In their 50's, Lucy Dunn and her husband with their friends in tow, Tanya and James, are the oldest backpackers in Amsterdam
"Midlife hostel-goers are on the rise, a trend some have dubbed grey hostelling. Midlifers may have more disposable income, but the cost of living is biting. Which is why my husband, friends and I have decided to go cheap and cheerful — more money for cocktails, we reason." Lucy Dunn TheTimes.co.uk
Midlife hostelling, or 'grey hostelling', is on the rise. The trend sees more people in their 50s and 60s staying in youth hostels. The cost of living is said to be one reason for the rise, but many are also attracted to the social side of hostelling. Accommodation at ClinkNoord in Amsterdam, a hostel popular with backpackers, now includes private rooms with en suites. Lucy Dunn, writing in The Times, decided to stay at ClinkNoord with her 50-something husband and friends, and they found it "friendly and buzzy". The hostel also has a guest kitchen, and a buffet-style breakfast with tea and coffee on tap. Amsterdam remains a popular destination for backpackers and has plenty to offer. Dunn enjoyed exploring the canal district, taking a bike tour and visiting the art district of Prinseneiland.
Dunn reminisced about her earlier backpacking trips, when she slept on trains to save money and thought nothing of sleeping on beaches. However, things have changed since then. Dunn noticed that more backpackers were staying in Airbnbs, and hostels were full of people with wheelie carry-ons. Booking ahead is now necessary. Dunn noted that backpacking was not what it used to be, but added that Amsterdam still had much to offer. She and her friends enjoyed their stay at ClinkNoord, which has a large lounge area with a pool table, guitars and board games. The hostel is in the cool district of Buiksloterweg, just across the IJ waterfront from Centraal Station, and has a free 24-hour ferry shuttle to the city.
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