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by Craig and Linda

Camino de Santiago Podcast

December 13, 2011 in Spain

Want to walk the Camino de Santiago? We’ve done it once, and are planning to do it again in 2012; so for this podcast we look at planning for this famous hike. Not interested in Spain? The tips within the podcast could apply to any long walk, like Te Araroa which Indie Travel Podcast Community member Gold is doing soon.

To listen to the podcast, hit play — or find episode 220 for free in iTunes:

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What is the Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago de Compostela is an ancient pilgrimage which finishes in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. Translated as the “Way of St James”, the goal is to reach the mythological resting place of this saint at the third-holiest site in Roman Catholocism: the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.

The goal: the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, Spain

People take part in the modern walk for all sorts of reasons; it’s no longer compulsory to be Catholic or a religious seeker to take part in the Camino. However, those who do not declare a spiritual motivation will not receive a certificate of pilgrimage at the end.

The main route taken by today’s pilgrim is the Camino Francés, which crosses the Pyrenees at St Jean Pierre de Port the follows a route east to west, at around 100km inland from the coast. This is the route we took in 2008 — starting at Pamplona and continuing past Santiago de Compostela to Finistere and Muxia on the coast.

In 2012, we plan to take on the Via de la Plata, which starts in Seville and heads north, skirting the border with Portugal before taking a westerly turn towards Santiago. Once again, this is approximately 1,000km from start to finish.

Planning for the Camino de Santiago

So what does it take to plan for a 1,000km walk across Spain? Not that much really…

Books, maps, and route planning

Once again, we plan to use a guidebook produced by the non-profit Confraternity of St James, who have a range of up-to-date guides. We’ll probably have mobile internet access on an iPhone (and local SIM) for mapping assistance as well. The Via de la Plata doesn’t have the range of options available to walkers of the Camino Francés, so we’ll be committed to a reasonably set 15-25km a day between accommodation options.

A stamped pilgrim's passport

One vital part of the scheme is getting a pilgrim passport. The passport is a document that shows you are taking part in the Camino. It’s stamped each day at your accommodation, so you have an amazing keepsake with all the marks of places you’ve visited. You can also find stamps at some churches and monasteries along the way too add more colour to your passport or journal. When you finish the Camino in Santiago de Compostela, your passport is examined before you are issued with a certificate of pilgrimage.

Packing and equipment

So what are we taking? One each of these clothing items (unless marked differently), then the other stuff below shared between us.

Clothes:
  • Good shoes
  • Great socks (2-3 pairs)
  • Zip-off trousers
  • Polyprop or woolen tops and bottoms
  • Hiking t-shirts (2)
  • Fleece jumper for Linda; Mountain Hardwear jacket for Craig
  • Waterproof over-trousers and jacket/shell
  • Undies (3-5)
  • Sports bra and spare bra
  • Hat and scarf
Other things
  • Sports towels
  • Minimal toiletries and first aid kit (including blister plasters and painkillers)
  • Sleeping bag and silk liner
  • Kindle, iPods, chargers
  • Journal and pens
  • Water bottle/camelback
  • Guidebook and pilgrim passport
  • Camera, microphone and laptop (for working!)

The goal is to max out at 10% of body weight or 10kg. With the addition of daily water and food, we want to be at 7kg max for our total pack weight.

Beautiful church architecture along the way

We’re still undecided on what technology we’ll need to take to keep up with things while we walk the Camino. It would be best if we only had to check in a couple of times a week to deal with emergencies and upload some up-to-date photos and video for you to see, so I think we’ll end up taking Linda’s Macbook Air and a spare hard drive or big SD card for photo backups.

And what are we doing to physically prepare for a month of hiking? Not much, to be honest! We’ll be doing some hiking while we’re back in New Zealand, Craig’s doing some Taekwon-do as well. Last time around we found the first three days the hardest, then our bodies fell into the rhythm of walking each day and the right muscles started to develop. With light packs, good shoes and socks, and a bit of naivety, we think we’ll be right.

Have any suggestions?

We’re about three months away from starting our second Camino de Santiago — and I’m sure some readers are planning their trips too! Do you have any suggestions or any questions? Ask in the comments below.

Marker!

Passports with Purpose

In this podcast we also speak with Beth Whitman about Passports with Purpose. This is the travel bloggers’ fundraiser and — this year — is attempting to raise US$80,000 to build two libraries in Zambia. Each $10 donation puts you in the draw to win a prize donated by bloggers and travel companies: from tech to trips!

Head over to Passports with Purpose and donate today.

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by Craig and Linda

117 – Pack light and smell sweet

August 14, 2009 in Packing For Travel

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Packing light is one of those topics we keep coming back to, probably because it’s one of the most important aspects of independent travel. Plus, it’s the number-one complaint that we hear from people: they’ve packed too much and have to carry it. Doing laundry is also important, especially when you’ve packed light and don’t have a lot of clothing options.

What is light?

Keep it to one reasonably small bag, and limit the weight to under 15kg. Your back will thank you and you won’t get hit with excess luggage fees on budget flights. If you can fit all you need in a carry-on bag, that’s even better – but you will have to leave the pocket knife behind.

Packing advice from twitter

@Cruisincal Lay everything on bed. Everything!! Then pack half the clothes and twice the money !!

@Uptake It isn’t packing light but an umbrella is always a great idea.

@Umarket Re: packing tips. Silk longjohns – super thin, light & warm. Buy scarf & warm sweater when you get to cold climate. @Nerdseyeview adds: i pack merino wool long underwear. but yes.

@Mygreenflight First, get the bag or backpack you will be happy to carry a long way – and only take what will fit into that

@Nerdseyeview i’m a pretty light traveler. layers, you know. but i still struggle with shoes. @kag2u tells me flipflops don’t count

@Collazoprojects I’m with @nerdseyeview on shoes: The fewer pairs, the better. Super bulky in any bag; best to buy on location, if need be.

@GuynGirlTravels Wish we could help – Girl is world’s worst packer – brings entire contents of bathroom and closet on vacas!

Basic packing list?

Check out episode 83 for a comprehensive clothing list, and add a first-aid kit, a pocket knife, toiletries, a torch and tech gear as necessary. There are many many packing lists out there, but it’s quite a good idea to make your own and then attack it ruthlessly. You could try limiting yourself to a certain weight – some people weigh each item individually and assess its usefulness versus how heavy it is. Or limit yourself to a certain number of items. Either way, cut down on everything – sort into categories and remove one or more item from each – toiletries, clothes, technology … remember, the less stuff, the better.

Laundry

Hotel laundries generally charge more than budget travellers are willing to pay for, but there are other options. Head to the laundromat or use the hostel laundry for a fun-filled rainy day in.

If you’re travelling alone, you might not be able to make up a full load of washing, or you’ll run out of undies before it’s worth using a machine. So then, hand-washing is the solution. Wash a pair of socks or undies in the shower with you on a daily basis, and wash all other items in the sink. Use a universal plug, a rubber ball, blu-tack or a sock to plug the sink, and wash with your shampoo or soap. You can get specialised hand-washing liquid, but it’s not really worth having another item to carry around.

To dry, hang up your travel clothesline, or bit of string and allow to drip-dry after a bit of wringing out. Don’t put things directly on heaters if you can avoid it because of the risk of them catching on fire. Some hostels have a drying room, so make use of that if available.

Links from Twitter

Sponsor: The Indie Travel Podcast Magazine

Today’s show is sponsored by the Indie Travel Podcast Magazine which is coming out on September 1. We’ve just signed off the proofs and it’s at the printer now. It’s looking hot!

Get your copy by heading to http://indietravelpodcast.com/magazine and paying NZ$40 for a year’s subscription. If you’re not the paper type, you’ll be able to read online but we really recommend you get the full hi-res goodness on paper.

Speaking of hi-res, that’s something people have been asking for: we shoot most of our video in near HD now, but we need to crunch it down for iTunes and to make the podcast easy enough to download. We’re going to set up a premier membership system where you can pay NZ$15 a quarter and get access to a hi-res download of the magazine, hi-res video downloads and ongoing specials with free ebooks and other resources.

All our content remains free in some form or another; we’re just trying to create a place for those that have a great desire for HD goodness.

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Avatar of Craig and Linda

by Craig and Linda

113 – Wanderlust and lipstick: An interview with Beth Whitman

July 17, 2009 in Travel Books

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Beth Whitman is a long-term traveller and now the owner of Wanderlust and Lipstick: her own travel publishing brand and a tour company. We were interested to figure out why a writer who promotes independent travel came to start running tours and also her specialist tips for women travelling solo.

This interview is not just for the ladies — Beth’s tips are have great practical application for single guys and couples too. It’s also motivational, inspiring you to set out on your trip or pursue your goal of funding long-term travel.

Do the research and then allow for a lot of serendipity along the way.

We speak about:

  • Beth, her travels and her publishing company.
  • Myths about women travelling on their own.
  • How to research and be confident.
  • Why packing light and abandoning most electronics is so important.
  • If publishing travel writing can keep you funded for travel.
  • Tours vs solo travel, or tours as a warm-up for independent travel.
  • Tours to Bhutan and India.

Beth Whitman is the author of Wanderlust and Lipstick: for women traveling solo, Wanderlust and Lipstick: for women traveling to India and the publisher of Wanderlust and Lipstick: for women travelling with kids by Michelle Duffy and Leslie Forsberg. Reviews are imminent!

Rough Guides

The Rough Guides competition has drawn to a close. Congrats to our winners Ben, Alan and Mark. All guys! What’s with that?

You can still get 20% off anything in the Rough Guides store using the coupon code “ROUGH”.

Indie Travel Podcast gear

The Indie Travel Podcast Magazine is moving full-speed ahead, so make sure you get your subscription now. We’ve got a very limited initial print run.

We’re also happy that you can pre-order Indie Travel Podcast t-shirts and hoodies which will also be shipped in September. Look at this stylin’ goodness:
ITP t-shirts
Because they’re priced in New Zealand dollars, they’re cheap even after postage is included. They’re properly screen-printed too, so they’re built to last. Order now.

Photographs supplied by Beth Whitman.

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Avatar of Dave Prine

by Dave Prine

Six Ways to Help Make Flying Easier

February 11, 2009 in Flights

Nowadays, flying with any airline is often met with the same enthusiasm reserved for such special occasions as getting a root canal or figuring out your taxes. With fewer flights and more surcharges, it almost seems worth it to stay home, or at least find another method of transportation. But for those of you who can’t avoid the airports, here are a few quick tips to help get you through the often mundane routine of flying.

Check in early

Whenever possible, check in online the previous day, or as soon as the airline will let you. This will usually give you a better selection of seats and will keep you from ending up in a middle seat or at the back. And if you have a connecting flight, make sure you get a seat close to the front of the previous flight, just in case you have a tight connection. If you can’t check in online, try to get to the airport early to check in on the day of your flight.

Pack light

Easier said than done, to be sure. But nowadays, it’s worth it to pack less, and to pack early. Now that airlines are charging $15 or more for the first bag (and even more for the second), it’s best to figure out what you need well in advance. Why? Because the more time you have to think about it, the more likely you’ll realize what items you can exclude.

Get rid of half of it and bring twice as much money as originally planned.

If you can avoid checking in luggage, you can save a pretty penny (euro, pound, peso, etc.). Consider leaving items behind that you can get once you reach your destination (especially toiletries that can’t be put in your carry-on luggage). Or consider shipping items, such as books (media mail is generally cheaper) or light items like clothing. Don’t just focus on your checked baggage. Make sure you’re aware of what’s in your carry-on. And remember the old adage: Lay everything you want to take on your trip out on the floor. Then get rid of half of it and bring twice as much money as originally planned.

Get a sense of security

Most complaints I hear revolve around the horrible security checkpoints. Rude agents, long lines, and a lack of anywhere to sit while you put your shoes on. While most of these complaints are justified, keep in mind that part of the problem lies with the passengers. Make sure well in advance there are no items in your carry-on luggage that are going to set off alarms or cranky agents such as weapons or large quantities of fluids (you will have done this thoroughly since you didn’t pack at the last minute). Stash any sensor-offending metallic items (cell phones, belts, etc.) in your carry-on bag before you get into line. If you have the space, bring along a pair of easy-on, easy-off slippers or sandals, and tuck your shoes in your bag long before you get in line.

Pack a little extra

missed-flight-plane-in-sky-squareDon’t feel like coughing up a bundle for lousy overpriced airplane or airport food? Pack a little something in your bag. A sandwich, bag of chips, pizza (thin crust in foil will slip in and out of any bag easily), anything. I find this critical when I have a connecting flight because it’s not only a longer trip than flying direct, but it also increases the chances of dealing with delays, missed connections, and cancelled flights. Why be cranky on an empty stomach? And pack an EMPTY water bottle so you can fill up at a fountain after the security checkpoint.

And a little more

Bring a book, mp3 player, videogame, laptop, or whatever you use to entertain yourself. And a pair of headphones brought from home will save you the airline headphone fee. If you plan to sleep, consider earplugs, an eye mask, or a soft pillow. Leave the down comforter at home, unless you’re willing to share with the passenger next to you. And even then, be willing to cuddle.

Smile

Above all, walk in with a good attitude. Say hello, be friendly, and be cooperative. Most airline employees and fellow passengers have been on the giving or receiving end of bad treatment more often than they care to admit. Approach an agent in a foul mood, and they’ll be less likely to be helpful, especially when they don’t need to be. I was once relieved of a $100 charge for luggage in London for checking in two bags simply because I smiled at the agent when I approached him.

Say “thank you” and “please” whenever you can.

Don’t complain unless there’s an issue, and say “thank you” and “please” whenever you can (some would argue that’s good advice in general). A little positive behavior can go a long way, and it can work in your favor when you need something. If nothing else, it could be contagious. I can’t think of a better place for that to happen than an airport.

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by Stephanie Lee

Everything a girl needs in a 15kg backpack

February 4, 2009 in Packing For Travel

So girls, you’ve finally decided to get in touch with your inner explorer and travel long-term on your own. You kind of know where you’re going, you’ve paid for your tickets, and you’ve said goodbye to the rat-race. Most of all, you feel childishly excited, brave, and free.

If, like me, you have taken a year off to wander around the world, you have probably thought to yourself, what do I really need to pack for one year? After having been on the road for some time now, I have learnt that one needs to keep baggage weight to an absolute minimum. In my case I have capped mine at 15kg.

Why 15kg? First of all, it’s the magic weight for most low-cost airlines, which you will definitely be taking if you’re traveling in Europe. Anything over and you will have to pay a ridiculous surcharge. Also, your back will thank you (unless you have a nifty convertible roller bag like I do). With all this in mind, I have discovered that everything I need, REALLY need, actually does fit into my small backpack, with room to spare. So I have put together the following list to assist you, the solo female traveler.

Clothes

Keep in mind you need clothes for all seasons. You don’t need any super-thick clothing, only different types of tops for layering, even in a freezing European winter. So, bring your most comfortable tops, and make sure the fabric is thin so they will dry easily and won’t add bulk and weight. Personally the only clothes I brought along are:

  • 4 long-sleeved tops
  • 2 short-sleeved t-shirts
  • 3 tank tops/singlets to wear underneath
  • 1 cotton cardigan
  • 1 hooded sweatshirt
  • 2 pairs of jeans
  • 2 pairs of shorts (one light cotton one, one denim)
    • One needs to keep baggage weight to an absolute minimum
  • 1 pair of sweatpants
  • 5 pairs of socks
  • A week’s worth of undies
  • 3 good bras
  • A small warm jacket (a washable one because it gets really grimy!)
  • A light scarf
  • Thermal top and bottom

Two jandals - what more do you need?The best thing about these items of clothing is that you can wear them in all seasons, hot or cold. Due to them being made out of thin material, they all fold up very flat and don’t take up a lot of space at all.

Shoes

Trust me, you really don’t need that pair of heels. You will end up going to pubs, bars, and clubs that don’t really give a damn about what is on your feet. All you really want in your pack is a pair of sneakers, some flat sandals, and a good pair of boots (which you will probably be wearing so less in your luggage again).

Cosmetics/toiletries

This is going to be a tough one for most girls. Sorry to break it to you, but you will eventually discover that we really can survive on very low maintenance, while still keeping up good hygiene of course! So, this is what I’ve been lugging around with me:

  • Shampoo
  • A bar of soap
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • A good razor (refillable ones, not disposable ones)
  • Deodorant
  • Face moisturizer
  • Lip balm
  • Astringent
  • Acne cream (because skin does suffer while traveling)
  • Cotton pads
  • Tweezers
  • A small pair of scissors
  • Some band-aids
  • Paracetamol
  • Condoms (face it, you will need them at some point during your trip)

Everything is quite light and tiny and should fit in an average toiletry bag. Of course you will notice there is not one ounce of make-up in there. Seriously, you’re traveling, not applying to be in a beauty pageant.

Miscellaneous items

This really depends on you, and what you like to do while visiting a place. For example I liked to spend time drawing, so I carried tools for that. I also allowed myself one luxury item, so my miscellaneous items included:

  • A hairdryer (my luxury item)
  • 2 pencils
  • A small sketchbook
  • A good point-and-shoot digital camera
  • Mobile phone with wi-fi ( I found this extremely useful)
  • A really small bag for going out at night (for purse and mobile phone)
  • A small daypack
  • A Swiss Army knife
  • A mini torch
  • A full ipod
  • Various cables for phone, camera, and ipod, with adaptor
  • A quick-drying towel
  • The smallest fold-up umbrella I could find

packing-backpack-bed-gear-squareAnd believe it or not, all of the above packed perfectly into my excellent Osprey backpack. I forgot to mention souvenirs, but I figure if one is traveling for a year, souvenirs aren’t really on the list of must-haves. If you must buy something, the rule is it must be tiny and light enough to mail home so you don’t have to carry it. So, the last time I checked, after months of traveling, all my stuff still fit into the 15kg category.

Have fun preparing, and last but not least, keep a sharp wit, a cool head, and a thirst for adventure!

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by Craig and Linda

089 – Travel toiletries: slim down in 2009

January 30, 2009 in Travel Gear

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Toiletries are one of the heaviest items you’ll pack, and most of it is dead weight — you’re carrying it, but you’re not using it. Don’t make the mistake of emptying your bathroom cupboard into your toiletry kit!

There are quite a few ways to cut down on your toiletries, but the most important is to be ruthless; don’t carry anything you don’t use regularly. Buy a smaller toiletry bag to help you cut down and if you have a travel companion, don’t double up — have your own toothbrush and disposable razor, but share everything else.

Whatever you do, steer clear of electric items — they’re bulky and you might have trouble finding an outlet. That means no hair straighteners, girls! Another bulky item is your towel — pick up a mini one at a camping store and you’ll suddenly have a lot more space.

In terms of actual items, don’t bother with mini-sized items, but don’t carry more than you’ll use. A mini shampoo is great for a weekend away, but if you’re planning long-term travel, a 200ml 2-in-1 shampoo is a great investment — it’s got enough in it to last a few weeks, but won’t take up too much space. Plus, you can use it for everything — hair, body and clothes. And don’t forget the deodorant — a roll-on one will probably be smaller and last longer than a spray-on. And you won’t smell out the hostel dorm room!

Or just carry a toothbrush and toothpaste and shampoo/soap! You’re backpacking, you don’t need the rest!

Nomadic Matt

Try ‘Camp Suds’ for soap as it works as shampoo, body soap, laundry soap, dish washing soap, etc. Essentially, anything you need to clean can be cleaned with Camp Suds and it’s biodegradeable and it doesn’t dry out the skin or hair.

Genevive

toiletries-bed-square

Toiletry list

So what do you actually pack in that toiletries kit of yours?

  1. Toothbrush
  2. Toothpaste
  3. Dental floss (this is really handy for other uses as well — think minty-fresh string)
  4. Camp Suds (or 2-in-1 shampoo)
  5. Razor
  6. Shaving gel
  7. Comb
  8. Roll-on deodorant
  9. Hair ties (for girls — don’t underestimate the value of a hairtie. Even for guys, a few rubber bands might come in handy)
  10. Girls — enough sanitary equipment for your whole next period (but no more)
  11. Any other essentials (contact lens solution, moisturiser)
  12. One light item of your choosing — luxuries in the bathroom really can make a trip more pleasurable. I have a shower puff that doesn’t weigh much but makes my showers feel much more luxurious.

Lush stores carry solid shampoo which is great for traveling!

roxanew

Forget those lame travel sized hair dryers – they never work and almost all hotels have them anyway

brodiedavid

First Aid

metal-first-aid-kit-squareAnd what about your medical kit? It’s important to have a first-aid kit with you on any sort of travel, but adapt it for the circumstances. A mountain biking expedition in the Andes is going to need different gear than a city-hopping bus trip.

A general list then:

  • Any medicine you personally need — enough for the whole trip if possible. If not, research availability in the places you’re going and take enough for the first month
  • Any medicine necessary for the destination e.g. malaria tablets
  • A few band-aids
  • Antiseptic cream
  • A sewing kit
  • Thick tape (for larger wounds or wrapping Christmas pressies)
  • Hand sanitizing gel
  • A small pack of tissues (to double as toilet paper if necessary)
  • A few cotton pads for wounds These have been (logically) no-no’d in the comments, although we’ve previously carried them.
  • One blister pack of ibuprofen (painkiller with anti-inflammatory properties) — don’t take the extra-strong one with codeine as codeine is illegal in some countries (eg Greece)
  • Four anti-diarrhea tablets
  • One other item — we always have a few strepsils and eyedrops — maybe pack three or four of each of these items if they’re something you use regularly but not often.
  • Condoms

Keep everything under 100 ml where possible so you can take it with you on the plane easily!

samiwasnt

Only pack enough to last you part of the trip. Look forward to having to refill at your destination–Except for those things that you simply cannot live without and will get cranky if you don’t have.

GamerTraveler

Remember, don’t pack anything you can think of, just the essentials — and a small amount of even those items We packed far too much to begin with (including the largest roll of tape known to man) and three years later we’ve still got a lot of it. Your first-aid kit should be the size of a small pencil case. You can buy things on your travels — in fact, having to hunt out an essential item can be an interesting experience.

Listener link

Check out listener site, Trail of Ants.

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Avatar of Matt Kepnes

by Matt Kepnes

Pack light: a six-step program

January 28, 2009 in Packing For Travel

There’s an old adage that when you travel you should pack half as much as you need but take double the money. After traveling around the world twice, I couldn’t agree more with that statement. It’s important to pack light on your trip. Packing light helps you avoid fees on airlines, saves space, makes it easier to get around.

Novice travelers plan for everything. They can’t predict what will happen, so they pack to cover every eventuality; they leave for a two-week holiday with a huge suitcase filled with half their wardrobe. But how much of the stuff in that suitcase actually gets used? Half? Less than half? You’ve seen those people in the airports, weighed down by their belongings — maybe you’ve even been one. If you’ve been in that situation, you’ve probably regretted taking so much with you in the first place. However, the secret to travel is packing light.

When I travel, all my belongings fit into two bags: a tiny daypack and a larger backpack or duffel bag. I have traveled for over a year without ever needing anything more. In fact, I often find I still take too much! When friends come to visit me, I am amazed at how much they packed and they are amazed at how little I packed. They always ask me my secret to packing light.

My secret to packing light

  • First, create of list of everything you think you might need. Write it all down, everything and anything. Clothes, toiletries, electronics, and everything in between. This packing list usually ends up pretty long. But that’s okay, we’ll get it down quickly.
  • Next, look at your list and think about it in relation to your destination. If you are going to the islands, do you really need pants or jeans? If you are going to Paris in the summer, do you really need to pack long-sleeve shirts? You should be able to trim your packing list a bit by eliminating those items that don’t really have anything to do with your destination.
  • Why are you taking so much?

    Now, let’s take a look at your medication list. Why are you taking so much? In this age of worry, people tend to pack every medicine known to man just in case. Let’s be realistic- do you ever use them? Can’t you buy them there? Go minimal. If you do get sick, you can always buy painkillers or diarrhoea medicine there. Take the bare essentials; pack one blister pack of pills rather than the whole box.

  • What about the toiletries you’re taking? Soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, razor, and shaving cream is all you need. If you are staying at a hotel, you don’t even need soap or shampoo since it is provided for you. You’re going on holiday, not to a corporate function so ditch the cosmetics and facial products.
  • Remember, you can buy things at your destination if you need them — so cross things like suntan lotion and bug spray off your list.
  • Now you’re well on the road to packing light; you’ve probably cut out half of the items on your list. The final step is to cut out another half. You are on holiday, relaxing. Stuff doesn’t get as dirty as you think; you can wear the same shorts a few days in a row. Take half as many clothes. Wear some longer, don’t wear any! You never wear everything you take and unless you spill something or sweat through your shirt, you can wear it for more than one day.

That’s it. That is the secret to packing light. Cut, cut, and cut until you get down to the most essential items. If you follow this advice, I guarantee you will pack light on your next trip, and the whole packing process will be much simpler.

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Avatar of Craig and Linda

by Craig and Linda

083 – What clothes to pack

December 13, 2008 in Packing For Travel

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Clothes make up a fair percentage of the things in your backpack. If you take too many clothes, you end up with a heavy bag or no room for other essentials, and if you take too few clothes – well, let’s not go there.

It’s important to consider what clothes you need. You’ll be surprised, you don’t need as much as you might think, and you certainly don’t need to take your whole wardrobe. We took 20-litre daybags for a week in Greece and wondered what other travellers (on the same one-week package) had in their two huge suitcases.

This list should cover you for any eventuality. We’ve been travelling for almost three years carrying basically these items, and we don’t need much else.

What to bring

  • 1. Five pairs of undies (and a couple of bras, girls).
  • 2. Four or five pairs of socks. Good quality ones, you’ll be walking a lot.
  • 3. Sneakers or hiking shoes.
  • 4. Flip-flops.
  • 5. Lightweight nice shoes (optional).
  • 6. Three or four t-shirts.
  • 7. A nicer t-shirt or top.
  • 8. Two pairs of trousers, preferably non-wrinkle, zip-off. Not jeans!
  • 9. Shorts or a skirt for the beach.
  • 10. Thermal underwear if going somewhere cold. Merino wool is good and black is always a good colour — you might be able to use your thermal top as an outer layer.
  • 11. Two thin long-sleeve tops
  • 12. A heavier jumper (but not very heavy or bulky).
  • 13. A rainjacket
  • 14. Hat, gloves and scarf if heading into winter anywhere.
  • 15. A sarong can be handy for girls and guys — as beachwear, for heading to the shower in or as a spare sheet.
  • 16. A sun hat.

Extra tips

  • Think about where you’re going, and when. Investigate temperatures and pack for temperatures more extreme than what you discover.
  • Pack layers. You keep warmer and have more options if you can layer up.
  • Make sure all your items match — choose a colour scheme and stick to it.
  • Add extras as necessary. Buy country-specific clothes in that country.
  • Remember, you don’t need to pack everything in your wardrobe. Pack light and you won’t regret it. You can buy things along the road, in fact you’ll need to because things wear out quite quickly when you wear it every day or two days.
  • Category pack: have a small bag for undies, one for winter gear (that can be pushed to the bottom of your back in summer), one for summer gear and one for work/party stuff. It’ll be easier to find things and the things you’re not using will be out of the way.
  • It’s quite a good idea to take some old stuff with you when you travel. Wear it a couple of times then chuck it and buy something new. You’ll probably want a souvenir of your travels anyway, and clothes can be a great way to do it. Sure it’ll wear out, but it’ll be in all the photos!
  • Don’t take anything that needs ironing! If possible, hand-wash your clothes before you go and see how quickly they dry. If you’re thinking about taking jeans, this experiment should dissuade you.
  • Cotton undies tend to breathe well — get thin ones that pack small.

Gift lists

Christmas is drawing ever closer so let’s have a quick roundup of travel gift guides that have surfaced online.

Passports with Purpose

Passports with Purpose is a fund raiser for Heifer Intl, organised by four travel bloggers from Seattle, USA. Buy a US$10 raffle ticket and enter the prize draw.

Poll of the month

{democracy:10}

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Avatar of Craig Martin

by Craig Martin

Top 10 Indie Travel Favourites

June 25, 2008 in Travel

Raindrops on roses and… No! Enough of that.

With the middle of the year coming up, it’s time to reset all the popularity stats on the Indie Travel Podcast. We do this every six months, just to keep things fresh. So, to keep the record straight, here are the Top 10 Indie Travel Favourites for the first half of 2008.

Hostels and trips

Over the last month we have introduced a variety of affiliate programmes onto the site to help you book hostels, flights and travel packages. Here’s what you’ve been looking at:

1.Hostels, Budget Hotels, B&Bs, Apartments, Campsites – Beds from $4 – Book Now!

Hostelworld.com brings you online bookings at Book Hostels Online Nowthousands of hostels worldwide. Check out our up to the minute hostel reviews, view photographs and read detailed descriptions of all our hostels. Confirmed reservations at a selection of youth hostels, independent hostels and international hostels in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania.

Our thoughts: Hostelworld has a very wide range of hostels available from their booking engine and now you can access them all through the Indie Travel Podcast. We admit that it doesn’t look as good as their site, but it has all the same features and we get a small commission on your booking so it helps us eat.

Editor’s note: check accommodation for up-to-date recommendations.

Lastminute.com

From travelling the globe like a jetsetter, sightseer or seafarer, or if you’d rather career down a mountain-side on skis, a snow board, or in a perspex ball (yes, perspex ball, it’s known as Zorbing) lastminute.com has it all. If you’re after something less energetic, book one of our spa days, sumptuous restaurants, theatre deals or tea (and champagne if you are feeling extra naughty) for two at the Ritz.

Our thoughts: Although we don’t use lastminute very often it’s saved us headaches in the past. It’s our first fallback when hostel-booking sites run out of answers and it’s often great. We have also found some great deals for weekend trips when we were travelling with a bigger group and needed hotel-style accommodation.

Podcasts

3. Vibram Five Fingers Review
Vibram Five Fingers reviewed on Indie Travel Podcast

Craig and Linda talk about their experiences travelling with a pair of Vibram Five Fingers. They’re a type of sole or shoe with a thin, hard rubber sole and wetsuit type material to cover the foot. Craig bought them as flip-flop/jandal replacements a few months ago and we talk about what we find them good for … and not so good for.

Our thoughts: Can nothing topple this post? Since we released it in mid-August 2007 this podcast has been the most linked to, most visited thing we’ve ever done. Not that we’re complaining, since the post is still garnering great comments and generating emails. Craig is still wearing his Vibram fivefingers regularly and enjoying them. He still prefers to walk barefoot when he can though.

4. Start backpacking and pack light with Greg Rodgers

This week we talk to Greg Rodgers of Start Backpacking and Vagabonding Begins, one of BootsnAll’s top travel blogs.

Greg and Craig talk about his discontent with life in a cubicle and how he started dreaming and planning his current “vagabonding” lifestyle: breaking the spending habits and re-aligning your life towards travel. Using first-hand experience they outline several tenets of packing light — Let’s all brush over Greg arriving with a 25kg pack on his first trip!

Our thoughts: Even though the audio quality was far below par, this gem of an interview has become the second most popular post that we have published. We’ll have to talk to Greg again someday and make sure the audio works better.

Books

5. Lonely Planet Europe on a Shoestring

Party in Tallinn or pose in Cannes; hike the Curonian Spit; be seduced by the Aya Sofia in Istanbul or simply learn the art of the Spanish siesta. Your European Adventure starts here with the most detailed guide available, featuring more than 40 countries, 200 maps and insider tips to help you to go further, stay longer and pay less for the ultimate European grand tour.

Our thoughts: The old edition of this book has been a backup bible for us over the last two and a half years of travelling Europe. We mainly use it to get excited about places or to check maps for transport details and feasibility of our plans. You can listen to our full review here.

6. The Packing Book: Secrets of the Carry-on Traveler

From choosing the right kind of luggage and the appropriate travel gear (money belts, ear plugs, etc.) to customizing your wardrobe according to the length and type of your intended travel, Gilford covers all the bases. She provides plenty of checklists so you won’t forget the essentials, gives detailed instructions (complete with illustrations) on just how to pack items such as skirts, jackets, and slacks to minimize wrinkling and maximize space, and offers suggestions on packing for children and teens. Medical needs, entertainment needs–even security tips–are included in this invaluable guide to getting the most out of the least amount of luggage.

Our thoughts: Having spent half an hour with this book in a library one afternoon, we can attest to the amount of detail and good ideas that Judith Gilford packs into this book. At times it seems almost like overkill, but after wearing a pack for a few hours we know how important packing light really is.

Articles

Articles have only been on the site for about six weeks, but here are the preliminary results.

7. The Birth of a Traveler by Dave Prine

When I started college, I shared the same dream as all my friends: to backpack across Europe. It was the thing to do, the initiation into adulthood. Once you did that, you could settle down, get married, own matching furniture, have children, and reflect on your now-complete life. But it didn’t happen that way for me. In a way, I got luckier than those who took the backpacking route.

Our thoughts: A rash of good stumbles brought this article sky-high pageviews about a week after it was first published, shooting it into the top article position. We enjoy the way Dave introduces himself, his travel philosophy, his love of languages. We’re looking forward to a lot more.

8. The Evolution of a Vandweller by Jessica Spaulding

Up to that point I’d lived in my car for three months and had no problems, but it was only for three days a week. The rest of the week I spent at my parents’ house. I could sleep in a bed, shower whenever I wanted, and raid the pantry before taking off again for Los Angeles. What had bothered me most about living that way was not the sleeping in the car, but driving between the two cities.

Our thoughts: A lovely introduction to an unusual lifestyle choice. We love Jessica’s conversational style and other people obviously like to read it too! Living in a van in America seems like a great way to spend a year. Or perhaps more.

Electronics

9. LaCie 160 GB Rugged Hard Drive

If you travel a lot with your data, the Rugged All-Terrain is the drive is for you. Perfect for users who need backup, storage and large-volume exchange for office files, photos, music and even video clips, the Rugged All-Terrain is powered by the FireWire or USB connection, which means that it uses the power of the connected computer to operate and doesn’t require an additional AC adapter or power cord.

Our thoughts: As we said in our review, we’re a big fan of this hard drive. It’s perfect for all our storage and backup needs. And it bounces. The amount of dents in our laptop prove that’s necessary.

10. Hitachi 4gb Digital Microdrive High Speed Memory Card

Small size and enhanced 4GB capacity permits you to carry an entire continent of maps or 1,000 songs in your pocket. Reliable storage for data, photos, music, and videos from digital cameras, PDAs, handheld PCs, MP3 digital audio players, laptops and other portable handheld devices Hitachi’s new 4GB Microdrive is designed to the Compact Flash Type II industry standard and is compatible with a wide variety of devices that accept CF+ Type II media. The 4GB Microdrive is formatted at the factory using the FAT32 file system to remedy the 2GB limitation of the FAT16 file system.

Our thoughts: We are surprised to see more people buying CF cards than SD cards to be honest. We guess they are more often used in DSLR cameras where space isn’t an issue.

That’s it! The Indie Travel Podcast top 10 for the start of 2008. We hope you enjoy the next six months as much as we’ve enjoyed putting together the last lot.

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Avatar of Craig and Linda

by Craig and Linda

060 – Packing a backpack

May 30, 2008 in Packing For Travel

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed


Craig and Linda look into best practises for packing a backpack in this, the 60th Indie Travel Podcast. They look at packing well for space, comfort and health as well as a walk-through as Craig fills his Berghaus pack before finishing with an email from Chris who shares some gear which could soon be in your pack.

We’ve spent the last week with friends in Ventnor, Isle of Wight, England — look out for Monday’s Travel Talk video to find out more about the nearby towns. Internet access is a little difficult to get to, so we apologise in advance for missing release schedules over the coming weeks.

Packing advice

When packing a backpack it’s important to think about weight distribution and the shape of items going in there. Weight should be balanced between the left and right sides and, where possible, be against the back. It’s also good to have weightier items near the bottom of the pack which aids in gaining a good centre of balance. Here’s a list of steps to go through before packing:

  • Lay out everything you want to pack on a floor or bed
  • Are you packing light? What can you remove?
  • What are you going to use daily? Make these easy to access
  • Find regular places for things that need quick access
  • Can you use compression sacks to organise your things?
  • Consider the weight of each item and pack accordingly

We’ve spoken about packing before: see our discussion on taking a pack or suitcase, packing list for walking trips and our short introduction to packing. Subscribe to the Indie Travel Podcast to ensure you don’t miss anything.

Some gear suggestions

We finish with an email from Chris in England who talks about the following products:

      1. Buffs.
      2. A nylon broad rimmed hat.
      3. An LED headtorch (he likes the Petzl Tikka XP).
      4. Smartwool socks.
      5. Icebreaker thermal layers.
      6. A down jacket.
      7. Rohan make great underwear (pants if you are “English”).
      8. An old ipod — they are a great way to copy pictures off your digital camera onto their harddrive as a backup device and viewer (as well as being a music, video, games, audiobooks and podcast player!!). You need a little usb dongle which attaches to it (“ipod camera connector”) which are beginning to become rare. Unfortunately this doesn’t work with the latest ipods but then the older 60gb ipod “video” is perfect and will be cheaper on ebay than the newer ones. I don’t know why apple have stopped letting you do this on newer ipods, very disappointing!

Thanks Chris. If you have something to share, contact us.

Affiliate of the week:

Lastminute.com can find great flight deals, hotels and car hire at the last minute.

The best flights deals all in one place

Poll of the month:

The poll of the month is almost over. Have your say!

{democracy:4}

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