Hostels close after foot and mouth losses

The Youth Hostel Association (YHA) is closing 10 hostels because of losses caused by last year's foot and mouth epidemic, it was announced today. The hostels, which will close after the summer season, include venues in popular hiking areas such as the Peak District and Cumbria.

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Travel tips

* For camping in New Zealand, get hold of a booklet called the BBH Guide, listing almost 200 hostels many of which have camping facilities. This is particularly useful because without exception the hostels are far friendlier and have better more facilities than the official campsites, and they are also slightly cheaper. Ian Mace

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I spent 10 months in New Zealand last year so if you want any tips just ask. We bought a car and stayed in hostels, which I would definitely recommend, as it gives you a lot more freedom than the coach tours. The hostels are generally nicer than the ones in Australia.

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In brief

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Website of the week

Single-sex dormitories, anyone? You’re probably too young to worry about that. Anyway, after a long day lugging your rucksack around, you’ll be too worn out to do anything except flop into a bunkbed. But I’m married with four children. In … Continue reading →

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I was in Vancouver this time last year. I stayed in three different hostels (it's good to try different places), one on Jericho beach (sort of nice but quite formal with curfews and a long way from the centre), the Cambie hostel, which was the cheapest and quite central, but not really the height of luxury, and the globetrotters hostel on Granville St (I think that's what it's called) which was really good.

Travelogue

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