The beautiful country of Italy has a plethora of walking and hiking trails for the adventurous traveler. If you’re looking for a great place to get close to nature, consider going to Italy for your next vacation. There are many trails for the amateur, as well as plenty of places for the serious, experienced hikers as well. Here’s a short introduction to what you need to hike in Italy, as well as looking at two of the best hiking spots for you to consider.

Preparing for Italy

So, what do you need to hike in Italy? Along with the regular hiking needs, like plenty of water, food and snacks, sunscreen and other necessities, hiking in Italy requires a few additional items. Like any hiking trip, make sure that you have a good pair of shoes and adequate equipment for the terrain. Be aware that some places in Italy may require special shoes, like Stromboli where one needs shoes with ankle stability to climb through the volcanic ash. Hiking in Italy is also unique in that there are often many different unmarked trails that branch off of the main trail. A good map—perhaps two or three—or a hired guide are definitely in order as you don’t want to get lost.

Places to See:

Download This Free Guide

Dolomite Mountains

These mountains, located to the south of the Italian Alps, were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. The area has over 90,000 acres of land, with trails for every hiking level. There are many picturesque villages nestled in the rocky crags, as well as beautiful wild vistas overlooking alpine lakes, and many sights of the amazing landscape of these incomparable mountains. 

When planning your trip to the Dolomites, consider the timing of your trip. This may be the difference between having a great trip or just an okay experience. Madeline Jhawar, author of the blog Italy Beyond the Obvious, offers these tips for visiting the Dolomites: “I’d avoid August unless you prepare for higher prices and crowds. The Dolomites are a major tourist destination so, as with all tourist destinations in Italy in August, they get crowded and expensive. If you can’t do July, try end of June or the beginning of September.” 

The mountains also have many different trails, so be sure to map out your hiking plan before going. Hiring a guide is also a good idea, so consider checking out local tour companies like the Dolomite Mountains who can help you plan and execute your trip safely. If you do decide to go it on your own, consider buying a guide such as Walking in the Dolomites.

Cinque Terra

The Cinque Terra is a charming region on Italy’s Western coast. It consists of five small villages that cling to the cliffs overlooking the water. The Cinque Terra is usually considered one region as the villages are so close together that you can hike to them all in one day. They are all connected by a series of hiking trails, with trails for all levels of hikers. The Via dell’Amore (“Lover’s Lane,” basically) is one of the most famous routes to walk, an easy 20-minute stroll between two of the villages. The High Trail is the most difficult hike, which requires a guide or a very detailed map. This region is extremely picturesque, with plenty of beautiful views of the ocean, vineyards, and the five quaint little towns.

If you do decide to visit the Cinque Terra, check to see if you are going during the busy season. During the busy season, you will definitely have to book your rooms in advance. Remember that the five towns of Cinque Terra are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore; sometimes hotels in nearby cities will claim to be part of the Cinque Terra, when in fact they are not.

The Dolomite Mountains and the Cinque Terra are just two of the many spectacular places to hike in Italy. These are quite famous destinations that offer opportunities for everyone from the beginners to the advanced hikers, so if you’ve never been hiking in Italy before, these two destinations are great ways to begin. Perhaps they will inspire you to come back and visit more of the amazing hiking spots in the gorgeous country of Italy. Happy hiking!

South America is a popular destination for backpackers, and when you consider that the continent is overflowing with rainforests, archeological remains, beautiful scenery, and vibrant cities, it is no surprise. With so much to see and do, adventurous tourists have plenty of unique activities and cultural experiences to choose from. However, preparing for a trip—especially a backpacking trip—can be difficult. Follow the tips below to prepare for a truly memorable and extraordinary backpacking adventure through South America.

Passport

One of the most important aspects of your trip is your passport. You will need this to get there and back, and if you are visiting more than one country, you may need it to cross the borders, though this is unlikely. Be sure to check the visa requirements for each country you will be visiting. Most countries in South America allow tourists from the United States to enter with just their passport for up to 90 days. However, it’s always better to do your research and play it safe.

Make sure that you make photocopies of your passport and keep them separate from your physical passport. This way, if you lose your passport or if it is stolen, you can replace it easier. It is also a good idea to scan your travel documents and e-mail them to yourself. This way you have a physical copy as well as an electronic copy.

Spanish-English Dictionary/Phrase Book

While you travel throughout South America, you will probably encounter a few people who speak English, but it is a wonderful gesture and also quite fun to learn at least some of the language you’ll be immersed in. If you’ve never taken Spanish before, consider buying a computer program or going to some lessons with someone who does speak Spanish. You can also look up videos on YouTube that will focus on particular phrases good for travelers. And while you’re on the go, a phrase book and dictionary will help a lot, even if you end up just pointing to words. Don’t stress out about communication, though! It’s surprising how much you can communicate even without speaking the same language.

Clothing

You’re backpacking, so keep it light. Also, the clothing that you bring depends on which countries you’ll be visiting and when you’re traveling. However, it’s always safe to bring layers so that you can add clothing if you’re cold or take some off if it’s hot. Some people like to bring zip-off pants that convert to shorts. While these can be effective for changing climates and activities like hiking and sightseeing, just be aware that they do make you stand out as a tourist.

Download This Free Guide

Most hostels and hotels in South America offer laundry service that is typically very inexpensive. Take advantage of this, and you’ll be able to further cut down the amount of clothing you pack. However, if you do plan to consistently use laundry service, make sure to pack inexpensive, replaceable clothing. This way you’re not losing your favorite pair of shorts to a too-hot dryer.

Toiletries/Medication

For the most part, you probably won’t need to bring many toiletries. You’ll be able to buy what you need over there quite cheaply, plus you won’t have to deal with the hassle of getting it through airport security. Leave the bulky bottles at home.

For prescription medication, you should bring as much as you’ll need for the whole trip. Talk to your doctor to be sure that you’re prepared. If you’re diabetic or need syringes, just know that you’ll probably have to check your bag in the airport since they don’t allow syringes on planes. For over-the-counter medications, you can probably find them there, but it might be good to take some common ones like Tylenol so you have it in case you need it on the plane.

Packing Your Backpack

Ayngelina, a travel blogger from Bacon is Magic, gives a great tip when she says: “I will never travel without packing cubes again. These changed how I viewed packing my bag. Instead of rummaging through my bag it was simple and quick to take them in and out. If you don’t have them, believe me: you need them.” Having packing cubes makes organizing your backpack a snap and really helps keep things tidy during your trip, not just at the beginning.

So there you have it! Have fun in South America, and don’t forget that packing light is better than being weighed down!

One of the most difficult parts of backpacking is how to pack a backpack for travel. While that may sound silly, it’s true! It’s tempting to just stuff everything in and hope for the best, but that technique doesn’t work out very well in the long run. Unlike a suitcase, it doesn’t have a nice box to contain everything in, so it’s easy to overfill it! Backpack packing can be difficult, so here are some tips on how to do it.

Initial Preparation

Before you actually start cramming everything into that new backpack, there are two steps that you need to take. The first step is to gather all of your supplies, everything you think you might need, and separate them into piles: pile of t-shirts, pile of pants, pile of toiletries, etc.

Expert Backpack Techniques

Rick Steves, a guidebook author, gives this great advice on his website Europe Through the Back Door, “Think in terms of what you can do without — not what will be handy on your trip. When in doubt, leave it out. I’ve seen people pack a whole summer’s supply of deodorant or razors, thinking they can’t get them there. The world is getting really small: You can buy Dial soap, Colgate toothpaste, Nivea cream, and Gillette razors in Sicily and Slovakia.” You’d be surprised at what you don’t need, so when in doubt, don’t pack it.

Back Area

One thing we tend to forget about until it’s too late is the panel of the backpack that will be resting against our back. If your backpack doesn’t have supports, then an improperly packed backpack can have lumps and bumps that make carrying it extremely painful. Try to keep the items lying against the back panel as soft and comfortable as possible.

Weight

Don’t forget to balance the weight in your backpack. Some recommend putting the heaviest item at the bottom of the pack, but others say keep it in the middle and close to your back. Try both ways and see which one works for you. It may be best to eliminate the bulky and heavy items from your packing list altogether. Do you really need to bring that heavy guidebook? Will you ever wear that extra pair of sneakers? Try to get rid of the items with the most weight so you aren’t lugging around too many pounds.

Layers

When packing your backpack, be aware that you won’t be able to access everything as easily as you think. Items on the bottom are going to take some rooting around to get out, so it’s probably not a good idea to put your toothbrush down there or something that you will use daily. Put the things that you will use less often on the bottom and the items you use most frequently on the top.

Organization

Download This Free Guide

Let’s face it: your backpack may start out perfectly organized with every rolled t-shirt in its place, but it isn’t going to stay that way while you’re traveling. There will be times that you’re rushing to catch a train and jam everything back in willy-nilly, and it’s not going to be pretty. That’s why it’s a good idea to have an easy system of organization from the get-go. Buying different colored bags is a great way to organize. You can put all your underwear and socks in the blue bag, toiletries in the green one, and so on. You get the idea. Not only does it make organization easier, but it also helps with the layering.

Nooks and Crannies

One thing about a backpack is that it has a lot of little spaces that can easily be forgotten about. Be sure to use small items like rolled socks and t-shirts to fill up those places in order to utilize the maximum amount of space. Don’t forget about outside pockets and putting items in places like the insides of your shoes.

With these helpful tips you’ll soon have a well-packed and well-balanced backpack. Have fun, and don’t forget about that stinky sock you tucked away in the bottom! Happy travels!

You are all set to embark upon a thrilling Asian backpacking adventure. You have your tickets and you can’t wait to traverse the exotic terrains of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and India. Before you set out on your trip, there is a lot of preparation to do at home. As important as it is that you have all of your travel plans in order, making things are organized at home before you set out will allow you to be at ease and fully enjoy your vacation. Follow these tips for backpacking to help you be completely prepared for your next adventure:
(more…)

Where do your trips take you? If you’re more likely to be found rushing down river rapids or climbing bridges than taking guided tours to museums and cafes, you may fall into a special category of traveler: the adventure backpacker.