Backpacking is becoming ever more popular, and the number of backpackers has gone up hugely, especially over the last two years. This is because of money. People are much less inclined now to spend money on a package tour, as these tend to be fairly costly, even if you get a good deal. However, backpacking is getting cheaper and cheaper, and with travel of all sorts available from a pound, you can't complain about it. If you want a bit of variety in your holiday, then backpacking is a great opportunity to get that. Whether you want to backpack in France, Germany, America or China, there is a very wide range of activities and frivolities to take up your time. Each country has its own things to offer, and each region within the country has its own things to offer. If you are backpacking then you are given the freedom and the flexibility to go and do what you want, when you want. You can literally get on a bus whenever you want and go and do exactly what you want to do. You don't need to worry about other people's timings; you just do what you want.



The independence afforded to you by organising your own holiday to your own wants is incredible. It is very satisfying to come away from a holiday knowing that you organised it completely, and to get back to the UK feeling you have achieved something. Whether you are going alone or taking friends, the fact that you are independent means that you can exactly what you want. If you get bored of one place then you can move somewhere else, and if you don't fancy staying in a tent for one night, then as long as you have enough money you can book a night in a hotel. It is this sort of flexibility that makes backpacking so desirable. As long as you don't mind ?roughing it? a bit, then backpacking is a great option for a summer holiday. On the whole the weather is good, which means that you can enjoy getting a tan wherever you may be, and you can also enjoy whatever activities you decide to do at that time.

Things do, however, occasionally go wrong. For these situations, whether you have lost your possessions or injured yourself, you should have travel insurance. It gives you piece of mind and allows you to free your mind of the worries of the ?what-ifs?. If you lose your possessions, the insurance company will pay for new ones, and if you injure yourself, the company will pay for treatment, and sometimes flights home. Travel insurance is an absolute necessity, as it takes the pressure off you somewhat, meaning that you are free to enjoy your holiday.