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back to resources...
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preparation: discount cards
· choosing a pack
· packing
· travel insurance
passports
· travel documents
· visas
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Packing for a trip can be an absolute nightmare... it took one person we know an entire month to pack
her apartment to leave for a year long trip. That said, don't wait until the last minute to pack for your
trip... you'll either end up forgetting something or taking things that you really don't need. There are a thousand
different packing lists out there, each one claiming to be the best... we don't have a packing list here per se, but
we do have some packing tips...
They say a good idea is to pack your bag and then take half of it out... that can be really hard to do... especially
if you are a girl. So try to limit yourself to what you really need... cause remember chances are you're the one that
will have to be hauling it all around... do you really want to have to lug it up a narrow staircase in Amsterdam or
drag it around on a train with you? Make sure you know what the weather is gonna be like
and you can prevent yourself from taking gear you won't use and remember you can always layer...
A great place to start is with the Universal Packing List. We used this when we went to Europe in 2002 and
it was really helpful. There are tons of packing lists out there, but you'll want to customize each one to your own needs.
For example, if you're not taking a backpack, you probably don't need a wire cage for it... get the idea?
As for what we recommend to take along... well, first, you may laugh, but we suggest taking along a pair of shower shoes. They
have to be anything more than a pair of thongs you don't mind getting wet. Hostel bathrooms can be nasty and the last thing you
want to do is catch some funky foot fungus. It's also a great idea to take along a few extra passport photos. You'll need them for visa applications
and travel passes. They are always going to be more expensive if you need them at the last minute-- that's just the way
it seems to be. Plus, its not like extra photos take up that much room!
We highly recommend you take along an extra lock. Security is a big issue for
travelers and even if you have a lockable
backpack, you'll want a lock for hostel lockers. Here's a tip-- we prefer combo locks to key locks
because then you don't have
to carry your key on you. Plus, if you lose your keys at least you can still get to your stuff.
What else should you take you ask? Consider the fact that you will be travelling
into a world of people who have pretty much the same day to day needs you do
and thus will have many of the "supplies" you need. If there are a
few brands you just can't live without, then bring extra along - otherwise
you can get what you need on the road and save room in your backpack for now.
There's no way we can tell you every thing that you'll need to pack
because every trip is different, but there are some basic essentials you must take and are on every packing list.
If you're after a new backpack, click here for our "Which Backpack" Guide...
Here are some other sites that have info when it comes to packing:
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