You may have heard recently that some of our competitors have stopped offering hostels in certain destinations, due to US foreign policy.
Whilst travelling to some places can present an ethical dilemma, many of these countries are so unique and inspiring, they should not be cancelled out as travel destinations.
As a British company, we at HostelBookers still offer accommodation in Syria, Cuba and Myanmar. Each has plenty to offer the budget traveller, so check our reasons for still going…
Cuba
Cuba is utterly unique. It’s an idyllic tropical island with palm-fringed beaches, water-sports and some great rum cocktails. But there’s also lively Spanish Colonial cities like the capital Havana, sultry with salsa beats, crumbling colonial buildings and old-school skyscrapers.
Explore the country from a Cuba hostel, and you’ll come across streets of brightly coloured American Buick cars, psychedelic Che Guevara murals and cafes of old men, playing cards and smoking Cuban cigars.
For more information please refer to our comprehensive Cuba Guide
Syria
Like much of the Middle East, Syria is a far safer country to visit than people realise. Syrians are incredibly welcoming to visitors – most travellers find themselves being greeted by locals with a cup of Arabic coffee, glass of tea, or an invitation to join in with a family meal!
In this vibrant country, ancient history mingles with the bustle of everyday life – locals picnic beside ruined monuments, and the streets are a jumble of donkeys, bicycles and 1960s American taxis. Each city boasts citadels, elaborately decorated hammans and ancient souk markets.
Sightseeing is king here – the country is full of Unesco-listed sites, from the ancient city of Damascus (one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world) to the Greek ruins of Palmyra in a desert oasis. Other must-see sights include the eerie Dead Cities – abandoned Byzantine towns seemingly forgotten by the rest of the world, and castles dating back to the crusades. There are hostels in Dasmacus, Aleppo and Palmyra, making backpacking around the country pretty easy.
Then there’s the food – local delicacies are top quality, dirt cheap and delicious. You can always get freshly squeezed pomegranate/orange/blood orange juice from a roadside stall, the Baklava is flaky and sweet, and Syrian ice cream is out of this world – made with milk, the entire bowl is then dipped in crushed pistachios.
Myanmar/Burma
Travelling to Burma is an ethical decision for some travellers – thanks to a tyrannical political regime, the country has been boycotted by the international community, and many backpackers wish to follow suit. But this land really is a world apart from the well-traversed trail across South-East Asia – you’ll find no chain stores or souvenir stores here!
Seemingly stuck in a time-warp, you’ll find streets of British colonial houses, steam-boats sailing down rivers, and creaky buses attempting pot-holed roads. The country boasts many mystical sights – in Bagan you’ll find 4000 Buddhist temples resting on a river shore, floating villages and peaceful monasteries at Inle Lake, and traditional villages full of friendly locals up in the pine forests.
For a truly original adventure in South-East Asia, stay in a Yangon hostel. This former capital has a major international airport and is home to the Shwedagon Pagoda, the most important religious site in the country.
Have you been to any of these places? Then share your travel adventures with us.
Images – thanks to seier, Paulo Feuhlauer, and jmhullot on Flickr.