Flashpacking - The New Way To Backpack

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Hostels working to accommodate flashpackers need for wifi

Don't worry a flashpacker isn't some student backpacking Europe flashing people and it's not somebody that packs very quickly or anything else you might imagine it to be- flashpacking simply is backpacking with a lot of high tech gear. Flashpackers generally come in two types, the younger group, still in college, who have all the gadgets but not all the money for luxury accommodations and the second group of individuals is in their late 20's who have a little bit more money to spend and carry iPods, digital cameras and laptops.

Oftentimes over a third of the stuff a flashpacker brings along on vacation is technology related. Not only laptops and digital cameras are brought with, but also extra batteries, camera cords for uploading pictures to share while traveling, portable wifi finders and international plug adapters to name a few. Let's face it, in the past decade technology has changed our everyday lives and things like laptops, cell phones, iPods and digital cameras come with us everywhere, especially on vacation.

According to a survey completed by 2,561 visitors to Hostelworld.com this year, 21% travel with a laptop, 54% with an MP3 player, 83% with a cell phone and 86% with a digital camera. Hostels have been noticing this trend and have been trying to accommodate the flashpacker's needs. Just because you have an iPod, a laptop and a digital camera, doesn't mean you can afford to fork out $200 a night for a hotel.

Truthfully though, this new "flashpacker" phenomenon doesn't seem that shocking. The generation of kids that grew up in the 90's, grew up with the Internet and cell phones. It only seems natural that they would want to bring them with while on vacation. Plus if it is a student backpacking Europe, they'll be gone for awhile and will want to communicate with friends and family back home and will want to share their travel adventures.

While some hostels have been making changes, in particular offering free wifi, a large majority of hostels don't offer all the high tech accommodations that flashpackers desire or they charge for Internet access. If you're going flashpacking, here's list of a few hostels that offer budget accommodations and wifi to help you on your quest for Internet while backpacking Europe or across the country.

Hostelling International - New York, New York

Hostelling International Chicago - Chicago, Illinois

Hostelling International Santa Monica Santa Monica, California

Bellavista Hostel Santiago, Chile

Green Tortoise Hostel San Francisco, California

Banana Bungalow Maui Hostel Wailuku, Hawaii

The Generator Hostel London, United Kingdom

The Tropics Hotel and Hostel Miami Beach, Miami

USA Hostel Las Vegas, Nevada

Yosemite Bug Lodge Hostel - Midpines, California

Jillian Scheeler makes it easy and provides information about Flash Packing- the new way to backpack, including hostels and wi fi advice. To recieve free 4 part mini course visit the Flashpacking Website.

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