International Hostels Offer More Than Beds

The International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF) provides its members with low-cost lodging at more than 5,000 youth hostels in more than 50 countries.

Not all of the hostels are terrific, but because this strong system exists, competitors who want to attract budget-wise travelers have to come up with better prices or facilities to draw business their way. Whether young travelers actually use the IYHF system or not, they still indirectly benefit from its existence.

The national youth hostel associations of many countries also organize guided or do-it-yourself tour programs that individual travelers can join, which highlight the activities or points of interest in that area. For example, this year independent travelers who want a break from city sights in Europe can arrange one-week do-it-yourself hiking or biking tours around Luxembourg.

Young travelers in North America can choose from more than 50 guided, hiking, biking and motoring tours offered by American Youth Hostels Inc. (AYH).

Within Hiking Distance

Luxembourg has only nine youth hostels but the country is so small (about 1,000 square miles) that the hostels are within hiking and biking distance of each other (9 to 18 miles). Self-guided hiking and biking packages for seven nights can be started any day between March 1 and Oct. 31; arrangements should be made a week in advance.

The cycling package costs $110 plus a $50 bike deposit. The fee covers lodging, full board, cycle rental (three-speed with pump and tube repair kit), a topographical map of Luxembourg, hostel handbook and information on Luxembourg. A reservation is made for your first night in Luxembourg City where you pick up your bike, then the route is up to you. The same package is available without the bike, for hikers ($75).

Luxembourg Hostels

If you just want to use the Luxembourg youth hostels for dormitory lodging the rate for travelers under age 26 is about $4 per night, with breakfast. The rates rise slightly at the Luxembourg City hostel and for travelers 26 or older. Sheet sleeping bags are required and are available for rent at $1.20 for the duration of your stay. Lunches and dinners can also be purchased.

If you don’t want to hike or bike, on weekends all return fares on trains and buses are half price and if you already have a rail pass such as a Eurail Youthpass you can use it on the national bus service, CFL.

You can also purchase unlimited travel passes for second-class rail and CFL bus services within the country. The tickets are called Billets Resaux; a one-day pass costs about $4, a five-day ticket (use any five days within a one-month period) is $12.

To arrange the go-as-you-please packages contact Centrale des Auberges de Jeunesse, Luxembourgeioises at 18 Place d’Armes, Post Office Box 374, Luxembourg. Telephone 25588. For further details on youth hostel locations, camping, hiking and general background on the country contact Luxembourg National Tourist Office, 801 2nd Ave., N.Y. 10017.

The AYH is offering more than 50 guided hiking, biking and motor vehicle tours this year. One advantage of their system is that they gear different departure dates to specific age groups such as a College Special (age 18 to 25); Adult (18 and up); 50 Plus; Youth (under 18) and Open Age.

Nine-Day Cycling Tour

This summer a nine-day cycling tour of “Pennsylvania Dutch Country” (Philadelphia to Gettysburg) will cost $230. That covers hostel lodging, a guide and meals; you must supply the 10-speed bike. A 15-day cycling tour of the “Vineyard Roads” from San Francisco using hostels and camping will cost $340.

The majority of the programs are within the United States but there are some tours of Africa, Israel, China, and Europe, including several “Europe-on-a-Shoestring” tours that are 16 days long, cost less than $1,000, and include round-trip air fare from New York, meals, lodging and land transportation.

For further details on the AYH programs ask for the “World Adventure 1986” brochure form American Youth Hostels, National Administrative Offices, P.O. Box 37613, Washington, D.C. 20013-7613.

You can get details on International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF) memberships from the Los Angeles Council, 1502 Palos Verdes Drive North, Harbor City 90710.