The Tux in the Backpack

We don’t necessarily agree that Flashpacking is simply backpacking with loads of techno-gadgets. However, flashpackers or not, who doesn’t travel nowadays with a digital camera, a mobile phone, and maybe even a laptop? That also means chargers for these toys, and if you go from country to country different plugs, so inevitably an adapter is required.

However in the last months we’ve noticed how (usually newly built) flashpacking hostels and hotels are helping in this task equipping their rooms with something as ingenious as simple. An international, universal wall plug.

We’ve seen it recently in Sydney, Singapore and Bangkok. We thought, how come nobody thought of this before? Hopefully in a year or two the international travel adapter will be a gadget off your backpack (or suitcase)!

Popularity: 8% [?]

The same Hostelworld survey that throw so much light on the “new backpackers” that travel in more comfort – helping to create awareness on the Flashpacking phenomenon – also reveals how these new travelers often arrive at the hostel carrying “their modern day gadgets safely stowed in their wheelie suitcase”. You can see the related article here.

Is that the end of the backpack then? And as a consequence we cannot really define backpackers as such anymore? We like to think that the backpack is till quite handy. A lot of course depends on your destinations. A wheelie suitcase won’t be too useful on the destroyed footpaths of Bali, or in any sandy path for all that matters. Mountains and jungle destinations would be more problematic without a backpack.

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 22% [?]

One again we bring you the “best of the web” when it comes to Flashpacking. This time regarding tips to Flashpack in extreme conditions.

How about scented travel candles to create a bit of an atmosphere even in places where atmosphere (or decent smell) is the last thing you would find?

Or how about small French style coffee presses and your favorite roast to get the coffee you want even in the most remote place?

Check out the full post! Because once again Flashpack is not about the money or the gadgets, but about the style!

Popularity: 14% [?]

We often mentioned how you don’t necessarily need a big budget to go Flashpacking around the world, if you know how and where to find sweet alternatives to mass tourism destinations.

In this first post about Flashpacking Destinations we want to reveal a nice alternative to the famous and exotic dream destination Bali. Located just beside Bali, Lombok is often defined as an “unspoiled Bali”, or a “Bali 20 years ago”.

You can find there the same fantastic beaches, great culture (even more actually as in Bali the main religion is Hindu, while in Lombok you can visit Hindu temples but Muslim mosques as well) and nice Indonesian food (Lombok means actually chilly pepper in the local language, Sasak). Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 19% [?]

The definitions you find online for Flashpacking reduce it to backpacking with loads of tech gadget and/or a big budget. To us the concept of Flashpacking is like the one of James Bond: yes, you have the gadgets, yes you have the luxury, but what really makes the difference is the style. And look what we’ve found online while investigating similarities between Flashpacking and James Bond:
The closest you can get to a 007 backpack. Full review here.

Popularity: 14% [?]