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.

Gear:

• Get good gear. Durability & comfort are superior. (I once hiked five miles with an old, broken Boy Scout pack & it was the most miserable trip of my life.) You can rent good gear from outdoor shops so you can try out different items before making an investment.

• Think light -- find lighter replacements for heavy gear, trim excess, use plastic instead of metal, dry instead of wet, etc.

• Pack backpack with heaviest items on top & closest to your back. Adjust your pack so most of the weight is carried on your hips, not your shoulders.

• Develop a system for packing things (esp. 1st aid kit, rain gear, flashlight, etc.) in the same place every time so you know where it is & don't have to search for it. Keep things you need access to in outside pockets.

• Put sleeping bags & tents in the sunlight (if possible) to dry before breaking camp. Hang them on the clothesline in your backyard for 24 hours after each trip to air them out, fluff them up, & drying them out completely.

• Use a hiking staff -- great for keeping your balance, fording small streams on slippery rocks, warding off snakes & other critters, & gives you an extra push with each step.

• Use clear, wide mouthed bottles -- easy to fill, easy to clean, great for re-hydrating dried food, such things as spoons & ice cubes fit easily. On the trail we use water bottles with a spout & in camp we use a Platypus plastic jug.

• Carry a small roll of duct tape -- a 1,000 uses from mending gear to makeshift knee braces

• Pack fuel & water bottles upright on outside of pack -- fuel will contaminate food & clothing, water will get everything soggy.

• Use a sleeping pad -- not only is it more comfortable, it also insulates you from the ground

Group tips

Get some good friends to go along with you. Like-minded people will have a far better time together on the trails than a few people who do not share the same passion for nature or backpacking. If your friends share the same passion but are less experienced, show some patience and remember that you are all there to have fun. Maybe you will have to walk a little slower than usual but this only gives you extra time to soak in your surroundings. Share your backpacking tips with them beforehand or along the way

How To Plan a Backpacking Trip

1. Find a hiking partner(s). If you are experienced, you have the opportunity to introduce a newcomer to the wonders of backpacking. If you have never been backpacking, you might want to consider going on your first trip with an experienced hiker. It's best if your camping partners are somewhat compatible in terms of hiking speed, distance they are willing to hike, and camping style. Some people like to travel lightly and hike long distances. Others prefer just getting out of sight of the car.
2. Decide on the duration, timing, and destination of your trip. Some destinations are very crowded at certain times of year (e.g. around holidays) and others are inappropriate for backpacking at certain times of the year (e.g. the desert in the middle of the summer - not recommended for a first-timer).
3. Make sure you know where you are going, bring the appropriate maps (topographic), and know how to read them. This is far more important than many novices realize. Low resolution national park maps are generally insufficient. British Ordnance Survey or USGS (US Geologic Survey) maps are available for many popular backpacking areas at sporting goods stores. They have elevation contours and are more accurate and reliable than more "cartoonish" maps.
4. Carry a compass and know how to read it and use it with your map.
5. Plan your route. Decide if you are doing a "loop" hike, "out and back" or an "end to end". The latter usually requires leaving a car at both ends. Consider the terrain, weather, and the experience and conditioning of your group when planning how many miles you will travel each day. Experienced hikers in good shape can do 10-25 miles per day, depending on terrain. Novices and weekend warriors should plan on 6-12 miles. Don't get overambitious. Shoot for less rather than more so you can take time to enjoy the sights. Determine the approximate area where you will camp each night ahead of time. Try to plan your trip so that you camp close to a reliable water source each night.
6. Check to see if your destination requires permits or other advance preparation. Camping often requires a permit, available for a small fee payable as cash only.
7. Check local regulations for the area you wish to choose as a destination. Most National Parks and other public lands have guidelines specific to their environments (e.g., Yosemite requires the use of bear-proof canisters for food).
8. Find out local fire regulations. Many areas prohibit fires during dry periods. At other times, they may only be allowed in specific locations (typically fire rings). Never, ever, leave a fire unattended. Do not light a fire unless you have enough water available to extinguish it thoroughly. As a precaution, clear a 15-foot (~5m) circular area around your fire, to prevent the wind from igniting any materials outside of your fire pit.
9. Carry more than enough water to get you from one source to the next. Water is heavy, but critical. If you are using a water filter, bring replacement parts, including replacement filters. They often clog with sediment, or just plain break.
10. Plan meals with your partners. Choose food like reconstituted soups and stews that are made with water. Pasta is a commonly eaten hiking food. It can be helpful for everyone to be responsible for their own snacks but to have a communal dinner.
11. Check your equipment inventory to make sure all gear is in working order. Give yourself time to test equipment and replace/repair anything that is not working properly. Remember, if an item breaks, you will still need to haul it back.
12. Check your closet for all the necessary clothing for the conditions you expect to encounter. Remember, dressing in layers allows you to be comfortable in many different weather conditions. Even though it might be warm when you hit the trailhead doesn’t mean that the weather will remain the same throughout the day. Mountains are notorious for volatile and quick-changing weather systems: many of them severe. Even if it is 90 degrees when you head out, pack a light bag with rain gear, or at least a coat.
13. Compare gear with hiking partners and share what you can. The group may only need one water filter, stove, set of pots/pans, etc. Consider duplicating vital items but having two different people carry them - first aid kit, compass, water filter.
14. Leave a detailed itinerary with someone who is not going on the trip, including your route, inventory, areas you plan to stay, and when you expect to return. Be sure to contact them after you have safely returned.
15. Do not bring a tent that has had food in it on your backpacking trip. Bears can smell food in tent material, from this campout, or from the last campout, or from the one before that, and so on. Even if you do not plan to visit an area with bears this time, you may in the future. Bears will attack tents that have a food scent. If you will be visiting an area with bears, bring a bag and rope to hang your food from a tree. Plan to hang all of your food - not just ingredients for meals, but also all of your snacks, even the ones sealed in foil. Follow the same precautions with anything scented, including hair products, shampoo, lotions, toothpaste, and gum. Always use the same bag for storing and hanging food and scented items, from campout to campout, for the same reason you should never eat food inside of a tent.