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.