Hi there

I was just looking for a good backpack for the traveling I plan to do after uni, but I thought this might be a good place to ask something...

I feel pretty lost in planning to travel, i.e. what I need, whats the best stuff to take, where I shouldnt travel, just a general guide and I was wondering if there are any good books?

Thanks for any help

Mark

Think you might be better off at http://www.lonelyplanet.com for general travelling advice, I'm sure there'll be some sdvice on packs here shortly though. Do you have a budget in mind?

 Thanks for the reply,will have a look at that site

No budget really, just wanted a 60-70L bag for traveling 6 months or more with comfort being the most important thing. I have looked at the other threads, but any more info would be amazing

I think someone should make a book or website that gives advise to back packers on everything they need. I really want to plan everything, but its such a big challenge, where to start ?!

The best travel advice I ever heard was to lay out all of the things you think you will need.

But only pack half of it.

Remember to bring your credit card.

Advice from JJ:

Photocopy your passport twice.

Keep the first copy separate from the original and keep an international phone number for cancelling the credit card with it in case of theft.

Keep a further photocopy/card number with family back home so they can fax it to the nearest embassy in case you get robbed / phone the card peeps for you.

Don't throw away old credit/bank cards. If you get mugged, hand over the expired one.

Take a second card in case the first one gets swallowed by a machine/refused. 

Take along a copy of a prescription signed by your doctor for any prescription medicines so you don't get jailed for 30 years for drug smuggling. Even bog-standard co-codamol contains some opiate and anyone wanting an excuse to nab and rob you could "find" it on you. Not only that, but trying to get anything 'topped' up abroad can be trying! Ask him/her to write the script in the name of the generic drug, not any brand names so it can be understood anywhere.

If you DO need any POMs, don't assume that there will be any anywhere that isn't very  "westernised".

Don't take many clothes if going to a less 'westernised'  area. Buy cheap local gear and you'll blend in more and look less like a rich foreign kid who may be carrying wads of cash.

The LP guides are great; read carefully the local customs/dress etc so you don't offend anyone.

Have fun! 

I haven't listened to them myself but, seeing as all Bob's other podcasts are pretty damn good, I don't know if you'll find any useful nuggets in these podcasts....

http://www.gapyearlight.co.uk/

This is also great clicky thing.

 And an emergency dental set (with temporary fillings and crown cement it has saved my dental life more than once) - is usually much cheaper from your dentist than travel sites. Don't take immodium with you - you need clean water to swallow it - take the sublingual types - dissolve under your tongue and much easier to take and are easily available from chemists here and in Europe.

Most novices take to many clothes.Washing is much lighter than all those things youre taking just in case...

Take the same precautions you would at home but dont get to paranoid,most gapers have a fun time with little misfortune.

Be careful with the water,there are over 70 bugs/viruses that the human body cannot build up any immunity to.

Take as much money as you can and spend as long as possible travelling,once you have the commitements that come in latter life it gets very difficult to travel for long periods.

Try not to get to depressed on youre return.

Thanks for the replies and info

 I’m trying to work out how I can split my 'world tour' up (places i want to go in the world anyway )

 I was thinking...

- North, Central, South America 

- Africa

- Then Asia (plus maybe Auz & N.Zealand, i dunno if they should be seperate)

 I plan to take my time and im happy to be traveling for months and years at a time. The important things for me are to see the animals of the world, the best natural structures and then maybe manmade structures

I've been budget travelling for 20 years and never once have I checked-in a bag.  With cold weather gear I can fit everything into a 45 litre pack; warm weather only needs 30-35 litres.  I never carry a tent, though, and hardly ever a sleeping bag.

Lockable zips are OK, but I've never had anything stolen except for a hired bike in Japan.  But I am fairly careful and don't have much worth nicking.

Get a Nationwide credit and debit card - see this Money Saving Expert article:
MSE link

If you're planning on visiting everywhere, I think it'll work out cheaper if you get a round the world ticket, rather than make separate trips.  Ring someone like Trailfinders and discuss it with them.

Some of the best countries I've visited: NZ, Japan, Myanmar, Bhutan.  I used to have Samoa on this list, but I've heard that crime's gotten a little out of control.  In Europe my favourite country is probably Slovenia.  And a lot of backpackers like Laos.

Thank you very much for the advice. I wont be travelling for a while so there is no rush in me buying equipment and working out where i'm going and how

I think I shall start buying lil bits of stuff, building up my list of things I need to take, then once im happy, get a bag to fit round them, smaller the better . ive been looking at lots of sites saying what you should take etc etc 

Here's a book for you:
Rough Guide first time around the World

And for most of what it seems you'd like to do, I'd have thought you've probably got most of what you need already.

And for where NOT to go, use the Foreign & Commonwealth Office's site.  If you follow their advice you should cut out the risk of invalidating your insurance cover
FCO link

Brill! I have been wanting a book, but couldnt find anything like that. I think my library has it!

And cheers for the other link!