Recent reports suggest that the baby boomer generation has grown tired of what was once seen as the traditional post-work travel experience.
Retirees are eschewing Caribbean or European river cruises in favour of the student gap-year life.
If you’re looking to “rough it” – on a far-flung backpacking adventure or a self-sufficient campervanning trip around Europe – you might need inspiration.
Look no further than our rundown of five of the best backpacking and campervanning destinations for a true travelling adventure.
1. Bangkok, Thailand
For decades, Bangkok has been the backpacker’s gateway to South East Asia. Why not make it yours?
As Thailand’s capital city, it’s home to more than 10 million people. You’ll find the Grand Palace and the stunning temple complexes of Wat Traimit and Wat Pho, home to the Golden and Reclining Buddhas, respectively.
Throughout the city, you’ll find shopping malls and bustling markets, alongside labyrinthine alleys home to tasty street food and busy bars.
If you’re new to the city, you might want to head straight to the Khao San Road. It’s the travel hub of the city – if not the continent – so expect large crowds. You’ll also find loud music, the area’s famous bucket cocktails, and not-so-tasty treats like scorpions on sticks, intended to capture the tourist market.
Prices are likely to be inflated here but head away from the main drag in either direction for lots of interesting side streets and a more local feel to the street food, restaurants, and bars. You should find cheaper accommodation too.
Bangkok is a sprawling city – the city centre is a half-hour taxi from Khao San Road – with plenty of quiet areas to relax.
You might opt for a riverboat or canal ride, offering a great view of riverside temples and local life along the river. You’ll also find several beautiful parks dotted around, perfect for slowing down in what can be a hectic city.
2. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
If Bangkok is the gateway to Southeast Asia, Cambodia is the first and next stop for many. Its most famous tourist destination is the stunning temple complex of Angkor Wat, for which Siem Reap is the closest town.
On a regular tourist route, you’ll find plenty of travel options, although the train will likely be the cheapest (just over £1 could get you comfortably from Bangkok to the border).
In Siem Reap itself you’ll find hostels as well as cheap boutique hotels if you need slightly more luxury at this point in your travels.
There are plenty of bars and restaurants, and it’ll be easy to arrange a trip to Angkor Wat. If you can cope with the early start, getting there in time to see the sun rise over the main temple is a must.
From Siem Reap, why not continue your travels down to the capital Phnom Penh, from where it’s only a short boat ride into Vietnam?
3. Machu Picchu, Peru
If you want to combine a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with a serious love of hiking, why not consider the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
Group treks can be arranged for 1 to 12 days, depending on fitness levels. When you reach your destination you’ll be welcomed by the wonderfully preserved temples of the Incan Empire. Not only that but being nestled high up in the steep slopes of the Andes, you’ll have stunning views too.
Listen for the nearby roar of the Urubamba River far below as you navigate the complex, whose exact use remains a mystery, 500 years after it was abandoned.
An adventure not for the faint-hearted, you’ll need to book far in advance as numbers on the trail each day are heavily restricted. This should, though, give you plenty of time to prepare physically. The strenuous ascent at high altitude – with 20% less oxygen than sea level – means that you’ll need to carefully check your travel insurance too.
It is strongly recommended that you seek medical advice and consult your GP before deciding to embark on this particular adventure.
4. Tallinn, Estonia
For a more down-to-earth backpacking adventure, try Estonia’s capital city, Tallinn.
The city has been inhabited for nearly 5,000 years. But it is the city walls and crisscrossing cobbled streets of the Old Town’s 13th-century constructions that attract the most visitors. The area has been listed as a Unesco world heritage site since 1997.
Climb to the Patkuli viewing platform for an unobstructed view over the medieval towers and spires of the old town. Or stop for a drink and bite to eat in the heart of the Old Town district, the Tallinn Town Hall square.
Elsewhere, you’ll find stunning architecture from the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral to the Kiek in de Kök Fortification Museum and bastion passages, a collection of 17th and 18th tunnels under the city.
Hostel accommodation could cost as little as £30 a night.
5. The North Coast 500, Scotland
Launched in 2015, the North Coast 500 (NC500) begins and ends at Inverness Castle. The 516-mile route around the beautiful north Scotland coast is a scenic route, perfect for novice campervanners.
The route takes in sights like the Bealach na Bà, an 1822 mountain pass that is now a single winding road that weaves dramatically through the Scottish Highlands. You’ll also visit the beautiful village of Ullapool and St Peter’s Kirk in the town of Thurso.
You can also stop off at John o’ Groats, or head to the nearby Dunnet Head, Great Britain’s northernmost point.
It’s worth noting that while the NC500 has brought a lot of tourism to the area, it has faced opposition too. Inconsiderate driving – both speeding and slow drivers – has angered some locals, while others worry about the environmental impact but for respectful tourists, there is a huge amount to enjoy.
