You probably have your own definition of the typical backpacker. Maybe this definition even fits you. A backpacker travels the World with his trusted backpack, takes pride in avoiding changing clothes or showering and travels with the cheapest possible mode of local transport. But what if you want to travel and experience the World in the authentic, independent way, but have also become accustomed to a certain level of comfort?
Maybe you want to experience the World, but you do not want to live like a bum while you do so. You are the kind that prefers a nice bed in a single room over your sleeping bag along with 17 strangers in a dorm room; that wants to fly between destinations instead of travelling on the back of a pickup with a herd of goats; that wants to bring your iPhone and laptop along to keep in touch with your family and friends and stay updated during your adventure. There is a word for this way of travelling: It is called “flashpacking” and it is becoming increasingly popular.
What is flashpack?
Flashpacking is a brilliant way to travel the World while sticking to the independent backpacker style, but with a higher level of comfort. The typical flashpacker is in the late 20s – start 30s and has a bit more money to play around with than the young backpacker. However, there is no lower or upper age limit for being a flashpacker!The flashpacker can afford some comfort on the journey. For instance, the flashpacker would rather fly than than hop on a bus or hitchhike on his journey around the World. This could be because of the job waiting back home which limits the flashpacker from journeys of more than 2 months and thus opts for a compressed round-the-World trip. The mode of transport is the easiest way to cut down on the travel time.Round the World ticketsSee examples here The flashpacker will go on more local tours or paid activities, where the backpacker spends most of the small budget on food and transport. How about a sailing trip in beautiful Croatia or in Vietnamese Ha Long Bay? Flashpackers will often go out to eat instead of eating cup noodles at the hostel. They will typically carry more electronics with them like laptops, smartphones and digital cameras. In essence, the flashpacker is still a backpacker, as they have the desire to experience the authentic side of a destination while getting to know the locals and other travelers – just with a little more “flash”.
Is the flashpacker the modern day backpacker?
Today, it is often cheaper to travel by plane than by train – and in addition you save time on transport. This means that you have more time to spend at the destination. Most backpackers and flashpackers will agree that it is cooler to reach the destination quickly as opposed to sitting on a train for 7 hours. Travelers have more money on their hands today – even the young backpacker fresh out of high school. Only a select few would be tempted by travelling without a camera or a smartphone. Perhaps we are actually all flashpackers and what we consider a traditional backpacker is a dying race. Flashpacking is here to stay, and if you are a flashpacker you are just as big an adventurer as the rarer and rarer backpacker.
To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries. Your trip – Your choice!
Regardless, if you are a real backpacker who takes pride in skipping showers and sneer at a real bed or a shower not requiring flip flops; or if you are a flashpacker that prefers making your way with Google Maps on your iPhone over the traditional folding paper map; you have one thing in common: the desire to experience the World in the authentic way and to keep your independency and freedom along the way.
The key message to you, the flashpacker, is: You too can experience the World in the authentic way – even though you have more money on your hand and prefer some level of comfort on your adventure.
(source: KILROY)