Student Backpacking

For the fortunate few, life isn’t complete without a backpacking trip through Europe. This right of passage is believed to further the maturation process of college students, according to sociologists. Of course, others have opined that copious amounts of alcohol, sun and Amsterdam have something to do with it. Regardless of your purpose, you still have to figure out what to take.

Backpack – Getting In Touch With Your Inner Mule

Obviously, the first critical item is your backpack. While one doesn’t need to buy the $10,000 Himalaya Turbo Pack, you should also avoid the $12 blue light special. So, how do you pick a happy middle ground?

The best method for picking a backpack involves three phone books. Select/swipe/borrow three yellow page books from neighbors/friends/enemies and hit your local sporting goods store. With the books, head to the backpackapalozza section of the store and pick out a few sturdy/cool/outrageous rigs. Stuff the phone books in, adjust the straps and go for a walk. Now break out into a run to simulate future dashes for trains/ ferries/ toilets and make the sales people nervous. These steps should quickly reveal the perfect pack.

Now, you may have read other publications suggesting highly technical ways to select a backpack. Trust me, until you have run for the last ferry from Italy to Greece, you have no idea how to pick a pack. The three phone book test solves this nicely.

What To Take

There are a few mantras that every person should chant before packing for Europe. These chants were developed originally by the little known, Oh-My-Back Monks of Southeast Asia. The “OMB” Monks were known for traveling half way too far off cities, turning around, returning home and then traveling the full way to said cities. Religious experts opined as to the deep metaphysical meaning of such trips. They were later embarrassed when the monks revealed the back and forth nature of the trips was due to forgetting something, often whether they had turned off the iron. Nonetheless, such chants have become the guiding light of experienced backpackers.

Let us slowly and clearly chant together,

“I will pack only that which will not result in me being hunched over like a Sherpa.”

“Remember, I can pick it [(lower voice) toothpaste, book, soap] up over there.”

“I will not stuff thy pack to the point of bursting, for thy damn zippers always break/get snagged/refuse to work.”

“I will learn humility through wearing incredibly wrinkled clothes and shall not bring an iron.”

“I shall bring only one guide book, not one for each country that I MIGHT see.”

“I accept that I will come home wearing something I didn’t take and will have lost/traded/burned much of what I did take.”

For female travelers and, okay, the occasional male,

“I will not bring high heels or a gaggle of make-up.”

Admittedly, chanting these mantras will not bringing you immediate enlightenment. Fret, not. You can always throw items away or send them home in a box to your parents/friends/parole officer. For the resourceful backpacker, it is not unheard of to send particularly smelly/discolored/toxic clothing to an ex-girlfriend/ex-boyfriend/little brother. Follow these practical guidelines and you will soon happily be speaking in a loud voice to make foreigners understand you.

The Evidence

This is the hard part for most travelers to wrap their minds around. You will forget those special moments of your trip when you met the hunk Sven or babe Svenetta from Sweden and had a romantic evening/danced the night away/got arrested in Ios/Ibiza/the airport. Maybe not immediately, but you will eventually forget.

You will also forget or lose the contact information of people you meet, despite meticulously writing it down on the back of a coaster/napkin/your hand in a bar/poetry reading/jail at three in the morning. Surprisingly, said coaster/napkin/hand often survive the night/day/weekend and get deposited in your already trashed backpack. Of course, their presence is often forgotten when you later put a Oktoberfest mug/wet towel/toothbrush in. The extra padding at the bottom of your pack is specifically designed to deal with the decomposing result. Still, the information is gone and so is your future with Sven/Svenetta.

To properly record the magical moments of your trip, you must take a diary or journal. Don’t worry, you can burn it later before you get married/your parents get nosey/you have kids. You want a journal in a water/beer/sweat resistant case. Of course, I prefer a Nomad Travel Journal, but just make sure you take something. When you have some extra time in the bus/train/jail cell, you can record how you got there and the people you met.

Trust me, when you, Sven/Svenetta and your nine children are sitting on the porch 10 years later, you will greatly enjoy reading your journal. Of course, that assumes you didn’t burn.

Safe Backpacking - 5 Tips

Anytime you plan to go backpacking it is important that you plan your trip not only from a where are we going aspect to knowing what gear to bring. This is particularly true if you plan on spending an extended period of time in the wilderness. By creating a gear plan you can double check to make sure that you have everything you need before you strap on your boots.
There are five main things you need to think about when planning your backpacking trip

1. Where are you going and the environment you will be camping in. This is important because you need to let others know where you will be, when you are going and when you plan to return. It will also shape how you answer the next three points.

2. The length of time you will be out in the woods will determine what you take and how much you take. The longer the trip the more food and clothing you’ll need to take. If going with a group how will you divide up the hauling responsibilities. If going alone how much can you comfortably carry while still meeting your daily needs.

3. What time of the year are you going? For summer backpacking trips you’ll generally only need lightweight clothing while the cooler months and winter camping will require heavier clothing. No matter what time of the year be sure to take good rain gear because nothing will ruin a trip quite like getting soaking wet.

4. What kind of shelter do you need? Are you camping in the open which will require a tent or are you doing a hut or wilderness cabin trip. This can make a difference because carrying a tent takes up space in someone’s backpack, often at the expense of other items.

5. Food and water are of course two of the most important items on any trip. Planning your meals and snacks for each day will ensure that you bring enough to last the journey. Dehydrated meals that can be found at any outdoor store are a good choice because they are lightweight but highly nutritious. You will also need to have a plan in place for drinking water because dehydration is not something you want to experience during any backpacking trip. A water filter is definitely on the list of things you must take. How much you carry will depend on where you are going and the available sources along your route.

Planning ahead will ensure that your backpacking trip comes off successfully because the last thing you want to have happen are those unforeseen surprises that ruin what should otherwise be a fun and rewarding experience.

35 Top Sites For Your Backpack Travel

When planning a trip to Europe, there are a ton of available resources for travelers. With this is mind, it is often time-consuming to wade through all of the websites to find really valuable information.

Here is a list of some of the top travel resources for planning a trip to Europe.

1) Wikitravel
This is one of the best sites for travel available. It is open source, so it is constantly updated; further, it is usually locals or people who have direct, experience with an area who contribute information. Thus you get localized information you might not have gotten elsewhere.

2) World Travel Tips
This is a huge, comprehensive resource for world travel. It includes forums, articles, links, free membership and much more for every continent. Their European section covers every European Country and offer in-depth information about each one.

3) About.com: Europe for Visitors
This is a great site dedicated to travel in Europe from About.com. Geared towards everyone from first time to experienced travelers, it is a goldmine of European travel and planning information.

4) Virtual Tourist
This is a great travel guide. Their motto is 'real travelers - real info." This seems consistent with the site, which has everything from transportation reviews to the best travel deal and trip planners. The site also includes forums where you can read about other people's adventures in Europe.

5) Travel Europe
This is an swicki (cross between a search engine and wikipedia) where community users can add, remove and improve the results. This particular swicki is geared towards travel in Europe and is a great resource fro planning a trip to or in Europe.

6) Visiteurope.com
This is the European travel commission's guide to Europe and is packed with tons of useful information, articles, advice and much much more.

7) Europe for Visitors
This is a site that offer European news, general advice, specific country advice, hotels, links to city guides, tourist offices and much, much more.

8.) Europecities.com
This is a comprehensive portal site that offers European city reviews and guides to hundreds of European cities and over 40 European countries.

9) Travel Library
Travel Library is an impartial resource for travelers and offers a plethora of resources that offer in-depth travel information, from hotel and hostel ideas to travelogues and most popular locations.

10) Europa: Traveling in Europe
A huge site that offers tools and information for over 30 European Countries. Each country has their own site dedicated to travel resources, information news and more from that country. Categories for visitors include: documents you will need, choosing a time to travel, getting there, staying healthy, money, shopping, communicating, pets, and if things go wrong.

11) Europa: Your Europe
While this site is geared towards European citizens, it still offers tons of great information for visitors outside of Europe. Information categories include: working in Europe, education and study, living in Europe, traveling in Europe, consumer protection, European citizenship and diplomatic protection.

12) European Union Website
This is the official website of the European Union. It offers news, educational resources and tons of links to information about what's going on in Europe and well as youth travel portals, travel guides, transportation information and much, much more.

13) Yahoo Answers
This is a great place to ask questions and get answers about anything Europe related. You ask the question and get a number of answers, then choose the answer that fits your question best. This site is great because it gives you several points of view to read and learn from and is focused on sharing knowledge.

14) Travels Wise
This site offers tons of information about travel in Europe and countries including Belarus, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, Iceland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, and the Ukraine.

15) Rick Steves' Travel Tips
This site is a large portal site that offers tips and advice for exploring Europe safely, effectively and confidently. From packing tips and safety to accommodations and communications, you will find what you're looking for.

16) Travel Punk
This site offers travel tips and advice targeted at backpackers, budget travelers and tourists. Offers tons of great information as well as travel tools and resources for finding cheap flights and accommodations.

17) TERC Europe Travel Tips
Offers tips on traveling in Europe and categories run the gamut from packing tips and staying healthy and safe to money matters, budget planning, food and accommodations and much more. It is a huge site that is well worth visiting for any Europe travel-related needs.

18) Accessible Journeys
This is an awesome travel site that offers a wealth of information, tips and travel advice about accessibility and traveling in a wheelchair. With information on everything from traveling with your wheelchair or scooter to equipment rentals, handicapped parking permits in Europe and accessible ways to travel, it is a great resource.

19) Europe Travel Tips
A large portal with tons of travel tools, articles and information about travel in 40 European countries, from Austria to the United Kingdom.

20) Independent Traveler

Great site offering lots of travel tips and advice to independent travelers.

21) Travel-and-transport.com
This is a highly useful portal that offers basic and necessary transportation information for Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway and Sweden. New to the site is a route planner that is especially handy.

22) Travel Notes: Europe
Comprehensive travel notes and advice for traveling throughout Europe. Lots of links, resources and tools for travelers.

23) Open Travel Info
Great travel site with a large amount of travel and Europe related information. The forums and articles are especially useful.

24) Discover Europe
Another excellent portal site that offers a wealth of tools, resources and links for travelers to learn about different European countries and plan their trips effectively and efficiently.

25) World 66: Europe
This is a great wiki site that allows members (free) to change and information. It has a great travel guide, maps, and resources for getting to Europe and getting around it. Members can also post photos and there is a cool photo gallery of different places in Europe. Well worth checking out.

26) Backpacker.net
Geared towards backpackers, this is one of the better sites for information, advice and travel planning for backpackers. Users can submit and read recommendations for hostels, tours, bars, beers and much more.

27) WorldWideBackpackers.com
This site is another excellent resource for backpackers and other travelers. While it is geared towards backpackers, there is a wealth of rich information for all travelers, so you should definitely pay them a visit.

28) Gate 1 Travel
This is a travel site for Central Europe. there is a wealth of information that is super handy; they offer info from climate and clothing advice to packing, required travel documents, travel insurance, transportation, communication and much more.

29) Backpackeurope.com
This is another site that is geared towards backpackers in Europe but is highly useful for all travelers. Has Europe travel tips, advice on packing, hostels and hotels, transportation and links to other travel resources.

30) Gemut.com
This is a great travel site that offers visitors advice on everything from car rental and rail travel to hotel reservations, money matters and much more.

31) Travels With Friends: Travel Tips for Europe
Travel tips and advice from planning your trip to executing it. The site's creators travel Europe and research sites, accommodations, destinations and much more, so there is great, first-hand information available on all aspects of travel in Europe.

32) Suite 101: Eastern Europe & Russia Travel
Travel, culture and trip planning and advice. This is an excellent resource for finding out more about Eastern Europe and its cultures.

33) Traveler's Point
Europe advice, tips and travel help for all European countries.

34) Budget Travel Online
Great site offering ideas, how-tos, advice and tips for travelers.

35) Yahoo Travel
Yahoo's comprehensive travel site offers a wealth of information on all European Countries and many of its countries. Another great resource to check out.

River Craft Lite: Floats Great, Less Filling

Here is a great article thats I found in New York Times by STEPHEN REGENOLD.

HELMET strapped on and life vest buckled tight, I pushed off from the bank into a churning stretch of the Arkansas River near here. A backpack loaded with gear was tied to the bow of my boat. “Lean forward in the rapids!” shouted Chelsey Gribbon, a former whitewater guide, as the current whisked around a corner and dropped from sight.

Lightweight Rafting

In the mist of the heaving water, my small raft bobbed on waves. I rocketed downriver and held on for my life.

A whitewater kayak would have been fitting for the chutes and ledges ahead. Or maybe a six-person raft like the commercial vessels that course the Arkansas in the summer months. But I was in a pack raft — a portable, inflatable craft that might be mistaken for a pool toy.

Pack rafts have roots in aviator survival boats from World War II. But for decades adventurers have employed the lightweight and durable vessels to cross lakes, descend remote rivers or portage for miles to reach wilderness in far corners of the globe.

The small rafts have seen a resurgence with outdoors fanatics. Competitors in adventure races have used them, since they are equally capable of handling rapids, ocean bays and long lake crossings. They can weigh as little as three pounds and are easily stowed in a backpack for transport on dry land.

“Pack rafts are the Swiss Army knife of boats: small, versatile, packable and a jack of all trades,” said Andrew Mattox, an owner of Alpacka Raft, based in Mancos, Colo., which sells a range of models starting around $600.

For explorers like Roman Dial, a mathematics and biology professor at Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage, pack rafts have opened new vistas. Mr. Dial wrote a book on them, “Packrafting: An Introduction and How-To Guide” (Beartooth Mountain Press, 2008), after more than two decades of pack-rafting expeditions to places like Borneo, New Zealand, Patagonia, Tasmania and the Western United States. In 1986 Mr. Dial traversed the Brooks Range in Alaska, a 1,000-mile trip on foot and skis, and — for the rivers and lakes that dotted the terrain — in a pack raft.

In the foreword to Mr. Dial’s book, Jon Krakauer, the author of “Into the Wild,” wrote, “Roman was among the first people on the planet to understand that the pack raft would revolutionize wilderness exploration.”

This year I joined a group of experienced pack-rafters on a two-day trip in the San Isabel National Forest. At a boat launch on the Arkansas, we sorted gear to prepare for the journey, which would cover about 25 miles of travel equally divided between land and water.

“Here’s your raft,” said Jason Magness, the trip leader, tossing me a small rubbery bundle. It weighed five pounds and fit snugly in the bottom of my backpack.

I stuffed food, a sleeping bag, a shell jacket and survival gear in as well, all cinched in waterproof sacks. With a kayak paddle strapped to the outside of the pack, I followed Mr. Magness and two companions, and the hike began.

Mr. Magness is a founder of a troupe of outdoors athletes, adventurers and yoga teachers known as the YogaSlackers, who embark on trips that push the limits of the body and the mind. Pack rafts have allowed Mr. Magness and his group to complete expeditions from Canada to Costa Rica, including two-week journeys in remote wilderness.

Our adventure included backpacking, mountain climbing, canyoneering, camping out and then — after inflating the rafts on the second day — a long whitewater paddle back to the cars. Our route, an off-trail tour past geographic landmarks and old mines, was sketched vaguely on a topographic map Mr. Magness had printed. “We’ll figure it out as we go along,” he said.

For an hour we walked north next to the Arkansas River. Whitewater poured over rocks, the river pinching down inside canyon walls.

The group — Daniel Staudigel, Mr. Magness, Ms. Gribbon and me — shared food and gear throughout the trip. Each person carried a raft and paddle. But a small tent, first-aid items and layers of clothing, all split among us, were considered community gear.

Moving fast and light, we covered five miles of back country in a couple of hours. We squeezed up a canyon where the walls narrowed to 10 feet wide. Above 8,000 feet we reached an obscure ridge marked as “The Reef” on our map. An old mine, abandoned and forgotten, edged a dry tributary far below.

By sunset we’d hiked and climbed about 13 miles. A final descent into a canyon led to a sandy wash, where we camped within sight of the Arkansas.

Morning brought bright sun and a line of commercial rafters bobbing downstream. We inflated our pack rafts at the river’s edge, watching the six-member crews buck and drop in raging water below.

“What is that thing?” a rafter shouted, stretching to see the strange little crafts being inflated onshore.

As an experienced kayaker, I took to a pack raft with little issue. My vessel, an Alpacka raft, looked to be not much more than an inner tube reinforced with a floor. But on the river I felt in control. The craft could ferry across the current. I paddled into an eddy for practice, bracing as the boat spun around.

Our day on the Arkansas entailed a line of rapids with big names — Graveyard, Widowmaker, Zoom Flume — and with ratings up to Class 4. (Class 6 is the hardest, considered unrunnable.) On the first major set, Pinball Rapid, I leaned forward and paddled fast.

Waves exploded over my head. Water rushed in, filling the raft. I shot out the other side soaked but upright, the craft bumping through like a tank.

Farther downstream, after running a steep chute, my raft flipped, and I went overboard. The shocking cold of the mountain river knocked out my breath. I swam in a swirling mess of whitewater, raft and paddle edging away.

But the rapid washed into a pool. I swam and grabbed my gear, flipped the raft without trouble and climbed in, my backpack still secured to the boat.

A reach and a pull with the paddle, my feet pressed inside against rubber walls, and I powered back into the waves. Once again the river fell out of sight. I held on, bracing for the wild ride downriver and beyond.

IF YOU GO

A handful of guides offer trips, including the Backpacking Light Wilderness Trekking School (backpackinglight.com). The Montana-based trips range in length from three days to two weeks.

YogaSlackers (yogaslackers.com) arranges occasional pack-raft trips in the Western United States. In Anchorage, Alpacka Raft Rentals (pacraftalaska.com, 907-727-4238) rents pack rafts.

MANUFACTURERS

Boats made by Alpacka Raft (alpackaraft.com) are constructed of urethane-coated nylon and are made to run flat water to advanced whitewater rivers. The Yukon Yak model, which weighs a bit less than five pounds when deflated, costs $790.

A more affordable option is the Sevylor Trail Boat, for $75.99 . It weighs 3.5 pounds and comes with two paddles. Sevylor boats (sevylor.com) are not commonly used on serious whitewater.

What backpacking gear is ideal?

When planning your backpacking trip, you need to think carefully about what equipment to take and what you can afford to leave behind.

There are some things that you simply must have. Whilst there are plenty of new gadgets and devices that are supposed to enhance your backpacking experience, when it comes down to it, there are some traditional items that you should never leave home without, regardless of what new technology you may have in your pack. These essential items are listed below.

Map

The key here is to choose a map which has sufficient detail to clearly show the trails and area details of where you will be backpacking. Apart from that, it really does not matter what type of map you choose.

Compass

You will need a good quality compass that will withstand the elements outside. The fact is you have to know which direction you are going. Just taking a map is not going to work.

Flashlight

It is very important that you always can see where you are going. A good quality flashlight is essential, plus batteries. You can now buy wind-up torches, which remove the need for batteries. Remember, it can be very dark in none-rural areas. Not having adequate lighting can contribute to falls or injuries which can really ruin a good backpacking trip.

Extra food and clothing

Instead of packing just what you need, you should try to pack extra just in case. You could get lost, or encounter bad weather, or you might just get stuck and not be able to get back. You must always be prepared for the unexpected, and extra food and clothing will help you cope.

First Aid Kit

This is a really important item. There are many things which can happen out in the wilderness. Even if you are traveling in a very well kept area, you can still find a need for a first aid kit. Make sure you get a kit that is well stocked with a variety of supplies.

Knife

Ideally you should have a multi-function knife which incorporates several different tools. Such tools can prove to be very important and their uses are endless when backpacking. At a minimum, a nice sharp knife that can cut through fabric and cord is necessary.

Matches

Matches can prove to be a lifesaver, particularly in cold weather conditions. You should either get waterproof matches or carry your matches in a waterproof container.

Water or water treatment

Drinking water is essential as you must stay hydrated while backpacking. If you do not carry water, an alternative is to have the necessary supplies to adequately treat water.

These are the essentials, but as you plan your trip you will quickly find there are many considerations when deciding on what to take. Make sure you seek good advice from the many resources available to you.

Important! Get the right bag when you backpack.

Its important to get the right backpack bag when you are off backpacking for a long period of time. The bag will be your only friend (besides the friends thats with you of course) and if you have a to small bag, it will not be so nice on your trip! You should check this bag that has good recommendations from many backpacking sites.

Backpacking in Europe

The thought of schools are always tied in with backpacking. What if you get a chance to go backpacking in Europe, one of the most beautiful locations in the world? It would be an experience to recall. The most important thing required for this trip is of course a backpack, which is strong enough to carry your belongings. Do not over pack your backpack, as you must remember that you have to do a lot of walking to catch the ferry or the tourist buses in and around the cities in Europe.There is a certain segment of individuals who prefer backpacking to Europe during summer as they can savor summer activities and visit various beaches. But there are others who opt to plan a trip to Europe in wintertime. Winter would not be disappointing for them too because France have the skiing opportunities. The best place for skiing would be Interlaken which is on a double lake system completely surrounded by mountain peaks. Another interesting event during winter is the winter carnival at Venice, Italy.It is very essential to pack according to the weather conditions when planning Backpacking in Europe. Don't forget to have two pants with lots of pouches if visiting in summer. It is more handy if you take pant that can convert to shorts when needed. Pack 2 -3 shirts with one or two long sleeve shirts. You have to have at least 3 pair or under garments. Hiking shoes or walking shoes would be the most preferable shoes for the backpacking trip as you have to walk a lot. You can also carry a pair of sandals or flip flops to walk around the place you stay.When you decide to go on backpacking trip to Europe, you may not be certain where you might pass the night. This is where travelers' inn comes in convenient. They are very much cheaper and handy that hotels. The best places to spend a night while in Europe are the traveler's hostel. They are cheap and you do not have to make any reservation. Do enquire about the stuff they provide at the hostel which would make it convenient about what to pack in your back pack.Most significantly, get copies of all your essential documents such as passport, your medical info and put it in different places in your backpack as well as your wallet and your trouser pouches. Last but not the least; Remember to enjoy your Europe trip and have fun backpacking!!

How Much Does it Cost to backpack in Europe for 30 days?

Summary:
$500-$2000 pretrip
1350-2025 (Euros) for 30 days, currently this is about $1900-$2800


Pre Trip Expences

Airfare: $250-$1000 – This can vary greatly depending on where you’re going from and if you can score any deals.

Backpack: $30-$250 – A good backpack is key to a good trip, it has to be able to hold everything you have and not tank your back after a few hours of carrying it.

Travel Documents: $0-$200 – All the documents you’ll need on your trip (Passport, Visas, Student Identity card etc.) Depending on what you already have, you may not have to get very much.

Guide Book: $20-$50 – The backpacker’s bible. The thing you’ll probably spend the most time on your trip looking at, so make sure you get the right one.

Various Travel Accessories: Varies – Everything from a sleepsheet to sturdy shoes to flashlight to digital camera. This part varies greatly depending on what you want to bring.

Rail Pass: $300-$1000 – If you decide on getting a rail pass, a decent one will cost anywhere from $300 to over a thousand depending on how long it is and where it’s valid.

So before you get to Europe you’re already looking at dishing out anywhere from $500-$2000, Yes it’s not cheap. But it’s worth the money you spend.

On the Road Costs

It would better if you count your expences in euro ‘couse most european country use it.

Sleeping: Accommodations at hostels €15-€35 per day (prices tend to be at the higher end of this range in large cities like London and Paris, but considerably cheaper if you go to cities in Eastern Europe like Prague and Budapest). Also hostel prices are higher in the summer high season and lower in the off season.

Eating: Food €10-€20 per day (this of course depends on how much, what, and where you eat). You could buy food at local grocery stores and limited yourself to two meals a day (breakfast and a late lunch and occasionally a snack or two) for saving money. If you plan to do most of your eating in restaurants, then expect to pay a minimum of $25 per day (restaurants prices in Europe are outrageous!).

Transportation & Fun: Unless you plan to walk 20 miles a day, you’ll probably be using local buses, subways, and/or renting bicycles to get to the attractions of the town you’re visiting-once you get there you then have to fork over more money for entrance fees, etc. Cost depends on where you go and what you see, but you can expect to pay about €10-€30 per day more or less depending on how extravagant you are. If you plan to do a lot of drinking this could easily double.

On the Road Expenses TOTALS: 10 days=€450-€675

Travel Europe

When should you avoid shopping in Southern Europe, where can you find a 350-year-old restaurant in Rome, whose birthday can you celebrate in Scotland this fall?

The U. S. Tour Operators Association -- whose member companies send 11 million people annually on vacation -- asked its members for insider tips to various parts of the world. Below are quick tips for visiting Europe destinations from destinations around the globe, from Ireland to India.

Southern Europe:

When should you avoid shopping in southern Europe?

Stop before you shop. In some parts of Southern Europe, shops and restaurants close for siesta in the afternoon, reopening in the evening and remaining open late. Travelers should plan accordingly so they are not disappointed. (Avanti Destinations)

Italy:

How should you dress for Italy?

The climate in Italy can vary from fifteen to twenty degrees in all seasons. So it's wise to bring a sweater, clothes that can be layered, and an all-weather jacket, plus comfortable walking shoes. For cruises, informal dress is the general rule, though on formal nights a cocktail dress for women and a suit or coat and tie for men is required. In addition, some religious sites in Italy may require modest dress to enter, meaning no shorts, short skirts, or sleeveless tops. (Gate 1 Travel)

Where can you dine at a 350-year-old restaurant in Rome?

La Cisterna, one of Rome's oldest restaurants, is located in the city's Trastevere section. Run by the Simmi family for over 75 years, the restaurant's origins date back to 1630. (Tauck World Discovery)

Ireland and Scotland:

How can you see Ireland on your own terms?

Choose an open voucher program that provides the first night's stay at a pre-booked hotel, and remaining nights where you will. In between explore on your own. (Celtic Tours World Vacations)

Whose 250th birthday is Scotland Celebrating?

To mark the 250th anniversary of poet Robert Burns' birth, now through November 30, Scotland is hosting numerous commemorative events. Events include the first annual Homecoming which focuses on visitors with Scottish heritage.

Why Take a Backpacking Europe Trip?

Europe is a popular destination for students between semesters in college, or those young adults needing a break from the real world. If you want to get in one last great adventure before you start in on the adult world, backpacking Europe is one of the best ways to do it. You'll be able to see a lot of new things, meet new people, and experience new cultures - and have an absolute blast while doing all of the above.

A backpacking Europe itinerary has been traditional for many years. Well-off young men used to take a tour of the continent in their last years of school. The popularity of backpacking Europe rose in the 1960s and 1970s, too, with people traveling all over with a relatively small number of possessions. Now, people of all economic classes do the same. It's a wonderful way to learn and find some new experiences. You are guaranteed to make some new friends!

Generally, student travelers choose to backpack - which means living out of a small travel bag or backpack and sleeping mostly in inexpensive hostels and other budget accommodations. That's because they get the most out of their money this way and extend the time they can travel. After all, staying in hotels can get very costly and thus restrict the time you can spend on the road. You'll also see more of the real Europe by spending nights in a youth hostel, instead of just being stuck in quiet hotels or on tours and seeing only the touristy side of things.

People from all over the world choose to backpack through Europe, so you'll meet a wide variety of others looking for the same things you are. You may find that you don't speak a common language, but it's surprising how well you can communicate anyway. You'll probably learn a little of the local languages while you're traveling, as well. When in doubt, almost all young backpackers speak English these days anyway.

Just remember to interact as much with locals as you do with other backpackers if you really want to learn about the countries you're staying in. Politeness and open-mindedness are extremely important, too. The local rules will be different than you're used to, and it's a good idea to follow them. You'll get a lot more out of the experience of backpacking Europe if you put in a little bit of time and effort to get along with and understand the locals, no matter where you end up.

Backpacking Europe is an incredible experience, and if you have the chance to do it, don't pass it up. You'll be amazed at all the new experiences you can have, what you can see, and all the things you can learn. It's a lot of fun, and an extremely valuable experience. Check out the logistics of a backpacking Europe itinerary soon.

Backpacking Tips

People all over the world from very different backgrounds, regardless of age, find backpacking a fun, rewarding and life changing experience. Most consider their first experience backpacking as being like birth into the world.

Without constraints or firm schedules, backpackers are completely free. With only your pack on your back, there are no limits to what you can do or see. Experiencing different cultures, overcoming language barriers, and making new friends (locals and other travelers) are all part of the adventure.

Backpacking across Europe can be confusing, exhausting and possible dangerous. Therefore, preparations need to be made. However, no matter how much you plan for your travels, adjustments will need to be made. Therefore, you should plan for these adjustments and set backup plans when possible. This web site is provided as a guide for those planning to set out on the adventure of a lifetime.

Thailand: 3 Top Destinations

With several sights to see and surprises to offer, Thailand could be one of the best locations you should not miss to visit. Culture, beaches, people, and heritage sites are some of the things you can expect when you travel to Thailand.

Bangkok - Traveling Thailand wound not be complete without visiting Bangkok. As the nation's capital with an estimated population of over 10 million (including the neighboring provinces), this city is by far the largest in the country. The city is divided into 50 districts or khet but for tourists and those who are new in the place, 6 divisions would be more useful. These are Ratchadaphisek in the northeast section of the city, Sukhamvit in the southeast, Silom in the south, Thonburi in the west, Rattanakosin in the central north, and Phahanyothin in the north. The whole Bangkok district would give you a diverse taste of culture, history, religion, modernity, and fast-phase life. You can actually witness how all these blend together to comprise the whole Bangkok package. Buddhist temples, historical museums, towering buildings, contemporary restaurants and hotels, shopping centers, canals and rivers, and food make Bangkok a one of a kind city in Southeast Asia.

Phuket - Down south, Phuket features magnificent beaches, tropical sunsets, white sands, blue seas, and breathtaking sceneries. No wonder it is the most popular vacation destination in Asia beating every beaches of the neighboring countries. It has several beaches like Kata Beach, Karon Beach, Patong Beach, Kamala Beach, and Surin Beach. The island showcases several water sports and activities including parasailing, jet-skiing, and scuba diving. By day, Phuket is alive with beachgoers and shoppers and by night, lights, sounds, and party people dominate the whole island.

Chiang Mai - The second largest city in Thailand with an estimated population of more than 200,000. This city located in the northern part of the country offers greener and quieter city. Chiang Mai's tourism is becoming more and more popular and permanently settling at this city is very common. When you travel Thailand and visit Chiang Mai, you surely would want to see museums such as Hilltribe Research Institute Museum and the Chiang Mai City Arts.

Travel In Europe

Thinking about travelling around Europe via train? Many students, couples, and groups of friends choose train travel as their main method of getting around Europe, and for good reason. Train travel can be a very convenient, beneficial, and cost-effective method of traversing this wonderful continent.

However, European train travel can get confusing, especially if you don't know where to start. Here are a few tips to help you with train travel in Europe:

First, opt for a train station information desk rather than the ticket window if you need more information or help in planning your trip. The ticket agent is simply there to help you buy your train ticket. Find out if you qualify for any special discounts, or if you can lower your ticket price by taking a different train.

If you're looking for ways to cut down on costs for European train travel, you have a few options. First, travelling by train in southern Europe is almost always cheaper than travelling by train in northern Europe. Second, slower trains are usually significantly cheaper than express trains. Third, travelling overnight for longer trips will help you save money, time, and hotel/hostel accommodation fare. A rail pass or other train pass may also help you to save money, especially if you'll be doing a lot of train travel.

When you do go to buy your ticket or pass at the ticket window, make sure you know the train time or number, whether you'll be travelling first or second-class, whether it's one-way or round trip, and when you'll be travelling. Keep in mind that express trains often require advance reservations and will likely be significantly pricier.

Whether or not you have a reservation for a train seat will affect your train travel in Europe. If you have one, you'll have a number for a car and seat. When you're at the train station, check each track or the wall for the Composition of Trains board, which should illustrate where each numbered car will be when the train comes in. If you don't have a reservation, this means you can sit anywhere-but check to make sure that the seat you've chosen isn't reserved for someone else.

For train travel in Europe, it's quite common for you to have to "validate" your ticket before you can board through a validation machine that will show you which end of the ticket to put in.

The train's eating options is another matter to think about insofar as European train travel is concerned. The longer the travelling distance, the more likely the train is to have a restaurant or café car. For medium distances, expect maybe a cart with a few drinks and snacks on it, but regional trains likely won't carry anything. Consider purchasing a few snacks at the train station before boarding to ensure you'll be fed, and to cut down on costs as well.

Top 7 Money-Saving Tips When Using an Air Travel Finder

An air travel finder can be the best tool you ever use, and with these top 7 money-saving tips you will get the best deals possible on you air travel:

1. Make your reservation
as early as possible. At least 14 days in advance, but aim for at least 21 days in advance. After this time, the air tickets can easily more than double in price.

2. Be flexible with your travel time. Changing the day or the time of day can drastically reduce the price of your air travel. The best day to fly on is Wednesday, which is also the best day to book the flight on. The cheapest time to fly is early morning or late evening.

3. Fly during the off-season. Prices are a direct result of supply and demand. As demand goes down, prices go down as well, benefiting flyers.

4. Shop all the airlines. This is the most possible using a couple of key air travel finder companies that I recommend on my site. Being able to check all the airlines at the same time can get you the best deal.

5. A stopover instead of a direct flight can result in huge savings.

6. Membership in some clubs like AAA can get you discounts. With air travel prices at an all-time low this isn't as influential on the price as it is shopping between the airlines themselves. You get much better deals using an air travel finder to check prices of the different airlines against each other.

7. Look into air travel packages. Purchasing your air travel, hotel, and rental car through the same place usually gives a huge discount. Using a bigger air travel finder will allow you to do all of this on the same website. I have recommendations for this on my site as well.

The prices on air travel tickets are a direct result of competition, inventory, and demand. Competition is the airlines competing with each other. Inventory is how many seats are left open on a given flight. Demand is how many people are looking for air travel tickets. By choosing the least-crowded flights that are the least in demand, you get the lowest price. It's really that simple.

As you can see, there are many ways to get better prices. If you use a major air travel finder and choose the best days and times to fly, you can often get unbelievable deals and save a hefty amount of money in the process.

Backpacking Tips for Beginners

I want to show you a great video today that shows you some tips for the beginners.

Buy Backpacks

Backpacks that are made out of heavy material and are extremely bulky to carry around, even before they are filled. You may also fear buying a new backpack because your past experience dictates that backpacks can be extremely expensive. Put aside those old beliefs, because many newer styles of backpacks are made from lighter weight materials and are very inexpensive, especially when you consider how valuable your new piece of luggage will be for you to use.

One of the most popular new styles of backpacks is one which can either be carried on your back or wheeled behind you. Backpack manufacturers, recognizing that the loads backpacks sometimes bear can be extremely heavy, began making wheeled backpacks in an effort to help consumers save themselves from hurting their backs.

Wheeled backpacks come in a number of different sizes. If you will be using your wheeled backpack to carry around every day loads that are not extremely heavy, there are smaller models available for you to use. If you will be using your wheeled backpack to carry around heavy items such as laptops, books and other school supplies, there are larger and heavier duty wheeled backpacks that you can use to avoid having to break your back or your bank. You can also find much larger wheeled backpacks to use for purposes such as traveling. These bags, which are extremely sturdy and yet often made from lightweight materials, come with many different compartments inside so that you have plenty of places to store all of your necessities when you are on the road.

If you will be traveling, wheeled backpacks can truly be your best friend. Ensure, however, that you can easily take your wheeled backpack everywhere you want to go. In most case, wheeled backpacks will be small enough to use as carry-ons for airplanes. Check the restrictions of your airline, however, to ensure that you do not purchase a bag you will be unable to use. In addition to wheeled backpacks, you can also find miniature backpacks to be very useful when you are traveling. These mini backpacks, which you can carry by hand or sling over your back, are the perfect sizes to hold all of your necessities without having to carry a bulky bag on all of your travels.

Another popular backpack style that will save both your back and your bank is sling bags. These bags, which you can either wear on one shoulder or diagonally across your body, are made so that weight is distributed more evenly to avoid hurting yourself when you are carrying your bag. Sling style backpacks are most commonly made out of lightweight material, so that the only weight you will bear when carrying will be the items that you include inside. Do not mistake lightweight material for not being sturdy, however! Even lightweight mesh materials can bear heavy contents quite easily so that anything you need to bring along can be carried in your bag.

Some of the most expensive backpacks that you can find are those that are of the newest style that has been released. If your first priority is using the latest in backpack fashions, you need to be prepared to pay top dollar. Unless you can find newly released styles on sale, the latest backpacks can often cost two or three times as much as older styles. In order to save money, always check out bags that have been available for quite some time. Do not worry about being unfashionable; many backpacks are made so that their style is considered timeless instead of timed out.

Another factor that you will need to consider is the manufacturer of your backpack. As with any other type of item, brand name or higher end bags will always be more expensive than every day or mid range bags. To save your money, be prepared to walk away from designers and instead choose from a wide range of more affordable backpacks. Sometimes, however, a name brand really does equal better quality and the bag will last longer without ripping and tearing. Choose from experience or try reading online reviews and buyer comments. You do not want to spend more just for the sake of a logo, but you may be willing to spend a little bit more for something that lasts longer than a few months. Some lesser known brands are constructed with high quality as well. If you can, feel the material and inspect the stitching to gauge the quality for yourself.

There are many backpack styles available today that are affordable, practical and fashionable all the same time. Consider your primary use for the bag: school, work, travel or sports. If you frequently carry heavy loads, help to prevent neck and back strains by choosing a rolling backpack with collapsible handle. And remember that you do not have to sacrifice style for function – backpacks come in all shapes, sizes and styles for children through mature executives. There is sure to be something to suit every need.

Backpacking Flights

The best flights to take for people who have a low budget is:

easyjet.com
ryanair.com
MrJet.se
lowestfare.com/


Have a great Travel!

Sweden Tour and Travel

Sweden is a beautiful country in the north of Europe. Full of history, you'll find castles and thousands of old relics such as rune stones, burial sites, and old fortresses. All this, but even so Sweden isn't as full of tourists as the rest of Western Europe, mainly because as like the rest of Scandinavia, prices are much higher.

If you want to travel to sweden and want a guide to follow, I recommend the books above. The first one is about Sweden and its many cities to visit and the second one is about Stockholm and a travel map, very usefull!

Local Language: Swedish - But many Swedes have an excellent command of English, so you shouldn't have any difficulty.

Costs: Sweden is expensive. Budget $100 per day.

Sweden is a great country to travel in, with so many historical and interesting sites to see it's almost overwhelming. Again, literally thousands of fortresses, and other viking relics are scattered around the country.

Stockholm is one of Europe's most beautiful cities, with many rivers and small islands, in addition to museums and monuments. You'll also find palaces of the Swedish royal family here.

The nature and abundance of lakes, and the northern feel are much like Canada. In the summer you can head to the northern extreme of Sweden and experience 24 hour sunlight, and in the winter the opposite.

Sweden is also one of the safest country's to travel in. The chances of you experiencing any crime or hassle is extreme low!