Holidaying should be an adventure of sorts. The older you get the less the adventure you are looking for. However the young and the free can enjoy an interesting and inexpensive trip to the furthest and most exotic corners of the globe whilst they are physically fit and strong and free of some of the burdens that adult life bestows upon them, such as small children that need to be fed at regular intervals or a mortgage and/or overdraft that also needs to be fed at regular intervals. Backpacking is for the young and the free, and it can be a great adventure. Having said that it is not something that can be taken lightly. A long distance trip with limited resources has to be planned very carefully. If something goes wrong then the dream trip can rapidly descend into a nightmare. Fortunately, backpackers have a culture, based on the exchange of information, most of which is invaluable as well as being easily accessible. And where can this information be accessed? No other place than the internet. A place where backpackers go to recall previous trips they have made and to learn and plan trips that they intend to make in the future.

The popular destinations for backpackers are North and South America, India, China, Australia, New Zealand and the Far East. Europe is less popular than it once was, but still is a reasonable target for those who are limited in time and experience. There is a simple logic that says if the novice backpacker is going to hit problems on their first trip it is better that it happens in Belgium than in the jungles of Bolivia. Also the costs involved in traveling to Europe can be considerably less, with all the information and sources of flights or even ferries available online through your friendly web based Travel Company Wherever your destination and how long you intend to travel, the key to success, as any experienced backpacker will tell you, is having the proper equipment. The foundation stone to having the best of equipment is in choosing the back pack itself. An ideal backpack should be strong, and have and have an ideal carrying capacity of between 40 to 70 liters (or kilos) this equates to 90 to 155 pounds for those of you who have yet to go metric. To say that you backpack is your best friend on any kind of trek is an understatement. An experienced backpacker will rush to tell you that the worst mistake that can be made is to take this aspect lightly. Consult with anyone you know who has ever backpacked on the best backpack to buy, and if they have one to test and not to borrow, then do so. Load it up with all the gear you will be taking and test it to see how it feels to walk ten or fifteen minutes with the weight on your back. Once you have narrowed down your choices, then the time is right to make this major and fundamental purchase. The next stage is to decide exactly how much and which gear you will be taking with you, and that you may need for basic survival in the worst possible scenario for three days. Sounds a bit dramatic? It probably is. The reasoning behind the drama is that there is no point in filling you backpack with Cornflakes or your favorite teddy bear. On the other hand you are not likely to need an emergency underwater welding kit. Try and find a happy medium, and if you are unsure seek advice. As we now know there is plenty available.

Once the trip has been planned, and the equipment purchased, its all signal’s go for an adventure that young people of all ages will usually find unforgettable.