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Top 10 backpacker destinations
If you are after an adventure filled, life changing experience, then backpacking could be the answer.
Afterall, what else gives you that sense of endless freedom plus the chance to redefine yourself and life's priorities?
When it comes to backpacking, there really is a destination for everybody; whether you want to sample the worlds finest cuisine, experience different cultures or simply party the night away, there is sure to be a country awaiting your travels.
To make the decision that little bit easier, here are my top 10 favourite backpacker's destinations:
1: Thailand; the backpackers all time favourite destination, Thailand has something to offer everyone. The best time to visit is between the months of November and February as May to October is the Monsoon season. The country basks in year round temperatures of 31-34°C (be warned, humidity levels are high), leaving you free to explore the many delights this beautiful destination has to offer.
With friendly locals and superb fresh food you won't want to leave (do you have to?). Whilst there, don't miss: Bangkok, Phuket, Ko Phangnan (full moon party), Chiang Mai (a beautiful city filled with delights), Suan Mokkh (a Buddhist forest temple) and lastly, Koi Samui (an island with crystal clear, blue water, white sandy beaches and coral reefs to explore).
2: Reykjavik (Iceland); if it's partying that takes your fancy then this is the perfect destination. Reykjavik – the capital of Iceland – is overflowing with party culture and wild nightlife.
The long cold night's mean that the younger locals have turned to partying the night away, making this a popular destination for hen and stag weekends too. Food and drink prices are now much cheaper since the effects of the credit crisis took their toll making it a much more affordable destination than it once was.
If you can drag yourself away from the nightlife, don't miss: Blue lagoon (man-made hot lagoon), Laugardalur thermal baths, the Aurora Borealis (northern lights seen in winter) and the original geyser (Geysir) that gave its name to geysers the world over.
3: Argentina; if you're after a destination that has it all then Argentina should be top of your list. One upon a time, the home of Eva Peron and now a country full of football fans. With beautiful lakes, stunning mountain vistas and even glaciers, your camera will be kept busy snapping the many sights to be seen.
Superb food coupled with low cost of living makes this a perfect backpacker's destination.
If you decide to visit the country make sure you visit: Buenos Aires (the vibrant capital with wild nightlife), Iguaza Falls, Perito Moreno & El Calafate glaciers and last but by no means least, the Valdez Peninsula (a magnificent wildlife reserve with all manner of wildlife to be seen such as Whales, penguins and Sea Lions).
4: Bolivia; one of the cheapest destinations in South America when it comes to making your money go further (all important when backpacking), you'll be able to live comfortably on around £10 per day.
With its "road of death" (the North Yungas Road or El Camino de la Muerte as it is known locally), which passes through mountainous terrain in the rainforest and the Incan ruins and trails, there's certainly much to see if you're after awe-inspiring vistas.
If you get the opportunity to visit this culture packed country, don't miss: Yungas road (as above), El Pantanals (a massive wetland filled with exotic plants, birds and animals) and Tuahuanaco (a pre-Incan city filled with megalithic stone structures and buildings).
5: Australia; hugely popular as a choice for backpackers due to the huge variety of sights to see and things to do whilst you're there. Although a little more expensive than the traditional backpackers destinations of Eastern Europe and South America (due to the cost of getting there and higher food & drink prices), it's certainly worth saving those hard earned pennies for.
If you find yourself there, don't miss out on: the metropolitan cities of Melbourne and Sydney (and of course the Sydney opera house), the Great Barrier Reef, a trip to the outback and a trip along the Great Ocean road (stopping to look at the huge and mysterious Ayers rock (or Uluru as it is known locally).
6: India; another destination that should top your list if you are looking to experience exotic food, fascinating culture and beautiful scenery.
If you are up to the challenge (much travelling between attractions and the possibility of Delhi Belly make for a more challenging experience), there is much to see and your money will stretch incredibly far (food, drink, accommodation and transport are all extremely cheap), in fact you might find you don't want to leave for some time.
Whilst you're there, don't miss: Goa (with its stunning beaches, clear blue water and friendly party atmosphere), the Taj Mahal (now a world heritage site), Darjeeling (well known for its tea production and its stunning green valleys) and perhaps most spectacular of all, the backwaters of Kerala (a chain of beautiful lagoons and lakes to be found on the Arabian coast).
7: Cambodia; if you like the sound of Thailand but want to experience somewhere less touristy then this is a superb destination.
Aside from the initial outlay to travel to the country, cost of living is very cheap, with accommodation costing only a few pounds a day and food a matter of pence.
Don't miss out on: Phnom Pen (whilst you're there make sure you see the Royal Palace, National Museum and Silver Pagoda), the Angkor Temples (this will set you back around £10-£15 but is well worth it), take an Elephant ride through the jungles of Mondulkiri Province and then make your way to the Bokor National Park.
8: Brazil; often referred to as the home of the world's most beautiful people (a topic of much debate) and of course the Brazilian wax, the diverse culture, beautiful art and celebrations galore make this a party destination.
When planning your stay, be sure to make sure it coincides with the countrywide celebration of Carnival or another of the spectacular festivals which take place throughout the year.
Brazil is a country which takes tourism seriously so you'll be well looked after whilst you're there and it's only a short hop away from Colombia, Peru and Bolivia which are also popular backpacking destinations.
Don't miss out on: Rio de Janeiro (the vibrant city that was once the country's capital), Christ the Redeemer Statue (the famous 710 metre high statue on the Corcovado Mountain in Rio), Chapada Diamantina National Park (152,000 hectare park with stunning scenery) and finally, Sao Luis (one of the most beautiful cities in the country).
9: Italy; not a traditional destination for backpackers but nevertheless, one that should be on your list.
The country has much to offer the traveller from beautiful scenery (the Chianti producing wine region of Tuscany in particular), stunning lakeside vistas and a wealth of Roman ruins and historic monuments to explore, not to mention both one of the most romantic cities in the world (Venice) and one of the most fashion focussed (Milan).
Top of your list whilst you're there should be: Rome (the bustling capital city with something to offer everyone), Pisa (famous for its leaning tower), Lake Garda (the car chase scenes in the James Bond film, Quantum of Solace were filmed here), Lake Como (another beautiful lake which has been used as a filming location) and of course don't forget to take a day trip to Venice and Milan if you fancy a bit of romance or wish to purchase clothes at the cutting edge of fashion.
10: Colombia; a deserving contender for this top 10 list but perhaps an option for the braver backpacker. Although it suffers from a bad reputation due to rumours of drug wars and kidnapping, the country is now a safer option for backpackers (it is still advisable to stay in your hotel at night time if travelling alone).
Food and drink is extremely cheap and accommodation is particularly wallet friendly. If you're thinking of adding this to your itinerary, make sure you visit: San Andres (white sandy beaches and superb scuba diving make this Colombian archipelago in the Caribbean a must see), Bogotá (the capital city of Colombia), Cartagena (a walled city built to fend off pirates in years gone by) and finally, Isla Gorgona (a beautiful nature reserve which used to be a prison island).
If you can add even a couple of these destinations to your backpacking itinerary you wont' be disappointed. To help you save even more money for your trip, why not compare travel insurance or search for a backpacker's policy which is usually more cost effective than purchasing single trip cover.
Share your favourite or downright weird backpacking destinations and any tips for first-time backpackers.
Disclaimer: This feature is 100% endorsement-free as it has been provided free of charge. The views and opinions of the sponsor expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Diverse Traveller. Unless otherwise stated the copyright for this article and any accompanying photos belong to the sponsor.
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