Youth Hostels
 

What's the major differences between a youth hostel and a normal one? What is the age restriction for staying at a youth hostel while in Europe? Do they have an early curfew and no bars inside them? Thanks! =)

Depends entirely on the hostel; 35 is a fairly common age restriction, if they have one. Some have fairly early curfews, some have none at all (probably even most), some in between. Some have bars, some don't. Just go case by case.

Official youth hostels in Bavaria have an upper age limit of 26. Independent hostels in Bavaria, the rest of Germany, and virtually all of Europe have no upper age limit. Lots of people in their 70s (and older) stay in hostels.

The "Oasis" youth hostel in Lugano has no age restriction - check it out online:

http://www.luganoyouthhostel.ch/index.htm

This place sits on an estate and has its own swimming pool.

Lugano, (Italian) Switzerland

The southern area near Como.

www.hihostel.com has info on member hostels - would be worth checking.

Relatively few hostels have age restrictions anymore, and if they do, they can often be waived. If you want a hostel with a bar, just make sure to research that beforehand.