Backpacking is not only adventurous, it's the most affordable way to travel. With money saved from staying in expensive hotels, you can see and do more on the move, meet locals in authentic situations and get a true flavour of what the countries below have to offer.
Cambodia
While package tourists have overrun neighbouring Thailand, Cambodia has come into its own as a destination. The white sand beaches of Sihanoukville literally squeak beneath your feet, and where else can you laze on the beach and get an hour-long massage for under $10 (Dh36)? After the beaches, the star attraction is the temple complex of Angkor. The nearest town, Siem Reap, has its own airport with daily flights to Asian hubs. Accommodation and restaurant options have improved in recent years, and remain very affordable. Pick up the three-day pass to visit the remarkable stone temples that remain from this ancient civilisation. From busy Angkor Wat to my favourite temple, Ta Prohm, it's a true wonder of the world.
Guatemala
Guatemala is beautiful and cheap. Getting there is not as easy and getting around can be a little hair-raising: there's no chicken bus quite like a Guatemalan chicken bus! Backpackers descend on Lake Atitlan, surrounded by its volcanic cones, congregating in the small village of San Pedro. Come for a few days, stay for a month. The same could be said of Antigua, the country's most popular tourist town, loaded with hole-in-the-wall bars, cheap restaurants and fashion boutiques. It's a great place to sign up with a Spanish school, befriend a couple of locals and lose a couple months among the cobblestones.
The Philippines
For some reason, the Philippines fall off people's radar when it comes to Asia. It shouldn't. With more than 7,000 islands, it's the picture of tropical paradise, famed for warm and friendly locals. It's relatively easy to get around and generally inexpensive. Your dirhams will go far, especially if you take ferries between islands as opposed to flying. Outstanding ecotourism abounds, especially on the island of Palawan. Try sea kayaking, scuba-diving, hiking, sailing or just chilling out on a beautiful beach.
The Trans-Siberian Railway
Truly adventurous backpackers might consider a summer adventure on one of the world's most famous train routes: The more than 8,000-kilometre journey by train from Vladivostok to St Petersburg, also known as the Trans-Siberia Railway. Along the way, you'll see beautiful countryside, but also experience a Byzantine ticketing system, medieval train rules and locals not exactly famed for their hospitality. That said, there's plenty of time to daydream looking out of the window as the rolling fields of Siberia, and some spectacular sunsets, pass you by. Pack plenty of good books and stop off and visit the world's oldest and deepest lake, Baikal. At the end of the line, St Petersburg is a true reward for your long journey.
Brazil
I've been backpacking in Brazil three times, and I keep heading back. I could talk about the samba and the people, the beaches and the delicious churrascarias, but the country is so vast one paragraph isn't going to cut it.
Before things boil over with the World Cup and Olympics, I'd suggest you fly into Rio, heading over to explore the island of Ilha Grande, where no cars are allowed, and continue north to Salvador, catching tropical days on a paradise island such as Morro de Sao Paulo. If you're craving wildlife, head to the Amazon or the Pantanal. Heading south will be cool this time of year, but northeast Brazil, especially the towns of Olinda, Recife and Natal, will be buzzing with backpackers.
— Robin Esrock is the host of Word Travels, seen on Travel Channel and Nat Geo Adventure. You can catch up with him at www.moderngonzo.com
