Rick Steves' backpacking tips

Young people nowadays are quite adventurous in their journeys, what with cheaper air fares, railway passes, boat transfers and convenient connecting land arrangements.  Whereas before, we raised an eyebrow on the backpackers, they now seem ubiquitous — withthe profiles expanding to include upwardly mobile company executives and groups of "aggressive" all-female professionals. (This last one I happen to know personally.) Hence, it may be good to take a peek into the backpacking experience and taking tips from an old hand — Rick Steves — who travels through Europe for 100 days every year, in the last 30 years, to come up with an updated edition of  his "Europe Through the Back Door."

According to Steves, his guide books have gone through the changes of the times…"you cantrace the advent of the internet, smartphone apps, and e-books…and the demise of film cameras, traveler's checks, and border checkpoints. He insists on clever packing, thorough planning of the itinerary, getting good hotels at the best prices, sure way of getting around at your destinations.

With the basics in place (as mentioned in the previous paragraph), there are still a number of tips you can benefit from:

1) If you must consult a good travel guide book, cut out only the pages that you need, re-staple and put in a paper bag so you will not stand out as a "tourist" when you are checking it out. This means lighter load and safer in a big strange place.

2) If  in doubt, don't pack it. You can buy wherever you will be, whatever is necessary. Ideal size is 9"x22"x14" carry-on bag, with or without wheels.

3) Money belt strapped around your waist containing credit cards, debit card for ATM withdrawals, some cash in $20 denominations; passport, travel insurance, and passport size photos; driver's license, student ID, airline e-tickets, railroad passes, etc. Put photocopies of the documents in your bag.

4) For winter clothes, consider a clothes compressor bag. Pack an extra one for soiled clothes on the last leg, which allows more luggage space for some shopping.

5) Sinks in budget hotels have practically no counters, so a mesh toiletries container that can hang on a hook is most convenient. Bring suction cups with hooks to hang your toiletries container, money bag, change of clothes, etc.

6) Ziplock bags in all sizes are dependable storage cases which do not occupy space. Also: don't forget the universal charger, adaptors and converters. Cebu Pacific's adaptors' kit is the best find, so far. On sale inflight.

7) Bring a sarong as alternate towel, blanket and pillow. Extra pillow case to be used when necessary, in less than ideal accommodations.

8) Cover the brand of  your expensive camera with a black electric tape. It will not look attractive to thieves.

9) Extra pair of insoles, in case your shoes get wet. You dry the wet shoes and insoles overnight, and then use the extra insoles with the drying/dry shoes. Alarm clock — most budget hotels have unreliable wake up calls. Earplugs and eye mask to stave off hostel disturbing factors.

10) Doubly secure the top of your back pack. Put a TSE padlock on the pocket. Set up the Coke can alarm — put some coins in an empty Coke can and position it next to the hostel door.

11) For senior citizens, you will find that you have a lot of enjoyment if you go adventurous. Just be sure to remember some things that age must take into account. Advantages: you get discounts in most places in Europe — restaurants, hostels, bus tickets (don't bother going down those stairs into the jungle that is the Metro), museums, tours, etc. But: use a trolley bag rather than a backpack. (Mind your shoulders and spine!) Don't scrimp on a taxi ride from the train station/airport to your hotel. Stay in a centrally located hostel and divide your day into short comfortable itineraries. Remember that you are on vacation, not on a marathon tour.

Of course, it is presupposed that you are willing to get into the rougher type of travel, no frills, no luxury. Just minimum comfort and security for the night — with more leeway for your vacation budget to go a long way, and be used for more sights to see and more culinary delights to savor.

It's your choice! Travel safely and travel well.