In several travel guides I have read that some hostels do not allow sleeping bags, but will allow sleep sheets. I have tried, but I can not figure out why. What are some experiences anyone else has had with that? I will be traveling in Janurary when a warmer sleeping bag might come in handy!<BR><BR>Second, I will be traveling solo for five weeks in Europe, and have always heard that you can meet people in the hostels and possibly travel together. My question is how easy would that be in January? Traveling alone is not a problem at all, but having people around is always nice.<BR><BR>Lastly, I would like to know what is the best way to call and recieve calls from the US? The ISIC Student ID has a feature that allows you to use it as a pre-paid phone card with a voice-mail box, does anyone have experience with that? It sounds like the best way to go so far.<BR><BR>Any help would be greatly appreciated!<BR>

Stewart, I am traveling 8.5 weeks in Jan and Feb. Like you, I will be hosteling.<BR><BR>I thought the sleep sheet would be cold as well. The logic, from what I've read on the sleeping bag issue, is bed bugs. Many people tend to carry around sleeping bags which are filthy, plus for whatever reason they are more prone to bed bugs which are carried from hostel to hostel. I'm looking into silk sleepsacks myself, as I hear they are warmer. Bring warm jammies!<BR><BR>I'm traveling alone as well, and also am wondering what the &quot;camaraderie&quot; situation will be. I, for one, am glad it will not be peak season...I don't want to deal with the crowds. I've heard the hostel crowd gets slightly older around in winter, but hell if I know for sure. However, I don't think we'll have any problem meeting people. In fact, it will be ski season in quite a few parts of Europe, so I imagine ski towns will have a great crowd!<BR><BR>I haven't researched the phone thing yet, so sorry I can't help you there. I hope you have a great time (I know I intend to!)<BR><BR>

p.s. a great site for backpackers is www.eurotrip.com You can read hostel reviews from real travelers. I also found ricksteves.com site handy for practical information.

I could be wrong, but I thought that the hostels always give you blankets to use with the sleepsack. They can't possibly expect you to use just a sleepsack unless it's the middle of summer.

Some give linens/blankets to you, and others will rent them. From what I've read about SOME of these hostels, I've gathered that your warmth is to be absorbed from the drunk body lying next to you!

I spent three months hostelling from Sept - Dec. hostels are heated and they always give you blankets - you don't have to pay for them.<BR>Anyway, if you take a set of twin flannel sheets you'll be really toasty.<BR> <BR>the best way to call home is to buy a phone card as you go along. <BR> <BR>Hostels will still have lots of people in the winter months - Australians travel year round!