Volunteer Abroad: Gecko’s provides authentic travel experiences around the world – with local guides, small groups and a focus on responsible travel.

Check out our Gecko’s online, or join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook.

We know that when you’re travelling, there’s nothing more rewarding than giving something back to the local community.

This is especially the case when you get off the beaten track and visit some of the smaller villages, where people welcome you with open arms.

On Gecko’s 15-day East Africa Safari trip, you’ll get the chance to spend two nights camping at the East Africa Mission Orphanage (EAMO) in Kenya.

It is owned and run by an Australian couple, Ralph and May Spinks, who arrived at Nairobi airport in 1997 with their two children, a couple of suitcases and a dream of making a difference.

After acquiring 50 acres of land near Nakuru, Ralph and May built the orphanage up from scratch.

From its humble beginnings, EAMO now cares for over 200 orphaned, abandoned or poverty stricken children and babies. Every child is provided with food, clothing, medical services, education and a loving family.

Ralph and May have built a primary school, nursery, church and football field on site. There’s also a huge vegetable garden that provides much of the children’s healthy diet, two hothouses for growing tomatoes and acres of rolling wheat fields.

A visit to EAMO is a lively and joyous experience, but one that is also tinged with heartbreak. Children arrive here diseased, malnourished and uneducated. But EAMO is a place of hope, a place that works at re-building a child from the inside out. Thanks to the education they receive, many of these children aspire to become doctors and scientists, and will happily tell you about it as they show you around their home.

On your two night stay with Gecko’s, there will be plenty of time to get to know the children and to answer their many (many!) questions. They are curious and inquisitive, and will ask you everything from the name of your pet to your thoughts on President Obama.

You can take a tour of the grounds; see the boys’ and girls’ dormitories; the toddler’s rooms, the chicken coops, the communal food halls and the classrooms. You’ll also get to read them stories, share a meal together and take part in a soccer match….just don’t expect to win.

The sense of community at EAMO is very strong. You’ll see it in the gentle, caring way the older children look after those younger than them, the way everyone refers to Ralph and May as “mum and dad” and the children’s pride in their home.

As you can imagine, it takes a lot of hard work to keep the orphanage running. EAMO relies on the help of international sponsors and donations to help feed, clothe, educate and house these beautiful children. With your help, each child is given the chance at a healthy and happy life.

Visit the website to see how you can help, whether it’s sponsoring one of the tiny babies or assisting with medical and dental care. Every little bit helps.

Gecko’s is a proud supporter of EAMO. See all our Kenyan trips here, and discover how you can meet these children and make a difference in their lives.

We loved this article on DIWYY: Take a Swing at Something Different This Travel Season. This article inspired us to venture even more off the beaten path.

We know that being a DIWYY reader, you’re already thinking about travel ideas as a big step towards more adventurous trips. We all love sitting on the beach like a whale and watch the local talent skim past us but what if you actually want to swim like a fish or tap into your inner tennis pro talents?  The things that makes us hold our breath on booking such a trip is really the price factor, searching for the best deal and coaxing friends to join you. It’s absolutely exhausting!

So you’re now stuck with a great trip idea, friends who will travel with you if you do the donkey work, the mass emails on ‘how does this price sound?’ ‘do these dates work for everyone?’ The ordeal is just as draining in planning the trip so by the time it’s completed – you really do need a break.

There are also loads of planning & recommendation site but the main problem always comes back to getting the lowest price. So here comes myTab.co to save the day! They’re making it really easy to help you not only plan this grandeur expedition but also manage your travel booking budget. If you have a birthday coming up, instead of friends buying you oversized candles from Pottery Barn or a rainbow skirt from Miss Sixty, you can just ask them to ‘put it on myTab’ so they gift you the cash towards your trip. The best part is that these friends can post a message on your Facebook Wall through myTab’s integration tool. Now all your friends see that you really want travel cash so everyone chips in. Hey, it’s their guilt free bail out of giving you cash, knowing it’s going towards your vacation.  Then you can plan the trip with your traveling buddies by adding them to the trip details on myTab and everyone can save more travel cash separately. No one needs to be team organizing leader i.e. you (!) and everyone is in the loop regularly on the trip planning. Also check out Tripping.com – a great way to find out what locals recommend for your inspired destination and maybe meet up with them.

Ready to take the plunge and book that trip? myTab has two options: book like usual on their website or use their fantastic feature called ‘Match myCash.’ It sounds like a game show, yes? Well they called it this name because everyone’s a winner!  myTab.co matches your trip destination & date to the amount of gifted/saved cash so you barely lift a finger when you’re ready to book. It’s just a matter of clicking ‘yes’ and you’re set. The gifted & saved cash is redeemed towards your trip & if you’re short of cash when you’re paying, you can just pay the difference the second you book. Cool, huh? Even cooler is that when you’ve booked through Match myCash, the traveling pals can get a notification of the flight/hotel you booked so they can now book the same. Imagine now planning a trip without mass email threads, the pain of searching, the stress in forking out cash & trying to get it back from your friends. You can also post a message on your Facebook wall thanking everyone who chipped in towards your travel funds. They deserve a pat on the back…and a postcard?

myTab.co is a great site for being proactive in surprising friends by gifting them cash for their birthday, promotion, graduation etc or asking for cash: your volunteer abroad trip, a wedding honeymoon registry, student travels.

So the next time someone asks you to Put it on Their Tab or you want to have friends Put it on myTab for your own trip, think about what you really want to do with this travel cash.  Sit on the beach and watch the cocktails whizz by, or try something new like a Morocco trip, Sex In The City style?  How about Mardi Gras in Rio or the Tomato Throwing Contest in Italy? OktoberFest in Germany or Wimbledon 2012.

The world’s getting smaller but with myTab, your bank balance doesn’t have to! myTab is featured on DIWYY’s Resource Guide.

Gecko’s provides authentic travel experiences around the world – with local guides, small groups and a focus on responsible travel.

Check out our trips online, or join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook.

You’ve seen the brochures, you’ve watched the travel specials, you’ve barely contained your jealousy as friends and family members have come home bursting with stories about their time in Peru.

Now it’s your turn.

Here are the top five things to see, do and eat in Peru:

Machu Picchu

It’s hard to put this one in words, so we’ll keep it simple: no trip to Peru is complete without feasting your eyes upon this magical, mystical, jaw-droppingly incredible lost city of the Incas.

This ancient city sits 7,000 feet above sea level, nestled between the Andean Mountains and overlooking the Urabamba Valley.

With its unbeatable combination of dramatic ruins and soaring mountains you’ll spend the next few days scratching your head and wondering if what you’ve seen could possibly be real. But it is. And now you can tick it off your bucket list.

Cusco

If you need a few days to kick back and let your Machu Picchu experience sink in, Cusco is the place to do it.

It’s the heart of the Incan empire, and thanks to a 3400 metre altitude it will literally take your breath away.

There are loads of tourists, but everyone is here for the same reason. So you’re more likely to find yourself sharing a beer with someone rather than jostling with them for the best photo vantage point.

Nearby Pisac has a lively market, and it’s the perfect place to pick up all your Peruvian souvenirs, like alpaca goodies and colourful woven blankets.

Spend your days getting lost among the cobblestone streets, then come up for air in one of Cusco’s many lively bars or pubs.

You’ll see heaps of Incan ruins and some gorgeous Spanish colonial mansions. Do yourself a favour up and hike up to Sacsayhuamán (misleadingly pronounced ‘sexy woman’) so at the very least you’ll feel you’ve earned that Pisco Sour.

Eat and drink

Forget everything you knew about your pet guinea pig. These delectable little critters have been baked, fried, barbecued and devoured in the Andes for centuries. And I can pretty much guarantee you’ll be hooked after your first bite.

Named after the little squeaking noise it makes (prior to cooking!), cuy has a gamey flavour, sort of like quail or rabbit, and tastes best when ordered in the highlands where it’s fresh.

Be aware that most cuy is served with the head, feet, and teeth still attached. But if it’s good enough for Incan royalty, it’s good enough for us!

If something is billed as being “fresh, natural, low fat, low carb and gluten free” I’ll generally steer clear. I like my food to be full fat with all the trimmings, thanks. But ceviche is the exception to the rule. Commonly known as the “national dish of Peru” it’s basically chunks of raw fish marinated in lime or lemon juice. Depending which region you’re in, it’s served with things like red onion, salt and pepper, sweet potato, toasted corn, garlic, popular Andean chilli rocoto or yuyo (seaweed). Drooling yet?

When the sun goes down, the Pisco Sours are bound to come out. In fact, they’re still rather good while the sun is up! Pisco is a clear grape brandy produced in Peru since the 1520s. Mixed with lemon or lime juice, sugar and some beaten egg whites, the Pisco Sour is a sweet, tart and deceptively potent little cocktail.

And if you’re feeling the effects the morning after, ask for a shot of Leche de Tigre with your breakfast. It’s a dash of Pisco mixed with the marinade from ceviche, and is said to be a great hangover cure…as well as an aphrodisiac. You’ve been warned.

Homestay on Lake Titicaca

You’ll see them before you’ve even set foot on the islands – dozens of smiling women waving their colourful woven shawls, waiting to greet you on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

As soon as you’re off the boat, you’ll be ushered into your host home and made to feel welcome. Before long you’ll be sipping Munay tea and munching on a hearty meal with your host family, each of you yammering away in a different language but still somehow managing to communicate.

The impact of tourism on the islands surrounding the lake is carefully controlled and there are no hotels, hence why all visitors are required to stay with a family.

Ever played soccer at 11,500 feet? These guys have, and they’re not ashamed to run you ragged until sunset. Then they’ll dress you up in the traditional garb and take you off to the local disco, where you’ll be dragged onto the dance floor as pan flutes, drums, and guitars keep a rollicking rhythm.

It’s a good idea to take a gift for your host family, usually books or soccer balls for the kids and some essentials such as flour or sugar for the kitchen. And don’t even try to get away without purchasing some of the local handicrafts. After all, a poncho bought is a poncho gained.

Surfing Mancora

You can’t talk about surfing Peru without making mention of Mancora, the largest left-hand point break in the world. Situated on the northern coast of Peru, it’s renowned for having blue skies and incredible surf all year round.

It has a wider variety of waves than the Central Peru or Lima area, so it’s ideal for beginners. And thanks to the influence of the Panama current the water is really warm, so for most of the year you won’t even need your wetsuit.

When you’re done catching waves, kick back with a beer and some fresh ceviche from one of the many kiosks and bars that dot the main street, and let Mancora’s relaxed vibe do the rest.

Trip Review: EF College Break’s European Panorama

Tour Operator: EF College Break (EFCB)

Starting/Ending Point: This tour up and down Europe starts in Dublin, Ireland. EFCB will arrange a flight departing from your city of choice (included in the price of the tour). Your guide will meet you at the airport, so no need to worry about finding the hotel or flagging down a cab on your own just yet. It ends in Barcelona, Spain where once again, EFCB will arrange your flight home. However, it is possible to start earlier or end later for an additional small fee.

Number of Days: 25 with various starting points throughout the summer

When I Went: July 2010

Highlights of the Trip: EF College Break has numerous tours through several different countries and continents but this was the one that caught my eye. The adventure begins in Dublin then continues to North Wales, London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Lucerne, Florence, the French Riviera and finally Barcelona. For the most part, you will take buses between cities, with the exception being Dublin to Wales and London to Amsterdam, where you will take a ferry.

I must say, you really do get a lot of bang for your buck. The price you pay includes round trip airfare, hotels (most of which had incredible location), travel between cities, breakfast every morning, a few dinners, a tour guide and entrance to all the attractions you visit with the group. If you have the curiosity and money available to do so, make sure you check out the extra optional excursions. For every one available, you will get transportation to and from your destination as well as a knowledgeable guide. There were several planned for this tour in particular and I did my best to make sure I was a part of them. My favorite overall was the trip to Bath and Stonehenge, although I’m still not sure I understand the first thing about how those rocks got there.

When first researching this tour, I was a little off-put by the fact that we didn’t have many free days. It seemed there was always something planned or something we had to do. It’s important to understand that you don’t have to do anything, the tours and excursions are simply suggestions. I strongly urge anyone who goes on a tour, regardless of company, to participate in everything made available. Your guides provide insight and history you would have never known about otherwise and they will always suggest things to do in your down time. I never felt that I was doing something against my will while on this tour and in most cases, stayed with the majority of our group when we had time on our own.

EFCB is great because they take you into the heart of every city you visit. You will see all the main tourist attractions but you will also get to experience the off beaten track with the help of your guide. In Dublin, we got to explore the famous Temple Bar area, Trinity College and the Guinness factory. But we also took a quiet trip to the countryside for a picnic, a visit to the most breathtaking gardens I’ve strolled through and a watchtower that was older than I could comprehend.

The highlight of this trip was London. Since my tour was at capacity (50 people and a full bus every time) it took a while for us all to learn each other’s names and get comfortable with one another. In London, we were becoming more adjusted to the time difference, the lifestyle we would live for the next few weeks and the concept of sharing living quarters with complete strangers. On our first full day, a small group of friends took the hop-on, hop-off bus around the city to explore, in person, what we had only seen on postcards or through a movie screen before then. We stopped for a picnic of fish and chips right outside the Tower of London and for the first time felt like this really would be the trip of a lifetime.

Overall, this tour did not disappoint. Every city was full of discovery and left me wanting a little more. I was sad to leave but so excited to go on to the next destination, where I fell in love all over again. I think these tours are ideal for first time travelers or those who are not sure what to expect from Europe. You will get a small taste of different cities and cultures so you know where you might want to return and where to avoid for future purposes.

Don’t Forget to Bring:

-Your manners! It’s very important to behave well on these trips. While not trying to sound like your nagging mother, I must insist. During our time in Amsterdam, we had to stay in a hotel well outside the center of the city. While still close, we had a considerable ride time into the city and had to take a bus to and from the bar crawl our guide organized. We were inconvenienced because someone on the tour before us got a little out of hand and EFCB lost the contract with that specific hotel. Keep those going on tours after you in mind! Be considerate of other paying participants and always be responsible.

-As little as you can. You are going to be hauling your luggage between cities. You might get lucky enough to have a bus driver that will load your suitcase for you, but for the most part you are responsible for carrying your bags wherever you go. It’s also important to pack light since you’re taking buses between cities. You might think it’s okay to pack just one extra bag, but 50 other people on your tour might have the same idea. A bus can get awfully crowded when the aisles are full of luggage (which we experienced first hand on more than one occasion).

-Spacebags. Ever since a friend suggested using spacebags, I have found them to be an absolute godsend. I bought spacebags from a local convenient store for less than ten dollars. No need to buy the extravagant vacuum machine. There are several brands available where all you need to do is roll and push the air out. I’ll never travel without them again!

-A journal. If not a journal, something to write on. I definitely do not suggest bringing a laptop on tours like these. They’re inconvenient and an overall hassle to travel with. Most of the hotels we stayed at provided computers in the lobby we could use for a very small fee, so communication home was still easily available. But I always recommend bringing a small pad of paper and a pen so you can jot down things you notice, people you meet, or memories you don’t want to forget.

-Entertainment. A book, iPod, Kindle, something! You will have long bus rides, so it’s important to keep yourself entertained. This is a great time to catch up on sleep but you will want to bring something to aid the inevitable boredom between destinations.

-Tissues. Primarily advice for young women traveling on tours such as these. You are thrust into uncomfortable situations with strangers, so in some ways you are forced to become fast friends with fellow participants. I was lucky enough to meet some wonderful young women who became my good friends. We still keep in close contact and do our best to see each other when possible. When leaving, despite how long you traveled together, I’m sure a few tears will be shed.

Written by Jena Sprau. Visit her blog, Where are you going?

That was it!  I was ready to leave behind the everyday stresses of my life and the added responsibilities of graduate school and go somewhere fabulous.  My friend had mentioned a getaway in Costa Rica called Pura Vida Adventures.  With little to no information beyond that, I enthusiastically let her know I was in!  Without delay, I filled out the obligatory paperwork, wrote a check, and started counting down the days.  We recruited one more friend and two months later we were on a plane headed to surf and yoga heaven.

Let me start out by saying it was a fantastic time.  Days consisted of morning yoga, breakfast, surf, down time, lunch, more surf, grub, chillin, and finally, sleep!  I’d like to say I partied the nights away but after a full day of activities my pillow was the only thing I wanted at the end of the night.  With all the exercise and sun, even the fittest among us couldn’t outrun the exhaustion.  There were other perks and activities beyond the aforementioned activities, like beachside massages (the kind you see in movies and think, “how can I get that?”), a couple nights on the town – err, I mean the village – and fun, interesting encounters with locals.

This particular retreat was for girls only.  Pura Vida Adventures also hosts co-ed retreats but my girlfriends and I were quick to decide that braving the courageous waves of Costa Rica required an all girl audience.  Two of us were amateurs while the third musketeer was already a legitimate surfer. The decision paid off well for my fellow amateur companion who arose from the surf one day with no bottoms.  Apparently the surf stripped them right off as the ocean’s spin cycle took hold of her; definitely an experience less humiliating in front of the same sex.  All in all, it made for a good laugh.

The daily activities and the retreat’s location were plenty impressive, but it was the people that made the experience most indelible.  I am an avid traveler and always find that the people I come across on my ventures impact my life, outlook, and perspective in a powerful and positive way.  The women at the retreat fit that bill.  Our group was small and intimate, less than 20 people in total.  As we got to know each other and shared bits about ourselves, I couldn’t help but be inspired by stories I heard.  A surf instructor with a beautiful talent for singing and playing the guitar charmed us with her alluring lifestyle. While pursuing her passion and dream of making it in the music world she spent her days surfing the stunning beaches of Costa Rica, practicing yoga, playing guitar, and enjoying fresh and local cuisines.  Who wouldn’t want that lifestyle, at least for a little while?  Staying in a villa down the way from us was a Southern California girl, fit and lean, navigating her way back from a broken heart.  How did she spend her time back at home?  She was an Iron Man competitor.  She swam over two miles, biked 100+ miles and ran a marathon all in one day!  I may do all that in one lifetime.  Another stand-out girl who won the hearts of the hopeful surfers was my very own friend and travel companion, Emily.  She relentlessly braved the ocean and victoriously rode the biggest waves of her life.  It was beautiful!

Soon the week ended and I was back to my everyday life.  The travel bug inside me had got her fix and I came back a little tanner, slightly fitter, and with less stress knots in my back.  It was back to the real world and even though that meant facing the stresses I left behind, I was ready.  After all, if my friend could train and compete in an Iron Man, I could certainly find my way to the gym, stop procrastinating on a project, and quit complaining about school!

Michelle Murray is the Director of Marketing and Sales for the US division of a global travel company catering to the youth market.  She has traveled to six continents, spent months backpacking the South Pacific, worked in Cancun, Mexico and continues to travel internationally every year.  Michelle received her MBA from Pepperdine University and currently resides in Huntington Beach, California.

Planning a RTW adventure can be quite a lot of work. Nowadays, travel agencies such as STA travel surely take a burden off your back by making flight booking a lot easier. However, when you’re counting down the minutes to boarding that plane, packing your bags comes down to you.

More often than not, travelers overpack and then find themselves lugging around all that gear for several months. But really, that shouldn’t bet he case. To help you get started on that impossible packing initiative, here are 10 items you can most definitely leave at home:

1. A passport that will either expire during your trip and/or that contains entry stamps that will cause you problems at borders.

Passport validity requirements will vary from country to country. Generally speaking, however, your passport should be valid for at least six months from the day you enter the country. But be sure to check on the immigration laws of the individual countries in question.

And do so early in the process. Getting a new passport can take a while, and you don’t want to be getting nervous in the last minute. Also, while it is possible to get a passport delivered express, this will cost you more. If you plan ahead, there is no need for you to be spending those extra fees.

As for the entry stamps, this will depend on which countries you are visiting and what nationality you are. I have even heard of travelers who carry two passports, one with stamps from one certain country, -usually Israel or similar, – and another that doesn’t. Just to avoid problems at the borders. Again, inquire beforehand to avoid issues later on.

2. A cellphone that will not work abroad.

Carrying around extra gadgets is just going to weigh you down, in addition to making you more of a target for thieves. By checking beforehand if your phone from home will work abroad, you can avoid a lot of hassles. Generally speaking, the phone needs to be a tri-band to work all over the world, or you will need to get one that is unlocked for each of the specific countries you will be visiting. You can also buy a sim card and/or phone abroad.

However, just as you can avoid passport problems by planning ahead, you can make your life easier by taking care of phones and sim cards before you go. Companies such as Cellular Abroad offer SIM cards and phones (rental or purchase) that are like the ones that one could get overseas. However, you have the convenience that you know the number before you leave and you have service as soon as you land. Add to that English instructions and support, as well as international calling rates that are better than what you can find locally.

For example, with an Ortel sim for Germany, you can call to the US for 500 minutes, all for 5 Euros. For 10 Euros, you can have 3000 minutes within Germany and for 8 Euros, unlimited data. Try that with T-mobile, O2 or EPlus, the usual operators in Germany, and you won’t even get close. The Ortel sims are hard to find in Germany; usually you have to go to an ethnic neighborhood, which is not a tourist destination. By getting all of this taken care of beforehand, you’ll avoid hassles AND expenses later on.

3. Family jewels or other valuable jewelry, watches etc.

Going on a RTW trip usually means traveling on a low budget, staying at hostels, etc. It frequently also means visiting poorer countries. Carrying valuables is going to make you a target for thieves. You’ll have to be much more careful of where you go, with whom and what you do there.

The simplest way of avoiding problems and unnecessary worrying is to leave all your valuables at home. Family jewels will be safe in storage with your parents, friends or other relatives (just make sure they are people you can trust). If you really want to wear jewelry or a watch abroad, check out some of the local and artisanal shops. You may find a souvenir that is just as pretty as your bracelet back home, and that will later on serve as a memory of where you went.

4. Outdated guidebook that your parents used on their RTW trip years ago.

Whether or not you want to carry a guidebook when you go abroad is up to you. Some people prefer to go with local recommendations, while other travelers like having their Lonely Planet to rely on.

If you do decide to take a guidebook, just make sure it is up to date. There is nothing worse than carrying your parents’ copy from years back and turning up at a hostel or tour operador only to find out that it closed twenty years back. Sure, this will give you an insight into the changing landscape of the place you’re in, but most likely, it will aggravate you in that particular moment as you have to find another place to stay. If you don’t want to pay for a paper version, at least check online for updated information of the places you will be visiting. Be aware, however, that even websites might be outdated, so calling or asking a local can sometimes be beneficial and even necessary.

5. Two of everything.

In general, I would advise travelers to pack light, no matter where they are going. If it’s a RTW trip, there’s all the more reason to. There is really no need for two towels, two big bulky sweaters, and two rain jackets. Reduce everything to the minimum. You won’t regret it.

If you really need an extra of something along the way, chances are that you can buy it in-country. You may even find a Peruvian sweater that you like much more than that University Logo one you would have brought from back home. One strategy is to lay everything out on the floor before putting it in your bag. This way, you will see any duplicates much faster.

6. Electrical devices that will blow out the fuses abroad.

Just as a locked phone is useless abroad, so is an electrical device that will blow out the fuses. In fact, if the latter happens at a hostel, you might even blow out the electricity for the people around you, which will not only make you very unpopular, but could also get you into trouble with the owners.

By checking the electricity voltages beforehand, you can avoid having issues. Usually, this will apply especially to hairdryers and hair straighteners. In fact, when you’re packing, you can ask yourself whether you need these items in the first place. Are you going abroad to win a beauty contest or to travel?

7. Medical supplies against absolutely everything.

Having a standard first-aid kit is certainly advantageous. However, some travelers go overboard with this and pack absolutely every medical supply they could possibly need. Antihistamines, anti-diarrhea pills, malaria medication, you name it. Yes, they will be useful (and necessary) if you are actually heading to an area where you could be exposed to malaria. But if that isn’t the case, you really don’t need them.

Check with a doctor or tropical institute to find out which vaccines you should get beforehand, and which supplies you might actually need abroad. Also, evaluate where you are going. If it’s primarily big cities and/or tourist spots, chances are you can buy what you might need when you’re abroad. One thing you should, however, take care of before hand is travel insurance.

8. A laptop that weighs more than your backpack.

Nowadays, people take their gadgets everywhere. The world is so hyper-connected that it’s hard to imagine a day without email, phone, electricity. But especially when you’re planning a RTW adventure, think about your goals are abroad. Do you really want to be spending a lot of time in front of the computer?

Unless you plan on working abroad, you might consider leaving your laptop at home. Your backpack will weigh less, you will be less of a target for thieves and you can disconnect. Enjoy the time with locals and landscapes instead. Later on, you can check your email if you really need to. Internet cafés are more and more widespread and won’t have you worrying about where you can lock up your electronic gear.

9. A suitcase.

Again, the type of luggage you take will depend on the kind of trip you are taking. Generally speaking, RTW trips are better catered to by a backpack. When you’re crossing those gravel roads, you can just strap it on and don’t need to worry about rolling a suitcase across the stones. Similarly, you can use it for hiking and add things as you go along. A yoga mat on the bottom, a sleeping bag at the top, and a tent strapped to the front. The options are endless, and with a suitcase, you might be a bit more limited. (Apart from the fact that people will look at you with a weird expression if you show up at a low-budget hostel with an elegant suitcase).

10.  More than two books.

Yes, reading material is essential when you travel. But carrying more than two books, especially hardbacks, will just weigh you down. Take enough to last you on those first couple of flights, and leave the rest at home. You can always buy books abroad and may even get editions that you can’t get back home. Also, you can see it as an opportunity to learn a foreign language and find out more about the culture.

Last but not least, hostels will almost always have a book exchange and if not, you can surely talk to other travelers about what they’ve been reading and whether they’d like to exchange. In fact, this is something that goes for RTW traveling in general: exchanging with other travelers. Not only tips about where to go, but actual items. If you just went camping and know that you won’t be going again, why not give away, sell or exchange your tent with another traveler? You’ll be sure to make friends and enrich your overall trip.

Written by DIWYY guest writer, Isabel Eva Bohrer, who is currently livin’ la vida local in Madrid. In homage to the Spanish capital, she publishes MADbudget: The Ultimate Guide to Madrid. Learn more about her work at www.isabelevabohrer.com

International Women’s Day takes place every year on 8^th March and to mark the event HostelBookers, the budget accommodation specialist, hand-picks the 10 best hostels around the world to suit women travellers for whom security, a spot of pampering or the feminine touch, really matters.

The Miami Hostel, Miami, Florida

Located on South Beach, The Miami Hostel has 8, 10 and 12-bed female dorms available. Guests are supplied with free beach towels and ladies will enjoy cocktails in the hostel bar.

St Christopher’s Orient Espresso, London, UK

Girls can take their pick of private, 4-bed or 8-bed dorms. Other hostel facilities include a free travel library, complimentary chess in the coffee shop and internet access in the cyber café.

Papaya Female Youth Hostel, Rome, Italy

All the rooms and facilities are kept to a high standard and travellers will find the free internet kiosks and Wi-Fi useful for planning their day in the city.

Cairns Girls Hostel, Cairns, Australia

With car rental facilities nearby, this is a great choice for those hoping to explore the coastline and the Great Barrier Reef. The hostel is located in the central business district close to the main shopping and tourist outlets. It boasts easy access to cinemas, nightclubs, the waterfront and the lagoon.

Caulaincourt Square Hostel, Paris, France

Located close to Montmartre and Le Sacre Coeur in Paris’s pretty bohemian quarter, the hostel offers free Wi-Fi and free bike rental which is a great way to explore the city.

Adventurer Hostel, Los Angeles, California

Ranked top 3 for ‘Most Popular’ in North America in the HostelBookers Awards for Excellence 2010, Adventurer Hostel offers female-only dorms which sleep 4, 8 or 20 people.

Plus Prague, Prague, Check Republic

Girls will appreciate the homely creature comforts on offer; extra space, cosmetic tables equipped with hairdryers, complimentary toiletries and a goody bag, are all included in their girls-only dorms. The rest of the hostel is mixed and boasts an indoor swimming pool which guests can use for free.

Lub d Bangkok – Silom, Bangkok, Thailand

The hostel is equipped with plenty of security features such as key card access to the dorms, private rooms and communal areas. There are also individual lockers in each dormitory.

BASE St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia

Located in St Kilda – Melbourne’s seaside suburb – BASE offers ladies their own Sanctuary wing. In these female-only dorms girls can enjoy free champagne, hair straightening irons and tea or coffee in bed on weekends.

Jazz on Amsterdam Ave, New York, USA

It offers ladies 8, 6 or 4-bed dorms many of them en suite, air-conditioned and with nice colourful decor. Staff organise outings and events throughout the week so guests have plenty of opportunities to meet their fellow travellers.