Despite all the information you have about university life, it is practically a leap into the unknown. Yes, you have sought enough information about the college you are entering. Have you checked whether it will be better to stay on campus or rent the apartment. You’ve even figured out what jobs you’re going to do so you can rent a room or an apartment.
Through alumni, you learn which teachers you might have problems with. By studying the reviews and testimonials, you have hired an essay writing service from which you will order work from when you do not have time to do it. Naturally, you’ve read a lot of books and watched a lot of movies about college life. And you’ve been dreaming about experiencing all that turbulence that being a college student kind of guarantees.
However, what seemed like a well-planned bus tour turned into a backpacking adventure. Backpacking and university life have a lot in common. In both cases, you think you know everything about what to expect, but the unexpected ends up happening. Yes, in both cases you are entering the unknown.
You know the list of colleges you might want to get admitted to, but if you’re planning a backpacking trip, the most popular destinations are:
- Latin America
- Australasia
- Southeast Asia
- Europa
A backpack is the cheapest way to travel, which is much more suitable for students. And if you’re planning to take a break from your research work, essays, textbooks, and exam preparation, backpacking is the perfect option. But, if you are a first-time backpacker, you cannot go to just any destination as some of them can become very dangerous. So here are five suggestions for beginners.
1. Canada
Yes, North America is not on the list of destinations given above, but if you are a first-time backpacker, it is best not to go far from home. Plus, it’s much better when people around you speak the same language if you get lost. You can trust the writing service to create your essay: “How I Spent My Spring/Summer Break”. But even one of the best paper writing services won’t be able to write it if you get lost on your trip.
But enough about the scary stuff, let’s get into what Canada has to offer you as a backpacker. Firstly, the country is wonderful for various outdoor activities. Its nature is perfect for exploring all parts of the country, starting from the coast of the Atlantic provinces and moving to the Northwest Territories. Furthermore, every city in the country offers good tours. Remember, if you like art, make Montreal your last stop, as you won’t want to go anywhere near the city’s galleries and museums.
Getting back to the scary stuff, Canada is considered one of the safest countries in the world. And people in Canada are friendly to strangers, which makes it a perfect place for backpacking beginners. Transport networks can be a bit problematic between small towns, but you won’t face any problems with transport in populated areas. But when backpacking through Canada, remember natural hazards, like bears.
2. Peru
Peru is one of the most visited countries in South America and is best known for the historic hilltop city of Machu Picchu. It’s an astonishing collection of temples and support structures perched atop an isolated and picturesque Andean hill. While Machu Picchu is Peru’s main attraction, the country offers more than that.
You can visit the cozy coastal towns of the country’s Pacific region. There you can enjoy local culture to the fullest. If you want to check out the metropolitan side of Peru, Lima, the country’s capital, is the place to go. And passing through the Andes will provide you with a multitude of outdoor activities. However, the transport network is worse than you might expect, with buses and minivans being the main means of it.
Keep in mind that going to Peru will require at least some knowledge of Spanish. While locals are used to tourists frequenting the country, and many of them can help you in English, knowing the local language allows you to avoid miscommunication issues.
3. New Zealand
Back to English-speaking countries. Yes, te reo Māori is New Zealand’s second official language, yet everyone will understand you if you speak English. New Zealand is one of the top backpacker destinations in the world. The country is on two islands: Te Ika-a-Māui and Te Waipounamu, or the North Island and the South Island. These are the two main ones, as there are over seven hundred small islands that you can explore.
So, in total, you have 702 islands to explore while in New Zealand. Bay of Islands and Ninety Mile Islands are just a few spots you should check out. The country will enchant you with its fantastic landscapes and nature. And you must try the sporting activities New Zealand has to offer: from mountain biking and rafting to skydiving and paragliding.
In addition to a perfect transportation network, the top backpacker destination spot offers backpacker buses, so you’ll meet plenty of fellow first-timers as well as more experienced backpacking aficionados. The country is safe for backpackers, with almost every city offering hostels. So, being backpacker-friendly, having incredible nature and no language barrier issues, should New Zealand be your first place? Well, we’re not done yet.
4. Thailand
Finally, we are moving to Southeast Asia, and the first place here is Thailand. The country is extremely backpacker-friendly, and there are lots of things to check out there. You must check out the stunning virgin beaches with small beach bars. And you will certainly enjoy the breathtaking forests that are spread across Thailand’s picturesque mountains. This already means that the country is a perfect place for backpackers, but that’s not all you can explore there.
Thailand is quite rich in fantastic historical places. Firstly, you should check out the ancient city of Chiang Mai. It is full of spectacular temples. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep will impress you enough, especially if you like discovering Buddhist traditions. This is what the northern part of the country can offer you. The southern part will impress you with the Ayutthaya Historical Park – the ruins of Ayutthaya, once the most significant city in the country.
Thailand is also considered one of the safest destinations in Southeast Asia, but be careful. And it’s best to avoid renting motorbikes to travel around the country. Doing so can be quite risky. Also, although locals are quite friendly towards tourists, you should remain vigilant. You may come across scammers who will try to sell you some useless things or just try to take advantage of you.
5. Sweden
You thought it would be Spain, didn’t you? But after hot countries like Peru and Thailand, it’s time to explore some northern wonders. There are lots of things to be excited about in Sweden. The spectacular nature, the snowy mountains and the northern lights. You can observe the latter if you decide to travel to Sweden in early September or late March. However, nature is not the only thing to check out in Sweden.
The country is extremely rich in historical architecture. There are many places to check out in Stockholm, such as City Hall, Ericsson Globe and the Royal Palace. In addition to the capital of Sweden, you should check out the island of Gotland. The island is home to some of the most impressive medieval buildings in the world.
There are several disadvantages when it comes to Sweden. After all, the country is not among the cheapest in Europe. Hostels can cost you more than hotel rooms in some other European Union countries. So remember this when you go exploring Sweden.
Final considerations
So there you have it, five destinations for backpacking beginners. Of course, there is more. Australia is just as backpacker-friendly as New Zealand. If you like Japanese culture and know the language at least on some level, you should check out Japan. In Europe, it’s easier to list countries that are not backpacker friendly than vice versa, but that’s a different story…
Are you planning your next trip?
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