Planning a trip

Organisations  Websites  Reading

Organisations

British Foreign Office
Travel Advice Unit
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Old Admiralty Building
London SW1A 2PA
Tel: 0870 6060290
Fax: 020 7008 0155
Website: www.fco.gov.uk
E-mail: consular.fco@gtnet.gov.uk (for Travel Advice enquiries only)
This website has a range of information for would-be travellers, from health and safety tips to the jabs you might need. For up-to-date information on problems affecting your safety in around 200 countries, refer to the Travellers’ Advice and Travellers’ Tips section.

World Health Organisation (WHO)
Headquarters
Avenue Appia 20
1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
Tel: (+ 41 22) 791 21 11
Fax: (+ 41 22) 791 3111
Telex: 415 416
Telegraph: UNISANTE GENEVA
E-mail: info@who.int
Website: www.who.int/ith
The World Health Organization is the United Nations specialized agency for health. Its objective is to help the world population attain the highest possible level of health. Their website sets out their policy on essential medicines for travellers.

Websites

Australia: Backpack Outback
http://backpackoutback.com
Forum aimed at backpacking travel in Australia. Includes the do's and don’ts, places to visit, costs and general expenses.

Backpacka
www.bakpaka.com
Travel guides for backpackers all over the world, from India and Nepal to the US.

Backpacker.Net
www.backpacker.net
Useful resource for backpackers travelling anywhere in the world.

Big World Magazine
www.bigworld.com
A magazine for the down-to-earth world explorer and independent traveller. Has information on backpacking Africa and Australia, as well as international maps, safety tips and international weather reports.

Europe: Backpacking on a budget
www.backpackeurope.com
Backpacking and hostelling information, tips and links for student and budget travellers planning a trip to Europe. Bulletin boards, travel tales and transportation.

Foreign Office: Know Before You Go
http://www.fco.gov.uk/
Advice for people thinking of backpacking or travelling, including what to do before you go, the risk of terrorism and what to do if something goes wrong on your trip.

Go Backpacking
www.gobackpacking.com
A backpacking and travel site dedicated to creating a community of international budget travellers. With feature articles, travelogues, message boards, chat room, and mailing list.

Globe Trotters Club
www.globetrotters.co.uk/index.html
Travel club for independent travellers and travel enthusiasts of all ages.

Journey Woman
www.journeywoman.com
An online travel resource specifically aimed at women. Has a range of useful tips and ideas for women planning to travel.

Lonely Planet
www.lonelyplanet.com
Lonely Planet publish a series of books for travellers and the website has a range of destination guides and tips for would-be adventurers.

Rough Guides
www.roughguides.com
The Rough Guide website gives coverage of thousands of travel destinations.

The Travel Guide
http://the-travel-guide.com
Dedicated to the backpacker and independent traveller, the articles give a personal perspective on areas all over the world, including travelogues, trip journals, recommendations and tips, plus a host of links to related travel resources.

Trek Nepal
www.treknepal.org
Site dedicated to anyone who wants to go backpacking in Nepal and the Himalayas.

Women’s Travel Club
http://womenstravelclub.com
Designed by women, for women, this website is a comprehensive resource for women of all ages who would like to travel safely.

World Surface Sustainable Travelling
www.worldsurface.com
Site dedicated to those who want to act responsibly without damaging the environment when they travel.

Reading

Backpacker's Handbook, by Chris Townsend (Tab Books 1996)
This guide offers essential information and advice on all aspects of backpacking and hiking, covering all backpacking styles, from short to long-distance hiking. This edition contains new material on trekking in challenging environments such as deserts and mountains. Buy this book from WH Smith.

First Time Around the World: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go – A Rough Guide Special, by Doug Lansky (Rough Guides, 2003)
A pre-trip guide for travellers planning their first trip around the world. Written by an experienced traveller, it covers everything from budgeting, packing and avoiding scams to staying healthy and working abroad. Buy this book from WH Smith.

The Safe Travel Book, by Peter V. Savage (New Lexington Press, 1993)
This comprehensive guide contains tips to make international travel more secure. Buy this book from WH Smith.

The Ultralight Backpacker: The Complete Guide to Simplicity and Comfort on the Trail, by Ryel Kestenbaum (Tab Books, 2001)
A thorough review of the latest backpacking equipment, so you can travel as lightly as possible. Buy this book from WH Smith.

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