Tourism information points, countless backpacker recommendations in hostels, and a never-ending stream of social media are all competing for a spot on your trip but how are you supposed to know the best choice? 

Deciding where to go and what to do on your travels sometimes feels like an overwhelming task. Faced with a limited visa, balancing budgets and social pressure to visit the ‘must-see’ places of each county often makes you feel ‘travellers guilt’ or FOMO when skipping certain activities, countries or locations. 

You don’t need to see it all! 

If you were to try and get to know England by visiting its major attractions would you know the country? Arguably you’d learn more about the British people at a local pub than visiting Big Ben, Bucking Palace and Stonehenge. 

Too many backpackers see travel as a checklist exercise. Seeing all the tourist traps will not teach you about a country’s culture and most of the time will only result in a sweaty photoshoot full of tourists. Find your own path and search for places based on local recommendations rather than social media. 

Nobody knows how to DO backpacking? 

12 years, 36 countries later we still cannot answer this question. 

And the reason is simple. There is no right way to go Backpacking.

I’ve been the guy scheduling each step of my itinerary but I’ve also entered distant countries for months at a time with no plan, no hotel booked and just a couple of rough ideas and recommendations to go off. Funnily enough, both mindsets led me to incredible places where I met wonderful people and created my very own backpacking experience. 

A day doing nothing is NOT a day wasted! 

Learning how to survive backpacker burnout is so important when travelling for long periods! The only way to keep your energy and morale high is by having a day to relax every week or so. Do nothing but crash on the beach, sit by a pool and soak up what’s directly around you. 

Find your own backpacking rhythm 

Whether you enjoy moving between authentic villages, sampling each region’s nightlife or a determined traveller searching for untouched secrets, try and be aware of what style of travel suits you. Some love an intense 3 days and then move style routine while others give themselves months to explore a single island. No matter what you choose be sure to stay self-aware and sensitive to how your travelling routine is affecting your energy levels! 

It’s ok to change your plans

While itineraries and planning are great it’s important to leave a little room for an unexpected adventure. 

Sometimes even the most well-thought-through plans don’t play out as expected and the spontaneous choices end up leading you somewhere you could never have dreamed of.

If your plan keeps getting in the way of trying out new recommendations and activities then change it. Travel plans should never be set in stone.

You don’t have to listen to all the advice you’re given 

Everyone claims to have the must-visit, must-see, best travel advice. Write them all down and research them to make your own mind up. I’ve found that traveller recommendations are usually an opinion to trust but everyone’s different so be sure to look into whether the suggestion suits you and your idea of the perfect trip. 

Focus on the moment not your next journey

Be sure to not obsess over tomorrow’s destinations at the expense of where you are today!  I spent my first trip constantly worrying about my upcoming travel plans and not truly enjoying where I was in the moment. While plans are an important part of the trip you are here to experience each country not create a perfect itinerary. 

If you always concentrate on where you are headed you won’t ever enjoy where you currently are. Planning ahead puts far too much pressure on a few upcoming activities living up to months’ worth of expectations. 

Social Media backpackers are doing it wrong

Behind every photo, there are 10 minutes worth of perfecting angles, staging, 50 other photos and hours of editing out crowds, blotches and anything else that isn’t pure perfection.

This is not reality. We found many social media tips to be tourist traps with higher prices, longer lines and understandably irritable locals. If you are gonna follow a backpacker’s social media accounts make sure they have a genuine character, real travel experience and not just a click-bate video that regurgitates the same old travel advice. 

The moral of the story is don’t try to live up to the travel expectations social media creates. Embrace the unfiltered beauty of where you are and learn to love discovering places that are off the beaten track, a little rough around the edges but totally unexplored.

To sum up be confident enough to blaze your own trail and trust that whatever route you take will end up being an entirely unique, unfiltered and worthwhile backpacking experience that is yours and yours alone.