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What's New:
- Avoiding Insect Bites
Many tropical diseases, such as malaria, yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis, West Nile virus, L
- Websites
Some of the following links are on other pages of this website. I have brought them all together on
- Books
Below is a list of just some of the books that I have bought and found useful on my travels. I usua
- Suppliers
Links to the suppliers of the travel gear I use and recommend can be found through out this site. He
- Miscellaneous
Waterproof bags Used to separate and keep various items dry in your bag. Good for keeping valuables
Below is a list of just some of the books that I have bought and found useful on my travels. I usually read these before I leave and try to memorise as much as I can, as carrying even just one book with you when you travel adds considerably to your load. (That said, I do carry the first book on the list with me as it is tiny).
To be honest, these days I tend to listen to audio books on my iPod mainly, as I can fit a considerable number of books onto it and [...]
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Undershirt/base layer
Good as a first layer in cold weather, a long-sleeved silk, cotton, wool or synthetic undershirt can be bought quite cheaply. You can also use it as a thin shirt on its own in hot weather.
Boxers/shorts/undergarments
Whichever you wear (some travellers don’t wear any!), look for fast drying fabrics and choose comfort over style. Nylon is not so good in hot weather as it doesn’t breathe and this can cause infections.
Cotton underwear is good, as are some of the new synthetics. Some travel underwear is designed to be washed in the sink in the evening and [...]
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 One question that springs to mind about clothing is, is there a difference between that which you wear at home and that which you wear when travelling?
Certainly, if you live in the UK or the USA and you are travelling to Europe for a week, then you can just wear what you normally wear. In fact, you might look out of place if you don’t walk around in jeans, tshirt, a hoodie and running shoes.
Travelling further afield does involve some additional considerations, however, mainly to do with the varied climates you will encounter. But there are [...]
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 One of the most useful pieces of advice I ever got about packing for travelling is that you should decide before you leave what kind of trip you are going on. This may seem obvious but there are some items that you simply don’t need on certain types of travel.
For example, an extended vacation to the Third World should not be considered as a camping trip. You take a backpack with you as your would when going hiking in the woods or camping with the Scouts, but the similarities pretty much end there.
You won’t need a [...]
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 The Medical pages list the various diseases and vaccinations available. This section gives information on where and when to get them, how long they last, whether you need boosters, possible side-effects, and so on.
Don’t rely on the information given below. Try to get to a specialist travel clinic, or seek advice from a qualified professional.
Some clinics will give you a free consulation, other charge a fee (usually refunded if you then have the vaccinations at the clinic).
In the UK you can get vaccinations from your GP (usually for free), or go to one of the specialist [...]
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 Firstly, I am not a doctor (but I play one on TV). Therefore, I am not qualified to give any advice on health or medicine.
This section is just a list of things I found out about travel and health whilst reading about various countries around the world. It also serves as a checklist of things to do before I go travelling and the order in which I need to do them.
For all travel-related health advice consult an expert (your doctor or travel clinic, for example). You can also read books and browse websites, but remember that [...]
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 Look after your money when you are away. The notes and coins will be unfamiliar, so be vigilant.
There are lots of people who may use your ignorance to their advantage, so get itemised bills when possible and ask to have all charges explained to you if you don’t understand them.
Use a calculator if necessary to work out percentages, tips, etc., do your own arithmetic (i.e. don’t rely on theirs) and never let anyone rush you.
If you are using cash and you are given change, count it immediately in front of the storekeeper (except in Japan where [...]
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 If you need to buy gear, get it from the classifieds, craigslist, ebay, buy it used, or borrow it from friends.
Stay in hostels, rather than hotels. Stay in a tent, rather than a hostel.
Take a train instead of a plane. Walk or get the bus instead of taking a taxi. Hitchhike instead of taking a train or bus.
Don’t buy water, use a plastic bottle filled and topped up with tap water.
Don’t eat out in restaurants every day, especially in Europe. Supermarkets and bakeries are so much cheaper and the food is often better (than McDonalds, for [...]
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 Write lists of phone numbers and addresses of emergency contacts, friends you will be visiting, numbers to call if you lose things and need to cancel services or get replacements sent to you (your cell phone and credit cards, for example), phone numbers and addresses of embassies/consulates, and perhaps addresses of useful travel-related websites.
Similarly, for any hotels or lodging you have arranged in advance, make a note of addresses and phone numbers.
Enter all the phone numbers into your phone’s address book and maybe even email a copy to yourself. Another idea to keep it safe is [...]
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 Useful discount card for students and people under 26, the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is a money-saver in Europe. You get discounts on admissions and other fees.
The ISIC is available from STA Travel UK, Council Travel, Travel Cuts, and other travel agencies specializing in budget and student travel. You must have proof of student status and £9 (about $18).
If you are no longer a student bring along whatever old student ID you may have (or a friend’s), you might be able to use it somewhere.
Read all about ISIC here: ISIC/IYTC, or buy it here, or [...]
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Before I left the USA last year after a 10 year vacation, I sold, threw out, and (mostly) gave away nearly all of my possessions, keeping only those that I could fit into one standard-sized airplane carry-on bag. (However, unlike Christopher McCandless, I didn’t burn my remaining money and hitchhike to Alaska to live in the wilderness).
Over the next few years I intend to travel around the rest of the world, living out of this one bag. I created this website to keep track of my progress, and to keep a personal checklist of the gear [...]
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