Generator Road Trip NEW VIDEOS Launched!

In the summer of 2011 Generator Hostels embarked on a film shoot, to make it fun we turned it into a Road Trip! Our aim was to invoke the social within our Hostels, too highlight wicked things to see in our locations and show everyone what fun can be had at a Generator Hostel!

We stared in Dublin on the 16th August where we visited Viking Splash Tours and the Guinness Storehouse with Generator guests Maximillian and Sina! In the Bar we met people from all over Europe who joined us for our Summer party.

We then sailed over to Germany, where we made for the Generator Berlin! Berlin has much to offer in the way of night life and fun, we met with Generator guests Forest and Lizzy and we chose to explore the Flea Markets, where we stumbled on a LIVE acoustic session! Meanwhile at the Hostel we mingled with two massive University groups and took part in Karoke and the Wii contest!

Stop three for us was our new hostel in Copenhagen! Visiting Copenhagen’s wonderful theme park Tivoli, Helena, myself and Malene were treated to pirate ships and roller rides! The Hostel hosted a Burn/Jaeger party where we met the amazing Mark Barber A.K.A ‘Magic Mark’

The final stop of the GHostels Road Trip ’11 was the Generator London! Our longest established Hostel opened in 1995 and Hosted a fantastic summer karaoke party! In the city we visited London’s Death Trap with long term Australian Generator guest Anna, where we were attacked, scared and met with many zombies!

We hope you enjoy the videos as much as we enjoyed making them, and that you too see the wickedly fun side of staying at a Generator Hostel and meeting loads of new friends from all over the world! Check out the behind the scenes photos on our official Facebook page!

It's Christmas time there's no need to be....BORED whoop whoop!

Starting Tomorrow that’s Thursday 1^st December in the year 2011, Generator Hostels are launching their very own, really cool, totally funky and all round awe inspiring Advent calendar!

Its totally and utterly EXCLUSIVE to all our Facebook and twitter peeps as a massive, humongous, gigantic THANK YOU for all your support through 2011! Oh and you can also access it at GENERATORhostels.com!

Everyday you gain access to a new door on the advent calendar and will be faced with a surprise! Some days you’ll grab really cool Xmas facts, and other days you’ll receive massively funky special offers (sssssshhhhhhhhhh it’s a secret!)

Under 3 of the doors are 3 brand spanking NEW videos featuring some pretty crazy festive characters! Much like Marmite or Vegemite, if your Australian, you’ll either Love them or Hate them! We’re kind of hoping its Love, but hey you never know!

So all that’s left to say is…..ITS NEARLY CHRISTMAS and have fun counting down with the Generator Hostels crew!

Follow all the latest Advent Gossip on twitter using the #GHchristmas conversation!https://www.facebook.com/GENERATORhostels?sk=app_194653767287575

Yo,Yo,Yo my Christmas coffee shop fav’s this Winter!

Christmas is fast approaching, and although, I still have my head vey much in the sand, I am starting to enjoy the delights of coffee shop festive treats! Mince pies, lattes, gingerbread people and a whole load of fake snow have fallen upon our most loved coffee shop retreats, so who really offers the best Christmas coffee? 

No 1: Starbucks

Global giant Starbucks, sometimes looked upon as the evil money maker, has, as always, pulled out all the stops for its Christmas 2011 offering. Old favourites the Gingerbread latte and Eggnog latte are a welcome return, along with the Toffee Nut latte and this years newbie the Praline chocolate mocha. These drinks really do epitomise the American Christmas, all coming served with lashings of whipped cream and Nutmeg, they are sure to warm up even the dullest of wintery afternoons! Beware however, feeling Christmassy comes at a price! With an average 80p - £1 increase on a regular espresso based beverage they aren’t cheap but are guaranteed to turn you into a quivering Christmas fool!

My Top Tip: Go for the Gingerbread latte and the Ginger Loaf together! Nom nom nom

No 2: Baresso

In Denmark the Christmas fare is supplied by the one and only Barresso. Much like Starbucks they could be viewed as the cooperation but with their offerings of Christmas, or ‘Jul’ Lattes they have it sewn up! Unlike Starbucks these little treats just come with a sprinkle of cinnamon on the top, so not quite the total Christmas experience! Although I haven’t witnessed a Baresso Christmas myself, I am well informed from several Danish sources that walking into the coffee shop is rather Christmassy indeed! 

My Top Tip: Go large, the coffee is delicious, so whatever you do make it BIG! 

No 3: Balzac Coffee

Lets go to Hamburg! Although Hamburg is also filled with the famous Starbucks Siren, there is a little Gem known as Balzac Coffee! A small chain of roughly 55 spread across Hamburg their Christmas offerings come in the form of baked festive treats. On the top of the list is their exclusively baked Gingerbread man, only available at this special time of year! 

My Top Tip: Get your festive treats to go and walk along the scenic streets of Hamburg’s Mӧnckerberg straße! 

No 4: Café Ritazza

Should you find yourself, as I did 4 weeks ago, sat at Terminal 1 in Dublin airport, then you’ll be lucky enough to take advantage of the new Café Ritazza menu. The brand, who pride themselves on the finest espresso blends, have launched a selection of ne handcrafted beverages which are the key elements of their seasonal menu. Coffee’s include Caramel Macchiato, triple layered espressos and even Affogatto, literally meaning ‘drowned’ in Italian, this is ice cream served with Espresso poured over! 

My Top Tip: By yourself some panettone to accompany your Italian espresso

No 5: Pret a Manger

Pret  a Manger, great lunchtime hideaways for the sandwich aficionado! Many coffee shops will have inflated prices at Christmas to offset the NEW ingredients, not Pret! The great thing about these guys is that all of the Christmas lunch items donate part of the profit to charity  so not only do you get enjoy your cranberry sauce sandwich but you also get to feel good and generous too! 

My Top tip: Try the Mince Pies in December, they are always bliss 

Cheesy Explodin' Mash...Give it a go!

As the winter months start to set in, I’m always looking for new things to cook up in the kitchen. As someone who rarely likes to cook many of my favourites are suitable for the basic kitchens found in Hostel accommodation whilst travelling! Here is one of my all time ‘love it’ recipes! Enjoy!

Cheesy Exploding mash!

Feeds 1-2 people or 1 very hungry person!

Ingredients:

-       3 Large Potatoes

-       Butter

-       Paprika

-       Chilli powder

-       Cheddar Cheese

I find this little bad boy rather dandy in the winter months when its cold outside and you want to warm up!

Start by bringing a pan of water to the boil on the hob. Place your peeled potatoes into the water and boil for around about 20 min’s or until soft inside when pricked with a fork.

Next drain your potatoes and pop back on the heat, spoon in a nice big dollop of butter and stir into the potatoes over the heat. Be sure to take your time and let the potatoes soak up all the buttery delight!

Next take another big spoon of butter and pop it in and start to mash your potatoes. You can either use a potato masher or just use a fork and go for leather! Now you have a fluffy mash sprinkle in your paprika and chilli powder to taste!  Better to add less and then keep adding for extra heat!

TIP: You can always add spice but you cant subtract!!

Now that your spices are in just keep mashing away until you have a creamy smooth and spiced mash! Some people like to eat straight away and enjoy the spicy kick that awaits them. I however prefer to pop on some cheese!

Simply grate your cheese over the top of your mash once plated up! Add cheese to taste!

That’s it, sit back and Dig in to your exploding Mash! 

Looking for more adventurous recipes? Why not check out the hostelbookers.com 'Backpacker Recipe Guide' for more ideas!!

Dublin becomes an Art lovers Paradiso....

Dublin Contemporary is an ambitious project incorporating artists from not only Ireland but internationally.

The event spanning the from 6^th September and elongating its way through out October, focuses on some key ideas and themes, and that is of the ‘Terrible Beauty—Art, Crisis, Change’ also set up is the ‘Office of Non Compliance’ which discusses the subject of change and that even change itself is forever changing.

I caught up with Revenue Executive Louise Lawlor at the Generator Hostel in Dublin, to discuss the event and what kind of impact she felt it would have on our guests:

Noodles “ So for all those budding Revenue executives out there, what does your job involve?”

Louise “ well I look at the occupancy for the Dublin Hostel, its all about making sure we get the right people into the right beds and that we’re consistently offering not only value for money, but Amazing Hostels in Amazing Locations” (Check out Generator Hostels Careers here)

Noodles “ Louise, so can you just briefly tell us a little bit about Dublin Contemporary”

Louise “Contemporary Dublin, is an original, exciting modern art exhibition which will certainly appeal to the masses.  The main exhibition hall is made up of three floors which includes; paintings, video, sculpture and performance pieces by both Irish and International artists –there is literally something for everyone – even if you are not exactly an art connoisseur!!”

Noodles “ Do you think an exhibition of this nature will appeal to the Generator Dublin Guests?”

Louise “Since the exhibition opened on September 6^th our guests staying at Generator Dublin have described it as edgy, exciting, ambitious and excellent value for money”

Noodles “Thanks for taking the time to join me on the couch Louise!”

You can catch the Dublin Contemporary art festival until the end of October, check out www.dublincontemporary.com for full event details including Pop up art exhibitions, night time activities and much, much more!