Two Danish backpackers in front of the Vienna State Opera in July 2005

A large internal frame backpack

Backpacking is a form of low-cost, independent international travel. It includes the use of a backpack or other luggage that is easily carried for long distances or long periods of time; the use of public transport; inexpensive lodging such as youth hostels; a longer duration to the trip when compared with conventional vacations; and an interest in meeting the locals as well as seeing the sights. It is typically associated with young adults, who generally have fewer obligations and thus more time to travel. They also have less money to spend on hotels or private vehicles.

The definition of a backpacker has evolved as travelers from different cultures and regions participate. Recent research has found that "backpackers constituted a heterogeneous group with respect to the diversity of rationales and meanings attached to their travel experiences. They also displayed a common commitment to a non-institutionalised form of travel, which was central to their self-identification as backpackers."^[1] Backpacking as a lifestyle and as a business has grown considerably in the 2000s^[2] as a result of low-cost airlines ^[3] and hostels or budget accommodations in many parts of the world. Digital communication and resources make planning, executing, and continuing a long-term backpacking trip easier than before.

History[link]

While people have traveled for all history with their possessions in packs they carry on their backs, the concept of modern backpacking can be traced, at least partially, to the Hippie Trail of the 1960s and '70s,^[4] which in turn followed sections of the old Silk Road. In fact, some backpackers today seek to recreate that journey, albeit in a more comfortable manner, while capitalizing on the current popularity of the green movement.^[5] Giovanni Francesco Gemelli Careri has been cited by some authorities as one of the world's first backpackers.^[6]

While travel along the old Hippie Trail has been rendered complicated since the early 1980s due to unrest in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran, backpacking has expanded to other regions of the world. In recent years, the proliferation of budget airlines and low-cost flights has contributed to this expansion.^[7] At present, new "hippie trails" are being formed towards Northern Africa in places such as Morocco and Tunisia.^[8]

Technological developments and improvements have also contributed to changes in backpacking. Traditionally backpackers did not travel with expensive electronic equipment like laptop computers, digital cameras, and PDAs because of concerns about theft, damage, and additional luggage weight. However, the desire to stay connected, coupled with breakthroughs in lightweight electronics, has given rise to the flashpacking trend.^[9] And not only is there a shift in what backpackers carry now, there is also a change in what they use to carry that gear: backpacking is becoming less and less reliant on the physical backpack in its initial form.^[10]

Culture[link]

Of importance in backpacking is a sense of authenticity. Backpacking is perceived as being more than a vacation, but a means of education.^[11] Backpackers want to experience the "real" destination rather than the packaged version often associated with mass tourism, which has led to the assertion that backpackers are anti-tourist.^[12] There is also the feeling of "sneaking backstage" and witnessing real life with more involvement with local people.^[13]

Criticism[link]

Backpacking has been criticized, with some of these criticisms dating back to travelers' behavior along the Hippie Trail.^[14] Criticism comes from many sides. For example, the host countries and other travelers may disagree with the actions of backpackers. However, the perception of backpackers seems to have improved as backpacking has become more mainstream.^[15] Another criticism is that even though one of the primary aims of backpacking is to seek the "authentic," the majority of backpackers spend most of their time interacting with other backpackers, and interactions with locals are of "secondary importance."^[4]

Variants[link]

Flashpacking[link]

Flashpacking is a neologism used to refer to an affluent backpacker. Whereas backpacking is traditionally associated with budget travel and destinations that are relatively cheap, flashpacking has an association of more disposable income while traveling and has been defined simply as backpacking with a bigger budget.^[16][17] The origin of the term itself is obscure.

Planning and research[link]

Planning and research is an important part of backpacking, aided by such publications as the Lonely Planet guides, Rough Guides and others. These books provide information about such topics as the language, culture, food and history of a given country. They also offer listings of accommodation and places to eat, together with maps of key locations. Digital format guidebooks are becoming more popular, especially since the advent of smart phones and lightweight netbooks and laptops. There are also many online resources aimed at backpackers, as well.

See also[link]

• Hostelling International
• Grand Tour
• Adventure travel

References[link]

External links[link]

• Urban backpacking travel guide from Wikitravel
• Backpacking (travel) at the Open Directory Project

A statue dedicated to the traveler in Oviedo, Spain.

Travel is the movement of people or objects (such as airplanes, boats, trains and other conveyances) between relatively distant geographical locations.^[1][2]

Etymology[link]

The term "travel" originates from the Old French word travail.^[3] The term also covers all the activities performed during a travel (movement).^[4] A person who travels is spelled "traveler" in the United States, and "traveller" in the United Kingdom.^{[citation needed]}

Purpose and motivation[link]

Reasons for traveling include recreation,^[5] tourism^[5] or vacationing,^[5] research travel^[5] for the gathering of information, for holiday to visit people, volunteer travel for charity, migration to begin life somewhere else, religious pilgrimages^[5] and mission trips, business travel,^[5] trade,^[5] commuting, and other reasons, such as to obtain health care^[5] or fleeing war or for the enjoyment of traveling. Travel may occur by human-powered transport such as walking or bicycling, or with vehicles, such as public transport, automobiles, trains and airplanes.

Motives to travel include pleasure,^[6] relaxation, discovery and exploration,^[5] getting to know other cultures^[5] and taking personal time for building interpersonal relationships. Travel may be local, regional, national (domestic) or international. In some countries, non-local internal travel may require an internal passport, while international travel typically requires a passport and visa. A trip may also be part of a round trip, which is a particular type of travel whereby a person moves from their usual residence to one or several locations and returns.

Travel safety[link]

Travelers in a China Southern Airlines airplane. Air travel is a common means of transport.

It's important to take precautions to ensure travel safety.^[7] When traveling abroad, the odds favor a safe and incident-free trip, however, travelers can be subject to difficulties, crime and violence.^[8] Some safety considerations include being aware of one's surroundings,^[7] avoiding being the target of a crime,^[7] leaving copies of one's passport and itinerary information with trusted people,^[7] obtaining medical insurance valid in the country being visited^[7] and registering with one's national embassy when arriving in a foreign country.^[7] Many countries do not recognize drivers' licenses from other countries; however most countries accept international driving permits.^[9] Automobile insurance policies issued in one's own country are often invalid in foreign countries, and it's often a requirement to obtain temporary auto insurance valid in the country being visited.^[9] It's also advisable become oriented with the driving rules and regulations of destination countries.^[9] Wearing a seat belt is highly advisable for safety reasons and because many countries have penalties for violating seatbelt laws.^[9]

There are three main statistics which may be used to compare the safety of various forms of travel (based on a DETR survey in October 2000):^[10]

References[link]

External links[link]

Find more about Travel on Wikipedia's sister projects:
	Definitions and translations from Wiktionary
	Images and media from Commons
	Learning resources from Wikiversity
	Quotations from Wikiquote
	Textbooks from Wikibooks

• Travel at the Open Directory Project
• Wikitravel.org - Wikitravel, a global travel information wiki