The decision of the adventurous traveller. With so many places to choose from, where to go? What do you want to see and experience? There are many advisory services and websites that guide backpackers through the essential things to consider before taking a hiking or bckpacking holiday. They all give advice about what you need to do before you go to your chosen destination. There is an element of cultural heirarchy about where you go. Like those who seek untouched land in an under developed country are more “learned.” The good thing about backpacking is that even if you do choose to travel to urban areas you can still keep costs down by staying in a hostel.
Preparation for yur urban visit will be different as hiking in rural areas will require all the relevant hiking equpment. If you opt for the urban siteseer option, there is now an industry of hostels that support this trend. Cheaper than hotels and catering to the culture of last minute bookings and low budget needs, hostels are a great alternative form of accommodation that allow bakpackers to see more of their chosen destinations. There is also a great community feel amongst many with exchanges between travellers and friends that are made.
When you travel to an urban destination, you get the same as a standard holiday but with the added flexibility of going where you want, when you want. By staying away from the planned tourist route, one can embrace the hidden beauty of the path less walked on. There is a sense of getting the true feel of a place by avoiding the roads that have been decorated for tourists. You never know what you will see.
Places like Barcelona, Paris, Rome, New York that have travel guides have so much to offer. The advantage of the backpacker culture and option of staying in hostels means that, one can go to all the sites and more in the own time and pace. You can do your research at home before going but will have the opportunity to do things in you own time.
URBAN TOURIST
INTER RAIL PASS
One day, amongst all the papers on my desk, overflowing email account and phone ringing off the hook; I thought “I want to see every single city and do it now!” in all reality, I did not think it entirely possible but the sentiment of travelling around Europe is still there. If you have the travel itch and want to see more locations, different cultures and just get out of your rut, there is a cheaper and tourist friendly option of getting around Europe from the United Kingdom.
Rail Europe is the provider of inter-rail, the ticketing service that allows you to travel to numerous towns and cities in Europe on the one pass. Truly aimed at the fun seeking adventurer in us all, you can scratch that travel itch and hit many places in one holiday. Rail Europe connections between the major and minor towns and cities in different countries. this means that, not only does it educe your carbon emissions by not flying, it is also an ideal way of seeing different places on the ground level. by ground level, I mean that you can get off at any station you wish, have a walk around, stay in a hostel if you feel or get off at the next stop if you prefer that one. It may take some research and project management skills to arrange hostel, accommodation stays and budget for food may be required but as long as one is prepared to travel light and free it is a good opportunity to see cities, country sides, villages all in one go n one holiday.
Prices vary depending on the connections you wish to make and how many points you wish to travel to. What is offered is extremely flexible and allows you to change your mind and stay a little longer in an area you would like to stay.
As long as you are a European resident and you have your own passport, it is relatively easy to book. All you need to do is register securely online and 3 months in advance. I hope that has been helpful. It has definitely tempted me. I will be finding out some more and booking up soon.
HOSTELS AND ACCOMMODATION
When going on a package holiday, the hotel is included as is some entertainment. The advantage of the backpacking holiday is that it can be cheaper to find accommodation. Another advantage is the freedom to change your mind and stay somewhere else if you so wish. Staying in a hostel, allows for this. The only thing is that a lot of them are aimed at young people and attract mostly younger travellers. They can often have a party orientated set up. If you are looking for a reflective type of holiday, this may prove to be not an ideal form of accommodation for staying in.
Staying in a hostel is however another way to see another country on a budget. Some hostels in Europe and even in Australia now offer jobs in trade for accommodation. The idea is to work in the hostel that you are staying in, go out on days off, make new friends and stay for free as a staff member. For young people this experience looks great on a c.v as well as the journey itself. The culture of volunteering for accommodation as an idea has emerged among the backpacking culture and online search directories. Backpackers who would like to save money and make new friends are volunteering to work in a hostel as a team staff member in exchange for a free bed and time off to visit the region they stay. The opportunity to do this depends on there being vacancies in a hostel.
There are many websites that can guide and advise you about backpacking accommodation and where you can stay. This is good where you have to arrange it all your self. You can book online and read the reviews about the country and area written by people who have stayed there before, the attraction is the freedom to choose your own holiday. Hostel booking websites while providing backpacking holiday accommodation are also pivotal to the whole backpacker culture.
Alternatively, however or volunteering, working and charity focused backpacking trips, the compay may provide accomodation for you which will make it easier if you are going to work.
REASONS TO GO ON A HIKING HOLIDAY
1. There is a great amount of flexibility and choice in terms of where to go. Many organised walks are advertised across United Kingdom alone. The thrill of visiting areas and actively enjoying the rural countryside provides satisfaction and is a great holiday idea. During this economic climate where most people are holding on to their money, a holiday does not have to be a luxury of the rich alone. Many people choose a “staycation” where they holiday within the United Kingdom. Even within the country, there are Bed and Breakfast accommodation and Hostels that offer lower prices than a hotel.
2. The costs involved in taking part are less and minimal. Hikers can go as close or as far as they wish. You can choose how much you spend on your holiday. As long as you have the required hiking equipment such as the rucksack and the walking boots, the rest is up to you.
3. You don’t have to learn a new language. If you choose to stay in the country and explore some rural areas, you can get the benefit of enjoying the free out-doors but less of the fear of unknown or not understanding the local language. However, learning a new language is all part of the fun so hiking home or away is an advantage.
4. If you choose to travel abroad, backpacking holidays can include a hike across rural regions in order to see sites, climb hills and mountains and generally explore Backpacking holidays allow you to travel light and take things as they happen. It does help to be fit and healthy in order to walk around and carry a big strong rucksack.
5. It helps keep you fit and healthy. It does help if you are already relatively fit initially in order to undertake a hiking holiday. You will also need a good strong pair of walking shoes and prepare to wear them out. The satisfaction of completing a hiking trip, taking the long journey and reaching your destination is according to those that take part, absolutely worth the challenge.
Backpacking Essentials Part 2
When packing for your backpacking holiday, being prepared is very important. In addition, it is a challenge to get everything into one bag because travelling light is the true aim of the game. For hiking holidays, a camping rucksack that straps to the body is the best choice. The holiday will include a lot of walking and therefore means that everything should fit in the one bag. Many shops cater to the needs of the backpacker or the hiker and provide backpacking equipment and hiking equipment for all your needs.
All weather trousers, coats, jackets and long sleeve tops should be at the top of the list for hiking holidays. Because you are not able to carry too many items, it is best to choose a quality pair. The last you want is to have no more clothes because they have torn or been damaged half way through the holiday. The joy of backpacking is to see some obscure places; means there may not be an opportunity to go clothes shopping. Backpacking stores will have sturdy walking boots that are appropriate for hiking and walking a great distance. Be aware that these are not just trainers
Depending on where you go, be aware of local and cultural expectations, sometimes the last thing you want is to be singled out as the tourist, or thought to be disrespectful of the culture. For example, female backpackers should carry a scarf or head tie, and think twice about only carrying short shorts.
The whole experience will most likely provide you with much excitement and entertainment in itself and a camera is a good thing to carry to capture all the fun moments to make your friends jealous on your return. Things like, alarm clock, torch, money belt, a good book should find a place in the rucksack if there is space.
When purchasing the travellers rucksack, it may also have space to carry a sleeping bag. Even if you are staying in a hostel, sometimes they charge extra for bedding. It is an extra saving if you can bring your own. For those who are hiking and camping, you will need to carry a tent anyway and therefore the sleeping is absolutely essential. In addition, pack some plastic cutlery and a bowl. And do not forgot the mosquito repellent!
ESSENTIALS FOR BACKPACKING
PASSPORTS – So you have decided that backpacking is the holiday choice for you. You have even decided where to go. What do you need to do first? Initially you will have to ensure you have a valid passport and Visa that is required for the country of choice and for the duration of stay. Information about obtaining a Visa for the country you want to travel to can be found from the relevant embassy, or on the website. For travelling within the European Union, you will need a full valid passport that will not expire while you are out there. It is easier now to pass through customs if you have an EU passport and only travelling to an EU country. It is advantageous to also carry another form of identification with you for when at the airport.
Secure storage of your passport at all times is advisable when you go on your travels. Security is not always guaranteed. For backpackers, and hiking holidays, locations taken are normally off the beaten track and may result in losing belongings or falling at risk to theft.
INSURANCE- Travel insurance is something that is important to have regardless of the type of holiday or where you go to. Nobody wants to have to use it or think of accidents on holiday. Holidays and travelling are a time of relaxation and enjoyment. However it is better to just do it and be safe and not sorry.
There is a separate and specific insurance cover aimed and backpackers and some aimed at gap year students. The difference with Backpackers insurance is due to the nature of this type of travel. For example, because accommodation is often in hostels or in more than one location, insurance can cover potential loss of items. It can provide mugging benefit and repayment of student loans for gap year students. For the adventure, sports and activities, insurance will cover you for any accidents that may occur. In addition, you can choose for short or longer cover and rates are fairly low if you are on a low budget. Before you travel, prepare with insurance cover.
SOCIAL ANALYSIS OF THE TRAVELLER
The Backpacking Traveller is normally a young, healthy, wealthy gap year student who takes the opportunity before University, employment and other responsibilities come into play, to travel around the world, often on a low bugdet and little luggage to haul around. There are also a number of people who take time of work, to have break in their career and experience what he world has to offer.
This has become the culture of many of the Western world; American, British,european and Australian young people travel to various countries at this time in an attempt to see the world and experience new things. It has become culture that destinations are to the less developed countries which contrast with the relaxation sought from a conventional holiday package. Reasons for travelling vary. And holiday deals are offered in relation to these reasons. For example for those who want to volunteer, there are companies that offer backpacking deals. Even as a volunteer, they are still not cheap, often starting at £2000. Whatever the reason, backpacking supports the desire to find something new and different while one is still strong enough to handle it.
This is the age between teenage dependency and independent adult where youth still allow for complete freedom to experience everything that life and the journey has to offer. While away however, much can be gained from the trip. Learning about different cultures is an obviously great advantage. The attraction is the freedom that it gives. There is nothing to hold a person down to a place so allows for a level of hedonism and freedom of enjoyment.
There is a social distinction between those who can and those who cannot take part in this rite of passage which as a result has classed it as strictly a privilege of the wealthy. The cost of flights, accommodation, expenses has meant that this privilege is reserved for those who can afford it. In contrast, the regions that backpackers travel to are often nations with a lower cost of living and poorer lifestyle. Some trips do include voluntary work where people can work with charitable organisations which give back and take away from the guilt of being a curious tourist.
There is a whole culture that has developed between the people leaving the country and those coming into the country. Websites have been created to support this and an exchange of inspiration and ideas allows knowedge and information to guide the prospective traveller.The Backpacking Traveller is normally a young, healthy, wealthy gap year student who takes the opportunity before University, employment and other responsibilities come into play, to travel around the world, often on a low bugdet and little luggage to haul around. There are also a number of people who take time of work, to have break in their career and experience what he world has to offer.
This has become the culture of many of the Western world; American, British, Eorupean and Australian young people travel to various countries at this time in an attempt to see the world and experience new things. It has become culture that destinations are to the less developed countries which contrast with the relaxation sought from a conventional holiday package. Reasons for travelling vary. And holiday deals are offered in relation to these reasons. For example for those who want to volunteer, there are companies that offer backpacking deals. Even as a volunteer, they are still not cheap, often starting at £2000. Whatever the reason, backpacking supports the desire to find something new and different while one is still strong enough to handle it.
This is the age between teenage dependency and independent adult where youth still allow for complete freedom to experience everything that life and the journey has to offer. While away however, much can be gained from the trip. Learning about different cultures is an obviously great advantage. The attraction is the freedom that it gives. There is nothing to hold a person down to a place so allows for a level of hedonism and freedom of enjoyment.
There is a social distinction between those who can and those who cannot take part in this rite of passage which as a result has classed it as strictly a privilege of the wealthy. The cost of flights, accommodation, expenses has meant that this privilege is reserved for those who can afford it. In contrast, the regions that backpackers travel to are often nations with a lower cost of living and poorer lifestyle. Some trips do include voluntary work where people can work with charitable organisations which give back and take away from the guilt of being a curious tourist.
There is a whole culture that has developed between the people leaving the country and those coming into the country. Websites have been created to support this and an exchange of inspiration and ideas allows knowedge and information to guide the prospective traveller.
BACKPACKING IN ASIA
One very popular choice by backpackers is to travel around Asia. Americans, Australians, Europeans, British. Many young people pack up their rucksacks and go to “find themselves” or something else in Asia. There are many places to visit and many cultures to see and experience.
when we see images on television shows such as channel four docu-soap and competition between teenage travellers, we se how such places are often romanticised with images of people frolicking in the waters, on the beaches and soft coloured sunsets lighting the sea. There is the image and picture of a life with little to worry about. it invites young people to get away and enjoy youth. In contrast, some Asian Countries and politically and socially unsettled but backpackers are not turned away. One other option as well as a holiday is to go in the name of charity and volunteer while enjoying the time away.
This most selected destination in Asia for backpackers to travel is to South East Asia. These countries include; Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand. The geographic location is South of China, East of India and North of Australia and has been a favourite for young travellers for years.
What these countries have to offer is the difference in culture, variety of experience, the hot weather and the beaches. There is plenty to look forward to in terms of attractions, restaurants and night-life. The land is varied; you will find high mountains, remote areas, beaches, rural bush as well as cities.
Many travel providers will assist in arranging this type of holiday and you can save money by backpacking here. The advantage is that because it is so common and there is a large community of backpackers who have experienced it, they can advise regarding travelling to these countries so that you will be as prepared as possible.
As well as ensuring you have the right Visa for your travels, it is also essential to ensure and medical requirements are adhered to such as injections and to select the right type of insurance.
BACKPACKING AMERICA
For the adventurous and confident traveller, backpacking is a great way to see more of a place with the freedom to do it in your own time and convenience. There are many supportive websites and advisory services that help you to prepare. A whole community and culture has been set up that guides new and established backpackers in the journeys and endeavours. All you need to do is think of where to go and get yourself ready.
Geographically, we split America into North, Central and Southern. Aside from the United States, and Canada is counted North America. North America offers a lot for the backpacker which will keep one occupied for months. In the United States there are 50 States and Washington DC. Between the Pacific Ocean on the East side and Atlantic Ocean on the West coast, USA has plenty of beaches and coastlines to relax on. At the same time, deserts in Las Vegas offer an alternative attraction. Urbanlocations offer much for backpackers to explore. Tourists can visit mountainous regions and drive along the long stretches of road between States.
Difficult a popular location for tourism, although backpacking trips often attract people looking for rural and unchartered lands in underdeveloped countries, United States of America is so varied that there is still a great deal to see and experience. Because of the culture of backpacking being great for meeting people and making friends, it is no surprise that it attracts the same type of people.
For travel from the UK and Europe it is relatively easy and convenient in terms of language and currency. The climate varies similar to Europe climate. Often with very hot summers and very cold winters. Unlike Africa and some other less developed nations, there is a good healthcare system and no specific medical requirements before going.
Before going, travellers are required to ensure they have a valid passport and a Visa. British Nationals will only need a Visa for stays of more the 90 days. Accommodation is easier to organised, with a good tourist industry, hotels are plenty but there is also hostels to stay in for the backpackers who want to save money.
BACKPACKING IN AFRICA
Backpacking is a chosen form of holiday for those that seek a little more from their breaks. It allows you to take in more activities, culture, and experience than the conventional tourist route and allows you more flexibility during your break. Many guides will give you information about geography and local information. Once all the preparation is sorted out, you may need to spend some time researching about where to go and where to stay.
Africa is an extremely large continent and there are plenty of opportunities to travel to different places. As well as it being an escape to a hot climate and bright sunshine, there is an added bonus of expanding your cultural knowledge. From North to South, East to West; the culture, language, food, people; everything is different and no two places will be the same.
Despite some areas being fraught with political and civil struggles, tourism has been growing including in places like, South Africa, Ghana, and Kenya. The World Cup 2010 even encouraged more travel options to South Africa. There is much to see and Africa is known for its nature and untouched lands. There are mountains, deserts, rural and urban.
Travel guides invite guests to take part in the adventure activities that are in various parts of the whole continent. You can see the sharks in Cape Town. Go bungee jumping at Victoria Falls, Scuba diving in Zanzibar, white river rafting in the Nile or even climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Because of the nature of backpacking trips being “off the beaten track,” it is advised that visitors take care and plan their trip very well before travelling. Medical precautions should also be taken very seriously and injections done before leaving are greatly advised. You may also need to take tablets for malaria. In some rural areas, drinking the water is not advised for visitors who are not used to it. Carrying bottled water may be your best option.
Volunteering trips are common to African destinations. It not only allows for a change of scenery and gap year experience but gives you that added satisfaction that you are giving something back to the World.