A backpacking adventure around Europe is a rite of passage for many Australians, but it also poses some problems, namely, what you should pack in your very limited luggage capacity. If 2017 is the year for your great backpacking trip, don’t let the European summer backpacking season take you by surprise. Instead, get a head start on your adventure planning by figuring out what supplies and essentials you will need for your European adventure.
Early planning will help make sure you have all the essential items you need so when you arrive at your final destination, you can just set out and explore. You won’t have to go out and purchase any essential items.
To help, we have created a list of essential items every traveller will need when embarking on a European backpacking adventure.
Photo credit: Oziel Gómez / pexels.com
The Handy Backpacking Money Belt
A money belt is a small bag that is worn around your waist. It isn’t very spacious, but it has just enough room for you to hold important documents, your passport and extra money.
Wearing a money belt might seem tedious as you are already walking around with a huge backpack that you can use, but it is extremely helpful. The money belt provides you with quick, easy access to your important items, such as money or passport. When you need these items – and you will – you won’t have to spend valuable time digging in your backpack to find them. You can just reach into the money belt and take them out.
A Full First Aid Kit
Don’t try to save money by purchasing a small first aid kit. Go with a full first aid kit that will keep you safe should you encounter any medical emergency.
Make sure your first aid kit has the following items:
- Aspirin
- Bandages
- Wrap bandages
- Antibacterial cream
- Anti-fungal cream
- Scissors
- Allergy medicine
- Small splints
- Padded bandages
A Quality Padlock
Not every place you visit will have a secure location where you can store your backpack. That leaves you with the option of taking your backpack with you or leaving it unattended. If you must leave it unattended, you will want to make sure you secure it and you can do that with a padlock.
Putting a padlock on the zippers and closures of your backpack will keep unwanted individuals from gaining access to your valuables while you are away. One padlock will obviously not be enough, so make sure you bring three or four with you while you are travelling.
The Basic Essentials That Every Backpack Should Contain
There are certain items that can only be described as basic essentials that should be inside every backpack. No experienced traveller would leave home without these items.
The basic essentials that you should make sure your backpack contains before heading out on your adventure include:
- High powered, high-quality flashlight
- Travel sheets for those nights when you stay in a hotel or hostel
- Travel detergent for when you need to wash your clothes
- Camera
- Journal
- Comprehensive list of hostels and other important places
- Travel towel
The backpacking season in Europe does not start until June, but start planning early. If you start planning now and use this list, you will be sure to have everything you need when it comes time for your big adventure.
