Backpacking around the World

So you’re planning on backpacking around the world? There’s a few things you can do and more to ensure that your round the world trip is a safe one. The reality is you can’t plan for everything as things will always pop out of the woodwork to cause havoc, but the more and better prepared you, the more able you’ll be to be ready for anything the world throws at you. Here are some of things you can do on your backpacking trip to help you on your travels.

- Scan any relevant important documents especially your passport, your plane tickets, visas, and anything else relevant. Then email yourself these documents to a hotmail or Gmail address. In case of lose of these documents; you’ll be able to have easy access to copies which will allow easier application for new originals of these documents. You should also photocopy these documents and have these copies throughout your backpack and any other travel bag. Ensure you keep them in a safe place.

- Buy luggage and backpacking locks to help protect your stuff in transit. Many thieves around the world focus on backpackers and having these locks will protect you and your belongings, especially in transit as well as youth hostels.

- Ready escape plans for any country. This sounds a bit James bond but the reality is you need to have awareness in any situation how you would get out quickly and easily if the need arises. This means you’ll have to have an understanding as to where you are, what transport facilities are available to you at all times, and whether you’ll need anything other than money to go places.

- Have small dollar bills in case you’ll need to bribe officials in any far away place or location. If your have only large notes, you won’t have a choice when it comes to bribing officials and handing them over. They’re not going to give you change.

- Understand how many departures and arrivals the local airports see and whether you’ll be able to simply lob and expect a flight out of the country at any given time.

- Before you leave, check out relevant travel websites and government websites that will highlight any specific precautions you should make travelling to various countries. This will bring about an awareness that will help ensure your secure travelling around the world backpacking.

- Talk to friends and family and anyone you know that has travelled extensively backpacking. They’ll be able to give you the information that you won’t find out reading books and websites. A friend of mine didn’t know that upon arrival to Buenos Aires that the ‘taxi drivers’ aren’t really taxi drivers but rather exuberant con men. She made sure to take an accredited taxi.

Backpacking around the world is a fun experience for most and it seems to be a right of passage nowadays amongst the youth of today. Just make sure you do the right things and you’ll be a safe as can be. Do the research now!

Backpacking in countries during winter can be a very daunting and challenging task but equally rewarding and quite a fun experience.  There are a few things you must note however to ensure that it is in fact a worthwhile experience.  You have to be much more highly conscious of security and safety issues.  You have to be aware of how cold its actually going to get backpacking around in winter so that you dress and prepare yourself accordingly.

-         Make sure you do some research before your trip to understand how cold its actually going to be.  You’ll also learn during this process as to the type of clothing required to travel to such cold places.  And this is so important if you’re backpacking.   With respect to clothes you have to have the most durable and heat intense clothing inside your backpack at all times.  To know how cold it actually gets during the evening in such cold locations will give you the understanding required to know what to wear and what to bring and buy.  Depending on where you live before your trip it may be a little difficult to find the type of clothing required for such cold places.  In this case, buy clothing that fit as much of the bill as possible and when you arrive at winter locations buy locally what you need. 

-         Speak to some friends and family who have travelled to such cold countries and you’ll get a better understanding as to the actual requirements necessary to keep you safe and warm.

-         Read as much information as possible in travel magazines and internet websites to find out the specific requirements for each locality that you wish to travel.  This will help in getting a better understanding as the dangers and risks involved in travelling or backpacking around the world in such cold locations.

-         It may also be advisable that you don’t just jump head first into the coldest countries on your list first.  Acclimatize by heading slowly in the direction of the coldest locations.  This will give the body and mind the understanding as to the degrees in which and understanding of how freezing the temperatures will be at the most southern or northern worldwide locales.

The more you read and prepare yourself the more you’re likely to have a fantastic and worthwhile trip backpacking and travelling around the world.  Enjoy yourself and be careful!