Despite all the information that you have on college life, getting admitted is pretty much a leap into the unknown. Yes, you dug enough info on the particular college you’re entering. You checked out whether it’s going to be better to stay on campus or rent the apartment. You even got things figured out which odd jobs you’re going to take, so you can afford to rent a room or an apartment.
Through consulting with alumni, you learn which professors you may run into trouble with. Studying the reviews and testimonials, you picked the essay writer service which you will order from when you have no time for homework. Naturally, you read a lot of books and watched a lot of movies about college life. And you were dreaming of experiencing all those rough times that being a college student kinda guarantees.
Yet, what seemed to be a well-planned bus ride turned into a backpacking adventure. Backpacking and college life have a lot in common. In both cases, you think that you know everything about what to expect, yet the unexpected turns out to thrill – in all meanings of the word – you. Yes, in both cases, it’s stepping into the unknown. You know the list of colleges that you may want to be admitted to, but if you’re planning a backpacking trip, the most popular destinations are:
- Latin America
- Australasia
- South East Asia
- Europe
A backpacking trip is a cheaper way of traveling, which is much more suitable for students. And if you’re planning to take a break from your research papers, essays, textbooks, and exam preparation, a backpacking trip is your go-to option. But, if you are a first-time backpacker, you can’t take just any destination, as some of them may turn out way too 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’re a first-time backpacker, it’s better not to go far from home. Besides, it’s far better when people around you speak the same language if you get lost. You may entrust the essay writing service to craft your “How I Spent My Spring/Summer Break”-essay. 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 with that creepy 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 every part of the country, starting from the coastline of the Atlantic provinces and moving to the Northwest Territories. Besides, each city in the country offers nice sightseeing. Mind that if you’re into art, make Montreal your last stop, as you won’t want to go anywhere from the city’s galleries and museums.
Going back to the creepy stuff, Canada is considered to be 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 may be a bit problematic in between little towns, but you won’t face any problems with transportation in populated areas. But when backpacking through Canada, mind the natural risks 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 astounding collection of temples and supporting structures perched atop a secluded and picturesque Andean hill. While Machu Picchu is the main attraction of Peru, the country offers you more than that.
You can visit the cozy coastal towns of the Pacific region of the country. There you can enjoy the local culture to its fullest. If you want to check out the metropolitan side of Peru, Lima, the country’s capital, is the place to go. And going through the Andes will provide you with a multitude of outdoor activities. Though, the transport network is worse than you can expect, with buses and minivans being the main means of it.
Mind that going to Peru will require at least some knowledge of Spanish. While the locals are accustomed to tourists frequenting the country, and a lot of them can help you in English, knowing the local language allows avoiding running into miscommunication problems.
3. New Zealand
Back to the English-speaking countries. Yes, te reo Māori is the second official language of New Zealand, still, everyone will understand you if you speak English. New Zealand is one of the top destinations for backpackers around the globe. The country sits on two islands: Te Ika-a-Māui and Te Waipounamu, or the North Island and the South Island. Those are the main two, as there are over seven hundred small islands that you can explore.
So, all in all, you have 702 islands to explore while in New Zealand. Bay of Islands and Ninety Mile Islands are just a few spots that you should check out. The country will charm you with its fantastic landscapes and nature. And you should try out sports activities that New Zealand has to offer: from mountain biking and white water rafting to skydiving and paragliding.
Aside from a perfect transport network, the top destination point for backpackers offers buses for backpackers, so you will meet a lot of fellow first-timers as well as more experienced backpacking aficionados. The country is safe for those who enjoy backpacking, with almost every town offering hostels. So, with being backpacking-friendly, having amazing nature, and no language barrier problems, should New Zealand be your top spot? Well, we are not finished yet.
4. Thailand
Finally, we’re moving to South East Asia, and the top spot here is Thailand. The country is extremely backpacker-friendly, and there are a lot of things to check out there. You should check out the stunning virgin beaches with little beach bars. And you will surely enjoy the breathtaking forests that are scattered across the picturesque mountains of Thailand. That already signifies 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’s full of spectacular temples. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep will impress you enough, especially if you’re into discovering Buddhist traditions. That’s 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, which was once the most significant city in the country.
Thailand is considered one of the safest destinations in South East Asia, but be careful. And it’s better to avoid renting motorbikes to move across the country. Doing that can be quite risky. Also, although locals are quite friendly to tourists, you should stay vigilant. You can run into scammers who will try to sell you some useless stuff or just try to take advantage of you.
5. Sweden
You thought it was going to be Spain, didn’t you? But after hot countries like Peru and Thailand, it’s time to explore some northern wonders. There are a lot of things to get excited about in Sweden. The spectacular nature, snowy mountains, and the Northern Lights. You can observe the latter if you decide to travel to Sweden in early September or in late March. Yet, nature is not the only thing to check out in Sweden.
The country is extremely rich in historic architecture. There are a lot of locations to check out in Stockholm, like the City Hall, Ericsson Globe, and the Royal Palace. Aside from 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 drawbacks when it comes to Sweden. After all, the country is not among the cheapest in Europe. Hostels may cost you more than hotel rooms in some other countries of the European Union. So, mind that, when you go exploring Sweden.
Final Thoughts
So, here you have five destinations for backpacking beginners. Of course, there are more. Australia is as backpacker-friendly as New Zealand. If you’re into Japanese culture and know the language, on some level at least, you should check out Japan. In Europe, it’s easier to list countries that are not backpacker-friendly than vice versa, but it’s a different story.