fashion designers exhibited their new designs in the hostel-great idea

I could also rave about how cool in general the hostel is, showcasing for example the works of 16 emerging fashion designers from the local fashion college- hostelling meets fashion design, what a great idea and fantastic exposure for the budding fashionistas.

I shouldn’t forget the outdoor terrace at Casa Gracia.

Lit by candlelight at night, perfect for summer evenings, where you can sit in the cool breeze sipping on a 1.60 euro bottle of Rioja wine from the local supermarket, chatting to fellow hostel guests for hours on end ( which is what I did most evenings, hardly even stepping out to sample the nightlife of Barcelona, that’s how cool it was )

With plans late this year for a rooftop terrace and private bar for guests, the star of Casa Gracia is set to further soar in the coming months.

It is impossible to put into words how cool and fun this hostel is.

However, what makes this hostel a great luxury hostel for me is the staff-people like Alex, reception team and the interns.

They made my stay memorable and for me made me feel I was at home.

This home away from home experience and living in a fantastic neighbourhood like Gracia is what makes Casa Gracia one of the best luxury hostels I’ve stayed in so far on this tour.

Any cons?

Maybe the wifi signal could be better on 6th floor but at the time of my stay they were installing a new system so hopefully that will improve things.

I am revisiting the hostel in August so I can give you an update on this soon.

Plus at rates close to 100 euros a night for a private double and 30 euros for a bed in the dorm, you’re looking at prices that are above the median average but still in terms of value for the experience and stay, I think it’s worth it.

Plus being away from the touristy drag of La Ramblas and Barri Gothic- you’re away from the menace of pickpockets.

Definitely worth looking into getting a room when you’re planning your next Barcelona break- definitely this is for me, the best hostel in Barcelona.

Luxury Hostel personified: Casa Gracia

Essentials

Room rates vary at Casa Gracia depending on low, mid and high season.

Looking at rates for September 2012, the rates for a bed in a 6 bed dorm room (with private bathroom) was 35 euros per night (per person) and the private twin was 100 euros per night (per room) In November 2012, the highest rate is 19€ for a bed in a dorm and, 65€  for a private twin room sharing bathroom and 76€ for a double/twin private ensuite- which is still pricier than other hostels in Barcelona so if you are happy to splurge extra, definitely worth going for.

To kick off the cheap eats section on BudgetTraveller, I am proud to have guest editing this week- London native , successful hotelier and founder of the popular budget hotel chain, umi Hotels- Steve Lowy.

Here are Steve’s top 5 tips for cheap eats in London, complete with a reference to the nearest located tube station.

Eat St, Kings Cross. London

1)       Eat Street near Kings Cross Station.

There’s been a recent surge in street food popping up all around London.

So much so that when developing the new Kings Cross and St Pancras stations it was felt that a street should be created just for this purpose.

From burgers to burritos, ribs to mussels, there’s a different type of food for every taste.

Check out the website in advance to see which stands will be there during your visit.

Don’t forget to bring a bib as it can get messy !

http://eat.st/kings-cross/

Nearest tube station: King’s Cross St Pancras tube station

Japan Centre, London

2) Japan Centre, London

If you like Japanese why not try out the Japan Centre bang in the centre of London. The food is all takeaway but it’s great value and you can pick up anything from sushi and gyoza to delicious ramen soup with Pork. Great if you need to grab something quickly when shopping on Regents Street.

www.japancentre.com

Nearest tube station: Piccadilly Circus Tube Station

Awesome cheap eats to be found in Borough Market: Like this roll with chorizo, roquito peppers and rocket at Brindisa (£3.75) Perfection

3) Borough Market- Cheap eats heaven

If you like food markets, then you have to head south of the river to Borough Market.

Now quite a trendy destination and situated close to London Bridge station, there are plenty of little restaurants and cafes scattered in and around the market itself.

For the real bargains, head in and grab some food from one of the many traders.

Like Brindisa Chorizo Grill- grab a chorizo and pepper roll for just £3.75

Great on a sunny day when you can pick out some lovely bread and meats or cheese before heading down to enjoy your food by the Thames and watch the world go by.

http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/

Nearest tube station: London Bridge

Magic Wok, Queensway, London

4)     Queensway- Magic Wok

Queensway is a little street just next to Hyde Park and a few minutes’ walk from Notting Hill. There you’ll find a mini Chinatown. One of my favourites on Queensway is the Magic Wok, famous for their BBQ Chinese meats. You will be served quickly and it won’t break the bank, with a plate of Char Sui BBQ Roast Pork or Roast Duck with steamed rice for £6… (remember to grab some chilli oil too) .

Very yummy.

100 Queensway, London, W2.

Nearest tube station: Bayswater ( 2 minute walk) or Queensway ( 5 minute walk)

Best budget Mexican meal in town: La Taqueria

5)  Best budget Mexican eatery in town? Try La Taqueria

Like Mexican but not up for stodgy Fajitas?

Head down to Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill, and grab some gorgeous tacos or tostadas at La Taqueria.

Offering lots of different mini dishes – like a Mexican Tapas experience – it is a great place to grab a few plates and share between friends.

With dishes starting at around £4 you can have a great little meal without spending a fortune. I warn you, the food is SERIOUSLY tasty so it may be hard to resist having more than 1 dish each

www.taqueria.co.uk/

Nearest tube station: Notting Hill Gate station

Copenhagen to Ljubljana- I present to you some of my best moments from my Interrail Tour with the help of my Instagram pictures.

Sunset at Nyhavn, 17th century waterfront of Copenhagen

1. My Interrail trip starts in Copenhagen with a sunset of all sunsets

Sunset in Nyhavn, Copenhagen’s stunning 17th century waterfront.

Picture says it all. Period.

Euro 2012 Fanzone park. Copenhagen. June 2012.

2. Copenhagen Fanzone, Euro 2012: I discover that Danes really know how to let loose and celebrate

9th June, 2012.

Danish fanzone goes nuts as the Danes beat the fancied Dutch.

Everyone starts hoisting their friends on their shoulders and running around the field like mad.

The pale blue evening sky briefly darkens under the cloud of flares.

I see a sea of smiles, of red and white.

It was great interrailing through Europe , seeing the Euro 2012 championships in every country.

Loved the fanzone-the atmosphere, passion on show and that shared sense of pride, patriotism.

I had an enviable 100% success record-every country I visited won during the championships ending with Spain beating the Italians.

Move over Paul the Octopus!

The first entry on my Interrail ticket. ICE 36, Copenhagen to Hamburg,
The journey begins…

3. Historic moment:

The first entry on my Interrail Ticket. Copenhagen to Hamburg on the ICE36.

Crossing the wide Baltic sea

4. Copenhagen to Hamburg on ICE 36

One of the epic moments of the Copenhagen to Hamburg journey with ICE 36  is crossing the Baltic Sea .The train gets swallowed into the Rodby-Puttgarden ferry.

Move over Ringo! Beatlemania, Hamburg

5. RIP Beatlemania, Hamburg

It was sad to learn that Beatlemania-one of my favourite museums in Hamburg was closing down.

Given how strong the roots the Beatles have in Hamburg, it’s a puzzling decision.

Here I am rocking the drums, just 2 weeks before they closed it’s doors to the public.

Move over Ringo!!

Obenci Dum, Prague

6. Obenci Dum, Praha

Obenci Dum is a stunning Art Noveau Cafe in Prague-I love going to this place for coffee and people watching whenever I’m in Prague.

Vienna loves nature

7. A hot day in Vienna, in the park

No museums.

I spent the  day in the park, drinking some awesome beer .Was perfect.

Cafe Sperl, Vienna

8. Cafe Sperl. Vienna

Beautiful Vienna kaffeehaus. You feel like you walking back in time, the moment you enter this cafe.

For movie lovers, it’s also the scene for that confessional telephone game in the movie Before Sunrise between the lead characters, Jesse and Celine.

Railjet- Wien to Budapest

9. Finally, I discover free wifi on a train!

On the railjet train from Vienna to Budapest.

Takes just 2.30 hours and is one of the best trains I’ve been on.

Unfortunately , the free wifi stops when your cross the Hungarian border.

Sunset over Danube. Budapest

10. Watching sunset over the Danube in Budapest was unforgettable.

Langos and Borsodi- Market Hall, Budapest

11. Lunch in Budapest- you have to try Langos.

It was midday . I’m at the Market Hall in Budapest.

Roasting outside , about 36C.

Inside, it was stuffy and the food area was overrun with tourists during lunch hour.

Luckily, I managed to get a seat.

Along with my very tasty Langos, got an awesome chilled pint of the local Borsodi beer.

That first sip was amazing.

Cost of the beer and Langos: £5.

12. Ticket booths. Budapest Nyugati Palyaudvar Station

Budapest’s Nyugati Palyaudvar Station

Budapest to Ljubljana-Epic.

13. Budapest to Ljubljana

Out of my 1 month Interrail Odyssey, the 9 hour Budapest to Ljubljana train ride was probably the most memorable train journey.

Part of the train track is not electrified .

The train changes it’s engine three times.

Plus it stops at every station along the way.

This trip is all about taking it slow and just enjoying the moment.

That is if you can keep your cool in the 36C heat , that too with no air conditioning.

I was lucky to have the company of local and FT journalist, Kester Eddy who’s been reporting from the region for last 40 years.

Every landmark or village passed, Kester had a great story to share.

Best moment: Engine change at Pragersko.

We weren’t sure how long the engine change was going to take but both me and Kester were thirsty, dying for a cool drink.

Kester reckons he had at least 10 minutes so he scampered off and grabbed a few Lasko’s for both of us and a bite to eat.

That beer tasted great Kester. One of the best beers I have ever had in my life. Thank you!

14. Picture postcard pretty Ljubljana.

I loved this city.

Maybe I got lucky- Ljubljana was relatively free of hordes of tourists that had plagued me since the beginning of the trip.

Could it be due to the fact that Ryanair or any other low-cost airline haven’t launched a route to Ljubljana yet>

It was quite neat , compact and easy to get around.

Cacao, Ljubljana- Best gelato outside of Italy

15. Gelato in Ljubljana – best I’ve tasted outside Italy.

There’s only one place to go- Cacao Gelato Bar.

You can sit by the riverside, watch the people walk by, watch the boats go by and stare upwards at the fairytale castle turrets soaring in the infinite blue sky.

Taste your gelato. You can choose from over 30 flavours.

Close eyes.

Drift away.

The story continues: Following their adventures in Brussels we join Emma and her mum in Koln where they are just getting into the ‘local spirit’ …..

‘Shall we get a beer? We are in Germany after all…’

It seemed my mum was getting into the backpacker spirit pretty quickly.

A swift two hour train ride had taken us from Brussels to Cologne, a bustling historic city and my introduction to Germany. So far I liked it.

The beer, I did not (fake smile, much?)

Koln: Beer time!

We were staying at Pathpoint hostel, on 26 Machaberstrasse, a stone’s throw from Cologne central station. This giant renovated church had only been open as a hostel for a couple of weeks, but it was clear it was going to be a success. A large, clean kitchen, ample partying space and comfortable dorm rooms were definitely worth the €19.50 per night.

Dorm in Pathpoint Hostel

Our first stop the next morning was Cologne Cathedral, which just so happened to be a short ten minute walk from our hostel. This huge gothic structure stands grand and imposing amongst the sleek modern buildings of post-war Cologne; its spires are the second tallest of any church in the world.

Challenge accepted.

We paid our €3 to enter and began marching up the 530 steps… The spiral staircase was extremely narrow and dark, so it was easy to forget how quickly we were ascending. Light shone in through various chinks and gaps in the stonework, offering a glimpse of the city sprawled out below us. We were high. Approximately 400 feet high.

Breathtaking spire of Cologne Cathedral

What felt like a lifetime later, we made it to the look-out point. The view was stunning; the Rhine snakes lazily through the city and even on a cloudy day, you can see for miles. It was worth the walk.

Return of the Mac

Once we’d made it back down to solid earth and our jelly legs had subsided, we went for an amble along the river, heading towards Rheinpark. Yet again, Mum’s hopes for sunshine were quashed by Mother Nature, as the heavens opened and spatterings of rain fell from the sky. ‘Yes!’ I thought, ‘a chance to use our pack-a-macs!’ I like to think we looked pretty dapper…

View from the Cable Car

It appeared our morning’s trek up Cologne Cathedral had fired up our appetite for heights, as when we stumbled across a cable car station, we didn’t think twice about hopping on for a ride over to the park on the other side of the river.

A one-way ticket cost €4.50, not bad for yet another spectacular view of the city and the cathedral itself.

View from the Cathedral

After an afternoon spent wandering through gardens and greenery of Rheinpark, we ended our day with the obvious food choice: Bratwurst. Or – more specifically -, currywurst, a type of German sausage with curry flavoured ketchup. Maybe it wasn’t such an obvious choice, but it only cost a couple of euros and apparently it’s the local fast food, so we gave it a shot! After a dizzying day spent up cathedrals and cable cars, it was a warming, delicious conclusion to our stay in Cologne.

Next stop was Prague, so it was time to get a good night’s sleep before our adventures took a wild turn…

TO BE CONTINUED!

Cocomama- Amsterdam’s hottest boutique hostel

Thought I’d share with you today, a neat little documentary from the opening of Cocomama , Amsterdam’s first and only luxury ’boutique’ hostel back in May 2011.

Since then, Cocomama has firmly established itself as Amsterdam’s hippiest and coolest hotel.

Really enjoyed my stay here and again, besides the cool room themes , stunning garden and common room space, it’s the girls who run the hostel who really make this place special

For more insight, check out my recent review of Cocomama Amsterdam, have a look and in the meantime enjoy the video which gives you a feel of how the hostel is on the inside and includes a fleeting guest appearance from coolest hostel cat, Joop.

Looks much more slimmer and fitter than when I saw him

St Petersburg was something of a revelation.

This is not the image of Florida I had in my head.

St Pete’s tranquil palm tree lined avenues with its stylish residents, chic boutiques and great outdoor cafes are the perfect antidote to the adrenaline filled madness of Orlando and Disney.

You almost could feel that you’re somewhere on the French Riveira.

I had lunch at the Cassis American brasserie.

It’s May but it’s already hitting the 30’s .

I’m keeping cool with an ice tea on the sidewalk , nestled under the shade of huge yellow umbrellas.

For starters we order a plate of oysters.

I know.

Not the most budget friendly thing but if you’re here with friends or family, order a plate.

Some of the freshest and juiciest oysters I’ve ever tasted.

For mains I tuck into the Cassis Burger with caramalised onions and swiss gruyere cheese.

This comes with some awesome French fries. Cost: $11.50

Chihuly Collection

After lunch we meet Wayne Atherholt the charismatic curator of the local Chihuly Collection.

I was kinda surprised when I learnt that there is a museum dedicated to Dale Chihuly in St Pete’s.

Chihuly: Ruby Red Icicle Chanderlier

It is the only place in the world devoted to a museum-like permanent installation of Chihuly’s works.

Inside you can find 5 galleries and 4 smaller “vitrines” contain installations and his amazing glass sculptures. All of Chihuly’s signatures are here: the Chandeliers, Mille Fiore and Float Boat, each containing hundreds of individual pieces.

Dale who?

I hear a lot of you say.

Elton John called Chihuly, the ‘Pablo Picasso’ of glass art.

When you see the pictures, you get an idea of the guys amazing artistry and talent.

I have some sort of a historical connection with Dale Chihuly.

In 2001, when I was 20, I went to London for my summer internship.

It was not the dream internship.

I was selling advertising for a trade magazine about the International Glass Trade.
That too commission based.
I know. I don’t what I was thinking when I accepted the job.
Poor salary. Sales. My degree was in Economics.
Plus I had no passion for the Glass trade,

I did a learn a lot about sales.

Plus about the glass trade and Dale Chihuly.

Before I quit my job I was actually trying to get an interview with Dale Chihuly organised.

So finally getting to see his stuff was a big deal for me and kinda emotional remembering how much my life has changed since that summer all those years ago.

Dali Museum

Stunning- Dali Museum is a must see if you’re visiting Florida

After visiting the Chihuly Collection, I got the chance to visit the stunning Dali Museum.

After visiting the Dali Museo in Figueres visiting his house in Port Lligat last year coming here was continuation of my Dali pilgrimage.

The museum’s collection was donated by Cleveland industrialist Reynolds Morse and his wife, Eleanor and represents a 45-year friendship between the Morses and Dali and his wife, Gala.

Modelling Dali’s shoe hat with the eccentric and wonderful Janice (left) and the equally crazy and funny ‘English Mum’ ( right)

I was guided by the eccentric and wonderful Janice who is wildly passionate about Dali.
I have never been a fan of guided tours but with Janice, Dali came alive in my eyes. Everytime I see a Dali painting I see something new –there are so many hidden layers and meanings in each of his works which makes it fascinating to see.

The collections are arranged in chronological order which makes it easy to see the pattern and development of his work. Works exhibited here are from every period of Dalí’s career, highlights including “The Average Bureaucrat” (1930), “The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory” (1952-54) and “Portrait of My Dead Brother” (1963)

The perfect place to end the tour and my day out in St Pete’s is enjoying a glass of Spanish rose at the museum restaurant ¬¬- Café Gala.

Named in honor of Salvador Dali’s wife Gala, the eatery offers visitors a café menu with a Spanish theme focusing on Spanish Tapas, wine, salads, coffee and pastries.

World class art and awesome gastronomy- this was a side of Florida that I did not expect was a total revelation. It comes as no surprise to find out that St Petersburg was voted by American Style magazine as the number one arts destination amongst medium sized cities in America.

So next time when you plan your trip to Orlando, remember there is much more to Florida than just Disney.

Essentials

To plan your trip to St Petersburg, check out their website and also have a peek at their Facebook page for updates on events.

Starting at £949, I spent seven nights in Florida and Orlando with Virgin Holidays, including scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick or Manchester direct to Orlando.

This included two nights accommodation at the 5V Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, two nights accommodation at the 3V+ Sunset Vista Beachfront Suites, two nights at the 5V Longboat Key Club & Resortand one night at the 5V Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Hotel, all on a room only basis with car hire included starts from £949.

Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing a standard room, price includes all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Prices are based on departures 12 – 14 Nov 2012.

To book: www.virginholidays.co.uk , 0844 557 3859 or visit one of our 90 stores located in Debenhams and House of Fraser stores nationwide.

I arrived in Ljubljana on the hottest day of the summer so far in Slovenia.

Beautiful, picture postcard pretty Ljubljana

It had been roasting on the 9 hour train journey from Budapest to Ljubljana.

The journey was scenic but with no air conditioning, it felt like my body was cooking in a steamy sweat pit so you can imagine, by the time I reached Hostel Celica, I was pretty worn out.

Luckily the hostel is just a 5 minute walk from the train station and easy to find.

It’s located in the heart of the city’s alternative arts scene.

With a clutch of live music bars and clubs around the hostel, there is quite a buzz and never a dull moment here.

I walk into to receive a pleasant reception and explanation of the hostel’s facilities and then given my bedding ( included in the price) and keys to my cell.

Hostel Celica: The Luxury Hostel in a former prison cell

Yes that’s my room- Prison Cell no 107.

It’s quite a radical departure from all the other hostels I’ve stayed in.

I open the door to my cell and hey presto is the barred metal door.

As it swings open and makes that too familiar ( massive fan of prison dramas and movies ) whining sound….it feels surreal- I’m in my own prison drama.

My immediate instinct when I shut the door behind me and dump my rucksack on the bed is to escape-find a ventilation pipe or drain, some way out and dig a tunnel under the bed with my ballpoint pen.

It is quite tight and clammy

Everything is neatly squeezed in, bunk bed on the bottom and top, reading light and a power point conveniently situated behind my pillow.

There’s no air conditioning in the rooms.

Being a heritage building I’m told it’s hard getting permission from local authorities to make changes to the buildings features.

Thankfully the staff are mega helpful and within a few minutes of informing them, a big huge stand fan appears.

Each of the cells have their room walls beautifully illustrated and designed by local artists to give them a unique feel and look.

Unlike most of the hostels reviewed and included in the Luxury Hostels guide, Hostel Celica rooms are not ensuite.

There are a handful of toilets and showers located on each floor.

Given that this is a relatively small to medium sized hostel, thankfully they never get overcrowded.

So what does make Hostel Celica a Luxury Hostel?

Like all good hostels, Celica excels in looking after it’s guests and offering a home away from home experience.

From the reception staff to the breakfast staff to even the cleaners-everyone has a smile on their face and very helpful.

The hostel also benefits from it’s alternative ego as an arts and cultural centre.

Breakfast in the garden at Hostel Celica-perfect way to start the day in Ljubljana

Every evening there is some sort of event going on in the hostel’s garden.

The garden-wow before I go any further, this is a beautiful garden.

Overgrown with huge tall trees, a nice spread of colourful tables and chairs under umbrella shades, it is an oasis of calm.

Towards the back of the garden there is a separate area which has hammocks and beanies to lounge in –perfect for grabbing a book and just relaxing.

At night, candlelit, the garden becomes the perfect meeting point for guests and also locals who flood into to see performances which guests are free to attend.

During the day, there is a steady trickle of locals coming in to drink coffee and meet friends in the hostel bar or to take advantage of Celica’s excellent lunch specials- for as little as 6.50 euros you can enjoy a 3 course meal.

Starting with a delicious soup, followed by chicken curry and rice then followed by dessert- a nice slice of melon ( Fruit! In a hostel? Awesome no haha )

Simple but great meal. Like soul food, perfect for your body after days of hostelling ,eating street food and drinking beers.

At night, in the summer, the Hostel does an excellent barbeque for guests on certain days of the week.

Hostel Celica feels like a meeting point between the world and the locals of Ljubljana.

It’s great to be in a place which is such an intrinsic part of the community and it’s history.

Everywhere you walk in Ljubljana , there are signs pointing to Hostel Celica.

It’s a true local institution.

I did not feel like a tourist living there but as a guest of the city and it’s people.

That for me is what makes staying in Hostel Celica, a luxury.

I’ve realised through the course of this trip that luxury is not just a concept that can be simply defined by a double room with ensuite facilities in a hostel.

Luxury is an experience.

In the era of mass tourism and globalization, where cities have been homogenised and there is less emphasis on character and individuality, it’s rare to find experiences that provoke, inspire and move the human imagination.

From that perspective, Hostel Celica is a truly unique experience , situated in what is a stunning city.

Come and visit Celica and Ljubljana, before the hoards of tourists come.

Essentials

My private 2 bed room ‘cell’ room cost 60 euros a night, or if you’re travelling in a group, you can choose a 4 bed dorm from 30 euros a night per person and these dorms are ensuite. For more details visit Travellerspoint website

Luxury Hostel No 10- Welcome to Generator Hamburg

Just a few months old, Generator Hamburg is a modern, clean and very comfortable hostel.

Lets start with the…

Location

This is one of the biggest strengths of the Generator Hamburg. You walk out of the Hamburg Hauptbahnhof and literally across the road is the hostel. Superb location. The S-bahn and U-bahn station is right beside the entrance of the hostel so you’re very well located. It is in walking distance to some of the city’s key sightseeing areas like the Deichtorhallen, the City Hall and Speicherstadt.

Security is another great feature of the hostel. At the entrance you have a friendly security guard who lets guests in and checks to see their room keys. Entrance into the elevator is security card operated.

Lobby area of Generator Hamburg- Idyllic and perfect for some people watching, surfing or snoozing

The lobby bar area is a bright, welcoming area with lots of comfy furnishings where people can relax, chat with fellow travellers.

This is not a typical loud party hostel.

The age range is a good mix so travellers of all ages will feel comfortable in this hostel.

The Bar at Generator Hamburg

The hostel has an excellent bar with lots of great drinks offers including a happy hour where you can get beers for as little as a euro. They organise a whole bunch of activities from DJ nights, fancy dress parties and even Jagermeister parties so if you’re in the mood to party, there is something to look forward to.  Just like it’s counterpart Generator Copenhagen, there is a nice outdoor patio area where guests can enjoy drinks on the long summer evenings ahead.

The rooms- you have a good choice here ranging from 8 bed dorms, girls only dorms to private rooms so the hostel caters well to groups, female solo travellers and couples.

I stayed in one of their private room for 2 nights.

The rooms are compact and not extremely spacious.

You have a table, the bed itself and also a few coat hangers to hang your clothes.

The bathroom is tiny and pod like which was not a problem with my 5’5 foot frame but could be an issue for taller people.

The shower is powerful and excellent water strength.

You’ll have a great nights sleep in the beds here. I think they have a memory foam mattress so perfect.

All the beds here come with a reading light, power socket and the dorm rooms also have USB sockets for charging up your gadgets.

Linen and sheets are free, towels too if you’re staying in the private rooms but come with an extra charge if you’re staying in the dorms.

Cost: Prices in current high season can start around 60 euro mark for a double and around 15 euros for a bed in a 8 bed dorm. Prices are much lower for the low season so check their site, book ahead. They do run a bunch of special offers and promotions so worth checking out their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GENERATORhostels for offers.

Breakfast is an extra 4.50 euros which is pretty decent but there are plenty of breakfast options around.

Free wifi- yes, there is an excellent wifi reception in the lobby area and was impressed with the strength in my room on the 2^nd floor.

The staff are polite and helpful but could do with being a bit more warm and friendlier. I possibly caught them on a bad day.

Overall, other than that, I can’t fault this hostel. A very pleasant and relaxed stay overall and perfect base if you’re visiting Hamburg.

Plus Berlin

Plus Hostels is very much at the forefront of the new revolution in redefining the hostelling experience.

Location

Their Berlin branch is in an excellent location just off Warschauer Strasse near the S-Bahn station so you’re well connected to the Hauptbahnhof and the heart of Berlin. The east side gallery-one of the remaining stretches of the Berlin Wall is a few hundred yards away, there’s a clutch of cool bars in the area and across the bridge you have the hip Watergate club.

Top features

One key signature of the Plus Hostels is that they have a swimming pool and sauna.

Hostels and swimming pools?

Swimming pool at Plus Berlin

I know.

The moment I walk in and see the pool I suddenly have an image of crazy pool parties.

The idea of a swimming pool in a hostel seems utterly fantastic yet a recipe for total anarchy

The reception staff told me that they did have pool parties before but it predictably descended into chaos and was stopped soon after.

Top tip: When I visit the pool in the afternoon, it’s quiet with not a soul around.

The school groups have left for the day so it was serene.

Plus Berlin Garden

The sun is out after a few days of rain.

The perfect place to relax in Plus is the hostel courtyard and garden.

Few of the guests are drinking in the mellow June sunshine, relaxing on the deck chairs, sleeping off the excesses of the night before.

Plus Hostel Rabbit

The presence of a few pet rabbits scurrying around adds to the sense of tranquillity.

There are a series of wrought iron sculptures on exhibition in the garden.

I am told they are part of a mobile exhibition known as the Tacheles. Since they were evicted from their home, the Tacheles has become a mobile art exhibition presenting contemporary arts works and their temporary home is the garden of Plus Berlin.

They are exciting plans to introduce art design classes for guests next year so definitely something to look out for when you visit the hostel.

Opera Restaurant and Bar

Another defining space within the hostel is the Opera restauarant and bar.

It’s an impressive room with polished wooden floors, vaulted ceilings adorned by a series of kitsch circular lampshades.

The centrepiece of the room is the impressively stocked long bar.

Cool library in Opera Restauarant and Bar, Plus Berlin

To the front they have a huge projector screen showing all the big games and also a well stocked library of books which guests can use.

Adjoining the front , there is a room with pool table.

In the evenings, you can enjoy a choice of pizza or pasta dishes for a small price.

At night the bar is a great place to hang out and meet fellow guests.

The rooms itself are very spacious , clean and comfortable.

I stayed in the double room within the ‘hotel’ wing of the hostel.

Rooms come with ensuite bathroom – decent size and fantastic power shower plus also add-one like a hairdryer.

Room price start at 38 euros a night going upto 60 in the high season.

If you’re travelling in a group, recommend checking out their 6 bed dorm rooms which have 2 ensuite bathrooms –at just 13 euros a night per person, these rooms represent a great deal.

The staff were some of the friendliest I’ve come across so far- extremely helpful, cheerful and lots of great tips for places to eat, drink nearby.

Verdict

Plus Berlin is an awesome hostel- I really enjoyed my stay here and definitely recommend staying here as an option when you visit Berlin.