The anniversary of the first youth hostel has hit it’s 100th anniversary with the first hostel formed in 1909 thanks to a German teacher who was out on a summer hiking trip.  In fact the first permanent hostle was a youth hostel in the world was a 12th-century castle in the western German town of Altena. Since then hosteling has changed the way youths travel.

Hostels today are more than a place to sleep, they are one of the best parts of traveling.  For 20 dollars a night you get a place to sleep usually in a room of up to 10 beds. Though it sounds bad, it’s really not.  Staying in a Youth Hostel is a great way to meet from the entire world, who, are usually friendly since they don’t know anyone just as you probably don’t.

If you haven’t stayed in a Youth Hostel I would recommend it at any age, even 32, 76, or 18.