UpTake on "My Crossroads" Continuing on my May blog theme (my pocket of heaven on the Northern California Coast) here is an ’UpTake’  from the Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel.  I may be over 7,500 miles from Cairo and over 6,200 miles from  Rome, but when I am visiting this hostel there is no place I would rather be then right there listening to the waves crash on the rocks and the salty air filling my nostrils. AND it’s inexpensive to sleep there!!! Imagine your private room with a window opening out to the Pacific Ocean for $64.00 a night or only $23.00 a night if you stay in a dorm style room. Enjoy cozy lounges, a secluded beach cove with tide pools, and landscaped native plant gardens. Amenities include DSL Internet and free WiFi, on-site laundry, free parking, and an espresso bar. This hostel is a gem of a find and one of the most unique in the world. The 30 foot lighthouse tower was built in 1818 in Cape Cad, Massachusetts where it stood until...[more »]

the water is perfect! Yes folks, people still do this.  Toady we hear from freelance travel writer and Uptake blogger, Zach Everson (link), who spent three months backpacking his way around Europe.  Above you see Zach standing in cold water in Olympos, Turkey. Why he’s smiling is anyone’s guess. Zach explains that there are obvious things to watch out for, but that it’s safe and cost effective.  There are so many young people doing this, it really is quite normal. Play ...[more »]

New York City is the second  costliest city for travelers in the United States, according to the AAA. But that doesn’t mean you can’t manage New York vacations on the cheap. While major hotels in and around Times Square charge upwards of $250 per night, you can cut that down to about $25 to $40 per night, if you can make do with a hostel. End of the day, if you’re talking about a 3 day trip to NYC, you might just have saved in excess of $700. There’s lots of decent hostels close to Times Square, Central Park and in Chelsea. And there are tons more hostels, even cheaper, in Brooklyn and Queens, but let’s just stick close to the touristy attractions for now. Central Park Hostel – One of your best options – Its clean, cheap, has excellent reviews, and located in a safe and convenient area one block from Central Park, and a stone’s throw from the subway. Clean rooms, both co-ed and male/female dorm style options, with 4, 6, 8 and 10 be...[more »]