For people happy to go travelling with an open mind and a
flexible schedule, backpacking is the way. And to make sure
you get the best out of it, why not follow our list of
the top 5 backpacking tips
? We'll help you experience the best the world has to
offer.
Pack light
If you've not gone backpacking before (or even if you
have), you could well find yourself packing plenty of things
you won't actually need. When choosing what to take,
be ruthless with yourself. Once you've started lugging
your bag around for two hours a day, you'll be
grateful!
Be prepared!
There are a few items – luckily all small –
which you might not immediately think of packing, but can
really come in handy: string, safety pins, a pillow case
(useful for stashing money while you're sleeping) and
an alarm clock or cheap digital watch.
Consider how your bag looks
If you've just splashed out on a brand new bag, it
might be worth doing what you can to make it look old and
worn, so potential thieves won't think it's full
of expensive goodies. Also, something distinctive on your
bag – even something as small as a ribbon – can
make it much easier for you to spot.
Sort out the necessary paperwork
Of course, backpacking doesn't always go according to
plan, but if you've got a good idea of which countries
you'll visit, be sure to fill in the forms and sort
out the visas well in advance.
Don't plan too much
Although there are certain things which you should certainly
try to organise beforehand, don't get carried away
with plans and itineraries. Who knows who you'll meet
or what you'll discover? Plans always change –
that's half the fun!
And finally, however well you prepare, there's never a
guarantee of everything running smoothly – so
don't forget to make sure you've got backpacker travel
insurance.
