6 Oct. 20–Nov. 2, 2011
Hotel versus Hostel versus Bed and Breakfast versus Tent Where should you stay on your next trip?
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eading week is almost upon us and most students would vehemently agree it’s time for a break—one last hurrah before the winter weather sweeps across our city and renders us confi ned to our apartments and dorm rooms. While there’s no doubt we could all use a vacation, the question remains: Where to stay? Fulcrum writers make the case for their favourite forms of lodging.
Hotels Security, comfort, convenience Many students are turned off by the idea of booking a hotel room because they assume doing so is extremely pricey. Contrary to popular belief, one can stay in a hotel without breaking the bank. If you’re willing to do the research, you’ll most defi nitely be able to fi nd a cheap room in a reputable hotel. Besides the thrill of scoring a great room at an even better rate, students should consider staying in hotels while travelling because of the convenience factor. Hotels are abundant in nearly every major and minor metropolis; therefore, travellers can situate themselves in the heart of a city, by the airport, or virtually wherever they choose. Hotels offer the luxury of a personal bathroom and the comfort of your own space. Unlike in hostels, you are free to take your time in the shower and eat at a leisurely pace without the hustle and bustle that comes with sharing these areas. You also aren’t forced to sleep a foot away from a stranger in a hotel, which isn’t always possible with other lodging options. Some companies offer packages which include a hotel room and fl ight or train tickets, which is an excellent way
to stay on budget while travelling. Most importantly, staying in a hotel is usually a traveller’s safest option. Feel free to roam a city with peace of mind, knowing your belongings are safely stored within a locked room. —Laura Falsetto Hostels Prime time to socialize You’ve covered tuition, maxed out your credit card on textbooks, paid fi rst and last month’s rent, and are barely managing to feed yourself weekly. Yes, you need a vacation to restore your sanity, but you clearly cannot afford anything luxurious. For this very reason, hostels ste tells are the way to go for students. Backpacker- and student-friendly, nd ndl d ly, yy,, hostels are the best for socializing with w th wi h other travellers and usually includee exexxcellent freebies to take advantage o of. f. f. Many hostels offer their lodgers simple mp plee continental breakfasts and some host host ostt game nights, pub crawls, and walking k ingg tours of the city. Most hostels are locatocc ata ed within walking distance of the city’s ity ty’ ys best attractions and are often a stone’s one’ ne’s ne throw away from subway systems or bu b buss routes. Another added bonus of staying in in a hostel is the opportunity to share living vii ngg quarters with backpackers from all o over vveer ver e the world. You’re bound to walk away away way wa from the experience with a new group roup oup p of international friends, a foreign lover, ovver over, er,, or, at the very least, a couple of Facebook boo bo o ok oo friend requests. Finally, if you opt to save your penpen en nnies by going the hostel route, you’ll ou’ ou u’ ll u l have more in the bank to blow wh while w whi hii lee h exploring the city, shopping, and dining nin ni i g ing out. What more could you ask for? —Frankie Leclair lai aii r a
experience, the comforts of home, delicious food, and an affordable night’s stay, B&Bs are the way to go. What makes B&Bs the best? It’s all in the name, folks. First B: Beds. Beds in B&Bs are comfy, homey, and come in charming houses with personalized and elegant rooms that tend to overlook breathtaking local views. Now on to the more important component of the title: Breakfast. No matter what kind of vacation you’re on, in the mornings you’re going to need either: A) hangover recovery, or B) fuel for a long day of shopping, sightseeing, beach lounging, hiking, museum visiting, or p par tyi y ng. g B&Bs B&B B& Bs are th B thee only o y place p ace where pl w ere wh err partying. y u don’t you d on do n’tt need neeeed d to to cook coo co ook for forr yyou yourself, ou o u rse r elf, elf, lff but utt yo yyou u can c an n sti still t llll enj till eenjoy njoy nj o a home h home-cooked ome mee-co cooke co okk d o mea m eea l—o — ofte ftentimes enti enti nt me mes e be b bette ette tteer er than t han th han what wh whatt meal—oft better mom mom m makes. m maa ke keess. kes s. B&Bss o B& B&B off ffeer ff er two tw wo o Cs C s that tth tha h t sterile ster eerr ile illlee hotel hotel ho otel e el cha ch hains i nss and ins a nd putting an putt ttt ing ngg up up your yyo ourr o own wn n tent tteent nt chains can a n’t: an ’tt:: Chill C Chil Ch h il iill ll and an a nd charming, char haaarr m h min iin ng, g , and g, d who w ho wh can’t: wouldn’t wo wou w ou ldn d n’tt wan dn w want a nt that th haatt on vacation? hat vacat va c aatt ion cat ion on?? Oth O tther e perks peerkkss of p per of B&B B B& &B & Bs iinclude ncl nc clude de ge de ggetting ettt tti t ng ng Other B&Bs a llocal’s oca o ca ll’s ’ss in insid nssid siide ide sscoop coop co coo po nw heerreve hereve her e ver veer yyou’re ou’rree ou’ ou inside on wherever staying. sta tayin yin ngg.. Ch Che C Cheaper h ap ape per prices p pric r ces ric es than th tha ha n hotels hote tels l can ls an n eeasily eas asily i llyy be found found fo d iiff yo yyou ou dig d igg around a ro aro roun und u nd d a little, lit li it tl tle lee, eespecially esp speci ecciall eci llly w hen h n you yyo ou consider cons on nsid ns nsid ide der tthat d hat yyo ou u when you don d do o ’tt h on hav avve to ave to pa p ay for ay for fo or llo occal al a ca calls a ll lls ls, p ls ark rkk in i ngg , ing don’t have pay local calls, parking, orr mo m mov ovv ies i . movies. No N o dou dou doubt ub btt abo aab about b u bo bout utt it, itt,, co ccomfy omfy m ffy be mf b beds ed dss and a nd d de del eell iici iccious ou ous us br b rea eak akk fas fa sts t s are a ree tth he fframework ramewo ra wo orrkk delicious breakfasts the you u should sshoul o d p lan a yo an yyour ou urr next nex t vacation ne nex vaac aca ccaatio i n plan around. around ar aro u nd und d. —Al —A A l i Schwabe Schw ch h w abe hw ab be —Ali
Tents The traveller’s home-on-the-go Sure, there’s a lot to be said for the comfort of a bed and a little electricity when you’re making your way around the world, but if you’re looking to experience some real rugged travelling, then the tent is the only way to go. Tent-travelling has got to be the most authentically Canadian way to spend your nights away from home. Your life cannot be called complete if you haven’t spent at least a few starry evenings listening to the sound of rain falling on waterproof canvas or warming your feet by a raging outdoor fi re. The trees, mud, fresh fre sh h air r, and a nd d coo cooll waters co wateers of of Canada’s Can Ca C an nada ad s air, camping cam am mpin pii ng ccountry oun un u ntry ttrr y ar try a re u are unparalleled npa npa nparal p ral rall lelleed d by by an any nyy of the tth hee p pastel-painted a s el--pai ast as paii nte pa painte n d vist vvistas ist aass yyou ist you’ll ou’ll ’ ll ’l ll fin fi nd aadorning dor ornin or nin ng your yo our urr sterile sst steri eeri er r lee hotel ho hot h otel ot el room, room, ro roo m, or or nd the tth hee cu ccutesy utes tesyy ccharm te har ha a mo ome om mee smallm sm small mall all off ssome town tow to ow wn B B&B. &B &B. & B B. The appea The aap pp pea ea l appeal of of com ommun om mu nmu muncommuningg wi w with itth hn na nat nature atture u re ur as asi ssiide dee,, te de, ttenting nti n nt tiingg aside, it u up p is is als also o exexx-tremely tre r mel re me y eeducaduc ducaucc aa-ttional. tio io onal nal. Do Do you you ou know ho h how ow w
Bed and Breakfasts Bacon and Bacon B&Bs don’t immediately come to mind when students think about where to rest their heads while on vacation. But for a personalized
to keep bears and raccoons from fi nding their way into your food stash or how to deter pesky bugs from nipping you from head to toe? One bad camping trip and I guarantee you’ll know more about nature, and how to manage it, than any of your city-dwelling companions. If you want to really experience the area you’re travelling to, then a tent is your only option. If you just want to play the tourist game and come back home with the same tired souvenirs and planned photo-ops as all your friends, well, then we don’t want you in our wildlife anyways. —Jaclyn Lytle
photos by Mico Mazza
Students have lodging options
photo by Nicole Leddy
Setting up camp Pitching a tent in the middle of October Laura Falsetto | Fulcrum Staff
WITH FALL READING week just around the corner, many students are ready for a change of scenery without breaking the bank. Instead of eradicating your savings account, why not consider going camping? Fall camping is a great opportunity to get away from your dorm room or apartment on a
student’s budget. Surrounding the Ottawa Valley are a bunch of beautiful campsites, many of which stay open during the fall season. Students can pack up a van, head to a campground, and enjoy the natural beauty of the fall season on a dime. Gatineau Park is the most convenient camping option for U of O students. Located 20 minutes away from Ottawa, the park is a great place for students to enjoy the fall foliage. History buffs will love Mackenzie King Estate, which is located in the park and is the country home of William Lyon
Mackenzie King, former Canadian prime minister. With over 90 kilometres of bicycle paths throughout the sites, students can get active while taking in the beautiful landscape. Hiking enthusiasts should visit the Luskville Falls, which feature a path leading to the Eardley Escarpment and a spectacular view of the Ottawa Valley. For those interested in escaping the Ottawa area altogether, consider heading to Logos Land Resort, located two hours north of Ottawa in Cobden, Ont. The resort offers campers special fall packages, which include train tours, fishing, and access to hiking trails.
Logos Land also has a golf club for those looking to squeeze in a few more rounds before the winter season starts. Campers can stay in RVs, tents, or cabins, which are offered at a reduced rate during the fall. Students who aren’t afraid of a long drive and some genuine wilderness exposure should head 300 kilometres west of Ottawa to Algonquin Park to enjoy what is arguably the most breathtaking scenery in Ontario. According to the park’s website, autumn is the best time to visit Algonquin, as the sight of the orange, yellow, and red forest is truly breathtaking. Here
campers have the choice to stay at campgrounds in yurts (a circular or eight-sided structure similar to tents), ranger cabins, RVs, or tents. Serious adventure-seekers can hop in a canoe and paddle to set up camp in some of the most remote locations in the park. Algonquin Park is home to some of the fi nest Canadian wildlife, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for beavers, bears, and moose. If you feel like you need a breather from the stress of midterms and city life, take a break at one of these lovely campgrounds and enjoy all that fall camping has to offer.