Backpacking gear

It is no coincidence that the name ‘Arcadia’, the name of this region at the heart of the Peloponnese Peninsula of southern Greece, is synonymous with our ideal rural landscape. This lush, mountainous landscape is such a beautiful place you may even feel you have stumbled into one of the …

When the time comes to buy a backpack – and it will come for everyone – whether for a small child just starting school where the latest character from the “Cartoon Channel” will be a requirement or for trekking the frontiers, traveling across Europe or a weekend getaway, knowing how …

When it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, it is sunny and warm in the Southern Hemisphere. One good way to have a winter vacation is to head to Chile and to Patagonia (that, by the way, also extends to Argentina) and explore nature at its best. One can join …

As promised, here are what I see as some of the defining elements of flashpacking. (Please excuse the HUGE generalizations. It’s all in fun!) These generalizations come from my reading experience and about 10 flashpackers I’ve met in SE Asia so far (which is to say I don’t know too …

The South East Asian region of the world – especially Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos – has become increasingly popular as a destination for those travelers seeking a more adventurous holiday than can be had merely sipping fruity, ice-cold drinks at your typical beach resort. However, an adventurous trip to …

It’s easy to understand the advantages of ultralight backpacking. With less on your back you’ll have more fun. You feel more free and closer to nature. Choosing a lightweight sleeping bag is one of the great ways to start lightening your backpack. A warm, good night’s rest is crucial when …

In 1996 me and 2 friends undertook our first backpacking experience. We traveled from Costa Rica to Guatemala in 6 months. Originally we had planned to travel for a year, but half way decided to do something more useful with our presence in Central America and applied for volunteer jobs …

The Wall is much more than just an engineering triumph. It is, in fact, one of the direct links with China’s legendary emperors that lived in the past. For seeing the Wall, that is made of wood, tamped earth, stone, and brick; snaking over parched sides of the mountains, in …

Water is one of the most important items in your pack, and one of the heaviest. You need it to sustain energy. You need it to avoid body aches, headaches, and becoming so uncomfortable that you don’t enjoy your hiking experience. If you can avoid carrying too much water, you’ll …

This wild, untamed and hauntingly beautiful region is fairly close to Rome and yet is surprisingly infrequently explored by foreign tourists. Get off the tourist bandwagon and explore this exciting area on foot. This is the perfect part of Italy for a hiking holiday, whether you are looking to scale …