By: Mark

Follow his incredible backpacking adventures & budget travel tips here:

www.myfunkytravel.com

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Vang Vieng, Laos

Photo by Jean-Marie Hullot

If you’ve been backpacking for any length of time, you’ll almost certainly have seen travellers wearing Laos tubing t-shirts and you may have heard the stories. There’s actually quite a lot to see and do in and around Vang Vieng including kayaking, hiking, lagoons and caves but it’s the tubing runs which are the main attraction for most backpackers in lazy chilled out Laos. Tubing along the river and its rapids while taking in the scenery as well as the numerous noisy bars along the route is a hugely enjoyable experience and many backpackers end up staying here much longer than they were expecting.

2. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Photo by mac247ca

Rio is the sort of place which inspires people to leave everything at home behind, grab your backpack and travel. The images people have are of sunny beaches, sexy Brazilians and all night partying and although it has a darker side, Rio rarely disappoints. The city is huge and extremely vibrant all year round but best during the Southern Hemisphere summer. Visit during the world famous Rio Carnival for one of the times of your life.

3. Temples of Angkor Wat, Cambodia

The temples of Angkor Wat near the buzzing little town of Siem Reap finally seem to be getting the recognition they deserve as one of the true wonders of the world. Visitor numbers are increasing and although it’s easily the most touristy place in the backpacker heaven of Cambodia, the site still lacks the gimmicky tourist attractions that ruin similar ancient sites around the world. They are spread over such a vast area of jungle that they’re rarely crowded and in parts it truly feels like stepping back in time to the days of the once great Khmer Empire.

4. Barcelona, Spain

Photo By jackie weisberg

There are many great cities in Europe each with their own flavour but there is something special about Barcelona. There are endless ways to entertain yourself including watching street performers on La Rambla, eating tapas, checking out the stunning architecture and dancing to sunrise in the ultra late starting and finishing clubs. When you’ve done all that make sure to find time to watch Leo Messi and co play for what is possibly the greatest football side of all time at the Nou Camp.

5. Ovalau, Fiji

Quiet island paradise, quite literally a world away from the hustle and bustle of Western civilisation. When you’re not simply chilling out which is the Fijian way, you can visit local villages, go scuba diving in the waters which are brimming with sealife including many types of sharks or head out and visit some of the smaller islands nearby.

6. Lake Malawi, Malawi

Photo By John & Tina Reid

Lake Malawi is a beautiful giant lake almost as long the country itself. Travellers come for its chilled out vibe, friendly people and to swim and snorkel in the calm clear waters. Malawi is a relatively safe and very cheap place to get a real African experience. Hop on a boat across the lake to visit Malawi’s much larger but equally beautiful neighbours of Tanzania and Mozambique.

7. Krakow, Poland

Photo byKrakow_gi_theWhite

While the wealth gap between East and Western Europe is decreasing, the East is still very much cheaper and more backpacker friendly with plenty of fascinating cities to visit. Krakow was once dubbed the new Prague by many in the travel industry which may seem a little strange for a city 1000 years old but the city is a fitting rival for the more popular Czech capital. Krakow has a giant castle, ancient cathedrals and vibrant squares. Visit the Jewish quarter and the communist neighbourhood of Nowa Huta for a taste of 20th Century Poland while the chilling Auschwitz Concentration Camp is only a short train ride away. It’s not all history though and modern shopping malls and mega discos show off a country which is very much alive and kicking in the 21st Century.

8. Koh Phangan, Thailand

Photo by flickr: By babeltravel

The original backpackers island paradise. The beautiful beaches and lack of commercialised developments have attracted young backpackers for many decades now. The full moon parties and heavy drug scene of the 80’s and 90’s may be a bit more timid in recent years thanks to a police crackdown and it not being the unknown paradise it once was. The full moon parties are still a fabulous experience and remain high on the to-do lists of many backpackers.

9. Antigua, Guatemala

Photo by Stuck in Customs

As recently as five years ago backpackers simply didn’t go to Iceland. Isolated and very expensive, only those with a budget much greater than your average backpacker ventured into the Arctic Circle. The global economic crisis and the almost bankruptcy of the country did bring some good news however, Iceland is now cheap! The unique geology of the island means natural wonders are limitless with no fewer than 130 volcanic mountains. Reykjavik the islands groovy capital is a fabulous place and is notable for its interesting alternative music scene.

10. Reykjavik, Iceland

As recently as five years ago backpackers simply didn’t go to Iceland. Isolated and very expensive, only those with a budget much greater than your average backpacker ventured into the Arctic Circle. The global economic crisis and the almost bankruptcy of the country did bring some good news however, Iceland is now cheap! The unique geology of the island means natural wonders are limitless with no fewer than 130 volcanic mountains. Reykjavik the islands groovy capital is a fabulous place and is notable for its interesting alternative music scene.