Exhilarating Adventures

Some popular backpacker destinations are Southeast Asia, India, Europe, and South America. In many cases, these destinations are cheaper than living at home. Below you will find travel destination advice and tips for some popular stops on the backpacking circuit. Now get out of that cubicle and into the wild!

Many new backpackers begin traveling in Thailand because it is a relatively easy way to break into Asia and there is a highly established tourist and backpacker presence there. English is spoken in varying degrees of quality in all the tourist areas, so there is not much of a language barrier to deal with. Best of all, its cheaper than staying at home!

The Wonders Of Thailand

No matter what you are looking for, you can find it in Thailand. Elitist backpackers claim that the country has been “ruined” by mass tourism - not true! Go with the right attitude and you will make memories and friendships that last forever.

There is such a large price range when it comes to everything available in Thailand. You can pay $600 for a Gucci dress in Siam Paragon or walk into Siam Square and find a chic dress for $6. This range makes it possible to travel through the country on very little money - if you are careful and know a few tricks. Below are some ways to get as much value as you can out of every last Baht.

To travel Thailand cheaply, always do the legwork yourself. At most bus, train and boat stops, there will be people trying to solicit for a particular guest house. These guest houses are generally not the best available, they may be far from the beach or town and expensive.

A good way to go about finding a room is to consult a guide book or other travelers and find an area that sounds like what you want (for example, cheap and near the party scene or nice and secluded). Once at the destination, head for this area and start checking out guesthouses.

Try to look at a handful of guesthouses, until you find something you like in your price range. Always ask if there are cheaper rooms available, the more expensive rooms will usually be offered first. Make sure to see the room first to check that it’s clean and safe. Sometimes the price can be negotiated, especially if you are planning on staying for a few days.

Exploring India

Social ConventionsThe traditional Hindu greeting is to fold the hands and tilt the head forward to namaste. Indian women generally prefer not to shake hands. All visitors are asked to remove footwear when entering places of religious worship. Most Indians also remove their footwear when entering their homes; visitors should follow suit.

Many Hindus are vegetarian and many, especially women, do not drink alcohol. Most Sikhs and Parsis do not smoke. When visiting a private home, gifts, such as flowers and sweets, are a polite display of gratitude for hospitality.

Women are expected to dress modestly and men should also dress respectfully. Women should not wear short skirts and tight or revealing clothing, although there is a more casual approach to clothing in Goa. Businesspeople are usually expected to dress formally for meetings and social functions.

English-speaking guides are available at fixed charges at most official tourist centers. Guides speaking French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian or Spanish are available in some cities, especially the more tourist ones.

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