Dear fellow backpackers, if you love backpacking, you should try these 5 places and it is a MUST!
Portugal
Portugal is every bit of the Old World wonder and natural beauty that Spain and Italy are, but at a far more reasonable price. Lisbon is a work of art that shows the weight of its age, but remains proud and elegant all the same. For backpackers, getting from Porto (the first point of entry on many budget flights) down to the Algarve (the stunning coastal region on the southern most point of Portugal) which joins up with Spain is pretty cheap, comfortable and easy. A great public transport system means that chopping and changing from the coast to Fatmia and other inland attractions (the wine route, for example) are not a problem and are pretty comfortable. For great weather, beautiful scenery, excellent wine and festive people, Portugal is incredible value for money.
Peru
The Inca Trail has been very high up on the list of backpacking Must Sees for many moons. Although it's frequently criticised for being overly commercialised, Machu Picchu is every bit as mysterious and beautiful as the pamphlets say - you just have to share the view with a few other people. But there is so much more to this wonderful South American destination than the fabled ruins - which are still worth seeing, along with plenty of other sites that will also blow your mind. The coastline is peppered with secluded beaches to lose yourself on, lively towns that lend themselves to great parties, great festivals and spicy food that puts the sun's fire in your mouth (in a good way).
Vietnam
Vietnam has been through hell to get on a list like this, enduring a series of wars that crippled the country for decades. With the worst over now, the country is moving forward and becoming more and more popular for better reasons than its history of gun fights. It's such a beautiful place that welcomes you with a happy grin full of broken teeth. The mix of nature, culture and tradition is exquisite. The rice paddies in the Mekong Delta have been feeding the nation for centuries; witnessing the timeless job and mingling with the people who do it gets straight to the heart of what backpacking is all about - experiencing different ways of life.
New Zealand
There is no second guessing the immense popularity of New Zealand - it's one of those places that people just associate with beautiful landscapes. The National tourism board probably owes Peter Jackson a large royalties cheque for putting the country's fjords, lakes and forests on a worldwide platform that caused backpackers to hit the nearest travel agent and book their tickets without further discussion.
One of the biggest draw cards about the country is being able to see such otherworldly beauty without the language barrier or having to slum it from town to town in buses that look like something from the scrap yard. It's a great country, with very friendly people and incredible features - it's so simple. The biggest obstacle UK backpackers face is getting there - it's one immensely long flight.
Patagonia - Chile and Argentina
It's difficult to speak about Patagonia generally, because it is one of those places that people spend their whole lives waiting to visit and hike. From the Chilean and Argentinian side, the landscapes and views are epic - for want of a better, even more epic description.
For serious hikers and trekkers, it's perhaps more of a Must-See than those just wanting to gawk at the frozen cliffs and glaciers that surround its turquoise lakes. You will need to be, at the very least, a competent walker and willing to spend large quantities of time outside, to enjoy it. It's not the most hospitable destination, but for those who are up to the challenge and prepared for the obstacles, you'll struggle to find somewhere that matches up to the prestige of a hiking trip in Patagonia.
No comments:
Post a Comment