POSHTELS & FLASHPACKERS

You know, I love traveling with a backpack and sleeping in a hostel. In such a hostel, I book a bed in a dormitory with about 8 others and there is really no luxury or privacy at all. The reason I do this (or, in the eyes of some, put myself through this) is because I like to travel alone and in hostels, you always meet the nicest people, and secondly because it is super cheap and I can't afford to sleep in expensive or medium-priced hotels for weeks.

In hostels, everyone generally thinks the same way; and most backpackers are really budget travelers who keep a close eye on their expenses and really never spend more than about 10 euros per night. By now, I have realized that I am not like that. I find the coziness and clumsiness of hostels delightful, but I also like to treat myself to a nice hotel every now and then or I try to get into a luxury resort for a day, and I also go out to eat (many backpackers cook in the communal kitchen of their hostel) and drink ‘expensive‘ cocktails.

During my trip to Sri Lanka in the past few weeks, I was quickly labeled as a ‘flashpacker’. A flashpacker is, as you might guess, a backpacker who approaches it all a bit flashier. So someone who spends more money than the average backpacker. This still involves quite manageable amounts, but honestly, I sometimes wonder how ridiculously frugal backpackers can be. I understand that you really have to watch your expenses if you are traveling for 9 months, but if you are traveling for a few months or even a few weeks, don't you just want to do cool stuff without constantly having to watch every euro?

However, more and more people are on my side, and it has led to a whole new way of traveling. Or better said, a whole new way of sleeping. There are increasingly more ‘poshtels’; posh hostels, that is. Hostels that offer just a bit more comfort but are still very affordable and social. In Sri Lanka, I didn't see any poshtels (didn't pay attention either), but there are plenty worldwide that I would love to visit. So are you, like me, caught between two fires and looking for the best of both worlds? No problem, the places below in Europe are perfect for you.

Budget sleeping in Barcelona? Book a room in hostel Casa Gracia Barcelona.

Portugal on the wishlist? Tattva Design Hotel is where you need to be.

I was in Budapest this year and really, what a lovely city that is. You sleep in the Full Moon Design Hostel.

Look beyond London and book a night in Grinton in this castle (!) for a pittance.