BACKPACKING Backpacking is increasingly a popular way to travel.

It allows you an almost unlimited level of flexibility with your itinerary and keeps you costs down much more than booking into expensive hotels. Within this section you will find tips for backpacking wherever you are going from what to take with you to useful tips and tricks. Packing One of the key issues when embarking on a backpacking trip is what to take with you. You will need to carry your backpack around for long periods of time and it must contain everything that you will need while you are away that can't be purchased locally. It is essential to pack as lightly as possible, your backpack will need to be carried with you everywhere and having a large bulky pack can hamper you boarding buses and trains and will also tire you out to carry around all day. Clothing You will need to cut down to the bare minimum when packing clothes, you will need to get used to wearing the same clothes for long periods of time although you will normally be able to wash and dry clothes overnight in most places. It is advisable to take: These can also look smarter than

2/3 T-shirts ideally these should be fast drying so that they can easily be dried overnight.

t-shirts. 2 pairs of trousers the most useful type are lightweight cargo style trousers with plenty of pockets. Women might want to substitute a skirt but it is essential to have at least one pair of trousers whilst travelling.

At least one long-sleeved shirt or polo shirt It is vital to have at least one long sleeved item of clothing for protection from mosquitoes and the sun/cold.

Vanesa Garca Romn 2 E R.N. 15

A pair of jeans, don't bring your favourite most expensive ones but a pair of jeans is an extremely hard-wearing and versatile item of clothing.

It is worth taking 4 or 5 sets of socks and underwear. You will have an opportunity to wash them while you are there so it is not worth taking up room bringing loads. Also bear in mind that anything you take that is white is not going to stay that colour for very long!

Swim wear are fairly light and worth taking in case you get the opportunity to go swimming. Men can also double theirs as a pair of shorts.

Depending on how much walking you intend doing you might want to take a sturdy pair of hiking boots...only take these if they are really necessary though as they take up a lot of space and are quite heavy.

Shorts are not advisable in some countries as they mark people as a tourist. If this isn't an issue where you are travelling then a pair of shorts or 2 is useful.

No matter where you are going a light-weight fleece is essential, this can be layered with other clothes to keep you warm in most climates. It is also worth remembering that even in hot countries it can get pretty cold at night. A rolled up fleece can also double as a pillow if required.

A pair of good quality sandals are essential in most destinations, they have the advantage of being small and easy to pack and can be quite comfortable for most occasions.

Taking a pair of comfy trainers is also to be recommended if you can fit them in.

Essentials that can be rolled up very small is

A good sleeping bag is essential, one of the modern ones

best. At many hostels you will be charged for sheets/blankets and

Vanesa Garca Romn 2 E R.N. 15

they may be in a dubious state of cleanliness.

Cosmetics and toiletries, you wont need much just take what you need to maintain hygiene.

A waterproof for if you get caught in the rainy season. These can also be packed up very small indeed.

A good first aid kit, for less developed countries it is worth taking syringes with you to avoid contracting diseases from contaminated needles that local first aiders may use.

Head-covering, women will almost certainly need one in mosques or countries like Iran or Saudi Arabia.

Baseball hat or bandana, these are good for keeping your hair out of your face and the sun off your head.

2 towels. There are some really good travel towels on the market which are lightweight and take up a lot less space than traditional towels would. Check out Lightload Towels for really useful super light and versatile towels.

Water bottles, it is worth taking a few water bottles.. obviously this is more relevant in hotter climates than colder.

Travel washing line. Plastic bowl with knife, fork and spoon.

Swiss army knife, the travellers best friend! Just make sure you don't fly with it in your hand luggage.

Mosquito repellent.

Useful Items These items are not essential to your survival but your trip just wouldn't be the same without them. You may want to consider taking the following;

Vanesa Garca Romn 2 E R.N. 15

A camera. Spare batteries. A small calculator. An alarm clock. A money belt.

A small bag for use during the day.

A pen and notepad (very useful thing to have for writing out directions, reminders of place names, planning itinerary etc).

Take lots of bin bags, these can keep dirty clothes separate from dry ones and be used to waterproof your backpack.

A torch. A personal music player. A deck of cards. A good book. Your backpack

The size of backpack you buy really depends on how much you are going to lug around with you, if you plan on taking only the bare essentials you could get away with a 35 litre backpack but on average a 50 litre one might be a better choice, especially as it will leave some room for any souvenirs collected on the way. Certainly unless you are camping then you will not need anything bigger than a 70 litre pack. What not to take

If you are really short of space or want to travel very light then it might be an idea to not take guidebooks with you. You can do your research before you go and photocopy any information that you absolutely need. Books are quite heavy especially if you are carrying a lot of them and you can probably buy them locally if you really need one. Also people are usually prepared to swap you their guidebook if they are leaving a country and you Vanesa Garca Romn 2 E R.N. 15

are heading there. Many hostels have guidebooks too for reference or that people may have left so you can pick them up.

Don't take a hair dryer, these are big, bulky and in many hostels you wont be able to use them (no socket), if you absolutely must have one and are travelling in a fairly developed country take one of the small travel hairdryers that can fold up.

Don't take anything too valuable or sentimental, lost luggage and theft is all too common these days and you wouldn't want to lose anything that you can't easily replace.

Don't take anything that you wouldn't use at home, why would you suddenly start using it when you went away? Caveat Emptor This list should cover all of the essentials and still leave you a little room to pack any favourite things that you want to take with you. Bear in mind that for some countries you may need to modify this list slightly. For example if travelling in Europe or the USA you probably wouldn't require a sleeping bag. Also if you are camping you will need to take all of your camping gear such as tents, travel stoves etc. in addition to all of the things listed above.

Articles and advice

the world with a link to further information all about this subject.

Passports and Visas Details on passports and visas including specific details on how to obtain a passport; information on visas and useful links for further enquiries.

Travel Insurance Useful tips and advice on travel insurance covering medical and healthcare, possesions, cancellation, personal liability and accident and general advice an recommended links.

Responsible Travel Advice on responsible travel around Vanesa Garca Romn 2 E R.N. 15

Important Information Information about taking certain items between countries when travelling with some basic advice on customs allowances and useful links to official customs and excise information.

Drugs Advice on the dangers of drug involvement whilst travelling and links to useful articles on the subject.

Mobile Phone Use Useful tips on using mobile phones whilst travelling with details on international roaming, renting sim cards of phones, managing calls and safety and security. PLACES:

Terrorism Advice on the dangers of drug involvement whilst travelling and links to useful articles on the subject.

Auckland, New Zealand In Auckland, the climate is almost subtropical with very mild winters and warm, rather humid, summers. Daily maximum temperatures range from 13C in July to 23C in January / February. The wettest months are May to August. Bali, Indonesia Bali has a tropical climate, which is influenced by the seasonal shift in wind direction brought about by the monsoon. The dry season is from April to October and the wet season from October to March, although it can rain at any time of the year. The best months to visit Bali are May to August when the rains are lightest and temperatures cooler. Sea breezes around the coast can make the high temperatures feel more pleasant. Temperatures vary from 24C to 30C, but can be much lower in the highlands. Bangkok, Thailand Bangkok's climate is dominated by the Asian Monsoon, which means that the wettest months are from May to October. Temperatures remain constant year round with an average daily maximum of 31-34C. There is a marked drop in humidity from morning to afternoon. The best time to visit is between November and February, when rainfall is lightest and discomfort from heat and humidity is at is lowest. Cape Town, South Africa The climate of Cape Town is similar to that of the Mediterranean, with mild wet winters and dry settled summers, although occasional rainstorms occur. Average daily maximum temperatures range from 17C in July to 26C in January. Vanesa Garca Romn 2 E R.N. 15

Hong Kong, China Dominated by the Asian Monsoon, Hong Kong experiences the seasonal reversal of wind direction that brings the wet season from May to September and the dry season from October to March. July to September is hot and humid, with the added risk of typhoons moving up from the South China Sea. December to March tend to be the most pleasant months to visit Hong Kong, although minimum temperatures as low as 0C have been recorded. Maximum daytime temperatures average 13C in February to 31C in July and August. Los Angeles, USA California is one of the sunniest states in the USA, with 12 to 14 hours of sunshine in the summer. Rainfall is lowest from July to September, but with maximum temperatures of 27C and high humidity combining with smog, conditions can be unpleasant at this time of year. Winters are wetter but, with temperatures averaging at 18-19C, can still be pleasant. Lima, Peru The most rainfall the arid coast of Peru sees a month is about 8mm, however from April to December Lima is frequently shrouded by coastal fog, only breaking to give about one or two hours of sunshine. From December to April, Lima sees between five and seven hours of sunshine. Temperatures reach about 28C but can be unpleasant in the high humidity. Every few years, the weather phenomenon known as El Nio can bring a marked change in weather. Mexico City, Mexico The climate of Mexico City is temperate, with temperatures averaging 19C in December / January, and 25-26C in April and May. Being at an altitude of 2309m/7575ft has an effect on the climate, with temperatures below freezing in January and February not unknown. The best time to visit is probably April May before the wet months of June to September. Singapore The climate of Singapore is hot, wet and humid throughout the year. Temperatures vary little from month to month, but the lighter winds in March and September can make these months more unpleasant. Sydney, Australia Sydney has a warm-temperate climate, with no real cold season, hot summers, and rainfall only slightly higher from February to July. High temperatures and high humidity can make the summer oppressive, so the best times to visit are probably March-April and September-October when the days are warm and the nights mild How to get around (Transport) In order to get the most out of a backpacking or budget holiday it is worth moving around to see as much of your destination country as possible. In Vanesa Garca Romn 2 E R.N. 15

general inter-continental or very long distances should be covered with flights. With the current rise of low cost airlines there is now a great deal of choice when it comes to reaching destination and prices are cheaper than ever. Overland travel is a cheap way to cover moderate distances and it also lets you stop off at intersting places on the way. A leisurely pace might involve spending 4 hours on a bus or train each day allowing you to take in the local sights. If you are trying to reach a particular destination there is usually sleeper trains and overnight buses that cater well for tourist needs. If you are travelling with a group and your budget can stretch to it hiring a car gives you the most freedom with regard to travel. Although an expensive option it really lets you get to out of the way and remote areas which can have some wonderful local culture. Ferries are generally best used on short hops out to Islands, for example a hop out to Arran Island when visiting Ireland. Ferries over long distances are slow and expensive and generally not very flexible and are best avoided. Even for travel across the channel the Eurostar is a more convenient option and is arguably cheaper than ferries. Within this section we give advice on various methods of travel in various destinations. This will let you select the most convenient from of transport for you. It will also help you get the best value for money out of your chose transport method. Whether its negotiating the confusingly similarly named rail passes for European travel or you are trying to book an overnight bus from the US to Canada you will find helpful tips and information within our transport section!

Pages: http://www.thebackpacking-site.com http://backpackingtraveldest inations.co.uk/

http://www.traveldodo.com/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/weat her/world/features/top10_b ackpacking.shtml

Vanesa Garca Romn 2 E R.N. 15