Essential when staying in a hostel
- A washable sleeping bag liner
- An extra-long charging cable in case your bed is located far from an electrical outlet
- Earplugs and sleep mask
- Quick-drying, a sarong or Turkish towel can also be used as a privacy screen if you're on a bottom bunk or to cover up while visiting churches in Rome...........
- Shower sandals or flip flops
- A universal travel charger (various) if you are visiting different countries (continents) with different plugs
- At least one lock for the lockers, better a TSA-friendly one to use on your luggage as well.
The truth is, it is very common for solo travelers to get together while on the road. At the very least you can find someone to have a drink with, at best you meet a friend for life!
The best way to start making connections when staying in a hostel is to have a little chat with your roommates. If you are traveling alone, try to choose the 3-6 bed mixed dorms. This is small enough that it feels like a community, but not so small that there is any discomfort. Just introduce yourself and strike up a conversation with your roommates. It's easy to break the ice with fellow solo travelers, everyone loves to travel and will probably have some great advice or crazy stories to share! Questions like:
Where are you from?
Are you traveling for vacation or work?
Is your gap year?
Are you on Erasmus break?
How long will you be traveling?
Where are you traveling from?
Where are you going to travel now?
What would you recommend me to do in this city?
Do you know where I can eat local food at a good price?
What tourist attractions should I not miss visiting?
Once you break the ice with your roommates, it's very easy to expand your connections with other people staying at the hostel. But starting small is much less intimidating than approaching someone in common areas.
Once you have at least one person you've started chatting with, it usually snowballs into meeting other people staying at the hostel. You can suggest doing some activities together, such as:
- Having a drink in the common room of the hostel or in the local bar
- Take a free walking tour
- Taking a local walk
- Cook dinner together in the hostel kitchen or grab a bite to eat in town
- Sightseeing
- Have dinner or lunch together
- Visit museums or places of interest together
- Traveling together to the next destination.
Most backpackers tend to follow the same route, so it is very easy to find travel companions. And bonus: you can even split the costs by traveling in a package!
Last but not least…
And the most important tip for staying in a hostel: put the phone down! If you are looking for activities to do in the city you are in, it is better to ask in person. Someone else at the hostel could offer invaluable advice or could offer to accompany you for the day.
Enjoy your stay in Rome and remember to stay simple, stay with us.