Ask any experienced backpackers for their top destinations around the world and the chances are that they will all give you completely different lists. There are just so many great places that you can visit. You could spend an entire year in a country such as India, Australia or the USA and still not exhaust the possibilities it has to offer the backpacker.
- Grand Canyon – Nankoweap Trail – view from trail to the GranariesAl_HikesAZ
Before leaving on your journey, however, make sure you are properly insured for any eventuality. For the cheapest deal on your travel insurance, click here. Once your documents and vaccinations are in order and your backpack ready, you can start the fun bit: travelling!
Europe
Spain and Italy are usually on most backpackers’ lists, but you can experience the same beautiful landscapes and feeling of old-world charm when you visit Portugal. The capital Lisbon is old but beautiful and graceful. The Algarve on the southern coast is an area of stunning natural beauty and friendly people. Travelling on public transport to other places inland, such as Fatima, is quite cheap and comfortable.
Next is Serbia. This is one Eastern European country that it is becoming very fashionable to visit due to the low cost of living and abundance of tourist attractions there. It is an excellent destination for skiing on a budget and for those who like beautiful old buildings and architecture. You can cruise the Danube, which runs through the middle of the country and stop off for a while in the capital Belgrade, with its trendy museums, theatres and night clubs.
Further Afield
Vietnam has shaken off its troubled past and its warm and friendly people are welcoming tourists with open arms. The beauty of the country, its vast stretches of rice paddies that still feed millions and its action-packed capital Hanoi, form a fascinating contrast that enchants the European eye and mind.
Although New Zealand is quite a distance from most countries, and it takes a lengthy flight to get there, the extra effort is more than worthwhile! The beautiful lakes, forests and somewhat alien landscapes are fascinating to travel through. The transport system is very modern and convenient and there is no language barrier for the traveller from the UK.
The obvious next step is Australia, with its vast open lands, fascinating wildlife and great beaches. Public transport is good, though not cheap. Sharing a car with other backpackers might be one of the cheapest options for travel. Uluru, or Ayers Rock, is a magical place ringing with Aboriginal history. The cities are sophisticated and have a vibrant night life and the Outback is a humbling experience.
Backpacking through South Africa is like touring many countries in one. The lush green of the Cape’s Garden Route on the east coast contrasts strongly to the stark beauty of the arid inland Karoo. The wide-open maize fields are balanced by the cosmopolitan city life of Johannesburg and the friendliness of the Mother City, Cape Town, nestled below one of the most famous mountains in the world, Table Mountain.
