Top Backpacking Destinations

Phnom Penh, Cambodia - Backpacking Photo of the Week

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 19:46:00 +0000

Phnom Penh is a beautiful city in Cambodia with a deep and complicated history. It's easy to get depressed when you hear some of the horror stories from the past, but it's important to appreciate the attractive surroundings as well. If it all starts to get too much, you can always grab a beer and soak up the wonderful, French built architecture:

See more backpacking photos from the series here.

Just for Celebs? What a Load of Balearics! - Soller, Mallorca

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:47:00 +0000

Top Backpacking Destinations Ranking - 6.5/10

Mallorca may first strike you as as more of a family spot than a backpacking destination but don't be deceived. Whilst it is strewn with huge resorts catering for the standard family getaway, there sits a gem hidden on the north coast which is both beautiful and intriguing and ideal fodder for a backpacker looking to get away from it all.

Soller is a small town set on a mountain backdrop that still oozes Spain unlike many areas of the Balearics, with gothic buildings and small cafes providing ample entertainment whilst the locals go about there everyday lives. You could fill one day just drinking coffee in the main square and watching the world go by. As well as seeing people wander around buying fresh bread and fruit that could have been picked from the orchards just a couple of streets away, you'll also get a glimpse of the many trams that scythe straight across the square and carry Mallorcans from Port de Soller right along the coast - a ride that is certainly worth taking for the breathtaking views.

And the Port also provides a worthy escape to get a beer, soak up the sun and take in the stunning mountain scenery. It's lined with restaurants and bars and if you hang around into the evening then you'll catch a sunset that is hard to match anywhere around the world.

It's no surprise that celebrities like Richard Branson and Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones own property just up the road in Deia as this is a beuatiful part of the world. But don't let this make you think that it's not suitable for a backpacker. There are plenty of hostels in the main town and it would be unfair if the rich kids thought they were keeping this stunner all to themselves. Don't be fooled, Mallorca's not just for families and celebrities, there's plenty of room for the backpacker too.

Want more Europe? Other top backpacking destinations in Europe here.

Lake Titicaca, Bolivia - Backpacking Photo of the Week

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:55:00 +0000

On the border of Peru and Bolivia sits a beautiful, shimmering lake that will coem as a welcome restbite if you've come from cycling the World's Most Dangerous Road in La Paz or from hiking to Machu Picchu in Peru.

You can visit the floating islands on the Peruvian side of the lake in Puno, or alternatively find some more stable ground just off the coast at Copacabana on the Bolivian side. Either way, you will meet some wonderful people with a totally different way of life.

More top notch backpacking photos here for you to savour.

Deserts, Stars and the Road to Bolivia - San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:49:00 +0000

Top Backpacking Destinations Ranking - 6.5/10

San Pedro de Atacama is most commonly visited as a launching point for the trip across the Salar de Uyuni and into Bolivia. It is certainly the place to head for this reason as there are jeeps leaving on a daily basis, but it is also a beautiful little town in its own right.

Most backpackers visit on their way up through South America, coming from Northern Argentina or other areas in Chile on the hunt for a taste of desert action and the opportunity to see one of the world's most unique sights. Whilst many will expect to book their trip to the salt flats on arrival and leave the next day there is certainly the potential to get stuck for a few days exploring the desert which sprawls out into the horizon. The town itself is very pleasant if a little quiet (as you'd expect for a town dropped in the middle of the desert!), but it is the surroundings which may capture the imagination of the backpacker.

One activity that may suck you in is the opportunity to find the star gazer in you and experience a star show like you've never seen before. As the town is so isolated it is possible to go and visit a French astronomer just a few miles away who has set up his own observatory which harbours a small army of giant telescopes. They're all lined up pointing at particular attractions, from Mars to the Big Dipper, and this makes it an easy and breathtaking couple of hours. It's also just nice to sample the peace and quiet in this incredibly secluded spot. You might even get an amazing photo of the moon...

Once you've had your moment with the stars you can also get a feel for the desert in the day time which is almost as impressive. We hired bikes and rode out into the distance, finding some decent dunes and a lot of rocky, isolated vistas. Make sure you take plenty of water though as once you're out there you'll be lucky to find much shade and even luckier to bump into any other human life. My favourite bit was reaching a gushing river which came from nowhere (and seemed very out of place) and 'accidently' falling in so i could cool down a bit!

San Pedro is certainly an attraction in itself, but nearly every backpacker is there for the journey out into the salt flats and this prevents it from developing an atmosphere of its own. I'd recommend it to anyone heading towards the Salar, though i don't think many would make the long journey to this extreme spot just for the destination on its own.

More top backpacking destinations in South America this way...

Top Backpacking Destinations Top 5 - July 2010

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:54:00 +0000

The following posts were the most popular destinations on the blog in July - a nice mix from across the world for you to soak up. Take a peek, there may be one from the vault that you haven't seen!

The Authentic Thai Destination - Chiang Mai, Thailand

Backpacker Travel Amongst the Dunes - Huacachina, Peru

Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, A Photo Diary - Machu Picchu, Peru

Off Piste backpacking in the Gambia

Get in the Backpacking Market - Chichicastenango, Guatemala

Buenos Aires, Argentina - Backpacking Photo of the Week

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:17:00 +0000

Argentina is a renowned backpacking spot and Buenos Aires is the centre of all the fun the country has to offer. There's so much to do there, from learning all the best tango moves to chomping on humongous steaks.

One place where the passion and enthusiasm of this city is fully encapsulated is La Bombonera - home of Boca Juniors football club. And never does the passion erupt more than at the local derby with Boca's main rivals River Plate. Fans do anything to get a ticket to 'El Superclasico' and are even prepared to sit on barbed wire hundreds of feet in the air to get the best view!

See more from the Backpacking Photo of the Week series here.

Stunning Scenes in Sunny SoCal - Santa Barbara, USA

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:55:00 +0000

Top Backpacking Destinations Ranking: 6.5/10

There's no doubting that America is an amazing place to visit. It has a wealth of attractions and the full range of climates and environments to suit nearly everyone's needs. However, i always find myself coming back to the question of how suitable it is for a backpacker. The huge distances often make travel challenging and whenever i have visited i've found the need to rent a car in order to make the most of the small time i have there, an issue which wreaks havoc on a backpacking budget.

Having said this, Santa Barbara is a beautiful place for any traveller to visit. Everything is immaculate, fom the coordinated white buildings with terracotta roofing to the sun kissed people that characterise Southern California. It stands out from the majority of other towns in the US that i've visited in its feel as a proper 'town' in the English sense of the word. It has a town centre full of shops and small individual stores that you won't find splattered across every postcode in the US. This compares to most other 'towns' which are really just huge grids of streets with the occasional mall or row of three shops on a corner. It can also be enjoyed on foot without the constant need to jump in the car and has plenty of spots to explore, whether its the stunning Mission or the views from the town hall. Add to this a huge, well kept beach and a mountain back drop and you're starting to get a fairly attractive proposition.

But this all comes at a price and Santa Barbara is one of the more expensive stop offs along the coast of Southern California. I was fortunate enough to have a friend to stay with but it was clear that backpacker accomodation wasn't cheap and this was echoed throughout the shops and eateries around town. If you've paid out to rent a car or for an expensive Greyhound then the last thing you need is to have the travel purse attacked further.

I loved this place - it's stunning all round, is full of things to keep you busy and if the rankings here were judged purely on the place and not the wider context then it would have a much higher score. Unfortunately, it's the standard travel issues that affect everywhere in the US which hold it back. If your pockets are bulging and you want to sample one of America's prettiest towns then Santa Barbara should be near the top of your list, but if the purse strings are starting to tighten then this one might be a step too far.

Look for other spots to go backpacking in the USA here.

Paris, France - Backpacking Photo of the Week #12

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:02:00 +0000

Paris is a beautiful place. The people, the buildings, the food - it's ready made to take your breath away with every vista. As a backpacker, Paris is a fantastic place to visit. You have to throw away the shoestring budget for a short period and just appreciate the beauty that surrounds you. Make the most of it, you might not be able to stay for long!

Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, A Photo Diary - Machu Picchu, Peru

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:31:00 +0000

Top Backpacking Destinations Ranking: 9/10

Machu Picchu is one of the world's must see icons. It's like no other place on earth and needs to be seen to be believed. Hidden amongst the mountains of eastern Peru it stands tall and mighty, overlooking the rolling mountains for miles around. You can do various treks to get there, i was lucky enough to do the Lares Trek which included stops at some fantastic mountain villages along the way that were full of beautiful people. They say a picture tells a thousand words,so here's a few of them to try and do this magical place some justice:

Discover more fantastic destinations in South America here

Top Backpacking Destinations Top 5 - June 2010

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 11:09:00 +0000

These were the top 5 most read destination posts on Top Backpacking Destinations in June - check them out, you might have missed a beauty!

Brilliant Backpacking, But at What Cost? - London, England

Culture Shock That's Worth It - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Beautiful Backpacking off the Beaten Track - Kazbegi, Georgia

Mazy Marrakech, a Photo Diary - Marrakech, Morocco

Backpacking Quicksand - Antigua, Guatemala

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador - Backpacking Photo of the Week #11

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 10:51:00 +0000

The Galapagos Islands aren't top of many backpacker's lists, mainly for financial reasons. The main way of exploring them is on week long cruises that visit each island and give you access to all the incredible wildlife that roam there. But this isn't cheap and will likely take up most of a backpackers 6 month budget.

There are, however, cheaper ways to visit. You can fly to the main island yourself and appreciate the wildlife based there (there's plenty!) and take in some of the stunning, pristine beaches. This method doesn't allow you to see everything in wildlife terms but is a worthwhile second for those desperate to visit and see the giant tortoises and some beautiful birds. And the beaches are a worthy support act...

Discover more photos from the road in the Backpacking Photo of the Week series.

Dogon – Do it: Dogon County, Mali

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:12:00 +0000

It's a place most have probably never heard of and it's a place with an unforgettable name which is fitting as it's a place you'll never forget.

What is it?
Dogon Country - once you make it to Mali, it's all the hype and deservedly so, it's incredible. This is a stretch of villages lining a 150km escarpment in southern Mali and it's something else. It's a must do in Mali, it's a must do in West Africa and what's best is you can do it all by foot.

What can you do?
Stand in awe of the traditional villages built into and along the sides of the mountains, mingle with the locals like nowhere else and step back in time to listen to the sounds of the lively villages from amongst the mud huts scattered across massive cliff faces - it's a feeling like no other in this special part of the world.

What's amazing about Dogon?
It's like that place you imagined existed in your mind but it's like the place you've never actually seen.

The Dogon people have lived in the area for 1200 years, and some of their old villages - mud huts made by hand, are nested under the overhanging cliff face halfway up the rock mountain. What is perhaps even more incredible are the Pygmy villages that remain even higher in the escarpment.

Climb through the cliffs and from the summit overlook the picturesque savannah, towards the villages below to experience the sights - the traditional way of life, the sounds of women and children crushing millet, the chaos of animals roaming the narrow walkways and the feel the life of Dogon.

The mud huts, the smiles and the greetings will welcome you in every village and if you stay longer you'll get the opportunity to sleep on a mud hut rooftop in a small village under the stars which in reality, is one of the coolest things you could ever do. If like us you have all the luck, you'll even be rained on by the survival rains in the middle of the night - adding further more to an unbelievable experience.

Is Dogon country too 'touristy'?
As a backpacker it has many of the things that you'll do anything to avoid like having to take a guide and a tour, but for this part of the world we'll, it's a must. They’ll get you up close and personal and they’ll ensure everything’s above board on the responsibility front.

If you're like us and go in low season, you'll barely see any one else travelling the area - which for us made it a more intimate and memorable experience. You will however battle the temperatures climbing well above 40 degrees every day, so take a towel. Don't worry, when its 40 degrees, in baking sun and you've just hiked 4km across rock and plain there is relief in reaching the next village and knowing the hospitality and water that awaits.

What do we say?
If you're in Africa get there. Leave your big backpack behind, take the essentials, make some new friends to bring along, find a reputable guide and you're set for Dogon country. It's one of the only remaining places in the world that we know of where you can get an insight into traditional lifestyles in Africa and you can also see first hand the challenges and opportunities that tourism brings to these fascinating communities.

Sounds too good to be true? It isn't - check out what we filmed along the way.

This is another guest post from the legends over at Amateurs in Africa - check them out!

Grand Canyon, USA - Backpacking Photo of the Week

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:33:00 +0000

The Grand Canyon is pretty high on most backpackers list of must sees and it certainly doesn't disappoint. You could spend days and weeks wandering around the area without getting tired of it and if you're a bit of a flashpacker you might even consider a little helicopter ride over the top!

Peruse some more photos from the Backpacking Photo of the Week series here.

White Sands and Giant Snails - Ilha Grande, Brazil

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 19:59:00 +0000

Top Backpacking Destinations Ranking: 8.5/10

I've written a lot about backpacking in paradise islands in recent weeks and this is another one. Ilha Grande is a perfect place to get away from the stresses of the city and top up your tan. It's a few hours south of Rio and after some time living the hectic city life it's a real breath of fresh air.

Ilha Grande is characterised by beautiful white sands, crystal clear water and laid back island life. It's a relatively short bus journey (for South America!) and then a quick boat ride to get there from Rio and once arrived all you have to do is put your feet up, order a caipirinha and soak up the sun. Come nightfall you can entertain yourself with the armies of giant snails and crabs that come out to play under the cover of darkness!

There are various tours you can do during your stay which are all based around visits to other parts of the island in a boat whilst throwing some snorkelling in there for good measure. One of the most popular trips is to Lopes Mendes beach, famous across Brazil and a site to behold. This is the plum spot on the island and if you're feeling energetic (and a bit thrifty) you can hike there in a couple of hours which will likely lead to you discovering hidden beauties along the way.

This is a very special place with simple pleasures and the perfect escape from the busy Brazilian cities. It's no surprise that so many locals choose to spend their holidays here - you should too.

If you've been lucky enough to visit Ilha Grande let me know your experiences in the comments or check out some of the other fantastic places to go backpacking in South America here.

Backpacking Photo of the Week - Huaraz, Peru

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 12:13:00 +0000

Peru offers backpackers stunning views around every corner as you move between different environments from day to day. Take in the sand dunes of Huacachina, the iconic Machu Picchu or the glaciers of Huaraz. This photo was taken in the hills surrounding Huaraz after a day long hike up into the mountains. Ice capped mountains, bright blue water and views for miles around, it doesn't get much better!

Click here to check out more of the beautiful destinations around the world in the Backpacking Photo of the Week series.

Off Piste Backpacking in The Gambia

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Mon, 31 May 2010 19:10:00 +0000

The Gambia – Yep that’s right it’s actually called that and it’s the only country in the World that we’re aware of that uses ‘The’ to officially introduce itself. Along with this there are two other reasons we immediately loved The Gambia, one – English is the national language and two – they don’t charge Australians anything for a Visa. Heaven.

What else will you love in The Gambia?
It moves to a slow beat and it’s a fairly chilled out scene, most locals will want you to stop for a chat to welcome you. You’ll also get used to the familiar calls of ‘Toubab’ (the local term for white man) from the local kids as you high five them and they hug you back as you roam the streets. It’s famous for its eco-tourism scene and it’s all well organised, it’s easy to get around and it’s refreshingly progressive with loads of worthwhile organisations and programs doing great local work.

After dark it's a place like no other - we learnt a lot on our first night out. Don’t be fooled, you’re not in a retirement village, in fact it’s anything but – the older women you will find in the bars have found their inner youth and that's why they're here. It’s a lesson in the food chain as these predators of the night stalk their younger prey across all parts of the dance floor.

If you hadn’t guessed sex tourism is booming here, predominately with older Brits, surprisingly mostly women but there’s also a few men floating about in search of, well, (for lack of any other non-offensive term) love.

Back to the city and around Banjul, there is an awkward sprawl of 5 or 6 local areas, each with their own scene. As a whole if it's nightclubs you're after you'll find them centered in one spot, known as 'the Strip' - and they pump. The local lads can truly dance so you’re in for a treat, but as we witnessed time after time, if you’re a white guy stay seated - it’s embarrassing for everybody when you dangle your limbs awkwardly around trying to compete. As one of the local ladies said – ‘White guys can’t dance and black guys can’t swim’.

What seals the deal?
The Gambia is supremely cheap if you stick with the locals. The ‘street meat’ here is well above board and on any given night you can find anything from Nigerian cuisine to loaded long baguettes to fruits to the insides of a goat. If you choose the latter, you’ll need to wash that down with one of no doubt Africa’s best beers, Jul Brew and yes, it’s pretty special.

If The Gambia sounds like your sort of place, we’ve given it an in depth review with all the information you’d need to visit it yourself and we've got a video to show you bits and pieces as well.

This is a guest post from the Benny over at Amateurs Africa, the place to go for fantastic insight if your thinking of going out on the road in Africa. You can also check out some other places to go backpacking in Africa here.

Backpacking Around the Volcanic Vistas of Iceland

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:52:00 +0000

Eyjafjallajokull may have attracted quite a lot of bad press by travellers, tour operators and travel insurance companies in recent months, but the volcanoes of Iceland are responsible for much more than delays and disruptions. This northern European island country is home to an ancient, unique landscape that boasts incredible geology, hot springs, lava flows, black deserts, ice-caps, glaciers and snow covered mountains. Here’s our guide to the key must-see sites.

Bathing in the Blue Lagoon
An absolute must on any visitor’s Icelandic agenda – the geothermal spa is the most visited attraction in the country. Boasting naturally heated water of 40° and rich in minerals, the area has become a Mecca for health and leisure, with all sorts of bars and lounges, treatment areas and clinics.

Whale watching from Husavik
Husavik is the prime location for whale watching in the whole of Europe and visitors can pick up any number of tours and guides to chug out into Skjalfandi Bay. The waters in this region are home to a wide variety of species, including Minke, Humpbacks and Giant Blue, as well as puffins and dolphins. Most trips last about three hours.

Dettifoss - Europe’s most powerful waterfall
Located within the Jökulsárgljúfur National Park, the Dettifoss falls are 100m wide with a drop of 44m into the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. It's pretty much out in the wild, which means visitors will have to trek to view the incredible thunder of water as it tips over the edge of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum River.

Vatnajokull - Europe’s largest ice cap
The best place to view Vatnajokull is within Skaftafell National Park - where visitors can either climb the low hills overlooking the ice or don crampons and strike out onto the cap itself. Iceland's highest peak, Hvannadalshnúkur, is also located to the south of Vatnajökull, rising to an impressive 2,109.6 meters.

Strokkur Geyser – hot water springs
Iceland is famous for its hot springs and a visit to the country wouldn’t be complete without an excursion to witness boiling water fire into the sky from the rocky plateau. Strokkur Geyser is the most famous of the island springs, with a 30 meter jet that reliably erupts every 5-10 minutes.

The island of Grimsey - visit the Arctic Circle
Grimsey is the only point in Iceland that is actually within the Arctic Circle – visitors can journey by sea or sky to the island, the origins of which are laced with fable and myth that date back to the days of trolls and giants.

This post was provided by The Post Office

Budapest - Backpacking Photo of the Week #8

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Mon, 24 May 2010 21:39:00 +0000

Budapest is a fantastic city with an array of activities and a fantastic culture for the backpacker to enjoy. You can go for a long weekend or for weeks on end and you won't run short of things to do. One area that stood out to me was up on the hill overlooking the city where you could take in all the beauty on offer on both sides of the river. This is just a hint of what the city has to offer, to see more you'll have to jump on a plane!

Enjoy more of the Backpacking Photo of the Week series here or discover more places to go backpacking in Europe here.

Brilliant Backpacking, But at What Cost? - London, England

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Sun, 16 May 2010 16:52:00 +0000

Top Backpacking Destinations Ranking: 8/10

There can be no argument that England's capital is overflowing with attractions for travellers. London has tourist fodder coming out of its ears and it truly is a 24 hour city. Backpackers can spend all day, every day wandering the streets and taking in the plethora of cultural monuments and museums, or they can become night owls, only popping their heads up once the sun goes down and the bars fill to bursting point.

Whichever option you choose, you won't be disappointed. You can live in London for years and still not take in everything it has to offer which is why so many backpackers choose it as a longer term base and find work to fund their activities. This is crucial as trying to do anything in London on a backpacking budget is difficult. If you can earn as you go along then it makes things a lot easier.

That's not to say everything you do has to be pricey though. There is a huge amount of museums which offer free entry and it's hard to get bored just wandering the streets and stumbling across famous place after famous place. I had a particular favourite route walking along the Thames' South Bank from London Bridge (having indulged at Borough Market!) to the Tate Modern, then crossing Millenium bridge over to St Pauls Cathedral. From here you could walk back along the river, stopping off for a trip up the Monument to take in some beautiful cityscape views, and then continuing to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. You then go back across the river and return towards London Bridge, passing the iconic City Hall building on your way. These sorts of walks exist right across London and it'll take you a good while to get through them all!

But despite all these incredible attractions, London can prove difficult for the thrifty backpacker. Even with the wide range of free attractions you still have to pay the heavy price of living costs and getting around. If you want to indulge in a similar way to backpacking in Eastern Europe then you'll be peering into an empty wallet in no time. It's these same drawbacks that scupper many of the capital cities and it's why backpacking in Paris, Vienna or Barcelona can sometimes be a stretch too far when you know your money will go so much further elsewhere.

The amazing sights of the place can't be overlooked though and I'd urge anyone to come and experience London, even if it is just for a quick glimpse on a tight budget; it's worth every penny.

If you think London might be a step to far for your purse strings then discover the places where it's slightly easier to go backpacking for cheap in Europe here.

Salar de Uyuni - Backpacking Photo of the Week #7

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Sun, 02 May 2010 22:12:00 +0000

This week's backpacking photo of the week was taken whilst backpacking in the salt flats of Uyuni in Bolivia. It's an incredible place to go backpacking and the huge expanse of salt makes it an amazing spot to photograph. As all you can see for miles is salt, all perspective is taken away and people leave with photos of themselves climbing out of wine bottles, walking out of crisp packets or sitting on pieces of fruit. I've chosen one which shows the beautiful moment as the sun rises and illuminates this fantastic destination, though any photo taken on the Salar de Uyuni is likely to be a beauty!

See more of the Backpacking Photo of the Week series here or discover more places to go backpacking in South America here.

Backpacking Paradise - Sailing from Colombia to Panama

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 20:56:00 +0000

Top Backpacking Destinations Ranking: 9.5/10

If you're looking for a once in a life time experience whilst backpacking around the world then the sail from Cartagena, Colombia to Portobello, Panama is the one for you. Colombia has many stereotypes attached to it but it is undoubtedly a fantastic place to go backpacking and if you are there then this is an experience you can't miss out on.

Cartagena is one of the hotspots to go backpacking in Colombia and it's incredibly easy to organise the sail once you're there, all you need is a little flexibility. Almost all the backpacker accomodation in the city will have details of captains that are doing the trip and all you have to do is contact them and find out the details of their departure. But be warned, there is a huge variation in the quality of service offered on these boats. You may get a captain who cooks every meal and dotes on your every need, but there are also captains out there who enjoy a drink or two on the boat and have been known to leave backpackers fending for themselves and even steering the boat whilst they make friends with a bottle of rum. The only way to avoid this? Do your research!

Once you've found the right boat and arranged your departure date you'll be heading into a paradise rarely found on this earth. The trip involves a two day sail to the San Blas islands, a group of paradise islands that are inhabited only by the Kuna people (and a few wealthy Americans!). Many of the islands are empty but for a few palm trees and are surrounded by crystal clear waters and abundant sea life. If you find a good captain you'll have 2 days there where you can snorkel, eat fish and enjoy a deserted island all to yourself! The journey itself can be a little tough if you're not a great sailor (i.e. seasickness!) but we were entertained at various points by schools of dolphins dancing their way around the front of the boat as we made our way through the doors of our own personal paradise. Not a bad support act.

From the San Blas it's another day's sailing to reach Portobello, Panama and lay your feet on some dry land. The trip is a once in a lifetime experience; i've never been much of a sea baby but i can honestly put it amongst the top 3 of my all time travel experiences. The feeling of laying on your own island with just enough room for a cluster of palm trees, eating barbecued fish and having only the sea for company is hard to beat. If you're in Colombia, it's a must. If you're not, go to Colombia.

I'd love to hear from anyone else who's done the trip and any recommendations for captains to go with in the comments. You can also find details on other places to go backpacking in South America here.

San Francisco, USA - Backpacking Photo of the Week #6

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:46:00 +0000

Backpacking in America is an incredibly rewarding experience as it offers such a wide variety of environments, people and attractions. Even the major cities are vastly different and each has their own, separate appeal. San Francisco is a beautiful place and makes taking an interesting photo very easy as it oozes character. Whether it's the constant undulation of the ground beneath your feet, the stunning architecture around every corner or the views out to Alcatraz Island, you're never left without a sight to take your breath away.

See more of the Backpacking Photo of the Week series here or discover more places to go backpacking in North America here.

7 Reasons Why ‘Voluntourism’ is the Best Way to Travel

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:49:00 +0000

I first caught the travel bug volunteering in Honduras and ever since then I’ve felt the need to get out on the road and experience as many places as I can. But for all the travelling that I’ve done since, I still look back to Honduras as my fondest travel memory, perhaps partly because it ‘popped my travel cherry’, but mainly because I got to live in a small community for a full year and became fully immersed in the Garifuna culture. For me, this style of travel – ‘voluntourism’ as it’s becoming known – is the best kind, and here are seven reasons why:

•You see amazing things – living in a community provides you with the opportunity to experience things you never would if you were doing it as a backpacker and flying through in a couple of days or weeks. Even if you volunteer in a fairly well known place you will still get ‘off the beaten track’ experiences by living the life of a local.

•You’re helping less privileged people – without wanting to appear too heroic, it’s certainly true that the majority of projects that are run (by reputable companies at least) help the local communities develop and provide locals with opportunities to live in better conditions in some way or other, whether it’s getting a better education or drinking clean water.

•You develop yourself – I certainly think my year away changed me and gave me skills that I use every day wherever I am, be it in the office or out on the road. There’s always a risk of living a blinkered existence and travel is a great way of avoiding this by getting out there and exposing yourself to different cultures and environments.

•There are great organisations to help you – There are numerous organisations out there which will allow you to find the right project for you in the right place.

Idealist is one such organisation, providing a wealth of information on all the possible places/jobs/internships that are available to the prospective voluntourist. It has been the place to go to for this information since as long ago as 1995 and you’re guaranteed to get what you need there, whether it’s information on the costs involved or just an idea of how to get started.

Voluntourism.org is also an excellent resource which aims to bring together all the information that someone thinking of volunteering may need, ranging from voluntourism tips to weekly podcasts which keep you up to date with the latest, relevant news and advice.

•It’s cheap – Whilst this isn’t always necessarily the case, on the most part you get to go and experience a different part of the world for the fraction of the cost of constantly backpacking on the move. There’s obviously a huge variation from company to company but you will always avoid the main costs inherent to constantly moving around such as travel tickets and accommodation.

•You choose how long to go for – Volunteering can be as long or as brief as you like. You don’t have to leave home for years on end to get the benefits and can almost certainly find the right project for you as there are so many out there. Whilst I believe a longer stay is better and allows you to become more immersed in the community you are staying in, you will always be accepted by communities if you are helping them out, even if it is only for a few weeks.

•You can become properly immersed in another culture – As a backpacker it is difficult to get fully involved with a community when you are just passing through. You can look from afar and take a photo or two, but you will never get to the bottom of what makes those people tick. Volunteering allows you to do this. It gives you the opportunity to gain the trust of the locals and for them to let you in to their way of life and this is when you really get to embrace another culture. For me, this is the most satisfying reward of the volunteering experience – I still have friends who I met when I did it and they allowed me to see a different way of life, one which didn’t revolve around watching TV and sitting in an office!

Mazy Marrakech, a Photo Diary - Marrakech, Morocco

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 19:02:00 +0000

Top Backpacking Destinations Ranking: 7.5/10

A slightly different post to finish Morocco Week here on Top Backpacking Destinations. So much has been written about Marrakech i thought a more appropriate way to present it would be in pictures as it's such a photogenic city. It's an incredible place where you can get lost (literally!) for days and weeks on end. If you can acclimatise to the everpresent attention of the locals then you'll certainly have an incredible time. Enjoy...

Check out the Top Backpacking Destinations Facebook Page for more photos and videos from Morocco and discover more backpacking destinations in Africa here.

Atlas Mountains, Morocco - Backpacking Photo of the Week #5

topbackpackingdestinations@gmail.com (Backpacker Boy) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 11:56:00 +0000

Morocco is an incredibly photogenic place. Everywhere you look there's something amazing to snap at, whether it's colourful spices or green palms set against terracotta walls. This week's Backpacking Photo of the Week was taken whilst backpacking in the High Atlas Mountains. Having walked for a long time you can randomly stumble across people selling crafts and jewellery seemingly miles from anywhere. This was one such time, and i felt obliged to invest in some of his stuff - i might have been the only person he saw all day!

You can see other backpacking pictures from the Backpacking Photo of the Week series here or check out other photos from Morocco on the Top Backpacking Destinations Facebook page.