How utterly excellent: Hostels.com has put together some superb videos showing you what the best free things to do in Paris, London, Rome, Amsterdam and Madrid are. Lists are all good (and we've got 'em), but seeing is believing: see for yourself what you want to see for free!

• Videos: Free Tings to Do in Amsterdam, London, Madrid, Paris and Rome (Bonus Lists From Us, Too!)

More Reading: Best 5 Free Things to Do in Paris | Best Free Things to Do in London | Best Free Things to Do in Europe | Backpacking Europe 101

Student Travel Blog Home

We talk a lot about how much we love Skype: it is absolutely the way to connect from all corners of the globe for us. Free video calls to other Skype users, cheap international phone calls to landlines... what's not to love, especially considering how excessively exorbitant US cell phone service is abroad? Here's a reason to try Skype if you're booking hostels for an upcoming adventure: try Hostelworld.com for booking, and get up to 60 minutes of free Skype credit. Excellent! Learn more:

• Website: Book With Hostelworld, Get Skype Credit

More Hostelworld Reading: Hoscars 2011 | Comment: Have You Booked With Hostelworld?

More Skype Reading: Cell Phones Abroad, or Why I Love Skype | Learn About Skype

More Reading About Hostels: Hostels 101 | Hostel FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) | Where to Reserve Hostels | Hostel Discount Cards | Hostel Photos and Reviews by Country | Hostels Growing Up, or Going Mainstream? | Hostels: Mainstream Getaways?

Student Travel blog home

A crazy, crowded, messy melee -- that's La Tomatino, the annual tomato throwing festival jumping off in Bunol, Spain (near Valencia) August 30. Imagine a mosh pit with tomatoes added, plus some diversions like climbing a greased pole to capture a ham. Getting the picture? Check out some visual aids and the whole La Tomatina 101 from About.com's Guide to Spain, Damian Corrigan, and enjoy!

• Tomatina Tomato Fight 2011
• Tomatina Calendar of Events
• Getting from Valencia to Bunol

Photo © Damian Corrigan | Student Travel blog home

Burning Man, the unbelievably interesting experience in the Nevada desert August 29-September 5, is sold out in 2011 for the first time in its 25-year history. If you've got tickets, you're in for the summer's hottest roadtrip! If you're ticketless, Burning Man organizers are saying, essentially, please don't come, and for good reason: Burning Man takes place in a very remote area, and gate-camping would be problematic.

If you are lucky enough to be going, do grab some gear before you go as camping is the Burning Man thing; as well, Burning Man ride share boards exist to find burning-bound folks for sharing gas. Get more:

• Burning Man FAQ
• Are You Going to Burning Man? What Up?
• Top 5 Money Saving Road Trip Tips
• Backpacker Camping Gear

Have you been? Will you go again? What should first-timers know?

• Have You Been to Burning Man?

Related Reading: American Road Trips 101 | Road Food | Finding Federal Campgrounds Online | Couchsurfing

Burningman.com screenshot | Student Travel blog home