Tips For Backpacking

By Author: Mathew Sabri
Total Articles: 33
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Travelling the world with nothing more than a backpack full of clothes, a camera and a bucket-load of excitement is one of the most rewarding things you can do in your life. The people you meet, the memories you make and the things you learn about yourself and others will stay with you forever and you'll come back a more rounded, content and mature individual.

Whether you're spending one month rallying around Europe or 12 months circumnavigating the globe, there are a few things to remember to do before and during your trip.

Before: No doubt you'll be bungee jumping, sky-diving, white-water rafting, shark-cage diving and that's just in New Zealand, so insurance is crucial. Backpackers are one of the most at-risk group travellers out there so don't skimp and get the best protection you can afford.

Get the correct immunisations before you even step foot in another country. Anti-malarial medicine is crucial in parts of Africa, Asia and South America, so check with your doctor beforehand.

Pack light and don't bother taking toiletries with you. Working on past experience, we always take too much away with ...
... us. You need to be prepared for every kind of weather that is thrown at you, but you really don't need five pairs of shoes, and 20 t-shirts.

Forget about taking expensive fashionable clothing because it will never come back in the same condition. White is a no go colour when travelling because it will very quickly turn an ugly-shade of grey.

Whilst you're away you'll find most Internet cafes have Skype so make sure friends and family install it before you go. This way, you can easily stay in touch and have real-time conversations whilst save tonnes of cash. Plus it's far less time consuming than writing emails.

During: Download your photos onto memory sticks whenever possible. Make two copies and keep one for yourself and send the other home. Don't risk losing your treasured photos because your camera breaks or gets stolen.

Buy your own detergent and carry it with you in a plastic bottle. Most hostels have their own washing facilities and they are considerably cheaper and more convenient than launderettes.

Many hostels, particularly in Australia and New Zealand offer free airport transfers, so check before you book your own as this will obviously save you money and hassle.

A growing number of hostels have free-food shelves and book exchanges. These money saving schemes only work when everyone, including you takes part. So don't bother carrying food from place to place, make use of these facilities and remember: what comes around goes around.

If you are looking to go abroad in your gap year, and do not want to have to pay high prices for gap year travel insurance, etravelinsurance.co.uk offer cheap student travel insurance, ensuring you and your valuables are protected whilst travelling.