Packing Your Backpack For A Vacation Abroad

By: Thomas Hammond

One of the best trips you'll ever take is when you throw on a backpack and head overseas or off to some interesting destination. The only question to consider is what you should take along with you.

When backpacking, the most important thing is what? The backpack! You need a pack that is designed for the specific trip you are taking. Get the wrong pack and you can end up with aches and pains.

Most people buy a backpack without having a clue and get a bad result. Select your pack based on what you are doing. If you are climbing Everest, get a high end pack. If you are stomping around Spain, get something more relaxed.

Conversely, the blue light special backpack might be great for a three week trip to Europe. If you are going to be climbing in the Andes, however, it will be laughably insufficient.

We are finally ready to actually do some packing. Our first list is going to focus on what not to take instead of what to pack. Remember, less is always more when it comes to backpacks. Anything you pack, you must carry!

The world wide web is just that these days - world wide. There is a cyber cafe at practically any destination, so you don't need to take a laptop. Want to store stuff online? Open a Yahoo account and stuff it there.

While your destination may be exotic to you, it is vital to remember that the same basic things are available in much of the world. If you can purchase a product in your home town, you can probably get it at your destination.

Remember the golden rule when it comes to clothing. If you can't roll it up, leave it. If your trip takes you across cold areas, you can always dress in layers to stay warm. Space hogging things like sweaters are forbidden.

To this end, don't pack the basics that are available at every destination. The world uses soap and you can buy it anywhere. Travel books have to be right behind the bible in their plentifullness and you can trade them.

If you are going on a trip where the weather will change from cold to warm, consider buying clothing at your destination. When you leave a cold or warm place for the last time, donate the clothing or mail it home instead of carrying it everywhere.

Finally, try on your backpack when you finish packing. Heavy, isn't it? Now take it off and reconsider if you really need all that stuff. Surely there are items you can do without lugging across Europe, Asia or wherever.