There are 27 member states in the European Union, and with travel between 22 of these countries unrestricted, there are no visa issues to worry about when booking hostels in Europe.

Countries included in this agreement are Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

Budget travelers may wish to avoid some of the more expensive countries in the western part of the continent and prefer to hope between Europe hostels in those nations which are known to be relatively cheaper.

Estonia

Lying along the Baltic Sea, the first settlements in Estonia have been dated to 2,500 BC, making the country one of the oldest inhabited regions of Europe.

Thanks to its strategic location between east and west, Estonia has been constantly invaded through history by the Teutonic knights, Swedes, Russians, Germans and Poles.

Today, the capital Tallinn is often packed with young locals and backpackers. A great place for a night out, the trendy city has many bars, pubs and clubs which are open late every weeknight and even later on the weekends.

Those who prefer cultural activities will not be disappointed as there are numerous museums and art galleries around Tallinn.

Greece

True cultural enthusiasts will love a visit to Greece, where ancient ruins are found at almost every corner. Athens is home to the Parthenon, Delphi is where the ancient Greeks used to visit the Oracle and Thessalonica is full of Byzantine art.

However, Greece is also paradise for the budget traveler looking for a good party. In the summer, the beaches of the Greek islands are alive with hedonism and music. In Athens, there are numerous bouzoukia nights, where the energetic playing of bouzoukis (traditional Guitar-like instruments) can make an entire taverna start dancing.

There are also interesting markets in Athens, including Monastiraki - a large Sunday flea market. Vintage clothes, jewelry and knick-knacks are available here for very cheap prices.

Hungary

In Hungary, 2,000-year-old Roman ruins and modern 20th century buildings exist side by side. The country is home to Lake Balaton - the largest lake in central Europe - whilst the capital Budapest has been described at the Pearl of the Danube.

Student travelers in particular enjoy visiting Hungary because it has a long and rich history and is cheap by western standards. There are a number of summer festivals held in Budapest which reflect the city's rich cultural heritage.

Before settling down and becoming a copywriter for HostelBookers.com Paul Scottyn did a backpacking tour of Europe, he checked out a variety of Europe hostels, including a number of Budapest hostels http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/hungary/budapest/