Here are just some of the benefits you can expect to enjoy when you travel.

• It offers endless opportunities for adventure and exploration
• It’s relatively inexpensive, once you have your gear you can go for years travelling nearby or to distant lands!  
• It can transform you both physically and emotionally
• It offers a great escape from the hectic responsibilities of life
• It often produces a wonderful and often unexplainable sense of relief, tranquility, and honour
• It fosters a sense of accomplishment
• It provides you with the opportunity to “stop and smell the roses.” When backpacking you maintain control over how fast you move – which means if you are hiking a particular trail and should come across a flock of birds, moose, macaws, or some other beautiful creature, you can simply stop and marvel at the miracle before you.  
• It teaches you to respect nature and wildlife
• It helps you rediscover your inner self
• Offers solitude
• It is a perfect activity for the entire family and couples, an opportunity to grow closer and build a strong commitment that will last forever
• It gives you back something precious – LIFE!

Advice for staying in Hostels.

• Be prepared to be woken up in the early hours.
• Don’t leave valuables unattended and be prepared to at least have an item of clothing stolen from you before you trip is out.
• Book hostels at least 3 days in advance but there are usually beds free if you turn up a town without booking.
• Try and introduced yourself when you first arrive in your room.  Don’t be rude and at least say ‘hi’.  If the traveller speaks to you in  a different language than you,  talk slowly if they fail to understand you first time around and don’t mention the war.
• Most of all, use your common sense!.