There are those who believe that the simple approach to dressing works equally well on holiday. Pack 10 T-shirts in a suitcase, throw in some swimwear and flip-flops and that’s about it. But then there are those who believe that you will have a better time on holiday if you feel right. Clearly “feeling right” differs from person to person and holiday destination to destination. That said, there are some guiding principles that can help to up your style ante as you escape the cold weather for a summer sojourn overseas. We’ll leave it to you to think laterally and adapt to suit.

- Have an airport/travel look that comprises of warmish layers and your heaviest holiday shoes. This is not the time to channel Angelina Jolie in a black silk mini dress as seen in a Japanese airport this week. You’ll be cold and grumpy and desperate to buy a bad cardigan from a second-rate duty-free shop in no time. Instead, this is the time to wear a rolled chino, a light knit, knockout sunglasses and a pair of leather sandals.

- Speaking of footwear, unthinking loyalty to thongs is a style copout. It takes minuscule extra effort to choose a pair of sandals to take away with you, yet they add a style dimension to even the most basic shorts-and-vest holiday look.

 Angelina Jolie arrives in Tokyo with her brood in tow, (from left) Shiloh, Pax, Maddox and Zahara.  Photo: Reuters -

Don’t have a holiday wardrobe, have a holiday style philosophy instead. One that means you wear your usual summer clothes but in a crafty holiday-ish way. Not only does this save cash and time spent in badly lit changing rooms, it is the fast track to looking more stylish. This means admitting that the summer dress you bought for a party can easily be your sightseeing dress. A blouse you normally wear with jeans will look good with shorts for an alfresco lunch. This isn’t wardrobe downgrading, this is wardrobe multitasking. And your holiday snaps will thank you for it. - Take into account your holiday pals and the kind of look they will be rocking at the check-in desk. In terms of how right you feel on holiday, it’s up there with reading an accurate weather report ahead of time. - No one of any style repute actually wears a kaftan or a sarong. Beach coverups are for Liz Hurley to design and then tell us about on the pages of an August issue of Tatler. Sarongs are for soap stars doing photo shoots. They are completely unnecessary, if you need to cover up on a beach, then just get dressed. Pull on your shorts, button up your silk blouse, shove on a sundress – whatever. But don’t fiddle about with a useless piece of floral-printed sheer fabric. - There is no need to buy a dedicated beach bag, unless it is along the lines of a Marc by Marc Jacobs bright canvas shopper: ie, something that you will want to shake the sand out of and use again. Failing that, use your Monday-to-Friday leather bag, provided it’s a decent size. It gives the impression that you are more nonchalant about beach style and is infinitely chicer. - Jewellery in the form of overly fancy earrings or a big, shiny bangle will add kick to your style quota but almost nothing to the weight of your luggage. - The secret of holiday hair. The keenest eyes will have already noted that the scruffy top-knot has silently become the hairstyle to have this summer. Its reach has extended out from the standard Hollywood pap shot of celebrity-plus-Starbucks-plus-scruffy-top-knot, to the parks of east London and beyond. Basically, it is a high bun with loose tendrils of hair pulled out to frame the face. It’s super easy to do so there is no need for a patronising explanation and it makes for the most perfect holiday hair. Great for the beach, great for a windy ferry crossing and great with a brilliant pair of sunglasses. - What does your luggage says about you? Too much luggage, even on the super-deluxe scale, is a bad thing. Consider the picture that Paris Hilton tweeted of her pre-World Cup packing. Genius and iconic yes, but testament to her superior holiday style, not at all. It doesn’t suggest that she has a huge holiday reading backlog to get through, it says she’s indecisive and not particularly confident in her holiday-styling ability. Ditto Coleen Rooney and the clutch of suitcase minders she recently had to employ after her most recent hols. Coleen’s cases also highlight another luggage truth: suitcases (barring Vuitton trunks and The Queen’s stamped Globe Trotters) are ugly. If you really want your luggage to say you are stylish, then you need an unbranded minimal leather holdall. It suggests that you are pretty loose with the packing, and thus well-travelled and effortlessly chic. Sadly not the most portable option.

IMOGEN FOX        Guardian News & Media 2010

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We all know Cancun, Miami and Cabo are great for spring break. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the company of drunken college chicks and cheap tequila on the beach. But this year, we urge you to dig a little deeper. An entire world of similarly (likely more) satisfying experiences lie ahead and the best time to begin exploring them is now. From the best beaches, most picturesque scenery to the best drinks, food and art, 

Based on our network of backpacking buddies who have traveled the world throughout 2009, here is our list of the Top 10 Backpacking Destinations for 2010:

Cheapest: CAMBODIA

Travel guides have advised their readers to go to Thailand for years because it’s a cheap travel destination. Subsequently, swarms of backpackers, then tourists, congested the shit out of Bangkok. For this reason, we say forget Thailand and go to Cambodia before it gets tourist trapped. Although getting to Cambodia will cost you some cash (about $1000), once you’re in, you will feel like a millionaire. Since bargaining is common practice in most of Southeast Asia, it is said that you should aim for getting whatever you want for half of what people initially offer. Just to give you an idea: a pack of cigarettes is 20 to 25 cents. Breakfast: about $1. Hostels run $5 per day (if you get ritzy, a nice hotel is $15-$30 per day). The most expensive thing you should encounter is the entrance fee to the Angkor Temples (about $20 per day). These ancient ruins are not to be missed and will be worth spending a few dollars on.

Nightlife: Reykjavik, Iceland

With Ibiza dying out, Tokyo becoming increasingly expensive and Amsterdam (well it’s still a party if you don’t turn into a lazy stoner during your visit) we turn to Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, for insane nightlife. The nights are longer here which means the parties last and last. The girls and guys are hot, the temperature is cold, so dancing, drinking and debauchery are all accepted forms of keeping warm. Plan a trip for new years to get the best of the Icelandic party experience (fireworks and all). This is what Quentin Tarantino had to say about partying in Iceland. Hey if it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for us.

Beaches: The San Blas Islands, Panama

The world is over 70% water, that water is usually connected to land by beach. With so many beaches to choose from, how does one place stand out from the rest? The perfect beach must have all of the following: soft clean sand, clear water, a fair amount of nakedness, natural surrounding beauty and as few tourists as possible. Very few destinations can offer the seclusion from tourists necessary to have a perfect beachgoing experience. We think the San Blas Islands near the coast of Panama come the closest. San Blas, inhabited by the Kuna Indians, offers that little bit of seclusion that tourism has yet to ruin. Women dress in handmade molas (beautifully colored fabrics), everyone has a natural sun glow tan and fresh fish is caught daily by locals in handmade kayak boats. Get your beach skimpies on and head out to Cartegena, Colombia where you can catch a boat for $300 to the San Blas Islands. The fee includes a 5 day, all-inclusive stay in beach paradise. Can’t argue with that.

Sightseeing: ITALY

Though not a very off-track destination, Italy has so much to offer historically. Rome is home to the Vatican, Pantheon and Coliseum; Florence to the statue of David and then there’s that leaning tower in Pisa. Genoa is the proud home of Christopher Columbus and the roots of pizza lie in Naples. From Sicily to Milan, ancient Roman ruins are sprawled out in this land of history for you to see. Every corner of Italy will have your camera in overdrive. So read up on Italian historical events and head out to explore the land your history books only vaguely succeeded in describing.

Best Art Scene: Barcelona, Spain

Italy has the best classical art scene. But when the same naked figures, realistic religious scenes and landscapes get boring, drop Italy and cruise over to Barcelona to refresh your artistic eye. Two greats, Salvador Dali and Antonio Gaudi , rule Barcelona’s art culture. Both are pioneers of surrealism in painting (Dali) and architecture (Gaudi) and their art kicks ass. More than being visually orgasmic (Dali Painting, Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia), surrealism opened the door to a whole new world of art that Barcelona continues to redefine; a world where former rules of fine art are bent and distorted. Although some stuffy, snotty, overpriced art galleries do exist here, it’s easy to find your art fix on the streets of Barcelona. Gaudi’s trippy buildings are scattered throughout the city and the museum of Dali is only a 40 minute scenic train ride north to Figueras. If these guys don’t tickle you pickle, Barcelona is also packed with more thought-provoking graffiti than you can imagine, inspiring street performers and tons of off-beat artistic expressions (this cat statue for example).

Most Remote: LAMU

In our world of been there, done that, very few places can still be considered “remote”. Most regions in the world have been taken over by luxury hotels and tourist traps. It’s hard to set foot on land that is truly remote. On that note, OTP brings you Lamu. Off the coast of Kenya, the Lamu archipelago is the oldest inhabited settlement south of the Sahara, its inhabitants are still largely Muslim and here, deserted beaches are still a reality. Whereas most places in the world are locally navigable by train, car, bus or at least moped, Lamu’s locals get around on donkeys ONLY (now that’s some serious remoteness).

Adventurous: The Himalayas (Tibet/Bhutan/Nepal)

Although these areas are quite difficult to get into (as the Chinese government expressly limits tourism here for tense political reasons, see our Volunteer Tibet Article for more info), once you’re in, the Himalayas will quench your thirst for adventure. Hiking these peaks isn’t for pussies. The elevation gets painfully high and the trek becomes difficult but if you can grow a pair, this destination offers the adventure of a lifetime. Hikes through the Himalayas are laced with spiritual hilltop villages, Buddhist temples and monasteries (where you can actually stay with monks and experience their peaceful way of life). A hike through the Himalayas not only awakens your physical sense of adventure but also connects you to a spiritual world unlike any other.

Nature Filled: BOLIVIA

Everyone was exposed to the natural beauty of New Zealand following the release of Lord of the Rings. Yes, it is very green, lush and mind-blowing. But in the same vein, it’s also incredibly expensive to get to ($1400-$1800). Instead, feast your eyes on Bolivia. With no compromises in the natural beauty department (c’mon it’s in the Amazon), and a huge price cut ($800 roundtrip), Bolivia offers backpackers some amazing nature-related perks. This place has salt flats, sand dunes, zip lines, exotic animals and plants, incredible rolling green hills and enough ancient ruins to overload your senses into oblivion. Go get your Amazon on (bring bug spray).

Hottest Locals: BRAZIL

With so many beautiful people in the world, how do we pick just one place as the home of all that’s hot? Easy: Nakedness that’s how. Home of the Brazilian wax (necessary if all you’re wearing is body paint), Brazil offers up some incredibly sexy locals. Although the nakedness is at full force during Carnival (February) when Rio is torn apart by women wearing nothing but body paint and feathers, the best time to see the local hotties is in June during the Boi Bumba Festival. Fear not, the same nakedness is in store but minus the insane crowds that Carnival attracts. This annual festival takes place in Parintins (a small river community in northern Brazil) and is based on a legend about killing a bull and eating his tongue. Dancers are designated as various characters in the festival, each wearing very little and shaking their endowments all over the place. Here are some photos for visual convincing.

Overall: COLOMBIA

Our best overall spot goes to a destination that embodies all the qualities of our top 2010 list and, to spice it up, adds a little danger into the mix. A long-time “no go” zone for Americans, Colombia is 2010?s hottest backpacking destination. It’s cheap as hell (2,500 pesos, or $0.75 for a beer), has beautiful locals (Shakira, case closed), incredible artists (Botero: the fat man that does fatty art) and remote beaches (how does sleeping in a hammock hostel sound for $2 a night?). The danger element comes from rumors of American kidnappings and drug wars, although Colombia has become much safer in recent years. In larger cities like Bogota and Medellin (home of Pablo Escobar), solo backpackers are advised to stay in at night on weekdays, places like Cartegena and Santa Marta are safe at nightfall. Besides, a little danger always makes for a good time in paradise.

Whether its nature, art, history, hotties or beaches you seek, the above spots will satisfy whatever your craving may be in 2010. Don’t be afraid to get a little off track this year; drunken Cancun will still be around in 2011.

Written By: Anna Starostinetskaya

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Going abroad will be fun in all kinds of ways.  These three will make your trip mind-blowing.  You will be hooking up with a whole slew of internationals and you will have a damn good time doing it (safely, of course).  If some drugs are on the menu, we won’t judge.  Moderation is always key (nobody likes a crackhead).  As for partying, there are beach parties, club parties, hostel, hot tub and pool parties for the taking abroad.  Here are a few things we have learned along the way that should maximize your fun times:

Sex

The conditions abroad are perfect for getting laid.  Everyone is excited in every way when they travel so they let go of their inhibitions.  Hooking up with fellow backpackers should be fairly easy as they are in the same boat with you mentally (and sometimes, close to the same bed).  Check out our Hostel Sex article for advice on how to seal the deal with hostelmates.

As far as hooking up with locals, there are a few factors to consider that will increase your chances:

• Looking your best abroad may be hard.  Groom, shower and primp if you plan to get laid.  Go grungy when you’re in between places.  Balance is key.
• Culture matters when it comes to sex.  Some places, like Jamaica, are very lenient on the sexual liberation front.  Other places, like the Middle East, have very strict hook-up rules and pre-marital sex may be out of the question all together.  To get in the know, check out the Top Ten Horniest Countries according to askmen.com.
• Buying drinks or playing dumb will not get you laid everywhere.  Modify your tactics based on location.
• Smile often.  Brush your teeth.

None of this working out for you: Here are the prostitution policies of 100 countries around the world.

Drugs

Amsterdam comes to mind instantly, right?  It is known for its liberal drug laws and partaking in some pot smoking (or brownie eating) is allowed and normal.  There will be cafes that sell marijuana; all different kinds, in varying forms for different types of consumption (on premises).  You will be tempted to get stoned out of your mind.  Just keep it fun and don’t overdo it for risk of sleeping through your whole trip to Amsterdam.  Also, great greasy food will be available everywhere to cure those munchies.

Colombia is where cocaine lives.  It will be cheap ($5 a gram), varies in form and will be available all around you. We’re not suggesting you go out into the streets of Colombia and start asking everyone for cocaine, we’re just saying there’s lots of it out there. Keep in mind that the drug wars here have been raging since the beginning of time. Stay sober enough to be careful and don’t let it become a reason to stay in Colombia.

All kinds of drugs will be available everywhere and their legality will vary from place to place. Here is a tool to find the drug policies in the places you want to visit so you can know where to smoke, snort and shoot up (we really hope it doesn’t get to this) abroad.

Partying

A party is to be had anywhere in the world.  You can find something that fits your partying moods and needs in every country.  Some will be organized annual celebrations, some impromptu park  and house parties, there are clubs, bars and costume balls (during the day, night, morning and any time in between). A taste of what’s available:

• Oktoberfest in Germany  (September 20 to October 10, annually) is dedicated to beer consumption and messiness.  Here are some photos from last year’s party to call your taste buds to attention.
• Carnival in Brazil (February 22-28, annually) is known worldwide for their elaborate costumes (with built-in nakedness) and wild celebrations.  A couple of photos for your viewing pleasure.
• Botellons in Spain: these are organized park drinking parties.  You bring booze, everyone else brings their booze and you share.  Most large plazas in Spain will hold one around 10pm every weekend night!
• Australia Day: January 26^th.  The whole country (well continent) celebrates the discovery (through European settlement) of Australia.  It’s all about beers, barbecues and beaches.

Read Matador.com’s list of top ten parties for more inspiration.

When it comes to sex, drugs and partying, the same precautions apply abroad as they do at home.  Keep an eye on your drink at all times (roofies are roofies at home or while traveling), don’t get belligerent (you’ll look stupid and possibly get robbed and/or raped) and know your limits.

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In a modern world where traveling between destinations is viewed as a waste of time and resources, it is hard to actually comprehend the beauty of some of the most spectacular rides on the planet. Far less comfortable, yet far more beautiful and interesting, the time spent between two destinations is equally captivating and offers many sights and sounds.

While we are very much in a century where we have ‘no time to stand and stare’, there are still some awesome train rides across the globe where the trip itself turns into a destination. So how about hopping on these 10 grand train journeys?

Glacier Express

Arguably the slowest ‘express’ on the planet, the 180 mile ride on this delightful route takes a good 8 hours. Not that we are complaining about the pace as this offers you loads of time to catch a glimpse of the magical panorama that lies on its path, which links the two mountain resorts of St. Moritz and Zermatt in the Swiss Alps. 291 bridges, 91 tunnels and an altitude of 6,670 feet make this train ride similar to an expedition through fairyland.

Images courtesy of Puddles, +Jun+, janetmck

Spectacular, stunning and picture perfect, this is a trip that the shutter bugs will really love!

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Images by Stef Flater (1 + 2)

Linking some of the best cities of Europe including London, Venice, Rome, Budapest or Prague, the Orient Express is the most charming way to travel on tracks. With scores of movies, novels and romantic Hollywood scenes captured on this luxurious trip, this is one for those with deep pockets. The three day trip past the beautiful countryside of France, Switzerland and Austria will cost well over 2,000 Euros for the old-age charm of the Orient Express.

Pride of Africa

The Pride of Africa is a train journey that no nature lover should ever miss if they wish to explore the beauty, majesty and the hidden grandeur of the spectacular Dark Continent at a leisurely pace. Apart from the impeccable comfort it has to offer, the once in a year trip planned on the ‘Pride of Africa’ will take you on a 14-day epic expedition through Cape Town, Dar Es Salaam, Kimberley, Pretoria, the Kruger National Park, Beit Bridge, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Lusaka and through Tanzania to Dar Es Salaam.

Images by Rovos Rail

Billed as the most luxurious train in the world, you’d better not lose the opportunity if you’re planning a romantic vacation through the heart of Southern Africa.

Eurostar

Image by lewishamdreamer

While not many will really be happy with the fact that you get to spend plenty of time in the Eurostar under the sea, it sure offers a great mix of comfort and class. Apart from getting you to your chosen destination in a pretty short time, it is a much better option compared to choosing the flight between London and Paris. Innovative …

Flam Railway

Remember the awesome Norwegian Fjords? Well, here is a train ride through the world’s longest fjord Sognefjord, where on a 20 kilometer trip you’ll get to see an amazing descent from an altitude of almost 3,000 feet into the fjords of Flam. The ride looks both enthralling and hair-raising with its narrow passage way and the unforgettable sights.

Images by Sugeo, Laurakgibb, kurlvink

A popular tourist attraction in Norway, this is all about exploring unadulterated beauty of nature at a leisurely pace.

Palace on Wheels

Images courtesy of nzer and rdtc.in

Step on the Palace on Wheels and you will find exactly what you have been promised with the name. The train that starts from Delhi in India and ends up in the royal state of Rajasthan, offers complete luxury on tracks, much like the pampering enjoyed by royal kings in the days long gone. Just to roll back time, a steam engine is used to pull the train initially out of Delhi, adding further to the experience. An elephant welcome in Jaipur, lunch at the Lake Palace in Udaipur, a camel safari near Jaisalmer and an afternoon at the Taj Mahal; the Palace on Wheels is the most comfortable way to explore India.

Eastern & Oriental Express

All images courtesy of Orient-Express Images

Stretching between the ultra-modern Singapore and Bangkok, and traveling through lush green tropical forests, the Eastern and Oriental Express is modern, stylish and comfortable.

Apart from all the delights it offers in terms of cuisine and hospitality, the train journey presents a perfect window into South-East Asia, its changing topography and the contrast between its urban present and its naturally-endowed past.

Royal Scotsman

If you are getting on board the Royal Scotsman, then you must have really deep pockets – it’s the most expensive train ride on the planet. Just consider the fact that a 4-day trip on the Royal Scotsman costs more than an entire 19-day first-class trip on the Trans-Siberian, and you will get the idea. The observation car accommodates 36 passengers (yes, only 36 passengers allowed) in comfortable armchairs along with cabins specially designed for dining and other purposes.

Images by lolothian, christymacintosh, jeffmcneil

The train pulls over at night when you need to sleep and while the trip offers a great passage through little known waterfalls, mountains and valleys, it is obviously not for everyone.

Trans-Siberian Railway

There is hardly any doubt that a 6000 mile ride across the vastness of Russia that carries you over a distance of one-third the planet is the grand daddy of them all. The Trans-Siberian train ride is a journey that has already achieved a mythical status for the vastness it encompasses and the magnitude of brilliance that it has in store.

From Vladivostok across Siberia to Moscow and then to St. Petersburg, the 19-day ride offers more than you could ever find on any other train. Carriages once used by the Politburo are fitted with two bedrooms, a bathroom and a sitting/dining-room, complete with private chef. Carrying you in comfort across seven time zones, this is the ultimate experience on tracks.

It is a unique feeling to carry home when your whole journey becomes your destination as there is never a dull moment on your trip. Instead of waiting for fun and good times to start rolling as you sit in your airline seat, the great train journeys turn every moment into a memory you can cherish for a lifetime.