On October 20th, 1932 in Amsterdam in presence by land agencies from Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Great Britain, Ireland, France, and Belgium, International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF) was created.

The federation has its seat today in Welwyn Garden City near London. Richard Schirrmann was selected as president. Conference language was German.

On following conference in 1933 also Isabel and Monroe Smith from USA participated. Within one year they could open thirty youth hostels in United States. Also in 1933 national socialists arrived in Germany at power.

All political and religious youth combinations were dissolved and replaced by a system of obligatorily university-formed youth organization, under line of "realm youth guidance". Richard Schirrmann must withdraw as a chairman of German youth hostel factory.

He let himself impress by idealistic elements of new movement and became honorary president of realm federation for German youth hostels. A decision which he should bitterly repent later.

In 1936 for political reasons it had come to break with international youth hostel federation. In 1947 after end of world war, 247 youth hostels with 1,158,500 overnight stays were counted again in Germany.

From 1949-1990 also in GDR were an extensive network of youth hostels developed. Initially still led as federations, these later had become to state led institutions of youth. The existing federations were dissolved. In 1960 were most youth hostels in Federal Republic. More than 720 houses realized 11,300,312 overnight stays.

In 1990 after end of GDR also in new Lands of Federal Republic youth hostel federations were created. In November these federations joined German youth hostel association.

Youth hostels today

World-wide there are more than 4,000 youth hostels in 65 countries, whereby more than 600 alone in Germany.

The youth hostels in Germany offer to their guests far more than an inexpensive overnight stay. Beside small cosy old buildings or experience in castles and residences you also find many houses in scenic delightful environments as well as in large cities. For more details go to www.smart-travel-germany.com/hostels-germany.html.

This true story was published in German language by German Youth Hostel Association, and translated by Marcus Hochstadt.

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Put under garments on top. To reduce embarrassment of under garments becoming side show attraction of open luggage scan, place all panties in a plastic bag free of any clippers, lighters or other questionable paraphernalia. For expedient security review, place transparent bag on top of your other items so security can access bag without ruining your efficient packing method.

Lose Extra Baggage. Leave heavy travel guide at home. Duplicate important resources to keep your luggage free of extra pounds. Since most hotels and resorts provide irons and blow-dryers --leave yours at home for light travel.

Leave restricted items at home. If you want to make it through security extra fast, avoid any firearms, weapons, box-cutters, scissors, razors, lighters and any other item that may be used in a terrorist situation.