Are you dreaming of a Gap Year Abroad ? Well you are not alone ! Many people spend a lot of time thinking about doing a Gap Year Abroad. It is a wonderful thing really to spend some time travelling or volunteering or doing some conservation work. For many it is a life changing experience.

Taking a Gap Year is done by people from all walks of life : rich or poor, young or old, top executives or factory workers. The great thing about taking a Gap Year Program Abroad is that when people come together abroad be it for volunteering, backpacking or conservation work; they become part of one big group where it does not matter where you are from, how old you are, how much money you have or what kind of job you have.

Taking a Gap Year Abroad a learning experience where you learn about a new culture, a new language, a new skill or more about yourself !

Gap years are a great way for you to become more confident and independent. It could be the first time that you live away from home and you will have to look after yourself. This is a great opportunity to become more independent and a more mature person. You will be able to meet lots of new people from different backgrounds and learn new skills. The skills you learn will be very useful at university, at work, and with your family and friends.

A properly planned gap year abroad can be one of the most rewarding, challenging and exciting periods of your life. It is important is that you have prepare your trip properly. The most important decision is where to go. Do not just make this decision lightly, make sure that you decide on a destination that you really are interested in, and not just because a friend wants to go there. Make sure that you have passion for this destination. If you do then success is almost guaranteed as whatever challenge you will face will be a challenge to overcome instead of an excuse.

Now where can you do a Gap Year ? Well pretty much anywhere in the world! One of the most popular destinations is Asia. Asia is a fascinating continent full of colour, culture and religion. No wonder that so many gap year travellers end up in Asia. Asia has great airline connections and cheap flights so it is easy to get to. Popular destinations in Asia for people on a gap year or career break are Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and China to name just a few. These days the connections between most countries in Asia is very easy and cheap so it is very easy to combine your gapyear program in more than one country.

In Asia there are so many gap year opportunities. Popular choices are conservation work with nature or animals, volunteering at orphanages, volunteer teaching or backpacking. The great thing is that Asia is a very cheap destination so you will get a lot for your money.

If you decide to go to Asia on your gap year then you will not regret it and Asia is a place that will be with you long after you have left. Success!

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.

Before you and your backpack head off for a hiking adventure, make sure you have all the essential items you need. You may have your own ideas of what should be in your pack but please take 1 minute to read this checklist and hopefully you wont end up with a sore back.

PRIORITY NUMBER 1: a good strong Backpack! How can you go for a wild backpacking adventure with a cheap useless backpack? Pick one which is comfortable and fits well on you. A custom fitted backpack is crucial. You are going hiking and the last thing you need is a backpack gouging into your shoulders. Make sure it fits as comfortable as possible, you could be carrying it for thousands of miles. Purchase one with a lock and key as well, if you can’t find one with a lock and key, then buy a separate padlock to keep your belongings safe.

Two of the most important elements of your backpacking journey will be, sleep and walking, hopefully not together. Pick a pair of very comfy walking shoes because, you will learn soon enough that walking is going to be a major part of your backpacking adventure. A pillow case and lightweight sleeping bag are essential items to keep when you stay in accommodation for backpackers. The pillow case is great because you know your head is the only one which has slept on it and it wont need too much regular washing. A sleeping bag will improve your sleep if your bag is comfortable and you can always pull out a few clothes to stuff in the pillow case for a custom sized pillow.

“DON’T FORGET YOUR PASSPORT”! This little booklet is the key to you leaving your home country and the same key, which will allow you to enter and leave many other countries. Without it, well, you wont be going anywhere. Separate your cash and travelers cheques into different compartments on your backpack and, keep some about your person. This way, “IF” robbers strike or “IF”, you lose your backpack, you can ensure you have something left. In addition, find yourself a comprehensive travel guide but one, which only has the essential info you need.

Most backpacks have a detachable daypack. This little pack can easily carry your essential items for a day trip, like a camera, journal, one or two travelers cheques and flip flops. Flip flops I hear you ask? Flip flops can be very useful when you take a shower in places you may not normally take a shower.

Mini packs of toothpaste, shampoo, sun cream, wet wipes, body spray or roll on, soap and a small bag of laundry powder will all keep you clean and feeling fresh for the first few weeks of your journey. Restock at different stages on your travels. A tiny first aid kit could prove very handy and finally, a quick drying towel! You don’t want to be carrying a heavy, damp towel on your back for miles and miles.

Take just enough underwear & socks for a week and make sure your socks are 100% cotton so your feet can breathe. You might also want to pack a pair of long Johns. This depends on the season and place where you are traveling. You might need your long underwear when you stay in accommodation with a poor heating system. Pack a lightweight raincoat or kagool, especially for tropical or rainy countries like those in South America or South East Asia.

You have lots of stuff to pack for your trip. How do you decide what stays and what goes? How are you going to fit it all in your pack and how are you going to carry it? Here are some tips to consider when packing for your backpacker trip:

 

1. Buy a good backpack. Investigate the right kind of backpack for your trip and you will make your packing easier before you go and when on the road. 

2. Put your sleeping bag in first. 

3. If you are going to be camping get a tent that is lightweight and durable and pack it in the tent compartment in your backpack.

4. Clothes – what are you going to take? Lay everything out on the bed. Now cut it down to half. If you’ve got something that’ll you’ll only wear a couple of times, leave it behind. You’re backpacking on a budget so it’s unlikely you’ll be going to any balls or ritzy restaurants. Pack your rain gear where you can reach it quickly. Make sure you have enough layers if you are going to colder areas. Don’t forget your gloves and hat.

5. Cooking utensils should be packed where they won’t rub on your other gear and you want to make sure the hard edges don’t stick into your back.

6. Food should be packed in outside compartments; you don’t want any crumbs getting into your other gear. Carry enough food for a day, just in case. Make sure you have at least one water bottle packed on the outside. And pack water purifying tablets if you are traveling to under-developed countries.

7. Your mattress (if you’re taking one) should be strapped to the outside of your pack unless it’s small enough to fit on the inside.

8. Camera!

9. Have you got your map? What about a compass if you intend going off road on a hike?

10. Don’t forget your matches, first aid kit, army knife, flashlight, batteries, sun screen and sunglasses. A whistle and insect repellant are good items to pack, especially if you plan on doing a lot of hiking. And toilet tissue. Just in case.

11. Have you packed a decent pair of walking/hiking boots? These are essential because any backpacker will be doing a lot of walking.

12. Put in a daypack. This will make day hikes and sightseeing much easier if you can have a smaller pack to use on shorter trips.

13. Money, money belt, traveler’s checks and credit card. Along with your passport and necessary visas. Don’t take large amounts of cash and keep it safe while traveling.

 

And there are other things you need to consider before you set out. Keep in mind the following:

 

* Take out travel insurance.

* Are you taking your mobile phone? If so make sure you have global roaming set up. 

* Give someone at home a copy of you itinerary and passport. 

* Get to the airport in plenty of time to enable a smooth check in and time to say goodbye to your loved ones.

 

Pack well and have a good trip!

 

This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru

www.stuartstravel.com

If the time has come for your vacation or a holiday getaway, read this article before making your plans. There are many places of great beauty and interest to be seen in the USA and Europe. But, whether transportation, touring, theme park, or food and lodging, it is expensive. This article is written for every traveler, whether a backpacker on a budget, or a first class - five star traveler.

Travel in Asia is inexpensive and opens the door to different cultural experiences. Planning can be for a short holiday, an extended stay, or choices of laying the groundwork for the ultimate stay, retirement. Nowadays, with so many opportunities to make money using the Internet it is not out of the question to “retire” early.

Medical Tourism in Asia growing in popularity. It is high quality and affordable. Just one of International standard hospitals in Bangkok serves 400,000 international patients annually, In the USA cataract surgery for one eye runs around $8,000. At a prestigious International hospital in Thailand cataract surgery can be performed on both eyes for around $2,500. It is possible to have quality medical care, and an Asian holiday, for a fraction of the cost of the same procedure in the USA.

Let us take a tantalizing glimpse at just some of the countries.

Thailand - Land of Smiles. Often referred to as the most exotic country in Southeast Asia. A visit to the Grand Palace in Bangkok for sure. Trips to a floating market or to the Bridge on the River Kwai. From pristine beaches in the Southern Islands to the Northern mountains with its waterfalls, elephants bathing in mountain streams, and Hill Tribe villages.

India - Delhi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. India Gate, an imposing structure, has emerged as one of the most popular tourist spots in Delhi. The Red Fort Delhi, a masterpiece of architecture, is a popular spot. A trip to India would not be complete without a visit to Agra, famous as the site of one of the world’s most romantic, graceful and photographed buildings, the Taj Mahal.

Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos - Three small countries neighboring Thailand. Each opens a different world of exploration. Cambodia - the highlight is visiting Angkor Wat, an architectural masterpiece constructed in the jungle in the early 12th century. Vietnam - is a varied country, offering beaches, mountains and hundreds of years of history from the ancient Cham Towers to remnants from the Vietnam War. Laos - savor the crafts, culture and hospitality of Laos with a river trip, visits to ancient temples, gorgeous palaces, and traditional villages.

Nepal - Adventure, travel, trekking, birding, wildlife, and cultural & overland Safaris. Take an air flight along the Himalayas and view magnificent Mount Everest. Nearby, discover the serene beauty of Tibet, the country which inspired the Dalai Lama. .

Indonesia - Jakarta, the capital city of the world’s fourth most-populous nation. Bali is Indonesia’s main holiday destination. Flores is a pretty lush green island with forests, palm and banana trees, rice fields and many volcanoes. Highlights are the three small offshore islands of “Gillis” that invite snorkeling, diving and relaxing. For hikers, a climb to the top of the volcano Rijani.

Philippines - An island nation comprising over 7,000 islands in the western Pacific Ocean.

Manila, the bustling capital has powerful reminders of the country’s past, along with attractive parks, fine museums, and exhilarating nightlife. The Ifugao Rice Terraces

are a testimony to the early technological advancement of the Ifugao people. Take a jeepney ride to the market. Be brave, try balut, a Philippine delicacy. Go diving in the Visayas.

Singapore - Shopping on famous Orchard Road, the dream of every woman. The Night Safari at Singapore Zoo is fabulous. Chinatown, a little glitzy, but you can buy all the souvenirs you want there. Interestingly, one of Singapore’s most beautiful Hindu temples is smack dab in the middle of Chinatown. Decide if a Singapore Sling is worth the hype in the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel. There’s more to Singapore than urban glitz, like rambling in the rain forest of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

Japan - Tokyo is the capital city and home of the Imperial Residence and Emperor’s Palace. Select a popular destination or region in Japan and explore its attractions. Ride the Bullet Train to the magnificent city of Kyoto. Visit Hiroshima and the Peace Memorial Park. Castles, temples, gardens, the list of top destinations in Japan is too long for this article..

Taiwan - Taipei, the country’s booming, vibrant capital remains steeped in Chinese, Japanese and native Taiwanese cultures. Some of its most impressive sights include the Grand Hotel, topped by the largest Classical Chinese roof in the world, the Shihlin Night Market, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial with the National Theater and Concert Hall located directly across from each other on the grounds. A popular day trip is Tailuge (Taroko Gorge), considered one of the natural wonders of the world.

Hong Kong - the Pearl of East and jewel of The Orient. Nathan Road is lined with shops, restaurants, nightspots and cheap places to stay. If you’re in Hong Kong with the little ones, they’ll probably appreciate Ocean Park (aquarium), Water World (swimming pools and water slides), and of course Disneyland. If you’re in Hong Kong for more than a few days, then there’s plenty of outlying islands to discover.

It is often said that for the traveler that has seen it all and done it all, there is still Katmandu, Nepal. And, that too is in Asia!

If you do not visit Asia, you will be missing not only a paradise of affordable travel, but the chance to see an alternative living location. For retirees, it is luxury living for pennies, not just getting by on their pension. Asia, a paradise experience is waiting for you.

1) Dragon Hostel

Located in the heart of bustling Mongkok, a stone’s throw away from the MTR Station, Ladies market, Langham place and other shopping, food and entertainment centers, this popular guesthouse is a favorite among backpackers and low-budget travelers.

Amenities include: air-con rooms, TV, free local phone, free internet access, clean linen & towels, storage place, assistance with travel arrangements and China visas, laundry and dry cleaning, tea & coffee making facilities and 24 hour reception desk.

The rate for a double-room with ensuite shower is around HK$ 250 - 380 per room per night (depends on season).

There are also dorm beds available (at a family room of four beds with shower): The rate is around HK$ 100 - 115 per person, per night.

2) The Salisbury - YMCA

With its million dollars location at the tip of Tsim sha Tsui, next to the legendary Peninsula, and its excellent variety of facilities and amenities, The Salisbury YMCA possibly provides the best value-for-money accommodation you can find in Hong Kong.

There are seven clean and comfortable dormitory rooms at the Salisbury, each with only four beds, and although the price they ask for is far higher than what you’ll pay in an ordinary guesthouse, it still gives very good ‘bang for the buck’…

Facilities include a great indoors swimming pool, Jacuzzi and Sauna, Well equipped gym, Squash courts, sport facilities and more…

HK$ 240 per bed per night + 10% service charge

3) Star Guest House

Located on busy Cameron Road, right in the heart of hectic Tsim sha Tsui, the good old Star Guest House provides a decent alternative to Chunking Mansion and its congested guesthouses…

Owned and managed by Charlie Chan, a friendly “Mr. fix it all”, the guesthouse provides clean and comfortable rooms with air condition, ensuite toilet/bath, TV, free internet connection (in the larger rooms), phone and clean bed linen and towels.

Prices: From HK$ 300 per room per night (shared bathroom) to HK$ 500 per room per night (large room with ensuite bath)

4) Hong Kong Sealand Guest House

This popular guest house provides a fairly good alternative to Chunking and Mirador, at a fair price.

Rooms are reasonably decked out and clean, with free internet-wireless connection, TV, phone, ensuite bathroom, air-condition, and clean towels and bed linen… Shampoo, tooth brush & hair dryer are also available in the room.

In terms of location, the guesthouse enjoys an ideal position near the corner of Nathan Road and Cameron in Tsim sha Tsui… right in the heart of everything.

Double room with shared bathroom goes for around HK$ 320 per room per night, while an ensuite double bedroom goes for something like HK$ 350 - 400

5) Alisan Guest House

This popular twenty years old guest house provides clean and comfortable rooms, at a reasonable price, right in the middle of trendy Causeway Bay.

The air-conditioned rooms are all clean and tidy, with ensuite toilet/shower, TV, free internet connection, phone (free calls within Hong Kong), clean bed linen and towels, and shared refrigerator, microwave and kettle… Otherwise, the staff are nice and speak reasonable English, which is another good thing.

Location wise, Alisan is right in the middle of things: A minute’s walk from World Trade Centre, Causeway Bay’s MTR station and the leading shopping malls…

Prices are quite sensible for this class of guesthouse: HK$ 400-450 per double room per night.

And here is one last tip before signing off on this article :

Many hostels and guesthouses around Tsim sha Tsui are touted quite vigorously.  Touts who work for these places will tell you whatever you want to hear, and will try to convince you they actually work for the same hostel you are looking for…

Remember: a reputable establishment doesn’t need to be touted… so think twice before you follow these fellows, and make sure the name and the address of the place they take you to are identical to the ones of the place you initially planned to go to (including floor number and so on)…

There’s absolutely no reason for you to be disappointed !

When most people hear the term budget travel, they often think first of the hordes of young backpackers who traverse Europe on shoestring budgets each summer.

This image is very true, and backpacking is one of the best ways to see the most sights, in the shortest amount of time and for the smallest amount of money.

Backpacking is one of the very best ways to travel light, and traveling light often allows you to travel more cheaply. Learning how to back your backpack the right way and to pack as lightly as possible, is an important skill, whether you are trekking through Europe for a month or just enjoying a weekend in the country.

The first thing is to start with a lightweight but well built backpack that is able to withstand the rigors of travel. A quality backpack should have heavy zippers, pockets and flaps that close easily and stay closed, and lots of easy accessible compartments.

Buying a backpack with a lock can be important as well, particularly if your backpack will be out of sight often, such as when you are on a crowded train or staying at a hotel or hostel.

Another good alternative for many backpackers and other budget traveler is to buy a backpack that has wheels. The upside of such a design, of course, is that the backpack will be easy to wheel from place to place, and will function much like a rolling carryon suitcase, but without the bulk.

The downside of the rolling backpack, however, is that such backpacks are considerably heavier when you do have to use them as backpacks. Whether or not a backpack on wheels is right for you will depend on your style of travel and your personal preferences.

Of course what you put in your backpack is just as important as the backpack itself. It is important to pack wisely when planning for your backpack adventure.

A good approach is to pack only a few quality and versatile items of clothing and combine them in new ways for variety. Packing a few accessories, such as scarves, ties and jewelry, are a great way to make the clothes you pack go further. They take up little room in the backpack, and they can provide new ways to wear the same clothes.

It is also important to pack travel size toiletry items into your backpack. Shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, toothpaste and even toothbrushes all come in small travel sizes, so be sure to gather these travel size items for your trip. These travel size items are a great way to keep the weight of your backpack to a minimum.

It is also important to buy a good pair of comfortable walking shoes, since you will be wearing them for a long time.

Shoes take up a great deal of space in a suitcase or backpack, so stick with one pair of good shoes, and use the rest of your backpack for clothes and other items.

One good rule of thumb when deciding what to pack and what to leave at home is to pack those items that are not easily or cheaply purchased at your destination, and leave behind those items you can easily purchase once you arrive.

One important consideration for those who wear glasses is to pack an extra pair of eyeglasses. The importance of this tip will depend on the strength of your prescription and how important your glasses are go getting around.

Most people who wear glasses have at least one extra pair. Investing in a hard sided case and packing it in your backpack could potentially save you a lot of money and trouble if you lose or break your glasses.

There was a time when backpacking through Europe or around the globe was the hip thing to do.  Many of the originally pioneers of the travel phenomenon have grown up.  Although they still desire the adventure of the days when they bunked with strangers and hitch-hiked their way around, today they have upgraded the experience.

Flashpacking is the new way to backpack.  It is similar to the more traditional backpacking days will just a little flash added in for comfort along the way.  Travelers still enjoy the adventure of riding the trains and taking the less expensive travel routes but are choosing to upgrade accommodations.  Instead of the group hostels they are opting for private rooms and even flat screen televisions.  These accommodations are a far cry from the traditional backpacking days.

The cost for the Flashpacking rooms is a little more expensive that the traditional hostels, but even with the increased expense the rooms are more affordable than other hotel accommodations.  Rooms can actually start as low as $25 per night.

The more traditional hostels can still be found around the globe, but many of those also offer private rooms and other amenities that make them more attractive to the Flashpacking generation.  Travelers get the amenities they want at a price they can afford and still enjoy the experience of “backpacking” around the countryside.

The traditional backpackers are still around and it is unlikely that they will ever completely go away.  Backpacking makes it possible to see more of the country will less investment.  At the same time, the Flashpackers are becoming a rising force in the travel industry.  The consumers want to enjoy the freedom and adventure of the backpacking experience (and help to keep the costs of traveling down).  At the same time they want more privacy and amenities than most traditional backing accommodations offer.

Are you on a shoestring budget but still have the travel bug? Or would you really want to experience the day-to-day life of a community, its people and the sights of a certain country that you feel you might not see with a guide. Then, you could enjoy travelling and staying at a backpacker. These are also known as hostels, and are reasonably priced and efficient accommodations that are available worldwide, allowing backpackers a chance to experience the world on a tight budget.

If so, you might enjoy traveling and staying at a backpacker. Also called a hostel, these low-cost and efficient accommodations are available all over the world, giving backpackers a way to see experience the world on a tight budget.

1) Expect To Save Money!

The greatest advantage to staying at a backpackers is the price. These little gems offer clean, safe accommodations at a fraction of the price of a hotel, allowing you to do more or stay longer in the country you wish to visit. If you are going on an extended trip around Europe, or visiting a part of Australia you’ve always wanted to visit, there is a hostel waiting for you.

For example, if you’ve always wanted to see Venice, Italy, you can stay at a hostel for as little as $21 per person for a shared room, or $46 for a private room.

Want to see Paris? You can, for as little as $26 for a shared room or $55 for a private.

Want to bask on a Brazilian beach in Rio de Janeiro? You can, for the cheap rate of $14 for a shared room!

When you consider that the cheapest hotel rate for a single person for Venice runs around $91, Paris at $126, and Rio de Janeiro at $80, you can get a sense of the savings you’ll reap by going the backpackers route.

2) Be Prepared To Be Friendly.

Besides being low cost, backpackers tend to be a great place to meet other travelers. In fact the layout of the hostel encourages getting to know other visitors more so than a hotel or motel. Unless you request a private room you’ll stay in a dormitory-style bedroom, often co-ed. Most have a common area to gather and socialize, as well as a kitchen and an area to do laundry. It’s a great way to get to know people, but if you’re shy or value your privacy, you might want to think twice about staying at a hostel.

3) Carry Proper ID.

If you’re traveling in your own country, you’ll still want to carry proper identification, such as a photo driver’s license, passport or state/country ID. Most backpackers ask for more information than a hotel or motel would when staying with them because they want to ensure the safety of their guests.

Also, because of their cheap prices, hostels want to make sure that locals aren’t taking advantage of their hospitality, thus taking space away from an international traveler who really needs the cheaper accommodations. If you don’t have a passport, you might want to invest the time to get one, even while traveling your own country, just to give yourself one more ID choice.

4) Pack Lightly!

If you’re a true backpacker, you’re going to travel from hostel to hostel with your clothes on your back. You’re probably going to use local transportation, such as the bus or subway system, or your own two feet. Even if you’re not packing your way from hostel to hostel, keep in mind you’re not going to have a ton of space to toss open countless pieces of luggage. In either case, you don’t want to carry a ton of clothing and valuables to weigh you down and keep you from enjoying your trip.

What will you need?

- A sleep sheet: two sheets sewn together to put on your mattress so you can sleep in your own, clean bed. Some hostels rent them. Most hostels don’t allow sleeping bags because they offer ample places for bedbugs, fleas and ticks to hide in. Most hostels offer clean blankets.

- Toiletries, such as soap, shampoo and toothbrush

- Your own towel

5) Lock Up Valuables.

Although backpackers offer a secure and safe environment, you don’t want to take a chance of losing your more expensive personal goods by leaving them about. Just as you would in a hotel, you want to keep your valuables safe when staying in a backpacker. Most hostels offer a locker or safe of some sort to store valuable items while you’re out. You could also invest in a lock and key before starting your trip to keep handy in case it’s needed.

6) Check for bedbugs!

Unfortunately, bedbugs happen everywhere, be it a five-star hotel or a backpacker. These little pests do suck blood but don’t transmit any diseases, and aren’t any more pesky than a flea bite in most cases.

However, they do carry the stigma of a place being ‘dirty’ if you discover them. This just isn’t so. The cleanest, most expensive accommodations can have them. It’s important to know what they look like so you can tell the backpacker host/hostess. They will take the proper steps to clean the room and get rid of the little pests, since no one wants bedbugs around.

Bedbug signs:

- Most people think they’re so tiny you can’t see them, but this isn’t so. Bedbugs are about 5mm long, oval in shape and brown in colour.

- Check for flecks of blood on the sheets, mattress seams and bed slats

- A large bedbug infestation has an almond-like smell that’s very unpleasant

Bedbugs like to sneak into clothing and gear to travel to the next location with you, so if you think you’ve been infested with bedbugs, you should:

- Wash everything you own in the hottest washer setting and then dry on hot for at least 20 minutes-this includes your backpack!

- Wash yourself in a hot shower

- If something can’t be washed, check it carefully for signs of bedbugs

- Tell the backpacker hostess/host or staff so they can clean the room thoroughly

7) Learn the Etiquette.

When traveling in a different country or even in your own it’s important to know the proper etiquette and rules for that area to enjoy your backpacker stay. For example, some countries don’t allow smoking in public areas and others may have stipulations about drinking alcohol, such as age. You don’t want to end up breaking the rules and find yourself without a place to stay, or worse, locked up in a foreign jail cell.

You’ll also want to check if your backpacker observes a curfew or lockout times. A curfew means that unless you want to find yourself sleeping outside, you’ll be in the hostel at that time. You’ll also want to learn if there’s a lockout time, meaning the backpackers is closed for cleaning or to give the hosts time to run errands, so you can plan accordingly.

Book Online.

To ensure you have someplace to stay when traveling, you’ll want to book your stay in advance. The easiest way is to book your backpacker stay online. BUG (http://www.bugeurope.com) and Hostels.com offer accommodations worldwide as well as online booking. You can also see how others rated their stay and compare between other backpacker locations in the same city.

In Conclusion:

Going round the world or even travelling through your own country can be exciting and fun when staying at backpackers hostels. Providing you don’t forget to take proper ID, stick to the rules, check for bedbugs and pack suitably, you will be able to mix with the locals and save money while you travel. You may make a few new friends along the way!

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.