Backpacking in Peru is something everyone who’s in to backpacking should absolutely do. Peru is one of the most beautiful and amazing countries you could visit on a gap year. Students have visited Peru for decades because of all the sites to see here. The people of Peru are of a very diverse background but mainly Spanish or of indigenous heritage. One of the most amazing things about the people of Peru is the many different styles of clothing you will find from the European influenced to pre-Hispanic. It really has to be seen to be believed.

So what is there to see if backpacking in Peru? How about the ancient Incan capital of Cusco? Or the Peruvian Andes which is home to many highland Indians who still speak the ancient native tongue. Machu Picchu is also a popular destination but I have heard that it is getting quite touristy these days and so it might be best to avoid Cusco and Machu Picchu if you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous! Cusco and Machu Pichu are also known for being expensive destinations because they have become so popular with tourists so this is something to take in to consideration if you’re backpacking on a budget. Cusco is best seen by a guided tour. There are lots of them to be found in Cusco as tourism is big business in the city these days. Cusco also celebrates the second biggest festival in Latin America after Rio which is called Inti Raymi. This festival was once celebrated by the Incas as the Festival of the Sun where the Sun God Wiracocha is honoured. On June 24 they celebrate the winter solstice, or the beginning of the Sun’s New Year. You won’t feel out of place at this festival as the locals of Cusco are always welcoming of tourists and try to get them involved in the celebrations as much as possible. This is something you absolutely must do if visiting Peru or backpacking in South America!

Safety in Peru is the same as most countries! Don’t carry valuables around with you if you can avoid it. To be honest there’s no reason to bring valuables with you any if you’re backpacking! Do you really need the laptop? No! Then leave it at home. The same goes for your Ipod. Phones have their uses but it’s worth checking out the area you’re traveling to in order to find out if you’ll get network coverage for your cell phone in that particular place. Anyway back to backpacking in Peru! I know they’re not exactly fashionable but it’s worth investing in a money wallet or bum bag to keep your cash safe. Make sure it’s tucked in under your clothes so it can’t be seen by any potential muggers. Try not to look like the typical tourist walking around with the big camera on show. You’re screaming out “mug me!”. I covered some safety tips in my backpacking in Italy post.

The thing to remember about being in Peru on you’re gap year is that you can haggle for just about anything. If you’re planning to stay in a hostel in Peru, try haggling with the owner to get the price down. Don’t accept the first price the person says haggle down the cost of your Hostel in Peru and you’ll be able to use the money saved to visit another wonderful city. I’m sure a lot of you will be wondering how much does it cost to go backpacking in Peru and how much money to take with you. It really depends on what you plan to do. As any of you who have backpacked before will know, staying in a hostel is a great way to meet other backpackers. This lets you share your experiences and get valuable tips for those who have been here a bit longer and could recommend places to visit or what to eat. There a lot of hostels in Peru and they’re reasonably priced. Tourists towns such as Lima, Cusco or Arequipa will cost a bit more. Make sure you get a good look at the room before you hand over any cash this way you know exactly what you’re getting for your money.

Remember that transport in Peru can also be haggled down. This goes for the local buses which are the most common way to travel around Peru. Cruz del Sur is probably the most well known and is regarded as the safest and most comfortable. All this adds up to a bit more in the expense side but it will be worth it for the peace of mind you get. Cruz del Sur covers most of the main towns and cities in Peru, connecting Lima to main cities and tourist areas such as: Arequipa, Cuzco, Puno, Paracas, Ica, Nazca Lines, Tacna, Chiclayo, Trujillo, Cajamarca, Huaraz, Máncora, Piura, Ayacucho and Huancayo and more. For these kinds of journeys its better traveling at night where you can get some sleep due to the shear duration of the trips. You can of course get various different types of ticket when traveling around in Peru including an expensive VIP ticket to travel in total comfort! Inka Express also run bus trips from Cuzco to Puno which includes 5 stopped to guided visit to Andahuaylillas, Raqchi and Wiracocha Temple, Sicuani, La Raya and Pucara.

Eating out while backpacking in Peru can be a bit hit and miss with excellent local restaurants and some not so great. There’s also a large selection of Western style restaurants in Cusco and Machu Picchu. The thing to remember is make sure you order meals which have been cooked to kill the germs. Most ingredients in Peruvian restaurants will have been washed in the local tap-water which is not clean. So I’m afraid you salad lovers will have to find something else to eat unless you want to spend a day in the Peruvian toilet!

You won’t be stuck for things to do in Peru however as the Amazon Basin is an area which is rich in rare species of tropical rain forests. Wonderful if you want to be at one with nature. There are numerous festivals in Peru throughout the year to celebrate the Peruvian love of music and dance. These are usually very lively colourful events which will no doubt get you in the mood for a good time. Lima is another popular destination for backpackers in Peru which lies in the Pacific coastal region and is the capital of Peru. Lima offers great food, dining and nightlife for the night owls out there! The Museo de Arte exhibits over 400 years of Peruvian art while the Museo Nacional de Antropologia y Arquelogia gives you a wonderful insight into prehistoric Peru. The South of Peru is the Nasca Lines and Ballestas Islands which is known as the ‘Peru Galapagos.

I hope this has given you a brief guide for backpacking in Peru, it’s a place you really should visit!

So where do you start backpacking in Italy? How about Sorrento the pearl of the Mediterranean? The great thing about Sorrento is the hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour of the city. You can hop-on and off as many times as you like aboard this open-top double-decker bus. There are 7 stops and the entire route takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. The scenery is absolutely astounding and it’s a great way to see the city. The bus departs every 60 minutes from each stop so there’s plenty of opportunity to hop off and enjoy a closer look at any of sights and then jump back on when you’re ready to move on. The stops included are:

* Piazza Lauro
* Rione Cappuccini
* Cocumella
* Piazza Tasso
* Largo Vescavado
* Piazzetta Santa Croce
* Sant’Agata sui due Golfi

Sorrento is such a gorgeous city with rich culture and history. You are free to wander down narrow streets to panoramic terraces overlooking the magnificent Gulf of Naples with views to the Isle of Capri and mount Vesuvius.

Backpacking in Italy wouldn’t be complete without a stop in Rome! Rome is of course the capital of Italy, it’s largest city the seat of the Italian government and home to the Pope and the Vatican. Renaissance riches are can be found everywhere but mainly within the centro storico (historic centre), where the stadium-sized Piazza Navona, sweepingly romantic Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain all lie within walking distance of each other. Backpackers paradise! Make sure you get accommodation as close to the center it is of course one of my backpacking money saving tips. Across the river, to the west, lies the Vatican State – home to the Pope, the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Church, and the Sistine Chapel. Visiting the Vatican Museums is a must when in Rome. The entrance to the Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani) is a 15-minute walk from Piazza San Pietro. The museums are enormous, honestly, they have to be seen to be believed and you’ll never manage to see everything in one go – you’d need several hours just for the highlights. Each starts at the domed Quattro Cancelli area, near the entrance, and finishes at the Sistine Chapel, so if you want you can walk straight there. It’s worth really taking your time time though and don’t skip any of the sites. It’s unbelievable. You might never get another chance to go backpacking in Italy! Remains from the imperial glory days include the monumental Colosseum which is absolutely jaw dropping, the Foro Romano (Roman Forum), and the amazing Pantheon – which is a complete Roman temple, preserved as a church.

Anyone who has ever studied art history Florence is the black for you. Florence is an absolute must if backpacking in Italy. This Tuscan city is home to many of the great Renaissance masterpieces including Michelangelo’s David and Botticelli’s Primavera. Florence is the major center for Italian renaissance art, major sights include the Duomo, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery. Make sure you try the wonderful Florentine wine and food it is absolutely out of this world. It pays to keep in mind what you really want to see in Florence, don’t just turn up – organize and plan your trip in advance and that way you will get the most out of your trip. Try to arrive at the museums and art galleries that you really don’t want to miss early in the day, prioritise what you want to see first, as later you may be wasting the better part of the day waiting in lines. And if walking around in the Florence heat sounds like too much for you, imagine smoothly gliding through the timeless streets of Florence on a Segway with a personal guide with Segway Tours in Florence. It’s not only saves time but its great fun too! Florence is also handy for traveling to Pisa to see the famous leaning tower. It’s easily accessible by train and well worth the trip if only for the silly photos you can take pretending you’re propping the tower up with your hands.

As part of your backpacking through Europe trip around Italy you have to visit the beautiful city of Venice. Unfortunately Venice is quite an expensive place to visit but it is well worth it if your budget can stretch that far. It’s worth it even for one view on a clear day from the top of the Campanile in Piazza San Marco. Unless your heart is absolutely set on having a Gondola ride don’t bother. They are extremely expensive! Public ferries called traghetti – they look like a regular gondola only larger – cross the Grand Canal at points where there are no nearby bridges. This costs only a fraction of what a Gondola ride does and you will get the same views of the city.For a longer ride down the canal, hope on one of the many vaporetti that operate as Venice’s public transportation on water. I know it’s not quite as romantic as the Gondola ride but as I said you still get the wonderful views of this amazing city.

Well that about covers backpacking through Italy. I’m sure I’ve missed some other amazing places so feel free to leave me some comments about other must see places. Enjoy your travels and as always make sure you get your backpacker travel insurance before you go!

One way you can save yourself some cash is to use the regional trains in each European country. For example, in Italy and Scotland you can get from destination to destination by using direct trains. You can also take the regional train which stops at every small town and is used by the locals to get to the big cities and shopping centers. This takes longer, but it will get you to your destination, and it could save you up to 50% on the cost of your ticket. You can always contact the local tourist information center to get an idea of how long the trains will take and how much it’s likely to cost you in total. You can they weigh up the difference you’ll save against the extra time it’ll take you to get from destination to destination. The local tourist office may also be able to advise you on certain routes to take as you may miss out on spectacular scenery otherwise!

To save money on a daily basis, stay at a hostel that is close to public transportation. This rules out having to use taxis which can be expensive as the public transport is so close you can visit the tourist attractions on offer. I haven’t really blogged too much about hostels and what to look for but I do plan to in a later post. Location is obviously one of the most important things to look out for. I’d go as far as to say it could make or make your trip to a certain location! Backpackers hostels is a whole different subject which I will get in to later.

A complimentary breakfast is a good way to save money so make sure you stay in a hostel which offers this. Buying meals in Europe can be very expensive and this will save you from buying one meal per day. Look up sites like tripadvisor before you go and look at the reviews that people have left for each hostel. You will get a good indication of what places are like from other backpackers who have stayed there. If you’re really lucky they might leave a review of what the breakfast was like!

An International Student Identity card (ISIC Card) can be used if you are a student or teacher or between the ages of 12 to 25. ISIC cards give you discounts at various attractions which will save you a ton of money. The ISIC card can be purchased in North America and can also give you discounts on buying train and bus passes in Europe.

If you have a flexible schedule, book a last minute flight to Europe. It can be a bit risky doing this as it doesn’t leave you much time to organize. From my experience you can end up with massive savings by leaving the flight booking as late as possible. Make sure you fly to your cheapest destination first as this can be a good place to start your travels from. If you’re from the U.S and plan to backpack around Europe it makes sense to fly to Britain or Ireland as it is closest and probably the cheapest flight available. Again make sure you start researching flight prices long before you plan to travel as you may spot a few bargains.

Always use the currency of the country you are in when in Europe. For most parts it will be the Euro. You can organize this before you leave as the last thing you want to be doing is exchanging money while you’re in Europe where the exchange rate could be unpredictable. You will often get a poor return for you cash using this method and that’s why I always recommend changing money before you travel. This can be in addition to credit cards or travelers checks as I also don’t recommend carrying lots of cash around with you!

Don’t forget to purchase your backpacker travel insurance!

Perhaps the most important thing is a first aid kit. At least a very basic first aid kit and supplies should be taken with you which should contain:

Ibuprofen
tweezers
alcohol wipes
antiseptic hand cleaner
medical adhesive tape
sterile gauze (four inch squares are best)
elastic bandages
several sizes of adhesive bandages
insect bite swabs
triple-antibiotic ointment
hydrogen peroxide
bandage scissors
triangular bandages
instant cold packs

These are the basics required for an emergency first aid kit.

A compass is also required or even better a GPS system especially for those of you planning to do any hiking. If you by a GPS system it’s best to stick to one of the named brands such as Garmin as you’ll get excellent product support. Another thing I can’t emphasize enough is making sure you know how to use it before you go! You don’t want to be sitting out in the wilderness somewhere trying to work out where you are or where you’re going! They come with detailed instructions so take the time before you leave to go through it and familiarize yourself with the technology. It’ll pay dividends in the end. I can recommend the Garmin Oregon 400t which is a bit pricey but will cover all your needs.

Insect repellent is well worth the investment especially if you’re visiting somewhere like the Highlands of Scotland. The insects there are awful in the summer and insect repellent is a must! I’ve come across a few people on my travels that swear by homemade insect repellent or use eucalyptus based insect repellent. I myself have never bothered with this and stuck with named brand like Deet Insect Repellent! You can get all natural or even sunscreen insect repellent which brings me on to my next point! Sunscreen! Never leave home without it. You can get the lightweight sprays now which are easy to carry around and do the job perfectly. Just ensure it’s of a have enough SPF for your skin. You know what they say, everybody’s free to wear sunscreen! On a similar train of thought, lip balm is useful to protect your lips from the sun. Once again just insure the lip balm SPF is high enough to provide proper protection.

Make sure you take trash bags and Ziploc for food and other supplies. Ziploc storage bags are fantastic for backpacking there’s just so many uses for them. Trash bags are quite self explanatory! Keep the countryside tidy or wherever you are! Speaking of countryside, if you’re out in the wilderness backpacking there might be a chance you have to start a fire to keep yourself warm. Waterproof matches come in extremely handy for this. Why waterproof? Well, who wants to take the chance of bad weather. Backpackers should be prepared for all types of weather! Emergency tinder should also be packed as this will light even when wet. Don’t take any chances!

A flashlight is also an essential requirement of a backpacker survival kit. No matter if you’re backpacking through Europe or not you should always have a flashlight with you! I’ve always stuck with Surefire flashlights which have never let me down. Just make sure you have spare batteries in your backpack with you. Chem-lights are also extremely useful and can be re-used night after night.

A good quality survival knife is also an important part of your backpacking survival kit. I think you’ll find you use it far more than you’d expect. In fact some would claim it is the most important survival tool that you can carry. Survival knives come in all shapes and sizes but don’t think you need to go straight out and buy yourself a Rambo survival knife. It looks cool I’ll admit but you’ll regret it when it’s weighing down your backpack out in the wilderness! I’ve always found Gerber survival knifes to be excellent. Some of them have been developed by military instructor Frank Heyl and have been tested under military conditions. You could potentially use your survival knife to aid in the construction of a shelter, cut firewood or spear dinner! Most of them come with a safety strap or belt which are useful for carrying it around.

Now if you’re really out in the wilderness and you have to catch your own dinner then please make sure you take a small fishing kit with you. Fishing gear can be fairly expensive and you’re looking to take the basics with you. It’s not like we’re going largemouth bass fishing or peacock bass fishing! Remember at all times respect the fishing regulations. If there’s signs up telling you not to fish then don’t do it. I’m not sure if your backpacker travel insurance covers you for breaking fishing regulations and having to bail yourself out of the local jail!

I’d also recommend taking emergency blankets with you as you never know what kind of weather you’ll get. As I said before, backpackers should be prepared for all types of weather and emergency blankets come in handy. Emergency survival blankets again come in all different types and brands. I’d recommend Coleman Emergency Blanket as they’re lightweight and get the job down. Keep the weight in your mind at all times when you’re packing your backpack as you’re the one who has to carry it around! Make sure you pack a whistle with you for safety as well as a rescue signal mirror.

A saw is also useful for cutting wood and I have heard things about the BCB Commando Saw which will cut through wood, plastic, bone, rubber and soft metal.

For food take some energy bars, water packets and water purification tablets. These are of course essential items for your backpacking survival kit!

In conclusion this is meant as a basic guide to what you need for your backpacking through Europe survival guide. There are lots of resources online for what you need where I feel I have covered a broad range of possible trips ensure you look around to get your specific needs before you travel! Remember don’t take any risks and ensure you’re well prepared.

The country also offers one of Europe’s most efficient railway transportation. The Deutsche Bahn is the rail system that travels from city to city within Germany and an added bonus is it is a relatively cheap mode of transportation for backpackers. EuroCity trains also run from Germany to other countries in Europe, which makes planning an itinerary much easier for those planning to backpack across Europe.

Before planning your backpacking trip across Europe try to take into consideration Germany’s two biggest festivals Cologne’s Carnival to Munich’s Oktoberfest. These festivals are definitely to best place to immerse oneself in Germany’s food and drink while interacting with the locals. Backpacking around Germany is wonderful because of festivals such as Oktoberfest.

For those interested in history one of the most beautiful castles to see is definitely Neushwansteir (aka Cinderella’s Castle) located near Füssen. This is actually the castle Walt Disney modelled Cinderella’s Castle after in his theme parks. It is absolutely spectacular, almost as much as the Cinderella Castle in Orlando!

If there is enough time in your trip you may want to book a cruise down the Rhine to view Germany’s gorgeous scenery.

Germany is a backpackers paradise with its romantic forests, picturesque hill and mountain landscapes, and tranquilly embedded seas. If you’re planning to do much walking or hiking there are numerous places you can go to. The Bavarian Forest also known as Europe’s Green Roof is situated between the river Danube, the Bohemian Forest and the Austrian Border. It is widely recognised as Central Europe’s largest closed woodland area. It’s an ideal area to go hiking in with well signposted hiking paths lead through mysterious forests, well-cared-for natural and cultivated landscapes, past small and larger villages or up to the mountain peaks of the Bavarian Forest, such as the Arber Mountain, the region’s highest peak at 1,456 meters. You can also travel along historic trade routes, between the Danube River and Bohemia, you can be transported back to a bygone age and follow the traditional routes of salt and glass traders many centuries ago. For a more challenging hiking journey why not try “Westweg” – the Black Forest’s hiking route from Pforzheim to Basle. More than 23,000 kilometers of well highlighted hiking trails criss-cross the most amazing areas of the Black Forest’s cultural and hiking landscapes. It is such a beautiful place. If hiking is your kind of thing while backpacking through Germany then you have to check out Westweg. Hikers can reach the highest point of the Northern Black Forest, which is Mount Hornisgrinde which gives fantastic views. Beautiful cirque lakes, such as Mummelsee or the secluded Wildsee, line the route. If you continue along this route, you will come past the European watershed, between the rivers Rhine and Danube. This part of the route offers superb views across the deep valleys of the Western Black Forest and the flat high-lying valleys in the east. The bare hilltops of the Feldberg area represent a kind of “subalpine island in the low mountain range”, offering a habitat for many plants of the Ice Age. At “Feldbergerhof”, the route divides into a western and an eastern route. Eventually the route will take you all the way to Basle!

Berlin is a must when backpacking across Europe. Berlin is now a modern city with great food and shopping but still rich with history. If shopping is your thing head for the Ku’Damm (the Kurfürstendammmstrasse) and the Friedrichstrasse. For the history buffs you can travel to Checkpoint Charlie and take a tour of where the Berlin Wall used to stand.

Some of the top rated activities to take part in while backpacking through Germany are:
1. City Segway Tours
2. Fat Tire Bike Tours
3. Mike’s Bike Tours
4. Insider Tours
5. Friedrichsbad Roman-Irish Bath
6. Europa-Park
7. Original Berlin Walks
8. Cologne Cathedral (Dom)
9. Pergamon Museum
10. English Garden (Englischer Garten)

Even though you are visiting a relatively safe country as Germany remember to get your backpacker travel insurance. Segways can be dangerous! Another important item to remember when backpacking around Europe is waterproof jackets for backpacking through Europe. The weather can be somewhat unpredictable so ensure you have suitable clothing. I’m not saying you need a backpackers survival kit but make sure you wrap up warm!

Most people do not know the wide range of activities France has to offer. People often associate France with wine and of course activities such as grape picking and pressing are available. For backpackers with a more adventurous streak there are sports like scuba diving and base jumping.

Of course with risky sports I highly recommend travelers take out backpacker travel insurance. This will cover personal injury, while it may seem like an unnecessary expense it is worth the cost for peace of mind and at the end of the day you never know when you trip and fall crossing the street and need medical attention. Backpacker travel insurance will also cover the cost of any lost wallets, mobile phones, or other personal possessions.

There are several factors involved in choosing a backpacking route through France. If you are interested in art and history then you may want to base your route around all the famous museums and chapels such as The Lourve, Mussee Rodin, the Musee d O’rsaythe, and the Sistine Chapel. If you are more into lounging on a beautiful beach without a care in the world then a route down the coast of the French Riviera would be perfect. With the recent success of both the book and the movie “The Da Vinci Code” backpackers may want to plan their trip around all the places described in Dan Brown’s book.

One of the most important things to consider when backpacking across Europe is accommodation. French hostels are generally clean and well maintained however nowadays there are so many deals on hotel rooms that if there is more than just yourself traveling it is worth looking into booking a low cost hotel. This way in a hotel at least you will have the luxury of an ensuite bathroom and television.

Food is one of the many luxuries France has to offer. Local produce, meats, bread, and cheese make for a truly delicious dining experience. Backpackers will have to take note that unlike most other countries where dinner is served in the early evening the French prefer to eat later around 8 or 9 o clock at night. Just make sure that you arrive at restaurants early to avoid the crowds and long waits. Of course a meal wouldn’t be complete without a glass of wine and France is definitely the place to get the most bang for your buck.

For those backpacking through Europe France is an absolute must. Backpacking across Europe would not be the same if you missed out on visiting France.

So how can you decide where to go? First things first, get a map! Then fire up your favorite spreadsheet application. A spreadsheet is great for planning out your trip. It also lets you budget each day. List the places you want to stay and verify this with a map. Try and work out a logical path to take rather than hopping from place to place. Do some research on each place before you go. You don’t want to miss that once a year festival by a day!

Don’t try and visit too many places in the one trip. Budget accordingly. You have to make the most out of each place you visit as it’s really not worth overstretching to visit that one extra place when there’s so much more to do in your current location. One idea is to cover a few cities in each region that spread over Europe for a flavor of both east and west. Or simply just split it down the middle – you could do all of Western Europe while saving Eastern Europe for another trip.

Doing research beforehand is so beneficial and it will save you time in the long run. This is the key for a successful and enjoyable trip backpacking through Europe. It also really depends on what you’re looking for. Some tastes and hobbies will be better catered to in certain countries. For example, if you’re planning to do any winter sports don’t look to the South of France…oh and the UK is fantastic for music festivals. No one seems to mind the bad weather for these events! If you have a list of absolute must see attractions, add them to your spreadsheet and start mapping out your path.

The final thing to say is of course…get your travel insurance before you go!

The following are the usual things that survival kits may have. After that you’ll find a few new ideas. The usual survival kit items: Fire starter (like a magnesium stick), waterproof matches, signal mirror, sewing kit, foil blanket, water purification tablets, fishing line and hooks, compass, fire tinder, plastic bags, duct tape, knife, bandana, nylon cord, paper, pencil or pen, dental floss, and a condom (the latter for carrying water in a wilderness emergency).

First aid items usually include bandages, aspirin or other pain killers, gauze pads, tweezers, and antibiotic ointment. More extensive first aid kits might also have splints, medical tape, sun block, safety pins, and a snake bite kit. Of course, any crucial medications you need are a good addition as well.

New Survival Kit Ideas

Here are some ideas you may not have heard of. First, why not have two survival kits? Make one for all-around use on easy hikes and when using a vehicle (ATV) or bicycle. These are the times when it is easier to carry a little extra weight. Of course, the problem is that we tend to leave a kit behind – or even leave a whole backpack behind – when we want to avoid the weight, like when you see a summit you want to climb up to. That is where the second kit comes in.

The second survival kit can be kept inside the first, so there is no unnecessary repetition of items. The point of this one is to have the most crucial items in the smallest lightest package. It can include bandages, a razor blade or small knife, aspirin, water purification, duct tape, pencil stub and paper. It should comfortably fit in the pocket of your pants or jacket. An altoids container can hold all of this, and has a mirrored surface inside as well, for signaling rescuers in the case of getting lost.

Another good idea for a survival kit is a couple small photos of those who are important to you. Survivors of wilderness disasters often report that thinking of their loved ones kept them alive. A photo or two to look at makes this even more of an inspiration.

Notes are a good survival kit idea too. First aid kits have tiny guides to help you in medical situations, but you might also want a reminder of survival techniques. My own notes have the most common edible and useful wild plants listed, so I’ll remember what to look for and why. You can fit a lot of information on one piece of paper.

Then there is your “mental survival kit,” meaning the knowledge and practiced attitudes of your mind. Practice thinking of how to survive, for example, rather than about how bad a situation is. Read and recall a few good true survival stories, too. You’ll feel more confident in your abilities and chances, and telling such stories to others in your group might lift everyone’s spirits.

Apply these new survival kit ideas – they’re cheap wilderness emergency insurance for your next backpacking trip.

By: Steve Gillman

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Copyright Steve Gillman. Visit the Wilderness Survival Guide and get the free ebook version of Ultralight Backpacking Secrets, as well as gear recommendations, and true adventure stories, at: www.The-Ultralight-Site.com/wilderness-survival-guide.html

Backpack – Getting In Touch With Your Inner Mule

Obviously, the first critical item is your backpack. While one doesn’t need to buy the $10,000 Himalaya Turbo Pack, you should also avoid the $12 blue light special. So, how do you pick a happy middle ground?

The best method for picking a backpack involves three phone books. Select/swipe/borrow three yellow page books from neighbors/friends/enemies and hit your local sporting goods store. With the books, head to the backpackapalozza section of the store and pick out a few sturdy/cool/outrageous rigs. Stuff the phone books in, adjust the straps and go for a walk. Now break out into a run to simulate future dashes for trains/ ferries/ toilets and make the sales people nervous. These steps should quickly reveal the perfect pack.

Now, you may have read other publications suggesting highly technical ways to select a backpack. Trust me, until you have run for the last ferry from Italy to Greece, you have no idea how to pick a pack. The three phone book test solves this nicely.

What To Take

There are a few mantras that every person should chant before packing for Europe. These chants were developed originally by the little known, Oh-My-Back Monks of Southeast Asia. The “OMB” Monks were known for traveling half way to far off cities, turning around, returning home and then traveling the full way to said cities. Religious experts opined as to the deep metaphysical meaning of such trips. They were later embarrassed when the monks revealed the back and forth nature of the trips was due to forgetting something, often whether they had turned off the iron. Nonetheless, such chants have become the guiding light of experienced backpackers.

Let us slowly and clearly chant together,

“I will pack only that which will not result in me being hunched over like a Sherpa.”

“Remember, I can pick it [(lower voice) toothpaste, book, soap] up over there.”

“I will not stuff thy pack to the point of bursting, for thy damn zippers always break/get snagged/refuse to work.”

“I will learn humility through wearing incredibly wrinkled clothes and shall not bring an iron.”

“I shall bring only one guide book, not one for each country that I MIGHT see.”

“I accept that I will come home wearing something I didn’t take and will have lost/traded/burned much of what I did take.”

For female travelers and, okay, the occasional male,

“I will not bring high heels or a gaggle of make-up.”

Admittedly, chanting these mantras will not bringing you immediate enlightenment. Fret, not. You can always throw items away or send them home in a box to your parents/friends/parole officer. For the resourceful backpacker, it is not unheard of to send particularly smelly/discolored/toxic clothing to an ex-girlfriend/ex-boyfriend/little brother. Follow these practical guidelines and you will soon happily be speaking in a loud voice to make foreigners understand you.

The Evidence

This is the hard part for most travelers to wrap their minds around. You will forget those special moments of your trip when you met the hunk Sven or babe Svenetta from Sweden and had a romantic evening/danced the night away/got arrested in Ios/Ibiza/the airport. Maybe not immediately, but you will eventually forget.

You will also forget or lose the contact information of people you meet, despite meticulously writing it down on the back of a coaster/napkin/your hand in a bar/poetry reading/jail at three in the morning. Surprisingly, said coaster/napkin/hand often survive the night/day/weekend and get deposited in your already trashed backpack. Of course, their presence is often forgotten when you later put a Oktoberfest mug/wet towel/toothbrush in. The extra padding at the bottom of your pack is specifically designed to deal with the decomposing result. Still, the information is gone and so is your future with Sven/Svenetta.

To properly record the magical moments of your trip, you must take a diary or journal. Don’t worry, you can burn it later before you get married/your parents get nosey/you have kids. You want a journal in a water/beer/sweat resistant case. Of course, I prefer a Nomad Travel Journal, but just make sure you take something. When you have some extra time in the bus/train/jail cell, you can record how you got there and the people you met.

Trust me, when you, Sven/Svenetta and your nine children are sitting on the porch, you will greatly enjoy reading your journal.

Of course, that assumes you didn’t burn it.

By: Nomad Rick

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Rick Chapo is with www.nomadjournals.com – Preserve the experience with Nomad Adventure Journals. Read more journal stories and articles at www.nomadjournaltrips.com on the net.