We need your help! We are getting ready to publish our annual article on holiday gift ideas for the traveler. This year we want to know about your favorite gifts for the traveler in your life. Whether a book or a gadget, we want to know about it so that we can share your great ideas in our winter newsletter.

We would also like to hear about the next travel adventure you have planned. Let us know where you're headed in the world and what inspired you to go there.

Please send responses to execdir@sandiegohostels.org

Response deadline is November 11th.

HI-Austin rests on the shores of Town Lake, providing a peaceful setting only minutes from downtown Austin. Guests are only footsteps away from bus lines, the hike & bike trail, and the Colorado River.

A 10 minute journey could take you to the middle of the Red River music district, to the stylish hub of South Congress, to the cool waters of Barton Springs Pool, or to the natural beauty of the Austin Greenbelt. The fun and friendly staff is there to give you great ideas of what to do in town and directions on how to get there!

The hostel also features a great hosteller's kitchen, lockers for every guest, free parking, laundry facilities, a movie library, and free internet access including WiFi.

Registration is now open for this year's Christmas Bike Trip. You can register online at active.com or vist our web site to dowload a registration form.

On the morning of December 26, riders from all over the world will set out on this unique adventure. The six day bicycle trip tours through 400 miles of mountains, deserts, and seacoast around San Diego. The daily average is 65 miles with one day of 100 miles.

Please contact Tiffany Olson at (619) 338-9981 ext. 15 or tiffany@sandiegohostels.org if you have any questions.

**Please note that none of the locations that we use for accomodations were affected by the fires.

The San Diego Museum of Man is proud to be hosting the extraordinary exhibition Journey to the Copper Age: Archaeology in the Holy Land. From now until December 31st students admission is only $5.00! Don't miss this spectacular exhibit showcasing 6,000 year-old artifacts for the first time outside of Israel.