Thinking of going backpacking/hiking

Spend_day · 4 Feb 2008 at 11:11

ive always wanted to go on a backpacking / hiking holiday and been thinking about it for a while and now ive decided to start saving and go sometime next year. im thinking on going somewhere like France or Italy or i might just go crazy and go to New Zealand.
the main problem is i dont really have any1 to go with although i like the sound of it most of my friends aren't sold on the idea, so does any1 know of any group holiday style things were there will be lots of people also has any1 got any tips on where to go what to take etc etc.

colinuk · 4 Feb 2008 at 11:21

saga?

Scam · 4 Feb 2008 at 11:30

NZ is a haven for backpackers, and as such there's a whole heap of different bus/coach companies that allow you to hop on and off at all the sights, catch other buses as they pass etc. and basically plan your own time/route.

Here's two of the well-known ones; http://www.kiwiexperience.com & http://www.magicbus.co.nz

If you're not travelling with anyone then they're well recommended. Downsides seem to be that *some* of them seem geared towards people who just want to get drunk and party all the time, and not bother with seeing the sights. Also sometimes it sounds like you can get pressured into staying at a particular hostel (presumably because they have commission there or something), or doing a certain (expensive) activity because everyone else is. But you dont have to.

If you've got no-one to travel with, i'd do that. Or go inter-railing around Europe down to Italy or something.

neodude · 4 Feb 2008 at 11:51

Scotland! Would be cheaper.

Vasquez · 4 Feb 2008 at 14:21

Spend_day said:
ive always wanted to go on a backpacking / hiking holiday and been thinking about it for a while and now ive decided to start saving and go sometime next year. im thinking on going somewhere like France or Italy or i might just go crazy and go to New Zealand.
the main problem is i dont really have any1 to go with although i like the sound of it most of my friends aren't sold on the idea, so does any1 know of any group holiday style things were there will be lots of people also has any1 got any tips on where to go what to take etc etc.

ocuk backpacking adventure?