HI-Hyannis Opening in July
The Eastern New England Council of HI-USA (HI-New England) is pleased to announce the opening of its newest hostel on Cape Cod! HI-Hyannis opens this July, making the beautiful and rich region of the Cape accessible to travelers. Hyannis has enjoyed a rich history as the preferred vacation spots of senators, dignitaries and presidents including President Ulysses S. Grant, President Grover Cleveland and of President John F. Kennedy who called Hyannis home.
HI-Hyannis has the best of what the Cape has to offer - whether it's cruising Hyannis Harbor on an 1886 Crosby catboat replica, exploring Lewis Bay and Nantucket Sound by foot, kayak or windsurfer, hitting the beach, visiting local artist shanties, or enjoying the shops, restaurants and nightlife on bustling Main Street. The beautiful hostel overlooks Hyannis hostel and its location couldn’t be more ideal. The building is across the street from the Hyannis ferry docks, steps to the free Hyannis trolley shuttle, less than a mile to the Hyannis bus station and within easy walking distance to museums, shops, beaches and other local historical, recreational and cultural attractions.
Visitors can check out the Cape Cod Maritime Museum or the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum, which holds a multimedia exhibit about the days JFK spent on Cape Cod. As the transportation hub for Cape Cod and the Islands, Hyannis makes the rest of the Cape, as well as Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, just a boat or bus ride away.
“The hostel in Hyannis will allow even more visitors to enjoy all New England has to offer,” said Deborah Ruhe, executive director of HI-New England.
For more information, go to www.capecodhostels.org.
Find your feet in Kenya this summer!
YHA Kenya Travel center is offering some great deals this vacation, throw yourself into something new and experience the Kenyan culture.
For years African Home Adventure Safaris Kenya and Tanzania Tour Operator, has specialized in arranging quality, good value holidays to the world of travelers. Today we proudly boast an excellent reputation as a Kenyan international market leaders in our field. What makes us unique is that all year round we offer relaxing beach hotel holidays in Kenya, which could incorporate an exciting Kenya and Tanzania Adventure Safaris, Kilimanjaro Climbing and Mt Kenya Trekking Tours, Voluntreer placements in Kenya plus many more exciting great offers. We leave nothing to chance, as all aspects of our holidays are managed and personally controlled by our own well trained and highly motivated staff.
Explore Kenya with your Hi hostel membership card, and grab some great discounts ranging from 5% to 15%. Visit our website: www.africahomeadventure.com
For bookings and information please contact:
African Home Adventure Ltd,
Nairobi International Youth Hostel
Ralph Bunche Road
P.O. Box 4473 - 00200 Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254-20-272 6011 or +254 20 272 3012 / 254-20-2711217
Online: www.africahomeadventure.com
Email: info@africahomeadventure.com
SMS +254 722 760661
Please mention your HI Hostel membership to qualify for this offer.
Point Reyes Hostel to get bigger, greener
Hostelling International’s Northern California network will get even greener this year — in June, the National Park Service will break ground on a LEED-registered building at the Point Reyes Hostel. The expansion will add four private family rooms to the hostel, which is the only non-camping accommodation within Point Reyes National Seashore.
Upon completion later this year, the addition will be the first American hostel building to earn LEED certification. Hanna Morris, general manager of the Point Reyes Hostel, said she’s excited for the addition, because it means more couples and families with children will be able to stay in and enjoy the park without having to hike to a campsite. Getting the facility LEED-certified, she said, "is testimony to the commitment of both Point Reyes National Seashore and Hostelling International USA to promoting environmental stewardship."
The Point Reyes Hostel addition will include four private family rooms — one being wheelchair accessible — and housing for three staff. Currently, the hostel has just one private room, which is normally booked far in advance. The new building will also have a fully equipped kitchen, a common room with living and dining space, and a sundeck with views of the park.
Green features of the new building will include:
• Three sets of photovoltaic solar panels
• Cork, ceramic tile, and Marmoleum flooring
• A fiber-cement exterior designed to look like wood paneling
• Recycled glass countertops
• Water and energy-saving fixtures, appliances, and lights
• Copper pipes and a metal roofing system
• Overall design to maximize natural light and heat efficiency
• An environmentally friendly paved walkway
• Landscaping using native, drought-resistant plants
As designed, the new building meets requirements for LEED Silver certification. The internationally recognized LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system is based on points earned for meeting various sustainable building standards and ideals. Categories include site selection, water and energy usage, building materials, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design. The expansion will cost an estimated $900,000, which is being funded primarily by an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant. In a separate project this summer, the National Park Service is installing a new roof with solar panels on the existing hostel building, a few hundred yards away from the new building site.
Beyond LEEDThese aren’t the first green initiatives at the Point Reyes Hostel — in 2007, it was certified through the Bay Area Green Business Program. Each of the eight hostels operated by the Golden Gate Council strive to meet the goals of the Council’s Green Hostels Project. The initiative aims to decrease hostel and administrative waste, conserve water and energy, use environmentally friendly products and services, and provide community programming and outreach to locals and travelers about low-impact living and traveling.
Outside of the Golden Gate Council, HI-USA has plans to build a LEED-certified hostel in Boston. The HI-Girdwood Alaska Backpackers Inn was renovated in 2009 following LEED standards and was aiming for Gold certification, but according to co-owner Lilly Nyborg, it has not yet gone through the certification process.
Share A Hostelling Adventure Across Australia
An American in Oz is a true story about adventure and a huge leap of faith as Jennifer Monahan embarked on a "no plan" plan allowing Australia to lead the way. In 55 days, she crossed the country twice and filled her journal with details about a land called "Oz.”
The trip was going extremely well until Jeff decided to test the car and see how far it would go on one tank. Rather than fill-up when it was safe to do so, we passed one more petrol station than we normally would have. Practically on fumes, and with the look of “I told you everything’s okay” on Jeff’s face, we rolled into a small town called Wirulla. At first, it appeared that all was well, but it wasn’t long before there was cause for concern. The petrol station was closed. The one and only grocery store was closed too, and not just for the day, it was closed for the “holiday week” the sign read. The owners had decided to take a vacation the same time Jeff decided to push the limits of our gas tank. It seemed our luck had finally run out.
Read more about her adventure in "An American in Oz" Order your copy here.
Sign Up Now For HI Toledo Bike Tours
HI Toledo’s bike tour season kicked off in June with the 35th annual Portage River Tour, But there are still three more tours to come.
Each tour takes riders on scenic routes with food and water stops, and offer routes of varying lengths for cyclists of all abilities.
Helmets are required on all HI TA rides. For details and registration information, pick up a brochure at a local bike show, library or other locations, or download them at www.hitoledo.org.
22rd Annual Metroparks Tour In cooperation with Metroparks of the Toledo Area
Saturday, July 17
Whitehouse
38th Annual Irish Hills Tour
Sunday, September, 19
Centennial Terrace, Sylvania
33th Annual Tombstone Tour In cooperation with Metroparks of the Toledo Area
and Family Haunted Bike Ride
Saturday, October 16
Secor Metropark, Berkey
47th Annual Moonlight Ramble Bike Ride
Sign up today to join in the 47th Annual Moonlight Ramble. Proceeds will supporty HI-Gateway Council’s efforts to develop the historic Mullanphy Emigrant Home into a world-class hostel. On August 21-22, more than 10,000 recreational cyclists of all ages and skill levels from all over the world will join us in supporting hostel development.
The starting and ending location for the 47th Annual Moonlight Ramble® will be in Forest Park–plenty of free parking! The staging area opens at 9:00 p.m. Saturday, August 21 and will contain the Vendor Village, Registration, Communications Center, and the VIP Tent. Approximately one minute after midnight on August 22, during the "almost" full moon, riders will begin either a short 9-mile route or a long 19-mile route. For the first time in five years, the Ramble will travel onto the streets of St. Louis County.
The Moonlight Ramble® is a family-oriented event geared toward participants of all ages. Riding with friends is another great way to Ramble. Every tenth adult ticket is free. Share the wealth or treat your group leaders to a free ride. There will be a special Group Meeting Area at the starting line and your group gets an early start—leaving from the Group Meeting Area after the Premier Riders and before the other Ramblers. Another perk is hearing your group announced to all just before the official start.
Registration Prices for the Moonlight Ramble:
Child Age 0-4 FREE
Child Age 5-12 $10
Adult $30
Premier Rider $125
Scout (Group) or Teenager (13-17 yrs) $15
All registrations include activities before and after the ride, a distinctive glow-in-the-dark commemorative T-shirt, access to Vendor Village, and the chance to be part of a unique spectacle drawing recreational cyclists of all ages and skill levels, many returning year after year. Premier Riders also receive VIP access (including parking), preferred starting, and other perks.
To register early for the 2010 Moonlight Ramble, go to our online store!
Questions? Contact the Gateway Council at (314) 644-4660 or clerk@moonlightramble.com.