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As a veteran of many backpacking trips to areas such as South America, Australia, Fiji and Europe I have managed to refine my approach by trial and error. So if you are backpacking for the first time you may find some of these hints useful.

1. Before you leave make sure to photocopy all of your important documents. This was very important for me when I lost my passport in Australia. I wouldn't have been able to get home without the photocopy! I find it's best to keep the originals of your documents in a waterproof covering in your hand luggage and the photocopies at the bottom of your main backpack in case of emergency.

2. Plan out a basic itinerary for your trip. I find this is useful as it gives you a security net. I would never suggest sticking rigidly to a plan as pragmatism and spontaneity are the key to having a good time whilst traveling but having an idea of the places you would like to visit and the addresses of the some hostels in that town allows you to relax.

3. Pack light. It might seem obvious but no matter how lightly you pack you will probably end up wishing you had brought less. You want to be free to enjoy yourself when you are traveling and a heavy pack will only hold you back. I usually gather together everything I want to take and then throw out about half the clothes and toiletries, you really should think about just taking the essentials. One of the few camping gadgets' I find useful is a travel towel as normal towels are just too bulky for a backpack.

4. Arrange an international phone card before you leave home. You will be able to do this when you reach your country of choice but it will make you feel so much better knowing that you are not cut off from friends and family.

5. Bring books. This is particularly important if you are traveling alone as there will be times when you are on your own and traveling, also swapping books can be a really good way to meet people. However make sure that the books do not weigh down your backpack no hardbacks!

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